The Francophone historical society of Orléans, (Société francophone du patrimoine et de l’histoire d’Orléans - SFOPHO) was created in 2011. One of its committees, the CAPNFO (Comité pour l’amélioration de la place des noms francophones à Orléans), has existed since 2012.
Since then, the CAPNFO has undertaken many projects including the correction of misspelled names of streets and parks in Orléans, the promotion of the proper official spelling of the word Orléans with its acute accent as dictated by the 1994 decision of the Ontario Geographic Names Board, and the submission of historical names to the city for parks, streets, facilities and buildings.
This committee of volunteers has also written 85 short stories relating to the history of people who shaped the village of yesteryear and the Orléans of today.
The initial stories appeared in the now-extinct L’Express d’Orléans newspaper and today they continue in the L’Orléanais monthly newspaper.
Eighty of these translated stories are now available in two bilingual books; one, A Brief History of Orléans, Ontario and of its French Toponymy, published in 2017, and the other, The History Behind the French Toponymy of Orléans, Ontario Volume 2, recently launched in September 2023.
The 2017 book of 114 pages contains a well illustrated brief history of Orléans, as well as the stories behind 30 French names in the Orléans toponymy.
The 2023 book of 196 pages deals with the stories behind 46 French names and those of four others in the Orléans toponymy and includes beautiful photos and maps of early Orléans. It was published with the financial help of the ACFO Ottawa Bilingual Ottawa Program.
These books, which would be an excellent Christmas gift, could serve as an exploration guide of parks, streets and buildings in Orléans, and of course, they would be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about the community in which they live.
Both books in the collection can be purchased at MIFO located at 6600 Carrière St., The cost is $20 for Volume 1 and $30 for Volume 2.
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
STATION 71 PANCAKE BREAKFAST from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 71 in Navan with a freewill donation to the CHEO Foundation. Come enjoy pancakes with local maple syrup Erabliere des Wats Sugar Bush, local coffee from Papa Bean coffee roastery, and sausages and bacon from Lavergne Meat. After breakfast check out the Navan Fall Fest at the Navan Fairgrounds.
