Salaberry-de-Valleyfield: a city, an island on the St.Lawrence River
By Friday afternoon, many participants had arrived at this «island on the St-Lawrence» and several small groups arranged to have supper together, some at the Plaza hotel, others at restaurants nearby. Later in the evening, presenters started to set up their tables and stands for the next day’s exhibition.
Early Saturday morning, Léopold and Cécile were getting ready to welcome everyone and hand them their documents. All were happily surprised to be offered a Perron key chain as a memento of the Association’s 15th Anniversary. Members who were celebrating fifteen years of membership also received the promised gift, a lovely paper-weight engraved with the Perron coat of arms.
Gabrielle and Normand manned the Association stand where our promotional items were displayed and where members could renew their membership. Michel, at his usual post behind the genealogy stand, quickly went to work taking pictures of participants and offering information about their ancestry line to all interested. As for Manon and George, their task was to take over at the welcome desk or the Association stand when necessary.
On entering the Empire Room, people started to visit the exhibition mounted by members of the Association under the theme «Around our Ancestral Heritage». Around the room, against the walls, ten long tables were laden with objects, photos and documents that once belonged to grandparents and great-grandparents. It is such a pleasure to see pictures and objects of the past. M. René Péron had brought with him numerous old bibles, music and hymn books of the past, photos of pieces of furniture that had belonged to his grandparents and are the pride of his family. Through their respective displays, we were introduced to George’s and Gaby’s lineage, both being of Suire descent, while Cécile, Pierre and Normand presented pictures, objects and documents from the Dugrenier branch. Rhéal’s stand represented the Desnoyers branch. «Around our Ancestral Heritage» brought to mind big homes and big families who, despite the few possessions they had compared to what we enjoy nowadays, were happy and in high spirits.
The interest generated by the exhibition was such that the official opening took place a good half hour later than planned. Rhéal began by mentioning the presence of the Honourable Odette Perron and of Mayor Denis Lapointe who then welcomed the Perron crowd and spoke to us about his own Perron lineage.
Then Claire, Rhéal’s wife, proceeded with her presentation on Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Starting with the very origins of that village, called Saranac from the language of the Iroquois, and its first inhabitants who came over by way of the numerous bodies of water that surround Salaberry-de-Valleyfield; to the construction of three successive canals that would ensure safe transportation for people and merchandise; to the arrival of factories that would promote the region’s industrial growth, Claire’s presentation was very informative. The history of the Montreal Cotton Co., established in the 1870s, was especially recalled as it was the prime force of the city’s growth well into the 20th century. We congratulate Claire and thank her for this wonderful history of the Saranac of yesterday to today’s Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Perrons and friends then continued to fraternize and made it a point to sign the City’s visitors’ book before lunchtime. Several participants took time to walk to the old part of Valleyfield close to the hotel.
The bus was right on-time for a visit of the city, and the guide, a very likeable man, embellished the tour with local anecdotes and jokes. Born in Valleyfield and proud of it, he had no difficulty holding our interest from beginning to end and it was very pleasant despite the discomfort of an extremely hot day.
To end the afternoon, the Perrons gathered in the magnificent Sainte-Cécile Cathedral-Basilica to attend mass co-celebrated by Mrg Hubert Julien, curate of the parish, and Fathers Toussaint and Raymond Perron of the White Fathers of Africa. Perron participants were touched by Mgr Julien’s welcoming words and greatly appreciated the Latin hymns interpreted by Mme Lucie Guimond.
Back at the hotel we met over cocktails with many Perron cousins of Valleyfield who had joined us for supper. Before the meal the Honourable Odette Perron welcomed us and gave us a brief account on her family and how they came to reside in the region. Four tables had been reserved for our guests including a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Alcide Perron Nadeau (457) and his wife Lucille Langlois. A fifth table was assigned especially to the young crowd: Guillaume, Julien and Charles Perron-Piché, Catherine Cécile Demers, Émilie Saint-Pierre Cécile, Justin Perron Théberge and Mathieu Perron Dagenais. In Mme Odette’s words, all those beautiful young people were the promise of tomorrow’s Perron continuity.
Here and there during the meal, tributes were paid, first to the Golden Anniversary celebrants, then to René (35) and Dorothy (348) in recognition not only for 64 years of marriage, but for their faithful commitment to the Perron Association. This charming couple attended every one of our annual gatherings including the foundation meeting. Hats off! Door prizes offered by generous Perron sponsors of Valleyfield were also drawn during the evening. A wood carving of the Perron coat of arms, by Jean-Claude Perron (547) of Isle-aux-Coudres, was won by Mme Claire Perron (208) of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Claire gave a lot of her time to help the organizing committee for this Perron gathering and indeed this particular prize went to the right person.
Between the main course and dessert, the Association made a special presentation to the Société d’histoire et de généalogie de Salaberry in memory of Mme Marie-Jeanne Perron. For many present this was the occasion to get to know the real Marie-Jeanne thanks to M. Michelle Paquette’s address. Along with Mme Manon Shink, M. Paquette represented the Société. It was also the opportunity for us to meet Marie-Jeanne’s and Pierre-Paul’s beautiful family.
Then the music started and even though it was getting late, many took to the floor for some dancing.
On Sunday morning, at 9 o’clock as usual, the Perrons held their general meeting. But contrary to the usual they were provided with a continental breakfast in the meeting room. Members in good-standing, some accompanied by their spouse, listened to the usual reports and saw to the election of a new Board of administration. The meeting was over well before 11o’clook, allowing the participants more time to enjoy one another’s company.
A good-sized group of Perrons from Valleyfield attended the brunch and one of them was Guillaume who turned 21 that very day. Rhéal one last time thanked all participants and reminded them to come and meet again at next year’s gathering, in Sherbrooke. Then all headed back home with happy memories.
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