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Article 1 of 51
Recent events point to resurgence of Franco culture
Published on December 27, 2001
Page: 1E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Maine's Franco-Americans are often called the state's invisible
minority ethnic group. Nevertheless, three cultural events attracted
impressive audiences of enthusiastic second and third generation
Francos who were reconnecting with their French heritage. During the
past 12 months I attended two openly Franco-American cultural events
and one distinctly Acadian concert in Maine. Most recent was the
beautiful Dec. 15 choral music performed by Quebec's professional
Choeur du
Complete Article, 744 words
Article 2 of 51
Wishing for cards, gifts reflecting French culture
Published on December 20, 2001
Page: 1E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
It's the time of year to suggest Christmas gifts to please
Franco-Americans. This year, however, I'm making wishful
recommendations about items I simply cannot find.
Recognizing
that 30-plus percent of Maine citizens have Franco-American ancestors
and about 18 percent claim the ethnicity, it seems that more retail
evidence of the French culture should be visible during les fetes - the
holidays.For example, it's a shame there aren't more French-language Christmas cards
Complete Article, 668 words
Article 3 of 51
French choir to perform Concert de Noel
Published on December 13, 2001
Page: 1E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Les Fetes (the Christmas holidays) is the best time of year for
Franco-American traditions. Although some social scientists claim
Franco-American culture is driven by nostalgia, most people I know are
guilty as charged when it comes to singing French Christmas carols
during Les Fetes.
Indeed,
nostalgia rules supreme when Franco-Americans recall the spiritual
beauty of French Christmas carols sung prior to celebrating midnight
Mass. Singing "Minuit Chretiens," French for "Oh
Complete Article, 751 words
Article 4 of 51
Is Maine experiencing a new wave of French Canadians?
Published on December 6, 2001
Page: 3E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
French Canadians are the oldest immigrant group in the United
States. Since the beginning of American history in the 18th century,
people have freely traveled across what some call "The Friendly
Border," between the United States and Canada, continuing today.
Lucie
Thibodeau of Saint-Georges de Beauce in Quebec Province asks if anyone
is studying the new wave of French Canadians immigrating into New
England and other parts of the country? "I am a French Canadian
thinking about
Complete Article, 699 words
Article 5 of 51
French Newfoundlanders observing resurgence of storytelling traditions
Published on November 29, 2001
Page: 5E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Newfoundland is a beautiful northern land known for a subarctic
climate, but not typically as a place where French culture is evident.
As the last territory to join Canada in1949, Newfoundland's history
appears more Irish and English than French.
Newfoundlanders,
however, know about their unique French history and now some
interesting research documents the traditions of an old and small
French culture in the province, particularly in the area around
Placentia Bay.Newfoundland
Complete Article, 746 words
Article 6 of 51
A FOOD FANTASY, FRANCO-AMERICAN STYLE
Published on November 22, 2001
Page: 2E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
On the occasion of writing the twelfth Les Franco-Americains
Thanksgiving column, I enjoyed a recent lunch conversation with Doris
Faucher of Biddeford where we talked about a Franco-American cookbook.
Actually, we don't know of any strictly Franco-American cookbook.
Although "A Taste of Quebec" by Julian Armstrong is a wonderful
Canadian publication, it's not uniquely Franco-American. Church groups
publish cookbooks, but, again, the recipes are a hodge-podge of
American
Complete Article, 764 words
Article 7 of 51
SUPPORT GROWS FOR '04 CELEBRATION
Published on November 15, 2001
Page: 3E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Celebrations commemorating 400 years of French history in North
America received support last week when a proposal by Sen. Susan
Collins, R-Maine, was approved in the U.S. Congress and signed by
President George W. Bush.
Collins
sponsored two amendments to the Interior Appropriations Bill to fund
the U.S. National Park Service's support for projects in Maine's
Washington County, the location of St. Croix Island, which is off the
coast of Calais, where the first French settlers
Complete Article, 714 words
Article 8 of 51
A YOUNG MOHAWK WOMAN CONNECTS WITH COLONIAL FRENCH
Published on November 8, 2001
Page: 4E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680) is the name of the young Mohawk who is
spiritually connected with colonial French history in North America.
She
is the first Indian to be beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. As a
result of her growing popularity, "Blessed Kateri's" image is becoming
familiar to Americans as her cause for sainthood gains international
support.Father John Paret, a Jesuit priest in Auresville, N.Y., is assigned to study the cause of Blessed Kateri. Paret
Complete Article, 673 words
Article 9 of 51
CULTURE'S WRITERS NEED A WIDER AUDIENCE
Published on November 1, 2001
Page: 3E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Traditional Franco-American writers have a hard time being heard. Some
of the best known information written about Franco-Americans is found
in English-language texts written by Anglophone writers.
For
example, Maine native Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Evangeline"
created the epic myth describing the Acadian expulsion of 1755 by the
British. A retired U.S. Navy admiral named Samuel Eliot Morrison wrote
the best biography about French explorer and founder of New France,
Complete Article, 724 words
Article 10 of 51
THIS IS THE TIME WHEN THE WEREWOLF'S HOWL SCARES LITTLE CHILDREN
Published on October 25, 2001
Page: 2E
© 2001- Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
Franco-Americans like my husband remember growing up in the
1940-50's in Sanford, when fall's short days meant "epluchette de ble
d'inde" (autumn corn roasts) and the religious La Toussaint, or All
Saints Day, celebrated annually on Nov. 1.
Young
people at the time, however, also recall the legend of du loup-garou
(werewolf), a medieval character that seemed to come alive during the
days before La Toussaint and on Halloween. In baby jargon, the monster
is called
Complete Article, 696 words
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