Time to pass the torch: Lariviere family ends newspaper-delivery tradition

All grown up, Jonah, Justin, Joshua and Isabelle Lariviere show the final issue of the Independent newspaper they delivered. The family has been delivering the St. Marys Independent newspaper for 14 years.

By Wendy Lamond

Since 2012, the Lariviere family has been diligently delivering the St. Marys Independent newspaper. Now, after 14 years, the family is calling it quits.

Justin Lariviere, who was nine at the time, asked for a paper route for his birthday. The job became a family affair as younger siblings Isabelle, Jonah and Joshua got to tag along as they were too young to stay at home on their own.

As the kids got older, the family took on a second route and, if someone wasn’t available to deliver, the other siblings stepped up to help get the job done. Over the years, the Larivieres delivered in three different areas of town. Their first route was in the James Street South, Timms Lane and King Street area. After that, it was the Jones and Elgin section. This was in their neighbourhood at the time, and the kids were getting older and were able to walk the route. They also relied on friends to step in when they were away.

When the family moved to Edison Street, which was a new subdivision, they were able to take on that new route.

“Some winters, the snow was so bad we would have a snow day for school, but we would still get all bundled up in our coat and snow pants to hike through waist deep snow to deliver our papers. Those days were always best to finish with a big mug of hot chocolate made by our mom,” Isabelle Lariviere said.

Though they had to deal with the bad weather, the family shared they also learned some life lessons by delivering papers for the Independent – the first being work first, then play, and just getting it done so that they didn’t have to think about it. In the wintertime, this meant getting it done before it got dark.

There was also a money lesson learned. Each of the kids opened their own bank account and learned to save 80 per cent of what they made but could spend 20 per cent on whatever they wanted. According to mom, Jenn Lariviere, Toys ‘R’ Us trips were exciting when they could pick out what they wanted, which was usually Lego. They would save what was needed for the purchase and they would go as a family for a fun outing.

The family has learned over the years that St. Marys is a wonderful community. By delivering newspapers, they got to know the neighbours well, as well as the wider community.

Another lesson is to work well with siblings. The Lariviere kids learned they should cover for them because each of them might need the same favour in return at some point.

As they got older, other jobs came into play – Justin Lariviere at Tim Hortons, Isabelle Lariviere at Vet Purchasing, Jonah Lariviere at McCully Hill Farms and Joshua Lariviere at Tim Hortons and, more recently, Feltz Design. The family said it feels like this is a good time to let another family take over.

“Thank you, St. Marys Independent for teaching our family so much! It has been a wonderful 14-year experience,” the Larivieres said in a statement.

However, like Jonah says, “It’s time to pass the torch.”

The Lariviere route has been filled but if any other families are looking for information on a paper delivery route, email wendylamond74@gmail.com for more information.