Need gardening advice? Touring Europe without a plan? Forums are a great way to open up and discuss topics that are important to you.
At 46 I’ve jumped into something with my eyes wide shut. There’s a part of history that has been hidden for fifty years and I decided it was time for people to know about it. A domestic coordinator/jazzercise instructor turned director /producer of a documentary. I surprise myself everyday when I wake up. I’m telling the tragic story of Ethnic German Cleansing that took place after WWII in Eastern Europe by the Communist Regime. Two million out of three million ethnic Germans were starved to death or worked to death from 1945-1948. My husband and I belong to the German Cultural Society of St. Louis, Mo. Our children as well as ourselves dance in German folk groups and perform all over the tri state area. This is where I heard the stories about the ethnic cleansing. The older gerneration are the ones who lived it. For years I listened and for years I thought the story should be heard. How can a third of a population die and no one know about it? I returned to college 4 years ago and tested into thew Honors Program. One of the requirements is doing a Service Learning Project. Here was my chance! I brought up the idea to my classmates and 5 other people wanted to work with me. Three women at the GCS granted us an interview but that wasn’t enough. I stepped outside GCS and found more people in Chicago. Then I started looking for books, web sites, talking to historians and nine interviews later it’s startig to look like something. I called a friend of ours at channel 4 news and after explaining what I ‘m doing he said "do yu realize that people get grants from corporations to do what you’re doing?" No, I didn’t. I think that is part of the reason it’s coming to gether so nicely. I did what felt right through every step I’ve taken. Now the whole thing is snowballing. The college I’m working with has become very interested because they have never heard of such a huge piece of history. I’ve won an award for outstanding achievement. Merimac, the college I’m attending is putting together a syposium to include professors and administrators from St. louis University, Washington University, UMSL’s Honors Program and Maryville. I’m in the process of putting together three authors who’ve writen on the subject and a Public viewing of the documentary to follow these two events. I’m trying to get the public television station to broadcast the documentary here in St. Louis because of the number of surviors and decendants we have here. What a ride this has been and I’ve loved every minute of it. I guess the reason I’m telling you about this is for advice or maybe an "at a girl" once in a while. I know I have a lot to learn and I can deffinently use tips that you might have on putting a documentary together or getting a public television station to talk to me. Someone could probably helpm me with my spelling:) Or maybe, you’d like to know more about the story. Whatever you’d like me to know I’m listening so type away!
Replies  |
|
You are correct in that most people have not heard of this part of history. It will be a contribution for sure. Welcome to MORE and good luck with your project. From experience, hire an editor who shares your vision and run everything you write thru spell check! Poor spelling, even the occasional typo, hacks away at your credibility. Anytime I am in a hurry and forgo this step, I look back after I pressed submit and wished the heck I had!
By: Ann Morrison
Have you done a documentary? What do you do at MORE? I had a meeting today with the editors, there are three and my next step is a lawer to cover myself regarding copy writing. This project is becoming quite large. The college with which I stated working on a student learnig project in honors compt II has now turned into somethng for the whole school. The gentleman who heads up the Honors Program has a symposium set up in November. I’m working with an author to set up a speaking engagement in October. The public viewing of the documentary is the last of the series but not the only way it is being introduced. We’re putting a timeline of the Danubscwaban in the library along with a time line. The library of congress wants a copy of the docmuentary as does the library of many of the universities in Missouri. If you have any suggestions I’m listening. Thank you for writing. |
 By: Terryatwelcomed
You are correct in that most people have not heard of this part of history. It will be a contribution for sure. Welcome to MORE and good luck with your project. From experience, hire an editor who shares your vision and run everything you write thru spell check! Poor spelling, even the occasional typo, hacks away at your credibility. Anytime I am in a hurry and forgo this step, I look back after I pressed submit and wished the heck I had! |
|
Hey kate,
I don't mind long stories. How many children do you have. My Bother in law and sister in law graduated in 1989. They sure worked hard for the degree. I used to watch them study and drive themselves crazy with confussion. I admire anyone who gets through it. I'd love to hear more about your family, write away.
 By: Kate Henderson
I don’t mind telling you or anybody else, but I’m betting they wouldn’t want their lives posted on the Internet for all to see … send me an email if you want, and I’ll be happpy to hear from you and share my long story! kayannahenderson@aol.com Thanks! ;) |
|
Ann:
Our grown children were down here (long story), and they needed help with various personal issues. My mother, stepfather and brothers moved down here from Ohio many years ago, too. I graduated from law school in 1997 (late bloomer). BTW, your friend at KMOV is absolutely right: all kinds of organizations offer funding for your endeavor. I'm glad to hear from you!
By: Ann Morrison
Hey kate, I don’t mind long stories. How many children do you have. My Bother in law and sister in law graduated in 1989. They sure worked hard for the degree. I used to watch them study and drive themselves crazy with confussion. I admire anyone who gets through it. I’d love to hear more about your family, write away. |
|
Hi Kate,
I'm glad you wrote to me and voiced your interest in the documentary. I agree that "people who endured this deserve to have their stories told." What can I say about St. louis that you don't already know? The free entertainment, friendly people, a veriteity of thnic groups. Things are good here. Me husband and I moved to Atlanta when we got married and stayed there two years. When we had our first child we moved back and decided this was where we'd rais our family. We don't regret this for a minute. What took you away? When did you graduate from law school? My brother and sister in-graduated from there. Write back soon.
Ann
By: Kate Henderson
Ann: Our grown children were down here (long story), and they needed help with various personal issues. My mother, stepfather and brothers moved down here from Ohio many years ago, too. I graduated from law school in 1997 (late bloomer). BTW, your friend at KMOV is absolutely right: all kinds of organizations offer funding for your endeavor. I’m glad to hear from you! |
|
I would enjoy seeing your documentary when you are finished! It's a very interesting piece of history, and the people who endured this deserve to have their stories told! But what I wanted to "talk" to you about is you being in St. Louis ... we moved from there about 18 months ago, and I miss it a great deal!! I graduated from WashU Law School and worked for the State of Missouri for over ten years ... my husband retired from Scott AFB. All told, we were there about 17 years. Small world, huh?! Welcome!! Please keep us posted about the progress of your documentary. :)
By: Ann Morrison
Hi Kate, I’m glad you wrote to me and voiced your interest in the documentary. I agree that "people who endured this deserve to have their stories told." What can I say about St. louis that you don’t already know? The free entertainment, friendly people, a veriteity of thnic groups. Things are good here. Me husband and I moved to Atlanta when we got married and stayed there two years. When we had our first child we moved back and decided this was where we’d rais our family. We don’t regret this for a minute. What took you away? When did you graduate from law school? My brother and sister in-graduated from there. Write back soon. Ann |
|
By: Kate Henderson
I would enjoy seeing your documentary when you are finished! It’s a very interesting piece of history, and the people who endured this deserve to have their stories told! But what I wanted to "talk" to you about is you being in St. Louis … we moved from there about 18 months ago, and I miss it a great deal!! I graduated from WashU Law School and worked for the State of Missouri for over ten years … my husband retired from Scott AFB. All told, we were there about 17 years. Small world, huh?! Welcome!! Please keep us posted about the progress of your documentary. :) |
Hello and welcome! I applaud you for following your passion with such focus! Good luck with the next phase of your documentary and please keep us posted on your progress. |
