Our congratulations go out again to Sofia Mancinone, the Senior Prize winner, and Sienna Moore, the Junior Prize winner, both are from Regional School District 12, Shepaug Valley School. They were our two outstanding French students who won our Concours prizes of $500 each, a “Certificat de Mérite en francais“, and a copy each of “Rochambeau, Washington’s Ideal Lieutenant” written and signed by our member author Jini Jones Vail. The event was held at the American Association of French Teachers Prize Ceremony at the Hopkins School in New Haven on May 14th. Prizes were awarded by President Nancy Marie-Odile Callahan, assisted by Vice President Evelyne Purdy, and Joanne Hutchings the Language School Director. Our best wishes go out to both students as they plan to continue their study of French after high school.
On Thursday, June 6th, the newly repaired statue of Rochambeau and obelisk in Newport, RI will be dedicated. Wikipedia article on Rochambeau statue
If you are interested in going to the ceremony and spending the day in Newport, please let us know as soon as possible. We are looking into renting a van to go as a group.
The All
iance Française of Northwest Connecticut, located at will present a one week workshop for children ages 3 to 6, from July 9 – July 13. Classes will run from 9:30am to 11:30am, each day. The total cost for this series of classes will be $200.
The workshop will include activities and lessons on the French language and culture, highlighting the celebration of Bastille Day. Mme. Marie-Odille and Mlle. Verte will conduct the workshop. The sessions will include instruction, music, crafts, un goûter and outdoor activities.
For more information please call 203 707-0710 or visit www.afnwct.org
Bleu Blanc Rouge_July French Class
The Metropo
litan Museum of Art is showcasing their extensive holdings of Auguste Rodin’s works to mark the centenary of his death. It includes pieces that have not been exhibited in many years. It includes drawings, marbles, bronzes, plasters and terracottas by the master. This exhibit runs through January 15th, 2018 at the Met Fifth Avenue or visit here for more information: Rodin at The Met
Now playing at Bantam Cinema in Bantam “The Midwife“, or “Sage Femme“, in French, with Catherine Deneuve and Catherine Frot. Visit Bantam Cinema, or call 860-567-0006 for show times.
Also of interest and playing at Criterion Cinemas in New Haven, is “Loving Vincent“, the life of Vincent Van Gogh. This will be playing at Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas beginning October 20th.
For show times and more, click here: Criterion Cinemas in New Haven
The Alliance Française invites you on October 25th to join them on their
Fall museum tour. We are traveling to the Bruce Museum
in Greenwich to see the “In the Limelight” exhibit of the works of artist
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and view a film featuring the works of Post
Impressionist Paul Cezanne. Click here for the press release from the Bruce Museum: In The Limelight_Toulouse-Lautrec_Bruce Museum Read more
The 2nd AFNWCT Ligue de Pétanque ran this year from May through September 2017 with 19 members participating. Whereas last year the group played on 2 courts: one in Southbury and one in Bethlehem, two of our participants this year built two new courts which offered more opportunities to play throughout the season and different challenges, each court completely different in size, shape and terrain contours.
Congratulations to the 8 semi-finalists: Anne, Gail, Jean-Marie, Jim, Marcel, Marda and Noelle for having reached that level and for the concentration and passion demonstrated. Fabulous games. Fabulous! Best ever! Magnificent! Games no-one had seen before!
The finalists were, with ladies first and then men in order of age, Anne, Ulrich, Jim, and JM.
The final tournament was held in Bethlehem under a very hot sun, several spectators watching and with very warm interactions amongst the players.
Results:
1st place: Jim , Gold
2nd place: Anne, Silver
3rd place: Jean-Marie, Bronze
4th place: Ulrich
Thanking our hosts Gail and Marcel
Many thanks to Anne/Mark, Marda/Jean-Marie, Marcel/Gail and Fran/Jodie for offering their courts
for this seasons’ games and to Gail and Marcel for hosting the finale and closing celebration dinner. It was much appreciated by our AF members and the players.
Click the link below to check out the photos from the preliminary games, finale and dinner.
Samedi, le 19 août, à la dernière réunion du Conseil de cette année fiscale, on a accepté la résignation de Jean Marie et Marda Gutierrez du Conseil. Comme ils avaient chacun encore une année pour terminer leur mandat, on a présenté les remplaçants et de nouveaux membres. On a voté à l’unanimité en faveur du nouveau Conseil:
Présidente: Nancy Marie Odile Callahan
Vice-Présidente: Evelyne Purdy
Trésorier: Gurmit Batra (photo à gauche)
Secrétaire: Micheline Baker
Programmes: Gail Gros
Directrice de l’Ecole: Joanne Hutchings
Conseiller Juridique: John Lamb
Adhérents: Laurent Vernouillet
Webmestre: Ingrid Klein
Félicitations au nouveau Conseil!
The new Board introduced themselves to each other since there are several new members
Pictured in the large photo are:
1st row left to right: Gurmit Batra, John Lamb, Laurent Vernillet
2nd row left to right: Ingrid Klein, Nancy Callahan, Micheline Baker, Gail Gros, Joanne Hutchings, Evelyne Purdy
Venez à la “Cocktail de Rentrée” vendredi, 22 septembre où vous allez pouvoir rencontrer les membres du Conseil.
Nancy Callahan and her family were present this spring to witness the bestowing of the honor of “Chevalier” (Knight) of the National Order of Légion D’Honneur for the French Government on their father, Donald Lytle. 
He was honored by the Consul General of France in San Francisco and the honor was bestowed by Gabrielle Applequist, the Honorary Consul of Idaho and former President of the Alliance Française in Boise, Idaho. She bestowed the Medal of Honor after her remarks from the President of the Republic of France in appreciation for Mr. Lytle’s efforts in the liberation of France during World War II. 
Many members of the Alliance Française of Boise, Idaho were present as well as friends, family and fellow veterans.
“It was a great honor for our family as my father also received the Purple Heart for his injury and efforts in the Battle of the Bulge on Christmas Eve 1944,” explained Callahan. “He was then stationed with the Ordinance Corps in Paris and Versailles where he ultimately met my mother. They were married on August 12, 1946 and celebrated their 71st anniversary this month,” she continued.
Thus, Nancy Marie-Odile Lytle (Callahan) was born in America and raised in a French and American household. Nancy Callahan is the current President of the AFNWCT.
