Nouvelles de lac

THE GRAND EXPERIENCE - A 'coffee-table' book of the La Blanche watershed

The Grand ExperiencePublished in June 2007, copies of the limited edition book THE GRAND EXPERIENCE, by The Grand Lake History Committee, are still available.

"THE GRAND EXPERIENCE" captures some of our lake history and lore. The idea for writing a history of Grand Lake originated in the late 1980s. Like many fine ideas, it needed time to germinate. It entered a fallow period but a few years ago, the idea and its realization passed to fresh hands. What has emerged is not so much a historical record, with precise dates and times, but a narrative of our collective experiences at our beloved lake. It captures some of the events that have shaped our memories.
   ... from the prologue.

You can also read the complete prologue (.pdf, 8 pages, 475KB)

The book has the following chapter outline:

  1. "Grand" Beginnings - the area in general, mining, lumber, and the natural history of the lake.
  2. Oblates Celebrate "Grand" - influence of the church in settling - the Juniorist summer camp - the crosses on the hilltops, and the islands - purchase & control of the dam - canoeing - the ball diamond - artifacts, maps, - early reference to farms and camping sites.
  3. "Grand" Pioneers - 1920s up to 1940 - the early fishing camps - the first cottagers - who were they and why they came - how they got to lake - anecdotal stories.
  4. "Grand" Sports Club - their own story
  5. "Grand" Developers - Charlie Hulse - Hibbert Vipond - Chummy Watt - Fred Laflamme - George Avon Estates - DeRosiers - Bourque (Grand Rivage and Cubute) - John Mercer + Development Issues
  6. "Grand" Expansion - first significant growth in number of cottages - family stories of what it was like - how they established on the lake and their lake experience.
  7. Moments, Memories, Misfortunes - family stories and major events.
  8. "Grand" Life Aquatic - history of boat building - fishing - sailing - canoeing - water skiing - wake boarding - power boating etc.
  9. "Grand" Associations - Evolution of our lake association - major issues, initiatives and accomplishments.
  10. "Grand" New Millennium - summary chapter covering cottage-life over the past 70+ years and projecting cottage life into the future - legacy for our children and grandchildren.

To Purchase

THE GRAND EXPERIENCE is now on offer for $35 per copy. The book can be purchased from Don & Jan Poole at 301 Ch. Du Barrage, Val-des-Monts QC J8N 5E9 (819.617.1034) or from the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) office located at 119 Ross Ave., Suite 202, Ottawa between (9:00 - 5:00 Monday to Friday.

We have provided several copies of the book gratis to the municipality and to a few others who contributed to making the book a success. All profits from the book are being directed to the Grand Lake Association.