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Se (ore > . d i a i a soli le Almost a century in LA A remarkable woman celebrated her 96th birth- day in an unusual way in Lafontaine Saturday. Marie Asselin Mar- childon has spent most of her life in the Lafontaine area. Born in Perkinsfield in 1892, when the com- munity was called St Patrick's, one of the nine children born to Exilda Dault and Thomas Asselin the story of Mrs Marchildon's life is, as the title of her book sug- gests, the memories of a century. And on Saturday a crowd of 100 relatives, friends and local people gathered to combine 96th birthday celebrations with a book launching party. It made for a party Booked up with a difference: sand- wiched in between a speech by her grandson Dr. Mark Mullie and a queue of book buyers soliciting the author's signature, was a concert performance by grandson Vincent Marchildon. The book Ce n'est qu'un au revoir (roughly -- It is but a Farewell) kept Marchildon occupied in her spare time because "I had plenty of other things to do for a couple of years." She has written for the local French language newspaper, le Gout de Vivre, regularly since its inception more than a decade ago. So well received _ were' her recollections of people Marie Asselin Marchildon enjoyed herself on Saturday. It was the -- Lafontaine businesswoman's 96th birthday. It also was the official launch for Mme. Marchildon's autobiography. Published in French, the 160-page volume of her memories is of interest to local residents and social historians alike. and ways of living which have passed that, at the urging of her grand daughter Louise Mullie, she decided to set down her memoirs in the form of an autobiography. The manuscript of some 400-500 pages was edited by Mullie, a former teacher at Lafon- taine's Ecole Secondaire de la Huronie school who now works as a press analyst and French in- structor in the federal civil service. Mullie's husband Roderick Jamer, an editor with TV Guide, did the layout and the book was printed in Mississauga. It was ready on Dec. 12, just in time for the birthday party. Marchildon's book is not only of considerable appeal to local residents and relatives but, accor- ding to her grand- daughter, has already aroused the interest of historians for the detailed information she recalls of North Simcoe when it was a 'subsistence economy" in which most own produce. Patrick's was settled ay Irish Catholic immigrants and Marchildon's own grandmother Ellen Barry came from a County Cork clan. Lafontaine's priest for more than 30 years, Father Marchildon not only built the parish hall | in which last Saturday's | celebration took place, but took a leading part in | establishing the co- | operative foundations | upon which both the economy and the culture of the community have been based ever since. | Marchildgn and her husband Alfred, who died in 1957, for many years operated a store in the village. They also founded and she still owns the Thunder Beach resort. "Ce n'est qu'un revoir"' is on sale at $9.95, from Marchildon's home in Lafontaine. Written in French, the author hopes to see an English transla- tion available sometime families lived of their'*next summer. 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Filled with fresh flowers, this racy red covertible will rev the engines of car enthusiasts, model collectors or anyone We can deliver locally, or through Teleflora we can send it anywhere in Canada or the U.S. So order yours today. Dion's Flowers | Porocse 75 Flower Shop 33 Main St., 321 King St., Penetang Midland 549-8755 526-7844 : M, the warmth and Gladness of this day reflect in EvERyThiNG you do. Mev Luterprises CUSTOM SIGNS HHH Warmest Wishes! /Fred Hook Heatin 905 King St., Midland 526-0176 g Ltd. This Night... This Silent Night There comes to each of us, on Christmas Eve, a brief and silent moment of flushed expectancy. The shopping rush is over...the Great Day is not yet here. You pause...you know not why. Another Christmas you say, and all at once you feel older, yet somehow younger. Then, as you look around you, at family, friends, yes even strangers, you know their minds are pausing too. Here in this moment of humble reflection, cradled between what has'been and what is to be, is the peace which passeth all understanding. This night...this Silent Night, the true Spirit of Christmas may touch your heart. Hold it closely.. ie whole world needs it, so very, very much. Nicholls 830 Midland Ave., Midland 526-5949 549-8156 Penetanguishene Funeral Home 166 Main Sb., Wednesday, December 21, 1988, Page P3 yl .y PPS