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A newsletter published by "Confederation of
Associations of Families Acadian"
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SUMMER
GREETINGS: Greetings
from CAFA to all family organizations and their members.
We are very grateful that so many organization members of CAFA
continue to be active and involved in many worthwhile activities.
The CAFA organization has been busy with three important projects
that involve family organization members. These are:(1) Coordinate
assistance for French Immersion Programs (2) Facilitate the flow of
information between Congres 2004 Nova Scotia and Louisiana family
organizations. (3) Plan for
“Acadian Family Reunion Weekend” during Louisiana Purchase 200 year
celebration in 2003. These topics will be covered in more detail as part
of report of CAFA Board of Directors meeting held
on Saturday 5 May in Maurice, Louisiana. BOARD
OF DIRECTORS MEETING: (Summary of minutes by Shirley T. Le Blanc-Secretary) The spring annual
meeting of the CAFA Board was held on May 5, 2001 at Soops Restaurant in
Maurice, Louisiana. The following board members were in attendance:
Antoine Le Blanc, Eddie Richard, Shirley
Le Blanc, Loubert Trahan, James Bourque, Earline Conover, Woody
Hebert, Johnny Comeaux, Ronald Blanchard, and Betty Cormier. Other board
members not able to attend were: Chuck Guidry, Loretta Jambon, Dudley
Duhon, Lea Ann Lejeune, and Ruby Melancon. Treasurer Loubert Trahan
listed a balance of $11,253.63 as of 5 May 2001. Of that
amount $4,979.56 is designated by the member families of CAFA as French
Immersion money that has yet to be utilized for that purpose. At this time a total of $4,345.44 has been paid out for
materials of instruction for the French Immersion programs. Loubert
stated that work is still being done on the tax exemption application
and that working with the French Immersion project is improving our
chances for success. Eddie Richard then gave a report on the French
Immersion project. He stated that there are 16 family associations
plus a few individuals participating in the project at the present time.
These groups and individuals provided
a total of $10,868.00 as of May
5, for the purpose of purchasing materials
of instruction for various schools selected by the donors.
According to Eddie,
we could not have embarked on a more worthwhile project, because of the
need that exist for these supplies and because this is directly
in line with one of CAFA’s
major goals and objectives,
which is to promote and preserve the French language and culture.
Eddie stated that there is also interest from Canada in helping
our French Immersion programs. A committee consisting of Eddie Richard,
Woody Hebert, and Johnny Comeaux will develop a plan to present to Ms.
Louise Baudoin who is Director of Foreign Affairs
in Canada. They are interested in helping financially and with
student exchanges. At this
time CAFA is still actively working with various schools so that the
remaining monies can be put to work for the next school year. In other
business James Bourque reported on CMA-2004 to be held in Nova
Scotia during August of 2004. Families that are organized are now busy
raising funds through various activities. A full list of organized
families is included this
newsletter. Guest speaker for the meeting was Phillip Gustin. He
complimented CAFA on its ongoing projects and stated that we should
promote the idea of organizing an international CMA committee.
He stated that he supported promoting Poitou, France as the
location for CMA-2009. Mr.
Gustin also discussed the possibility of a monthly
flight direct from
Lafayette to Halifax, N.S. for a cost of about
$600.00. He hopes to have flights scheduled for September 18
& 25, 2001. Also present at the
meeting was Bernard Chaillot, a reporter with the Daily
Advertiser, who indicated that he will work to provide more media
coverage for CAFA and Acadian news
in general. Eddie
Richard along with the other directors present, expressed their
appreciation to Loubert Trahan for the outstanding job of maintaining
the CAFA website. After
discussing the November meeting date and location, the meeting was
adjourned. Directors and their guest enjoyed a wonderful meal at their
own expense. CONTRIBUTORS
TO FRENCH IMMERSION FUND: Family
Associations: Arceneaux,
Babineaux/Granger, Benoit, Boudreaux, Bourque, Broussard, Comeaux,
Daigle, Dugas/Guilliot, Duhon, Dupuis, Hebert, Le Blanc, Richard,
Roger/Cassie, Thibodeaux, and Trahan.
Community Organization: Action Cadienne.
Individuals: Milton Guilbeaux, John Allen
Le Blanc, and Renee Duhon. IMMERSION
FUND RECIPIENTS: Elementary
Schools:
Cecilia, Church Point, Evangeline, Myrtle Place, Park Vista, Pierre
Part, Prairie, S. J. Montgomery, South Street, and Teche. Jr. High
Schools: Cecilia. High Schools: Cecilia.
LOUISIANA
PURCHASE CELEBRATION 2003: CAFA has
submitted an application with the Louisiana Purchase Committee, which
describes the involvement and participation of Acadian family
organizations in the 2003 celebration. The celebration activity will
involve all of the active organized Acadian family organizations and
will be known as “Louisiana Purchase-Acadian Reunion Day”. It will
consist of a two day reunion involving Acadian family organizations and
their members at a major site in Lafayette such as Blackham Collisum.
CAFA will coordinate the activity which will include genealogy,
history, food, and entertainment. It will provide a setting for all
Acadians to come together at one place to observe and celebrate the
200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase in a grand fashion. Special
guest from other states making up the Louisiana Purchase and from the
Nova Scotia 2004 Congres Mondial Acadian Committee will be invited to be
part of the celebration. CAFA has submitted a proposed budget of $75,000
that we are asking the state committee to approve from state funds
dedicated for the celebration. Many family organizations have committed
and are planning to be a part of this activity which would serve as a
primer for the CMA 2004 in Nova Scotia. Family associations are asked to
start making plans now.
INTERESTING
NEWS GRAND
PRE CHURCH REPLICA:
John
& Shirley Le Blanc traveled to
Nova Scotia to deliver a replica of the Saint-Charles-aux-Mines Church
at Grand Pre, Nova Scotia to the Grand Pre National Historic Site. An
unveiling of the replica was held at the National Site on June 10. A
duplicate replica is also located at the Acadian Memorial in St.
Martinville. John realized that there are Acadian descendants in
Louisiana who may never have the opportunity to visit and experience the
feeling of Grand Pre, therefore they can view the replica at the Acadian
Memorial. MONT-CARMEL
PARISH, P.E.I.: Father Eddie Cormier of Mont-Carmel invited English pastor, David Adcock
, of the Southampton Community Church in England to address the
congregation. Pastor Adcock
spoke these words to the Acadian Parishioners of Mont-Carmel: “As an
Englishmen, I read about the expulsion of the Acadian people last year
when I visited Prince Edward Island for the first time. I was shocked by
the way you were treated. If
you feel it is relevant for an Englishman, a “pasteur” from
Southampton, in the year 2001, to apologize, I want to do so now.
I want to ask your forgiveness for the way my people treated
you”. Mont-Carmel parishioners, surprised and overwhelmed, expressed
their assent by a heartfelt applause, some in tears. This may be the
beginning of a long process which should end up at Grand-pre when Queen
Elizabeth apologizes to Acadians worldwide for the ethnic cleansing that
her royal ancestors and the British government perpetrated against an
innocent people. Warren Perrin must be smiling with some satisfaction.
ACADIAN
MEMORIAL TRIP TO FRANCE: A group of
20 Acadians from the area were privileged to make this trip during
April. They visited the Churches of Antoine Bourg, Daniel Le Blanc, Rene
Landry and also departure points of Acadians leaving France to come to
Louisiana including the
Robert Dafford Mural in Nante. Maryannick & Gerard-Marc Braud did a
fantastic job of planning the genealogy portion of the tour. The tour
also consisted of Normandy beaches including the American Cemetery at
Omaha beach where the group said a prayer at the tomb of Udley Simon, an
Acadian from Lafayette, who died during the invasion. To cap it off the
group spent 3 days in Paris enjoying the sights and good food.
Acadians associated with CAFA that made the trip were: Ken and
Kathleen Dugas and James and Lona Bourque. Thanks to the Acadian
Memorial and everyone responsible for planning the trip.
CAFA FAMILY ORGANIZATION NEWS The
CAFA organization members listed below have authorized us to print the
following information. All of them can be contacted by going to the CAFA
website to obtain e-mail or regular mail addresses. Family organizations not listed below are encouraged to send
in information for later use. ARCENEAUX:
The
Arceneauxs had their last meeting on
May 1, 2001 at Scott City Hall. For information contact John
Claude Arceneaux at 203 Timothy Dr., Lafayette, La. 70503. BENOIT:
The
Famille Benoit Board of Directors met in Crowley 21 April, 2001and
considered several items. Monies generated from a garage sale will be
donated to the Grand-Pre Acadian Museum. Next meeting of members to be
in October and will probably be in Lake Charles. The organization will
participate in the 2003 Louisiana Purchase activities. They are
considering attending CMA 2004 as a family group. BLANCHARD:
Next
meeting and reunion is Saturday September 29, 2001 at Lake Fausse State
Park. BOUDREAUX:
The
Boudreaux family reports that the organization’s president, Inex
Barras, has resigned. Future correspondence should be sent to Charles
Boudreaux at 4038 Cedar Forest, Kingwood, TX 77339 or to Don Boudreaux
at 124 Claremont Circle, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508. You can e-mail to: Acadian44@aol.com
or donboudreaux@earthlink.net . The organization has been active in the
French Immersion program at Pierre Part Primary School. BOURQUE:
The Bourg/Bourque family had a membership meeting on March 31, 2001 at
Calvin and Betty Bourg’s Camp in Grand Isle, Louisiana.
The following board members were elected for a three year term:
Kearney Bourque, Sheryl Collins, and George Bourg. The officers are up
for election during the 2002 membership meeting which will be announced
later. The organization will take part in the 2003 Louisiana Purchase
celebration. Contact coordinates are: LFBBA at 1340 Detente Rd,
Youngsville, La 70592 or e-mail to: j_bourque@msn.com or call
337-856-4240. BROUSSARD:
The
organization will meet Saturday October 13, 2001 at The Hall on Gloria
Switch road. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m with a meal available at
noon for $3.00 per person. The Broussards are very active in several
areas such as the French Immersion program and the Acadian Memorial in
St. Martinville. CORMIER:
From
Betty Cormier Ducharme comes information that they are in contact with
people in Nova Scotia and that the 2004 reunion will be in Cheticamp
area. For more information contact Betty at 1122N Dugas Rd, Lafayette,
La. 70507. DAIGLE:
From
Lloyd and Lesley Daigle comes this request. Association Daigle is in the
process of devising a chapter structure . They would like to hear from
other family associatons that either have or have contemplated a similar
action. You can respond to e-mail:
< llnl@intersurf.com > or go to CAFA website. The
next meeting will be Sunday August 12, 2001 at the Daigle Camp in
Churchpoint, Louisiana. The Daigle family will participate in the
Louisiana Purchase Celebration during 2003. The association is currently
working with Alvin Daigle in New Brunswick to plan for 2004. DOUCET:
The
Louisiana chapter of “Les Doucet du Monde” had a meeting on Saturday
May 12, 2001, in Jennings. You can contact the association by writing to Carol Doucet at 103 South Ridgeway Dr.,
Lafayette, Louisiana or e-mail <edo15@bellsouth.net > or check
website. GRAVOIS:
Last
meeting held June 24, 2001. New President Roland Gravois. You can e-mail
rolandgravois@cs.com for
more information. DUGAS/GUILLIOT:
The
association had a meeting Saturday May 19, 2001 at Acadian Village. For
more information call Leroy Guillot at 337-234-4835 or check website. DUHON:
The
Duhon family plans to meet during the 3rd weekend in September 2001 in
conjunction with the Festival Acadian in Lafayette. The organization has
been active in the French Immersion program and also plans to take part
in the La. Purchase celebration. GUILBEAU:
The
association had a mini-picnic during April and they hope this event will
create new interest. Contact the association by e-mailing
Milton Guilbeau at < BeauBeau@worldnet.att.net > HEBERT:
Members
and others just concluded a trip to Maine, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton,
Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Niagara Falls. They
took part in a 2 1/2 day reunion in New Brunswick during that time.
Their last meeting was held at the Holidome in Lafayette April 1, 2001. LE
BLANC: The
Le Blanc Family was honored with a visit from Hector and Eulalie Le
Blanc, President of the Le Blanc Association from Nova Scotia. They are
well organized and have 500 members for the 2004 reunion. Relie and Judy
Le Blanc, president of the Le Blanc association in Louisiana, just
returned from a trip to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and they report
that the site of the 2004 reunion will be at the University of St. Anne
at Church Point. The Le Blancs from Louisiana will take part in the 2003
Louisiana Purchase Celebration along with other families. The Le Blanc
association lost a valuable member on May 14, 2001, with the passing of
Paul Presley Le Blanc, past president of La Famille Le Blanc. He served
as president from 1997 to 2000 and was currently serving as treasurer.
Our condolences go out to his family from the CAFA organization. RICHARD:
The Richards have been active with the French Immersion program as well
as planning for 2003 and the La Purchase celebration.
They are making plans for a reunion during June 2002 in Saint
Louis-de-Kent, New Brunswick. ROY:
The
Roy family association went on a trip to France from May 17 to June 1,
2001. To contact the association write to Charles Roy at 312 Rushburg
Dr., Lafayette, La. 70508 or e-mail chaseroy@aol.com. THIBODEAUX:
The
family had their last meeting on March 10, 2001 for the purpose of
electing officers and Board members. They have been very active with
French Immersion in St. Martin Parish.
Shirley Thibodeaux Le Blanc, President,
did the coordination of the projects in cooperation with CAFA.
Shirley along with husband John left
on a journey to Nova Scotia
on June 1 to delivery a replica of the Grand Pre Church to the Grand Pre
National Historic Site located at Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. Another
replica is located at the Acadian Memorial. NOTE:
Other
CAFA members are: Babineaux/Granger, Baudoin, Blanchard, Breaux, Doiron,
Dugas, Dupuis, Gaudet, Gravois, Guidry, Landry, Leger, LeJeune, Young,
Maillet, Martin, Melancon, Pitre/Mazerolle, Robichaux, Rogers/Cassie,
Theriot/Crochet and Trahan. CMA 2004 NEWS CMA
2004 ANNOUNCES MAJOR EVENTS: Halifax (N.S.) The CMA organizing committee is pleased
to make this first of a series of announcements regarding its
programming for the 16-day event to be held in N.S. in 2004. On July 31,
2004 opening ceremonies will be held in the Acadian region of Clare in
South West Nova Scotia. This event will commemorate the beginnings of
Acadie. On August 7 and 8, Acadians and their friends from around the
world will experience Acadian culture and arts in all its forms in the
region of Cheticamp on the Cabot Trail. Recognized
world-wide for its music and crafts, Cheticamp will welcome
Acadian artists from all of Nova Scotia. On August 15, National feast
day for Acadians, participants will congregate for a pilgrimage to the
site which commemorates the deportation of the Acadians. Grand-Pre
National Historic Site of Canada will host a religious ceremony. To
celebrate 400 years of the founding of Acadie as well as the start of
French colonization of the Americas, the city of Halifax will play host
to a musical happening of international caliber, ringing with pride and
praise for a people with such a rich background.
Allister Surette, President of the organizing committee states,
“ These events will be the anchors of CMA 2004. Our goal is to
showcase the vitality and vibrancy of Nova Scotia’s Acadie to the
world”. For more information contact: Vaughne madden, General manager,
1657 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2A1 Tel: (902) 424-7104
or e-mail < vmadden@cma2004.com > website: cma2004.com . FEDERATION
ACADIENNE:
Cyrille Le Blanc, who has been active in
helping to organize Acadian families and also keeping us informed
on new developments, will now be working for the Federation Acadienne in
Yarmouth County. Here are his coordinates: Responsable du CMA 2004 au
Comte de Yarmouth, Federation Acdienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse,
Sainte-Anne-du-Ruisseau, BOW 2X0, Tel. 902-648-2440, Fax 902-648-2341,
E-mail cyrille@fane-argyle.ns.ca, website www.tusket.com
He continues to update us on new developments with the family
organizations in Nova Scotia. We congratulation him on his new job and
wish him the best. ACADIAN
FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED FOR 2004: The
Acadian Festivals of West Pubnico and Sainte-Anne-du-Ruisseau will unite
their efforts and organize one big 2-week long festival during the 3rd
Congres Mondial Acadien which will take place in Nova Scotia from 31
July to 15 August 2004. The theme of the 2004 Acadian Festival will be
the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the French in l’Acadie and the
celebration of the Acadian people. Christine Pothier, President of the
Sainte-Anne-du-Ruisseau Festival and Betty d’Eon, President of the
West Pubnico festival said that by joining the two festivals, “We can
attract many more visitors to the area and more participants from around
the world to the family reunions.”(From Cyrille Le Blanc) GRAND
PRE NATIONAL PARK: Information from Nova Scotia indicates that the Grand Pre National Park
received a 5 million dollar grant for a new Visitor Center to be ready
for the CMA 2004. CMA
2004 FAMILY REUNIONS: Due to space limitations we will not reprint all of the information in
the December 2000 Newsletter about family reunions. A complete list with
updated information will be the major topic of the next newsletter.
However, we will list family organizations that are currently formed for
2004 along with contact information.
<BELLIVEAU:
7 August -Michel Belliveau C.P. 71 Anse-des-Belliveau, N.S. BOW 1JO <BOURQUE:
Yarmouth County-Armand Bourque-Buttes Amirault, Tusket, Nova Scotia BOW
3M0 <COMEAU:
13 August-Denise Comeau-Desautels at C.P. 458, Petit Ruisseau, N.S. BOW
1Z0 <DOUCET:
Susan Doucet Comeau at Box 1G Station-de-Saulnierville, N.S. B0W 2Z0 <DUGAS:
13 August at Saulnierville-Emile Dugas at RR 1 Point-de-Eglise, N.S. BOW
1M0 <LE
BLANC: 14 August at Church Point-Hector Le Blanc at C.P. 163, Pointe-de-l’Eglise,
N.S. B0W lM0 <MAILLET:
Vickie Maillet-Le Blanc- contact at:
maillet2004@yahoo.com <MELANCON:
Contact Lloyd Melanson at C.P. 99, La Butte, RR 1 Meteghan River, N.S.
B0W 2L0 <ROBICHAUD.EAU:
Daniel Robichaud- C.P. 33, Centre-de-meteghan River, N.S. B0W 2K0 <THERIAULT:
6-7 August-Yvonne Theriault-Le Blanc C.P. 282 Meteghan, N.S. B0W 2J0 <TRAHAN:
Fred Trahan-RR 1 712 Windermere Rd, South Berwick, N.S. B0P 1E0 NOTE:
All of the above families are organized and are now completing their
organizational structure as well as raising funds for 2004.
We urge and encourage members of our Louisiana family
organizations to become members of your respective family organization
in Nova Scotia. Most of them have set $10 and $15 as membership fees that go
through 2004, therefore if you join now you will help them out in many
ways. NEW
ORGANIZATIONS: Just received new
information from Cyrille Le Blanc which indicates that 9 new family
organizations are in the works. The
Surettes have a committee setup and a founding meeting scheduled in the
Yarmouth County area. Others families that have established committees
are: Pothier, Landry, Boudreau, Saulnier, Blanchard, Dulong, Vacon, and
Corporon. He indicates that in Yarmouth County there are over 25 Acadian
families that have enough representation to organize for 2004. He is
requesting anyone from Louisiana that can trace their ancestors to the
Yarmouth or Cape Sable area, to contact him for possible organization of
a reunion or activity. NEXT
CAFA MEETING: Scheduled for the 1st part
of November in New Iberia. This will be a membership meeting with all
member family organizations allowed two delegates to vote on business
matters. Meeting notices will be sent out during October. NEXT
CAFA NEWSLETTER:
The
next “Goutte de CAFA” newsletter is scheduled for publication during
January 2002. COMMERCIAL
SPONSORS: We ask that family members
support the following sponsors:
Bank of Abbeville & Trust Co.
Coastal Chemicals, Div of Holland Chemicals
Falcon Rice Mill
Lafayette Distributors Inc.
Monde des Cadiens SUPPORTERS
OF CAFA: We
are especially thankful and grateful for the support of the following
family organizations and societies: Return
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