Our general meeting highlighted the vitality of our board of directors and the dedication of each of the members who make it up.

We are in Montebello, in the Outaouais region, precisely in the region of the “Petite Nation” where descendants of the Ancestor André settled. We went to the” Manoir Papineau”, a Parks Canada historic site since 1993, for a guided tour of this heritage house built in 1848 by Louis Joseph Papineau, then seigneur of this region.

The manor remained in the Papineau family until 1929 when it passed into the hands of the Seignory Club which, in partnership with the Canadian Pacific, undertook the construction of the Château Montebello, a Scandinavian-style establishment, where our guide took us. It is the largest log construction in the world. A 125-foot six-seater fireplace is installed in the center of the lobby and the rest of the structure is distributed in a star-shaped pattern. Victor Nymark, world-renowned for similar constructions, was entrusted with the management of the construction site, which required 10,000 logs of western red pine and the work of three thousand men, 7 days a week over of period of a little less than four months to carry out. Very impressive place! (see photos)

Back to our dining room, a free period allows us to have a meal on the terrace and a short, delightful exploration of the pleasant main street with its cafes, bistro and shops. Afterwards, we are expected for a conference by Maurice who will tell us about a moment of family history. His video montage tells the story of the adventures of several Demers families in the region, including his own family. Maurice pays a beautiful tribute to André’s descendants who led exceptional lives. It should be noted here that Maurice, Jean-Marc (last year’s Hall of Fame recipient), and Denis Demars are descendants of André and close cousins.

Denis Demars and his wife Claude Richer then told us about the Canadian Horse, this versatile, often little-known giant. They talk about it with love and passion and work with all their might to keep the breed alive which, for a second time, is threatened with extinction.

Our Association has several nonagenarians. This year, Rita Demers-Gingras of Lévis and Anna E. Demers of Lowell Mass were among us. We highlighted their presence by offering each a bouquet of flowers.

Receiving and inducting Dr. Sylvie Demers, a native of Victoriaville, into our “Hall of Fame”, was a great privilege and pleasure for all of us. Her immense contribution, among other things, to women’s health, has resulted in her remarkable reputation through research in experimental medicine, human molecular genetics and the founding of the “Centre ménopause-andropause Outaouais” in Gatineau. A wine of honor was served to her good health before our dinner. Congratulations to this very nice lady!

A tasty meal prepared by the “Fin traiteur de l’ Outaouais” was served to us in the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours church built in 1831 and whose architect was Napoléon Bourassa, Papineau’s son-in-law. The church has a Casavant organ and, it should be noted that this church and its presbytery are listed as a “Heritage Building”.

The evening ended with happy winners of draws and door prizes.