No. 123
juillet/août 2009
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
de Hartford
a non-profit corporation
Fall Ten Week
Porte Ouverte
Scholarship Winner
Annual Meeting
Trimester
August 27th 5:30-7:00
Open House/Class
Registration
Sign up before 8/27
to save $25
Book Award Recipients
Announced
French Songs
Food, Conversation
Tracy Sigman
Remembered
Page 4
Sept. 8 - Nov. 11
Campus Courses
Advanced Classes
••jkllppp,,,ppp,,////
Calendar
• July 4 - 26 - Le Tour de France
Bastille Day Picnic
I.
• Saturday July 11th Bastille Day Celebration
• Saturdays - July 11th, 25th
August 8th, 22nd Café et Conversation
II.
III.
• Thursday - August 27th Porte Ouverte/Open House
IV.
Class Registration
• September 8th First day of Fall classes
• September 11th - La Rentrée,
6:30 Deb Grehn’s house
(Please see last page
for more details.)
page 2
V.
VI.
We will be celebrating Bastille Day, on Saturday, July 11th (Rain Date July 18th) once again at Program Committee Chairperson Harriett Canty’s
parents home: 32 Valley View Drive in Windsor. The Alliance Française of
Hartford invites all who are French or French at heart - as well as those seeking a
little joie de vivre - to join us for a picnic supper. The festivities will be from 5-8pm.
There will be good food and conversation - in English as well as French, in
addition we will have French games, activities and music.
Guests are asked to bring a side dish, salad, fruit, or dessert (serving at least
8 -10 people), and to consider adding a French flair to your food contribution.
Rotisserie chickens, wine and beverages will be provided, as well as the words to
La Marseillaise. You may want to bring your own folding chairs.
FEES: Members $5, Non-members $10. Children are free and activities will
be set up for them. (Please include ages with RSVP).
RESERVATIONS: Respond by calling the office at 860-278-9999 and reserve
with your credit card or send a check along with the names of the guests
and the dish you will be bringing. *R.S.V.P.* by July 3rd. Members who
do not RSVP by this date will be charged the Non-member fee of $10.
If the weather suggests a question of a rain date, check the e-vite, the web site
or call the office for an announcement concerning a possible postponement.
Directions:
From 91 North - Take exit 36; at the end of the exit take a right on to Park Ave.
From 91 South - Take exit 36; at the end of the exit take a left on to Park Ave.
Continue straight until you get to the end of Park Avenue. At the traffic light,
turn right on to Windsor Avenue (Rte 159). Valley View Drive is the second left
(after Country Lane) 32 Valley View is about halfway down on the left. It’s
a greenish ranch - style house).
Alliance Française de Hartford•233 Pearl•Hartford, CT 06103 • 860-278-9999
[email protected] - www.alliancefrancaisehtfd.org
No. 123
juillet/août 2009
de Hartford
Windsor Locks Student Awarded Scholarship
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has awarded
Gabriella Benea of Windsor Locks a $3,000 scholarship from the
Hartford Foundation’s College Scholarship Fund. The award is
partially funded by the Alliance Française of Hartford Harpin/
Rohinsky Scholarship Fund and the Daniel Clark Perkins Fund.
This Fall the recipient plans to attend the University of
Connecticut, keeping her major undecided for now as she has
diverse interests and has developed many talents.
Her high school World Language Teacher, Paula Lucafo,
writes glowingly of her student with a “true facility for languages.”
As part of her family heritage, this recipient of five other
academic achievement awards speaks Italian too. “Gabi” is also
a dedicated athlete, rising early most mornings to practice her
figure skating and in addition she finds time to teach skating to
children, and offer her help to special needs students.
In her scholarship essay Gabriella states, “I know that my
goal in life is to help others.” She hopes to “learn and mature
over the next two years,” in order to be better able to “decide
what to devote my life to.” Showing a maturity beyond her years,
Gabriella was even entrusted to help a substitute teacher with a
weeks long lesson plan.
Ms. Benea is truly a deserving scholarship recipient.
Whatever your plans are for the future “Gabi” you show every
sign of giving your all and finding success and satisfaction.
L’Alliance Française de Hartford te souhaite Bonne Chance!
Local Students Receive Recognition
The Alliance Française de Hartford honored area
middle and high school French students with the
Robert McFarland Memorial Book Award. Teachers in
eleven Hartford area towns nominated their most
promising students for the award, named in honor of
our past president and longtime Simsbury resident.
Mr. McFarland had a passion for the French language
and for teaching. He pursued a career in education
after achieving success in the insurance industry.
Unfortunately this year’s ceremony and reception had
to be cancelled due to the outbreak of the H1N1
influenza virus. Students received their books and
certificates during award ceremonies at their own
schools. Middle school winners
received an age-
A Bakery “Délicieuse”
On Sunday morning
J u n e 14 t h a n A F H
organized group of
eleven, partook of an
opportunity to venture
behind the enticing
glass display cases of
La Brioche located at
3 6 Wa r d S t r e e t i n
Rockville, CT. Colette Berulé, a native of
Metz, France and la propriétaire invited
the group into her kitchen to offer
a
demonstration of her baking expertise and
to give her guests the chance to get their
own hands in “la pâte.” As they formed
croissants Collette shared her food
philosophy “eat well and use only the best
ingredients.”
Sampling what they had
made themselves was a tasty end to their
trip.
Visit Mme. Berulé’s bakery yourself.
The moment you step foot in the door you
feel as if you have been transported to a
French village bakery. You can experience
a little bit of the authentic flavor and texture
of French pastries and breads in Rockville,
but get there early as she
often sells out of her
g o o d i e s . We w i l l b e
organizing another trip
this Fall. Watch for details!
appropriate Larousse Student
Dictionary, and high school honorees received a copy
in French of the classic , Le Petit Prince by Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry.
These awards are offered at no cost as an
outreach to the academic community. A grant from
the Fédération des Alliances Françaises was used to
partially fund the purchase of the book prizes this
year. However, we do need additional support to
continue this tradition. Please consider making a taxdeductible contribution to help fund this outreach to
young people studying the language and culture of
French-speaking countries.
Please contact Gayle
Murphy, Vice-President and Academic Liaison
([email protected]) for further information.
Alliance Française de Hartford•233 Pearl•Hartford, CT 06103 • 860-278-9999
[email protected] - www.alliancefrancaisehtfd.org
No. 123
juillet/août 2009
de Hartford
LOCAL FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUPS
•Tuesdays from 9:30 until noon. Call
203-238-3538 for location.
• 9:30 Wednesday mornings,
3hree Café, 684 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA. Contact:
Sheila McElwaine 413-788-8898
• Wednesdays at noon at the Senior
Center in Storrs. Contact:
Dennison Nash - 860-423-5463
In case of
inclement weather
before an AFH class your
teacher will contact you with
cancellation information.
•2nd and • 4th Wednesday of every
month at 7:00pm. Panera Bakery,
2542 Albany Avenue, West Hartford.
Contact: Diane Rechel at 860-233•1:30 pm, 3rd Saturday of the month
Conversation group now meeting in
Middletown. French-North American
“Spiritually Green”: It’s Only Natural
Restaurant, Main Street, Middletown:
Looking for New Leader.
RSVP : B. Jean Connal (203)907-7031,
[email protected], Serge Doyon: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1 - 4 pm
The director is often in at other times.
Café et Conversation
Dates • J u n e 27
• J u l y 11 • 25
• August 8 • 22
Jo i n y o u r A F H f r i e n d s
Saturdays at Café Mozzicato
10:30-12:00 for French
conversation and socializing.
This is a great opportunity to
practice speaking French or to
maintain fluency. All levels are
welcome. Café Mozzicato is
loc ated at 3 2 9 Fran k li n
Avenue, Hartford (There is
parking behind the building.)
Please Call Ahead.
FrenchSounds, LLC
A personalized program of
conversational French
emphasizing PRONUNCIATION
Cheryl A. Demharter, Ph.D.
Bilingual native speaker of
French and English
Specialist in French Phonetics
860-674-8651
[email protected]
www.frenchsounds.com
Alliance Française de Hartford•233 Pearl•Hartford, CT 06103 • 860-278-9999
[email protected] - www.alliancefrancaisehtfd.org
No. 123
Juillet/août 2009
Former Director Tracy Sigman Remembered and Honored
Tracy Marie (Morris) Sigman died in her Canton,
CT home on Thursday, April 30, after fighting
pancreatic cancer for more than two years. She was
surrounded by her husband Rob and her children
Ben Sigman and Beth Sigman Somerset.
Tracy was born on November 19, 1948 to
Robert and June (Tracy) Morris of Shorewood,
Wisconsin. She grew up in Shorewood and
attended Lake Forest College in Illinois, receiving a
B.A. in Russian Studies in 1971.
Tracy was passionate about language and travel.
Following college she joined the Peace Corps in Cameroon, Africa. She later enlisted as an
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Officer with the
U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. While stationed in Illinois, she met
-./01233.
her
husband
Rob
and moved to Canton in 1974.
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Tracy became very involved in community organizations, joining the Canton League of
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Women Voters and later serving as its president. Tracy was a member of Canton’s Planning
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Commission, acting as the Chairwoman for the Plan of Development in 1990. She also worked
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with the Canton-Kuntsevo Russian Exchange Committee. In addition, after years of
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,(8!',!O@@',5'6<!69(!+(;!9("!9=6E#,8!F5ED!"!"#$%!#,8!F5E!+5I(8!;5!:#,;5,!',!-.P/D
involvement with the Alliance Française of Hartford, Tracy became its Executive Director. She
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devoted significant time and energy to the success of the organization during her 12-year
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5++';;((D"!O,!#88';'5,<!#B;("!%(#"6!5B!',I5@I(+(,;!C';9!;9(!>@@'#,$(!N"#,$#'6(!5B!\#";B5"8<!
tenure. Through these commitments Tracy made many of her close friends, who provided
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!8="',*!9("!-21%(#"!;(,="(D!!!9"5=*9!;9(6(!$5++';+(,;6!!"#$%!+#8(!+#,%!5B!9("!$@56(!
5!?"5I'8(8!+=$9!@5I(!#,8!6=??5";!;9"5=*95=;!9("!@'B(!#,8!9("!E#;;@(!C';9!$#,$("D!"
much love and support throughout her life and her battle with cancer.
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Tracy greatly enjoyed walking, swimming, good food, puzzles, games and spending time
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@=EW6!!9"((!&'@(!O6@#,8!:#+?!',!H(C!\#+?69'"(!C("(!#+5,*!9("!B#I5"';(!I#$#;'5,6D"
with their family and friends (including her cats). Visiting her family in Wisconsin and going to
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"%!&5""'6!5B!K'6$5,6',<!Z8!&5""'6!4#,8!C'B(!L',8#!&5""'67!5B!O@@',5'6!#,8!)5=;9!:#"5@',#<!
the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Three Mile Island Camp in New Hampshire were among
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her favorite vacations.
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#%!:#,$("!:(,;("!#;!\#";B5"8!\56?';#@!403!)(%+5="!);D<!RDSD!G5[!_3AP<!\#";B5"8<!:!!3`-327!
In addition to her husband, her children and their spouses, Tracy is survived by her mother
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and three siblings, Gary Morris of WI, Ed Morris and his wife Linda of IL and SC, and
Melanie Morris Smith and husband Larry of WI.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Helen & Harry Gray Center at Hartford
Hospital, 80 Seymour St., P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102, or McLean Hospice at the
McLean Foundation, 75 Great Pond Rd., Simsbury, CT 06070.
LLOYD-JONES, Dr. Kenneth Dr. Kenneth Lloyd-Jones, beloved husband of Miriam
G. G. Lloyd-Jones, died peacefully in Hartford Hospital on June 2, 2009. Scholar,
professor, friend and mentor, Ken was an inspiration to faculty, staff, and students
at Trinity College in Hartford since 1978. His service to the College included 14
years as chairman of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, and
Course Director for the Gateway to the Humanities Program from 2000-2008. In
2006, Ken received the Trustee Award for Faculty Excellence. Ken is survived by his
wife, Miriam, of West Hartford; his daughter and son-in-law, Claire L. J. and Michael
S. Malloy and grandson, Jack of East Granby; his daughter and son-in-law, Anne L.
J. and Louis E. Vega, of New Bern, NC; his sister, Myra L. J. Pawsey and her family,
of Bath, England. A memorial service for Dr. Lloyd-Jones will be announced and held
at Trinity College in early fall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made
to The Kenneth Lloyd-Jones Scholarship Fund at Trinity College.
Presentation of the Plaque to
the Family of Tracy Sigman
At the AFH Annual Meeting, on
Sunday May 31st, in addition to
t he election of t he Board of
Directors and the entertainment
provided by soprano Elizabeth Lyra
Ross Norman and her accompanist,
several members and past director
Suzie Smith shared stories about the
many contr ibutions of for mer
director Tracy Sigman. During her
nearly 12 year tenure she fostered
the growth of the organization’s
membership and its leap to the
computer age as well as showed
kindness and concern for the many
people she met along the way. A
formal recognition of her efforts
was commemorated with a plaque
presented to her family by AFH
President Deb Grehn. Many guests
enjoyed the opportunity to share
with her family touching memories
of Tracy as well as astonishment at
her accomplishments before her
time at the Alliance Française.
Alliance Française de Hartford•233 Pearl•Hartford, CT 06103 • 860-278-9999
[email protected] - www.alliancefrancaisehtfd.org
No. 123
Mai/juin, 2009
PORTE OUVERTE
OPEN
HOUSE
August
27th
THURSDAY 5:30 - 7:00
233 Pearl St, Htfd, Third Floor
Join us to meet with
teachers and to discuss
which course would best suit
your needs. Socialize with
fellow students over wine
and refreshments.
Classes begin Sept. 8th
Celebrate “La Rentrée,” Return to School
September 8th is the start of
our new school year! In France this
return is known as “La Rentrée.”
The following Friday we will
celebrate the beginning of another
wonderful year of classes and
events at the Alliance Française of
Hartford. Join us for a welcomeback-from-summer party. This will
be a casual evening for members
and friends of AFH to enjoy French
food, wine and convivialité as we
say "Bienvenue" to our
new
program year. Enjoy some French
music, perhaps watch a film or
engage in stimulating conversation,
in French or English, with fellow
Francophiles. Bring your favorite dish for
10 (à la française, if you choose) or
bring your favorite bottle of wine.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11th
6:30 - 9:00 p.m
235 N. Main St., West Hartford
Please RSVP by September 9th.
Call the office at 860-278-9999 to reserve
your spot and let us know what you
are planning to bring.
Directions: #235 is located one
mile north of West Hartford Center
on North Main St, on the west side
of the street (left side if coming from
t h e C e n t e r, r i g h t s i d e i f
going towards the Center), the
second house from the intersection
of North Main and Hickory Lane. Call
233-8054 if you get lost. (Park on
side street - Hickory Lane, which is
one block north of Asylum Avenue).
Joyeuse
Quatorze Juillet!
Board of Directors
Debra Grehn - President
Silvia Bettega - Secretary
Gayle Murphy Vice- President
Marsha Elliott - Treasurer
Harriett Canty
Jon Gasior
Gail Giesen
Malati Kesaree
Laurence Kopec
Alice Napolitano
Del Rose
Carole Rothschild
Sam White
Executive Director Anne Marie OʼConnor
Celebrations for Bastille Day in
France include a grand military parade
down the Champs Elysée, general
feasting and fireworks. Bastille Day is
more commonly known as Quatorze
Juillet, a Fête Nationale first celebrated
on July 14, 1890 the 101st anniversary
of the storming of the Bastille, a
fortress prison in Paris where political
prisoners guilty of questioning the
authority of the monarchy were
detained. The Bastille had come to
symbolize for Parisians the arbitrary
and absolute power of le roi, King Louis
XVI but the insurgents also wanted the
ammunition that was stored inside the
Bastille. Nearly one hundred people lost
their lives.
What happened one year later is
t h e r e a l r e a s o n t h e h o l i d ay i s
celebrated.
July 14, 1780 delegates
from all over France gathered in the
Champs de Mars (present location of
the Tour Eiffel) for the Fête de la
Fédération which was when delegates
from all over France, inculding the
king gathered to pledge allegiance to a
single constitutional national
community. Feudalism was abolished
as was slavery and the Declaration of
the Rights of Man was adopted. This
would eventually lead to the birth of
the First French République in 1792.
The tricolor flag was adapted as the
symbol of the three national ideals:
L i b e rt é , É g ali t é Frat e r n it é
V IV E L A F R A NCE!