Memorial trees planted in honour of Morley/Patullo residents

Morley and Patullo township residents who had passed away were honoured at a special Memorial Tree dedication service attended by about 70 people Saturday in Stratton.
Moe and Joyce Henry came up with a unique idea last winter.
“I anticipated that we would get about 10 takers,” Moe Henry said. “I never imagined we would be planting 42 trees here today.”
At a cost of $75 per tree, people could purchase either a flowering crab, basswood, silver maple, mountain ash, Canadian red cherry, or a green ash in the name of loved ones or friends.
The names of those remembered, and by whom, also were engraved on a plaque locally made by Clarence Shrumm and John Smits.
Some of those honoured were settlers dating back to the early 1900s. Ken Noble and his family, for instance, honoured his grandparents, Adolphus and Elizabeth, and an aunt, Vera, with trees planted in front of the Stratton baseball field.
“They came here in 1917,” said Noble. “I think this is a great idea and I would like to see it expanded to include a memory wall for all veterans, both those we lost and those who survived.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have all this,” he stressed.
Most of the trees were planted around the edge of the former Morley Central School property, just north of the Stratton curling rink. Some were planted behind the ball diamond, and one across the highway at the seniors’ drop-in centre in the name of all seniors.
Moe Henry thanked all those who made the dedication possible, including staff at the municipal office, the rec commission, John Smits and Clarence Shrumm, and ETA Construction (for supplying the digging equipment).
He also noted Saturday (May 27) was only the beginning of this program, noting anyone wishing to purchase and plant a tree in the future can do so by calling him or his wife at 483-1220.
“This is a great way to keep history alive as we prepare to celebrate our centennial in 2003,” said Joyce Henry.
Colleen Jolicoeur, president of the Stratton Rec Commission, thanked the Henrys for all their hard work, adding the group has great plans for the former school grounds.
“We want to put a playground, a gazebo, and benches up,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, Morley Reeve Gary Gamsby said he felt the program was a terrific idea. “This is an excellent way to honour the people that went before us,” he said.
Refreshments were served afterwards in the new Stratton hall.