Sophie T., David H. & Jayden

I met Sophie, Jacob and their son Jayden on Fleury Street East during the Promenade Fleury sidewalk sale. It was Jayden who first caught my attention that Sunday. He seemed to be enthralled by the musical performance of the guitar-voice duo formed by Clement Courtois and Julie Perron. As they were standing quietly, all three together, showing no sign of hurry at all, I approached them to ask for a few minutes of their time and the permission to take a photo.

Jacob is a native of Shawinigan, Sophie of St-Hyacinthe. They have been living in the Sault-au-Récollet district for two years. For Sophie, Fleury Street was the route of frequent walks during the period of her maternity leave. She appreciates the street for its activity.

Although they like the neighborhood, they will soon leave. The arrival of their child has prompted them to move to St-Hyacinthe to be closer to family members and become homeowners at an affordable cost.

Jacob and Sophie are creative young entrepreneurs. They are the founders of Productions 540, a company that describes itself as "the specialists of video, events and social media." You can learn more about them on their site: productions540.ca.

Jayden seems ready to follow the footsteps of his parents on the road of technology. After the little family had posed for me, he showed a great interest for my camera. I handed it to him, pointing it at my face so that he could take his first picture.

But no, I will not show that one!

Sophie, David and Jayden on Fleury street east on a sidewalk sale Sunday

Florian R.

I met Florian at his brand new job. He will likely be the most recent local resident of this series. Indeed, on June 1st of this year, he started working at Ville en Vert, an organization whose mission is to raise awareness, educate and support both citizens and organizations in sustainable development in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville area.

Florian is from the Toulouse region in Southwestern France. After studying in a different field, he turned to horticulture, thus following the path of an elder sister. Looking for a program that met his aspirations, he chose the Cégep régional de Lanaudière offering and recently graduated from its Joliette campus. Incidentally, it is through fellow students who are now his roommates in Ahuntsic that he came to know the neighborhood.

I took his picture in the vegetable garden of the Collège André-Grasset on the day Ville en Vert took over its maintenance at the request of the college’s adviser for environment and sustainable development. The garden needed urgent attention, starting with a good weeding. I imagine that despite commendable efforts by the college, it is more difficult to find volunteer student gardeners in the summer!

Florian hopes the produce of this garden can eventually contribute to the food supply of Les Haltes Maraichères Ahuntsic, a mobile market held weekly in various locations during the summer.

When I asked him to describe himself in a word, he answered “uncertain”. There surely was a part of normal adaptation to his new environment behind that answer. It should also be noted that he is currently working on the basis of a three year post-diploma visa. In addition, as the government program that gave tuition parity to French citizens has been abolished − although our Prime Minister regularly says it will take more immigrants in the coming years −, the barriers to immigration remain important for newcomers.

It would be interesting to take a new picture in three years to see where he will be!

Have a good summer, Florian!

Florian taking over the vegetable garden of Collège André-Grasset left in need of good care.

Ginette L.

Ginette is crazy. At least, this is what she replied when asked to describe herself in one word. An opinion to be verified!

I had casually walked into Le Reliquaire to see the latest arrivals of second hand goods. The store seemed more packed than the last time I had visited it, which possibly went back quite far in time. I asked the owner if, by any chance, the store had changed hands. The lady at his side replied that this was not the case, that he only had had his haircut. Alain, who actually had a shaved head, then exclaimed: "Wait, you're going to recognize me!” A moment later he reappeared with a blonde wig. I expressed the wish to take a picture, but it was rather the woman, Ginette, a regular customer of the place, who showed willingness to be photographed.

After chatting a bit, I learned that she was a native of Sault-au-Récollet, where her parents have been living for 51 years. She herself came back in the neighborhood three years ago for its atmosphere.

Just like me, she studied Graphic Design at Cégep Ahuntsic but did not complete the program. She had quit, carried away by love.

Today, she works in the same institution with people afflicted with serious intellectual disabilities. It may be her empathy for them that prompted her to declare herself mad...

Let’s say she may have a pinch of craziness, but mostly a lot of humanity! 

Ginette standing in the doorstep of le Reliquaire,  rue Fleury est

Tayaout-Nicolas

There are people for whom it is necessary to bend the rules. With a man named Tayaout-Nicolas, things could only be different! Tayaout-Nicolas is a native of Saint-Sulpice but lives in the Plateau today. He still returns regularly to what is still his neighborhood. Let's say he appears here as an honorary resident!

When I approached him, he was disputing his nephew a hot street hockey game one against one in the courtyard of the Saint- Isaac-Jogues School. At the time, I was only at my fourth photographic encounter and that I had not yet found the right vehicle for this website. Fate made me come across a professional photographer doubled with a trainer in a whole lot of software concerning the digital image. As he told me, type Tayaout-Nicolas on your keyboard and you will find me. He actually describes himself as photographist.

I should have seized the opportunity to have a pro take my own portrait and learn some tricks!

As I walked away, the match deadlocked at 6 to 6 resumed. I cannot tell you whether youth or experience finally prevailed.

Tayaout-Nicolas local hockey star!