See Archives for previous News & Events

2008

Calling All Cajuns - Annual Membership Neeting - June 17, 2008 - See Notice

Letter from the Curator: New Book & Summer Events

Bonjour,

Calling all interested young readers who want to learn the Acadian History! I suggest a new book for summer reading which can help you learn the history in an easy and user friendly way," Cajuns and Their Acadian Ancestors: A Young Reader's History"! At last a book has been produced geared for readers on the junior high and high school levels. Read more about the book and why Dr. Shane K. Bernard wrote it.

During his teen years, Bernard worked on his genealogy and researched the history of his ancestors. He found works by scholars and historians but could not find books that were easy to understand. Years later, he wanted to be certain his own children would have access to "easy reading" materials so they could learn of their history.

Thus, Dr.Bernard produced, "Cajuns and Their Acadian Ancestors: A Young Reader's History". He presents a user friendly reader of the history of the Acadians from 1604 to today. The first part tells about the Acadian ancestors, who came from France to settle the new colony Acadie (present day Nova Scotia) and the deportation of the Acadians which years later created a new settled for the victims in Louisiana. The last half, tells of the Cajun's settlement in their "Nouvelle Acadie", Louisiana and examines the Cajuns through the last century and a half. Bernard offers a Timeline as an excellent addition to this timely book for young people to understand the development of the Acadian's presence in North America.

Finally a book that teachers, parents, and young people can use as a tool to learn and teach the history of the first North American settlers, Acadians! Bernard's goal is to "help young readers understand the Cajuns and their ancestors and, in its own small way, contribute to the survival of the Cajun culture". I do believe this is right on target since our children will be the ones to save our history.

You can purchase the book at the Acadain Memorial for $18.00. Consider this a gift for 8th grade and senior graduations or to congratulate your children for their good works during the past year. Whatever the reason, do make this very creative book a part of your library.

2008 Summer Events at the Acadain Memorial, 121 South New Market Street - 337.394.2258

June 17th, Tuesday, 4:30 pm ~ Acadian Memorial Foundation Membership Meeting with installation of new board members and officers with the opening of an audio interactive on the "Odyssey of the Acadian" Program held in the St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center and Dinner at 6:00 for members and guest only at the Maison de Ville, 100 North Main. RSVP and join the friends of the A.M.

June 23 to 27th, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m to 12:00 pm ~ Acadain Memorial History, French and Art Summer Camp / Ages 8 to 12. Program will be held at the Acadian Memorial and the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.
Cost $25.00, call Acadain Memorial to reserve at 394.2258

July 1st, 8th, 15th ~ Art classes with Janelle Hebert , Call for more details, 394.2258

July 28th, 6:00 pm. ~ Day of Remembrance / The day the order was signed by the British to deport the Acadians. Be a part of a ceremony to honor the Acadain people who were deported and renewed their lives in Louisiana

August 15th, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm ~ the City of St. Martinville celebrates the National Day of the Acadians. Enjoy Lectures, Theatre, Music, showing of films, "Acadian Story" and Evangeline, genealogy and more. The day will end with a precession of flags, with Acadian family names on them, to a celebration mass held in the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church. A reception will follow.

May 8, 2008 - St.Martinville's Acadian Memorial Host Janelle Hebert's Landscape Swamp Art Exhibit - See Painting

St. Martinville, La ~ On May 8, at 6:00 pm, the Acadian Memorial hosts an art exhibit,"New Beginnings ~ Landscape and Swamp Scenes" by Janelle Hebert, native of St.Martinville who returned home, a victim of Katrina.

Hebert's paintings have made a difference in this community with the magnificent images she has created of historic St. Martinville and the local scenery. She will share the story of her return to St. Martinville after Katrina as well as her interpretation and inspiration for her new work.

" As part of the program Dr.Darrell Bourque, Poet Laureate appointed by past Governor Kathleen Blanco, will present poetry readings and discussions. After he will be available for a book signing of his new book, "Blue Boat".

Hebert will be selling her paintings which will be available after the exhibit ends.

For reservations and more information, call the Acadian Memorial, 337.394.2258

April 22, 2008 - ACADIAN MEMORIAL host members of the CONGRÈS MONDIAL ACADIEN 2009 (World Acadian Meeting )

For INFORMATION SESSION

To learn more about the CONGRÈS MONDIAL ACADIEN 2009 (World Acadian Meeting) join in the informational session to be held Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:00 pm in the Acadian Memorial Conference Room in St. Martinville.

Come meet members of the Congrès mondial acadien 2009 (World Acadian Congress) team who will be here in Louisiana to answer all of your questions on the upcoming CMA being held in New Brunswick's Acadian Peninsula August 7-23, 2009.

Wondering when is the best time to go? When is your family reunion ? What other activities you can't miss? Where to stay?
Or even how to get there? They will have the information and be able to help you prepare your trip to the world's largest gathering of Acadians.

The group is also here to promote the Congrès mondial acadien 2009 at Festival International de Louisiane. Find the lighthouse close to Scene Fais Do Do and you'll find them! Stop by and visit for a chance to win a free trip for two to CMA 2009!

For more information, please call Rachelle at 337.291.5489 or Maegan Berard at 337.394.2258

Rachelle Dugas
Candidature Congrès mondial acadien-Louisiane 2014 Bid
735, rue Jefferson St
Lafayette, LA 70501
rachelle@louisiane-acadie.com
t 337.291.5489
t 337.291.5474 messages
f 337.291.5480

March 14 & 15, 2008: Acadian Memorial Festival

Letter on the Festival Written for Local Newspapers by Cheri Armentor of New Iberia

Article and photo by Susan Pitre Rabalais

Calling All Cajuns

Acadian Festival Schedule: Saturday, March 15, 2008

Crawfish Boil Info and Ticket Order Form

Christy Dugas Maraist, Past President, Acadian Memorial Foundation, Inc. Discussion
on “Emmeline” counterpart of Longfellow's “Evangeline” during the Acadian Memorial
Festival on March 15, 2008

Darrell Bouque Bio

Ray Brassieur Bio

Yvon Cyr Bio

Ben Benoit Bio

The Acadian Memorial Festival is being supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Office of the Lt. Governor, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

March 14th, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. ~ Kick off of the Acadian Memorial Festival with a Promenade on downtown historic St. Martinville ~ Showcase of downtown businesses, Music, Food, Art, St. Martin du Tours Church Tours, and the Acadian Memorial L"ordre Du Bon Temps Memberships Gathering. Event sponsored by the City of St. Martinville Tourism Center, Acadian Memorial, Cultural Heritage Center, Chamber of Commerce and the Maison du Tours.

March 15th ~ 10 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. - Acadian Memorial Festival: "A Tribute to the Spirit of Acadian Women" / Museum-style showcase of Acadian / Cajun traditions through: Theatre, Culture, Music, Dance, Demonstrations and sampling of traditional Cajun Foods, Genealogy, Lectures and Wooden Boat Exhibit on the Bayou Teche, Reenactment of the arrival of the Acadians on the Teche honoring the Acadian/Cajun family names Landry and Bourque. Workshops and lectures for adults and children. Volunteers are needed. For more information call: Brenda Comeaux Trahan 337.394.2258

FESTIVAL DU MONUMENT ACADIEN
121, rue du Nouveau Marché sud
SAINT-MARTINVILLE, LA 70508
Contacte: Brenda Comeaux Trahan, 337.394.2258 or 2233
www.acadianmemorial.org
info@acadianmemorial.org

Communiqué de Presse: Pour diffusion immédiate: du 30 janvier au 15 février
Merci pour la publicité

Le vendredi 14 mars, de 17h00 à 20h00 ~ Le Festival du Monument Acadien débute avec une Promenade à travers le centre historique de Saint-Martin ~ La procession comprendra une tournée des différents commerces du centre-ville, des visites de l’Église Saint-Martin de Tours, puis finira par un tour du Monument Acadien. Là, il y aura de la musique, du manger cadien, et un rassemblement des membres de l’Ordre du Bon Temps. Cet événement vous est amené par le Bureau de Tourisme de la Ville de Saint-Martin, par le Monument Acadien, par le Centre du Patrimoine culturel, ainsi que par La Maison de Tours.

Le samedi 15 mars, de 10h00 à 16h00 ~ Le Festival du Monument Acadien, "Un Hommage à la Femme acadienne” présente une exposition des traditions cadiennes à l’aide des activités culturelles suivantes : des pièces de théâtre, de la musique louisianaise, des danses folkloriques, des démonstrations et dégustations de cuisine cadienne, des discussions généalogiques, une exposition d’embarcations traditionnelles en bois, une reconstitution de l’arrivée des Acadiens par le Bayou Tèche en honneur des familles Landry et Bourque, ateliers et conférences pour les adultes et les enfants.

On a besoin de volontaires. Pour plus d’informations téléphonez à Brenda Comeaux Trahan 337.394.2258

Calling All Aspiring Young Artist of St. Martin Parish - March 1st & 8th

Join in the fun at the Acadian Memorial Conference Room (2nd floor) on Saturdays,March 1st and 8th and learn the skills of drawing and painting with native artist, Janelle Hebert.

Register for an Acadiana subject art class where students will be guided to draw and paint Acadian historical images. Focus will be on student's interpretation of the Evangeline Monument, the Evangeline Oak, St. Martin de Tours Church and the Acadian Memorial Cross. Students artwork will be displayed at the Acadian Memorial Festival on March 14th and 15th.

Classes will be held on Saturday from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Registration fee is $8 and art supplies will be furnished. Space is limited to 24 students so call soon.

For more information and to register call Janelle Hebert at 337.394.9105.

February 14, 2008: St. Martinville ~ Valentine Romance for Couples

Join the city of St. Martinville, Acadian Memorial, Cultural Heritage Center at the most romantic and most photographed oak tree in the United States. A most important aspect of intrigue and adventure that can bring romance to couples for Valentine Day!

On February 14, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Longfellow's poem, "Evangeline" and the romance behind it will be part of a tribute to all couples who were married or engaged under the famous oak tree in St. Martinville. Many marriage proposals and weddings occurred under the boughs of this famous and magnificent oak tree situated along the Bayou Teche. Some of these couples will tell about their reason for coming to this romantic town and famous tree to keep a most precious memory of their marriage and proposal.

Special guest will be author and Acadain Memorial Foundation past President, Christy Maraist. She will speak about the story of the St. Martinville Evangeline, who was known in the community as "Emmeline". Hear Maraist's research about the oral history handed down to Judge Filx Voorhies in his 125 year old book, "Acadian Reminisces"

Peggy Hulin with Old Castillo Hotel: La Place du Evangeline, ( 220 Evangeline Blvd, St. Martinville 337.394.4010 ) will host the event and the city of St. Martinville invites all couples to be a part of this annual romantic celebration. Come enjoy a Valentine romance "Cajun Style" then dine in our historic city.

Enjoy a reception with music, door prizes, lecture on Longfellow's "Evangeline" and the influence this story has on romance for couples and the history of the Acadian/Cajuns. Come early and catch the 1929 film of "Evangeline" shown at the Acadian Memorial Conference Room (121 South New Market~ 337.394.2258.
Free and open to the public.

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