Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
READING — Maizy Cullen, left, Makayla Hartsgrove, with Hunter Hartsgrove in background, do a reading at the memorial tree planting ceremony held last Wednesday at the Lumberman’s Museum.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
PATTEN — It’s fragile, nurtured by nature, rising and reaching skyward. Its elongated, lanky fingers lengthen to clutch the soil. Stretching and intensifying. The seedling bursts through the dark to bear witness to the furrow of life.
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church in Patten “Kids L.I.F.E.” children, grades K-6, planted tree seedlings last Wednesday to represent the 20 citizens who passed away during 2012. The seedlings were planted in two rows adjacent to the Lumberman’s Museum in Patten.
“Kids L.I.F.E.” (Living In Faith Everyday) is an after-school program held each Wednesday at Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church and directed by Wendy Anderson and Paula Lilley.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
PLANTING — Samuel Dyrenforth pushes a tiny seedling into the ground. Each seedling planted was in memory of a departed Patten resident. The children of Kid’s L.I.F.E. of the Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church planted the seedlings at the Lumberman’s Museum.
“We are finding community projects for the children to do,” said Anderson. “With Arbor Day coming up, it was a nice fit to honor the citizens we lost in 2012.”
Through their meetings, the children learned about Arbor Day and the importance of plants and trees to the environment. Then, Anderson talked to the children about people who have died and about different ideas of how to remember them.
“The children were actually really excited to do this,” she added.
With the order from the Arbor Day Foundation falling through, Anderson was able to get 50 tree seedlings from the U.S. Forestry Service.
“Actually, the children are able to take trees home with them to plant, as well,” she said.
Pastor Dave Dyrenforth began the ceremony, “Jesus told us a seed needs to die and fall to the ground before it can be raised up to bring new life so in honor of those who have died, we have these trees as a sign of new life, recognizing the real new life though is in us.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
REMEMBRANCE — A plaque inscribed with the 20 names of Patten citizens who passed away in 2012 is affixed to a White Birch birdbath.
As he prayed, Pastor Dave asked God to allow the trees to “grow strong as a symbol of your ongoing life … nurture and care for them.”
As the 20 names of citizens were read — Nancy Dauphinee, Glenn Kennedy, John Meuheren, Ryan Bates, Janet Desmond, Waldo Harvey, Tanner Morse, Leo Dickinson, Marc Arthurs, Nick Hall, Jeanette Harvey, Lawrence Shorey, Sally Flannery, Jacqueline Palmer, John Dickinson, Morrill Perry, Walter Phillips, Gaylene Watson, Barbara Wheaton and Roland Wilkins — each child took the tiny seedling and placed it into the ground.
“The evergreen tree is a representation of rebirth, renewal [in every] situation of life,” said Anderson. “Each tree will grow as a symbol of the lives of those we hold dear in our hearts.”
Next to the site of the tree planting, all the names are attached to a plaque on a white birch bird bath.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
BACK TO THE GROUND — Emma McNally, left, and Lily Cullen look up after placing a tiny tree seedling into the designated area during a memorial tree planting service held at the Lumberman’s Museum in Patten. Children from Kid’s L.I.F.E. of the Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church held the ceremony to honor 20 departed citizens.
“Creator of life, sustainer of seed and soil, tree and flower, you have created this world and all that lives in it, it is to you that we come in this prayer of dedication and blessing,” Anderson said. “For you are the giver of life and the sustainer of all that lives. We come to you to dedicate these trees in memory of our beloved citizens. All who you continue to hold in your generous grace. We give you thanks for their lives. These trees remind us of the ones that we love who are held forever in your never ending love.”
With about 50 to 60 family members and others turning out for the event, Anderson was very pleased and the children enjoyed a picnic after the event with the help of the Kid’s L.I.F.E. staff, museum curator and blacksmith.
“I was extremely happy with the turnout,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. We are going to try to do this yearly. Hopefully, we do not have to plant 20 trees next year because that is a lot of lost citizens.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
ADDING WATER — Josiah Rodgerson, left, and Makayla Hartsgrove pour water on the tree seedlings after the memorial ceremony. The children of Kid’s L.I.F.E. of the Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church planted the seedlings at the Lumberman’s Museum in honor of 20 departed citizens.
