Cajuns vs Acadiens

The irony in the reality. Two weeks ago we hosted a 'cajun' dinner at the school to assist with the realization of our fundraising goals. In two weeks we set off for New Orleans and a week among the Cajuns of Louisiana. On Thursday, Feb. 22 I found myself driving with my wife from Halifax to the District of Clare in Southwest Nova Scotia through that area of our country where the ancestors of today's 'cajuns' began!!!
The city of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, home to Acadia University and at nearby Grand Pre the highest tides in the world, is considered to be the central location from which the French settlers were dispersed through various locations in North America in 1755. Though many settled in New England an equally large number continued their voyage and ended up in Louisiana and their desecndents are now known as Cajuns. I look forward to the opportunity to look into the phone directories in New Orleans to see if I can find surnames such as Comeau, Boudreau, Deveau, Belliveau, Saulnier (the spellings of which may have been altered through the centuries).
Enough of the history...how about some geography. There is no more snow on the ground here than at home in Port Perry, but the wind......woooah. This community of Salmon River sits less than 200 yards from the Bay of Fundy and the winds from the southwest come up at least once a day and turn what may be a pleasant 0 degree day into a bitterly cold one. In my 35 years married I have not visited this area in the wintertime...takes a death to bring us here! I have seen the Bay in the summertime with its beautiful clear blue waters. Today when one looks out one sees only dark grey, frigid looking waves.
From here to the City of Meteghan, a distance of approximately 20 kms, there are 3 Catholic churches (bilingual, but mostly French communities). There are 3 masses each week-end.....one in each of the communities with English and French language masses alternating each week-end. We attended the Saturday afternoon mass and my 28 year old son appeared to be the youngest person present!!!
There are culinary treats(?) and specialties where everyone travels--jambalaya for example in New Orleans. Here in Clare District it is Rappure, athough it's pronounced Rappi Pie. To describe it does not really do it justice. Very few 'Upper Canadians" that I have known can handle the consistency and enjoy it---certainly not on the first try. It is made with chicken, potatoes that have been wrung out to eliminate the moisture, water and chicken broth and enough pork fat to make it quite unhealthy!!! People down here eat it by the plateful and it is a complete meal in itself!! Can't describe it any other way.
What about the trip.....Well, all of our fundraisers are now at an end. On Wednesday, the 21st an intimate, by invitation only, dinner was held at Deer Creek Golf Club. Besides the paying guests, Kevin Eiben and Andre Talbot of the Argos were in attendance as well as Jason Pearson and Samantha Rao representing our group. Nikii Gelmanovski, a grade 11 student photographer rounded out the group. All attendees went home with a photo autographed by Kevin and Andre, and each of the 2 hosts took home an autographed Argo jersey. The Cougars for Katrina took home $8500!!! (photos to come later)
This last two weeks will now be devoted to the final touches including contact with schools and churches in the NO area to determine which ones will be the recipients of our funds.
Our traveling group now sits at 71 total persons and we must thank Boyer Pontiac/Buick and Enterprise Car Rental for their joint support in providing us with the necessary vans at a reasonable cost!
Finally, wait until you see the gift sent to us by the New Orleans Saints. It is something I believe we should retain at the school, in our program, as a lifelong keepsake of this excursion---I'll show it to everyone at the meeting on the 1st.
See everyone then!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cajun Dinner Summary

Friday, February 9th marked the first, and perhaps only, Cajun Dinner in support of Cougars for Katrina Relief. Approximately 160 parents, teachers, and friends of Cougar football dined on a three course meal of true cajun fare including gumbo, jambalaya and delicious bread pudding, all in an effort to raise further funds for the residents of New Orleans.

Included in the evening was a Silent Auction that included 57 items! The most popular items in terms of bids were an autographed Ricky Williams Argonaut Jersey; a Dewalt Mitre saw and two tickets to an upcoming Maple Leaf game vs the Lightning! These items may have garnered the greatest sums of money, but those Toronto Firefighter Sweatshirts and Calendars brought the most attention.

By all accounts the evening was a success. My compliments to chefs Brian and Karen from the Cajun Corner Restaurant on Queen St. East in Toronto. Drop in and say hello when you are downtown. The restaurant is just west of Carlaw!

My thanks to Frank and Rhea Baxter and her beau for their assistance at the ticket table, behind the bar and waiting tables---they all did a bit of each!

Thanks also to staff members Caroline Jover and Katrine Marrin for the bartending services.

Lastly, a very special thanks to Cougar alumni Matt D'Sousa, Lance Poole, Andrew Collymore and Chris Dahiroc for their assistance to Brian and Karen. Their willingness to give up a Friday night to give back to the school is a perfect example of being 'people for others'!!

Peter Andrew and Joanna Romani took a boat load of photos that night and I've included just a small sample. ENJOY.

Welcome

Welcome to the Cougars for Katrina Relief Blog. Now that I have rejoined the ranks of the retired, happily I must admit, I am in a position to keep all interested parties up to date on the excursion to New Orleans.

At a meeting yesterday 34 boys and 14 girls were informed that they will be the young people traveling from March 8 to the 17th to New Orleans, Louisiana via Nashville to assist with rebuilding efforts after the devestation of Hurricane Katrina. This project has been in the planning stages for the past nine months and both the students and the adults who will accompany them are beginning to get excited.

The intent of my blog is to give readers day by day, blow by blow descriptions of events leading up to our departure and a first hand look at our activities at the close of each day.

Parents will be able to view their students on-line and will be able to post messages to them from home.

The second purpose of this page is to further intoduce you to the Cougar Football team, particularly its activities over the past twelve months. I will be posting photos from last May's Lung Association's Pull For Kids competition as well as some photos from our season, including some taken in Canton, Ohio.

Parents should feel free to send me photos they may have taken during the season so they may also be included.

Let the fun begin!