The French Connection

Come to one of L’Alliance Francaise de Doylestown’s meetings and you'll check your English at the door, s'il vous plait.

The 22-year-old group, which has about 80 members, for conversations in French and to listen to speakers who talk about the culture. The group also hosts evening sessions and a handful of social events, including a Bastille Day party, of course.

The group is open to all, but knowing some basics of the language is fundamental.

“Occasionally, a new person comes in and they’re shy about making conversation,” said Edythe Patterson, club president and one of the original members. “We try to make it welcoming and easy for them to understand what’s going on.”

Said Patterson: “The question I get all the time is ‘How good do you have to be?’ We have people at all levels.”

They also have members with international ties, coming from countries such as England, Ireland, Russia and Argentina, to name a few.

Tia Foroud, who grew up in Switzerland speaking the French language, co-founded the Doylestown group with Canadian Brooke Samuels. They enjoyed speaking the language and decided to see if others in the area would be interested in forming a local chapter. Hoping to get at least 15 people, 75 showed up.

Numbers coming to the daytime sessions fluctuate, but all have a love for the language or the culture as a foundation.

Patterson, of Doylestown, majored in French in college, but switched to comparative linguistics before graduating. At one point, her husband’s career in aviation sent him to the Paris Air Show. She started going along, took some courses while there to brush up on her skills and, voila, became one of the group’s charter members.

At a recent meeting, about 16 people turned out to discuss that day’s topic – food or mealtime traditions over the holidays or just everyday dining. Each person took a turn describing a special family ritual or traditional food served at Thanksgiving or Christmas – or just a childhood memory, perhaps, of favorite foods they had growing up.

Conversation flowed, as individuals shared their personal stories with the group.

But it was Roy Cusumano’s tale that left the group in stitches.

Cusumano graciously supplied the English version of the story after the meeting.

Cusumano was in the military, stationed in France in the mid-’50s. He was invited to a family get-together with those who later would become his in-laws and extended relatives.

Along with a bottle of Chianti, he decided to bring a big jar of popcorn to the gathering, introducing the French to a typical American food.

The table was set elegantly, he recalled, with beautiful dinner- and stemware. It was all very impressive. So he set about the task of popping the corn in the kitchen.

“Now, I had never made popcorn before in my life,” admitted Cusumano, who now lives with his wife, Diane (it was her relatives), in North Wales.

“I opened the jar of popcorn, turned the heat on and threw it in. I never knew you had to cover it …”

A few minutes passed and one kernel popped, he recalled, “… then 10 kernels, then 1,000 kernels …” which is what prompted the group’s laughter. “It came up and over and onto the floor … they were so stunned by all of it! I thought I made a fool of myself, but they took it in good humor.”

After the Cusumanos married, they moved to the states and both were teachers at Methacton High School. They retired and moved to France, living there for four years, and returned a year ago.

Diane now teaches private French lessons through L’Alliance Francaise.

The merits of the group are many, said Cusumano.

“It’s really a good cultural experience and it gives people a chance to interact because they’re required to speak French,” he said.

“We always have a great time and we all learn something that helps to reinforce what we know.”

The sentiment was mirrored by Marcia De Vera Eder of Jamison, who lived in Paris for two years.

While members have varied backgrounds, she said, “Everyone who comes enjoys it because we all have the same love in common – France and French speaking.”

Newbies shouldn’t feel uncomfortable if they don’t think they’re up to par in speaking French, she said. That’s how languages are learned.

“If you make an effort to learn the language and you don’t speak English – just French, you just pick it up; you’re forced to. But it’s a real joy.”

The next table ronde discussion is Nov. 30, when Liz Jacquot will speak about the barge she and her husband charter along the Canal du Midi.

Membership for L’Alliance Francaise de Doylestown is $45 (ages 18 to 60), $35 (over 60), $55 (couple), $25 (students over 18), free for students under 18.

For more information, check out the group's website www.afdoylestown.org.