GATHERING at Matane in 2006

Members of the Board of Directors and Berube's from the region of the Bas-St-Laurent, Gaspesie, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, were happy to welcome more than 80 people at the annual meeting of the "Association des Familles Berube inc." held in Matane on the 9th and 10th of September 2006.

It was at the Riôtel, located on the shore of the great river, where the Berube's from all regions of Québec (Sept-Iles, Baie-Comeau, Roberval, St-Lin, Oka, Venice-en-Quebec, Compton, etc.) met under a glorious sun.

Saturday afternoon, the tourist attractions of Matane (the Atelier Grand Fleuve, the Phare, the Musée Bouffard-Durette and the Bon-Pasteur church) charmed the participants.

In the evening, during the banquet, our president Andre, after acknowledging the presence of Jacques (#0011), governor of the Association, noted the contribution of the Berube's in the Matane region. He then paid homage to the guest of honour, Madame Marie-Louise Berube-Dancause, who is 102 years of age. She was born at St-Léandre and, after the passing of her mother, was raised by the couple Gonzague Belzile. She taught at St-Ulric and after her marriage with Napoléon, they took up residence at St-Léandre, then at St-Ulric and, finally, they acquire a lot at St-Nil. While her husband worked in the sawmills, she managed to clear 3 acres per year, in order to keep possession of the land, while having 12 children. The Association presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque on which was inscribed the names of Berube centenarians. Madame Marie-Louise answered questions from the president and thanked the Berube's for this homage.

Jacques (#0219) of Beauport made a presentation created by members of his family for the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the region of Quebec. However a surprise was waiting for him; Roland Roy (#0818) presented a condensed and humorous side of the life of Jacques and Germaine (#0002), director of the Association, who gave him in the name of the Association his life membership to thank him for 25 years of generously implicating himself to the production of the paper: Le Monde Berrubey.

Sunday, members who were present during the annual meeting, after receiving the annual report, the treasurer's report and the projected budget, re-elected Madeleine (#1246), Marcel (#0844) and Michel (#0336) of Nicolet and elected Gracia Devost-Poulin (#1457) of Baie-Comeau.

The Association thank the Société d'histoire et de généalogie de Matane for their collaboration in organizing and promoting this gathering.