2005 - 2006
GATHERING IN VAL D'OR (13 and 14 August 2005)
The 2005 Perron Family Gathering took place 13 and 14 August in Val d'Or, Quebec.Lise Perron Dagenais
I travelled over with my son, Mathieu, and my parents Rhéal and Claire. We are always looking forward to attending the annual Perron gathering and I'm amazed to see that my 16-year old son, my 17-year old nephew and 13-year old niece are still willing to accompany their parents and grandparents.
Because of his work, my son, Martin, could not be with us this time but hopes to be there next year. And we do hope, with crossed fingers, that there will be a Perron gathering in 2006.
Leaving Ottawa Friday we headed for Val d'Or via the La Vérendrye Park, gateway to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. We stopped shortly at Lac Roland waterfalls, a beautiful spot, to walk about and admire the scenery. We arrived at Val d'Or around supper time and were warmly welcomed by Manon and her husband, Yves. Soon after, my sister Ginette, her children and her husband, Jean-Yves, joined us. Everyone loved the hotel, particularly the children who at once noticed the Internet desk and wasted no time logging on.
Quite a few participants had arrived that day and in the evening had already been at the welcoming desk to pick up their documents even though the gathering was scheduled to start Saturday 13 August with registration at 8 o'clock. The first activity of the day was a tour of Cité de l'Or.
The discovery in 1923 of a gold seam led to the exploration of the site. From 1935 on, the Lamaque Gold Mines started work on the lode and for many decades that mine was the most lucrative in Quebec. The mine closed in 1985 and later became a Centre d'interprétation named Cité de l'Or. Tourists have been able to visit the mine since June 1995. The visit lasts three hours.
Before going underground, we had to don overalls, miners helmets and a belt to hold the 5-pound battery which supplies the light with electric current, and those who didn't want to get their shoes muddy were given boots just like real miners. We were driven 300 feet underground and our guides took us back to the 1930s, describing the story of the mine and other interesting and often funny aspects of the life of a miner. The guide reminded us that miners were very close to each other for the simple fact that mining involved so many dangers, especially in those early times, and every miner put his life in the hands of his co-worker.
We were quite lucky to have in our group Antoine Perron who had worked 14 years in the Lamaque mine: two underground and twelve in the lab. It was fascinating to hear him add a comment here, an important detail there, all interesting, some very sad. For instance, Antoine told us that at one point he had to bring to the surface three workers who had lost their lives.
While some of us were visiting the mine, about fifty other guests who had remained at the hotel attended a lecture by anthropologist Sylvain Beaupré on the history of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Using several anecdotes, Mr. Beaupré explained how that great region, the most northen 'community' of Quebec, had come to life. The word 'community' used here includes the cities of Val d'Or (the youngest), along with Amos, Malartic, and Rouyn-Noranda. That region was formed by the last ice-age glaciers which left behind moraines, lakes and rivers as well as mineral beds that men of all origins, customs and religions came to exploit. Those miners of different cultures did more than people the region; they also left their mark in the local architecture as seen in some buildings, particularly churches.
In the afternoon, we took a bus tour of Val d'Or to discover its main attractions. One of these, Bourlamaque, was particularly interesting. Bourlamaque was originally a village built not far from the mine for the miners and their families. The small log houses comprising the village are now private homes. Val d'Or's population is about 25,000 and all are proud of the vast green parks and forests, both recreative and educative, and of tourist sites that add to the charm of their city.
At 16h30, the parish mass was shared by the Perron families who came to Saint-Sauveur church to give thanks. The celebrant was Father Raymond Perron, of the White Fathers of Africa, assisted by two Perron women, Jeannine (293) of Portneuf and Lise (587) of Saint-Alban. At a last minute request, Claire Perron replaced the organist and accompanied choir director, Mme Louiselle Asselin.
Back at the hotel, participants enjoyed reminiscing during the cocktail hour before moving to their tables for the banquet and the social evening with DJ Denis Coulombe.
We paid hommage to Sister Angèle Perron for 69 years of religious life. And it was also her birthday that very day (88 years young!), so we all joined in and burst into song. The Association also paid tribute to Mr. Paul-Henri Perron and his wife, Thérèse Bilodeau, who celebrated their Golden Anniversary this year. Our best wishes for many more years of happiness and fulfillment to Sr Angèle and to Paul-Henri and Thérèse.
Someone else had something to celebrate: my nephew Justin changed his name to that of his mother, Ginette, and is now known as Justin Perron. And as Rhéal said, the name will be passed on and he and his wife Claire, who are parents to four daughters, can one day expect some Perron grandchildren.
It was evident that the banquet was more than just appreciated as participants ate the delicious food with gusto. We enjoyed every service from the appetizing tomato salad enhanced with a savory balsamic sauce, right through to the chocolate mousse cake with raspberry coulis. Door prizes were drawn throughout the banquet and evening including a very special one, the Perron crest sculpted and so generously offered each year by Jean-Claude of Ile-aux-Coudres. Mme Martine Hallé, member of the organizing committee, won that coveted prize and it could not have been more appropriate since it was she who relentlessly knocked at doors to get prizes for the participants. Prizes offered by the Association went to Antoine Perron, Ghislaine Perron and Yves Lapointe, Manon's husband. The banquet was soon followed by dancing and the Perrons showed once more that they sure can dance… I had the pleasure of dancing with my dear son.
The general meeting took place on Sunday morning and renewed the mandate of Rhéal as president, Cécile as first vice-president, Gabrielle as secretary, and Michel as treasurer. Manon was chosen second vice-president. Three new administrators, Gaétan, George and Normand, were elected to the great pleasure of the assembly and with Diane, the Board is now complete.
Unfortunatly, no date or place had been determined for next year's gathering by the time the general meeting came to an end. And nobody volunteered to organize it. However participants were quite enthusiastic at the idea of holding a cruise/gathering on the Saint-Lawrence and Jeannine promised Rhéal to gather some information on the subject. Let's hope that someone will take charge of the 2006 Perron gathering. And a cruise on the Saint-Lawrence sounds very appealing. Our beautiful river has so much history…
As usual, a brunch brought the Perron gathering to a close. We wished one another a safe trip back home with the hope to meet in 2006.
The 2005 Perron Family Gathering in pictures
|
|
|
| Louise's family | Perron equipped as minors | The Perron are going to the observation tower |
|
|
|
| Participants at the beginning of the visit of the mine | On the way for the Tour de ville | Manon and the committee of reception |
|
|
|
| Sister Angèle, jubilee, accompanied by Cécile | The cocktail hour | Alice Perron Cliche |
|
|
|
| Paul-Henri and Thérèse, jubilee accompanied by Gaby, secretary, and of Cecile, vice-president | Martine Hallé gagnante des armoiries sculptées | |
|
|
|
| Perron-Pascalis | Intersection of Perron and Lac Bonnefond roads |