Thetford Mines, Quebec delegation visits the Hilltop City
It was 43 years ago that the cities of Somersworth, N.H. and Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada forged the path to a friendship between the two communities when they became sister cities. The original twinning of the city was brought about by the creation of the Somersworth International Children’s Festival and then Mayor George Bald.
That relationship was reignited once more with a visit from Thetford Mines Mayor Marc-Alexandre Brousseau accompanied by a delegation of seven to the Hilltop City on Tuesday, June 20.
The party was welcomed by Mayor Dana S. Hilliard and city staff and Mayor Hilliard proclaimed the day as “Thetford Mines Day.” Many Somersworth residents have their roots in Thetford Mines as many of their ancestors took, “the long walk south,” as it was known, to work in the textile mills in Somersworth.
The two Mayors last met in 2016 when Mayor Hilliard travelled to Thetford Mines and was himself welcomed with open arms by the mainly French speaking community. Coincidentally the two Mayors have both served their respective communities for 10 years, a fact that did not escape either of them during the visit.
As the Canadian party arrived four days before St John the Baptist Day it seemed appropriate that the flag of Quebec was raised by Mayor Brousseau at Citizens Place and it will fly above the Hilltop City for the next week as the city's tradition.
After a tour of Somersworth City Hall the party took a walk along Main street to the Summersworth Historical Museum where they learned about some of the rich history of their sister city. Then it was time for dinner at Anatolia Mediterranean Restaurant before the parties bid each other farewell. The party from Thetford Mines traveled to Lowell on their departure and expressed their desire to return to the Hilltop City in the near future.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Thetford Mines, Quebec delegation visits the Hilltop City
