Hanover-Joigny Exchange Newsletter - 2005

Ten French students and one chaperone from Joigny, France, arrived in Boston on Saturday, July 2, excited to visit the United States (most of them for the first time). They were given the opportunity to visit with their host families and celebrate July 4 together.

This year, the American students that hosted were reciprocating for their stay in Joigny in April, 2005. Jane Woods brought about 24 Footnote singers and a few chaperones to Joigny. As always, the French were so hospitable to the group; and we welcomed the opportunity to give them a taste of our hospitality.

On Tuesday, July 5, the students were introduced to the town of Hanover and given tours of the Dartmouth campus, Baker Tower, the police station, and the fire station. A special treat was being able to experience sliding down a pole and taking a ride on the “tower”, which took them high in the air. That evening, the students were treated to a potluck dinner at the community center in Hanover where they were given welcome gifts.

For the next two weeks, the host families, the board of directors, and Jane Woods toured them around Boston, Burlington, Quechee, Six Flags, and Hampton Beach. The Ames, the Harpers, and the Konos hosted some wonderful dinners for the group. At the farewell dinner, we had a water balloon toss, a three-legged race, and Jane Woods led the Footnotes that were there in a few songs. After the dinner, the students were treated to Cosmic Bowling in White River Junction.

It is these kind of experiences that make the Hanover-Joigny Student Exchange Program so valuable. It is the reason why board members, teachers, students, and parents give so much time to this program. We want to encourage our students to learn from the French and for them to learn from us. It is just one small part we can play to help increase understanding and respect between people around the world.
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The whole group was really excited about this trip to the U.S.A. They were all looking forward to discovering the "American way of life" to compare it to what they imagined.

The two weeks were very instructive for the young French. It erased the stereotypes they had learnt from the films or the sitcoms and they were surprised by a number of elements in the ordinary life in Hanover. For example, the size of the houses and the fact that they were mainly made of wood. They were also amazed to realize that most people in Hanover never lock their door during the day and so, the teenagers could easily walk in and out of their friends' house even if the parents were not at home.

Among the different visits, I think their favourites were the day in the amusement park and the day on the New Hampshire beaches. ( In my opinion, this is mainly due to the fact that the weather was gorgeous on both occasions ). They also really enjoyed their visit to the police station and to the fire station ( especially their trip up the ladder!). As for the rest of the visits, they were so varied that everybody could find an interest in the different propositions.

Above all, I think they liked being with the families, taking part in their everyday normal activities. To this respect, spending the first three days in the family was a really great opportunity to get to know each other.

All the kids were really sad to leave and have been advertising the exchange with enthusiasm in the high-school since the new school year began.

For my part, I spent two fantastic weeks with all of you and can't wait to come back or to see you in France in the future.

On behalf of the whole group, I want to thank all the families and all the members of the committee for their warm welcome and their great organisation of the whole visit.

PS: some news about Jean-Baptiste so everybody can be reassured : his arm healed really well and he is perfectly all right now. He has a big orange cast as a great souvenir of his trip!

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On Tuesday July 5th, the Joigny students, along with chaperone Isabelle Clement, got together for a "Highlights of Hanover" tour. Our first stop was Baker Library, where we were given special access to the tower. Our guide, Travis Gere, led us up winding staircase after winding staircase and upon reaching the top, the group was breathless-both literally and figuratively! The bird's eye view of the Dartmouth campus and the town beyond really is spectacular.

Next we were off to the fire station for what we thought would be a 45-minute visit. Our hosts, firefighters Michael Hinsley and Michael Hanchett, proved to be more than accommodating. Mr. Hinsley provided explanations and commentary, even using a little French from time to time. We walked around the exterior of the gleaming fire engines, and enthusiastically climbed inside for a peek. When one of the students asked if we could go for a ride, I was surprised when the reply was "Well, let me check." However, I was truly shocked when the station chief gave us the OK! Minutes later, there we were, crammed into two fire engines, cruising through campus and down Main Street. What an adventure.

Upon our return, our tour continued with a look at the 'cherry-picker' and an explanation of its use. Again, one of the students asked if he could go for a ride, and once again the response was "why not"! So carefully, each student was safety-strapped into the cherry-picker and hoisted aloft one at a time. Our allotted 45-minute tour turned into almost two hours, but the students (and chaperones!) seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

We ended our visit with a look at the police department where the Joviniens had fun getting locked in one of the jail cells by our guide, Officer Shannon Kuehlwein

The final stop of the day was Storrs Pond. After a few hours of swimming, Frisbee, snacking, and just generally relaxing, we headed back to meet our host families at the high school, tired and happy.
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Imagine it is 1805 and you are sitting with a group of friends in a book-lined, Parisian living room in a 4th floor walk-up apartment, overlooking a quiet courtyard. Spread on a table next to you are Camembert, St. Albans cheese, several pates, Nicoise olives and crusty baguettes. You are sipping delicious Cote de Rhone while listening to one of the group recite from her recently published book of poetry. Recently, eight Hanover area gardeners were in this "soiree" type atmosphere, except it was 2005. The hostess was my friend, Martha, and the poet, a Norwich resident, Pam McCullough. After our feast, we walked to rue de l'Odeon to view the roof garden of Martha's daughter, Natacha. It was a perfect beginning to an eight day visit of public and private gardens in Paris and Joigny, led by myself and accompanied by gardening professional, Henry Homeyer,

In Paris, we saw the breathtaking rose bushes in the famous Bagatelle Gardens and the meticulously kept flower beds at the Jardin des Plantes, but the real treat was the chance to view private gardens. Parisians have a love affair with gardens and they are tucked in the most surprising places. Who would expect to walk out the rear door of an apartment on the major Boulevard Raspail to find a garden wonderland complete with bamboo plants three stories high, or to walk into a tiny garden next to an ancient house to find our host has strewn the garden paths with rose petals to welcome us?

We left Paris reluctantly but looked forward to first, stopping in Giverny to see Monet's Garden, and then arriving in Joigny where we would spend four days living with French families while visiting local gardens. While there, we would see an interesting vegetable garden that utilized companion planting rather than chemicals. We were surprised to see dead fish hanging from fruit trees to discourage wildlife. We met a man growing over 200 varieties of fuchsias. A very energetic English woman led us through the flower gardens she had spent a lifetime creating. A nun in Joigny showed us her convent garden with spectacular hollyhocks. We strolled in the garden at Sens Cathedral and toured the town greenhouses where we were amazed to see lily pads in the tropical section that were four feet wide and strong enough to support a small child.

Besides the marvelous gardens, our Joigny hosts invited us to a jazz fest in the town square followed by a food extravaganza featuring many of the local cheeses. The last day of our stay was spent tasting wine in Chablis and visiting the ancient Basilica of Veselay.

Our visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We look forward to hosting a group of garden enthusiasts from Joigny in the summer of 2006.
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When I was in my junior year, a certain foreign study program came to Hanover and made a presentation to interested students on the cultural exchange experience that they offered. I liked the idea of studying in a foreign country; I had always wanted to speak a second language fluently, and I knew that my only chance of being really proficient in another language was to live abroad for some time. Having studied French for many years in school, I was itching for the chance to finally achieve real fluency in that language. Furthermore, I love French literature, art, and cuisine; I'd visited Paris twice on vacation and immensely enjoyed my time there. All in all, I was really excited about the opportunity to spend time at leisure absorbing French culture.

The only thing I didn't like about the presentation I saw junior year was that this international program was centered on a school full of American students. I knew that in a situation like that I'd spend most of my time speaking English to other kids from back home. Instead, I asked Mme Waters if there was any way I could do a real exchange program, not only staying with a French host family but also going to a French school. She told me that the Hanover-Joigny Exchange Program might be able to arrange that kind of an experience for me in Joigny. Sure enough, over the course of the next months the Exchange Program found me a host family, had me enrolled in the lycee, and helped me with all the other details necessary for my exchange. I can't possibly thank everyone enough for all the help I received in arranging the logistics of my study abroad; it would have been impossible for me to set everything up on my own.

I got in touch with my French hosts, the Leblond family, through email and mail, before I left the US at the end of August; still, I wasn't sure what to expect when I got off of my plane at the Charles de Gaulle airport. But from the minute I saw my new French family waiting for me outside of customs, I knew how well we'd get along. Having the Leblonds as my host family was the most wonderful part of my entire time in Joigny. They welcomed me into their family with open arms and with open hearts; I never felt out of place or uncomfortable when I was at home with them. Not only did they give me a home away from home in Joigny, they also took me traveling, to show me as much of France (and Belgium, for that matter) as they could. We visited Lille, Soissons, Brussels, Flavigny, Bruges, Alesia, Paris, and many other cities, towns, and sites of historical importance. I never expected to see so much of France while I was living in Joigny. I also spent time with Raynald Boidin and his family. Raynald had lived with my family in Hanover over the summer, and so was one of my first contacts in Joigny. We went on various excursions to nearby towns together, and had great conversations on the joys and challenges of living abroad.

In school at the Lycee Louis Davier, the teachers and my classmates made every effort to help me fit in. I made good friends with many of my classmates, and Louis (my host brother) introduced me to his friends in the older grades. (Although it was my senior year in high school, I was enrolled in the equivalent of junior year at the lycee.) One classmate in particular, Vincent Pellard, became my best friend and ensured that I was never utterly confused as to what was going on around me. Having all my instruction in French in all of my subjects was difficult at times, but always made the material more interesting and ensured that the teachers had my undivided attention. My favorite subject, of course, was my literature class, taught by the incomparable M. Pupier. He proved to be immensely knowledgeable in his field and broadened my understanding of French writers considerably. M. Pernuit, our class's head teacher, took a special interest in me, and took me to see the medieval cathedral in his hometown of Sens. Ann Moulinet-Loury, an English teacher at the lycee who had visited Hanover the previous summer, introduced me to friends of hers, and gave me a chance to use my English once in a while. Finally, the Joigny members of the Exchange Program (Cercle d'Amitié) invited me to several parties and social events, so that I could meet many more of the citizens of Joigny and get to make as many French friends as possible.

Over the seven months I spent in Joigny, I grew in countless ways. I improved my French language skills immeasurably, I gained a far better understanding of French society, and I absorbed as much French culture as possible. I also made lifelong friendships, and learned how well people treat a stranger who is sincerely interested in their world. I enjoyed myself at every turn, and was truly sorry when it came time for me to leave. From my experience, I whole-heartedly recommend that everyone study abroad if at all possible; I know that I learned much more in Joigny than I would have in a year of school back in the USA. When I visited the Leblond family in Joigny again this summer, it was like returning home. Many thanks to the Hanover-Joigny Exchange Program and the wonderful people of Joigny for making my foreign exchange such a fantastic experience!
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Last summer, I had the luck to spend two months in Norwich. I am used to spending summer vacation abroad (I've been in Wales, in Austria and in Germany) but it was the first time I was really alone in an unknown town where I didn't know anyone. It was also the first time when I was alone in an English-speaking country and it was my first long and far travel (2 months at more than 7000 km from home!). So I concede that, when I arrived at the family Peyton-Clark who greeted me, I was a little worried.

My first week was really hard, because I didn't know English well and it was exhausting for me to be always concentrating hard to try to understand people.

Moreover, I was totally out of my element since everything is different in the USA. The school was for me particularly a great surprise while it's absolutely not the same than in France. I can't tell you about all the differences and you just have to come to France to see them. I can't tell you too which system is the best, because both are nice but in a different way. So it was hard for me to adapt to this funny system without classes in the afternoon, without lunch, without bells.

But because of the family Peyton-Clark my anxiety wasn't long. All of them were really nice with me and made me feel good. And with them, I discovered all the facets of America. We did a lot of activities in the country (kayaking, tubing, strolls) and with some friends from the High School, I went to a farm.

I learned about American history when we saw "old" towns like Vergennes. It was funny for a French girl to hear that a town built in 19th century is an "old" city! (The houses of Joigny are from the 16th and 17th century and Joigny isn't one of the oldest French cities).

But I went to big new cities which are different than in France too. I had the pleasure to go to New York City. We saw a show on Broadway, St Patrick's Cathedral, the Empire State Building and Central Park. For French people, New York is a mythical city and it's really impressive!

I learned about American cooking too. All the French people say American cooking isn't good but it's absolutely false! All that I ate was delicious (especially ice cream, cookies and the "Angel Food cake"!).

I met a lot of very friendly people: the Peyton-Clark family with whom I lived, the French teachers of Hanover High School, some friends from the High School. And now, I know the truth about American people, as there are in France a lot of stereotypes about them (especially about politics and an anti-French feeling.). All of the people I met were very welcoming and made my stay unforgettable. I'd like to thank them for their friendship and their patience.

To conclude, I encourage everybody to spend a few times in an unknown country: it's really a great experience. And don't worry, you don't have to speak well a foreign language to go abroad and have a wonderful stay!

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Hanover-Joigny Exchange Newsletter - 2004

This year's articles include:

- Comings and Goings, by Pietie Birnie
- Upcoming French Garden Tour, by Eileen Clauson
- Student Visit to Hanover, by Sharon Moore
- Student Visit to Joigny, by Judy Csatari
- Impressions of a Student, by Melania Lindberg, HHS 2005
- Impressions of a Student, by Iain Prendergast, HHS
- Impressions oF a French Intern, by Raynald Boidin
- Girls' Soccer Trip to Joigny, by Francie Prosser-Riessen
- Learning French the Fun Way!, by Gloria Finkelstein

Despite the general slowdown in international travel during the past year, there have been several individual visits between folks in the Upper Valley and Joigny.

This summer, Raynald Boidin, a 21 year old Jovinien studying industrial engineering and management at INSA in Lyon, came to Hanover for eight weeks. As a requirement for his degree, he needed to carry out an internship in an English-speaking country. Raynald's account of his stay appears in this newsletter. We are extremely grateful to Victor Petrenko for creating a place for him in his laboratory and watching over his work and to the Rhodes family for welcoming him into their home.

Sandie Anderson and Reeve Williams spent a day in Joigny during a June trip to France. They visited with Marie-Claude Mathiaut and Maggy Albertelli at L'Espace Jean-de-Joigny and with Ombeline, Martine, and Jean-Luc at the Allemand home.

Ned Mc Carthy, lured by an irresistible offer of a really cheap apartment, took off for Paris with his wife, Jane, and her two sisters and brother-in-law for two weeks in July. The apartment was bare-bones: mattresses on the floor, hot water only in early morning and evening (what else would one expect, staying in Montmartre, renting from a landlord who is a philosophy professor at the Sorbonne?!). Nonetheless, they had a great time: meeting for lunch with Guy and Marie-Claude Mathiaut from Joigny; taking an all-day bike trip to Versailles with the Fat Tire Bike Co; and getting upgraded to business class on the flight home.

When the Mc Carthy clan vacated the apartment, Eileen Clauson took their place for three weeks. She was on a reconnaissance mission to plan for the gardeners' trip she is organizing for next year (see separate article), selecting hotels, gardens to visit, and a tour guide. She reconnected with several old friends: the Parisian woman she lived with last year; the mother of Laurence Mariello, a student visitor from Joigny many years back; and Emily Donahue, formerly of Norwich and now living permanently in Paris. A highlight was visiting the water-lily gardens near Bordeaux where Monet bought many of his water-lilies.

Currently, Harker Rhodes is spending his senior year of high school at the lycée in Joigny. Harker was able to complete all the requirements for graduation from HHS before he left, with the exception of senior English, which he is satisfying by taking French literature at school in Joigny! Upon his arrival, he was warmly met and introduced to the town and school by Raynald Boidin. Harker is living with the Leblond family, who have a son his age.

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If you have a passion for both gardens and France, you may be interested in joining a group of 12 adults who will travel to Joigny in June '05. to spend 4 days touring Joigny area gardens while living with a French family. Four days will also be spent touring private and public gardens in Paris including a day trip to Giverny to see Monet's garden.

Participants would be expected to host a gardener from Joigny the following year. Trip leaders will be Eileen Clauson and Henry Homeyer, author of, "Notes from the Garden: Reflections & Observations of an Organic Gardener". For further information, contact Eileen Clauson at eileenclauson@hotmail.com or 603-643-4432.
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Seven students and one chaperone from Joigny, France, arrived in Boston on Saturday, April 17, excited to be in the United States (most of them for the first time). On Sunday, they were treated to a delicious welcome dinner by the Board of Directors and the families hosting their two-week stay. From some of the conversation we had with the students, we could sense that it was going to be a great two weeks.

The students were given tours of the Dartmouth campus and Hanover, Ben & Jerry’s Factory Store, the Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne, Burlington, the Holyoke Mall, and the Yankee Candle Factory in Deerfield, Mass.

On Saturday, April 24, they spent an entire day touring Boston. We started out by visiting the Prudential Building’s observation deck. We then headed over to the New England Aquarium where the visitors watched a sea lion show and a 3-D Imax movie. Next we boarded the USS Constitution for a cruise around the harbor. From there, we walked to the Quincy Market for dinner and shopping.

The visitors also went to CCBA, watched a Dartmouth Baseball game, spent time at the King Arthur Flour Studio making bread, and spent some valuable time at Hanover High School, Richmond School, Ray School French Club, and Crossroads Academy. So many people took extra time out of their day to make our guests feel welcome.

The French students were overwhelmed with the hospitality they received. They enjoyed watching a baseball game for the first time as well as visiting a large shopping mall for the first time. But the one thing they seemed to enjoy the most was sitting around a camp fire and tasting smores for the first time. An evening barbeque is something we Americans take for granted, but it is a rare treat for the French.

It is these kind of experiences that make the Hanover-Joigny Student Exchange Program so valuable. It is the reason why board members, teachers, and parents give so much time to this program. We want to encourage our students to learn from the French and for them to learn from us. It is just one small part we can play to help increase understanding and respect between people around the world.

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When Sharon Moore asked me to write about this year's Hanover-Joigny exchange, I immediately agreed. The home stays on both sides of the Atlantic went very well, and the experiences shared by the students and their host families were enriching and memorable. As I thought more about the task at hand, I wondered what I could say that you haven't heard before; how would I convey the unique experience of this year's group. I think an experience at the outset of the journey to Joigny sums up the experience better than any recitation of excursions or comments heard; and it may even change the way we in Hanover think about the Hanover-Joigny exchange.

This year's participants were like many who have hosted and traveled over the past 10+ years: the students came from a variety of grades and with a range of ability in spoken French and English. The Hanover students bonded quickly and deeply with their French guests in April, and the energy level was high as we Americans traveled down to Boston for our overnight flight to Charles De Gaulle airport. One of the only glitches of the entire exchange occurred upon arriving at the airport in Paris. We chaperones knew that someone would be meeting us at the airport for the hour-and-a-half bus trip from Paris to Joigny. What we didn't know were the details of the arrangements. With bleary eyes we scanned the greeters holding placards as we exited from customs, and our quick read didn't reveal any placards even remotely connected to Joigny. After two hours of waiting and after three calls to my host, having no contact information for the Joigny leaders of the exchange, things were straightened out and a man with a placard entitled "Cercle D'Amitié" approached and saved us from what we had determined would be our own enactment of this summer's Tom Hanks movie!

Our two-week visit in Joigny was graced by sunny skies, warm days and cool nights. We visited cathedrals and monuments, and graves and tombs. We enjoyed a music recital in which one of our Joigny friends was a featured performer; and we celebrated "Les Nuits Maillotines" in the streets of Joigny. We traveled to Paris on two separate occasions and ogled at and were impressed by Notre Dame, Le Centre Pompidou and Les Invalides. Our students "shopped 'til they dropped" à la français and adopted la bise without a second thought. They were awed by the history that surrounded them wherever they went; and they imagined what it must have been like for medieval pilgrims to arrive at Vezelay when our guide finally opened wide the massive, main portals to the cathedral's sanctuary. And our teenagers tackled sensitive political issues of the day, learning that we (France and the U.S.) are more alike than different. They were frustrated over the occasional inability to communicate, but more often than not the teenagers found a way to make themselves understood. The HHS students and their Joigny hosts grew closer to one another before our very eyes. And best of all they became a part of the cercle d'amitié, which is, after all, what our counterparts in Joigny call the Hanover-Joigny Exchange!
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Being given the chance to go to Joigny this past summer, was the opportunity of a life time. I have never had so much fun and still learned so much in two weeks of my life. Not only did I visit some of the most famous sites in France, but I also discovered the French culture.

My host family was amazing and made sure that my trip was more than enjoyable for the whole time I was there. Their generosity was evident when they drove six hours up to Normandy so I could visit some of the sites. After hearing so much about D-Day this year and seeing the American cemetery in the back ground of the news reports, I thought that it would be great to be able to go see something like that while I was in France. Before I knew it I was getting up at 4 o'clock one morning on my way to that cemetery. After arriving at our prolonged destination, I was astounded by the kindness this family was putting forward for my happiness. After walking among the tombs and watching the waves hit the beach, we were off again to another intriguing place.

We had an amazing French lunch on the beach of Normandy and there are no words to describe my feeling of contentment at that moment. Not only did they sacrifice their days at work to drive me six hours in one direction, to see something that they all had already experienced, but they bought me presents and explained everything along the way. They tried their best to speak English and I understood more than I expected.

I was presented with an English book of the sites in Normandy, so that I could give something to my family. Then Marie (my French correspondant) and I each bought a clicker, that was once used by soldiers to know who was on their side. We joked about, that when I went back to the U.S. I would click my cricket and Marie would click back. This was one example of the simplicity of our fun, another included noting the differences of the animal sounds in the different cultures. After this experience, I can honestly say that I had the time of my life and I have already begun my plans for a return this following summer.
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I think that the best thing we did was stay with a family. Not only did this force us to speak French, but we also got to pick up a lot of cultural ideas that we would have been unable to learn in French class at school. Also, although we spent a lot of time speaking English with the other American kids, we also spoke French to French kids. From them, I learned idiomatic expressions and ways to express myself in French that I would not have learned in school.

I enjoyed spending time in France because I was allowed to do a lot of tourist things, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Vezelay visits. I was also allowed down time to do whatever the family wanted to do. That is why I think that the itinerary for the trip was very well organized. We were allowed to do both, and that was great. So, thank you for allowing me to go on this trip. It was a lot of fun, I learned French, and I got to see a lot of beautiful places in France.
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I spent two months in Hanover from the 20th of June to the 22nd of August. I lived in a very nice host family , the Rhodes family. My first surprise was the beauty of the village. Everything is green, the nature looks savage (wild), I was able to swim in the river or in one of the magnificent lakes around the town. Joigny is beautiful too, with its ancient monuments, but Hanover has got another grace.

I quickly noticed that people were very nice, too. All the residents I have met are very friendly and warm. In particular, the members of Rhodes family: Harker, Andrea, Rachel, Travers and Harker, who have been very nice with me during my whole journey. They made me discover a lot of new activities like kayaking, hiking, squash, trap-shooting etc. I had a lot of fun with Fedor Petrenko and his friends, too.

I did my internship in Thayer School of Engineering (Dartmouth College) in the laboratory of Professor Victor Petrenko. I had to find marketing opportunities for the technologies that the Petrenko's team is developing. My internship was very interesting and I learned a lot.

I want to thank all the people who helped me to spend an amazing and unforgettable journey in Hanover. I mean the Rhodes family, the Birnie family and in particular Pietie who helped me a lot, the Richardson family, all the Petrenko family and of course the Hanover French Exchange association in general. And I am looking forward to going back to Hanover.
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This past June, eleven 12 year old girls and assorted parents headed to Joigny for a 5 day home stay. The trip was organized around planned soccer games with local teams. It became clear early on that soccer was purely the vehicle through which we all “experienced” each other. The idea of a theme based trip helped facilitate and accelerate the level of interaction among all of us, both French and American.

The first weekend, still stumbling from jet-lag, the girls played in a local tournament. Of the three French teams at the match, one was a girl’s team, still a rare sight in France. Culture shock hit as we saw the competition arriving, a few smoking cigarettes and drinking espresso from the local bar at the field. It turned into quite a fun-filled day. Even a mother-daughter scrimmage (American and French mothers) kept us all laughing and humble. The day ended on a lovely note when the French girls team gave their winner’s cup to the Hanover team in a burst of spontaneity. The gesture left us momentarily speechless on the sidelines.

The Hanover team played 3 more local teams during our visit. Each one noted for their individual team and town personalities. Of note was the brilliant sunny afternoon game against Mont St. Sulpice. Hanover “borrowed” one of their goalies in an attempt to level the playing field. Later on, the teams mixed boys and girls, even switching jerseys! The game was close. Following refreshments, many parents, the referees, coaches and most players from both “sides” poured onto the soccer field, abandoning shoes, cleats, socks and allegiances to play a joyous (yet competitive) pick-up match under a crisp blue sky.

In addition to the soccer, the carefully planned activities allowed everyone to find something of interest. Each child and adult had multiple opportunities for language and cultural exchanges. The host families and Joigny committee members could not have been more accommodating. The soccer provided an excellent medium for this exchange. It truly accelerated the rate at which adults and children actively participated in daily events, making this a most remarkable experience for each of us.

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French is everywhere in the Upper Valley! Young children now have the opportunity to learn french - the fun way! There is an after school french club for children in grades K - 5 at the Ray School every Tuesday afternoon from 2:45 - 4:00 pm. Check out the web site: www.rayschoolfrenchclub.org

In addition, I am also also offering pre-school and after K french " fun" classes at the Hanover Recreation Center.The kids enjoy participating with lots of movement and music: greetings, alphabet, numbers, songs ,colors and more! There are early morning, late morning and after school classes. The response is growing..... We are planning classes for our next session. Call me at 603-643-4311 for more information!

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Hanover-Joigny Exchange Newsletter - 2003

This newsletter will be updated and distributed to our membership as an e-mail on a semi-annual basis. If you would like to become a member or be added to our mailing list (or deleted), please send an e-mail to Pietie@valley.net.
Current articles include:
- Pietie Birnie - Comings and Goings
- Brian Walsh - Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the twinning of Hanover/Joigny
- Guy Mathiaut - A letter from Joigny
- Jean Vigneault- A Collage of Unforgettable Memories
- Eileen Clauson- Living in Paris
- Ingrid Curtis - A parent's perspective
- Lizann Peyton - A semester in Joigny (with middle/high school age children)
- Steve Grant - A month in Joigny (with pre/elementary school age children)
- Jesse Beech - Impressions of a Dartmouth student
- Hanover Selectboard - Joigny Resolution
- Robert Riessen - Report from our Treasurer

Pietie Birnie: Comings and Goings

Special Trips in 2004/2005 In addition to our regular student exchange trips, we are planning the following:
- In 2004, a trip to Joigny for a girls soccer team (middle school age). Games and participation in a tournament are in the offing. Bob Riessen is organizing this event. - In 2005, a garden tour exchange wherein a group of adults will travel to Joigny. Eileen Clauson is heading up this trip (with possibly Henry Homeyer joining our group). The French will also send a group to visit our gardens.

Travel between the Upper Valley and France has been brisk during the 18 months since our last newsletter! Alban Senlis spent 4 weeks during June and July of 2002 in the Upper Valley, dividing his time between Will Kinlaw's household (Etna) and Alex Morse's household (Hanover). Alban, who lives in Paris, had hosted Will during Will's semester abroad in his junior year at Tufts. Concurrently, Edward Courtat, from Joigny, lived with Pete Vieira's family in Etna and then with Jules Earley's family in Norwich and Thetford, playing as much basketball and golf as possible. Jules hopes to spend three weeks in Joigny in March of 2004.

Also in the summer of 2002, Jesse Beach (Dartmouth '04) made Joigny his homebase for five weeks, traveling to other places in France. His article about his trip appears below. Jesse contributed enormously to both the 2002 and 2003 visits of the students from Joigny - conducting a wonderful swing-dance session; creating and running an elaborate scavenger hunt in Hanover, working in a lot of fun history and trivia about the town and rewarding the participants with goodies from various shops on the itinerary; and leading a tour of town and campus. In the fall of 2002, the Peyton-Clark family of Norwich became Joviniens for four months. Peter reported on their adventures via several delightful articles which were printed in the Valley News over the course of their stay. More tales and reflections appear in Lizann's article, which follows.

Just after New Year's 2003, Eileen Clauson headed to Paris, where she lived for five months (see Eileen's article below). April brought the visit of Guillemette Grège and Maryse Boisseau, who were graciously hosted by Elaine and Stephen Ball of Etna. The two women were familiar with the region, having visited together several years before and having chaperoned a previous student trip.

April also brought the return of Julien Millot, who participated in the student exchange in both 2000 and 2001. Julien's technical program at Troyes in Service and Communication Networking required him to do a three-month internship outside of France. Ted Jastrzembski, CEO of Tally Systems in Lebanon, offered a position to Julien and put together a great program which exposed him to a variety of operations within the company. Julien enthused about the substance and opportunity for independent work it provided, so different from the courier and coffee-boy role he had experienced in "stages" in France and Washington. He is eager to come back to the States to continue his computer studies. Ted, who had never before taken on a foreign internee, wrote shortly after Julien's departure, "We are already missing Julien. I must say the Julien Millot internship here at Tally was an unqualified success. Everyone was struck with his solid work ethic, maturity, and his confidence . . . . . he took great pride in his accomplishments on our behalf. I am also happy that after a little prodding, my staff supported this effort, and they are richer for the experience." During Julien's 11-week stay, he was warmly welcomed into the homes of five families who saw to his every comfort: the Campbell-Lemays of Hanover; the Hershenson-Scotts of Norwich, the Pridgens of Etna, the Clark-Peysons of Norwich, and the Grant-Websters of Hanover. Our hats are off to Ted and his staff at Tally and to all the host families for making Julien's internship and home-life so rewarding.

In mid-April, a delegation of seven from the Hanover area traveled to Joigny to celebrate the sister cities' 10th anniversary: Kate and Libby Chamberlin; Brian Walsh (see article below) and Linda Patch; Rainie and Larry Kelly; and Eileen Clauson. Kate wrote a lovely piece about the trip, which appeared in the summer issue of the Norwich Times. Rainie presented a gift to Joigny from the H-J Exchange Committee: a watercolor scene of Main Street, Hanover, charmingly depicted by Lebanon artist Larry Howard - the painting was hung immediately in Jean-Luc Allemand's office in the Mairie.

In May, Edith Kessler spent six weeks in New Hampshire, attending Hanover High until spring term ended. She lived first in Hanover with the Currie family, having hosted Will and Terre Currie during the 5th grade "Hogwarts" soccer team trip to Joigny two years earlier. Edith then moved to Lebanon, where she stayed with the Schuster family. Allison Schuster had lived with Edith's family in Joigny for three months the previous fall. Edith's parents accompanied her on the trip over and stayed for two weeks with Sally Shipton and Jim Nourse of Norwich. Megan Ames of Norwich, scheduled to take part in the (canceled) spring Footnotes trip to Joigny and determined to go to France, did an exchange with Auréline Vincent: Megan hosted Auréline for much of June and then spent August with the Vincent family in Joigny and the Ardeche. Ali Davis and family (Norwich) hosted Olivier Furon for two weeks in July; Ali went to France in August and accompanied the Furons on their vacation in Normandy.

In the summer, American students visited Joigny for 2 weeks, followed immediately by a return visit of students from Joigny. The American students were: Alex Buckey, Gregor Burriss, Joanna Edwards, Estefi Fadul, Travis Fryer, Jon Olmstead, Laura Polidor, Iain Prendergast, Niall Prendergast, Erena Streltsov, Sam Yarborough. The chaperones were Eileen Clauson, and Laura Clauson.

In October, Isobel and David Cochran (Hanover) stayed in an apartment in the old part of Joigny and spent two weeks exploring the area. They were given a warm welcome by their landlords, Michèle and Jean-Pierre Barreau, and by Marie-Claude and Guy Mathiaut. Isobel, a watercolorist, found the old buildings, the reflections cast by the town into the river, and especially the flowers, enchanting. She made many sketches and took lots of photos and plans to do some paintings of Burgundy.

The Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of Hanover and Joigny's Twinning .
A Personal Reflection by Brian F. Walsh

There was a war on; Was it safe to travel? American and France were on opposite sides of the politics on Iraq: How would we be received? It was going to be April in Paris; But historically Parisians had a reputation for snubbing English speaking Americans; How would they treat us in the current hostile political climate. And when we came right down to it, it was the tenth anniversary of Hanover and Joigny's twinning: a celebration which we had been looking forward to for nearly two years. So off to France Linda, my wife, and I flew, as the American army and marines moved on Baghdad. Immediately, it was clear that our fears were unfounded.

Our first two days were in Paris. We met many friendly people who emphasized that "they were not anti-American". (I guess that they could tell that we were not French). Soon we traveled on to Joigny, where Jean-Luc Allemand and Martine welcomed us with open arms, warm hospitality and a wonderful dinner. We ended the evening in gales of laughter as I practiced reading a Resolution celebrating the tenth anniversary of our twinning with my 40 year old un-used high school French. It was a perfect example of the old theater maxim leave them laughing. (My speaking did however violate the rule "leave them wanting more"). Saturday was devoted to a tour of this wonderful 1000 year old medieval town and a formal celebration of our twinning in "Hotel de Ville". The Town of Hanover's official Resolution was presented in my now highly polished French. And smiles and thankyous replaced the laughter of the prior evening.

After more touring there was a wonderful opening for a show of Kate Chamberlin's paintings and my watercolors at Espace de Jean de Joigny: a most lovely municipal gallery. There was wine and more laughter and a chance to discuss world politics with a reporter for the local newspaper. Somehow I managed to convey the thought, again in my increasingly fluent French (did I say that there was wine at the reception?) that what counted for France and Iraq and America was not how we got to the conflict which now raged. Rather the question for the world was could nations line up and pull together in rebuilding Iraq: And move to a safer and more peaceful world. Thankfully, the reporter with whom I talked had a good ear and managed to convey my thoughts in the following Monday's paper.

After a formal dinner of celebration on Saturday night, on Sunday morning we were hosted to a tour of the wine region of Chablis and the Basilique Ste-Madeline in Vezelay: an important stop on the pilgrim routes dating back to the 12th century. Followed by a family diner and much more laughter with Jean-Luc, Martine and their children we fell into bed exhausted on Sunday night. We followed our time in Joigny with a week of spring in Paris. Every one treated us wonderfully. I felt much more welcomed to Paris and France then I had as a student 35 years ago in the early days of another war in which America and France saw the world from different angles. And as we left France, after the liberation of Baghdad and Easter Mass in Notre Dame, I had a feeling that the world may have changed a little over the past thirty five years. Our governments still get into strongly stated opposing postures. But we were received as people not as foreigners. Perhaps we are all becoming more citizens of the world and less people of own individual nations.

Guy Mathiaut: A letter from Joigny

Dear American friends,

I am not quite sure that today you are welcome in France but I am pretty sure that you are welcome in Joigny. Days before your arrival I have been interviewed by the local medias about the international political developments. Naturally, as the President of the French-American Committee I could not express my personal feelings. Nevertheless each time I expressed my deep sadness about the deterioration of the American/French relationship leading our exchanges to troubles. I also mentioned that to me it is a complete diplomatic failure of the French and American diplomacy. Like we did after the 11th of September we will continue and improve our warm and fruitful exchanges. Tomorrow we have organized a trip to our vineyards (French specialty where we are still good). After a nice wine tasting in the cellar of Chablis we will be visiting the Vezelay Basilic and surroundings. I hope that you will remember your stay in Joigny in 2003 as a wonderful one.

God bless America.
Guy Mathiaut
President Of Joigny/Hanover Exchange Program (In France)

A Collage of Unforgettable Memories.

During a two week stay in Joigny from 30 June to 13 July 2002, Meredith Bacon, Caitlyn Murphy, Sean Harper, Kevin Clarkson, Aurora Curtis-Hill along with their chaperones, Jean Vigneault and Barbara Mitchell were warmly welcomed by the families of Alexis Carre, Vincent Millot, Pierre Moulinet-Loury, Marine Jully, Emmanuelle Unterhalt, Aurane Bazin, Magalie De Jesus and Dr. and Mrs. Nahmias.

Each day was well choreographed and allowed us to have an enormous array of experiences. We were able to visit Joigny and Auxerre with knowledgeable guides, to spend two days in Paris, to explore the Fabuloserie in Dicy, to see first hand the construction of a medieval castle in Guedelon, to celebrate the work of Marcel Aymé during "La Nuit Maillotine", to taste the local products while meeting various people of Joigny, to marvel at the glory of Vaux le Vicomte, Fontainebleau and Vezelay, to leisurely meander down the small streets of Noyers-Sur-Serein, to enter into the Caves of Bailly, to stroll the streets of Sens and to spend many wonderful evenings with our new found friends and families of Joigny.

How could we have possibly dreamed of such a wonderful experience? How could we have possibly thought of seeing so many aspects of French culture during this time? How could we have possibly imagined the dear friendships which we would make? We could not, but the following passage of one student's perception on route to Joigny best describes the enthusiasm and anticipation felt by all and the realization that something magical was happening which we would cherish forever.

"The memory of France that remains the most prominent in my memory does not include museums or tourist attractions. We had not even reached our destination of Joigny yet. The large white van carrying seven extremely over-tired yet eager Americans drove through town after town. Between the towns was endless countryside. Coming from the rolling mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont, wilderness is not a stranger to me. However this countryside was like nothing I had ever seen before. There were not as many mountains, but large hills covering broad expanses. I tried to keep my eyes from closing as I didn't want to miss a sight. I was rewarded for this when I looked out the window and saw an enormous field of sunflowers. I had never seen so many before. To my surprise another field appeared. Along the two hour van ride I saw countless fields, yet each energized me in a way that I can not explain. On one stretch of land, I looked to the left and saw bales of hay in a field. They appeared golden in the mid-morning sun. They lay in the field and an overwhelming sense of peace came over me. I wanted to stare in awe of their beauty forever, but we passed them as quickly as they came."

This description offers foreshadowing to not only the plethora of memories each American participant has from this stay but also a yearning to stop time in order to savor a little longer the tastes of France, to view a little longer the beautiful sites and to spend a little longer time with our new found friends. Fortunately, the recollections of special moments, touching encounters, unexpected opportunities and long-lasting indelible images help to not only foster cultural understanding and appreciation but emphasize the importance of global awareness through second language learning and the important role of the Hanover-Joigny Jumelage.

In order to collectively reflect the power and long-term positive effects on those who participated in the exchange each participant has been able to contribute to the following collage of memories articulated below. Here are but a few memories capable of being expressed by various participants:

- Most Enjoyable Moment: "Seeing all of the magnificent things in Paris about which I have learned for years. I also enjoyed being able to express myself so well in a different language. I liked actually feeling as if I had succeeded." "It was an absolute delight to savor so many delicious meals during my stay. My most enjoyable experiences were those spent with wonderful friends around the table and enjoying the conversation and exchange of ideas." "Spending time with everyone in Paris. I had visited Paris before, but never with this many of my friends. Whether it was on the streets shopping or viewing the city from the top of Montmartre, I enjoyed the experience because I was among great people."

- Most Surprising Moment: "Realizing that I was able to be understood in French". "Realizing that, like English, people spoke at many different speeds and not just the stereotypical fast paced style."

- Most Frightening Moment: "Being on the Champs-Elysées and hearing fighter jets flying over us. We all were slightly worried. We came here because it was safe and without terrorist threats. We were greatly relieved upon learning that they were just practicing their routine for the 14th of July celebration."

- Most Enlightening Moment: "The Louvre was amazing. I thought it was most enlightening because for the past three years in French class, we have studied French artists. It was fascinating to see the real versions of these paintings that we had come to know and love. Also, some of those paintings were HUGE!"

- Most Unforgettable Moment: "Vaux-Le-Vicomte was gorgeous! I will always remember this beauty and also riding around on a golf cart through the amazing gardens. It was unforgettable, and one of the most fun on the trip."

- Most Touching Moment: "The last night when everyone was brought together and there was closure. It was a very emotional time. Especially to have formed bonds with so many people. Without knowledge of the language, these relationships would have been impossible." "Perhaps the most touching moment for me came the evening prior to our departure. Each individual expressed sincere gratitude to all of host families and the Hanover-Joigny Exchange Committee for their enormous commitment and generosity. The overwhelming feelings of love, respect, friendship and joy from the experience expressed by all were mixed with sadness of the thought of saying goodbye. The evening touched the hearts of all."

- Saddest Moment: "Leaving, and although I was ready, it was sad how quickly the time went by and the bonds you form with individuals. I still keep in touch with some of the students, which is really nice." "Having to leave all the beauty that I had just witnessed, knowing that I had to return to a summer job far away from France and its rich culture." "The saddest moment for me came in the parking lot prior to boarding the bus. I had so many to thank, so many to whom I personally wished to express my appreciation. Yet, the plane would not wait for us if we were late. To all of those with whom I could not talk personally prior to our departure, I wish you well and sincerely thank you for your inimitable hospitality." Approximately one year after our stay in Joigny, we are all still feeling the positive impact of sharing this experience with the people of Joigny and appreciate sincerely the impressionable mark it has had on our perceptions and view of the world. An image not in black and white, but in various colors, shapes, forms and sizes like those of a collage. Individual pieces which when gently placed together form a collective image of meaningful depth and celebrate the beauty of diversity. May all realize the power of the "jumelage". Peace to all!

Eileen Clauson: Living in Paris

Living in Paris is the astounding result of participating in the Joigny Exchange. Motherly responsibilities over, I was free to fulfill a long held desire to live in the "City of Light", a desire that began 15 years ago when I was confronted with a son doing poorly in 8th grade French. Resurrecting my two years of high school French, I began to help him. My son never did learn French, but I began attending French classes at Hanover High. It was there that I met Don Watson, who asked me if I would like to help him start an exchange program with Joigny. Twelve years later, with the hope to better communicate with my new Joigny friends, I'm living in Paris from January to June in an apartment off Boulevard Saint-Germain, a ten-minute walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral and five minutes from the Luxembourg Gardens.

I have come to appreciate Hemingway's thought that a young man lucky enough to live for a time in Paris would have it his whole life, wherever he went, because Paris was a movable feast. It has been a feast for this older woman as well. When I'm not attending French classes at Alliance Française, I am somehow involved with people, music, food, or gardens.

French friends from Joigny have come to Paris and shared with me their favorite cafés and restaurants. One even invited me to travel to Ireland to visit her daughter, now living in Dublin, who had once stayed with my family. Two of my favorite new friends are 80-year-old ladies. Madame Leygnac, whom I lived with in January until I found an apartment, had amazing stories to tell of the Résistance. Once, her whole family was lined up to be shot, until at the last moment her father could prove he wasn't affiliated with the military building next door to their house. Claudine, her cousin, agreed to come to my apartment for one hour of conversation each week and usually stayed for three, sharing her experiences of life and men's follies.

I am enjoying a feast of music here, music that is enhanced by the setting in which it is performed-a quartet in Sainte-Chapelle, a pianist playing Chopin in one of the oldest churches, St-Julien-le-Pauvre, a guitarist playing in the childhood home of Mme de Sévigné. I even tried Gregorian Chant, hoping that the lovely St-Sulpice Church with Delacroix murals might help me to appreciate it. It didn't.

Every feast includes food, which the French take very seriously. Madame Leygnac slapped my wrist when I cut the Camembert with the wrong knife and in the wrong direction. My most memorable meal was one I made myself to celebrate moving into my apartment. I bought oysters, shucked by a vendor just steps from my door, mussels, a still warm baguette from the boulangerie, a fruit tart from the patisserie and an ice cold bottle of Muscadet.

Many wonderful meals have been followed by walks in one of the lovely gardens of Paris. My favorite is the Luxembourg Gardens, laid out in 1615 by Marie de Medici. Since my daily walk to school takes me through the Luxembourg, I've had the joy of watching the scene change from winter, when the center fountain resolutely continued to bubble over a cascade of ice and pansies peaked out from an unusual dusting of snow, through spring when gardeners in green jumpsuits meticulously set out fresh pansies, along with primroses and myositis.

As my stay comes to a close, I am thankful for the long and warm relationship between Hanover and Joigny, one that propelled me to live in marvelous Paris.

Ingrid Curtis: A parent's perspective

I want to thank you for the work you've done to make the Joigny trip possible. This was not simply a wonderful trip for Aurora; it helped her take a big step on the way to feeling competent and able to step into another culture with grace. The families were "formidable". She says that she didn't want to leave. This kind of experience seems perfectly designed for someone like Aurora. To be welcome into a family is to be immersed in the culture; it's much better than being a tourist. And she says that now she has ideas of where she'd like to go for her next trip to France and how great it feels to have two families who will welcome her. Probably you know that Aurora loves the French language. The opportunity to speak French exclusively and to listen and work to understand people speaking French was a delight for her. She was surprised to find that the sense of age and history all around her was also intensely interesting.

I believe this experience will be one of the key events in her life. I am so pleased that she was able to take full advantage of her opportunities. It's odd to think of my "shy" daughter making connections with people her own age, older and younger in so short a time. I do believe that when she is French, Aurora is not shy.

We are as pleased as it possible to be.
Thanks so much,
Ingrid Curtis

Lizann Peyton: A semester in Joigny

Okay, so it's not quite like finding out how we would survive on a desert island, but it was an adventure! When our family landed in Joigny last September for a four-month stay, we found ourselves depending on each other in new ways, having to get along in close quarters, and learning a lot about ourselves as well as our new surroundings. But when cultural adjustment had its predictable ups and downs, it was so nice to be surrounded by caring friends in the Hanover-Joigny exchange circle - it's like we had a new extended family!

After two short summer trips to Italy and France, our family wanted to spend some extended time learning the French language and culture, and "staying put" somewhere so we could really get to know the place. We've been inspired by other Hanover and Norwich families who've ventured out in the world, whether to Joigny or other places, and we've seen how wonderfully supportive our school system is of this "alternative learning time" for kids. "Hooray, we're going to Paris!" we thought - well, until we found out that bilingual schools for our daughters, Emily (14) and Natalie (11), were already full.

That's when the gentle voices of Jody Harvey and Rainie Kelly started asking, "Have you thought about Joigny?" The door opened magically to a whole new circle of connection - those who have been to Joigny, and make it possible for the next folks to go. We needed a lot of hand-holding with questions about housing, schools, transportation, email access, phones, etc. - questions that had been agonizingly frustrating to pursue via 4 a.m. trans-Atlantic phone calls to Paris but which resolved nearly instantaneously via the Hanover-Joigny network. A quick email to Rainie or Pietie, forwarded to Marie-Claude Mathiaut, and "presto"! Conversations with the Schusters and Webster-Grants, who have stayed in Joigny with children, were enormously helpful too. "You'll love it," they said - and they were right!

Upon arrival, we felt immediately welcomed into the home of Michèle and Jean-Pierre Barreau, whose 3rd-floor apartment we were renting on rue St. Jacques in the historic town center. At not only welcomed into their home - they became our second family, with invitations to family dinners, spontaneous cooking lessons, birthday gifts, a spare room for visiting friends, concern for our welfare and adaptation. "The house feels empty now that you're gone," they wrote recently. The Barreaus, the Mathiauts, and the many "Hanover-philes" they introduced us to, all extended a caring welcome and sense of belonging that makes the sister-city concept so special. We have made friends for life, even if we see each other only rarely.

Making a long "sejour" brought specific logistical challenges: finding renters for our house here (Dartmouth's website produced four fabulous medical students!), asking friends for help with pets, car care, and emergency trouble-shooting during our absence, prepaying insurance and phone bills, clarifying school requirements, making a long count-down list of tasks before we could go. But once in Joigny, internet banking, Valley Net's email access, and France's cheap and efficient phone system made it easy to stay in touch.

School was both a wonderful and trying experience for our girls. Ecole Ste.-Thérèse and Collège St.-Jacques - chosen because they were both within walking distance of our apartment - accepted our daughters without a moment's hesitation, answered our many questions, and were relieved to know that we cared more about cultural exposure than perfect grades! The Dresden schools' French program had prepared our 8th grader Emily well enough to absorb most of what was going on. But the constant immersion in another language, the more rigid instructional system, and lack of physical activity were all quite an adjustment. Joigny's kids made up for all this though - they are incredibly helpful, welcoming, and made our girls feel special every day. As we had hoped, our children came home with a deeper appreciation of history, language, and the strengths of both American and European culture (not the least of which is a love for our own school system!). After a couple of months putting French to the back of their minds, they are once again bickering in French at home and asking us questions in a fluid mixture of two languages.

"Staying put" has other challenges besides school - whatever the culture and weather and people are like, that's what you have to cope with. Daily tasks like figuring out laundry and groceries replace the thrill of hotels and restaurants every night. Missing friends, family, pets, and the way you are "used to being yourself" in your own culture produces an aching feeling late at night. The fatigue of constant learning and summoning the courage to "stick your neck out yet one more time" makes naps a good idea! But the learning is worth every minute of it - never have our brains felt more active, and the chance to step outside our culture and daily routines brought a reflectiveness about the world that we hope we will never lose.

"Staying put" also allowed us to uncover the rhythms of the community and build special memories that otherwise would have been missed - visits from a Ukrainian children's folk-dance troupe and Godalming's brass band (Joigny's sister-city in England), watching the vineyard change colors in the fall, going to birthday parties, volunteering in the schools, joining the local chorus, leading French children on Halloween trick-or-treating (a relatively new custom there, using the grave threat of "bon-bon ou mort" in place of "trick-or-treat"), savoring Christmas mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and fireworks. We had time for many side trips that couldn't have been squeezed into a 2-week vacation (if you haven't been under the rooftops at Chateau St. Fargeau or seen the medieval construction taking place at Guédelon, you need to go back!). And best of all, the friendships that had time to evolve will stick in our minds forever - the smiles of local merchants and farmers at the marché, the trading of Christmas cookies and small gifts when we parted, the tearful goodbyes to the Mathiauts and Barreaus, the postcards that continue to arrive almost weekly from our girls' new friends: "When are you coming back? Soon, we hope!"

So, to all of you in the Hanover-Joigny Exchange Committee who helped make this possible and encourage us to go, an eternal and huge thanks. And to those who are thinking of going, or making a longer stay, do it!!

A Letter from Steve Grant.

Steve, Anne, Eva, and Alex Grant of Hanover spent 4 weeks in Joigny during the spring of 2002. Classroom training in the French language at Hanover's Ray School begins in the fourth grade. A large part of the motivation for visiting France was to put Eva, who was in the third grade, and kindergartener Alex in a French-language immersion environment. Since our kids were more likely to make friends in school than during vacation, we decided to visit Joigny during the school year. The sister-city programs in Hanover and Joigny arrange home exchanges, but these are problematic during the school year, when vacations are rare. We asked the Cercle d'Amite Franco-Américaine de Joigny to help us rent a house or an apartment during our visit. They did much better, the secretary of the Cercle, Marie-Claude Mathiaut, persuaded her brother, Francis, to lend us his vacation home in nearby Laroche, for free! Needless to say, they found our price point and we accepted with alacrity. Marie-Claude's brother had recently made over the house and almost everything was brand new. When we saw the house, we could not believe our good fortune

Alex and Eva were enrolled in the state-supported parochial Ecole Ste.-Thérèse in Joigny for four weeks. Their reactions were quite different due to their ages, teachers, classmates, and personalities. Eva, who is much more outgoing and whose teacher laid down the law with her classmates, was very popular and loved her classmates. When we drove to school in the morning, Eva made a point of having her backpack handy in the car, so she could race immediately from the car to the playground to have fun with her new friends. At least one of her male classmates was sweet on her. On Eva's last day, her class lined up to give a send off with the traditional French kisses on the checks. One of the boys kissed her once, and then returned to the end of the line to do so again. Not surprisingly French is now Eva's favorite subject.

The stars were not as well aligned for Alex, who is quieter, younger, and who had a new teacher less in control of her class. He was happy when the whole experience was over. Interestingly, all was much less quiet when we returned home, where it seemed as if he had whole new appreciation for the wonder of being able to talk. Before we left it was difficult to get Alex to talk, on return (and for while afterwards), it was hard to get him to shut up.

While the kids were in school, Steve was able to practice his French by volunteering at the local tourist office, where he translated French-language tourist brochures into English, and Anne was able to paint watercolors.

Impressions of a Dartmouth student.

This quick account of the summer will describe my experiences in Joigny during the summer of 2002. This was the first time a Dartmouth student traveled to Hanover's sister city to participate in the exchange.

My travels tend to be a bit charmed. I plunge into the unknown and see how the day unfolds: the last train, the last bus, the last bed in a hostel or a packed night train. Such instances are as good as standard with me. So twelve hours after arriving in Paris, I was not surprised to find myself atop the Eiffel Tower with three people I had just met gazing at the brilliant lights of the city while the winds swept me across the rain slickened metal sheeting. An attendant stood in the stairwell waiting for us tourists to sate ourselves with the view and descend because we had indeed caught the last elevator to the top that night.

A week in Paris prior to arriving in Joigny allowed me to re-accustom myself to expatriate life (and to watch France get booted from the World Cup). The summer really started when my feet left the platform of the Gare de l'Est in Paris and I boarded the train to Joigny. Mme. Mathiaut and the Dufour family met me at the station. After brief introductions, I hopped into the Dufour van and we headed over the Yonne into Joigny proper. The Dufours live on the Boulevard de Nord which cradles the old city center bordered by the Yonne on the south side. Behind the Dufours house, the vineyards stretch southwest to the end of the hills that extend farther northeast into the Forêt d'Othe. There are many wonderful paths that skirt and cross this range of hills; most of them are tractor paths which the IGN (Institut Geographique National) hiking trails weave in and out of. All of them are great for an afternoon hike or jog.

Summoning all my years of French study, invoking the powers of cognates, leaning on the hope that my conjugations weren't simply unintelligible, I dove into conversations with the Dufours not too much unlike those found in a French I textbook. We talked about family and past times. They were wonderfully hospitable to me and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals together. Like the majority of my days in Joigny, I spent the morning and evening reading, taking notes and studying. I am forever indebted to Françoise Sagan for writing splendid novels that essentially taught me French. Indeed, one might assume I speak Saganois now and that it just resembles French.

July rolled around, I bid farewell to the Dufours in the big city and joined the Millot family in Laroche, a part of France totally foreign to me. If you take a half hour and hike a ways outside the town and then turn around, you will be struck by the image of a green oasis in a sea of gold. I thought I must be in France's breadbasket because every spot of arable land was sectioned off and sowed. Many days, I would pack a few rations and set off to explore. One particular hike of note took me from Laroche to Looze, over the foothills to la Fourchotte, down into Brion, over the fields to Bussy-en-Othe and across the plain south into Migennes. I suggest better shoes than I had on! Following the canal northeast from Migennes to Brienon-sur-Armançon is another great day trip.

Switching families set up a nice system of comparison to gauge my acquisition of French. The conversations the Millots and I had were more complicated and detailed with each passing day and new list of vocabulary I memorized. By the time I arrived at the home of the Douguets, we were discussing American politics, movies, and current events. I even manage to tell stories about trips I've taken. No pedagogue can ever convince me that foreign language instruction in a classroom compares in effectiveness to language immersion. Humans acquire language through the practice of using it, not simply memorizing conjugations and spellings. The opportunity to live in France is a unique and beneficial one for the students of Hanover.

Life in Laroche was dreamlike. I remember the hot sun at my back and the cool stiff breeze off the Yonne during those hazy, endless afternoons. There was always somewhere quiet to walk. Rural life gave way to the cosmopolitan in August when I returned to Joigny. Jérôme Mangeney welcomed me into his house and gave me ample space to read He and I were able to discuss almost any subject. By this time I felt capable of expressing any thought albeit a bit paraphrased at times I could also feel summer losing its grasp in the evenings as the air cooled in tempo with the setting sun. Twilight found the townsfolk outside, walking up and down the pedestrian alley, a quaint, windy strip lined with shops. My favorite one was a bookstore of mostly used paperbacks, speckled with new and hardbound volumes. The shopkeeper was a jolly man who remembered what you bought last time and what you're still looking for.

As the date of my departure neared, I tended to take more aimless strolls through Joigny. I had to see the church on the hill one last time, the amazing image of its tower glimpsed through the arch from inside the cemetery. I had to bound up the alleys between the houses and down the precipitous streets that seem almost too steep and unforgiving for car travel. I had to say adieu to my trees and trails. I cannot say the summer was short. Each day was full; strung together they created a wonderful bumper between where I had been and where I had to return to. Time passed at exactly the right pace. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone that made this experience possible and I hope they know it means a lot to me.

Jesse Beach, Class of 2004
Dartmouth College
September 13, 2002

- ATTENDU QUE: Hanover, New Hampshire, Etats Unis d'Amérique, et Joigny, France, ont choisi de jumeler leurs municipalités il y a dix ans, événement marqué par deux cérémonies, l'une à Hanover en 1993 et l'autre à Joigny en 1994;
- ET ATTENDU QUE: L'alliance initiée au début des années 1990 a été extrêmement bénéfique aux deux communautés, et continue de générer le respect mutuel, l'affection et l'admiration qui ne peuvent se développer que lorsque les citoyens apprennent à se connaître;
- ET ATTENDU QUE: Plus de dix groupes de lycéens de Joigny, plus de dix groupes de lycéens de Hanover, et plusieurs étudiants individuels se sont vus offrir l'opportunité de participer au programme d'échange créé par les deux communautés, avec des visites durant d'une semaine à un semestre ;
-ET ATTENDU QUE: Les deux communautés ont eu le plaisir de forger un lien culturel à travers la musique et l'art, qui a permis au groupe des "Footnotes" du lycée de Hanover de se rendre par deux fois à Joigny, a résulté en des expositions d'oeuvres d'artistes de la "Upper Valley" à Joigny, a mené à des échanges musicaux d'un jeune musicien de Norwich et de trois pianistes de Joigny, et a créé l'opportunité de partager la culture artistique vibrante de Joigny ;
- ET ATTENDU QUE: Environ 25 étudiants de la région de Hanover et 25 de Joigny ont participé à des séjours dans les familles des deux communautés, entretenant une connection continuelle entre les deux communautés, un lien renforcé par l'énergie que seuls les jeunes peuvent mettre dans une telle relation ;
- ET ATTENDU QUE: Les deux communautés ont encouragé des échanges sportifs, y compris des compétitions de tennis et de football;
- ET ATTENDU QUE: Des douzaines de familles de Hanover ont eu le plaisir d'effectuer des visites à Joigny, pour une durée allant de quelques jours à plusieurs mois, où elles ont toujours été accueillies avec generosité, affection et enthousiasme;
- ET ATTENDU QUE: Etant donné la situation internationale actuelle, le type de relation qui a été entretenu avec affection entre Hanover et Joigny illustre la valeur primordiale des relations de personne à personne et accentue le fait que les échanges interculturels peuvent transcender la politique mondiale;
- EN CONCLUSION: Le Selectboard de Hanover exprime par la présente sa gratitude envers Joigny pour la merveilleuse amitié cultivée durant ces dix dernières années, et anticipe avec plaisir la poursuite de cette relation pendant de nombreuses années à venir.

Signé ce 24 mars 2003 Hanover Board of Selectmen _______________________________
Brian F. Walsh, Chair _______________________________
Katherine S. Connolly, Vice Chair _______________________________
William R. Baschnagel _______________________________
Judson T. Pierson, Jr. _______________________________
Peter L. Christie

Chers amis de Joigny,

Salutations de Hanover à l'occasion du 10ème anniversaire de notre jumelage! Je suis sure que tout le monde s'amuse bien pendant ce week-end du fête. Je regrette que je ne sois pas là pour célébrer avec vous . . . . il faut me résigner à imaginer la scène à l'Espace Jean-de-Joigny en ce moment: une foule heureuse et bruyante, bien habillée et bien coiffée pour une soirée élégante; les belles peintures de Kate et Brian accrochées aux murs; une jolie table couverte de friandises délicieuses et du bon vin; des mots de français et anglais tout mélangés!

Notre délégation est peu nombreuse mais fort engagée. Nous vous apportons tout notre amitié et notre bonne volonté, dont l'expression est plus essentielle que jamais dans cette période de tension internationale. Le lien entre nos deux villes, qui s'est realisé de la rêve de Jean-Luc Allemand, avec l'aide de Jean-Claude Tatinclaux, est devenu très précieux pour nous tous; on ne peut pas concevoir la vie sans ce jumelage.

Pour tout ce que vous faites, nous remercions Jean-Luc, Guy Mathiaut qui continue sa direction, "Sainte" Marie-Claude Mathiaut qui travaillait sans cesse et toujours avec modestie dès la naissance de l'échange, les membres du Bureau et du Conseil d'Administration du Cercle Franco-Américain, et tous les joviniens qui nous acceuillent à chaque visite avec les bras ouverts.

Le jumelage a été célébré en deux temps: d'abord à Hanover en '93, et ensuite à Joigny en '94. Nous aimerions continuer cette tradition; donc, nous vous prions de nous visiter l'année prochaine ainsi qu'on puisse fêter comme il faut!

Amitiés et à bientôt,
Pietie Birnie
President of Hanover/Joigny Exchange Program (Hanover)

A Report from our Treasurer.

Dear Hanover-Joigny Supporters

As you can see from reading this newsletter, the Hanover-Joigny connection continues to thrive. In addition to the yearly student exchanges we have families from the area living in Joigny for extended stays. The children are taking classes in the local schools and the parents are getting involved in community activities. We also continue to have high school students go by themselves for long home stays. Coming this direction is a steady flow of young adults. They come for both a school experience or to work. A young man from Joigny was in Hanover working on a three month internship at a local business and was hosted by Hanover families.

With this being the 10th year of the exchange, a series of events were held in Joigny this spring to celebrate. The main event was an art exhibit by Upper Valley artists Kate Chamberlin and Brian Walsh. The artists traveled to Joigny to open the show and were joined by several other adults who were there to represent Hanover. As a gift to the town of Joigny, the Hanover committee commissioned Larry Howard, a local artist, to paint a Hanover street scene. In addition we gave individual gifts to each of the Joigny committee members. For the volunteer committee members to continue the exchanges we depend on your financial support. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Hanover-Joigny Exchange. P.O. Box 574. Hanover, NH 03755.

Thank you for your continued support.
Robert Riessen
Treasurer