French-themed books to read in January 2021
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French-themed books to read in January 2021
This month s winter perfect round-up featuring the mysterious underground tunnels of Paris in the 1960s and the deadly mountains of the Alps
7 January 2021
Three French-linked books to read and get stuck into for the start of 2021By Connexion journalist
The Last Train - Arnaud Rykner
Snuggly Books, £11.50 ISBN: 978-1-64525-037-1
Seasoned author Arnaud Rykner’s “The Last Train” is both a true story and entirely fiction. Or that is what he says.
WBFO s Michael Mroziak reports.
Though Howard died in 1966, his legacy remains actively celebrated in Albion. Earlier this week, New York State formally dedicated a portion of Route 31 as the Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway. His name is featured on many of the holiday-themed banners hanging from the lampposts lined up along Main Street. Within an open space between two building just south of the Erie Canal there is a mural and a sign, both honoring his memory. Albion people are very proud of the association with Charles Howard and he is indeed celebrated here, said Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian, who welcomed WBFO to peruse through numerous documents including vintage photos, newspaper clippings, brochures and other pieces from the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park.
The Inseide Dope
On Sunday I came across an article on Jean Robert-Houdin. How appropriate for Christmas, I thought. Though I doubt you ever heard of him, his last name resembles one you know, and for good reason: Houdini (birth name Erik Weisz) took his stage name as an homage to Robert-Houdin. So who was he? Robert-Houdin is considered the father of modern conjuring. A 19th century French magician, he radicalized how magicians performed, as well as how they were perceived. Before him, magicians were street and festival performers, and were viewed as tricksters at best, mountebanks at worst, and low lifes any which way.
HOMED
This adorable cottage was once Masterton s jail, police station and courthouse. Now, it s snug family home.
It’s seen weddings, arrests, court cases, and first steps, now Carterton’s 152-year-old courthouse-turned-family home is ready for the next stage of life. For the past few years it’s been home to Catherine Cooper and husband Jonáš Koukl, who bought the “warm, cosy” cottage in late 2016. A year or so later they were joined by son Tomáš, now 2. But long before the Cooper-Koukls moved in, it had been a shearer’s bivvie, and long before that, the first police station, jail and courthouse in nearby Masterton.
MOUNT MORRIS â Catherine Cooper has always been active and even on her 100th birthday, friends and family said sheâs showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
âIt got to be a family joke, that if someone was going by the house and slowed down, she would jump up and run out,â said daughter Bettie Cooper.
Friends and family came out to Mount Morris Lanes and Pro Shop Thursday to help her celebrate the milestone birthday. For Catherine, it was a good day and a good celebration.
âI am great and thank you,â she said.
With her two daughters, Bettie Wooster and Bonnie Cooper, by her side, Catherine sat and watched others bowl to help mark the centennial celebration. While they admit their momâs bowling days may be over, she is still a great cheerleader from the sidelines.