Thursday, May 12, 2016

Wolfgang Hampel, Betty MacDonald and a very bad result for Scandinavia

 
nancy and plum_German_1953_hardcover_bookjacket_FRONT


Betty MacDonald in the living room at Vashon on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.







Wolfgang Hampel - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

May is a very exciting month for Betty MacDonald fan club fans from all over the World.

You can meet many Betty MacDonald fan club ESC  fans from 5 continents.

You'll enjoy International Betty MacDonald fan club ESC 2016 meeting in Stockholm very much.  


The second ESC semi-final 2016 was today with a very bad result for former very successful Scandinavian countries. 

Congratulations for some of our ESC favourites Australia, Poland and Ukraine and the other countries for reaching Grand Final on Saturday.

And we could see very beautiful and charming Jamie-Lee. 

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz

Jamie-Lee with Ghost  got over 5,7 million views.

You shouldn't miss our International Betty MacDonald fan club events  because you can make the most wonderful friends there.
 
Betty MacDonald fan club event in London was outstanding.


I think London would be the best place for next International Betty MacDonald fan club event.
 
I'd like to return to this wonderful city to celebrate a very special birthday.   ( see info below )
 
The Betty MacDonald fan club event DVDs are excellent and I already own a whole collection.

Wolfgang Hampel's  Vita Magica guest was a very famous TV lady, author and singer who is a new very popular Betty MacDonald fan club honor member.

Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerl is beloved all over the World.

We are so happy that our 'Casanova'  is back.


Don't miss a new breakfast with Brad and Nick, please.

I'd like to visit Betty MacDonald's paradise on Vashon Island.

Onions in the Stew is my favourite of Betty MacDonald's brilliant books. 

This entry is our  6th place of  Betty MacDonald fan club ESC 2016 voting.


Yours,


Lotta

Don't miss this very special book, please.




Vita Magica 

Betty MacDonald fan club

Betty MacDonald forum  

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) - The Egg and I 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( German )

Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )

Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French ) 


Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)

Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University 

Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel 

Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD

Betty MacDonald fan club items 

Betty MacDonald fan club items  - comments

Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I  

Betty MacDonald fan club groups 

Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund  
 

















Rita Knobel Ulrich - Islam in Germany - a very interesting ZDF  ( 2nd German Television ) documentary with English subtitles 

Betty MacDonald, Letizia Mancino, Mary Holmes and the second paradise






Ein lyrisches Portrait von Hilde Domin

Betty MacDonald fan club fans, 

let's talk about great writers and poets Letizia Mancino, Hilde Domin and Betty MacDonald.

Betty MacDonald fan Club honor member, artist and writer Letizia Mancino shares her delightful story THE SECOND PARADISE. 

Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mary Holmes did such a great job in translating THE SECOND PARADISE.
Thanks a million dearest Mary.
We are really very grateful.

I'm one of Letizia Maninco's many devoted fans.

Letizia Mancino sent this connecting piece to " The Second Paradise".

DEFIANT AS A COCK

Copyright 2011/2016 by Letizia Mancino
translated by Mary Holmes 

All rights reserved

That was how my friend Hilde Domin was, dear Betty! You would have liked her so much. She had also been in America. At that time you were a famous author but she was still unknown.

-Did she love cats like you do?

-Yes Betty, she sure did!! Otherwise how do you think she could have been a friend of mine?

-Oh Letizia, don’t boast! Hilde was famous!

-It’s all the same to me, Betty, whether a person is famous or not but that person must love animals

-Why was she as defiant as a cock?

-Well Betty, she was simply so!

-Like a pregnant woman in my “Egg and I”?

-No not so! Betty, Hilde was a whole farm!

- A farm, how was that?

- No Betty, Hilde was more! Almost a zoo! Even more. She was all the animals in the world!

-You loved her very much.

-As I love all animals.

You Betty, if I had known you, I would have loved you exactly so because you loved animals.

-But as defiant as a cock from my Bob-farm!

-Yes and no! (Hilde really loved this double form of answer). Listen Betty , I’ll tell you a story about how Hilde was. You would certainly have loved her.
I’ll call my story “The Second Paradise”.

THE SECOND PARADISE

Copyright 2011/2016 by Letizia Mancino
translated by Mary Holmes

All rights reserved


The Lord God, one day, met Adam in Paradise and saw him lying under a palm.

And God spoke to him: Adam, my son, are you happy, are you content with Paradise ?

Adam answered: Oh Lord, it is wonderful!

And God said: But I will create a second Paradise and give you a wife.

Adam answered: Oh Lord, that is wonderful!

And God said: I will create the wife according to your wishes.

And Adam stood under the palm and thought hard.

And God said: Adam, are you ready?

Adam answered: My wife should be as lively as a bird but she should not fly. She should swim like a goldfish but not be a fish….. She should be as playful as a cat but not catch mice….. She should be as busy as an ant but not so small.

And God said: So shall she be: Like a bird, a goldfish, a cat, an ant…

Adam answered: Oh Lord, that is wonderful, but she should be as faithful as a dog.

And God asked: Adam, have you finished?

Oh Lord, cried Adam. She should also be as delightful and gentle as a lamb and as defiant as a cock!

….She should be as curious as a monkey and as pampered as a lapdog.

And God said: So shall she be.

And Adam said: My wife should be as courageous as a lion and as headstrong as a goat…

And God said: So, like a bird, a goldfish, a cat, an ant, a dog, a lamb, a cock, a monkey, a lapdog, a lion, a goat… and slowly and surely he wished to begin creating…

But Adam stretched himself under the palm and called:

Lord, Lord, she should be as adaptable as a chameleon but not creep on four feet.

She should have sparkling eyes like, like… real diamonds. She should be as fiery as a volcano

But … she should have crystal-clear thoughts like a mountain spring.

God, the Almighty, was speechless…

And Adam spoke: Also she should be as quick as lightening…

And God said: Man, have you finished????

No, said Adam! She should be as strong as a horse, as long living as an elephant but as light as a butterfly!

God found Adam’s thoughts were good and said: So, bird, goldfish, cat, ant, dog, lamb, cock, monkey, lapdog, lion, goat, chameleon, genuine diamonds, volcano, mountain spring, lightening, horse, elephant…. butterfly…

God wished at last to begin creating her…

Lord, called Adam… she should be as stable as steel, but as sweet as three graceful women in one…

And God asked: Should she also be a poet?

Yes, called Adam from under the palm…

And God said: Adam have you finished?

Lord, I wish that, in the second Paradise I shall be one and doubled:

So God according to Adams last words created:

HILDE PALM DOMIN
 
 


Very best wishes


Letizia Mancino


Letizia Mancino is an outstanding writer and artist.


 
I know you will enjoy this very charming and witty story the same way I did! 


 
Thanks a Million, dear Letiza Mancino! You made my day!

As you know I'm very interested in pets and excellent literature.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club founder Wolfgang Hampel is working on a Eva Vargas biography. I'd love to know: Did Eva Vargas like pets and cats? 


 
Letizia Mancino is part of Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 


 
We got so many requests from fans from all over the world and have great info for you.  


 
Wolfgang Hampel's stories and satirical poems will be published in several languages for his many fans from all over the world. 


 
Have a nice Thursday,

Yours,

Marco






Eurovision 2016: The second semi-final results might have just changed everything




Have the results of the second Eurovision semi-final changed everything?
 
Ukraine were among the 10 qualifiers from the second semi-final – and could be a threat for the win (Picture: Andres Putting)
After two tough Eurovision semi finals, we now know the 26 countries that will contest the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday night. We don’t yet know the running order of the final, but there are some interesting situations that might well affect the outcome on Saturday night. Here’s our analysis of how the semi final results affect chances of success in Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest final. The 26 countries that will compete in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday are:

Eurovision Song Contest 2016 - the finalists

Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium 
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
France
Georgia
Germany
Hungary 
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania 
Malta
Poland
Russia
Serbia
Spain
Sweden
The Netherlands
Ukraine
United Kingdom

The Eurovision Song Contest semi final results are great news for Joe and Jake, the United Kingdom entry. Denmark’s entry from Lighthouse X was seen as a vote-splitter because it was another boy-band style entry in a similar genre. Certainly, British fans here in Stockholm were jubilant tonight.
The United Kingdom may well benefit from a strong teenage vote now. Their position in the second half of the draw also gives the United Kingdom’s Eurovision chances a major boost.

Australia are now second favourites to win the competition after an incredible performance in the semi finals. Dami Im impressed with great staging and an incredible vocal on the night.
Any concern that Australia might struggle through a semi final this year were firmly blown away. Odds have already dropped as low as 9/2 and may crash further over the coming hours.

Russia qualified for the final through the first semi final and are the runaway favourites to win. The second semi final results might have them worried.
With seven Eastern European countries going through, there will be tough competition for them in the final. It means game on for Ukraine who stay third favourites behind Russia and Australia.

It’s a different story for Sweden however. Frans’s odds have lengthened over the last couple of weeks but with Denmark and Norway missing out on the final and Iceland and Finland already going home after the first semi final, Sweden now stand alone as the only Nordic nation. That suggests a boost in their chances for a second win in a row.

With all the songs tipped to do well going through tonight, the building momentum for Belgium, Australia, Israel and Ukraine is set to continue through to Saturday. The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest is certainly no foregone conclusion.
Belgium join neighbours Netherlands, Germany and France in the final with a second successive qualification. They were the last country to be announced sparking unbridled celebrations from 19 year of Laura in the Green Room.

The Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off on BBC One on Saturday night from 8pm.
metro-link url=”http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/12/eurovision-2016-uk-hopefuls-joe-and-jake-go-head-to-head-in-our-oh-so-tricky-song-contest-quiz-5877828/” title=”Eurovision 2016: UK hopefuls Joe and Jake go head to head in our oh-so-tricky Song Contest quiz…”]







Eurovision Song Contest 2016: Meet the 10 qualifiers from the first semi-final






And the 10 qualifiers from the first Eurovision semi-final of 2016 are...
 
Douwe Bob made it through to the 2016 Eurovision final – but can he bring the Netherlands back to the top ten? (Picture: Andres Putting)
The first 2016 Eurovision Semi Final is over and 10 countries have qualified for the Grand Final on Saturday. They are as follows:

Eurovision 2016 qualifiers - semi-final one

Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Hungary
Malta
Netherlands
Russia
As expected, the bookies’ favourite Russia is safely through to Saturday’s final and with a second half slot in the final, they’re now odds on favourites to win on Saturday night.

Russia will be joined by Armenia and Azerbaijan who all maintain their 100% record. Armenia are fifth favourites to win Eurovision and their chances have grown with a second half slot in the final.

Azerbaijan’s Swedish produced entry Miracle was safely steered into the final by Samra. Songwriter Henrik Wikstrom has a strong pedigree in Eurovision and the Swedish selection show Melodifestivalen. The song was submitted for the finals but didn’t make the cut. It now goes up against Sweden’s entry in the final. They sing in the first half of Saturday’s final.

One of the biggest cheers of the night came up as Douwe Bob qualified for The Netherlands. The popular country song continues to build momentum and the dark horse is ready to battle it out in the final on Saturday where he will perform in the first half of the final.

Another massive fan favourite that qualified was Austria. The young Zoe has been carried on a wave of support for her French language song Loin D’ici, being moved to tears after the 3000 capacity crowd sang her song to her at one of the official parties earlier this week.
Austria scored nul points on home ground last year after Conchita Wurst’s 2014 win took Eurovision to Austria for the first time since 1966. Austria will sing in the second half of the final on Saturday

Hungary qualified for the final for a fifth year in a row. Freddie’s powerful vocals helped his entry Pioneer through but he drew a first half slot for the final during the Winners’ Press Conference.

Czech Republic has qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time ever with the aptly named song I Stand.
The powerful ballad has been popular amongst journalists and fans in Stockholm but many thought its chances would be hampered by following Russia in the running order. They’ve drawn a slot in the first half of Saturday’s final.

Croatia were absent from Eurovision last year but a successful return see’s Nina’s Lighthouse take them back to the final for the first time since 2009. Croatia have been rewarded by drawing a spot in the second half of the running order on Saturday night.

Cyprus have created history by qualifying for the final for two consecutive years. The small island nation has never done that before. Rock band Minus One maintain Swedish songwriter Thomas G:son’s impressive Eurovision record with Alter Ego. They slot into the second half of the Eurovision final running order.

Malta were made to wait as the last country to be announced. Ira Losco, the former runner up is five and a half months pregnant.
It was a little harsh of producers, who decide the order in which the countries are announced, to leave her in suspense but the audience went wild when the Maltese flag flashed up. Malta have drawn a place in the second half of the Grand Final running order.

More history was made as Greece failed to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final for the first time in their history. Argo’s entry Utopian Land fell at the first hurdle leaving the huge Greek fan club in shock. The song contained ethnic dancing that has helped them through to the final many times before. Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina both included rap in their entries. Neither qualified.
They were the only one of three Balkan countries to make it to the Eurovision Final, Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro were both eliminated. It’s Bosnia’s first elimination in a semi final.
The big shock of the night was Iceland failing to qualify. Greta Salome had been gaining momentum all week and was thought to be a contender to win the semi final. The curse of returning performers getting knocked out in the semi final has struck again.

It’s the second time that a returning singer for Iceland has gone out against expectation. Selma took Iceland to second place in 1998 and returned in 2005. She was the second favourite to win Eurovision but crashed out at the semi final hurdle. All the Nordic countries were eliminated as Finland and Estonia both missed out on a place in the final.
10 more countries will qualify from Thursday night’s second semi final. The show will be broadcast on BBC4 at 8pm.