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Le FORUM Journal Franco-American Centre Franco-Américain
Summer 6-17-2021
Le Forum, Vol. 43 No. 2
Lisa Desjardins Michaud, Rédactrice
Gérard Coulombe
Daniel Moreau
Kate Gagliardi
Patrick Lacroix
See next page for additional authors
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Recommended Citation Rédactrice, Lisa Desjardins Michaud,; Coulombe, Gérard; Moreau, Daniel; Gagliardi, Kate; Lacroix, Patrick; Beebe, Suzanne; de la Prade, Xavier; Milot, Claude; Lambert, Roger; Robbins, Rhea Côté; Graves, Laurie; Rooks, Douglas; Michaud, Rachel; Riel, Steven; Dubé, Normand; Héroux, Ron; and Roy, Virginia Sand-, "Le Forum, Vol. 43 No. 2" (2021). Le FORUM Journal. 99. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/99
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]. Authors Lisa Desjardins Michaud, Rédactrice; Gérard Coulombe; Daniel Moreau; Kate Gagliardi; Patrick Lacroix; Suzanne Beebe; Xavier de la Prade; Claude Milot; Roger Lambert; Rhea Côté Robbins; Laurie Graves; Douglas Rooks; Rachel Michaud; Steven Riel; Normand Dubé; Ron Héroux; and Virginia Sand- Roy
This book is available at DigitalCommons@UMaine: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ francoamericain_forum/99 Le FORUM “AFIN D’ÊTRE EN PLEINE POSSESSION DE SES MOYENS”
VOLUME 43, #2 SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021
Ce numéro de Le Forum est dédié à la douce mémoire de Grégoire Chabot / This issue of Le Forum is Dedicated in Loving Memory of Grégoire Chabot. (Voir pages 4-19)
Osithé (Michaud) Chabot & Grégoire
Websites: Le Forum: http://umaine.edu/francoamerican/le-forum/ https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/ Oral History: https://video.maine.edu/channel/Oral+Histories/101838251 Library: francolib.francoamerican.org Occasional Papers: http://umaine.edu/francoamerican/occasional-papers/ Résonance, Franco-American Literary Journal: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/resonance/vol1/iss1/ other pertinent websites to check out - Les Français d’Amérique / French In America Calendar Photos and Texts from 1985 to 2002 http://www.johnfishersr.net/french_in_america_calendar.html Franco-American Women’s Institute: http://www.fawi.net Franco-Americans of Maine, Then and Now: $6.00 https://francomainestories.net rucifiixCrucifiixic...... 17-19 x C i
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Le Forum Sommaire/Contents
Dedication/Dédié ...... 4-19 BOOKS/LIVRES...... 46-48 About the Great Moose Hunt...... 46 Lettres/Letters...... 19- 23 by Roger Lambert Le Centre Franco-Américain L’État du ME...... 24-28, 40, 44 Heliotrope...... 47
Université du Maine My Mother in-law...... 24-27 by Rhea Côté Robbins Orono, Maine 04469-5719 by Gérard Coulombe Out of Time...... 47 [email protected] The Franco-American Passion ...... 27-28 by Laurie Graves Téléphone: 207-581-FROG (3764) by Daniel Moreau First Franco: Albert Beliveau in Law, Politics, Volume 43 Numéro 2 Daniel Moreau...... 40 and Love...... 48 SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 by Kate Gagliardi by Douglas Rooks Publishing Board J. Normand Martin obit...... 32 Don Levesque POETRY/POÉSIE...... 45-46 Paul Laflamme L’État du NH...... 29-31 What Grandmother Did...... 45 Lin LaRochelle The Political World of Franco-Americans...... by Rachel Michaud Louella Rolfe ...... 29-31 Kent Beaulne Destination...... 45 by Patrick Lacroix by Steven Riel Rédactrice/Editor L’État du MA...... 30-33 Surrogate...... 45 Lisa Desjardins Michaud A Grotto Created, A Grotto Restored (Part It May Be So...... 45 I)...... 33-36 by Normand Dubé Mise en page/Layout by Suzanne Beebe Searching for my other self/A la recherche de Lisa Desjardins Michaud L’État du VT...... 37-39 moi même...... 46 by Ron Héroux Composition/Typesetting Reminiscing: Back in the 50’s Again...... 37-39 Lisa Desjardins Michaud by Xavier de la Prade COIN DES JEUNES...... 49-51 A Pandemic Easter and Palms...... 49-50 L’État du RI...... 41-43 Word Puzzle...... 51 Aide Technique Ghosts of the Past...... 41-43 by Virginia Sand-Roy Lisa Desjardins Michaud by Claude Milot
Tirage/Circulation/4,500 Endowment Imprimé chez/Printed by One way to support Le FORUM while at the same time reserving life income is Centre Franco-Américain, Orono, Maine Publié 4 fois l’an par le Centre Franco‑Américain. the establishment of a charitable gift annuity with the Franco-American Centre Le Forum est distribué surtout aux Franco‑Américains Le FORUM Fund at the University of Maine Foundation. Call 1-800-982-8503. des États‑Unis. Les énoncés, opinions et points de vue formulés dans Le Forum sont ceux des auteurs et ne NOTICE! représentent pas nécessairement les points de vue de l’éditeur ou de la rédactrice, ou du Collège des arts et Please check your mailing labels, new format for des sciences libéraux à l’Université du Maine. Le Forum is published 4 times a year by the subscription expiration. Month/Year. Franco‑American Center. Le Forum is distributed in particular to Franco‑Americans in the United States. Statements, opinions and points of view expressed are Abbonement au Le FORUM Subscription not necessarily those of the editor, the publishers or the Si vous ne l’êtes pas abonnez-vous –– s.v.p. College of Liberal Arts & Sciences of the University –– Subscribe if you have not of Maine. Tous les textes soumis doivent parvenir à —For- ward all submitted texts to: Lisa D. Michaud, Rédac- Nom/Name: trice-en-chef/Editor-in-chief, Le Forum, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469-5719, U.S., au plus tard Adresse/Address: quatre semaines précédant le mois de publication—at least four weeks prior to the month of publication. Métier/Occupation: Les lettres de nos lecteurs sont les bienvenues— Letters to the Editor are welcomed. Ce qui vous intéresse le plus dans Le FORUM section which interests you the most: La reproduction des articles est autorisée sans préavis sauf indication contraire—Our original articles Je voudrais contribuer un article au Le FORUM au sujet de: may be reproduced without notice unless otherwise I would like to contribute an article to Le FORUM about: indicated. L’équipe de rédaction souhaite que Le Forum soit Centre Franco-Américain, Orono, ME 04469-5719 un mode d’expression pour vous tous les Franco‑Amér- Tarif d’abonnement par la poste pour 4 numéros icains et ceux qui s’intéressent à nous. The staff hopes Subscription rates by mail for 4 issues: that Le Forum can be a vehicle of expression for you États-Unis/United States –– Individus: $20 Franco‑Americans and those who are interested in us. Ailleurs/Elsewhere –– Individus: $25 Le Forum et son staff—Universitaires, gens de la Organisation/Organizations –– Bibliothèque/Library: $40 communauté, les étudiants -- FAROG, Le FORUM
2 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (Ce numéro de Le Forum est dédié à la douce mémoire de Grégoire R. Chabot This issue of Le Forum is dedicated in loving memory of Grégoire R. Chabot) Franco-American playwright, actor, and prominent cultural advocate Grégoire R. Chabot died at home in South Hampton, N.H. on Monday, April 26, surrounded by his daughters, grand- daughters, and four cats. He was 76. Chabot, an award-winning and prolific author of dozens of plays, essays, and short stories examining Franco-American life and language, began writing and performing in the 1970s and was a key figure in the Franco-American renaissance that began around the turn of the century. Born in Waterville, Maine to Marcel and Osithe (Michaud) Chabot, Grégoire spoke only French until the age of five. The dialect – a version derided by the French teachers he encountered in school but prominent among his relatives in the mill towns of Lewiston, Auburn and Waterville – became central to his writing and cultural advocacy. Writing in Franco-American French was not only the most accurate reflection of his characters, Chabot argued, but a vital part of living and breathing the New England francophone experience. In the tradition of Moliere, one of his favorite authors, humor and satire also played prominent roles in his work. Grégoire R. Chabot Chabot graduated from Colby College with a degree in French language and literature, and Aug. 23, 1944-April 26, 2021 received his master’s degree in French from the University of Maine at Orono, remaining active at the university’s Franco-American Center and writing for the bilingual Farog Forum/Le Forum. He directed a federally-funded bilingual children’s program that aired on Maine’s Public Broadcasting Network in 1974, and worked to train bilingual teachers at Boston University until 1980. As the Franco-American renaissance grew in the 1990s and 2000s, Chabot was invited--along with the theater company he founded called Du monde d'à côté/People Next Door--to perform his plays in France, Quebec, Louisiana and throughout New England and Canada. He has worked as a teacher, editor, copywriter and communications consultant while continuing to write and perform pieces about Franco-American life and thought. His works include a collection of three plays and their English translations titled Un Jacques Cartier Errant/Jacques Cartier Discovers America; a series of essays called “Between Mania and Phobia,” and an ongoing column in Le Forum called “We Are so Screwed/V’la du sort,” among many others. Chabot spoke about his work and Franco-American experience at a dizzying number of classes, conventions and forums, and he was always eager to help new writers or enthusiasts. He served on the board of directors of the Quebec-based Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques from 2008 to 2010 focused on promoting and encouraging the voice of New England Franco-Americans. He remained active in the organization for the rest of his life. He loved spending time with his granddaughters, daughters and extended family; staying up well into the morning hours singing; and acting – often combining all of the above. He had a decades-long relationship with community theater in Newburyport. Chabot leaves his daughters, Michelle and Hillary; granddaughters Gwen Chabot and Claire Renales; son in law Peter Ryan; and many cousins. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Grégoire Chabot scholarship, which was established in his honor at the Franco-American Centre at the University of Maine at Orono. Grégoire CHABOT institutrice qui travaillera aux côtés de son regarde une émission de télévision, Disney- époux pendant une trentaine d’années. De land, durant laquelle l’ingénieur allemand (1944-2021) 1945 à 1949, la famille habite la ville na- de fusée Werner von Braun affirme, en Dans la pièce de théâtre de Grégoire tale du père, Auburn, Maine, où Grégoire prédisant la conquête éventuelle de l’espace Chabot intitulée Un Jacques Cartier er- Chabot parle français exclusivement jusqu’à par les États-Unis, que l’avenir du monde rant, l’explorateur revient sur terre vers l’âge de cinq ans. Tout en continuant cette entier appartient aux Anglo-Américains. e les dernières décennies du XX siècle pour pratique au foyer—ce qu’il fera, d’ailleurs, Pour le jeune garçon impressionnable, cette évaluer l’état du peuple français d’Amérique avec sa mère pendant la vie entière de notion va à l’encontre de la pensée des dont les origines remontent à son arrivée au celle-ci—il commence ses études bilingues Franco-Américains, qui s’occupent plutôt Nouveau Monde en 1534. D’une certaine françaises-anglaises à l’école Saint-Louis du passé, c’est-à-dire du maintien de leur manière, on pourrait dire que le dramaturge en 1949. À peine deux mois plus tard, il langue, de leur culture et de leurs traditions. français Molière, lui aussi, est revenu parmi se retrouve chez les Ursulines à l’école Pendant une vingtaine d’années à partir de nous, car son esprit comique et satirique à paroissiale Notre-Dame de Waterville, ce moment, Chabot s’efforcera de s’améri- travers lequel il remet tout en question est Maine, les Chabot étant rentrés à la ville caniser tout en s’éloignant de l’idéologie de bien vivant dans la personne et l’œuvre du natale de leur fils. En 1954, toujours dans la survivance franco-américaine. dramaturge-acteur franco-américain Gré- la paroisse Notre-Dame, il entre à l’école Ayant terminé son cours primaire en goire Chabot. des garçons de celle-ci, Saint-Joseph, sous 1958, il entre à l’école préparatoire de l’As- Né à Waterville, Maine le 23 août la direction des Frères de l’instruction somption à Worcester, Massachusetts, où il 1944, Grégoire Chabot est le fils de Marcel chrétienne. passe des heures au laboratoire de langues, Chabot, propriétaire d’une entreprise de net- Dès l’âge de dix ans, l’esprit critique tentant de se débarrasser de son accent fran- toyage à sec, et de Osithé Michaud, ancienne s’éveille chez Grégoire Chabot lorsqu’il (suite page 4) 3 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ (Grégoire CHABOT (1944-2021) suite de de près les Franco-Américains, mais aussi classiques et modernes provenant de divers page 3) de sujets plus universels capables d’attirer pays dont, bien sûr, Molière, mais aussi l’intérêt des Québécois, des Acadiens et des l’Américain James Thurber, l’Irlandais co-américain en faveur du français standard, francophones du monde entier. S’il traduit vivant à Paris Samuel Beckett ainsi que des plus respecté par les Anglo-Américains. par la suite certains ouvrages en anglais, ce Québécois : Yvon Deschamps et surtout Mi- Après avoir reçu son diplôme d’études se- ne sera que pour rejoindre les Franco-Améri- chel Tremblay—qui, selon Grégoire Chabot, condaires en 1962, il se spécialise en anglais cains anglicisés et les Anglo-Américains qui « nous a donné la permission d’écrire notre au Boston College. Toutefois, au bout d’une s’intéressent à la culture franco-américaine. langue » —il se lance pour de bon dans le année scolaire, il change d’avis, convaincu Enfin, il choisira le théâtre comme genre monde théâtral avec Un Jacques Cartier de l’importance du français standard. Par d’expression artistique puisque, selon lui, errant. Cette pièce en un acte, dans laquelle conséquent, il rentre à Waterville pour se les Franco-Américains se sentent plus en l’auteur joue également le rôle principal, concentrer sur la langue et la littérature harmonie avec la tradition orale. aura sa première au colloque organisé par françaises au Colby College, d’où il obtient En 1975, il fait ses premiers pas litté- le National Materials Development Center son baccalauréat en 1966. raires en composant une série de saynètes for French and Portuguese de Bedford, De 1967 à 1969, Grégoire Chabot comiques-satiriques, entre autres, « Mathias New Hampshire en 1976. Cet organisme enseigne le français à la Sanborn Regional Barnabé, poète franco-américain », « Philias développera une version de la pièce qui sera High School à Kingston, New Hampshire. publiée sous forme de plaquette en 1977. Ce Par la suite, il poursuit une maîtrise ès arts sera de même pour Chère maman, une pièce à l’Université du Maine à Orono, travaillant en trois actes écrite en 1978 et publiée en en même temps comme assistant auprès 1979. Celle-ci est un portrait des rapports du département de français. Diplômé de familiaux chez des Franco-Américains qui cette université en 1971, il suit des cours au habitent le Petit Canada d’une ville indus- niveau du doctorat à l’Université du Massa- trielle typique en Nouvelle-Angleterre. Une chusetts à Amherst, où il devient à nouveau autre pièce en trois actes, Sans atout, écrite assistant de français jusqu’en 1975. en 1979, explore l’influence de la société C’est durant ces années 1970 que ses anglo-américaine sur une famille petite opinions négatives à l’égard de la situation bourgeoise franco-américaine à travers un des Franco-Américains, qu’il tente de tem- téléviseur d’émissions en anglais que le pérer depuis quelque temps, vont plutôt se dramaturge lui-même compte parmi les renforcer, surtout lorsqu’il assiste au congrès personnages. Ces trois pièces et leurs tra- du Comité de Vie Franco-Américaine à ductions anglaises paraîtront ensemble sous Manchester, New Hampshire. Là, il entend forme livresque en 1996 aux Éditions Réveil des discours qui lui rappellent « le pessi- d’Orono, Maine sous le titre Un Jacques misme noir, le fatalisme paralysant, l’obses- Cartier errant / Jacques Cartier Discovers sion avec le passé » qu’il avait jadis observés America. Trois pièces / Three Plays. dans les milieux franco-américains. Tiraillé À part ses pièces de théâtre, Grégoire entre les deux côtés de son identité franco et Berthiaume, Ph.D. » et « Super Grenouille Chabot continue à écrire de temps à autre américaine, il décide de se façonner une nou- au supermarché », pour l’émission radio- pour la télévision. Par exemple, il imagine velle identité par la voie d’une attitude plus phonique Tout en français au poste WFCR une boisson magique, « Assimilo », que positive, car il reconnaît la possibilité chez FM de l’Université du Massachusetts à consomment certains Franco-Américains les siens d’un esprit créateur. D’ailleurs, il Amherst. Dans la tradition de Molière, son pour mieux s’intégrer à la société linguis- constate que si les Québécois, ayant vécu la héros, Grégoire Chabot, monte souvent sur tique et culturelle anglo-américaine. Ce sera Révolution tranquille, peuvent projeter une scène dans ses propres œuvres. le sujet de deux saynètes bilingues intitulées image moderne en français, cette possibilité Toujours en 1975, il rentre dans le « Assimilo, c’est bon pour vous » (1976) et existe aussi au sein de la Franco-Américanie. Maine où il devient rédacteur et réalisateur « Assimilo, miracle de la science moderne Grégoire Chabot va donc commencer d’une émission bilingue française-anglaise » (1979). Cette dernière fera son début sur à écrire en français dans l’espoir de démon- pour enfants produite par le réseau de télé- le réseau de la télévision publique du Maine trer à ses compatriotes, ainsi qu’au public vision publique de l’État et subventionnée en 1980, tout comme le fera l’année suivante francophone en général, qu’un Franco-Amé- par le gouvernement fédéral des États-Unis. un scénario bilingue de trente minutes, « Si ricain est capable de créer des ouvrages L’année suivante, il se retrouve dans le on est arrivé, pourquoi qu’on a encore si littéraires dans sa langue maternelle. Pour Massachusetts comme directeur exécutif du loin à aller ? » lui, « langue maternelle » ne signifie pas Boston University Resource and Training Depuis 1980 et jusqu’à sa mort en le français standard, mais plutôt le parler Center. Dans ce cadre, il est responsable 2021, soit à titre indépendant, soit comme populaire des Franco-Américains, car il veut d’une équipe qui entraîne des instituteurs employé, Grégoire Chabot est rédacteur pu- peindre de ceux-ci un portrait plus fidèle, au- destinés à des programmes locaux d’édu- blicitaire, directeur de rédaction créatrice ou thentique et réaliste. De plus, il désire que les cation bilingue à travers la Nouvelle-An- consultant en communications de marketing Franco-Américains, dont plusieurs croient gleterre. Il y travaillera jusqu’en 1980. C’est pour une variété de clients, entre autres, Ge- que leur français est mauvais, reconnaissent aussi à cette époque, en 1978, qu’il s’installe neral Electric, Trapp Family Lodge, Allied la validité de cette langue. Comme thèmes, à Newburyport, Massachusetts. il traitera non seulement de ce qui touche S’inspirant d’un mélange d’auteurs (suite page 5) 4 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (Grégoire CHABOT (1944-2021) suite de clusion des Franco-Américains et des fran- et Fall River, MA : National Assessment and Disse- page 4) cophones de la Nouvelle-Angleterre dans mination Center for Bilingual-Bicultural Education, 1977. 31 p. MDK de Boston, Hewlett-Packard, Mercury les projets et les activités de cet organisme - Un Jacques Cartier errant / Jacques Cartier Computer Systems, eCopy, Macola Sof- québécois. Discovers America. Trois pièces / Three Plays. Orono, tware et RCP Advertising Resource Center De 2012 à 2014, Le Forum du Centre ME : Éditions Réveil, University of Maine Press / Le franco-américain de l’Université du Maine Centre franco-américain, 1996. 291 p. de Hampton, New Hampshire. - « Mathias Barnabé, pièce en un acte ». Dans Toutefois, il n’arrête pas d’écrire et de publie « We Are So Screwed / V’là du Albert, Renaud S., dir. À tour de rôle. Neuf pièces en un jouer sur la scène. Le F.A.R.O.G. Forum [de- sort », sa série d’articles à propos de l’état acte. Bedford, NH : National Materials Development venu Le Forum en 1994], journal bilingue du actuel et de la nature précaire de la réalité Center for French, 1980. p. 195-204. franco-américaine. En 2014, Grégoire Cha- - « Mathias Barnabé, poète franco-américain, Centre franco-américain de l’Université du saynète ». Les Franco-Américains : la promesse du Maine à Orono, publie sa série de réflexions bot collabore avec Jean-Claude Redonnet passé et les réalités du présent. Actes du colloque de en vingt-six essais au sujet de la vie et de la sur une pièce en trois tableaux, « Jeanne 1976. Bedford, NH : National Materials Development pensée franco-américaines. Elle s’intitule « et Osithée : parallèles croisés ». Il s’agit Center for French and Portuguese, 1976. p. 166-170. d’une rencontre qui se passe en 1930 entre - « Philias Berthiaume, Ph.D., saynète ». Les Entre la manie et la phobie » (1994-1995). Franco-Américains : la promesse du passé et les réali- L’année suivante, Grégoire Chabot fonde deux femmes francophones, l’une du nord tés du présent. Actes du colloque de 1976. Bedford, NH Du monde d’à côté, sa propre troupe de de l’État du Maine et l’autre du Midi de la : National Materials Development Center for French théâtre, qui joue des pièces originales en France. Malgré les 5 000 kilomètres qui and Portuguese, 1976. p. 160-164. les séparent, elles découvrent qu’elles ont - « R’garde-moué donc ça », Le Forum, vol. 40, langue française à travers la Nouvelle-An- no. 1 (printemps 2018), p. 23. gleterre ainsi qu’au Québec, en Louisiane beaucoup en commun. Toujours en 2014, - « Riddle me this / Une question sans réponse et en France. En l’an 2000, l’association Grégoire Chabot réalise une série de mo- », Le Forum, vol. 40, no. 3 (automne 2018), p. 10, France-Louisiane-Franco-Américanie nologues humoristiques, « Les aventures 15, 43-44. de Jean Arrache », dont le personnage - « Super Grenouille à la radio », Le F.A.R.O.G. de Paris lui décerne le premier prix d’un Forum, vol. 5, no. 5 (février 1978), p. 6. concours littéraire pour sa nouvelle, « À principal est le bedeau d’une petite église - « We Are So Screwed / V’là du sort », série perte de vue », qui paraîtra en 2009 dans Voix catholique située dans un petit village. Cinq d’articles publiés dans Le Forum, vol. 35, no. 4 (prin- francophones de chez nous, contes et his- monologues de « Jean Arrache » ainsi que temps/été 2012), vol. 36, no. 4 (automne/hiver 2013), la pièce « Jeanne et Osithée » font partie du vol. 37, no. 1 (printemps 2014). toires. Une anthologie franco-américaine, « When there’s a knock on the door, it means compilée par le romancier franco-américain programme du Congrès mondial acadien no one is there / Quand on frappe à la porte, y a-t-il Normand Beaupré. Cette collection contient de 2014. toujours quelqu’un ? », Le Forum, vol. 40, no. 2 (été également « Crache ou meurs », le deuxième Après 2014, Grégoire Chabot conti- 2018), p. 18-19. nue à collaborer au Centre franco-américain BIBLIOGRAPHIE chapitre d’un roman inédit de Grégoire Cha- - Choquette, Leslie. « Portrait d’auteur : bot intitulé « La vie allant vers ». de l’Université du Maine. Il contribue plu- Grégoire Chabot ». Francophonies d’Amérique, n o D’autres représentations théâtrales sieurs articles au Forum en 2017 et 2018 et 13, 2002. p. 119-123. http://www.erudit.org suivront, par exemple, « Qui perd sa donne une conférence virtuelle intitulé « My - Choquette, Leslie. « Interview with Grégoire hometown and me, then and now », en avril Chabot ». Québec Studies, vol. 33, 2002. p. 149- 153. langue… » (1999), une pièce en deux actes - « Du monde d’à côté, November 9, 2006, qui aura sa première au congrès annuel du 2020. Il s’éteint le 26 avril 2021. Orono, Maine. Theater that Celebrates the Fran- Conseil international des études franco- co-American Fact. Les sacrés monologues ». The Robert-B. phones en 2001, et « Tout comme au bon Franco-American Connection Blog, http://www. PERREAULT franco-americanconnection.blogspot.com/ vieux temps » (2003) dont une sélection - « Grégoire Chabot ». Franco-American parmi les six scènes sera présentée en 2004, OEUVRE Writers. http://www.francoamericanconnection.com/ d’abord au Collège de l’Assomption à Wor- fawriters/index.html cester, Massachusetts et plus tard au Conseil - « À perte de vue, nouvelle ». Dans Beaupré, de la vie française en Amérique à Québec. Normand, dir. Voix francophones de chez nous, contes En 2003, Grégoire Chabot déménage et histoires. Une anthologie franco-américaine. Coral de Newburyport, Massachusetts à South Springs, FL : Llumina Press, 2009. p. 62-74. - Chère Maman. Cambridge, MA : National Hampton, New Hampshire, où il continue à Assessment and Dissemination Center for Bilingual-Bi- produire un texte après l’autre. Par exemple, cultural Education, 1979. 70 p. il écrit « Les sacrés monologues / The Lost - « Chez Dean : An amazing gourmet kitchen, Monologues », une série de douze monolo- PLUS meals on wheels ». Éloge du professeur Dean Louder dans Le Forum, vol. 39, no. 2 (été 2017), p. gues, en français et en anglais, axés sur des 3, 27. individus franco-américains et acadiens. - « Crache ou meurs », extrait d’un roman Cette œuvre, dont la première a lieu à l’Uni- inédit. Dans Beaupré, Normand dir. Voix francophones versité du Maine à Orono en 2006, sera jouée de chez nous, contes et histoires. Une anthologie fran- (Cet article a été publié dans DIC- co-américaine. Coral Springs, FL : Llumina Press, dans plusieurs villes, villages et universités 2009. p. 51-61. TIONNAIRE DES AUTEURS en Nouvelle-Angleterre ainsi qu’à Montréal, - « Entre la manie et la phobie », série de 26 FRANCO-AMÉRICAINS DE à Québec et à Lafayette en Louisiane. essais. Le F.A.R.O.G. Forum, Orono, Maine, 1994- De 2008 à 2010, Grégoire Chabot 1995. Certains extraits paraissent également dans la LANGUE FRANÇAISE et est ré- revue Québec Studies, vol. 33 (2002). imprimé avec permission.) est membre du conseil d’administration du - « Focus on Men », Le F.A.R.O.G. Forum, vol. Centre de la francophonie des Amériques, 3, no. 7 (avril 1976), p. 6. avec lequel il collabore afin d’assurer l’in- - Un Jacques Cartier errant. Cambridge, MA 5 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ When I think of Greg, the first things Remembering Greg Chabot that come to my mind are his enthusiasm, his generosity, his intelligence, and his sense of by Leslie Choquette humor. Merci de tout ce que tu as fait pour nous, cher ami. Tu nous manqueras. One year ago, we mourned the loss of was my first choice. After a wonderful series two Franco-American giants: Gerry Brault of exchanges via phone and email, I wrote and Claire Quintal. Now we have lost an- up the interview, which I also translated into other in the person of Greg Chabot: gifted English for Québec Studies. We remained actor and writer and impassioned activist. friends ever after. Born in 1944, Greg belonged to the gen- In 2004, when the French Institute eration that followed Gerry’s and Claire’s. marked its 25th anniversary during Assump- Referred to by the elders as les jeunes Turcs, tion’s centennial year, I knew I had to invite Greg’s cohort was the first to challenge the Greg, who also happened to be a graduate hegemony of survivance ideology, while of Assumption Prep. Without a doubt, remaining intensely committed to the Fran- the highlight of our celebration was the co-American cause. Inspired by Québec’s French theatrical performance he directed Révolution tranquille as well as racial and and starred in entitled “Vies franco-amér- ethnic activism in the United States, they icaines,” a medley drawn from his plays. worked to create a newer, more modern Over the years, Du monde d’à côté (Folks identity for Franco-Americans. Next Door), the Franco-American theater I got to know Greg personally back in troupe Greg founded in 1996, brought his 2002, when Paul Dubé, then editor-in-chief work to audiences across New England Legend for photo: Grégoire Chabot and of Francophonies d’Amérique, asked me and as far afield as Louisiana, Canada, and Marie Cormier of Du monde d’à côté in to interview a Franco-American writer for France. Those of us fortunate enough to have the first act of Chabot’s play Sans atout, the journal’s series on francophone authors seen them in action will always treasure the performed at Assumption’s French Institute outside Québec. I knew right away that Greg memory. in September 2004.
trust my instincts, stating that I was doing Grégoire Chabot, mon héro! my children a huge favor by allowing them By Louise Tanguay-Ricker to connect with their heritage and learn the language. Once in a while for those perhaps accent. I would occasionally notice a “tone” Growing up in Québec during the more fortunate, someone walks into your when interacting with strangers, as though days of René Lévesque, with parents who life and changes it forever, and for the better. my accent was an annoyance, or perhaps to were strong activists in support of the in- Meeting Greg Chabot was one of them it meant I wasn’t smart or didn’t un- dependence movement, I had experienced those instances for me. And here’s the back- derstand what was being said. Very subtle, discrimination first hand, been spat on a few ground that led to it… Having immigrated but always there…. That look. Who are you? times by our “enemies” because we were from Québec in 1979 soon after turning 21, Where are you from? Why are you here? I French, and called French pea soup on a few I left everything behind and moved “aux admit that I did have a heavy accent and occasions (by the way, I love pea soup so États-Unis” with an overwhelming need many words were confusing. Like the time who cares!) Those were dark days, although to get away from it all (family, friends, I told my boss I had written in my diarrhea I know it pales in comparison to what was the French-Canadian curse… Or so it felt the night before. Moving on… going on south of the border. And perhaps at the time.) I lived in California for 25+ Over the years, a strong need for a that feeling of being suffocated is what made years, twelve of which were spent working sense of belonging took over my life. I had me want to get away. Little did I know that in research administration at Stanford U. I married an American, but my in-laws did not it would follow me beyond borders. assimilated well into the Californian culture appreciate their son marrying a foreigner. To I tried to connect with French-speak- and had fascinating experiences working them, I was an outsider. No matter how much ing groups in the Silicon Valley, so I would with brilliant minds in a multicultural en- I tried to assimilate and fit in, I was still an occasionally join European-French gather- vironment. But somehow, something was outsider. When I decided to put my career on ings, always to be met with reluctance be- missing. People often asked about my hold to raise our daughters speaking French, cause I was Québécoise. Not really French. accent, and the reactions were varied. Sur- their reaction was that their grandchildren I would find myself speaking a “cleaner” prisingly (or not), many had no idea where would end up behind in school, possibly French, or as some like to say a “Parisian” Québec was located, and others thought with permanent brain damage. Needing French, hoping no one would notice my that I was from France. On occasion, while to reassure them and prove them wrong, I French-Canadian accent. The curse was at Stanford, I would be asked to translate read everything I found on raising children following me and there was no getting away. correspondence from a French organization. bilingually and connected with a language Unless perhaps I kept my mouth shut. But More often than not in everyday life, people expert at UPenn who validated everything being French Canadian and keeping quiet is would look at me funny when they heard the I thought. He strongly encouraged me to (Continued on page 7) 6 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (Grégoire Chabot, mon héro! continued munity to relive some of those experiences, there is no such thing). I started laughing and from page 6) often through humor and hilarious theatrical the words just poured out of me as memo- productions, other times through deep and ries returned of quirky events from family basically an impossibility. meaningful conversations, touching upon reunions that I could infiltrate into my work. After 9/11, the need for belonging some of the most sensitive subjects. Whether Greg was thrilled and, on many occasions intensified. I wanted to return closer to my he spoke about religion or the reality of what when we met at different events, he would roots (but not too close.) And so, I chose it meant for a woman to be pregnant with ask me to read my latest work and would Maine and dragged my Californian husband her 16th child in the early 1900s, he always point out his favorite parts, always through and kids along. An American History buff, made us think and consider different points his oh so familiar contagious giggle. I felt on he was very eager to experience life on of view. Greg was also a realist. He knew top of the world and so inspired when I had the East Coast. I had visited Maine every that by hanging on to the past, there was a the good fortune to get this kind of reaction summer during my childhood and moving risk of jeopardizing not only our own future out of Greg Chabot. to Maine was a dream come true. It was but the ability for younger generations of That unconditional support and en- almost as if I had known all along that it Franco-Americans to relate to their heritage couragement were probably some of the would be my next destination. I knew there in a meaningful and empowering way. He best things that ever happened to me in my were French Canadian “people” because always felt that if the culture is going to life. And the fact that it was directly con- I remembered going to Biddeford while thrive, we must look ahead and continue to nected to my heritage, as a first-generation vacationing in Ogunquit to buy fabric in a create while still showing reverence for our Franco-American, having left my country in leather factory in the 70s and hearing people heritage. However, we cannot let the past search of better opportunities and hoping to speak French. I also knew we had relatives define our future. find a purpose, was truly a gift from heaven. from my father’s side of the family some- At the forefront of Greg’s multiyear Greg continued to inspire me for over a where in Lewiston. So, my husband and I crusade to help the culture survive and decade after our initial had purchased an Inn in Lincolnville Beach encourage young generations to explore “rencontre” and how I regret not hav- (big mistake) and enrolled our daughters in a their heritage, was the importance for Fran- ing met him sooner. I was a bit of a groupie, Waldorf School because of the emphasis on co-Americans to build connections with a silent admirer, always hoping to catch a music, art, and language. When the French French minorities from various Canadian glimpse of his next project, that I might be teacher abruptly resigned, I volunteered to provinces and Louisiana, recognizing that included in his next conversation, hoping I take over while the Inn was closed for the Québec has done very little to keep its ties might make him laugh again with my corny season. I took classes through the UMaine with the thousands of French Canadian who jokes and anecdotes. System to get my teacher certification and left the province in order to “make it big” in Gone too soon is an understatement. began participating in various Franco-Amer- the U.S. and eventually return home to save Greg, you will be dearly missed by all who ican gatherings as part of my training. the family farm. Most never returned, and had the privilege to call you a friend. That’s when I met Greg Chabot. And the few who did found themselves poorer And frankly, maudite marde! Pour- everything changed. So many emotions, so than before, often shunned by their relatives quoi t’es parti si vite? Ben voueyons donc! much validation, and a completely different for having left in the first place. Greg was a Ça aucun bon sens mon cher Greg. Aucun way of looking at my heritage and realizing pioneer at forging ties with Québec cultural maudit bon sens. T’avais pas d’affaire à par- the discrimination that French Canadians organizations to bring awareness to the Fran- tir comme ça. Qu’est-ce qu’on est supposé who had left Canada generations before had co-American reality of yesterday and today. faire sans toi? to endure, and in many instances were still Growing up, I always loved to write Calme-toé, calme-toé. C’est pas enduring. I began noticing that my family, and make people laugh. It was a survival grave. J’t’aime quand même. Pis j’t’oublie- and the majority of my Québécois relatives, mechanism for me to cover deep pain from rai jamais. M’entends-tu? Jamais. T’es mon knew very little about the Franco-Amer- childhood abuse caused by the paternal side héro. Merci. icans of Maine and other states. Hearing of my family. I had come to terms with my my mother tongue being spoken by Greg, past and tried to hang on to the good times Louise without that stigma that our French is not I had with my mother’s side of the family. the right French, that in fact, it is something It was a large family where almost everyone to cherish, to embrace, and explore, was was a musician, including many educators music to my ears. Through him I also began and storytellers. Greg encouraged me to to understand that language is just part of a write. He would provide me with the begin- culture, and for those who do not speak the ning of a sentence and I would take off with language, it does not take away the heritage. it as though I had done this all my life. My It’s just one piece of a much larger and rich character Florence Lafleur is a direct result construct. of Greg’s encouragement. That one sentence Greg’s energy was contagious. He “Everything started with a batch of crotons was brilliant, witty and so creative. He had that was too salty” - “Ça toute commencé compassion for the difficulty that especially avec un batch de crotons qu’y était trop salé” the first and second Franco-American gen- was written in the French-Canadian oral erations had endured. Through his various language that was so familiar to me and not creative projects, he invited the Franco com- the “perfect” “Parisian” French (by the way, 7 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ Merci mon cher Grégoire, la façon qu’on voulait le faire. La confiance d’être qui nous sommes, voilà le plus grand La première fois que j’ai lu votre lègue de notre cher Grégoire. monologue de Évangeline, je me suis Greg, vous étiez un créateur, un aussitôt attaché à toi, un grand homme de visionnaire et un passionné. Nos histoires théâtre. J’ai compris que nous parlions ne seront pas perdues, car elles sont encrés la même francophonie et que mon chiac dans la mémoire. n’allait pas offenser ton franco-américain, Voici un petit peu de Greg sur vidéo au contraire, nous avions trouvé finalement lors d’un entretien que j’ai eu la chance notre match. Grâce à Grégoire Chabot, cette de faire avec lui avec le Centre de la acadienne a eu la chance de participer au Fo- francophonie: https://www.youtube.com/ rum au Maine à quelques reprises et surtout watch?v=sonqPZtr6W4 eu la chance de jouer sa belle Évangeline On va s’ennuyer mon amour. sur les planches en Louisiane, en Acadie, à Évangeline restera avec moi dans mon Montréal et au Congrès mondial acadien. Sa coeur, elle vivra. plume et sa vision ont joué et ont résonné dans l’imaginaire de plusieurs personnes. Anika Lirette L’important était de pouvoir le jouer et de était marié, car le théâtre nous permettait de se donner la confiance de parler comme on tout faire et de rêver. La francophonie est au Artiste acadienne parle. Ce peuple franco-américain vit une pluriel et on s’est retrouvé parmi nos simil- Jeune ambassadrice du Centre de la grande résilience. Grégoire était un passion- itudes. On a eu du fun et je vais m’ennuyer francophonie né et un militant stratégique dans sa force bien gros. Grégoire donnait droit à créer et à créative. On faisait souvent à croire qu’on jouer dans les mots que l’on voulait et dans
I met Greg when he presented to a are lines I still hear in my head, spoken in my friend Nicole that he had passed, I was class I was taking at UMaine 20 years ago. his voice. I can still feel them. I’ll always home alone, so I put on “je ne regrette rien” His writing spoke to me, and helped me remember the shiver that came over me and sang along, remembering that night in answer questions about my identity that had every time I heard him end his monologue Québec. So many car rides, so many songs, been swirling about within me. Reading his “Lou” with the words “maudites cigarettes”. so many jokes, so many laughs. So many work, and later performing in his plays, had I’ll remember rides in his car, all of life lessons. a profound effect on my sense of self as a young Franco. Greg helped me reconcile some complicated feelings I had as a young Franco-American who spoke French, but not “the right kind of French”. I learned French Erica (Brown)Ship- in school, because I wanted desperately to man, Marie Cormier, Brooke connect with my family, with my roots. But Dupuy & Greg Chabot. Per- I didn’t speak the language of my family formance at the Centre de la and my ancestors-I spoke the language of Francophonie des Ameriques my professors-so I still felt disconnected. in Quebec 2009. I believe But reading Greg’s plays, I heard the voice it was all from his Sacres of my mémère, and later, when I joined his monologues. bilingual theatre troupe, I got to perform monologues written in the language of my family, and it felt so good to have those words, that accent come out of MY mouth. Greg helped me find my place between 2 very different generations of francos, and I am forever grateful to him for that. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared us singing at the top of our lungs. And there the stage with Greg (and the other members was the time in Québec, when we took a of the troupe at the time). It was all at once taxi after a show. Greg and Marie started amusing, thrilling, and heart breaking to singing along to the radio: “Je ne regrette embody one of his characters, that of the rien”. We even got the cab driver to join in, Adieu, mon ami. modern day Evangéline. He had a way of and he didn’t want to drop us off, he said it Tu nous manqueras. distilling the essence of a character down was the most fun he had in awhile. I think into one short monologue that said so much. a lot of people felt like that after spending Brooke Dupuy About Franco American culture, about hu- time with Greg. His colorful jokes and his mankind, about love, about suffering. There singing just lit people up. When I heard from 8 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 I was terribly saddened to hear the His comedic timing was impeccable, and news of Grégoire Chabot’s death, because his humor came through both in his literary he was one of the most inspiring people I works and his performances. knew. Grégoire visited my classes on Fran- My favorite work of his is Jacques co-American culture at UMA, and students Cartier Comes to America. One passage in just loved to be near him. They saw his particular speaks volumes about the difficul- passion for theater, his joy of teaching and ties of preserving French in New England: sharing, and his belief that the next genera- Ti Jean (To Cartier): […] Well, Mister tion would need to create their own vision Cartier, I may be stupid. But I’m not quite of Franco-American culture for the future. as stupid as I seem. After a while, I realized Grégoire also lead a theater workshop for the that if I spoke the French I learned at home— weekend immersion “Le français au bord de OUR French—teachers were going to laugh la mer” to help students write their own skits at me. And if I spoke the French I learned (in French) about French-Canadians coming in school—THEIR French—my family and to New England. His ability to inspire oth- friends were going to laugh at me. But if I ers to discover their own creativity was just didn’t speak French at all… part of who he was. Grégoire could convey so much in so His literary works helped to convey Grégoire Chabot and Chelsea Ray at few words. I can still hear and see him on the reality of the Franco-American ex- the American Council of Quebec Studies stage, captivating us all. He will be missed: perience by validating spoken French in conference in November 2016 by students, by the community, and by the New England and creating a new literary making. When he was on stage, the audience world. What a great loss. language. His translations of his own works was transfixed. There was an immediacy to show the depth of his talent and his ability his presence on stage that made you care so Chelsea Ray to draw the audience into a world of his much for the characters and believe in them.
students who take Franco Studies classes ten, and in dialogue. Greg realized this. He In memory of or work at the Franco American Centre. He wrote plays and monologues – words written established a tradition of taking them out to be spoken – and he always provided En- Grégoire to dinner to Bangor’s nicest restaurant. I glish translations. I have seen so many peo- still see him, sitting at the table with them, ple light up when they read the English side I think one of the things I will miss leaning back and smiling, listening to their of Un Jacques Cartier Errant, recognize the most about Greg is the way he could make banter. Like “un mononcle,” he made them French on the facing page (which they have any space feel like home. He would sweep proud of who they were, just as they were. never seen written before) and then begin to into the Franco American Centre, his No strings attached. laugh, saying, “My mother used to say that,” bag hanging off his shoulder and glasses or “I haven’t heard that in years!” He opened perched on his forehead after the long drive doors and invited everyone in. from Massachusetts or his camp. When he Since I have learned of Greg’s passing, arrived, the space where I work every day I have been exploring his writings again. became Franco in a deep, fundamental way. I read Manias et phobias yesterday and Whoever was around would gravitate to him. ended up laughing, all alone in front of my We’d laugh, hug, and start to tell stories. It computer. He was so insightful about our would get loud. The energy was palpable, cultural quirks. And he loved poking fun at and I could feel it transform the Centre into them, especially those conservative aspects a place that felt as if I were with family, (and I mean conservative in that which looks surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. to conserve), the parts of us that don’t want What is so remarkable to me about this to accept change and that look only to the gift of his was its radical inclusivity. Greg past. And that too, I realize now, is related spoke a type of French that I only hear in my to his willingness to accept us all – wheth- family. I love hearing it; it addresses me in er we speak French or not, whether we a deep, fundamental way. But I don’t speak were Catholic, whether we grew up eating that French. I learned my French in school, tourtière or not. He trusted that change had from Anglophone teachers. Greg didn’t care. Greg Chabot, Claire Bolduc, Susan to happen and he made himself open to it. He didn’t even remark on it. Oftentimes, Pinette, Raymond Pelletier, Feb. 2020 I will miss him terribly -- his big bear hugs, he’d speak in French, and I’d codeswitch to his laughter, his Waterville French, and I English. He didn’t blink an eye. He was a And as I think about it now, I see in his will miss the cultural home that he tended generous, welcoming elder. He established writings too that inclusive generosity. Franco and invited all of us to enter and be a part of. a cultural ground for us to stand on, and he French needs to be spoken. Its essence is accepted me for who I was in that moment in its orality. For many people, they only and in that space. He did the same for the known French in this way – spoken, not writ- Susan Pinette 9 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ enchanted by Cartier as I was. One student After the play, I asked Dean what he « Il parle comme announced excitedly during our first dis- thought. He gushed about the performance. cussion that, in the play, “Ils parlent comme It was his first play, and his first event au nous-autres » nous-autres!” She had never seen French collège. He told me he regretted that he By Katharine Harrington written the way that she spoke it. The play hadn’t thought to bring his parents. He was resonated with her as no other French text sure they would have loved it. The play It was a shock to learn of the passing ever had. spoke to his own family’s experience: “Il of Grégoire Chabot, a writer, actor, and ac- Several years later, I invited Greg and parle comme nous-autres!” tivist who I admired and enjoyed so much. his troupe to perform at UMFK. At the time, As an educator and a reader, I will al- He taught me about the Franco-American I was part of a local cycling group where ways treasure Greg’s work and will continue experience in Maine and always made him- I got to know Valley residents from all to teach it as I have seen the impact it has on self available to teachers and students. His backgrounds. Many were French speakers. readers Franco and non-Franco alike. Most work has a profound impact on his readers, One friend, Dean, was a logger who spent of all, I will miss our conversations, his bril- particularly those who see themselves or his weeks in the woods. I told him about liant observations, and incomparable humor. family members in his characters. It is hard Greg’s performance of his Monologues and Repose-toi en paix Grégoire. to comprehend what it means to have lost invited him to attend. He responded: “Au the singular voice that was Greg Chabot. collège?!? Je vais pas au collège, moi!” It I was first introduced to Greg at a had never occurred to me before that some conference in 2004 by my colleague Gil lifelong Fort Kent residents never stepped Albert. Listening to them talk about the foot on campus as the university represented history of French in Maine opened up a a cultural barrier. I was so sure that Dean whole new world to me. I had landed my would enjoy Greg’s work so I gave him a first teaching job at the University of Maine flyer and urged him to come. That evening, at Fort Kent and had so much to learn about just before the start of the performance, I Franco-America. saw Dean slip into the back of the theater I immediately fell in love with Greg’s where he sat by himself. At one point, during play Un Jacques Cartier errant and decided an especially moving monologue, I snuck to incorporate it into my French for Heritage a glimpse at Dean and saw tears streaming Monique Roy, Katharine Harrington, Speakers class. My students were just as down his face. Greg, Ray Pelletier realities instead of simply celebrating and co-American group with some optimism. mourning an irretrievable past. He clearly A future isn’t maintained, or conserved, or hoped that we’d explore as an aspect of our protected. It must be actively created day af- One significant if behind-the-scenes creative journeys how our Franco-American ter day, even if we must face the frightening chunk of Grégoire Chabot’s legacy is the identities color our visions of ourselves and thought that the results might be impossible pivotal role he played in the founding of understanding of the world. However, my to calculate and foresee.1 the Franco-American literary e-journal sense is that Greg would never have advo- Résonance. Not once but twice at the end of cated that a writer or artist in our community It is only after Greg’s passing that I a Rassemblement des artistes franco-amér- remain limited to such investigations if our truly appreciate the through-line from these icains, I found myself sitting around a table creative obsessions led us elsewhere. His perceptions and aspirations that formed in- discussing the possibilities of starting such only program seemed to be to foster strong side of his mind almost a half-century ago a journal as well as the obstacles that would creative work in our community, not to to the impetus behind the journal I now help have to be overcome. Without being pushy, proscribe its content. to edit. In addition to everything else Greg Greg catalyzed these discussions and led After I learned of Greg’s death, I be- brought to any room he entered—wit, intel- them towards fruitful outcomes. To help gan re-reading his collection of three plays ligence, tolerance, curiosity, generosity—he realize his vision, he encouraged those published under the title of one of them, brought a vision. It is profoundly inspiring younger than himself to take leadership Un Jacques Cartier Errant. In the book’s to me, as a Franco-American writer and roles while at the same time offering help. introduction, the playwright describes how editor, to begin to perceive how much He believed in the importance of creating a in 1974 he began setting about creating “a my own trajectory and projects have been space—in this case, a virtual one—where new Franco-American identity” for him- unobtrusively but powerfully influenced by Franco-American writers and artists could self—one that was fashioned in opposition his vision. share their work with each other and with a to what he saw as the stultifying influence Steven Riel larger community, cross-pollinating and in- of “the Congrès du Comité de Vie and all spiring one another across genres and across other events sponsored by the Franco elite.” 1 Chabot, Grégoire. Un Jacques different regions of our country. He envisioned an alternative generated by Cartier Errant: Trois Pièces (Orono, Me.: Most especially, Greg advocated for a writers and musicians: University of Maine Press/Le Centre Fran- journal that would allow and encourage to- co-Américain, 1996), p. viii. day’s Franco-American writers and artists of …if others began writing and compos- all ages and backgrounds to make something ing and singing on a regular basis, we could https://digitalcommons.library.uma- vital and authentic about our current-day perhaps contemplate the future of the Fran- ine.edu/resonance/vol3/iss1/ 10 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 Grégoire Chabot’s work contains him to tell me. You are always welcomed together, reading through my work and his much of his spirit. His humor and compas- back here with your work, he said. You’re a translations, we sat in that rich no-man’s- sion, and an honesty that manages to be Franco-American artist, and this is a place land between languages. He reached deep both defiant and tender, are all discernible in where you’ll always have an audience. into my words to give me ways to express his characters. But the primary place I find It was one of Greg’s unique talents to myself more fully and to lead me toward Greg’s energy in his plays and monologues peg you in a way that made you feel at once a French that I might have spoken, if my is in their forward momentum. Greg was flattered and as though you had been enlist- ancestors had been able to pass down their restless, full of curiosity about the future, ed in a cause. No one had ever called me a language to their children and grandchildren. and, while capable of deep reverence, re- Franco-American artist before — least of all In that way, he was an elder to me in the most sistant to sentimentality. This is evident in me — and the impact of that statement is still complete and traditional sense of the word: his work — and in every conversation I ever unfolding. I did not realize how un-welcome he connected me to my own history. He fed had with him. His glasses perched on his I had felt until Greg welcomed me, and, in my little fire so that I, in turn, could lend a forehead as though they helped him to think gathering me into the community to which light to others. rather than to see, he was always proposing a he belonged, I felt he had endowed me with a Greg believed deeply in the power of new project, devising a plan, and especially kind of responsibility that I am still working an individual voice, speaking its truth, and in Franco-American spaces, he wanted to to understand. wanted to create worlds where people, and talk about what was going to happen next. During the past couple of years, I have Francos in particular, could see that it is I was introduced to Greg before I been fortunate to work closely with Greg on possible to speak in our regular voices and read his work, ten years ago at the Franco translations of my plays, from English and be appreciated and understood. The faith Center at the University of Maine in Orono, my own thrift store French, into the mar- that he had in my voice has been transfor- where I had been invited to perform my velous, deep-rooted French that he grew up mative for me, and I know the same is true show, Piecework: When We Were French, speaking in Waterville, Maine, and in which for many of the students he worked with for the 2011 Rassemblement. Despite the he wrote his own work. To collborate with over the years, other artists with whom he graciousness of the invitation, I felt like a him this way was the greatest professional collaborated, and many of us who encoun- fish out of water, not Franco enough for the honor I’ve received, and a great personal tered him in Franco-American spaces. The room, self-conscious about my French — a pleasure, because it gave us occasion to forward momentum with which he walked classic case of Franco-American imposter really spend some time together. We shared through the world provides a current for us syndrome. At lunch, a woman from Quebec meals and car rides and long conversations. to ride upon even in his absence. That is laughed when I told her about my “pi-asse de A generation older than I, his connection his legacy, I think: a current of energy, of theatre” instead of my “pi-esse de theatre,” to his culture was more alive than mine, thought, that can pull us into a future, that and the shame stung for the rest of the week- but that was just a fact, not a point of pride demands that we go on, because something end. But after I performed, Greg took me or a source of superiority. Greg never took wonderful is ahead. aside and encouraged me in his unique way issue with my very English name, my mixed — without a hint of condescension, in a tone ancestry, or the French I had cobbled togeth- Abby Paige that indicated he expected me to know how er through adult-ed classes, conversation smart and worthy I was, that I didn’t need groups, osmosis, and trial by fire. Sitting A Heartfelt Tribute to you Greg... Greg Chabot, Gérard Fayolle, Lisa Desjardins by Lisa Desjardins Michaud, Annie Fayolle. Michaud France, Oct. 1999. As I write this. there is a sense of great loss, sadness, heart ache, but at the same time there is great gratitude, appreciation and love. Yes, I will miss you, but the rich- ness of what you have left behind for us and those to come is priceless! looking for submissions for our publication, Le Forum. The response was immediate, Your plays, your writings, your hu- how about this? I could always count on you...and you always had an encouraging word, mor, I am so much richer for having had you kind accolades for the publication. (See page 19) in my life, thank you! Your generosity and financial dona- Your passing is a great loss, but you left behind a tremendous legacy! Thank you tions to the Franco-American Programs and for believing in me! Le Forum will forever be indebted to you. Our students and readership appreicative of Merci Greg! RIP mon ami! your support throughout the many years! I can remember sending an email, (Continued on page 16) 11 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ ADIEU À GRÉGOIRE CHABOT, NOTRE des rencontres intéressantes avec Grégoire à quelques reprises. MOLIÈRE FRANCO-AMÉRICAIN Lorsque j’étais dans un programme par d’études pour la maîtrise qui n’allait pas Robert B. Perreault bien, Grégoire m’avait invité chez lui pour m’offrir l’occasion de participer à un pro- Mathias Barnabé, un poète avec la un bon Franco-Américain, il leur fallait de- gramme qu’il dirigeait à la Boston Univer- tête perdue dans les nuages, écrit des vers meurer fidèle au passé, à la langue française, sity (BU). À l’époque, il habitait une maison qui ne sont que des conjugaisons variées du à la religion catholique et aux traditions construite en 1710 à Newburyport, en face verbe être. ethniques—soit une règle que l’on ne devait de l’embouchure de la rivière Merrimack. Philias Berthiaume, Ph.D., un critique jamais remettre en question. Pour moi, traverser le seuil de l’entrée à cette littéraire avec la tête bien plantée dans le Par conséquent, ma première ren- demeure avec son décor évoquant l’Amé- sol, est l’auteur d’une biographie intitulée contre avec Grégoire Chabot et ses œuvres rique coloniale me donnait l’impression Les racines de Jean Racine, dans laquelle m’avait touché comme une vraie bouffée de d’avoir quitté le XXe siècle pour le XVIIIe. il confond le dramaturge français du XVIIe fraicheur. J’aurais bien voulu que mes supé- De plus, la brillante fille aînée de Grégoire, siècle avec un érable à sucre. rieurs de l’ACA aient été là avec moi pour âgée d’environ dix ans, m’a raconté des Jacques Cartier, fondateur de la Nou- assister aux pièces de Grégoire. Ils auraient bribes d’histoire de Newburyport comme velle-France au XVIe siècle, est mystifié vu qu’un de mes contemporains un peu une petite adulte fort renseignée. J’ai tout de de se retrouver « entre les mains de [s]es moins « jeune »—Grégoire avait sept ans suite constaté que d’avoir Grégoire Chabot ennemis » dans une taverne franco-améri- de plus que moi—pouvait créer des œuvres pour son papa lui avait été assez avantageux. caine en Nouvelle-Angleterre au XXe siècle. d’art littéraire valables qui remettaient en En fin de compte, après avoir discuté Jamais des personnages littéraires et question certaines idéologies dépassées et du programme de maîtrise à BU, Grégoire leurs drôles histoires ne m’avaient tellement qui visaient plutôt le présent et l’avenir du et moi étions tous les deux d’accord que causé de rire aux éclats comme ceux-ci. Telle peuple franco-américain. ce n’était pas pour moi. Toutefois, notre fut mon introduction à Grégoire Chabot et Au cours des années, à part avoir as- conversation jusqu’à ce point avait été tel- ses œuvres de la première heure, lors d’une sisté à des représentations de ses pièces de lement passionnante et agréable que nous soirée théâtrale dans le cadre du colloque « théâtre, j’ai eu des rencontres diverses avec avions continué, discutant de nos propres Les Franco-Américains : La promesse du Grégoire dont chacune était à la fois instruc- écrits, de la littérature et de l’histoire fran- passé, les réalités du présent » organisé par tive et amusante, grâce à la profondeur de co-américaines, de la langue française et le National Materials Development Center ses connaissances, à son sens de l’humour ainsi de suite, à partir de 7h du soir jusqu’à à Bedford, New Hampshire, en juin 1976. particulier et à sa gentillesse et générosité 3h du matin ! À mon avis, Grégoire Chabot, humaines. Une autre rencontre chez Grégoire, dramaturge, acteur et metteur en scène de Dans le cadre du festival « C’est si cette fois avec une douzaine de Fran- pièces comiques, qui a passé sa carrière à bon » à Lewiston en juillet 1977, Grégoire co-Américains provenant d’un peu partout promener sa troupe théâtrale ici et là en Nou- a dirigé une discussion sur le thème de « En en Nouvelle-Angleterre, a eu lieu un samedi, velle-Angleterre, en Louisiane, au Québec, quelle langue doit-on écrire ? ». Il m’avait le jour de la Saint-Patrice 1979. Grégoire en Acadie et même jusqu’en France, pourrait invité à y participer, moi, toujours le « nous avait invités pour partager nos idées à bien porter le titre de « notre Molière fran- jeune ». Au début, le débat parmi les autres propos d’organisations franco-américaines co-américain ». invités, tous beaucoup plus âgés que moi, dans diverses régions et comment établir un J’ai dit « pièces comiques », mais semblait tourner uniquement autour du fran- meilleur système de communication parmi de fait, tout comme son héros et modèle, çais standard vis-à-vis le parler populaire elles. Certaines gens ont aussi parlé de leurs Molière, Grégoire s’attaquait toujours à franco-américain comme langues d’expres- projets individuels. De nouveau, la rencontre des sujets sérieux, mais de façon comique sion littéraire chez nous. Vers le milieu du avait été tellement intéressante que la séance et souvent satirique, toujours en vue de faire débat, j’ai osé proposer une autre langue : a duré à partir de 9h30 de la matinée jusqu’à rire—mais surtout de faire réfléchir—ses l’anglais ! Je pensais surtout aux ouvrages 2h le lendemain matin ! auditoires. d’auteurs comme Jacques Ducharme, Al- Au mois d’avril de la même année, Justement, à l’époque où j’ai assisté béric Archambault, Jack Kerouac, Grace Grégoire et moi avions été tous les deux à cette première de la pièce de Grégoire (née DeRepentigny) Metalious, Robert invités à l’université du Maine à Orono pour intitulée Un Jacques Cartier errant, je tra- Cormier et Gérard Robichaud, que les Fran- y donner des présentations—lui sur l’évolu- vaillais comme bibliothécaire-archiviste de co-Américains unilingues anglophones et tion du peuple franco-américain depuis les l’Association Canado-Américaine (ACA) les Anglo-Américains qui s’intéressaient à années 1930 jusqu’au présent, et moi, sur à Manchester depuis un an et demi. Alors notre culture, pouvaient apprécier. Quoique, la collection franco-américaine de la biblio- âgé de vingt-cinq ans, j’étais « le jeune » tel à ce point dans sa carrière, Grégoire n’avait thèque de l’ACA. Puisque l’université payait qu’on m’appelait, entouré de mes supérieurs publié qu’en français standard et/ou dans notre voyage en avion de Boston à Bangor, qui, eux, étaient pour la plupart dans leur le parler populaire franco-américain, il m’a nous avons décidé d’y aller ensemble. Ce- cinquantaine ou soixantaine. À quelques appuyé à 100%, ce qui a sans doute choqué pendant, lorsqu’est venu le temps de prendre exceptions près, ils appartenaient à la gé- certains partisans de la survivance française nos places, je me suis rendu compte que nous nération de la « survivance française ». En dans l’auditoire. d’autres termes, afin de pouvoir s’appeler Durant le printemps de 1979, j’ai eu (suite page 13) 12 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 comme source des notions dépassées ! En Beaupré. Aussi, en 2014, mon amie regret- (ADIEU À GRÉGOIRE CHABOT, NOTRE revanche, il a dit qu’il ne fallait pas rejeter à tée, Claire Quintal, m’avait invité à rédiger MOLIÈRE FRANCO-AMÉRICAIN suite 100% les idées des partisans de la survivance une douzaine de biobibliographies pour le de page 12) française, car il y en avait quelques bonnes Dictionnaire des auteurs franco-américains devions nous séparer, car Grégoire avait de- qui pouvaient fonctionner dans le présent et de langue française publié en ligne par l’Ins- mandé un siège dans la section des fumeurs ! à l’avenir. Alors, il fallait plutôt combiner titut français du collège de l’Assomption à Par conséquent, étant seul, j’ai passé le vol celles-ci avec les meilleurs parmi les solu- Worcester. Parmi la douzaine figure celle entier à lire quelques chapitres d’un livre que tions qu’offrait la génération contemporaine de Grégoire, avec qui j’ai collaboré afin de j’avais apporté pour des moments libres tels de « jeunes » pour effectuer une synthèse compiler les faits et gestes de sa vie et de que celui-ci. Il s’agissait donc du volume capable de mener le peuple franco-américain sa carrière. intitulé Les Franco-Américains peints par vers l’avenir. La dernière fois que nous étions eux-mêmes (1936), soit une collection d’es- C’était ma toute première visite à ensemble, soit en juin 2018, Grégoire sais sur divers sujets par plusieurs auteurs. Orono, et grâce à Grégoire et sa merveil- m’avait invité à son chalet au fond des C’était justement un parfait exemple, dans leuse conférence, ainsi qu’à la chaleureuse bois à Belgrade, Maine. C’était pour y être les années 1930, de l’idéologie des partisans réception de nos hôtes du FAROG Forum, filmé par Keith Chevalier, archiviste de la de la survivance française. De plus, mon j’en suis revenu très enchanté. Geisel Library au Saint Anselm Collège de grand-père maternel, Adolphe Robert, élu En raccourci, j’ai eu plusieurs autres Manchester, avec les écrivains Normand président général de l’ACA cette année rencontres de divers genres avec Grégoire au Beaupré, Paul Paré et lui-même, Grégoire, même, 1936, y avait contribué l’avant-pro- cours des décennies, trop nombreuses pour dans une discussion portant sur une série de pos ainsi que trois essais. inclure en totalité dans cet éloge. En voici thèmes franco-américains. La conférence de Grégoire, qu’il a donc quelques-unes. C’est avec beaucoup de regret et de présentée devant une classe d’étudiants— Nous avons tous les deux participé tristesse que j’ai appris la mauvaise nouvelle des Franco-Américains pour la plupart— au concours littéraire de l’organisation du décès récent de Grégoire. Il m’avait ainsi que quelques professeurs et invités France-Louisiane-Franco-Américanie de toujours fait rire, mais au moins pour le de la communauté locale, portait plus pré- Paris en l’an 2000. Grégoire a gagné le grand moment, je n’en ai pas envie. cisément sur le débat entre l’idéologie de prix pour son conte « À perte de vue », tandis Toutefois, de temps en temps, je vais la survivance française vis-à-vis les idées que mon conte, « Les mains du père et du relire les œuvres de Grégoire, certain que le modernes de la génération contemporaine fils » a reçu le prix spécial du jury, c’est- sourire me reviendra sur les lèvres. de « jeunes ». À ma grande surprise et par à-dire, une mention honorable. Nos deux Adieu, Grégoire, notre Molière fran- une pure coïncidence, Grégoire a révélé à contes sont inclus dans l’anthologie intitulée co-américain. l’auditoire qu’il s’était servi du livre Les Voix francophones de chez nous : Contes Franco-Américains peints par eux-mêmes et histoires (2009) compilée par Normand
FAREWELL TO enemies” in a Franco-American tavern in ways tackled serious issues, but in a comical, 20th-century New England. often satirical manner, to make his audiences GRÉGOIRE CHABOT, Never before had literary characters laugh, but especially to make them think. OUR FRANCO-AMERI- and their funny stories caused me to burst At the time I attended the above-men- out laughing as much as these. Such was tioned premiere of Grégoire’s play entitled CAN MOLIÈRE 3 my introduction to Grégoire Chabot and his Un Jacques Cartier errant, I had been by early works during a theatrical soirée within working as librarian-archivist of the As- Robert B. Perreault the framework of a colloquium entitled “Les sociation Canado-Américaine (ACA) in Mathias Barnabé, a poet with his Franco-Américains : La promesse du passé, Manchester for a year and a half. At age head in the clouds, writes lines of poetry in les réalités du present,” organized by the twenty-five, I was “the young one,” as they French that are nothing more than various National Materials Development Center in referred to me, surrounded by my superiors conjugations of the verb to be. Bedford, New Hampshire, in June 1976. who, for the most part, were in their fifties Philias Berthiaume, Ph.D., a literary In my opinion, Grégoire Chabot, and sixties. But for a few exceptions, they critic with his head well planted in the playwright, actor, and director of comedies, belonged to the survivance française gener- ground, is the author of a biography entitled who spent his career bringing his theatrical ation. In other words, to call oneself a good Les racines de Jean Racine,1 in which he troupe here and there in New England, in Franco-American, one had to remain faithful mistakes the 17th-century French play- Louisiana, in Québec, in Acadia, and even to the past, to the French language, to the wright for a sugar maple. all the way to France, could very well go by Catholic faith, and to ethnic traditions—a Jacques Cartier, the founder of New the title “our Franco-American Molière.”2 rule that one must never question. France in the 16th century, is mystified I said “comedies,” however, just as did Consequently, my initial encounter at finding himself “in the hands of [his] his hero and model, Molière, Grégoire al- (Continued on page 14)
1 Racine, the French word for root, is also a family name, in this case, that of the playwright. Here, it is a play on words, the title of his imaginary biography meaning “the roots of Jean Racine.” 2 Molière was the pen name of 17th-century French playwright, actor, and director Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, author of many comical and satirical plays. 3 Literally, “a wandering Jacques Cartier.” Twenty years later, Grégoire translated his play, as well as others, and compiled them in a bilingual volume entitled Un Jacques Cartier errant. Jacques Cartier Discovers America. Orono, Maine: Éditions Réveil, The University of Maine Press/Le Centre Franco-Américain, 1996.
13 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ (FAREWELL TO GRÉGOIRE CHABOT, University (BU) that he was directing. At the 1930s, of the ideology of the proponents of OUR FRANCO-AMERICAN MOLIÈRE time, he was living in a house built in 1710 survivance française. In addition, my mater- continued from page 13) that faced the mouth of the Merrimack River nal grandfather, Adolphe Robert, who had with Grégoire Chabot and his works was in Newburyport. For me, crossing the thresh- been elected ACA’s president general that for me like a breath of fresh air. I had old of the home’s entrance, with its décor same year, 1936, wrote the book’s foreword truly wished that my superiors at the ACA that evoked colonial America, gave me the as well as three of its essays. had been there with me in attendance at impression of having left the 20th century Grégoire’s lecture, which he presented Grégoire’s plays. They would have seen for the 18th. Moreover, Grégoire’s brilliant before a class of students—Franco-Ameri- that one of my contemporaries who was a older daughter, roughly ten years of age, cans for the most part—and invited guests bit less “young”—Grégoire was seven years recounted bits and pieces of Newburyport from the local community, dealt more older than I—could create valid works of history as a well-informed little adult. I im- precisely with the debate between the literary art that challenged certain outdated mediately determined that having Grégoire survivance française ideology versus the ideologies and that looked more toward the Chabot as her papa was quite advantageous. modern ideas of the contemporary younger present and the future of the Franco-Amer- In the end, after having discussed generation. To my great surprise and by ican population. the master’s program at BU, Grégoire and pure coincidence, Grégoire revealed to the Over the years, other than having I agreed that it wasn’t for me. Neverthe- audience that he had used the book, Les attended his plays, I had a variety of get-to- less, our conversation up to this point had Franco-Américains peints par eux-mêmes, gethers with Grégoire, each one being both been so absorbing and agreeable that we as a source for outdated notions! On the informative and entertaining, thanks to his continued—discussing our own writings, other hand, he said that one should not deep knowledge, his particular sense of hu- Franco-American literature and history, and reject 100% of the ideas of the survivance mor, and his human kindness and generosity. much more, from 7 in the evening till 3 in française proponents, as there were a few Within the framework of Lewiston’s the morning! good ones that could work in the present and Franco-American Festival “C’est si bon” in Another meeting at Grégoire’s, this in the future. Rather, one must combine these July 1977, Grégoire led a panel discussion in time with a dozen Franco-Americans com- with the best among the solutions that the French whose theme was “In what language ing from here and there in New England, contemporary generation of young people should we write?” He had invited me on the occurred on a Saturday, Saint Patrick’s Day offered, to bring about a synthesis capable panel, I, always the “young one.” At first, 1979. Grégoire had invited us to share our of leading the Franco-American people the debate among the other panelists, all ideas about Franco-American organizations toward the future. of whom were much older than I, seemed in various regions and how to establish a It was my first visit to Orono, and to revolve solely around standard French better system of communication among thanks to Grégoire and his marvelous lec- versus everyday Franco-American French them. Certain attendees also spoke of their ture, as well as the warm reception of our as languages of literary expression. Toward individual projects. Again, the meeting had hosts from Le FAROG Forum,4 I returned the middle of the debate, I dared to propose been so interesting that it lasted from 9:30 home quite enchanted. another language: English! I was thinking in the morning until 2 o’clock the following In short, I had many other meetings especially of the works of authors such as morning! of various types with Grégoire over the Jacques Ducharme, Albéric Archambault, In April of the same year, Grégoire and decades, too numerous to include in their Jack Kerouac, Grace (née DeRepentigny) I were both invited to give presentations at totality in this tribute. Here are but a few. Metalious, Robert Cormier, and Gérard Ro- the University of Maine in Orono—he on In the year 2000, we both partici- bichaud, that monolingual anglophone Fran- the evolution of the Franco-American pop- pated in the literary contest of the Parisian co-Americans, as well as Anglo-Americans ulation from the 1930s up to the present, and organization called France-Louisiane-Fran- who had an interest in Franco-American I, on the ACA library’s Franco-American co-Américanie. Grégoire won the grand culture, could appreciate. Although, at that collection. Since the university was paying prize for his short story, “À perte de vue,” point in his career, Grégoire had published our trip by airplane from Boston to Bangor, while my short story, “Les mains du père et only in standard French and/or everyday we decided to go together. However, when du fils,” won an honorable mention. Both Franco-American French, he supported me the time arrived to board the plane, I came stories are included in an anthology entitled 100%, which undoubtedly shocked certain to the realization that we would need to Voix francophones de chez nous (2009)5 proponents of survivance française in the separate, as Grégoire had requested a seat compiled by Normand Beaupré. Also, in audience. in the smoking section! Consequently, being 2014, my late friend, Claire Quintal, had During the spring of 1979, I had some alone, I spent the entire flight reading a few asked me to write a dozen or so biobibli- interesting meetings with Grégoire on a few chapters of a book that I had brought along ographies for the Dictionnaire des auteurs occasions. for free moments such as this one. The vol- franco-américains de langue française, While I was in a master’s degree ume in question was Les Franco-Américains published online by Assumption College’s program that wasn’t going well, Grégoire peints par eux-mêmes (1936), a collection of Institut français in Worcester. Among them invited me to his home to offer me an oppor- essays on various topics by several authors. is one about Grégoire, with whom I collabo- tunity to participate in a program at Boston It was, in fact, a perfect example, in the (Continued on page 15)
4 The title of the present publication, Le Forum, prior to 1994. 5 Normand Beaupré, Voix francophones de chez nous: Contes et histoires. Une anthologie franco-américaine. Coral Springs, Florida : Llumina Press, 2009. Grégoire’s grand-prize-winning short story, “À perte de vue” (as far as the eye can see), appears on pp. 62-74, along with another of his entitled “Crache ou meurs” (spit or die), on pp. 51-61. 14 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 est essentiel d’accepter.” “COMMENTARY BY GRÉGOIRE CHABOT Ron Héroux IN 1976 ON THE RENAISSANCE OF THE ([email protected]) FRANCO-AMERICAN CULTURE” Our well remembered and passionate Franco American, Grégoire Chabot, addressed a group of Franco Americans leaders and educators (along with a few invited guests from France and Québec) in Bedford, NH 10-12 June 1976 during a Colloquium entitled "LES FRANCO-AMÉRICAINS: La Promesse du Passé et les Réalités du Présent". Since some of Mr. Chabot's comments are as apropos today as when he spoke them in French almost 50 years ago, I thought I would include a few thoughtful excerpts from his commentary in French followed by an English translation. To put his comments in perspective, Mr. Chabot spoke in reply to an address made by Ms Claire Bolduc titled "Les Franco-Américains Eux-Mêmes Veulent-Ils D'Une Renais- sance Culturelle?" ("Do Franco Americans Themselves Want a Cultural Renaissance?") “La question de la langue a été sou- d’accord. Autrefois, le Franco-Américain levé souvent au cours de ce colloque. On laissait souvent définir son ethnicité par a peur que si la langue française se perd, les grandes institutions qui l’entouraient.... la Franco-Américanie va par consequent, ces institutions et leurs definitions perdent disparaître. Ceci est peut- être vrai. Mais la actuellement beaucoup de leur vigueur relation cause-effet qu’on établit entre ces et souvent de leur valeur....je voudrais en deux événements n’est pas aussi valable ajouter deux autres....La première seraient qu’uelle le semble au premier abord. La la réalisation de l’aspect très positif de l’eth- langue ne crée pas un groupe ethnique. Elle nicité. Ceci se manifesterait surtout après le ne justifiie pas son existence. Mise à part, reniement et la colère....On verrait toutes les c’est l’aspect le moins profound de l’eth- bonnes qualités du groupe....La deuxième (F.A.R.O.G. FORUM Vol. 3 No. 7 nicité. En revanche, la culture du groupe étape que je voudrais ajouter comprend donc avril 1976) ethnique, les modèles de conduit qu’il a la réalisation de l’aspect négatif du groupe. établis et la façon dont ses modèles agissent C’est ici qu’il faut avoir devant soi l’histoire (Voir page 16 pour et réagissent avec les modèles d’autres col- non-romancée du groupe si l’évolution va l’article en anglais) lectivités, sont son aspect le plus fort. C’est continuer d’une façon efficace. cet aspect qui justifie l’existence du groupe La force d’un groupe vient de la (FAREWELL TO GRÉGOIRE CHABOT, et qui par conséquent, justifie et valorise sa réalisations et de ses vertues, et de ses dé- OUR FRANCO-AMERICAN MOLIÈRE langue. Si la Franco-Américanie disparaît, fauts. L’individu qui participe à l’évolution continued from page 14) ce sera plutôt par ignorance de sa culture culturelle et ethnique doit connaître les rated in order to compile facts and activities que par ignorance de sa langue. deux côtés pour pouvoir juger de la valeur of his life and career. Or, nous ne pouvons pas nier que la du groupe....Une histoire non-romancé The last time we were together, in June culture franco-américanie n’est pas connue des Franco-Américains est essentielle à ce 2018, Grégoire had invited me to his country aujourd’hui. C’est pourquoi nous parlons processus. La renaissance parmi nous ne home in the woods of Belgrade, Maine. It ici de “renaissance”. Mais tandis que peut pas se passer sans prise de conscience was to be filmed by Keith Chevalier, archi- beaucoup d’autres groupes ethniques ont individuelle et collective. Et cette prise de vist of the Geisel Library at Saint Anselm su revendiquer leurs droits, ont su s’unir conscience ne peut pas se faire sans une College in Manchester, along with writers et participer à une évolution culturelle connaissance approfondie de la totalité de Normand Beaupré, Paul Paré, and Grégoire ethnique, nous, les Franco-Américains, et notre être ethnique.... himself, in a discussion dealing with a series je parle surtout de ceux qui ne sont pas ici Mais nous avons aussi besoin du of Franco-American themes. aujourd’hui, nous ne savons même pas qu’il sien...pour remettre la société franco-amér- It is with much regret and sadness that y a possibilité de renaissance. En commen- icaine en marche vers l’avenir, pour guérir I learned the bad news of Grégoire’s recent tant la présentation de Claire Bolduc, je la paralysie, la peur, la manque de confiance death. He had always made me laugh, but voudrais d’abord montrer comment nous qui nous afflige...pour éliminer notre pen- at least for the moment, I don’t feel like pourrions arriver à cette renaissance et chant à l‘autodestruction. doing so. ensuite pourquoi je vois cette renaissance Comme Franco-Américains...nous Then again, from time to time, I’ll comme étant essentielle non seulement pour occupons une place privilégiée dans le reread Grégoire’s works, assured that the notre groupe ethnique, mais pour la société développement de la société nord améric- smile on my lips will return. nord-américanie en général. aine....Ce n’est qu’aqprè avoir passé par Claire Bolduc dit que cette renaissance toutes les étapes, après avoir compris notre culturelle doit se passer surtout au niveau identité personelle et ethnique, que nous Farewell, Grégoire, our personnel, que chaque Franco doit renaître serons prêts à jouer le role que la société lui-même pour commencer. Je suis tout à fait américaine veut nous donner et qu’il nous Franco-American Molière. 15 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ "The issue of language was often of those who are not here today, we don't its achievements and its virtues, and its raised during this colloquium. We are even know there is a possibility of renais- flaws. The individual who participates in afraid that if the French language is lost, sance. In commenting on Claire Bolduc's cultural and ethnic evolution must know Franco-Américanie will therefore disappear. presentation, I would first like to show how both sides in order to be able to judge the This may be true. But the cause-effect rela- we might come to this renaissance and then value of the group.... An un-fictionalized tionship between these two events is not as why I see this renaissance as essential not history of Franco-Americans is essential to valid as it seems at first glance. Language only for our ethnic group, but for North this process. Renaissance among us cannot does not create an ethnic group. It does not American society in general. happen without individual and collective justify its existence. Aside from that, it is the Claire Bolduc says that this cultural awareness. And this awareness cannot be least profound aspect of ethnicity. On the renaissance must happen above all on a per- done without a thorough knowledge of the other hand, the culture of the ethnic group, sonal level, that each Franco must be reborn state of our ethnic being…. the driving patterns it has established and to begin with. I completely agree. Formerly, But we also need self-awareness...to the way in which its models act and react the Franco-American often allowed his eth- put Franco-American society back on track with the models of other communities, are nicity to be defined by the large institutions for the future, to heal the paralysis, the fear, its strongest features. It is this aspect that that surrounded him….these institutions and the lack of confidence that afflicts us...to justifies the existence of the group and their definitions are currently losing much of eliminate our inclination to self-destruct. therefore justifies and values its language. their vigor and often of their value….I would As Franco-Americans… we occupy a If Franco-Américanie disappears, it will be like to add two more….The first would be privileged place in the development of the more out of ignorance of its culture than realizing the very positive aspect of ethnici- North American society…. It is only after ignorance of its language. ty. This would manifest itself especially after having gone through all the stages, after However, we cannot deny that Fran- denial and anger....We would see all the good having understood our personal and ethnic co-American culture is not known today. qualities of the group....The second step identity, that we will be ready to play the role That’s why we’re talking about “renais- that I would like to add therefore includes that American society wants to give us and sance” here. But while many other ethnic the realization of the negative aspect of the which is essential for us to accept. ” groups have known how to claim their group. This is where you have to have the rights, have known how to unite and par- un-romanticized history of the group if the ticipate in an ethnic cultural evolution, we evolution is to continue in an effective way. Ron Héroux Franco-Americans, and I speak especially The strength of a group comes from ([email protected]) (Tribute to Greg, by Lisa Desjardins Michaud, continued from page 11)
Left to Right: Hadley White, Lisa Michaud, Daniel Moreau, Meghan Murphy, Maggie Somers, Alex Torno (be- hind Maggie), Shah Akhtar, Deb Roberge (Full-time volunteer)
Every year Greg gave a monetary donation so that the Franco-American Programs could take our student employees out for a fun filled evening.
Our students were ever so grateful for Greg’s generosity.
Here is but one of those years!
16 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 from Rivier College in Nashua, NH. Aliette taught primary and elementary grades in Generations leave their amazing Willimansette, North Hampton and South Billingham, MA, as well as in Caribou and legacies and lives well lived Lewiston, Maine. She left the community By Juliana L’Heureux and worked one year in the office at Knapp Shoe then taught in the Lewiston School Maine is sadly and slowly experienc- Died on Nov. 29, 2020, at Central System from 1971 until her retirement in ing the loss of a generation who dedicated Maine Medical Center from complications 1995. Aliette married Ronald M. Couturier their lives to create pride in the state’s with Covid-19. Ronald was born on Sept. on April 19, 1976. He predeceased her by 3 Franco-American history, language, religion 30, 1943, the son of Lorenzo Couturier and days from the same illness. She sang with and culture. This unhappy reality became Germaine Therriault Couturier. He attended the Silvertones in nursing homes, Christmas evident after attending the rare occasion of St. Peter’s School and spent two years with parties and festivals. Her wooden “gigueurs” a dual funeral on May 18, 2021, to celebrate the Brothers of the Sacred heart in Pascoag, and “spoons” were always a hit with the the lives of Ronald and Aliette Couturier, R.I. Upon his return to Lewiston he spent audience. She also loved line dancing. at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in one year at St. Dominic High School and Aliette led French Sing-A-Long groups at Lewiston. then graduated from Lewiston High School the University of Southern Maine Lewiston in 1962. He later earned his Bachelor of Auburn College. In 2012, Aliette was induct- Stained glass Arts degree from the University of Maine in ed into the Franco-American Hall of Fame window in the Portland graduating in 1967. He then spent in Augusta. She volunteered at D’Youville Basilica of Saints two years studying in France after which he Pavilion in Lewiston and she was a Eucha- Peter and Paul spent the summer touring Europe with his ristic minister in her parish. in Lewiston, brother Roger. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Middlebury College in 1974. In Biddeford, Me ME. (L'Heureux – Norman R. Faucher, photo) 1965, Ronald served one term as Alderman of Lewiston’s Ward 5 during the time his 86, died on Oct. 4, brother Robert served as mayor of the city. 2020, at his home in He started his teaching career at St. Peter’s Biddeford. He was As a cultural and religious tribute to Grammar School and then moved on to born Feb. 11, 1934, he Mr. and Mrs. Couturier, the celebrant, Father completing his years of teaching at Lewiston was the son of Eddy Patrick Finn, requested the congregation High School retiring as head of the language and Jeanne (Pelletier) who attended the funeral Mass to say the department. Ronald married Aliette Beland Faucher. Our Father in French. Indeed, Father Finn on April 19, 1976. Sadly, she also died of A Maine baseball star, Mr. Faucher is fluent in French and he led the recitation the Covid-19 virus on Dec. 2, 2020, three told me a personal story about how he was a of the prayer. days after his death. bat boy in the York County, Maine collegiate It occurred to me to extend the tribute Lewiston, Me leagues when George Herbert Walker Bush, for Ronald and Aliette Couturier to friends, – Aliette Y. Béland the future president of the United States (41), Gregoire Chabot, originally from Waterville, Couturier, 84, of was playing baseball during his summers in ME,, and to Norman and Doris Faucher, of Lewiston: “Aliette Kennebunkport. He also founded the Fran- Biddeford. I was fortunate to call the Fau- was involved in many co-American Writers and Publishers group cher’s family friends. They dedicated their local French organiza- with his talented wife, Doris. lives to supporting Franco-American history, tions. She was a mem- Norm graduated from the former St. religion and culture in Biddeford, Maine. ber of La Survivance Louis High School in 1951 and from St. The deaths of these five Franco-American Française, as well as Michael’s College in Vermont in 1955, with creative heroes leaves behind a legacy of its president for well a Business Administration degree. He was an cultural pride. This blog is a memorial to the over 20 years. She was also a member of athlete in high school and was selected for Couturier and Faucher families, to Gregoire l’Association Canado-Americaine. Aleiette the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, Chabot and to others in their generation who died on December 2, 2020, at Central Maine for the record 467 hits he made during his are leaving us. Summaries of their obituaries Health Center from complications with senior year on the Telegram League and he highlights describe a life of dedication to Covid-19 and was predecessed by her hus- continues to hold the record of nine triples their Franco-American heritage. band Ronald who also succumbed from the in one season. Lewiston, Me coronavirus.. Aliette was born in Augusta, Norm was a communicant of the – Ronald M. Coutu- Maine, on December 14, 1935, the daughter Good Shepard Parish in Biddeford and rier, 77 of Lewiston. of Antonio Béland and Irène Bisson Béland. charter member of the former St. Joseph’s “He was involved She attended St. Augustine Grammar School Credit Union in 1963. He served as the with French organi- and graduated from Cony High School in past-president of the St. Joseph’s Parish zations as a member Augusta, in 1955. She joined the Sisters Council and Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. of La Survivance of the Presentation of Mary in 1956, in He also participated as a board member for Française…” Hudson, NH. She obtained her B.A. degree (Continued on page 18) 17 Le Forum DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ (Generations leave their amazing legacies Manchester, N.H. train bilingual teachers at Boston University. and lives well lived continued from page 17) With her husband being stationed in He founded the theater company the Southern Maine Medical Center for 12 France for military service, she became very named Du monde d’à côté /People Next years, he was a corporator for the Biddeford interested and absorbed in her genealogical Door--to perform his plays in France, Savings Bank and a lifelong member of the history, which lead her to writing a series of Quebec, Louisiana, and throughout New St. Louis Alumni Association. historical novels entitled “Le Quebecois:” England and Canada. Norm served his country in the U.S. She became nationally recognized for the He worked as a teacher, editor, copy- Army and was stationed in France. series, having sold books in all 50 states. writer and communications consultant while Norm married the love of his life, Waterville, Me. continuing to write, and perform about Doris Provencher in 1956. She accompanied and South Hamp- Franco-Americans. His works include a him to France during his military duties. ton, N.H.- Grégoire collection of three plays and their English Doris passed away in July of 2015, after 58 R. Chabot, a Fran- translations titled Un Jacques Cartier Er- years of marriage. co-American who rant/Jacques Cartier Discovers America; Mr. Faucher is to be buried alongside delighted everyone a series of essays called “Between Mania Doris at the Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in who knew him with and Phobia,” and an ongoing column in Biddeford. his compassionate cre- Le Forum called “We Are so Screwed/V’la Norm played baseball for the Benoit’s ativity, died at the age du sort”. Contractors in the Portland Twilight League of 76, at his home in South Hampton, New Chabot spoke about his work and for two years, during this time he was con- Hampshire. He was a Franco-American Franco-American experience at a dizzying tacted by pro-league scouts and was coached playwright and actor who was a prominent number of classes, conventions, and forums, by former Boston Red Sox shortstop, Fred- cultural advocate. and he was always eager to help new writers die Parent. He also played at St. Michael’s Grégoire R. Chabot died on Monday, or enthusiasts. He served on the board of College for four years. April 26, surrounded by his daughters, directors of the Quebec-based Centre de la Biddeford, granddaughters, and four cats. He was 76. Francophonie des Amériques from 2008 to Me- Doris P. Faucher, Mr. Chabot was an award-winning, 2010 focused on promoting and encouraging 81, of Biddeford died and prolific author of dozens of plays, essays the voice of New England Franco- in Biddeford after a and short stories examining Franco-Ameri- Americans. He remained active in the brief illness. She was can life and language. He began his writing organization for the rest of his life. a personal friend of and performing career in the 1970s and It’s never too late to express cultur- mine. Moreover, I am was a key figure in the Franco-American al gratitude to the lives well lived by these proud to be among the renaissance that began around the turn of Franco-American leaders. fans and supporters of the 21sr century. Merci! her Franco-American Born in Waterville, Maine to Marcel semi-autobiographical novels. Doris was and Osithe (Michaud) Chabot, Grégoire born in Biddeford on April 27, 1934 the spoke only French until the age of five. The daughter of Omer and Alice DesRoberts dialect – a version derided by the French Provencher. She was educated in Biddeford teachers he encountered in school but promi- schools graduating from Biddeford High nent among his relatives in the mill towns of School with the class of 1952. She graduat- Lewiston, Auburn and Waterville – became ed from the University of Maine in Orono central to his writing and cultural advocacy. with a Bachelors Degree in Education in Writing in Franco-American French 1956 and later received a Masters Degree was not only the most accurate reflection in Education from the University of Maine of his characters, Mr. Chabot argued, but it in Gorham. She became a Certified Medical was a vital part of living and breathing the Technologist and was a member of ASCP, New England francophone experience. In American Society for Clinical Pathology. the tradition of Moliere, one of his favorite On Nov. 24, 1956 she married Norman R. authors, humor and satire also played prom- Faucher in St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. inent roles in his work. About Juliana She and her husband moved to Poitiers, Mr. Chabot graduated from Colby Juliana L’Heureux is a free lance writ- France where he was stationed in the military. College with a degree in French language er who publishes news, blogs and articles Mrs. Faucher worked as a teacher at Bidd- and literature, and received his master’s de- about Franco-Americans and the French eford Regional Vocational School retiring gree in French from the University of Maine culture. She has written about the culture in in 1988. She was a member of the Franco at Orono, remaining active at the university’s weekly and bi-weekly articles, for the past American Writers & Composers Associa- Franco-American Center and writing for 27 years. tion, and a member of the Alpha Omicron the bilingual publication Farog Forum/Le PI sorority at the University of Maine in Forum. Additionally, he directed a federal- Orono, a member of the Franco-American ly-funded bilingual children’s program that https://francoamerican.bangordai- Genealogy Society in Biddeford and the aired on Maine’s Public Broadcasting Net- lynews.com/author/jlheureux/ American Canadian Genealogy Society in work in 1974, and, until 1980, he worked to
18 DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ DEDICATION/DÉDIÉ SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 The most recent and most vibrant at the sight of neon-vibrant beverages, and Gregoire Chabot memory I have of Gregoire was when he rice molded into the shape of a teddy bear. Memorial and Abby Paige came to the Franco-Amer- As the night got even older and the smiles ican Programs to translate a theatre-piece. became moulded onto our faces like clay, As evening cast over the windows of the we noticed we were the only ones left in the In my few years as a student at the Centre, they were trying their hardest to get restaurant, save the waitress and the cook. Franco-American Programs, I had only as much done on the theatre-piece as they We decided we were keeping them long a handful of interactions with Gregoire could, while I, sitting a few feet away, tried enough, and got the check. The drive back Chabot. But each interaction was more to figure out differential equations. The to the center, I was thinking about how that pleasant than the previous. I first had the night got older, and we eventually forgot was the most fun I’ve had in a long while. pleasure of meeting Gregoire at my first about time. Once we all became exhausted During the pandemic, fond memories of Rassemblement. I was a freshman who was enough, we decided the best thing to do for socializing with human beings were upfront still understanding the ropes of academia. ourselves was have dinner. And so, we all in my mind, and so too was the dinner I had For the brief encounter I had with Gregoire, jumped into my compact Focus (I’m certain with Gregoire, and I was ready to make a he made a big impression on me. This was Gregoire’s head was almost touching the reservation for a sequel to the dinner with someone who could walk into a room of ceiling), and I drove as smoothly as an Uber Gregoire and Abby. However, the morning sadness and misery, and in a fraction of a to Governor’s. Though when we got there, I got the message that he had passed, those second, there would be only joy and happi- we found the restaurant to be closed. And so, wishes for a future dinner, became overrid- ness. I also recall one evening he took out with all of us feeling somewhat defeated, I den with the memories of the past dinners. all of the students at the Franco-American tried to think of any restaurants that would The few moments I’ve with Gregoire are Programs to dinner at a high-end restaurant. be open at that hour. We ended up at a Thai more valuable to me than gold. He leaves As someone raised in the working class of restaurant in downtown Orono, and sat an impression of me, as I know he did with Lewiston, such an environment was new down with several others at the restaurant. many others, that will last for an eternity. and shiny to me. That night, many stories Over the night, laughs were shared once were shared, and so too were many laughs. again, “oohs” and “ahhs” were exclaimed by Daniel Moreau
Lettres/ (N.D.L.R. The following email was received from Dear Lisa, Letters Greg Chabot, March 2020) I think UMAINE Orono and the Franco-Ameircan Programs along with its Hi Lisa, publications and virtual programs do more Congratulations on the Winter/Hiver 2019-20 issue of the FORUM (https://digitalcommons. library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/). I just finished reading it, and must say that it is one than any other NE state in keeping our FA the best issues that you, your team and the Franco-American Centre have ever published. I speak culture and heritage alive. As my dear friend from extensive experience since I was present at the founding of the Centre and of “Fanal” (The Claire Quintal would say, FORUM’S precursor) in the early 1970s and have read just about every issue since. What specifically « BRAVO » to you Lisa and others impressed me was: who work with you in this worthwhile 1. The overall quality of the writing endeavor. 2. The wide range of age groups represented by the authors. I was especially pleased to note that a number of students’ works were included. Daniel Morneau’s “Tourtière and cul de sacs” The numerous virtual programs of- deserves special praise as does Meaghan Murphy’s “international Language Acquisition Compared fered throughout the pandemic along with to National Practice and Averages.” Hard to believe that they are both undergrads. 3. The range of genres represented – from poetry to novels to history / other non-fiction. As the recent Rassemblement have rekindled you know, my mother was a Michaud from Ste. Agathe, so I was totally thrilled to follow Richard my FA spirit and has inspired me to do more Michaud’s “Maine Trip” as he went in search of Michaud origins and eventual destinations. It was to promote our FA culture. quite a trip for me, in many different ways. I was also touched by seeing the notice of a translation of Normand Dubé’s poetry. He was a good friend and an excellent poet. I am very happy to see that Continue SVP. his poetry continues to find readers. 4. The status of writers the FORUM regularly attracts – James Myall, Normand Beaupré, I have offered the US history prof at Juliana L’Heureux, Susanne Pelletier, Don Levesque Salve Univ in Npt to address his classes 5. The ability of the FORUM to attract articles from an ever expanding geography on the legacy of the French and French I must also single out Kerri Arsenault’s article as extremely well—written AND touching. Under your leadership, the FORUM has become a unique resource for writers who are looking Canadians in R.I. I will endeavor to do the to express their Franco-American experience AND the growing number of readers who seek and same at URI and R.I. College, maybe even find a reflection of who they are in your pages. It is a wonderful service you are providing – one at Brown, Bryant, Prov Coll and Roger which reflects very positively on the Centre and the University of Maine. Please be assured that I Williams Univ. will continue to support this valuable publication in any way I can. I will endeavor to reach out to the state high schools as well. Congratulations again on your outstanding work. I very much look forward to the next issue! Amicalement Ron Héroux Sincerely, [email protected] Greg Chabot
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Le Forum
Lettres/ Letters
Dear Le Forum;
I regret that my unclear prose in “A Legacy as Plain as the Nose on My Face” (published in volume 42, #3 of Le Forum) may have caused misunderstanding about what I was attempting to say about Rhea Côté Robbins’ Wednesday’s Child. I was trying to praise how the book’s protagonist acknowledges the truth of the past, rather than pretending it never happened or had no impact on the present. Using far-too-cryptic shorthand, I was attempting to contrast Côté Robbins’ approach with other voices heard in our community that encourage us to focus only on happy stories about our past—to prettify or ignore difficult legacies we struggle to understand and overcome. Those who urge community members to falsify the past may hope to protect us from having our histories reduced to their darker aspects by non-Franco-Americans. I argue that such an approach does not serve us. I am distressed that I did not make it clear that my argument was with those voices, not with Côté Robbins’ inspiring book.
Steven Riel
Chère Le Forum; Thanks again for another great ediion of the “Forum”. We are so lucky that you are there to keep the flame burning in our Franco culture. Enclosed you will see a check for two gift subscriptions. “Merci mille fois”. Très Amicalement, Dear Le Forum; ing one’s mind off all that is ever-present in Xavier de la Prade Enclosed please find my renewal for the world. Petaluma, CA my subscription to Le Forum. I am so grate- ful to you and Le Centre Franco-Américain May your seasons of 2021 be peaseful for all that you do for our community! and well, Fondly, Chère Le Forum; I hope this finds you and your family well during these interesting times. All is Lorinda Fontaine-Farris Voici $US pour renouveler notre fine here in Orr’s I sland. I continue most Orr’s Island, ME abonnement à la revue Le Forum. dilligently with my PhD studies, delving into Je lis d’une page à l’autre et j’apprécie how one’s heritage and faith and women’s toujours! intuition relate to a woman’s health. I have limited this work to women’s health for that Jeannine et Alphée Cyr has been my career experience. It is ever so Saint-Basile, N.B. Canada insighful, fun, and of course, challenging! It is all great stuff, though, expecially in keep-
20 SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 Community College in New Jersey, where Sorrell always brought new, recently-re- Lettres/ he taught literally thousands of students for searched material to his presentations. over 45 years. When planning for a visit from him Letters I attended one of his classes in 1977 and his wife Sally to D.C., I wondered what and he spoke on immigration. Franco schol- he would like to see. We skipped the usual In the last issue of Le Forum, Juliana ars often remark that when immigration his- tourist sights because he had seen these L’Heureux cites Richard Sorrell and his tory is taught, the focus is on Anglo-Saxons previously. I took him to Lincoln’s summer article “Sports and Franco-Americans in (WASPS), German-Americans, Irish-Amer- white house at the site of the Old Soldiers Woonsocket, 1870-1930”. As mentioned icans, Italian-Americans, Greek-Americans, Home, about 3 miles from 1600 Pennsyl- in his obituary, Dr. Sorrell is often cited by Polish-Americans, Jewish-Americans from vania Avenue, and to nearby Fort Stevens authors writing about Franco-Americans. Eastern Europe. In his lecture that day, where Jubal Early had come within several Professor Sorrell was a friend of mine. Richard gave a prominent place to Francos. hundred yards of D.C. Legend has it that Ol- Given the custom of Le Forum of publishing After class, I jovially said that he had done iver Wendell Holmes had to warn President articles about prominent Franco-Americans that for my benefit but he stated emphatically Lincoln to duck behind the fort’s parapets and scholars who have studied the group, I that what I had heard was his standard lesson to avoid Early’s sharpshooters. Professor am writing this article about my friend, who on immigration. Sorrell was animated as he explained more passed away in 2018, and his work on the Teaching at a community college, history of these two sites to his wife and Franco-Americans. Richard’s teaching load was heavy and engaged our guide in conversation at the Professor Sorrell obtained his Ph.D. in so he was not a regular participant on the Old Soldiers Home. He raved about the 1975 with a study entitled “The Sentinelle Franco-American “circuit,” so to speak. summer white house tour and Fort Stevens Affair (1924-1929) and militant surviv- But he did participate in a number of Claire for the rest of his visit. Professor Sorrell was ance: The Franco-American Experience in Quintal’s symposiums at Assumption Col- an historian who loved the discipline. Fran- Woonsocket, Rhode Island”. We met a year lege. I always enjoyed his talks, as did the co-Americans were fortunate to have been later while our paths crossed while doing other attendees. Whether talking about Jack a focus of his research. I encourage readers research. He was very helpful to me as I Kerouac, Grace Metalious or Freddy Parent, of Le Forum to read the articles cited in the did my research on Maine’s Corporation (born in Biddeford) who lived in Sanford bibliography accompanying this article. Sole Controversy. He had already begun when playing for the Boston Red Sox when to teach American history at Brookdale they won the first World Series, Professor By Michael Guignard
encountered Richard was touched by his pioneering demographic research on the kind and gentle manner; he would go out French-Canadian immigrant experience of his way to do anything and everything in Rhode Island and in the works of Jack for both family and friends. Richard often Kerouac and Grace Metalious. As the remarked on how lucky he was. author of The Catholic Counterculture in Richard was the devoted husband of America, 1933-1962, wrote in 2001: “His- Sally Sorrell since 1968. He is survived by torian Richard Sorrell was among those two sons and daughters-in-law, Peter Sorrell few who sensed that ‘Kerouac's life and and Melanie Holm, and John Sorrell and literature can best be understood in terms Elaine Driscoll. Richard is also survived of his ethno-religious background, which by his two adoring grandchildren, Willow was heavily Franco-Catholic.” Despite his and Heath. protestations to the contrary, Richard was a meticulous thinker who is still cited in dis- sertations defended as recently as 2013 and “Historian Richard Sor- corresponded with academics working in the field when they asked questions about his rell was among those few who original research--he often remarked on the Richard Sorrell sensed that ‘Kerouac’s life and glory of being “immortalized in a footnote.” 1944-2018 literature can best be under- Brookdale was his second home, a place he truly loved, and, in the words of one of Richard Sorrell, age 74, passed away stood in terms of his ethno-re- his favorite television characters, "a place on November 24, 2018 at Riverview Med- ligious background, which was where he knew he was loved." Richard's ical Center. Richard was born in Massena, great joy as an educator was team-teach- NY in 1944 to the late Sherman Sorrell and heavily Franco-Catholic.” ing with his closest friend, Carl Francese, Mary Margaret Ladd. He was predeceased who passed away in March 2017. Richard by his cousin, Susan Andrew Sweet who and Carl co-authored a textbook for their grew up in the same house and was like Richard taught American History at popular class on the history of rock and roll a sister to him, and her parents, Russell Brookdale Community College for over at Brookdale: From Tupelo to Woodstock: Andrew and Elisabeth Andrew Schoeffel. 45 years after completing a dissertation on Youth, Race and Rock and Roll in America, Richard was a wonderfully loving French-Canadian immigration history at 1954-1969. husband, father, and friend. Everyone who the University of Buffalo and publishing (Continued on page 4) 21 Le Forum MAINE (Richard Sorrell by Michael Guig- nard continued from page 17)
RICHARD SORRELL, BIBLIOGRAPHY
“The Catholicism of Jack Kerouac.” Studies in Religion 11, no.2 (1982), 192-201.
‘’Films and American Civilization at Brookdale Community College.” Film & History, vol. 3, no.1, Feb.1973, p.9.
“Franco-Americans in New England.” Journal of Ethnic Studies, vol.5, no.1, Apr. 1977, pp.90-94.
From Tupelo to Woodstock: Youth, Race and Rock and Roll in America, 1954-1969, co-authored with Carl Francese, Kendall/Hunt,1998.
“L’Histoire En Tant Que Roman, Le Roman En Tant Qu’Histoire: Le Roman Ethnique Franco-Americain De Langue Anglaise.” Vie Française, vol.34, Aug.1980, pp.64-80.
The Historiography of French Canadians in the United States.” Immigration History Newsletter, vol.11, no.1, Jan.1979,pp.4-8.
‘Jack Kerouac,French Canada, and France.” American Review of Canadian Studies, vol.10,no.2, Summer 1980, pp.16-25.
‘’Kerouac’s Lowell: ‘Little Canada’and the Ethnicity of Jack Kerouac.” Essex Institttte Historical Collections, vol.117, no.4, Sept.1981, pp.262-282.
“Life,Work and Acculturation Patterns of Eastern European Immigrants in Lackawanna, NewYork: 1900-1922.” Polish Review, vol.14, no.4, Dec.1969, pp.65-91.
“ANovelist and Her Ethnicity: Grace Metalious as a Franco-American.” Historical New Hampshire, vol.35,no. 3, Fall 1980, pp. 284-315.
“Novelists and Ethnicity: Jack Kerouac and Grace Metalious as Franco-Americans.” MELUS,vol.9, no.1, 1982, pp.37-52.
“Sentinelle Affair (1924-1929) - Religion and Militant Survivance in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.” Rhode Island
History, vol.36, no.3, Aug.1977, pp.67-79.
“Sports and Franco-Americans in Woonsocket, 1870-1930.” Rhode Island History, vol. 31, no.4, Dec. 1972, pp.117-126.
“The Survivance of French Canadians in New England (1865-1930): History, Geography and Demography as Destiny.” Ethnic & Racial Studies, vol.4, no.1, Jan.1981, p.91.
22 MAINE Le Forum LETTRES/LETTERS Biddeford, from 1941 to 1955 inclusively. Lettres/ His obituary mentions that Lausier’s “personality and conduct won him friends Letters and enemies.” Who might some of those enemies have been? Well, he became mayor a mere 17 years after the KKK marched in In the last issue of Le Forum, Louis Saco in 1924 and tried to cross the bridges to B. Lausier was mentioned in an article as a parade its campaign of exclusion and hate on prominent Franco-American pubic servant Biddeford streets. Twenty-two years before "with a long and distinguished political he became mayor in 1941, the legislature in career." I have seen many mentions in Le Augusta passed a law making it illegal to Forum of Louis Jalbert of Lewiston. Lausier speak French in public schools other than was Biddeford's equivalent of Jalbert. in French language classes, even on the Louis B. Lausier was born in Bidd- playgrounds during recess and schoolyards eford in 1879. Both his parents were natives before and after school. Patrick Lacroix of Canada. He received his elementary has written that "historians must struggle benevolence.” For the Franco American education in Biddeford parochial schools to find evidence" that the six Francos (with students attending public schools in Bidd- and graduated from Collège de Sainte-Anne- one exception) in the Maine House in Au- eford, that paternalism meant that they could de-la-Pocatière in Quebec. He then returned gusta in 1919, including Lausier, publicly speak their mother tongue in the schoolyard. to Biddeford to study law with Judge George opposed the legislation. I would submit For me and the hundreds of parochial school F. Haley, chief justice of the Maine Supreme that by the age of 40 and a life-long resident students in the city during his administration, Court. This was a common method of being of Biddeford, Lausier knew his city and that paternalism meant we could ride to admitted to the Bar, requiring great self-dis- was certain that such a law would never school on a city school bus for free, despite cipline and drive, working for the attorney be enforced in Biddeford. When he was the doctrine of separation of church and “sponsoring” you while “reading” state. “Lausier knew his people” the law. Attorney Lausier passed wrote the Daily Journal reflecting the bar exam in 1906 and went into the sentiment shared by all of those private practice that same year. As who had known him. A January 30, early as 1915, a book on prominent 1962 letter to the editor summed up Franco-Americans in the State of the long tenure of Mayor Lausier as Maine cited Lausier gaining “a suc- “the alpha and omega of a traditional cessful standing and pronounced Franco-American personality” and recognition throughout York Coun- political stewardship. In an age in ty” in the practice of law. He was which the national debt approaches a member of Catholic Order of $27 trillion, one of Mayor “Papa” Foresters, and Franco-American (as he was affectionately known) organizations such as the Artisans Lausier’s noted achievements is that and the Cercle Frontenac. Early in he left the city debt free, one of the his career, he served as the attorney few cities in Maine that could make for the Pepperell Trust Company Mayor Louis B. Lausier kicks off the Salvation Army's Christmas that claim in 1955. then served on its Board of Direc- collection in Biddeford, 1941. Lausier, a democrat, served for A lifetime communicant of St. tors eventually becoming President 15 consecutive years as mayor, from 1941-1955. He sought a Joseph’s parish, his funeral mass was of the bank. But as was stated in the 16th term, but was defeated in a primary election. Nicknamed celebrated by 3 of the 4 priests in the Biddeford Journal at the time of his "Papa" Lausier by some, he was a well-known and sometimes parish and attended by notables from death, however, that Lausier may controversial figure in Biddeford politics and a lifelong resident across southern Maine. It is not co- have been a lawyer, a banker and a of the city. incidental that during his last year in businessman, but his true love was office, Biddeford hosted the largest politics. In 1919-1920 and again in 1925- mayor, he certainly did not enforce that law, parade in its history to mark its centennial 1926, Lausier served in the state legislature making more enemies. He lost that race for as a city. As a nine-year old scheduled to be representing Biddeford. Locally, he served Governor badly in 1948. in the parade, I remember the excitement of three years as a city alderman, one term as Biddeford Franco-Americans who parading down Main Street with spectators city auditor and one term as city solicitor. went to Biddeford High, Emery School, lined 6 or 7 deep on both sides of the quar- Statewide he was part of the delegation that Washington Street School and the other ter-mile parade route. We kids had competed represented Maine at the 1940 and 1948 public elementary schools in the city did not to be chosen to be in that parade. I do not Democratic National Convention and in suffer that fate because there was no way remember if the mayor joined the parade 1948 captured the Democratic nomination Mayor Lausier would allow that law to ever participants or simply watched from his law for Governor, one of the first Franco Amer- be enforced in his city. An editorial writer office at 148 Main Street or City hall, but, icans to run for statewide office in Maine. in the Biddeford Daily Journal condescend- either way, I am sure he felt the same pride Politically, however, he is best known for ingly wrote a few days after the Mayor’s as all the other spectators that day. serving 15 consecutive terms as mayor of passing that he ruled with “paternalistic By Michael Guignard 23 Le Forum MAINE MAINE mother and my mother-in-law. But as hard as later]. Of my mother-in-laws siblings, there My Mother- my mother’s life had to have been through- was one at the time, a brother, who lived out her life with a husband who worked in her home as her guest. She had a second second shift for all of fifty-five years, and brother who was married and they had in-Law as hard as it was to comprehend my mom’s had in the neighborhood of twenty-some, experiences, my mother-in-law lived several live births. I understand that she, his wife, By lives wrapped into one; her own mother had divorced him after all was said and done. Gerard Coulombe died when she and her siblings were young- And there were others, a nun, and two others er than she; her father had re-married, his whose husbands were “English.” Each cou- My mother-in-law, from the begin- sister-in-law, her husband having died and ple had one child. Each child grew up with ning of my visits to her house, thinking that I who had been left with a daughter; in which intriguing personalities and, therefore, lives; ought to introduce myself as her soon-to-be case, my future mother-in-law, the oldest one was single, the other, married. [If I do son-in-law, because her youngest daughter of the children, became the mother of her not have this right, my wife will punish me.] and I were to marry, would have none of it. three younger sisters and her two younger Once, when we were out for a drive. She made this clear to me from the outset. brothers, and had to have mothered her My wife, Juliette, and I were staying at the Although, I could sit in her parlor all I younger, sibling, cousin as well, her “new time with a cousin of hers, a great lady whom wanted to with her daughter on the couch, mother’s” child, her dad having remarried I got to know very well, over time, because beyond her view, or so I thought; in fact, she was working the farm. The story is that she was the daughter of one of her mother’s had other means of seeing us via a series of my intended’s mother, had been mother to siblings. Once, when out on a drive, we reflective views from bouncing images in- passed what my wife, Juliette, told me had volving a series of discreetly placed mirrors There was no “badi- been her grandfather’s farm. I had to have that did not appear to me as if she could see turned around, having just learned this, to us, cuddling on the couch, but she could, nage” where he was con- have a better look at what, I had been told, which was no small matter to her. As for all cerned. Never heard him had been her grandfather’s farm. Driving by, appearances, in her view, we were well on I saw a long, tall tree-lined drive to an “L” our way to some matrimonial detente if she utter a word. I do not know shaped farm. I do not recall the color of ei- did not put her foot down. But, as she died if he was a veteran or not, ther home or barn, but I re-imagined them as a long time ago, after fooling everyone else although he belonged to a having been white, naturally, although, they into passing, I mean, dying, before she did, could have been red, as so many farm build- including her husband, the beau-vivant that club of a kind. ings customarily are. Nowadays, though, I he thought himself to have been, throughout couldn’t say that the farm is still there, as the his years, but far short of the years that he her younger siblings and her step-mother’s whole of that area has been overbuilt with might have had, except that the men in those daughter. The point being, here, is that the new homes, so many of them that one can days were sure to pass long before their woman, my future mother-in-law, had had no longer tell anything of the character of wives, and that was no less true of my own ample experience dealing with lots of kids what once had been, “the country.” father, whom, my mother outlived, if for no and, therefore, lots of people. Mind, all of To say that my mother-in-law was a other reason than to prove a point. As hard these people had grown and had had chil- tough woman for her size, she could not have as my mother had worked all of her life, dren of their own, or not, by the telling of been any taller than my wife, who is not tall, she was by far the healthier of the two by a this story: One brother had none while the at all it is no more of an exaggeration than long shot when my father died, and so had other’s wife had had over twenty live births; to say that superman or, more likely, super- been my mother-in-law when her husband, in the interim, his brother never married, and woman could leap tall buildings in his or her my father-in-law, died. was boarding with my future mother-in-law day; I can well imagine that my mother-in- [Allow me a short interjection, here, when I met him. There was no “badinage” law would not have shrunk from trying had as I must say that my mother-in-law had no where he was concerned. Never heard him she had to leap a few, as, no matter the task, power over me as an outsider, and, as of utter a word. I do not know if he was a vet- she had the makings of a superwoman if yet, I was not a member of the family, and, eran or not, although he belonged to a club there ever was one. She was already a small as such, she could not boss me around. No, of a kind. As for the rest of my mother-in- woman, as is my wife, compared to my size, sirree! She, my girl friend’s mother, was off law’s siblings, one was a nun, another had I’ve said, but being small neither stopped limits by all accounts as far as deciding who married a Yankee, and another had been a my mother-in-law from doing everything, was marrying whom. That was to be between rather successful [I hate the word] old maid, masterfully, nor, I must add, has it stopped her daughter and me, or is it, I. Of course, all of her life, with a secret lover, and all my wife, and, all this, energetically, vitally. her daughter had had, and might have had, that which it entails. I wish I knew more, There’s another thing, an oddity other choices that I hadn’t known about, and for the telling; were there one; It would be concerning my mother-in-law. Although so, let bygones be bygones. I won out, and, I astonishing, this, from the tidbits related to she was married for a long time to a man hope, so did she, but the reader would have me or from those that I picked up from other of business, he sold insurance, and he was to ask her, as she, my wife, like every other people, relatives, telling. a Realtor. It was she who, as strong women wife is entitled to her side of matrimonials, In fact, as far as I can patch things must, who was able to hold this immense or, of our own marital story.] together, my in-law’s had had five children. family of “individualists” together. While Both women had had a hard life, my Four girls and a boy [more about them, (Continued on page 25) 24 MAINE MAINE SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (My Mother-in-Law continued from page 24) throughout the outskirts of town, except for piece of chocolate whenever the box was her husband could have bragged about one who went away having declared that passed around a second or third time. After selling the biggest pieces of city real estate he was bisexual. And, so, in a nutshell, one a while, and many visits, I knew that when by sheer volume; one of which might have can see the arrangements made necessary, it came to a box of chocolates that my been as big as City Hall,my father-in-law by happenstance, the work that fell upon mother-in-law, “granny” took out of the never owned his own home,* and, to me, that a very “sturdy,” tough, and good hearted dresser drawer, it was best to either politely has always been incomprehensible. I never woman my mother-in-law. skip having a piece, your choice, of course, talked about this with others in the family, [Allow me to interject, here, and and whenever the box was passed around a but, If my father-in-law never amassed the this has nothing to do with the story of my second or third time, too, until granny put financial wherewithal to purchase his own in-laws, but more about my own schooling the box back in the drawer. After a while home, while, it seems to me, everyone else in a Catholic high school in Biddeford, of this tradition of passing the box around, of means, was doing so, he certainly had to Maine. I do not recall, for the life of me, I knew the tradition to be a stale one, and have had the mechanisms to purchase his who it was that taught English at Saint Louis it was best to either politely skip having a own home, down pat, but, still, he did not High School, but the religious, I don’t recall piece, or take one, and secretly pocket your own his own home. Instead, he had to have the order, made sure that we all knew the choice, having picked one, or make believe paid rent on a half-duplex, albeit a large possibility of, and understood, the means you were abstaining as a penance for some- one, like my mother did, and lived in it for of constructing sentences in English. To thing, it was any body’s pick. a long time, as far as I know, although, my I seem to recall, one time, after her in-laws had lived elsewhere as the ”kids “ husband my father-in-law had passed, that had grown, but the address that I had gotten ...that dresser might have my mother-in-law put the dresser, drawers to know, alone, perhaps, gave them some with everything in them, at the curb for ei- prestige, but, I would not have known, why. I been as good as a bank for my ther a trash pick-up or, more than likely, for recall, it was off of Elm Street, near the Five mother-in-law, and what useful anyone who wanted it, the dresser and its Points, that they lived, and it was close to antiquities or reliquaries might contents, to have it and all there was in it. the hospital. And, I, for one, had I known sooner, I would Following her husband’s passing, my someone have found in such a have been interested in going through the mother-in-law moved out of her home, the solid, and, to some, beautiful drawers of that particular piece of furniture, half duplex that the family had lived in for a for no other reason than to satisfy my curi- long time. The move was not without some piece of furniture. osity as to the quality of the curios that my personal baggage which was her sister-in- mother-in-law might have had stashed in a law who had friends in the neighborhood review, briefly: There are simple, compound, piece of furniture put at the curb, with or and could have stayed with one of them, for and compound-complex sentences. That without the box or boxes of “gift” chocolates I, myself, only, supposed. It was to be that is, it was so until Ernest Hemingway, the that she had left, forgotten over years of get- my mother-in-law either felt responsible infamous writer came along. Hemingway, ting and forgetting a box in those drawers, for her sister-in-law, her husband’s sister, we were told, stressed the use of simple that dresser might have been as good as a for some reason, who, as far as I know, had sentences. Now, we might know this, but it bank for my mother-in-law, and what useful lived in the same household with her sister- is important to me because when I entered antiquities or reliquaries might someone in-law, who was, obviously, her husband’s college, my advanced composition teacher have found in such a solid, and, to some, sister who, for some reason, had lived in was stressing simple sentences, and my beautiful piece of furniture. Somebody had the same household, with her brother, that style offended my teacher, until I went on to come along to pick it up; it might have is, and with her sister-in-law in charge, one to another. His name was Dr. Wence, who been, had she only recalled to remove the supposes, bur that could not have been so. stressed diversity in style, and so, he encour- chocolate and the stashed “gift” cash that Furthermore, and, for a long time, too, did aged mine by not criticizing it.] “memere” had left in the drawers for “safe” one of my mother-in law’s own brothers Personally, as a son-in-law, if I have keeping, over all the years, before. Her have a room in the house. I know that in ad- to fault my mother -in-law for anything, it having had the piece and, likely, some others dition to her having had her son in the house is that, whenever we were guests, she fre- out at the curb because she was moving after when he came back from WWII, and, for a quently took out of a dresser drawer a box generations, and there was no place for old long time after that, his wife and sons lived of chocolates to share, and it took me a long pieces of furniture, and for whatever was in his mother’s home. Used to, as she was, time to realize that it was no accident that in them; and there was no need for this or with adults and children staying, living with the chocolates were bad; they were stale. that piece, as she was downsizing, and over her, too, her own having left, married with The boxed chocolates were just old, and the ensuing years, there were at least three children but, naturally, visiting on weekends. old tasting chocolates; they had a “so-so” moves involved. It had been that after the war, she had added or rare taste to them; what was a kid to do The last was to the hospital, for God to the household the returned from the war, with one in his or her mouth? Spit it out, of or someone knew, her doctor, say, and while the son she had who, much later, married, course. Say, the sweetness had gone out of there she asked the eldest of the sons-in-law, and the couple had had children, and they each piece of boxed chocolates. It was the Buster, Rose’s husband who catered to such all got to live with their grandmother, and kind of box of chocolates that she passed things, as he had more savoir-faire than then son, a WWII Vet, passed, after his around each time we gathered that did not most, to get her a lobster dinner. Which he father had. And then that family, dispersed have me or anyone else going for another (Continued on page 26) 25 Le Forum MAINE MAINE (My Mother-in-Law continued from page 25) independent, could not have taken her own The time that I really saw him let go, did. And, following her dinner, she died, a apartment. After all, the woman was not except for his social politeness, was hose contented woman. without friends, and she had held a good job few times that we were invited for a social In retrospect my mother-in-law had as a manager of sorts of a woman’s-goods get together and a meal at his home. Then, to have been an extremely tolerant woman; store. She had a fine reputation there, al- he might dispense from the brusqueness that not only did she have her sister-in-law living though, I might have mentioned, my mom was his style, for the simple act of enjoying with her, she had her own room, upstairs, and she did not get along, or, was it that my himself. There were to exemplaries that which meant that the four girls might have mom, simply did not like her. I know this I witnessed. They were both at formal or had to double-up if the boy was to have had because my mother, often, said so, when- semi-formal soirées when he showed a skill his own room in the large family’s half-du- ever, between the two of us, the woman’s that he enjoyed, one that he was excellent plex, the right side of the house, the front name came up. at, one that brought out the showmanship door on the long porch facing the street; the In any case, I was saying that the two that was in him, for he loved to dance, and woman had meals with the family; she was women, my mother-in-law, a talented tol- in this way, on a dance floor, I realize that, a live-in. And although my mother-in-law erant woman took her sister-in-law along boy! Could he dance. He not only showed- was used to, or maybe it was because she with her when she took an apartment on off his style, but I could see, as everyone was used to extending cordiality and being Cutts Street, just a couple tenement houses else could see, he was good; he was in this, unselfishly supportive of others; she, whose not far from my grandfather’s half duplex, dancing, a show-off; and It was because he residence it was, in which she had continued where I and my sisters had been born, on the was good at it. Otherwise, Buster could be a to raise the family of five, four girls and a second floor, barn side, of my grandparents’ sullen man. Direct. Very demanding. But on boy, my wife being the youngest, she, my half duplex on the Elm Street end of Cutts. that dance floor, twirling, a daughter around mother-in-law, and her husband had the I don’t recall what floor it was that the two or, simply, leg-booting right and left as he, modest bedroom on the first floor, adjacent women lived on. It might have been the himself shimmied to the floor and up again to the dining room, with the entrance in the second, in which case, the two could have to the delight of everyone and the cheers of first parlor of the two parlors, the first parlor attended church at Saint Joseph’s around the all his friends, especially those who knew being at the front with windows overlooking corner, as the two were still up to walking him well, and, off course, those who, as the front porch. It, the first parlor, had an en- and the church doors were, really, a short members of he celebration party, were just trance from the front porch into the hallway distance away. able to recognize talent. from the front door; there was a stairway Meanwhile, my mother-in-law still After my mother-law-passed, the to the second floor bedrooms; going up the had the furniture that had been left over family was celebrating her life, when Buster stairs, from there, from the upstairs landing from the move, having downsized, and that showed up, and called her children together, one had access, down a hall, to the separate was stored in her eldest daughter, Rose and, the four girls and their brother, to tell them bedrooms overlooking the driveway and to her husband, Buster’s barn was in back of of a surprise. He, Buster, had gone through the back of the house and the outside garage, where Buster and Rose lived in Saco, Maine, every piece of some of her furniture that had over the kitchen there was a bathroom and across the Saco River on a road, still Route 9, been stored in his barn, the first time that she tub, plus a steep, up-down-stairway, and continuing from Biddeford, our home town had moved and on two succeeding, other oc- at the back, at the end of the hall, with a and our side of the River, which, Route 9, casions when she had moved. And the result bedroom overlooking the backyard, and an continues on its way to Biddeford Pool , and of a thorough search, he had found that she enclosed side porch. From the side porch, then, along the coast, to Kennebunk Port. had left a small fortune in cash, small bills, there was an entrance to the kitchen, and, I Fernand, “Buster,” Cote was a man stored here in there in some of the drawers recall, rather steep stairway to the second of some means. He owned the Seal Rock of those pieces that she had owned. Low and floor, and, another, a steep access to the attic Bottling Company which had a good behold, there was a sharing of this unex- which I recall having a rope swing hung business in our part of the State of Maine. pected bonanza when grandma died. While form its ceiling. The cellar had an earthen They made and sold their own brand of soft I do not know what the shares amounted floor, with a coal bin and coal burning stove beverages and handled Moxie and Orange to in cash, I can report that my wife, the to heat the house. There had to have been Crush. Buster and Rose had six children, in youngest, was an equal beneficiary…this a hot water heater, for the kitchen and sink, pairs, sort of, two by twos, single births, of from a woman, a mother and grandmother, and the upstairs bathtub had running that, course, but with a pause in ages between the who, at gatherings in her home on Beacon I recall, having had to take a bath while at six children, a boy was the oldest, a sister, Avenue, Biddeford Maine, had shared stale the house, once, and I remember, distinctly. followed, and then two more girls, followed chocolates from lovely boxes, from a big how the tap water filling the tub was so slow by two more, each, a single birth. They were and lonely bureau, for Sunday after Sunday, running. well spaced. for God only knew how long, until it, this When the time came to downsize, or, His children might well be better and that piece, was transported by someone more appropriately when the time came able to account for his nickname,”Buster.” into storage and not left out on the street for to move out, after her husband passed, I simply surmise that he might not always neighbors or diverse-passers-by to have at my mother-in-law took her sister-in-law have been an even-tempered man. While I it, if they wanted. Perhaps only then were along with her. I have no idea how that was saw what his demeanor might have been some relatives to learn that grandma who resolved, what discussion over this might only upon our social visits to his home, It had always been frugal, perhaps for a lack have taken place between the two women. was clear to me, as, surely, it had been to by It was not as if my sister-in-law was not wife, Julie, that Buster was always in charge. (Continued on page 27)
26 MAINE MAINE SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (My Mother-in-Law continued from page 27) were none, no vets, in my graduating class, graduating boys to college. As far as I know, of money, had been more so than anyone 1950. As for the girl’s graduating class, none of the girls attended, which does not had every thought grandma to have been so I knew little of that; although I had been mean that none had successful, extraordi- generous. Who knew? born in the Parish of Saint Joseph’s, we had nary careers. In any event, there had been four girls moved to Saint Andre’s parish, on the other My father having been just a mill and a boy born to the couple. The first to side of town, where few of my classmates worker, and my mother just a housewife; as marry, Rose, became Fernand, Buster Cote’s went on to attend high school, which was, there was no money for college, my father wife. Angenette, whose husband’s last name for boys, held at Saint Louis which was the had expected that I would be joining him at was Denoncourt, was the second oldest to high school for the children of high school the Pepperell textile mill. A classmate near marry; and then came Marguerite, Peggy, age in the Parish of Saint Joseph’s. That’s the end of summer, the year of our gradu- who was third of the girls; her husband’s where I went to high school, and, as far as ation proposed that we visit the recruiting name was Raymond Morin, they had one I know, at no cost to us, our parents, really, stations in Portland. So, we boarded a bus child, a daughter, named, Janice, who, after although, I can’t say that our parish did not in Biddeford, and, late, in the afternoon, college, married, and as an army nurse, pay Saint Joseph’s parish for the cost of our our mothers had signed, and we were gone, served in Iraq or some place like that, and, education. This, I have never known how it and, interestingly, I never saw my classmate single, retired from a long nursing career in worked between parishes, as a few, maybe with whom I had enlisted after boot-camp. I hospitals, lives in, Washington State. And, very few, came from Saint Mary’s, the Irish did learn, almost a lifetime later that he had there was a brother, named Joseph or Joe, Parish, which, all in all, might have been died in France on a business trip, after the Jr., a W.W.II Vet. within the confines of Saint Joseph’s, as Korean War, and that he had left a wife and And last, there was my wife, a fourth some Franco-Americans attended the public children in Illinois, I believe. A sister who sister. Juliette whom I had married as we high school in Biddeford, Biddeford High by chance, years later, I met as she exited her two were the youngest, having graduated School. Saint Louis High and Biddeford condo, which just happened to be adjacent from the same high school, but on differ- High athletes were highly competitive to my brother-in-law’s, whom I was visiting, ent, [meaning] , opposite sides of the same in football, especially, and, of course, and she made a special effort to see me and Catholic High School, in Biddeford, Maine, basketball and baseball. But, back then, in tell me what had happened to her brother. Saint Joseph/Saint Louis. We boys had the my day, these teams played to full stands, Long ago, her brother and I were re- Louis half, and the girls had the Joseph one. in highly competitive games, football was turning to Portland , Maine, where we were Occasionally, the boys crossed over to a Friday nights, under the lights games, or to board a bus along with some other recruits classroom on the girl’s side, not to debate, on Saturday afternoon games with lots of that day, and we were off on another kind of girl vs. boy, but to allow we boys to show- cheers and, or, jeers in a mockingly bizarre adventure, having enlisted, for a long train case our debating styles and qualities over theatre of the sport, all this in the recalled ride to Texas. Shortly after arriving in Texas, the resolution of the year. And I recall that actuality of it and it, all this in retrospect. I was to turn eighteen, and we were all to with the end of WWII, surviving hometown Then, for every game, the stands were full learn that the USA was at war with Korea. boys who had left high school, having come and the competition was feverish. The good thing is that out of my enlistment, of age, allowing them to be drafted, now, At the end of my senior year, having I got the Korean War G.I. Bill. it paid for a returned to high school if they wished to graduated, with no college prospect, as my college education and helped support a fam- complete their secondary school education, parents could not afford to send me, and ily, I, having married ,Juliette Salvas, who and, subsequently, graduate. I recall this my teachers had not approached me or other had, by then, graduated from Saint Mary’s because as a young teen, I remember this classmates like me with similar issues. I School of Nursing in Lewiston, Maine. occurring, clearly, I do not recall that it was assumed it was because they knew that unsettling or remarkable. In any case, their our parents could not afford to send their
The Franco-American Passion An exploration of misery in Franco-American culture
by Daniel Moreau
Death is a natural thing. Yet when we Many find solace from this in religion, even arts such as Michelangelo’s Pietà, the image lose someone so close to us, we can feel the though death is often a focus of it. Casting a of the crucifixion, and countless others ex- worst pain we have ever felt. Not only from shadow of death and never failing to remind ploring the death of Jesus, Mary’s sadness, the reasoning that may never speak to this it’s followers of their own mortality. An and other morbid Christian themes. Other person again, but it also reminds us of our emphasis on death. sources of the image of misery in Catholic/ own mortality. Mortals who can build cathe- I grew up with the Roman Catholic Christian art is in ecclesiastical music, such drals, yet fail to build anything bigger than Church, as many Franco-Americans did, as the seemingly abundant supply of “Stabat our own selves. Who can create technology where there is an emphasis on the death and Mater” (meaning Sorrowful Mother), “Dies never comprehended by the human mind resurrection of Jesus. Death and resurrection Irae,” and “Requiem.” All of which revolve and go past the heavens, yet fail to create are so tightly intertwined within Catholic around misery. technology that challenges mortality itself. art and culture. It can be seen in the visual (Continued on page 28) 27 Le Forum MAINE (The Franco-American Passion continued "But now I'm a weaver in some rich stance, do Franco-Americans show this from page 27) man's mill; aspect more than other cultures? The answer On the music platform Spotify, I have Making blankets to earn a week's pay; for this I cannot say because I have not lived a playlist dedicated to Franco-American And it's six days a week, dawn to dark, in other cultures, and comparing cultures music with decidedly Franco-American in this hell; would not be a fair thing for me to do as an music such as Quebecois by Schooner Fare, But I'm goin' back home come some- outsider. Though, if I dare to compare as an and The Shuttle by Chanterelle, to modern day" outsider, I think Irish Catholics may be the French-Canadian music such as You Look closest to Franco-Americans in terms of mis- Like Trouble by Lisa LeBlanc and Parle-Moi This is a sample from The Shuttle by ery, though Irish Catholic misery does not by Canailles. I began watching a music Chanterelle: meet the same frequency as Franco-Amer- video for a song I have on this playlist: ican misery. Even so, I can only speculate Dégénération by Mes Aïeux, which may "You’ll find all ages in the mill, ‘tit that the Irish Catholic misery comes from not be a Franco-American band (as they are enfants et grandpères; the same root as Franco-American misery; Quebecois), however the theme of this song Their wages are a pittance, not enough the Catholic church. Another question is if resonates with the Franco-American culture. to pay their share; this is generational. A theory from someone The music video starts in a monochrome All of us must labor here or else we close to me mentions the older generations sepia world under a cloudy gray sky where do not eat; carry quite a bit of baggage and heaviness, the trees have no leaves. The only color is Our home is in a tenement with no which can be a reason for this. Though that of an older gentleman’s red flannel coat and water and no heat." does not explain how the younger genera- his red wheelbarrow. This gentleman fills his tions still obsess in misery. Perhaps the older wheelbarrow with dirt and calmly pushes it This is a sample from French in Amer- generations echoed their misery so loud, that through a field to meet with a middle-aged ica by Josée Vachon: it was passed onto the younger generations. woman. Evolving into a relay race, the mid- dle-aged woman rushes to fill a bucket with "Today our fathers look at us and sigh Suffice to say, I believe there is an the dirt from the older man’s wheelbarrow, with despair; obsession with misery within Franco-Amer- though she is only able to take a fraction of To think that everything they love we ican culture. This is not to say that it's a bad the dirt in the wheelbarrow. After running simply do not share; or good thing, but rather an observation. As across part of the field, the middle-aged The spirit never dies, our culture will the Roman Catholic church was a major part woman meets with a young-adult woman survive; of Franco-American and French-Canadian who rushes to fill her backpack with the dirt. Each of us must choose how much to culture prior to the 21st century, this may After running across part of the field, drop- keep alive." stem (either partially or completely) from the ping the backpack and losing dirt along the obsession with misery, passion, and death way, she meets with a child who discovers a Bringing all of these examples togeth- within the Roman Catholic church. Misery is photograph of the older man within the dirt, er, the theme of misery returns in different an important aspect of life, and it is not a bad “plants” the photograph, and a plant grows ways. It can be about intergenerational aspect of our culture. With happiness comes as if the photograph was a seed, bringing a misery, disdain about working and living sadness, with love comes loss, and with day vibrant splash of green into the monochrome conditions, misery about fading hope, or just comes night. The balance of the universe and world. The imagery of the monochrome and plain misery in and of itself. One may argue human experience requires misery, and so cloudy world, and passing of the dirt through that I am cherry-picking examples. Howev- too does the balance of culture. Sometimes, the generations is especially vibrant imagery er, I've noticed either these or similar themes we need music like «Aujourd'hui ma vie c'est for Franco-American culture as it is partially in disproportionately many Franco-Ameri- d'la m—–de» to keep us company on those descendant of Quebecois culture. can music with lyrics. In addition to this, mondays of our lives. After noticing the imagery high- during my interviewing process for this lighted with Dégénération, I went through exploration piece, I came across a new term; my Franco-American music playlist and "Misère Noire." Which translates roughly to began noticing more misery. For instance, dark misery; the worst possible misery one a signature song by the New Brunswick can experience. This is a Franco-American Acadian musician Lisa LeBlanc, has the term, as I came across it through Northern title «Aujourd'hui ma vie c'est d'la m—–de» Maine Acadian culture, though it's possi- which translates to "Today my life is sh––." ble this phrase may occur in other parts The song is in essence about exactly what of French-Canada or Franco-America. In it sounds like. In the playlist, I've even no- addition, I recently discussed this concept ticed unique themes within the specifically with an individual who mentioned that their non-Canadian Franco-American music. One mother and siblings had this obsession with of these aspects is the misery of mill work misery. Once their mother would wake in the and immigrant life over a hundred years morning, she would spread her misery to the ago. The following are examples from songs other family members. within the playlist. The first is a sample from When looking at this concept, there the first verse of Schooner Fare's Quebecois: are questions that must be asked. For in- 17 28 MAINE NEW HAMPSHIRE SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 The Political World of Franco-Americans
Patrick Lacroix
The Franco-American past is rich, Sénécal, Christian Potholm, and others. But plain Franco participation and preferences complex, diverse, and geographically broad. questions still abound. in electoral politics in my period of study Historians are constantly trying to do justice What explains strong Franco support (1874-1945): to that richness—to build upon what we for the Democrats in northern New England know and reconstruct as finely as possible cities, in the early twentieth century, when • the ethnic makeup of a town or the world of French-Canadian and Acadian their compatriots in the southern half of the city and the demographic presence of immigrants and their descendants. Despite region consistently preferred the Republi- Franco-Americans, which determined their decades of research on the subject, questions cans? To what extent could Franco-Ameri- potential influence at the polls; still abound. cans expect political power and influence in • Yankee nativism and Irish gate- The survivance campaign and the the GOP-dominated states of Vermont, New keeping, with Franco-Irish tensions at times experience of urban mill workers continue Hampshire, and Maine? At the regional nourished by religious disagreements; to dominate the historical narrative—per- level, did they seek to align the ideology of • the economic interests of the haps fairly, but we shouldn’t let these areas survivance with their political aspirations? working class and the conflict that erupted of focus eclipse other dimensions, lest our Were they a cohesive voting bloc at the local between Franco-Americans and workers of historical subjects become other ethnic origins (especially two-dimensional cartoons of in regard to strikes); themselves. Some researchers • the presence of a Franco have produced impressive commercial and professional historical scholarship on the class willing to promote nat- experience of Franco-Ameri- uralization and help mobilize can women, but this remains members of the community; a relatively neglected subfield. • the specific ambitions of In regard to geography, much this class, for instance access to of the U.S. Northeast lies in patronage positions or licenses the shadow of a handful of for the sale of alcohol; manufacturing cities. The • a general desire to take Second World War and sub- advantage of opportunities to urbanization are recognized advance the Franco-American as an important turning point community’s collective influ- identitaire, but few people ence and visibility; have studied acculturation • the existing balance between Democrats and Repub- through sports and mass en- Réunion des maires franco-américains de la Nouvelle-Angleterre tenue tertainment like Hollywood licans, which could prompt the sous les auspices de l’Association Canado-Américaine, à Manchester, leaders of one or both parties to cinema. le 4 avril dernier. Assis, de gauche à droite: Mr. Felix-A. Toupin, maire, We should acknowl- actively court Franco-American Woonsocket, R.I., Jérôme-A. Morin, maire, Biddeford, Me., Me E.-J. edge and admire the histor- voters to gain an electoral edge; Daignault, président, Association Canado-Américaine, Woonsocket, R.I., ical research that has come • and, not least, substan- Me Ovide-J. Coulombe, maire, Berlin, N.H. Debout: Arthur-E. Moreau, before; we should also be tive issues facing all American ex-maire, Manchester, N.H., Damase Caron, M.D., maire, Manchester, inspired to keep investigating voters, including prohibition N.H., Dr J.-N. Carrière, maire, Fitchburg, Mass., Georges-E. Trudel, and to challenge preconcep- (local or national), commercial ex-maire, Manchester N.H. Cette réunion fut convoquée à l’occasion tions sometimes based on tariffs, and the overall economic de l’avénement du Dr Damase Caron à la mairie de Manchester, N.H. anecdotal information. cycle. Le nouveau maire est depuis 1905 le médecin général de l’Association It is in that spirit—a Canado-Américaine. Les maires Pierre-M. Gagné, de Somersworth, N.H., very small step, granted— These points do not make Henry-N. Paradis de Lewiston, Me., et F.-Harold Dubord, de Waterville, that I have authored a mono- for a precise formula. Rather, Me., s’étaient excusés de ne pouvoir assister, à cause d’engagements graph on the political involve- they serve as an analytical grid antérieurs. ment of Franco-Americans in that helps us sort how communi- New England and New York State. This is level, and what issues drove them to the ties across the region resembled or differed not a pioneering study per se. The ground polls—or to a certain political party? from one another. It also serves to remind has been broken by Norman Sepenuk, From contemporary accounts, I have us that prior generations of voters were not Madeleine Giguère, Ronald Petrin, J.-André identified eight major factors that help ex- (Continued on page 30) 29 Le Forum NEW HAMPSHIRE (The Political World of Franco-Americans narratives aren’t immutable. continued from page 29) We can debate the sincerity of Coughlin’s outreach to resi- unthinking pawns in an American political dents of French descent. That he chess match or utterly lacking in leverage. was reaching out was nevertheless An important chapter in this political a major step forward. We might saga takes place in the 1890s. Though their think of a musical soirée held in naturalization was gradual and uneven, at the local Franco community in century’s end people of French-Canadian 1893. The night’s main feature descent were asserting themselves in politics was an address on the Patriotes and finding ethnic representation across the by L. O. David, the president of region. During the presidential campaign Montreal’s Saint-Jean-Baptiste of 1892, editor Benjamin Lenthier built a society. Coughlin attended and newspaper empire in support of Democrat- was invited to offer a few words. ic candidate Grover Cleveland. Cleveland He stated how proud he was to be present which must have made for a sharp exchange won and rewarded Lenthier with a consular and expressed admiration for the Patriotes at Thanksgiving.) appointment. Another federal civil servant, in their struggle against tyranny. During The 1893 race between Coughlin and Edmond Mallet, had become a symbolic the mayoral campaign, he held events in his adversary, former Republican mayor figurehead to the Franco-American com- William Greene, revolved around alcohol munity. In 1893, Louis J. Martel launched licenses, the religious issue, and the willing- his first bid for the mayoralty of Lewiston, ness of each party to appoint Franco-Amer- Maine. He lost, but compatriot Aram Poth- icans to public offices. At a rally presided ier, a future governor of Rhode Island, won by Alfred Plante in Globe Village, Greene in Woonsocket. In Worcester, Massachu- offered the same assurances and cordial feel- setts, the Democratic Party nominated two ings as Coughlin. He highlighted the French Franco-Americans for common council element’s contributions to the city and stated seats, including a brother of the editor of he wished he could address the audience in L’Opinion publique. their own tongue. He claimed he had ap- Then there was Fall River, Massa- pointed a number of Franco-Americans to chusetts. By the 1890s, French Canadians office during his previous time in office. On were a well-established and essential part of the other hand, Coughlin’s administration the spindle city’s labor force. With growth had witnessed an uneven and preferential came conflict. The Irish working class—the enforcement of the licensing law. Further, Democratic Party’s base—resented French the GOP’s high-tariff policy was cited as Canadians for their reluctance to support being more favorable to mill workers. strikes. Attorney Hugo Dubuque explained Questions about Republican xenopho- that Canadians refused to take part in the bia dogged Greene through the campaign. “insurrection” of labor against capital. In- Anglo-American nativists were certainly stances of strikers pelting Canadians with more likely to support the GOP. At the local rocks came to symbolize not only Fran- level, however, Republicans were practi- co-Irish conflict, but, in the immigrant imag- the halls of the Union canadienne and the cal. This was a party that had nominated ination, the disorder that attended industrial Ligue des Patriotes—thus recognizing Dubuque for a seat in the legislature and walkouts. The Irish also resisted efforts to Franco-Americans’ electoral significance Aram Pothier for the mayoralty of nearby establish separate Catholic parishes—which and bringing the world of mainstream U.S. Woonsocket. In Fall River, Greene could would draw resources away from their own politics to them. count on editor Misaël Authier, a Central established churches. At the same time, the What about those Franco-American Falls resident, who joined him on the cam- world of Lent and company tenements could professionals and businessmen who helped paign trail and helped refute allegations of hardly be farther, socially and economically, give shape to the community? Well, Cough- anti-immigrant views. from the English-speaking citizens likely to lin had a not-so-secret weapon in the person Greene’s bid ended disastrously. A support the GOP. of Hugo Dubuque, who had served in the GOP rally at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste hall—in Already, in the 1890s, Fall River’s state legislature. Dubuque was an avowed the infamous Flint Village—was disrupted Franco-Americans had the reputation of Republican; he also happened to be Cough- by the guerrilla tactics of Coughlin support- preferring the Republican Party. But, as one lin’s brother-in-law. They campaigned ers. Greene was put on the defensive; so local journalist noted, many Franco-Amer- together. Journalist Rémi Tremblay also was editor Adélard Lafond, who spoke up icans were happy to make an exception lent his support to Coughlin, such that the but had to admit that he was not a registered when Democrat John W. Coughlin—mayor latter could brag about being accompanied voter. One Joseph Amiot stated that it was starting in 1891—was running for office. by “[t]he leaders of the French people.” (He Irish Democrats who had pelted Canadians Coughlin, it should be noted, was born to also claimed that Dubuque had given more with stones; he then expressed reservations Irish immigrants. He showed that political to the GOP than he had received in return, (Continued on page 31)
30 NEW HAMPSHIRE/MAINE SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (The Political World of Franco-Americans left the convention hall for a late-night, last- interests. Politics, we find out, was a key continued from page 30) ditch appeal to prominent Democrats across dimension of their acculturation. about the religious sentiments of his polit- the city—piano manufacturer Edmond Côté In the early twentieth century, class ical rivals. won the nomination. The first Franco to earn dynamics asserted themselves and the Amiot was booed, Greene struggled such a nomination in Fall River, Côté might Franco-American community splintered to salvage his campaign, and, in the end, seal a new Franco-Irish coalition that would politically. Across the U.S. Northeast, the Coughlin was returned to office—thanks resurrect the party. But there was a catch. working class embraced organized labor on in no small part to the Franco-American Côté was a Republican. Facing strong back- its way to becoming a pillar of the (Dem- electorate. lash from dedicated Democrats, he withdrew ocratic) New Deal coalition. The middle A new Democratic dawn in Fall River his candidacy days later. His political career class remained more firmly attached to the was not to be. Within months of Cleveland’s was, at least, launched. A few years later, he Republicans and suspicious of labor and inauguration, the country entered one of its sought his own party’s nomination. After a government intervention. worst-ever economic crises—a deep indus- long career in business, he would again be a Without denying marginalization, my trial depression that would last through to Franco pioneer by finding a seat on the Mas- study shows that Franco-Americans of this the next presidential contest. The downturn sachusetts Executive Council in the 1930s. era were not quite as invisible and uninfluen- brought economic issues like monetary pol- So what mattered to the rapidly Fran- tial as we’ve come to think. It also highlights icy and tariffs back to the fore. Democratic co-American electorate? It is very telling the geographical breadth of French-Cana- trade policies were blamed for the crisis and that in 1892, the local French-language dian culture and Franco political activity; it Fall River’s swing vote returned to its first newspaper, L’Indépendant, offered its read- carries the narrative far beyond the “Crown home. In 1894, Dubuque campaigned for ers some math. Under Republican president Jewels” of Woonsocket, Fall River, Lowell, Greene, who reprised his role at city hall. Benjamin Harrison, 386 Franco-Americans Manchester, and Lewiston. Talented re- Faring poorly, the Democratic Party had been appointed as civil servants. By searchers have drawn our attention to places failed to recruit candidates—former mayor contrast, the Democrats had only appointed like Worcester, Salem, and Brunswick in Coughlin, for instance—who might bring 265 during the first Cleveland administra- recent years. One can only do so much in it back to life. That opened a momentary tion. The larger point is unmistakable: ethnic 300 pages, but I hope that my exploration opportunity for Franco-Americans. recognition—the visibility and influence of of small, regional centers like Plattsburgh, One month before the mayoral elec- the group—mattered a great deal. Rutland, Berlin, and Old Town will spark in- tion of 1900, the Democrats had yet to pick The world of late nineteenth-century terest in the wider Franco-American world. their standard bearer. When the local nom- politics was transactional and collective rep- inating convention opened in November, resentation was a form of currency that could “Tout nous serait possible”: Une histoire the organizers struggled to confirm that all be exchanged for support at the ballot box. politique des Franco-Américains, 1874- attendees were members in good standing. Americanization changed that: it exposed 1945 is slated to appear in September 2021 After four ballots—during which organizers Franco-Americans’ own wide and divergent (Presses de l’Université Laval).
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https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/ 31 Le Forum MAINE J. Normand Martin January 10, 1926 - May 14, 2021
BANGOR - On Friday, May 14, 2021, J. Normand Martin of Bangor, Maine, peacefully passed into eternity surrounded by members of his loving family. Born January 10, 1926, as the eleventh of fifteen children raised in Madawaska by their loving parents, Denis and Alphonsine (Raymond), he and his siblings embraced and celebrated their proud French cultural tradition. Like many, the family endured scarcity through the 1930s, yet persevered with a thriving woolen mill and farm, where they learned their lifelong, determined work ethic. A talented artist since youth, Normand enrolled in the Boston School of Practical Art in 1944 and diligently worked to establish a successful career in the commercial advertising field, ultimately establishing his successful agency, Martin Ad Productions, in Bangor. His signature designs continue to capture attention across our region. He applied his skills to fulfill the promotional aspirations of many local businesses, including Northeastern Log Homes and Pilot's Grill Restaurant. In 1946, Normand met and later married the love of his life, Ann Patricia Morris of Falmouth, Maine. After moving to Bangor, he accepted a private commission to design Bangor's famous Paul Bunyan Statue, which was completed in 1958. He sculpted the 22-inch scale model in clay over a week on their kitchen table, then presented and collaborated with a New York City company to fabricate and erect the city's iconic image in fiberglass and steel. Mr. Martin and other community-minded volunteers have seen to its maintenance ever since. Normand and Ann raised five boys on Bangor's Forest Avenue in whom they instilled their devotion to God, family, friends, and community. With help from his wife, boys and brothers, he renovated their home from top to bottom over forty years there. He fulfilled his youth-time pledge to provide his children the toys he imagined but was unable to fashion during the Great Depres- sion. Among the favorites is a six-foot long WWII replica Jeep ("The Jeep"), also built in 1958, that the Martin children, their friends, and cousins rode with delight around Chapin Park for many summers. His great-grandchildren ride it to this day. Normand crafted an iron-framed swing set and slide that in winter propelled saucer riders through multiple bobsled-style curves around their backyard. A devoted Catholic, Normand dedicated his talents and energy to Bangor's St. John's Catholic Church as a steady volunteer and visionary who in the 1990s co-chaired its expansive Renovation Committee. A daily communicant, he expertly photographed St. John's renowned stained-glass windows, published alongside academic commentary in "Meditations in Glass." In 1966, he accepted a commission from the state of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World's Fair in Montreal, known as "Expo '67." The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer. His quiet contributions to the Bangor community include years of service to the Bangor Lions Club, where he established its pop- ular Gourmet Club restaurant fundraising promotion, and leadership of the Downtown Bangor Association, where he led its celebrated Bangor Sidewalk Arts Festival. In formal recognition of his generous endeavors, he received the Key to the City of Bangor, the Lions' Club's highest honors, and proclamations from the Maine Legislature. Normand's family and friends treasure his hundreds of remarkable pencil, pastel, and oil portraits. Some are on display at places like Geaghan's Restaurant, Labree's Bakery, Fairmount Hardware, and Furbish-Roberts Printing. Normand drew numerous local land- marks, including the Bangor Public Library and Leonard's Mills in Bradley, that he donated in support of their fundraising campaigns. In 2004, Normand married Patricia Quinn of Rutland, MA. They enjoyed participating in the Lions Club, celebrating Mass, and visiting family, friends, and religious sites in Europe, especially Ann's family in Ireland, Normand's brother Onias' war memorial mon- ument in France, and St. Mary's religious shrine in Medjugorje. When fully considering J. Normand Martin's long life of accomplishment and devotion, the word that best expresses his boundless motivation is "love." Love of God and church, love of family, love of friendships, and love of community. Normand and his family deeply appreciate the care and kindness offered by the staff of St. Joseph Healthcare and Hospice, Phillips Strickland House and Ross Manor in Bangor. His sole remaining sibling, Raynald, father of four beautiful daughters raised in Brewer with his wife, Jennie, of Farmington, is currently under the tender care of Westgate Manor in Bangor. Normand is survived by his wife, Patricia Martin; brother, Raynald; sons, John D. Martin and wife, Tracy Martin, of King George, Virginia; son, Gregory G. Martin of Brewer, Maine; son, J. Normand Martin Jr. and wife, Karen L. Martin, of Stillwater, Maine; son, Konrad M. Martin and wife, Jeanne M. Martin, of Lantana, Florida; son, Kevin M. Martin and wife, Jennifer A. Martin, of Medfield, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Emily E. Jones and husband, Eric C. Jones, John "Mac" Martin and wife, Nancy L. Martin, Patrick K. Martin and Anna R. Martin, Adam G. Brown, Nathan J. Falger, Rebecca N. Schwier and Frederick "Fritz" J. Rolle; and great-grandchil- dren, Keller H. Jones, Isla M. Jones, Colin G. Martin, and Clara F. Martin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be dedicated to the J. Normand Martin Art Foundation, Bangor High School, 885 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401.
32 MAINE MASSACHUSETTS SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 A Grotto Created, A Grotto Restored Part I: Genesis and Fruition Photo captions and text in italics by Suzanne Beebe Body text translated from an anonymous account in the 1916 booklet, Album Souvenir et Historique de la Paroisse St. Joseph de Lowell, MA Photos from that booklet and the Oblate of Mary Immaculate archives selected and scanned by Br. Richard Coté, OMI
fter over 100 years of existence, the th A Late 20 century photo of the Grotto — with its accompanying Stations Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes of the Cross and near-life-size elevated in Lowell, much as it would have looked in the earlier part crucifix — is undergoing major restoration of the century after addition of and renovation following the sale of the the elevated crucifix, which was Franco-American School (formerly the reached by steps on either side and Orphanage) in recent years. The work is hidden by simulated rock facing nearing completion and a major re-dedica- not yet present in 1911. From the tion is hoped for. Part II of this article will OMI archives, courtesy of Br. describe the restoration, the re-dedication Richard Coté, OMI. of the Grotto (if it takes place this year), and the Grotto’s impact on the cityscape The Marian apparitions at a grotto translated from a French-language booklet surrounding it. in the French Pyrenees town of Lourdes printed after the 1915 re-dedication of St. * * * * took place in 1858. In 1862, the apparitions Jean Baptiste Church in Lowell following Lourdes in Lowell received formal church approval from the its restoration in the wake of a devastating local bishop of Tarbes. In 1870, Pope Pius 1912 fire. Lourdes in Lowell — there is no other IX approved the veneration of Mary as Our The account describes an event re- way to describe the wonderful day of Sep- Lady of Lourdes and contributed money to markable for a city of Lowell’s size at the tember 4, 1911; it was without a doubt the the building of a cathedral at Lourdes to time —remarkable as well in the fervor of the most beautiful religious event the city has accommodate the liturgies and devotions Franco-Americans who planned, financed, ever seen. This spontaneous event turned already being held for pilgrims from around and built the Grotto. Subsequent years would out to be comparable to the most superb the globe. In 1907, Pope Pius X introduced find the Grotto used as a site for numerous processions of Lourdes itself. It’s possible the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes into the Franco and non-Franco religious gather- that those who will read this account may church calendar. In the same year he issued ings, as well as for private prayer and devo- find it exaggerated, but not so for those who an encyclical in which he reiterated Pius tion including that of Jack Kerouac’s mother, experienced this wonderful day. IX’s approval of veneration of Our Lady of as described in the Kerouac novel Dr. Sax. Lourdes. To this day, the Grotto remains a place of Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes But veneration of Our Lady of Lourdes prayer and pilgrimage for Greater-Lowell was already an international phenomenon, natives, tourists, and Kerouac aficionados, It’s barely one year since the idea was with parishes being named for her, Masses whether Catholic, non-Catholic, or non-re- presented in a very vague manner and with being celebrated in her honor, rosaries ligious in a traditional sense. some hesitation, only a feeler, to see if the being prayed to her, and replicas of the Grotto in which she was believed to have appeared being built at shrines, churches, Photo of a large and church-related facilities throughout the November 1, 1919 gath- Catholic world. ering at the Lowell Grotto One of these church-related facilities for ceremonies honoring was the Franco-American orphanage at Franco-American veterans Lowell, Massachusetts, founded in 1907 by of World War I. From the the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate OMI archives, courtesy of (OMIs) and staffed by the Sisters of Char- Br. Richard Coté, OMI. ity of Québec (the Grey Nuns of Québec). What follows is a 1916 account of the 1911 dedication of a near-life-size replica of the Grotto at the orphanage. The account is (Continued on page 34) 33 Le Forum MASSACHUSETTS (A Grotto Created, A Grotto Restored continued from page 33) parishioners of St. Joseph’s Parish would Photo of the Grotto support the idea. The parish bulletin had after arrival of Our Lady of quietly introduced the project with an arti- Lourdes statue on Septem- cle entitled, “Is this dream possible?” The ber 4, 1911. Scanned by Br. dream was to construct a grotto in honor of Richard Coté, OMI from Our Lady of Lourdes on the grounds of the the 1916 Album Souvenir et Historique de la Paroisse St. orphanage; it would be a monumental work Joseph de Lowell, MA. comparable in size and detail to the one in Lourdes, France. The goal was to give the poor orphans an idea of their heavenly mother, while forgetting as much as possible that they no longer had one here on earth. As it turns out this dream was taken to heart and the majority of the people wanted not one cloud – we breathe a little easier. It by the good sisters. On the grounds visitors to see it become reality. In the mind of its was going to be a beautiful day. From three are fed. In the distance the orphans’ float is promoters this dream could be realized in or four o’clock forward, the streets came being decorated. In one corner of the yard five to six years at best. Thanks to everyone’s to life. Hammers were banging away and a group of young girls is preparing ribbons generosity, it came to pass in less than six houses on the procession route were being and bouquets to decorate theirs. And way in months. Now it stands, with a strong frame tastefully decorated. A festive feeling of joy the back, still unadorned, the grotto stands of iron and cement, and the statue of Our permeated the air – everyone was at ease– like a strong, black mass. Lady of Lourdes, a gift from two generous and happy. Today would be an absolute sisters, illuminates this monument with its success. The Procession white light and celestial smile. Oh! How Throughout the day extraordinary dreams, even the most audacious ones, activities were seen in all the streets. The At about 1:30 the streets neighbor- quickly find their way to Lowell. crowd was punctuated by the colorful cos- ing the general area of the Procession tumes of various bugle corps. Closer to the Committee were crammed to the point Preparations orphanage there was even more activity – the that it was nearly impossible to move. The crowd was like a human river – people had floats and participating organizations took It was toward the end of June that the trouble making their way through it. The or- their assigned position. The captains of thought of making the occasion of the Grot- phanage itself was being transformed as we the various corps reviewed their group. A to’s blessing a major event was proposed. It looked at it. Its decorations were numerous, long, multi-colored ribbon makes its way seemed a good idea, and Father Watelle sent rich and elegant as compared to the bland through the crowd like a serpent. Everyone a letter to all parish organizations requesting and trite ones used for legal holidays. murmurs, “It’s the orphans, what a beautiful their opinion – all were in agreement, and a sight.” Suddenly the bugle sounds. The bells committee was formed. The project imme- of the City Hall ring through the air with a diately took off in a wise and solid fashion. solemnity befitting a momentous occasion It’s impossible to describe all the – that’s the signal. The procession, in an efforts made in preparation for the proces- admirable display of precision, begins, led sion for this occasion. Be it known that all by the Chief Marshall and two assistants, all these were unanimous and spontaneous. three on horseback. Most admirable are the facts that this was We are at the present time near the accomplished with a shortage of workers City Hall. We look around and behold an and a lack of funds. (We would be at fault amazing spectacle. Every window is crowd- in failing to mention the capabilities of the ed with onlookers. The sidewalks can hold general committee and the zeal exhibited by no more spectators, and the street, as wide the parishioners of Pawtucketville.) as it is, is completely filled, almost as far as the eye can see, with the 2nd regiment of The Grand Day Photo of the Franco-American Orphanage the Brigade of Franco-American Volunteers convent decorated for the Grotto dedication on and other bugle corps from all around. It’s September 4, 1911. Scanned by Br. Richard Coté, All the week before it had rained. The a panoramic sight of rifles, sabers and flags OMI from the 1916 Album Souvenir et Historique resembling the activities of an ant colony. outlook was not good for the procession. We de la Paroisse St. Joseph de Lowell, MA. were quite anxious, fearing the bad weather At the City Hall, the Mayor, surround- would ruin everything. The thought that foul Inside the building it was like a ed by his counselors and other dignitaries, weather would ruin the results of all our beehive with everyone gaily coming and waited to review the procession. His Honor efforts was discouraging. going; the children were dressed as pages in was most affable and welcoming when the Monday morning the sky was perfect; costumes that were the result of hard work (Continued on page 35)
34 MASSACHUSETTS SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (A Grotto Created, A Grotto Restored like to forget nothing and mention all the continued from page 34) names. It’s impossible to do, space will not Below is a clipping of the headlines and permit it. In fact, we can only mention “La photo leading the Lowell Sun’s September 5, car carrying Fathers Watelle, OMI, Lefeb- Sainte-Famille” without further comment 1911 front-page coverage of the Grotto’s dedi- vre, OMI, and Paquette, OMI, arrived. All cation the previous day. Following the clipping in order to touch upon the floats devoted is the article’s keyed-in lead paragraph. of them were seated in the front row of the to the little orphan girls, not elaborate but reviewing stand. artistically decorated. The long and picturesque line of the Finally, the float carrying the statue of four divisions of the procession arrives at the Our Lady of Lourdes, pulled by six white City Hall. First is the 2nd Regiment of the horses led by six men in medieval costumes Franco-American Volunteers Brigade that appeared. She was surrounded by a group of advances in perfect order, and as they pass orphans dressed as pages. From her hands, by the religious and civil authorities, they ribbons stretched out to little orphan girls execute a right face and raise their swords. holding bouquets. The second division is composed of our national organizations. This is where we Arrival of the Procession begin to see floats that reflect the history of Canada, especially as it relates to the Bless- It was the most solemn moment of all. ed Virgin. We were asked which float was We saw many people in tears. Nearly 1,500 the best —impossible to say. They were all young girls, “Congréganistes” and “Enfants tastefully done, especially the one depicting de Marie” lined up, loudly singing a Marian the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; the hymn and one by one the bugle corps ceased one representing Jacques Cartier erecting a playing as they arrived. The guardsmen cross on the shores of the St-Lawrence river; stood at attention and presented their swords. another of Champlain consecrating Québec Eighty orphans dressed in blue and in groups to the Blessed Virgin; the one of Lafayette of four filled the center aisle. As soon as the and Washington. float carrying the statue arrived (the only How graceful were the ones repre- one admitted on the grounds), the orphan One of the largest and most successful senting Jeanne Mance, and the 15 mysteries boys intone the “Magnificat” and the girls celebrations organized by the French speak- of the rosary, and the one of the Catholic offer crowns of flowers. It takes about a half ing people of this city was held yesterday, Association, and “les Dames du Bon Sec- hour to reach the grotto while maneuvering the event being the dedication of the grotto ours.” Due to a lack of space we regret that erected in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes on through the immense crowd. Once arrived, the grounds of the French American orphanage we can only mention without comments the the orphans come stand in front of the altar, in Pawtucket Street. The celebration started floats of “France et Canada,” “les Enfants de the statue is positioned in the grotto and the with a parade in which several thousand men Marie,” “les Demoiselles de Notre-Dame de float leaves. The grotto is now complete and and children were in line, and was followed by Lourdes,” “les Reverendes Soeurs Grises de the statue seems to smile at the throng. religious exercises at the altar in the grotto, the la rue Moody.” All of these were simple yet Rev. Father Watelle, visibly ex- latter being witnessed by fully 10,000 people, inspirational and beautiful. How we would hausted, speaks from the pulpit. “Oh, how while at night a torch light procession was held often,” says he, around the grounds. “has my heart been overcome afraid of death; but these poor children, what with sadness will become of them without their mother?’ as I stand at I wanted to give these orphans that you see the foot of the here before you a picture of their heavenly bed of a dying mother. It seemed to me they would not be mother. I can so sad when each day they could see the never control image of their Mother of Heaven. This is my emotions. why, with your generosity, I undertook the With hands construction of this grotto.” turned cold by After his short allocution, the throng the approach- again takes up the hymn to Mary. In the ing death, eyes meantime a short procession is organized to filled with their go to the orphanage chapel and return with Photo of the parade float carrying the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and last tears, lips the Blessed Sacrament. When it returns, drawn by six white horses attended by six men in medieval costume, preceded already pale, the faithful fall to their knees as the cano- by an automobile carrying dignitaries along Merrimack St in Lowell. Note the these mothers py, escorted by 40 orphans passes by. The large flag of Quebec hanging from a building lining the street. Scanned by Br. would say to benediction is performed by Bishop Provost Richard Coté, OMI from the 1916 Album Souvenir et Historique de la Paroisse me: ‘Oh, Fa- of Fall River. Following the blessing, Fr. St. Joseph de Lowell, MA. ther, I’m not (Continued on page 36)
35 Le Forum MASSACHUSETTS/MINNESOTA VERMONT (A Grotto Created, A Grotto Restored lated it was impossible to even approximate continued from page 35) the number of people gathered. Les Enfants de Marie and Les Demoiselles de Notre Dame de Lourdes, each young girl carrying a lit candle, work their way toward the Grotto. Soon the orphans, also with lit candles, join them. Following the praying of the Rosary, the procession begins. It was a procession that defies description. It began at 8 o’clock and marched around the property. When the start of this religious spectacle returned to the starting point one hour and fifteen minutes later, the last ones had barely left. For more than two hours it was a religious spectacle of candlelight, hymns and Hail Marys throughout the grounds. The streets in the area of the orphanage were mobbed – nothing like this had ever been seen in Lowell. As the procession winds down, the Photo of orphans, lay assistants, and Grey Nuns at the Grotto sometime orphans meet at the foot of the grotto to between 1911 and 1916. A statue of Bernadette now knelt below the statue of pray for their benefactors, a practice they Our Lady of Lourdes, and a simulated stone wall masking the stairs leading to the will continue on a daily basis. When the elevated crucifix above can now be seen. Scanned by Br. Richard Coté, OMI from hymns and prayers cease, the children begin the 1916 Album Souvenir et Historique de la Paroisse St. Joseph de Lowell, MA. chanting the “De Profundis.” Watelle pronounces some invocations and de Marie and Les Demoiselles de Notre The ceremony is over. For many it is this concludes the ceremony. Slowly the Dame de Lourdes, each young girl carrying a hard to leave this holy place. They remain, crowd disperses, but with the promise to lit candle, work their way toward the Grotto. singing and praying. By eleven o’clock most return later for the candlelight procession. Soon the orphans, also with lit candles, join people have left. The lights go out. Silence them. Following the praying of the Rosary, reigns. But around the grotto the burning The Candlelight Procession the procession begins. It was a procession candles illumine the statue of the Blessed that defies description. It began at 8 o’clock Virgin. She seems more beautiful than ever. This procession had been slated for and marched around the property. When The orphans are asleep in their big dormito- 8 P.M. At that time the seemingly immense the start of this religious spectacle returned ries. They can sleep peacefully, these poor area of the orphanage grounds was so popu- to the starting point one hour and fifteen children. Henceforth Our Lady of Lourdes lated it was impossible to even approximate minutes later, the last ones had barely left. watches over them and blesses them. the number of people gathered. Les Enfants For more than two hours it was a religious The French-Canadians; The Franco-Americans by Dick Bernard, Woodbury, MN
Years ago I signed up for a workshop – from my copy of the Historical Atlas of the My first French-Canadian ances- I think it was titled “Family of Origin” – and United States, Centennial Edition, 1988 (p. tor was in North America in 1618, and the first assignment was to find out what we 96). Note the extent of “Quebec”. This was French-Canadians have had a very rich could about our ancestors, something which before the naming of “Canada” subsequent history all across North America. I had never explored before. I stay active in the quest I was 40 at the time. to keep this rich culture alive, My parents took the bait; I found that and yesterday prepared a rein- my Dad was 100% French-Canadian, with troduction to be sent to our local very deep roots in Quebec, though near mailing list. The 9-page mailing lifelong North Dakotan. is here: French-Canadian001 There are millions upon millions If you wish, open and just of people with French-Canadian ancestry scroll through the link. I’d espe- today; hundreds of thousands of them in cially recommend the last four my own state. pages, an essay entitled “Why “Quebec” (name first established in Are Franco-Americans So Invis- 1608) long pre-dates use of the name “Unit- ible?” by David Vermette, which ed States of America (1776)” and “Canada” appears in the Winter (Hiver) (1867). Here’s a National Geographic map (Continued on page 43) 36 MASSACHUSETTS/MINNESOTA VERMONT SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 it must have been good. Fortunately, I was REMINISCING: in the Junior Seminary when the family medicine became “Geritol”, thanks to the BACK IN THE 50’S AGAIN Lawrence Welk Show. by Xavier de la Prade DETROIT
The 1940s was a turbulent decade for It was with this boring Chevy station my parents. They were married in 1940, wagon that we finally saw a bit of the world. bought their first house in 1942 for $900, In the summer of 1955, my parents decided had six children in eight years, and then to visit my mother’s sister Aunt Monica and lost their house that they had remodeled in her hubby Uncle Oscar. Uncle Oscar had a fire in 1949. In addition to that, my mother left Vermont to find his dream job working underwent a hysterectomy and my father for the Dodge Motor Company. It was an suffered from a stomach ulcer. Thanks to unfortunate incident that brought this trip their deep faith and love for each other, they about. The year before my poor brother overcame these hardships and our family Norbert had lost his eyesight in one eye. I was on its way through the next decade. A was the one aiming at bottles with my BB year after the house burned down, we moved gun, when one ricocheted and hit him in the back into a partially rebuilt structure. The eye. Uncle Oscar told us about the Wayne plaster was drying on the walls when we University Eye Clinic in Detroit and its great moved in. Over the course of the next two reputation. So off we went. Unfortunately, years, our mom painted the walls and our even their great doctors could do nothing dad finished the trim. for Norby. During the trip, my brother and I sat THE GRANITE STRIKE up front and we were our Dad’s GPS, using MAPS. My mother sat in the middle seat to Then came the next challenge. The keep us all in line. On this trip, Dad was so granite worker’s union declared a strike. Xavier, brother Vic and Sister Jeanne, impressed by the New York Thruway. It was Our dad was quick to find a job working Xmas program new at the time and predated the interstate on a road expansion in Barton, VT during highways. He kept boasting to his friends that summer. He had worked with President OUR NIGHTLY ROUTINES that he had gone 140 miles in two hours. It Roosevelt’s WPA work crews during the De- used to take us five hours to go 180 miles to pression. Maybe one of the reasons he found After school, I would peddle the visit our grandparents in Worcester, MA, and a job so quickly is that he had experience “Barre Times”. It was our local newspaper. that was when we did not have car troubles. handling dynamite. The job required a for- I picked up about 75 newspapers at the post Our Detroit adventure was great. We toured ty-mile commute and the 1936 LaSalle was office about a mile from home and serviced the Dodge factory, visited Deerfield Village, on its last leg. The vacuum fuel pump was about 45 customers. When I got home, my visited the Ford Rotunda, etc., etc. It was used and our dad would have to drive the car brothers and sisters finished the route. Then there that I saw my first Corvette, a mem- backwards up steep hills relying on gravity it was off to the accordion for 30 or 40 min- orable experience after reading what great to get gas to the engine. Parts were difficult utes of practice before supper. Up until 1955, cars they were supposed to be in “Popular to find since the last of the LaSalles were during supper we conversed and talked about Mechanics”. Uncle Oscar even brought us manufactured in 1939. Dad then bought a our activities. 1955 is when my dad bought to the airport for our first ride in a Piper beautiful 1939 Buick that turned out to be a our first TV. The TV was in the kitchen and Cub. Never underestimate the influence of lemon. Once the granite strike was over, he he loved the 6 o’clock news with Walter a great family vacation. As children we were exchanged it for a 1951 Chevrolet station Cronkite. TV changed the dynamic of our left with many wonderful memories of this wagon with three row seating for the gang. family life. After supper we listened to TV time together. After the LaSalle, this car was reliable but for an hour before our school work. Around not as much fun to drive with its six-cylinder 8:30, it was time for the rosary. We all had to THE HOLY GHOST CONVENT engine and Powerglide transmission. find a chair to use as a kneeler, arms over the One of the benefits to his road job backs of the chair, no slouching. We would For some reason, the school we would be the bags of fish he brought home. pray in French and at the end my mother re- attended was called a convent rather than When they would dynamite near a stream, cited a litany of about a dozen saints, always an elementary school. It could be that the the suckers, a bottom feeding, rather lethar- finishing with “Bon St. Joseph, priez pour eight nuns lived in the same building. These gic fish, would get stunned. The local chil- nous,” three times. After all, St. Joseph was nuns were wonderful women who had been dren would pitchfork them and sell them for our patron Saint. Then came the tablespoon obliged to leave their families in France in a dollar a bag. These fish were not really in of “Father John’s” medicine. Basically, it the early 1900s when the French govern- demand because they were so bony, but we was a mixture of cod liver oil and molasses. ment secularized the schools and seized all managed and they also make great fish soup. However, it was concocted by a priest, so (Continued on page 38) 37 Le Forum VERMONT VERMONT (REMINISCING: BACK IN THE 50’S very outgoing. He was also quite a good At the restaurant I prepped in the morning AGAIN continued from page 37) guitar player and whenever we had visitors and washed pots and pans in the afternoon. church property. Their loss was our gain. my dad would get Yvon, my brother on his I was taught how to make egg salad as one Supposedly when they were sent to Gran- violin and yours truly on the accordion to of my duties. What was memorable about iteville, they had to deal with not one, but play “Your Cheating Heart”. Yvon who also this, is that one day a customer ordered an two alcoholic priests. They were the ones had a great voice would sing. Another of my egg salad sandwich and a short time after who taught us how to hold pencils, shape dad’s delights would be to have us wrestle walking back to her office she died. I always our letters, teach us phonics, a little French when he and Uncle Guy were having a beer. wondered if it was my egg salad sandwich (about 15 minutes a day) and to love God. Yvon was a worthy challenger. It was all in that killed her. When I was 17, my job at the To this end, they were very successful in my fun. Both of these boarders enriched our quarries was to paint air and gas pipes on dry case. That is to say Sister Joseph helped me lives, maybe that is why it was so easy for days, and fill sand bags on rainy ones. These find my vocation in the priesthood. We had my parents to adopt a seventh child. thin bags of sand were placed in the small Maryknoll magazines in the classroom and I drill holes after the black blasting powder was fascinated by reading about the mission- was put in place. They kept the powder aries in foreign lands. As from blowing out of the a class project my mother drill holes when a charge helped me dress a plastic was sent. doll as a missionary priest along with a cactus made THE DRIVE-IN of clay. My mother was very proud of my choice. Summers were fun Wasn’t a successful Fran- doing all the crazy things co family one that offered kids do, like swimming at least one child to God? in the quarry holes, help- Consequently, I attended ing around the house a Junior Seminary and and going to the drive-in studied with these won- theaters. One summer, derful Maryknoll priests my brother and his girl- who probably would have friend needed a date for been happier out in the her friend. Well, I was missions. They were hap- recruited and I had such py times and as a result, a great time; Bea was a I received an excellent great kisser. After a few private school education Holy Ghost class of 1955, Xavier, second from left in the top row more dates with Bea, I there for two and a half forgot about the “ah-men” and opted out of years before the next big event. ADOPTION the seminary for the “ah women”. Thank God Bea was disciplined or I would have BOARDERS In the summer of 1958, we were off as ended up being a “dad” rather than a “pa- a family to visit my dad’s cousin in Drum- dre”. Suffice it to say, that was the end of Our mother being from Quebec, al- mondville, PQ. Gelase and Florence had a my vocation. ways associated the English schools there as beautiful family of four, all about our ages, Protestant schools and the French schools as and we loved to visit and practice our French THE ACCORDION Catholic ones. Consequently, it was import- with them. That summer Florence’s brother ant for us to attend Catholic schools. Other and wife were divorcing. They did not have When I was ten, my parents took us to Francos thought likewise but they lived too the means to take care of their four-year-old visit “mon oncle Théodore et tante Yvonne” far to send their children to the Catholic Carolle and their two-year-old Diane. Uncle in St-Hyacinthe, PQ. Their son George ones. What they did want though is that their Ted and Aunt Pat decided to adopt Diane and played a button box accordion and I was children get the Sacrament of Confirmation. our parents adopted Carolle. My father’s fascinated. I wanted to play one of those. To satisfy this goal they would have their philosophy was that there was always an Unfortunately, in Barre, Vermont there were children board during the eighth grade with extra potato in the pot. So, on that trip, a no teachers who taught the button-box, but relatives or acquaintances. So twice my par- beautiful four-year-old girl joined our family there was one teacher who taught students ents agreed to do just that. Our first boarder as a sister and a blessing. the piano accordion. I began my studies was Huguette, our second cousin. She was with Joseph Zampecini. A thirty-minute very pretty and I always thought she could lesson was five dollars. He came by once a have been a Hollywood star. We hardly knew SUMMER JOBS week in his flashy yellow and brown Nash. she was at the house. She was reserved and I loved the way I would struggle to play, shy and spent most of her time in her room. When I was home from the seminary “Down in the Valley” one note at the time, Our second boarder was Yvon. Yvon in the summers, I worked at a restaurant and and he would play 3 or 4 at the same time. was heavy set, had a great smile and was the following summer at the granite quarries. (Continued on page 39) 38 VERMONT VERMONT SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (REMINISCING: BACK IN THE 50’S my classmates who had new Ford and Chevy form and explain how granite was extracted AGAIN continued from page 38) convertibles? One day at the Chevy dealer from the earth. One day, the owner of a there was a gorgeous black 1955 Chevrolet quarry from St. Brieux, France and his wife His music sounded so good and he was convertible. I wanted it so badly. My dad were guests of the president of the corpora- an inspiration. After six months, Joe told gave me a life changing decision. He said, tion. The couple knew very little English so my parents I had musical talent I was elected as their guide. They and convinced them to by me an enjoyed my old French as much as Acme accordion. The accordion I did their perfect French. For exa- was $350 which was a lot in 1952 mple, a simple sentence like, “J’ai when you made $2.00 an hour. besoin de l’essence. Mon réservoir However, my parents, thought it est vide. Où est-ce que je peux faire was worth making the sacrifice. le plein?”, impressed me, rather A year later, “Accordion Joe” than, “Ma tank est vide, j’ai besoin tells my parents he is moving to du gaz”. They invited me to lunch San Jose, CA. He told my parents and later wrote a nice letter to the that during the Italian campaign president of the company singing in WW II, he was being driven my praises. Needless to say, I felt to battle with other GIs, when like a big shot. It was probably this their army truck flipped down job that inspired me to be a teacher. an embankment at night. He suffered multiple broken bones COLLEGE and the Vermont winters were The Rock of Ages guide crew, 1959, too severe for his arthritis. My parents were Xavier, far right September of 1959, the end of the livid. I was kind of indifferent at the time, you get the car but then we can’t help you decade saw me enrolling at St. Michael’s after all practicing became a chore and just with your college tuition. It was one of College in Winooski Park, Vt. St. Michael’s another responsibility. My parents did not those moments of “two paths diverging in was another institution started by exiled agree. They had spent $350 and they were the woods”. Today, I am so happy I chose priests from France. St. Michael’s was a determined that I was going to pursue my the latter. good fit, and I spent four wonderful years lessons. A piano teacher was hired but it there. What was remarkable was that the was not quite the same inspirational feeling. DREAM JOB tuition was $900 and room and board was This very qualified teacher loved classical $600. Even so, thank God for government loans. I began as a Business Major hoping music but that was not my interest. I want- The summer after high school I started ed to learn the Canadian reels and jigs that to make a fortune when I graduated. How would play on our record player. Going to we all dream big. So that is how the Fifties the seminary brought an end to my lessons. ended and it was on to the Sixties. However, today I am so thankful my parents persisted with my musical training because the accordion is a happy instrument. Over the years, I have used the accordion to teach French songs in class, as well as playing at retirement homes, restaurants and wineries throughout the San Francisco Bay area.
SENIOR YEAR
After the seminary, I received my diploma at St. Michael’s High School in Montpelier, VT. The school was 12 miles from home so I quickly got my driver’s license. My dad found a 1950 Chevrolet Jamming on Xmas day 1955 with "nos amis, with a broken piston for $100 and being very les Péloquin" resourceful, rebuilt the motor and redid the brakes to make it road worthy. My brother Xavier & Vic, off to the Mardi Gras Xavier is a retired French teacher and I were responsible for holding the spot- from Vermont. He spent the last 26 years of light during the repair jobs so he could see my dream job. I always wanted to be a guide his career teaching at the College of Marin, what he was doing. A black 1950 Chevy showing tourists the huge “Rock of Ages” a few miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. four-door was probably the most unexciting granite quarries in central Vermont. The He often used his accordion to teach and car on the road. It definitely was not a chick guides on duty would take groups of tourists was often hired by French restaurants and magnet. How could I compete and impress every twenty minutes to an observation plat- wineries to play his specialty, French music. 39 Things that Happen*
Le Forum MAINE RHODE ISLAND es as we wrapped up the second year of the cooped up in one singular location. It was Daniel Moreau Pandemic. I was pleased to interview two around the spring and summer, I was also by Kate Gagliardi students who have been part of the Fran- working at home. I think about almost daily co-American Centre here at the University I would go out just to go out, soak in the sun, of Maine for quite some time now. Daniel and get out of the house” (Moreau). Moreau and Donna Morin. Daniel, a senior In the engineering program at the Uni- with an electrical engineering major, has versity, a senior project paper is due when been a beloved member of the centre. He re- graduation hits. It is completed in a three calls the centre as a place of tranquility. “We semester sequence. Moreau completed it in are like a family” (Moreau). Moreau became what he claimed was “the most exhausting involved with the Centre his first semester time of my academic career”. He was in a at the University of Maine, as he received vicious cycle of work and projects, with no a Franco American scholarship to fulfill an time to stop. Moreau believes a moment of ethics general education requirement. He zen is crucial when working. It is so easy to recalled his college experience being even not stop and take a breath, especially this better because of his time in the center. day in age, where the mindset is “go, go, Moreau was a part of the student group and go”. The COVID-19 Pandemic has even would spend his time creating videos for enhanced this mentality of never stopping. As we closed our second into our the Centre. He recalls chatting and relaxing But, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, second year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, “as francos do” (Moreau). He found the and Moreau has neared it, completing his students have started to adapt to this new change to remote learning to be physically Bachelor degree in Electrical engineering. way of learning, remotely. Online learning demanding... “it felt like spring break for- “I don’t know if it’s me maturing in a has caused an array of challenges, as well ever. I’d slowly come to the realization that way, or the pandemic”, he laughs, “surpris- as some positives. Our students at the Fran- ‘oh we have to sit in bed all day’ that became ingly I’m ready for adulthood, and mentally co-American Centre shared their experienc- physically demanding. Sitting all day, being ready to pay taxes (not actually) (Moreau).
FORTUNAT MICHAUD POSTCARD COLLECTION
Fortunat Michaud was born in Québec and moved to Fort Kent, ME and later to Van Buren, ME. On February 4, 1902 he married Emily Farrell the daughter of John Farrell. They had 3 children, Elmer, John & Constance. After the death of Emily he later married Marie Keegan on July 18, 1927. Mrs. Keegan was a widow with three children, Evelyn, Audrey and Jimmy. Fortunat was a dealer in shoes and boots and started the F.O. Michaud family store in Van Buren. Which was later run by his children. John ran a men’s clothing store next door to F.O. Michaud, where Elmer, his wife Irene and Constance continued management of the family store. Fortunat held a seat during Maine’s first Workers Comp Law in 1915. He served in the State Legislature two terms, 1915-16 & 1941-42. He was a prominent business man. They lived in the Farrell-Michaud house that is on the Historic Register.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/fmichaud_postcards/
40 MAINE RHODE ISLAND SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 The research wasn’t a total bust, GHOSTS OF THE PAST however. As I read through the file on La- joie, I discovered some interesting stuff. Of by Claude Milot course, I already knew that he had been born in Woonsocket, like me. And I had learned many years earlier how great a ballplayer My mother gave birth to me in Woon- the time we visited it in 1972. And of all the he had been from my uncle Nap, Lajoie’s socket, Rhode Island, on July 24th, 1940. A kids David was always the one who enjoyed namesake and my godfather. But I had small village to the south called Manville is going places and seeing things the most. So, not known that Lajoie had been a catcher where I grew up. My family left Manville he was eager to go. before becoming the game’s greatest sec- permanently in 1956 when Dad joined the I had received permission from the ond baseman, that he had earned his living Foreign Service. Our lives were never the folks at the Hall of Fame to do some research driving hacks in Woonsocket, and that he same after that, but Woonsocket and Man- in their archives on a story idea. I already had had not been born in 1875, like it says in ville will always give me a nostalgic tug. a title: “They Played Baseball in French.” It the record books, but in 1874. The author In 1987 I gave in to the impulse and was to be a story about how French-Cana- of the article I found in Lajoie’s file claimed went back to Rhode Island to see if things dian ballplayers in New England played the to have uncovered the error when checking had changed. The occasion was provided by game while talking to each other in French. baseball, of all things. Lajoie’s birth date in the baptismal records I’ve always loved base- kept in the rectory of Precious ball, from the earliest days Blood Church in Woonsocket. when I could toss a ball up How about that! That’s when I in the air and experience the decided to put aside my story thrill of catching it on the way idea and concentrate on Napo- down. On my family room leon Lajoie. And that’s when wall there’s a picture of me in I vowed that if I ever got the my very first baseball uniform. chance, I would double-check My mother made it for me those records myself. when I was seven so I could The chance came soon be a batboy for the Manville enough. In July, my wife town team. As soon as school Yvonne, David, and I drove let out every June, I headed for from our home in New Jersey the ball field. I played baseball to Cape Cod to visit friends every day, sometimes all day. I Paul and Marie Bilik who had even played after supper in the invited us to share a few days Woonsocket Hospital yard in front of our house. Beginning with with them at their rented cottage in Chatham. Little League, I played organized ball until I had witnessed it with the Manville town We spent much of our time doing touristy my limited talents told me it was time to be team, and I myself grew up playing ball things like seeing the local sights and shop- a full-time spectator. That was no problem with kids who knew little English or at least ping at the over-priced boutiques. But the because I had my Red Sox. felt a lot more comfortable with French. I best part was the night Paul took David and I started following the Red Sox in assumed, therefore, that the practice had to me to Fenway Park to see a Red Sox game. 1948, and, like a modern Prometheus, I have been even more common in places like I had been there many times when I was a endured the Curse of the Bambino for the Lowell and Woonsocket where years ago en- kid and going back was a special treat. For next 55 years. For those who don’t know, tire communities spoke nothing but French. David it was a first. He was thrilled to death. the Curse of the Bambino is the penalty the To prove my point, I thought I would begin I had taken him to Shea Stadium and Yankee Red Sox paid for selling Babe Ruth to the with the great French-Canadian ballplayers Stadium, but Fenway is like no other park in hated Yankees after the 1919 season. At the in the Hall of Fame: Napoleon Lajoie, the country. Small, intimate, and so green. time, the Red Sox had won more World Goose Gosselin, Lou Boudreau, Rabbit Ma- A very special place. Series than any other club. After that they ranville. I figured that if anyone would have From Chatham we called family went 86 years before winning another one. evidence that these giants had played ball friend Nell Lambert in Woonsocket to say In spite of the yearly anguish for 55 of those in French, the Hall of Fame surely would. hello. When she heard we were on Cape years, I continued to be a fan. I still am. To My research turned up nothing. At Cod, she insisted that we stop by to see this day I always go to the box scores before least nothing I could use. Lajoie’s file was her on our way back to New Jersey. And the paper’s other news. A man’s first love surprisingly thin and said nothing about his she offered to put us up for the night, too. never leaves his heart. having played for French teams, although he I wanted very much to do that, because it In the early days of the summer of ‘88 had acquired the nickname “Frenchy” in his would give me the opportunity to visit old I took my oldest son David to the Baseball early days. Boudreau’s file was very thick, haunts and maybe even take a ride down to Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. David was but I couldn’t even find evidence that he, Manville to see if the place had changed. enjoying a few days of freedom before like Gosselin, even spoke French. And the So, we accepted. starting his final year at Annapolis, and he biggest disappointment was Maranville: he On the way we ran into a violent didn’t remember much of Cooperstown from wasn’t even French. He was Irish. (Continued on page 42) 41 Le Forum RHODE ISLAND MINNESOTA/RHODE ISLAND (GHOSTS OF THE PAST continued from on a mission of sorts. I wanted to go to the page 41) Precious Blood Church rectory to check out Precious Blood (Precieux Sang) thunderstorm. The radio issued repeated Nap Lajoie’s baptismal record. church warnings of tornadoes. The downpour was We knocked on the door of the rectory, the heaviest I have ever seen. Cars massed and a little gray-haired lady answered. She under highway overpasses because they just couldn’t understand why we wanted to look couldn’t go on. When the worst of it passed, at 19th century baptismal records, but after there was debris all over the place. We had a while she led us to the unlocked safe that not seen a funnel cloud, but we learned that contained the ancient documents bound in a twister had touched down only a few miles red leather. We found what we were looking from where we had been. It gave us a lot to for in one of the oldest books. There it was: complex long ago converted to apartments. talk about when we got to Nell’s place. 1874, not 1875. That meant that Lajoie was I have memories of that place, but for now We had expected to find Nell all by born in the same year as Honus Wagner, the I must complete the day’s journey. herself. We were surprised and happy to greatest shortstop of all time. That coinci- Dave and I got back in the car, and I find that Simone Fontaine was staying with dence would be of no particular importance, decided to take him downtown for a tour, her. Simone, Nell, and my mother were the except that Lajoie’s career stats have always not so much for his benefit, but for mine. best of friends, going back to the days before invited comparison to Wagner’s. The two For old times’ sake. my mother was married. Simone was Dr. are surprisingly similar. Lajoie is superior When I was growing up, downtown Auray Fontaine’s sister and assistant when in lifetime batting average and doubles, Woonsocket was a thriving place. The Mom worked as Dr. Fontaine’s secretary. Wagner in power and speed. The two were massive red-brick textile mills, most of Nell succeeded her in that job after Mom acknowledged to be the best glove men of them anyway, were still there, provid- married Dad. ing thousands of jobs Strange how for sons of Canadian friendships are forged. immigrants who still Who knows why spoke French in their some last and some homes and on the street. do not. My mother In 1950 Woonsocket and “The Girls,” as boasted the honor of my father called them, having been voted an were as close as three All-American city. people could be. Best The city we saw friends for over fifty in 1988 was a shell of years. They were with its former self, giving Textile Mill my father on that return trip from New Or- silent testimony to an era gone by. McCar- leans to Seminole when he suffered a fatal their era. Wagner was the first infielder to be thy’s great department store once stood right heart attack. And they stayed with Mom for inducted into the Hall of Fame, Lajoie the there at the corner of Main Street just across weeks after the funeral when she needed second. Fascinating stuff for baseball buffs. the bridge—gone. The Stadium theater and them most. And now they were delighted to But not everyone is a baseball buff. the Bijou where I first saw King Kong-- see us under much happier circumstances. After leaving the rectory, Dave and boarded up. The railroad station—unvisited That night we went with Simone to I sneaked a peek at the red-brick church. in years. The great mills—all gone. see her nephew Paul, Dr. Fontaine’s son. I There was a Mass going on. In French. We drove across Main Street and up had played Little League ball against him Only old people were in attendance, living High Street, so called because it curves left in 1951. We talked about the old days while reminders of an immigration that began and runs parallel to Main Street, but on a watching the Red Sox on television. over 100 years ago and eventually made higher level. With no particular destination Before turning in that night, I took Woonsocket the American city with the in mind, we kept going, with David taking Yvonne for a walk down Cass Avenue past greatest percentage of French-speaking in the flavor of the place and me trying to Woonsocket Hospital where I drew my inhabitants. That’s what had drawn my remember it as it had been. After a while we first breath. It brought back memories of a father to this city in 1935, first as editor of found ourselves heading away from the cen- broken arm, an emergency appendectomy, L’Indépendant, a French newspaper, and ter of town, going north along the Blackstone and a rhinoplasty to repair a nose crushed later as under-secretary of l’Union St.-Jean- River. Suddenly, I got this strange feeling, by a baseball bat. Baptiste, an insurance company formed by like I had been there long ago. We stopped. Before breakfast the next morning, and for French-Canadians in Woonsocket. On our right stood an old factory whose I took David with me for a little tour of Precious Blood was important to me name meant nothing to me. But there was Woonsocket. It was Saturday and the city for other reasons. I had played the great something eerily familiar about that spot. was sleeping late. I hadn’t driven through organ there once, when my legs were barely We turned around and went back to the streets of Woonsocket in over twenty long enough to reach the pedals. And I had Nell’s. By that time, we had worked up quite years, but there are some things you never attended school from kindergarten through an appetite. Hungry or not, I couldn’t shake forget. Like how to find your way around the fourth grade across the street at a convent the haunting feeling, as if I had seen a ghost town where you were born. Besides, I was school called Jesus-Marie, but now part of a (Continued on page 43)
42 MINNESOTA/RHODE ISLAND SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 (The French-Canadians; The Franco-Americans (GHOSTS OF THE PAST continued from continued from page 36) page 42)
2017 edition of Le Forum from the state by the river. of Maine. https://digitalcommons.library. “Nell,” I said. “If you go up High umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/ Street and keep going until you find yourself I dedicate this post to my great-grand- along the river...” Then it struck me! “By any parents, Clotilde Blondeau and Octave Col- chance would that factory there on the right lette, who married at what was then called be the old Goodyear plant?” St. Anthony, soon to become Minneapolis Yes, of course. Nell confirmed it, but MN, in 1868; thence 1875 to the Dayton she didn’t have to. I just knew it. Somewhere MN area, thence to Oakwood (near Grafton) in the deepest recesses of my brain was the North Dakota in 1878. memory of the Goodyear plant my father had To the right is the tintype photo of worked in during the war. Dad had wanted them about the time of their marriage. Clo- to do his share and even tried to enlist. But tilde would have been about 5 when they the Navy wouldn’t take him, because at 34 arrived in Minnesota Territory from eastern he was too old and he had two kids with a Ontario in the early 1850s; Octave was about third one on the way. Instead, he went to 17 when most of the Collette family moved work for Goodyear. Before the war, Good- from St. Lambert QC to St. Anthony (later, year was making sneakers in that plant. In Minneapolis) in about 1864. Clotilde Blondeau and Octave Collette at St. Anthony MN ca July 1868 fact, they had been invented right there. But once the war started, the plant began making rubber rafts for the troops. And then it was I also dedicate this to my grandparents: Henry Bernard, born 1872 and raised in rural converted to a top-secret project making Ste. Sylvestre Quebec, coming to North Dakota in the 1890s; and Josephine Collette, born rubber decoys of tanks and planes that were 1881 at the now disappeared Red River town of St. Andrews, where the Park River enters deployed near Dover to fool the Germans the Red. They married in 1901 at Oakwood ND. into thinking that the invasion would be launched at Calais instead of Normandy. Dad worked at Goodyear as a bookkeeper, one of the few who knew what was going on. When the decoys were no longer needed, the workers were dismissed. My father stayed on for another year to close the books on that piece of history. And my memory of that time was of riding with my mother to pick up my father after work on those days when she needed the car. It couldn’t have been often. And I had to have been less than five years old. I remembered...more than forty years later. What is it about those ghosts of the past that haunt our memory? How does the Henry Bernards of Grafton ND about 1920, with visitors from Winnipeg. Henry, brain bring them to life after being buried Josephine, Henry Jr, Josie, and Frank Peter are center part of photo. Their home for forty years? And what is this fascination was on the bank of the Park River, then 115 Wakeman Avenue. we all have for our past? Some people even claim to be able to regress to previous life- times. Have we really lived before? Will we live again? Can we look forward to being MODERATOR/AUTHOR reborn in more than just the spiritual sense? There’s so much we don’t know. But even in our ignorance we can respond to Alfie’s Dick Bernard is a moderate prag- question “Is That All There Is?” with a re- matic Democrat who speaks from his sounding NO! And I think that in searching heart in matters of family, justice and the past and in summoning the ghosts, we peace. begin to know ourselves. And what we find of value within us we try to pass on. We want to live on in our descendants as part of their past. We make our mark and hope that https://outsidethewalls.org/blog/ it lasts longer than the flowers on our grave. the-french-canadians-the-franco-americans/ 43 Le Forum MAINE POETRY/POÉSIE
“Where are the ing—defining the landscape by the particular culture of the French—their rituals, artifacts, Franco-Americans and relationships—of the moments or eras in Maine”-Wall Pan- alongside the other immigrant groups. The reality of Maine has always been the diver- el Text for “Begin sity of many groups coming together—the perception presented defied the reality. Again” Exhibit “Yankee” was the cover story. How were the French received by by the communities they immigrated to? one is Native American, you are forever Rhea Côté Robbins The prejudices were expressed through English-only, Maine state legislation in “from away”—an immigrant. Where are the French heritage, 1916 and 1919 (1925, for Native American I will be giving a talk September Franco-Americans in Maine? Lewiston language/culture) prohibiting French be 9th, 6-7 PM online, “Who Gets to Tell could be anywhere in the state of Maine taught in schools other than in a classroom Story”. because the French came not only to work, of high school instruction. And then national Works Cited but also to live and thrive. Petite Canada, legislation, 1959, signed into law by Presi- Bélanger, Claude. Quebec History. http://facul- French-language enclaves, are located in dent Eisenhower due to Sputnik, the NDEA, ty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/events/ many towns and cities, often by the riv- National Defense Education Act, changed pillars.htm. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021. er bank, and beyond, on the geography the focus by stating language learning was Bench, Raney. History of Maine - The Rising throughout the entire state. The idea of chain a top priority to national security. migration came after the immigration event The KKK’s, also a product of the of the Klan. 2019. digitalcommons.library.umaine. to describe the phenomenon of one million Nativist politics of the 1920s, Maine mem- edu, https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ people leaving Québec who came to live bership in the group was 150,141 members mainehistory/224. in the Northeast. (Except for the French by 1925. Without a significant Black pop- Fournier, Claude, Marie-José Raymond, and heritage people living in Northern Maine, ulation, the KKK exercised white-on-white René Malo. Les Tisserands Du Pouvoir. Montréal: who were already on the land before the prejudice against the French, Jews and Groupe MaloFilm Group, 1988. border was drawn.) All classes of people other “undesirables.” Also, a forced ster- immigrated between 1820 and 1920—the ilization policy was practiced against the Franklin Roosevelt and Québec. https://www. elite, professional class and the workers French-Canadians and Native Americans. republiquelibre.org/cousture/ROO2.HTM. Accessed destined for the mills—textiles, shoes, cloth, It was not a good time to be French in the 2 Mar. 2021. and more. The film,Tisserands du Pouvoir, state of Maine—and some things still need Garrett, Edwin A., III, “Report,” Spring 1994, tells the story of the classes of people who to be changed. immigrated. How did the French heritage popu- Bar Harbor Historical Society. What can be said about the large lation get through it all? Survivance held Le Messager. Lewiston, Me: L.J. Martel & group of people coming to the U.S. seeking its ground even with the Corporation Sole Cie, 1880. Print. their livelihood and opportunity? Living Controversy crisis in the Catholic Church “Le Messager (Lewiston, Me.) 1880-1966.” in Little Canadas meant a city-within-a-city. hierarchy—an Irish bishop against the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, The French language, one of the three pillars French-Canadian parishioners—deeming of survivance—Notre foi, notre langue, nos the bishop as the sole owner of the properties https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83045313/. Accessed 2 institutions [our faith, our language, our of the church and he, alone, would decide Mar. 2021. institutions] was the credo of surviving in a Maine Legislative Record 79th (1919-1920). what happened to the holdings overseen by https://www.maine.gov/legis/lawlib/lldl/legisrecord79. foreign land and holding onto identity—for Irish clergy put in charge. htm. Accessed 7 Feb. 2021. eternity. What are the outcomes of these “National Defense Education Act.” Wikipedia, How to survive and express iden- events? The French of Maine are a tena- 20 Dec. 2020. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/ tity? Le Messager, the French language index.php?title=National_Defense_Education_Act&ol- cious group that even FDR complained did=995370083. newspaper that was located in Lewiston, about in a letter to Prime minister of Canada, Richard, Mark P. Not a Catholic Nation: The 1880-1966, one of many French newspapers Lyon Mackenzie-King, 5/18/1942, “... this is throughout New England, whose editor in a new element which will never be assimi- Ku Klux Klan Confronts New England in the 1920s. , the 1960s won a Congressional Medal, kept lated. ... these Quebec people won’t even 2015. Print. the Franco-American population connected. speak English.” A hard fight has been fought Robbins, Rhea C. Canuck and Other Stories. Camille Lessard Bissonnette, a correspon- Brewer, Me: Rheta Press, 2006. Print. and partially won. The French heritage Vermont Eugenics. http://www.uvm.edu/~l- dent for the newspaper and a suffragist wrote immigrants are a part of the community fab- kaelber/eugenics/VT/VT.html. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021. the French-Canadian immigrant experience ric—deeply woven—as an entity with all the https://www. in her book, Canuck. She wrote about the immigrants, including the English-speaking mainemem- complexities of the already arrived and the immigrants who came to live in Maine, and ory.net/my- newly arriving immigrant. then, which group saw themselves as supe- mainestory/ What does it mean to be French and rior marked by the times of their arrivals and Franco living in Maine? Commerce and belong- claims of nativism, when in reality, unless 44 MAINE POETRY/POÉSIE SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 POETRY/POÉSIE... What Grandmother Did DESTINATION
My grandmother hears the bed creaking downstairs Locomotive’s whistle ricochets down-valley and gets up careful not to wake Rebecca. as hot pistons melt itinerant sleet. She puts on her broken slippers. Quinebaug Willimantic Shetucket. She dresses under her nightie, Slashed train-fares brought us here. taking the nightie off to reveal herself completely dressed. In lean years. A farmer’s fifth fils, She glances at the light coming from the window. with the sire’s lot already sliced thin. She hears my grandfather cough from the bedroom downstairs. She says a prayer as she climbs down the stairs Pendant les années grasses, clutching the rail. canals scam rivers round rapids She takes her apron from the nail and ties it on. to turn wheels to crank gears to twist rods, She rekindles the stove from the bright ashes. rolling out a sluice of muslin, She puts on the coffee pot. a calculated torrent of trendy worsted, She hears Michael let the barn door bang, paying out a steady 55 cents a day. enter the cooling room. She hears the milk from his pails pour into the separator. Falling water becomes layaway plan She takes the bread from the breadbox. becomes spillway froth becomes Easter shoes She finds the knife. becomes scarlet chunk of thumb rinsed away, She goes to the cooling room to get the butter in leanest years becomes puissance and picks up the pails to wash. no boss up North cares to employ. She notices the muddy floor. Quaboag Housatonic Connecticut. She goes to the cellar for a new jar of jam. She climbs the cellar stairs thinking of laundry, holding the rail, Steven Riel the jar in her other hand. [email protected] She sets the table for one, flips the buttered bread on the hot stove, hits the jam on the corner of the table to break the seal.
“Gilbert,” she calls, “Come sit down now. Your breakfast is ready.”
She notices he looks poorly. He sits not looking at her but touching everything to check if anything is missing. Is anything missing?
She pours coffee, filling his cup.
–– by Rachel Michaud
–– by Normand Dubé 45 Le Forum POETRY/POÉSIE~BOOKS/LIVRES POETRY/POÉSIE... Searching for my other self / A la recherche de moi même (2021/RG Héroux)
As I grow old That I will live I seem to be searching My other half Yearning More fully More and more In a Rassemblement For my other half In a Colloque The part of me In a rendez-vous Which is Canadien Français In person or on zoom The Franco side Somewhere quelque part Of my Franco Americanism. In a journey (My American Dans un voyage About the Great My English-speaking half A Québec Secure in a life Dans les Cantons de l’Est Maine Moose Hunt Of harmony and joyful times In discussing mon héritage Mon histoire d’enfance With my wife, my dearest friend, By Roger Lambert With my children and grandchildren With anyone and everyone And other English-speaking friends.) Who will listen To ce vieux placoteux James and I have endeavored through I see a shadow however Gregarious, zealous and sentimental these tales and pictures to give a true rep- Of my Franco self Dans mes rêves resentation of the "phenomenon" on the Yet I want more In my dreams woods and waters of Maine that is the "Great To belong Of yesterday et d’hier Maine Moose Hunt". We are not lost on the And live more fully And in the longings coincidence that not only is this the 40th As I did And searching anniversary of the "modern" moose hunt When I was young For my tomorrows but also the Bicentennial of our beloved Comme un pur Franco Américain De mes demains state of Maine. Interchanging easily and freely Sur mon chemin From all the contributing authors we Between French and English Of my other half hope you enjoy and find happy nostalgia in Between Rhode Island and Québec Du côté de ma langue natale these stories and continue to promote and Entre “St. Trel” (Central Falls) et Wotton Of my mother’s tongue. pass on one of Maine's most iconic heritage Ah oui Wotton sports. Petit village En avant forward Nestled in La Belle Province A demain…espérons Je me souviens…trop bien Searching to be whole again Paperback copy out now! While swimming in Souvent $28.50 (includes shipping) De mes jeunes étés. And promoting Mon héritage https://greatmainemoosehu- I have hope Franco-Américain. Un peu d’espoir nt.com Franco-Americans of Maine, Then and Now
The Lumberman Bartender— The story of Franco-American immi- gration to Maine is complex and fascinat- The Story of George Poulin ing—but not a short story to tell. Where We Were is a compendium of interactive maps Susan Poulin brings us to Jackman, and visualizations that investigate the his- Maine for a story about her grandfather—a tory and genealogy of the Franco-American man who tried to straddle the border community in Maine. during prohibition with varying degrees of success. Continue reading: https:// francomainestories.
46 POETRY/POÉSIE~BOOKS/LIVRES SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 co-American, ethnic women’s voices. The I believe it is important that this an- BOOKS/LIVRES Franco-American Women’s Institute is also thology, a finalist in the 2017 Maine Writers an archival place or a recording place. The and Publishers Anthology category book women come together in many forms of award, be broadly distributed and the com- presentation, body, soul and creative spirit, munity is given access to this collection of as Franco-American women--Québécois, women of the French heritage culture. Acadian, Métis, Mixed Blood, French Cana- dian, ‘Cajun, Creole and Huguenot--in a way For more information on this anthol- which encourages them to be voiced while ogy: http://www.womencrossingborders. collecting a record of their own and their com/HeliotropeFrenchHeritageWomen- maman’s existence. Daughters, mamans, Create.html and mémères. In celebration of this occasion, as Heliotrope—French Heritage Women founder and director of FAWI, I am offering Create is an anthology of written works and a copy, free of charge, of the 20th Anniver- visual arts published to mark the present, sary anthology of 130+ women’s creativity, active, creative lives of the women of the Heliotrope: French Heritage Women Create French heritage culture. This anthology to any library, museum, non-profit organi- presents a snapshot of the French heritage zation as a way to promote the voices of women’s lives as they exist in the present. this diverse group. Annie Proulx donated This anthology incorporates the lives of the a chapter of her memoir, Bird Cloud—A women who make up this cultural heritage Memoir, in solidarity of the work that FAWI and it offers to the present and future gen- has done over the years. erations a vivid compilation of voices and The Franco-American Women’s If you wish to have a copy for your visuals that builds bridges of insight and Institute, FAWI, is celebrating its 25th An- organization, library or other non-profit, understanding for all who read and view niversary in 2021. FAWI has promoted the please email me at [email protected] the works. Annie Proulx is featured as well creativity of the French heritage women both with contact information and an address. I as one-hundred and thirty other women of online and in print. The Franco-American will mail you a copy for your shelves. This French heritage. Women’s Institute is an organization of book will be donated to your non-profit orga- women who gather together as a force for nization by the Franco-American Women’s Rhea Côté Robbins, the specific purpose of promoting Fran- Institute. Director, FAWI
Out of Time (The Great Library Series Book 3) One Girl and her Team go to a Realm Where Magic Rules After traveling across the universe, Maya lands on a sidewalk in New York City. She has gone back in time to her own past, where she catches a glimpse of her younger self and her mother going into a corner store. But Maya is too busy to worry about disturbing the space-time continuum. She must find someone called the Accumulator, who will help her defeat her adversary Cinnial. Find the Accumulator she does, and with her new team—Will, Jay, and Lexie—Maya travels to a place called Elferterre, a dimension ruled by Magic rather than by Time. In Elferterre, Maya and her team go on a quest to steal a key and a lock from a powerful elf named Galli. The key is for the Accumulator, and the lock will help Maya trap Cinnial. In Elferterre, Maya, Will, Jay, and Lexie encounter allies and foes—a talking cat, a witch, sprites, ogres, imps, elves, and a mechanical horse. All the while, Magic swirls around Elferterre, enhancing the good and bad in every creature that Maya and her team meet. Maya falls in love, travels yet again across the universe, and encounters her biggest challenge yet. Will Maya have the courage to face this challenge? Or will she falter? About Laurie Graves: Laurie Graves likes to say she was born in County Tolkien, but really she was born in Kennebec County- -in Waterville, Maine--and is a fifth-generation Mainer and a Franco-American. Nevertheless, from the time she was young, she loved fantasy, fairy tales, and other folderol. When she was eleven, her father gave her The Lord of the Rings trilogy and that is when she discovered her true county of origin. Laurie Graves writes essays and fiction from her home in the Maine hinterlands. For seven years, she and her husband, Clif, pub- lished and edited Wolf Moon Journal: A Maine Magazine of Art and Opinion. She has a blog called Notes from the Hinterland--www. hinterlands.me--which features posts about nature, rural life, food, books, and people. Maya and the Book of Everything is her first book. You can follow Laurie's fiction writing and get information about upcoming books at her author website www.lauriegraves.me. hinterlandspress.com 47 Le Forum BOOKS/LIVRES/ANNOUNCEMENT First Franco: Albert Beliveau in Law, Politics, and Love A Biography by Douglas Rooks
“Few biographies exist of first- or second-generation French-Canadian de- scendants in the United States. First Franco shares the life story of a prominent Maine jurist of French-Canadian descent. This rich- ly detailed book adds to our understanding of the migration experience in the United States, particularly about the integration of French speakers into U. S. society. In its por- trayal of Albert Beliveau as a first-generation Franco-American, this biography teaches us a great deal about such themes as accultur- ation, the rise from the working class, and the development of political consciousness About the Author: among Maine’s largest ethnic group.” – Mark Paul Richard, State University of New Douglas Rooks is the author of York at Plattsburgh. two previous books, Statesman: George Mitchell and the Art of Possible (Down East Books, 2016) and Rise, Decline and Published by Franco American Renewal: The Deomcratic Party in Maine Programs, University of Maine, in (Hamilton Books, 2018). He has served as association with The University editorial page editor for the Kennebec Jour- of Maine Press. nal as well as editor and publisher of Maine Times, and has covered state governement 978-0-89101-133-0 and politics for 36 years, currently as State House correspondent for the Portland $28.00 + $5.00 for shipping Phoenix. His political columns appear in four daily newspapers, including the Times Record and Portsmouth Herald, and he is Or send a check to: the recipient of numerous national and re- gional awards. A graduate magna cum laude 15. Superior Court Justice Albert Beliveau University of Maine Press of Colby College, he lives with his wife, on the bench. He is wearing the robe 5729 Fogler Library Labrador retriever and Maine coon cat in a bequethed to him by William Pattangall. Orono, ME 04469-5729 215-year-old farmnoouse in West Gardiner.
Many of us grew up listening to Mi- Please help! chael Parent's CD's of Franco music and attended his storytelling performances. He was also our trusty time keeper at the Writers gatherings/Rassemblements. We just learned this morning that Michael is in need of financial help. He needs to move into an assisted living and cannot afford it. Some of his friends have set up this nonprofit to help him. https://michaelmedicalcare. wordpress.com/
Please help if you can and spread the word! Michael Parent 48 COIN DES JEUNES SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021 A Pandemic Easter and Palms
Copyright 2021 by Virginia L. Sand Roy
At the Albert Family’s home (Chez Mama: Wonderful, Ginny, I love the Albert), Easter 2021 was coming without hymn, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel.” You Grandma (mémé) and Grandpa (pépé). “The three girls are filled with God’s inspiration. flu is still here this year,” Mama told her I am so blessed to have you in my life. three girls (Tina, Beverly and Ginny), “and it would be safer for mémé and pépé to stay Tina: We feel the same about you, home this Easter. This coronavirus flu is Mama. everywhere in the world and many people are still dying from it.” Beverly: Yes Mama, we are so thank- It was now Palm Sunday, one week ful that you’re our mother. before Easter Sunday, and the Albert Easter season and beyond. (Mama then Family brought home palms after attend- Ginny: I’ll sing to that (wearing a big joined Beverly and Tina in reciting prayers. ing mass wearing protective masks. That smile)! Mama, what do the blessed palms Afterward, they joined Ginny in singing same evening after supper, Mama and her symbolize? “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel.” three daughters began weaving the blessed palms into pinecone-like clusters, while Mama: That’s a good question, my Many palm clusters were woven conversing: dear. In ancient times, palm branches sym- throughout this Palm Sunday evening as bolized goodness and victory. Palm Sunday Mama and her three daughters prayed and Ginny: Mama, I feel sad that mémé commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Je- sang. Some of the woven palms were hung and pépé won’t be joining us for our family rusalem, when palm branches were placed in throughout the house at Chez Albert and a Easter ham dinner this year. Plus, we’ll miss his path, before his arrest on Holy Thursday cluster of woven palms found it’s way to mémé’s famous Graham Cracker Cream Pie and his crucifixion on Good Friday. mémé and pépé’s house with an Easter card and pépé’s surprise Easter baskets. Nobody and candy by Good Friday. makes pies like mémé and nobody makes Tina: Well, Jesus was certainly vic- Easter baskets like pépé. torious over death, Mama. Easter Sunday finally arrived. After attending Easter Sunday mass wearing Tina: Why don’t we weave our Mama: Very true, Tina, so we cel- protective masks, the Albert family (Mama, prayers into the palms while we continue ebrate Christ’s Resurrection at Eastertide. Papa, Tina, Ginny and Beverly) returned weaving the palms? Then we can send He showed us that our souls continue on home and found a huge Easter surprise wait- over a cluster of palms to mémé and pépé after death. ing for them. Pépé had made and displayed to protect them from the flu. his homemade wooden signs to lead the Beverly: Okay everyone, I’ll begin family into their heated daylight basement Mama: Tina, that’s a brilliant idea, reciting the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary as and then out into the backyard gardens at since the palms are blessed by the church. we continue to weave these palms and while Chez Albert. The family followed the signs Ginny sings. into the basement and discovered something Beverly: We can send the blessed very special: woven palms to mémé and pépé with the Ginny began singing “Rejoice! beautiful Easter card and candy we bought Rejoice! Emmanuel” while Bev, Tina and Ginny: Look, everyone, a real rabbit! for them. Mama offered prayers and intentions: Tina: A beautiful white Easter bunny Mama: That’s another great idea, Tina: Dear Jesus, thank you for your with tall, pink ears! Bev! suffering and sacrifice for us. God, please keep mémé and pépé healthy and safe during Beverly: Hopping around inside a Ginny: Mama, I’ll sing the holy the pandemic as they display these blessed huge, spacious wooden pen. I bet pépé built song, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,” in palm clusters in their home. the rabbit pen in his wood shop. the background while you, Bev and Tina recite prayers. Mama: God, thank you so much for Ginny: Look, the bunny’s name is each other and for all of our blessings and “Chloé.” Pépé made a sign with the rabbit’s Mama: Ginny, isn’t “Emmanuel” an abundance. Dear Jesus, thank you for your name on it and hung it on the pen. Advent song? teachings. God, please protect our family and loved ones during the pandemic and Papa: You’re absolutely right! Your Ginny: Yes, Mama, but I’ve adapted please bring an end to this pandemic soon. pépé Albert made the bunny pen and your it for Lent (Ginny displayed a big smile). Keep us all happy and healthy during this (Continued on page 50)
49 Le Forum COIN DES JEUNES (A Pandemic Easter and Palms rabbit, a plate of mémé’s famous graham continued from page 49) cracker pie and “Seeds-of-Hope.” mémé Albert found Chloé at the local animal shelter, hoping to find a good home. Mama: “Seeds-of-Hope?”
Mama: Yes, and your mémé had the Ginny: Yes, Mama. There’s a packet local veterinarian give Chloé a “bunny well- of pumpkin seeds inside of an envelope. ness exam” to make sure Chloé is healthy. The words, “Seeds-of-Hope,” are written Chloé has also been spayed. Every year on the envelope. we’ll take Chloé to the veterinarian for a wellness exam. Mama: Well, Ginny, I guess you’ll be planting your pumpkin Seeds-of-Hope in Ginny: I already love Chloé. She’s the pumpkin patch later this spring. You’ll so friendly and lovable. grow and harvest plenty of pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving. (The three girls enter the bunny pen to meet and pet Chloé.) Beverly: I also found an Easter basket by my sign, Mama and Papa, except that my Chloé Papa: I think there are more of your Seeds-of-Hope are sunflower seeds. I also Tina: Hey everyone, it’s mémé and pépé’s wooden signs leading us to the back- found a plate of mémé’s delicious graham pépé on the phone wishing us all a happy yard. Shall we all follow them? cracker pie, a white chocolate edible rabbit Easter and thanking us for the woven palms, and a Rabbit-Keeping Guidebook in my Easter card and candy. Happy Easter to The signs led the family out the Easter basket. both of you from all of us, mémé and pépé. back door from the basement into the back Thank you so much for bringing Chloé into yard gardens: Tina: My Easter basket has all those our lives and for the magical Easter baskets. things too, except that my Seeds-of-Hope We’ll surely share our Harvest-of-Hope with Tina: Look, I see more of pépé’s are carrot seeds. you during this year’s gardening season, just signs throughout the gardens. as we always do. Thank you for all of the Papa: Well, that will come in handy Seeds-of-Hope you’ve given us during this Beverly: Our names are on the signs. for Chloé. You’ll have to grow lots of carrots pandemic Easter. We love you so much, for her during this year’s gardening season. mémé and pépé. Thank you for making our Each daughter excitedly ran over to (Papa was chuckling.) Easter so special even though you couldn’t her personalized sign. Ginny’s sign stood join us this year. in the pumpkin patch. Beverly’s sign stood Mama: Ginny, Beverly and Tina, in the flower garden and Tina’s sign stood bring your Easter baskets into the house and That night, during prayer time, every- in the root vegetable garden: get ready for Easter dinner! Put your plates one at Chez Albert thanked God for all of of mémé’s pie in the refrigerator for now! their blessings during this Pandemic Easter. Ginny: Mama and Papa, I found one This would be a very memorable Easter of pépé’s homemade wooden Easter baskets As everyone entered the house, the week for the Albert family; Easter 2021, a by my sign. In the basket there’s a House telephone rang. Tina ran across the kitchen Pandemic Easter. Rabbit Guidebook, a large chocolate edible to answer it:
4949 50 COIN DES JEUNES SUMMER/ÉTÉ 2021
Chloé
jamesxmyall@gmail. com
35
51 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 Change Service Requested
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 du The University of Maine Office of Franco American Affairs was Maine fut fondé en 1972 par des étudiants et des bénévoles de la founded in 1972 by Franco American students and community volun- communauté franco-américaine. Cela devint par conséquent le Centre teers. It subsequently became the Franco American Centre. Franco-Américain. From the onset, its purpose has been to introduce and integrate the Dès le départ, son but fut d’introduire et d’intégrer le Fait Fran- Maine and Regional Franco American Fact in post-secondary academe co-Américain du Maine et de la Région dans la formation académique and in particular the University of Maine. post-secondaire et en particulier à l’Université du Maine. Given the quasi total absence of a base of knowledge within the Étant donné l’absence presque totale d’une base de connaissance University about this nearly one-half of the population of the State of à l’intérieur même de l’Université, le Centre Franco-Américain s’efforce Maine, this effort has sought to develop ways and means of making d’essayer de développer des moyens pour rendre cette population, son this population, its identity, its contributions and its history visible on identité, ses contributions et son histoire visible sur et en-dehors du and off campus through seminars, workshops, conferences and media campus à travers des séminaires, des ateliers, des conférences et des efforts — print and electronic. efforts médiatiques — imprimé et électronique. The results sought have been the redressing of historical neglect Le résultat espéré est le redressement de la négligence et de l’ig- and ignorance by returning to Franco Americans their history, their lan- norance historique en retournant aux Franco-Américains leur histoire, guage and access to full and healthy self realizations. Further, changes leur langue et l’accès à un accomplissement personnel sain et complet. within the University’s working, in its structure and curriculum are De plus, des changements à l’intérieur de l’académie, dans sa structure sought in order that those who follow may experience cultural equity, et son curriculum sont nécessaires afin que ceux qui nous suivent puisse have access to a culturally authentic base of knowledge dealing with vivre l’expérience d’une justice culturelle, avoir accès à une base de French American identity and the contribution of this ethnic group to connaissances culturellement authentique qui miroite l’identité et la this society. contribution de ce groupe ethnique à la société. MISSION OBJECTIFS: • To be an advocate of the Franco-American Fact at the Uni- 1 – D’être l’avocat du Fait Franco-Américain à l’Université du versity of Maine, in the State of Maine and in the region, and Maine, dans l’État du Maine et dans la région. • To provide vehicles for the effective and cognitive ex- 2 – D’offrir des véhicules d’expression affective et cognitive d’une pression of a collective, authentic, diversified and effective voice for voix franco-américaine effective, collective, authentique et diversifiée. Franco-Americans, and 3 – De stimuler le développement des offres de programmes • To stimulate the development of academic and non-academic académiques et non-académiques à l’Université du Maine et dans program offerings at the University of Maine and in the state relevant l’État du Maine, relatant l’histoire et l’expérience de la vie de ce groupe to the history and life experience of this ethnic group and ethnique. • To assist and support Franco-Americans in the actualization 4 – D’assister et de supporter les Franco-Américains dans l’ac- of their language and culture in the advancement of careers, personal tualisation de leur langue et de leur culture dans l’avancement de leurs growth and their creative contribution to society, and carrières, de l’accomplissement de leur personne et de leur contribution • To assist and provide support in the creation and implemen- créative à la société. tation of a concept of pluralism which values, validates and reflects 5 – D’assister et d’offrir du support dans la création et l’implémen- affectively and cognitively the Multicultural Fact in Maine and else- tation d’un concept de pluralisme qui value, valide et reflète effectivement where in North America, and et cognitivement le fait dans le Maine et ailleurs en Amérique du Nord. • To assist in the generation and dissemination of knowledge 6 – D’assister dans la création et la publication de la connaissance about a major Maine resource — the rich cultural and language diversity à propos d’une ressource importante du Maine — la riche diversité of its people. 51