Pete Vanlaw

Five 10 cm square bronze colored metal plaques embedded in cement in a grid, each engraved with a single person taken away by nazi soldiers during world war two.

Stolpersteine

by

The German artist Gunter Demnig, who originated the idea of the commemorative stepping stones, remembers the victims of the Nazis by installing memorial brass plaques on the pavement in front of their last known address. He cites the Talmud saying that “a person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten.” The Stolpersteine in front of the buildings brings back to memory the people who once lived here. Almost every “stone” begins with HERE LIVED . . . One “stone.” One name. One person.

Very young, well-dressed girl with a bow in her hair and carrying a doll steps out of a train car onto a station platform as other children peer at her.

In My Pocket

by

This is the true story and inspirational legacy of a little girl, who fled the Nazis in 1939, and ended up in Scotland, where she lived the rest of her life. And currently, the affect it’s had on Scotland, Germany and now Perth, Australia.

Tourists climb the very steep steps of Plaza de la Pirámide de la Luna, at Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Mexico and the Torticos Man

by

Mexico and the Torticos Man Or Buzz and the Pyramids This all happened way back in the day when I was producing TV commercials. While I got some pretty bizarre requests from clients, this one remains at the top of … Read More

Older gentleman embraces two ladies, all three dressed for going out.

Tribute to TC

by

A Tale of Two Careers Tim Considine, my long time friend and film making partner, passed away on March 3, 2022. Tim was 81 years old. Nevertheless it really came as a shock because we just had lunch together, after … Read More

Collage of eight photos from early 20th century, groups of people either dressed up for winter outings or wearing bathing costumes at waterfront.

For The Life of Me – The Backstory

by

All the trials and tribulations that led up to the actual creation of “For the Life of Me”.

Paragraph 175 and the Pink Triangle

by

What Did They Have In Common? In Poland, no one writes about the tragic fate of homosexuals during the Nazi era. Nothing has been published about the thousands of Polish homosexuals who became death camp victims. Ordinary embarrassment is the … Read More

Some Adventures in Mexico – Kool Shooting

by

The year was 1984. I was Exec. Producer for a production company in Hollywood. Like all good adventures this one began with a phone call. It was from a mid-west advertising agency whose  producer was calling me. A nice guy … Read More

Wittstock, Kristallnacht and the Rehfisch Family

by

Last fall I received a flyer from Amilie, my friend in Berlin, as a reminder that the 9th of November is the day to commemorate Kristallnacht. One could also consider it the beginning of the Holocaust. It is Amelie who … Read More

Mort n’ Curley

by

Following the Paths of Two Extremely Talented High School Kids I was two years behind both Mort and Curley when I entered North Hollywood High School. They were both seniors while I was just beginning the 10th grade. But it … Read More

John Wayne and the Alabama Hills

by

This is a funny story involving the famous actor, John Wayne, and could only happen once in a life-time.

Ilonka’s Story – The Sequel

by

Ilonka Venier Alexander’s first story appeared very soon after I began my blog. She found one of my early posts; the one about discovering my own Jewish family, which prompted her to contact me as a kindred soul. Ilonka and … Read More

The Most Bizarre POW Camp During WWII – Curragh

by

A World War II Canadian bomber crew crash lands into friendly territory — but quickly becomes some of the most unlikely Prisoners of War ever.

Margot Rehfisch ca 1929

Diary of a Department Store: The Nachmann-Joseph-David Connection

by

For those of you who are new to my Blog, most of my stories are based on the research I originally did for my film, “For the Life of Me”, or new information that resulted from it. But now much … Read More

Don Lusk on set dressed like a film noir gangster.

“My Search for Don Lusk!”

by

When I knew Don Lusk he was a U.S. Marine, an Animator for Walt Disney and my childhood idol. Although it was a brief period in my life, it was responsible for some of my fondest memories, and a story … Read More

"Stopersteine" honoring the memory of Gerhard and Hedwig Rehfisch, my grand aunt and her son.

Serendipity – What does it mean?

by

A quest for info on my grandfather’s fourth brother, Gerhard Rehfisch, took a dozen years to show results: Amelie, of Berlin, stumbled across a single Stolpersteine — or “stumbling stone” in English, and put it together with my search request from 2006 still online . . . talk about serendipity!

Rendezvous in Hannover

by

This is dedicated to my dear friend, the late Ralph Hirsch1, who was so instrumental in helping me research my family. Ralph and I met on the Internet through the JewishGen web site. He quickly became my “go to guy” in … Read More

General Morris (Two-Gun) Cohen

by

by Dr Cyril Sherer Note: This personal recollection, edited for space and clarity, is by a cousin of General Morris (Two Gun) Cohen, Dr Cyril Sherer I was eight years old in 1929 when I first heard his name. My mother had … Read More

You May Have a Story to Tell

by

Is yours hidden behind family secrets? For instance:  1. You were never raised a Jew, but only learned later in life. 2. Your heritage was hidden behind a wall of family secrets. 3. Maybe it was hidden behind your own denial, or both. 4. Or, … Read More

Why Was Hans Grohmann an Enigma?

by

Ever since I began this blog, back in 2013, one of the many mysteries plaguing me has been the real story behind Hans Grohmann. As a victim of history, during his short life, he seems to have played a pivotal … Read More

The Story that Just Keeps on Ticking – Eva Baruch’s!

by

Many of you know my cousin Eva Baruch’s story, from my film and the many posts I’ve written about her, along with many of the people who were part of her life. But for those of you who don’t know … Read More

+ More