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A Newsletter published by "Confederation of Associations of Families Acadian" James
Bourque, Editor HOLIDAY GREETINGS: Holiday greetings go out to all family organization members from the CAFA officers and board members. We hope that all family organization members continue to be active and involved with promoting and preserving the Acadian culture. Since publication of the June newsletter we have important information to report about CAFA activities as well as 2004 preparations in Nova Scotia. We are now 1 year and 4 months since the Congres here in Louisiana and 3 years and 8 months to Congres 2004 in Nova Scotia. CAFA ANNUAL MEETING: CAFA's annual meeting was held at the New Iberia Recreation Center on 11 November 2000 with approximately 75 members and guests attending. This is a synopsis of the meeting: (Complete minutes are available on CAFA website) 1. Minutes and financial report was approved. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: (Officers elected for 2 years-Directors for 4 years) Board members with 2 years remaining on their term:
FRENCH IMMERSION PROJECT: At the 6 May meeting of the CAFA Board of Directors, a motion was approved that made CAFA the coordinating agency for individual family organizations that wanted to help the French Immersion Schools that needed materials of instruction. Eddie Richard was appointed chairman of that committee. Since that time, approximately $7,700.00 has been collected from family organizations with more pledged bringing the total to $13,678.00. The organization "Action Cadien" made a $1000.00 donation also. Presently, CAFA and some individual families are working with at least 11 schools. The family organizations choose the schools that they want to assist. According to Eddie, contributions from individuals and businesses are being accepted also. He stated that another need of these schools is for speakers on Acadian culture. To date approximately 16 families have contributed funds or agreed to volunteer to assist with speakers. Many thanks to all these families, businesses, and individuals contributing to this very important effort. Family organizations wishing to participate in this worthwhile program can contact Eddie at 1-337-235-0508 or e-mail < eddie@zacharyrichard.com >. FAMILY ORGANIZATION NEWS: This is news from CAFA family organization members. There is limited news because we have not received many news items from families. Please send in information for next newsletter by 15 May 2001. Benoit: A meeting and potluck meal was held at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles on 22 October 2000. Bourg/Bourque: Plans are for a spring meeting in the eastern part of Acadiana. A December newsletter is in the works. Lona and James Bourque traveled to Nova Scotia during July and met with approximately 35 Bourques at their initial organizational meeting for CMA 2004 Nova Scotia. That group is now organized with a set of permanent officers and conducting business in preparation for 2004. Breaux: The Breaux organization put out a newsletter during the year. They were represented at the Breau reunion held in Neguac, New Brunswick in July by James and Lona Bourque. It was well attended with approximately 400 to 500 Breaus taking part in the reunion. Broussard: The Beausoleil/Broussard Association met on 7 October 2000 in Lafayette, La. The Board of Directors voted to present an annual award to an individual that demonstrated the qualities of leadership and achievement demonstrated by organization founder and past president, Brent Broussard. The award went to Don Louis Broussard for outstanding dedication and devotion to the ideals of family life and values. In other business the association approved $2000 for CAFA's French Immersion Project. J. Maxie Broussard serves as president. The next meeting will be in January, 2001. Comeaux: Held meeting at Scott City Hall August 21, 2000. Funds were allocated to CAFA's French Immersion Project at Evangeline Elem. in the amount of $500.00. Other business included funding a memorial to be placed at Acadian Village. Next meeting will be November 13, 2000. Officers were reelected by acclamation. Allen Comeaux serves as president. Other officers: Danny Comeaux-Vice President; Brenda Trahan-Secretary; Douglas Comeaux-Treasurer. Board Members: Kendall Comeaux, Conrad Comeaux, Gloria Comeaux, Mona LeBlanc and Johnny Comeaux serving as CAFA representative and Board Member. Duhon: The year 2000 included a family sponsored cruise to the Caribbean during August as well as a general meeting and reunion on 16 September in Lafayette. Hebert: The Hebert family is hosting a 21 day bus tour of Maine, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Niagra Falls. Persons other than Hebert family members are eligible to take the trip. Dates are from June 3 through 24, 2001. The tour will include a stop at an Hebert family reunion in the Moncton-Dieppe area on June 15th and 16th. For information contact tour operator: Sandi Sagrera at Vermilion Cajun Tours at 1-888-310-9082 or 337-893-2663. Cost of the tour is $1650.00 per person (double). A fifty-dollar deposit holds your reservation. Written request and deposits will be honored until 1 May 2001. Le Blanc: On 29 October at the Erath Park, the LeBlancs had a meeting and get-together with members that renewed their membership fees since the 1999 reunion. A good crowd were in attendance to enjoy the gumbo and other food items. Relie LeBlanc, president of the Le Blanc association, stated that they are planning a major reunion in 2003 as part of the Louisiana celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. Hopefully other families will also make plans to have reunions during that period. Richard: Plans are being made for a Richard reunion during June 2002 in Saint Louis-de-Kent, New Brunswick. Trahan: Next meeting is scheduled for Saturday 9 December, 2000 for 9:30 a.m. till noon at 617 Vincent Rd., Lafayette. The Trahan family organization was represented by Ray and Brenda Trahan at the CMA 2004 organizational meeting of Trahans in Nova Scotia. As a result the N.S. Trahan organization is preparing for its big reunion in August of 2004. CMA 2004 CENTRAL COMMITTEE: Press release from Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 16, 2000: The Board of Directors of the World Acadian Congress, Nova Scotia-2004, is pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Vaughne Madden as General manager. She has more than 10 years experience in community development. She has held the position of Director General of the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia as well as General Manager of Grand-Pre National Historic Site. Ms Madden begins her new position immediately. To communicate with the Congres office, please call 1-902-424-7104. Statement from Vaughne Madden, General Manager , via e-mail 5 Dec. 2000): "Preparations for the 2004 Congres Mondial Acadien in Nova Scotia are well under way. Approximately 12 family associations have been formed and others are in the planning stages. Since the hiring of the general manager in October, the CMA organizing committee has been busy meeting with various groups and governmental agencies in order to promote the event and create strategic partners. In the following months plans are to hire a Programming Director, develop a communications and marketing strategy, launch the official CMA 2004 web site as well as hold information and motivation meetings throughout the province. The families and communities are excited and looking forward to greeting their cousins from the South. We will do our best to keep you informed of future developments. Happy Holidays !" Vaughne Madden, General Manager. CMA 2004 FAMILY REUNIONS: Information source: Cyrille Le Blanc cyrille@klis.com : Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, BOW 3P0, Tel: 902-663-2908. (Cyrille works as an organizer for family organizations in the southwest of Nova Scotia.) The following are the 10 family reunion organizations presently being planned in Yarmouth and Digby Counties of Southwestern Nova Scotia. Reunions will be held between July 31 and August 15, 2000, during the third Congres Mondial Acadien. Some of the families listed here have founded and incorporated associations. Others have committees with the intention of forming associations. The Federation Acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse in the Municipality of Argyle in Yarmouth County and the Municipality of Clare have established CMA 2004 committees. Both municipal units have committed funds. These 10 family organizations have also formed a combined association with Denise Comeau-Desautels serving as president. Belliveau: Reunion date: 7 August 2000 at Anse-des-Belliveau; Contact: Michel Belliveau, president Association des Belliveau de la Nouvelle-Ecosse, C.P. 71 Anse-des-Belliveau, Nouvelle-Ecosse, B0W 1J0--902-837-4920--<www.genealogie.org/famille/belliveau > < m.belliveau@ns.sympatico.ca > Bourque: Reunion date: undecided: Location in Yarmouth or Tusket areas in Yarmouth County: Contact: Armand Bourque, president; Buttes-Amirault, Tusket, Nouvelle-Ecosse, B0W 3M0 Tel: 902-648-2655 < bourquea@auracom.com > Note: James and Lona Bourque attended the 1st organizational meeting during July 2000. In an address to the group, James gave them encouragement and offered the support of the Bourg/Bourque Louisiana organization as well as help from the CAFA organization. Cyrille Le Blanc was extremely helpful in organizing the initial meeting and several radio and newspaper interviews for James and Lona. Comeau: Reunion date: undecided: Location Baie Sainte-Marie area: Contact: Denise Comeau-Desautels, president Association des Comeau de la N.-E. C.P. 458, Petit-Ruisseau, Nouvelle-Ecosse B0W 1Z0 902-769-3044 <patyann@ns.sympatico.ca > Membership is being accepted now at $10 individual and $15 family as a one time fee. Duhon: Descendants of Sieur Philippe Mius d'Entremont: Includes Mius, d'Entremont, d'Eon (Duhon) and Cottreau families: Reunion date: 7 or 8 August 2000 at West Pubnico area. Contact: Jean-Bernard d'Entremont, C.P. 191, Pubnico-Ouest, Nouvelle-Ecosse, B0W 3SO Tel: 902-762-2245 <www.tusket.com > Dugas: Reunion date 13 August at Saulnierville: Contact: Emile Dugas, Station-du-Petit-Ruisseau, RR l Point-de-l'Eglise, Nouvelle-Ecosse, BOW 1MO Tel: 902-769-3404 Le Blanc: Reunion date: 14 August: Location Southwestern N.S. : Contact: Hector Le Blanc, president- Association des Le Blanc de la N.-E. , C.P. 163, Pointe-de-l'Eglise, Nouvelle-Ecosse, BOW 1MO Tel: 902-769-3388 <www.tusket.com > < leblancne2004@hotmail.com > Memberships are being accepted now at $10 individual and $15 for families as a one time fee. Melanson: Reunion date not decided: Location Baie Sainte-Marie: Contact: Eddie Melanson, C.P. 99, La Butte, RR l Meteghan River, Nouvelle-Ecosse, BOW 2LO Tel: 902-645-2477 < cifa@kis.com > Robichaud.eau: Reunion date not decided: Location Baie Sainte-Marie: Contact: Daniel Robichaud, C.P. 33, Centre-de-Meteghan, Nouvelle-Ecosse, BOW 2KO Tel: 902-645-2889 <drobicho@auracom.com > < www.geocities.com/drobicho > Theriault: Reunion date 7 August at Baie Sainte-Marie area: Contact: Yvonne Theriault-Le Blanc-president, C.P. 282, Meteghan, Nouvelle-Ecosse, BOW 2JO Tel: 902-645-3168 < darrylc@ns.sympatico.ca > Trahan: Reunion date not decided: Location probably Baie Sainte-Marie: Steering committee contact: Fred and Pat Trahan, RR l, 712 Windermere Road, South Berwick, Nova Scotia, BOP 1EO Tel: 902-538-9695 <fjtrahan@ns.sympatico.ca > Note: Ray and Brenda Trahan attended the 1st organizational meeting of the Nova Scotia Trahans during October 2000. They met with 17 people at city hall in Petit Ruisseau, Nova Scotia. Ray reports that he and Brenda received royal treatment with everyone being excited about their visit. Their next meeting was scheduled for 17 November to elect officers. Cheticamp Area Isle Madame Area Halifax Area ACADIAN MEMORIAL: (A trip to France): Pass an extraordinary 13 days in France from April 20-May 2, 2001. See Paris, Acadian sites in Poitou, Chateaux in the Loire valley, Brittany, Normandy and much more. This is a truly incredible tour, planned by award winning tour operator, Peter McLean. For complete information call the Acadian Memorial at 1-337-394-2258 or call Peter McLean Ltd. at 1-800-749-1869 or go to Acadian Memorial website. < www.acadianmemorial.org > Total cost $3378.00 with a December 18 deadline to put down a deposit. Deadline may be extended based on number of persons signed up for the tour by that date. LOUISIANA PURCHASE ANNIVERSARY: Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco and the Department of Tourism are planning a celebration during the year 2003 which will mark the 200th year of the Louisiana Purchase. Acadian family organizations are encouraged to plan to participate in that celebration. Hopefully CAFA will be meeting with the Lt. Governor in the near future to find out more information and to make plans to take part in that historic event. MEMBERSHIP IN CAFA: At present there are 39 family organizations that are paid up members of CAFA. Family organizations that are not members are encouraged to join by sending in a one time $25.00 fee to CAFA. Individuals from non-member organizations can join as an individual or in behalf of their family organization by submitting the one-time fee. NEXT CAFA MEETINGS:
There will be a Board of Directors meeting sometime during May
2001. Site and exact date has not been determined yet. There will be a CAFA membership meeting during November of
2001. Site and exact date has not been determined yet but will be
reported in the June 2001 CAFA newsletter. NEXT CAFA NEWSLETTER: The next "Goutte de CAFA" newsletter is scheduled for June 2001. COMMERCIAL SPONSORS: We ask that family members be encouraged to view the websites of our sponsors and do business with them if possible. They are: Bank of Abbeville & Trust Co.--Coastal Chemicals, Division of Holland Chemical Inc. -- Falcon Rice Mill -- Lafayette Distributors Inc. -- Monde des Cadiens . SUPPORTERS OF CAFA: We are especially thankful and grateful for the support of the following organizations : La Societe Acadien-Alberta;
Mailing Address: CAFA 9515 La. Hwy. 92 W., Maurice, La. 70555-3239 ~~~~~~HAPPY
HOLIDAYS~~~ |
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