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Frank MacKay: Six years and one day, but go ahead, Peter. Tell the audience what you were telling me.

Frank MacKay: I’d like to welcome everyone to Breaking it Down. This is Frank MacKay, but more importantly, Prof. Peter Gawenda is my very special guest. He is the author of just an amazing riveting book, The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949. If you want to check it out while we’re speaking, and you want to kind of go to our website, it’s all one word, thechildrenswarbook.com. Please go there. Peter, how are you? Peter Gawenda: I am doing fine, thank you. How are you? Frank MacKay: I’m fine. I’m just blown away by what we were talking about off-mic, and it just it’s mind-boggling when you think of the humanity loss in a number sense. I hope you don’t mind me asking you to repeat what we just spoke about. Again, when you laid out like this, we’re talking about the Second World War. When you lay out the Second World War in numbers, in just sheer numbers, it’s frightening. Now again it lasted six years and one day, which I didn’t know the exact ... Peter Gawenda: Totally.

Peter Gawenda: Or 52,641 hours and 1,045 lives were lost every hour or 70 lives were lost every minute.

in your mind, that somehow all of this reality, what was unbelievable, an unbelievable loss of humanity, somehow will be trivialized by just us believing that it could never happen like that, because I can’t imagine there is another war.

Frank MacKay: Wow.

Peter Gawenda: Correct.

Peter Gawenda: If you take the total loss was 65 million lost their lives, as soldiers, as victims of bombing, as refugees, and as exiles or as victims of dictatorships or despotism, meaning they were executed. If you take this tremendous amount of individuals that lost their lives, I think it was the worst war ever. Then between 13.5 and 16.5 million Germans were expelled, evacuated or fled from Eastern Europe, making this the largest single incidence of [inaudible 00:02:11] in recorded history. The number of those who died in that process is still not yet clear. Historians are still discussing it. It is believed that about 3 million of people, refugees, actually died.

Frank MacKay: Is there a fear in your mind that that could happen?

Frank MacKay: Wow, it’s just mindboggling. Peter Gawenda: Yeah. That’s why I also thought it is very important to write a book of how those that were affected by the war on the German side, what was caused or what that meant. Frank MacKay: Is there any fear Peter that, and when I speak to Holocaust survivors and other folks that survived the war in one way or another, there was the fear among people. I’m going to ask you the same question, that somehow over the years that it gets forgotten in a sense. It will always be like talked about, and there will be classes, and there will be college programs. Is there any fear,

Peter Gawenda: Yes, very clearly, because I have seen from 1945 until to day, this going up and down especially in the European area, and then with many of population groups that say the Holocaust never happened. I personally have seen probably 2,000 to 3,000 walking through my hometown. I know it has happened. My grandparents, my mother, and later on my father confirmed it. It did happen. By the way, after I got married the first time, I took my wife in Germany to different concentration camps. Just to show her also, look, this is what my folks did, not my personal folks, but my German compatriots did. Frank MacKay: Your countrymen. Peter Gawenda: Yeah, my countrymen. It’s extremely difficult to understand how someone could be that horrible to do that. Then if you look at what is going on right now or what has happened maybe 10, 15 years ago, yes, it has been repeated. That’s why I feel it is extremely important that we fully understand that even the very sophisticated, highly educated people can do that. If they can do it, then it could be done also by others. Frank MacKay: If you’re just joining us or if you’re just turning on your radio, Frank MacKay here, but Peter Gawenda is our very special TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

guest. The name of the book is The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949. It’s a very personal account of horrific time period. Peter title’s it 1939-1949, because 1949 is when his family got back together, and his father came back from a Russian prison camp in Siberia, which is an unbelievable in itself. Again the website, thechildrenswarbook.com, please go there and check this out, and buy this book. It is a very, very important book.

trying to say no, it didn’t happen. I personally have been an eyewitness in some instances. I have seen the camps, and if you ... Let’s say you go to Dachau for example, close to Munich. You see the extent the large campsite, and then if you go to where the burnt bodies, when you see those ovens, I mean it still smells. I froze. My hair stood up, and so did my wife’s and my children. I took them also, and I made sure that at one time I took a group of students to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. I took them also to Dachau and I took them to another concentration camp, because I know people cannot comprehend or understand that this did happen. I personally believe also or during the Second World War as a child, because we were not permitted to talk about it, there is a possibility that Germans, that many Germans did not know, but they have to understand it did happen. Frank MacKay: I t ’ s unbelievable.

just

Peter Gawenda: Yeah.

Peter, getting back something you said there, and it always disturbs me when people say this, that there is still people out there that believe that the Holocaust was a myth or exaggerated somehow. Are there large groups of people or is there any intelligent life that actually believes that the Holocaust didn’t happen? Peter Gawenda: Unfortunately I think yes. There are some people that maybe they can’t comprehend that this happened or maybe they signed with this national socialist that’s TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

Frank MacKay: Did you have family members or friends, and when I say family members I mean extended family. Obviously anyone who heard last week’s show would understand how enlightened your family was and your grandparents and everything. Let’s say extended cousins, and aunts, and uncles, did you have anybody that you were in connection with, neighbors, that were sympathetic still at the end of the war to Hitler and to the Nazis. Peter Gawenda: Yes, I have to admit. There were some people that were angry at us that we did not have the same belief. War people, as late as I would say the mid-’60s, I met individuals that were sympathetic that said,

“Well Hitler was a great guy and look at how, what he did to Germany, how the Germany occupied all of Europe,” et cetera. What they saw was what happened when Germany was victorious, but they completely overlooked and denied what happened when Germany got defeated and actually when the Americans, the British came in and the Russians and saw what happened in those concentration camps or even in prisoner-ofwar camps. One thing that is very rarely understood and I mentioned to someone yesterday, I do ... I’m catholic, and we went every Sunday to church at that time. Then one day we come to church, and there must have been around 43. There was a sign on the church that mass is going to be only every second Sunday, because the priest had been actually drafted into the military. I don’t know whether he was drafted as a priest. I don’t think so, but drafted as a soldier. Because every Sunday before that, I remember he would point out who all that had been killed from our hometown. He was told, at one time I remember in church in the back there were two guys with black long coats, they yelled at him that this does not belong into church, and he should not continue saying that, but he did, and so he disappeared. Then maybe four or five months later, then the church was closed, because the second priest was also drafted. I know that something was going on. The, I guess, the national socialist did not want to have published or actually said what all had happened. In fact even the big bombings took place, I remember one of our aunts and her family got killed in Dresden when the bombing took place. Even that was ... some of those things were denied, the [inaudible 00:11:25] was denied. That’s because

they did not want to publish or had publicized what the Germans caused, not what the British caused. That was the reaction the British had to defend themselves. The Germans started in Britain. That was something that my grandfather, mother side, he would have this big map in his living room. He would tell us children, almost like a staff meeting, what all had happened. Where the Germans had events, but then when it was the opposite, where they had been defeated and how many people had gotten killed. Then when my dad got in Stalingrad, and how the 6th Army was destroyed. We children started to understand, although my grandfather told us never to discuss that with anyone else, because he wanted us to know. He wanted us to grow up, and to grow up as true Germans, not as national socialists. He wanted us to be true Germans, meaning, although he came from the Imperial Germany, he wanted Germany to become a democracy, which finally happened in ‘45 or in ‘49. Frank MacKay: Wow, it look a lot to get there. Prof. Peter Gawenda is our very special guest. If you’re just turning on your radio and just joining us, Frank MacKay here, but more importantly Prof. Gawenda of the The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949. He is a survivor of that war. This book I should mention, and you’ll correct me Peter if I’m wrong, it’s used in many Texas universities as a textbook. Is that correct Peter? Peter Gawenda: Correct. It is used as a textbook both in history and specifically in those universities that I have been at, but also in some others like my daughter, where my daughter had been. That goes even after she was already married and had

children, then one of the professors of SMU asked whether she could use the book. She used it in literature while others used in it more in the history, because it is felt that this book shows not the heroes military, but it shows what happened to the population. They believe that this is ... High schools are using it, in fact a few minutes ago, I had another call of a group that wanted to use it for a presentation. Where they are going to invite high schools just to talk about someone who has been in the Second World War, which I thought was very amazing that they would call me, because I thought the time has passed and, anyway. One thing ... Frank MacKay: It hasn’t passed and you prove it with this book. Go ahead Peter, I’m sorry. Peter Gawenda: Yes. One thing that I wanted to point out too is that what did our grandparents, especially the ones in Oberglogau, what they did try to make us feel responsible for, us meaning the children. When the food rationing got very tight and when we children were actually asked to also participate, how our grandfather, and I had mentioned that one time before, had made us actually build the bows and arrows and then the slingshots to go after maybe doves or go after maybe some other animal lives. Frank MacKay: Ravens, you had mentioned in the past. Peter Gawenda: Ravens, correct. Then also how we, my oldest brother and I would go [inaudible 00:15:37] and so in fall after the potatoes and sugar beans had been taken out of the ground, then we would go and find potatoes that were left, sugar beans

that were left, grain. We would pick up popiah sheets. We children were responsible, that was often boys, responsible for planting from lettuce to carrots to cabbages, cucumbers and red beans. We had our little, what do you call it, almost like little gardens. I have to admit also that trained us to be very patient. Patient to see things grow, not to take something out before it’s ripe. The same with picking apples because along many German roads we have planted trees with various apples. We’d pick them up and our grandfather, and later on our father they made cider. We knew what was necessary for a diet, for a healthy diet, and how to take care of gardens with watering, picking up ... actually pulling out weeds et cetera. Then this also helped us to never be bored. I personally do not know what it means to bored. I would always have something, would think about something whether it’s some project or whatever it might be, and I taught that also to my children and my grandchildren. I wanted to make sure that they are not bored, wasting their brain part. All that came from my grandparents, both from the one in [Głogowiec 00:17:33], because she was the one that really pushed us with math and physics. Then also the one in Oberglogau, who pushed us with the survival skills. Survival meaning also not only how to avoid being killed by airplanes or something, but having enough food to feed the family. Frank MacKay: Peter, let me reintroduce the people and remind them of what they’re listening to and who they are listening to. Peter Gawenda is our very special guest. He has written an amazing book, The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949. Frank MacKay here, but more importantly Prof. TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

Peter Gawenda. Peter go on. Peter Gawenda: That book actually has many, many other items that might be interesting to especially our young people. Even those that might want to join the military for the wrong purpose, because the military Second World War in Germany was not initially to defend the country, but to actually defeat other countries. It was for defense but it was more for attack. That comes out I

heroic figures not only for keeping you alive physically, but to keep you on a path where you have a positive attitude. It would have been so easy. Let me point out a couple of things to the public, the folks that are listening. Your father left when you were two and a half years old, he left for the war. Your brother Manfred was three and a half years old, and your brother George was one and half years old or Jordan was one and

“If you defend your country, it has to be for a different purpose, like safeguarding democracy or right now safeguarding the safety, because we have all kinds of individuals coming in and trying to destroy our lives, our way of life.” think in my book also. You have to ... If you defend your country, it has to be for a different purpose, like safeguarding democracy or right now safeguarding the safety, because we have all kinds of individuals coming in and trying to destroy our lives, our way of life. I think that book will help individuals to look to the eyes of children what they experience, and what they might have to fear. You have to actually oppose that fear or make sure that they are not afraid, because we were never afraid during the world war, because our parents, our grandparents and our mother was very ... There was in such a way ... They treated us in such a way that we always knew what to expect and how to act or react. Frank MacKay: Peter we’ve got a couple of minutes left, but I mentioned it before and I mean it sincerely, your grandparents, your parents and your grandparents and all of you, but your grandparents are TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

half years old. Nine months after your dad left, your sister Honolua was born and your father maybe saw her in the next ten years two or three times, and somehow your parents and your grandparents kept you positive. I mean just an amazing accomplishment. Peter Gawenda: That’s correct. That was another reason why I wrote the book because after the war ... You just mentioned the so called pre-war family, but after the war had some of my brother they did not know my grandparents. They did not know our home, and so did many of my nieces and nephews. They did not know our home. They didn’t know the grandparents. I wrote, I wanted to be very, very sure that it’s understood why I am the way I am. That my grandparents, and my mother, and later my father they were the ones that made sure that I would become a global citizen. Somebody who does not hate. Somebody who really wants

to educate people. Although I have been in the military for many years, I still would teach even in the military, I would teach every semester at least on course, either at a university or at a high school. Frank MacKay: Peter keep your thought. We’re going to take a quick break. We’re coming up on a commercial break. Frank MacKay signing off now with Peter Gawenda. The name of the book again is The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949. Frank MacKay, but more importantly Peter Gawenda has been our very special guest. We’ll see you next time on Breaking it Down. Now Peter, don’t go anywhere, let me open up again, because we’ve got to keep it about 22 minutes, if we want to get it on some of the commercial stations, as well as all the other stations that we’re on. Let me start right up again, and then we can start on the two wars. Do you have time? Peter Gawenda: Okay. Yes, sure I have time. Frank MacKay: Because you’re on the roll here. We might as well, and I’m sorry to cut you off on that. Okay, you’re ready? I’m going to open up again as a brand new show. Peter Gawenda: Yes, I’m ready. Okay. Frank MacKay: I’d like to welcome everyone to Breaking it Down. This is Frank MacKay, but more importantly, my very special guest is Peter Gawenda. You’re listening to a series of shows by Prof. Peter Gawenda, and I’m honored to be part storyteller here on. I’m listening, it’s what I’m doing to an incredible storyteller. He wrote is story, amazing story in the book, the riveting book, The Children’s War: Germany 1939-

1949, and thechildrenswarbook.com is where you can go to really follow what Prof. Gawenda has done with his book. You can kind of follow along with his career and his life, an amazing story, and again Germany 1939-1949. Peter we speak about two families. We talk about a pre-war family and then we talk about a postwar family. Peter Gawenda: Correct. Frank MacKay: Explain that to us.

at the front the you see a soldier in the deep snow, and then you see my picture from earliest school, that is all broken up because the picture is a very old one. It is supposed to leave the impression, “open the book and read it.” Then on the back I have, because that was very, very important, on the back I have what I call “the children’s rules,” because I grew up especially during the war with those children’s rules that helped us stay alive. Those rules were actually designed by my grandparents and by my mother. We had them already at that time in writing, so that we once in a while could read them. In fact my grandfather, next to his big map in the living room, he had the rules. He once in a while he would point at the rules to make sure that we remembered.

Peter Gawenda: That was, we were four children born before or at the beginning of the war. Then when my dad came back from Siberian prison, prison-of-war, then we had two more brothers, two younger brothers. Very often they would ask me, tell me about Oma, Oma meaning grandmother, or the Omas, both of them. Or tell me about Opa, tell me about [inaudible 00:24:43]. I decided ... I would tell them. Then finally, they would convince, also my children would convince me, my own children would convince why don’t you put that into a book form or just into a report. We didn’t even talk about a book. I started collecting whatever I could remember, whatever my brother and I had experienced because it is personal experience. Then also we made sure that our mother would agree, “Yes, that’s what happened.” Initially I thought maybe I should have maybe a hundred books printed and given to all my relatives, but then very quickly one of the professors we saw that said no, no we need more. That’s when I then had more books printed and that when I had it edited, and then with the cover that it has, to make sure that it is not only Peter’s mother and the four Gawenda pleasing to the eye but making it children in September 1944, shortly very interesting. Because if you look before fleeing to Oberglogau.

Frank MacKay: Amazing. It’s just amazing. Also let’s talk about how they were conscious, when I say they I mean your family, was very conscious to point out. We’ve mentioned this before that Germany started this war, and don’t repeat this outside of the house children, because it could mean your life, but be aware, be very aware that Germany started this war. Now let me ask you this, in your own mind and you’ve taught on this and you teach everyone who reads your wonderful book, do you believe that because one man left, Adolf Hitler, 50 something million people died? Peter Gawenda: To me as a child it was almost impossible to understand how one man could determine that. Although I do remember my grandfather, mother side, he would talk about Napoleon. He would talk about some of the emperors that also had started wars. There was never that extend of slaughter, that extent of people getting killed. Then if I look at in my family, we lost several members of my family during the war. For example two of the brothers of my mother. One was killed, the other one was captured. Then if I look at other relatives like there was one sister of my mother. She had several children. Some were old enough to be drafted into the war, they got killed. Then two of our aunts, who happened to be Jewish, they got killed. The husband of one of my father’s cousins, who happened to be Jewish, he got killed. We actually were exposed already from age, I would say four to eight, we were actually exposed to death. We didn’t personally experience, but we saw the loss. Then during our flight from Upper Silesia to Austria, we were exposed to actual death. We could see how people got killed, airplanes would attack refugee TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

trains et cetera. It was ... My grand- constantly saying who was lost and parents and then my mother made who was this. You said there were sure that we would internalize it. That two men in long black coats in the we would not, how should I ... I don’t back of the room. even know how to express it, but that it would not become something that Peter Gawenda: Correct. we would constantly think about, that we would have bad dreams, et Frank MacKay: They told them look, cetera. They made sure that ... “I know we children were excited War was something that was initiated by a group of people, not only Germans, but it was Italians, by World War II, but we didn’t fully Mussolini for example. Then how comprehend the loss of our home, was the reaction of the others, and they had to react. They couldn’t allow Hitler to take over the loss of loved ones and the global and then permanently occupy changes that we were part of. those other countries. That was, in my opinion, very, very well We thought we had to make it our done by my grandparents.

task

I remember that it might not have been Estonian, but he called them that. Yes, they had different emblems on their shoulders and some emblems on their hats but they were the SS. That was, I think, the private army and I should call it, maybe I shouldn’t call it private army, but that was the army that Hitler used extensively. Frank MacKay: Now when that priest disappeared was there a conversation with your grandparents and your mum? Peter Gawenda:

Oh yes.

Frank MacKay: Did they say boys, your sister was too little at that point, but did they say, “Boys, that priest disappeared because he was speaking out against Hitler.” Tell me, what was the conversation and what do you remember?

Frank MacKay: N o q u e s t i o n about it. Again I said it before, to help our families survive, to escape and I’ll say it forever, heroic death and destruction. figures. Just these are the type of heroes that you don’t often Peter Gawenda: What I hear about or documentaries are That is how the war became our war, do remember that my grandfamade of, but your grandparents ther linked the disappearance of the “Children’s War.” and your parents certainly were the first priest to what he said in heroic figures. You as well, Peter, church from the pulpit when he — PETER BODO GAWENDA with everything that you’ve done was talking, how very sorry he was, with this book. but the city again lost four or five Let me remind folks, if individuals. He said the names and they are just turning on their people were crying. He linked that radio or if they are just tuning in, right you shouldn’t be talking about that. the disappearance to that incident now, please feel free to binge listen Were they SS? Were they? and previous incidents. to Peter Gawenda, and this is Frank That’s why he told us, you MacKay. I’m glad to be his copilot on Peter Gawenda: Yes. I found out ... I don’t want this to happen to you, like the series, a very important series on didn’t know at that time. It wasn’t when my uncle died or got killed, so The Children’s War: Germany 1939- pointed enough that they were SS, don’t talk about it, because you never 1949. We urge you to go to the but a few days, a few months later know who will turn you in. In that website, thechildrenswarbook.com, when we were picked up to leave my case though the priest, I’m sure that and we talk about two wars. We talk home, they were again those with he was picked up, the first one was about two families, pre-war family my uncles. That’s when my grandfa- just picked up right after one of the and a post-war family. ther pointed out, this is the SS. The masses that he held. With the second Something you said in a prior strange thing was, some of those one, who continued by the way to segment stood out to me. It’s fright- individuals actually spoke languages talk about who got killed, it might ening that there was a catholic priest that I didn’t understand. It was my have happened to him also because and that you were raised a catho- grandfather at one time who said of that. lic and that the catholic priest was well those are Estonians. Frank MacKay: To jump fast forward TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

to modern day, and even the last 20 years, there was a segment of the population in Germany. Here we call them skinheads or Neo-Nazis or whatever, but it’s a sizable fraction and I don’t want to make it sound larger than what it is. There were people who told me that in certain curriculums or with certain, take that back, in certain schools by certain teachers that this minimization of what Hitler had done. In other words they don’t verify Hitler. I mean can you tell me, you would be ... I’ll take your word as expert on this, what is the general teaching of what happened in Germany then being taught now? Peter Gawenda: Starting I would say about ‘55 to ‘58. What’s happened in Germany with Hitler, national socialist was actually taught also in schools. It was pointed out what all was done in a negative way, what all was done wrong. I think it took another maybe 15 to 20 years when a new generation came up that all they saw what

happened under Hitler and how glorious Hitler was, how glorified he was. There is just a very, very small group. I would put them at less than 1% of those skinheads that still think that Hitler did something great and allies destroyed it, because they have not experienced it. Unfortunately they really pushed, in fact we even have them in this country, where we do not understand the extent, and that’s why I mentioned before the numbers of people that had gotten killed. It’s not understood. I think also because there has been no war on the American continent, and after ‘45 there has been no war on the German, on the European continent, and that’s why it is not believed that was possible. Frank MacKay: S o m e t h i n g yo u brought up and let me remind folks once again. Peter Gawenda is a wonderful author, a professor. He is teaching what he has written about and he lived it, and the name of the book is The Children’s War: Germany

1939-1949. It’s just an amazing story, a riveting story and you could binge listen here and follow along with what Peter and I are talking about. It’s a series. It’s a very important series on The Children’s War: Germany 19391949. Also please go to thechildrenswarbook.com and you could follow along with what Peter is doing and what he’s done. Frank MacKay here, but more importantly Peter Gawenda is our very special guest. Going back to something you said, it was explained to yo, all this was explained to you about Germany starting the war and so forth. Your parents and your grandparents did not want you to be traumatized, so they were telling you what was going on. Do you have a direct comparison to another family who didn’t explain? Looking back on it, maybe this is a long term sample size, on how their lives had turned out differently than yours? Peter Gawenda: Yes. Even some of my relatives I have to admit, those that were trained or that were educated and knew the truth, we had no traumatizing effects. Afterwards they went to school, they went to university and they have professions, even although we have some medical doctors and lawyers. Then you look at some where this type of education did not take place, and some of them became, I shouldn’t say criminal, but they could not survive the way we did. If I look at my sisters and brothers, my sister and brothers, and many of my nephews and nieces, none of us were in any way as per the war traumatized. We weren’t, but there were others that were, neighbors. I personally give my survival, my total survival, I give the credit to grandparents, and then especially afterwards, after we had left our home to my mother. Then I’d say TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

to our father, because we saw like my father, he never had any type of trauma afterwards. He didn’t suffer of any type of ... after having been as a prisoner-of-war sometime. He did not. Frank MacKay: It’s just unbelievable. That’s just unbelievable. It’s very Viktor Frankl like I mean. He is that attitude of getting through with it, but the optimism in your family is unbelievable. Just the accepting of the reality. Do you call it optimism or do you call it what, I mean realism? What do you call the ... Go ahead. Peter Gawenda: I think it is a type of reality, it’s a true reality. It’s not somehow camouflaged or whatever. It was the reality of what had happened, why it happened, you accept it. You will not participate in it or you will not glorify it. I think although we had, when I was in the military, yes, I had lieutenants, captains, highly decorated during the Second World War, but I didn’t wear the graces. It was somehow even after ‘55, ‘56 when the new German military was TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

established, we did not glorify what had happened during the Second World War. One of my supervisors or actually one of my superior officers was the son of Claus Stauffenberg, the one who tried to kill Hitler. We had many discussions with him, and he was a very silent gentleman, who admitted that during that time and all that happened, he did not know how to take his father. His mother was the one who had survived, but then after the war, I mean after the liberation was telling his or her children what actually had happened and why her husband did what he did. It was quite very interesting. Graf von Stauffenberg we still write other and he admitted that there was a time when he thought that his father was doing the wrong thing until he actually found out what was going on in Germany, and then he changed his mind. He is older than I am, about four years.

from amazing family. I thank all of you, even the ones who aren’t here to hear the thanks for sharing this and creating this as in reality. Peter, thank you very much and we’ll hear more from you next week.

Frank MacKay: It’s just riveting, just absolutely riveting. The story, you sound like you have more than book, and you have many books. We have a series here that everyone should feel free to binge listen and if you miss one you can go back. It’s on many outlets on the internet and around the county and around the world. You’ll be hearing more from Peter Gawenda each week. Frank MacKay here, I’m very honored to be copilot and co-hosting this series with Peter Gawenda. Again the name of the book is The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949. He talks about very importantly about two families, the pre-war and the post-war family. Prof. Peter Gawenda again is a continuing guest here, thechildrenswarbook.com is the website. Peter, thank you very much for sharing the story, writing the book, just an amazing individual

Frank MacKay: Peter that was great. Just riveting, everything time I talk to you, riveting.

Peter Gawenda: Thank you. I really appreciate and what you did, what you put on the website, I’m very proud that you did this and I’m very thankful. Frank MacKay: Amazing. Just an amazing story. I’m very honored and I want to thank all of you for being here. Frank MacKay but more importantly Peter Gawenda, telling his story, The Children’s War: Germany 1939-1949 is the name of the book. Please get it, thechildrenswarbook.com. We’ll see you next week on Breaking it Down with Peter Gawenda. Peter Gawenda: Okay, thank you very much.

Peter Gawenda: Thank you. Frank MacKay: All right thank you. We’ve got two ... We ended up getting two great shows out of this. Great. Peter Gawenda: Okay. Frank MacKay: We’ll be in touch. I’ll talk to you next week. Peter Gawenda: Okay, thank you. Frank MacKay: Th a n k bye-bye.

yo u

s i r,

Peter Gawenda: Okay and bye-bye.

7 steps to patio perfection (BPT) - Daffodils bloom brightly by the back door, temperatures are balmy, cookout season is on the horizon and you’re ready to give your outdoor living space a breath of fresh air. Great patios and decks enhance your enjoyment of spring and summer, and boost home value, so it’s well worth the investment to update and upgrade your home’s exterior living space. Patio (or deck) perfection can be within your reach this season. Simply follow these seven steps to create an outdoor environment where you’ll be proud to entertain all summer long.

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1. Update your patio furniture. Whether your current patio set is worn out, you need more seating or are just in the mood for a whole new look, new patio furniture can change the way you feel about your outdoor environment - and how much time you spend there! Whether you want traditional wicker, durable metals or exotic woods like Eucalyptus, you can find the right dining set, settee, chaise lounge, glider, ottoman, coffee table, rocker or swing among the 50,000 individual home decor items carried by every At Home store.

2. Replace cushions on your current set. If your current patio furniture is in good shape but just in need of some freshening, it’s easy enough to give it new life with small tweaks like updated patio cushions. Cushions TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

are the crowning touch to catch the eye on patio furniture, and you can find hundreds of patterns, shapes and styles of patio pillows and cushions at At Home.

3. Add a water feature One of the best ways to create your own oasis can be with a water feature. Easy to find and simple to set up accessories like a fountain can bring the harmony of water to your outdoor environment. For example, those with a waterfall feature immediately create a feeling of Zen and help drown out the noise of everyday life.

4. Make some shade. When you need a break from the sun, but aren’t ready to head indoors, shade can help you stay outside so you can enjoy the fresh air longer.

You can add shade in many ways, from installing a retractable awning over the deck or patio to strategically planting trees or climbing vines on a trellis. And of course, the simplest way to add shade is to use patio umbrellas, which are available in a wide range of hues, patterns and styles.

5. Heat up your grilling station. What outdoor environment would be complete without a great grill? Accessories make grilling fun and easy, and ensure you’ll look and operate like a pro when whipping up summer fare. From grilling mitts to barbecue tool sets, burger and kabob grilling baskets, grill toppers and even taco shell baskets, you can outfit your grill station with everything you need for a great grilling experience.

6. Lighten up. When you’re having a great time outdoors, who wants to go inside just because it’s dark? Add some lighting to your outdoor living space to create ambiance and allow you to enjoy your patio long after the sun goes down. You can invest in hardwired patio or deck lights, go ecofriendly and easy with solar lights, or choose from an array of battery-powered or candle-fired lanterns.

Editors Pick

7. Use decor to create a theme. Just as your home’s interior has a design theme, choosing a theme for your patio or deck can pull the look together. Whether your taste is Boho Chic, Tribal or Weekend Getaway, you can find decor items that underscore the theme. Wall decorations, outdoor rugs, decorative planters and flower pots, wind chimes and statuary all work together to create a look you’ll love throughout the spring and summer.

Anchor Arbor Blue Nautical Coastal Outdoor Pillow

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The perfect patio - and hours of outdoor enjoyment - is within reach this spring and summer. To find an At Home store near you, visit www. athome.com.

Diamond Stamped Blue End Table- 17-in

Indoor & Outdoor Blue Tile Rug 5 X 7 ft

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Check out www.athome.com for more ideas TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

learn more, visit cooleffect.org.

How volunteers are making a difference for animal welfare (BPT) - When you come home from work, he’s always there to greet you. When you need extra motivation to workout, he’s happy to join for a walk. When you’ve had a bad day, he can sense it and is quick to give you a loving nuzzle. Pets provide endless joy to their families, but for millions of shelter animals, each day is a test of patience in hopes of finding a forever home.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any shelter, and it’s a true community effort to keep animals healthy and safe. The Dumb Friends League Denver’s largest animal shelter dedicated to giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves depended on 1,418 volunteers who donated 211,307 hours of service last fiscal year to help needy animals in Colorado. That’s the equivalent of

Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year, according to the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year, according to the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) statistics. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. These numbers underscore the massive need for volunteers to provide the necessary care to ensure as many pets as possible can be placed in safe, loving homes.

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101 full-time employees worth $4.7 million in donated time. This is just one example of the impact volunteers make in the estimated 13,600 shelters nationwide. In addition to volunteers, support from a variety of businesses and corporations helps keep shelters running strong. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, for example, is one of the largest donors of food to shelters across the country. In fact, Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love(R) program has provided more

than $280 million worth of food to more than 1,000 shelters since its inception in 2002. Both volunteers and Hill’s share the common goal of transforming the lives of homeless pets. To recognize the vital contribution of shelter volunteers, Hill’s has launched an initiative this year to bring volunteers long overdue recognition. Hill’s has created a contest, Hill’s Shelter Heroes, to recognize the amazing volunteers who continue to go above and beyond in their commitment to shelter pets.

One of the recent winners, Annie Hughes with Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, who has dedicated more than 7,279 hours to her shelter, wanted to express her appreciation to Hill’s for creating a program that “allowed her to share her passion for helping sheltered animals.” Hughes’ submission, along with the rest of the 10 finalists, can be seen at Hill’s Shelter Hero Contest page. It’s apparent that caring for shelter animals is a group effort, yet one person can make a big difference to help save lives. If you want to change the world for animals in need, here are some tips for becoming a volunteer.

Reach out to local shelters.

Call your local animal shelter or rescue group to see if they are accepting volunteers.

and skills.

Think about your interests

Caring for animals one-on-one is a popular shelter activity, but there are so many more opportunities for volunteers. Whether you’re able to foster in your home, offer professional skills in administration departments or

serve as an adoption counselor to new pet parents, volunteer options are truly endless

Spread the love.

Once you find your volunteer home, spread the love to help pets find homes and encourage friends to volunteer. By sharing posts on social media like the #HillsShelterHeroes contest, hosting fundraising events and simply bragging about that adorable new pooch to your friends, you’re helping to open everyone’s eyes to the growing need for volunteers at shelters and the importance of pet adoption.

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simple steps for summer lawn prep

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(BPT) - If you’re a part of the nearly 90 percent of Americans who believe it’s important to have a well-maintained yard, you and your backyard will appreciate these seven simple steps for tending to your natural turf lawn with minimal effort. According to Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and academics, investing a little repair time in early spring and a small amount of maintenance time in summer will pay off with a lush lawn ready for all your summer activities.

Test your soil. Good soil is one of the essentials of a healthy lawn. A soil test is simple, inexpensive and provides valuable information about current pH levels. Simple amendments like lime or sulfur can be added to neutralize overly acidic or alkaline soil and help grass thrive. Find a soil test kit at a local garden store or make your own using common household items.

Aerate. Older or heavily trafficked lawns can suffer from soil compaction. A core aerator with hollow tines will pull small plugs of soil out of the ground, allowing increased movement of water, nutrients and oxygen. Aeration can also increase the soil contact with new seeds and promote new growth. You can rent an aerator or hire a professional to do the work for you.

Seed. According to Grass Seed USA, the ideal lawn planting season is April through the mid-toend of October, depending on where

you live. Turf specialists at a garden store or local university extension office can help select the right seed for your area and usage, pointing you toward the seed closest to existing grass or suggesting alternatives for problem areas. After seeding, water lightly but regularly, keeping the reseeded areas damp until the new grass grows in.

Control weeds. Healthy lawns essentially control weeds by squeezing them out. However, if crabgrass or dandelions invade, herbicides may help. Consult a garden specialist about which herbicide is right for your lawn and how to use it. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring before weed grass emerges can reduce problems down the line. If you’ve applied seed, keep in mind herbicides can kill it, so use a product that will not affect new growth. For dandelions, digging them up is often effective, but a broadleaf herbicide may be applied.

Water as needed. On average, a lawn needs about 1 inch of water per week, from rainfall or irrigation. Letting the lawn dry out completely between waterings will encourage the grass to grow stronger, deeper roots as it searches for water deeper in the soil. Put a rain gauge on your porch to measure rainfall; skip the watering and save your irrigation money if you receive 1 inch of rain in a week.

Fertilize naturally. Don’t break your back trying to bag lawn clippings. If you mow frequently (about once a week during the growing season) and don’t remove too much height (only one-third of the blade), you can leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They contain the same nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as commercial fertilizer and they’re free.

Mow to the right height. Wait until your grass is 3 inches tall before mowing and then cut it to 2 inches in height. By only trimming one-third of the blade length, you will avoid stressing the grass while leaving enough leaf to protect the roots from the sun - helping you create a low-maintenance, droughttolerant lawn.

A lawn doesn’t need constant pampering. Ongoing lawn maintenance can be quick and easy, and the reward is a beautiful, environmentally-friendly setting for outdoor activities of many kinds. So, fire up the grill, hang up the hammock and get busy enjoying your personal great, grassy outdoors.

More lawn care tips can be found at www.weseedamerica.com.

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Frank: Welcome to Turning Point. Our very special guest today is Anson Williams. Anson was a major part of one of the great TV series of all time, certainly a career changing and life changing series for everyone. a series that really changed entertainment and television. Anson, welcome. Anson: Thank you so much. Frank: And I hate to describe you just as that because it makes it sound like Happy Days is all you’ve done; which is not the truth. Let’s talk about prior

to happy days what was your career like? Anson: I just started as a lower middle class kid with a dream, with this passion to perform. and I did live in the LI area but I could have been from Iowa or whatever, I knew nobody just went out the door one day and ya know, “i’m gonna try this out” and I started in talent shows around LA where you could bring in your sheet music and sing a couple songs and be bad and no one cares and from that I started standing in

lines for open auditions for equity theatre and I was lucky to land a job as an apprentice in summer stock and it was in Wichita, Kansas and they paid us 50 bucks a week and 25 bucks went to your hotel and food and the other 25 is what you survived on and by the end of that season we were all given the opportunity to have an equity contract and I was able to get my equity card. So then when I came back to Los Angeles I was able to stay on the equity line and I landed another show called “Victory Canteen” written by

Publicity photo from Happy Days, 1975. Potsie (Anson Williams), Richie (Ron Howard), Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Ralph Malph (Donny Most). Chachi, not pictured here, did not last long on his own show. Public Domain TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

the Sherman brothers as a replacement and from there a commercial agent saw me and I signed up with his agency and was fortunate to start appearing in commercials and then everyone said it was impossible to get a theatrical agent and always having a marketing head I thought, “Ya know, i’m just gonna try something.” So I went to one of the major agencies, there were 3 major agencies at the time, CMA, IFA and William Morris and I went into the IFA office and asked the secretary “I would like to see an agent.” and she said “Do you have an appointment?” and I said “No, when’s available; i’m here.” and she kinda looked and me and I sat there for a few hours and she threatened to call security, I said “Your loss” and literally did a sit down strike. Finally the side door opens and this young guy looks out, sees me and goes “Come here, come here” so I get up I go by the door and he says “What are you doing here?” and I said “Are you an agent?” he said “Yeah” and that was it, I was so in. He starts laughing and says “Come in here” and turns out he was the lowest guy on the totem poll and we went in this office and it was a broom closet but it looked like the Taj Mahal to me I was in man; and im sitting there and i’m selling it and he says “You’re very lucky; we don’t have a lot of actors that are over 18 that look young, I heard there was this kid that was a pain in the neck out in a lobby, you look right I happen to have this break down for a segment of a television series Owen Marshall Counselor at Law.” with Arthur Hill and Lee Majors years ago. He says “they’re looking for high school football players as guest stars I’m going to send you on this interview in the morning if you get it we’ll sign you.” I go” i’m getting it thank you” so I go to universal studios in the morning and by the way I had lots of musical theatre experience, lots of singing experience, I never TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

had a dramatic lesson in my life I walk in there I pick up the signs i’m gonna read I play a football player who dies in an overdose of drugs and it’s the death scene. Frank: Oh my god. Anson: True story, so im looking at this going “Whelp, it’s been a nice career.” but I walk into the black tower of universal, I walk into this office; very intimidating there’s John Epstein seated, casting director in there and a chair and there was this young guy in there kinda awkward looking skinny guy kind of just walking around and never sat down. Well I read the scene and I died and I thought I died pretty good. By the time I got home I got the part directed by Steven Spielberg and Spielberg turns out he had already done Duel but his friend was john Epstein who produced this series. I guess the director dropped out and John convinced Steven “Would you please just take over” it was the last television segment he ever did that he didn’t that he didn’t own.

Frank: When did the Love, American Style scene come up? You were in the original scene I believe, right? Anson: Well, what happened was there was a pilot called Happy Days and it wasn’t originally for Love, American Style. We did the pilot and then because it was Paramount Studios they put it on Love, American Style to kinda play it off. Frank: Oh, thats interesting Anson: So we did the pilot and it was a much different pilot though it was much softer more like a “Summer of ‘42” and then a year later, it didn’t sell so I went back to playing the concerned boyfriend parts and a year later American Graffiti came out and ABC decided to do another pilot and this time Ron and I had we to audition all over again and we were lucky and we landed our parts back and I think we shot the pilot in November ‘73 and we were on the air January something ‘74 Frank: Geez

Frank: Amazing, that’s amazing.

Anson: Yeah, I mean it was so fast.

Anson: In fact it’s in his own authorized biography that whole story

Frank: Little did you know what would happen from there.

Frank: Do you have a copy of the piece?

Anson: Well, Happy days aside from just the odds in life of even ending up with a show like that. I don’t think there are any odds but more than anything that I take with me now in my business world and when I direct; we had such good mentors it always felt like a family it never felt like we were big shots or this big show it was way different then much more tactile much simpler and we had a basketball hoop that was our hobby outside the stage and Gary Marshall, god bless him, made our careers because he went out of his way as our boss to inspire us to wear many hats. “You

Anson: I don’t, I don’t have a copy of it. Frank: I wonder if he does. Anson: I have no idea, he didn’t hire me soon so.. But what happened was I got signed with the agent and I started doing all these concerned boyfriend parts. It was a great career there would be five pages of dialogue and I would have five lines and I would react.

it doesn’t help your life. Even Henry Winkler, he was the biggest star in the world. For dressing rooms we had these plywood kind of rooms on wheels like trailers. Frank: Yeah. Amson: Literally, with shag carpeting and a light bulb and he never changed that dressing room. He never dared ask to change that dressing room. Frank: That’s amazing. Anson: For about 10 and a half years we stayed in those dressing rooms Frank: Unbelieveable Anson Williams as Potsie Weber from the television program Happy Days. Public Domain might not be actors all your life, most of you won’t be but you have opportunity here.” He said “Get out of the way of yourself, look forward look at opportunity; Anson, I can tell your entrepreneurial I can tell you’re this, use it. Keep yours eyes open, don’t get so involved with yourself, you’re going to miss something” and he also told us too he said “I will do whatever it takes creatively for you guys, you have a problem you come to me.” and he said “Anything you want to learn about this business, you can watch big directors direct you can come to our writing sessions. I will bend backwards for you guys to have an education.” because he always wanted to be a school teacher he said “I will not ever accept you coming to me telling me you don’t like your dressing room, you want a bigger trailer.” he said the answer is no dont come to me that doesn’t go in your pocket that doesn’t go in your career and

Anson: And all of this is because of Gary’s inspiration. So to me Happy Days was much more than a television show, it was such a foundation for how to live your life and giving me the tools to move forward. Frank: Let me ask you something about the early shows. I’m such a huge fan of the first two seasons, I loved it all don’t get me wrong but the first two seasons with the laugh track, the ones that weren’t shot in front of the studio audience. Anson: Right, they were more like American Graffiti. Frank: Yeah, I just loved it and the whole tone of it. The volume of the actors voices and everything else was so much lower and it was a whole different show. As soon as with Hit Big and I’ve heard Garry Marshall mention this in interviews he was encouraged by the station and I guess the other folks, the suits to put it in front of a live audience. He went along with it and obviously, it went to take off like a bat out of hell. What was your thought of putting it

in front of a live audience at first? Anson: It was actually thrilling. I had never been on a show like that and it was like being on broadway. It was just such an amazingly exciting experience and what I liked about it too was the collaboration during the week. You just didn’t shoot a scene you got to rehearse and make things better and it just became a better show because of that platform and it’s because honestly, and people don’t realize this, but before we went live in front of an audience we were almost cancelled. We were down to 48th place in the ratings. Frank: Geez, imagine if that happened. Anson: And us guys on our own dimes went out during reruns and promoted the heck out of the show and got enough of a kick for Fred Silverman to decide keep it on but that’s when it all switched. Henry Became the front of the show and it went 3 camera, live audience. We went from 48th to number one. Frank: That is amazing Anson: Very few people know that. Frank: When did you feel like or did you ever feel like a rockstar? I mean, I was a kid when that show was on and I think all of you as a group. It was one of those shows or one of those entities I should say and because some things happen like that and they’re not like shows I guess the Seinfeld folks probably have that same type of feel but like at one point I assume you had to feel like a rockstar or were treated like a rockstar Anson: It was quite an education, frank. It was different then there were only three networks. There wasn’t TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

cable there was only three networks on your local station and we had an average of almost 60 million. Frank: Did you say sixteen or sixty? Anson: Sixty Frank: Sixty; oh my god Anson: One show we did I think it was the show where I sang to Joanie “Put Your Hand On My Shoulder”. Frank: Yeah, and she fell in love with you. Anson: Almost 68 Million people watched that show. Frank: Thats amazing. Anson: So you couldn’t go anywhere but it was different than the paparazzi and all of that. It wasn’t a business back then, there was a civil code. “Were not gonna follow you but if you come to where we are we can do what we want.” Like restaurants or whatever but they would not bother you at your house they would not follow you, all of that was off the table. So atleast we had that but literally five of the years you could not go anywhere publically without security and by the way back then, we were not paid like people were paid the way people are today no where near. And as kind of an entrepreneurial minded guy i’m going “if I can sing on the show I could get a record deal and book concerts”. So I went to Gary Marshall and I said “Gary, you got girls on the show, you got cars on the show, it’s the 50s, you don’t have a band. Let’s make a band, I sing”. He stopped and i’ll never forget, he looks at me and in Gary’s voice “are you any good?” I go “yeah I think i’m pretty good.” he goes “ Ya got experience?” “Yeah I used to sing” and he TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

goes “Alright, I like it good idea but I don’t have time to listen to it. But i’ll tell you what; you’re gonna sing to a bulldog. So if you’re not good I get laughs and if you’re good I get laughs.” Frank: Which is actually a pretty good idea. Anson: So he sets up the thing so I meet with the guy and finally I have my own responsibility outside of acting: “pick a song”. So we go to the head of the music department and we picked a song and we picked “I’m All Shook up” and there I was and you’ll see it and there was a fraternity party in one of the episodes and there I am singing “I’m All Shook Up” to a bulldog. Frank: I remember the episode. Anson: That’s the one! Frank: The crew lost their money in a poker game. Anson: Something like that. So anyway after that Gary goes “That’s pretty good. I like the band okay, were gonna sing every two episodes but you gotta do it, you’re in charge of that.” So for probably seven years or seven and a half years, no more than that, oh gosh no, the whole time I was in charge of the music. Whatever I sang I was responsible for and we wrote some songs and I had a blast doing that but what happened was almost immediately after singing Chelsea Records called and i’m signed to a label and now i’m gigging all over the country and i’m leaving friday to some concert on an all nighter and I would make eighty times more with that concert than the show and Gary even came up to me later and said “I’m really proud of what you’re doing you’re making it

work for you, you’re not complaining, you’re making this work for you.” and boy that was a big lesson always the bigger picture. Frank: You say you’re entrepreneurial. If I remember correctly and the girls in school with the 16 magazines and this was before Scott Baio joined and everything but I think would imagine you and Henry were more of the pin up guys, you know next to Donny Osmond there and Stallone came in, but you were probably more of the pin up guys. DId you ever gauge at how being in whether its 16 teen or teen beat how that affected your bottom line? Anson: Well it affected a lot because I never really made a lot of money on the show but I did very well off the show and those magazines, that’s what keeps your picture out there and what brings people out to your concerts and they buy merchandise and all of that and it was a huge plus to have all of that. Frank: You know Farrah Fawcett had the poster of all posters right and it was somewhere around that area you know, ‘77. Did you have that? Did you have a poster that did well and did it have to go through the show or was it something that you do. Anson: We all had a little merchandising agreement and all of that but that went through the show. We weren’t as sophisticated back then with merchandise as today. That came after Star Wars. Frank: Oh, that;s true. That’s a good point Anson: Honestly we had clauses for merchandise in our really basic contracts that you could never get today because it wasn’t that big a deal at the time, licensing and all that.

“And what I try to stress to people in anything you know; don’t be a victim; create your own destiny look for opportunity, please” Frank: That’s very interesting. Actually it’s interesting to talk to somebody who follows the money aspect of it. Do you remember and you don’t have to be too specific but do you remember your first big check from acting?

Frank: How many concerts did you play during that time?

Anson: I don’t think I ever had a big check from acting. It sounds like a lot but it really wasn’t because if you think about your expenses, taxes, young person, agents, PR people, everything that comes out of a check. I was getting like $1000 dollars an episode when I started, $1200 the next year, $1600 the next year, $1800 next year I mean, nice but you’re not going to get wealthy on it.

Anson: I would do a lot of the amusement parks and state fair and all of those kind of things ya know, disneyland and orlando, all of that stuff all of the time. Teenage fairs wherever, rodeos, There was Little Britches Rodeo, where i’m doing a concert in the middle of it, wherever they paid.

Frank: No, but people would’ve never believed it.

Anson: Its another thing in life when you gotta know its too wide a river and you gotta know when you’ve reached your limit with certain things and be able to make a turn and I built and built and built my whole deal was “ I gotta play vegas, I gotta play vegas”. Now, record wise; nothing ever became a big hit so I finally got an opportunity to replace Sammy Davis at Harrah’s Reno in Reno because Sammy Davis was leaving for 4 days and he was with Cosby, so I got to replace him with his approval.

Anson: However for a concert, I got $17,500 dollars Frank: Geez, were gonna go to break right now and when we come back we’ll have more. Anson: And what I try to stress to people in anything you know; don’t be a victim; create your own destiny look for opportunity, please. Instead of complaining about my salary I was able to use it for something so much bigger like not letting ego interfere. I just saw opportunity. it wasn’t ego for me it was survival. It was like a business decision to do that.

Anson: Oh gosh, I have no idea. Frank: But that’s where you made your money.

Frank. yeah, sure.

Frank: Wow. Anson: So that was my beginning to the next level of entertainment.

So I was so excited and I won’t get into all the detail but I did it and it went pretty well but I had opened the show and when I was up there I said “I’m the luckiest entertainer in the world. If John Denver was up here what would he have to do? He would have to sing his hits, Sinatra, he’d have to sing his hits, Kenny Rogers; he’d have to sing his hits. I am so lucky I don’t have any hits. I can sing whatever I want. Frank: Did you ever release “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” as a single? Anson: They never did, no. They were never smart enough. Frank: I mean that would’ve been such a big hit at that time. Anson: I know but they didn’t. Anyway so what happened, so I did that and the reviews weren’t bad on it then I got co billed with Lola Falana Resorts International in Atlantic CIty and you know you can feel when there’s a piece missing even though maybe no one sees it but you feel it. Somethings not connecting and you talk about that life changing moment that turned in your life, This is it. It was so clear. Frank: This is your turning point? Anson: This is a big turning point in terms of direction of life and this decision turned me around in so many different ways from personal to professional. So many parts of TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

my life were affected by this simple decision. I always would start the Harrah’s and the resorts show from the back of the theatre so they would go “Ladies and gentlemen..” and I would walk around and I would be waiting outside the front entrance cause then I would sing with a wireless to the audience just to the stage. Well im back there and I look and I see the lounge and I won’t say it but some used to be famous people were doing like 5 shows a night at the lounge and I looked at that and I went “Oh my god” It just became so clear “Anson that is you.” and then I said “probably, Anson, it won’t be you because you’re not good enough to do the 5 shows a night. You’ve gone as far as you can go buddy”. Frank: And that was your self talk. Anson: “You gotta change your direction” it was so clear. All of a sudden I hear my name, I go through I sing I do the show, great ovation, put the mic down, next morning called off all negotiations with Vegas. They were negotiating with the Sierra at the time and I turned my back on performing that night. I was done. And I turned around I put 100 percent of my time behind the camera and into business. It was so clear, it was such a turning point of my limitations and whats not limited and people said “You’re crazy” and I said “I’m not crazy”. I’ve never felt such a strong pull in my life Frank: It turned out to the right decision in retrospect, right? Anson: I’ve directed over 300 television shows. Frank: I was going to say, You’ve got a body of work. Anson: I’ve got a thriving retail TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

business called StarMaker Products. We probably do about 30 products. I mean all of these things came about from that decision however, I had to go though all of that. all of those steps gave me the education and the ability and the clarity to have this long term possibility. Frank: You have that body of work, 300 shows. Anson: Well, 300 hours. Frank: Still 300 hours is just an amazing accomplishment and to have the experience of being an actor before hand even from a financial standpoint, ya know making your mistakes, i’m sure there were a lot of mistakes to make. Anson: a couple hundred, more mistakes than television shows. Frank: You and everybody else has made them but I always ask folks; you see the young athletes or the rappers or the rockstars or whatever, they get their money and they blow their money. How were you with your money and again I don’t mean specifically but did you handle your money well? Anson: Gary gave us another bit of great advice and I took it to heart and he said “Ya know guys, You’re in it and being in it means you want to do the best you can, you’re ambitious” But he said “However, never be of it” and thats a huge difference. Frank: Sure Anson: I’ve always been very conservative and i’ve never been one to hide behind things or keeping up the joneses or any of that and now I have 5 daughters and a grandson living at the house.

Frank: You have a grandson? Anson: Yes, and I have to be conservative. I’m supporting these kids and i’ve always been one to “I’m in it, not of it” and once I got out of it, it’s just basic common sense to be able to live conservatively and especially because when I grew up we never had more than 100 bucks in the bank, no I mean never. It was underwear for hanukkah. Actually nobody in the cast got caught up with keeping up the joneses or living beyond your means or anything. In fact it was so funny the first house I bought it was Tom Bosley who said, “Ya gotta get a house”. he negotiated the mortgage for me. Frank: Oh, thats interesting. Anson: Yeah, tom was like a second father to all of us. I didn’t know anything and my parents, they didn’t know squat and Tom made sure things were ok. Frank: That’s Amazing. Anson: So again I just remembered that, that came back from way back in my head. Frank: I could go on with you for hours in fact we should have a part two and a part three to this but where do you go from here? You’ve done it all in television and entertainment, you’ve touched on it all. Where do you go from here what do you do from here? Anson: Keep doing. That was yesterday. Frank: Are you daughters involved in the business? Anson: Not at all.

Frank: Thats interesting Anson: In fact they’re young, their 6, 10, 10, 14 and 23. Frank: Oh, the 23 is the mom. Anson: Yeah Frank: Thats great. Anson: But no, none of them, they’re all into everything but. Frank: We’re with Anson Williams here. Do you have a website we can point people to? Anson: Actually people can go to Starmakerproducts.com Frank: and what do you get there? Anson: Theres some nice products on there or you can go to drugstore.com and look up starmaker and theres a whole store for us. Thats a whole other show how that started. Frank: Just tell us in short. Just tell us real quick about Starmaker. Anson: I’ve always been in various businesses and like Gary motivated me to always look for opportunity I was directing Melrose Place maybe 12, 13 years ago and the cast, Heather Locklear, Lisa Rinna, they’re all raving about this crush pearl treatment they had in the trailer and well they never talk about that stuff and it got my interest. So during a lighting setup I went in the makeup trailer and I met JoAnna Connell my future business partner and not only was she a top makeup artist, she was known throughout the industry of bringing in these incredible skin products to spa treatments in the trailer but its in bulk, it wasn’t marketed. The world didn’t know about it. So she started

telling me the history of it, it was original, all the skin care for bay watch, the original bay watch’s and it’s on all these other shows and i’m sitting there going “My gosh does anybody know about this?”. She goes ”No.”, so we created Starmaker Products, the actual working products of the film business.

fortune recording it now, what the heck. Anyway, we’ve been with Anson Williams, a wonderful director and actor. You know him from the role of Potsie in Happy Days but its so much more than that and go to Starmaker.com and Drugstore.com and look up Starmaker. Anson, thank you very much for being with us.

Frank: That’s an excellent idea, thats a brilliant idea

Anson: It was a blast. Thank you so much.

Anson: And I knew nothing about beauty but I learned. I mean, i’ll tell you the price of the label. And I learned the product business and we were on QVC for almost a decade.

Frank: Anytime and part 2 and part 3 coming up soon, Anson. Thank you very much and thank you for tuning into Turning Point with Frank Mackay.

Frank: Incredible. Anson: And now we spread out. I’m real bad with the website now though but we spread out to all sorts of areas of products and we have the only drug free topical gel that is 100 percent clinically proven to relieve hot flashes instantly. Frank: That’s amazing Anson: and we have one of the top doctors in the world backing it for free who created the breast cancer stamp. Its that important for chemo patients. Frank: Do you have the website one more time? Anson: Go to drugstore.com and look up starmaker products. Frank: And one last thing, were out of time but I would suggest from this standpoint, record “Put Your Head On My Shoulders” now, see what happens on iTunes. I bet there’s a lot of young women who watched that show and swooned when Joanie swooned. You’d probably making a TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

5 golden rules of planning a group d e s tination wedding

TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

(BPT) - Soft sand warms the soles of your feet and the smell of sweet flowers fill the air. The salty mist of the ocean kisses your cheeks while the laughter of friends and family brings joy to the heart. This isn’t just an amazing vacation for your loved ones, it’s your wedding day.

Images like this are inspiring more brides than ever before to forego traditional weddings made popular by their parents’ generation in exchange for dreamy, relaxing destination celebrations. It’s the ultimate way to customize a wedding, and often it’s more affordable than going the traditional route.

“Once intimate affairs, destination weddings are no longer just for small groups,” said Cheryl Cox of Grand Strand Bridal Association. “The most intriguing and prominent wedding trend of 2016 is couples expanding the guest list for their destination weddings to include people beyond immediate family.”

The reason this trend is growing so rapidly is that it provides guests more than just the opportunity to see a loved one tie the knot. It really gives them a mini-vacation that they’ll never forget. It’s a vacation with a purpose, and plenty of time for fun and activities are built into the experience.

However, brides and grooms who want to embrace this growing trend have a few unique considerations. To ensure everyone has a great time, follow the five golden rules of

planning a destination wedding for big groups:

Rule 1: Select an accessible location. You’ll get more RSVPs if you select a destination that is easy and affordable for everyone to access. Consider air travel and drive times from guests’ locations. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a great example that is a four to eight hour drive from many Midwest cities, plus has an international airport, with plenty of non-stop flights from major cities. Furthermore, a domestic locale like this means guests don’t have to worry about passports and complicated travel logistics out of the country. Learn more at http://www. visitmyrtlebeach.com/.

Rule 2: Look for myriad of lodging options. Getting a block of hotel rooms is a common practice, but go a step further to provide guests with a variety of lodging options so they can pick what best suits their tastes and budget. Traditional hotel rooms, B&B style accommodations at historic plantations and even vacation home rental options let guests choose what makes them most comfortable. Be sure to mention accommodation info on your wedding website and/ or invitation.

others crave visits to landmarks and amusement parks. Consider what a location has to offer beyond the ceremony. You’re giving guests a reason to splurge on a mini-vacation, so a place like Myrtle Beach with more than 100 golf courses, plentiful shopping, 60 miles of pristine coastline and lots of attractions for kids means there’s something for everyone.

Rule 4: Be involved but don’t micromanage. Provide guests with important information about the location, such as popular attractions, transportation specifics and amenity details. It is custom for the couple to pay for one or more events in addition to the wedding celebration, so let guests know what you’ve planned. However, keep it to no more than one activity per day to allow time to explore as they please.

Rule 5: Make gifts optional. Guests spend more money to attend a destination wedding than a hometown affair. Be a gracious host and make gifts optional. By allowing their presence to be your wedding gift you’re showing good etiquette and understanding. This thoughtful gesture opens more funds to enjoy their vacation to the fullest, which is what you wanted when selecting a group destination wedding in the first place.

Rule 3: Opt for a city with variety. Some people adore spending days on the beach or hours golfing while TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

4 simple ways you can save the Earth

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(BPT) - Every year in April, Earth Day encourages people around the world to think about how they can better support the environment. While this is a great reminder to live sustainably, the lessons surrounding Earth Day shouldn’t be limited to just one day. In fact, world leaders and A-list celebrities alike are raising awareness about climate change all year round. While you’re probably familiar with common ways to help the environment, you could be doing so much more. Not only should you become more aware of how your daily habits affect climate change, but you can take action at the click of a button to be part of the solution and community of supporters. Here are some simple things you can do to celebrate the earth year-round and make a lasting impact:

Find transportation

alternative

Instead of hopping into your car every time you need to get somewhere, think about other ways you could get around. If possible, try

riding your bike to work once a week or taking public transportation. See if anyone in your office lives near you. Could you start a carpool? There are so many options available to avoid using fossil fuels that emit carbon.

Support a project that verifiably reduces carbon right from your phone or tablet “Everybody should have the chance to be a part of the solution,” says Marisa de Belloy, COO of Cool Effect, an online community that allows individuals to create a tangible impact on climate change. While you’d probably love to get out and plant a tree or install solar panels on your roof, those might not fit into your busy lifestyle. “Even if you are already doing everything you can, you are still emitting harmful CO2 into the atmosphere. Cool Effect provides consistent funding to the highest-quality carbon reducing projects around the world. With projects like Methane Capture in Colorado and biogas in India, you’ll know exactly where your contributions go and who they benefit.”

3. home

Maintain an energy efficient

From energy-efficient appliances to small changes in lighting, there are plenty of options for reducing the amount of energy you use in your home. For example, you can reduce drafts and energy use while improving comfort simply by updating your weather stripping and caulking. You can also help the planet by switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already done your part to

make your own home more energy efficient, you can support efforts like this cookstove project in Uganda that is reducing carbon emissions by 58 percent per household by installing smarter appliances that burn less charcoal and wood. Efficiency at home is helpful, but the ripple effect across the globe is even better.

Buy local and reduce waste

Shipping burns fuel which releases carbon pollution. You can do your

part to minimize this by buying locally as much as possible. Purchase foods that are both in season and grown close to where you live. Head to your local farmers market and you might be surprised at the delicious fresh foods you can find. Additionally, do your best not to waste food. When food gets tossed, it sits in landfills, producing methane while transporting waste creates more carbon pollution. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t limit your climate change fight to just one day. You can take action with any or all of these projects and be a part of a greater solution. To

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B r e akin g it d o w n w it h f r ank mackay an d

Lee Buonoâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

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glad that people will have the opportunity to read it. Frank MacKay: Yeah. It is amazing. We can never thank your dad and all of the other vets for what they have done and putting it all on the line. Did your dad talk much about his veteran past? Lee Buono: Not too much. No. He did write quite a bit about it. Different articles and such. I didn’t know a lot of what took place until I read the book.

Frank MacKay: I would like to welcome everyone to “Breaking It Down.” Frank MacKay here but more importantly, our very special guest today is an author, publisher, a wonderful lady, Lee Buono. Hey, Lee. How are you? Lee Buono: I’m fine, Frank. Thank you. How are you? Frank MacKay: You have a book coming out that is a completion of a work that your father had put out and it had never really been published. This is important on so many levels. It is a great book. Everything that I have seen of it and heard of it, it is fantastic. Ralph DioGuardi is your father’s name. I understand he was a very modest man. Tell us about the book. First, give us the title.

us or if you are just turning on the radio, let me remind everyone that this is Frank MacKay. More importantly, Leonora or “Lee” DioGuardi Buono is our very special guest. She is a little bit of everything. A renaissance woman. She is a publisher. She is a marketer extraordinary. She is certainly a media specialist and she is now an author. The name of the book is, “Roll Out The Barrel.” Do I have that right? “Roll Out The Barrel?” Lee Buono: Yes. “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.”

Frank MacKay: Now, that being said, tell us a little bit about your father’s history and how much of it do you know? As a little girl, you are there and you are watching this man and you are hearing more about the man. You don’t have much to compare him to but looking back, he really is a heroic figure. He is a wonderful man. He was a wonderful father and husband and he has all of this depth when it comes to it. There’s a lot of layers to him. Give us a little bit of the history of Ralph DioGuardi.

Frank MacKay: “ The Tanks Are Coming.” Ralph DioGuardi is the coauthor and that is her dad and posthumously this book is coming out. When did your dad pass?

Lee Buono: He was a wonderful man. A great husband, father, son, brother, friend….you name it.. Truly, one of the finest men I have ever known. Just a gentleman. He was very bright and he was very humble and kind. He worked for Newsday as a proofreader for many years and he was also a freelance writer. He was also a substitute teacher in the Smithtown School District, as well others in Suffolk County. He did that for several years. Often, a teacher who perhaps was on maternity leave for months would be replaced by my dad and he would do that quite often.

Frank MacKay: He sounds like an old-school gentleman.

Lee Buono: The title of the book is, “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.” The book is about my dad’s experience as a soldier in the Army with the 44th Tank Battalion. They were involved in the liberation of the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. It’s quite a story and I am very Frank MacKay: If you are just joining

Lee Buono: October 26, 2002. This book was written by my Dad approximately the prior year. Naturally, I have kept it and always known that i would eventually have it published. This is a story that I am very proud of and I think it is a great book.

Lee Buono: Yes. He was loved by many, many people. Frank MacKay: When I say that with a great deal of respect because that is a dying breed and you just don’t see a lot of folks like that anymore. He was a child, I am assuming, of The Depression. Again, I asked you before about what his history and you talked more about his traits, his personality traits. What about his history? Where was his born? Was he born here or was he born in the old country? Lee Buono: He was actually born TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

in Queens, New York and he grew up in Jamaica. Then, his mom and dad and the children moved to a big home in Freeport, NY. When he met my mom and got married in 1956, they first bought a home in Merrick and it was a corner home on a somewhat busy road and because I was on the way, they decided to move to a more rural area…... Smithtown, NY. Frank MacKay: We should remind folks that are listened that you mentioned Newsday before. Newsday is the daily paper of Long Island, New York, which is a big market. There is 3 million people between Nassau and Suffolk County. You mentioned Smithtown as being rural. It was rural then. Not so rural now. Now, it is pretty built up. Lee Buono: Yes. Absolutely. In fact, there were very few trees. It was mainly farmland. Trucks came around in those days and planted little trees. The highway, 347, which is the main intersection by my parents’ house, was a one-lane highway and now it is very, very congested. Things did change but, it’s still a beautiful area. I have photos of it when we were little and it was just great. It was a great place to grow up. I think we had a great childhood and I remember it fondly. Frank MacKay: Now, you say, “we,” there is your younger brother and that is Ralph. I am sure your dad and mom were both proud. They had one of everything they made. They had you and then your younger brother, Ralph, and that is always nice for a family that is a traditional family, the white picket fence so-to-speak. Let’s talk about your mom. She was also a wonderful woman. She was a twin and she was part of the military as well. TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

Lee Buono: She was. My mom was in the Air Force. Her and her twin sister joined the military as well as their four brothers. In fact, in Roosevelt, New York, which is where they grew up, there is a statue in front of the post office with all of their names on it. I took a ride there with my mom and I took some photos of her next to the statue.. Actually, they were stationed in Georgia and ended up in Mitchell Field. They didn’t end up in the dangerous territory, thankfully, but they were both corporals. Both of them were up for sergeant and there was one spot available. My mother was called in for a meeting and told that they were going to choose either her or her sister for the rank. Her response was “Choose my sister.” My aunt did the same thing. She said, “If there is only one spot and we are both qualified, give it to my sister.” What the gentleman said is, “We will wait until there is another spot and we will have both of you become sergeants at the same time.” Then, it was over and everybody was on their way home. She liked it very much. She liked what she did. She was proud of that. Frank MacKay: Did you ever see your mom in uniform or did she retire from the military prior to? Lee Buono: They retired, however, I have photos of both her and my aunt in uniform. They both become nurses at Nassau Hospital in Mineola, NY which has since been renamed and is today known as Winthrop-University Hospital. Both my brother and I were born there as well as my nieces. Both of my parents remained lifelong friends with several of of the doctors and nurses.

Frank MacKay: Let me remind folks that just again may just be tuning in to us or turning on the radio. Frank MacKay here, more importantly, Lee DioGuardi Buono is the guest. I said it almost like Sonny Bono and Cher Bono. I’m sure you have heard that before, right? Lee Buono: Yes, I have! Frank MacKay: Yeah. It is Buono. It has got the “U” in there. When you speak about your parents, you are speaking about really a dying breed and you lost your mom just last year and whatever. Lee Buono: Yes. Last March. Frank MacKay: You are talking about two wonderful people that, again, served the country and the military proudly. What was your mother like as a support cast for your dad, especially when he was writing the bulk of this book? Lee Buono: She was great. My parents were very, very close. They did everything together. As years went by and a younger generation moved in, they became very friendly with my parents. They would say what an inspiration my parents were and how they had such a great relationship and it was so nice to see. As crazy as it sounds, they never fought. They never argued. If they disagreed on something, they discussed it. They talked it out and that was that. They had great respect for one another and great love. Frank MacKay: Let’s speak about the book. Your parents, again, wonderful. You sound terrific. A great family. Your brother, Ralph. This book has to be in some way therapeutic or almost like a victory lap for your dad, posthumously. Again, completing the

dad. Then, there is no you and who knows what the rest of Johnny’s life would have been like. I’m sure that occurred to you while you were reading it.

“I didn’t realize so many brutal things that he went through because he was always so kind. It just didn’t show.”

Lee Buono: It did. More importantly, I was saddened to think of my Dad witnessing this tragedy. They were close and always together and he had to see this happening. It is heart-breaking. Frank MacKay: Yeah. How modest a man is your dad that you would have to read that story and not hear that? You don’t remember hearing that story as a little girl?

book for him and to collaborate with him posthumously, it is so difficult for many people to do that. I had the same experience with my father but this is different. This must have been a labor of love to go through this and to complete this and to get this going. Tell us more and more about the book and without spoiling it, because we hope everyone goes out and buys it and purchases it. Tell us about the book. Give us the summary. Lee Buono: My Dad shares his experiences and sheds light on what our soldiers went through firsthand. They were in the jungles of New Guinea. In fact, he had a friend that he liked very much. The man’s name was Johnny Rogic. He was an orphan from Hell’s Kitchen in New York and they became close friends. He said that Johnny would often snap his figures and he would say, “Broadway, Ralph. Broadway,” thinking about what things would be like when they got back home. Sadly, and I didn’t know this until later years, the last time my father saw Johnny Rogic was shortly before the tank Johnny was in blew up. He never forgot his friend and years later, before the internet, tracked down his remains. He was brought Pine Lawn Cemetery

Lee Buono: I do remember him mentioning Johnny Rogic fondly. here on Long Island. My father visited there and would pay his respects and such. Again, he was an orphan, so he had no one. I didn’t realize so many brutal things that he went through because he was always so kind. It just didn’t show. It didn’t show. It didn’t have a hardness to him. He just had a total kindness and he was very compassionate to people. The book is amazing. The photos of the prisoners in the camp. These poor people were emaciated. They were were being starved and they were dying. They didn’t know if anybody was going to ever come and rescue them and the 44th Tank Battalion was among the ones who did. Frank MacKay: Your dad’s friend who wanted to visit Broadway with your dad and all of that, I am sure in reading that it must have been ... To me, it is chilling because that very easily could have been your

Frank MacKay: Not the fact that he blew up. Lee Buono: He didn’t get graphic. It wasn’t until I saw in writing that it really struck home very deeply. Frank MacKay: Oh wow. Just wow. Now, you mentioned the prison camp. Now, who were the folks that were in the prison camp? Were they fellow Americans? Were there other soldiers? Who were there? Lee Buono: Yes. In fact, my dad ended up visiting with some of them in later years. Some of them right here in New York. They were just so grateful because here they are and if it wasn’t for my dad and many others, they wouldn’t be here. Now, they had families and such and so they were very, very grateful. Frank MacKay: Let me remind people once again, if you are just tuning into us or if you are just turning on the radio, Frank MacKay here but much, much more importantly, Lee, TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

They were just so grateful because here they are and if it wasn’t for my dad and many others, they wouldn’t be here. Now, they had families and such and so they were very, very grateful. or Leonora DioGuardi Buono is our very special guest. I want to make sure I get that. That is a handful when you say it. The name of the book is, “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.” That is coauthored with her dad, who, of course, these are his experiences. Lee had the labor of love to complete the book and to now have it published and it will be available very, very shortly. Just an amazing tale. It is actually an amazing tale that you are going back to the work that if you don’t do this, it is not going to get done. It just simply isn’t going to get done. This is a man’s story and this is a wonderful man’s story. It is one that should be told and the masses should see. Without you recovering this and completing it and taking it, you are really doing a great service to your dad but anybody that is going to read the book and get something out of it. I have to believe a book like this is emotionally worth a lot to a lot of people because they have had relatives, grandparents, parents, siblings that have been in that same situation. Frank MacKay: Not to interrupt you but did you make any mention to your dad that you will make sure this book gets published. Lee Buono: No. He was in the midst of trying to get it published but when he got sick, I didn’t mention the book. I didn’t even mention the fact TA L K N AT I O N | M a y 2 0 1 6

... I never actually spoke with my dad on how sick he was. It was just too brutal to do. He didn’t know for quite a while how sick he was although he was very bright and he was very intuitive. You know yourself when you are not feeling right and you are losing weight that something is wrong. When the time came to go through my Dad’s belongings, I came across paperwork which indicated that he had been going for quite some time to the doctor’s office and telling him that he was having problems swallowing and he said something is wrong. Now, my mom and dad both would get regular checkups. They, thankfully, were in good health. My mom had gone through many different surgeries and always pulled through. She had breast cancer several times which she underwent surgery for. She had also had colon cancer, where an expert in the field said the large tumor was inoperable. Thank God we were able to have a surgeon by the name of Stuart Seiden from Smithtown, perform the surgery and save her life. He removed the entire tumor. A true blessing. When he retired, which was shortly after, he wrote my parents a beautiful letter saying that they were among a few of his favorites and he wished them well. Frank MacKay: Keep your thought for a second. We are going to take

a quick break and we are going to come right back with Lee DioGuardi Buono. She is the author or the coauthor along with Ralph DioGuardi, her father. Her late-father. “Roll Out The Barrels ... The Tanks Are Coming,” is the name of the book. Frank MacKay here. More importantly, Lee DioGuardi Buono will be our guest, right after this. We will jump right back into it but I figured I will keep it formatted. Okay. You ready? Frank MacKay: I would like to welcome everyone back to, “Breaking It Down.” Frank MacKay here but more importantly, Leonora DioGuardi Buono and her late-dad have collaborated on a book. The bulk of the book was there and it needed to be completed. It is the life or a part of the life of a wonderful named Ralph DioGuardi. Ralph DioGuardi, just a wonderful man, soldier, and just an interesting, interesting story. The name of the book is, “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.” Lee, or Leonora, DioGuardi Buono is our very special guest. We are speaking a lot about her dad and her mom.

Welcome back, Lee.

Lee Buono: Thank you. Thank you for having me. Frank MacKay: Now, your mom. We haven’t mentioned her by name. We have spoken quite a bit about her. Let’s give her a proper credit. Lee Buono:

Sure.

Frank MacKay: What is her name? Lee Buono: My mom’s name was Elizabeth and most people called her, “Betty.” Frank MacKay: Betty DioGuardi. What was her maiden name? Lee Buono:

Doxey. D-O-X-E-Y.

Frank MacKay: Now, give us a little bit about her background. Was she born here or in the old country? Lee Buono: Both of my parents were born in NY. My Mom and her twin sister, my aunt who was a sweetheart, were four years old and they had four older brothers when they lost their dad. He passed away from a heart attack. Their mom six children on her own. My mom had an aunt whose name was Elizabeth who she was named after, and who lived, I believe, across the street, and she loved her Aunt Lizzy, she called her. She just loved her. Everything she told me about her aunt led me to believe that they were two of a kind, really. She was a very sweet woman, compassionate. Just a sweetheart. She loved my mother very much and I loved hearing stories of the wonderful times they shared.

Frank MacKay: Yeah. Wonderful. It’s a shame your mom didn’t get to write a book. She seemed like such a kind woman and an intelligent woman, and also a nurse. My mother was a nurse but she was in the generation, she was younger than your mom. Your mom passed in her 90s. My mother passed before she reached 70. There is some gap there. It is very impressive at that time period that your mother became a nurse. First of all, she went into the military and then she became a nurse. It is very impressive for back then. You look at “Leave It To Beaver,” you look at “Father Knows Best,” and that was the tradition. Again, nothing wrong with homemakers. There were a lot of great homemakers there. Your mom was a homemaker plus. She was a nurse and she was a military person. Very impressive for back then. Lee Buono: Thank you. Actually, my mom retired from nursing when she got married because they wanted to have children. My parents were actually older. At that time, when I was in kindergarten, for instance, most of my classmates had parents who were in their early twenties. That was the way it was in those days. My parents didn’t get married until my mom was 32 and my dad was 35. Frank MacKay: Yeah, that is a departure for back then as well. Lee Buono: Yes. Actually, my mom had always wanted children as did my dad. After I was born, the doctor was concerned about her having another child five years later. She had deep faith and was determined that i have a brother or

sister. Frank MacKay: Wow. Basically, the doctor was telling her that this may not be a great idea. You may be taking a risky ride here and she went for it anyway because she thought about her young child having a sibling. Just amazing. Just both wonderful people. Lee Buono: Thank you. My mom was extremely brave. I won’t use the term, “tough,” because it doesn’t suit her. She was very strong. She had deep faith in God. When she went through the colon cancer, her concern was her family. She said “As long as it is not my husband or my kids, that’s all I’m concerned about.” She meant it. She had a very high threshold for pain. She never complained. Years later, my Mom had home health care and I had to let them know that. Lee Buono: Years later, as she needed more care, she became a resident of the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. Frank MacKay: Wow. That is something to keep in mind. When you said that she had a good threshold, a high threshold for pain, my initial reaction is like that is good. It is not always good. Let me remind folks, once again, Lee DioGuardi Buono is our very special guest. She is a wonderful author and a wonderful marketer and publisher herself. She does it all and her passion here has

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been to complete a book that her father started and didn’t complete and didn’t publish. The name of the book now as coauthor is, “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.” It is by Ralph DioGuardi and Lee DioGuardi Buono. Here, we are paying some homage to your mom because, again it is a team. Family is a team and your parents were oldschool folks and just both sound wonderful, as does your brother. I haven’t met him. Lee Buono: Yes. He is. I love him dearly. Frank MacKay: Yeah. Another wonderful guy. When you do this, when you complete a task that tells of your parent’s life, you are in essence extending their life and you are extending your life. What you would hope is that 100 years from now or

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200 years from now, someone is going to pick up this book, if not many people are going to pick up this book and they are going to look back and it gives a time capsule of what happened at a particular time. It I just wonderful. This happens to be a very dramatic event. Is it something that you ever picture to get made into a movie? Is there a potential for that? Lee Buono: I wouldn’t rule that out. I think it would be a wonderful movie especially because at this point in time, there are not many World War II veterans alive any longer. Frank MacKay: Yeah. Just an amazing group of people at that time period. I think Tom Brokaw wrote a book and he called that group of people and maybe they were a little younger

than your dad or a little older, I should say, than your dad, but it is the same basic generation. He called them, “The greatest generation.” It is hard to argue against that when you hear about how your mom and dad both were ... Even the fact that your mom had this high threshold for pain, she didn’t want to bother anybody. She didn’t want to complain to anybody and sometimes to her detriment. You are almost better to have somebody that is a hypochondriac that is going to be jumping on every little thing and maybe they last longer. Your mom lasted into her 90s. Lee Buono: Yes. She did. She fought. She stayed strong. She wanted to stay here. She was bedridden. She had to be in a wheelchair. She needed oxygen 24-7. She COPD, congestive heart failure and other health issues.I truly believe that she

“I was told long ago and I believe it is when someone talks from their heart, you feel them in your heart and that is what this book does. You can feel my dad’s heart and his goodness”. didn’t want to leave her family. She wanted to stay as long as she could for her family. She loved us dearly. She was also a writer. She wrote beautiful poetry. She also did beautiful artwork. She won an art competition a few years back. Her work had been submitted by the art teacher at the Veterans Home. She was very talented.

about the book is that it is from the heart. I was told long ago and I believe this..When someone talks from their heart, you feel them with your heart and that is what this book does. You can feel my dad’s heart and his goodness. Again, I was blessed to have great parents. As a child, I thought everyone had wonderful parents. As time goes on, I continue to realize just how lucky I was.

and LinkedIn.

Frank MacKay: They have passed it on and your brother sounds like a terrific guy as well. It is an amazing tribute to your father to have this book completed and published. Again, a reminder, we have about 2 minutes left, with Leonora. Leonora Dioguardi Buono. Her dad is now her coauthor. His experiences and his life or an aspect of his life here. It is Ralph DioGuardi.

Frank MacKay: Yeah. You hit the nail on the head when you say that. You would be very lucky to have half a parenting team that is solid on the parenting side. Many people don’t have that and there’s folks that are raised with no parents and like your friend’s dad who, unfortunately, perished before he had a chance to have a real life of his own, he was an orphan. You have so many people like that.

Frank MacKay: I want to thank all of you for tuning in. Frank MacKay here. More importantly, Leonora or Lee DioGuardi Buono, a wonderful author, marketer, publisher. A little bit of everything. She has completed a task of a lifetime. I’m sure it was a labor of love. Her dad’s book, “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.”That is Ralph DioGuardi. The two of them will be forever linked on this book. It is heart-warming. Please everyone get it. We will see you next time on “Breaking It Down.”

Ralph DioGuardi and the name of the book is, “Roll Out The Barrel ... The Tanks Are Coming.” It is a chilling book. It is just wonderful. I think it will warm everyone’s hearts. We have got about a minute-and-a-half left with you, Lee. Can you tell us anything that we haven’t covered about the book? We hope that everyone listening will go out and purchase this book and really read it and get a feel for a whole different generation and a different type of person that you are going to run into nowadays. That is for sure. Lee Buono:

What I like most

Listen, I just want to thank you very much for sharing with us. Lee Buono:

Thank you.

Lee Buono: Facebook. LinkedIn. Yes. Yep. Frank MacKay: Lee, thank you very much for sharing and thanks for being here Lee Buono: much.

Lee Buono:

Thank you ver y

Thank you so much.

Frank MacKay: Do you have a website? Do you have a social media site where people can go and kind of visit you and reach out to you? Lee Buono: I am getting that up very, very shortly. I will have that for you in just a few days. Frank MacKay: Social media-wise, people can find you on Facebook

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