"Mon Ti Chou.. You make me laugh. The five-dollar a punch story-- it's a good one. I'm sure your Papa told you that one. He may have added a bit of spice to it you know., but that's okay. He taught you what's important, my stongest commandment to live by - love nature and she will love you back.

I used to guide Americans you know Mon Ti Chou. Nice folks, they would pay big bucks to go into the bush.  Anyway, this one fellow, he wanted me to call him a moose. Well, wouldn't you know it all he wanted was was the antlers. "Leave the the meat he says to me" and I told him that if we didn't take the meat that I wouldn't take him."  He laughed at me thinking I'd never leave him so deep in the wildernes. It didn't take him long to come running after me, agreeing to take the meat. No Mon Ti Chou always respect Mother Nature, we owe her alot. "

Now how about serving up some of those great smellin whistle berries. Your papa loved those things. God, how those boys could eat.

It scares me to think how they could eat their favourite macaroni and tomatoes- a meal fit for a king I used to say."

I started to laugh- for a memory had just flashed by about the Duponts and food.

" You know Grandpa when I was a kid one of dad's much loved food was what he called rattlesnake. We all loved the stuff. It wasn't until I was married I discovered we were actually eating salt pork."

He gave a hearty laugh, a roar that seemed to begin slowly in his stomach and increase as it traveled through his huge body, being finally released into the evening air like a mighty blast. I thought to myself how he sounds like my brother Garry.

" Grandpa I've been doing some family history tracing. I have made a connection to grandchildren of your brother Patrick and sisters Ellen and Sophie, but no matter how I try, I cannot find your papa. It is like Leon Dupont never existed."

I could tell right away, he  was not comfortable with the subject of his father, but he looked so very gently into my eyes and said "Long ago Melvina and I laid to rest one of our babes we named Napoleon"

We begin to eat. the beans are so delicious - better than ever before, but I suppose it had a lot to do with the company.

After he finished his plate of food he came over to me, rubbed the top of my head with his massive hand. "It's right Mon TI Chou.. it's good, you keep digging and you will find the answers you seek."

As time in Red Lake began to modernize the world held its breath. Europe had erupted into a battle zone. It would not be long before Canada would join into this battle.

In the Dupont household Bruno would make the decision to join the troops. He signed on with 425 Allouttes, an air squadron from Quebec. The boys would throw him a farewell party like none had ever seen before.

The next morning was cold and the snow on the ground was crisp. Melvina would walk her son down to the Howey Bay, where the planes were now using the frozen harbour as a runway. She would hold him close and whisper a prayer. Her heart filled with fear for her son. Once again she would place her trust and faith with the carpenter's son, 'Our Lord Jesus Christ' and like so many times in the past he would watch over her loved ones and Bruno would return home safley.

He would eventually return home a little older, a little less jovial, for the horrors of war had stolen something from him and had inflicted deep spiritial wounds upon him but the strength of his loving family would help to heal these wounds and make his life more enjoyable once again.

In 1947, a road would connect Red Lake to the outside world. It would bring many American tourists into the area. This would give Gus a bit more pocket change as it was not unheard of for Gus to make $100.00 guiding a tourist.

There was a big celebration at Perrault Falls for the opening of the Highway 105.

This same year, after many years of courting, Clem would marry her true love ... Earle Wilson and soon more grandchildren would enter into the Dupont household. (Earle Jr., Donald and Joanne).

 Clem's  son, Donald, would learn to play the base guitar and in 1967 become a member of the classic rock band "The Souls of Inspyration", which performed in the award winning Canadian Pavillion at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan.

Gus was very quick to meet up with the old timers at the Red Lake Inn and buy drinks for the house. He loved to spend the night drinking gin and reminising about the old days. There is no doubt this caused Melvina some greif as money could always be used for other things.

In 1949 Harry would move his family to Renabie. He was offered a position as a master mechanic. It was a fantastic opportunity. This would be a difficult time for Melvina to let go of her clutch. She had had her family around her for so long that the thought of a separation was difficult but this was for the best.

The mining industry would continue to play a key role in the family for years to come. Bruno would become a chief electrician in Campbell Mines in years to come and his son Dwaine would follow in his foot steps.

Harry would go on to Bicroft Uranium Mines, a new mine with so many exciting opportunities. Sadly, Harry would only spend one year of his life here before 'Death'  would place its cold grip on him.

Joe would pay the price for all the years he spent in the mining industry. His lungs would show signs of years spent working in the bowels of a dust filled mine. He would turn this misfortune into an opportunity and learned the trade of a butcher and like Noah Timmins, so many years before he would operate Joe's Market in Red Lake.

He would be a treasure of the town: as good as gold. For generations people would talk of this generous and kind man.

Howey, would bring a renewed life to the family. He would be a breath of fresh air to the older siblings and someone to idolize to his nieces and nephews. This guy was the best.

He was a leader when it came to sports and you could see 'Pogo' his 'model A' ford sitting proudly on the Dupont property.

He also would spend time working in the mining industry and would marry Arlene Gillis, the daughter of a mining family. Her father was the manager of the Dickenson Mines that Gus would deliver wood too. Arlene as a young chhild would get to know this astonishing man named Gus Dupont, who in future years would become her father-in-law.

Unfortunately a much darker cloud was falling over the Dupont home.

In 1950 Gus learnt he had cancer and it would not be long before this giant of a man was weakened. His family would watch him wither away in helpless sadness. The boys would carry their once strong and powerful father around in their arms.

Gus told his family when the ice went out in the spring that he would go with it. Though the angel of death waited patiently at his side, he said it was time for him to walk with him. He laid his icy hand upon Gus as the May sun melted the ice on Howey Bay and the ice went out, Gus left also on May 5, 1950.(Death Certificate).

Melvina mourned deeply. She found some comfort and solice in her family.

Bruno would marry and start a family of his own. Howey would be right behind him. Clem, her husband and children lived nearby in Red Lake. Young Butch would come back to attend school in Red Lake as there was no high school in Renabie, Ontario but even though her family was her Melvina still felt the abyss of her loneliness.

One night Melvina had a dream and in this dream she dreamt that Gus had returned and sat at the foot of her bed. He told her that he was so lonely without her. She told Howey that she felt this was a premonition .

In 1956 Melvina would be battling the same fight with stomach cancer her Gus had fought 6 years earlier. The night before her death her little canary was found dead in her cage. The children were summoned to her side in the Winnipeg hospital were the next day Death would walk Melvina to her Gus and once again they would be reunited in their love.

Some families can go on for generations and strugggle with trying to understand the enriching, fullfilling bonds of love. If you are a Dupont you are born with it. It is as natural as breathing. You have a powerful capacity for it. Your children, your spouse, your relatives and even your pets have it. They are as important to you as your own very life. In fact they are what gives you life. I have watched many a times as my most loved Auntie Clem cared for the man she loved. I still wonder in amazement how the two of them joked and laughed during such trying times in their life. It was no doubt their love that carried them along the rocky waves of life.