• Names frame the call to remember 
• Nova Scotia teen band feeling at home 
• Families have their day at Acadian Village
• Scott/Memramcook Twinning
• Acadian Genetics Symposium

LAFAYETTE - Michael and Andrew Mingyar, ages 2 and 6, love red beans and rice. But because they live in Altoona, Pa., they don't get to eat that dish often.  "This is about the only time we can enjoy decent cuisine," said Christopher Mingyar, the boys' father, of trips back to Louisiana. Mingyar's wife, Ann, is part of the Daigle family on her mother's side. The Mingyars were at Acadian Village on Wednesday for festivities that are part of the Congrès Mondial Acadien, the two-week celebration for people of Acadian descent.

                          Since the Congrès began on Aug. 1, Acadian Village has been the
             host for several families each afternoon. On Wednesday, the day's
             families included the Benoit, Bertrand, Daigle, Pitre and Robichaux
             clans.

             "The Acadian Village is showing its appreciation to the Acadian
             Culture," said A.J. LeBlanc, director of Acadian Village, who
             organized the event.

             Acadian Village will host more family gatherings through this
             weekend. The events feature food, live music and dancing under
             the pavilion.

             The Pitre and Robichaux families had their official reunions last
             weekend.
             The Benoit family meets Friday in Lafayette at the Knights of
             Columbus Hall near the St. John Cathedral.

             The Bertrands meet Saturday and Sunday in Crowley at the Knights
             of Columbus Hall, Sacre Coeur Council.

             The Daigles meet on Saturday in Morgan City at the Municipal
             Auditorium.
             Florence Daigle Perkins is the president of the Daigle Association
             and the grandmother of the Mingyar boys.

             She has four children who are coming in from Alabama, Georgia,
             Massachusetts and Pennsylvania for the Congrès.

             Perkins said getting her children to come from other states wasn't
             that hard.
             "The hardest people to convince to come to something like this are
             the people in Louisiana," said Perkins. 

             Christopher and Ann Mingyar brought their sons because they want
             the children to stay familiar with their Louisiana roots. 

             "It's fun for us," Christopher Mingyar said. "But it's important for
             them to know their heritage."