Matinée Littéraire Starts June 6

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testament_francaisThis summer’s novel will be Le Testament français by Adrei Makine to be read aloud together in the beautiful setting of the Audubon Center Bent of the River, in Southbury.

Starting Saturday, June 6, this group meets twice a month on Saturdays (replacing Cafe Conversation) to discuss the text. Chairperson, Kathryn MacCullough, will be ordering the French version for ~$13.95 or those who also want the English version, it will be ~$14.95. The exact amount will be available soon.

Please send an email by May 7 to Kathryn at matinee@afnwct.org to be added to the participation list and/or to order a copy of the book.

Checks made payable to AFNWCT may be mailed to our Southbury AF Center: 1 Pomperaug Office Park, Suite 301, Southbury, CT 06488.

FYI: Amazon also sells a Bilingual (Francais/Anglais) Kindle version for $.99 which is downloaded wirelessly to your Kindle, iPad or iPhone.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Le Testament Français   par Andreï Makine
Every summer young Andreï visits his grandmother, Charlotte Lemonnier, whom he loves dearly. In a dusty village overlooking the vast Russian steppes, she captivates him with wondrous tales – watching Proust play tennis in Neuilly, Tsar Nicholas II’s visit to Paris, French president Felix Faure dying in the arms of his mistress. But from his mysterious grandmother Andreï also learns of a Russia he has never known: a country of famine and misery, brutal injustice, and the hopeless chaos of war. Enthralled, he weaves her stories into his own secret universe of memory and dream. A poignant story of a Soviet boy’s ascent into adulthood in the 1960’s and 1970’s, the novel is an epic tale full of passion and tenderness, pain and heartbreak, mesmerizing in every way.

More questions can be directed to Kathryn at matinee@afnwct.org

Click here for more details.

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Célébrons la Fête des Mères, May 7 Event Announcement

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5:00 to 8:00pm

clothingCome shop at The Loft and receive 40% discount on all purchases. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served while we shop for clothing at this Southbury retail clothing store. Fashion style experts and Mary Kay cosmetic consultants will give our members and guests the V.I.P. treatment! All participants will be entered into a drawing for The Loft gift certificates.

RSVP by May 4 by calling (203) 707-0710 or write to afnwct@afnwct.org.

CLICK HERE FOR: ADDITIONAL DETAILS

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La Vie Parisienne, May 3 Event Announcement

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12 noon to 4pm.

mimeGet ready to be transported to the streets of Paris and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment including a professional mime. Join us for a delicious Brunch with Mimosas at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury. Peruse our enticing selection of Silent Auction themed gift baskets and be wowed by the special items donated by area businesses and members. A photographer will be on hand to take a souvenir picture in front of the Eiffel Tower, then head towards “Montmartre” and have your “portrait” drawn by a professional caricaturist; don’t forget to check out the book stall and flower stand along the river Seine… No need to bring your passport nor do you need to understand or speak French.

This is a great Mother’s Day gift idea!

Proceeds from this fund raising event will go towards our French Language School and building our library of books, cds and dvds.

Purchase your tickets below or send checks made payable to AFNWCT to: 1 Pomperaug Office Park, Suite 301, Southbury, CT 06488

Adults – $45.00; Students – $20.00

HURRY! All tickets must be purchased by April 27.

For more information call (203) 707-0710

CLICK HERE FOR: ADDITIONAL DETAILS


Prices:
Attendee’s Name



 

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La Fête de la Chandeleur

In spite of the 3-6″ of snow falling throughout the afternoon on the ground (and on our cars), we had a lovely time celebrating (enfin) La Chandeleur on Sunday, March 1. Postponed from the original date, we might have canceled again however Evelyne had already made +200 crêpes so some ventured and bravely drove over the rivers and through the woods to the Purdy home.

Normally celebrated on the 2nd of February, Chandeleur marks the end of the Christmas period coming exactly 40 days after Christmas. The word “chandeleur” comes from “chandelle” meaning candle. Marking also the halfway point between winter and spring, (like Ground Hog’s Day) in France families celebrate by eating crêpes, which are round and golden like the springtime sun. Given the weather we experienced, it seems appropriate that there are numerous proverbs warning of the consequences of specific weather at Chandeleur:  “Soleil de la Chandeleur, annonce hiver et malheur” (if it’s sunny at Candlemas winter will continue bringing bad luck).  Others warn of 40 days lost if snow was still on the ground “Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte” and even the exact opposite of the first, heralding in good news if the day was fine: “Si la chandelle est belle et claire, nous avons l’hiver derrière”.  Confusing!

Taking advantage of the lateness of our celebration and its proximity to La Fête du Carnavale, Hospitality Chairwoman, Nancy Callahan featured beautiful decorations around a combined theme of candles and Mardi Gras, creating a festive, warm and inviting look as guests arrived. (Merci Nancy – c’était très beau!)

Delicious crêpes were served: both simple ones for each to garnish as they chose and also orange-flavored crêpes ceremoniously flambées au Grand Marnier. A choice of du vin simple et mousseux or du cidre were offered to accompany our crêpes (we tasted 2 different ones: un cidre Brut and un Rosé, both from Normandie) and some tried a peach-flavored Bière from Belgium![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Evelyne then gave a demonstration of the proper technique for buttering la poêle, measuring and pouring the batter with une louche, turning with the wrist the batter to thinly coat the pan, letting it sit and cook, and, once the edges have begun to lift, flipping the crêpe in the air to turn it over and cook on the other side. Guests then took turns to try their hand.

Merci Évelyne et Strother pour nous avoir offert un après-midi très agréable!

 

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la Fête de la Chandeleur, Sunday, Feb. 15

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The Alliance Francaise of Northwestern CT (AFNWCT) will celebrate “la Fête de la Chandeleur” on Sunday February 15 at 3:00 pm in the Bridgewater home of one of their members. Also called Crêpe Day, Chandeleur is a French holiday during which people traditionally eat crêpes and drink cidre (not to be confused with American apple cider; this beverage is only for people over 21!).

Though Chandeleur is often associated with the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, it actually stems from pagan traditions. While some say Chandeleur celebrates the return of sunny days (crêpes symbolize the sun), others say that making crêpes using flour left over from the harvest ensures prosperity in the coming year.

crepeParticipants will have an opportunity to try their luck with the Chandeleur coin ritual: if you can successfully flip a crêpe while holding a “Louis d’or” (or coin) in your other hand, you and your family will not have to worry about financial problems.

The deadline for RSVPs has elapsed.  If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please call 203-707-0710 and leave your name, telephone number and an email address.

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Holiday Reception, Merci et Bravo!

MERCI et BRAVO!

More than 40 members and friends attended our Holiday Reception December 13 at our AF Center. The food was prepared by our members and was delicious.

We also want to thank our fantastic  student volunteers Carly, Claire, Heidi, Sophie and Walter from the Pomperaug High School French Honor’s Society. They helped greet our guests, take their coats and serve throughout the night. Those who were there were very impressed with their professionalism and smiling faces.

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Holiday Reception Announcement

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Our Holiday Reception will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 6:30 pm at our new AF Center located One Pomperaug Office Park, Suite 301 in Southbury.  The evening’s menu includes various “tapas-styled” appetizers, fruit delicacies, chocolates, the French Bûche de Noël, wine and beverages.

The price is only $18 for members ($25 for others) and includes a surprise end-of-year gift!  To reserve, payment must be received by December 9.  Mail checks to AFNWCT or pay by credit card (NEW!!) on line at www.afnwct.org.

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Pétanque

Dimanche, le 26 octobre à partir de midi venez jouer ce jeu qui ressemble au jeu italien de Bocce mais qui se joue avec les Boules en acier inox. Ce n’est pas nécessaire de savoir jouer, on vous apprendra. boules-sur-terreUn déjeuner léger sera servi. Amenez pulls ou vestes pour le temps frais car nous serons dehors pour tout.

Prix Membre $10; $20 Prix des autres.

petanque2

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Soirée de Rentrée, September 27th

A special MERCI BEAUCOUP goes to John Lamb and Lawrence Tuchmann for hosting once again a beautiful Soirée de Rentrée September 27th. More than 40 people attended and everyone enjoyed the delicious food, beverages and lively conversations (often in French).

We also thank the family members of our hosts who helped with the preparations as well as our Hospitality Chairwoman, Nancy Callahan.

It was a lovely start to our year !

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Fête Du Quatorze Juillet

Once again we thank Micheline Baker for graciously hosting our Bastille Day party. The Board presented out-going president, Marcella Jackson with an engraved gold necklace to thank her for her 22 years of service; several of the children found the pool warm enough to swim in. Cynthia McCorkindale sang French songs and entertained us on her keyboard. After a buffet dinner, several members played Petanque while others gathered with sparklers to sing La Marseillaise.

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