Terri Wangard – Novel PASTimes

Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.

Tell us about where you live in Brazil.

I grew up in Florianópolis, a German community in Brazil’s south. It had been like living in Germany, my father says. Hundreds of thousands of Germans settled there. My brother and I attended German schools and everyone spoke German.

When another war with Germany came, the Brazilian government prohibited the German language. German pilots lost their jobs with German or Italian airlines. My father operates his own air cargo business with three planes, so he remains independent. We moved to Recife to avoid the German enclave.

My parents live in a beachfront house where I could collect seashells for my art projects, but I never felt at home there. Recife is a like a foreign country. Like going from a German town to an old Portuguese city near the equator. The people are an ethnic mix, but I felt out of place. People stared at me, or my blonde hair.

Now you work at an American air base in Natal. Did your father’s occupation as a pilot have anything to do with that?

Oh, goodness. I never thought of that. I suppose it did. I understand flying terminology. I enjoy flying. It’s a familiar environment.

The air base is a lot different from the airport where Papa flies. All these young men away from home and wanting women’s company. Most are nice, but some are awfully bold and rude. I made the mistake of telling my parents about one incident where a fellow was convinced he was my dream come true. Now they worry.

Tell us about your job.

I calculate load distribution on the cargo planes. If too much weight is placed forward, the plane could nosedive. Too much weight in the rear causes the nose to pull up, the airplane stalls, and falls to earth. If the cargo shifts in-flight, same results. Or if the cargo isn’t shifted as the fuel load burns off, the plane would unbalance.

Correctly loading an aircraft doesn’t require a genius, just a bit of mathematical ability. It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle (which I enjoy doing). My boss likes to say that I swallowed a calculator. I don’t understand what the big deal is. Cargo distribution is all about simple math.

Easy for some people. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not on duty?

Go to the beach! I love the seashore, I love the ocean. I can stand in the surf and watch the waves roll in endlessly. The Bible says when the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, there will no longer be a sea. I can’t imagine. Heaven is supposed to be perfect, but no sea?

While I’m at the shore, I collect seashells. I had jars and boxes full of them, and my twin brother said, “Do something with them.” So I started making pictures using shells as flower petals. Now I make all kinds of shell creations and people buy them!

Have you visited Germany?

No. My dad grew up in Germany. He flew biplanes in the Great War. He moved to Brazil because of the chaos in Germany after that war, and pilots and flying were restricted by the Allies. He’s always told us stories about growing up in Heidelberg. He brought his books of photographs. Germany looks beautiful. I would love to have visited, but Papa was leery of the political situation.

My aunt invited my brother and me to attend school in Heidelberg. Marcos went, and the Germans tried to put him in their army. We were fortunate he got away. Maybe someday I’ll visit, but I feel no urgency to go.

What is this fascination with Cypress Gardens I’ve heard about?

My cousin sent postcards from Cypress Gardens and it’s beautiful. Imagine being in a flower garden all day. It must be a feast of color and beauty. It’s not like being at the seashore, of course, but it’s a close second. I haven’t been to America yet, and I know the whole country isn’t like Cypress Gardens, but they represent America to me. Daniel visited the Gardens when he had a day off while in Miami, and he brought me a book. He said they’re beautiful and I’ll like them.

Tell us about Daniel.

Oh, goodness. He’s gorgeous and smart and funny and kind. Did I say handsome? He’s nice to dogs and children. He has a strong faith. He’s an excellent pilot. My dad met him and thinks well of him. And he loves me. Me!

What do you expect the future will hold for you?

Milwaukee. That’s where Daniel lives. Far from Brazil and my family. But my dad left home and came to Brazil where he didn’t know anyone, and he thrived. I hope Daniel’s family likes me. I hope I like Milwaukee’s winters. No seashore, but Lake Michigan is there. Best of all, Daniel will be there and I’m sure God will bless us.

Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her WWII research included going for a ride in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor. She also serves on the Genesis and First Impressions contest teams and as secretary of the Wisconsin Southeast chapter.

Our guest today is Rosaleen Bonnard, a survivor of the tragic sinking of the Lusitania last May. She was traveling with her husband, Geoff, who was badly injured in the disaster. Tell us, Mrs. Bonnard, how is he doing?

He is so much better, thank you. Every day we walk, sometimes for as long as an hour. We’re frequently interrupted though. Since Geoff collaborated with our neighbor Peter Bloch, a reporter for the Sentinel, he’s well recognized and folks seem to think that having touched the war, he’s now an expert on the fighting in Europe and they’re always asking for his insights.

How did you meet your husband?

We were classmates at school and he invited me to attend an ice cream social at church. When I told my mother he’d asked, she quizzed me about him. I told her it was just ice cream, and she said, “Yes, and your father and I met at a church ice cream social.” After that night, I knew I would marry him.

The Cunard Line upgraded you from second class to first, is that right? [Rosaleen nods.] What was that like for you?

At first, I was thrilled. We had a beautiful stateroom with a window. Oh, excuse me, a porthole. That was special. And we had access to the Saloon Writing Room and Library and the Saloon Lounge and Music Room. They were exquisite. The two-tiered first-class dining room was a gorgeous setting to eat in, but I must admit, I would have been more at ease in second class. I didn’t feel comfortable with the first-class passengers. Even the food was unfamiliar. I had two new dresses for the journey, all so pretty, but I definitely didn’t have the elegant wardrobe possessed by the other first-class ladies.

Did you go shopping specifically for your voyage?

Oh, yes. My oldest and youngest sisters went shopping with me at Gimbels. I found two beautiful gowns. My grandmother gave me $10, and that made it possible to buy both fancy dresses. Plus a traveling outfit, a couple of new skirts and blouses, shoes, hats. Had I known we’d be in first class, goodness, I don’t know what I would have done. The ladies in first class wear a different gown to dinner every night. I couldn’t have afforded so many gowns. And now my lovely new wardrobe is on the bottom of the ocean.

Did you note much panic after the ship was torpedoed?

At first, everyone was stunned. After hearing all week about the likelihood of being attacked, when it actually happened, it was hard to believe. The sudden listing to starboard was alarming. It made walking difficult, especially on the stairs. When the power failed and people were trapped in the fancy grillwork elevator, they started screaming. We knew they’d drown. The scene at the lifeboats was so chaotic, watching some spill out their passengers or drop down on other lifeboats. It was scary. The ship sank in eighteen minutes, less time than it takes to bake a cake. So many people were still aboard when it sank. I suspect they thought they’d have more time, or that help would come from Ireland. We could see Ireland; it was that close.

What was it like in the lifeboat?

Numbing. We sat on hard wooden benches. The emergency rations were inadequate and too old. We dearly wanted more water, fresh water. We pulled in as many survivors from the sea as possible, and they were so cold. This happened in May, you know. Here daffodils and tulips are blooming; the days are warming. But in Milwaukee, of course, it’s cooler by the lake. There, we were out on the ocean. It was cold. Many people, if they hadn’t drowned, died from hypothermia. We saw them lose their grip on whatever they clung to and slip under the water. And all this time, I didn’t know what had happened to Geoff.

You didn’t make it to England, but Ireland. With an Irish mother, wasn’t that a treat?

Definitely. Mum’s family lived not far from Queenstown. I traveled by train to meet them. My grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins. I couldn’t keep all the names straight. I thought about Mum the whole time, how she would love to be there. Two cousins took me to see the Cliffs of Moher. And then, Granda decided he and Nana would come visit after the war. I couldn’t wait to tell Mum.

As 1916 dawns, what are you looking forward to?

The war continues in what seems like a stalemate. We hope it doesn’t pull in the United States. Geoff and I both have brothers who would be affected. In our own home, we’re busy decorating a nursery.

Congratulations! And thank you for joining us today.

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 historical First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. For twenty years, she globe-trotted during annual vacations to four continents. Her day job is with Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984.