The opening was today. Thankfully the weather was nice and warm.
When we got to the park I found Jan and talked with her briefly. It turns out she found Ronald Lavallee's wife, Pat. Pat had made some calls and had Ron's sisters and their kids show up. Jan introduced Pat and I, Pat introduced me to Leo and JP. All of us chit chatted a bit before the ceremony.
Our city counsilor, Steve Garrison, made a "short" speech, Pat went up and said a few words, Jan thanked a few people and finally Mr. Garrison (no, Mr. Hat wasn't there) said it was time to open the splash pad. All the kids that were there went in, placed their hands on the "on" button, counted down and started the water.
While the kids played I chatted with some of the other Lavallees. Most were born in and around tweed but have ties back to Sorel Quebec and to Calixa Lavallée, who wrote the Canadian National Anthem. When I heard Sorel Quebec I excused myself, went home and grabbed my family tree.
I have family from Sorel Quebec. Coincidence?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Family relations?
A normal morning consists of getting up, having coffee, checking emails, sending the kid to school, working on some online upgrading courses, sending out resumes and keeping an eye on the forum. Once in a blue moon I'll answer a phone call before noon.
This morning was normal up to the point of getting a call at 11:00. From the City....
I'm hit with something between panic and confusion. "Why would the City call me? They must have me mistaken for someone else. I can't imagine what by-laws I could have broken, besides, wouldn't the police deal with that? Did something happen to my son? Shouldn't the school or the hospital call then? Do they think I own the building I live in and want to buy or demolish it? Maybe the landlords evicted us?"
I answer the phone, it's Jan form City Events and I'm EXTREMELY confused now. She confirms my name and address and I'm wondering if the City is planing a house party at my place.
Well, there is a Kiwanis Club park across the street from us. For the last couple of months they've been doing some upgrading there and installed a splash pad. Jan was calling to let me know the official opening will be this Friday at 3:30pm. I'm thinking that's great but a bit time consuming to call everyone on the street to let them know. Then she asks me the big question, "Since the park is named after Ronald Lavallee, your last name is Lavallee and you live on the same street am I right in thinking you are related? We're hoping a family member will be on hand for the opening ceremony."
To my knowledge I might be related to him some how. All I know for sure is it isn't an immediate relation. Due to Ron's birth date he'd be 9 years older than my father but dad is the first born so Ron isn't a first level uncle.
Grandpa was the seventh son but I don't know any of his brothers names to try and track down a relationship. I've asked dad countless times for that information and have never gotten it. Grandpa passed away in 2002 and grandma passed in 2007.
Internet searching hasn't turned up anything close to usable.
Since this morning I've been scouring the web. I went to http://www.genealogy.com and set up my family tree, asked a couple of questions on the Lavallee board http://www.genealogy.com/users/l/a/v/Keith-Lavallee/
I've also sent an email to Starbuck Manitoba to see if they have any info.
I really hope I get an answer before Friday.
This morning was normal up to the point of getting a call at 11:00. From the City....
I'm hit with something between panic and confusion. "Why would the City call me? They must have me mistaken for someone else. I can't imagine what by-laws I could have broken, besides, wouldn't the police deal with that? Did something happen to my son? Shouldn't the school or the hospital call then? Do they think I own the building I live in and want to buy or demolish it? Maybe the landlords evicted us?"
I answer the phone, it's Jan form City Events and I'm EXTREMELY confused now. She confirms my name and address and I'm wondering if the City is planing a house party at my place.
Well, there is a Kiwanis Club park across the street from us. For the last couple of months they've been doing some upgrading there and installed a splash pad. Jan was calling to let me know the official opening will be this Friday at 3:30pm. I'm thinking that's great but a bit time consuming to call everyone on the street to let them know. Then she asks me the big question, "Since the park is named after Ronald Lavallee, your last name is Lavallee and you live on the same street am I right in thinking you are related? We're hoping a family member will be on hand for the opening ceremony."
To my knowledge I might be related to him some how. All I know for sure is it isn't an immediate relation. Due to Ron's birth date he'd be 9 years older than my father but dad is the first born so Ron isn't a first level uncle.
Grandpa was the seventh son but I don't know any of his brothers names to try and track down a relationship. I've asked dad countless times for that information and have never gotten it. Grandpa passed away in 2002 and grandma passed in 2007.
Internet searching hasn't turned up anything close to usable.
Since this morning I've been scouring the web. I went to http://www.genealogy.com and set up my family tree, asked a couple of questions on the Lavallee board http://www.genealogy.com/users/l/a/v/Keith-Lavallee/
I've also sent an email to Starbuck Manitoba to see if they have any info.
I really hope I get an answer before Friday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)