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.