Next up:
8/16...Will Bruhns, Ombudsman Cal. Water Boards.. Petaluma River issues
8/23...Ann Padover...Long term care
8/30...District Governor Erna Stevenson Annual Visit
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 convened by President Russell (‘a steamed’), theme for the year ‘Lead the Way’.
Have you ever come into the meeting room, sat yourself down and just watched your fellow Club members visiting, hugging, laughing, enjoying, greeting, caring, smiling, joking, heads bent together to share a moment, introducing each other to visitors? This is an incredible Club – treasure it, build upon it – together we can do such wonderful things.
note: Be sure to read the account of today's speaker at the end of this newsletter....amazing stuff.
Rickie R. was the one-armed greeter for the day, doing a fine job.
Thought of the Day: “In the midst of death, life persists. In the midst of untruth, truth persists. In the midst of darkness, light persists.” Mahatma Gandhi
INTRODUCTION OF ROTARIAN GUESTS:
Gardner Bride (husband of Sheila);
Monica Barker, Washington Mutual;
Julianne (Live Oak School 6th grade teacher);
Mel Fox (past Club member);
Jennifer Keesling (daughter of Janet Rosselle,
Deni Gross (All American Printing); Karen (wife of Dave J.); Mary Ellen Courier: Mary Celestre;
Annnd Tobias (last year’s exchange student from Denmark)
VISITING ROTARIANS: Dave Barbieri, (sales/hospitality, Petaluma); Paul Lounibos (past President, retired, Petaluma Club); Jim Tuck (driving Miss Daisy, Russian River); Klaus Espe (Sunrise Club, President Elect).
TRIVIA: Quick Survey requested by Rotary District, so the Pres asked for ages groups.
Then, as the eyes have it, he announced the call for old prescription glasses (challenge from Lions).
ANNOUNCEMENTS / EVENTS.
New members Mary Celestre, Deni Gross and Monica Barker were welcomed into the Club.
Wow, three new members to welcome into the Club.
Calendar:
HAPPY DOLLARS, FINES, ETC.:
President Russell auctioned off tickets to the Napa Fair (purchased by Jim F.).
RAFFLE: 50/50 raffle the wrong color marble was selected by Forrest F. (with a 1 in 4 chance of winning, what ARE the chances. Jo T. won the $10.
PROGRAM: Sally J. introduced the speaker, Alfred Batzdorff. Mr. Batzdorff was born in Breslau, Germany, married Susanne Biberstein in 1944, father of three sons. He served in U.S. Navy with the Seabees (Construction Battalion) during WWII in the U.S. and Okinawa, active in Jewish communities in Dover, Del., Levittown, PA., and Santa Rosa, CA. He was employed for thirty-two years as mechanical engineer with various east coast firms, and followed in 1982 by establishment of private consulting practice in Santa Rosa. He retired in 1991.
Kinder Transport: His Story....
" The transporting 10,000 Jewish children, ages 2 – 15 between Germany and Austria to England. Historical perspective: Hitler 1933 came to Power, same month when Roosevelt came to power in the US (interesting coincidence). Fast forward to 1938, by that time we had lived under Nazi regime for 5 years, with more and more discriminatory legislation." November 9, 1938 violence against the Jewish community began in earnest. He was arrested as a 16-year old boy; he escaped from being transported by train to a concentration camp.
The effort to save the children began, all happened within 3 weeks. Arrived in England in the first Kinder Transport on Dec 2, 1938. By the time the war started approx 10 months later, nearly 10,000 kids were rescued. They were treated in a variety of ways, as children of the family, as mother’s helpers, as foster children, or in payment of a debt.
Upon arrival in England, they were all taken to a huge summer camp, which was closed for the winter. On Sunday people came from all over England to select a child. In the south of England a committee was formed to help in the plight of the refugee children. Alfred was one of 20 children taken from the camp to a hostel formed by the committee. The first challenge, learn a little English and some things about the English lifestyle.
Alfred couldn’t get a legitimate Passport because he had been arrested in Germany before escaping. He found himself in the south of England, working in a garage, grinding valves and rebuilding worn spark plugs. He also learned not to wash a tea mug because it ruined the taste, and experienced picture books from France (he appreciated the beauty of France from the books). Later he found work, starting as a dishwasher, he moved onto being a waiter in the hotel industry.
Alfred greatly worried about his parents. He learned of a law about applying for immigration to the US, though the waiting lists were huge. In order to apply for getting people out of Germany you had to find a sponsor who would be responsible for their ‘upkeep’. His brother wasn’t a problem since he was young and strong. A Headmistress of a Boarding School gave him a scholarship for his brother. Another person he met, a textile worker (Mr. Jackson) was looking for one person to rescue from Germany and agreed to sponsor Alfred’s father. Lastly, a member of the refugee committee was the Mayor of a small village, who presented Alfred’s case to the village. Twenty people pledged 1 shilling a month to allow the sponsorship for Alfred’s mother, so in June 1939, the whole family was welcomed to South Hampton, England.
After the war started, the gates closed quickly and the lists of immigration applications to the US shrank. His family talked him into immigrating to the US with them in 1940. He met Susanne when he was eleven; they had gone steady ever since. They lived in the same house in Germany, and corresponded throughout the process. Met again n New York; her escape from Germany is another whole story.
In England he had to get a job to apply for a work permit. sought work as an apprentice at a surgical instrument manufacturing company (Cardiff). The owner of the company offered him the job and offered to have him live in their home but Alfred's family was able to leave for the U.S. before he could take the job..
Having survived the trying times, he and Susanne felt an obligation to share their story with others, including school classes. They not only tell the story, as an adventure story, but also lessons to be learned: the unselfish hospitality shown to a bunch of strangers needing their help: the hostels, the Davis’ (for the job offer), the sponsors (including the twenty people in the village who joined together to sponsor his mother) who helped his family escape war torn Germany. No one is too small to do something, a lesson well learned.
The Lessons:
This was one of the best talks we have been blessed to receive – thank you Sally.
pt
8/16...Will Bruhns, Ombudsman Cal. Water Boards.. Petaluma River issues
8/23...Ann Padover...Long term care
8/30...District Governor Erna Stevenson Annual Visit
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 convened by President Russell (‘a steamed’), theme for the year ‘Lead the Way’.
Have you ever come into the meeting room, sat yourself down and just watched your fellow Club members visiting, hugging, laughing, enjoying, greeting, caring, smiling, joking, heads bent together to share a moment, introducing each other to visitors? This is an incredible Club – treasure it, build upon it – together we can do such wonderful things.
note: Be sure to read the account of today's speaker at the end of this newsletter....amazing stuff.
Rickie R. was the one-armed greeter for the day, doing a fine job.
Thought of the Day: “In the midst of death, life persists. In the midst of untruth, truth persists. In the midst of darkness, light persists.” Mahatma Gandhi
INTRODUCTION OF ROTARIAN GUESTS:
Gardner Bride (husband of Sheila);
Monica Barker, Washington Mutual;
Julianne (Live Oak School 6th grade teacher);
Mel Fox (past Club member);
Jennifer Keesling (daughter of Janet Rosselle,
Deni Gross (All American Printing); Karen (wife of Dave J.); Mary Ellen Courier: Mary Celestre;
Annnd Tobias (last year’s exchange student from Denmark)
VISITING ROTARIANS: Dave Barbieri, (sales/hospitality, Petaluma); Paul Lounibos (past President, retired, Petaluma Club); Jim Tuck (driving Miss Daisy, Russian River); Klaus Espe (Sunrise Club, President Elect).
TRIVIA: Quick Survey requested by Rotary District, so the Pres asked for ages groups.
Then, as the eyes have it, he announced the call for old prescription glasses (challenge from Lions).
ANNOUNCEMENTS / EVENTS.
New members Mary Celestre, Deni Gross and Monica Barker were welcomed into the Club.
Wow, three new members to welcome into the Club.
Calendar:
*
Capucine, exchange student from Spain coming this evening; we are
responsible for her for the first three months so invite her to
events.
*Movies
in the Park at McNear Park (this Saturday, 5:30 PM to get organized),
need more volunteers – show up to participate and have fun.
*Erna Stevenson, Governor of District 5130, is visiting August 30th, tri-Club meeting at the Vet’s Hall,
*Cliff Dochterman, speaker, September 21st. October 21st – Oktoberfest (our most important fund (fun) raiser.
* September 22nd and 23rd – Rowtary on the River.
*December 1st is the Holiday Party.
*RI Convention June 17 – 20, 2007 Salt Lake – Free registration for new attendees.
*Next week we will be looking at the new Club By-Laws, be prepared, read your email, get comments to Pam T.
*Erna Stevenson, Governor of District 5130, is visiting August 30th, tri-Club meeting at the Vet’s Hall,
*Cliff Dochterman, speaker, September 21st. October 21st – Oktoberfest (our most important fund (fun) raiser.
* September 22nd and 23rd – Rowtary on the River.
*December 1st is the Holiday Party.
*RI Convention June 17 – 20, 2007 Salt Lake – Free registration for new attendees.
*Next week we will be looking at the new Club By-Laws, be prepared, read your email, get comments to Pam T.
HAPPY DOLLARS, FINES, ETC.:
- President
Russell fined those with no guest at their table, and then followed up
with a
fine if members had not invited a guest during the last 6
months. - Sally J. paid handsomely for being married at 12 and having a long-term successful marriage to Will.
- Linda P. recognized her kitty’s 5th birthday.
- Mike Rabette
got fined for someone’s 11th birthday, my bet is his daughter (slumber party, party, dinner out) -
- Trips were recognized (Jim O’Grady went to Italy (3 teenagers, wife and Jim spent 10 day learning Italian), Jim presented gifts for President Russell and Rickie's own Abby
- John Burns paid for his anniversary, celebrated in New Jersey with in-laws (very small fine, we declined to pay him for visiting New Jersey);
- Jan Mandrell went to Las Vegas to visit her Mom (came home with $1100).
- Past Presidents (led by Ron J.) fined the honorable President for using his letterhead for sharing information with the members.
- Jerrie P. was recognized for the wonderful work to display some of our beautiful worldwide flags. She is polling the Club for input on our new Club banner.
- JoAnn R.P. needs Club flags for her upcoming trip to India.
President Russell auctioned off tickets to the Napa Fair (purchased by Jim F.).
RAFFLE: 50/50 raffle the wrong color marble was selected by Forrest F. (with a 1 in 4 chance of winning, what ARE the chances. Jo T. won the $10.
PROGRAM: Sally J. introduced the speaker, Alfred Batzdorff. Mr. Batzdorff was born in Breslau, Germany, married Susanne Biberstein in 1944, father of three sons. He served in U.S. Navy with the Seabees (Construction Battalion) during WWII in the U.S. and Okinawa, active in Jewish communities in Dover, Del., Levittown, PA., and Santa Rosa, CA. He was employed for thirty-two years as mechanical engineer with various east coast firms, and followed in 1982 by establishment of private consulting practice in Santa Rosa. He retired in 1991.
Kinder Transport: His Story....
" The transporting 10,000 Jewish children, ages 2 – 15 between Germany and Austria to England. Historical perspective: Hitler 1933 came to Power, same month when Roosevelt came to power in the US (interesting coincidence). Fast forward to 1938, by that time we had lived under Nazi regime for 5 years, with more and more discriminatory legislation." November 9, 1938 violence against the Jewish community began in earnest. He was arrested as a 16-year old boy; he escaped from being transported by train to a concentration camp.
The effort to save the children began, all happened within 3 weeks. Arrived in England in the first Kinder Transport on Dec 2, 1938. By the time the war started approx 10 months later, nearly 10,000 kids were rescued. They were treated in a variety of ways, as children of the family, as mother’s helpers, as foster children, or in payment of a debt.
Upon arrival in England, they were all taken to a huge summer camp, which was closed for the winter. On Sunday people came from all over England to select a child. In the south of England a committee was formed to help in the plight of the refugee children. Alfred was one of 20 children taken from the camp to a hostel formed by the committee. The first challenge, learn a little English and some things about the English lifestyle.
Alfred couldn’t get a legitimate Passport because he had been arrested in Germany before escaping. He found himself in the south of England, working in a garage, grinding valves and rebuilding worn spark plugs. He also learned not to wash a tea mug because it ruined the taste, and experienced picture books from France (he appreciated the beauty of France from the books). Later he found work, starting as a dishwasher, he moved onto being a waiter in the hotel industry.
Alfred greatly worried about his parents. He learned of a law about applying for immigration to the US, though the waiting lists were huge. In order to apply for getting people out of Germany you had to find a sponsor who would be responsible for their ‘upkeep’. His brother wasn’t a problem since he was young and strong. A Headmistress of a Boarding School gave him a scholarship for his brother. Another person he met, a textile worker (Mr. Jackson) was looking for one person to rescue from Germany and agreed to sponsor Alfred’s father. Lastly, a member of the refugee committee was the Mayor of a small village, who presented Alfred’s case to the village. Twenty people pledged 1 shilling a month to allow the sponsorship for Alfred’s mother, so in June 1939, the whole family was welcomed to South Hampton, England.
After the war started, the gates closed quickly and the lists of immigration applications to the US shrank. His family talked him into immigrating to the US with them in 1940. He met Susanne when he was eleven; they had gone steady ever since. They lived in the same house in Germany, and corresponded throughout the process. Met again n New York; her escape from Germany is another whole story.
In England he had to get a job to apply for a work permit. sought work as an apprentice at a surgical instrument manufacturing company (Cardiff). The owner of the company offered him the job and offered to have him live in their home but Alfred's family was able to leave for the U.S. before he could take the job..
Having survived the trying times, he and Susanne felt an obligation to share their story with others, including school classes. They not only tell the story, as an adventure story, but also lessons to be learned: the unselfish hospitality shown to a bunch of strangers needing their help: the hostels, the Davis’ (for the job offer), the sponsors (including the twenty people in the village who joined together to sponsor his mother) who helped his family escape war torn Germany. No one is too small to do something, a lesson well learned.
The Lessons:
- When bringing up teenage children, don’t be over-protective; only by being able to cope on their own will they learn the lessons of life. He was 16 years when he had to leave his parents’ home, had to be responsible for himself. Without bragging, he survived and thrived, including saving others in his family.
- When you think that things are really bad, keep the faith. When he was arrested by the Gestapo, he thought it was the worst, but without that, he would not have escaped and been transported to England; which means he could not have saved his family.
- Catch
a disease in the early stages, the treatment is far simpler and the
survival is easier and more reliable. Beware of the early
symptoms of loosing freedom, if you wait too long you will see the lost
of freedom and democracy.
This was one of the best talks we have been blessed to receive – thank you Sally.
pt