feature story / 11 by my mother and her sisters that they thought maybe my grandfather had fathered a child in Canada.” Bartlett and Ballew's grandparents divorced years before their grandfather would meet another woman who gave birth to Babineau. This would explain why Uncle Alain was younger than his nieces, Sandra and Patty. Both Bartlett and Babineau recall a strong connection when they first spoke on the phone. “I just knew in- stantly that he was related to me. He had to be my uncle – my grandfather’s son. I told him that his sisters knew it was a possibility that they had a broth- er. They wanted to find you. I said, ‘Alain, they loved you and they didn’t even know you.’” The name Ziegler was the final piece in their genealogical puzzle. Eas- ter Ziegler was Bartlett's great grand- mother. She also was Babineau's bio- logical grandmother, who gave birth to his father – Thomas Benbow. “Thomas Benbow was my grandfather, the man who had traveled to Canada. I didn’t know my great grandmother’s maiden name was Ziegler,” explains Bartlett. After learning details about his biological father, Babineau’s curiosity inspired him to seek out a social work- er who could look into his adoption documents to provide details about his biological mother. “I thought she was probably dead,” he says. However, the social worker’s research uncovered another surprise. “[I learned that] my biological mother is 91 years old and living in a senior citizen home,” says Babineau. The social worker relayed further genealogical news. “My biolog- ical mother remembers everything and was able to confirm that my father was Thomas Benbow,” explains Babineau. “And I was able to trace his lineage back to slavery. Before emancipation, we were just numbers.” The celebration at Ballew's home is building to a crescendo. Singer Jac- queline Slappy and keyboardist Arthur Jones – who perform under the name “A Class Act” – have played a set of clas- sic soul and R&B songs. As the band works through a cover of “Respect Yourself” by The Staples Sisters, Ballew is dancing side-by-side with Ann-Ma- rie, Babineau's wife of 32 years. The en- tire room sings along with every word. The celebration culminates with a prayer by Reverend Porsha Williams, youth minister at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark. She wraps a piece of African cloth around the arms of Bartlett, Ballew, Babineau, and Ann- Thomas Benbow, grandfather to Sandra Bartlett and Patty Ballew and father to Alain Babineau. Reverend Porsha Williams (left) says a prayer for the newly-found family. With Sandra Bartlett (center in blue), Alain and Ann-Marie Babineau (right) SERVICE  KNOWLEDGE  EXPERTISE Broker / Sales Associate 973-214-4636 Susan.Blodgett@cbmoves.com Sales Associate 973-219-8865 Virginia.Spiegel@cbmoves.com Susan Blodgett, ABR Ginny Spiegel @WeKnowNJRealEstate 145 Maplewood Avenue Maplewood, NJ 973-378-8300 MAKING MEMORIES. THIS IS HOME. MAKING MEMORIES. THIS IS HOME. The Wizard School Play | Create | Share Help your student master the craft of creative writing. Caitlyn Pezza / Founder & Word Wizard 561-718-3052 cpezza@thewizardschool.net thewizardschool.net • 10-week workshops in groups of 4 or more meet twice a week after school • Activities help students to find their voice, master expression, sharing, and reflection to build autonomy and confidence • Mindfulness practices unlock creativity, present connec- tions, and foster self-knowledge • Classes held in homey classroom setting and outdoors to spark the imagination • Private lessons available • Ages 8 -18