Donald & Alvena (Coolidge)

Story From Shirley (Larlee) Allard, Daughter 1777 -

Once Dad came home with a motorcycle.  His father, Amos, told him that the cycle was much too dangerous for him to keep.  Later that night Amos took the cycle out for spin and had an accident, breaking both his legs.

I can recall many 4th of July celebrations.  My father always brought a great many fireworks and displayed them over the pond (now called a lake) In back of the home, following a day of parades and picnics.  I can remember being awakened at dawn at Nana's and Pappy's house (I must have stayed over night) by the explosions of firecrackers set off by Russell and the Quint boys.

My brother  Donald was born on the 4th of July.  The family was at the carnival when my father asked a neighbor to take us three girls to Nans, as he rushed Mama off to the car.  Nana put us Ito bed on her sun porch and In the middle of the night, Daddy woke us up to celebrate the birth of a baby brother.  And his birth was truly a cause for great celebration, he was the first male grandchild. 

When my daughter Elaine was born seven years later, she was the first great-grandchild, the cause for even greater jubilation.  Home brewed beer laid down for several years was used to toast her birth and laid the celebrants low - It was a potent brew!

When I was child, Christmas was such an exciting event, as It Is with all children.  Following supper (oyster stew) on Christmas Eve, the whole family Including Nana and Pappy, Pop Coolidge (maternal grandfather) and Grammie Moulton (maternal great grandmother) gathered In the darkened living-room, lighted only by by the lights from the tree.  And a splendid tree Is was, standing 8 feet tall and carefully selected from the woods by Dad.  Soon, In breathless silence there would be the sound of sleigh bells and hoofs In the snow.  Then a heavy tramping on the porch and a loud knocking on the door.  Mom answered the knock and a loud hearty voice would ask if there were any good little girls and boys In this house.  There, right before our tree would be Santa Claus, bigger than life, with a big bulging bag of goodies.  After questioning all, children and adults alike, Santa would bestow gifts, and after wishing all of Is a "Merry Christmas" wold depart to the sound of sleigh bells.  Even though the tree was piled high with gifts, Santa's visit was the highlight and my strongest memory.  The Santa of my memory was dressed In a scarlet suit with big black boot and a flowing white beard.  At about ten years of age I realized that Santa was Uncle Russell dressed In red and boots and the most wrinkled Santa Claus mask and hat that ever survived from year to year.  But all of us could forget for the moment and bask in the goodness and magic of Christmas.   I think that Uncle Russell would be greatly surprised to learn that this is the most loving memory that I have of him.  Since he is only ten years older than I, he Is more like an older brother than an uncle."

In 1977 Alvena lived with Shirley In Berwick Maine.  She had a two-room apartment within the Allard Farmhouse which allows her the comfort of family and the freedom to travel when she desires.  She makes an annual trip abroad and visits around the United States seeing grandchildren and friends. 

For Alvena's 69th birthday all her direct descendants gathered at the farm to celebrate.  She was active in the Emblem Club In Conway, traveling there for monthly meetings. She also worked with RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), knitting, crocheting and making stuffed animals for Camp Waban, a camp for handicapped children, and for the Old Timers' Shop, a place where retired people sold their hand-crafted Items.  For several years she spent the summer with her daughter, Donna, at her cottage on Lake Ossipee on NH.  She was the support for the for the entire family, always available to help actively illness or times of trouble, or on any occasion to celebrate.

ALVENA HAD A CHILD PRIOR TO MEETING DON

If name is BOLD Is underlined click to learn more

CHILDREN (Donald & Alvena)

If name In BOLD Is underlined click to learn more