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RICHELIEU LEGER ASSOCIATION HOLD MINI-REUNION
LEGER REUNION A SUCCESS
The second Richelieu Leger Reunion was held recently at the A. A. Comeaux
Park in Abbeville with over 200 in attendance. There were Leger families
from nineteen cities in Louisiana, six cities in Texas, one family came from
Biloxi, Mississippi, one from Tulsa, Oklahoma, one from Napa, California, as
well as a special guest from Nova Scotia.. Many met
family members for the first time and many others enjoyed visiting with
family members they had not seen in many, many years. The Reunion
Committee of the Richelieu Leger Association, headed by Curtis Broussard
and Joycie Lege Broussard, all felt so gratified to see the results of
their hard work. The official red Leger Tee shirts with the Leger crest
were very much in evidence throughout the reunion, proudly sported by the
children as well. The Leger Association grew by 29 new Legers and one
renewal, bringing our total membership to 99.
President, Butch Leger, presided at the short meeting, with Deacon Chris
Mouton of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church of Abbeville, giving the
Invocation. Many dignitaries were present: Mark Piazza, Mayor of
Abbeville, and Abbeville Councilman Francis Touchet who welcomed the
Legers to Abbeville; Councilman Carbett Duhon (who is a member); Father
Austin Leger, Pastor of St. Martin-de-Tours Church in St. Martinville who
spoke on his personal history, also a member; Daniel Comeau, of Nova Scotia,
Congres Mondial Representative, who gave a very enlightening description of
some of the activities we can look forward to during Congres Mondial in
2004. He also sang the blessing before the meal in French. Loubert Trahan,
CAFA Treasurer and member of the Leger
Association, explained the activities of the Louisiana Purchase
Celebration by the Acadians, to be held in Rayne, June 13th,14th and 15th,
2003.
The Reunion Committee did a superb job of setting up the more than
adequate delicious covered dishes that were brought in, so that the lines
moved very quickly and everything was easily accessible. Families
enjoyed their time together, conversing over their meal.
The Genealogy Committee did a brisk business with many Legers looking for
answers to their genealogical questions. There were three computers and
three printers, providing access and print outs to the Leger database;
and a full set of Fr. Hebert's volumes, as well as a set of the Leger
Historical series for reference. Vintage family pictures were brought in
and displayed. These will be put in the archives of the Leger Association.
Highlight of the festivities was the outstanding portrayal of Angelique
Pinet Leger, our Leger Acadian Mother, (portrayed by Jodie Lege
Bertrand), Angelique's 3 sons Michel (portrayed by Roy Tre Bertrand (III), Louis, (portrayed by Travis Broussard), Jean Baptiste
(portrayed by Matthew Broussard) and Angelique's first grandson
portrayed by Jonathon Broussard. Angelique gave us an intimate first
person account of the extremely hard life she and Michel lived and the
many tragedies they endured during their deportation and life in exile,
bringing tears to many eyes in the audience. After the presentation,
Travis Broussard played several French pieces on his Acadian accordian,
dedicating his pieces to his Great Grandfather Percy "Kaplan" Lege,
father of Ray Lege and Joycie Lege Broussard, while Angelique and one of
her sons danced together.
There were many items available for purchase: copies of the Leger crest
for framing, magnets, calendars and T shirts with the Leger crest and the
first Leger Cookbook was an immediate sell out. The Committee is looking
into the possibility of printing more copies of this beautifully done
cookbook. The Raffle Committee had many lovely items; a handmade quilt, a
quilted lap throw with the Leger crest, and many other items. Tickets were
also available for purchase for a raffle to be drawn at the Leger booth at
the Louisiana Purchase Celebration in June, featuring a hand quilted wall
hanging of "Churches in Leger History" as well as other
lovely items.
The Richelieu Leger Association will be represented along with seven
other Acadian Associations at the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville,
with their crest made up in mosaic. Many attendees proudly contributed
to this project.
Donny Broussard and his band completed the afternoon's entertainment with
their Cajun music for dancing.
Pictures of the Reunion
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