Minutes: 19 Nov 2012
Minutes - Les Guidry d'Asteur Meeting -19 November 2012
November 19, 2012
Cousins,
Attached is the latest edition of our Les Guédry d'Asteur newsletter "Generations". I hope you enjoy reading this issue during the holidays. The two books highlighted in our Book Nook are excellent and should be read by all. Zachary Richard's book "Histoire des Acadiennes et Acadiens del la Louisiane" is in French for our Acadian-speaking cousins. Many of you may know Zachary for his superb Acadian music, but he also is an ardent support of the Acadian renaissance movement throughout the world and devotes a lot of his time to this endeavor. He has produced and appeared in an excellent series of videos - each highlighting a different Acadian region of the world. If you speak French, you will not regret reading this book and having it available for others to read. Christopher Hodson in his "The Acadian Diaspora" presents the history of the Acadian people shortly after they were deported - focusing each chapter on the exiled Acadians in different regions of the world. Unlike many earlier writers that depicted the Acadians as a poor, wandering group of people living on the charity of others, Christopher demonstrates through existing documents that the Acadians were a sought-after commodity by France for their superb work ethic and abilities - traits lacking in the average French citizen of the day. The French wanted to rebuild their empire after the conflict of 1756-1763 and saw the Acadians as the best way to establish new, successful settlements both within France and throughout the world. As a teaser, you will definitely be intrigued by the story of Charles White (née LeBlanc) from Philadelphia in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Since completing the newsletter, we have confirmed that "Chere Mom" - a traditional Cajun band from Zachary, LA will be playing at our 16 August 2014 Reunion in Van Buren, Maine. "Chere Mom" has Christine Guidry Law on accordion, ti-fer and vocals, daughter LeeAnn Law on fiddle and vocals, son Taylor on bass guitar and husband Wallace on rhythm guitar. "Chere Mom" plays superb Acadian music while interjecting interesting tidbits on our Acadian history and culture. Christine, born at Pointe Noir near Church Point, LA, descends from a long line of distinguished Acadian accordionists through her Mom's Lejeune family. These include Angelas Lejeune from the 1920s, Agnes Lejeune of the early 1900s and his son the legendary Iry Lejeune of the 1940s and 1950s. We are continuing to put together the programs and agenda for the day and will update everyone periodically. Start planning your trip to Van Buren as this will be a wonderful time for all in this truly unique Acadian region.
See you in Van Buren,
Marty
--
Martin Guidry6139 North Shore Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
225-571-9726
guidryrmartin@gmail.com
Les Guédry et Petitpas d'Asteur, Inc.
https://guedryfamily.guedry.org/
https://guedry.guedry.org/
https://clotiaux.guedry.org/
https://butaud.guedry.org/