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2005 ACS Annual
Meeting Highlights
The 20th Annual Meeting of the Society was held at the
Templeton Fish and Game Club on October 2nd, 2005. It was a
glorious day weather-wise and a high energy event! Prior to the actual business meeting starting, president Bruce Caissie lead those gathered in what has become a tradition - all present introducing themselves and telling where they and their families are from. Participants this year included visitors/members from Virginia, Maine and Connecticut. The business meeting began a little after 1:30 p.m. The minutes from the last Annual Meeting on October 31st, 2004 were read and approved as submitted by the Secretary, Joan Vermette. Treasurer Anthony Olson presented the Treasurer's Report (the Annual Financial Report will be published in the February issue of Le Réveil). The Editor's report was given by this writer. Suggestions and comments were encouraged on the changes that have occurred in Le Réveil Acadien over the last year. Those present were encouraged to submit stories or genealogical information about their families. Volunteers to help in assembling the newsletter were requested. In Rich Cyr's absence, the Web Master's Report was given by Joan Vermette. Improvements are being made and the website updated. The Librarian's Report was given by Louise Bourque. Louise reminded all present that the Fitchburg Public Library houses a collection of Acadian genealogical works and periodicals related to Acadian culture in the Willis Room. At the end of her report, President Bruce Caissie asked that Louise be recognized for her many years of service to the Society and not only in her role as Librarian. Louise will be leaving the Board as of January 1st, 2006. Lucille Langlois read the Membership Committee Report. Lucille reported that we have increased our membership by twenty since July of 2004. Most of our new members have been signing up through our web site. President Bruce Caissie then reviewed some of the events in which the Society was involved over the last year and some of the plans for the coming year. Highlights of the year have included the raising of the Acadian Flag at Boston City Hall, the Society's involvement in the Great Acadian Upheaval Commemoration project sponsored by the Acadian Odyssey Commission and the Société Nationale de l'Acadie. The project calls for the placement of monuments at the sites that were historically important during the Grand Dérangement. Since Boston is one of those locations, the Society hopes to play a key role in this project. The Society has also played an important role in obtaining two historical plaques from Saint Joseph's Church (known as the French Church) in Waltham, Massachusetts, which closed in September of 2004. One plaque was presented to Saint Joseph's Parish by the Franco-American Historical Society to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Deportation. The plaque was dedicated on October 16th, 1955. This first plaque was put aside due to construction on the church with the intent of displaying it appropriately after the construction was complete. The plaque was apparently forgotten about until the early 1980s when the Acadian Cultural Society helped restore the plaque to its rightful place in a rededication ceremony held on February 3rd 1985. A second plaque testifies to the Society's role in this event. Both plaques will be donated to the Waltham Museum. The Society was also instrumental in working with the Archdiocese of Boston to arrange the moving of the statue of Our Lady Star of the Sea (Maris Stella), which stood in front of the Rectory at Saint Joseph's, to Calvary Cemetery in Waltham. Lucien Bernard was recognized as being particularly helpful in this process. Before the election of new officers occurred, Mr. Caissie noted that several new items were now available for purchase through the Society: the 20th Anniversary CD (a searchable CD of the best articles from twenty years of Le Réveil Acadien), Paul Cyr's two-volume work, Documents Concerning Acadian Deportées in Massachusetts Towns, 1755-1766, and the children's book, Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse (a book about the deportation of the Acadians through the eyes of a mouse family. Mr. Caissie also noted some of the plans that are in the works for the upcoming year:
The membership will be kept up to date on the web site and in future editions of Le Réveil Acadien as details on these events become available.Lucille Langlois, in her role as head of the Nominating Committee, put forth the slate of officers for the one year term beginning on January 1st of 2006: Bruce Caissie, President; Judith Aucoin Olson, Vice-President; Anthony L. Olson, CPA, Treasurer; and Joan Vermette, Secretary. The slate of officers was voted in unanimously by those members present. Following the business meeting participants were treated to a kitchen party style gathering led by Josée Vachon and Donna Hébert. Their music and stories were the perfect complement to the afternoon's activities. A highlight for this writer was having the opportunity to play a few fiddle tunes with Donna while foot percussion was supplied by Josée. There was much hand clapping, foot stomping, singing, and even some tears as their songs evoked memories for some of those present. And, of course, there were the poutines and rappée pie! The food was excellent and the conversation lively. Some participants lingered to talk and laugh after the event was officially finished. We would like to thank all
those who helped make the event such a success! |