ASA Annual meeting

It is with joy that on August 17, 1996 a little more than 235 members of the Séguin family gathered at the Institute of agro-food technology (I.T.A.) of St-Hyacinthe for the sixth general meeting. Last year, the Daniel A. Séguin Garden was inaugurated, located opposite the Institute. It was a dream opportunity for the Séguins to visit the Garden and meet Daniel A. Séguin, professor emeritus who was the instigator and guiding spirit of this project.

Daniel A. Séguin is originally from Rigaud and still owns a residence there. For 20 years, he developed the horticultural section of the Agro-Food Institute of St-Hyacinthe. The Garden is a place where students put their knowledge into practice.

Due to the delay of the bus from Ontario and Rigaud detained at the Hippolyte-Lafontaine tunnel, the meeting must be held within a relatively short period of time. President Yolande Séguin-Pharand first gave a few words of welcome to the assembled Séguins; she then reads the report of last year's general meeting in Hawkesbury. After reading the report, Raymond Séguin, treasurer of the association, read the financial report which ends with an encouraging surplus. The Elections Committee, through their meticulous preparatory work, facilitates the task of the President of the Elections. Five directors are re-elected for three years. They are: Yolande Séguin-Pharand # 001, Raymond Séguin # 002, Raymond J. Séguin # 003, André Séguin # 006 and Francine Séguin # 328. Thank you to the members of the council who see to the good functioning of the association.

A guided tour of St-Hyacinthe makes us discover the importance and the beauty of this city. St-Hyacinthe is located some 60 kilometers east of Montreal and is at the center of the most beautiful arable land in Quebec formed by the alluvium deposited by the Champlain Sea following the melting of the glaciers: the Laurentian Plain. The faculty of veterinary medicine and the school of horticulture are located in a favorable environment. Many educational institutions run by the nuns supplement the public system. A factory which is the pride of the Maskoutains is undoubtedly its Casavant organ factory known and renowned throughout the world. One general aspect strikes the visitor: the almost impeccable maintenance of private properties. I think every resident is inspired by the horticultural principles taught at the I.T.A. to develop its land in beauty.

The visit to the Daniel A. Séguin Garden is a real revelation. In front of the Institute, a wasteland where only dandelions and other unwanted grasses grew was far from beautifying the city. In the 1970s, the idea of ??creating a garden germinated in Mr. Séguin's mind. It was not until 1987 that the Garden began to take shape thanks to various private donations. It is a collective work of teachers and students of the Faculty of Horticulture who devote countless hours to it. We see a Japanese garden, a French garden with 350 varieties of identified annuals, a Zen garden and a waterfall. There are many trees from the Laurentian forest. Next year, a vegetable garden of medicinal plants and herbs will be created; other challenges to overcome.

It is very normal for a similar meeting to include a genealogical component. Precisely André Séguin, our specialist, during his conference, talks to us about the great history of the Séguin family with enthusiasm.

He strongly suggests that we read La Séguinière and the works already published on the Séguin family. André Séguin is currently collecting the data that will make it possible to compose the Séguin dictionary. Colossal work!

If you have completed forms, please send them to him. Thank you, André, for your extraordinary work.

The highlight of the day is certainly Marie-Claire Séguin's concert. She was kind enough to travel to meet the Séguin families. Her singing tour includes those of her new album Présence. Eh yes! what a presence on stage and what a bewitching voice! I also appreciated its great simplicity. Hold on, Marie-Claire.

Your voice enchants us and lifts us up. The world needs to hear beauty. Thank you very much, Marie-Claire.

The sixth meeting was held in the fellowship and I believe everyone said to themselves, "See you next time."