As
the organizer of the 2006 annual gathering of the Association of the Choquet-te
of America held this past August 13 at the Saint-Hyacinthe Seminary I want to
emphasize how extremely proud I was to have the opportunity to return to my Alma
Mater that day. Indeed from 1958 to 1966 I completed Classical Studies toward a
Degree in Art & Science. I am very thankful to the
Seminary
Administration for their warm welcome.The theme of the day was the many achievements of Mgr. Charles-Philippe Choquette who was a professor and Head of the Seminary from 1904 to 1913. He is the author of a few books one being the History of Saint-Hyacinthe. It is worth pointing out he is the Uncle of Me Jerome Choquette (left) who again this year attended our annual gathering with members of his family. Last year if you remember he was our Guest of Honor. One of our speakers Mgr Gerard Dupuis, retired at the Seminary, remembered a few anecdotes on the life of Mgr Choquette
A big Hurrah to the team of volunteers!
The
organization of the event required many hours over the last few months. However
somewhat like a delivery… success makes one forget the long hours… on the phone
or in front of the computer screen!The 2006 Gathering was a success thanks to a whole team of volunteers making numerous phone calls to Choquet and Choquette, sending press release to a number of local newspapers, organizing the welcoming area, decorations, meal selection and so many unavoidable other chores who kept many of us well busy.
Fired-up volunteers the day before the event. From left to right, first row: Solange Choquette and Denise Vadnais-Choquette. At the back Jean-Marie Monet the husband of Lise Choquette, Urgel Choquette, Jean Choquette, Lise Choquette and Ghislaine Choquette.
Photo: Sonia Larin
After the event I received many thanks for the efforts displayed by the Association volunteers to organize this well planned gathering. It is heart warming!
Cousins from the USA
I want to acknowledge the presence of cousins from the USA who traveled quite a distance to be with us. Looking at the photos taken by Sonia during the day you will notice that all the participants were happy to chitchat and share good times with other cousins.
Nearly 100 participants
All
through the day Serge Lortie (photo on the left) a musician acting as our MC
masterfully animated our gathering with nearly 100 peoples registered. I hope
they will all be back next year along with a few additional members of their
family. In closing I would like to thank my wife Denise for her precious assistance in the preparation of this annual get-together. I would also like to mention the presence of my mother Helena (photo on the right), my sisters Carmen and Helene, my cousin Sylvie who for the first time attended our gathering.
I was delighted to see Henri-Louis and Marie-Jeanne the parents of Jacques and Andre both Member of the Board who despite their age followed all the activities of the day as they have done every year since the very first gathering in 1965. Tip of the hat!
Looking forward to see you all again in 2007.
Your Cousin
Urgel Choquette
