I recently spoke to Nic Hamman’s economics and government classes at Circleville High School. The economics students had learned about different economic systems: communism, socialism, and capitalism. The government classes had just studied the Constitution and The Bill of Rights. Mr. Hamman’s students were attentive, engaged and respectful – he can be rightfully proud of his students!

The students learned from my direct experience the so-called “benefits” of living under both National Socialism (Nazi) and communism. Among the “benefits” my family experienced were the loss of personal rights, government confiscation of our property, arbitrary arrests and interrogation, and finally leaving our homeland. After briefly outlining my family’s history, as told in my memoir, Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?, we had great question and answer sessions.

Today was a new first for me: an interview to be broadcast on several radio stations!

Tim Stonerock, of “The Point Radio”, who had just finished reading my book Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?, interviewed me and we discussed the book. The 12-minute interview will be aired on the following stations starting today! (see below)

When listening to the recording I did discover that I say, “Ah”, during pauses much more often than I thought I did. With a bit of practice I should sound a tad more professional in future interviews. I’ll try to prove that even an old dog can be taught new tricks.

You can catch the interview on these stations. If you aren’t in one of these regions you can also catch a livestream from anywhere in the world via the web links below:

I had the honor of telling my story at Logan Elm Baptist Church on the night of their Thanksgiving dinner. What an appropriate time to tell the story of a refugee family who was blessed to come to America!

Last Wednesday, October 5th, I spoke at the Wyngate Senior Facility in Circleville, Ohio. All of the residents were old enough to remember WWII from their youth.

On Saturday I stopped by to talk with Lloyd Koch, a resident at Wyngate. Lloyd and I enjoyed the warm temperature, sunshine, and talked about the book. He also talked about his rural upbringing and his time working at DuPont. Lloyd used to raise pigs when he was young. He was amazed by the size of Wunzu, the pig my brother milked. He had never seen such a huge pig!

Update: Participating in the Ohio Author Panel last night at the Pickaway County Library was interesting. The works and experiences of the other authors were quite different from mine.

The program was introduced by Michelle Callahan, librarian, and sponsored by Keystone Books & Gifts.

Original announcement:

If you want to know about the life of an author or learn more about the process of writing, will host an authors panel tonight (September 12, 2017) from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the the Pickaway County Library, located at 1160 N. Court St., Circleville, Ohio.

Various authors from around Ohio – including yours truly – will answer questions on all aspects of writing — from the beginning of an idea to writing the book, and the life-changing experience of being published.

The event is free and open to the public, and will include book sales and signing! Hope to see you there!

This past Saturday downtown Circleville hosted an “Author Alley”, where local authors set up stands to meet people and sell their books. The day went well for the authors in the alley. I was pleased to sell several books!

Happiness: a great book, a German pastry, and meeting with new connections!

How to ship books in an environmentally responsible way:

1) Ride to Scioto Valley Coffee to refuel.

2) Stop at Keystone Books & Gifts

3) Ride to post office.

One book was shipped to Redlands, CA and the other to Port Hope, MI!