I'm Nicole,
Do you know who was the best ' friend' of Betty MacDonald?
It was ............... STOVE!
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends, got many fascinating stories about Betty and STOVE.
We are going to publish new interviews on CD and DVD in the future.
You can see photos of Betty MacDonald's chicken farm and her beloved 'darling' STOVE.
We recently got the message from a Betty MacDonald Fan whose family owns Betty's original STOVE. What a huge surprise!
There are several Betty MacDonald fans who even voted for STOVE as a new honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club. What would Betty say to this?
Is this crazy or just funny? Let me know, please what you think about it.
Send your comments to my email mentioned in the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
I'd love to hear from all of you!
Thanks,
Nicole
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Jerry Keil kindest man on earth
Hi this is Sabrina,
Jerry Keil, husband of Betty MacDonald's daughter Joan MacDonald Keil passed away ten years ago. He died of cancer at the age of 77 on April 22, 2000.
Jerry became an FBI agent based in Seattle in 1947. Betty MacDonald describes this in her book 'Onions in the Stew'.
According to Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends, published on CD and DVD by Betty MacDonald Fan Club, Jerry Keil was the kindest man on earth. Jerry was unique and answered every letter and many questions from Betty MacDonald Fans all over the world.
Jerry Keil became Joan MacDonald Keil's adviser as she lobbied publishers to reprint the out-of-print "Nancy and Plum." When publishers rejected the reissue, Jerry and Joan printed and distributed the book themselves.
They included some beautiful family photos in this very special edition of Nancy and Plum. Both did a great work to bring Nancy and Plum back to the audience.
Sabrina
Jerry Keil Obituary
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000426&slug=4017545
Jerry' Keil used skills honed in FBI career to prompte book
By Carole Beers
Seattle Times staff reporter
Girard "Jerry" Keil won awards as a special-agent supervisor in the FBI's Seattle office.
He taught marksmanship and defensive tactics and later did similar work for Paccar, setting up a security plan for the firm's offices nationwide.
It seemed like an about-face when he retired in 1982 to help his wife, Joan MacDonald Keil, republish her mother Betty MacDonald's "Nancy and Plum" book about a pair of orphaned sisters.
But the task drew on skills he sharpened in the FBI: talking to a variety of people and getting them to do the right thing.
Mr. Keil died Saturday (April 22) of cancer. He was 77.
"He was meticulous, and liked to talk and be in charge," said his son Timothy Keil of Whidbey Island. "He enjoyed that discipline. He kept busy promoting the books and took it upon himself to answer every letter from every kid who enjoyed the books."
First he became Joan MacDonald Keil's adviser as she lobbied publishers to reprint the out-of-print "Nancy and Plum." When publishers rejected the reissue, Mr. Keil and his wife, whom he wed 50 years ago, printed and distributed the book themselves.
Later they saw MacDonald's "The Egg and I" book reissued.
Born in Royal Oak, Mich., he graduated from high school in Decatur, Mich. He was class president and played basketball and tennis.
He also was class president at James Milligan University in Decatur, where he earned a degree in business administration before becoming a navigator in the Army Air Forces during World War II.
He became an FBI agent based in Seattle in 1947. He also helped found the Northwest Forum business club.
From 1978 to 1982 he directed security for Paccar.
He then became vice president of Joan Keil Enterprises, his wife's book-promotion firm.
One of his recent joys was sitting on a bench in Kirkland's Marina Park and chatting with people. His family will dedicate a new bench to him and to his daughter Rebecca Keil, who died in 1998.
Surviving besides his wife and son are children Toby Keil of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Heidi Richards of Bellevue; brothers Otto Keil of Pennsylvania and Edwin Keil of Spokane; and seven grandchildren.
Services will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, 752 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue.
Remembrances may go to Evergreen Hospice and Health Care Foundation, 12910 Totem Lake Blvd. N.E., Suite 200, Kirkland, WA 98034.
Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com
Copyright (c) 2000 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Jerry Keil, husband of Betty MacDonald's daughter Joan MacDonald Keil passed away ten years ago. He died of cancer at the age of 77 on April 22, 2000.
Jerry became an FBI agent based in Seattle in 1947. Betty MacDonald describes this in her book 'Onions in the Stew'.
According to Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends, published on CD and DVD by Betty MacDonald Fan Club, Jerry Keil was the kindest man on earth. Jerry was unique and answered every letter and many questions from Betty MacDonald Fans all over the world.
Jerry Keil became Joan MacDonald Keil's adviser as she lobbied publishers to reprint the out-of-print "Nancy and Plum." When publishers rejected the reissue, Jerry and Joan printed and distributed the book themselves.
They included some beautiful family photos in this very special edition of Nancy and Plum. Both did a great work to bring Nancy and Plum back to the audience.
Sabrina
Jerry Keil Obituary
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000426&slug=4017545
Jerry' Keil used skills honed in FBI career to prompte book
By Carole Beers
Seattle Times staff reporter
Girard "Jerry" Keil won awards as a special-agent supervisor in the FBI's Seattle office.
He taught marksmanship and defensive tactics and later did similar work for Paccar, setting up a security plan for the firm's offices nationwide.
It seemed like an about-face when he retired in 1982 to help his wife, Joan MacDonald Keil, republish her mother Betty MacDonald's "Nancy and Plum" book about a pair of orphaned sisters.
But the task drew on skills he sharpened in the FBI: talking to a variety of people and getting them to do the right thing.
Mr. Keil died Saturday (April 22) of cancer. He was 77.
"He was meticulous, and liked to talk and be in charge," said his son Timothy Keil of Whidbey Island. "He enjoyed that discipline. He kept busy promoting the books and took it upon himself to answer every letter from every kid who enjoyed the books."
First he became Joan MacDonald Keil's adviser as she lobbied publishers to reprint the out-of-print "Nancy and Plum." When publishers rejected the reissue, Mr. Keil and his wife, whom he wed 50 years ago, printed and distributed the book themselves.
Later they saw MacDonald's "The Egg and I" book reissued.
Born in Royal Oak, Mich., he graduated from high school in Decatur, Mich. He was class president and played basketball and tennis.
He also was class president at James Milligan University in Decatur, where he earned a degree in business administration before becoming a navigator in the Army Air Forces during World War II.
He became an FBI agent based in Seattle in 1947. He also helped found the Northwest Forum business club.
From 1978 to 1982 he directed security for Paccar.
He then became vice president of Joan Keil Enterprises, his wife's book-promotion firm.
One of his recent joys was sitting on a bench in Kirkland's Marina Park and chatting with people. His family will dedicate a new bench to him and to his daughter Rebecca Keil, who died in 1998.
Surviving besides his wife and son are children Toby Keil of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Heidi Richards of Bellevue; brothers Otto Keil of Pennsylvania and Edwin Keil of Spokane; and seven grandchildren.
Services will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, 752 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue.
Remembrances may go to Evergreen Hospice and Health Care Foundation, 12910 Totem Lake Blvd. N.E., Suite 200, Kirkland, WA 98034.
Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com
Copyright (c) 2000 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Betty MacDonald Surprise
We have a special Betty MacDonald Surprise for you.
Betty MacDonald has so many fans all over the world. Among these fans are even Nobel Price Winners.
We mentioned some names of future Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Members in our current Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
If you can tell me who will be the next Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour member you can win a very special Betty MacDonald Surprise Item. Deadline is end of April.
Send a mail to my address mentioned in the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Chris
Surprise! Surprise!
We can introduce you a new Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member very soon.
A wonderful writer! More info will come soon.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald has so many fans all over the world. Among these fans are even Nobel Price Winners.
We mentioned some names of future Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Members in our current Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
If you can tell me who will be the next Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour member you can win a very special Betty MacDonald Surprise Item. Deadline is end of April.
Send a mail to my address mentioned in the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Chris
Surprise! Surprise!
We can introduce you a new Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member very soon.
A wonderful writer! More info will come soon.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Betty MacDonald Biography
Hi this is Robert,
I have great news for you.
We'll have a Betty MacDonald Conference and Meeting during this year. You can read all the details in our next Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
You'll be able to see the new Betty MacDonald Biography and the Betty MacDonald Documentary with many interviews and a huge Betty MacDonald Surprise.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
I have great news for you.
We'll have a Betty MacDonald Conference and Meeting during this year. You can read all the details in our next Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.
You'll be able to see the new Betty MacDonald Biography and the Betty MacDonald Documentary with many interviews and a huge Betty MacDonald Surprise.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
Hello this is Martine,
Surprise! Surprise!
We can introduce you a new Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member very soon.
A wonderful writer! More info will come soon.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Surprise! Surprise!
We can introduce you a new Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member very soon.
A wonderful writer! More info will come soon.
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 5, 2010
Happy Easter dear Betty MacDonald Fans
Dear Betty MacDonald Fans,
It's a wonderful day today!
The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming,
there are no clouds in the sky
and we celebrate Easter and think of you!
We hope you are well.
We are in a real Easter mood. How are you?
Spring is such a wonderful Season. All the flowers and the trees are blooming in the garden - the cherry, the pear tree are blooming and the old appletree will bloom in a few days. It's very warm in the sun but still a bit cold in shadow and during the night.
A very happy Easter to you and your family!
Martine
~~ An Easter "Hello" ~~
It means so much at Easter time
to keep in touch with friends,
To wish them happiness and cheer
and joy that never ends-
That's why this brings a warm "Hello"
especially for you,
Together with best wishes
for a happy springtime, too!
Love,
Martine
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
It's a wonderful day today!
The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming,
there are no clouds in the sky
and we celebrate Easter and think of you!
We hope you are well.
We are in a real Easter mood. How are you?
Spring is such a wonderful Season. All the flowers and the trees are blooming in the garden - the cherry, the pear tree are blooming and the old appletree will bloom in a few days. It's very warm in the sun but still a bit cold in shadow and during the night.
A very happy Easter to you and your family!
Martine
~~ An Easter "Hello" ~~
It means so much at Easter time
to keep in touch with friends,
To wish them happiness and cheer
and joy that never ends-
That's why this brings a warm "Hello"
especially for you,
Together with best wishes
for a happy springtime, too!
Love,
Martine
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in
The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 26, 2010
Darsie Beck's Childhood Memories of Vashon Island
New Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member Darsie Beck gave us the permission to share a special gift with you, his childhood memories of Vashon Island. It's so beautifully written. Thanks A Million, dear Darsie for this very special Betty MacDonald Birthday gift!
Childhood memories of Vashon Island 1943-53
Copyright by Darsie Beck
I've always been fascinated by the ferry boats that serve the island
and Olympic Peninsula communities of Puget Sound. I feel particularly
fortunate to have spent my first ten years and the last thirty years
here on Vashon Island and the in between years living in water front
homes near the Fauntleroy ferry dock and on the north end of Mercer
Island near the old ferry landing that once served that island
community.
I have many fond memories of the ferry boats but one in particular
remains as clear to me today as when it occurred many years ago.
At the time I was born, my parents lived with my grandparents in a
small house on Judkins street just east of 23rd, a few blocks south of
the Lake Washington floating bridge tunnels. This area, at the time,
was the northern most end of what was called, "Garlic Gulch", the
original Italian community in Seattle. With a new baby in the house
things got pretty crowded and before long my parents moved to Vashon
Island where they purchased their first home on the bluff above Dolphin
Point on the north end of the island. My mother's sister Betty
MacDonald, her husband Don and her two daughters Anne and Joan had
moved to the island a couple years before prompting my parents to
follow their lead to this island community.
In the 1940's as now, we reached the island by ferry boat. I can't tell
you what that first ferry ride was like in the fall of 1943 or which
boat we rode on but I do know, the boats were privately operated by
Puget Sound Navigation (PSN), doing business as the Black Ball Line.
Black Ball provided service between Vashon Island, Harper (on the
Olympic Peninsula) and Fauntleroy (West Seattle). During the 1940's the
wooden ferries Vashon and Kehloken and the steel electric Quinault saw
regular service on this run. The Quinault carried 100 cars compared to
the 45 car capacity of the smaller wooden ferries and was considered a
super ferry at the time. Most of the ferries flying the Black Ball
burgee were former San Francisco Bay boats purchased by PSN after the
completion of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.
In early 1948, a proposed rate increase by PSN resulted in Vashon
Island suspending its service contract with Black Ball. Undeterred by
Vashon's action, Black Ball continued service between Harper and
Fauntleroy and to Vashon on an "as needed only" basis. With the help of
sympathetic state and local government agencies Vashon began developing
its own ferry service utilizing former Lake Washington and Tacoma boats
out of service since the opening of the Lake Washington floating bridge
and the Tacoma Narrows bridge. The Lincoln, Washington, City of Tacoma
and Crosline became the backbone of the new fleet.
My first ferry boat recollection is from the summer of 1948. I was five
years old, my mother was pregnant with my sister, and we were sitting
in the family car on the Vashon ferry dock on a very foggy July morning
waiting for the boat to Fauntleroy to take my mother to the hospital.
The fog had created a stillness over the dock broken every few minutes
by the sounding of fog horns and the occasional car driving on and off
the wood planked ferry dock. Soon I heard the sound of an approaching
ferry, its engines reversing, its prop wash splashing noisily between
the pilings, the shrill screech of the ferries wood side rails rubbing
against creosote dolphins and apron wing walls as the boat nudged
itself into the slip. Chains clattered as deck hands removed car
barriers in preparation of off loading. I don't remember which of the
old ferries landed at the Vashon dock that foggy morning but I do
remember, once our car was loaded onto the boat, sitting on the car
deck, looking out the port into the fog when suddenly out of the mist a
large ferry appeared. Its propellers furiously reversing, deck hands
and passengers on both boats bracing for an impending collision. My
eyes grew big and my body grew tense as the huge ferry cleared the fog
revealing her black hull, white superstructure and the black ball
painted near the top of her red stack. It was the Quinault, Puget
Sound's first super ferry heading directly for our boat. The prop wash
of the huge ferry was buffeting the side of our boat, causing it to
rock back and forth in its slip. The Quinault was now within a car's
length of our boat when its forward motion finally came to rest and her
reversing action began to move the boat out of harms way. As stealthy
as she had appeared, she now disappeared back into the fog sending a
collective and audible sigh of relief through passengers and crew of
both boats.
The Quinualt, now considered a medium sized boat compared to today's
super ferries, still ply's the waters of Puget Sound and still holds a
place in my childhood memories as the most enormous boat ever seen by a
five year old.
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Childhood memories of Vashon Island 1943-53
Copyright by Darsie Beck
I've always been fascinated by the ferry boats that serve the island
and Olympic Peninsula communities of Puget Sound. I feel particularly
fortunate to have spent my first ten years and the last thirty years
here on Vashon Island and the in between years living in water front
homes near the Fauntleroy ferry dock and on the north end of Mercer
Island near the old ferry landing that once served that island
community.
I have many fond memories of the ferry boats but one in particular
remains as clear to me today as when it occurred many years ago.
At the time I was born, my parents lived with my grandparents in a
small house on Judkins street just east of 23rd, a few blocks south of
the Lake Washington floating bridge tunnels. This area, at the time,
was the northern most end of what was called, "Garlic Gulch", the
original Italian community in Seattle. With a new baby in the house
things got pretty crowded and before long my parents moved to Vashon
Island where they purchased their first home on the bluff above Dolphin
Point on the north end of the island. My mother's sister Betty
MacDonald, her husband Don and her two daughters Anne and Joan had
moved to the island a couple years before prompting my parents to
follow their lead to this island community.
In the 1940's as now, we reached the island by ferry boat. I can't tell
you what that first ferry ride was like in the fall of 1943 or which
boat we rode on but I do know, the boats were privately operated by
Puget Sound Navigation (PSN), doing business as the Black Ball Line.
Black Ball provided service between Vashon Island, Harper (on the
Olympic Peninsula) and Fauntleroy (West Seattle). During the 1940's the
wooden ferries Vashon and Kehloken and the steel electric Quinault saw
regular service on this run. The Quinault carried 100 cars compared to
the 45 car capacity of the smaller wooden ferries and was considered a
super ferry at the time. Most of the ferries flying the Black Ball
burgee were former San Francisco Bay boats purchased by PSN after the
completion of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.
In early 1948, a proposed rate increase by PSN resulted in Vashon
Island suspending its service contract with Black Ball. Undeterred by
Vashon's action, Black Ball continued service between Harper and
Fauntleroy and to Vashon on an "as needed only" basis. With the help of
sympathetic state and local government agencies Vashon began developing
its own ferry service utilizing former Lake Washington and Tacoma boats
out of service since the opening of the Lake Washington floating bridge
and the Tacoma Narrows bridge. The Lincoln, Washington, City of Tacoma
and Crosline became the backbone of the new fleet.
My first ferry boat recollection is from the summer of 1948. I was five
years old, my mother was pregnant with my sister, and we were sitting
in the family car on the Vashon ferry dock on a very foggy July morning
waiting for the boat to Fauntleroy to take my mother to the hospital.
The fog had created a stillness over the dock broken every few minutes
by the sounding of fog horns and the occasional car driving on and off
the wood planked ferry dock. Soon I heard the sound of an approaching
ferry, its engines reversing, its prop wash splashing noisily between
the pilings, the shrill screech of the ferries wood side rails rubbing
against creosote dolphins and apron wing walls as the boat nudged
itself into the slip. Chains clattered as deck hands removed car
barriers in preparation of off loading. I don't remember which of the
old ferries landed at the Vashon dock that foggy morning but I do
remember, once our car was loaded onto the boat, sitting on the car
deck, looking out the port into the fog when suddenly out of the mist a
large ferry appeared. Its propellers furiously reversing, deck hands
and passengers on both boats bracing for an impending collision. My
eyes grew big and my body grew tense as the huge ferry cleared the fog
revealing her black hull, white superstructure and the black ball
painted near the top of her red stack. It was the Quinault, Puget
Sound's first super ferry heading directly for our boat. The prop wash
of the huge ferry was buffeting the side of our boat, causing it to
rock back and forth in its slip. The Quinault was now within a car's
length of our boat when its forward motion finally came to rest and her
reversing action began to move the boat out of harms way. As stealthy
as she had appeared, she now disappeared back into the fog sending a
collective and audible sigh of relief through passengers and crew of
both boats.
The Quinualt, now considered a medium sized boat compared to today's
super ferries, still ply's the waters of Puget Sound and still holds a
place in my childhood memories as the most enormous boat ever seen by a
five year old.
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
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