New England States Historical and Genealogical Conference - March 4, 2006

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE
4 March 2006 – Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM (snow date 18 March 2006)
Horse Pond Fish & Game Club of Nashua, New Hampshire

You are invited to attend the first in a series of State conferences designed for the budgeted historian and genealogist. A small town atmosphere with a feeling of family and friendship. No cumbersome city driving or parking fees or problems at big expensive hotels. A one day conference. Enjoy an informal bag lunch while visiting with your friends and others. Buy 3 chances for $1 in our vendor-donated raffle. Take part in our new casual and informal lecture/discussion groups where you can get the speakers attention to your own special needs or just listen to the wealth of information that will be shared by many lectures throughout the day.

Here is how your day will flow: Vendor tables will be on one side of the hall and the lecture areas will be at the opposite side of the room. Each vendor will present a talk at an assigned table. A sign-up sheet will be available for 6 to 10 attendees for each talk. These discussions will be repeated throughout the day depending on popular demand at sign-up sheets. There will be several discussions going on at the same time giving the attendee a choice. The vendor areas will be open throughout the day. Breakdown and description of talks will be added as vendors register. It is highly encouraged that most talk subjects are planned around the State the event is held in. This is a non-formal and friendly event. We will have free coffee and tea and snack items throughout the day. Sign up now.

For more information, links and directions, visit
http://www.bunnellgenealogybooks.citymaker.com/page/page/2702556.htm

The Spirit of Evangeline Exhibition - Jan 30, 2006 to Mar 30, 2006

Jan 30 - Mar 30, 2006
Official Opening - Feb 17th, 2006, 7:00 PM with Francoise Paradis

Lecture and Film
Spirit of Evangeline is a traveling exhibit compiled and curated by Francoise Paradis. It was launched at Dyer Library in January 2005.

CONTENT - The exhibition includes a tribute to Longfellow; a tribute to Acadians, and a major tribute to Evangeline as she has been interpreted by various artists, sculptors, and manufacturers of products and souvenirs since her creation 158 years ago. There is sheet music, programs of dramatizations of the poem, antique volumes of Evangeline, novels of Acadian history, reference books on Acadian history, books about Evangeline, and even Evangeline comic books.

PURPOSE - The purpose of the exhibit is to show how the spirit of Evangeline that was conceived by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has thrived not only in the hearts of Acadians but in the mainstream culture. It will show how she was interpreted by various artists and artisans. Evangeline became the symbol of Acadians and the icon of their nation building.

Franco-American Heritage Center
P.O. Box 1627
46 Cedar Street
Lewiston, Maine 04241-1627
http://www.francoamericanheritage.org
Directions

Business Hours
Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

RITA DUBE, Executive Director
RICHARD MARTIN, Program Director/Event Manager
Office: 207-783-1585

Boréal Tordu Interview and new CD

On Wednesday, February 15 at 6 pm Charlie Gaylord of Cornmeal Records interviewed Robert Sylvain of Boréal Tordu on 98.9 fm WCLZ.

The program will be re-broadcast and webcast on Sunday, 2/19/06 at 11 am. The wecast is at http://www.989wclz.com/

Also, Chris Busby chimes in with a review of the CD, in The Bollard, online
at: http://www.thebollard.com/story_music/boreal_tordu.html

Hope to see you all at the CD release party at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston Maine on March 4. More information and tickets can be found at: http://www.francoamericanheritage.org

Au revoir,
Robert, Steve, Ron et Pip
http://www.borealtordu.com/

Pioneers of French Canada and Detroit - A new book

A new book has been published that is all stories and history of French Canadian and French Detroit Pioneers in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The book, entitled Pioneers of French Canada and Detroit, is authored by Patricia Brown.

It is published by:

Quintin Publications
PO Box 65546, Orange Park, Florida 32065-7605
Office: 904-375-1113 | Fax: 904-375-1115

To view its contents and family lines, link here.
To purchase the book, link here.

We believe that the book will be an excellent resource for people with French ancestry who are searching for their roots in Detroit and Canada. The book spans a period of time from 1606 to the present. The book also contains significant history and other subjects relating to the French in Quebec Province and Detroit that is of general interest.

Sincerely,
Pat Brown
586 552 8715
jopabrown@MSN.com

Biddeford legend 'Babe' Dutremble dies

Portland Press Herald
By TREVOR MAXWELL, Staff Writer

Biddeford has lost its foremost political leader, the man they simply called "Babe."

Lucien A. Dutremble, the legendary Democrat who spent most of six decades in public office, died on Tuesday at his home. At the age of 83, he was still serving as a York County commissioner.

"Our father was a great role model for all five boys and for his grandchildren afterwards," said one of his five sons, Dennis "Duke" Dutremble. "He loved public service and he was very compassionate. Family was very important to him."

Dennis Dutremble said his father collapsed at home Tuesday morning and, although he apparently was in good health, may have died of a heart attack.

Following the ideals of Franklin Roosevelt, Dutremble was first elected as a York County commissioner in the 1950s and ended up holding just about every public office in Biddeford.

He served multiple terms as mayor, city councilor, state representative and county commissioner.

Dutremble never lost an election, his family said.

"We would ride around town and everybody would wave. Everybody knew him," Dennis Dutremble said.

Diagnosed with cancer in the late 1990s, Lucien Dutremble was told by doctors at one point that he had a month to live. But he regained his health, stayed active in politics and faithfully attended the games and concerts of his grandchildren. He spent every day with his wife, Cecile Dubreuil Dutremble.

Dutremble planned to retire from public office in November, when his term as county commissioner was to expire. He participated in his last commissioner's meeting Monday night.

"Babe was telling everybody how great it was to be on the board," said Commissioner Marc Meserve of Saco.

Meserve said he will remember Dutremble as a genuine leader who cared deeply for the people of his home city.

"He is a legend in his own way," Meserve said. "And I don't think he even realized how much that was true."

Lucien Dutremble was the best-known figure in a large family.

His son Dennis was the first Franco-American to become state Senate president and fell just short in a run for Congress in 1994.

Lucien's late brother, Richard, was York County sheriff from 1963 to 1977.

When Dutremble was a boy, his father, a police officer, was killed on duty. Dutremble, one of 13 children, left school when he was in eighth grade to work at a commercial bakery. He then worked in textile mills, ran a neighborhood grocery store and became involved in politics.

He was steeped in the Franco culture of Biddeford, and always spoke French more comfortably than English. In politics, his style was quiet, polite and straightforward.

Before starting Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Biddeford Mayor Wallace Nutting honored Dutremble. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, issued a statement upon learning of his death.

"Today, York County lost a devoted friend and loyal public servant," Collins said.

A wake will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hope Memorial Chapel in Biddeford. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Church in Biddeford.

Trevor Maxwell
791-6451
tmaxwell@pressherald.com

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Semaine De La Francophonie

Franco American Heritage Center,
Lewiston ME

Bonjour:

As you may already know, the week of March 20th has been designated as "La Semaine De La Francophonie". Once again we will be having a reception and performance here at the Franco-American Heritage Center to celebrate our wonderful heritage.

This is an early reminder to mark your calendars and plan on joining us for this celebration. It will be on the same day as the yearly "Francophone day" in Augusta. March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. 46 Cedar St. Lewiston.

The musical program will be featuring Lucie Therrien with a performance followed by the very popular band "Genticorum" from Quebec. The Food and wine reception will be held prior to the show.

Come celebrate with us......pass the word along to your fellow Francophone friends. Come see our new and beautiful performance hall. It is just grand and we are very proud of it.

Hope to see you all on March 22nd.

Merci et bonne journee.

Rita Dube
Executive Director
Franco American Heritage Center