Debra LaValley's Blog

“Those Summer Nights . . .”

The old telephone pole was replaced not too long ago – but this telephone pole stands in the same place on the street that I grew up on.  It is now Hullbakers Place – but it will always be Pine Street to me.  This telephone pole was the place to be when I was growing up .  It was our “ghoul” when we played Hide and Go Seek.  Back then we would hide and eventually run and touch the telephone pole yelling “My Ghoul 1.2.3…”  (It wasn’t until years later that I realized we were really trying to say “My Goal 1.2.3).  All of us kids on the street used to meet under this street light . . . especially on summer nights.  We would stay outside until our folks called us in.  We would play Hide and Go Seek, One Two Three Red Light, Giant Steps, and much more here.  Sometimes, we would just hang out and talk.  I have fond memories of all the games we all played.  Do neighborhood kids play outside any more>  Or do they just stay inside and stare at the computers?

Fast Forward 2015 . . .

Last night, we used my mom’s new “fire pit” for the first time.  We had a great time sitting around the campfire.  We chatted and cooked S’mores!  We saw our first firefly of the season too!

Mom, Aunt MaryJane, Jackie, Quincy, and Sara

On the Steps of Old Penacook High School
6/6/15

My mom and my Aunt Mary Jane – humored me and sat on the step of the old Penacook High School.  They were on their way to a Penacook High School graduates gathering at Alan’s tonight.  They should have a nice time.

Prom 1953

Graduation Days

June – the month of high school graduations.  Seniors from high schools everywhere are graduating into adulthood.  I remember it being exciting and scary.  It is a huge change for many.  Some go to college in the fall.  Some join the military. Others go on to various jobs or move away from their home towns.

Recently my mom shared that the day after her high school graduation in 1953 (Penacook High School), she and her best friend Carol Abbott went back to the high school and sat on the front steps.  They loved school – especially their senior year. They were sad it was over.

My mom’s immediate plans were to go to Concord Commercial College to study book keeping.  she said that she left the college after 2-3 months.  A few years later, she became a Certified Dental Assistant which became her career.

Her friend Carol Abbott – she initially went to school to be a nurse – but stopped and worked at the Penacook Bank.

(My dad – went into the Air Force.  He and my mom were the PHS Class of 1953’s Class Lovebirds.)

Saturday, at Alan’s Restaurant, PHS Alumni are going to be meeting for cocktails and reminiscing. I told my mom that she should go with Aunt Mary Jane.  It will be fun!  I hope they do.  I will let you know . . . and just maybe, I can capture a photo of my mom and Aunt Mary Jane on the steps of Penacook High School reminiscing of their Graduation Days.

Mom/Betty Ross 1953

Spring Show May 1953

Dad/Tom La Valley USAF

FYI – I graduated from Merrimack Valley High School in 1975.  We are having our 40th HS Reunion in September.

My Senior Picture

Memorial Day Weekend 2006

Memorial Days Past

Tomorrow is Memorial Day 2015.  Memorial Day Weekend for many years meant we would be camping in Orford, NH.  My folks would leave Penacook with their fifth wheel camper on Thursday, and I would head up with my sister and her two children on Friday. We camped at Jacob’s Brook Campground.  It was up on a hill in the middle of the woods with Jacob’s Brook running through it.  We all had such a great time there for years.  Sometimes Aunt Mary Jane and Uncle Bob would be there with my folks.  Sometimes, Ken and Dorothy and the girls. Our Uncle Robert Hancock and his friend Bebe spent a few Memorial Days with us as well as Uncle Bob and Aunt Marilyn.  Sometimes it would be chilly and other times warm.  In New Hampshire – you never know what the weather will be like.

It was so peaceful up in Orford.  You didn’t hear cars or civilization.  You could sit by the campfire into the wee hours of the morning and only hear the haunting sounds of coyotes and tree frogs calling in the night.  I really miss those days.  We had such a great time up there, and I have such great memories.

Gingerbread

I would start a fire using flint and my mom would make a pie or gingerbread in the coals.  They tasted so much better than when cooked on a stove.

Jackie & McKenzie

We would often go on walks on the roads around Jacob’s Brook – some were paved – others dirt.  There was a nice waterfall in one area where locals would come and swim.

Dad & McKenzie

McKenzie loved to camp.  She spent many years camping with my parents.  She was such a sweet dog.

I could share so many photos from our Orford camping trips.  Good times, with family and friends.  Memories that will stay with me forever.

Happy Memorial Day Everyone.  May you also have great memories of Memorial Days Past.  Also – a special Thanks to all the men and women in the armed forces who gave their lives for our country.  God Bless Them All.

Debbie

Out of Hibernation

Spring is Finally Here!

Today was 80 degrees!  It was actually fairly comfortable (low humidity)!  I had to get out the shorts!  I don’t think the world is ready for my legs in shorts yet – but it was too hot for long pants.  After the long winter, it is nice to have the heat turned off and fresh air in the house.  It is in the mid 60s right now after 8:00 pm.  I have closed the windows though because the pollen is at full force.  The trees are busting out all over!

The carved bear photos above is in a tree at the corner of Winter and Bonney Streets in Penacook.  The people who live there had a friend carve it right into the tree.  I noticed it last Sunday on the way to church and went back and snapped a couple photos from the road.

Another sign of spring – the local eagle pair have had a hatch.  It is too soon to tell how many chicks they have. The hatch happened about a week ago.  The chicks are too small to see over the nest.

5/3/15

New life every where you look.  It is a welcome sight after this hard winter.  Enjoy!

Easter – Early 1960s

Easter Weekend

This Sunday is Easter Sunday.  Today is also one month since my dad died.  Thinking of Easter’s Past.  I have such great memories of all our holidays.  These old photos from back in the day when we would all dress up and take a family shot always make me smile.

1968 Easter w/ Grammy & Pepe

Easter 1968

Ken didn’t come along until 1971, and we didn’t seem to all get “gussied” up any more for Easter.

Happy Easter, Every One!

The Greatest Dad

On March 3, 2015, my dad (Thomas C. La Valley, Sr.) lost his fight with lymphoma.  He was the best!  He will be greatly missed but left  us with a lifetime of wonderful memories.  Love you, Dad!  I am glad you are at peace.

My mom had him wear his Star Trek PJ shirt when they took him to hospice.  He loved Star Trek!

For those who did not see his obituary in the Concord Monitor – it is below:

Number 1 Dad!

At the reception after my dad was laid to rest – we snapped a photo of all 9 grandchildren.  They have never all been in the same place before.

Love is in the Air

Valentine’s Day is approaching. I had to post this photo of my parents taken a year or two ago. It pretty much says it all. This past week has been very stressful with my dad ending up in the hospital last Sunday with a blood infection. He was released today. It is certainly great to have him back home. The last time he spent a night in the hospital was when he was in the service and had his appendix taken out!

Have a great day everyone!

Mom & Dad 2003 Honolulu, HI

3 Year Old Eagle – Eel Street

Eagle Eyes

Yesterday, I was driving down Eel Street in Boscawen and spotted this 3 year old bald eagle. It must be a new eagle in town or a two year old that was around last year who is stopping by again this year. It takes 4-5 years for an eagle to have full adult plumage.

I never tire of seeing eagles. Saturday was the Mid-Winter Eagle Count. I only saw one for the day – an adult on Eel Street. (The eagles go there to duck hunt … there are a lot of ducks on the river there.) The adult, though I did not notice if it was banded or not, was most likely one of the local pair. The adult would not have liked to have seen the “intruder.” Eagles are very territorial and like about a 2 mile radius for their domain.

Mr. & Mrs. Quincy Laughton-Loring

My niece Sara and her fiance Quincy had an exciting December. They flew to Las Vegas and got married on December 15th. The wedding took place at the Riviera and the couple stayed at the Bellagio! It was a trip of a lifetime courtesy of Quincy’s parents! The happy couple had a fabulous time and shared the following photos with us. Congratulations Quincy & Sara!