ASA Annual meeting

If we judge the vitality of an association by the quantity and quality of its members, we can say that the Séguin association is dynamic and healthy. In fact, more than five hundred Séguin came to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its founding in Hawkesbury on September 2 and 3, 1995.

The Town of Hawkesbury is located in the southeast of the province of Ontario on the banks of the Ottawa River. This city of 10,000 inhabitants is industrial and very active. In recent years, the City has lost some wood-fueled industries, but thanks to the work of municipal officials and local organizations, several new ones have settled there.

This Saturday, September 2, the Séguins invaded Hawkesbury. The mayor of the City, Lucien Berniquer, invites us to the Hôtel de Ville where we are served wine and canapés. Warm reception; thank you, mayor. Our stay is off to a good start. We are welcome. Many wear the Séguins' sweaters: we recognize each other and greet each other like brothers in the street. The Séguins come from everywhere: from Ontario, Quebec and the United States.

City tours are organized. Having been to Hawkesbury many times, I wondered what more could be seen there. Warning! We will be shown around interesting points unknown to most of us.

First we are taken to the Manoir du Canal in Grenville, a huge well-preserved house, built in 1809 by Mr. Mc Millan. Special permission is given to the Séguins to enter this place as a group. We then stop at the Maison de l'Ile, built in 1830. This house serves as an exhibition hall for local artists.

Magnificent! A few kilometers from the city, another house catches our attention: it is the Firex house built in 1805 and completed in 1821 by Alexander Grant, member of the Executive Council of the Province of Ontario. With its thick walls which serve as insulation, its numerous fireplaces to heat it and its wide planks which cover the floor, this house is the worthy representative of the constructions of the time. In Canada, we marvel at a building built two hundred years ago. It is almost a miracle that these buildings still stand because of the harsh climate. One point piqued my attention: the still very healthy pine that stands majestic and proud on the north side of the house: a natural wonder. It must have already been a hundred years old when the house was erected. If he could speak!

The Protestant Church of Holy Trinity which dates from 1844 dominates the surrounding area. One object must have struck those who made the trip to France in 1993: the lectern. During this trip, we visited the church of Jaméricourt in Picardy to admire the lectern carved in oak and surmounted by an eagle; we believed that it had served Laurent, father of our ancestor and master of the chapel. The lectern of the Protestant church has the same shapes but it is made of brass.

The evening of Saturday evening is hosted by the group from La Tuque Bleue. These four young boys from the region, helped by an adult, have a "bite" of folklore. At the sound of their music and their voices, we cannot sit still; they set us on fire. I admired these young people who play our traditional music so rich and so captivating, music that is as if embedded in our bones. For five hours, they play reels, sing response songs and even laments, pieces always in the minor mode and so difficult to sing. I wish long life to this group and that they continue to make known the music of our country.

Everything is going so well that it is normal for the Séguins to go to thank the Lord during Sunday mass at St-Alphonse de Liguori church. Father Gérard Séguin accompanied by Father Jean-Baptiste Séguin and Father Edouard Séguin c.s.v. said mass. Mr. Michel Séguin, Sulpician, vice-rector of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, delivers the homily. The songs are performed by a singer who accompanies himself on the guitar. It's a western mass. We are trained to sing to happy and hopping rhythms. After mass, during the group's photograph, Belle, the goat, wanted to accompany us.

After a delicious brunch, the Séguins will head to the Paul VI school hall where the general assembly will take place. Our treasurer, Raymond Séguin, continues to multiply miracles. The association always ends the year with surpluses. A new director is elected in the person of Michel Séguin. The president, Yolande Séguin-Pharand, to the surprise of her life when the painter Guy Séguin himself offers her one of his paintings. Congratulations, madam, and thank you, Mr. Séguin. During this meeting, we learn the name of the winner of the association's theme song contest; Ghislaine Séguin Van Dyck wins the first prize.

To the tune of À la claire fontaine, we will henceforth sing: New Earth, Ah! I love you, Always will respect you.

The highlight of the weekend is without a doubt the cruise on the Ottawa River aboard the Jacques-Cartier. Three hundred and forty Séguin go on board for a four-hour journey. This river flows from north to south-east and drains Témiscamingue and southwestern Abitibi to empty into the St. Lawrence near Montreal. It serves as a natural border between the province of Quebec and that of Ontario for most of its course.

The atmosphere on the Jacques-Cartier is joyful; it's party. The host and owner of the ship, Captain Luc Harvey, knows how to entertain his travelers with judicious explanations, songs and anecdotes, and that with humor. The panoramic view that we take in from the ship is surprising. I will never be able to forget our passage in the Dubé channel in the half-light. The ship decreases its speed and glides on the waves without noise; one has the impression of entering an oasis of peace, a paradise. We hear the silence. The return takes place much more quickly in complete darkness; only a few buoys indicate the passage.

Finally, all get out of the boat happy, give their hand to the directors and return home satisfied with their cruise and their weekend.

People of Hawkesbury, thank you! Our thanks go to the organizing committee under the chairmanship of Laurier Séguin who led his group with tact and energy. Nothing was forgotten or overlooked. You made us spend two unforgettable days.

Thank you to all of you.