4/18/18

FOUR OF A KIND! My Dad was born on July 18, he was Married on April 18, he died on September 18, lived at 18 South Main, N B and married on April 18, 1836. Go figure!

This April of our discontent continues. A cloudy, cold sunrise didn't stop me from greeting my day in  a good spirit. My Country Corner daily visit is always good. Rose C. is steady in every respect. Gas pumpers vary as do customers.

Today I headed my Honda up Foster Hill reflecting on the 358 years us white men have been around these parts. Definitive monuments tell all but who really cares?

Legend and stories tell of old C.D. Richardson's Buffalo Herd rented to the Springfield Parks 100 years ago. Both Dad and Milton C. Richardson recounted their stories. Interesting. I did see pictures of the Bison gazing in the WB fields decades ago.

I have a vested interest in George Allen Road and Wine Road, NB. as Deeds reveal the Wines  had kids and paid taxes  long ago. Then, in 1924, the Potvin Klan moved to 11 South Main Street, NB. Dad was 11. Six kids; dix non-high school types. The Old Gent insisted all six quit school and work in the shoe factories.

Everyone contributed a portion of their earnings to the betterment of the Potvin home. Canadian-French was spoken. Foods rich in animal fat were eaten and a radio sufficed. Sarah Potvin had a special room where her Hoosier Cabinet was for the creation of custard pies along with meat pies.

Early photographs from the1930s ae telling. They lived..they loved..they laughed and they died. Our families were close-knit. I recall Paul Potvin  listening to the 1848 World Series on his spiffy new Pontiac car radio! It was the Boston Braves versus the Cleveland Indians.

As kids we played ball around the stone monument "HERE STOOD THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE 1749." Tommy Ducasse hosts the stone today and I am going it get it straightened out and paintedsoon

Connie Mack's Uniform

. It seems so much of Brookfield's history has fallen by the wayside. APATHY!

My Brookfield roots are deep and I devour learning about my past. Uncle Joe Poulin was born in East Brookfield in 1896!Noreen Fernandes was a caregiver at Brookhaven Rest Home WB for years. It's nice having so many relatives locally.

The best part is Chase, Lily, Maddie and Evie, Josh & Heidi are continuing our great traditions. 'We've come a long way from Saint Louie!"

What are your roots? Dig them up and replant them. The Internet gives you so much for free! https://www.wikitree.com/genealogy/POTVIN"! Just do it!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
RESEARCHER
Box 11
West Brookfield, MA 01585