Les Guédry et Petitpas d'Asteur

15 OCTOBER 2025
SCOTT, LA

We had a very successful Reunion on 15 October 2025 in Scott, LA at the Knights of Columbus Hall. We expected about 75-80 folks based on pre-reunion feedback, but set up for the KC Hall sit-down capacity of 150. Soon after opening the doors all 150 seats were taken and we had an additional 25-35 folks standing around the cooks, looking at poster exhibits and watching from the back. With over 175 attendees the Reunion was a great success. And almost all the folks attending had the trio of Guidry, Breaux and Hebert direct ancestors. Thanks to everyone that took time to attend the Reunion, visit with cousins, enjoy the talks, displays and music and make our Reunion such a success.

We opened the Reunion with the Pledge of Allegiance and a special prayer on the difficulties and eventual successes of our Acadian ancestors. We then all sang the Acadian National Anthem "Ave Maris Stella" which was adopted in 1884 at the Second National Acadian Convention in Miscouche, Prince Edward Island. Throughout the day we had several 20-minute breaks for folks to visit, tour the exhibits and watch the cooking. We also gave out over 45 door prizes to some lucky attendees.

At the Reunion we were honored with three very special guests - Shirley Guidry (100 years old), Bette Guidry (98 years old) and Earl Guidry (91 years old) - almost three centuries of Guidry's. And from Montréal we welcomed Joanne Fortin and her husband. Joanne is an Hébert descendant.

Besides Louisiana, cousins from Texas, Connecticut, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Virginia and Montréal, Québec attended the Reunion. We missed our cousins and friends from the Maritime Provinces, but certainly understand your reasons for not coming to south Louisiana. We hope to see you at our next Reunion.

We want to thank the hardworking folks that made the Reunion possible and such a success. The planning committee met for over a year planning each part of the reunion and being sure we had all the supplies and activities needed. They were Gayle Breaux Smith, Billy Hebert, Nelwyn Hebert, Marlene Breaux Toups and Marty Guidry. Another special group has helped at almost every major reunion we have had and work tirelessly to ensure a positive experience by everyone. They were Allie Guidry, Rachel Killingsworth, Jeff Killingsworth and Dylan Killingsworth. They were there setting up the KC Hall until 11:30 pm Tuesday night, running the registration table and sales table, assisting the cooks and doing any job called upon and then taking down the tables and chairs and cleaning up. Also, helping with the setup Tuesday evening was Liz Martin and Debbie Maggiore. A number of folks stayed over after the Reunion and helped with the cleanup. A big thanks to each of you for helping out.

Our chefs, Barry Guidry, EJ Guidry and Jay Guidry cooked a fabulous dinner of jambalaya, white beans, cole slaw, cracklings and boudin. Thanks to our chefs for another outstanding Reunion dinner. And to all those that brought side dishes, thanks. They were fabulous and added that wonderful extra touch to the Reunion. Several people pitched in and helped serve the meal which really made the dinner go smoothly. Thanks to each of you.

During the morning Liz Hebert Martin presented an interesting and well-received talk entitled "The Deportations and Travels of My Acadian Family" which detailed the Acadian Grand Dérangement and the resettlement of deported Acadians along the Atlantic seaboard and France and eventually Louisiana. It was very informative with superb maps and slides. The Cajun band Al Roger and Louisiana Pride livened the Hall in the afternoon with many folks waltzing and two-stepping. Thanks to Irving and Doris Thibodeaux for kicking off the dancing. We had more folks dancing at this Reunion than any previous reunion. Even centenarian Shirley Guidry did a lively two-step with Liz Martin. The music was great and added a special touch to our Reunion.

After the music we inducted six new members into the Les Guédry et Petitpas d'Asteur Circle of Distinction - U. S. Navy Captain (Retired) Michelle Guidry, Wilson Joseph Gaidry III, Rifleman Emery Louis Geddry, Timothy Pettipas, Dr. Renee Helen Petipas and Judge John Michael Guidry. Thanks to Marcel (Mac) Guidry of Lafayette for receiving his daughter's (Michelle's) Induction Certificate and Medal and for his short discussion of Michelle's accomplishments in the U.S. Navy. Many folks visited Mac to see the photos of Michelle that he brought. You can read about the accomplishments of our latest inductees in a separate article in this edition of "Generations".

The Reunion concluded as we noted that the next Congrès Mondial Acadien will be in August 2029 at Campbellton, New Brunswick and will encompass both the northern New Brunswick and eastern Québec provinces. The next Grand Rèveil Acadien will be in October 2030 in south Louisiana. We anticipate having Reunions at both of these major events.

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