JOLIETTE, SOL DE MUSIQUE ... WITHOUT ARGUMENT
Thérèse Perron (366)
The 11th Perron family gathering took place in Joliette, main city of the Lanaudière region called Region verte. All participants enjoyed two beautiful days spent in friendship and happiness. Our applause and thanks go to Mme Marlène Perron (255) who planned the whole event with such harmony and mastery. HATS OFF!
Registration started as early as 8:30. Participants were greeted by Marlène who presented everyone with a personalized folder. Well before then, members of the Board had already held the final meeting of their term. Meanwhile, American and Canadian cousins who had arrived the night before went for breakfast then joined the others in the lobby to pick up their documents. The official opening was scheduled for 9 o'clock so there wasn't much time for chit-chat that morning.
Marlène welcomed all participants before introducing M. Henri-Paul Jalette, professor of history and former classmate of our Prime Minister, M. Jean Chrétien. In a very short time, M. Jalette was able to acquaint us with the principal milestones in the history of Joliette from its founding days to the present. Then all made their way to the Arts Museum where they were welcomed by guides who had adopted the name "Perron" for the tour. There was much to be admired among the works of art that encompassed new exhibitions and permanent collections: "LES SIÈCLES DE L'IMAGE", from the 15th century to nowadays; "DENIS JUNEAU, PONCTUATIONS": an artist who specializes in abstract art and who not only paints but also is skilled in sculpting, drawing and silk-screening; "JÉRÔME FORTIN, ICI ET LÀ": a young artist of Lanaudière who works with recycled materials; "REVOIR RIOPELLE": the collection comprises fifteen works that this well-known artist created between 1946 and 1980; and we must mention that section of the Museum which houses the magnificent collection of paintings and objects depicting Sacred Art of the European Middle Ages and of Quebec.
Upon leaving the Museum, the Perrons were pleasantly surprised to find that the rain which had been forecast was nowhere to be seen. In fact when they headed for Saint-Charles-Borromée, site of the music festival "Mémoire et Racines", the sun was getting hotter and brighter. M. René Laurain, mayor of Joliette, was present to welcome the Perrons and wish them an enjoyable stay in Joliette. Afterwards, everyone went their own way to hear the performing musicians who hailed from various countries. Lunch was taken under a huge tent. At exactly 13:30, the Perrons hurried toward the main pavilion to hear Daniel Perron, a well-known local artist who was about to give a concert and launch his last CD.
Time to adjust the complex sound system then music filled the room. At once we were transported back to the time of our good old French-Canadian ‘veillées'. The music was brisk and the “tappeur de pieds” (foot-tapping fellow) kept the beat with such ardour that some Perrons were literally ‘dancing' while seated on their chairs. All joined Daniel when he sang traditional folksongs that our grandfathers used to sing. Participants of all ages applauded loudly when the musicians were introduced: Luc Bordeleau, André Marchand, Denis Fréchette, Serge Thériault, Gaston Lepage, Martin Levesque... do you recognize any members of the Bottine Souriante here?
Guitars, fiddles, accordions; music from our part of the world, and music from other countries... A few Perrons went back to the main pavilion to hear some Cajun music and even had a go at the "two- step", a popular dance of Louisiana. Time went by too quickly and soon we had to leave the site and drive to the Cathedral for the four o'clock mass.
As the parish priest was in Toronto to attend the world-wide youth conference, mass was co-officiated by a priest from nearby along with Father Renaud Perron (493). Renaud received wide applause when it was anounced that he was celebrating 50 years of priesthood this year.
Back at the hotel, participants enjoyed a few minutes'rest before gathering in the still sunlit garden for a cocktail, and more precious moments were spent talking to old friends, meeting new ones or exchanging news of the family.
The evening started with a delicious meal. The dishes on the menu bore unusual names which made it difficult to guess exactly what they were; all however pleased everyone's palate. As he has done for the past three Perron gatherings, M. Jean-Claude Perron (547) offered the organizing Committee a magnificent sculpture of our Coat of Arms to be raffled during the banquet. The lucky winner was Mme Marie-Rose Perron-Dubois (349) of St-Casimir. Daniel Perron and his own group La Souvenance traditionnelle were in charge of the music and many showed their talents on the dance floor. Participants also had the pleasure of meeting Daniel's mother, Mme Thérèse Côté-Perron (801) who made it a point to attend. In the course of the evening, the president, M. Normand Perron (552), presented the AFPA Prize of Excellence to Martin Dagenais (805). Martin was introduced to the crowd by his grandfather, M. Rhéal Perron (492) who read a very moving testimony in Martin's honour. Special tributes were also given to other members of the Association during the gathering: to Father Renaud Perron who devoted 50 years of his life to the service of the Church, mainly in Africa; and to a most engaging couple, M. Joachim Perron (507) and his wife Mme Louiselle Angers who, this year, are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Saturday was the day devoted to the social side of the gathering and all were unanimous: it was perfect. The following day the Perrons would be called to take part in the more serious side of the gathering: the general assembly.
Sunday
Right after breakfast, AFPA members, some accompanied by their spouses, took their seats in the meeting room. The first meeting, the Special Assembly, started at 9 o'clock; its objective was to reduce the number of administrators from eleven to nine. The regular Annual Assembly followed during which members were informed of the administrators'work; reports were read, questions asked and answered, and the Board's activities, including one of great importance, the latest version of our Statutes and General By-laws, were ratified. Normand and Rhéal offered to extend their terms as administrators. Since there were no vacant positions, Mme Gabrielle Perron Newman (313), who had been ready to serve on the new Board, offered to serve instead as Regional Representative for the Eastern Townships. All applauded her initiative. Members of the Board remain the same, but some have been given different tasks. The positions for 2002-2003 are: president: Rhéal; 1st vice- president: Normand; 2nd vice-president: Léopold; secretary: Cécile; treasurer: Bernard; and administrators: Louise, Michel, Raynold and Thérèse.
The meeting progressed so smoothly that the Perrons were ready for brunch well ahead of the appointed time. More time to fraternize; more door prizes to be given; the new president gave a short speech; he even succeeded in ‘disposing' of what was left of the ‘Cuvée Joliette'... in both colours. The gathering was drawing to a close when suddenly an unexpected couple, dressed in period attire, entered the dining room and wound their way from table to table. Who could they be? A final surprise that Marlène had kept secret from us: the Sieur Barthélemy Joliette and his lady, Marie-Charlotte Tarieu Taillant de Lanaudière personified by two young people of the Joliette Tourist office. Then it was time to say good-bye. Marlène thanked all participants for coming over and reminded them of the 2003 Perron gathering which is to take place in Shawinigan, Cité de l'énergie.