social acceptance, and peace. Peace at last. Acadian World Congress One woman who (after many years of In August of 2014, approximately adversity) found a home in St. Marys 50,000 Acadian descendants worldwide was Marguerite Comeau. As a child, she are expected to descend on the northeastern , Nova witnessed the horrors of the Great Scotia, area for the Acadian World Upheaval, was herded onto one of the Congress. The three-week event will be ships, and eventually deposited in Santo punctuated with family reunions where Domingo. Marguerite was never to see visitors can immerse themselves in the her mother, father, or family again, yet culture as well as exchange family she created a life for herself and went on history information. to marry Mr. Carbon and to give birth to It is expected to have a direct economic a daughter, also christened Marguerite. impact of $55 million which will spill over Young Marguerite married Joseph across the U. S. border into . The Desclaux, a gentleman of French Maine Acadian Heritage Council applied descent. During the island uprising they along with a forum of mayors of the Seafood & Steak Entrees Temisquata region of Quebec and the fled to the United States, taking with Northwestern New Brunswick area to Chicken & Pasta Entrees them their daughter and the elder form the Land and Forests region and Appetizers Marguerite. Wending their way from 38 Years of submit an application to be considered Baskets with fries Charleston, SC, they arrived in St. for the project. The regional groups beat Compassion and Caring Marys. And here they stayed. The family out the competition from Quebec City Soups & Salads flourished in their new life—safe at and Lafayette, , and received Burgers & Sandwiches -Family owned and operated the direct endorsement of the Society last from persecution and tumult. Children’s Menu -Traditional funeral services Marguerite and Joseph’s daughter, National De l'Acadie. Francoise Angelique Desclaux, married The University of Maine is heavily Homemade Deserts & more -Cremation involved in providing scholarly -Military services Jacques Vocelle, who was also born in Santo Domingo. opportunities during the gathering. Enjoy live entertainment, Young people are also being encouraged -Monuments From the ashes of conflict, heartache, cool river breezes, adult to present cultural activities related to the -Shipping & Receiving suffering, and loss rose a family that not Acadian way of life. The event is widely beverages, and great food. -Pre-arrangements only survived but thrived and attained a held to be for the purpose of preserving the position of prominence in their new culture of the and their At The Historic Riverview Hotel 10141 Colerain Road town. James T. Vocelle, the author of language, and is held every five years. Waterfront Dining in the Historic Riverview Hotel St. Marys, GA the first History of Camden County and In addition to attending such 912-882-2472 912-882-2472 912-729-5000 other enduring works, was the proud organized activities, the descendants descendent of these stalwart Acadians. travel all over the world to learn how the All are now held in the arms of St. Marys’ Acadians created new lives in odd Oak Grove Cemetery. corners of the planet. So compelling is the tragic story of the Acadian refugees worldwide that the places where they were finally accepted are of tremendous interest to their 5951 Golden Isles Parkway descendants as well as those intrigued by Brunswick, GA their story. 912-264-2444 St. Marys, Georgia, is one of those Established: January 1, 1970 places, and very often, visitors to the • Newly Renovated Rooms • Two bars Acadian burial sites in Oak Grove • Full Service Restaurant • Two patio entertainment areas cemetery are from the area. 912-882-3242 As you stand and gaze at the final They are drawn to wander around the www.riverviewhotelstmarys.com resting place of these valiant victims of a walled grave sites, taking photos for those geopolitical struggle, listen well. When back home. Many come for the express purpose of visiting the cemetery. Some are the tide turns and the evening breeze traveling the coastline by boat and just dances through the limbs of the live happen upon it. Some plan to retire oaks, you may hear the whispered sighs: here. Some just come to experience that • Handbags • Art Marguerite Comeau, Joseph Desclaux, same acceptance and warmth that their • Wallets • Accents Francoise Angelique, . These ancestors received long ago. Whatever • Jewelry • Beach Apparel are the names of the displaced, the their reasons, they are welcome here just • Gifts persecuted, the legends, and the as their ancestors were. Inside the Historic Riverview Hotel survivors. Let us always remember—and As reported by Kay Westberry 912-882-3242 pay tribute to—their courage. 50