2004 Meteghan Reunion

On August 5, 2004, approximately 300 Guedry and Petitpas family members gathered in Meteghan, Nova Scotia for the first of two Guedry-Labine & Petitpas Reunions. Central to the history of the Guedry family, the St. Mary’s Bay area is where the Guedry family resettled in Nova Scotia after the Acadian deportations of 1755-1763. Augustin Guedry, son of Pierre Guedry dit Labine and the only Guedry not deported, escaped from the ship that was to carry him to sea. Being well acquainted with the Mi’kmaq Nation, he spent from 1755 until 1764 with the First Nations people who protected and nourished him.

In 1764, after the Treaty of Paris, Augustin emerged from hiding and settled at Gilbert’s Cove on St. Mary’s Bay. It is here that he likely married Marie Jeanson and began the reemergence of the Guedry family in Acadia. In the 1780’s Englishmen began moving into the Gilbert Cove area and Augustin decided to move down the coast. In 1787, landing at today’s Bear Cove off St. Mary’s Bay, he moved inland, secured at tract of land and founded Cheticamp (present-day St. Alphonse). Today Augustin’s descendants, known by surnames as Geddry, Gedry, Gedri, Jeddry, Jedry, and Jedrey, continue to reap the harvest from the surrounding lands and bay through lumbering and fishing.

At 9:00 am Guedrys and Petitpas from throughout the United States and Canada gathered at St. Alphonse Catholic Church for an opening Mass concelebrated by Father Albéni d’Entremont and Father Paul Belliveau. As the mass began, fourteen Guedry descendants carried banners representing Claude Guedry and his children. A special banner representing Augustin Guedry, founder of St. Alphonse, concluded the processional. The St. Alphonse choir provided lovely music throughout the Mass. Fathers d’Entremont and Belliveau gave superb homilies on the Acadians and the strength they gained from the Catholic faith during troubled times. As Mass ended the banners led the congregation from the church.

Everyone then proceeded to brunch at the Restaurant Roche Bleue in Meteghan. A highlight of this superb meal was the local favorite rappie pie. As cousins renewed acquaintances and others met for the first time, the sound of friendships engulfed the restaurant. As noon approached, all ventured out into the sunshine and headed to the Clare Curling Rink for the afternoon festivities.

Albert Geddry of St. Benoni served as master of ceremonies welcoming all of us to Meteghan and the Guedry-Labine & Petitpas Reunion. Marty Guidry then recognized Felice Guidry Belliveau and Albert Geddry, co-presidents of the Guedry family association of Clare that organized the Reunion.

The tempo picked up when Larry Miller and the New Pine Grove Boys, from Iota, LA Alternating between Cajun waltzes and two-steps, they both entertained us and a highlight of the band was the accordion playing of Lyle Guidry and his younger brother Gavin. A number of folks enjoyed dancing to this lively band.

Bernie Geddry of Peoria, Arizona launched his new book The Story of An Acadian Family: The Geddrys, Guedrys, Guiddrys, Guidreys, Jeddrys and Jedreys of Clare, Nova Scotia and New England at our Reunion. Bernie captured everyone’s attention as he related the story of Augustin Guedry and the Geddry’s of Clare. We all thank Bernie for penning this intriguing history of the Geddry branch of the Guedry family.

During the break, everyone got a chance to mingle and enjoy the several displays on our Guedry family history. Some of the displays included "Migration of the Guedry Family" tracing the movements of all Guedry families from the late 1600’s until 1800, "Articles on the Guedry’s" comprising reprints of many articles published on the history and genealogy of the Guedry family, "Lest We Forget" honoring the many Guedry family members who have served in the military of their country, "Labine’s in Minnesota" detailing the history of this important branch of our family, "The Story of an Acadian Family" describing the history of the Geddry/Jeddry family of St. Mary’s Bay and "A People Searching for a Home" displaying on a map the movements of the Guedry family from the mid-1780’s to the late 1800’s. Additionally, folks admired the beautiful Guedry-Labine Family Quilt stitched by Cindy Guidry Herdt from quilt squares sewn by many of us depicting our individual families.

As we were enjoying the displays, the young Acadian dance troupe Le Baie en Joie joined us at the Reunion. Dazzling all with their intricate steps, they performed several dances telling the story of our Acadian ancestors and the lives they led. Performing with exacting timing, superb dance and beautiful smiles, these young ladies demonstrated why they are considered the premier dance troupe of the eastern provinces.

Al Geddry then honored Ms. Elsie Basque, a lovely First Nations lady, for the sacrifice that her people made in helping the Acadians so many years ago and particularly for harboring Augustin Guedry from 1755 until 1763 - enabling him to escape the Acadian deportation and remain within his lovely Acadia. After accepting a plaque from Al, Ms. Basque presented a very moving talk on the difficult lives of the Acadians and Mi’kmaq and how each mutually helped the other during those trying days of the late 1600’s and 1700’s.

As evening approached, all gathered to enjoy a BBQ dinner with all the trimmings. It was a time to gather with family and cousins, rehash the good times of the day, and plan for the future.

After supper, Dr. Gerard d’Entremont, local Acadian historian and retired director of the Centre Acadien at the Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia, discussed the history of the Acadians in St. Mary’s Bay with an emphasis on the Guedry family. His talk brought into focus the unique struggles of the Acadians returning from exile back to their native country.

With evening approaching, Ms. Nathalie Geddry and her band performed contemporary Acadian songs. A truly moving performance - all could see why Nathalie was recently selected as the best contemporary Acadian French singer in Nova Scotia and runner-up in the Atlantic Provinces.

With dusk settling over the Curling Rink, cousins said last good-byes and made plans to visit one another. Then each slowly departed for home or their evening quarters.