News from ‘The Hawk’s Nest’

By Nannette M. Mills
    On Friday, June 1, Hodgdon High School’s French teacher, Mr. Ron Murray, led his French III class to Quebec City for a three-day tour.
    Quebec City lies on the Saint Lawrence River, roughly three hours east of Montreal. The city is the second oldest existing European settlement in Canada. This historic city is divided in two by steep bluffs into Upper Town, which includes the old quarter, and Lower Town.
    Perched atop Cap-Diamant, the old quarter is the only walled city in North America. The Citadel, Chateau Frontenac, Plains of Abraham and the Quebec Parliament are all attractions located in Upper Town, sharing the space with a variety of standout shops and markets. The Old Port of Quebec is found in Lower Town, as well as Place-Royal, the site of the first permanent settlement in New France.
    Shannon Martin, Krystal Estabrook, Alex Harris, Mike McGary, Katie Williams and Jamie Cleary toured the city with Mr. Murray, and the group received an historical lesson while taking a caleche, or horse and buggy ride. They even saw where the British General Wolfe was killed at the famous Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, the site of many clashes for supremacy between the French and British Empires. Today, the Plains of Abraham form a large part of Battlefield Park.  A special highlight was visiting Mr. Murray’s favorite boulangerie where Alex bought some “pain chocolat”!  
    Our students are getting very excited for April to arrive, as Mr. Murray will be leading a 10-day tour with students and adults to Paris, Nice, Monaco, Pisa, Assisi, Florence, and Rome. “Veni, Vedi, Vechi!!”