George J. Rocheleau:  

OLD SCHOOL DAYS (Memories): As I look back, back, and further back in time, through the years, and reminisce about those old school days, while letting my fingers do the walking, thru those pages of history, in the famous blue yearbook, known as the MEMORANDA, from Massey Vanier High School (M.V.H.S.), located in Cowansville, Quebec, Canada. And so, that is the way it was... Reference: MEMORANDA BOOK Volume II, 1972-1973, 2nd Edition; and Volume V, 1975-1976, 5th Edition. Listed further below as just plain "MEMORANDA", and / or "MEM.". TEEN YEARS: I always wanted to be a G. I. (military), when I grew up. My family and friends thought that it was a stupid idea. As it turns out, they were wrong. I am now a retired member of the U.S.A.F. It surely was a great military career for me, one which I have definitely enjoyed tremendously. I have traveled all over the world; Asia and Europe, to name a few. See World Traveler (listed further below). FRIEND / B.F.F.: The one person from my past who I would mostly like to see again, from time to time, is Mr. George _. Rolland, because he was my very best friend ( B.F.F. ) He was a fellow bus mate, school mate, and also a former childhood neighbor of mine, in Bedford, Missisquoi County, Quebec, Canada. My B.F.F. would tell you I'm hilarious ( Ha, Ha, Ha ), but people who don't know me very well, would probably describe me as a good / easy listener. 1976 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE (Globe Trotting in North America; Canada & USA): As I am sharing the following school memory and/or foreign travel story: The Student Exchange program, between M.V.H.S. and Andover High School (A.H.S.), from Andover (near Boston), Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. Please be aware that this story never even made it into the famous blue school yearbook, that graduating year. Reference: M.V.H.S. Memoranda. Who knows, maybe it's in a later edition ? , or not ? . For me and my fellow classmates (listed further below), who participated in this program, consisting of a group of twelve (12) students, plus a few chaperons, from each school and country. We definitely took advantage of this one time opportunity in life, and this trip is one of which, that I and/or I hope, they'll never forget. This school field trip, between M.V.H.S. and A.H.S., occurred during late winter and/or early spring. Two separate trips of a duration of approximately one week each, where the students of one school visited their host, and vise and versa, when the favor was returned, a little later. M.V.H.S., departed for there trip, on or about (around) 15 March, 1976. CLASSMATES / STUDENTS: The following classmates, students, and/or individuals who participated from M V H S, in the student exchange program ( Chaperons excluded ) are listed in alphabetical order below. They are: 1- Marlene Gail Allard - Lutynski, Mem.: Page 18, 99, 111, and 122, in 1976; & Page 46, and 75, in 1973. Now living in / near Vancouver, British .Columbia, Canada. 2- Julia (Julie) _. Cadham. Mem.: Page 45, 78, and 80, in 1976; & Page 53, 88, and 92, in 1973. Now living in / near Rigaud, Quebec, Canada. 3- Brenda Joy Cochrane. Mem.: Page 23, 99, 106, 111, and 122, in 1976; & Page 46, 86, and 109, in 1973. Now living in / near Hudson, Quebec, Canada. 4- Andree _. Dubois. Mem.: Page 45, and 125, in 1976; & Page 54, in 1973. Now living in ???, ???, Canada. 5- Oonagh (Oona) Louise Enright. Mem.: Page 27, in 1976; & Page 49, and 75, in 1973. Now living in ???, ???, Canada. 6- Judith (Judy) Gasser - Ovington. Mem.: Page 28, in 1976; & Page 50, in 1973. See Clarification below. Now living in / near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 7- Irena (Irene) Mary Hodorowski. Mem.: Page 30, 81, and 82, in 1976; Page 49, in 1973. Now living in / near Knowlton (Brome Lake), Quebec, Canada. 8- Donald (Don) _. Kerr. Mem.: Page 31, in 1976; & Page 50, in 1973. Now living in / near Cowansville, Quebec, Canada. 9- Benita _ Malue. Mem.: Page 45, and 124, in 1976; & Page 54, in 1973. Now living in / near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 10- Debbra (Debbie) _. Page - Brousseau. Mem.: Page 32 (in Para), and 36, in 1976; & Page 67, in 1973. Now living in / near ???, Quebec, Canada. 11- George J. Rocheleau, Mem.: Page 136 & 137, in 1976, < See Note, below >, & Page 56, in 1973. Now presently living in Beavercreek, Greene County, Ohio, U.S.A,, and originally from Bedford, Quebec, Canada. 12- (? ? ?) = (The Mystery Student / unknown). This person was originally part of the program at MVHS, but later withdrew and did not go on the trip to A H S, in the USA. The following classmates, students, and individuals who participated from Andover High School ( A H S ), in the 1976 international student exchange program (Chaperon excluded), are listed in alphabetical order below. They are: 13- Mark _. Deacon [ Host to: George J. Rocheleau ]. 14- Peggy _. Tanner [ Host to: Brenda Joy Cochrane ]. 15- ? / Student from Denmark [ Host to: Donald / Don _. Kerr ]. 16- ? ? ? [ Host to: Julia (Julie) _. Cadham ] 17- thru 24- All ( ? / Unknown). To be determined and/or completed later, maybe ?. So sorry, I mean really so sorry, Any help from A.H.S. and/or M.V.H.S., or the individuals involved & their host, would definitely be greatly appreciated, thanks. That is, if they still remember ? ? ? If anybody else has any information, then please leave me an public note, message, E-Mail, or something, again tanks. CLARIFICATION: This individual and/or student (#6) listed above, definitely did not go on the trip to A.H.S., in Andover (near Boston), Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. But did definitely partially participate in the program ( 50 % ), and surely was the host to an A.H.S. student (?), way, way, and way back in the spring of 1976. Later that year, during the summer, she went on an personal and separate trip to Switzerland, to visit some relatives.. Only a total of ten (10) Students went on the trip to the USA, 8 Girls and 2 Boys,.(# 1 thru 5, plus 7 thru 11, listed above. PUBLIC SPEAKING / FRENCH CLASS (A.H.S.): On the first day of school, when I was shadowing my Host Student, we were inseparable companions, during one period, the teacher had the foresight and/or courtesy to ask me to publicly speak in front of his french class. Thereafter, this was followed by an short question and answer ( Q & A ) session, for a few minutes. Certainly, I was very nervous and this brought some laughter and a few giggles, by all concerns. My french (language) is not from France, but from the sticks and/or countryside of Quebec, Canada. Although, I was currently attending M.V.H.S. (English School ) at the time. I did previously attend a few French schools, and do fluently Speak, Read, and Write both French and English ( Bilingual ) . Moreover, later in life, some (a little) Spanish and Korean too. THE GATHERING / PIZZA PARTY: In the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday, during the week that M.V.H.S. was in Andover. There was an after school social gathering and pizza party, for all of the exchange students. Both from A H S and M V H S. This occurred at one of the parent residence (at #10 Charlotte Road). I could not tell you what happened there, because at the same time, I was visiting an distant relative (Cousins). Later, they dropped me off during the last half hour or so, and I did not have to much time to mingle at the social function. According to the group's opinion, it was a great success. SIGHTSEEING / TOUR: Each school had a planned sightseeing tour to an designated location, at the end of the school week (Friday), which provided for some fun, history, and a little education too. A.H.S. visited Montreal ( Vieux / Old Montreal ), Quebec, Canada, while M.V.H.S. visited Boston ( Boston Common ), Massachusetts, USA. For a high schooller at the time, this was one of the highlights of the trip. Kudos to the staff, teachers, parents, and any other persons who helped plan this trip. Again a very special thank you. GJR FLYING / SOARING: During the last few years, while I was attending M.V.H.S., I was very busy, busy, busy; you known, I mean very busy. I had an unusual and unique extra non-curricular school activity, prior to graduation in June, 1976. On many weekends, and during the summer too, in 1974 & 1975. I was flying small planes and under training for a Private Pilot license (# UI-20598 & # ULP-13686), at the Bromont Aero Club, in Bromont, Quebec, Canada. Today, I can truly say, that I have enjoyed those times, while I flew those Cessna's 150, 152, and 172. Both in Canada, and later in life in the USA. BAND / THE CROMAX BAND: For a spell, I was part of an music band, locally known by a few, as "The Cromax Band". It only lasted for a short spell, less than a school year, plus one summer. Although, I did not play any instruments / music. I was a great fan, plus I also was the Facilitator (Gofer), Transportation Coordinator (Van Man), Door Man and Concession Stan Dude (at one Concert). The other members of this local band were: 1- Ross _. Parkinson, Lead Guitar. 2- Stanley _. Gibson, Lead Guitar. 3- Peter _. Wade, on base guitar. 4- George _. Rolland, on drums. They played mostly Rock & Roll, with a tad of Pop & Country too. On one occasion, the band held it first concert, at a local elementary school, a building in the big, big, big town of St-Armand, Que., Canada. They practiced allot, plus tuned their instruments, adjusted there amplifiers, and so forth,... Due to the limited number of guess / fan / kids at the Soirree and/or Concert; the band played only a few songs ( a hand full ), than called it quits. The ...Expand for more