Winchester Jumelage

Jumelage News

Winchester Interns to France

If you have a high school or college age student who would like to spend some time in St Germain en Laye this summer as an intern, please contact Philippe Koenig for information and opportunities.  Interns will be hosted by St. Germain families and work in the town.

Host Families Needed for French Interns this summer

This Summer we are looking forward to hosting three young women from St. Germain: Camille Nicolas, Blandine Baiget and Alice Maggiocchi.  The French Interns work in businesses in downtown Winchester during their stay and do not need supervision.  As we set out to find host families and businesses for their internships, we suggest that you consider signing up to help.  It will be fun for you, and both fun and very, very worthwhile for our interns: the many St Germain youths who have participated in this valuable program have consistently expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome given to them, as we have been impressed by their gutsy plunge into real life in America, and the resulting dramatic improvement in their command of conversational English.

Please contact Annette Lanigan, 781.729.7425, if you can host during the months of July or August this summer.

Young Musician Hosted in Winchester

Morgane Richard, from St Germain en Laye was hosted by Jumelage member, Sheila Puffer and her daughter, Carol Fraser at their Wildwood Street home during September and October 2005.  Joyce Anderson, WHS French teacher facilitated this exchange, through her friendship with the Richard's family from previous exchange trips.  During her stay, she attended classes at WHS.

A piano player and arranger,  Morgane was able to practice at the homes of several Winchester neighbors.  During the last week of her stay, she and Shelia and another friend gave a piano, cello and vocal concert for friends and Jumelage members at the home of Annina and Kilmer McCulley.

Plans Finalized for Jumelage Exchange Trip to La Dordogne Region in September 2006

Twenty Three Winchester Jumelage members will join a similar number of St. Germain members on the annual exchange trip in September.  This trip will be centered in the La Dordogne region of France which boast more than 1000 châteaux and country manors in this lush area of rolling hills, fern covered-carpeted forests, and cliff-edged rivers.  It includes Périgueux, the capital of truffles and foie gras, and proceeds through one of the sections of the country that is richest in ruins and religious art.  The trip is now fully booked.

15th Anniversary Dinner 

A special guest at the 15th Anniversary Dinner was St. Germain Municipal Counselor Fabrice Ravel, whose short stay in Winchester included meetings with school officials (thank you Dr. Marini, Tom Gwin and Joyce Anderson and a Library tour (thank you Lynda Wills); a special thank you to Sarah and Bill Swiger for hosting Mr. Ravel, who greatly enjoyed his brief visit.  Taking time away from their very busy lives to meet with Mr. Ravel, as they have done equally cheerfully on other occasions for other St Germain guest, these Winchester officials and educator are outstanding ambassadors of good will, and living examples of American local government at its best.