La Rencontre on Friday, June 1st at the Franco-American Heritage Center‏

La Rencontre on Friday, June 1st at the Franco-American Heritage Center‏


Lewiston, Maine - The Franco-American Heritage Center is pleased to announce its offerings for the monthly La Rencontre luncheon, scheduled for Friday, June 1st. The event will serve as the unofficial kick-off to the Franco Center's annual Festival Franco Fun, which is being held at the center the following day. The luncheon begins at 11:30, is $7, and happens in the Franco Center's Heritage Hall.

The meal served at La Rencontre will be chicken pot pies, fresh baked biscuits, homemade cake, and beverage.

The entertainment will be a group of local musicians, organized by Franco Center volunteer and fixture, Nel Meservier. Nel is a founding member of C'est Si Bon, one of the area's most beloved French-language musical acts. The band enjoyed a long career entertaining all over Northern New England and Canada before ending their run in the early 2000s. Nel will be reuniting with several members of the group as C'etait Si Bon for this year's Festival Franco Fun.

Barry Wood has been entertaining for the past 61 years. He has received a recognition award from the State of Maine Senate and House of Representatives for his years in the music business. He has received over 70 Vocalist, Entertainer, Instrumentalist and Solo Artist awards from the Down East Country Music Association and the North American Country Music Association International in Tennessee. Barry had the honor and privilege of playing with the late great Les Paul at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City five years ago. He says it was one of the highlights of his career. Barry now performs at a number of the community homes throughout the area along with private functions, club dates, Summer fair dates, campgrounds, etc.

Lorraine Giasson has always loved music and singing. She grew up in a family that loved music and remembers her aunts and uncles each taking up an instrument and playing while others danced. Lorraine has been singing since she was a child and has sung with many different groups including choirs and folk groups. While in high school she sang with a group of teenagers then known as "The Melodians," as well as singing in the school chorus. She continued sing in while in college with her sister at weddings and funerals. She joined the group The "Just Us" Entertainers several years ago and is still a member of that group.

Bert Dutil has been around music for most of his life. In 1959, he organized a drum and bugle corps which developed into The Pine Tree Warriors. The Warriors existed for 30 plus years in the Lewiston-Auburn area. He then joined Magic Pop Chorus and later on The "Just Us" Entertainers, with whom he still performs from time to time. Bert has been very active with the Franco American War Veterans, helping organize the L & A Veterans Council, he was instrumental in developing Veteran's Park and very active in having the Veterans Administration locate a veterans treatment center in Lewiston. Bert now spends his time organizing trips for the Meadowview Senior Complex and is a volunteer at the Franco American Heritage Center.

About La Rencontre:
The Franco Center presents La Rencontre as a way to reconnect with, entertain, and enjoy and our extended Franco-American family in the area. Meals and stories are shared, friends are reunited, and memories are made. All guests are more than welcome to join us.

We offer a fully catered luncheon, followed by a performance, both of which change every month. Our fun begins at 11:30am and continues until 1:30pm.

Part of our enjoyment of this gathering is that we strongly encourage our guests to speak in French. If English is spoken, you may be asked to make a small donation; all in good fun, of course.

This is our family table, and we invite you to join us to share your own stories.