Interview with Helene Harton
By Patricia Hanson
Franco American Women
Interview with Franco-American Woman
I have chosen Helene Harton as the subject
for my interview. For the past few years, she has lived in Bar Harbor with
her husband Roy Kasindorf and their black lab Zoë. Together they run
the Ullikana Bed & Bedfast, providing guests from all over the world
with a unique blend of Bar Harbor, New York and French Canadian charm.
Helene was born and raised in Quebec. After
attending college she moved to Montreal to teach. In 1981, she moved to
New York to work for the United Nations as a teacher. In the early 1990's
she moved with her new husband to Bar Harbor, Maine.
Helene, like most French-Canadian children
her age, went to a Catholic school where the nuns taught the girls and
the brothers taught the boys. She spoke fondly of the history that was
available in Quebec. For example, the school she attended was over one
hundred years old. She said history was an important part of life. She
remembers many renovations taking place in the old part of Quebec. To her,
the history was part of life. It embraced her and helped give a sense of
purpose, direction and who she was. It was a form of stability and continuity
that gave a sense of belonging and comfort to her. Growing up with so much
history available to be seen by all every day was one way to keep in touch
with the past and remind her of her family and ancestors.
Helene is the youngest of three girls.
Her two sisters are more than 10 years older than she is and her parents
were both in their forties when she was born. Until Helene was about 12
years old, life in Quebec was has it had been for several hundred years.
As mentioned earlier, even the buildings were from the past. The church
was the center of the community. The church ran most aspects of life including
the educational system. She said there were not a lot of options and certain
ways of life were expected.
When she was about 12 years old many changes
began to happen in Quebec. She spoke of the changes in school, especially
with regards to the dress. She said that after much discussion it was permissible
for girls to wear navy blue or gray stocking instead of black, the only
color that had ever been allowed. She described how this time, for her
was a very exciting time. She found she was enjoying the new way of life.
She was fascinated with all that was now available. The arts became especially
interesting to her. She spoke of the different types of books and authors
that began to emerge. Also paintings and artwork were now much more prominent
in Quebec. To her, the most exciting and interesting was the music. Every
where she went there were new sounds, both in voice and instrument. She
spoke of feeling fortunate to of been able to grow up in such exciting
times. She acknowledges that it must have been difficult for her sisters
and her parents. They were older and used to the old ways. Helene was young
enough to be able to find a special appreciation for all of these new things
without seeing them as an intrusion or threat to her lifestyle. She admits
that if she had been older when the changes came she probably would not
of been affected by them in the way that she was. She would not of been
able to be exposed to so many choices and opportunities.
Helene's decision to come to the United
States was simply the result of her experiences in her employment. She
had been teaching for several years in Montreal. She was thinking about
a change when a friend mentioned that the United Nations was looking for
someone to come to New York to help teach. She applied for the position,
not really believing that she had a chance to get the position. She ultimately
did get the position. It was for two years and could be extended.
She found that not only did she like her
new position, she also like the United States very much. She was able to
renew her position every two years. After about 8 years, she met her future
husband, Roy. After their marriage several years later, they decided to
come to Maine and find a bed and breakfast to run.
Helene spoke fondly of the family values
that she has from her upbringing. She explained that family meal time and
family time was extremely important when she was
a child. She spoke of how important and
special family time was and especially the holidays. She said she still
loves to go back to Quebec to visit with her sisters and her mother. She
cherishes the time she has with them and finds that they still enjoy sitting
around the table just talking and enjoying the good food and even better
conversation.
In discussing French-Canadians (Franco-American)
Helene believes that while she has wonderful memories of growing up in
Quebec, has a deep love for the country and it's history, and cherishes
her time back home with her family, she probably would not want to live
back there again. She is appreciative of the opportunities that she has
found in the United States and she admits that there are aspects of the
US that she doesn't especially care for. For example, healthcare here versus
in Quebec. She said it had been nice in Quebec not to have to worry about
needing to see a doctor and admits that she and Roy really think about
it before they make an appointment to see a doctor now, especially because
of the expense.
Helene's home and heart are now in a beautiful
old home that has been converted into a bed and breakfast. She has strong,
happy memories of her childhood and home. This heritage is what she draws
on when she finds that the American ways are lacking in something.
To me it seems that Helene must be like
the pioneer women from so many years ago. Obviously she had many more advantages
than they did, but it seems to me that it is what is inside of her where
the similarity is. She had a desire to reach out and find something different
and she found the means with which to accomplish that dream.
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