The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine

Le FORUM Journal Franco-American Centre Franco-Américain

Fall 2008 Le FORUM, Vol. 34 No. 1 Lisa Desjardins Michaud, Rédactrice

Nundy Guiisti

Julina L'Heureux

Chip Gagnon

Pearley Lachance

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Recommended Citation Desjardins Michaud, Rédactrice, Lisa; Guiisti, Nundy; L'Heureux, Julina; Gagnon, Chip; and Lachance, Pearley, "Le FORUM, Vol. 34 No. 1" (2008). Le FORUM Journal. 26. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/26

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Le FORUM Journal by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Le“AFIN D’ÊTREFORUM EN PLEINE POSSESSION DE SES MOYENS” FALL/AUTOMNE VOLUME 34, #1 WINTER/HIVER 2008

Le Château Frontenac Québec City Celebrates 400 Years of History Photo courtesy of Bob Rivard

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www.FrancoMaine.org www.Francoamerican.org New Website: www.francoamericanarchives.org http://homepages.roadrunner.com/frenchcx/ and www.FFA-USA.com/ Franco-American Women’s Institute: http://www.fawi.net $6.00 US Le Forum Sommaire/Contents Le Centre Franco-Américain Université du Maine Orono, Maine 04469-5719 [email protected] Features Téléphone: 207-581-FROG (3764) Télécopieur: 207-581-1455 Volume 34, Numéro 1 Letters/Lettres...... 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 automne-hiver Éditeur/Publisher Yvon A. Labbé L’États du Maine...... 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 Rédactrice/Gérante/Managing Editor Lewiston's "Al" Couture by Nundy Giuisti Lisa Desjardins Michaud Mise en page/Layout Play about local culture goes to France by Juliana L'Heureux Lisa Desjardins Michaud Native People in the Upper St. John River Valley by Chip Gagnon

Composition/Typesetting History of the Franco American War Veterans Robin Ouellette A French Foreign Legionnaire...? by Pearley Lachance Naomi Muhlberg Angel Sirois Lisa Michaud L’États du Connecticut...... 17, 18, 19, 32-43

Aide Technique Waterbury L'exilé par Alice Gélinas Lisa Michaud Franco-American Day at the CT State Capitol by Albert Marceau Yvon Labbé 25 Years of the FCGSC by Albert Marceau Tirage/Circulation/4,500 Imprimé chez/Printed by Centre Franco-Américain, Orono, Maine Books/Livres...... 23, 31 Publié 4 fois l’an par le Centre Fran- co-Américain. Le Forum est distribué surtout aux Franco-Américains des États-Unis. Les Genealogy/Généalogie...... 52-55 énoncés, opinions et points de vue formulés dans Le Forum sont ceux des auteurs et ne représentent pas nécessairement les points Poetry/Poésie...... 24-25 de vue de l’éditeur ou de la rédactrice, ou de la Division pour l’Éducation Permanente à l’Université du Maine. Recipes/Recettes...... 28, 29 Le Forum is published 4 times a year by the Franco-American Center. Le Forum is distributed in particular to Franco-Americans Guest Contributors...... 20, 23, 44 in the United States. Statements, opinions and points of view expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, the publishers or the Division ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION: of Lifelong Learning or of the University of WE NEED YOUR HELP, IF YOU HAVE OR KNOW OF ANY Maine. Tous les textes soumis doivent parvenir ORAL HISTORIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE, à —Forward all submitted texts to: Lisa D. ON CASSETTE OR VIDEO, WE WOULD LIKE TO DIGITIZE Michaud, Rédactrice-en-chef/Editor-in-chief, Le Forum, University of Maine, Orono, Maine THEM FOR YOU (THIS WOULD PRESERVE THEM) AND 04469-5719, U.S., au plus tard quatre semaines POST THEM ON OUR WEBSTIE: précédant le mois de publication—at least four weeks prior to the month of publication. FRANCOAMERICANARCHIVES.ORG Les lettres de nos lecteurs sont les bienv- HELP US IN MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD! enues—Letters to the Editor are welcomed. La reproduction des articles est autorisée sans préavis sauf indication contraire—Our original articles may be reproduced without notice unless otherwise indicated. REMINDER! CHECK YOUR MAILING L’équipe de rédaction souhaite que Le Fo- LABELS FOR rum soit un mode d’expression pour vous tous les Franco-Américains et ceux qui s’intéressent SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL à nous. The staff hopes that Le Forum can be a vehicle of expression for you Franco-Americans YEAR/MONTH and those who are interested in us. Le Forum et son staff—Uni- 09/10 versitaires, gens de la communauté, IF THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS ARE NOT '09 les étudiants --Naomi, Angel et Robin. THEN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE! 2 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER A Special "Thank You" to Mr. Dan Lapierre

OUR FRENCH CONNECTON Thanks to Le Forum

Annette Paradis King Gouldsboro, ME I’m conscious of the fact that Le Forum’s ripples extend beyond Maine. Even so, I never imagined my book Growing Up On Academy Hill..to The Franco-American Centre I would also like to thank the following travel as far as it has after appearing in Le wishes to extend a special "Thank You" individuals and organizations for their Forum. I have received requests for my to Mr. Dan Lapierre for his generosity. book donations: book from time to time from more than a Mr. Lapierre aided the Centre in few other states, occasionally with a note distributing over 300 cases of French Oneil T. & Colette M. Devost attached with a word or two of encourage- books to Madawaska. He stopped by Berlin, CT ment. I find it very gratifying to be hearing the Centre loaded 50 cases of books and from anyone who takes from their busy delivered them to the French Library in Knights of Columbus Museum schedules the time to write after reading Madawaska, the Marie-Reine Mikesell New Haven, CT an essay I’ve submitted, or from checking Library. He made 6 trips to Madawaska. the sidebar that was so generously added. Once there, Mr. Guy Dubay of Patrick Senecal Out of this small outpouring of the Library, sorted the books and dis- Mont-St-Hilaire, QC correspondence one woman stands out in tributed them throughout the Valley. my mind. Her name is Marie S. Landry. We would like to thank Albert Marceau * She is also a writer and an occasional these two fine gentleman for Newington, CT contributor to the LF magazine. Our their many hours of generosity. friendship began with a two page letter, The Centre is truly fortunate A "Special Thank You" to Dr. George which in part, she told me she is also an to have community volunteers to A. Lussier of Salisbury, MA, for ‘Academy Hill-er.’ She was writing to aid with the many projects and ac- without his contributions Le Forum say she was impressed with my ‘advocacy tivities associated with the Centre. would not be... for female independence’ that appeared in the spring Issue of Le Forum. ** She your life is what you were meant to do” she were there that night, too. Memories spoke of having a nagging feeling all her and Marie said this statement gave her a came flooding back, like stopping by the adulthood for failing to do something new outlook on her life’s vocation. I Memorial for Veterans in front of the more than bringing up a family. Yet, find this simple thought extraordinarily Old Town Post Office where her father’s here she was ‘a mother, a wife, a home- healing, too... Bless Marie for her insight- name was placed in honor of his 21 years maker, a manager of’ and respectful of ful words, and thank you Le Forum for of service; the path we use to take that the finances that her husband worked making it possible for me to know them. started on Jefferson Street and ended on for, but nevertheless ‘the nag was there.’ In Marie’s next letter she described Center Street; the Picnic Rock that sat She hadn’t completed her education; the arrival of Growing Up On… and off the path; her memories were of taking rather left her father’s house to go to that how she ‘read every word.’ My little a lunch to the rock and eating a peanut of her husband’s. At some point in her vignettes brought her back she said to butter sandwich there, drinking a soda later life she heard someone she respects the walks she took often in Old Town, that cost 7 cents, returning the bottle and say, “Maybe what you have done all the 4th of July from my eyes she saw as if (Continued on page 9) 3 Le Forum what film critics consider one of the best movies of the l980s, Raging Bull, Lewiston’s “Al” Couture starring Robert DeNiro as LaMotta. Holder of the world record for the fastest KO in history Couture’s own brush with Hollywood (N.D.L.R. This article is reprinted with permission from the author. It first appeared came in the ‘40s, when he performed as in Discover Maine, Vol. 5, Issue 6) a stand-in for John Garfield during fight sports desk. He was a gregarious figure scenes in the superb film Body and Soul. by Nundy Giusti around Lewiston-Auburn, where he was Born in 1922, Couture was one widely known by the nickname “Shiner,” of 19 children of Michael and Meye- Aurel “Al” Couture was a profes- liece Couture of St. Melachie, a hamlet sional boxer who made history in his a result of all the black eyes he acquired over the years. He’d been fighting since near Sherbrooke in Quebec Province. home city of Lewiston on September 29, They moved to Lewiston when Al was 1946, when he knocked out middleweight the age of 15, turned pro at 17, and by his 18th birthday he’d won 72 of 80 bouts. six months old. In Canada, his father Ralph Walton of Montreal with a single moonlighted as a champion fighter punch in the quickest knockout ever During a pro career spanning 15 years, he fought the astonishing total of 296 to help support his large family. He recorded. The elapsed time between the was known as “Coon” Couture be- opening bell of the first round and the bouts, winning 282 of them. He hung up his gloves for the last time in 1953 at the cause of his wild-looking head of hair, end of the knockout count was 10 1⁄2 sort of raccoon-like, some thought. seconds, a record still standing today. age of 30, after losing to Paul Pender. At his retirement, he held both Maine state Al interrupted his career to serve Walton was a well-regarded journey- in the U.S. Army for three years dur- man who’d recently jolted, but still ing World War II as a physical arts lost to, the featherweight champ Wil- instructor in California, and also boxed lie Pep. Fans reading the sports pages on behalf of his battery. Anticipating next morning had a hard time grasping his retirement from boxing, he learned how Walton could’ve been flattened so photography back in Lewiston, landing quickly, including the ref’s ‘10 count.’ a job with Le Messager, the French- Math professors at Bates College in language newspaper. After divorce from Lewiston questioned the accuracy of the his first wife, he met a striking blonde, count. Couture visited them on campus to Carol Beal of Greene, a small town set them straight. First off, he said, skep- adjacent to Lewiston. Pete, his son from tics assumed that the two fighters were his first marriage, became a profes- seated on stools in their corners when sional bowler, and now lives in Florida. the bell rang, and that wasn’t the case. Carol worked for the phone com- As Couture explained to a sports- pany in Lewiston. When she moved to writer, “After the referee gave us instruc- Hartford to work for the Southern New tions at center right, we both turned England Telephone Company, Al quickly toward our corners, shadow-boxing a followed her. They were married on few feet from the corners, but neither Christmas Eve of 1954 in Millerton, New of us went all the way.” When the bell York, and lived in Hartford for several sounded, the fighters leaped forward. welterweight and middleweight titles. years before moving to suburban Glaston- But one of Walton’s corner men called bury. In recent years, they divided their him back for his mouthpiece. As Walton One of the kids he hung around with as a youngster was Mike “School- time between Connecticut and Florida. then turned back to face Couture, Al Thanks to his skill with a camera, was already on top of him, unleashing boy” Green, who, like “Shiner,” later became a boxer. But he refused to meet Al became chief photographer for the a left hook to the jaw that drove Wal- State of Connecticut, serving under four ton to the canvas. The lightning-quick Couture in the ring, explaining that the two were good friends who’d grown up governors. He was on first-name terms knockout, long inscribed in the Guin- with scores of state officials, commis- ness Book of World Records, will likely together and had often joined forces in battling foes on the streets of Lewiston. sioners, employees, and legislators. stand for all time. Boxing rules have During this period, my husband since been revised to require a fighter In 1949, with France’s Marcel Cerdan as world champ, Couture ranked Frank and I (he’s also a former reporter scoring a knockdown to go to a neutral for the Lewiston Sun), became friends corner before the ref begins the count. sixth among contenders for the middle- weight crown. This was three notches with Al and Carol. We joined in a social/ As a young reporter for the Lewis- charitable organization of which Al was ton Sun, I remember seeing the handsome, higher than the ranking assigned to Jake LaMotta, who rose to subsequent the unelected president. It was known personable and popular Couture saunter as Frank’s Sausage Club. A brunch was into the newsroom many a night around acclaim as world champion, and whose 11 o’clock to talk with the writers on the life and career became the subject of (Continued on page 5) 4 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER Fax: 1-207-621-9111 Play about local culture goes to France Juliana e-mail: [email protected] Richard e-mail: JULIANA mandy with her father, a French physician. [email protected] L’HEUREUX “I’m very happy to discover the Juliana Website: September 24, 2008 special language and life experiences of http://www.MaineWriter.com ‘La Souillonne’ are the same as some of Photo-albums: www.picturetrail.com\ Biddeford writer and playwright the ladies I met in Normandy (France) Juliewriter Norman Beaupre is receiving interna- when I was growing up,” she wrote. (Lewiston’s “Al” Couture continued tional praise in the United States, Can- “It’s also exciting to hear La Souil- from page 4) ada and France for his Franco-Ameri- lonne, in monologue, (describing) her life can monologue play, “La Souillonne.” experiences. She is so real, pure, full of good held every Sunday at Frank’s Restau- In fact, Beaupre, author of nine books common sense and filled with a sensitivity rant in downtown Hartford. The owner written in both French and in English, and modesty rarely seen today,” wrote David. was another friend of Al’s. Couture is going to France next month to sup- “Your play ‘La Souillonne’ revives the asked for money from the members port a three-city tour of “La Souillonne.” soul of an entire generation of Quebecois who of the club, and tacked the bills to the Actress Marie Cormier, originally from came from France over the past 400 years, ceiling of the dining room. After sev- to settle in French-speaking Canada. These Lameque, New Brunswick, will perform in eral weeks passed, and a few hundred the production scheduled for Paris on Oct. French immigrants maintained their person- dollars accumulated, it was collected 4 and 5 at the Theater les Dechargeurs. On ality throughout as many as 16 generations,” Oct. 8, the play will be added David in her letter. by Al and turned over to local causes. �������������������������������� ������������������ performed in Dijon and A newly published Al was known for his civic work. on Oct. 10 in Angers. sequel to the first play, He and Hartford’s famous featherweight It’s a dramatic titled “La Souillone, champ, Willie Pep, were friends who or- story in which a woman Deusse,” describes the ganized the Connecticut Boxing Hall of pours her heart out about character’s knowledge of Fame. Couture was instrumental in bring- topics close to her fam- French Acadian heritage. ing boxing back to Connecticut after it’d Beaupre is a little ily, reflecting her French been legally banned since 1965. He was culture. Her character ��������������� nervous about bringing ������������������������������� the founding president of Ring 49, a box- is a former millworker “La Souillonne” to France who tells the audience because he’s largely or- ing-oriented club which sponsored nu- merous benefits to help children in need. about the migration of � ganizing all three pro- �������������������������������������� ���������� � ductions by himself. After a quarter-century of state her family to les Etats- ������������������������ ����������������� ������ Unis (the United States). ������������� “ I ’ m s e t t i n g service, Al retired as Connecticut’s chief ���������������������� up everything, includ- She describes experi- ������������ photographer. He and Carol, also retired, ences as a millworker ���������� ing train travel be- were vacationing with family members at tween cities,” he said. and the old-fashioned ���������� Popham Beach in Maine in the summer ��������� M e a n w h i l e , beliefs handed down of 2000 when Al fell ill and was admit- by her family, and talks Beaupre is finishing his ��������������������������������������������������������������������� � � ted to Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick. about Willie, the man 10th book, “The Boy � � ���������������������

in her life.“’La Souil- ����������� with the Blue Cap.” A week later, on August 6th, at the age lonne’ is my most pop- It’s a novel based of 77, he suffered a fatal heart attack. ular story,” Beaupre said. on the artistic life of Vincent Van Gogh in From a Lewiston street kid to pro- Franco-Americans, particularly, re- Arles, France. In fact, Van Gogh produced fessional boxer, to soldier, skilled pho- late to the play because it reflects on 300 paintings and drawing in Arles, be- tographer and humanitarian, Al Couture customary old habits (les accoutumances). cause he was inspired by the French city’s was a man of many accomplishments. Moreover, the play’s charm is rooted in ancient history and colorful landscapes. What brought him enduring recognition, “La Souillonne” was suc - the distinctive dialect of the monologue. though, was the super-quick knock- Indeed, the play spotlights the French cessfully performed at Lewiston’s out he delivered in Lewiston in 1946 vernacular spoken by Franco- Americans, Franco- American Heritage Center. le parlement de notre monde (the speech of Beaupre hopes to bring the play home to — a feat later celebrated in the Ripley’s our people). Beaupre wrote the play in the a Biddeford audience when Cormier’s busy act- Believe It or Not syndicated series of Franco-American dialect because it’s the ing schedule can accommodate a performance. illustrated features which appeared for familiar way his entire neighborhood spoke Contact Juliana at: years in newspapers across the country. French as he was growing up in Biddeford. Beaupre was pleasantly surprised [email protected] About the author: Nundy Giusti recently when a Parisian reader, Antoi- Juliana and Richard L’Heureux was born and raised in Wilton Maine. nette David, mailed him a letter of praise One Turkey Run She graduated from Wilton Academy about “La Souillonne.” Writing in French, Topsham, ME 04086 with honors. She recieved her BS in David described her memories of hear- Home phone: 1-207-721-9629 Journalism from Boston University. ing the dialect spoken in “La Souillonne” Cell phone Dick: 1-207-751-5866 when she was young and traveling in Nor- Cell phone Julie: 1-207-751-8117 5 Le Forum had already begun the work of building. Native Peoples in the Upper This diplomatic meeting won the good St. John River Valley graces and protections of the Indians. Apparently the Maliseets struck We must not forget that this Indian by Chip Gagnon a deal with this group of Acadians: village, the Malecite capital of the St. Associate Professor, in exchange for giving the Acadians John Valley, had 60 families, and that Dept. of Politics, part of the Maliseet land, the Mali- Francis Xavier who had just spoken to Ithaca College seet asked that the Acadians de- them, had 200 warriors under his com- Ithaca, New York fend the territory against intruders. mand, and that on the first day that an argument should ensue between the two http://www.upperstjohn. Here is an excerpt on this first meet- ing from “First Madawaska Acadian Set- peoples, the Acadians would be at the com/history/natives.htm tlement” at the Acadian Genealogy Home mercy of the Indians.” [Source: “First Page. It is important to remember that this Madawaska Acadian Settlement” at The arrival of Acadians in the story is being told from the Acadians’ per- http://www.acadian.org/mad-sett.html]. Over the next few years, more upper St.John spective. It is not clear how cordial and welcoming the Maliseet actually were Acadian families joined these original The American Revolution added upon the arrival of these new settlers. settlers. By the mid-1790s, the Brit- to the pressure on Maliseet lands. A “The travelers [Acadians head- ish had made grants of land in Mada- significant part of the population of the ing up the St.John River] continued waska to over 70 Acadian families. rebellious thirteen colonies had remained their journey until they set foot on the (For more information see the page on loyal to the King. Many of these Loyal- south bank of the St. John River, two Early Land Grants in Madawaska on ists fled the newly independent country and one-half miles south of the Malecite this website.) Given the size of Acadian once the war ended, in 1783. Beginning village on one of the most elevated families, it is likely that these 70 fami- in that year, the British government flats, a short distance from the present lies added up to more than 500 people. granted Loyalists land along the St.John church of St. David, Madawaska, Maine. Like their neighbours the Micmac River in New Brunswick, land that was As they were making camp, Joseph and Abenaki, the Maliseet had from the in the Maliseet territory. But this land Daigle erected a cross (which is today earliest days of contact with the French had been settled by Acadians who had known as the ‘Acadian Cross’) at that tended to convert to Roman Catholicism, fled the British in the 1730s, and who very place in the land of Madawaska. which of course was strongly encouraged were later joined by other Acadians “On the same day, two young by the French missionaries and colonial whom the British had expelled in 1755. men were sent to the Indian village (now authorities. The Bishop of Québec, Jo- As a result of the Loyalist settlements, Edmundston, New Brunswick), to advise seph-Octave Plessis, noted that in the mid the Acadians were displaced for a sec- the Chief of their arrival and that their fa- 1780s the Maliseets living at Madawaska ond time, and moved further upriver, thers would be in to see him the next day. had requested Father Adrien Leclerc of beyond Great Falls, to the area around “At first the Indians did not show L’Isle Verte to visit them once a year. Be- the Madawaska River settlement of the much enthusiasm when the strangers ginning in 1786—that is, just a year after Maliseet. This was an area that had arrived, but soon afterwards the meet- the arrival of the first Acadians —Leclerc been recognized by the French and then ing was one of the most cordial. The spent several weeks each summer with British as belonging to the Maliseet, and hall to which they were admitted, was them, as did his successor, Joseph Pâquet. that had to that point not seen perma- full of tribal warriors. The Chief, while Maliseets from other villages would nent European settlers. The net effect extending to them a welcome did not come to Madawaska at these times. of the displacement of the Loyalists and hesitate however, to warn them that Plessis noted, however, that Acadians was that the entire territory the vast territory between Grand Falls as more and more Acadians and Ca- of the Maliseets was now being settled (New Brunswick) and Lake Temiscouata nadians established themselves by non-native people. The Maliseet’s (Quebec), had always been known as the around the Maliseet village at Mada- attitude toward the Acadian refugees land of the Malecites. In a few words, waska, the Maliseet moved away: who came up the St.John in 1785 was he told the visitors that they could have “The curés of Saint-André (Ka- thus probably not entirely welcoming. a part of this land and that they could mouraska), Monseigneurs Amiot, Vé- In 1785, when the first group help them protect it from invaders. zina, Dorval, who were charged, after of Acadian settlers arrived at Mada- ‘As long as your guns will not refuse the priests from L’Isle Verte, with serving waska, the main village of the Mali- to shoot the reindeers, or your nets to this mission [from 1799-1804], ended seets in that area, located near pres- catch the fish in our rivers, you shall be up no longer finding any Indians, but ent-day Edmundston, was reported to welcome, and you shall be my friends.’ rather French who already numbered 24 include 60 families; their leader was “After this meeting with the families in 1792, when they addressed referred to as François Xavier and was Chief and his warriors, the Frenchmen the Bishop of Quebec for permission reported to comand “200 warriors”. returned to meet their fellowmen, who (Continued on page 7) 6 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Native Peoples in the Upper St. John Thus between the arrival of more 1829 or 1830, “by the aid of the British River Valley continued from page 6) and more Acadians and Canadians, Civil Officer, turned out” (evicted) the to build a chapel.” [Plessis, p.124] and conscious efforts by the Province Indians who lived on the land granted Indeed, it appears that the Church of New Brunswick and the Diocese by the British. They note that the Indians was purposely encouraging the Maliseet to of Quebec to resettle the Maliseet, the had built 2 houses on that land, at the settle down in Tobique. John Jennings, in native population of the upper St.John mouth of the Madawaska, which they his history of the Catholic Church in New continued to dwindle. Indeed, over the described as having been “the headquar- Brunswick, notes that Father François Ci- following years many of the Madawaska ters of the Indians.” (Raymond, p.446). quard, assigned to the mission from 1794 Maliseet moved downriver to Tobique: The 1841 Perley Report on to 1798, wrote to the Bishop of Québec: “Bishop Plessis in the narrative the First Nations of New Brunswick “Ciquard reported his effort to of his tour in 1812 mentions this Indian In 1841 Moses Perley undertook deal with two difficulties associated Village [at the mouth of the Madawaska a survey of the first nations population with the Maliseet missions, the mobil- River], and says that most of the Indians of New Brunswick for the provin- ity of the population and the effects of had gone down the river at first to the cial government. At Madawaska, he alcohol. Father Ciquard’s approach Tobic and later to the Meductic Village, found 27 Malecite (5 men, 7 women, was to try to settle the Maliseet at To- below Woodstock.” [Source: “Report by 6 boys, 9 girls) living at the mouth of bique and insist that he would serve Messrs. Deane and Kavanagh,” edited the Madawaska River, the same fami- them only there or at Madawaska. by W.O. Raymond, in Collections of the lies Deane and Kavanagh mentioned “Ciquard reported that shortly after New Brunswick Historical Society (St. on their visit 10 years earlier. Here his arrival in the colony, he had discussed John, N.B.) number 9 (1914), p.443.] are his comments on these families: the question of the settlement of the Mali- Given the rapid growth in the “From the Tobique I proceeded seets with the governor in Fredericton, European-descent population of the to Madawaska, and visited the In- Thomas Carleton. He indicated that both Madawaska Settlement—by 1820 it dian Settlement at the mouth of the he and the governor were in agreement had reached over 1,100—it seems that Madawaska River, where I found only that it was best that the Natives be given most of the Maliseet had either as- twenty seven souls land at Tobique where they could take similated into the Acadian community “These Indians occupy an exceed- up agriculture and be protected from or relocated to other Maliseet villages. ingly beautiful and very fertile piece alcohol. This would then be the focus By 1831, about 45 years after the of ground, and their crop appeared in a of the missionary’s service to them, first Acadian settlers arrived, the Maliseet promising state. They cultivate the land although he would still have some travel- had been seriously reduced. During their upon shares with one of their French ing for special purposes and to serve the survey of the inhabitants and land hold- neighbours; each party finds half the settlements of French Catholics. This ings in the Upper St.John River for the seed; the Frenchman sows, reaps and de- cooperatoin with the British officials State of Maine in July 1831, John Deane livers them half the crop, as also half the extended even to financial support, for and Edward Kavanagh noted, near the grass from their meadow, which he also the colonial authorities paid a stipend to mouth of the Madawaska River, on the cuts and makes into hay. They sowed this the missionary serving the Natives in the north bank (next to Simon Hébert), that year ninety bushels of Wheat and Oats, St.John River Valley. For Ciquard, this the Indians have 3 or 4 houses apparently and thirty bushels of Potatoes, besides stipend was £50...” [Jennings, p.127] as commodious and comfortable as many Peas, Beans and Flax. They have also In 1801 the provincial government of the houses of the white inhabitants, fifty bushels of Potatoes planted by indi- of New Brunswick officially set aside and have 20 or 30 acres of cleared land. viduals on their sole account, and their land at at the confluence of the Tobique There are only 5 or 6 families, the rem- farm has a very respectable appearance. and St.John Rivers for the Maliseets: nant of the tribe, which was numerous “The Captain of the Madawaska On the 4th.of September 1801 an al- when the whites first began the settle- Settlement is named Louis Bernard, a lotment was made to Neville Bernard for ment at Madawaska. [Source: “Report very respectable industrious man, to himself and his tribe of Melicete Indians by Messrs. Deane and Kavanagh,” edited whose sole exertions the prosperous state on the East Side of the River Saint John, by W.O. Raymond, in Collections of the of the farm is to be attributed; He told beginning opposite to the Tobique Rock New Brunswick Historical Society (St. me that he was upwards of fifty years of and running up Stream until it comes John, N.B.) number 9 (1914), p.443.] age; that he was born on the land, and opposite to the Mouth of the Restock Deane and Kavanagh also men- that his father and grandfather were also [Aroostook] River. [Source:”Warrant of tion a few lots owned by Acadians that born, lived, died and were buried on this Survey to Mr Geo Morehouse Deputy had been “improved by the Indians,” spot. That when he was a boy, the Indians Surveyor for Disbanded Officers and and/or had been “purchased from the had a very considerable Village here, Men between Preque Isle and the Great Indians”; they also claimed that Simon the wigwams standing in regular streets Falls” in the PANB, RS637 1a.Primary Hébert, “who has a grant from the Brit- near the waterside; he pointed out to me Letter books 1. 1785-1789. Thanks ish and is clearing it”—the grant of 250 the former site of their Village, and also to Norm DeMerchant for this info.] acres was dated May 16, 1825—had in (Continued on page 8)

7 Le Forum (Native Peoples in the Upper St. John license of occupation, and pray that Saulis, Ellis, Bear, and “Bellose” (prob- River Valley continued from page 7) he may be compelled to pay Pierre ably Polchies). What is notable is that Denis the sum doe [sic] by appraise- in 1851 they no longer are living at the ment for his improvements, or else mouth of the Madawaska (that is, in the the boundaries that were assigned to the allow him to re-occupy them. [...] parish of Madawaska), but rather seem to Tribe when he was a youth. Their land “With respect to the Madawaska be living next to the church at St-Basile commenced on the bank of the Saint Settlement, I have to state that Louis (Father Antoine Langevin, the pastor of John, at a small Brook half-a-mile above Bernard and his family are respectable, St-Basile, is next door to Lewis Bernard). the mouth of the Madawaska River, and and well conducted; the other men there, By the 1881 census, there were 28 extended down the Saint John, one mile devote themselves almost entirely to the people listed as “Indians” living together and a half to a point of rocks jutting chase [hunting], and, whenever they in Madawaska Parish, members of the into the Stream, which point is now obtain money, spend it in drink. I think Bernard and Wallace families. The Sau- the boundary between the Indian land it would be advisable to let Bernard oc- lis family had by 1861 moved to Perth. and the property of Alexander Albert. cupy a portion of this land during his Since in the United States Native “Within this tract a grant was made life, and lease the rest for the benefit of Americans (“Indians”) were exempt some years ago to ____ [note: in the the Tribe.” [Source: “Report on Indian from taxation and were not counted original no name is given, instead a line is Settlements, &c,” Extracts from Mr. in the regular US census, Maliseet used-cg] on the East side of the Madawas- Perley’s First Report Respecting the Indi- families were probably not included ka, of 200 acres. _____ purchased from ans on the Saint John, 12th August 1841.] in the various US censuses conducted an Indian who then resided on the land, From this description of life in in Madawaska from 1820 onward un- a piece containing nine acres, which was Madawaska, as well as from Perley’s less they had taken French names marked out by stakes. Under color of this comments about the Maliseet settlements and assimilated into the community. purchase, he succeeded in obtaining from down river from Madawaska, especially This is from the Columbia Ency- the Crown a grant of 200 acres. Recently at Tobique, it was clear that by 1841 the clopedia entry for “Malecite / Maliseet”: the Government had occasion to take native population was at the mercy of “Malecite or Maliseet , Native possession of a portion of this grant, 400 white settlers who were with impunity North Americans whose language belongs yards square, on which to place a Block encroaching illegally on lands that had to the Algonquian branch of the Algon- House, and other Public Works, when been recognized as belonging to the quian-Wakashan linguistic stock. In the _____ demanded fifteen hundred pounds Maliseet population. According to Perley, early 17th cent. they occupied the valley damages, but was eventually induced, or these squatters—anglophones living in of the St. John River in New Brunswick, rather compelled, to take three hundred what is now Victoria County—”openly Canada. The French settlers in this area pounds, in satisfaction of his claim. plunder the forest in the vicinity, of intermarried with the Malecite, thereby “That part of the Indian Reserve the most valuable Timber, and dispose forming a close alliance with the indig- on the West side of the Madawaska, is of it, in the face of the Indians, whom enous people. Hence, during the colonial now in the possession of _____, under they will scarcely allow to set foot wars the Malecite supported the French a Licence of occupation at a nominal upon the land, and invariably hunt oft against the English. They now live in rent. _____ makes no use of this land, like wild beasts, if they attempt to look New Brunswick, Quebec, and Maine. In and appears to hold it with the hope of after or prevent the trespasses which 1990 there were about 1,700 Malecite eventually obtaining title to it, and for are constantly committed.” In addition, in Canada and about 900 in the United that purpose only. Some years before Perley’s comments also make clear that States. See J. F. Pratson, Land of the _____ obtained a Licence to occupy this the goal of the provincial government Four Directions (1970).” [http://www. land, Pierre Denis, an Indian, had cleared was to “civilize” the Maliseet, that is, to bartleby.com/65/ma/Malecite.html ] and cultivated a portion of the front, on force them to assimilate into the domi- Currently, on the St-Basile IR 10, which he had built a small house, and nant culture, including forcibly remov- which is just outside of Edmundston, was living very comfortably. Denis re- ing them from their land if necessary. there are living 98 people in 51 dwellings. fused to give up possession, and finally The State of Maine recog- an order was passed that _____ should Maliseet Nation in the nized the Maliseet, along with the pay to Denis a certain sum for his house, New Brunswick censuses Micmac, as official tribes in 1974. which was appraised at fifty dollars, In 1989 the Province of Québec and on the promise of that sum being Ten years after Perley’s report, the officially recognized the Maliseets paid, Denis quitted the land in 1837, 1851 New Brunswick census records (Malécites) as the eleventh Aboriginal and yielded up possession to _____. 30 people described as “Indians” in the nation in the province. Their terri- “I saw Pierre Denis at To- Madawaska settlement area, in about 5 tory in the province is divided between bique; he is an old man, child- or 6 families, living in the parish of St- two reserves on the south shore of less and in poor circumstances. Basile, including “Lewis Bernard.” The the Saint Lawrence River near the “On behalf of the Indians, I claim families go by the names of Bernard, the land now held by _____ under the (Continued on page 9) 8 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Native Peoples in the Upper St. (Our French Connection instrumental in us finding each other or whatever important idea on the John River Valley continued from page Thanks to Le Forum subject suiting to her. Odd that once 8) continued from page 3) our back-yards came very close to con- municipality of Rivière du Loup. necting, yet, it took Le Forum to bring If you have any other infor- collecting 2 pennies, which were spent * Permission given to quote from mation about the Wulustukieg/Ma- Marie Landry's letters when necessary on candy enjoyed going back home. lecite/Maliseet people in the Upper * * L e F o r u m V o l u m e St.John River valley, either history I knew the rock, but never had 33, #4, Ma Grand-Mère Sirois peanut butter sandwiches or 7 cents for a or information about specific indi- viduals or families, please let me know. soda. I don’t remember having a picnic. ANOTHER VIEW A good example of how the economy im- Marie S. Landry proved in the short time of fifteen years. Some links on the Malecite / Marie ended one letter saying, “I Jennings, LA Maliseet: always admired your house and your fam- If the goal of Le Micmac-Malecite Institute at the ily. It was dignity personified.” I reflect forum is to, not only University of New Brunswick again how one never knows what impres- entertain and inform Online exhibit of old photos of Mali- sions someone else has of us. On the ‘Hill’ but to bring people seet from the Province of New Brunswick we all lived similar, far as what life had to of common interest Heritage offer in the 40s and 50s. Marie’s descrip- together, then Le fo- Online photos of Micmac and Mali- tion is both enlightening and humbling. rum has succeeded on seet cultural objects from the Museum of In one of my letters to Marie, I a very personal level Civilization in Hull included copies of two chapters of a new Maliseet and Mikmaq Vital Statis- for two people, (happily and enthusi- book in progress, her reply was once again tics from New Brunswick Church Records astically, I might add,) who live thou- Online database containing records of the more gracious than deserving, “The sands of miles away from one another. baptisms, marriages, and deaths of Maliseet wonders of words across a page must It pleases me very much to take and Micmac people living in New Bruns- surely be a miracle. How else can lines this opportunity to thank Le forum for wick. of black scribble convey ideas, emo- its good work and for what it benefits Wabanaki Web ~ Maliseet Directory tions that make us think, smile, cry, and Information on the Malecite (Mali- its readers, for without it, I would never make us see things in new ways. Surely, seet) language have had the pleasure of corresponding the word “miracle is not over-stating.” Lots of links on Maliseet culture and with Mrs. Annette King, for whom I have And I speculate again, history such respect for her work and the fresh who is the authentic poet, here? “Micmac History” (includes informa- way I get to see things by her writings. tion on Maliseet), by Lee Sultzman, on the The relationship I have with Marie Her poetry makes me feel things, like First Nations / First Peoples Issues website S. Landry is founded on words, words the night air, from an evening stroll. Tales from the Malecite from the we write to each other. We seem to have It all started by my ordering her Maine Folklife Center found something in common: a similar book GROWING UP ON ACADEMY Information on Malecites in the background of Franco/American heritage United States HILL. And we struck up a correspon- certainly; but the newness of our kin- The Aroostook Band of Micmacs dence because of our common interests. ship possibly works to keep us buoyant The Houlton Band of Maliseet She has another book coming to print in what we do, as well. I find Marie’s Indians in the near future. I have already put in work revealing in contents of its fam- The Wulustuk Grand Council my order and awaiting its publication. Union of New Brunswick Indians ily history beginning with her ancestors I am not only hopeful, but sin- St.John River Valley Tribal Council who migrated to Maine from Quebec cerely convinced that I have found a very The Indians of Madawaska, a history (translation of her mother’s stories) and special friend for life. This is not said of the Malecites and their interaction with before she moved to another French lightly. When I was a young girl and still Europeans, from the Acadian Genealogy speaking place, Jennings, Louisiana, as Home Page in grade school a nun wrote a poem in my a newly married young woman. I find it autograph book of which I only remember interesting her mother wrote and kept a these lines. But they are words to live by. If anyone in the readership knows diary in French dialect. Plus, how Marie the rest of the poem and its author I found the document important enough Wouldn’t this old world be better hope that it finds its way to Le Forum to transcribe it into English, believ- if the folks we meet would say for publication, I thank you in advance. ing in her heart her children will enjoy I know something GOOD about you And I thank Le forum for my new friend. their grandmother’s stories almost as and then treat you just that way? much as having the pleasure of a visit. (Marie see page 24) I have asked Marie to write her perspective on how Le Forum was (More letters on page 10) 9 Le Forum ‘HISTORY OF THE FRANCO AMERICAN WAR VETERANS’ In March of 1932 seven French Veterans of World War I met for the purpose of formulation plans to start a veterans organization for Veterans of Franco American French decent. These men were joined War Veterans Inc. by other French Veterans and they met in Post #31 September of 1932 when they declared PO Box 882 themselves associated together at the Lewiston, ME “La Legion Franco-Américaine, des États-Unis d’Amérique”. From then 04243-0882 this group continued to gather names of individuals who would ultimately sign the charter and become incorporated as an organization. In early 1933, one hun- dred forty four (144) incorporators, who we call our charter members, requested with National Headquarters lo- ERANS INC.” With the English Lan- from the Secretary of the Commonwealth cated in Lawrence, Massachusetts. guage being the official language of all of Massachusetts to grant them corporate In 1948, French Veterans outside government agencies within the United status. On the 16th Day of May, 1933, the Massachusetts were organized in the States of America, the official language corporation's legal name was “La Legion- state of Rhode Island on the 10th day of of this organization was changed from Américaine, des États-Unis d’Amérique”. May, 1948. After the organization rooted French to English within this time From the mill city of Lawrence, itself in Connecticut, National Head- period. However, any member has Massachusetts, this is where Post #2 was quarters granted a State Charter to Con- the privilege, at all times, to express formed, Post #3 was formed in Ames- necticut on the 19th day of July, 1957. themselves in the French Language. bury, Mass., forming Posts outside the Although New Hampshire has In October of 1986, Post #31, Merrimac Valley, Posts were also formed never had a State Charter, there were the latest Post to become part of this in Fall River, New Bedford, Worces- Posts started in Manchester and Do- Organization was founded in Lewiston, ter, and other cities in Massachusetts. ver, which have since disbanded. Maine. Since Maine does not have a In September of 1934 Wilfred In 1949 the Organization changed State Department yet, Post #31 runs J. Laplante of Lawrence was elect- its Name to our present name of the under the Department of Connecticut. ed the first National Commander “FRANCO AMERICAN WAR VET-

lower St. John River to be come the Dear Editor, Dear Editor, first settlers to found Madawaska. Enclosed is a check for I have enjoyed your magazine Thank you so much for the cop- a subscription to ‘Le Forum’. ‘Le Forum’ and I wish to continue ies of ‘Le Forum’. It was a pleas- receiving the journal of our past pres- ant surprise to receive them and I Again, thank you for your ent ancestral news of Northern Maine. enjoyed reading all the articles. thoughtfulness. I was born in Van Buren, Of particular interest to me was the Maine and after World War II, my article about the Native peoples in the Up- Sincerely family settled in Limestone, ME. per St. John River Valley. As you know, Gordon B. Boucher My father opened a General Store my roots go back to this region and it Inverness, FL in 1945 and retired approximately 1974. was a thrill to read about its early history. We had many happy years!! Now, we are My grandmother, Celina Parent scattered around the United States. Peace!! was born in Van Buren in 1880, the Send Mail to: daughter of Alexcis Parent and Phelonise Le Forum James & Judith Gagnon Cyr. My great-great grandfather Chryso- 110 Crossland Hall West Lynn, MA stome Cyr b. 1775, married Violette Orono, ME 04469-5719 Thibodeau at St. Basile, N.B. in 1804. Going back further, Jean (Bap- or Email: tist) Cyr II, b. 1714 had nine sons [email protected] who all made the voyage from the (More Letters on page 12) 10 (N.D.L.R. The following is the fourth installment, of Sr. Pau- line Gastonguay's book, "Faire de la Luge sans Luge et les contes de ma vie", "Down the Luge Run without a Sled and other Sroties of my Life").

Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER A French Foreign Legionnaire in Waterville, Maine? Submitted by, Pearley A. Lachance

Yes, that’s what I discovered a Legion in 1892 as a second Lieu- few years ago while driving through tenant. Within 3 years he was pro- Saint Francis Cemetery in Waterville. moted to first lieutenant in the fa- What caught my eye was a flag holder mous “Premier Regiment Etranger”. with the symbol of the famous French During his career in the French Foreign Legion. The reason for rec- Foreign Legion he served in many ognizing it is that my wife Alice and I countries including Algeria, the head- spent two years (1975-1977) working quarters of the Legion, Madagascar and French Foreign Legion in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria, the former Tonkin. His decorations for valor and Marker headquarters of the Legion. The rea- bravery were, “L’ordres du Dragon d son it was called Foreign was because l’Annanm, de la medaille du Tonkin, de most of the enlisted men were foreign- la medaille de Madagascar, de le medaille ers. Recruits were allowed to change de sauvetage et de la medaille militaire”. their name and their past was ignored. He returned briefly to Canada and The mystery began with the grave- finally moved to the United States and stone and markers of Louis A. D’Argy attended Dental School in Baltimore (1875-1933) and his wife Wilhemine Maryland. In 1905 he married Wilhemine Fournier (1880-1960). First stop for in- Fournier in Washington, D.C. He passed formation was at the Waterville Public Li- the Dental Board exam in 1906 and re- brary to look up old Business Directories ceived his license to practice dentistry in and found that he had been a dentist with Maine. This is when he decided to set up an office at 179 Main Street and his home his practice in Waterville. Another excit- was at 104 Silver Street in Waterville. ing chapter of his life is about to begin. In talking to seniors, it was diffi- This is a man who gives the impression D'Argy Headstone in St. cult to find anyone that could recall any that he never did things in a small way. Francis Cemetery in Waterville more details about this man. A year or Giving of his time and talents unselfishly. so went by without any new information. In his profession, he was a mem- clues to the man who had lived an One day, I mentioned to a friend ber of Kennebec Valley Dental Club, incredible life in his short 58 years. that I was doing research about World Maine Dental Society and New Eng- Each fall the cemetery administra- War II using scrapbooks filled with land Dental Society. His obituary said tion advises the public through the Parish newspaper clippings from the Waterville of him” He was the best of the best”. bulletin that if they have flowers that they Morning Sentinel. The friend brought As a leading citizen of Water- want to retrieve that they must do it by out an old scrapbook that someone had ville, he joined the Elks in 1911, the a certain date. It just so happened we given her. It is important to note that I Rotary, was a director of Peoples Bank, were driving by that final day 2007 and had not mentioned anything about Dr. director of the Waterville County Club. noticed a planter was still on his grave. D’Argy. I opened the scrapbook and as Dr. D’Argy never forgot his French My wife got the bright idea of taking it it happens many times when you open a roots. He was one of the founders of home for the winter and bringing it back book it will unintentionally go to a sec- the Waterville Chapter of “Conseils for Memorial Day, 2008. It did very well tion in the middle of the book. The head- Charland de L’Union St Jean Baptist”, with a lot of TLC from Alice. The plan line where the scrapbook opened said “ founder of “Cercle Francais”, founder of was to return it in the spring with a note Dies Suddenly at Silver Street Home”. “L’Association d’Epargne de Waterville. saying, “If you are related or knew Dr. Now the story comes to life. Dr. He was Chairman of the Board of the D’Argy please contact me” When we D’Argy was born in Becancourt, P.Q. Waterville French newspaper “Le Fran- returned to the cemetery prior to Memo- Canada on February 3, 1875. His parents co-American” at the time of his death. rial Day there was already a new planter. were Louis N. D’Argy, notaire, and Ade- Is this the end of the story? No. Darn, we’ll have to wait one more laide de Billy. He began his education in I still felt a need to meet someone year. We left the planter with the note. Canada and subsequently went to France who could give me a personal account Two weeks later the phone rings to complete his education earning an A.D. of who this man really was. So we and the caller asked if I was the person degree from St. Maixant Military School. returned to the cemetery to see if our who left the note with last year’s planter. I Upon graduation he entered the Legionnaire could give us any more (Continued on page 12) 11 Le Forum (A French Foreign Legionnaire in “Franco-Americans of Maine 1915” zen, Dr. Louis A. D’Argy, who suc- Waterville, Maine? continued from page 11) One of the personal stories that cumbed to a heart ailment at his Silver was overjoyed after all the many years of Mrs. Koch shared with us about Dr. & Street at 10:15 o’clock.” His funeral research, sometimes successful and other Mrs. D’Argy was that they never had was held September 7th at Notre Dame times dead ends. Who is this lady who children of their own. Dr. D’Argy had Church and was attended by many in her nineties is still honoring this couple a cousin on his mother’s side of the dignitaries from all over New England that has long been forgotten but at one family a de Billy, who was a doctor in In conclusion, from sighting a time was so well known in Waterville? Riviere-au- Renard in Gaspe, PQ. Both flag holder in the cemetery to this amaz- Anne (Simpson) Koch is the god- his cousin and wife died prematurely ing story of a man who was a devout child of Louis and Wilhemine D’Argy. leaving two children Louis and Marie Catholic, served in the military, returned A spry charming lady who graduated Laure who were adopted by the D’Argys. to civilian life to became a dentist de- from Coburn Classical Institute 1935 They also took in a girl named Patricia, voted to his profession, a prominent and Colby College 1939. Mrs. Koch’s whose father had died in World War I. civic-minded citizen and a devoted father was George H. Simpson a promi- The Waterville Morning Sentinel father to his adopted children. His be- nent Franco-American merchant in reported on his September 4, 1933 death: loved wife was his partner in many of Waterville in the early 1900s. A biog- “ Death, last night, claimed one his activities and certainly played a raphy of him was featured in the book of Waterville’s foremost French citi- large part in their happy home life.

Anne (Simpson) Koch godchild of Dr. Louis D'Argy Wilhemine D'Argy Dr. Louis and Wilhemine D'Argy (More from Maine on page 26)

Labbé, and thanks for all you do. To the Editor:

I read in the 2008 Spring issue Dear Editor, Sincerely, of Le Forum about the deportation of June Turcotte Richard Sitcha. I had read several other Please find enclosed my check stories in Le Forum about his attempt for two subscriptions, one for my- PS: Any chance you’d give to remain in the United States after his self and the second for a friend. me your recipe for pumpkin whoop- asylum was revoked in 2003. While I am If I owe more, please let ie pies? They were delicious! not familiar with the facts of this case or me know at the email below. the legal authority on which his deporta- The “Supplement Historique” Thanks, tion was based, it is clear from reading all are great, as is Le Forum itself. Frs June the articles about Mr. Sitcha’s plight that Beland and Gousie are tow of our finest immigration judges, indeed, all judges, Franco-American heroes, two coura- Dear June; have a great deal of discretion in decid- geous men. They stood up for our Thanks for taking the time to write ing cases such as these. The American people under tremendous pressure and us, it's nice to hear from our readership. Immigration Lawyers Association con- did not cave-in, or give up. Each was For the Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe stantly complains that some immigration a community builder, a leader, power- see page 29 for several variations. Enjoy! judges grant asylum to a rather small ful but forgotten or unknown until now. Best regards to you and Yvon La Rédactrice (Continued on page 13) 12

Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Continued on page 12) Dear Editor; Dear Editor; Enclosed is a US money order for my percentage of the cases In recent issues of Le Forum, I renewal to le Forum. I enjoy getting this they hear compared to have read articles about Franco-Ameri- periodical which has assisted me in hav- some of their more liberal can veterans in World War II and Korea. ing a greater appreciation and knowledge colleagues. That is why I would like to add an article about six about my own Franco-American heritage. we have an appeal procedure. Franco-Americans who fought and died I knew very little about my Fran- It is good to know that there are in Vietnam. They were all from my co-American heritage growing up in people in this world, such as Mr. Albert home town, Biddeford, Maine. They Haverhill, Massachusetts. My late Marceau, who work tirelessly in a cause ranged in age from 20 to 26 andall were mother was of polish decent and my late they believe in. His efforts on behalf killed within a two-year period between father was the grandson of an immigrant of Mr. Sitcha remind me of the people 1966 and 1968. They were all single from Ile-Verte PQ and an immigrant of York, Pennsylvania who befriended although, according to relatives I have was Ste Anne do Ruisseau NS. As was Chinese asylum seekers 15 years ago. talked to, several left sweethearts behind. Hopefully, Mr. Sitcha will be re- the case of so many Franco-America, united with his relatives in the Cameroon my father’s family quickly assimilated and will be allowed to live in freedom in into the larger culture. Their knowledge his country free of any fear for his per- of French soon disappeared along with sonal safety. As a retired U.S. diplomat the other traditions of their ancestors. and Consular Officer, I do know that U.S. My interest in genealogy, which embassies abroad are cognizant of asy- was sparked about ten years ago, lum seekers who have been denied asy- has made me more aware of my pa- lum status in our country and sent back to ternal ancestry. I can thank Le Fo- their homeland. While our government rum for increasing my awareness. cannot guarantee their safety, we encour- Sincerely, age the host government to provide pro- Robert C. Laprel tection to all its citizens, even those who Haverhill, MA espouse unpopular opinions back home. 61 % de notre nation a voté OUI. Mal- Norman Poitras Sincerely, heureusement, le PQ démissionnaire May 25, 1946 - August 22, 1966† Michael Guignard n’a pas su profiter de ce rapport de force préférant plutôt se replier dans The first to be killed in Indochina Montréal, le 11 novembre 2008 l’attentisme des conditions gagnantes, was Norman Poitras who was born in de l’assurance morale de gagner, de la Biddeford in 1946 and died on August Le Parti indépendantiste, fondé conversation nationale ou de la gou- 22, 1966. Norman grew up on a family le 3 février dernier, participe à ses pre- vernance souverainiste. Cette attitude farm in Lyman, Maine and was the son mières élections générales en présent- de perdant a fait en sorte que plus de la of French Canadian-born parents from ant une vingtaine de candidats dans moitié des indépendantistes, si l’on tient St. Leonard, New Brunswick. He at- différentes régions du Québec. Son compte du taux d’abstention, n’ont pas tended local schools and worked at the slogan électoral L’indépendance, c’est voté pour le PQ ni en 2003, ni en 2007. Webber Hospital in Biddeford before maintenant! dit tout. Piégé par l’étapisme référendaire, le PQ enlisting in the Marine Corps in De- « Après 13 ans de néant sur la ne réalisera jamais l’indépendance. Pour cember 1965. He was the youngest of 4 question nationale depuis le référendum le PQ, l’indépendance, c’est un boulet brothers and 6 sisters. One of his older volé de 1995, il était temps qu’un véri- qui l’empêche de prendre le pouvoir pro- brothers, Kenneth, remembers visiting table parti indépendantiste voit le jour vincial. Pour le P.I., la prise du pouvoir his baby brother at Camp Lejeune, N.C. afin d’offrir aux Québécois la possibilité doit servir à déclarer l’indépendance de and Camp Pendleton, California, prior de voter pour l’indépendance du Québec notre nation qui célèbre cette année ses to Norman’s shipping out to Vietnam. lors des élections. Un vote pour le P.I. est 400 ans d’histoire en terre d’Amérique » In a recent phone conversation from un vote pour faire du Québec un pays conclut le chef du Parti indépendantiste. his home in Southern California, Ken- libre et indépendant de langue française. neth told me that the Poitras family was Le P.I. ne propose pas de référendum Contact : Érik Poulin very close because they lived outside of pour réaliser l’indépendance. C’est par Comité électoral national town on 48 acres of land. “We all spoke un vote majoritaire des élus de notre As- (514) 833-8950 French to our parents”, recalled Ken- semblée nationale que l’indépendance communications@parti-indepen- neth, “and we were a family who shared du Québec sera déclarée » explique Éric dantiste.org the chores of the family farm where we Tremblay, le chef du P.I., qui se présente www.parti-independantiste.org had a large garden, raised dairy cows dans la circonscription de Taillon. Chef du Parti indépendantiste, « Lors du référendum de 1995, Éric Tremblay, (514) 713-6478 (Continued on page 14) 13 Le Forum (Vietnam Veterans sity on Prince Edward Islandin 1962 municant of St.Andre’s parish, where continued from page 13) and Nova Scotia Tech in 1964. In high before Vatican II masses were in French. school, he studied in the“college prep” In an interview almost 40 years track and hoped togo to the Air Force ago, his mother told me that she had had to and chickens, and occasionally boarded Academy. Adjacent his photo in his se- change her telephone number to an unlist- horses.” Norman’s favorite task was to nior year high school yearbook is written: ed one because after Reynald was killed turn the hand-cranked milk separator. in action, she would receive crank calls One of Kenneth’s messages to his “Here’s to Eddie quiet and shy at odd hours. I never forgot that little old younger brother that he left on the Viet- Whenever help’s need - lady grieving for her son and bewildered nam Veterans Memorial in Washington, ed he’s standing by” about calls which we both presumed D.C. reads this way: “Fairest Flower, came from those who opposed the war. No sooner blossomed then blasted.” He enlisted in September 1964 Biddefrod newest War Memorial is (William Wordsworth) “ Our baby and went to officer candidateschool located at the corner of Alfred and Pool brother, you were the last to join our and joined the 1st Cavalry Division. Street. The Memorial lists the city’s war- family, but the first to leave us. I miss He was stationed in Germany be- casualties in our country’s major conflicts you and think of you as time goes by, forearriving in Vietnam in July 1966. including Vietnam. It is located less than more often in recent years. I have not At the web site [ http://www.thewall- 250 yards from where Mr. Lepage was forgotten a single thing about you, your usa.com ]www.thewall-usa.com,one fel- living when he entered the Marine Corps. hopes, your dreams and plans for life. low veteran wrote this to Mr. Labonte: One day we will talk together again.” "We all miss you so. When I arrived Marine Lance Corporal Poitras in the 1st Cav 90 days after your death the was killed in Chu Lai, near Danang, by a Battalion Commander said if I were half sniper while riding shotgun on a military the soldier you were I would be great. You truck headed back to camp after a patrol. always set the bar high thenexceeded it. Because hewas the baby of the family, his He saw how wonderful you were in such loss was especially acute for the entire a short time. God Bless youin Heaven" family, according to Kenneth. The fam- His obituary in the Biddeford-Saco ily was also extremely proud of their son Journal listed his mother and father, Robert Dechene and younger brother. He received a full- Camille and Irene Cabana Labonte, who March 12, 1944 - Sept. 17, 1967† military funeral with a twenty-one gun still lived in the Mill City when their salute and his family treasured a letter son died. Because he attended paro- Robert Dechene joined the army the parents received from General Wil- chial elementary school and because he and was a helicopter pilot at the time liam Westmoreland praising Norman’s grew up in Biddeford in the 1940’s and he was killed InVietnam on September service in Vietnam and devotion to duty. 1950’s, he spoke French as a child and 17, 1967, twomonths and a day after young teenager, if not as a grown-up. arriving in-country. Born in 1944, Mr. Reynald Lepage was born on Dechene graduated from St.Louis High April 12, 1947 and died inVietnam soon School in 1962 after attending parochial after turning 20 years old – on May 25, grammar school, where instruction was in 1967. He enlisted in the Marine Corps French for almosthalf the day. He made in 1965after attending local schools theDean’s List all four years of high school and working at Snyder’s grocery store and was the treasurer of his seniorclass. on AlfredStreet and local shoe shops. At the website [ http://www. Hereceived his basic training at Camp thewall-usa.com ]www.thewall-usa. LeJeune and was then sent to Okinawa comChuck Cuttress, a veteran who wherehe broke his ankle and was fur- served with Mr. Dechene, wrote this in loughed back to the U.S. for rest and 2003: "I remember Mr. Dechene just like Roger LaBonte "Eddie" recuperation. He had been in Vietnam it was yesterday, one of the best pilots in Dec. 23, 1940 - Aug. 22, 1966† only 10 days whenhe was killed in Quang D. Company, and often relive the day of Roger Labonte, a second lieutenant Tri province by hostile ground fire. the ambush. Rest in peace Mr. Dechene. in the army reserve, wasborn in 1940 and I knew Reynald Lepage since we Mr. Cuttress’ e-mail address is [ mailto: died in Vietnam on December 8, 1966, were less than a year apartin age and [email protected] ]sittindux@yahoo. exactly twenty-five years after Franklin both grew up in a relatively small town. com Our troops were certainly in harm’s Delano Roosevelt delivered his famous We bowled together in youth leagues way in Vietnam and helicopter pilots flying “day that will live in infamy”speech. at the PastimeLanes. I remember he over heavily-forested areas could legiti- Labonte graduated from Biddeford High was a happy go-lucky kid with a ready mately have been described as sitting ducks. School in 1959, St. Dunstan’s Univer- smile who spoke French and was a com- (Continued on page 15) 14 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Vietnam Veterans his nameat [ http://www.thewall-usa. Defense which was then called Maremont continued from page 14) com ]www.thewall-usa.com try to as- Corporation, which made the M-60 ma- sure him that he is not alone or forgotten. chine gun. His father, Gerard Borduas, a World War II veteran, worked there also From a WWII /Korea War so news of his son’s death spread quickly On the page of “the wall” website Veteran Marines Daughter!~ on the plant floor. I remember visiting dedicated to Robert Dechene, below Mr. LCPL Guay ~ I never had the honor Gerard Borduas at his home on Graham Cuttress’s entry, another veteran wrote : to have known you you gave the ultimate Street later that summer and seeing a “Heroes are not Forgotten” sacrifice on June 2, 1968. I was a little photo of Raymond in his marine uni- “Poor is the Nation that has no girl then. My Father served in the Ma- form with his Purple Heart and his other Heroes,,,Shamefulis the one that, hav- rines in WWII & Korea. I wanted to thank military medals prominently displayed ing them,,,Forgets.” We never met,,,We you for your courage and bravery! Sem- nearby. The family was still grieving and answered thecall,,,We did our duty,,,Some per Fi, You Are Not Forgotten! Rest Well, his father mentioned to me that he never gave their all for a thankless Nation. and May G-D Bless you Always, Herve watched any television programs or news Gone fromthis Earth,,,But not forgotten. Jun 7, 2008 casts about the war because of the pain- Robert, May you Rest in Peace,,,Hero. ful memories they brought back to him. Biddeford’s last two combat deaths Honoring another brave Ma- Mr. Borduas graduated from St. in Vietnam occurred two days apart. rine today. I did not know you but Louis High School in1966. After attend- Herve Guay was killed on June 2, 1968 will never forget your sacrifice and ing college, heenlisted in the marines in and Raymond Borduas on June 4, 1968. service to our Country and our Corps. May 1967. He played football in high One day later, Sirhan Sirhan gunned Rest in Peace Marine. You served school on a team that won the State down Robert Kennedy. After June 4, with Honor. Semper-fi. Cpl.Harton, Championship. I remember seeing him Biddeford did not lose any more of its USMC Ret. Vietnam 1967 5th Marines often at high school dances at St. Joseph’s native sons to the Vietnam War and the Sunday, August 27, 2000 parish hall. I have spoken to a number of United States lost its most prominent his classmates who all remembered him presidential hopeful who was pledging to ANONYMOUS AND GRATEFUL fondly. It was noted in his obituary that end our involvement in that war quickly. HOW CAN ONE SO YOUNG his “cheerful disposition, uprightness and Born in 1945, Marine Lance CAN GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR THEIR devotion to duty won for him the respect Corporal Guay was killed in action just COUNTRY AND SO FEW ACKNOW- of all who knew him.” In Mr. Borduas’ two months short of his 23rd birthday in LEGE YOUR SACRIFICE. SOME OF case, these descriptions of his personality Quang Nam, South Vietnam from hostile US CARE. THANK YOU SEEMS SO and character were not merely clichés. ground fire. He had been in Vietnam for INADEQUATE BUT IS ALL I HAVE. His funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Church 9 months. The son of Narcisse Guay, Sunday, August 28, 2005 was an elaborate affair. He was buried Lance Corporal Guay, had grown upon with full military honors with the honor the eastern side of the city in St. Andre’s guard having travelled from Portsmouth, Parish. His home address listed in his New Hampshire. The Sisters of the Pre- obituary was 5 LaFayette Street, right sentation of Mary and the Brothers of off Pool Street. Inever went to school Christian Instruction who had taught him with Mr. Guay but met him through some in both French and English sent delega- classmates at St.Louis High School who tions also. It was a tragic end to what were from St. Andre’s Parish. Looking would have been a promising future. through notes that I made 40 years ago The brothers and sisters and other when reading his obituary, I had written relatives of these 6 young casualties that he was tall, friendly and spoke French. of war who no longer live in the Bid- Having grown up in Biddeford, deford area (most of Norman Poitras’ 9 which in the 1950s wascertainly more Raymond Borduas siblings live out of state, for instance) insular and not as cosmopolitan as it September 29, 1947 - June 4, 1968† can rest assured that they have not been is now (no cable TV, no TVin fact for forgotten by the area’s residents. All many of us until the mid-1950s, no in- Raymond Borduas was by far the their names appear on Biddeford’s war ternet, fewer travelopportunities), Mr. most decorated of Biddeford’scombat memorial and local veterans groups Guay must have felt a certain amount veterans. He was killed inaction at the place flags at veterans’ gravesites of culture shock and loneliness when age of 20 less than 34 days after arriving eachMemorial and Veterans’ Day. he was sent to Vietnam, even given the in country. He was awarded the Purple It is ironic that all of Biddeford’s close camaraderie of hismarine unit. His Heartposthumously on July 3, 1968 and young men who fell in Vietnam were home town in the U.S. could not have earned 6 other medals and ribbons for killed before 1969. As many readers been farther from Vietnam – some 10,000 gallantry in Vietnam. At the time he died, miles away. But the internet entries under I was working for the summer at Saco (Continued on page 16) 15 Le Forum (Vietnam Veterans from speaking French even in the school confines of the White-Anglo-Saxon continued from page 14) yard and had “spawned frustration, anger Protestant model” was finally repealed. and psychological scars among several See “The Silent Playground” generations of students” especially in by Judy and Ross Paradis in Voy- Northern Maine where it was more vigor- ages:A Maine Franco American Reader, of Le Forum know, it was in 1969 that ously enforced. Of the 343 military per- Nelson Madore and Barry Rodrigue, staterepresentatives Emilien Levesque sonnel from Maine who died in Vietnam, eds,(Tilbury House, 2007) pp. 428-440 and Leon Lebel joined state senator sixty-one had Franco surnames. They Michael Guignard, is the author ElmerViolette and presented a bill in too received a measure of vindication of La Foi- La Langue-LaCulture The- Augusta that would repeal a law, passed when this “racist” law, “greatly influence Franco-Americans of Biddeford, Maine, fiftyyears earlier (on April Fool’s Day, by the KuKlux Klan” in Maine and “a and was awarded the Georgia Trus- 1919 to be exact) that “prohibited the manifestation of the paranoia that (had) lowMemorial Award by the Biddeford useof French in public schools outside of gripped the WASP establishment in the Historical Society in 2007 for “Outstand- high school French classes.” That law, state, which was bent on suppressing the ingDedication and Service in the Pres- write Ross and JudyParadis of French- perceived threat posed by any group of ervation of Biddeford Maine History”. ville, had prevented Franco students immigrants that did not fit the narrow

Below: The names of the soldiers can be found on the Vietnam Memorial Wall and which panel of the wall the name may be located...

NORMAN GERALD JOS POITRAS ROGER EDWARD LA BONTE REYNALD GERARD LEPAGE

LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Regular 2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve PFC - E2 - Marine Corps - Regular 1st Cavalry Division Length of service 1 years Length of service 0 years Casualty was on Aug 22, 1966 Length of service 2 years Casualty was on May 25, 1967 In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM His tour began on Jul 23, 1966 In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY Casualty was on Dec 8, 1966 HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE In , SOUTH VIETNAM MISADVENTURE Body was recovered HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY Body was recovered GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE Panel 10E - Line 27 Body was recovered Panel 20E - Line 104

Panel 13E - Line 22

ROBERT NORMAND DECHENE HERVE JOSEPH GUAY RAYMOND ARTHUR BORDUAS

WO - W1 - Army - Reserve LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Regular PFC - E2 - Marine Corps - Regular

Length of service 0 years Length of service 1 years Length of service 0 years His tour began on Jul 16, 1967 His tour began on Sep 29, 1967 His tour began on May 5, 1968 Casualty was on Sep 17, 1967 Casualty was on Jun 2, 1968 Casualty was on Jun 4, 1968 In BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE MISADVENTURE OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE Body was recovered Body was recovered Body was recovered

Panel 26E - Line 83 Panel 61W - Line 12 Panel 60W - Line 8

16 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (N.D.L.R.: Ceci est le premier Par contraste, lui, était robuste, installment de « Waterbury L’exilé » large d'épaules, et je comprends qu'auprès par Alice Gélinas. Voir la prochaine de lui, elle se sentait en sécurité. En édition de Le Forum pour plus.) plus, elle paraissait bien. Il avait les ch- eveux bruns et ondulés et un beau toupet relevé. Il avait aussi une moustache. WATERBURY Lorsqu'elle allait lui aider sur la ferme, Yvonne me gardait dans la L'exilé grange, pendant qu'Irène et Armand Alice Gélinas par Alice Gélinas poursuivaient les souris des champs dans Waterbury, CT les prés. Yvonne avait environ huit ou généalogie, mes ancêtres vinrent de neuf ans. Un jour, excédée, elle donna France, sauf ma grand-mère pater- une poussée au carrosse dans lequel je nelle qui était de souche Irlandaise. Un Canadien séduit par un mirage me trouvais...Je tombais dans le foin. Papa n'a pas connu son grand- Rêvait un soir sous un bel oranger Auparavant, le père de ma mère: père Hill. Celui-ci est mort jeune. Sa Le pauvre enfant songeait à son village Alphonse Lavergne, ainsi que son femme : Phillie est décédée à l'âge de Seul , sans espoir, sous un ciel étranger épouse: Délia Blais et leurs cinq enfants vingt-six ans. Donc, la mère de papa : Son oeil errait à l'horizon de flamme avaient émigré à New-Bedford, Massa- Annie était orpheline de mère, et elle fut L'ennui, l'ennui jaillissait de son âme chussets. C'est à cet endroit que ma mère pris en élève par les Gélinas du coin du Comme captif, il se mit à chanter. est allée à lécole pour ensuite se trouver Grand-Quatre. Son père: James Hill se un emploi dans une usine de textile. remaria et alla chercher sa fille. Cinq À ma naissance, je ne pesais que cinq Grand-père Alphonse ne fig- ans plus tard, il décéda, les Gélinas l'ont livres et comme mes deux soeurs aînees : ure pas parmi les noms de la pa- accueillie de nouveau et l'ont gardée Yvonne et Irène, j'avais les cheveux roux. roisse de St-Sévère, mais je sais que jusqu'à son mariage avec Elie Gélinas, J'étais la cinquième de la famille. J'avais c'est là que la famille a été élevée. son petit-cousin, car leurs pères étaient un frère plus grand que moi : Armand, Ils ont dû partir de là encore cousins-germains. Avec une dispense, Henri n'avait vécu que quelques mois. jeunes car ses enfants sont tous nés on pouvait se marier entre petits-cousins. J'ai marché sur le tard, mais on à St-Mathieu. Maman est venue au Ils sont allés demeurer à St-Ma- m'a dit que j'ai rampé très tôt et que monde en 1886. Nous en savons tou- thieu et c'est là que mon père est né. j'aimais barboter dans la cuvette rem- jours moins sur le côté des femmes, car Quand ils ont eu la chance de plie d'eau, éclaboussant le plancher. elles perdaient leur nom en se mariant. revenir au Grand-Quatre, elle a été très Ma mère mettait fina à mes ébats, Après quelques années aux États heureuse, car Annie s'ennuyait sans m'assoyait sur le lit pour me sécher. Unis, la famille revint à St-Mathieu en bon sens, à St-Mathieu, son chez elle, Je piquais une grosse colère, et je lui 1907. Ils se sont établis sur une terre. son monde, c'était le Grand-Quatre. criais des noms. Ell trouvait ça drôle. Mon grand-père paternel: (Suite page 32) Mes parents possédaient une terre Elie Gélinas et sa femme Annie Hill dans le Petit-Quatre à St-Boniface. Nous avaient une ferme à St-Boniface. avion l'espace et la liberté. La vie s'écoulait J'ignore en quelle circonstance, simplement et nous étions heureux. mes parents se sont rencontrés car ils Ma mère était une brunette aux n'habitaient pas la même paroisse. yeux bleus. Mon père l'aimait infiniment. Pour la compréhension de la

Mes parents: Élizée Gélinas & Dézolina Lavergne La maison ou je suis née 17 Le Forum his speech on Franco-American history were State Attorney General Richard Franco-American Day at the Blumenthal, State Sen. Donald Williams (D-29th Dis.), State Comptroller Nancy Connecticut State Capitol Wyman, Former State Sen. Billy Ciotto represented U.S. Rep. John Larson (D- 1st Dis.), and Ellen Paul represented Text and Photos by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, (D- 2nd Dis.). Albert J. Marceau, Newington, CT Fr. Alvin J. Leblanc of St. Ann’s Church in Bristol led the opening and Franco-American Day was cel- quis de Lafayette (whose field cot was closing prayers for the ceremony. ebrated on Tues. June 24, 2008 in the Hall on display in the Hall of Flags), E.I. du “The Star-Spangled Banner” was of Flags in the Connecticut State Capitol Pont, Paul Revere, John C. Garand and sung by Kimberly Jacques, and Kenny with speeches, music and food, from Augustin “Lefty” Dugas. State Rep. Brand sang “Gens du Pays,” accompa- 11AM to 1PM. State Sen. Gary LeBeau, Morin read Gov. Jodi Rell’s proclama- nied by Scott Drouin on guitar. Tradi- (D-3rd Dis.), of East Hartford and his tion. The representative of the Quebec tional French-Canadian fiddle music staff organized the event, as well as the Government to New England, France was performed by Daniel Boucher, aid of State Rep. Russell Morin (D-28th Dionne, also gave a speech. Helene La- Collette Fournier, Raymond Pelletier, Dis.) of Wethersfield, and Helene La- brecque gave a fun speech that honored and Donna Hebert. While the fiddle brecque of the Ladies Guild at the French all who came to the event, for she read music played, refreshments were served Social Circle in East Hartford. Approxi- their names, alphabetically by surname. which featured meat pie and there was a mately 150 people attended the event, Susan Paquette, the President of the contest who cooked the best sugar pie. according to State Sen. LeBeau’s office. French-Canadian Genealogical Society The Franco-American Day at State Sen. LeBeau gave the main of Connecticut, was the last speaker the Connecticut State Capitol was speech that was a brief chronology of before the refreshments were served. enjoyable, and after the festivi- famous French persons in either U.S. The other elected officials who ties, there were tours of the build- or Connecticut history, such as the Mar- gave speeches before Sen. LeBeau gave ing for those who attended the event. “State Sen. Gary Le- Beau (D-3rd Dis.) of East Hartford, reads a procla- mation during the ceremo- nies of Franco-American Day in the Hall of Flags in the Conn. State Capitol. Standing next to him is Helene Lebrecque of the Ladies Guild of the French Social Circle. Seated are “Scott Drouin plays the guitar while State Rep. Russell Morin Kenny Brand sings “Gens du pays” by (D-28th Dis.) of Wethers- Gilles Vigneault, as the flag of Quebec is field, Fr. Alvin LeBlanc of raised on the Connecticut State Capitol.” St. Ann Church in Bristol, Conn., and France Dionne, Rep. of the Quebec Govern- ment to New England.” “Susan Paquette, President of the French- Canadian Genealogical Society of Conn., ad- dresses the audience for Franco-American Day “ T h e Q u e - about the Henri E. Car- bec Flag flies on the rier Memorial Library Conn. State Capitol.” of the FCGSC, and how one’s own family history is history unto itself.”

18 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER for Paul Keroack [No.157 FCGSC] ...,” 25 Years of the FCGSC: since he was nominated as Vice-President Part Four, Profiles of Two of the Nine Founders of the society. Both Billig and Keroack and eight others were elected to their of- fices by one vote, that of the Recording By Albert J. Marceau, Newington, CT Secretary, since there were no contests for the open offices. On Sat. June 6, 1992, Laurette Billig was re-elected for a two- In the previous installment in Le Sun. May 19, 1985, she was re-elected year term to the office during the General Forum, dated Spring/Summer 2008, as the Corresponding Secretary in the Membership Meeting, called the “Tenth three of the five living founders of the FCGSC election held at the FSC. On Sat. Annual Meeting,” held in the Old Tolland French-Canadian Genealogical Society June 7, 1986, she was re-elected as the County Courthouse, as reported by Rec. of Connecticut were profiled, namely Corresponding Secretary in the FCGSC Sec. Wood in the unpublished meeting Paul Hebert, Leon Guimond and Marcel election held at the South Windsor Public minutes of the FCGSC. The General Guerard. In the Fall/Winter 2007 issue of Library. On Sat. May 16, 1987, in the Membership Meeting of Sat. June 11, Le Forum, the then four deceased found- first election of the FCGSC held in the 1994 did not have an election of officers, ers of the FCGSC were profiled, namely Old Tolland County Courthouse, Henri as reported by Rec. Sec. Dianne B. Lenti Ethel Hodgdon, Paul Quintin, Lorraine Carrier was elected as the Corresponding (No. 533 FCGSC), in the unpublished Rivers Harlow and Henri E. Carrier. In Secretary, and to quote the report from the meeting minutes of the society. John J. the current installment of the series, the Connecticut Maple Leaf, Summer 1987: Spaulding (No. 858 FCGSC) replaced remaining two of the nine found- Laurette Billig as a Director, ers are profiled – Laurette Dugas although it is not clear as to Billig and Lionel DeRagon. when the change occurred. On The Genealogist, Feb. the inside front cover of the 1979). In the same issue of The Winter 1993 Connecticut Maple Genealogist, one can read the Leaf (CML), there were eight names of two other founders of directors listed, one of whom the FCGSC – Lionel DeRagon is Laurette Billig, and on the in- (No. 857) and Henri Carrier side front cover of the Summer (No. 865). Other founders of the 1994 CML, seven of the eight FCGSC who were members of directors are the same, with the the ACGS before they founded exception of Laurette Billig, the FCGSC are Lorraine Har- whose name does not appear low No. 12, Leon Guimond No. on the new list, and is replaced 577, Marcel Guerard No. 1234, by that of John J. Spaulding. and Paul Quintin No. 1235. The last time Laurette Billig’s Laurette Dugas Billig is name is cited in the unpub- listed as a Director on the In- “Robert Caron and Laurette Dugas Billig, Sept. 24, lished meeting minutes of the corporation Papers of July 17, 1989, FCGSC Archives, DeRagon Collection.” FCGSC are those of the Board 1981 for the FCGSC, and on of Governors Meeting for Sept. the earliest surviving membership list of “President Henri E. Carrier (#1), who 18, 1993, in which she is listed as absent September 1981, she is listed as member now calls Tolland his home of record, will with three other directors. The first time No. 7 of the society. Both sources list take over the duties of [the] Correspond- John Spaulding’s name is cited in the her home address as South Windsor, ing Secretary in September, replacing our unpublished meeting minutes are those Conn. On Sun. Sept. 19, 1982, she was own Laurette Dugas Billig (#7).” For the of the Staff Meeting Notes for April 16, elected to the office of Director in the next four years, Laurette Billig did not 1994, in which he is cited as: “... currently first election of officers for the FCGSC, hold any elected office at the FCGSC. working [on] data entry of obituaries, and held at the French Social Circle (FSC) Laurette Dugas Billig was elected [the] library card catalog.” Spaulding’s on 981 Park Street in Hartford. On Sun. again as a Director of the FCGSC on name appears among the directors of the Sept. 25, 1983, she was re-elected to the Sat. June 1, 1991, as reported by Re- FCGSC in the “Staff Meeting Notes of same office in the second election of the cording Secretary Joan B. Wood (No. Sept. 10, 1994” and the minutes of the FCGSC, again held at the FSC. On Sat. 480 FCGSC) in the unpublished meet- Board of Directors Meeting of Sept. 10, May 19, 1984, she was elected to the ing minutes of the society. The General 1994, both taken on the same day by office of Corresponding Secretary in the Membership Meeting was held in the Old Rec. Sec. Lenti. The change in officers third election of the FCGSC, held at the Tolland County Courthouse, and Rec. became official at the General Member- East Hartford Public Library, as reported Sec. Wood noted: “Laurette Billig was ship Meeting of Sat. Oct. 1, 1994, when in the FCGSC Newsletter, Aug. 1984. On nominated to complete a one year term (Continued on page 35) 19 Le Forum As time passed, new equipment was on Before we went to mass on Sunday The Germain Saga the market. In 1939, Dad bought a new morning, we chased and caught a chicken by tractor. Horses were no longer needed or two for our dinner. It was really fresh! S. Ella Marie to do the heavy work. The Minneapolis- Mom was an excellent cook, but Germain, CSJ Moline tractor was the power that saved she was also a top seamstress. The Sixth Installment time and did the work more efficiently. WHITE sewing machine was operated by Hand milking 33 cows twice a day a foot pedal. Sometimes in the evening was a cooperative effort shared by all who when all the children were sound asleep, were old enough to do so. Sometimes the Mom would sew until midnight to make work was fun. Delore always sang as something new for us. How happy we he milked cows. The milk flowed fast were to don a new outfit for Easter! or slowly according to the tempo of the Besides the housework – cooking, song. Andrew was a perfect milk squirter. cleaning, washing, and taking care of the He aimed at me. My response was a fast children. Mom did the gardening and chase around the farm yard until Andrew canning. She also helped Delore and An- was caught and given a few punches. drew raise turkeys. The little money she Grandpa Beseau and the boys made was spent on house improvements. helped Dad chop wood, and pile it There were hard times in the late southeast of the shed. It was great twenties and early thirties. During the fun climbing up the mountain-like Great Depression every member of the woodpile. Aunt Noray, who was our family old enough to work, did their age, joined us in our wood games. share to earn a little money. Among the Our Hilly Farm Mom spent many hours each day delicacies in some restaurant in Somerset cooking and baking. Every week she were frog legs. In the swampy areas, not Because there was a lot of baked fourteen loves of bread. Coming far from home, big frogs were plentiful. work involved in farming 240 acres home from school we could smell the Delore, Andrew, Claire, and myself were of land, Dad had hired help. Mixed freshly baking bread. We ran into the expert frog catchers. When one was farming – hay, alfalfa, growing crops kitchen where Mom had buttered slices sighted, it was important to quietly and of wheat, oats, barley, corn, raising for us. She made the best soup in our quickly grab the slimy creature and bag 33 milking cows, chickens, turkeys largest kettle. By the end of the meal it. Before long, our gunny sacks were etc – demanded long hours of work. we could see the bottom. For breakfast full, and the frogs were turned in for Land breaking forty acres required we often had piles of crêpes, suzettes, or cash -- 20¢ a lb. It took many frogs to eight horses at the plow. Dad, the French toast. Other favorites were: la make a pound, but the work was also fun. hired man, Delore, and Andrew were grosse crêpe, dumplings, floating islands finally able to get the job done. Ruta- (des oeufs à la neige), Turkey with Mom's Fun Times Together baga seeds were thrown by hand on the delicious dressing. Her baked beans freshly turned land. The soil was rich were her specialty, and her pies were the Every season on the farm had and produced an abundance of large tasty best - lemon, raisin, strawberry, rhubarb, something special for us to enjoy. In the rutabagas. One cellar room was filled apple, raspberry, and meat pie (tourtière). fall, we looked for hazelnuts. Aunt Naray to the brim. In the fall, wagon loads of Everyone, especially the children loved and Uncle Phil (our age) came with us in this vegetable were sold in New Rich- her molasses cookies. Barbara Germain search for these nuts-bearing trees. We mond, Somerset, and even in St. Paul. Turner is keeping up the tradition. From came back with several gunny sacks full. “ M o m , w h a t d o w e Grandma Germain's recipe, she makes The Sacks were hoisted onto the flat roof have for dinner?” we asked. molasses cookies exactly like Mom's. of the chicken coop where the nut clusters “Rutabagas today,” she answered. were spread over the roof to dry. Later, we “ A n d t o m o r - had a shelling party with visions of winter row?” the boys demanded. evenings by the fire where the cracking “Rutabagas with pota - of nuts alternated with the crackling fire. toes and gravy,” Mom responded. The good times our family en- “And the day after?” shouted the girls. joyed together were an important part Mom smiled and said, “Po- of out lives. What made them special tatoes, gravy, and rutabagas.” We was the fact that both Mom and Dad ate a lot of them that year. had fun with us. Winter evening were When Dad began farming in 1913, spent in a variety of ways. We did gym- nastics and tricks with Dad. He passed there were no gang plows, combines, or Joshua Germain with a tractors. Farming involved hard work. molasses cookie. (Continued on page 21) 20 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Germain Saga continued from page 20) sewed for days to make something new After a delicious meal and visiting with a broom stick under him in one sweep, for us to wear on Easter. Back home our cousins, we went to watch an Indian as he lay on the floor face down. We from church, the younger ones around pow-wow. We had never seen Indians admired his agility, but could not do it. the yard looking for Easter Rabbit eggs! before. The costumes and dances were Only after the homework was com- During the summer, the family an interesting insight into their culture. pleted were we allowed to play cards with looked forward to the weekly Saturday Dad bought a Shetland pony named Dad. Five hundred or cocu were the fa- swim as River Dale. Each one found a Speed for Leo, Dennis, and Ralph. He was vorite games. Another popular fame was bush for a dressing room. We enjoyed an interesting pet who sometimes played Old Maid. Matching the cards with funny watching Dad swim under the water. tricks on the boys. Speed wouldn’t move. Washing clothes was a chore which names brought on fits of laughter - Ivah One day Andrew came home to visit. lasted hours. Many loads of laundry Lipstick, Jasbo Jackson, Sally Splash, etc. He said. “I’ll show you how to ride Winter sports were special in our had to be washed by using a machine family. As we lived on a very hilly farm, that was hand operated. In the fall of him.” Speed took off, and then skiing and tobogganing were part of our 1925, we came home from school to stopped abruptly, throwing An- special activities. Delore and Andrew find a new Maytag. We joined hands drew in the air several yards away. built a ski jump at the bottom of our and danced around it singing, “We Family reunions are happy occa- highest hill. Andrew went down first have a Maytag, we have a Maytag.” sions when everyone comes back to the and yelled, “Ella, I dare you to come Birthday celebrations in our fam- farm with happy grandchildren. Mom down.” I work the dare and flew down ily were during March and through the and Dad spent days preparing for the day. over the ski jump, and made a perfect month of August. To go with Dad to They bought groceries, set up the pins landing. “Wow,” echoed in the valley. New Richmond was a treat. The one for the horseshoe game, and checked the Before Lent began, there were sev- celebrating had the joy of choosing volleyball net. All enjoyed the delicious eral days of neighborhood parties which and paying for a box of cracker jacks meal, played games, sang and remi- lasted until the wee hours of the morning. for one nickel. Back home everyone nisced. Sometimes the family meets to Uncle Fred played the accordion and the watched the opening of the box, and play pauper’s poker, 500, or cribbage. It violin, and Dad sang the square dance the excitement of finding the prize. is great just being together. The evening calls. We sang and danced all through Once a year during the summer usually ends by singing songs we learned the night. On Ash Wednesday everyone our family went to visit Tante Louise from Mom and Dad’s rich repertoire. went to church to receive ashes on their and Oncle Baribeau in Georgetown, Swings are popular with children, forehead and to begin the forty days Wisconsin, about 50 miles away. We but on our farm, they were part of our of penance in preparation for Easter. left early in the morning to arrive on time special fun. Dad tied a rope to a strong Easter Sunday was a day to re- for Mass in a small church in Balsam branch, and cut a board with notches joice, “The Lord is Risen.” Mom had Lake. An Indian priest was the celebrant. on each end. We sat comfortable and securely on the board and swung high and low. There were also tire swings and four seated lawn swings. For the daring and adventurous, there was the big swing in the barn. When there was no straw in the barn, we used the big rope for this swing. Holding onto the large rope, we swung across the whole width of the barn, then back up again to the elevated platform. What a thrill! Swinging high in the air gave up a feeling of freedom. It was a fun day when Mom’s brother, Uncle Phil, and his wife, Aunt Bernice, and their eleven children came over for a picnic. As they lived in town, the day on the farm with the cousins was a treat. Mom prepared a feast which included her delicious pies. Joe and Patrick tip-toed to get a good glimpse of the pies lined up on the buffet.

Front: Ralph, Dad, Mom, Dennis, Claire, Leo, Ella, Delore Back: Rita, Urban, Andrew, Mae (Continued on page 22)

21 Le Forum (Germain Saga continued from page 21) a solitary life. Although he never Pictured below is cousin Joe LaVenture today, his wife Col- went to school, he learned to read, to leen, and S. Ella Marie. Colleen and Joe, Associates of the Sisters of write, and to do arithmetic by himself. St. Joseph, attended the weekend meeting held in Brainard, Minnesota. Every morning and evening, during the summer, he could be seen milking his cow in the open pasture. If anyone happened to come by, especially women, the cow literally went wild. At the sight of strange creatures, in colored skirts, she took off and dashed to the top of the nearest hill where she remained until the coast was clear. Early in the morn- ing, Uncle went to town in his buggy to sell milk, eggs, and vegetables. On his way home, he stopped at our house. Invariably, he delivered a sermon in French, loudly and forcefully. We, the children, didn't understand a word of it, but we listened and waited for the end. Room For More There was one room in Uncle's house to which he did not admit any- Although our home was a small boys and Rita were there also. They felt one. It was his oratory. He spent one, and our family was large, there very sad to see Pépère die. Dennis cried much of his time praying to God and was always room for one more. After so much. He just couldn't get over it. praising our Blessed Mother. Here he the death of Grandma Beseau, our great Uncle Fred, Dad's brother, and wrote letters, treatises worthy of the The Isidore Grandpa Beseau was lonely. He came Aunt Josephine Germain, lived one pen of a learned ascetic. I still have to our house, and stayed with us often. mile from us. With a large family tin two of these ten page letters written By Beverly Sheresh A kind and loving person, Grandpa was the Depression years, it was difficult to me in French on spiritual topics. Bonita, CA most welcome in our family. In his for them. Their eldest daughter, Elsie, This religious sense of his did not knapsack there was a bag of peppermints wanted to go to high school, but she had in any way prevent him from being jo- for Tennis (Dennis), Ladeo (Leo), and no means of transportation. Mom and vial. He loved music, and often played Petit Rat (Ralph). Grandpa had some Dad offered to have Elsie stay with us the violin which he learned by himself. extra candy for Tennis, his favorite one for the school year. Her parents accepted Uncle spent the last years of his -- probably because he was small and the generous offer, and we were happy. life at our home where Mother and Dad sickly. Mom put the bag of goodies in Grandma Germain, Dad's mother, took good care of him. There he lived the cupboard to be served after dinner. lived at our house for years. In order peacefully, and waited for the final call. In his younger days, Grandpa had to find room for her, the pantry was Uncle died a the age of 93. Mom and worked in the woods. He continued converted into a bedroom. Kitchen cup- Dad lived the words of Jesus, "What you his liking for the outdoors. When- boards were built, which freed the space do to the least of mine, you do to me." for Grandma's room. In the wintertime, ever he came to our house, he always Great Grandpa Isidore Beseau & The door of her room had to be left open brought his ax with him. Grandpa Great Grandma Matilda Letourneau to get heat from the kitchen. With her chopped piles of wood for our winter use. circa. 1924 On January 20, 1936, Grandpa bed, a small dresser, and her rocking who was living with his daughter, chair, Grandma was happy to be with us, Grandma Laventure, became very sick and we enjoyed having her. Grandma with a cold. This later developed into was a quiet person, but her presence was pneumonia. Grandpa told Dennis, "I warm and loving. During a visit with her am going to die soon. You will pray for daughter, Josephine Belisle, Grandma fell Pépère." He had so much love for Den- and broke her hip. From this, she never nis. After seeing him, Dad suggested recovered. She died at the age of 93. that the priest be called. The priest heard We missed her at our house because she his confession, gave him Holy Com- had been part of our family for so long. munion, and Extreme Unction. Mom Uncle Adolphus, Mom's bachelor stayed by his bedside from Saturday uncle, also found refuge in our house (N.D.L.R. See next issue for the evening until Sunday evening when he when he was older. Most people like seventh installment of the Germain died at the age of 86. The three little being with others, but Uncle preferred Saga by S. Ella Marie Germain, CSJ.) 22 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER ethnic groups join their host society. He BOOKS/LIVRES... Loyal but French argues that, for more than a century, the The Negotiation of Identity by French- Canadians in Lewiston, Maine, French-Canadian Descendants pursued the twin objectives of ethnic in the United States preservation and acculturation. These were not separate goals but rather intertwined processes. Underscored Mark Paul Richard with statistics compiled by the author, Loyal but French portrays the French- By focusing on patterns of im- Canadian history of Lewiston, from the migration and acculturation in a small 1880s through the 1990s, in this light. industrial city in the northeastern With a wealth of data, the insights of a United States, Mark Paul Richard off professional historian, and the sensitivity ers a noteworthy look at the ways in of a “local,” Richard offers a new con- which French-Canadians negotiated ceptualization of ways that immigrants their identity in the United States and become “Americans.”Mark Paul Richard provides new insights into the ways Paperback Edition: in which immigrants “Americanize.” Mark Paul Richard is the as- Notes, references, index (S) Richard’s work challenges pre- sociate director of the Center for the world rights vailing notions of “assimilation.” As he Study of Canada/Institute on Que- 384 pp., 6 “ x 9 “, November 2008 shows, “acculturation” better describes bec Studies at the State University paper, $34.95 the roundabout process by which some of New York College at Plattsburgh. 0-87013-837-5 978-0-87013-837-9 This happened long before Cape Neddick The Isidore lighthouse was built. A tragic event but not uncommon in those days. But the By Beverly Sheresh fascinating story about this happening Bonita, CA was the legend that followed. Stories Hebert's General Store...that's where about a phantom ship circulated among the old men gathered...fishermen, farm- the locals. The Isidore is seen sailing ers, mill workers settled in creaky chairs along the Maine coast with the crew around Hebert's pot belly stove. With visible on the deck, staring close ahead. bay rum pipe smoke rising like sea smoke The ship is so damaged that one can see above them, they talked of the old days. through its stern to the other side. And Old man Hebert welcomed these then, as if that apparition had never oc- men for he had adventures of his own to curred, the ship mysteriously disappears. share, from his days in the Merchant Ma- A n d o n o f t h o s e w h o JIM BISHOP READS, by Jim rine. Hebert kept a large glass jar filled claimed to have seen this, about Bishop; Vox Audio, Magda- with pickled eggs on hand plus a barrel this time last year, was Jill's father. lena, N.M., 2007; CD, $7. of dill pickles and a supply of beef jerky, He'd come home early that day, for those whose teeth could cope with it. and so quiet...not like him. He'd slumped “Jim Bishop Reads,” a recording of Jill's father was a loy - into a kitchen chair a fit out of breath. 23 poems made in 2006 by Univer- al member of that group and she "I saw it!" he said. sity of Maine. Most of the poems was glad that he had that outlet. "What did you see?" on this CD are from Bishop’s book On days like this in early Decem- "The Isidore!" “Mother Tongue,” published in Port- ber, with the snow biting at the windows "Pa!" land by Contraband Press in 1975. and the wind moaning, the undying He paused to get his breath. "Her legend of the Isidore emerged once sails were aflappin' in the wind and I could Jim Bishop lives in Bangor and again. Back in 1842, the Isidore, a four see those men on her deck! Kinda scary! still teaches part time at the Uni- masted barque was scheduled to sail on I just stood there alookin' when along versity of Maine. The CD is avail- it maiden voyage, from Kennebunkport came this yahoo in a power boat. And she able from Vox Audio, P.O. Box and headed for New Orleans. Not long was gone, like she'd never been there." 594, Magdalena, N.M. 87825. after leaving port, the ship foundered He looked up at her, the color in a raging snow storm and crashed on finally coming back to his cheeks. the rocks at Bald Head Cliffs in York. "Whew" he said as he pulled off All aboard perished in those icy waters. (Continued on page 51) 23 Le Forum POÉSIE/ In Good Company to track my first ankle-tugged POETRY I stay the night vinyl-girdled I Know Something on Main Street win-cuffed steps Good About You at Presque Isle's onto Old North Eastland Hotel that clear blue Wouldn’t this old world be better, in a bed with bad springs. top-crust of ice If the folks we meet would say, ‘I know something good about you’, four feet thick And then treat us just that way. In the morning two miles across I descend six miles down Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy, quarter turn the Valley–– If each handclasp warm and true, by Carried with it this assurance, ‘I know something good about you’. quarter turn No one the antique in a long year. Wouldn’t things here be more pleasant, staircase If the good that’s in all, and then by Paul Cormier Were the only things about us, I roar up to the lake That folks bothered to recall. to stand by myself (About Paul: Paul was born in all alone Auburn, Maine. He currently resides Wouldn’t life be lots more happy, in Northern Virginia where he is en- If we’d praise the good we see, in the Greater Roar joying a succesful real estate practice For there’s such a lot of goodness, in front of and in his spare time writes poetry. In the worst of you and me. dawn's hard However, his heart remains in Aroostook County (Maine) where he Wouldn’t it be nice to practice, white Ultima Thule, in thermals has summered since his youth where This fine way of thinking too-- he maintains deep and intimate roots.) ‘You know something good about me, and snow duster I know something good about you!’

~Author unknown~ L’importance “Ceux qui perdent la langue, per- dent la foi” –French-Candian Proverb de la Nourriture

Enter stranger, friend Vivre La Survivance Boys will by the kitchen, take their families where the perpetual pot The Mother is the lynch pin to Mass on Sundays, of soup rests on the back burner on her hinges all tradition, play at cards, of the big blacked bellied children imitate her language, take vows of abstinence cook stove perfect learn their prayers for cooking ployes any time from whiskey of day from her lips. to gain His favor.

You are welcome Girls will cook Language is human at the table, the hot center the dishes she makes, expression of religion, of conversation dress like she does, and worn surface of personal communications endless games of Charlemagne, keep house the same, with Devine, Tortiere, pâté chinois, chicken stew recite the rosary. which unvoiced is lost. or vielle pleine de bavardage, you will leave full. ~by/par Danielle Laliberté~ ~by/par Danielle Laliberté~ 24 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER THE SPIRIT IN THE POÉSIE/ VIOLIN CASE (A tribute to my Papa) ©2005 POETRY A spirit lives in the elegant brown violin That inhabits the velvet violin case Leaning against the wall In my living room. Eugène & Lucie Therrien It's an indomitable spirit Photo by Kevin Pehr That plays quadrilles and rigodoons The fiddler's jaw moves up and down to the rhythm REFRAIN DES ONDES His feet clog for percussion As he sits in a rugged wooden chair. Refrain des ondes Baume pour mes senses My whole being is vibrating with joie-de-vivre. Tu bats une cadence The magical tunes transform me into Profonde, dans mon coeur A three year old bursting with excitement Sitting at the fiddlers' jigging feet. Tu apportes la paix Dans ma vie solitaire The key, most certain to be do or sol, is of no consequence. Tu réveilles un amour A free-spirited improviser, he plays by ear Profon, de la nature Unaware of confinements of time and key signatures Or rules dictating Bach's measures. Dans des crêtes écumeuses Tu m'apportes de la joie The bow stands inert in the violin case, next to the rosin Tu chasses mes soucis But I can see it frantically Et me conne le repos, merci. Sliding up and down with virtuosity Guided over the strings, by a tireless arm. Si mes jours s'achèvent Dans cet endroit enchanteur It's a spirit that makes me laugh Je veux que mon âme demeure With memories of dancing couples, rolled up rugs Sur ces revages rocheux. And furniture pushed against the wall Swing la bécause et rentre la boîte à bois!* As men twirl women in crinolined skirts and do-si-do. SONG OF THE WAVES It's a spirit that makes my heart ache Song of the waves With memories of languid "complaintes" in minor melodies Balm to my senses The "bon vivant' bearing his soul: "Un jour à la fois..." You beat a rhythm "One day at a time..." No more jaw or feet accompaniment Deep in my heart Only transparent pain on his face. You bring a peace To my lonely life. Papa sent his violin to live with me You wake a love of His arm too fragile to bow anymore Nature profound But our kindred spirits dance every day To the jig that flows from the beautiful violin In your foamy crest, That lives in the velvet cast You bring me joy at best Leaning against the wall You take away my care In my living room. And give me rest If, someday my life ends, *Swing the back house and bring in the wood box. In this place so fair by Lucie Therrien I want my soul to rest Note: This poem was included in a book by chan- On these rocky shores. teuse and recording artist Lucie Therrien. The book was published in the Spring of 2008, and contains her Mémoirs, ~by/par Adrienne Pelletier LePage~ French-Canadian traditions, as well as a CD in the cover with songs and poetry. Visit Lucie's website: www.LucieT.com 25 Le Forum upon many of the indigenous civilizations militarization such as the Vietnam, Columbus Day that were already living here, who were Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraqi Celebrates practicing their own World Views. For wars/conflicts. Consequently, coloni- those of you who don’t already know, zation has produced a mass amnesia Genocide indigenous peoples are the original in- where western society as a whole does habitants of a particular land or territory. not have clarity and cannot see the truth. By Virginia Sand (Bangor, Columbus and his men, in their Therefore, in confronting the problems of greed for gold, enslaved indigenous men, Maine U.S.A) contemporary times we must go back in women, and children, raped indigenous time and in history to look at what is at women, and cut off the hands of those the root of these problems. We have all I can’t believe we just celebrated native peoples who were not able to find been taught an inaccurate history. There another Columbus Day. If we needed gold for them. Columbus cut off the ears are alternate versions and experiences another National Holiday for the purpose and noses of the Tainos people whom he of history that need to be transmitted, of securing another long weekend, why accused of stealing, after he stole every- heard, and seen. In the Americas, co- didn’t we name it “Native American thing from them. With dogs, he hunted lonialism changed ways of understand- Day?” After all, Christopher Columbus down and killed any Tainos people ing, ways of being, ways of seeing; almost wiped out one Native American who resisted colonization and slavery. what’s good, what’s bad. The whole Nation through genocidal acts, the Tainos Recently, I came to the realization cosmic view was shattered and changed. people of Hispaniola. Certainly, in Eu- that nothing has really changed on this Though this myth of Christopher rope, no one celebrates the Holocaust or continent since Columbus arrived here Columbus has been taught in our schools Auschwitz, where thousands of innocent in 1492. The same perceptions and at- for generations now, the truth about Co- people were abused and put to death titudes still exist in contemporary times lumbus has always been known, yet kept (including women and children) because to the point where the colonization of hidden. It’s even there in the Columbus of their ethnicity or religious beliefs? our minds is still ongoing: rape and travel logs; the abuse and atrocities that Well, that is what Christopher Columbus oppression of women; using women as Columbus inflicted upon kind, generous brought to the Americas (Turtle Island); scapegoats; and controlling and dominat- indigenous peoples who graciously wel- the exact same thing! It was an invasion ing other peoples and countries through (Continued on page 27)

pratiquaient leurs propres vues mondia- et en dominant les autres gens/peuples Le Jour les. Pour ceux qui ne savent pas, les gens et pays par la militarisation telle que les Columbus Célèbre indigènes sont les habitants originaux ou guerres du Vietnam, du Golfe Persique, les premières gens dans une terre par- d’Afghanistan, et d’Irak. Par conséquent, le Génocide ticulière ou dans un territoire déterminé. la colonisation a crée une grosse am- Columbus et ses hommes, à leur nésie où la société occidentale n’a pas Par Virginie Sand cupidité d’or, ont réduit les hommes de clarté et ne voit pas de vérité. Donc, indigènes, les femmes indigènes, et les (Bangor, Maine, U.S.A.) en confrontant les problèmes des temps enfants indigènes, ont infligé le viol contemporains nous devons reculer au sexuel contre les femmes indigènes, temps et à l’histoire pour trouver les rai- Je ne peux pas croire que nous ve- et ont coupé les mains de ces gens sons de ces problèmes. Nous tous avons nons de célébrer un autre jour Columbus. aborigènes qui ne trouvaient pas d’or appris une histoire inexacte. Il y a des Si nous avions besoin d’une autre fête na- pour Columbus. En plus, Columbus a versions et des expériences alternatives tionale pour se saisir d’un autre week-end coupé les oreilles et les nez des personnes qui doivent être transmises, entendues, et long, pourquoi est-ce que nous ne l’avons Tainos aussitôt qu’il a cru qu’ils volaient, vues. Aux Amériques, le colonialisme a pas appelée « Le Jour Américain Na- après il a volé toutes les choses d’eux. changé les manières de comprendre, les tif ? » Après tout, Christophe Columbus En outre, avec les chiens, Columbus a manières d’être, les manières de voir ; a presque exterminé le peuple Tainos de chassé et a tué tous les gens Tainos qui ce qui est bon, ce qui est mal. La grande « Hispaniola. » Certainement, en Eu- ont résistés la colonisation et l’esclavage. vue cosmique a été fracassée et changée. rope, personne ne célèbre l’holocauste Récemment, je suis venue à la Même si le mythe de Christophe Nazi ou Auschwitz, où des milliers des réalisation que rien n’a vraiment changé Columbus est appris dans nos écoles gens innocents étaient maltraités et tués, sur ce continent-ci depuis Columbus est depuis beaucoup de générations, la vé- y compris les femmes et les enfants à arrivé ici en 1492. Les mêmes percep- rité de Columbus était toujours connue. cause de leurs croyances ethniques et reli- tions et attitudes existent toujours dans Elle est même dans les lochs de Colum- gieuses ? Eh bien, Christophe Columbus les temps contemporains au point où bus ; tous les abus et les atrocités que a apporté la même chose aux Amériques la colonisation de nos esprits/cerveaux Columbus a infligées contre un peuple (l’Île-de-Tortue), le génocide. C’était une continue encore : le viol sexuel et généreux qui lui a donné à bras ouverts invasion sur beaucoup de civilisations l’oppression des femmes ; en utilisant indigènes, qui demeuraient déjà ici, qui les femmes comme les boucs émissaires ; (Suite page 27) 26 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Columbus Day Celebrates Genocide Moreover, in referring to all indigenous peoples worldwide from future inva- continued from page 26) North Americans as “Indians,” it further sions, exploitation, assimilation, and comed Columbus and his men when they stripped each Native American Nation racism, among other significant things. first made their presence in the Americas. of its distinct identity, where each indig- This important Declaration came about Consequently, Columbus did not discover enous civilization in the Americas has its as a way to restore much of what was America. For example, would you dare own unique name, culture, and language. taken from indigenous civilizations to venture into someone’s backyard, tell For example, I am not “Indian.” during past invasions and colonization, everyone that you discovered it, and then I am Mi’kmaq (Micmac), with my own including their ancestral homelands. claim it in your own name or in someone World View and language that is differ- Finally, because I support diversity, else’s name? Well, that’s exactly what ent than other Native American Nations I suggest that we re-name Columbus Day Columbus did! In stealing the home- on Turtle Island. My ancestors lived on as “Native American Day!” After all, lands of Native Nations in the Americas, Turtle Island for thousands of years be- didn’t Christopher Columbus go around Columbus re-named them in the name fore Columbus ever stepped foot on this re-naming indigenous peoples and their of the Spanish Crown. In claiming and continent. Therefore, I refuse to celebrate homelands? It would therefore be fair re-naming lands on this continent, Co- Columbus Day, because it would mean to re-name Columbus Day as Native lumbus made it look like no one inhabited celebrating the abuse and annihilation of American Day. Then we would all still the Americas, when in fact, there were the indigenous peoples of the Americas. enjoy a long weekend, plus be able to over 500 indigenous Nations living here. So why does the United States celebrate the survival of the many indig- Columbus even “re-named” the peoples choose to celebrate a myth (Columbus enous peoples and cultures that still live of the Americas as “Indians,” because he Day)? In the same way that the U.S. on Turtle Island, contributing a wealth of thought that he landed in India; a name has refused to sign the United Nations diversity on this continent. Let’s stop liv- that unfortunately stuck as part of the Declaration on the Rights of Indig- ing a myth and start moving into reality. myth. How could such a grave mistake enous Peoples? This is a Declaration go uncorrected for more than 500 years? which is supposed to protect indigenous (Le Jour Columbus Célèbre le propre culture, et sa propre langue. Génocide Suite de page 26 ) Par exemple, je ne suis pas pendant son début aux Amériques. Par « Amérindienne. » Je suis Mi’kmaq conséquent, Columbus n’a pas découvert (Micmac), avec ma propre vue mondiale l’Amérique. Par exemple, est-ce que et mon propre langage qui sont différents vous oseriez entrer la cour de derrière de que les autres nations indigènes de votre voisin, dire tout le monde que vous l’Île-de-Tortue. Mes ancêtres résident l’avez découverte, et puis revendiquer à l’Île-de-Tortue depuis des milliers cette cour à votre propre nom ? Eh bien, d’années avant que Columbus est ar- c’était exactement ce que Columbus a rivé à ce continent-ci. Donc, je refuse fait ! En volant les patries des nations de célébrer l’abus et l’anéantissement indigènes aux Amériques, Columbus des gens indigènes des Amériques. les a renommés dans le nom de la cou- Alors, pourquoi est-ce que les États- ronne espagnole. En réclamant et en Unis choisissent de célébrer un mythe, renommant les terres sur ce continent, « le Jour Columbus ?» De manière aux Columbus a fait les Amériques à paraître États-Unis et le Canada ont refusé de inhabitées même s’il y avait plus que cinq signer la Déclaration des Nations Unies Ginny Sand cents nations indigènes qui habitaient ici. aux Droits des Gens Indigènes ? Ça Columbus a même renommé les gens c’est une Déclaration pour protéger les des Amériques comme « les Indiens, » gens indigènes partout des invasions, de Christophe Columbus n’a pas renommé parce qu’il a cru qu’il est arrivé dans l’exploitation, de l’assimilation et du rac- les gens indigènes et leurs patries ? Par les Indes ; un nom qui est resté malheu- isme maintenant et dans l’avenir. Cette conséquent, c’est propice et agréable en reusement comme une partie du mythe. Déclaration importante a été écrite pour renommant « le Jour Columbus » comme Alors, comment est-ce que une erreur restituer beaucoup de choses qui étaient « le Jour Américain Natif. » Puis nous grave est allée non corrigée pour plus que volées des civilisations indigènes pendant aurons encore un week-end long, sauf que cinq cents ans ? D’ailleurs, en nommant les invasions et les colonisations passées, nous célébrerons la survie de nombreuses toutes les gens indigènes de l’Amérique y compris les patries de leurs ancêtres. gens et cultures indigènes qui demeur- comme « les Indiens,» il a dépouillé Enfin, parce que je soutiens la di- ent toujours à l’Île-de-Tortue, en con- l’identité distincte de chaque nation in- versité, je propose que nous renommions tribuant une richesse de la diversité à ce digène, où chaque civilisation indigène « le Jour Columbus » comme « le Jour continent-ci. Arrêtons à vivre un mythe aux Amériques a son propre nom, sa Américain Natif !» Après tout, est-ce que et commençons à bouger à la réalité.

27 Le Forum RECIPES/ http://frenchkitcheninamerica.blogspot.com/ NAME: MIMI FROM FRENCH KITCHEN RECETTES LOCATION: WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES E-mail me at [email protected]. Memere’s Potato Masher, the Textile Mills of Lowell and a Book by a Fellow Blogger The woman I knew as Mémere was born Marie-Celine Josephine Plourde in a small town in the Province of Que- bec. She was one of the younger children in a large family. BEIGNES Her father, Honoré, was, according to fam- ily legend, a farmer and mayor of a small town. Jose- Ingrédient phine, as she was called, attended a convent school. Lowell: The City of Spindles 3 1⁄2 tasses de farine tout usage When she was about 16, Honoré’s political fortunes changed and the some- 4 c. à thé de poudre à pâte what barren soil of this particular part of Quebec at last refused to yield healthy 2 oeufs séparés crops. The family — that is Josephine’s parents and their younger children 1 tasse de sucre granulé — moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, settling there in the neighborhood called 3 c. à table de graisse végétale Little Canada and finding work in the city’s hulking and legendary textile mills. (beurre ou margarine) After several years in Lowell, the family moved to Michigan. By this 1⁄2 c. à thé de sel time, Mémere was a widow with a small daughter. Eventually she met and mar- 1⁄4 c. à thé de muscade ried Pépere, Narcisse Laurin by birth, but called Nels or Nelson by nearly ev- 3⁄4 de tasse de lait plus 2 c. à table eryone. They had six children together, five of whom survived to adulthood. 1 c. à thé de vanille Mémére was very old by the time I was born, and spent most of her time seated in a chair in her daughter Annie’s living room. During the months we lived with Directives my mother’s family, I was her chair companion, perched on the arm, pretending to do card tricks for her or pretending to read stories. She taught me enough French Tamiser ensemble la farine et la so that I was very impressed with myself. Mémere had great patience with me. poudre à pâte. Battre les jaunes d’oeufs, Learning About Lowell ajouter le sucre, la graisse végétale, le Years after Mémere’s death, I became curious about her life in Lowell. All sel, la muscade et les 2 c. à table de lait. I knew is what I’d heard from my mother and grandmother: That Mémere loved Incorporer les blancs d’oeufs battus, city life. During her years in Michigan’s hinterland — and that was most of her life ensuite la farine et le lait en alternant. — she traveled east to Quebec and Massachusetts whenever possible. The huge Ajouter la vanille. Refroidir la pâte pen- trunks stashed away in the attic of the family home bore witness to her wanderlust. dant quelques heures. Abaisser, tailler As a college student, I became interested in Mémere’s life in Lowell. Dur- et cuire à grande friture (au moins 4” ing my first year in Madison, I stumbled across a book about the Lowell textile d’huile). Veiller à ce que l’huile soit à mills, a classic called Loom & Spindle. After that I read whatever I could, adding la bonne température (375oF. environ). a history major to my journalism degree. Using the vast resources of the Wiscon- sin State Historical Society, I became immersed in the history of the Lowell mills (Continued on page 29)

Jane Carter (Mom) comes from a long line of cooking heritage. She learned to cook from Memere (Grandma) who used to pub- lish recipes in the St. John Val- ley Times, a local newspaper. Mom has perfected Mom’s Fudge her fudge recipes and is Office: 207.728.3100 sharing the results from Fax: 207.728.3133 years of dedication in a 85 Main St. Suite 101 licensed kitchen with you. Madawaska ME, 04756 Enjoy! [email protected] 28 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER Pumpkin Whoopie Pies minutes at 350 degrees. Cool on rack.

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree FILLING: 2 large eggs 1 c. shortening 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 c. confectioners’ sugar 2 cups granulated sugar CAKE MIX WHOOPIE PIES 1 c. marshmallows 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 lg. box chocolate cake mix 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/3 c. water Beat together well. 4 cups all-purpose flour 3 tbsp. oil 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 eggs 2 teaspoons baking soda Mix together and drop by 1 teaspoon salt teaspoon (spread out) onto greased Filling cookie sheets. Bake about 8 to 10 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, cool 4 ounces cream cheese, room temp. (Mimi from French Kitchen continued from page 28) 1/4 teaspoon salt and of French Canadians in the United States. Academically, I had come home. 3/4 cup (3 1/2 ounces) Marshmallow The history of texile weaving in Lowell began when Francis Cabot Low- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ell memorized the design of English power looms. In 1813, backed by a group 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar called the Boston Associates, Lowell built the first such loom in the United States. Soon textile mills lined the banks of rivers in New England cities. The Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 most famous of these was the city named for Lowell himself. Here Yankee large baking sheets with parchment paper. farm girls were recruited to operate the machinery. At this time, urbanization In a large mixing bowl, stir was associated with moral decline so the Boston Associates devised a scheme together pumpkin, eggs, oil, sug- to keep the girls’ morals intact: A system of well-supervised boarding houses. ar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The Lowell mill girls are famous for the system and for many reasons, includ- In a second bowl, stir together ing the creation of the first employee newsletter in the U.S., The Lowell Offering. flour, baking powder, baking soda, and By the 1870s, the character of the textile mill work force was chang- salt. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin ing. Families of immigrants took the jobs of the mill girls: Italians, Armenians, mixture and stir just until mixed.Using French Canadians and other groups. One of the best known oral histories a generously rounded tablespoon, drop of immigrant mill workers can be found in Tamara Hareven’s “Amoskeag.” 9 rounds about 2 inches apart onto each Another classic, now more than 25 years old, is historian Thomas Dublin’s cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, “Women at Work.” rotating baking sheets from front to And by a Fellow Blogger back and top to bottom halfway through Naturally, this fascinating part of American urban-social-economic his- baking. Let cool for a minute on cookie tory has attracted interest from novelists. One of them is Terri DuLong of sheets, then transfer to a rack. Repeat with Island Writer, whose book “Daughters of the Mill,” I have just finished read- remaining dough to make 36 cookies. ing. Terri’s love for history and her desire to inform current generations about When cookies are cool, prepare fill- the plight of women in the late 19th century shines through in this book. ing. Filling: With electric mixer, beat but- Some writers knock you over the head with character de- ter and cream cheese until smooth. Scrape velopment. Terri is more subtle. Her characters grow on you. They face down sides of bowl and beat in salt. Add choices that were harder to make several generations ago. marshmallow crème and continue beat- Terri’s concern for women’s issues is evident in the twists and turns of plot ing until incorporated. Scrape down side she provides for readers. You never know what will happen next in this book. of bowl and vanilla, then gradually add I am always delighted to find bloggers with interests and back- powdered sugar, beating until smooth. grounds similar to mine. I have found many, and Terri is one of them. Like Spread 2 tablespoons filling on center of the plot twists in her book, Island Writer has you coming back for more. flat side of one cookie. Place flat side of And the potato masher? What has it got to do with all this? About a year second cookie on filling and press cook- into my research, after Grandma Annie died, I began amassing my own col- ies together to bring filling to edges. Re- lection of family artifacts, concentrating on kitchen items and anything to peat with remaining cookies and filling. do with needlework or textiles. Worn and cracked and beyond use, this po- tato masher is something that might have been discarded had I not rescued it. Makes 18 sandwich cookies My Mémere is with me always. She is there when I hold my head a certain way, chin slightly down, gazing straight ahead. The kitch- en utensils she held in her hands so often are merely material reminder. 29 Le Forum Bouchard Family Farms –– Ployes For generations the Bouchard Family have been milling a unique light buckwheat flour in order to prepare “Ployes” (rhymes with boys). A recipe based on the one created by the French Aca- dian exiles who settled in Northern Maine, Ployes are as elegant as a fine crepe, as hearty as a breakfast pancake and as versatile as any bread. Ployes are creating their own identity. From appetizers to main course to desserts and snacks, they keep finding new ways to make meals interesting. We invite you to try a product rich in taste and history. “C’est Magnifique!”. Bouchard Family Farm Ployes Mix -- The first-ever original French Acadian buckwheat pancake mix farm produced in Northern Maine since 1983. The Bouchard Family Farm is committed to bringing to the general public the delicious, versatile and nutritional benefits of our mixes. About Us: In the early 1980’s potato farming had endured some ex- Our Products, tremely hard times. It was during one Ployes History: The Upper see website for more: of these tough years when Claire, the Saint John River Valley on the Maine- eldest of the 5 daughters, had returned New Brunswick border is home to New from a trip to Louisiana with a French England’s oldest Acadian community. Acadian doughnut mix called beignets. This ancient Maliseet homeland was As the family sat around enjoying the settled in the 1780s by French-speaking doughnuts one of them asked the ques- Acadians who had escaped deportation tion why no one has ever made a mix for from Nova Scotia in 1755 by taking ref- ployes. The seed was planted and soon uge in Canada’s Lower St. Lawrence Val- Ployes mix, Original Recipe- is after the family started working on the ley. After the Treaty of Paris (1763), they made with buckwheat flour, wheat flour, perfect recipe for ployes. Before long migrated with their Canadian spouses to aluminum-free baking powder & salt. the family moved from their kitchen into southern New Brunswick. When 12,000 Gift Packs: the two car garage which was converted Loyalists flooded into that region at the into a mixing a packaging facility. In close of the American Revolution in 1997, a 10,000 square foot building was 1783, local Acadians, feeling again en- erected to house the entire operation. dangered, sought lands elsewhere in New Alban Bouchard and his son Joe Brunswick. Nineteen families landed in found the dismantled mill in Canada and the Upper St. John River Valley around took one year to piece it together. Today 1785 and were soon joined by their the business has been credited to saving Canadian kin. Although their flourish- the family farm. Twenty years ago, in ing farming community was divided 24 oz. bag of regular ployes the Fort Kent area, there where approxi- between Canada and the United States 24 oz. bag of wholewheat ployes mately 40 potato farmers today we stand by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 (both contain buckwheat) at 5. Farming as an industry has not been which made the St. John River an inter- 10oz. jar wild blueberry topping. easy. Though we have endured some national boundary, the descendants of stormy weather we believe that our cre- these intrepid pioneers have nonetheless ativity and determination have been in- sustained a rich, vibrant French heritage. strumental in maintaining our way of life. Tel: Contact Us: 1-207-834-3237 Bouchard Family Farm 1-800-239-3237 3 Strip Rd Email Us 24 oz. bag of regular ployes Fort Kent, Maine 04743 24 oz. bag of wholewheat ployes [email protected] both contain buckwheat) 8.45oz. jar Maple Syrup. http://www.ployes.com/ Price Includes Shipping (USA) 30 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER One town’s trash becomes the ing, and community, and one you will not BOOKS/LIVRES... dump man’s treasure in this inspiring want to miss.” --Toni Buzzeo, children’s tale. Mr. Pottle, who oversees the town book author and library media specialist dump, can’t bear to see books thrown out and destroyed, so he rescues and recycles About the Author them for the community to enjoy. When LYNN PLOURDE is a prolific one day he is injured in a fall, that com- and award-winning author of children’s munity rallies to rescue Mr. Pottle. When books, including Pigs in the Mud in the they deliver books to him to speed his Middle of the Rud; Moose, of Course!; recovery, they discover he cannot read. and The First Feud. Her book Wild Child That’s when the town comes together to was chosen as an American Booksell- help Mr. Pottle fully enjoy his treasures. ers Association Kids’ Pick of the list An enjoyable picture book in its own (1999) and Snow Day was a Los Ange- right, The Dump Man’s Treasures also les Times Best Kid’s Book of the year delivers a message about the impor- (2002). She lives in Winthrop, Maine. tance and love of books and reading. About the Illustrator Reviews MARY BETH OWENS has il- “A children’s picture book with a lustrated and written numerous books, THE DUMP MAN’S strong positive message about literacy.... A for children and adults, including The TREASURES wonderful story about the joy of learning to Gazebo, The Story of the Sea Glass, and read, featuring heartwarming and color- First Rite. The Story of Sea Glass won a ful artwork.” --The Midwest Book Review Maine Library Association’s Golden Trap Author: Lynn Plourde Award (2003), and The Gazebo earned Illustrated by “A book for our times, a book the 2005 Growing Good Kids Classics Mary Beth Owens to love if you are an environmentalist Award from the American Horticultural Hardcover, $15.95 concerned about waste, a librarian who Society. She lives in Walpole, Maine. 31 pages loves books more than anything else, or a teacher who values the ability to read as a 17 color illustrations The Dump Man’s Treasures person’s most essential skill.... Illustrated is available wherever books are sold 8” x 10”. Ages 4 to 10. in Owens’s characteristic cozy and ap- or directly from Down East Books: pealing watercolor illustrations, this book 800-685-7962; www.downeast.com is a celebration of recycling, books, read- The Boy with the Blue Cap Van Gogh in Arles by Norman Beaupré Of all the novels published by Roulin, son of the postal worker, Joseph Norman Beaupré, The Boy With the Roulin. Van Gogh painted the portraits Blue Cap----Van Gogh in Arles is one of the entire Roulin family while in Arles. that holds a special place in this writer’s The reader is brought into Van Gogh’s heart and creative imagination because world of vibrant color and accomplished it’s a work melding together histori- artistry by means of a close relationship cal fiction and the fine arts. Professor with a boy who is privileged to follow Emeritus Beaupré enjoyed teaching the artist around in his many excursions world literature and French Impres- throughout the countryside of Arles as sionism as well as Post-Impressionism well as other places frequented by the during his college career. Over the years, artist. The artist at work relates to the boy he developed a special liking for Van his techniques and theories on painting Gogh, the man, his drawings and his and drawing. The novel not only deals paintings. This novel deals with 73 of with the esthetic side of Van Gogh but Van Gogh’s paintings in Arles as well as also introduces us to his spiritual side in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The story is so often neglected by some authors and told by a young precocious boy, Camille (Continued on page 37) 31 Le Forum le questionnait: "Est-ce que tu te serais soldats se sont mis à parler en anglais. (WATERBURY L'exilé suite de page 17) battu avec lui ?" Papa lui répondait Il ne savait pas que maman compre- que l'ami, en question, lui avait volé sa nait tout ce qu'ils se disaient. L'un dit Grand-père Elie n'avait pas ap- pipe autrefois et qu'il lui avait dit qu'il à l'autre: "C'est lui William !" L'autre prouvé le choix de papa lorsqu'il leur n'avait pas l'intention de la lui remettre. soldat a répondu: "Non, les enfants avait présenté maman. Il la trouvait Papa pensait que c'était l'âme l'appellent papa ". Il se sont dit entre eux trop petite. Elle ne ferait pas une de son ami qui venait le tourmenter à qu'en arrêtant papa, celui-ci serait bien vraie femme d'habitant: elle ne pour- cause de la pipe. Alors, il aurait dit: obligé de leur dire où se cachait William. rait pas tordre une catalogne, etc. "Laisse-moi tranquille !" Ce fut la M a m a n s ' a p p r o c h e d e Papa aimait maman. fin du fantôme qui importunait papa. papa et lui dit tout ça à l'oreille. Dans sa dernière année dans les Il y avait l'histoire du loup. Ah bon ! Papa n'a pas perdu de chantiers, il ne travaillait plus pour ses Une fois, tard le soir, papa revenait temps. Il prit le grand tisonnier qu'il a mis parents, car il avait besoin d'une voiture du village avec sa voiture et son cheval. dans les mains de maman, et lui, il s'est à lui et d'un cheval pour aller à St-Ma- Il était suivi par un gros chien noir qui emparé de sa carabine en appelant son thieu voir Dina. Il voulait la marier. aboyait comme un enragé. Papa a es- chien Boule, un gros...bouledogue et il Il était bien fier de son petit cheval sayé de le battre avec un fouet et là, le dit: "Mes Coulisses !! Avant que vous ne noir qui galopait, après avoir eu son cheval a pris l'épouvante. Ensuite, papa sortiez d'icitte, vous allez avoir un bataille. Whisky. Avant de partir, il payait la traite en est venu à bout et il l'a atteint en lui Il va y avoir des peaux sur le plancher, et à son Pit avec de la baboche, puis, son pe- donnant un bon coup. Le chien saigna si vous faites un pas de plus, mon chien va tit noir partait comme une flèche, traver- et à l'instant, il est devenu un homme vous dévorer sous mon commandement". sait la montagne la queue sur les fesses. qui courait en s'enfuyant dans la savane. Papa était enragé noir et il fonçait sur Dans ce temps-là, avoir Papa l'avait délivré de sa pu- les soldats qui ont pris la porte en vitesse. un beau cheval, c'était l'équivalent nition parce qu'il n'avait pas Quand il s'agit de défendre sa famille, d'une Cadillac aujourd'hui, sur- fait ses Pâques depuis sept ans. mon père n'a jamais reculé devant rien, ni tout si le cheval était alcoolique!!! Il en racontait d'autres qu'il in- personne. Je ne l'ai jamais vu avoir peur Mes parents s'épousèrent donc le ventait au fur et à mesure: les om- de quelqu'un. Les Anglais n'étaent pas si 7 Janvier 1908 à St-Mathieu, et neuf brages de la lune devenaient un braves que cela. Ainsi, mon oncle Wil- mois plus tard, naissait Yvonne, et homme avec son petit garçon. liam fut épargné et n'alla pas à la guerre. l'année suivante, ce fut Armand né le 29 Il racontait aus - Il nous a parlé du temps de la grippe Août 1910. Irène, Henri et moi, avons si ce qui s'était passé autrefois. espagnole. Un vrai fléau ! Une épidémie tour à fait notre entrée dans le monde. Pendant la Première Guerre Mon- qui faisait mourir les gens en l'espace de Maman n'était pas des plus diale, il avait caché mon oncle Wil- quelques jours. Un fièvre qui les brûlait braves! Elle avait peur des quêteux. liam, son frère et Maxime Gélinas, son et ils mourraient. C'était pas des contes Au Petit-Quatre, lorsque papa cousin. Le bout de sa terre atteignait la inventés pour les enfants, c'était vrai ! n'était pas à la maison et qu'elle en voyait forêt et n'était pas loin de la rivière St- Une famille dont le père et la mère venir un, elle nous faisait tous entrer dans Maurice. C'était là qu'ils étaient cachés. sont morts dans l'intervalle de quelques la maison et elle verrouillait la porte. Des soldats recherchaient partout semaines. Une autre famille : les La- Si papa y était, le quêteux mangeait les hommes qui ne répondaient pas à fontaine, les deux parents sont morts le et il pouvait dormir à côté du poêle. leur devoir. Le peuple pensait que la même jour. Sur leur carte mortuaire, il Je me rappelle des "Covillons" France avait abandonné les Canadiens- y avait leurs portraits avec la même date. ou gypsés. À eux non plus, on ouvrait Français et que les Anglais nous traitaient Chez mon oncle Adem Déziel et pas la porte. C'était plusieurs voitures, comme des Irlandais ou des Acadiens. tante Alphonsine : soeur de ma mère, recouvertes comme des cabanes, des Selon eux, nous n'étions que tous avaient la grippe espagnole. Seul, gens aux teints bruns, tous garnis de des ignorants et des illettrés, ils nous le jeune garçon de quatorze ans restait colliers. Ils vivaient comme cela d'un traitaient comme des citoyens de seconde debout au milieu de tous les malades. village à un autre. D'où venaient-ils ??? classe, alors, personne n'était pressé Son petit frère lui est mort dans les bras. Maman avait une voix merveil- d'aller donner sa vie pour ces pays-là. Le monde mourrait comme des leuse; chansons d'amour, couplets et Pour leur terre à eux, mouches. Il n'y avait pas assez de cercueils. refrains ont égayé notre enfance. Papa jadis, ils avaient combattu ! Chez nous, personne ne l'a attrapée. chantait avec elle, mais lui était avant Papa allait leur porter de la nour- Maman allait au malade mais elle avait tout un raconteur d'histoires. La maison- riture pendant la nuit. Il effaçait ses peur des morts. Une voisine en est pour- née au complet se réunissait autour de traces au fur et à mesure, afin qu'ils tant morte, et maman a dû aller aider à lui pour entendre une de ses légendes. ne soient repérés dans leur cachette. l'ensevelir. Il fallait laver les morts et les Papa avait un fantôme qui revenait Un jour, deux soldats sont entrés habiller proprement. Maman a supplié la le hanter. C'était le fantôme d'un ami dans la maison pour fouiller. Irène se défunte de lui enlever sa peur, et ainsi, qui était mort, il lui apparaissait comme souvient encore de la scène terrible qui elle a pu continuer la toilette de la morte. ça, dans la grange ou l'étable. Ma mère s'en suivit. Après avoir regardé, les (Suite page 33) 32 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (WATERBURY L'exilé suite de page 32) ine. C'est dur de perdre quelqu'un relet. Racée comme une Irlandaise, elle qu'on aime. Elle a souvent dit que la était plus grande que les canadiennes- montagne de St-Mathieu la séparait de françaises de ce temps-là. Elle avait les Papa avait une "batch" de Whis- ses parents, mais qu'au Grand-Quatre, cheveuax d'un blond doré avec de grands ky, et chaque soir, comme remède, il elle était entourée de bon monde. yeux bleus, et elle avait toujours un beau nous en faisait prendre pour prévenir Tante Adrienne, la petite soeur teint. Papa admirait ses cheveux d'or. la maladie qui nous menaçait. En de mon père, venait régulièrement Lorsqu'elle défaisait sa toque, ses ch- plus, nos parents nous avaient ac- voir maman, et surtout lorsqu'elle était eveux tombaient et ondulaient sure ses croché au cou un petit sac, avec du enceinte. Maman avait du mal à tra- épaules, ce qui la rajeunissait tellement. camphre dedans, on sentait fort mais verser ses premiers mois de grossesse. Elle était bonne pour soigner aucun de nous a eu cette grippe-là. Le Grand-Quatre fut frappé par les malades et elle connaissait les Une histoire qui se racontait: une grosse tornade. Le cheval de mon remèdes. Elle faisait passer les ver- une des défuntes avait été enterrée oncle Arthur, "Ti-Jean" était malade et rues et elle était aussi sage-femme. en vitesse. Plus tard, la famille a dû il se reposait en restant couché devant Elle était demandée partout pour la changer de place, dans un autre la grange. Il a disparu dans ce noir assister les petites mères en couche, cimetière. La tombe fut réouverte, tourbillon et on l'a retrouvé, après souvent, sans l'aide d'aucun docteur. comme c'était la coutume, et elle avait l'ouragan dans le fossé près de la maison Papa disait qu'elle savait tout les mains dans les cheveaux. Elle avait de papa (près d'un demi-mille plus loin). faire: récolter le lin, et voir à ce qu'il été ensevelie les mains jointes, donc, Il y avait de la visite chez mes soit lavé, battu et tissé. Pour la laine, elle devait avoir été enterrée dans un parents et chacun tenait les châs- c'était la même chose. Elle filait, coma et ell n'était pas décédée. On sis à deux mains pour les maintenir cousait, travaillait dans le jardin. À enterrait vite pour éviter la contagion, fermés. En plus, maman tenait un ces tâches, venait s'ajouter la fabri- c'est possible qu'il y ait eu de ces cas-là. crucifix dans les vitres. La maison a cation du savon. Elle faisait même Un crêpe noir, suspendu à la porte où débarqué de son "solage" et ell deme- leurs bottines. Selon son opinion, un mort était exposé m'a toujours fait peur. urait penchée. La grange fut démolie. sa mère était une personne extraor- Ces événements ont sui- Il y avait eu des gros dommages. dinaire et d'un dévouement sans fin. vi la Première Guerre Mondiale. Tout le voisinage s'était mis à Cependant, il aurait souhaité pour Rosa est née le 4 Décembre la tâche pour s'entraider l'un et l'autre. elle une meilleure vie, mais il disait: 1918, deux ans et demi après moi. Puis, ce fut le tour de papa. Ils ont "Mes parents, c'était du monde !!" Elle aussi est venue au monde au fait une corvée et il a dit : "Coulisse! Grand-mère Annie avait deux Petit-Quatre, comme moi. Les plus Le temps de dire, ma grange était frères qu'elle espérait revoir. Elle en vieux ont vu le jour au Grand-Qua- debout". Ma mère avait bien peur du éprouvait beaucoup de chagrin. Un tre, dans le première maison de papa, vent. Elle en avait vécu des ouragans à bon soir, ça frappe à la porte. On alla située sur la terre du grand-père Elie. New-Bedford, quand la mer se fâchait. ouvrir. Deux grands colosses d'homme Ils avaient eu pour voisin : Oné- Le rang était pour ses habi- demandaient s'ils étaient bien chez Elie sime Gélinas. Sa femme Délia était tants: l'univers, le Rang, c'était le Gélinas. Oui...Tout d'un coup, grand- une femme très bonne et très dévouée. pays . L'arrière-grand-père était ar- mère a reconnu ses deux frères et ils Maman la consultait souvent, et elle rivé en 1855, avec un de ses frères et se sont tombés dans les bras, depuis se considérait chanceuse de l'avoir. ils avaient défriché leur lot. Tout le le temps qu'elle priait pour les revoir... Souvent, ces femmes remplaçaient jour, ils bûchaient du bois, levaient les Les deux frères Hill se se- le docteur en donnant des conseils poutres et les chevrons, installaient la raient retrouvés, par hasard et en- et des remèdes pour les petits bébés. couverture de leur maison. Il n'étaient suite, ils se sont mis à la recherche Un jour, à l'heure du repas, tout d'un pas instruits, mais les connaissances de leur soeur Annie. Ils ont appris coup, sa tête tombas dans son assiette. se transmettaient de génération en qu'elle était mariée. Après ces retrou- Elle était morte ! À quarante-huit ans ! génération. Puis Izaac avait fait venir vailles, ils ont continué le contact. Elle fut ensevelie et mise sure les sa femme : Domitile Dupont. À leur Tous les Hill de St-Ma- planches. Les morts n'allient pas dans mort, les deux pionniers léguaient à leur thieu, de St-Gérard, St-Boniface un cercueil immédiatement après leur fils Elie, leur terre, maison et bâtiments. et Shawinigan sont nos cousins. décès. Ils ont retardé pour l'enterrer Papa disait que ses parents, Elie Ils leur fallaient des terres à car elle restait chaude. Pourtant elle et Annie, avaient de beaux visages. tout prix, autrement, ils auraient été ne respirait plus. Un jour, deux jours Son père était une petit homme avec un obligé de s'expatrier. À quelles souf- et trois jours se passent et elle ne re- toupet frisé. Il n'a jamais maltraité ses frances, s'étaient voués ces bâtisseurs, froidissait pas et sa peau ne devenait enfants mais il était le maître. Grand- privé de voie de communication. pas rigide. À la fin du troisième jour, mère ne le contredisait jamais. C'était Le premier souci des femmes elle a saigné du nez, sa chair s'est figée naturel car il était l'autorité de la maison. était de nourrir la maisonnée, cuire le et refroidie, et là, elle fut enterrée. Ma mère, disait papa, était très pain, la soupe aux pois et les "beans". Maman a eu beaucoup de pe- belle. Elle était mince, sans aucun bour- (Suite page 34) 33 Le Forum (WATERBURY L'exilé suite de page 33) suis levée, j'ai descendu les marches elle avait toujours été très malade: de l'escalier pour voir ce qui se passait. l'eau à bouche, maux de coeur, etc. On produisait tout ce que l'on con- Papa et Maman, près du berceau, Au Grand-Quatre, tante Adrienne sommait. On avait de grands potagers pleuraient. Ils venaient de perdre leur fils. venait lorsque maman était malade, que l'on nommait le jardin. On y récol- Henri n'avait vécu que quelques mois. mais là, nous demeurions au Petit- tait des patates, carottes, choux, better- Nous sommes tous allés à la Quatre. De toute façon, tante Adrienne aves, oignons, tomates, etc. Pour arriver cérémonie des anges. Mes parents était maintenant mariée et elle avait à abattre autant de travail, on travaillait avaient le coeur brisé. Une ménin- commencé, elle aussi, à avoir des bébés. d'une noirceur à l'autre. Aussi, les en- gite avait emporté mon petit frère. Maman lui avait cousu la layette de fants commençaient très jeunes à aider. Mon père disait qu'il y avait une baptême de Fernande : sa nouvelle-née. Papa et mon oncle Borromée différence entre pleurer et brailler. Cette fois, pour maman, c'était étaient les aînés de la famille. Ils Pleurer? Tout le monde pleure, mais pire. Le prêtre est venu. Il délayait un ont commencé à garder les plus brailler, c'est autre chose. C'est verser jaune d'oeuf avec un peu de lait et le lui jeunes pendant que les parents al- une sorte de larmes que, seuls peu- faisait absorber à la cuillère. Il priait laient à la messe. Ils ont commencé vent comprendre ceux qui ont subit pour elle et il lui prêta une relique qui à se faire prier quand les jumeaux une grosse perte. Je crois que cette provenait de la Terre-Sainte. Il lui a dit: sont venus au monde: tante Déline fois-là, j'ai vu mes parents brailler ! "Tu viendras toi-même me la rendre". et mon oncle Albert, mais il le fallait! J'ai commencé l'école et Émile naquit quelques mois plus Une fois, ils ont été répri- je me suis faite des amis, ce qui tard, et c'est ce qu'elle fit : elle rapporta la mandés parce qu'ils avaient laissé était important pour moi. Sainte Relique à l'église. Elle était sauvée. tante Sara sans surveillance. Elle J'ai appris l'alphabet et les J'aimais bien mon nouveau petit en avait profité pour se raser les chiffres. Cétait une "partance". frère et j'étais insultée noire, lorsque sourcils et une partie des cheveux. Je revenais en courant. Ar- quelqu'un pour me taquiner, passait Une autre fois, papa et mon oncle mand m'attendait dans le chemin en une remarque: il a bien trop de ch- Borromée avaient attaché leurs deux m'ouvrant les bras. Le grand gars de eveux ou bien, il a donc un petit nez ! chats ensemble par la queue sur la corde douze ans m'emportait dans la maison. La vie redevenait normals après à linge et ils n'étaient plus capable de Yvonne m'amena au catéchisme la naissance. L'arôme du pain cuit et des les enlever. Au retour de la messe, leurs une heure par jour pendant trois se- tartes ont de nouveau embaumé la maison. parents entendirent des cris dans la mai- maine pour me préparer à ma pre- Pour le premier repas de la son et ça miaulait surla corde à linge ... mière communion. J'avais sept ans. journée, pris en commun, on avait Les gardiens étaient allés se Maman m'avait confectionné soit du gruau ou des crêpes au sirop cacher, en laissant les enfants tout une belle robe blanche garnie de d'érable. Les autres repas, il y avait de seuls. Après un mauvais coup sem- dentelles et de rubans. Je portais la viande: ragoûts, bouillis et légumes. blable, ils étaient mieux de se cacher. un voile blanc sur mes cheveux. Personne ne parlait de cho- Maintenant, c'était lui le père, J'étais prête à recevoir Jé- lestérol, calories, de sucre et vita- avec les responsabilités de famille. sus dans mon coeur. Mes parents mines. C'était bien vu de faire un peu Émile Noël est né. Je me rappelle m'embrassaient en me serrant dans d'embonpoint. Ça voulait dire que comme il était mignon. Il rampait sur le leurs bras. L'atmosphère était toute nous étions bien traités et bien nourris. plancher pour aller regarder son image joyeuse. Tout le monde étaitheureux. Mon père trouva à s'embaucher qui se reflétait dans le chrome du poêle. Dans mon âme, il n'y avait aucun doute. à l'Aluminium. La ferme ne suf- Il gazouillait: "Attends, attends"... Aucune question n'a effleuré mon esprit. fisait plus à faire vivre la famille. Quand papa entrait dans la mai- C o m m e c ' e s t b e a u Nous étions alors six enfants. son, il allait vers Émile pour le pren- et pur un petit enfant! Ma mère et Yvonne faisaient dre dans ses bras. Il le laissait jouer La paix que j'ai connu dans de confitures de toutes sortes: fraises, avec sa pipe. Comme c'était drôle ! mon enfance ne revient jamais, et le framboises, bleuets, etc. Ça devait Un jour, Rosa et Emile sont bonheur de ma vie, mes plus belles an- durer toute l'année. Nous achetions tombés très malades. Le prêtre est nées sont celles que j'ai vécu avec mes un baril de pommes, c'était le seul venu à la maison. Il a prié tandis parents. De beaux souvenirs pour moi. fruit acheté au magasin. Avec des que maman avait les petits dans les Émile Albert vint se joindre cerises, des betteraves et du pissenlit, bras. Rosa prit du mieux, mais pas à notre famille. Ma mère a eu une elles fariquaient du vin. Les femmes Émile. Au contraire, son état empirait. grossesse difficile et a même reçu les navaient aucun répit. La lessive se Ma mère envoya chercher derniers sacrements. Pendant neuf faisait à la planche à laver. Durant leur madame Marianna Beaudoin, notre mois, tous les matins, ce fut les nausées. repos, elles tricotaient des bas, mitaines, voisine. Je me souviens de les avoir Rosa, qui avait quatre ans, ve- chapeaux et parfois des chandails. vu baigner Émile dans de l'eau chaude. nait à l'école avec nous. Maman Notre pharmacie, c'était l'herbe Il devenait de plus en plus malade. se sentait mieux quand tout était à d'inde ébouillantée pour faire baisser Plus tard, pendant la nuit, je me tranquille à la maison. Enceinte, (Suite page 35) 34 Le Forum Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (WATERBURY L'exilé suite de page 34) que ma mère avait cousu et une grosse or- plus joué avec moi du reste de la journée. ange sur le dessus. C'était un beau cadeau ! On jouait à la madame. On se la fièvre, de la racine de chiendent Nous n'avions pas d'arbre de Noël. servait des peignes de fantaisie de notre pour les maux de rein et papa prenait On ne connaissait pas non plus d'autre mère et on les plaçait dans nos cheveux. toujours du vinaigrier. Il se faisait une mode d'éclairage que la lampe à l'huile. Irène a été malade, et le tisane. Et on ne manquait d'huile de Au Petit-Quatre, nous avons vécu docteur lui a donné des jouets minia- foie de morue ! Et de liniment Ménard! comme cela. Une école pour tous les tures. On a joué longtemps avec cela. Un jour, papa s'en est servi pour sa enfants, une maîtresse pour toutes les Un soir, nos voisins sont venus "riganière". "Coulisse"! qu'il répétait. classes, les voitures et "sleigh", les veiller et vers huit heures, les enfants Papa inventait ses propres mots, "bunch" d'enfants et la pompe à l'eau. furent envoyés au lit. Je demeurais "riganière" voulait dire hémorroïdes. Je me souviens de la première voi- sur la chaise berçante, les yeux fermés. Il fabriquait sa bière, et avant ture que j'ai vu. Surpris, on se demandait Les gens partis, maman dit: "Alice, les Fêtes, lui et les voisins se part- qui ou quoi faisait avancer cette voiture s'est endormie sur sa chaise, pourquoi ageaient un alambic pour faire les sans cheval. Ça semblait se déplacer n'irais-tu pas la porter dans son lit, boissons fortes. De Noël aux Rois, la tout seul. Pendant qu'on se parlait de Lisée?" Alors, papa m'a pris dans ses parenté se réunissait pour manger, ra- cette chose étrange, nos parents parlaient bras doucement, monta l'escalier avec conter des histoires et chanter en choeur: à celui qui possédait la machine. On précaution jusqu'à ma chambre et il me aurait dit que c'était normal pour eux. borda en m'embrassant, puis, s'en faire Il n'y a pas d'ouvrage au Canada On jouait à toutes sortes de jeux, à de bruit, il redescendit. Ce fut pour moi, Encore bien moins dans les États la corde à danser, à la cachette, à la "tag" un moment très tendre, où j'avais vrai- N'essayez pas d'aller plus loin et à l'habitant (fermier) pour les plus ment ressenti au plus profond de moi, Vous êtes certain de crever de faim. vieux. Ils jouaient aussi à la messe, ils in- les bienfaits de l'amour de mon père. ventaient la cérémonie: Armand devenait Nous ne savions pas ce que C'était une chanson de madame un enfant de choeur, un autre faisait le l'avenir nous réservait. Armand et Bolduc. prêtre et le hangar à bois devenait l'église. Yvonne grandissaient. À sa façon Nous, les enfants, nous allions à la Irène était avec eux, mais, nous les plus d'agir, je voyais qu'Yvonne était en Messe de minuit, et on allait admirer le beau petits, ils nous défendaient d'entrer dans amour avec Camille, le fils du voisin. petit Jésus dans sa Crèche et l'on priait. leur église. Je courus à la maison pour Oncle José, personnage légendaire Au jour de l'An, nous avions, la porter mon panier (me plaindre) à ma- dans la famille, à cause de son itinérance, veille, suspendu nos bas près de la chemi- man. Irène fut punie et ce fut la fin de nous visitait souvent. Il prenait une née, et le lendemain, à notre grande joie, la chapelle à l'école. Par la suite, j'ai branche et nous taillait un sifflet avec un ils étaient remplis de bonbons, une poupée regretté d'avoir "bavassé", car Irène n'a canif. Il était le frère du grand-père Elie.

(Continued from page 19: 25 Years of were later published in the Connecticut on pages 3-4 of the June 1985 CML, in the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two Maple Leaf: Members’ Pedigree Charts, the section entitled “Kudos Department,” of the Nine Founders) Special Anniversary Issue, 1981-1991. one can read the following: “DeLores and Spaulding was nominated and elected as Concurrent with her service to Corresponding Secretary Laurette Billig a Director, as reported by Rec. Sec. Lenti. the FCGSC as an officer of the society (#7) have jointly launched a unique new Laurette Billig’s name does not appear from January 1985 to August 1987, enterprise: ‘The Melting Pot,’ a quarterly in any office of the FCGSC after 1993. Laurette Dugas Billig was the Assistant publication loaded with genealogical and Laurette Billig published three Editor of The Melting Pot: Our Ancestral historical information aimed at answer- pieces in the CML, and all were published Tree, a genealogical periodical that was ing the family research needs of diverse in the same issue, that of Dec. 1983, the published by the Four D Company in ethnic groups. They’ve produced three second issue of the CML. The first piece Simsbury, Conn., which was established issues to date which have gone out to U.S. is an article entitled “The Acadian Histor- by DeLores Dupuis, (No. 48 FCGSC). and foreign subscribers. Best of luck in ical Village” in Gloucester County, New The first issue of the Melting Pot was your new endeavor, Dee and Laurette!” Brunswick, Canada, which opened six published in January 1985, and it was The Henri E. Carrier Memorial years earlier in 1977. The second piece published four times a year (January, Library of the FCGSC has an entire run of is a very brief review of two books, the April, June and October) until 1990, The Melting Pot: Our Ancestral Tree, and first is Through Evangeline’s Country by when the four issues per year were com- one can browse through the collection, Jeannette A. Grant, 1894, and the second bined into two issues per year, and the and read the articles by Editor DeLores is The Cajuns, from Acadia to Louisiana, last issue is listed as “June and October Dupuis, Assistant Editor Laurette Dugas by William Faulkner Rushton, 1979. The 1991.” Although one may expect that Billig, from the first to the last issues, third piece consists of two direct-line there was either jealousy or envy that two from Jan. 1985 to June/Oct. 1991, and ancestries, one of her father’s ancestry, members of the FCGSC would start their Associate Editor who contributed articles and the other of her mother’s ancestry. own publication that could potentially from Jan. 1987 to Oct. 1989. Dupuis and The exact same direct-line ancestries rival the CML, the contrary is true, for (Continued on page 38) 35 Northern Maine Pictures

Maine Photos By Gene & Debra Cyr All photos on the website are low-res- olution representations of high-resolu- tion photos suitable for quality printing. We use the highest image quality for all pictures ordered from our site. We use Fujicolor Crystal Archive Paper so our prints will be around for generations. We mainly do scenic photography with some wildlife photography, mostly in color but some black & white. The Digital Nature photomanipulations are a recent move to- wards a more computer inspired form of expression. We also make some of our own picture frames in order to give our cus- tomers the opportunity to own something that was created by us from start to finish. Our photo taking excursions of north- ern Maine can be for an hour, a day, or some- times a week. At first we meant to concen- trate our efforts on Mount Katahdin, fol- lowing I95 north to Houlton and US Route 1 to far northern Maine, but we realized we were missing something, the northern most coast of Maine, so we’ve added the Calais area to our exploration of Northern Maine. Thus far our pictures have been taken in: Allagash, Ashland, Blaine, Bridgewater, Calais, Caribou, Cyr Plantation, Dyer Brook, Eagle Lake, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Grand Isle, Hamlin, Houlton, Island Falls, Limestone, Little- ton, Madawaska, Mapleton, Mars Hill, New Sweden, Perham, Portage Lake, Presque

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36 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER Gauguin, while telling the story of a boy, Cormier from Oakland, Maine, the actress BOOKS/LIVRES... Camille Roulin, and his family drawn to who plays the part of La Souillonne, was (The Boy with the Blue Cap Van Gogh a stranger whose exploits and talent to featured in the play. Following the Paris in Arles continued from page 31) paint in an extraordinary way are seen performance both Cormier and Beaupré from his viewpoint as an observant boy traveled to Dijon then on to Angers for art critics. Also, as part of the novel’s fascinated by words and colors. The two more performances. A Biddeford plot based on plausible happenings in novel also captures the life and flavor of performance is planned early next year. and around Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Provençal life during the period of eigh- Beaupré was decorated with the an element of intrigue is added with the teen months Van Gogh lived and painted medal of the Order of Arts and Literature, introduction of two gypsy women in Van in Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. grade d’officier, in June 2008 by the Gogh’s life. Gypsies find sacred ground The author traveled to Arles, Saint- French Consul in Boston. The Ministry at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer where their Rémy-de-Provence and Saintes-Marie- of Culture and Communications in Paris favored black saint, Sara-la-kâli, is kept de-la-Mer in 2005 to do research for his informed Beaupré that he was being hon- in the crypt of the local church. They novel. The following year he went to ored for his body of works and his out- dress her up and put scarves and rib- Amsterdam to continue his research and standing contribution to French culture. bons on her statue. Every year gypsies to view the actual painting of the “boy He has already started on his hold their annual pilgrimage and they with the blue cap” simply named, Ca- 11th work, a collection of tales and come from across Europe to this sacred mille Roulin,” at the Van Gogh Museum. stories in French with several con- shrine. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on This is Beaupré’s tenth work. He tributors who are now in the process the Mediterranean shore inspired Van writes both in French and in English. His of writing their tales. The new work is Gogh to paint some of his scenes filled one-woman play, a dramatic monologue, entitled, Voix Francophones de chez with vibrant colors. The novel has a was produced in Paris in October of this nous, contes et histoires. The collec- way of weaving the artistic life of Van year. This is the first time a Franco-Amer- tion will be out by late spring 2009. Gogh, including the bold presence of ican work was performed in Paris. Marie

Professional Photographers Associa- tion), PPA ( Professional Photographers of America ) and PPANE ( Professional Photographers of New England ). Alan has received many prestigious awards throughout his career including many State Court of Honors and blue ribbons.

* PPA Photographer Of The Year, Bronze Level 2005 * Fuji Masterpiece Awards ( two ) 2004 * Kodak Gallery Award 2004 * Judges Choice 2004 Boutot Photography * PPA Loan Print 2003 11 Sunset Avenue * Fuji Masterpiece Award 2003 Alan J. Boutot brings eighteen * PPA Genaral Loan Print 2002 Lisbon Falls, Maine 04252 years experience to his career as a profes- * Fuji Masterpiece Award 2002 sional photographer. Respected nationally * Kodak Gallery Award ( two ) 2002 for his creative and innovative approach * MPPA Highest Scoring Print 2002 207-353-5034 to his traditional classic style with a pho- * Two images on loan to Disney’s tojournalistic flare to the wedding story- Epcot Center Kodak Gallery 2002 book albums he creates. Alan combines [email protected] * Judges Choice 2002 his love of photography and his skills * Judges Choice 2001 as a portrait photographer for capturing * Fuji Masterpiece Award 1995 wedding moments of unparalleled beauty. Alan is a member of MPPA ( Maine http://www.boutotphotography.com/ 37 Le Forum (Continued from page 35: 25 Years of is a biography of herself and her husband, cost of the subscription, which was then the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two Lucien Dupuis, which appears in the $15.00 a year, or $17.00 in Canadian of the Nine Founders) July 1986 issue, and the other article is funds. DeLores Dupuis wrote: “... we entitled “It’s A Small, Small World After will start the new system with an issue Billig gave the periodical a multi-ethnic All...,” (Oct. 1986), in which she demon- in January, 1992 and another one in July focus on genealogy, and most of the strated how her husband and Helen Morin 1992. Do hope that all of you will have articles are no longer than four pages. Maxon, (who is member No. 23 of the faith in us and continue your subscrip- Laurette Billig, as Assistant Editor of The FCGSC and a frequent contributor to The tions. We know that you won’t be sorry.” Melting Pot, wrote at least one article for Melting Pot), are related. DeLores Du- The editorial closed with a warm saluta- every issue, while DeLores Dupuis, as puis concluded in her article: “It must be tion: “Have the happiest of Thanksgiv- Editor, wrote the majority of the articles. true that ALL Acadiens [sic] are related!” ings’ the merriest of Christmases and the Laurette Dugas Billig wrote three DeLores Dupuis also founded the very best for the coming New Year.” The pairs of articles for The Melting Pot Simsbury Genealogical and Historical editorial was signed: “Dee, & Laurette, which are notable. She wrote two articles Research Library (SGHRL) in Sims- too” which shows that Laurette Billig was about the Dugas Family: “Pierre Du Gua, bury, Conn., in co-operation with the significant to the magazine. In a rather Sieur de Mons,” (Jan. 1985), and a report Trustees of the Simsbury Free Library, curious cyclic pattern, Laurette Billig on the Dugas Family Reunion that was which first opened on Sun. March 6, republished her first article from the held in July 8-10, 1988 in Caraquet, New 1988 (The Melting Pot, April 1988). On Dec. 1983 CML, “The Acadian Historical Brunswick, Canada (Jan. 1989). She Sun. Aug. 27, 1989, the SGHRL hosted Village,” in the last issue of The Melt- wrote two articles in a series entitled a meeting of the Acadian Cultural Soci- ing Pot, without any change to the text. “Our Acadian Heritage,” the first in the ety of Fitchburg, Mass., which included On June 15, 2006, I interviewed series is a brief history of the Acadians a slide presentation on the Boudreau Laurette Billig by telephone, and she from the initial settlement to the time Family from the Magdalen Islands remembered the first committee meeting of the Great Deportation that includes given by Fr. Dennis M. Boudreau, and of the founders of the FCGSC was held a list of archives in New Brunswick for a performance by Josée Vachon (The at the dining room table of Lionel De- further research on the topic (Oct. 1985), Melting Pot, April 1989; Le Reveil May Ragon’s house in West Hartford, Conn., and the second article is a reproduc- 1989). Unfortunately, there is no report and that a factor in the establishment in tion, translation and interpretation of in The Melting Pot or in Le Reveil about the FCGSC was to avoid the long drive to a document dated Oct. 5, 1687 which the success or failure of the special event the American Canadian Genealogical So- contains the family names of Boudrot, sponsored by the SGHRL. A factor in ciety, which was then on 52 Concord St. Bourgeois, d’Etremont, Dugast, Leblanc the co-operation in the two groups is in Manchester, N.H. (An estimate from and Martin, (Oct. 1986). She wrote that DeLores Dupuis is member No. Yahoo Maps on the distance between the two articles entitled “Trade Passports,” 56 (Le Reveil Nov. 1985) and Laurette first library of the FCGSC on 981 Park which is about the legitimate trappers in Billig is member No. 89 (Le Reveil May St., Hartford, Conn., and 52 Concord New France, (Jan. 1986 and Jan. 1988). 1986) in the Acadian Cultural Society. St., Manchester, N.H., is 139 miles.) Raymond Billig, the husband of The publication of The Melting As for her memories of Henri Car- Laurette, wrote a six-part article entitled Pot: Our Ancestral Tree simply ended rier, Laurette Billig emphasized that with- “Historical Chronology of the Iroquois with the June/Oct. 1991 issue, and it is out him, the FCGSC would not exist, for Nation,” which covered the period from clear that DeLores Dupuis intended to he spent many hours simply building up 1492 to the then projected date of 1991, continue the magazine. For example, the society, and that he “spear-headed the for the series ran from April 1985 to July the text of a talk given by Fr. Clarence whole thing.” She said that she attended 1986 in The Melting Pot. (He ended the D’Entremont at the Acadian Conference the funeral and burial of Henri Carrier, series on the then future date of Feb. 19, in Worcester, Mass., on March 17, 1984, which occurred on Mon. Feb. 4, 1991 1991 when the Salamanca land lease entitled “The Acadian Survival in New at St. Patrick’s Church and St. Patrick’s agreement with the State of New York England,” ends with the editorial gloss of: Cemetery in East Hampton, Conn., and was set to expire.) He credited his source “To Be Continued.” Nevertheless, signs that she witnessed the burial of Carrier’s as the newsletter for the Seneca Nation of the end of The Melting Pot are evident genealogy, written in a large book, which of Indians Newsletter, named O-He-Yoh- in the editorial by DeLores Dupuis, for rests atop of his casket, inside the vault Noh Newsletter, which was provided to she mentioned the death of her husband where he is buried. Laurette said that him by Dr. George Abrams, the Director Lucien Dupuis, who died on Aug. 27, no-one in Carrier’s family wanted the of the Seneca Iroquois National Museum 1991 at their home in Simsbury, Conn., genealogy for themselves, nor did they in Salamanca, N.Y. In the July 1985 and that she was in the process of selling want the FCGSC to have it in its ar- issue of The Melting Pot, Raymond the home that they shared for 38 years, chives. (The mystery at this decision is Billig published a biography entitled while moving into a condominium. She compounded when one reads in Carrier’s “Kateri Tekawitha of the Mohawks.” also wrote that the periodical would be obituary in the Hartford Courant for Feb. DeLores Dupuis wrote two per- changed from a quarterly to a semi-an- 2, 1991, that his father and step-mother, sonal articles in The Melting Pot, the first nual in order to avoid an increase in the (Continued on page 39) 38 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Continued from page 38: 25 Years of cut Maple Leaf, and she said, somewhat of Everett J. Miller in both the Hartford the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two regretfully, that she let her membership Courant and the Journal-Inquirer of of the Nine Founders) lapse. She also spoke of her new interest, Manchester, Conn., on April 20, 2004, Ye Olde Genealogical Society, founded and it reported that: “He was an active Adelor and Thelma Coyer of Ottawa, by Everett J. Miller, which meets in member of the Ye Genealogy [sic] So- Illinois, were still alive, as well as his the Senior Center in South Windsor. ciety and the South Windsor Historical brother, Arthur R. Coyer, who resided in On Oct. 22, 2008, I interviewed Society.” The obituary also reported Tolland, Conn., and his sister, Genevieve Laurette Billig again by telephone. When that Everett Miller was predeceased Berube, who resided in Fort Ann, N.Y. I told her that I could not find any articles by his wife, and that he died on Feb. Another layer of mystery is added when that she wrote for Le Reveil for the years 2, 2004 in his home in South Windsor. one learns that Carrier’s sister is member from 1985 to 2000, she replied that she Before Lionel DeRagon became a No. 339 of the FCGSC.) Laurette did not wrote for the genealogical society in founder of the FCGSC, he was member have any other explanation for the burial Manchester, N.H., about the Acadian No. 857 of the ACGS, as published in the of the genealogy, nor could she explain Cultural Society just as it was beginning Feb. 1979 issue of The Genealogist, and in the use in the different surnames within to be established. When I told her that the same issue of the ACGS journal, one the same family, of Coyer/Carrier. (The the ACGS publishes The Genealogist, she can read the names of two other founders family names are of the same family, as said that must be the publication. I then of the FCGSC – Laurette Dugas Billig, explored by John Edward Armstrong, in asked her about Ye Olde Genealogical No. 851, and Henri Carrier, No. 865. his book, The Coyer Clan and the Carrier Society, and she said that she still attends Lionel DeRagon is listed as a Di- Connection, printed in 1983 by the Kram- the meetings, and she added that Everett rector of the FCGSC on the Incorporation er Printing Co., Madison, Wisconsin.) J. Miller, the founder, “died a couple Papers of July 17, 1981, and on the earli- Laurette Billig did not remember years ago.” We also spoke about the est membership list of Sept. 1981, he and Ethel Hodgdon, who is listed as the Trea- FCGSC, and she lamented that she was his wife Arlene are listed as member No. surer of the FCGSC on the Incorporation not contacted by anyone at the FCGSC 8 of the society. Both sources list their Papers of July 17, 1981. She also was at the time of the 25th anniversary in address as 228 Penn Drive in West Hart- unable to recollect the role of the French 2006. (During the meetings before the ford, Conn. Lionel DeRagon is better Social Circle in the beginnings of the FC- anniversary party on Sat. Oct. 7, 2006, known as Lee DeRagon at the FCGSC, GSC, until I explained what is the FSC, no-one on the Board of Directors ever and he was elected as a Director at the and then she remembered that the first once suggested to contact or invite the first election of the FCGSC which was library of the FCGSC was housed in it. five living founders as special guests of held at the French Social Circle (FSC) Laurette spoke of her interest in the party. All discussion by the Board on 981 Park Street in Hartford on Sun. Acadian genealogy, and that she was able concerning invitations was through the Sept. 19, 1982, as reported in the FCGSC to publish her findings on the subject in active membership, and some guests, Newsletter for Oct. 1982. He was re- Le Reveil of the Acadian Cultural Society such as the President of the FSC, and the elected to the same office at the second in Fitchburg, Mass., and in The Melting President of the American French Ge- election of the FCGSC, held at the FSC Pot: Our Ancestral Tree. She said that nealogical Society in Woonsocket, R.I..) in Hartford on Sun. Sept. 25, 1983, as she wrote a couple of articles for the During the conversation, I mentioned Lee reported in the FCGSC Newsletter for CML. She emphasized that there was not DeRagon, and she asked how he was, Oct. 1983. He was not re-elected as a a rivalry between The Melting Pot and and I told her that he died on Sept. 17, Director at the election of officers held the CML, but that the two genealogical 2008, and that Patrick Lausier was the on Sat. May 19, 1984 at the East Hartford societies that produced them had different only Director of the FCGSC to attend Public Library. Due to the ambiguities of objectives. She said that she worked with his funeral. (I told her that I learned of the Aug. 1984 issue of the FCGSC News- DeLores Dupuis for The Melting Pot, DeRagon’s death two weeks after he letter and the June and Dec. 1984 issues and for the Simsbury Genealogical and died, while doing research on the inter- of the CML, it is not clear if he even ran Historical Research Library in Simsbury, net for the article.) I then gave Laurette for the office. Furthermore, it is not clear Conn. She said that DeLores “Dee” Du- the address for Lee DeRagon’s widow, who replaced him as a director, a detail puis was a past President of the DAR in Arlene, and we ended the conversation. that is obscured by the expansion of the Conn., and that she had to stop her work I later reviewed all the issues of number of directors in office, for there on The Melting Pot due to her health, The Genealogist by the ACGS from were six directors as of the election on and that she moved to Pennsylvania. 1975 to 2001, and I could not find any Sept. 25, 1983, and the eight directors in Laurette acknowledged that she articles or notices written by Laurette office as of the election on May 19, 1984. was a Director at the founding of the Billig, and my only conclusion is that she For the next two years, Lee DeRagon did FCGSC, but did not mention that she must have written about the very begin- not hold any elected office at the FCGSC. was the Corresponding Secretary from ning of the Acadian Cultural Society in Lee DeRagon was elected as Vice- Sept. 1984 to August 1987. She said that another publication, which could range President of the FCGSC on Sat. June 7, Doris Lausier is the person who named from a genealogical periodical to a local 1986, and the same day, Henri Carrier the journal of the FCGSC, the Connecti- newspaper. Also, I found the obituary (Continued on page 40) 39 Le Forum (Continued from page 39: 25 Years of the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two of the Nine Founders) “ L i o n e l DeRagon and was re-elected as President of the society, Susan Paquette during the elections held in the South on the second Windsor Public Library. Lee DeRagon floor of the Old replaced Raymond Thomas of South- Tolland County ington, Conn., (No. 69 FCGSC), in the C o u r t h o u s e , office. On Sat. May 17, 1987, Lee De- Sept. 24, 1989, Ragon was elected President of the FC- FCGSC Archives, GSC in the first election of officers held D e R a g o n at the Old Tolland County Courthouse in Collection.” Tolland, Conn., the current home of the FCGSC. He replaced Henri Carrier in the office, who was elected as Corresponding Secretary, replacing Laurette Dugas Bil- Special Anniversary Issue, 1981-1991. did not remember Ethel Hodgdon. He lig in the office. On Sat. May 21, 1988, In examining his pedigree chart, one said that the first committee meetings of Lee DeRagon was re-elected as President would notice that his seventeenth year the FCGSC were held in his home on 228 of the FCGSC, as reported in the Sum- must have been hard, for he was born on Penn Dr., West Hartford. He also remem- mer 1988 CML. On Sat. May 20, 1989, March 8, 1920 in New Bedford, Mass., bered there were meetings in the East Lorraine Harlow was elected President and when he turned seventeen, he lost his Hartford Public Library. He said that he of the FCGSC, and Lee DeRagon was maternal grandfather, Didace Marcoux, decided to help found the society because elected to a two-year term as Director, as on April 8, 1937, and his own father, he was retired and that he was interested reported in the FCGSC Newsletter, Aug. Sylva DeRagon, on April 11, 1937, both in genealogy. He said that a factor in the 1989. He did not run again as a Direc- in the City of Hartford, Conn. (The establishment of the FCGSC was that in tor in May 1991, and he was replaced funeral masses for both men were said 1981, the closest archive of genealogical by George Daigle, (No. 588 FCGSC) of in the Franco-American parish of Ste. books about French-Canada was in the Simsbury, Conn., as reported on the in- Anne in Hartford, Conn., as reported Springfield Public Library in Springfield, side front cover of the Winter 1992 CML. in the Hartford Times and the Hartford Mass., a resource that he used at that time. Lee DeRagon wrote two serialized Courant.) On the happier side, he mar- (An estimate from Yahoo Maps of the dis- articles for the journal of the FCGSC, the ried his wife, Arlene Helen McNamee tance between DeRagon’s house and the Connecticut Maple Leaf (CML). The on Dec. 5, 1942 in East Hartford, Conn. Springfield Public Library on 220 State longer series is entitled “1900 Federal I remember first seeing Lee De- St., Springfield, Mass., is 30.24 miles, Census of Connecticut,” and it ran for 17 Ragon on Sat. Oct. 19, 1996, (the most while distance from his house to the installments, from the first to the 21st is- memorable day of the FCGSC participa- FSC on 981 Park St., in Hartford is 3.14 sues of the CML, from June 1983 to Sum- tion in FrancoFest ’96) only because of miles.) He remembered that there was an mer 1993. The series is a compilation his reaction to seeing Roger Lacerte’s exchange of books between the Spring- of Franco-American surnames that Lee traveling bookstore on the second floor field library and the FCGSC. He also DeRagon extracted from the 1900 U.S. of the Old Tolland County Courthouse. mentioned a fund program based upon Federal Census taken in Connecticut. DeRagon exclaimed in shock when he ethnicity sponsored by the Aetna Insur- The shorter series that he wrote is entitled saw the books: “They’re all in French!!!” ance Company of Hartford, which aided “Service Records of Franco [American] He nearly choked on the last word, and the French-Canadian genealogical col- World War I Veterans from Connecticut,” I thought his eyes were about to pop lection at the Springfield Public Library. that ran in the Dec. 1985, June 1986 out of his head. Roger Lacerte, who Lee DeRagon remembered the first and Dec. 1986 issues of the CML. Lee did not know Lee DeRagon, coolly library of the FCGSC was in a clothes DeRagon extracted the Franco-American replied that the event was sponsored by closet, 12 feet by 12 feet, that was next to surnames from the three volume set enti- a French-Canadian society, and that he the bar at the French Social Circle on 981 tled Service Records of Connecticut Men had French books to sell. The second Park St., Hartford. Initially, the books and Women in the Armed Forces of the time I remember seeing Lee DeRagon that comprised the early library of the FC- United States during World War I, 1917- was at the 25th anniversary of the FC- GSC were not kept in the clothes closet, 1920 that was published in 1941 by the GSC, held on Sat. Oct. 7, 2006, at the for there was nothing to secure them, and Connecticut Adjutant General’s Office. Lodge at Crandall Park in Tolland, Conn. the founders had to keep the books at their Lee DeRagon published his an- On Thurs. June 15, 2006, I inter- homes, and on days when the library was cestry in a four-generation pedigree viewed Lee DeRagon by telephone and open, the books had to be brought into the chart that is found in the Connecticut he said that he remembered Henri Carrier, clothes closet. He said that Patrick Laus- Maple Leaf: Members’ Pedigree Charts, Lorraine Harlow, and Patrick Lausier, but (Continued on page 41) 40 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Continued from page 40: 25 Years of Hartford, Conn., sponsored a series of was never a member of the FCGSC. the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two events that aided the French-Canadian (J. Lionel Hebert also never joined the of the Nine Founders) genealogical collection at the Springfield FCGSC.) Aside from Fr. Albert Goulet, ier (No. 4 FCGSC) made cabinets in the Public Library. Aetna Life and Casualty there were seven other priests who joined clothes closet at the FSC so that the books sponsored at least two events that were the FCGSC while Henri Carrier was still could then be safely secured at the FSC. conducted by the staff of the Springfield alive: Fr. Robert J. Burbank (No. 438) of Lee DeRagon remembered that Public Library, and held at the Springfield St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Rocky Hill, Richard Poitras (No. 115 FCGSC) was Museum of Fine Arts, called “French- Conn.; Fr. Alexis Babineau A.A., (No. the person who notified Henri Carrier Canadian Connection,” that was held in 448), of Assumption College, Worcester, CML that the Old Tolland County Courthouse Aug. 1980, and another called “French- Mass., (Summer 1988 ); Fr. George was available for rent from the Tolland Canadian Connection II,” that was held E. Christian O.P. (No. 458) of Louisville, Library Association. DeRagon also said on Tues. Oct. 7, 1980. Ruth Danckert of Kentucky; Fr. Gerard Lebel C.Ss.P., that Richard Poitras made the wooden ta- the Springfield Morning Union reported (No. 460) of Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre, PQ, bles which are still in the FCGSC Library. in her article, “A Quest for Link to the Canada; Fr. Alfred Landry, (No. 484) CML DeRagon remembered that Patrick Laus- Past,” (Thurs. Oct. 9, 1980), about the of Enfield, Conn., (Winter 1988 ); ier got the society its first photocopier successful program that was sponsored Fr. Ronald Arthur Glaude, (No. 531) of CML for the CML and the FCGSC Newsletter. by Aetna, and that the library staff an- Brooklyn, Conn., (Summer 1989 ); Lee DeRagon remembered that ticipated a “French-Canadian Connection and Fr. Philip Edward Bonvouloir, A.A., Henri Carrier got at least two Catholic III,” sometime in the future. A fascinat- (No. 589) of Ste. Anne Parish, Fiskdale, CML priests into the society, and he mentioned ing aspect of the report is that the first Mass., (Winter 1990 ). It is notable Fr. Albert Goulet and Fr. Hector Hebert S.J. person who is named in the article is a that five of the seven priests joined in At the close of the telephone in- man named Leon Guimond of Enfield, 1988, two of whom served in the Arch- terview, I told Lee DeRagon that I had Conn., the same man who would later diocese of Hartford – Fr. Burbank and Fr. to go, and he said that I could call back help found the FCGSC. Danckert wrote Landry. A cause in the spike in the enroll- anytime, since was not going anywhere. that Leon Guimond described the land ment is that on the front page of the March Catholic Transcript There is no reason to doubt the that his ancestor held in the 1650s, and 11, 1988 issue of the , words of Lee DeRagon concerning the quoted and described Leon as: “...encour- (the newspaper of the Archdiocese of exchange of books on the topic of French- aging other Franco-Americans to trace Hartford), is an article entitled “Franco- Canadian genealogy between the FCGSC their family lines, saying that ‘church Americans Find Treasures in Tolland,” and the Springfield Public Library, but and civil records in Canada are very well which is about the FCGSC. The two there is no reference to such a program in preserved.’” Another notable person who assets of the FCGSC that are highlighted the surviving newsletters of the FCGSC. is named in the report is a speaker at in the article are the Loiselle Index and An implied support for such a policy is the program, Albert Roy of the Western the Hebert Collection, along with a brief the cooperation between the two organi- Massachusetts Genealogical Society, biography of Fr. Hector Hebert S.J. zations for a trip to Quebec, as reported who is Albert Roy of Chicopee, Mass., There are a total of five nuns who in the FCGSC Newsletter for Jan. 1990, and member No. 38 of the FCGSC. joined the FCGSC while Henri Carrier which has a notice for a: “Quebec City Lee DeRagon’s statement on Henri was still alive, four of whom are Daugh- History and Genealogy Tour: Sponsored Carrier’s role in persuading Catholic ters of the Holy Spirit. The first nun to by the Connecticut Valley Historical priests and religious to join the FCGSC join is Sr. Irene Fortier, DHS, (FCGSC Museum in cooperation with the French- is worthy of further analysis. Lee De- No. 89), whose residence is listed as 126 Canadian Genealogical Society of CT.” Ragon is correct that Fr. Albert Goulet of Putnam St., Hartford, in the June 1983 CML The trip was planned for June 11-15, Southbridge, Mass., was the first Catholic . The significance of the address 1990, and Joe Cavalho, the Director of priest to join the FCGSC, as member No. is that 126 Putnam St. is a house owned the Conn. Valley Historical Museum, 258 (June 1985 CML), but he is wrong by the parish of Ste. Anne, and it is little wrote that he, Norm LaRose and Henri about Fr. Hector Hebert S.J. as a member more than one block away from the FSC Carrier would be guides for the trip, as of the FCGSC. Fr. Hebert was never a on 981 Park St., the home of the first well as Charles and Irene Hayward. Also, member of the FCGSC, and after his library of the FCGSC. In the same issue CML the trip was planned to include visits from death on Oct. 31, 1986 at the Waltham- of the is listed Sr. Margaret Valois well-known genealogists such as Benoit Weston Hospital in Waltham, Mass., his (FCGSC No. 118) of Downers Grove, Pontbriand and Msgr. Gilles Heon, the brother, J. Lionel Hebert of Sturbridge, Illinois, and I suspect that Editor Jack Director of the Quebec Archives. Un- Mass., was instrumental in persuading the Valois, (FCGSC No. 31), persuaded her fortunately, there is neither a report in Jesuit Fathers at Campion Hall in Weston, to join the society. (It is not known why the CML, nor in the FCGSC Newsletter Mass., to donate Fr. Hebert’s collection the initials that signify her order are not about the success or failure of the trip. of genealogical material on the Acadians listed after her name.) In the Dec. 1983 CML Lee DeRagon is correct in his rec- to the FCGSC. Hence, the FCGSC has is listed Sr. Claudette Huot, DHS, the Hebert Collection, but Fr. Hebert (FCGSC No. 186), of Waterbury, Conn. ollection that Aetna Life and Casualty of (Continued on page 42) 41 Le Forum (Continued from page 41: 25 Years of the only current member of the Board of bers of the FCGSC would attend, and he the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two Directors of the FCGSC to have attended replied no, as far as he knew. He said of the Nine Founders) DeRagon’s funeral and committal cer- that Arlene DeRagon told him that Lee emony, which he mentioned during the DeRagon was very ill for eight or nine Sr. Flore Trudeau, DHS, joined the FC- monthly board meeting on Tues. Oct. 7, months before his death, and that the GSC three years later, as member No. 2008, although he did not give a formal FCGSC should expect to receive more 334, and her address is listed in the Dec. report of DeRagon’s funeral to the board. books from her, since she had boxes of 1986 CML as 176 Babcock St., Hartford, The obituary for Lee DeRagon stuff in storage due to their move out of which is about two blocks away from was published in the Hartford Courant their home in West Hartford. Pat Lausier the first library of the FCGSC, at 981 on Sat. Sept. 20, 2008, and it reported said that he did not attend the reception Park St., Hartford. (From the evidence that he died at the age of 88 at St. Fran- after the funeral at the Avery Heights of the addresses, both Sr. Fortier and Sr. cis Hospital in Hartford on Wed. Sept. Healthcare Center in Harford, and that Trudeau served the Franco-American 17, 2008. It reported that he is survived the body of Lee DeRagon was cremated. parish of Ste. Anne, which is on 820 by his wife of 65 years, Arlene (McNa- On Sat. Oct. 18, 2008, before Park St., Hartford.) The fifth nun to join mee) DeRagon, and their four children Pres. Susan Paquette opened the Fall the FCGSC is Sr. Albert Celine Ouel- (one daughter and three sons), and four General Membership Meeting of the lette, DHS, as member No. 481, and grandchildren. It reported that he gradu- FCGSC, she mentioned the recent her address is listed in the Winter 1988 ated from Hartford Public High School death of Lee DeRagon, and she called CML as the Parish of St. Paul of the in 1940, and he served in the U.S. Army, for a minute of silence in his memory. Shipwreck in San Francisco, California. 66th Infantry Division for three years To conclude on the Profiles of Two On Mon., July 7, 2008, while I was during World War Two. Later, he was a of the Nine Founders of the FCGSC, in the library of the FCGSC, Pres. Susan commercial carpenter with the Connecti- both Laurette Billig and Lee DeRagon Paquette told me that the DeRagons cut Carpenters’ Union, Local 43. It also said that the founders wanted to create were moving out of their home West reported that: “His favorite past time was the FCGSC and a genealogical library Hartford, and into an assisted living cen- genealogy. He was a past president of the in order to avoid the drive either to the ter, Avery Heights Healthcare Center in French Canadian Genealogical Society Springfield Public Library in Springfield, Harford. Due to the move, they donated of Connecticut.” It announced that his Mass., or the ACGS in Manchester, N.H. nearly 100 books on French-Canadian funeral would be held in West Hartford The significance of this goal is that seven genealogy to the FCGSC, a collection on Wed. Sept. 24, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. at the of the nine founders were members of that includes 35 volumes of the 47 vol- Molloy Funeral Home, and his Funeral the ACGS before they founded the FC- ume set entitled Repertoire des actes Mass would be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. GSC, and the only two founders of the de bapteme, mariage, sepulture et des Thomas the Apostle Church, and his buri- FCGSC who did not join the ACGS were recensements du Quebec ancient, pub- al would be in the Fairview Cemetery. Ethel Hodgdon and Paul Hebert. Ethel lished by the Programme de recherché On Wed. Oct. 22, 2008, I tele- Hodgdon was a member of eight Yankee en demographie historique, as well as phoned Patrick Lausier with the intention genealogical societies at the time of her the six volume set of Histoire et Gene- to interview him about his attendance at death on Nov. 7, 1981 and her interest in alogie des Acadiens by Bona Arsenault. Lee DeRagon’s funeral. However, he the FCGSC was likely due to the surname Lee DeRagon died on Wed. Sept. asked the first question, for he asked me if of her son-in-law, Paul Garneau, while 17, 2008, but I did not learn of his death I had received an e-mail about DeRagon’s Paul Hebert likely had his sights outside until two weeks later, on Wed. Oct. 1, death from within the Board of Directors of Connecticut not long after founding 2008, when I typed his name on Ya- of the FCGSC, and I told him, “No,” the FCGSC, for he did not hold any of- hoo. I found DeRagon’s obituary on and he concurred that he did not receive fice in the FCGSC after August 1982, the websites for the Hartford Courant such an e-message. He remarked that he and in 1983, he moved to Bear, Dela- and the Molloy Funeral Home in West read DeRagon’s obituary almost by ac- ware. Another aspect of both Billig and Hartford, Conn., and on the website cident, for returned from a trip to Maine DeRagon is that neither mentioned the for the Courant, I noticed that Director on the weekend after DeRagon’s death, use of computers or the internet, unlike Ivan Robinson wrote an e-message in and he chronologically read all the back the interviews with Paul Hebert, Leon the web guest book to Arlene DeRagon, issues of the Hartford Courant that he Guimond and Marcel Guerard, each of dated Sept. 22, 2008, two days after the missed while he was away. I told him whom are currently doing their geneal- obituary was published in the newspaper. that I no longer receive the Saturday ogy through the internet. Rather, one has The e-message that Robinson wrote edition of the Harford Courant because the impression that from the interviews is: “Arlene, I was very sorry to hear of it is such a thin newspaper. Pat Lausier with Hebert, Guimond and Guerard, a Lee’s passing. He will be remembered then proceeded to describe the events of society like the FCGSC would not be fondly by me and all his friends in the FC Lee DeRagon’s funeral. He said that he established today since the use of the genealogical society, which he served so spoke to Arlene DeRagon at the funeral internet bypasses the need for travel and well and generously. My thoughts go out home, she asked him if any other mem- (Continued on page 43) to you in your grief.” Patrick Lausier is 42 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER Cultural Affairs Officer for Kampot Province. a sister, Pauline Chasse Rodier of Engle- Obituaries After 32 years as a professor in the wood Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Paul P. Chassé language department at Rhode Island Col- A Mass of Christian Burial will be lege, where he introduced a graduate pro- celebrated 10 a.m. April 21 at St. Martin

SOMER - gram in Franco-American Ethnic Heritage Church followed by burial in Mt. Cal- SWORTH ; Paul Studies, he retired as Professor Emeritus. vary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memori- P. Chasse, 81, died He was appointed the state’s first Secretary als may be made to St. Charles Children’s March 26, 2008, at his of Culture in Governor Noel’s cabinet. Home, 19 Grant St., Rochester, NH 03867. home following a pe- Poet, author, historian, journalist, riod of failing health. world traveler, genealogist and lecturer Born July 11, he was awarded Quebec’s Prix Champ- Therese (Ga- 1926, the son of Noel lain and was named Chevalier and Of- gnon) Lachance, 80, and Annie (Curran) ficier de l’Orde des Palmes Academiques of Bristol, wife of Regi- Chasse, he was educated at St. Martin Acad- by France. In 2002, he received by Royal nald Lachance, died on emy. He received his BA from UNH and his Decree the award of Commander of the Tuesday, (September Master’s and Ph.D. from Laval University. Royal Order of the Monisaraphon by King 16, 2008) at Bristol He began his teaching career in Som- Norodom Sihanook of Cambodia. Many Hospital. Therese was ersworth, then Pittsfield, Charlton, Mass., other awards are too numerous to mention. born on March 23, UNH and Birmingham Southern College. Lovingly involved in the church 1928, in St. Ludger, Quebec, Canada and Under the Fulbright grant, he taught at Prea he was fortunate to include many nuns, was a daughter of the late George and Clara Reach Sampear College in Cambodia and priests, bishops and cardinals as personal (Gilbert) Gagnon. A longtime Bristol resident was the first Fulbright scholar to serve three friends and to have an audience with Pope she was an active member of St. Ann Church consecutive years in the same country, which John Paul II. He will be dearly missed. where she served as Eucharistic Minister took two acts of Congress for each renewal. Paul was predeceased by a brother for 20 years, Director of the Alleluia Choir He was officially classified as the American Adrien, who died in 2003. Survivors include (Continued on page 50) Submitted by Albert Marceau (Continued from page 42: 25 Years of Newington, CT the FCGSC: Part Four, Profiles of Two of the Nine Founders)

the establishment of libraries. The third aspect of the interviews with Billig and DeRagon is that one has the impression that the FCGSC is part of a greater whole in the field of genealogy, for Billig clearly stated that she could not publish what she wanted through the CML, so she was able to publish her material through The Melting Pot, and there was no enmity be- tween the two societies that published the journals. Similarly, DeRagon recollected that the very beginning of the FCGSC “Danny Hebert and the Boys from New Brunswick perform at the Acadian Music had its roots in the lectures on the field Day, June 14, 2008, Templeton, Mass.” of French-Canadian genealogy held at the Springfield Public Library and sponsored by Aetna Life and Casualty, a recollection that I somewhat doubted until I found in the vertical files of the FCGSC the news- paper report in the Springfield Morning Union that not only supported DeRagon’s recollection, but named two members of the FCGSC before it was founded. In the next installment, the role of Patrick and Doris Lausier in the early establishment of the FCGSC will be examined, for they hold member- ship No. 4 in the society, a number that would have likely gone to Ethel Hodg- “Janelle and Christine Melanson perform at the Templeton Fish don if she did not become ill and die in and Game Club, Templeton Mass., Sat. June 14, 2008.” the early establishment of the society. 43

Le Forum

religion Catholique Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd Sa Foi. héritage franco-américain Qui Perd Sa Foi Perd Sa Langue Une autobiographie spirituelle émotions en français

Par Irène Simoneau lesbienne Présentée aux membres d’un cours Education for Ministry de intellectuelle avec la langue anglais l’Église Épiscopale St.Jean à Bangor, Maine, octobre 2008.

J’étais tout au début de mes trente biographie au groupe de l’église cet cain et un quart bleu représentant la reli- ans quand j’ai fait parti d’un atelier octobre, j’ai essayé de récréer ce que gion Catholique à côté du quart orange, avec d’autres femmes à l’Université je me rappelais de l’exercice original. suivi par un quart en couleur lavende pour du Maine la première fois que j’étais là Il faut se rappeler aussi que dans à peu symboliser ma nouvelle conscience com- pour obtenir mon degré. Les leaders de près l’année 1975, je ne connaissais me lesbienne. Le dernier quart du cercle l’atelier nous ont demandé de dessiner pas beaucoup les différentes combi- était divisé en deux pour représenter,dans un cercle et de placer des couleurs dans naisons de couleurs que je me devais une partie, mes émotions, en un or- le cercle qui devraient nous expliquer d’identifier. Aujourd’hui je les connais ange foncé, reliée avec le français, et ou nous identifier. Parce qu’il y avait plus ou moins mais j’avais certainement finalement ma vie intellectuelle en bleu d’autres femmes franco-américaines dans manqué les nuances des combinaisons foncé reliée avec la langue anglaise. le groupe, les leaders nous ont aussi de- de ces couleurs quand j’étais plus jeune. En ce temps-là je me sentais divisée en mandé d’identifier, par couleurs,d’autres Ce que j’avais dessiner dans un deux, mes émotions dans une langue, questions sur la langue, s’il y en avaient. grand cercle était un quart orange ma vie intellectuelle dans une autre. Quand j’ai présenté mon auto- représentant mon héritage franco-améri- (Suite page 45)

Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd Sa Foi Who Loses His/ Franco-American Her Language Loses His/Her Faith Heritage Catholic Faith Qui Perd Sa Foi Perd Sa Langue Who Loses His/ Her Faith Loses His/Her Language

by Irène Simoneau Emotions Expressed in French Lesbianism From a presenta�on to members of a course en�tled “Educa�on for Ministry” at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bangor, Maine, October 2008 Intellectual life expressed in English

I am presenting you my spiritual ing oneself. Because there were other Catholic Faith. This was followed by autobiography by way of illustrating it Franco-Americans, other than myself, in another quarter of the circle in laven- in color segments in circles to show that group, we were also asked to identify der, symbolizing my newly-recognized you overlays and differences in my language issues by color also. Hence, I lesbianism. The last quarter of the awareness development over the years. have recreated what I remember from that circle was divided in two, one section The first circle displayed of color original exercise, and then, how this circle for my emotions, expressed in French, identification comes from the middle would appear to me today. I did not have colored dark orange and thus related 1970’s when I was attending the Univer- full awareness in the 1970’s and therefore to the Franco-American area next to sity of Maine the first time , trying to ob- did not recognize identity combination it, and finally a section colored in dark tain my doctorate in Canadian-American issues that I missed then, but now know. blue, representing my intellectual life, history at that time. It was in my early What I had originally drawn in expressed in English. At that time, I thirties when I was in a workshop with the first great circle of the 1970’s was a felt as if I were divided in two, between other women who were asked to draw quarter area in orange representing my my emotions expressed in one language a circle and place colors in that circle Franco-American heritage, with a quarter and my intellectual life in another. that could later be explained as identify- circle in blue next to it, representing the (Continued on page 45) 44 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd suite de dans les usines de textile, qui prenaient notre mémoire, la réponse du catéchisme. page 44) soin des bébés pendant la deuxième Si on disait quelque chose incorrecte de Et c’est ici avec cette présenta- guerre mondiale. Elles étaient mes mères notre mémoire, la soeur nous frappait sur tion du cercle du passé que j’ai com- nourricières à partir de l’âge de deux se- les doigts, de la même façon qu’elle nous mencé mon autobiographie spirituelle. maines jusqu’à quatre ans. Et c’est sur les avait frappé quand on a apprit l’alphabet Je suis issue d’une famille religieuse genoux des soeurs Jalbert de Lowell que français. De cettemanière j’ai appris mixte. Mon père fut élevé Protestant, ma j’ai appris toutes mes prières d’enfance très vite à lire mes lettres en français et mère Catholique, les deux d’origines de catholiques et la langue française, avec- à apprendre le catéchisme Baltimore par Lowell, dans le Massachusetts. Mais ses jeux et chansons et rhythme de la vie coeur pour que je puisse faire ma première malgré ça, les deux côtés de ma famille de cette culture. Alors le Catholicisme, communion à l’âge de sept ans avec tous étaient d’origine canadienne-francaise. par voie de la culture franco-américaine, les autres de mon âge. Autrement, je C’est simplement que ma grand-mère a été profondément enforcé dans ma n’aurais pas eu de doigts que me restent. paternelle, rendu veuve, s’est convertie à vie depuis un âge tendre. Je fus élevée J’ai continué mon éducation dans la foi protestante, Baptiste, et a emmené complètement en français jusqu’à l’âge le Petit Canada de Lowell où je fus élever. tous ces enfants dans cette foi. Plus tard, de sept ans, l’âge où j’ai fait ma première Autre que quelques familles grecques qui mon père au temps de sa mort a voulu se communion dans l’Église Catholique. ont émigrés au Petit Canada, peut-être à convertir au Catholicisme quand j’avais Mais,afin de faire la première com- cause d’une alliance de mariage avec des cinq ans. Quant à moi, je fus baptiser munion il fallait lire le français, plus ou canadiens-fançais, tout le Petit Canada dans la foi catholique à l’âge de trois moins,parce qu’il fallait apprendre cer- était français et Catholique. Et nous pou- jours après ma naissance pour éviter taines parties du catéchisme Baltimore, vions vivre notre vie franco-américaine une querelle religieuse dans la famille. traduit en français. On était alignercontre dans ce quartier, de la naissance jusqu’à Mais bien avant sa mort, mon le mur dans la classe avec une Soeur qui la mort,pour beaucoup d’entre nous. Il père m’avait placé dans un foyer franco- avait une grosse règle. On nous deman- y'avait un hôpital français, dirigé par des américain avec des femmes, soeurs non- dait une question, comme,qu’est-ce que Soeurs qui venaient du Canada français, mariées, retirées de leurs occupations la Trinité Sainte, et il fallait répondre, de ou qui étaient franco-américaines elles- (Suite page 46)

(Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd continued from page 44) Therefore, Catholicism via the Franco- the wall with others in the class, facing And now I will start this presenta- American culture was deeply imbedded in a Sister who had a big ruler. You were tion with the French words that begin the me since my early childhood, despite reli- asked a question, such as what was the Catholic Faith presentation and are also translated there gious differences in my family make-up. Holy Trinity, and then you had to spout because they are crucial to my identity At the age of two weeks, my father back, from memory, the answer in the cat- development, which integrated religion placed me in a Franco-American foster echism. If you said something incorrect and culture. Those words were part of La home, run by Catholic Charities, with from memory, you were hit on the fingers Survivance (Survival) for Franco-Ameri- three unmarried sisters, retired from with the big ruler the Sister was carrying. cans during a long period of their estab- work in the textile industry. Those were She had taught you your French letters in lishment and life in the United States. the years of World War ll, and my father, the same manner. In this way, I learned Lesbianism I was born into a mixed Protestant already too old for that particular war, had how to read French and memorize the (Baptist)-Catholic family. My father’s to find employment across the country. Baltimore Catechism in French very fast. family was the Protestant side, my I remained with these foster mothers, I therefore made my First Communion mother’s, the Catholic. However, both the Jalbert sisters, until I was four years at the age of seven with everyone else sides of the family were French-Canadian old, and even after I rejoined my fam- and I saved my fingers for my future life. in origin. My widowed paternal grand- ily I visited with them on weekends. It I continued my education in the mother, who spoke French fluently, had is with them I learned all my Catholic Little Canada of Lowell, Mass., where converted to the Baptist faith and took prayers, the French language and all I was raised. Other than a few Greek- all her children, including my father, into the songs and games of my culture. I American families who had migrated to this new faith. My father would later was raised completely in French and the Little Canada, perhaps because of in- convert to Catholicism on his deathbed, did not know much English until about ter-marriage with the French, all of Little when I was five years old. I myself the age of seven when I made my First Canada was both French and Catholic. was baptized in my mother’s faith in a Communion in the Catholic Church. From the possibility of your birth in a Catholic hospital when I was three days In order to make one’s First Com- Franco-American Catholic hospital; to old in order to avoid as much bickering munion in my community in Lowell, your education, up to and including your as possible between the two matriarchs of Ma., one had to know how to read French high school years in Franco-American different faiths in my family. And what because one had to memorize sections schools, taught by Franco-American was already accomplished, baptism in of the Baltimore Catechism, translated or French-Canadian nuns; to all your the Catholic faith, could not be undone. in French. You were lined up against (Continued on page 46) 45 Le Forum (Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd suite de se marier, entrer au couvent. J’ai choisi elle-même Yankee, qui m’a convaincue, page 45) le couvent,pensant en même temps que malgré tous nos conflits, d’utiliser mon mêmes. Nous pouvions poursuivre notre les Soeurs payeraient pour mon éduca- français en m’engageant dans l’histoire éducation, jusqu’à la fin du cours supéri- tion au collège si je pouvais être à leur de mon peuple. Et c’est ici aussi que je eur, avec les même Soeurs, et aussi il y service. J’ai choisi un ordre canadien qui me suis engagée avec un jeune groupe avait des Frères pour les garçons qui ar- acceptait les filles franco-américaines et de franco-américains à l’Université. rivaient à un certain age, toutes sortes de c’était aussi le même ordre qui m’avait Alors, avec ces influences je suis de- magasins pour aller faire des emplettes, instruit. Mais mon expérience dans le venu capable d’aimer mon peuple et des activités et des clubs sociaux, les couvent n’a pas duré longtemps, jusqu’à en même temps de m’aimer aussi car services à l’Église-mère Catholique, des peu près la fin du noviciat. Je n’étais les deux, se penchent un sur l’autre. entrepreneurs de pompes funèbres à la fin pas de nature très obéissante. Ce que Hélas,j’avais payé un prix pour de nos jours, et finalement, l’enterrement je me rappelle le plus de ces années mon retour à l’acceptation de la culture dans un cimetière Catholique français. est que j’aimais prier, et aujourd’hui de mon enfance. J’avais rejeté le Ca- Quand on allait à d’autres parties de j’hérite encore l’avantage de tous ces tholicisme et adopter l’agnosticisme. Lowell qui n’étaient pas française, c’était prières recitées quand j’étais jeune. C’était la première fois que j’avais plutôt étrange; c’était la même ville, mais Sortie du couvent, je suis allée séparé la culture franco-américaine de étrangère quand même. Quand je gran- au collège à Lowell, graduée, et de là à son attachement au Catholicisme. Cette dissait dans le Petit Canada je pensais l’Univerité de Virginie pour obtenir ma période de séparation a duré longtemps. que tout le monde était franco-américain. maîtrise, et de là encore, transferrée à En1979, je suis retourné à Lowell, J’ai graduée d’un cours supérieur l’Université du Maine pour obtenir un avec ma thèse se doctorat incomplète français-catholique pour les filles, et là je doctorat en histoire. Et, c’est à l’UMaine mais avec des nouveaux engagements à me voyais entre deux choix de vocations: que j’ai commencé à changé. Je suis ar- mon esprit de féminisme et saphisme que continuer au collège parce que je voulais rivée Catholique mais trouvait ma culture j’avais découvert comme identités quand plus d’instruction pour fuir le ghetto du franco-américaine odieuse. C’est grâce j’étais à l’Université. Tout les deux de Petit Canada, ou faire comme une bonne à ma première conseillère académique ces identités m’étaient très satisfaisantes. fille franco-américaine qui ne voulait pas dans le départment d’histoire, une femme (Suite page 47) (Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd continued later years of novice training, close to the she believed, would I grow to love my from page 45) taking of temporary vows. I was never people, and perhaps even myself as a shopping needs; to social activities and much the obedient type, and besides branch of those people. I did finally do social clubs; to French undertakers (and other things were beginning to stir in me. this. It also helped that I came in contact there were many in the community) for What I remember the most from those and joined with a fledgling organization wakes; to burial services in the French- years in the convent was that I loved to of Franco-American students called Catholic Church and then to final burial pray and those prayers have been left as F.A.R.O.G. (Franco-American Resource in a French-Catholic cemetery, all your a huge legacy in my life from that time. Opportunity Group) organized to give needs were met in French in Little Can- From my trial period in the convent mutual support to students and even staff ada. Going to other parts of Lowell that I went to college in Lowell, graduated at the University. They were a continued were not French, (at that time Lowell had with a combined history, education de- source of support for me and also contact four other French sections, not including gree; then went to graduate school at the with other Franco-Americans statewide. Little Canada) was always an adventure University of Virginia, graduating with However, there was a price to in foreign travel. I suppose when I grew a Masters in International Relations; and pay for my concentration in my newly- up in that Little Canada I thought the from there to an attempted doctorate in discovered self-esteem in regard to my whole world was Franco-American. Canadian-American history at the Uni- culture. Catholicism was shelved and I I graduated from a French-Catholic versity of Maine. Still, my Catholicism officially adopted agnosticism while at high school for girls in my community came with me to Maine, though it had the University. Instead I concentrated in and was torn between two vocational pos- begun to change in Virginia. I had ar- re-discovering myself as a feminist and a sibilities: going on to college, because by rived somewhat Catholic in practice but lesbian. This became my first real sepa- then learning had become a deep calling hateful of my Franco-American culture. ration of Franco-Americanism from Ca- for me, or choosing the other vocational It took a few people here to turn my tholicism. This period lasted a long time. path, open to Franco-American girls who attitude around. One was my first aca- In 1979, I returned to Lowell did not wish to marry, religious life. I demic advisor in the history department, with my doctoral exams passed but my chose to go into training to become a a solid Yankee woman, but respectful dissertation incomplete. I did have a nun in the order that had educated me, of Francos in this state, to convince me, newly-arrived sense of lesbianism and hoping that they would also help educate despite our many conflicts and disagree- feminism that I felt I needed to under- me further if I proved to be of service to ments, to use my French language and stand more fully. But, I did also get them. I didn’t last very long in the train- thereby get involved in studying the ing for convent life, perhaps as far as the history of my own people. Only then, (Continued on page 47) 46 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd suite de fiée comme une de ces enfants-adultes Hampshire, je me suis rendu compte page 46) qui venait d’une famille alcoölique,avec que je ne pouvais plus combiner mon Cependant, pendant ce long séjour tous les traits que ces enfants-adultes féminisme et mon Saphisme avec les à Lowell j’ai acquis un autre conflit. J’ai héritent. Comme je travaillais pour enseignements de l’Église Catholique. accepté une position d’enseignement mon rétablissement, j’ai retrouvé le Bon Je pouvais encore faire une combinai- dans un cours supérieur Catholique Dieu encore une fois, car je m’avais son avec le franco-américanisme, mais dirigé par le même ordre de Soeurs qui associé à un programme de douze seulement dans l’esprit conservateur m’avaient enseignée auparavant. Mais pas qui était profondément spirituel. de mon enfance. Je pense que c’est cette femme franco-américaine d’une Mes dernières années ici que j’ai commencé à avoir un rap- connaissance d’autre fois était mainten- d’enseignement au cours supérieur- port amour-haine avec le Catholicisme. ant agnostique, féministe et lesbienne. marchaient plus facilement avec mon Enfin, j’ai commencé à cherché Les Soeurs m’ont endurée, et moi, j’ai programme et je suis devenue amie d’autres choix sprituels et religieux pour enduré aussi. J’étais use bonne maîtresse avec un prêtre qui m’a aidé à augmenter ma vie. J’ai fréquenté les services Épis- et je pense aujourd’hui que l’influence ma spiritualité. Même aujourd’hui je copaliens à Concord. À première vue, ça des Soeurs pendant ces années m’a suis reconnassante à ce programme paraissait semblable au Catholicisme,mais bien touché et peut-être m’a réhabil- de douze pas pendant ces années à je trouve aujourd’hui que je n’étais pas ité en ce qui concerne la spiritualité. Lowell pour mon retour au Bon Dieu. aussi comfortable que je pensais. Cette Plus tard, dans mes dernières an- À la fin de mes années religion était pour moi toujours un peu nées de ma carrière d’enseignement, je d’enseignement au cours superieur à étrange. Mais j’ai pris l’instruction sentais quequelque chose n’allait pas. Lowell, j’ai déménagé au New Hamp- quand même dans cette foi et je désirais Je suis devenu déprimée, irritable, avec shire et je suis ensuite retournée à l’Église vraiment d’être reçue par l’évêque Robin- aucun sens d’énergie intérieure. Heu- Catholique que j’avais abandonné après son, pour témoigner mon support envers reusement, je sortais avec une femme mon programme de douze pas,pensant que une autre personne gaie comme moi. qui m’a introduite à un programme de j’étais guérit de tous mes traits d’héritage Je suis arrivée au Maine en sep- douze pas pour des enfants-adultes de alcoölique et c’est ce que je pensais. tembre l’année passé pour continuer mes familles alcoöliques. Je me suis identi- Finalement,en 2007 au New (Suite page 48)

(Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd continued initial difficulty, I took to the Program, in New Hampshire. I finally realized from page 46) began working very hard at my recovery I couldn’t combine my lesbianism, or involved in a conflict of values when I from the behaviors inherited from the even my feminism, with the Catholic returned to my hometown. I took a teach- alcoholism of my family background, Church’s teachings. I could combine my ing job in a Catholic High School, with and most importantly, found God again Franco-Americanism again but only in the nuns who had taught me, teaching through this most spiritual Program. I’m the conservative way of my childhood, mostly history and French. This might not sure I was in the Catholic frame of something I could not do anymore. I was have been alright except that I was still mind at the high school but I certainly beginning to have that love-hate relation- an agnostic, and a feminist, and a lesbian. believed in God and things ran much ship with Catholicism I still have. And so I remember saying prayers with the more smoothly in a religious way at the I began looking for religious alternatives. students using the feminine pronoun for high school. Moreover, by this time I I started attending Episcopalian God and being hauled into the principal’s had befriended a Catholic priest at the services in Concord. At first, those ser- office to be accused of being an atheist. high school who became my best buddy vices seemed very similar to Catholi- At least I could safely say I wasn’t an for awhile and thus influenced my spiri- cism, other than the use of the Book of atheist. I was only an agnostic after all, tual growth. It’s as if I had received a Common Prayer, but I don’t believe and so this phase with them passed. I much-needed injection of spirituality in now that I ever felt that comfortable remember those years as kind of rolling my life. To this day, I thank that Twelve- with the Faith itself. It always seemed along in some kind of religious daze. Step Program for my return to God. a bit foreign, especially in regard to not But I enjoyed teaching, and mostly be- At the end of my Catholic High including many people of different ethnic ing with the Sisters again and perhaps School teaching days, I moved to New backgrounds in that Faith. But I did take their influence re-converted me later. Hampshire and returned full-fledged to the training in the Faith and I truly desired But late in my high school teach- the Catholic faith I had abandoned many to be received by Bishop Robinson, in ing career I felt something was terribly years before. But, I also simultaneously order to show another gay person as much wrong. I was becoming depressed and dropped my Twelve-Step Program, be- support as possible. However, I really irritable, with no sense of inner drive lieving I was cured of all the alcoholic don’t believe now that I thought through anymore. Luckily, I had been going out behaviors stemming from my childhood this conversion very well at the time. with a woman who introduced me to home. I thought all I needed was the Cath- I arrived in Maine late last year to the ACOA (Adult Children of Alcohol- olic Church again and all would be well. continue my degree, abandoned so many ics) Twelve-Step Program. After some Things were not so well last year (Continued on page 48) 47 Le Forum (Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd suite de avec ce programme, je sais que le Bon franco-américanisme et le page 47) Dieu me guide toujours, malgré mon Catholicisme choix religeux, qui peut toujours changer. pas vers mon degré abandonné ça fait Finalement, je peux finir par dess- longtemps déjà. Je me suis établis dans iner un autre cercle qui pourrait me une petite paroisse épiscopalienne près de décrire aujourd’hui. Dans ce nouveau l’Université avec un bon pasteur conseil- cercle, presque la moitié du cercle en leur. Mais elle me disait souvent qu’elle combinaison orange et bleue constitue pensait que le Catholicisme me tirait le franco-américanisme qui est pris dans encore et qu’elle craignait que je retourn- un filet avec le Catholicisme, non pas à Saphisme erais à cette foi. Depuis ce temps j’ai côté l’un de l’autre. C’est pour ça que alcoölisme changé de paroisse deux foix encore. On c’est devenu difficile de démêler l’un de dirait que je ne peux pas trouver ma vraie l’autre. L’autre partie, plus de la moitié té de ses traits et que je voulait surmonter. demeure. Mais, j’ai un ancre de spiritual- du cercle est divisée entre le Saphisme, Mais, ce que je sais enfin, c’est que le ité quand même. Quand je suis retournée encore en couleur lavende et une nouvelle nouveau cercle coloré fait du bon sens au Maine, je suis aussi retournée à mon partie en gris représentant l’alcoölisme de dans mon identification de moi-même. programme de douze pas, Al-Anon. Et ma famille d’origine de laquelle j’ai héri-

tion, I would like to show another circle Franco-Americanism and (Qui Perd Sa Langue Perd continued Catholicism from page 47) that could describe an understanding of myself and my identity much better years before, to settle in a small Episco- than I did in the 1970’s. In this new palian parish, close to the University. circle, almost half the circle, but not My first pastor, no longer there, became quite now, is colored a combination of a supporter, counselor and wise teacher. orange, overlaid with blue, in a kind of a But she told me she had noticed I was mesh, not in orange, representing Franco- constantly drawn back to Catholicism Americanism, next to blue, representing Alcoholic and feared I would return. Unfortu- Catholicism. They were never side-by- Lesbianism Traits nately, I am still in that never-never land side, but rather enmeshed, as described. of not knowing where I really belong This is why it has been difficult ing to overcome. It is fitting that this large religiously. I am still an Episcopalian, for me to separate one from the other section should be colored gray because but one with doubts. However, my throughout my life. The other part of in French, gris(e), in addition to trans- spirituality grows again by virtue of the the circle is divided between lesbianism, lating the color gray, also means tipsy Twelve-Step Program, which I rejoined again in lavender color, and now a new from drunkenness. But now I know that when I returned to Maine last September. large section in gray which represents the this new color circle makes much more For this, I will remain incredibly grateful. alcoholic traits I have inherited from my sense in terms of my self-identification. Finally, to finish this presenta- family of origin and which I am still try-

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49 Le Forum (Obituaries continued from page 43) Authur Gérard H. Robichaud for 20 years, Sacristine for 30 years, chair- man of the St. Ann Dinner Club, Trustee of the Parish Council, and member and past Gerry passed away Satur- president of the Ladies of St. Ann Society. day, October 18th at 12:45 AM For her dedication to the parish, she was Gerry had not been doing well awarded the Archdiocese of Hartford Medal for about 3 weeks. He could no longer of Appreciation. She hosted the radio show, stay alone in his apartment. I had him “Le Foyer Canadien” on the former WBIS, admitted to the hospital on Sunday, was secretary and treasurer of L’Union des Franco-Americains of CT, was an officer of October 12th to be evaluated. He said L’Union St. Jean Baptiste, was a member of to me, ‘I think that this may be my last the Association Canado-Americains, and was ride’.He was dehydrated and weak. With a member of the Federation Feminine. In addi- intravenous feeding he perked right up. tion to her husband, Therese is survived by a From the hospital stay, his next option son Gaetan Lachance and his partner, Michael was to go to a rehab center or be moved Farmer of Sheffield, MA; two daughters and to a nursing home. He chose the rehab sons in law, Carmen and Regis Letourneau center. He wanted to try to get stronger with the bride. He did all three. How of Harwinton and Joanne and Paul Sirko of so that he could return home. He tried for happy he was to have met his goals. Bristol; five brothers, Emmanuel Gagnon of He had a wonder - Bristol, Reginald and Gregoire Gagnon of a day but said to me, “Honey, this is too ful time at the wedding. Our fam- St. Ludger, Quebec, Canada, Andre Gagnon big for me.” That day he basically gave of Norton, VT, and Jacques Gagnon of Que- up. He stopped eating. It was very quick. ily loved him very much. Enjoy! bec City, Canada; six sisters, Rita Rodrigue, He died peacefully in his sleep. I am so Yvette Fillion, and Georgette Faucher, all of thankful that he was not in any pain. What Anita Poulin Bristol, Mary Paul Roy of St. Ludger, PQ, a wonderful man! I miss him very much. (Submitted by Norman Beaupré) Canada, Regine Roy of St. Gedeon, PQ, He chose to have no funeral ser- Canada, and Nicole Begin of Montreal; five vices here in Maine. He was cremated grandchildren, Sylvie-Anne, Serge, and Denis on Wednesday, October 22. His wish Bisson, Amy Letourneau, and Kim Sirko; two great grandchildren, Ava Braddock and Olivia was for his ashes to be brought to Indian Bisson; and many nieces and nephews. She Gap VA Cemetery in PA. My husband was predeceased by a son, Roger Lachance. and I will drive down to do that for him. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 20, at 9 a.m. from Funk Funeral TO HIS FRIENDS: Thank you Home, 35 Bellevue Avenue, Bristol, to St. Ann all for being such good friends to Church, Bristol for a Mass of Christian Burial him. You all meant the world to him. at 10 a.m. Burial to follow in St. Joseph Cem- Please extend this message to any- etery, Bristol. Relatives and friends may call one you feel should know the news. at the funeral home on Friday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to I would like to share this with St. Ann Church Memorial Fund, 180 Laurel all of you: Gerry had set a goal for St., Bristol, CT 06010. On-line guestbook himself. He wanted to reach 100, at- Anita and Gerry dancing available at www. FunkFuneralHome.com tend my sons wedding and dance at her son's wedding

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Contact: Gene Cyr PO Box 366 Washburn, ME

[email protected]

50 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER dence – you know who mothers are. and bolted out the door amidst a blaze (N.D.L.R. This letter to the Editor Rose was so enchanted by this of lightening and a mighty thunderclap. first appeared in the St. John Valley Times, young suitor that she had forgotten to probe As he did so, his hat flew to the floor July 23 edition, Madawaska, Maine) into his background. That could come and the revelers noticed that it had two holes later, she told her mother reassuringly. in the top. They drew the obvious conclu- Mother had bad vibes about this guy, sion and started to drift away, shocked Rose LaTulippe, a and she withheld her consent. She was also and sobered by their bizarre experience. bothered by her daughter’s demeanor, who was As for the willful lassie who was, by Guéret legend? enthralled, nay, mesmerized by this stranger. now, quite mortified, she was escorted home Mother’s protests were for naught. by the priest who admonished her all the was. To the editor, Rose donned her most elegant finery Her distraught mother greeted her with At one time, the legend of Rose for the occasion and waited patiently for her gusted affection and they tell me that Rose LaTulippe was common knowledge. I escort to arrive. When, finally, his coach LaTulippe never, but never, strayed again. first heard and wrote about it when I was pulled into the yard (some say it was drawn There you have it. As you may in the fourth grade. It was still widely by six splendid roasters, coal black) a man have guessed, there are as many variants known among senior citizens in 1971 when sporting a top hat and wearing a redingote and of this legend as there are people to speak I began my field research in the Valley. white gloves, opened the door. Rose stepped it but the motif remains constant. Unlike Given my interest in onmastics, I inside and together they sped into the night. the folktale, which was related only to waited patiently all year for the Guerrette After they arrived at the dance hall, entertain, the legend was meant to inform. Family reunion to determine whether this (or was it a chateau?) they avoided people Legends have a whis - fascinating legend was still circulating and kept to themselves, although the LaTu- per of truth that incites curiosity. in oral traditions. I hypothesized that it lippe girl was well known in the community. I appeal to your readers to inform me would not be, and I guessed correctly. The music was grand and people if they are acquainted with this legend and Among the people that I ques- imbibed and made merry. As the evening when, where and how they heard about it. tioned, my findings were the following: wore on, however, people complained that This will help me trace its migratory path age group 70- vaguely remembered with whenever the couple twirled by their table, and determine whether the legend is still some prompting; age group 40-50 – faint the temperature seemed to climb several vibrant, moribund or somewhere in between. recollection or none; below 40 – I struck out. degrees. Moreover, they were struck by the I would also welcome any informa- For the benefit of you youngsters - at my fact that the stranger had not removed his tion on the origin of the name LaTulippe. age anyone below 40 is a mere youngster – al- hat and that he was still wearing his gloves My university address is: Box low me to groso modo to refresh your memories. – certainly unconventional comportment. 57, Cyr Hall, University of Maine Rose LaTulippe was a charming Closing time was approaching at Fort Kent, Fort Kent, ME 04743. young lady in the fullness of age, who hap- when someone noticed what appeared My email ad - pened to make the acquaintance of a tall, to be claws protruding from the man’s dress is: [email protected] dark, and handsome young stranger. He gloves. That was enough to send some- I can also be reached through the sec- invited her toe the local Saturday night dance one after the local priest, who arrived post retary at mailto:[email protected] and, without much hesitation, accepted. haste just before the stoke of midnight. I can’t promise that I will answer There was endless interrogation by The good padre preceded to douce all correspondence, but I will research, her mother after Rose informed there of the stranger with holy water. Thereupon, file and forever be très reconnaisant. her date. Mother wanted to know his the mysterious creature, it could hardly Roger Paradis age, origin, occupation and place of resi- be called a man, bellowed most horrible Fort Kent her doubting him...for not believing es to her father whenever she could. (The Isidore continued from page 23) him. He never mentioned it again, at " R a b b i t f o o d ! " h e ' d his scarf. His hands were shaking. least not to her. And she knew why. growled but ate it anyway. Jill didn't know what She'd hesitated calling her sister, "Remember, " Hester continued, to say and hesitated. She worried Hester, a retired school teacher, that "when we traveled to Canada with about her eighty year old father. day. She could picture Hester jump- him a few years ago? To visit with his "You don't believe me!" ing into her Dodge Dart and barreling cousins? The food he ate there...eggs "Pa...the phantom ship? No, I don't!" down from Millinocket anxious to fried in bacon fat, butter and whole milk "What else could it be...no four herd their father to see the local shrink. from their farms and salt pork! Do you masted ships around these parts anymore?" Hester burned up the phone lines of- remember teh salt pork? They used it He struggled to his feet..."Wait till I tell the ten, to check up on their father and his so much...with their baked beans, boiled guys.""Too early...Hebert's not open yet." health. She was obsessive about it. with their vegetables...and Pa...he ate that "I'll walk slow." Just today, she'd called again. salt pork...wouldn't let them throw it out!" She knew she couldn't "Are you watching Pa's diet?" "I know...he loved it." stop him... "I'll go with you." "Yes, yes." She'd exploded..." A #1 artery "No, that's okay, I'll be alright." "Last time I saw he looked a blocker!!" And before she could say bit paunchy. No fatty foods?" "Okay Hester...not to worry...he'll anything more, he was gone. "No." be okay." He'd never forgotten that day... Jill served copious salad dish- (Continued on page 52) 51 Le Forum (The Isidore continued from page 51) only a few flakes spinning to the ground long time, her hands icy cold, while as Jill walked along the bluff on her way her thoughts were of her father and Now, today, though it was snowing home. So close to the ocean did they how she had doubted him. Should she pretty hard, Jill walked with her father live, that sometimes at night, they heard tell him...what she saw? Absolutely! to Hebert's. She needed a few spices the whistle buoy out on the bay. It was But first, for supper, she'd fix him and maybe some hot dogs. Jim Hebert one of her favorite things...walking near a favorite of his...a kind of peace offer- carried about everything one needed, the shore where she could watch the sea ing. Corn chowder, made with milk and from Italian sandwiches to four penny gulls skimming the tops of the waves and maybe a little cream...her mother's recipe. nails. That store, a weathered clapboard calling to each other as only gulls could. On shaky legs, she walked to the affair with a much patched roof, had But, today...the quiet was star- refrigerator and opened the freezer. Yes, been there ever since she could remem- tling. She scanned the waters. No it was still there...all frosty and white... ber. When she was a little girl, she used birds. She gasped. Then she knew why. the square of salt pork. It would thaw to buy penny candy there. Hebert's Sailing briskly along with coast quickly. In the cripser...onions and pota- father was running the store back then. was a ship...a four masted with tattered toes. And up in the closet...a can of corn. Her father's friends, in their parkas sails, its prow dipping into giant troughs She had everything she needed. The and L.L. Bean boots, were hunkered in what seemed to be a dangerous sea. recipe called for little squares of the salt around the stove when they came in. And yet, where she stood, the air was pork, fried in the skillet until crispy brown. " H i B e n , " t h e y still with just a bit of snow still falling. These would be sprinkled liberally on top said..."come sit for a spell." She thought she could hear the creak- of the steaming bowl of chowder and to "Don't mind if I do." ing of ship's timbers and on deck, the add to the flavor, some juice from the pan. "Hi, Missus Ben," they said. crew...so still...staring straight ahead. Mentally, she pictured She laughed. They were The Isidore?!!! her sister's shocked disapprov- good men and she liked them all. No...no...impossible! She trembled al. Sorry about that, Hester. A short time later, Hebert, a stocky wanting to look away yet could not bring But well, this night was special. man whose bulging stomach worried the her self to do so. Things like this don't And maybe, just maybe, the next buttons of his checkered shirt, plunked happen, she thought, and yet, there it was! time she walked to Hebert's with her her groceries down on the counter. And then, as she watched, the ship, father, she'd set for a while with his old "Is that it, Jill?" as though washed away by a drifting fog friends...maybe partake one of Hebert's "That should do it...thanks Jim." bank, began to fade and finally disappeared. pickled eggs. And just when they be- And to her father, "See you later, Pa." For a long while, she just gan to wonder why she sat down with He acknowledged with a stood watching an empty becalmed them when she'd never done that before, little wave and she knew he'd sea, not believing, yet believing. she'd tell them all about the day that the come home when he was ready. When she got home, still shaken infamous Isidore sailed into her life. The snow had eased somewhat, by that ghostly scene, she sat for a date of marriage, then the spouce (maiden number in the right-most column above. name if female) followed by the townin For example, if it’s #57C, simply look Franco-American Families which the marriage took place. There are for #57C on the right above. Repeat the of Maine two columns of numbers. The one on the process for each generation until you get left side of the page, e.g., #2, is the child back to the first family in the list. The par Bob Chenard, of #2 in the right column of numbers. His numbers with alpha suffixes (e.g. 57C) Waterville, Maine parents are thus #1 in the left column of are used mainly for couple who married Les Familles Guérette numbers. Also, it should be noted that all in Maine. Marriages that took place in Welcome to my "Genalogy Col- the persons in the first column of names Canada normally have no suffixes with umn." Numerous families have since under the same number are siblings the rare exception of small letters, e.g., been published. Copies of these may still (brothers & sisters). There may be other “13a.” If there are gross errors or missing be available by writing to the Franco- siblings, but only those who had descen- families, my sincere appologies. I have American Center. Listings such as the dants that married in Maine are listed in taken utmost care to be as accurate as pos- one below are never complete. However, order to keep this listing limited in size. sible. Please write to the FORUM staff it does provide you with my most recent The listing can be used up or down - to with your corrections and/or additions and complete file of marriages tied to the find parents or descendants. The best way with your supporting data. I provide this original French ancestor. How to use the to see if your ancestors are listed here is to column freely with the purpose of en- family listings: The left-hand column lists look for your mother’s or grandmother’s couraging Franco-Americans to research the first name (and middle name or initial, maiden name. Once you are sure you their personal genealogy and to take pride if any) of the direct descendants of the have the right couple, take note of the in their rich heritage. ancestor identified as number 1 (or A, in number in the left column under which some cases). The next column gives the their names appear. Then, find the same (Continued on page 53) 52 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER GUÉRETTE [dit DUMONT*]

FAMILY #2 Jacques Guéret [dit Dumont*] born 19 April 1665 in the village of Canchy, department of Calvados, ancient province of Nor- mandie, France, son of René Guéret and Madeleine Le Vigoureux, married on 19 April 1694 at Beauport, PQ, to Marie-Anne Tardif, born 1676 in PQ, died in PQ, daughter of Jacques Tardif and Barbe d’Orange. Canchy is located 1/2 mile west of the hamlet of Guéret and 14 miles west-northwest of the city of Bayeux. Jacques arrived in Canada in 1690 and he lived at Mont Louis. Most of his descendants adopted the surname DUMONT or DUMOND. A Jean 1634 Françoise DeMeherence• Montmirel B (Jean de Meherenc & Jeanne du Mesnil) •see ancestry of this person at end of this file for 11 more generations back to 1330 B René circa 1663 Madeleine Le Vigoureux France 1 1 Jacques 19 Apr 1694 M.-Anne Tardif Beauport 2 2 Jean 1m. circa 1720 M.-Anne Laplante PQ 3 “ 2m. 01 Mar 1726 Thérèse Autin-Haulton cont. Janeau Jean-Baptiste 04 May 1733 M.Madl. De La Bourlière Kamouraska 4 [dit Laplante] Michel 07 Nov 1735 M.-Rose Levasseur Kamouraska 5 Prisque 1m. 21 Nov 1746 M.-Anne Lebel Kamouraska “ 2m. circa 1753 Catherine Maupas-St.Hil. Kamouraska 6 “ 3m. 17 Jan 1763 M.-Louise Morel Kamouraska 7 3 Joseph 29 Apr 1748 Geneviève Gagnon Rivière-Ouelle 8 4 Jean-Baptiste 10 Jul 1765 M.-Louise Michaud Kamouraska 9 “ 2m. 20 Oct 1766 M.-Ursule Marchand Kamouraska 10 Siméon 21 Nov 1775 Angélique Ouellet Kamouraska 11 5 Michel 1m. 21 Jun 1762 M.-Anne Raymond Kamouraska 12 “ 2m. 11 Jan 1773 M.-Louise Roy-Desj. Kamouraska 13 Antoine 11 Jan 1768 M.-Catherine Michaud Kamouraska 14 6 Pierre 07 Jan 1794 Geneviève Miville-Desch. Kamouraska 15 7 Prisque 1m. 11 Feb 1800 M.-Françoise Dubé St.Roch-Aul. 16/6A “ 2m. 21 Nov 1848 M.-Euphrosine Gagné St.Roch-Aulnaïes 8 Joseph 30 Sep 1771 Madeleine Lamandais Rivière-Ouelle 17 9 Jean-Frs. 06 Nov 1791 M.-Rose Sirois Kamouraska 18 Louis 04 Aug 1800 Geneviève Guiard/Lardée Rivière-Ouelle 19 10 Jean-Baptiste 06 Oct 1784 Marguerite Michaud St.André, Kam. 20 11 Jean-Baptiste 04 Feb 1805 M.-Charlotte Beaupré Rivière-Ouelle 22 12 Michel 04 Nov 1788 Judith Marquis Kamouraska 24 Jean-Baptiste 24 Sep 1798 M.-Madl. Vaillancourt Kamouraska 25 “ 2m. 23 Sep 1811 Agathe Beaulieu Isle-Verte, R.-Lp. 13 Pierre 27 Oct 1806 Josette Chassé St.André, Kam. 32 Cyriac 17 Feb 1817 Esther Deschesnes St.André 33 14 Pierre 1m. 24 Jul 1798 Modeste Côté Isle-Verte 35 “ 2m. 15 Jan 1805 Cécile Sirois Isle-Verte 36 15 Pierre 23 Jan 1826 Césarie St-Pierre St. André, Kam. 37 16 Edouard 20 Jan 1846 Clémentine Bélanger St.Roch-Aulnaïes 16A 17 Henri 17 Jan 1803 Angélique Levesque Rivière-Ouelle 39 18 Firmin 22 Feb 1819 M.-Rose-Anne McKay Kamouraska 40 Marcel 16 Jan 1826 Léocadie Paradis St.André, Kam. 41 19 Thomas 02 Mar 1835 Henriette Paradis St.Pascal, Kam. 42 20 Urbain 22 Jan 1827 Henriette Morin St.André 43 François 12 Jan 1829 Marie-Mgte. St-Pierre St.André 44/20A 22 Jean-Baptiste 05 Aug 1828 M.-Angèle Joncas Kamouraska 45 24 Raphaël 22 Feb 1819 Elisabeth Sirois Cacouna 46/24A Jean-Baptiste 11 Feb 1822 Josette Perreault Cacouna “ 2m. 08 Feb 1825 Esther Dion Isle-Verte 47 Firmin 04 Aug 1823 Sophie Beaulieu St.Patrice, R.-Lp. 48 Abondance 06 Oct 1829 Julie Tardif St.Pascal, Kam. 49 25 Jean-Baptiste 27 Nov 1821 M.-Françoise Malenfant Cacouna 52 Benjamin* 30 Aug 1824 Priscille Lebel Cacouna 53 Jn.-Bte.-David 25 Feb 1829 M.-Thècle Malenfant Trois-Pistoles 55 Marie Malenfant f3 32 Sifroi 1m. 22 Sep 1840 Rosalie Martin Ste.Anne-Pocatière 59 “ 2m. 08 Nov 1845 Julie St-Pierre St.André, Kam. 32A Rémi 1m. 26 Aug 1845 Léa St-Pierre St.André, Kam. 62 “ 2m. 21 Feb 1860 Justine Laforest St.Alexandre, Kam. 63 (Continued on page 54) 53 Le Forum GUÉRETTE 33 Cyriac/Cyriaque 11 Jan 1859 Adéline/Clémentine Parent St.Alexandre, Kam. 33A Bruno 11 Feb 1861 Mathilde/Martine Levasseur St.Alexandre, Kam. 33B 35 Pascal 1m. 11 Oct 1824 M.-Thècle Sirois Cacouna, R.-Lp. 74 “ 2m. 08 Oct 1867 Arthémise Gauthier St.Alexandre, Kam. 35A 36 Maxime 19 Jan 1841 M.-Louise Cyr St.Basile, NB 36A Joseph-Octave 20 Apr 1847 Zithée Thibodeau St.Basile, NB 36B 37 Rémi 26 Aug 1861 Eléonore Lebel ND-du-Lac, Témis. 39 Firmin 1m. 24 Nov 1840 Victoire Chamberland Rivière-Ouelle 77 “ 2m. 26 Aug 1872 M.-Clémentine Dubé Rivière-Ouelle Clément 30 Oct 1848 Julie Collin Rimouski 78 40 Auguste/Étienne 12 Jan 1847 Evelyne/Obéline Lacombe St.Basile, NB 40A 41 Alexis 19 Aug 1856 Aglaé Tardif Kamouraska 41A Georges 1m. 08 Nov 1857 Virginie Lajoie St.Pascal, Kam. “ 2m. 19 Aug 1862 Arthémise Dionne St.Pascal 41B “ 3m. 15 Feb 1881 Geneviève Michaud St.André, Kam. Achille 05 Jul 1869 Hermine Denis(Kimper) Kamouraska 41C François-X. 25 Jan 1870 Judith Miville-Deschênes St.Pascal 41D 42 Thomas 12 Sep 1871 Démérise Michaud St.Arsène, Témis. 79 43 François 26 Nov 1856 Philomène Soucy St.André 43A 44 Damase Guéret 19 Feb 1860 Dorimène Lamarre St.François, NB 44A Sifroy 08 Nov 1864 Médée Sirois St.Basile, NB 44B 45 Paul 1m. 16 Feb 1863 Sévérine Boulet Isle-Verte 81 “ 2m. 12 Nov 1912 Dina Landry St.Eloi, Riv.-Loup Israël 26 Jan 1869 Adèle Lavoie Isle-Verte 82 46 Angèle 15 Feb 1847 Abraham Fongemi Cacouna, R.-Lp. Justine 03 Feb 1852 Félix Morin St.Arsène, R.-Lp. Fabien 07 Feb 1853 Sara Hudon-Beaulieu St.Arsène, R.-Lp. 46A Abel 07 Nov 1853 Sara Morin St.Arsène, R.-Lp. 83 M.-Elisabeth 16 Aug 1859 Geo.-Faustin Michard Cacouna 47 David 21 Feb 1865 Georgiana Boucher St.André 47A 48 Basile 05 Feb 1850 Sara Talbot-Gervais St.Patrice, R.-Lp. 87 49 Edouard-Bert. 03 Nov 1857 Clémentine Gagnon Cacouna 90 52 Wilfrid (Louis) 04 Nov 1862 Philomène Pelletier Isle-Verte 91 Jean-Baptiste 25 Aug 1863 Philomène Turcotte St.Éloi, R-.Lp. 92 53 Benjamin* 11 Aug 1846 Louise Morais Trois-Pistoles 93 55 Fabien 19 Jan 1858 Emilie Michaud St.Éloi, R.-Lp. 97/55A Pierre 16 Feb 1863 Hortense Boucher St.Éloi 55B 59 Guillaume “Wm.” 29 Aug 1866 Aglaée Pelletier St.André, Kam. 59A 62 Pierre 27 Apr 1868 Léocadie Laforest St.André 98/62A 63 Adjutor 02 Mar 1886 Célanire Michaud St.André 63A 74 Marcellin 19 Feb 1849 Odile Paradis St.André 104 Pascal 15 Feb 1858 Victoire Bélanger St.Alexandre, Kam. 74A 77 Ed.-Denis 03 Jul 1871 Arthémise Lebel Rivière-Ouelle 77A Joseph 03 Sep 1878 Léontine Bérubé Rivière-Ouelle 77B 78 Norbert 12 Feb 1872 Zoé Ouellet St.Roch-Aulnaïes 112 79 Éloi 20 Jan 1900 Justine Pelletier Trois-Pistoles 79A 81 Joseph 23 Jul 1901 Apolline Parent St.Mathieu, Rim. 81A Isidore-J. 25 Aug 1908 M.-Georgiana Pelletier Trois-Pistoles 81B 82 Charles 22 Oct 1895 Angèle Métayer St.Éloi, R.-Lp. 82A (Continued on page 55) B e SWIFT CHIMNEY CLEANER Permanent Installation • Fast, Easy & Safe enough for anyone to use S • Specializing in Chimney Building, Repairing & Lining a • Statewide Service f Glen Desjardins, Owner (207) 868-2262 757 Main Street (Cell) 207-557-2304 e Van Buren, ME 04785 ! "No more climbing on your roof. Clean your chimney from the comfort of your home". 54 Vol. 34 # 1 • AUTOMNE/HIVER GUÉRETTE 83 Edmond/Edouard 01 Feb 1887 Arthémise Boulet St.Épiphane 83A 87 Émile 24 Jan 1899 Amanda Cloutier ND-du-Lac, Témis. 87A 90 Joseph 26 Jul 1887 Adèle Dubé St.Paul Émile 18 Jan 1898 Anna Dionne St.Épiphane 90A 92 Félix* 18 Nov 1889 Marie-Adelphine Gaulin Scotstown, Comp. 92A Jean-Baptiste* 30 Aug 1897 Hélène Beaulieu Cookshire, Comp. 92B 91 Joseph 21 Oct 1901 Pauline Gibouleau Chesham(ND-Bois) 91A Lumina-E.* 29 Jun 1950 Leon-R. Norton Auburn, Me. 93 Paul* 11 Aug 1885 Elisabeth Gagnon St.Jean-de-Dieu 93A 97 François-X. 11 Nov 1885 Virginie Tardif Isle-Verte 97A 98 Émile* 12 Sep 1893 Justine Dionne Ste.Luce, Rim. 98A 104 François 03 Sep 1883 Anne Michaud St.François, NB 104A Firmin 09 Aug 1887 Adélaïde Lebel ND-du-Lac 104B 112 Napoléon 13 Jun 1898 Délia Labranche Windsor 112A

The following are descendants of the above who married in Maine:

6A Rémi 18 Sep 1843 Henriette Ouellet Van Buren 6B 6B Marguerite 08 Jun 1891 Alexis Sirois Augusta(St.Aug.) 16A Edouard 07 Sep 1873 Rose-Anna Simoneau Biddeford(St.Jos.) 20A François 10 Nov 1878 Euphémie Cassista Ft.Kent 20B [dit Brasselet] 20B Irénée 04 Apr 1923 Élisa Blanchard Clair, NB 20C 20C Robert 14 Jul 1961 Rolande Deguise Lewiston(SPP) Lena-M. 27 Oct 1962 Paul-Émile Bélanger Auburn(St.Louis) 24A Michel DUMONT! 17 Aug 1844 Nathalie Marcoux Waterville(1st Univ.) 24B “Mike Demo” “Sarah” (as “Sally Micu”) (b. 14-12-1819 Cacouna, PQ - died 11-1-1884 Skowhegan) Albert 26 Jun 1866 Flora Gagné or Gagnon Old Town Sophie 15 Jul 1883 François Bérubé Old Town(St.Jos.) (See the next issue for more on the Guérette Family) Endowment Abonnement au Le FORUM Subscription One way to support Le FORUM Si vous ne l’êtes pas abonnez-vous –– s.v.p. while at the same time reserv- –– Subscribe if you have not ing life income is the establish- ment of a charitable gift annu- Nom/Name: ity with the Franco-American Centre Le FORUM Fund at the Adresse/Address: University of Maine Founda- Métier/Occupation: tion. Call 1-800-982-8503 Ce qui vous intéresse le plus dans Le FORUM section which interests you the Where is the Color? most: Je voudrais contribuer un article au Le FORUM au sujet de: We have not been able to print I would like to contribute an article to Le FORUM about: Le Forum in color because we have been unable to purchase the Imagaing units, $479 each (we Tarif d’abonnement par la poste pour 4 numéros Subscription rates by mail for 4 issues: need 2), and the transfer unit États-Unis/United States –– Individus: $20 $320 plus the toner. It is truly Ailleurs/Elsewhere –– Individus: $25 unfortunate to have a color copier Organisation/Organizations –– Bibliothèque/Library: $40 that is just sitting there collect- Le FORUM ing dust. We need your financial Centre Franco-Américain, Orono, ME 04469-5719 support to continue our work of making our "voices" heard. 55 THE FRANCO AMERICAN CENTRE LE CENTRE FRANCO AMÉRICAlN DE OF THE l’UNIVERSITÉ DU MAINE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE Le Bureau des Affaires franco-américains de l’Université The University of Maine Office of Franco American Affairs du Maine fut fondé en 1972 par des étudiants et des bénévoles de was founded in 1972 by Franco American students and community la communauté franco-américaine. Cela devint par conséquent le volunteers. It subsequently became the Franco American Centre. Centre Franco-Américain. From the onset, its purpose has been to introduce and inte- Dès le départ, son but fut d’introduire et d’intégrer le Fait grate the Maine and Regional Franco American Fact in post-sec- Franco-Américain du Maine et de la Région dans la formation ondary academe and in particular the University of Maine. académique post-secondaire et en particulier à l’Université du Given the quasi total absence of a base of knowledge within Maine. the University about this nearly one-half of the population of the Étant donné l’absence presque totale d’une base de connais- State of Maine, this effort has sought to develop ways and means sance à l’intérieur même de l’Université, le Centre Franco-Améri- of making this population, its identity, its contributions and its cain s’efforce d’essayer de développer des moyens pour rendre history visible on and off campus through seminars, workshops, cette population, son identité, ses contributions et son histoire conferences and media efforts — print and electronic. visible sur et en-dehors du campus à travers des séminaires, des The results sought have been the redressing of historical ateliers, des conférences et des efforts médiatiques — imprimé et neglect and ignorance by returning to Franco Americans their his- électronique. tory, their language and access to full and healthy self realizations. Le résultat espéré est le redressement de la négligence et de Further, changes within the University’s working, in its structure l’ignorance historique en retournant aux Franco-Américains leur and curriculum are sought in order that those who follow may histoire, leur langue et l’accès à un accomplissement personnel sain experience cultural equity, have access to a culturally authentic et complet. De plus, des changements à l’intérieur de l’académie, base of knowledge dealing with French American identity and the dans sa structure et son curriculum sont nécessaires afin que ceux qui nous suivent puisse vivre l’expérience d’une justice culturelle, contribution of this ethnic group to this society. avoir accès à une base de connaissances culturellement authentique MISSION qui miroite l’identité et la contribution de ce groupe ethnique à la • To be an advocate of the Franco-American Fact at the société. University of Maine, in the State of Maine and in the region, and OBJECTIFS: 1 – D’être l’avocat du Fait Franco- • To provide vehicles for the effective and cognitive Américain à l’Université du Maine, dans l’État du Maine et dans expression of a collective, authentic, diversified and effective la région. voice for Franco-Americans, and 2 – D’offrir des véhicules d’expression affective et cognitive • To stimulate the development of academic and non- d’une voix franco-américaine effective, collective, authentique et academic program offerings at the University of Maine and in the diversifiée. state relevant to the history and life experience of this ethnic group 3 – De stimuler le développement des offres de programmes and académiques et non-académiques à l’Université du Maine et dans • To assist and support Franco-Americans in the actual- l’État du Maine, relatant l’histoire et l’expérience de la vie de ce ization of their language and culture in the advancement of groupe ethnique. careers, personal growth and their creative contribution to society, 4 – D’assister et de supporter les Franco-Américains dans and l’actualisation de leur langue et de leur culture dans l’avancement • To assist and provide support in the creation and imple- de leurs carrières, de l’accomplissement de leur personne et de leur mentation of a concept of pluralism which values, validates contribution créative à la société. and reflects affectively and cognitively the Multicultural Fact in 5 – D’assister et d’offrir du support dans la création et Maine and elsewhere in North America, and l’implémentation d’un concept de pluralisme qui value, valide et • To assist in the generation and dissemination of knowl- reflète effectivement et cognitivement le fait dans le Maine et ail- edge about a major Maine resource — the rich cultural and leurs en Amérique du Nord. 6 – D’assister dans la création et la publication de la con- language diversity of its people. naissance à propos d’une ressource importante du Maine — la riche diversité

Université du Maine Non-Profit Org. Le FORUM U.S. Postage Centre Franco-Américain PAID Orono, ME 04469-5719 Orono, Maine Permit No. 8 États-Unis