This year's gathering was organized by the Board of administrators under the supervision of our president, Cécile Perron, who made it her duty to assist vice-president, Marlène, at the registration table in order to welcome all those who came to pick up their papers.
Next to registration were two other tables: the Association table where promotional items were sold by the administrators, and the other where Guy's latest book was offered for sale. The Association playing cards, most recent of our promotional items, were very popular.
Saturday's Workshops
The theme of the 1998 gathering was " getting together to learn about one another ", and five workshops, held in the morning as well as in the afternoon, invited us to go back in the past.
Mass
The beautiful cathedral having been reserved for a wedding that afternoon, the Perrons went to nearby Sacré-Coeur church to thank their ancestors for the legacy they passed on to them and to pray for our sick. Simone, responsible for the Mass committee, was able to secure the organist and two voices from the church choir. Father Toussaint Perron officiated and Yvon accompanied by Jeannine served at the altar.
Launching of Guy's Book
Around 6 o'clock, all gathered in the lobby for the launching of the biography of François Peron. There was magicin the air. There was the Perron charm, but there was also that of a magician dressed as a clown who went from one to another and surprised everyone with his tricks. Moments later, that same clown was to become entertainer, master of ceremony, singer, mime, merrymaker, during the banquet which followed in the gala room. Guests gathered around decorated tables each with a beautiful Stella de Oro as a centerpiece, the official flower of the 250th anniversary of Saint-Hyacinthe. Guests were ready to savour everything: the music, the songs, our MC's witty comments, the delicious food prepared for us, the colourful floral arrangements artfully made by Marie-Claude, and the richly decorated horn of plenty overflowing with all sorts of vegetables offered by Michel, son of Hélène, and which truly embodied the fruit of our local farmers' labour.
Special Tribute
What an evening! It was time to relax, to have fun, to revisit with the old French-Canadian "classics", the Yoland Geacute;rards, the Michèle Richards... It was time to sing Happy Birthday to some, to welcome guests of honour, newcomers, our American cousins... Time ti publicly thank Michel Perron, our genealogist, by offering him a huge portrait of himself painted by the entertainer and surrounded by everyone's signature. Time also to honour special members as we always do.
The first to be recognized was Sister Adrienne Perron, daughter of Pierre and Amanda Gagné, of East Broughton. When Adrienne was very young, the family moved to Lewiston, Maine. At the age of 22, on 7 September 1930, Adrienne said farewell to her family and left for Saint-Hyacinthe where she joined the congregation of the Sisters of Charity. On 19 June 1983, she celebrated her 50th anniversary in the religious order where she was known as Sister Saint-Mathieu.
While at the mother-house in Saint-Hyacinthe, Sister St-Mathieu provided care to th old. Then in Manchester, New Hampshire, she looked after teenage boys at the Saint.Joseph's orphanage. She worked at the cafeteria of Saint.Mary's hospital in Lewiston, Maine, then in Berlin, New Hampshire. Later on, she returned to the nuns' residence in Lewiston where her activities were aimed at tending the chapel and visiting old people. Sister Adrienne has been living at the mother-house since 1994.
In tribute to her life-long services selflessly devoted to others, the president read a text honouring Sister Adrienne and presented her with an elegant bouquet of white lilies. Sister Adrienne's eyes showed how happy and moved she was. The MC then started to sing, all the while pushing Sister Adrienne's wheel chair in wide waltzing circles to her obvious pleasure and great amazement. We can wonder if, at that moment, Sister Adrienne saw herself young again, a young woman who, at 22, had chosen to give up the dancing which she loved.
Other tributes were forthcoming for Mr. Albert Perron and his wife, Mrs. Irène Doré. Before introducing the dignitaries from the Institut de technologie agro-alimentaire of Saint-Hyacinthe (ITA), the president greeted members of Mr. Perron's family and mentioned the names of all who worked as cheese makers during four generations of Adélard's descendants. Cécile talked a little longer of Augustin, brother to Albert, who took over the cheese factory when their father became ill, and managed it till it was sold to Albert. Mr. Augustin had intended to come to the Perron gathering, but we learned with sadness that he had to be hospitalized a few days earlier.
At the beginning of June, the Board of administrators were pleased to receive a very much anticipated response from the administration of ITA whom we had contacted earlier. Yes, they would present their former student, Mr. Albert Perron, with an award, the Mérite Henri-L. Bérard. Mr. Gilles Vézina, director general, and Mr. Roger Drapeau, teacher and main technician, were present to honour Mr. Perron for his many achievements. The Association also wanted to participate in the tributes. Our vice-president, Roger, talked about the unfailing help that Mrs. Doré gave to the family business in her role as accountant, and Cécile presented her with a beautiful offering of flowers. As for Mr. Albert, to recognize the honours his achievements have brought to our name, the Association bestowed upon him the title of Honorary Member. Long aplause showed how proud participants felt, and how appreciative they were that the ITA dignitaries, with their charming wives, had come to celebrate with us and share our pride.
The evening continued with music, songs, dancing. Door prizes were drawn, some offered by the city's Tourist Bureau, others by the Association. Two magnificent objets d'art from local artists of Atelier de verre Cassandre were also raffled. What a beautiful evening it turned out to be! What a lot of fun everyone had !
General Assembly and Sunday Buffet
If the Perrons know how to have a good time, they are also aware of their responsibilities. On Sunday morning, about eighty of them attended the General Assembly and elected a new Committee to which two new members were welcomed: Mrs. Raymonde Perron Doyle and Mrs. Francine Perron. A new team is ready to pursue its task.
Then came the last moments of fraternizing, sad and happy at the same time. Moments when we want to see everything, hear everything, while sharing a last friendly meal. After drawing numbers from which many became instant winners of the lovely floral arrangements. Marlène presented the new Committee and Cécile thanked everyone and wished them a safe return home. Next year: Gatineau for a huge family picnic.