By: Jessica Farquharson
On May 14th, the family of Val Trowell planted 100 trees in celebration of her 100th year of life. The trees are planted along the North end of the school yard along Tupper Street in Saltcoats. The trees were transplanted from a nursery row at the Knudsen’s as well as seedlings that had grown from the row planted by Bert Kirkham also along Tupper Street.
The idea was inspired by a tradition on Norfolk Island to plant 100 Norfolk Pines when a person reaches the age of 100. Mark Trowell (one of Val’s sons) was aware of the tradition due to his husband, Scott, being a descendant of one of the original families of Norfolk Island. Mark brought up the idea with Gerri Knudsen (one of Val’s daughters) who then approached the Beautification Committee and Town Council in order to get approval to go ahead with the tree planting. All six of Val’s children (Doug, Bronwyn Gerri, Glen, Verne and Mark) several spouses, and some of her nieces and nephews and their families made the journey to Saltcoats in order to plant the trees.
The trees planted by the Trowell family also happen to be across the road from the trees that Bert Kirkham planted. The two families have been long-time family friends and this connection is appreciated by the Trowell family. “It’s nice that on one side of the road the trees are associated with Uncle Bert, and on the other side it’s Mom,” says Mark.
In a few years time, the trees will make Tupper a beautiful lane to drive down and will give a nice wind-break for the Saltcoats School playground.