8^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008

What a success! The Blais are always eager to meet! About 50 people were already on site on Friday and enjoyed supper together.

The Meeting started the next morning at 8:30 with coffee, juice and muffins. 231 persons celebrated the theme „Together towards our roots“. In the auditorium, between official activities, the participants could visit various stands: Association information; promotional articles; consult Serge and Jacques, our genealogists; purchase the Blais Dictionary, or admire the Blais talents (paintings, sculptures, weaving and others). Soft drinks, beer and wine could be purchased at the bar.

Towards 9:30, Lucille, the president, and Jean-Marc, the vice-president, greeted the participants and presented the various activities of the day. At 10 o’clock, Father Gaston Bilodeau celebrated the Word; Sister Lucie Blais, s.c.s.l, had chosen the readings. (M-222), she also composed the song "Au carrefour de Valcartier" especially for this Assembly. All participants sung along, accompanied by Caroline Vachon (M-392) at the piano.

Song: Comme tout le monde - Music: Paul Misraki - Lyrics : Lucie Blais, s.c.s.l. M-222

Refrain

Au carr(e)four de Valcartier
C’est la fête!
On peut voir les Blais fêter
Se connaître.
Simplement pour saluer
Leurs ancêtres
Et pour tisser des liens de parenté
Plein la tête!

- 1 -

Quand Mathurin prit racine
En terre française, il a semé.
Il méconnaissait la mine
Que lui réservait sa lignée.

- 2 -

Quand Pierre fit choix d’Amérique
Il s’engagea sur un bateau,
Il traversa l’Atlantique
Pour bâtir un monde nouveau.

- 3 -

Pour peupler la colonie
En Fill(e) du Roy bien préparée,
Ann(e) Perrot bénéficie
D’un chef de famille à marier.

- 4 -

Quand les enfants prendront souche
C’est au Québec qu’ils grandiront.
Élizabeth mit sa touche
Fleurissant la génération.

- 5 -

En ce pays où les rives
Saluent l’arrivée des bateaux,
Des gens viennent pour y vivre
Et créer de nouveaux berceaux.

- 6 -

Des Irlandais et des Suisses,
Des Britanniques et des Nippons,
Des Inuits et des Russes,
Il faut élargir l’horizon.

- 7 -

Quand il faut gagner la vie
Tous les métiers sont les plus beaux.
Gérants de moulin à scie,
Huissier, maréchal ou bedeau…

- 8 -

Quand on a tout pour y croire,
St-Gabriel-de-Valcartier,
En pèlerins de l’histoire,
Ici, nous somm(es) tous rassemblés.

- 9 -

S’offrir un air de famille
À tous les ans, c’est épatant,
Surtout quand le soleil brille
Et que tous les Blais sont contents.

At 10:45, the long-awaited moment! The launching of the Blais Dictionary by Marguerite Blais, Member for Saint-Henri – Sainte-Anne and Minister responsible for Seniors, and Lucille Blais. Jean-Marc gives the Minister a copy of the Dictionary and a serigraphy of the Association’s Coat of Arms to thank her for her presence and her generous contribution. The president thanks everyone who worked on the Dictionary and gives them a token of appreciation. Vincent Blais (M-391) animated this part of the ceremony.

Then, on to the cafeteria to continue the fraternal get-together

At the beginning of the afternoon, Marianna O’Gallagher entertained the participants with stories about the Irish in New France. Lucille then took a few minutes to bring us up to date on the trip to France, planned for 2010. At 3 p.m., the Shannon Dancers showed us their dancing skills and livened things up. Roger A. Blais, professor emeritus (M-389) then spoke to us about the „Biographical data sheets“ project.

The Annual General Meeting took place at 4 p.m. Along with current affaires, an election was held to replace two administrators and to complete Lucie Blais’ mandate. The new administrators are: Esther Blais, from Québec City (M-452), Pauline Grégoire, from Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier (M-425), and Pierre Blais from L’Ancienne-Lorette (M-291).

We then head back to the cafeteria for supper; it was evident everyone was having a good time. After supper plaques were awarded to the designated members of the Merit Club for 2007-2008: Gaston Blais, from Montreal (M-288), Donald Blais from Sykesville, Maryland (M-30), and Yves Blais, from Shawinigan (M-80). Plaques were also awarded to the two ex-administrators: Régent Blais, from Lévis (M-178) and Louise Blais-Leroux, from Québec (M-259) for their loyal services.

Francine Blais (M-299) presented her Organizing Committee and invited everyone to the 2009 Meeting; it will be held in Chambly on Saturday, September 12, 2009.

The day ended with a show by the Choeur du Vieux Couvent de Neuville, a narration of the arrival and activities of our ancestor Pierre Blais in New France, accompanied by well-chosen songs.

A heartfelt Thank You to the 2008 Organizing Committee, to all the volunteers during the Meeting, to Mireille Devin of the Auberge du Mont and her team, and a special thank you to all who participated!

See you at the next Meeting, September 12, 2009, in Chambly!

Jean-Marc Blais, vice-president

Last update for this page: September 14, 2008