Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter

Hello this is Martine,

I hope you all had a very nice Christmas.

We are working on the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.

More Info will come soon.

Happy New Year!

Martine



Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Items
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 14, 2009

Book about Betty MacDonald

Hello this is Martine,

I was reading a book about Betty MacDonald which had never been mentioned before in all the info.

I'm going to write more in the next newsletter. It's very well written and it will be one of the many wonderful surprise items for the Betty MacDonald Fan Club members in 2010.

Linde Lund creates the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Items
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Betty MacDonald's loyal friends around the world

Hello this is Martine:

I'm a member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society.
I totally agree with Faith who said:

And among the things I'm thankful for are Betty, and Betty's loyal friends around the world!

That's it, dear Faith. Betty MacDonald and her loyal friends around the world make our life very special.
The world is such a small place. It's so fascinating to see that so many people from different cultures adore Betty MacDonald's wonderful books.

It belongs to the most positive experiences in my whole life what I learned from many Betty MacDonald Fan Club members around the world. I'm really very close with several of them.
We even visited each other and learned from each other. I still do. I'm so grateful for this chance.

I want to say thank you so much, dear Linde Lund. You do such a wonderful job.
Thank you so much for creating the Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society Blogs. You are always in our hearts.

Thank you so much, dear Wolfgang Hampel. The Betty MacDonald Fan Club project began in 1983. Wolfgang Hampel's dream came true. He did lots of hard work and we are more than grateful. I adore his excellent research and interviews and I know I'm not the only one. Among the many fans are writers, poets, actors and artists. He can be very proud and happy.
Wolfgang Hampel really deserves the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award because his Betty MacDonald Biography and Interviews have fans in 23 countries around the world.
Wolfgang Hampel founded what became the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world.

We have so many very interesting and important projects in the future and I want to say to all Betty MacDonald Fans where ever they may be: Join us and your life will be very special. You'll have the same experience I have.
We are going to reach our common goal finding new readers for Betty MacDonald's unique books. Let's do it!

I'm going to support Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society much more than I did in the past and I really can't wait to begin.

Love,

Martine


Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Event

Dear Betty MacDonald Fans from all over the world,

we are going to organize a Betty MacDonald Event with the most important Betty MacDonald Collectors and Betty MacDonald Fan Club members from all over the world in 2010.

As a member of the Betty MacDonald Fan Club you will have the opportunity to see the most important Betty MacDonald Collections and much more.

We'll have the most interesting new Betty MacDonald Items in 2010.

You can read all the details in the next Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.

Let's celebrate our international Betty MacDonald Community with members in 23 countries. 2009 was a very successful year for Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society. Welcome to our many new members! We are so happy you joined us.

One of the very new members of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society is a gifted artist, poet and writer, who will contribute a lot for us in the future.

We also got a delightful message from a successful award winning american writer and we have many more wonderful news.

You'll be able to read more about these artists, poets and writers in our future postings.

As you can see Betty MacDonald has so many fans.

Thanks A Million for your support. We are so grateful for your contributions, incl. audio interviews, letters and other very important documents.


Linde Lund

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Betty MacDonald Community

Dear Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society fans,

We got messages from several Betty MacDonald Collectors who will share all their info about Betty and Don MacDonald's wedding with photos.

Thank you so much for your outstanding support.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. Today we are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 23 countries. We are a wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!

There are several Betty MacDonald Collectors owning huge collections. They want to invite interested fans to see their collections. You'll receive more info.

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Saturday, December 5, 2009

A huge Betty MacDonald Surprise

I remember reading that Betty MacDonald once illustrated a pamphlet or booklet for one of the oil or gasoline companies. Has anyone ever been able to track down a copy of that book?

Or a copy of Sandra Surrenders?

Wouldn't that be amazing???

Peter D. Sieruta, Author of Heartbeats and Other Stories

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7046320545497573335&postID=2951173424343227853
http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/search?q=Betty+MacDonald+

Dear Peter and Betty MacDonald Fans from all over the world,

It's a wonderful feeling. You can read all the fascinating info in our Betty MacDonald Xmas Newsletter. We hope you are as happy as we are about these great news.
We can promise you many more wonderful Betty MacDonald Surprise Items in 2010. We hope you like the photos with Betty and Bob at the chicken farm.

Linde Lund

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

A phone call with brilliant artist and writer Darsie Beck

Wolfgang Hampel had a phone call with brilliant artist and writer Darsie Beck, son of Betty MacDonald's very charming sister Alison. We are going to post more info soon.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and Interviewer of Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's family and friends will receive the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award sponsored by a Group of International Betty MacDonald Collectors.
There is a huge media interest in this price and we are going to publish a DVD about the Betty MacDonald Memorial Award.

We got a wonderful mail from Darsie Beck:

Sa., 21. Nov. 2009

I really appreciated Wolfgang Hampel's phone call - it was as though the spirit of Betty was with me all night.

Please thank him for me.

I simply want to say thank you for attending last nights Essential Nature book debut. I am basking this morning in the glow, the warmth and the support your presence generated. I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did and that this new day becomes the best day of your life.

Of course in hindsight there are many things I wanted to share but either spaced out or got carried away or who knows what but in the keep it simple category much if not all of what Your Essential Nature is all about is helping us create a heightened sense of awareness - of who I am and what is around me or what is my nature and what is the nature around me. It is about trying something new - doing something different - about creating good change in our lives - Author Dan Millman's new book Awareness is Power suggests "Learning is more than knowing something new; rather, it involves doing something new."

Thank you again for your attendance and your support.

Love,

Darsie Beck

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Betty MacDonald Gedächtnispreis für Autor und Journalist Wolfgang Hampel

Wolfgang Hampel, Autor der Betty MacDonald Biographie und Interviewer von Betty MacDonalds und Mary Bards Familien und Freunden wird den ersten Betty MacDonald Gedächtnispreis erhalten, der von einer Gruppe internationaler Betty MacDonald Sammler gestiftet wurde. Es besteht ein großes Medieninteresse an diesem Preis und wir werden eine DVD über den Betty MacDonald Gedächtnispreis veröffentlichen.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch, lieber Wolfgang Hampel.

Wolfgang Hampel verdient ohne jeden Zweifel den ersten Betty MacDonald Gedächtnispreis.
Viele Fans auf der ganzen Welt sind von seiner faszinierenden Betty MacDonald Biographie und den Interviews regelrecht begeistert.

Wolfgang Hampel Gründer des Betty MacDonald Fan Clubs und der Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Famous artists enjoy Betty MacDonald Biography

Famous artists Jim Woodring and Peter Bagge from Seattle enjoy the Betty MacDonald Biography and the interviews by author and journalist Wolfgang Hampel.

http://readersvoice.com/interviews/2003/March/55/

JIM WOODRING is a painter of colorful, cartoony, surreal pictures, and the creator of the comic, FRANK (Fantagraphics).

His favorite humor book is The egg and I by Betty Macdonald.
It's the reason he first moved to Washington.

Jim Woodring, cartoonist

I'm sure Betty MacDonald was a lovely person, but in her books she didn't hesitate to lambast people- with obvious relish- for their faults. It's one of the things I admire about her.

http://www.seattlepi.com/visualart/155658_woodring08.html

Lying in bed late at night and reading under the covers, Jim Woodring was inspired by Betty MacDonald's "The Egg and I."

Peter Bagge, cartoonist:

I recently read an interview with a cartoonist friend of mine, Jim Woodring, who proclaimed Betty as a big influence on him. This I did not know! Only he made a blanket comment, that she "didn't like Indians," that really annoyed me. I'll have to ask him about that!

Betty DOES have a bit of an acid tongue (people say the same thing
about me!), though that doesn't mean she's a mean person, at least not in my opinion.
It just means she's honest and observant.

http://heyoscarwilde.com/peter-bagge-betty-macdonald/
http://www.peterbagge.com/peter/bio.php


Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and Interviewer of Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's family and friends will receive the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award sponsored by a Group of International Betty MacDonald Collectors.
There is a huge media interest in this price and we are going to publish a DVD about the Betty MacDonald Memorial Award.

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

New parts of Betty MacDonald Biography

Dear Betty MacDonald Fans,

Thanks A Million for the huge interest in the Betty MacDonald Biography and the interviews.

We have a very special surprise for our Betty MacDonald Fans in 23 countries.

You'll be able to read new parts of the Betty MacDonald Biography very soon - many more wonderful interviews with Betty MacDonald's family will be published.
You'll receive more info about it in our Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and Interviewer of Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's family and friends will receive the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award sponsored by a Group of International Betty MacDonald Collectors.
There is a huge media interest in this price and we are going to publish a DVD about the Betty MacDonald Memorial Award.

Congratulations, dear Wolfgang Hampel.

Wolfgang Hampel really deserves the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award. Many fans all over the world enjoy his fascinating Betty MacDonald biography and interviews.

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Peter D. Sieruta, Author of Heartbeats and Other Stories:

I am so anxious to get the rest of the Betty's bios. And yes, I would definitely like to purchase all the CD's and DVD's. Thank you for making them available!

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7046320545497573335&postID=2951173424343227853
http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/search?q=Betty+MacDonald+

Ann, writer and journalist:

Congratulations on your Betty MacDonald biography!!! You have worked hard and deserve all coming successes. I'm so proud of you!!

Janet, writer and journalist:

Congratulations on being honored to receive the Betty MacDonald award. You deserve it for all the work you have done to promote her.

Ron:

Congratulations! A most appropriate honor. Also, noted Ingrid Noll like myself was born in Shanghai.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

First Betty MacDonald Memorial Award for Author and Journalist Wolfgang Hampel

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and Interviewer of Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's family and friends will receive the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award sponsored by a Group of International Betty MacDonald Collectors.

Congratulations, dear Wolfgang Hampel.

Wolfgang Hampel really deserves the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award. Many Fans all over the world enjoy his fascinating Betty MacDonald biography and interviews.

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Sunday, November 15, 2009

New Betty MacDonald Biography and Documentary

Wolfgang Hampel, journalist and author of the Betty MacDonald Biography, had the opportunity to interview bestselling author David Guterson, who wrote 'Snow falling on Cedars'.
A fascinating new Betty MacDonald Biography and Documentary will be available on CD and DVD in 2010.
Wolfgang Hampel visited all the places and interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends.

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Friday, November 13, 2009

Betty MacDonald Fans from all over the world

Doris Sanders Says:
June 19, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Betty MacDonald has so many fans all over the world.
There is a Betty MacDonald Fan Club with members in more than 20 countries.
There is a CD and DVD with Betty and her family avaiable.
A real treasure.


Linde Lund Says:
June 27, 2009 at 7:46 am

I’d love to send you a special Betty MacDonald Surprise,
a CD/DVD with very witty Betty MacDonald and her wonderful sister Alison Bard , who got the same talent as her famous sister Betty MacDonald.
You’ll enjoy these two ladies very, very much. I enjoy them all the time and so do many fans all over the world.
Included are many very interesting biographical stories.


Kathy Anderson Says:
July 1, 2009 at 7:28

I’m so delighted to find someBetty MacDonald Fans here.
I recently heard Betty MacDonald’s wonderful voice and laugh for the first time. ( DVD by Betty MacDonald Fan Club)
Betty MacDonald is wonderful in her books and in this DVD.
The State of Washington can be very proud.


Linde Lund Says:
July 2, 2009 at 11:06 am

Are there any members here who knew Betty MacDonald and her family?
I’d love to hear from you.


Wolfgang Hampel Says:
July 25, 2009 at 10:05

Betty MacDonald is a beloved writer all over the world.
When I visited the very beautiful State of Washington in 1996 I really met the most wonderful people in the world.
I’ll never forget visiting with Betty MacDonald’s really brillant and so very funny sister Alison Bard all the places and houses where the Bard family lived. I only wished more Betty MacDonald fans had the opportunity to do this.
I’d like to say Thanks A Million for these delightful memories.


Kathy Anderson Says:
August 3, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Dear Wolfgang Hampel,

thank you so much for the wonderful idea to interview Betty MacDonald’s unique family and her very nice friends
Your interviews and biographical books and stories are my favourites and I hope you will continue your outstanding work.
Wolfgang, I’d like to meet Mrs. Schwagerman and many other Betty MacDonald Fans in Seattle and on Vashon Island.
What about a Betty MacDonald meeting? I’d love to see you all.


Frank Bichler Says:
August 7, 2009 at 5:31

There should be an event where Betty MacDonald Fans could meet each other in Seattle and on Vashon Island.
I’m from Switzerland. Count me in, please.
I want to ask Wolfgang Hampel a question: How did you get the chance to interview all these great people? I tried several times to interview Alison Bard, but she refused.
You got the opportunity to meet her and the other members of this outstanding family. Tell me your secret, please. Anyway – dear Wolfgang Hampel, you did a very great job and it’s really fascinating to listen to the stories
of the beloved writers Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard and
the unique Bard family.


Sandra Martin Says:
August 8, 2009 at 8:42

This is a dream – visiting all the places where Betty and her family lived.
Frank, Wolfgang Hampel interviews lots of artists and writers.

Visit the site

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society

http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

I enjoy the Betty MacDonald CD and Betty MacDonald Biography very often.
Yes, we should have a Betty MacDonald Meeting in Seattle.
I’ll be there.


Brigitte Schneider Says:
August 11, 2009 at 10:00

There was a fascinating TV report about Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald Fan Club.
I’m totally delighted to listen to Betty MacDonald and her sister Alison Bard on CD. I hope the Betty MacDonald DVD is available soon.

How much I’d love to see Betty’s and the siblings’ houses, places and Vashon Island.



Denise Berger Says:
August 14, 2009 at 8:35

Let’s support Betty MacDonald Fan Club to organize a
Fan Club meeting in Seattle.

A dream would be to meet Betty MacDonald’s and Mary Bard’s family.

Hurry up with the new Betty MacDonald DVD, please.

Wolfgang Hampel should continue his outstanding research. More interviews, please.



Martine Didier Says:
August 19, 2009 at 11:31

I’ve read Betty MacDonald books many, many times.
The same thing is with listening to the Betty MacDonald Fan Club CD and reading the Betty MacDonald Fan Club books and stories. When are you going to publish more interviews and stories? Hurry up, please. I can’t wait.

Tell me more, please about the Betty MacDonald Conference. I’m very interested in attending!
Let’s all meet in Seattle and on Vashon Island!


Andrea Says:
August 23, 2009 at 12:17 am

I never visited the State of Washington but as i’m deeply in love with Betty MacDonald’s and Wolfgang Hampel’s books and interviews it’s time to see Betty’s paradise.

When can I order the new Betty MacDonald DVD?



Lena Svenson Says:
August 26, 2009 at 12:52

Our family and friends like Betty MacDonald’s books and all the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Items especially Betty MacDonald’s and Alison Bard’s interview.
They are our favourites.
One of our goals is to see everthing Betty described in her books. So we want to come.
Thank you so much for organizing a Betty MacDonald Event.
I can’t wait to see the new Betty MacDonald DVD!


Arlette Hubert Says:
August 31, 2009 at 5:31 pm

I love Betty MacDonald’s and Alison Bard’s audio interviews
and also the biographical books and stories by Wolfgang Hampel. I would like to attend a Betty Event with two of my friends who love Betty MacDonald the same as I do.
Perhaps we could meet some members of Betty MacDonald’s family. I’d die to meet Alison Bard who is really so very witty and funny. Every time I listen to Alison Bard interviewed by Wolfgang Hampel I can’t stop laughing.
Thank you so much for your great work.


Günther Says:
September 13, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Hi,

Happy Birthday Monica Sone!
It would be great if Monica Sone could attend a Betty MacDonald Event in Seattle.


Natalie Says:
September 20, 2009 at 7:22 pm

My dream would be to meet Monica Sone, Wolfgang Hampel, Alison Bard – Betty MacDonald’s beloved sister – and all of you, of course.

As much as I enjoy Wolfgang Hampel’s fascinating books and stories about Betty MacDonald’s life, his interview with wonderful Alison Bard is my top favourite. I can listen to it over and over again and never get tired because Alison and Wolfgang had tons of fun with each other.
Do me a favour, please. Wolfgang Hampel and Alison Bard should repeate this at the Betty MacDonald Event. Every time I’m listening to this interview I realize that it’s pure Bard magic.

Alison Bard – brilliant sister of Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard
Alison Bard Fan Club and Alison Bard Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/



Martine Didier Says:
October 6, 2009 at 11:07 am

Perhaps we should found a Betty MacDonald Museum.
I have a huge Betty MacDonald Collection with letters, documents and manuscripts.
What do you think about this idea?


Peter Meyer Says:
October 8, 2009 at 12:02 pm

A Betty MacDonald Museum would be great.
I love this idea. All Betty fans worldwide should meet in Seattle and discuss this. I guess there are many Betty MacDonald Collectors and they could contribute to a fascinating exhibit.



Helena Says:
October 11, 2009 at 12:36 pm

My family, friends and I adore Betty MacDonald’s and Alison Bard’s recorded voice and wonderful laughfrom the Betty MacDonald Fan Club CD. We can’t stop laughing about these two very funny and charming ladies. The comments in the biographical books and stories by Alison Bard and Monica Sone are very witty and wise.
A dream would come true to meet Alison and Monica in person.
I know many Betty fans in my country, the Chech Republic who would like to come to Seattle.
There should be a Betty MacDonald Museum.



Donna Says:
October 16, 2009 at 9:59 am

I’d like to share this wonderful message from Betty MacDonald Fan Faith.

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/09/wonderful-message-from-betty-macdonald.html



Martine Didier Says:
October 22, 2009 at 10:56 am

Betty MacDonald Fans from all over the world should contribute to found a Betty MacDonald Museum and a Betty MacDonald Monument.
Betty MacDonald Fan Club will do it and Betty MacDonald really deserves it.


Sabrina Says:
October 23, 2009 at 5:12 pm

I support the Betty MacDonald Museum and Monument project. Let’s do it. Betty MacDonald shared her gift of golden laughter with the world. It’s time we do something for this unique author. My God! Betty MacDonald’s sister Alison Bard is so cute. Her adventures with Betty and Mary
are really delightful. Thank you, dear Wolfgang Hampel for this interview. I hope more will come soon. I heard that there are so many more interviews with you.


M. Sanders Says:
October 25, 2009 at 4:15 pm

I support these projects. The State of Washington can be very proud. Betty MacDonald is unique.

Betty MacDonald is the best writer – very funny, intelligent, very wise. What a lady! I can read her books a million times and have to laugh out loud every time.

It’s sad that Betty MacDonald’s wonderful sister Alison Bard never wrote a book of her own but she is really so cute in this interview.

Wolfgang Hampel’s books and stories are very well done and our family and friends enjoy them so much. Thank you for all your excellent research! We all hope, dear Wolfgang, you can continue your great work. Please do!

Thanks a lot!


Jana Says:
October 29, 2009 at 3:30 pm

Hello dear Betty MacDonald Fans,

I just visited the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Page
and found two messages from Betty Fans.
We also have some depressing weather here. The sky is so grey but Linde is right if you receive mails like this everything is ok.
I will do the same as Faith does. Drinking coffee and reading Wolfgang Hampel’s wonderful books. Afterwards
I’ll listen again to the interviews. The sky is grey but who cares if you have unique storytellers like Betty MacDonald and Wolfgang Hampel. Thank you so much for your great work! Not to forget Betty MacDonald’s witty sister Alison Bard.

I’d like to make a long boring message short. I’m very interested in a Betty MacDonald Meeting. Count me in!


Daniela Says:
October 31, 2009 at 6:25 pm

Good morning,

November is my less favourite month.
What can I do to change my mood?
I’m reading Betty MacDonald’s or Wolfgang Hampel’s books or like now I’m listening to Betty MacDonald’s sister Alison Bard. Alison shares so very funny and witty stories with us
that I have to laugh all the time – whether I want or not.
I just have to. She is terribly witty. What I adore is that you can feel that Alison Bard and Wolfgang Hampel had lots of fun. I can imagine sitting in Sydney’s house in the University District drinking lots of coffee and listening to these wonderful storytellers.


T. Werner Says:
November 3, 2009 at 1:33 am

Alison Bard is a word painter in this great interview with Wolfgang Hampel. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy this interview and the biographical books and stories written by Wolfgang Hampel. I hope more interviews, books and stories will be published in the future. I would be happy to meet you in Seattle and on Vashon Island.


Karin Says:
November 6, 2009 at 3:03 pm

I hope the Bard house in the University District is still there when we meet each other in Seattle.
Alison Bard describes family life in such a wonderful way in this interview with Wolfgang Hampel. My family and I would like to see this house and the other places where Betty MacDonald lived. Alison tells many delightful stories about the houses in Laurelhurst and on Vashon Island.


Dana K. Says:
November 8, 2009 at 8:17 am

Dear Betty MacDonald Fans,

I saw a television report about Betty MacDonald and guess who are the contributors of it: Tatatataaaa our dear Linde Lund and Wolfgang Hampel.
Thank you so much for all your great work.
My family, friends and I love you both!



Elisabeth Says:
November 9, 2009 at 10:35 am

I got this info about the TV report in the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter. Linde Lund and Wolfgang Hampel did a great job. I hope Betty MacDonald Fan Club is going to publish more interviews and stories. I enjoy everything, my favourite is the story about Betty MacDonald’s friend Mike.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Items and Comments

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html

Peter Says:
November 13, 2009 at 5:24 pm

The TV report is really fascinating. Congratulations!
I hope we can read the mentioned story - Betty MacDonald in California – very soon.
Are there any other interviews available Wolfgang Hampel did with writers and artists? I’m very interested in his interview with David Guterson, author of Snow falling on Cedars. I know some interviews Wolfgang Hampel did for example the one with Truman Capote. I enjoy the interview in the newsletter so much

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Happy Birthday dear Monica Sone

Copyright 2009 by Wolfgang Hampel


Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter and Betty MacDonald's wonderful friend, described as Kimi in Betty MacDonald's The Plague and I, celebrates a very special birthday.Today Moncia Sone is 90 years old. Congratulations!

Happy Birthday dear Monica Sone and many more of them!


Monica Sone has fans all over the world. She wrote Nisei Daughter and many authors adore her book for example David Guterson, author of Snow falling on Cedars.We got so many comments from our international fans. They learned so much after reading Nisei Daughter.To us it's one of the most important books we've ever read.Thanks A Million dear Monica Sone in the name of your many fans for writing this fascinating autobiography. It's so important to know history and to learn from the past. We can understand everything much better because of your book Nisei Daughter.


Monica, you are so very bright, brave, wise, witty and you have the most beautiful voice ever just the way our beloved Betty MacDonald described you as Kimi in The Plague and I.Nobody wants to be ill and stay in a hospital but with you I bet it would be like in paradise.


Monica, I just love and enjoy our phone calls so much. To me it's such a gift.


Lots of love and kisses and hugs and many greetings to you and your family on your very special day today especially to Susan, because she does a great job and every time I talk to you you sound younger and younger.
You are a miracle, a genius but very human and warm!


Remain strong and healthy, please, dear Monica! The world needs wonderful personalities like you so much.
Many hugs and greetings from Master Peter to great Lady Monica!


Thanks A Million for your outstanding friendship!

We are with you and your family and friends in our thoughts.

Wishing you a very wonderful birthday!
All our love


Wolfgang, Angelika and Peter -your old Wolf and your many fans worldwide


Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society

http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Dear Monica Sone,


what can I say after such a statement?
Wolfgang Hampel did it well, didn't he?


Dear Monica Sone, we all adore your writing skills and your brilliant personality.I'd like to say thank you so much for writing this very important work of literature because I among others had no idea about this dark part of history.Therefore Nisei Daughter is so important and after reading it nobody will ever forget it.
Best wishes,


Linde Lund


Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

We'd love to hear from Monica Sone fans.Send your birthday wishes to lindelund2000@yahoo.com, please.Thank you so much!

Regards,
Linde Lund


Interview with Monica Sone - author of Nisei Daughter

http://rhankins.blogspot.com/2008/10/daughter-with-author-monica-sone_16.html

Monica Sone

http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society

http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club

http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday, Monica Sone

http://blog.densho.org/2009/09/happy-birthday-monica-sone.html

Friday, July 24, 2009

Betty MacDonald Biography

Anne Elizabeth Campbell Bard was born March 26, 1907 in Boulder, Colorado, the second child of Sydney and Darsie Bard. Betsy and her three sisters and brother had an adventurous, somewhat unconventional childhood owing to the strong and creative personalities of their parents and Darsie's mother, "Gammy," and the many lessons in independence they survived gracefully. ( see e story BETTY AND GAMMY written by Wolfgang Hampel published by Betty MacDonald Fan Club 2009 and Interviews with Betty MacDonald and her sister Alison Bard published on CD/DVD Betty MacDonald Fan Club 2009. The interviews on CD and DVD are different ones )When Betsy was 12 her father died of pneumonia, but the family's strong relationships and optimism remained intact through this sorrow and the ensuing financial trials.Betsy (who later preferred the nickname Betty) said that for the Bard children, there were really only two household rules: "We were expected to be polite and to tell the truth, no matter how appalling. "Apart from that, the Bard children did as they pleased and went forth into the world with well-defined personalities, acutely-developed senses of humor and adventure, and a remarkable zest for life.Betty married at 20 and went to live on a chicken ranch in the Olympic mountains. Her experiences there are chronicled in her first book, The Egg and I . ( see e books THE KETTLES' MILLION DOLLAR EGG, THE EGG AND BETTY, THE TRAGIC END OF ROBERT HESKETT by Wolfgang Hampel published by BMC 2009)Life in such isolation and hardship palled after 4 years and she returned with her two small daughters to her Seattle family just as the Depression hit. The amazing stories of their survival and triumph are related in Anybody Can Do Anything. Betty and her family had a wonderful friend who supported them during this very difficult time.
( see e story BETTY AND MIKE by Wolfgang Hampel published by BMC 2009 and Wolfgang Hampel's interview with Alison Bard published by BMC 2009)
Alison Bard tells some delightful treasure stories about this wonderful friend.
But Betty's career as a businesswoman was cut short when she contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and entered Firlands, an endowed sanitorium north of Seattle. Lying flat on one's back for 8 1/2 months doesn't seem the stuff of which humor can be made, but Betty did indeed spin gold out of straw, in The Plague and I.( see e story BETTY MACDONALD'S ILLNESS written by Wolfgang Hampel and published 2009 by BMC and e story comments of Betty MacDonald's family and friends incl. Betty MacDonald's wonderful friend Kimi )
After her recovery, Betty married Donald MacDonald and they moved their family to Vashon Island, leading an idyllic and interesting existence as portrayed in Onions in the Stew. While on Vashon Betty also wrote her works for children: the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series and Nancy and Plum.
Betty and her husband bought a ranch near Carmel, but illness forced her to move back to Seattle. She died of cancer at the age of 50 on February 7, 1958. ( see five e stories Betty MacDonald's illness by Wolfgang Hampel, published by BMC 2009 and Wolfgang Hampel's interview with Alison Bard, published by BMC 2009 )
Why is Betty's writing so beloved among so many people all over the world? The first and most obvious reason is that it's hilarious - sharp, sometimes irreverent. vivid and unexpected. Betty manages to find humor everywhere: on the early morning streetcar, in a hospital ward, in a home with two cranky adolescents, in job situations from farm work to secretarial duties. To read Betty's writing is to laugh -- often out loud, in public places, whether you want to or not. She has a terrific eye for the absurd and can paint a striking and side-splitting word picture in a few succinct strokes.But Betty fans also love her optimism, her strength, her intense love for her family, her times of self-doubt, and the zest with which she approaches all of life and relishes simple pleasures.( see many comments of Betty MacDonald Fans in the e books, e stories and interviews with Betty MacDonald's family and friends published by BMC 2009 )
Betty's indomitable sister Mary Bard, whom we encounter in all four books but meet most vividly in Anybody Can Do Anything, also went on to write (her first book is dedicated to Betty, "Who Egged Me On"). Mary's books, The Doctor Wears Three Faces, Forty-Odd, Just Be Yourself, and the children's series Best Friends, are also much beloved by Betty fans who find themselves quickly becoming Mary fans as well. ( see Wolfgang Hampel's interviews with Alison Bard. She tells the most interesting stories about Mary, Betty and the Bard family. )
The CD and DVD interviews are different ones.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Betty MacDonald Research

After the extensive worldwide research of Wolfgang Hampel, including visits to places and people important to Betty, we are still looking for interesting and important information about Betty MacDonald and the Bard family. Our interest includes any interviews, articles, radio and television appearances.
We are also looking for more people who knew the Bards personally. If you have information to add to our research, please email us. Please also let us know your requests -- what kind of subjects interest you most about the work and life of Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard?
Your information will help us in our research and work to create and preserve a living portrait of Betty MacDonald's brilliant personality and her wounderful family. Please join us in this treasure hunt for more stories!
Do you have or know of an interesting sites with material about or related to Betty? Please send us the URL address. Thank you so much in advance for supporting our activities, and for your suggestions and help! Send us you research, suggestions and support to Research Department lindelund2000@yahoo.com.
Your information will be posted to the site promptly. Thank you!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD/DVD

The mentioned interviews with Betty MacDonald, her family and friends in this article are real treasures and especially Betty's sister Alison is so funny and brilliant. These interviews are available on CD and DVD. You can read other comments of fans regarding the stories and interviews in my next blog. ( see Betty MacDonald Fan Club Page ) http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

`THE EGG' AND BETTY AUTHOR'S LEGEND LIVES ON
By CECELIA GOODNOW Seattle P.I. ReporterNearly 40 years after her untimely death, the Seattle area's first million-selling author has largely faded from the annals of literature. But in Germany, Betty MacDonald just keeps going ... and going ... and going. Which has filmmaker Wolfgang Hampel coming and going as he scurries to gather local color for a television documentary about the internationally renowned author of ``The Egg and I." Never mind that some of MacDonald's humor books are out of print in the United States. In Germany, her fame lives on - a fact that becomes clear after just a few minutes with the ebullient Wolfgang Hampel. ``I think she is popular in Germany and Europe because she had a very hard life, but she could also smile, and she had for every situation a laugh," he said. ``Our life is tragicomedy, and she showed this. It's a masterpiece, her books. Therefore, she's unforgotten." Betty MacDonald, an incandescent woman with bobbed hair and a sweeping smile, developed a huge following in the 1940s and '50s with her comic tales of everyday life in the Northwest. ``The Egg and I," her first million-seller, was a bleakly humorous account of chicken farming near Chimacum on the Olympic Peninsula. She moved there in the late 1920s with her first husband, Robert Heskett. A film version starred Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert and led to a series of Ma and Pa Kettle movies. MacDonald wrote other popular books, including ``Onions in the Stew," which described her years on Vashon Island, and ``The Plague and I," an upbeat account of her battle with tuberculosis at age 30. Her children's novels include ``Nancy and Plum" and the ``Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" series, which inspired a popular Seattle Children's Theatre production that has been staged three times since 1989. Wolfgang Hampel, who teaches career-development classes in Heidelberg, is part of a five-man group that has been researching Betty MacDonald since 1983, first as fans and now as free-lance filmmakers in a nation still hungry for news of the faded American legend. Although they have done projects on author Truman Capote and illustrator Maurice Sendak, it seems ``Betty" is their first love. On a three-week visit to Seattle, Wolfgang Hampel gathered enough material for a spate of documentaries.Betty MacDonald, who died of cancer in 1958 at age 49, won rousing reviews in her day. When ``The Egg and I" appeared in 1945, the Philadelphia Inquirer called it ``the most hilarious, earthy, rib-splitting piece of fowl-lettres to be hatched since chickens were invented." The Atlantic Monthly said MacDonald wrote ``with a breezy Western unconventionality," and The Saturday Review raved about her ``hilarious reminiscences" of anunconventional life in the ``Northwest Pacific. HarperCollins republished ``The Egg and I" in 1987, and the ``Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" series is still available in HarperTrophy paperback, but some other MacDonald titles are more elusive. Buccaneer Books, a company in Cutchogue, N.Y., that specializes in republishing out-of-print classics, issued four of her titles in hardback, but none is in stock. The Seattle Public Library has most of her titles. ``She's still very much read," said librarian Michael Moffitt. ``We have questions all the time from people who want to locate the site of the farm or track down Ma and Pa Kettle. People come from the East Coast practically on pilgrimages. They want to experience Betty MacDonald first-hand." Betty MacDonald's sassy personality and colorful life are part of the draw. Born Anne Elizabeth Campbell Bard, she moved to Seattle as a child, graduated from Roosevelt High School and married Heskett in 1927, at age 19. They separated after four years and later divorced. After the marriage ended, MacDonald became the only woman labor inspector with the Depression-era National Recovery Administration and later worked for the U.S. Treasury Department. She was sidelined with tuberculosis for more than eight months at Firland Sanitorium north of Seattle before resuming her career in 1939 as publicity supervisor for the National Youth Adminstration.In 1942, Betty married Donald MacDonald, started writing and quickly became a celebrity. On his Seattle visit Wolfgang Hampel gathered anecdotes from relatives and friends, Wolfgang Hampel treasures such recollections. ``Everyone said to me, `She was the most wonderful person in the world I've ever met.'

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Betty MacDonald

Please visit the Betty MacDonald Fan Club Page. http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

We posted several info.

We'd love to hear from Betty Fans from all over the world.