NOIRMOUTIER-EN-l'ÎLE, France — Visitors to a recent community activities forum in Crestview's Sister City learned about the Hub City's virtues, and how they can enjoy them firsthand.
Sister City committee members staffed an information booth during the Sept. 22 event that displayed organizations and clubs throughout the island community off France's west coast. They described Crestview's congenial hospitality, favorable weather, down-home cooking, outdoor fun ranging from canoeing to beach frolics, and attending games of "football américain."
Fliers promoted upcoming exchanges, including summer 2014 trips to the island planned by the Crestview High School French Club and girls' soccer team, and 2015 performances by the Northwest Florida State College show choir and Madrigals. Other fliers announced planned trips to Crestview by Noirmoutier students in 2015, and a delegation coming in 2016 to help celebrate the Crestview centennial.
"We had many contacts with the population and found new members for the next trip to Crestview in 2016," committee President RenéRelandeau said.
Displays — set up beneath Crestview and Noirmoutier city flags — included photos of recent exchanges, including a June and July visit by 22 members of Crestview's Sister City program.
The local organization will be represented at the Oct. 25 International Festival at Shoal River Middle School, at which a special door prize can be won: Relandeau and his committee have dispatched a keepsake metal box filled with rich, buttery "Philbert Gallettes," cookies baked only on Noirmoutier, made with sea salt harvested on the island.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: French Sister City residents learn about Crestview at forum