2008 Gathering at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

The 2008 gathering was held at the Relais Gouverneur at St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, region of the valley of the Forts. Saturday morning the 6th of September, the Berube's enrolled in different activities. Around 13:00 they boarded the St-Jean II for a mini cruise of the Richelieu. They returned to solid ground in time to beat the rain. After mass, the participants gathered in the hotel's dining room for the banquet. Seated at a table with the president, the lecturer, Mr. Jean-Yves Théberge and his spouse, and Me Joseph Berube. Further away, at another table, we could find Richard G. from the "States" as well as Rollande, Gaston, Jeannine and René.

Mr. Théberge, who is originally from Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux, professor of history and a audiovisual teaching consultant, made a presentation on the evolution of the region of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. He reminded us that Champlain came through St-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu in 1609 to go and combat the Iroquois. In order to protect the region, the French constructed forts: Sorel (1711), Chambly (1641), Saint-Jean (1663), Saint-Ours and L'Ile aux Noix. The Richelieu river was the link between Montreal and the United-States.

After the wars of 1775 and 1812, traders used the Richelieu. In 1836, a steam engine train on rails made of wood was a link between Laprairie and St-Jean carrying people and merchandise starting from the port of St-Jean which sees the growth of hotels to put up travellers in transit. Even though, in November 1838, Colborne and the loyalists torched the buildings in the area to dissuade the Patriots, St-Jean continued to grow as a multicultural locality in respect of commercial, industrial and the military: ceramic factories (1840 and 1873), newspapers (le Franco-Canadian published in June 1860 became Le Canada Francais), banks, military academy, the Singer company (1906), Royal Military College (1952) built on the ruins of fort St-Jean. Since his arrival at St-Jean in 1962, M. Theberge surveyed each streets and visited each church to understand the history of this city.

During his thank you remarks, the president André acknowledged the presence of Mr. Robert Chateauneuf, ex-director of the Singer factory, who for 20 years spearheaded two legal appeals in the name of retirees to recoup surpluses in the retiree funds of Singer salaried employees deposited to the company instead of to the employees. He managed to recoup a portion of the sums but he particularly achieved the changing of the funds working rules of private pensions to ensure that such injustice does not repeat itself. (Source: La Presse, mars 2006 et Radio-Canada )

Sunday morning after a short breakfast, more than 60 persons took part in the annual meeting. Members approved the Board of Directors decisions concerning the Coat of Arms, accepted the annual report and the financial statement. In addition they re-elected Madeleine (#1246), Marcel (#0944), and Marc (#0016) and elected Laurette (#0754) as members of the Board.

NOTE

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Memories of the gathering 2008
Accueil	Richard G. et Rollande	Embarquement	Robert Châteauneuf	André, président	Départ
Sur le pont	Gaston et Louise	Gaston et Alain	Les cormorans	Orage en vue	Alain, Roland, Gisèle, Marielle et Cécile
René, Jeannine, Gaston, Rollande et Richard G.	Rollande et Richard G.	Claire, Marielle, Me Joseph et Jean-Yves Théberge	Jean-Yves Théberge	André et Robert Châteuneuf	Rollande, Jeannine et Gisèle
Préparation de l'assemblée	Kiosque	Conseil