The Roberge family, Alphonse Joseph, Rose Elizabeth, and their 7 children, came to the Northwest in 1943, first living in Spokane, then moving to Coeur d’Alene with their 9 children in 1946. Alphonse (Al), as a foreman with Kaiser Aluminum, was transferred to the Northwest from Messena, St. Lawrence County, New York.
 
The family first lived in a small home at 1020 Elm where the kids attended Bryan Elem. And the Jr. /Sr. High School at 7th & Montana. By the time the family moved to a larger home at 1215 Mill (then known as Gibbs), the Roberge family had grown to 12 children. The neighborhood of Gibbs included Gibbs Mercantile and Post Office, the Winton-Northwest Timber Co., a motel, a gas station, and the infamous Gibbs Tavern. The younger kids attended Winton Elementary.
 
Al did numerous jobs in Coeur d’Alene – painter, salesman, lawn mover sharpener, septic business, and even a laborer in Alaska, along with his grown sons, Phil and Dave. He worked very hard to support his growing family, but found time to become involved in the local Eagles club.
 
The family pretty much entertained themselves. Every Saturday, the kids all went to the movies, the older kids herding the younger ones to the Roxy Theater (12 cent movies), the more expensive Wilma Theatre, and the Dream. On Sunday, the Dream and the Roxy usually had 2 movies, cartoons, and news reels. The kids would all take a taxi home – how did we ever fit? Summers for the kids were always spent at the beach, again the older ones herding the younger ones. We always walked the tracks from the house to the City Beach, a long walk, especially coming home! We packed a lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and a gallon jug of Kool-Aid – no ice included – that would have been a treat!

The family always spent the 4th of July at the City Park – it was Al & Rose’s anniversary and a big celebration for everyone. Along with the neighbor kids we found ways to entertain ourselves – ball games, playing cards, being the “town renegades”. Winters were spent on Mill Street sledding whenever possible, wearing socks for gloves. There were just too many stories to tell – it would take a book that would make you laugh and cry, so interesting you wouldn’t believe it!