Belleville History Alive!

An old established firm LaPalms Movers: On the move for sixty years, September/October 1975, Part 2

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LaPalm Movers continued electronic gear. An Exhibit and Display Division moves products, displays and works of art; a New Products Division moves new furniture and appliances from manufacturer to installation site or consignee. For any of these services, simply call your local northAmerican agent: if it's in the Quinte area, that's LaPalm's. TEAM WORK AND A DRIVER NAMED SUE SUE and LLOYD RYAN What do you do when you see a pretty blonde driving the longest moving van in Canada? You look, of course. So does everyone else, including other truck drivers. The now familiar phrase. "You've come a long way, baby," is a pun when spoken to Sue Ryan who would likely laugh and tell you how far she really has travelled in the last week. When I met Sue recently on a stop at LaPalm's, she had just arrived from Vancouver, and was on her way to St. John's, N.B. Sue is her husband's team mate on coast to coast treks for northAmerican. "I wouldn't have it any other way," says Lloyd Ryan. "If she didn't drive with me, we wouldn't see each other for more than three months out of the year." Both drivers are amused at the attention attracted by Sue at t}( wheel. "One truck driver passed us," said Lloyd, "and he kept looking at Sue as he passed. He pulled off the road, and kept looking as we went past, then he pulled out and passed us again, still looking at Sue and shaking his head." The only thing that bothers Sue on the road is the erratic driving of some of the camper trailer tourists who slow down suddenly, and seem to forget some of the rules of the highway. Both drivers agree that the most difficult driving is in B.C., northern Ontario and Nova Scotia during the summer tourist season. But they can take bad weather conditions in their stride. During a heavy snowstorm in Alberta last winter, the Ryans found themselves 40 miles out of Edmonton (their destination) at the height of the storm when all traffic was being forced off the road, and snowmobiles were the only things running, even in the city. Braving the storm seemed preferable to freezing at the side of the road - so they made it through. A TV newscaster picked up the story, and Sue's parents received quite a surprise when they were watching the TV news that night, but at least they knew that Sue and Lloyd were safely in Edmonton. Before 'taking to the road' Sue was a dispatcher at the NorthAmerican office in Ottawa where, now and then, she still spends a few days "to keep her office skills from getting rusty." But when Lloyd returns, she's ready for the next trip. It's a great way to see the country (and get paid at the same time). Sue meets all reaction to her position with good humour. Leaving a restaurant one morning, another curious truck driver spoke to her: "Excuse me, but are you a lady trucker?" "Yes I am." "My gosh, nothing is sacred any more," he muttered, and turned back to his breakfast. 1 A LaPalm 'moving van', in 1918. LaPalm driver hired dog team to move couple's sessions from roadies Frenz, N. Ontario to mov~jjii ing van aboard train]jji Special Charter: LaPalm trucks were used to convey people to annual Salvation Army picnic during '30's. LaPalm's had office and and warehouse on Pinnacle Street for many years. (Photo 1932) The first LaPalm Movers trucks in 1926 are a notable contra 'est and most modern "fifth wheel vans." mm. V; ·-. . , ·,,·,-;· -

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