This was the scene as co-hosts, Gaspar Horvath from the Black Creek Project and Chair of the Humber Heritage Committee, Madeleine McDowell joined me bright and early this past Sunday to greet our tour participants. The two hosts, both wearing hats that made me envious (Gaspar with his rugged Tilley and Madeline with a wide brimmed bretonne), were eager to get everything underway.
The tour started with Madeleine’s overview of that historic October 15th, back in 1954. She reminded us that the storm occurred in an era when radios where the primary source of news, all of which ran on electricity. When the power went out and residents of the Humber Valley went to bed, many of them were unaware of the severity of the storm that was traveling their way. Sadly, some of those individuals would never wake again.
While Madeleine continued to share her knowledge, historic images and personal experiences from the event, Gaspar spoke about individual tree species and the roles they play in regenerating a natural space. He garnered great interest from the crowd as he showed participants how the stress in a tree's life can be read in its annual rings. In the picture below he points to a set of tightly gathered lines in an old oak’s stump that he interpreted as the stress from Hazel.
I always love hosting tree tours and this one was no exception. We had great partners, a wonderful volunteer and a fantastic group of participants. I can think of no better way that LEAF could have honored the ravine and the individuals who lost their during this natural disaster than taking the time to walk their path and remember.
Here are a few of the great moments I snapped on the tour:
