13^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2013

Registration of participants started at 8 a.m. on a beautiful sunny day at the Centre des Aînés. More than 160 persons were there to greet old friends, meet new ones and celebrate the theme "Les Blais à la Noce" [A Blais Wedding]. By choosing this theme, the committee members wanted to "bring back" their grandparents, Arthur Blais and Sara Lavergne, who had wed on October 7, 1913, in the Ste. Flore parish.

At 9 a.m., the master of ceremonies Annie Blais officially launches the festivities; the program of the day is presented and the Association’s Vice-President, Jean-Marc Blais, introduces the members of the organizing committee. Then we head off for the celebration of a mass in the Assomption Church of the Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville parish, just next door to the Centre des Aînés. Reverend François Donaldson says the mass, assisted by padre Dominique Lafrenière, son of the organizing committee coordinator. A beautiful choir of four accompanies the mass.

Following a delicious cold buffet served at around 11:30, two busses leave for the Cité de l’Énergie, an interesting and highly appreciated visit. During this time those who stayed at the Centre talk, visit stands, and play shuffle board.

At 4:30 p.m., it is time for the annual general meeting of the Association members: financial statements, realizations of the last fiscal year, orientations, and elections to the various Board of Directors positions. Jean-Marc Blais (M-256) is now President, succeeding Normand Blais (M-253).

During this time, members of the organizing committee laid beautifully decorated "wedding" tables, with a welcome note, a small present, and a folder on the theme song. The orchestra, "Les Moineaux et l’Hirondelle" [The Sparrows and the Swallow] were already playing festive music.

During the magnificent supper, at 6 p.m., awards were handed out to involved volunteers. The presence of Robert Blais was duly noted; he is the only living son of the Blais-Lavergne couple whose marriage we were commemorating. The Moineaux et l’Hirondelle lead us in a karaoke-type song celebrating our Blais ancestors. [The words to the song Dégénération by the group Mes Aïeux, were modified to reflect the Blais family history.] 

1. 

La famille Blais d’Amérique possédait plus variantes
Blé_Blay_Bled_Belet_Blet mais c’est Blais qui est resté
Et pis Pierr’ not’ ancêtre à l’âge de 24 ans
Arriva au Canada à bord du navire « Le Noir »-
Resta_l’île d’Orléans en seize cent soixante et quatre +
Se Maria en ’69 avec la belle Anne Perrot -
Sur leur ferme à Ste-Famille, 10 enfants ont vu le jour +
Ils vécurent heureux……..parmi les gens d’ l’île
d’Orléans……..ans……..

Légende :

Le trait _ veut dire qu’on enchaîne tout de suite avec le mot suivant.

La syllabe mise en gras veut dire qu’on la prononce complètement.

Le + à la fin de la ligne veut dire que la note monte.

Le – que la note descend.

2. 

Not’ ancêtre devenu veuf maria Élisabeth
pour combler leur famille, ils eurent 5 beaux enfants
Toute sa vie Pierre Blais fut honnête et travaillant
C’est à soixante ans qu’il mourut subitement -
Pis là aujourd’hui, trois cent quarant’ neuf ans plus tard +
Nous ses descendants, nous savons comment fêter -
En se rassemblant à chaque fois différemment +
En levant nos verres…à la mémoire de nos ancêtres…
êtres……..

Paroles :

Sylvie Blais, fille de Robert Blais
Danie Blais, fille de Fernand Blais
Sylvie et Jocelyne Auger, fille de Claire Blais
Toutes petites-filles d’Arthur Blais et Sara Lavergne

After the meal, we could purchase tickets for two superb paintings, Sylvie Blais M-430 and Renée Blais. The lucky winners were Gaston Picard (M-284) and Josée Blais, daughter of Robert Blais and granddaughter of Arthur and Sara. The orchestra then played on… fast and slow dances …until a little past 9 p.m.
A free year membership was awarded among members who had submitted articles for the Journal des Blais; Jacques Blais from Québec M-78 won the draw.

According to several participants, including Gerard Blais (M-342), 93, from the state of New York, the 2013 meeting was one of the best Blais parties to date. We offer our most sincere thanks to the organizing committee

Coordinator: Michel Lafrenière
Treasurer: Danie Blais
Director: Sylvie Blais

Secretary: Sylvie Auger
Director: Jocelyne Auger
Director: Nicole Lafrenière

Who will take on the challenge of organizing the 2014 meeting? We hope to hear from you soon! 

Jean-Marc Blais, president (M-256)