JAY — The 10th annual Athanase and Louise Couture family camp-out was held Aug. 20 to 23 at the family farm.

The family tradition was started when Louise (Crit) announced to her children that she would like to hold a family camp-out in 1999. The first few camp-outs lasted two days. In 2002 Louise died and some family members did not feel right holding the camp-out without her. A year after that Athanase (Tenhouse) said he would like the tradition to go on.

Now, 10 camp-outs later, they last four days with more than 100 family members attending. This year’s camp-out was not only a 10-year milestone, but Tenhouse will be turning 85 Oct. 13. So his nine children and spouses decided to hold an early surprise party.

Knowing that 106 out of 118 family members would be attending the camp-out, Tenhouse’s two grandsons, Sgt. E7 Earl Couture and family of Michigan and Christopher Breton and family of Massachusetts made the trip. Also attending the Saturday surprise party were about 30 or more friends and extended family of Tenhouse.

The children played games like bobbing for apples, three-legged race, sack race and a pie eating contest.


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