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Le FORUM “AFIN D’ÊTRE EN PLEINE POSSESSION DE SES MOYENS”
VOLUME 33, #4 PRINTEMPS/SPRING 2008
ÉTÉ/SUMMER 2008
Huguette Labbé Doherty (1942-200 8 )
En Californie, le 17 mars 2008, à la suite d’une
longue maladie, s’éteignait paisiblement, entourée de
sa famille, Huguette Pauline Labbé. Elle rejoint ses
parents feu Donat et Marie-Rose inhumés au cimetière
de l’Assomption, ainsi que son petit-fils Jackson sous
d’autres cieux. Huguette est née dans la maison fa-
miliale d’autrefois dans le Rang-Saint-Pierre près
de Saint-Georges. Outre son époux Richard Doherty,
elle laisse dans le deuil ses enfants Kelly (Walter)
et Scott (Melissa); ses petits-enfants adorés Finn
et Maggie; sa soeur Lilianne (Wayne) et ses frères
Yvon (Renée) et Marcel (Judy). Elle laisse également
dans le deuil plusieurs cousins, cousines et ami(e)s.
Vos témoignages de sympathies peuvent se traduire par un don sujet à dégrève-
ments d’impôts, à la mémoire et au nom de Huguette P. Labbé, et envoyé à la fonda-
tion de l’Université du Maine, fonds Centre Franco-Américains Huguette P. Lab-
bé Franco-American Centre Fund, One Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792.
Le Centre Franco-Américain fondé et sous la direction de son frère Yvon, oeuvre
depuis plus de 30 ans pour faire connaître et faire mettre en valeur l’histoire, l’expérience,
et la contribution des dizaine de milliers d’anciens Canadien Français qui sont ve-
nus s’établir dans le Maine et ailleurs en Nouvelle Angleterre, tel que la famille Labbé.
La vie de Huguette, cette grande dame courageuse et d’une dig-
n i t é i n é b r a n l a b l e s , s e r a c é l é b r é e à S t - G e o rg e s - d e - B e a u c e c e t é t é .
Ce numéro de Le Forum est dédié à la douce mémoire de
Huguette Labbé Doherty, soeur de Yvon Labbé
www.FrancoMaine.org
www.Francoamerican.org
New website: http://www.francoamericanarchives.org
http://homepages.roadrunner.com/frenchcx/
Franco-American Women’s Institute: $6.00 US
http://www.fawi.net
Le Forum
Le Centre Franco-Américain Sommaire/Contents
Université du Maine
Orono, Maine 04469-5719
Lisa_Michaud@umit.maine.edu
Téléphone: 207-581-FROG (3764)
Features
Télécopieur: 207-581-1455
Volume 33, Numéro 4 Letters/Lettres.................................................................................49
Printemps/Été
Éditeur/Publisher L’États du Maine.........................................................................4-17
Yvon A. Labbé Quebec, a City of Superlatives by Denise Larson
Rédactrice/Gérante/Managing Editor
Lisa Desjardins Michaud Edouard "King" Lacroix by Charles Francis
Mise en page/Layout Ma Grand-Mère Sirois by Annette Paradis King
Lisa Desjardins Michaud A Red Superstition / Une Superstition Rouge by / par Virginie Sand
Our March to Quebec by Denise Larson
Composition/Typesetting
Lisa Michaud The Canadian Census of 1666 by Denise Larson
Angel Sirois Handicrafts in Canada by Denise Larson
Naomi Muhlberg An Influential Woman - My Grandmother, Evelina Lachance by Evelyn Lachance
Aric Cloutier "Franco-American Day at the State House" submitted by Pearley Lachance
Aide Technique
Lisa Michaud Severin Béliveau Receives French Legion of Honor by Juliana L'Heureux
Yvon Labbé Le KKK Au Maine Selon Dr. Mark Richard by Nicole Ouellette
L’États du New Hampshire.....................................20, 21, 28, 29, 30
Tirage/Circulation/4,500
Imprimé chez/Printed by François Bélanger et Marie Guyon à Beauport (1634-1641)
Centre soumis par Jim Bélanger
Franco-Américain, Orono, Maine
L’États du Connecticut............................................22, 38-43, 46, 47
Publié 4 fois l’an par le Centre Franco-Améri- Sitcha Deported to the Cameroon by Albert Marceau
cain. Le Forum est distribué surtout aux Marcel Roy, Member, Director and Past President of FCGSC, Is Remembered
Franco-Américains des États-Unis. Les
énoncés, opinions et points de vue formulés by Albert Marceau
dans Le Forum sont ceux des auteurs et ne 25 Years of the FCGSC: Part Three by Albert Marceau
représentent pas nécessairement les points Guest Writers.............................................................................18, 19
de vue de l’éditeur ou de la rédactrice, ou de
la Division pour l’Éducation Permanente à Golden Threads by Lina Marks
l’Université du Maine. Québec City 1608-2008 400th Year Anniversary by Anne Marie Leonard
Le Forum is published 4 times a year
by the Franco-American Center. Le Forum is Books/Livres...................................................................23, 24, 36, 37
distributed in particular to Franco-Americans Genealogy/Généalogie..........................................................17, 50-54
in the United States. Statements, opinions and
points of view expressed are not necessarily Query from Lucy Proulx
those of the editor, the publishers or the Division Poetry/Poésie..............................................................................25-26
of Lifelong Learning or of the University of
Maine. Coin des jeunes................................................................................27
Tous les textes soumis doivent parvenir Music/Musique.....................................................................44-45, 48
à —Forward all submitted texts to: Lisa D.
Michaud, Rédactrice-en-chef/Editor-in-chief, Les Français d’Amérique / French In America
Le Forum, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
04469-5719, U.S., au plus tard quatre semaines
Calendar Photos and Texts from 1985 to 2002
précédant le mois de publication—at least four Project of: Virgil Benoit, Red Lake
weeks prior to the month of publication. Falls, Minnesota
Les lettres de nos lecteurs sont les bienv-
enues—Letters to the Editor are welcomed.
La reproduction des articles est autorisée Planning & Execution by: Marie-Reine
sans préavis sauf indication contraire—Our Mikesell, Chicago, Illinois
original articles may be reproduced without
notice unless otherwise indicated. Alliance Franco-Américaine du Midwest
L’équipe de rédaction souhaite que Le Fo- (AFAM)
rum soit un mode d’expression pour vous tous
les Franco-Américains et ceux qui s’intéressent
Conseil pour le Développement du
à nous. The staff hopes that Le Forum can be a
vehicle of expression for you Franco-Americans Dessin de Français en Louisiane (CODOFIL)
and those who are interested in us. Charles E. Beaudet, Michigan
L e F o r u m e t s o n s t a f f — U n i- Société Historique Franco-Américaine
versitaires, gens de la communauté, de la Nouvelle-Angleterre (SHFA)
les étudiants --Angel, Naomi et Aric.
http://www.johnfishersr.net/french_in_america_calendar.html
2
Vol. 33 # 4 • PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ
http://www.francoamericanarchives.org/
N
o
N
u
e
v
w
e
!
a
u
!
The history of Franco-Ameri- The history of the Franco-Americans The mission of the Franco-American
cans has been omitted for generations is not complete without the inclusion Oral History Archives is to develop,
from the history books due to the poli- of the voices that lived the experience. collect, archive, and make available to
tics and discrimination Francos faced To that end, the Franco-American Oral the public oral documentation pertain-
in employment and social settings. History Archives is to create and pre- ing to the personal, regional, ethnic and
The history of Franco-Americans, serve a more complete record of the political histories of Franco-Americans.
like Native Americans, has long since been history of Franco-American experience As a public history, it is to connect the
left out of school curriculum so our young- in the northeast by preserving recorded academy with the community by promot-
er generations are becoming less aware of interviews, the recollections and experi- ing family/community studies, historic
their roots, their language and their history. ences of all who are Franco-American. preservation, heritage tourism and high-
Franco-Americans have a proud The mission of the Franco-Ameri- technology media in order to enrich his-
ethnic heritage that needs to be preserved. can Oral History Archives is two-fold. torical understanding in public memory.
L’histoire des Franco-Américains des Franco-Américains est incomplète. régionale des Franco-Américains. Dans
a été omise des livres d’histoire depuis À cette fin, les Archives d’histoire orale un deuxième temps, et comme histoire
plusieurs générations à cause de la franco-américaine se veut un moyen publique, c’est de relier l’académie avec
politique et la discrimination auquelles de préserver et d’enregistrer l’histoire la communauté en promouvant les études
les Francos ont fait face dans leur de l’expérience franco-américaine du communautaires et de familles, la préser-
situation d’emploi et leur milieu social. nord-est en conservant les entrevues vation historique, l’héritage touristique,
L’histoire des Franco-Américains, enregistrées, le souvenir et l’expérience la technologie de pointe des médias, ceci
tel que celle des Amérindiens, depuis long- de tous les Franco-Américains. afin d’enrichir la compréhension histo-
temps sont absentes du curriculum de nos La mission des Archives orales rique de la mémoire collective publique.
écoles. Il en résulte que nos jeunes devi- franco-américaines a deux volets. Dans This site is under
ennent de moins en moins conscient de un premier temps, c’est de développer,
de collectionner, d’archiver, et de rendre
construction, please bear
leurs racines, leur langue et leur histoire.
Les Franco-Américains possèdent disponible au grand public une docu- with us!
un fier héritage qui doit être préservé. mentation orale se rapportant à l’histoire Veuillez patienter, ce site
Absente les voix de leur vécu, l’histoire personnelle, ethnique, politique, et est en pleine construction!
3
Le Forum
cines to the residents of the post and served Champlain, which served as the main
in many civil capacities. His wife, Marie thoroughfare during seventeenth-century.
Quebec, a City of Rollet, welcomed orphan Native Ameri- Quebec City is old, and it sits
Superlatives can children and ran a school for them.
Champlain built his l’Habitation
along the Appalachians, the world’s
oldest mountains, which have been
in Lower Town in order to have easy ac- so worn down by weather and time
By Denise R. Larson cess from the river to the trading post for that they are not much more than roll-
the hunters who brought in furs and for ing hills in most places. Forests cloak
Quebec is a small city and the the ships from France that brought sup- them. Hiking trails weave through
only fortified one in North America. The plies and trading goods to Quebec. The them. People love them. People love,
wall that encloses Quebec is thirty-five church Notre-Dames-Des-Victoires in too, the history and quaintness of old
feet high and about two miles long. In- the Place Royale stands on the site of the Quebec. We hope that la belle ville will
side its confines are Upper Town, which trading post. The courtyard of the square have a very happy 400th anniversary.
includes the Citadel on Cap Diamant and is the former location of Champlain’s
the area north of it; and Lower Town, garden. The church, built in 1688, is Denise R. Larson can be reached at
which lies between the cliffs of Cap considered the oldest one in Canada. francadian@yahoo.com. She is the
Diamant and the Saint Lawrence River. For more superlatives, the street author of Companions of Champlain:
In Upper Town, the Chateau Fron- called Sous-le-Cap is only eight feet, ten Founding Families of Quebec, 1608-
tenac occupies the site of Fort St. Louis, inches wide, and is considered the nar- 1635, published by Clearfield Company
which was built by Samuel de Champlain rowest street in North America, which is of Baltimore; 1-800-296-6687; www.
and his men to protect a trading post that not surprising as it is one of the oldest, genealogical.com; Item #9914.
was founded in 1608. The apothecary too. However, the oldest street in Quebec $22.95 plus $4 postage and handling.
Louis Hebertbuilt a stone house near the and the oldest commercial street in North
fort. From his home he dispersed medi- America is thought to be Rue du Petit-
Edouard "King" Lacroix
And his impossible Umbazooksus and
Eagle Lake Railroad
by Charles Francis
(NDLR: This article first appeared in the Discover Maine, Vol.
5, Issue 1. The photos accompanying this article are used
with permission from the Patten Lumberman's Museum).
Eagle Lake is one of the most beau- Unloading cars at the Umbazooksus,
tiful lakes in Maine, even if its waters are Eagle Lake & West Branch Railroad.
a light shade of tea-brown. The tea-brown (Photo courtesy of the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum)
color is the result of some 100 years of Back in the mid-nineteenth cen- before the Civil War. The canals were a
logging. Over that period giant logs were tury, Churchill Dam was the hub of less-than-successful solution, however. It
left behind by various logging companies lumbering operations in the Allagash took a fair amount of time to float logs on
to sink to the bottom. It is tannic acid from region. Today one can still find pieces the slow-moving canal waters and they
the decomposition of the logs which is the of steam-driven apparatus and remains were continually getting hung up. Then,
most likely source of the discoloration. of the buildings that once housed the around 1900, mechanization stepped in.
The Eagle Lake region is famous woodsmen and their timber cutting equip- The first indication that the north
for a number of reasons. In 1846 Henry ment still standing. The dam that exists woods was about to enter the twentieth
David Thoreau got this far on his trip to today is a new one built to control water century came with the construction of a
the Allagash. Then, long after Thoreau height on the lower Allagash for pur- tramway between Eagle and Churchill
came here with his Indian guides, some poses of recreational boating and fishing. lakes. The 3000-foot-long tramway con-
adventurers claim to have seen strange In the days before gravel roads sisted of a system of steam-driven axles
lights in the sky, describing them in honeycombed the north woods, logs were which transported logs from Eagle Lake
ways so that even today, die hard UFO- floated downriver to the mills of central to Churchill. From Churchill the logs
ologists continue to make pilgrimages Maine from the Churchill Lake region. were floated down to the mills of Milli-
here in hopes of seeing flying saucers. There was a problem with this, however. nocket. The tramway operated for about
The region is also famous for the Um- Not all the rivers of the region run to cen- six years starting in 1903. It ceased opera-
bazooksus and Eagle Lake Railroad, the tral Maine. Some flow to Canada. The first tion when the timber around Eagle Lake
railroad that some said was impossible approach to dealing with the problem was was logged out. That appeared to be the
to build so far into the north woods. a system of canals that were built shortly (Continued on page 5)
4
Vol. 33 # 4 • PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ
(Edouard "King" Lacroix continued new stand of timber in the Eagle Lake system of conveyors to assist in the load-
from page 4) region). The line extended in a west- ing operation was added at Eagle Lake,
end of rail operations for the north woods. erly direction and went for a distance of and the name was changed to the Eagle
At least, it was the end, until an inven- thirteen miles down the shore of Cham- Lake & West Branch Railroad. King La-
tive Canadian by the name of Edouard berlain to the head of Umbazooksus. croix, however, was kept on to manage it.
“King” Lacroix appeared on the scene. Building materials for the Umba- During the seasons when the
Edouard Lacroix was a big-time zooksus and Eagle Lake were brought in rails were free from ice and snow, the
timber cutter with bases of operation in during the winter of 1926-27 using Lom- railroad operated twelve hours daily.
Quebec and New Brunswick, including bard Log Haulers. The Lombards even There were usually ten to twelve cars to
Madawaska on the Canadian side of the brought in the two steam locomotives that a train, each car carrying approximately
border. Starting about 1920, King Lacroix were used on the line. The biggest part of twelve cords of wood. To facilitate speed
began buying up timber rights in the Al- the job was the construction of the 1500- there was a double track at the middle
lagash region. The timber he cut went foot trestle across the Allagash, which of the run so that trains could pass. This
to central Maine, primarily Millinocket. had to be strong enough to support the meant that an empty train could be re-
Lacroix, however, was experiencing the massive weight of the pulp cars. The tres- turning to Eagle Lake while a full one
same problems moving his timber to cen- tle was designed by Max C. Hilton, one was making its run to Umbazooksus.
tral Maine that had plagued his predeces- of the most knowledgeable figures in the King Lacroix’s “impossible rail-
sors. His solution was the Umbazooksus history of logging in northwestern Maine. road” operated until 1930. The end of
and Eagle Lake Railroad, the railroad The Umbazooksus and Eagle Lake the operation came when the Eagle
that many said could never be built. had a very short history. Almost im- Lake region was again logged off. At
Lacroix began building his railroad mediately after its construction, it was that point the locomotives were run
at Eagle Lake in 1926 not far from the purchased by the Great Northern Paper into sheds, shut down and abandoned.
old tramway. (By this time there was a Company. Under this new ownership, a
End of cars loaded , on track,
Eagle Lake & West Branch Tramway. Edouard LaCroix's Gasoline Lombard Log Hauler #6.
(Photo courtesy of the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum) (Photo courtesy of the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum)
Engine & cars along track, Eagle Lake Camps.
Eagle Lake & West Branch Railroad.
(Photo courtesy of the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum)
5
Le Forum
Ma Grand-Mère Sirois
dying women young. The fear of speak-
ing up was wide-spread as well as how
And the Value of a Family Genogram our people were easily led (or miss-led)
by factory owners, their overseers and
even the parish priests. It took gen-
By Annette Paradis King erations before independence appeared
across the board as we know it today.
If I were to give recognition to one relied on other authors’ of the early 20th The idea of independence is also
person for my interest in writing our fam- century to guide me. My maternal and prominent in Carolyn G. Heilbrun’s
ily history, it would be mon Grand-Mere paternal great-grandparents migrated interesting book, Writing a Woman’s
Sirois. That’s right, yet a tad odd, for there from Quebec to Maine in the mid-eigh- Life. What I found most important
was no verbal exchange or encourage- teen-hundreds. Why these folks came to from its 128 pages was that a woman
ment that went on between us that might Maine and how, has been deduced from must work toward independence early
have directed me to write our history. many years of reading other authors opin- in her life. The facts were loud and
Mon Grand Meme actually didn’t leave ions. This has been a rewarding experi- clear. If she can support herself, she
behind anything that might have brought ence that re-kindled an enormous amount will have money of her own; if she has
the two of us closer to sharing an interest of pride. We come from hard working money she will have power. By power
in family history. Something as small people and possibly that’s enough I mean the ability to do anything she
as bits of handwriting found tucked here to comprehend and to give homage. wants, i.e., write, paint, travel, create
or there, a letter, or even a birthday card and eventually even marry a true partner.
with a personal message were nothing It is the dependency on another
but fantasies on my part. Those deficien- that discourages dreams from develop-
cies, however, were enough to send me ing, Heilbrun wants the reader to realize.
adamantly gathering and documenting If dreams are lost, she says laughter is,
events large and small taking place in my too. A woman not only needs a room of
own daily life. My grandchildren, when her own, (as Virginia Woolf famously
their curiosities begin to stir, will have proposed) but a bank account of her
a family genogram waiting for them. own as well, which comes by work-
ing hard at what one likes best. The
Ma Grand-Mère women of my generation were taught
to search for and ‘catch’ someone who
Ma Grand-Mère Sirois remains would take better care of us then our
an endearing woman in my heart. Even fathers. Heilbrun suggests that a good
now I remember her strength of character marriage is formed on intellectual parity.
and unshaken faith. She was a rigidly This book offers the knowledge
formal little woman, worn out for her age, I never gave much thought to before. I
reserved enough to hold back hugs and don’t think May Sarton addressed inde-
kisses, carrying a soap and water scent, pendence the same way nor did Willa
wearing a crown of gray hair, showing Cather or Leo Tolstoy. Independence
traces of aging with a hunched back, was among the words they wrote but I
footing unsteady, dark close-set eyes gave no thought to independence. Now I
that twinkled regardless, when focused Grand-Mère Sirois know it happens to be the most important
on me. I think also of the many suffer- Ellen Beaulieu Sirois ingredient to life long happiness. By the
ings she endured simply to exist. Sadly, end of Carolyn G. Heilbrun’s interesting
I feared that what I could remember Other Writers book, Writing A Woman’s Life, I was
was about all we’ll ever know of her also thinking about the way I grew up.
and other women of her generation, my My life is a comfortable one in My generation thought it was
ancestors. She died at the age of fifty- comparison to my grandmother, con- necessary to get married young and
eight and before my seventh birthday. sidering she died young. It is a good certainly to a man able to support us.
The tragedy of her early death was possibility the lack of any medical treat- That idea in some cases led to a subser-
compounded by the fact that she never ment shortened her life. The obstacles vient woman and if he happened to be
had the opportunity to learn to read and these poor souls faced for decades are the wrong man, women stayed married
write, and even if she had, the time to do well documented, and I have read stories regardless. The reasons are clearly un-
so may not have been hers to squander. covering similar situations. The Belles derstood retrospectively: young women
In any case, mon Grand Meme of New England by William Moran, weren’t taught to think for themselves!
wasn’t a story teller so in order to under- tells how our ancestors came to New
stand what life was like for her, I have England, and includes several stories of (Continued on page 7)
6
Vol. 33 # 4 • PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ
(Ma Grand-Mère Sirois similar to the patterns and hand-stitches
continued from page 6) placed by grandmothers who were quil-
ters. These patterns, placed with their
I might have missed something, but I hands onto material were their way of
don’t remember my mother or one of preserving their family identity. These
my teachers saying, “reach for indepen- heirlooms, for those fortunate enough
dence before you decide what vocation to have them, are treasures and, surely,
or profession you’ll choose.” That might comparable in value to the written word.
have been a powerful bit of advise! I hope my grandchildren will
appreciate my little stories. They will
My Perspective learn how I feel about lots of things.
Today, my thoughts are focusing on About the Author:
Through this journey, I have also the independence of women. Fifty
come to understand that a family ‘history’ years from now my thoughts may be Annette P. King grew up on Acad-
can offer a child an identity and a lifelong outdated, but even then they may be emy Hill during the Great Depression and
perception of self—something I came by interesting to compare with current times. graduated the Old Town High School in
only with difficulty, and then quite late Modern life from my elderly eyes 1942. At that time, the high school was
in life. These stories of ethnic family is seen as a fleeting moment. How located on Jefferson Street in Old Town.
life have been engaging and enlighten- quickly things are replaced! Fewer Annette’s lived on Wilson Street a few
ing but of course, personal substance is marriages last for fifty years; my adult streets below the high school. In 1949
lacking. From researching our history, children move into the next situation she graduated the Robert Breck Brigham
a great urgency drove me to write down as fast at times as each new year is Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts. She
everything I know or remember that celebrated. I’m guessing youngsters married Gerald C. King from Bradley,
has taken place during my life. Conse- still feel that time beats-out too slowly. Maine. He graduated from John Bapts
quently, and in a very positive way, my But they should know this is the time to High School and the University of Maine.
grandmother aimed me in this direction. form the habit of keeping a journal. The They raised four sons in Wallingford,
For my family, generational silence complexities of relationships and human Connecticut. Gerald took early retire-
is at an end! I am very eager to give our experiences are kept alive if events are ment. Today Annette and Gerald live on
newest family members a genogram written in an articulate manner. Taking Frenchman Bay, in Gouldsboro, Maine.
that will take them beyond names and the time to map where they began, how She decided to write a story in honor
birth dates. I have high hopes that leav- far they went, and how it turned out of her father who had encouraged all six
ing my collection of observations and a for them will give their lives meaning of his children to finish high school, a not
measurable amount of identity will be beyond those of the birds that fly across so common goal for those hard times dur-
of lasting value to them. With one hand, the sky without leaving a trace behind. ing and following the Great Depression.
I’m holding my grandparents and parents I’m not sure I’ve put some-
hands while reaching out to my children, thing together that will help some one. To purchase her book:
grandchildren and future great-grand- But, I’m hopeful just one young one GROWING UP ON ACADEMY
children with the other. My stories are might get thinking on the importance HILL--Remembering My French-
documented to help them feel part of past of preserving our history and find the Canadian-Papa
generations in a human sense. I imagine courage continue to do so after me! by Annette Paradis King
that my writings are heirlooms, somewhat
Helpful Bibliographies Pgs.105. Can be ordered from
UMO Initiating Franco-American Studies author @: 454 South Gouldsboro Road,
A Publication of the Franco-American Studies, University of Maine at Orono 1981 Gouldsboro, Maine 04607. Single copy
Le Forum Published by the Franco-American Center, U of M., Orono, Maine $15.00. Shipping and handling $3.
http://www.fawi.net/ezine/
What Became Of Them by Denis Ledoux
The Belles of New England by William Moran published 2001, vol3no3/King.html
The Book Is About: The author’s
The how and whys our ancestors came to New England, Maria Chapdelaine French-Canadian-American parents
raised six children during the Great De-
A valuable little book to better understand Quebecois reasoning to immigrate to New England.
pression, and well beyond World War II.
The story-- non-fiction-- mirrors the pride
Wednesday’s Child Rhea Côté Robbins
and independence the children learn from
Evangeline Longfellow, Henry W. their father. It has everything to do with
his Catholic faith and loyalty for his Ca-
Moe ́ pi Toe ́ An ‘ezine publication of FAWI -Franco American Women’s Institute
nadian heritage and being an American.
7
Le Forum
(NDLR: In the last issue of if my mother was explaining to her friend father’s voice from his office as usual,
Le Forum the French version of Vir- that she was having a good week, she “That is just superstition:” In the mean-
ginia Sand's submission was inad- would knock on the wood table for insur- time, while Sylvie’s mother was drying
vertently omitted. My apologies.) ing that her good luck would continue. dishes in the kitchen, she dropped a knife
A Red Superstition Further, my mother hated spi-
ders. She feared them and often killed
on the floor. Then, Sylvie and her father
heard the mother’s voice one more time,
them. Each time that my mother killed “We are going to receive some company!”
By Virginia Sand a spider, she said that it would rain. Immediately after, Sylvie heard her father
Still, the rain did not always follow, shout, “It’s only another superstition!”
During my youth, I often heard my but if it did, would it be coincidence? Well, when the parents joined Syl-
Franco-American, Amerindian mother My mother was also saying that vie in the living room, the mother sat in
tell several paroles that were considered it was bad luck to pass under a ladder a wooden rocking chair. While she was
superstition. She had probably heard or to open an umbrella in the house. I rocking in front of the television, she
these paroles from her own mother; naturally listened to my mother, so I expressed that the week was going very
paroles like, “When a dog howls, that never opened my umbrella in our house. well. Then she knocked on the wooden
means that someone will die soon.” I Above all, my mother told me to arm of her chair. Immediately, the fa-
do not recall my father having told pa- never wear red clothes when I was attend- ther responded, “Let’s see, knocking on
roles of superstition, only my mother. ing a funeral service, a funeral procession, wood, it is still another superstition!”
I believe that paroles of superstition or a funeral oration. In that case, here is a Later, the mother went to the
were passed down from generation to small story for demonstrating superstition: bathroom to take a shower. Suddenly,
generation in my family, by oral tradi- Sylvie and her father heard a loud scream,
tion. But of course, these paroles of A Red Superstition with the word “spider.” Apparently, the
superstition did not always come to pass. There once was a thirteen year mother met a spider in the bathroom.
Take, for example, if one dropped old girl named Sylvie Delarosbil. Syl- Consequently, the mother killed the poor
a knife, a spoon, or a fork on the kitchen vie was always listening to her mother, spider and flushed it down the toilet. All
floor at my parent’s house, my mother including her mother’s superstitions. of a sudden, Sylvie and her father heard,
said to expect some company. How- However, at thirteen years old, Sylvie “It is going to rain since I just killed the
ever, company did not always follow, began to test her mother’s superstitions. spider!” The father again exclaimed,
and if it did, would it be coincidence? One evening after dinner, while “Look here, it is simply an old supersti-
Fear of the unknown can lead to Sylvie was watching television, she heard tion!” After that, everyone went to bed.
superstitious actions like knocking on a dog howling in the neighborhood. Af- The next day, when Sylvie and her
wood. In that case, my mother was terwards, Sylvie heard her mother’s voice parents awoke they noticed that it was
always knocking on the wood furniture, crying out from the kitchen, “Someone raining very hard. Moreover, on getting
and it had to be real wood. For example, will soon die!” Then, Sylvie heard her (Continued on page 9)
Une Superstition ne venaient pas toujours se passer.
Prendre, par exemple, si on a
si elle l’a fait, serait-il la coïncidence ?
Ma mère disait aussi qu’il était
Rouge laissé tomber un couteau, une cuillère,
ou une fourchette sur le plancher de la
la mauvaise chance de passer sous
une échelle ou d’ouvrir un parapluie
cuisine chez mes parents, ma mère disait dans la maison. J’écoutais naturelle-
Par Virginie Sand d’attendre quelque compagnie. Pourtant, ment ma mère, alors je n’ouvrais ja-
la compagnie ne suivait pas toujours, et mais mon parapluie dans notre maison.
Pendant ma jeunesse, j’entendais si elle l’a fait, serait-il la coïncidence ? Sur tout, ma mère me disait de
souvent ma mère Franco-américaine, Craindre l’inconnu de pouvoir ne jamais porter les vêtements rouges
Amérindienne dire plusieurs paroles qui mener aux actions superstitieuses comme quand j’assistais à un office des morts,
étaient considérées la superstition. Elle en frappant sur le bois. Alors, ma mère un convoi funèbre, ou une oraison
avait probablement entendu ces paroles frappait toujours sur les meubles de funèbre. Alors, voici un petit con-
de sa propre mère ; les paroles comme, bois, et il devait être le vrai bois. Par te pour démontrer la superstition :
« Quand un chien hurle, cela veut dire exemple, si ma mère expliquait à son
que quelqu’un va mourir bientôt ». Je amie qu’elle avait une bonne semaine, Une Superstition Rouge
ne me rappelle pas de mon père avoir elle frapperait sur la table de bois pour Il y avait une fois une fille de
dit les paroles de la superstition, seule- assurer que sa bonne chance continuerait. treize ans qui s’appelle Sylvie Delar-
ment ma mère. Je crois que les paroles En outre, ma mère détestait les ara- osbil. Sylvie écoutait toujours sa mère,
de la superstition se faisaient circuler ignées. Elle les craignait et les tuait sou- y compris les superstitions de sa mère.
de génération en génération dans ma vent. Chaque fois que ma mère a tué une Pourtant, à treize ans, Sylvie commençait
famille, par la tradition orale. Mais araignée, elle disait qu’il pleuvrait. Toute- à éprouver les superstitions de sa mère.
bien sûr, ces paroles de la superstition fois, la pluie ne suivait pas toujours, mais (Suite page 9)
8
Vol. 33 # 4 • PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ
(A Red Superstition continued from The next day, Sylvie and her par- pain. The parents gently put Sylvie on the
page 8) ents prepared themselves to attend the ground. Sylvie had apparently sprained
out of bed Sylvie heard some noise at the funeral service at the Albert’s house. the ankle. Suddenly, it began again to
door. It seemed like there was some com- The mother told Sylvie, “Never wear the rain very hard. There was no umbrella
pany that had arrived unexpectedly. It color red at a funeral service!” The father with Sylvie and her parents. The parents
was only eight o’clock on Saturday morn- interrupted her in saying, “Let’s therefore carried Sylvie to their house. There were
ing. Sylvie heard her mother go to the see, another superstition?” Henceforth, three houses between the Albert’s house
door. Upon opening the door, the neigh- Sylvie wanted to test these superstitions and the Delarosbil’s house. Meanwhile,
bor, old Mrs. Albert, entered the house of her mother. So she decided to wear Sylvie and her parents had become very
with an open umbrella. Without hesita- her new red dress that was very bright. wet by the time they arrived at their
tion, the mother yelled at Mrs. Albert, This evening here, in her red dress, house. In that moment there, Sylvie
“Close your umbrella, or else bad luck Sylvie arrived at the Albert’s house with began to turn white in confessing to her
will fall upon us!” The father responded, her parents, on foot. She looked proud. mother, “Mother, I now believe your
“There is nothing to make a fuss about; it There was a ladder standing in the yard superstitions to be true!” On the other
is quite frankly another old superstition!” of the Albert’s house. Sylvie still wanted hand, the mother explained to Sylvie,
Unfortunately, old Mrs. Albert to test her mother’s superstitions, so she “Even though I knocked on wood, the
brought them some bad news. Her old walked under the ladder in wearing her week turned badly. Knocking on wood
husband had died during the night. In red dress. She was not afraid. Finally, does not work, right? What to believe?”
such a case, she wanted Sylvie and her Sylvie approached the staircase in front That night-there, in her sleep, Syl-
parents to come to her house tomor- of the door of the Albert’s house. Sud- vie dreamed that dead Mr. Albert had been
row evening for a funeral service in denly, while she was climbing the stairs, buried in a bright red suit. Immediately,
honor of her husband. After Mrs. Albert Sylvie tumbled down. She turned the she awoke and began to turn white. Then
left, Sylvie’s mother cried, “Every- ankle of the left foot. Quickly, her father she put forth a strong cry, “This entire day
thing is not always superstition, right?” seized her while she was crying from was a nightmare! I hate superstitions!”
(Une Superstition Rouge suite de En apparence, la mère a rencontré une demain soir pour un office des morts en
page 8) araignée dans la salle de bains. Par con- honneur de son mari. Après que Madame
Un soir après le dîner, pendant que séquent, la mère a tué la pauvre araignée Albert est partie, la mère de Sylvie a
Sylvie regardait la télé, elle a entendu un et a actionné la chasse d’eau en bas de crié, « Toutes les choses ne sont pas
chien hurler dans le quartier. Ensuite, la toilette. Soudain, Sylvie et son père toujours les superstitions, n’est-ce pas » ?
Sylvie a entendu la voix de sa mère crier ont entendu, « Il va pleuvoir puisque Le lendemain, Sylvie et ses parents
de la cuisine, « Quelqu’un va mourir je viens de tuer l’araignée » ! Le père se sont préparés à assister à l’office chez
bientôt » ! Puis, Sylvie entendait la s’est exclamé encore, « Tiens, c’est Albert. La mère disait à Sylvie, « Ne
voix de son père de son bureau comme simplement une vieille superstition»! porte jamais la couleur rouge au service
d’habitude, « Ça, c’est justement la su- Après ça, tout le monde s’est couché. des morts » ! Le père l’a interrompue
perstition » ! Cependant, pendant que Le lendemain, tandis que Sylvie et en disant, «Voyons donc, une autre su-
la mère de Sylvie essuyait la vaisselle ses parents se sont réveillés ils ont remar- perstition » ? Désormais, Sylvie voulait
dans la cuisine, elle a laissé tomber un qué qu’il pleuvait très fort. D’ailleurs, au éprouver ces superstitions de sa mère.
couteau sur le plancher. Ensuite, Syl- saut du lit Sylvie a entendu du bruit à la Alors, elle a décidé de porter sa nou-
vie et son père ont entendu la voix de porte. Il a semblé comme il y avait de la velle robe rouge qui était très brillante.
la mère encore une fois, « Nous allons compagnie qui était arrivée inopinément. Ce soir-ci, dans sa robe rouge,
recevoir de la compagnie » ! Aussitôt C’était seulement huit heures du matin de Sylvie est arrivée Chez Albert avec ses
après, Sylvie a entendu son père crier, « samedi. Sylvie a entendu sa mère aller à parents, à pied. Elle avait l’air fière. Il y
C’est seulement une autre superstition » ! la porte. Sur ouvrir la porte, la voisine, avait une échelle debout dans la cour de
Eh bien, lorsque les parents ont la vieille Madame Albert, entrait dans la chez Albert. Sylvie voulait encore éprou-
joint Sylvie dans la salle de séjour, la mère maison avec un parapluie ouvert. Sans ver les superstitions de sa mère, alors elle
s’est assise dans une chaise à bascule de hésitation, la mère a crié à Madame Al- a marché sous l’échelle en portant sa robe
bois. Pendant qu’elle se berçait devant la bert, « Fermez votre parapluie, sinon la rouge. Elle n’avait pas peur. Enfin, Syl-
télé, elle exprimait que la semaine allait mauvaise chance va tomber sur nous»! vie s’est approchée de l’escalier devant
très bien. Puis elle a frappé sur le bras de Le père a répondu, « Il n’y a pas de la porte de chez Albert. Tout à coup,
bois de sa chaise. Tout de suite, le père quoi se récrier, c’est tout bonnement pendant qu’elle montait l’escalier, Sylvie
a répondu, « Voyons, frapper sur le bois, une autre vieille superstition » ! a dégringolé. Elle a tourné la cheville du
c’est toujours une autre superstition » ! Malheureusement, la vieille Ma- pied gauche. Rapidement, son père l’a
Plus tard, la mère est allée à la dame Albert leur a apportés de la mau- saisie pendant qu’elle criait de douleur.
salle de bains pour se doucher. Tout à vaise nouvelle. Son vieux mari était mort Les parents ont mis doucement Sylvie
coup, Sylvie et son père ont entendu un pendant la nuit. Alors, elle voulait que sur la terre. Sylvie s’était apparemment
cri éclatant, avec le mot « l’araignée ». Sylvie et ses parents viennent chez elle (Suite page 11)
9
Le Forum
ries and logging camps. Some of the men com or by calling Mountain Coun-
Our March to Quebec came to the States to stay, but the major- ties Heritage, Inc., at 207-778-3885.
ity were looking for income with which The same road, Route 201, be-
By Denise R. Larson to support their families who stayed in comes Route 173 on the Canadian side
Quebec province. These men walked the and continues to Levis, which sits just
Mainers driving to Quebec this route between jobs, taking their earnings across the St. Lawrence River from
spring and summer to enjoy the 400th home, hoping that things had improved Quebec City. Frequent ferries ply the
anniversary celebration of the founding and that they could once again make water and the ride is short and smooth.
of the city in 1608 might be interested the family farm profitable. That didn’t The terminal is in a convenient location
in knowing that there is historical pre- often happen. Many men eventually in the old part of the city, and parking
cedence for taking Route 201 from brought their family south, and some- lots that offer all-day rates are nearby.
coastal Maine to the St. Lawrence River. times entire extended families settled in For an up-to-date schedule of departures
Native Americans traveled a north- the same town that offered work in the and fees, call 1-877-787-7483. The
south route on foot between the Kenne- mills for the women as well as the men. Web site is www.traversiers.gouv.qc.ca.
bec and St. Lawrence rivers for fishing, The drive up Route 201 is Once in Quebec City, the sights,
hunting, and to conduct trade among the long but pleasant. It’s an opportu- sounds, and special events are sure to de-
tribes. Benedict Arnold led a militia along nity to put on favorite CDs, enjoy light until we must once again head south
the Indian paths to Quebec City in his the scenery, and look forward to rest and return home, thinking all the while of
attempt to seize it and undermine Brit- stops in Waterville, Skowhegan, and the many who made the trek before us.
ish forces. Developed into a wagon road Jackman before crossing the border.
during the early nineteenth century, the For a more informative trip, the Denise R. Larson can be reached at
route became known as the Old Canada organization Kennebec-Chaudiere Inter- francadian@yahoo.com. She is the author
Road. A century later, when nearly a national Corridor offers a brochure with of Companions of Champlain: Founding
half-million Canadians of French and nearly one hundred points of interest, a Families of Quebec, 1608-1635, published
Irish descent traveled south in search for map, and contact information. There’s by Clearfield Company of Baltimore; 1-
work, many followed the same route, but even a CD audio-tour, “Deep Woods and 800-296-6687; www.genealogical.com;
to them it was known as the Road to the River Roads,” that can be ordered from Item #9914. $22.95 plus $4 postage and
States. They found employment in facto- the Web site www.kennebec-chaudiere. handling. Additional books $2 P&H.
names of individuals who were dwell-
The Canadian ing in Canada at the time the tally was
taken. The census did not include the
Census of 1666 1,000 or so members of the Carignan-
Salieres Regiment, which had been
sent from France in 1665 to quell the
By Denise R. Larson Iroquois. It did include the names of
fifty Filles du Roi who had been sent
The census of Canada that was from a French orphanage to find hus-
ordered by Intendant Jean Talon and bands in the new settlements of Canada.
carried out in February and March 1666 The census was undertaken in
was one of the earliest official censuses late winter so that the census takers
conducted by Europeans. William the could travel by sleigh and snowshoe
Conqueror had ordered that a count be and avoid the wet months when the Jean Talon
done of the people of England, their route might be impassable. Winter was The communities of Quebec, Trois
land holdings, and personal belong- also a good time to find most of the Rivieres, and Montreal were service
ings. Conducted in 1086, the tally people at home or closeby and before centers for the government officials who
was recorded in the Doomsday Book. the supply ships made their voyages carried on the business of the trading
The first known citywide census was from and back to France and changed posts, for the traders who made contact
done in 1449 in Nuremberg, Germany. the composition of the population. with the native hunters, and for the other
Talon’s count included the greater Statistics drawn from the 1666 residents who contributed their skills to
Quebec City area, including Beauport and census show that of the 3,215 persons the settlements. Nearly 800 persons were
Isle d’Orleans, and the town and environs tallied, 2,034 were males and 1,181 were listed as professionals and tradesmen.
of Trois Rivieres and Montreal. The females. Of those, 1,019 were married, There were also about 400 servants. To-
original 154-page document is preserved 42 widowed, and 2,154 were children or gether, those two groups accounted for
in the Archives of Paris. A copy is held unmarried adults. Though the majority more than half of the male population.
in the parliamentary Library in Ottawa. of the population was young, fifteen resi- Among the tradesmen, there were
In the 1666 census are 3,215 dents were between the ages of 71 and 90. (Continued on page 11)
10Vol. 33 # 4 • PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ
as straps for equipment that must be (Une Superstition Rouge suite de
Handicrafts in carried on long treks, and to belt and tie
clothing close to the body for warmth.
page 9)
foulée la cheville. Soudain, il a com-
Canada The Ursulines did not limit
their work to fabrics. They alone were
mencé encore à pleuvoir très fort. Il n’y
avait pas de parapluie avec Sylvie et ses
the artisans who applied gold leaf parents. Les parents ont porté Sylvie
by Denise R. Larson
to figurines in Quebec’s churches. chez eux. Il y avait trois maisons entre
Among them were also noted carvers. chez Albert et chez Delarosbil. Cepen-
Almost as soon as women arrived
Potters worked with the clay from dant, Sylvie et ses parents étaient devenus
in New France, spinning wheels were
the banks of the St. Lawrence River to très trempés par le moment qu’ils sont
whirling and shuttles on looms were
make earthenware for domestic use. Fan- arrivés chez eux. En ce moment-là, Syl-
clacking. Sheep brought from France
ciful patterns were sometimes stamped vie a commencé à blanchir en avouant à
aboard the same ships as the settlers
onto the surface of bowls or cups. sa mère, « Maman, je crois maintenant
provided wool for spinning yarn; and
Metal had to be imported from tes superstitions vraies » ! D’autre part,
flax, grown from seed from the Old
France and worked by tinsmiths to make la mère expliquait à Sylvie, « Même
World, provided long fibers to make
utensils and kitchen ware, so wood was si j’ai frappé sur le bois, la semaine
into thread for weaving linen. Weaving,
used whenever possible. Wooden bowls, a tourné mal. Frapper sur le bois ne
crochet, and knitting were not only craft
cups, and platters served as tableware. marche pas, n’est-ce pas ? Que croire » ?
and pastime but the only reliable way to
When a deposit of iron was discovered in Cette nuit-là, dans son sommeil,
provide new clothing and household fur-
1737, local ironsmiths were able to pro- Sylvie a rêvé que Monsieur Albert mort
nishings for the habitants of Quebec and
duce affordable wrought iron pieces such était enterré dans un brillant costume
other fur-trading posts in the New World.
as fences, railings, and weathercocks. rouge. Aussitôt, elle s’est réveillée et a
Native Americans shared their
Along with the English after 1763 commencé à blanchir. Puis elle a poussé
knowledge of cleaning and preparing
came the craft of “thrumming,” which is un cri fort, « Ce jour entier était un cau-
deerskins for use as clothing. They also
now called rug hooking. It is still popular chemar ! Je déteste les superstitions » !
demonstrated how boxes and food vessels
in the Maritime provinces. The English
could be made out of the ply able inner
also spread the popular craft of quilting, an
bark of the birch tree. When the supply For more informa-
economical way to use fabric scraps and
of European embroidery threads had t i o n : w w w. c a n a d i a n g u i l d . c o m .
some bunting to produce a warm coverlet.
been depleted, the young pupils of the
Handicrafts are still produced in
Ursuline Sisters, who ran a school for Denise R. Larson can be reached
great quantities in Canada, though now
native children, showed the sisters how at francadian@yahoo.com. She is the
many are for ornamentation rather than
to use moose hair and porcupine quills to author of Companions of Champlain:
daily use. The Canadian Handicrafts
make designs on boxes and vestments. Founding Families of Quebec, 1608-
Guild, now the Canadian Guild of Crafts,
A unique piece of adornment was 1635, published by Clearfield Company,
was founded to encourage women to re-
called the “ceinture flechee,” or arrow 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Bal-
vive traditional crafts and to spread knowl-
sash. It was made by the off-loom method timore, MD 21211; 1-800-296-6687;
edge of the craft work that immigrants
of finger weaving. The distinctive “V” www.genealogical.com; Item #9914.
and refugees brought to Canada, thus
pattern is worked into a long, narrow $22.95 plus $4 postage and handling. Ad-
enriching the fabric of Canadian culture.
sash that was used for ceremonial dress, ditional books $2 P&H. (See page 23 ).
(The Canadian Census of 1666 grinder, one printer, one ship captain, one twenty times the size it was in 1666.
continued from page 10) jeweler, and one wooden shoe maker.
36 carpenters, 32 masons, 30 tailors, 22 The people of early Canada obvi- Reference: “Statistics for the
sailors, 20 shoemakers, 18 merchants and ously did not huddle in ramshackle huts, 1666 Census”:
7 hatters. An interesting category was that eat dried peas, and fold idle hands. The http://www.afhs.ab.ca/
of “gentlemen of means.” There were 15 communities were vibrant, with plenty data/census/1666/statistics.html
of those. The population of 3,000 was of building construction and local com- Denise R. Larson can be reached at
cared for by 5 surgeons, educated by 3 merce going on. Nearly a thousand more francadian@yahoo.com. She is the author
teachers, supplied with produce by 3 gar- Filles du Roi would soon join the settle- of Companions of Champlain: Founding
deners. Their sweet tooth were satisfied ment and about 400 former members Families of Quebec, 1608-1635, pub-
by 5 confectioners, and their floors were of the regiment would stay. Together lished by Clearfield Company, www.
made warm by the products of the 3 car- these young couples would help expand genealogical.com; 179 pp., maps, illus.,
pet weavers. Several tradesmen had a mo- the population of Quebec province. A indexed, paper. 2008. ISBN 978-0-8063-
nopoly on their craft. There was only one hundred years and three generations 5367-8. Item #9914. $22.95 plus shipping.
button maker, one brick maker, one sword later the population would be about
11Le Forum
house and moved in (even before the
An Influential Woman – windows were in), they decided to build
a greenhouse to grow seedlings to sell.
My Grandmother, Originally what would become a grocery
store was built to sell the plants they grew
Evelina Lachance in their greenhouse. After my father was
born in 1935, they decided to turn it to
a grocery store run by my grandmother
while my grandfather continued to work
This is the story of my grand- She passed on her faith and values to
at the paper mill. My grandfather worked
mother, a woman who set a very high her children, grandchildren and great
in the shipping department. At that time
standard for the Lachance women who grandchildren. My grandmother at-
everything was handled by hand, no
would follow her. Here’s a snapshot of tended mass daily and twice on Sunday.
forklifts back then, so when his health
where my grandmother started and how On Sunday’s she would pray for special
caused him to give up his job, there was
she demonstrated a work ethic and value
for hard work. My grandmother, no disability program back then.
Evelina Leontine Larochelle was So together my grandmother
born 17 March 1898 in St. Come, and grandfather formed a partner-
Quebec Canada. Her parents were ship to run the store, the greenhouse
Anatalie Belanger (mother of 19 and drive a school bus for the
babies) and Antoine Larochelle. Winslow School Dept. My grand-
In the winter, her father was a lum- mother did all the bookwork and
berjack in the Maine woods and finances. Every time they decided
in the spring would come down to expand their business ventures
the Kennebec River in Maine on my grandfather would ask, “Do we
the log drive which ended in my have the money?” and she would
hometown in Winslow, Maine. answer, “yes”. My grandfather
When my great grandfather secured never concerned himself with fi-
a job in the paper mill in 1902, he nances, because my grandmother
moved his family to Winslow. My was such a good businesswoman.
grandmother, Evelina became a Their later ventures included build-
U.S. citizen and voted faithfully. ing apartment buildings themselves.
My grandmother wanted My grandmother work right along
to be able to help her family out side the men and would work until
and used forged papers saying three o’clock in the morning doing
she was 16 (actually 13) to get a the dry wall and painting. The next
job at the Lockwood Dutchess morning, she was up making my
Cotton Mill. Children employed grandfather breakfast and ready
in the mills were required to en- Evelina Larochelle Lachance to open the store at six o’clock.
roll in night school. To what Lockwood Cotton Mill, ca. 1925 Their grocery store was where
grade she completed, I’m not sure. people gathered to get the local news
My grandmother married my intentions with the Sisters of the Blessed and to share stories, jokes and a little
grandfather Joseph Lachance 21May Sacrament. Her religious devotion left a refreshment. During World War II,
1917 .They had four children Juliette, lasting impact on my life and through her when the young servicemen returned
Jeanette, Raymond and Pearley (my fa- devotion my life has been very blessed. home from basic training, they would
ther). They were married at St. Francis When my grandparents were first come to the store and say hello to Joe
de Sales church which is the mother par- married they lived in an apartment and and Evelina. She would take out her
ish for the Winslow-Waterville Catholic then started to buy the land where my par- box camera which she bought at the age
Churches. This is where they attended ents now live. Each lot was 50 by 100 feet of 16 and take their picture on the front
until St. John the Baptist Parish was and cost approximately $100 to $150.00 lawn. On the front lawn fashioned in
founded in 1927 with Father John W. each. Back then, you could pay by the red geraniums was a big V…_, Morse
Frawley as their first pastor. My grand- month at the rate of .50 cents to a dollar. code for the word victory. They always
mother was a very devote Catholic and Originally they used the land to plant had a giant flagpole with an American
religion was a very important part of her large vegetable gardens. They would flag and it was my dad’s job to take the
life. Baptisms, First Communions and turn the harvest into hundreds of canning flag down every evening at sundown.
Confirmations were significant events jars filled with vegetables for winter use My grandmother was never afraid
in our lives and a time for celebration. After my grandparents built a crude (Continued on page 13)
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