Tag Archives: Brunswick Maine

French stories for children: Franco-American video

LEWISTON, Me– A Franco-American Collection children’s program will showcase the Holiday bilingual readings of two stories in French. They will be read by Camden Martin and Andrea Quaid. The videos will be shown during the Holiday season, posted on the University of Southern Maine’s video channel. “Disco and Me”, (Disco et Moi- An Unexpected Adventure […]

Saint John the Baptist Museum preserves Franco-American religious history

Antique Bible Saint John the Baptist Church

This is the first in a forthcoming series of blogs. Saint John the Baptist church in Brunswick was officially born on January 1, 1877, built by mostly Franco-Americans and French-Canadian immigrants who lived and worked in the Brunswick and Topsham communities. Now, the church’s history is exhibited in a beautifully organized museum where future generations […]

Androscoggin Swinging Bridge – Franco-American mill workers history

Gusts visiting the Androscoggin River Swinging Bridge

BRUNSWICK, Maine –  A lovely pedestrian bridge spanning the Androscoggin River between Brunswick and Topsham is a place to visit at almost any time of year, but especially with Maine’s summer guests. It provides visitors with a scenic view of the river and the location is easy to find along Route 1, thru Brunswick. My […]

“Messiah” performed in the St. John’s Franco-American sanctuary

Ortorio Chorale program

It’s rare to hear the entirety of George Frideric Handel’s magnificent oratorio “Messiah”, performed with an orchestra, at a local venue, like the beautiful and inspirational sanctuary at Brunswick’s Saint John the Baptist Church. On Sunday November 5th, Maine’s Oratorio Chorale, led by Director Emily Isaacson, performed the entire oratorio with professional soloists, and they […]

Franco-American history- Androscoggin River Swinging Bridge

Friends visit the Androscoggin River Swinging Bridge

BRUNSWICK, Me- It’s always a pleasure to visit the picturesque Androscoggin River Swinging Bridge, located in a small historic park off of Route 1,  when driving through Brunswick, Maine.  Indeed, my husband and I enjoy taking visitors to see the bridge, because it’s an opportunity to teach them a little about Franco-American history. Civil engineers […]

Documentary about Les Filles du Roi- Daughters of the King

Ursuline Nuns welcome Les Filles du Roi

Two-thirds of French Canadians are descended from 800 women who arrived in New France in the 1660s. They are collectives known to history as Les Filles du Roi (Daughters of the King).  Gerard Dennison alerted me to the Canadian Broadcast (CBC) documentary about their important contributions to the population growth and social development of New […]

Franco-American memorial for Father Normand Carpentier

He was a gentle spirit who was very proud to be a Franco-American. We met Father Normand E. Carpentier when he was an assistant pastor at All Saints Parish, in Brunwick, ME. At one time, he was a guest of the local French group, a gathering of 8 friends who continue to meet for lunch, […]