Meeting: 18 January 2003
January 18, 2003 Meeting
Bonjour Cousins -
SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON THE GUEDRY-LABINE MINI-REUNION IN LAFAYETTE!!!
Les Guidry d'Asteur had its first Louisiana meeting of 2003 on 18 January 2003 with a very nice attendance. And almost everyone joined us afterwards for some great home cooked Cajun food and good times at Dwyer's Cafe in Lafayette.
Charlene Lacombe, chair of the Membership Committee reported that our membership roles continue to grow; however, there is definitely room to expand. Our annual membership fees (1 January - 31 December) are quite low ($12 individual and $20 family). We are continually looking for ways to enhance the value of membership in Les Guidry d'Asteur . This month we introduced our newsletter "Generations" to all folks on our Distribution List. In the future the current issue which will be able to members only. Also, members will receive a discount on registration fees for the 2004 Guedry-Labine Family Reunion in Clare and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. I encourage everyone to join your association and participate in its activities. To join Les Guidry d'Asteur , simply click on the link below and then select either PDF or DOC format to download a Membership Application. Complete the application and mail with your payment per the directions on the Application. Your support provides the resources that we use to develop and disseminate information on the Guedry-Labine family such as providing books and resource materials to libraries and operating our website.
Becky Boggess, chair of the Website Committe, continues to improve and expand our Website "The Guedry-Labine Family". Visit the website and learn the latest on our 2004 Reunion, read some of the Family History articles and Family Stories, enjoy links to other Guedry and Labine websites where you can leave a query or learn about your family and don't forget to sign our Guestbook. We're planning to add several new items to the website in the near future. Click on the link below to visit our website:
https://guedryfamily.guedry.org/
Dan 'Chuck' Guidry, our Treasurer and member of the Finance Committee, reported that we are financially strong. Because members of the Finance Committee are scattered throughout North America, Cheryl Guidry Tyiska, chair of the Finance Committee, has implemented a system for Finance Committee members to manage business through e-mail and the internet. Initial uses of the system have been very successful. Through this system Finance Committee members can communicate rapidly and make decisions on requests from members in a day or two.
Because many of our Louisiana members cannot speak French, Elaine Clement spends a few minutes each meeting helping us learn some of the basic French language that we'll be able to use during our visit with our cousins in Clare. As a little lagniappe, we also get a nice background on Nova Scotia and the culture of its people.
The Les Guidry d'Asteur Book Project is progressing quite well. In December Les Guidry d'Asteur donated several Guedry and Labine genealogical books to libraries in the United States and Canada. We hope that these donations will aid our fellow researchers in learning about their Guedry and Labine roots and stimulate genealogical research. We've received very nice thank-you notes from several of the libraries.
Thanks to the several persons who made monetary donations to ensure the success of this project and special thanks to all of the authors who either donated copies of their books or significantly discounted the prices of the books for us to be able to make the donations.
Doantions that Les Guidry d'Asteur made were:
Bibliotheque du Centre d'Etudes Acadiennes (Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada)
* "The Guedry, Guidry, Geddry, Jeddry, Guildry dit Labine, LaBine & LaBean Family: Descendents of Claude Guedry & Marguerite Petitpas" (2 volumes) by Daryl LaBine
* "Ancestors of John Guidry and Descendants of John Guidry & Rosa LeJeune" by Roland Guidry
* "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" by Mark Labine
* "The Ancestors and Family History of Brady W. Guidry and Siblings" by Holly Newhouse Guidry
Centre Acadien at Universite Sainte-Anne (Clare, Nova Scotia, Canada)
* "The Guedry, Guidry, Geddry, Jeddry, Guildry dit Labine, LaBine & LaBean Family: Descendents of Claude Guedry & Marguerite Petitpas" (2 volumes) by Daryl LaBine
Louisiana State Archives Research Library (Baton Rouge, LA)
* "The Guedry, Guidry, Geddry, Jeddry, Guildry dit Labine, LaBine & LaBean Family: Descendents of Claude Guedry & Marguerite Petitpas" (2 volumes) by Daryl LaBine
* "Ancestors of John Guidry and Descendants of John Guidry & Rosa LeJeune" by Roland Guidry
* "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" by Mark Labine
* "The Ancestors and Family History of Brady W. Guidry and Siblings" by Holly Newhouse Guidry
Tyrrell Historical Library (Beaumont, TX)
* "Ancestors of John Guidry and Descendants of John Guidry & Rosa LeJeune" by Roland Guidry (Memorial Donation)
* "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" by Mark Labine (Memorial Donation)
* "The Ancestors and Family History of Brady W. Guidry and Siblings" by Holly Newhouse Guidry (Memorial Donation)
Acadian Memorial Multimedia Center (St. Martinville, LA)
* "The Guedry, Guidry, Geddry, Jeddry, Guildry dit Labine, LaBine & LaBean Family: Descendents of Claude Guedry & Marguerite Petitpas" (2 volumes) by Daryl LaBine
* "Ancestors of John Guidry and Descendants of John Guidry & Rosa LeJeune" by Roland Guidry
* "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" by Mark Labine
* "The Ancestors and Family History of Brady W. Guidry and Siblings" by Holly Newhouse Guidry
Effie and Wilton Hebert Public Library (Port Neches, TX)
* "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" by Mark Labine (Memorial Donation)
* "The Ancestors and Family History of Brady W. Guidry and Siblings" by Holly Newhouse Guidry (Memorial Donation)
Terrebonne Parish Library (Houma, LA)
* "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" by Mark Labine
* "The Ancestors and Family History of Brady W. Guidry and Siblings" by Holly Newhouse Guidry
We still need approximately $100 to complete the projected donations that we would like to make. If you would like to help with the project, please send your contribution to the address below in the name of " Les Guidry d'Asteur, Inc. ". If you would like to make a memorial donation in a family member's name, let me know and we will designate the books donated as a memorial.
Also, Mr. Mark Labine has generously provided copies of his superb book "La Verdure de Merligueche - The Story of the Guidry dit Labine Family in North America" to our Association for sale. All proceeds from the sales go to our Association to help with the Reunion and other activities. If you would like to purchase a copy of Mr. Labine's 208-page book for $25.00 plus $2.00 shipping, please make your check or money order to " Les Guidry d'Asteur, Inc. " and send it to me at the address below. I will send you a copy of his book by return mail.
Wayne Simoneaux, member of the Sales Committee, outlined the committee's plans to make available Guedry-Labine related items to members and the public. He solicited ideas on what people would like to have as momentos and discussed the better-selling items from the 1999 Guidry Reunion in Houma, LA. The Sales Committee plans to offer items both at the 2004 Reunion in Nova Scotia and through the internet on our website. For those history buffs, we still have a few items from the 1999 Guidry Reunion that we'll be selling so watch for your last chance to get these historic gems.
Wayne also reviewed the new Logo Contest that the Sales Committee has begun. Submit your idea for our logo and, if selected, see it displayed on all of our Sales items. There is still plenty of time to be creative and enter the contest. The top entries may even get a reward. Click on the link below to learn more:
Logo Contest
Elaine Clement, Publicity Committee chair, reported that our article on the Guedry-Labine family and Congrès Mondial appeared in newspapers throughout the U. S. and Canada in both French and English. She has received copies from members living in various states and Canada. Elaine is now planning a very interesting and innovative series of articles about our family that I'll think everyone will enjoy. Watch for them in your local press. Additionally, she will begin advertising our upcoming Mini-Reunion and Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial participation at the CAFA festival in Louisiana and Texas publications.
The deadline of February 5th is quickly approaching for you to submit your Guedry-Labine Quilt square. Cindy Guidry Herdt reported that she has received a number of squares for our family quilt, but could use several more. She has agreed to extend the deadline until March 15, 2003. So, if you have been thinking of your family's square, but haven't done it yet, you now have a second chance. The Guedry-Labine Family Quilt will be on display during our 2004 Reunion in Clare and Lunenburg. Have your immediate family represented by a square on the quilt. Everyone will enjoy seeing each other's squares and telling the story of their square. Anyone related to the Guedry-Labine family can submit a square. And, best of all, you do not need to be a craftsperson to do a square. They can be very simple, yet quite nice. Please view the guidelines for completing and submitting your family's quilt square by clicking on the link below:
Family Quilt
I hope that everyone enjoyed our inaugural issue of "Generations". Allie Guidry, our newsletter editor, did an outstanding job designing and editing this first issue of "Generations". I did hear that her two daughters Rachel and Lindsey provided significant support. And thanks to Becky Boggess for making it available through the internet - rather than bulk mail. This not only significantly reduces cost, but also allows us to have a larger issue. This first issue was distributed very widely so that everyone has an opportunity to read it. Allie plans to publish "Generations" quarterly with the next issue due in the April timeframe. In the future the current issue of "Generations" will only be available to paid members of Les Guidry d'Asteur . For those members without internet service we will send them a copy by regular mail. We had a very few gliches with folks not being able to download a copy of "Generations". Most of these were solved and we are working on a 'fix' for future issues. Allie has some excellent ideas and I'm confident that "Generations" will provide even more information about your family and Les Guidry d'Asteur in future issues. If you missed the inaugural issue, click on the link below and follow the directions (username = member and password = newsletter):
Newsletters
Jack Guidry is still receiving recipes for our Guedry-Labine Family Cookbook. Jack plans to have the cookbook available at the 2004 Guedry-Labine Reunion. Not only will this be a great opportunity for us to try out some new recipes, but it'll also let us see how culture and location determine our cooking choices and tastes. Although gourmet recipes are certainly welcome, this cookbook is primarily for our everyday meals. Please send Jack a recipe or two that you enjoy preparing. It can be as simple or complex as you wish. It be a salad, vegetable, main course or even dessert. How about a special dish for that favorite holiday? For directions on how to submit your recipe, see this link:
Family Cookbook
Plans for our 2004 Guedry-Labine Reunion on 5 August 2004 in Clare, Nova Scotia and 7 August 2004 in Lunenburg, N.S. are progressing well. We received word in January that we have successfully registered our association and reunion with both Congrès Mondial and with the Registry of Joint Stocks of Nova Scotia. This is a major step in planning the Reunion. Félice Guidry Belliveau of Meteghan River, N.S. is coordinating our Reunion in Clare. She leads a very active group of our Nova Scotian cousins who have already developed initial plans for the Reunion. Like the Louisiana/Southeast Texas group, Félice and her committee are meeting routinely in Meteghan River and refining their plans for the Reunion. We're all looking forward to visiting with them and enjoying a special time together.
Our Board is working closely with Yvonne Mosley of Lunenburg to plan our Reunion in Lunenburg. We have developed some initial plans for the Reunion and will soon secure a hall for the Reunion itself.
The two Reunions will not be duplicates of each other. They'll both include an opening ceremony, entertainment, food and genealogical/historical displays of our family, but they'll definitely differ in how these are done. After all - the culture of the Clare region and of Lunenburg are very different and our Reunion at each location will reflect this. Shortly we will be posting registration information and fees for the Reunion - so watch for it.
It is not too early to make reservations for lodging for the Reunion. Lodging in the immediate Clare area is a bit tight although within 30-40 miles of Clare are Digby and Yarmouth with an adequate number of rooms. We are still considering having a small bus make the trip from Lunenburg to Clare early on August 5th and return that evening after the Reunion. If you may be interested in this and have not told me, please drop me a line and express your interest (with the number of folks in your party). This is not a commitment - only a poll to see if having a bus is feasible. To learn more on the Reunion and available accommodations, click on this link:
AND NOW THE MINI-REUNION
As a kickoff to our 2004 Reunion in Nova Scotia and so folks can get to know one other (after all the Guedry-Labine famioy is one huge group of folks), we're planning a Mini-Reunion in May, 2003 in Lafayette, LA. Our tentative date is Saturday, May 24, 2003 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. We are currently in the final stages of signing an agreement with Vermilionville in Lafayette for the Mini-Reunion.
Vermilionville is a recreated Acadian village on the banks of Vermilion bayou in east Lafayette near the airport. It has several historical Acadian structures (homes, barns, etc.) that have been brought to the site from their original location. In addition, Cajun craftspeople demonstrate their trade (cooking, blacksmithing, boat building, weaving, etc.) throughout the day. We are trying to reserve the Cajun dancehall as a "homebase" for the Mini-Reunion where we can have entertainment and genealogical/historical displays. Also, it is enclosed in the event of inclement weather. Folks attending the Reunion can gather at the dancehall, enjoy Cajun music and dancing (via a sound system), view the displays, watch the entertainment and also explore the extensive offerings of Vermilionville itself. In addition, the Acadian Unit of the U. S. National Park Service Jean Lafitte National Park is within 100 yards of Vermilionville and is free to the public. This excellent USNPS Unit has superb displays on the history and culture of the Acadian people. Food will be Dutch treat as Vermilionville has an excellent Cajun restaurant on the grounds as well as snack bars. Picnicking in the adjacent Beaver Park may also be an option. Cost to attend will be in the $6-$10 per person range. Our goal is to keep the cost as low as possible so everyone can come. As plans become firmer, we'll send out additional information, but be sure and mark your calendars for May 24, 2003 in Lafayette, LA.
Les Guidry d'Asteur will be participating in the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Celebration in Rayne, LA on June 13-15, 2003 through the sponsorship of the Confederation of Associations of Families Acadian (CAFA). We have reserved a booth at the Celebration and plan to have several displays for folks to peruse and information on our 2004 Reunion in Nova Scotia. Look for us if you attend the Celebration. If you would like to help in planning our displays or manning the booth for a shift or two during the Celebration, please let me know (see contact information below).
Thanks,
Martin Guidry
6139 North Shore Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
guidryrmartin@gmail.com
Les Guidry d'Asteur, Inc.
Les Guédry d'Asteur Genealogical Association
https://guedryfamily.guedry.org/