16° Terrace Review — Wednesday, April 20, 1988 Parent Finders scores for Terrace adoptee _ Terrace resident Misje Pratt (center, Jean Kernahan (center) after a 40-year searc back row) recently flew to Saskatchewan to be reunited with her birth mother h. Other members of the Kernahan family present at the reunion were (back, left to right) Marilyn, Donny, Ronny, (front, left to right) Pat, Karen and Bonnie. . Through the assistance of Parent Finders, a Vancouver- based group that helps adoptees and biological parents and other family members find each other, Terrace resident Misje (pro- nounced: Mishie) Pratt’s 40-year quest for her birth mother final- ly ended-successfully. Last week, her dream was fulfilled at a re- union in Regina with her birth- mother, Jean Kernahan (nee: Allewell) and six younger sib- ’ lings. . by Betty Barton Until February of this year, she wasn’t even aware of her large family’s existence. At that time, she spoke by telephone with her mother for the very first time. ‘“When we first talked on the phone, I was really nervous. But, once we got going, we couldn’t stop laughing, crying and talking.” Both Misje and her brother, . Pete Peters, knew they were adopted from a very early age. Misje remembers that, as a teenager, she was already in-. terested in finding out who her birth mother was. ‘‘Tnere was always a piece missing in the puzzle,” she remarked. Her adoptive mother was very sup- portive throughout. She even checked with local adoption authorities to determine if it— would be advisable for Misje to search for her biological mother, At the time, (over 25 years ago), they advised her to leave well LO Cheque Name L) 1 year — $24.00 L] Money Order Please send a subscription to: enough alone. Misje Pratt, a mother of three herself, wants to stress that, ‘although adoptees may want to find their biological parents, it doesn’t mean that the adoptive parents are not loved. In Misje’s eyes, her adoptive parents will always be her ‘‘real’’ parents. And her biological mother and family are new and special peo- ple in her life. She also emphasizes that adoptees should not be bitter towards their biological mothers who gave them up for adoption. In her own case, Misje’s mother was 22 years old, attending col- lege and her parents were unable to assist her financially. Also, the social stigma at the time made it necessary for Jean to temporarily relocate ‘from Saskatchewan to Kamloops to live with her aunt during the term of her pregnancy. She had no choice but to give up the baby. Jean Kernahan says now, ‘‘Had I seen her, I never could have done it.’’. * Misje Pratt first learned of the feasibility of a search for her birth mother last year. A radio program gave information anda phone number for the Adoption Registry in Victoria. As its name indicates the agency can register both adoptees and biological parents nationwide, with the hope of reuniting them, Misje phoned the number immediate- y. = From the Adoption Registry, she learned that she had to ob- Subscription Order Form: Cl 2 years — $45.00 OC Master Card Expiry Address Phone _ :—«éPro steal Cri ‘Seniors in Terrace and District $12.00 Seniors out of Terrace and District $15.00 Card No. Mail or bring this form to: - Terrace Review 4535 Grelg Avenue, Terrace, B.C., V8G IM7 tain her complete adoption his- | tory from the provincial adop- tion desk. With the help of her name card that her adoptive parents had kept from the hos- pital where she was born in Kamloops, she had a starting point. The card read ‘Baby girl Allewell’’. ‘‘With a name, you can do a _lot,’’ explains Misje. By November 1987, Misje had secured her adoption history and returned to the Adoption Registry. When the background information was put into the Registry’s computer, nothing matched. Pratt’s biological . mother was not looking for her — because she didn’t know where to start, Misje learned later. She was devastated until the Adoption Registry told her about Parent Finders. She heard about Parent Finders from another source, as well. While driving school bus in Terrace, Misje overheard a young passenger telling a friend about his mother {an adoptee) who recently found her bio- - logical mother, with the help of a group in Vancouver. Misje contacted the parent and con- tinued on from there. Over the years, Misje Pratt had checked for the name ‘¢Allewell?’? in phone books when she and her family went on holidays. Last year, she finally found an Allewell in the Victoria phone book, Because she didn’t feel right about phoning direct- continued on page 21 OO Visa Date f April 13+ April 29 — Entries In the 1988 Northwest Regional Juried Art 8 Show will be on exhibit In the Terrace Art Gallery. Gatlery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12-3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. ; % Drive from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Your support is appreciated. Wednesday, April 20 — In celebration of National Book Festival Week, the Terrace Public Library presents Sara Elils, author of “The Baby Project” at 7 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room. “The Baby Project" is- a delightful family story that is very popular with children in Grades 4 will be served. Thursday, April 21— Cassia Hall Elementary School, 2620 South Eby Street will hold an Information Night at 8 p.m. Items for discussion will | include: What Is Canadian Parents for French and Its role with the French Immersion Programme and a Questlon Period. @ Thursday, April 21 — The Terrace Tennis Club will be holding their General Meeting at 7 p.m. at Galedonla School In the library. New members most welcome. April 22 to April 24 — The Terrace Bicycle Ctub will be hosting a Skill Development Workshop at Thornhill Primary School. The workshop will be directed by Barry Lycett, who brings to you over 30 years of ex- by April 6 phone Mel Gelliner at 638-0456. Saturday, April 23 — The Terrace Public Library will host an “Author's Tea” in the Terrace Art Gallery (downstairs in the Library). This Is your opportunity to meet some of our local authors and find out how they got started. Everyone is welcome to attend this informal gathering. Sunday, April 24 — The Terrace Hiking & Nature Club will be holding a walk: Wiliams Creek Flats — near Lakelse Lake. Kelly will be leader, 798-2535. Walk may be only about 2 miles, can be wet, wear boots. To see plants, birds, animals, anything of interest. Good for a family outing. Meet at Library at 10 a.m. Monday, April 25 — Riverboat Days Committee general meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, at which time elec- tion of officers will take place. Thursday, April 28 —- Come to the Copper Mountain Elementary Spr- ing Carnival from 6 p.m. to & p.m. For more information phone 635-7760. . ; April 28, 29 & 30 — Terrace Little Theatre has three entries in the Skeena Zone Drama Festival at 7:30 p.m. In the R.E.M. Lee Theatre. Tickets are avaliable at Sight & Sound. For more information phone 8-1215. : April 29, 30 & May 1 — The 17th annual Jaycees Trades Fair will take place. For more information phone 635-4392, April 29 - May 1 — The 18th Annual Jaycees Trade Falr will be held at the Terrace Arena. Anyone interested In exhibiting can call 636-5392. Saturday, April 30 —- The Terrace Regional Museum Society is halding a Giant Garage Sale at Heritage Park, in the storage shed, trom 9 a.m. 635-5650, Included will be surplus tools and equipment from the shed building project: 1 - 10 ft. step ladder, 1.Brico drilipress, 1 % Inch drill, 2 Makita skillsaws, 1 - 9 inch table saw, cedar shakes and kindling. Pro- ceeds will go towards preservation and promotion of Heritage Park. Saturday, May 7 — Doesn't everybody love to see a bride? Well, the i Ladies of Zlon Baptist Church/Terrace are going to present to you an array of beautifully adorned brides during their special event “Spring Tea & Bridal Fashions of Yesteryear” with music, delicious pastry, fancy sandwiches, coffe, tea and frult punch, The event will take place from 2:30 p.m. to approx. 5 p.m. at the Terrace Hotel. Mrs. Esther Peters of Houston, B.C. will speak on marriage and Christian living. Waltinda Craft Supplies, and the Kitchen Boutique In the Skeena Mall. Come and enjoy a pleasant afternoon In support of a worthy cause. For more Information, please phone Sigrid Bahr at 635-5289 or Donna Orr at 635-5309. Tuesday, May 10 — Terrace Youth Centre volunteers monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m. In the T.¥. Centre located at 4634 Walsh Ave. Ail volunteers are encouraged to attend and anyone Interested in getting involved is welcome. T.Y.C. volunteers monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. For further information call Pat Williams 638-0112 or Cheryl Nelson 638-1776. Saturday, July 30 — Terrace Oldtimers’ Reunion Seventh Annual Ban- _residents who lived in Terrace prior to 1958 are eligible. The Terrace Youth Centre's hours ara: Mondays - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for ages 10 to 12; Wednesdays - Special Program Night - 7 to 10 p.m. for ages 10 to 19 years; Fridays - 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ages 13 to 19 years. All teens are welcome to participate In the Centre's activities and pro- grams at no cost, unless otherwise specified. Terrace Youth Centre is located at 4634 Walsh Avenue. Every Monday eventing it's Cribbage Night at the Terraceview Lodge from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Everyone In the community is invited to drop in and catch the action. Anyone Interested In forming a Support Group for inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's and Colitis, please call 635-3384, evenings. Terrace French Preschool will soon have openings for 3 and 4 yea olds. For further information contact Danise at 635-4943. The Kinette Club of: Terrace meets the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested, please call Donna Mcisack at 638-1974. . The Kinsmen Club of Terrace meets the first and third Thuraday of every month. For further information, call Steve Mclsack at 638-1974. _ Are you Interested in joining an Alzheimer Support Group to meet and discuss, similar difficulties and possible solutions? Please contact The Contract Bridge Club plays bridge every 2nd Thursday avening from 7:30 - 10 p.m. All Interested players, please contact Elaine Johnson at 635-2965. The Happy Gang Centre for Seniors offers the following activities: bridge. First Saturday of every month: 8 a.m. to 11 am.;"panceke lunch. Second Thursday of every month: 2 p.m., general meeting. For further Information, contact the Happy Gang Centre, 3226 Kalum Street, at 635-0090. a f Wednesday, April 20 — The Terrace Youth Centre is having a Bottle - to 7. Bring the whole family down and meet Sara Elils. Refreshments | perience in all aspects of cycling. For more information or registration to 1 p.m. Donations welcome, Please call 635-2096, 635-2093 or | This presentation is an effort to raise funds for the ladies’ mission pro: # Jacts In Aftica. Tickets are available at Something Good Bookstore, ' quet will be held at the Terrace Hotel Banquet Room. All Terrace Tuesdays: 10 a.m., sewing and quilting; 7:30 p.m. orlbbage. - Wednesdays: 1 9.m., carpet bowling. Fridays: 2 p.m., bingo; 7:30 p.m., ., breakfast. Monday through Friday every week:.11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., |