The Perrons Celebrate at Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton
Translation: Cécile Perron (129)
The Perrons’ gatherings are held year after year, but far from becoming a dull routine each one brings a flavour of its own. Thus on 21 August 2010, Perrons from Quebec, Ontario, and the United States responded to the meeting call from the Association des familles Perron d’Amérique, and took the road to Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton to join their local cousins in celebrating one hundred years of history of that municipality.
For the very first time, the Perron gathering was a one-day affair. By 8:30, Mme Céline Perron and a few members of her welcoming committee greeted us and handed us our ID card, coupons and stubs for activities and door prizes. Member of the board, M. Robert Perron (901), collected the signatures of all AFPA members who would shortly attend the annual general meeting. Members visited the AFPA kiosk to have their passports stamped or renew their yearly membership; others in a gesture of support to their organization purchased promotional articles. Non-members as well purchased AFPA decks of cards, pins and coat of arms. Cheerful members hailed one another and engaged in lively conversation before taking their seats for the general meeting. The usual reports were read and board’s activities were ratified. As there were no changes to the board of administration this year, it was agreed that the directors would fill the same positions.
In the time remaining before lunch, Mme Bertha Perron, who was in charge of the historical aspect of the gathering, delivered a visual presentation on the Perron families who pioneered the village, and talked about their role in the community; she also described the coat of arms of the municipality. Also prominent in the presentation were the different Perron businesses present in the village and in the vicinity. Later on, the visual presentation was shown on-screen for the duration of the supper. Mme Johanne Gonthier, member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Mégantic-Compton, made a brief appearance to wish all participants a happy reunion.
The guided tour had a nice surprise in store: ‘actors’ dressed in the early 1900s were on hand to tell the history of the first Perrons and entertain us with amusing anecdotes.
More than 80 persons boarded two busses to visit the main sites that in the past belonged to, and some continue to belong to, the Perrons of Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton. Benoit Pelletier and Sonia Montminy, impersonating pioneers of Saint-Isidore Joseph Perron and his wife Alphonsine, told us with great fluency and sprightliness of the life of the first inhabitants of the village, many of whom were Perrons. Within the limits of the village, we could see the site of the sawmill that belonged to Thomas Perron and his wife Marie, and Joseph’s and Philippe’s houses built by Thomas.
After visiting the main sites of the village, we headed for the country, more particularly for Rural road # 10 which has now been renamed Chemin des Perron in honour of all the Perrons of Saint-Isidore and especially of those who developed that road. We made a stop at the farm of Gaston Perron and his son Hugo where we saw a demonstration of a stationary threshing machine dating back to 1925, and an old-time straw-press.
The guided tour enabled us to measure the important role that the Perrons have played in the founding and development of Saint-Isidore. Sincere congratulations to the organizing committee for adding that activity to the programme.
A traditional mass of gratitude to our ancestors is a very important part of our annual gatherings and at Saint-Isidore, the church committee deserves special congratulations. Indeed, all found great interest and pleasure in the choir’s performance, the presentation of the offerings, and Bertha’s address on the history of the church. Mass was celebrated by Renaud (493) and Raymond Perron (332), both White Fathers of Africa, and Abbé Edmond Pouliot, Renaud’s cousin. Those involved in the service were all Perron cousins and included members of the celebrations committee: serving at the altar (Louise Blouin, Roma Fontaine), in charge of the readings (Bertha Perron, Josée Perron, Sylvie Perron), and of the church collection (Josée and Sylvie Perron).
A light rain was falling when we left the church but the sound of the bells put sunshine in our hearts. Everyone headed back to the community hall to partake in a festive supper.
Such meals are usually accompanied by speeches; MC Marc Montminy introduced Normand who welcomed the participants. Then AFPA president Gabrielle addressed the crowd and used the opportunity to introduce the members of the board. Renaud having blessed the meal, conversations started and quickly filled the room with a buzz that grew increasingly louder. Then came a speech from the mayor, M. André Perron who stated how proud the villagers were since learning that the Commission de Toponymie had voted in favour of renaming Rural road # 10 as Chemin des Perron. Three of Alphonse’s descendants, Lucien, Paul-Henri and Joseph Perron, unveiled a road-sign bearing the new name. In addition, a plaque honouring three Perron couples, pioneers of the parish, was offered to the town hall on behalf of the Association. Later on, following a brief introduction by Bertha, came the moment that many were awaiting impatiently: a few words from Honorary President Jean Perron. Further on during the meal, the MC introduced the members of the organizing committee who had made such a success of the event. He also announced that there were 219 attendees that evening, an excellent level of participation.
During its annual gathering, AFPA consistently observes another tradition: paying tribute to its members. Born in Saint-Isidore d’Auckland, Father Renaud Perron is indeed a child of the parish, and Mme Marlène Perron (255) who was a member of the board along with Renaud, recalled briefly part of his life as a missionary. Then, President Gabrielle presented him with a certificate stating that henceforth Renaud would be an Honorary Member of the Association.
Members who celebrate 50 years or more of marriage also receive as tribute a certificate of recognition and a bouquet. This year marked a golden wedding anniversary for M. Lionel Perron (922) and his wife Marielle Fauteux. Mme Laurette Perron (920) and husband Donald Ruel celebrated 65 years of marriage. Certificates were offered by the president and the bouquet by a member of their family. Further congratulations were expressed to other couples present.
All had the opportunity to sign the municipality’s visitors’ book that remained open all evening at the welcoming station. After the meal, it was time to reward the crowd for their participation; numbers were drawn and several prizes were offered as well as a beautiful carving of our coat of arms. For a good number of years now, Jean-Claude of Isle-aux-Coudres has made it his duty and pleasure to give AFPA a carving of our coat of arms. This year, the winner was M. Gérard Pleau of Portneuf, husband to member Lise Perron (587), two regulars at our gatherings. Again this year, we had the great pleasure to count among our attending members M. René Péron (35) and his wife Dorothy (348) who have never missed a single one of our 19 annual gatherings.
Then it was time to part for those participants who had to drive back to their home or hotel. As for the Perrons of the village, they continued to party and dance to the music of Claude and Réjean Audet.
Next year, it’s a date; we shall meet at Isle-aux-Coudres in beautiful Charlevoix in celebration of our 20th anniversary.
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