Vassar Quarterly - Fall 2017 - 52

THE VASSAR DIASPORA

Regional Alums Welcome
Newest Vassar Class

A love of the French language binds Vassar alumnae and
others together in a quaint New England town.
The silver is polished, the tablecloth is ironed, and the fine China is out, but the women speaking French over the breakfast table are decked out in their finest LL Bean boots and flannel.
Welcome to the language club Café Français.
Liz Allen Cody '68, who has been a member for four years, says it's the "wilds of New
Hampshire" that necessitate their attire. Some members need to travel up to an hour to get
to club meetings, she says, and, on their way, "they may be stopped by a moose in the road,
bears on the porch, or bats in the foyer!"
Café Français was founded by Vassar alumna Joan Kennedy Behr '45 in the picturesque
town of Tamworth, NH, nearly 60 years ago. Though she passed away in 1987, the group
continues to meet weekly.
The club boasts a group of "impressive, self-reliant, resilient women," says Cody-members
such as former Editor-in-Chief of the New York Times Book Review Rebecca Pepper Sinkler '59,
who has been part of the group for 17 years.
The current membership roster stands at 16 with members ranging in age from 50 to more
than 80 years old. While people from any college or university may join, "Vassar runs through
it," Cody says. Over the years, many Vassar alumnae or children of alumnae/i have been
members; currently, three of the members call Vassar their alma mater.
Turns out Gretchen Behr-Svendsen, daughter of the founder, is a member, too. When she
was invited to join 15 years ago, she says, she didn't even realize it was the same club. The
small tea her mother started with five women had morphed into a formal breakfast with
many more attendees.
The breakfast is held at a different member's home each week. The menu is chosen by the
host and usually includes such French treats as clafoutis (a tart made of fruit baked in sweet
batter), galette (a flat cake of pastry or bread), quiche, and cheese soufflé.
They speak only French when they are together, but Sinkler says, "We are competitive
about the cooking, not the French." No judgment toward those who may not be as proficient.
Cody, who had taken only one year of French her freshman year and had not studied or
spoken the language in nearly 50 years prior to joining, relishes her time with the group. "It's
like Vassar extended," she says, "women supporting each other and all of our interests and
talents and skills getting tangled up. These women truly remind me of the best that I found
at Vassar, whether they all went there or not." -Cari Shane '87
52

FA l l 2 0 1 7

Lakeside Love-fest
The class of 1968 celebrated a mini-reunion
hosted by Nancy Dante Bennison and Judith
Putzel in late June. It was held at Putzel's
lakeside property in Nelson, NH.

Courtesy of the subjects

C'est Bon!

Incoming first-year students (and parents)
turned out in force for Vassar's Send
Off receptions this August. The events
are a chance for alumnae/i and current
students to welcome admitted students
into the Vassar family. This photo is
from the Send Off Reception in DC,
but several other area clubs, including
ones in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania,
California, Connecticut, Oregon, New
Jersey, Denver, Ohio, and Nebraska
also held Send Offs this summer.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vassar Quarterly - Fall 2017