Bonjour mes amis!!

I hope you've all been having a good summer, despite the heat and dryness. What effect would this kind of summer have had (and the rainy spring) on the inhabitants of Poste Vincennes, who relied so much on their gardens and farms?

First of all, I want to announce the next meeting:

Monday, September 23, 2002

7:00 p.m.

McGrady-Brockman building (historical arm of the Knox County Public Library)

Corner of 7th and Hart Sts. , Vincennes

Brian Spangle, Historical Librarian, will give us a brief tour of the collection there so that we can become acquainted with what kinds of materials they have which are useful to us, as well as how to find them. (Besides, this is a beautiful place and you'll love being there!) Brian and I will have pulled out a few resources ahead of time for us to focus on - materials that are good for getting you started.

There will also, of course, be a business meeting, mostly to discuss what we are doing in the near future and how to get it off the ground. More on that in a bit.

Members of Les Habitants enjoyed the ambiance of the Michel Brouillet House (a.k.a. "Old French House") by sunset and candlelight on the evening of Thursday, June 27, 2002. Richard Day gave us a tour of the house and the Indian Museum, which is behind the house. We all enjoyed French bread, apple butter and apple juice during the business meeting. Some of us came dressed in period clothing to enhance the historical atmosphere. It wasn't difficult to put ourselves back in time in the mind's eye.

The strongest interest, as far as near-future activity, was that of doing historical presentations in the schools (this can include also Scout meetings and other events or meetings.) Everyone was very enthusiastic about doing this. So, this will be a major part of our discussion on September 23. In order to get this off the ground, we need to be well-grounded. In other words, we each need to be well-prepared and have programs set up individually and/or together. Please be thinking about this. Who are you? How can you develop your historical persona? What research do you need to do? Do you know your history? What kind of presentation would you like to do, and how can you develop it? Can you develop a presentation with another person or persons? At least some of us could be ready and available for presentations as soon as next semester if we really work on it. I am hoping that the materials we go over at the next meeting can really get us going on this. Please bring along your ideas and suggestions, any materials you have to share, and some ideas about you want to do with a presentation.

Another strong concensus at the last meeting was that we have a field trip to somewhere such as Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. I will bring any information I have or can garner to the September meeting. If any of you have information on Ste. Genevieve, please bring it. Hopefully, we can even set up a date to go and start planning the trip. We could consider, also, nearby related attractions, if there would be time, such as the Pierre Menard Home, the site of Fort Kaskaskia, Kaskaskia Island, Fort de Chartres.

I'd like to announce and recommend a new CD by Dennis Stroughmatt, called "Entre Le Passe et L'Avenir: La Musique de la Nouvelle France". (with special guest Jon Watson). Some of you may have heard Dennis play (fiddle and accordion) and sing on one of the occasions he was in Vincennes, such as the Rendezvous and the Grand Opening of the Vincennes Farmers' Market. Dennis is from Illinois and is a specialist in the culture and folk music of the French in North America. He collects, preserves and interprets this music, particularly that of Old Mines, Missouri, and has learned to speak the French dialect of that area. This new CD is packed with wonderful, exciting music. After a spoken introduction in both French and English, Dennis' first 6 tunes are from La Vielle Mine (Old Mines), Le Pays Des Illinois (Illinois Country). The next 9 tunes are from Southwest Louisiana, then 2 from Quebec. The CD ends with Dennis singing "Chevalier de la Table Ronde" a capella. You can order the CD by sending a check of $17 to Dennis Stroughmatt, PO Box 2742, Carbondale, IL, 62902. Also, check out his website at www.geocities.com/ilcreole

A 300-year-old French fort was uncovered in Michigan. Fort St. Joseph, possibly the only colonial fort in Western Michigan, was built by the French in 1691. This is from an article in the September 2002 issue of Smoke and Fire, which I will bring to the meeting.

I NEED HELP!!! If we are to move forward, accomplishing goals of learning this history and bringing it to life for others, others need to help out. Please consider things like helping to organize trips, meetings and events, contributing something to newsletters such as news, interesting historical bits, book reviews, event announcements, or setting up as a representative of Les Habitants at other events, festivals, etc.

Some upcoming events of interest:

**September 13-15

Koh-Koh-Mah and Foster Living History Encampment, Kokomo, IN

Includes Native and Voyageur encampments

**September 15

French Colonial Crafts and Trades, Prairie du Rocher, IL (Fort de Chartres)

Hands-on event: learn to construct items using period tools

(618) 284 7230 ftdchart@htc.net

**October 5-6

Feast of the Hunter's Moon, West Lafayette, IN, at Fort Ouiatenon

**October 5-6

French and Indian War Assemblage, Fort de Chartres

**October 11-13

15th Annual Mississinewa 1812, Marion, IN

Includes Native and Voyageur camps.

**November 2-3

Muster on the Wabash, Fort Knox II site, Vincennes, IN

**November 2-3

Winter Rendezvous, Prairie du Rocher, IL (Fort de Chartres)

**November 6-9

Alabama Frontier Days, Fort Toulouse Fort Jackson State Historic Site, Wetumpka, AL.

**December 31

La Guiannee, Prairie du Rocher

**January 4, 2003

Twelfth Night Ball, Lafayette, IN

Sponsored by People of Ouiatenon and Chien Noir Trading Co.

**January 25-26

1750-1840 Trade Fair, Linton, IN

Please Come on September 23!!! :>)

Terri Talarek King

812 726 4431 ttalarek@hotmail.com