Bonjour! French group visits 'sister city' of Strasburg

Below is an article that appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily on June 8th, 2021. 

STRASBURG — The Town of Strasburg had some visitors Sunday that hail from its “sister city,” which is an eight-hour flight across the Atlantic.

About 25 members of the Alsace Washington D.C. Association visited the Northern Shenandoah County town as part of its plans to visit the 13 localities named Strasburg across the country, Strasburg Mayor Brandy Boise said in a phone interview Monday.

The group’s members live in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area but at one point lived in Strasbourg, France, or in the area surrounding it, which is known as the Alsace region.

Alain Boy, president of the Alsace Washington D.C. Association, had driven through Strasburg before, but this was the first time the group had paid a visit, Boies said.

“It was just a great day of learning about each others’ history and it was a great way to promote tourism, by bringing new individuals to meet our town, to meet our business owners,” Boise said. “It was just a positive day for everyone and we look forward to welcoming them back.”

The day began around 10:30 a.m. with a trip to the Strasburg Museum, which included sharing the town’s history and a 1939 train exhibit set up by John Schreiner, Boies said.

Dennis Hupp, Strasburg Museum board president and a retired judge, as well as board Vice President Elizabeth “Ibby” Stratton, board member Gloria Stickley, and gift shop managers Tina Crabill and Margo Hammock were present for the visit.

A print of the town of Strasbourg was presented to the town as well as a piece of pottery from Strasbourg, which was similar to a piece of pottery the museum already had. Board member John Adamson and his wife, Barbara, pulled out the museum’s piece for comparison, Boies said.

“We thought that was really unique,” Boise said. “That these two pieces of pottery they came from two different areas of the world actually were very similar and unique.”

The festivities continued around 12:30 p.m. to the Box Office Brewery, where councilman Paul Weaver provided a welcoming message in French.

The town’s poet laureate, Rich Follet, also read a poem about the two cities being connected to rivers, played “Oh Shenandoah” and then sang “Take Me Home Country Roads,” Boise said. Follet’s wife, Mary Ruth, president of the Strasburg Rotary Club, also attended.

Brewery owners Tom and Mary Beth Price worked with their chefs to bake to perfection the difficult tarte flambée, Boise said. The dish is a thin-flatbread pizza-type specialty from the area that includes cheese, cream and lardon, or pieces of bacon.

Michéle Zimmer, vice president of the Alsace Washington D.C. Association, wore a festive dress that she was married in, Boies said. Sunday was also the 77th anniversary of D-Day, the day when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, during World War II, Boies also noted.

“Just very down to earth people,” Boies said. “I think that would be the thing that was most common. A love of history and just down to earth, kind and gracious people coming together.”

After a couple of hours at the brewery, the group members went off to visit the town on their own, including a visit to the Strasburg Emporium, Boies said.

The Alsace Washington D.C. Association posted on its Facebook page Monday that it was feeling grateful for the visit and that the tarte flambée should be added to the brewery’s menu.

“Many thanks for your explanations about Strasburg’s history, your poesy, and for your welcoming words in French,” the group posted. “That was very touching. Big thanks to John: the miniature train is a true delight.”

Contact Charles Paullin at cpaullin@nvdaily.com