This is Why I Love Manchester - Part Deux

I just had to share this sign I saw when leaving the polling station today for Manchester's primary election. 

It stands as a perfect reminder of Manchester's rich Franco-American heritage and the continued vitality of the Franco-American community.

For research buffs like me who love primary sources, here's an excerpt of an interview with a French Canadian textile worker discussing the life of French Canadians who immigrated to Manchester in the 1870's and 1880's. The description of the home as the center of activity is so vivid, it's like you're standing in the kitchen.

Good stuff. 

À la prochaine!

This is Why I Love Manchester

Boyfriend and I were on a stroll down Elm Street last night when we came upon the Pembroke Building. As we've done before, we peered in the windows to see how much progress has been made on the Thirsty Moose fit out. With his nose pressed against the glass, boyfriend asked, "I wonder when it's going to open?" A man behind us replied, "October." Boyfriend asked how the man knew that, to which the man replied, "I own the building."

And thus marked our introduction to Bernard Gasser, a gracious man who chose to strike up a conversation rather than ignore us or, even worse, think we were casing the joint! A good thirty minutes later, we shook hands and parted ways knowing so much more about this beautiful Manchester landmark. The history of the Pembroke Building is Bernard's to tell, but I dare say that he was meant to buy it and bring it back to life. Ask him about the window molding, and you'll know what I mean. 

I'll leave you with a then-and-now. Peek in if you can!

Photo credit: Manchester Historic Association.

Photo credit: By AlexiusHoratius (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.