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KIT – The Keep In Touch NewsletterVolume XXVI No. 2 – June 2014

The KIT Newsletter editorial staff welcomes all suggested contributions for publication in theNewsletter from subscribers and readers, but whether a given submission meets the criteria for

publication is at the sole discretion of the editors. While priority will be given to original contributionsby people with past Bruderhof connections, any letters, articles or reports which the editors deem to beof historical or personal interest or to offer new perspectives on issues of particular relevance to the ex-

Bruderhof Newsletter readership, may be included as well. The editors may suggest to the authorschanges to improve their presentation.

Have you made your KIT Newsletter subscription/donation payment this year?Please find details on the last page.

CONTENTS:Bulstrode KIT Gathering, Saturday, 26 April 2014, by Joy MacDonald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1The Bulstrode Gathering, by Linda Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Bulstrode Report, 26 April 2014, by Andy Harries.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Photographs taken at the KIT Bulstrode Gathering, by Pauline Davies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Rainy Day in the Life of the Old Grey Beard, by Andy Harries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Enjoying a Close-up of Nesting Bald Eagles, by Joann Homann. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Trip up River, by August Pleil, 11 years old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7“Abendlied” – “Evening Song” – by Wolfgang Loewenthal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Ostern in Primavera wie wir Kinder es erlebten, von Irene Pfeiffer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Child’s Eye View of Easter in Primavera, by Irene Pfeiffer, translation Linda Lord. . . . . . . . . . . 10“Sunset and Palm Trees in Paraguay”, drawing by Clementina Jaime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11A Brief Historic Background of Primavera, Paraguay, and its Maps, by Hans Zimmermann. . . . 11

Remembering our dear ones who have passed from this life:Bill Peters, 1 March 2014, by Margot Wegner Purcell.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Bill Peters: a note by his sister, Rita Prather.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Bill Peters’ Funeral, 5 March 2014, by Joann Homann. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Annelene Wiegand, by Linda Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Booking details for The KIT Klaashof Gathering, from 8 to 11 August 2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16LATEST regarding the KIT Klaashof Gathering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Address Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Contact Details of Volunteers who Produce the KIT Newsletter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Bulstrode KIT Gathering, Saturday, 26 April 2014by Joy MacDonaldWe had our annual Spring KIT gathering in dry, sunny – though occasionally windy weather when out onthe top balcony above the beautifully flowering Wisteria. There were over twenty-five of us, so the earlygreet and meet period was slightly chaotic. We all brought picnic and salad food, and Andy and Gudrunhad organised the crockery, cutlery and drinks, with boiling water on tap.

We had lunch first, then went down to the burial ground which had been beautifully spring weeded andthe grass cut by a group of Bruderhof youth before Easter. Each grave was a blaze of colour, with littlecandles on the nameplates. We also wandered around the parkland area, enjoying the many small spring

KIT – The Keep In Touch Newsletter Volume XXVI No. 2 – June 2014

Bulstrode Manor, front of house

At the Burial Ground: L-R German student, John Holland, Hardmuth Klüver,Anthony Lord, Renatus Klüver, American student.

flowers, as well as the different showy exotic-coloured azaleas and white and pink magnolias,rhododendrons and the handkerchief tree with its large white suspended bracts. When I lived at Bulstrodefifty years ago, there were apparently only half a dozen specimens in the whole of the United Kingdom,as it is said to be quite difficult to cultivate.

There was some discussion about the Klaashof KIT weekend in Germany to take place in August. Wewere fortunate to have Anthony and his wife Rita – part of the organising team – who joined us beforereturning to their home.

I’m looking forward to meeting many more people from the 8th to the 11th August at Klaashof,Germany.

Many thanks to Andy and Gudrun, who liaised with W.E.C., the Bulstrode Estate owners, to have thisregular KIT day there.

The Bulstrode Gathering, 26 April 2014by Linda LordHalf past eleven, Beaconsfield at last, thenpast Jordans, the Bell Hotel, and up thedrive to Bulstrode. Gordon has never beenbefore. I saw it through different eyes thistime. I lived here, this was my home.Unreal!

We parked in the large circle at the frontand entered the main building through thebig heavy wooden doors. I showed Gordonthe “Blue Room” to the right of thereception area. This was my bedroom, withthe round, windowed alcove, light and airy;what a lovely room.

Back into the hall with its pillars and thewide staircase, then on to the dining roomwith the sash windows giving access to thecovered veranda with pillars, and wooden tables and benches in the sunshine.

There were already many there, and ahuge selection of food, each havingbrought a contribution. So good to meet oldfriends, as well as new; some, like me, hadbrought their partners along too.

Then my phone rang – it was a Germannumber. Anthony!

“How do I get into Bulstrode?” he said. Wow, he's coming, but has got lost! “Where are you?” I asked. “At the front door – its locked!”He’s here! “Go through the little iron gate over to

the right, I’m coming to meet you.”Rita called out: “Surprise!”Anthony had always wanted to see

Bulstrode in daylight. He never lived there,

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Pauline Ellison and Linda Lord, looking at photos

Lunch on the terrace.

Photograph by Andy Harries: “Lunch on the terrace”: Left side of table, from front: Colin Rendle, Joy MacDonald,Pauline Davies, Bridget Greenyer. Right side of table, from front: Cedron Caine, Debbie Caine,Hardmuth Klüver, Gudrun Harries.

and had only visited at night. We walked roundthe house past the sunken garden, the tower, andlooked up the avenue. Then round to theveranda with the view over the lawns to thetrees near the burial ground. After greetings,eating, chatting, sharing photos etc, it was timefor a walk around the park and to the burialground. Whilst there, a young couple came inthrough the gate. John asked who they were,they asked who he was! He told them he wasJohn Holland and used to live here. They toldhim they were students with W.E.C. He wasAmerican, and she was German. She had readthe Bulstrode history about the Bruderhof.Being a German word, she was curious. So Johntold them about us and our reunion, and a bitabout the Bruderhof history. Amazing!

It is lovely that the staff and residents of Bulstrode always make us so welcome. All too soon it was time to leave. Goodbye till next time. I look forward to our next visit.

Bulstrode Report, 26 April 2014by Andy HarriesIt was another very good gathering. People just turn up as and when they want, which is good, so

nobody needs to feel under any sort of pressure, and they can also leave when they want.We were extremely lucky with the weather. It rained the whole day before, and again early on the

Saturday we met, and we had some showers again driving home. But while we were there it was dry withsome sunny periods, which is nice be-cause it means we can be outside by theveranda, and also many of us like to godown to the burial ground and some gowalking in the park.

The park is beautiful at this time ofyear. There always seem to be someplants and trees flowering, it is really avery special park with all sorts of treesand plants, with laid out paths, so if youlike that as well as meeting people thencome next year.

We had a good number of peopleagain. It is really interesting to meet manypeople. Some are always new to me, someare old friends, and some go back to theold days at Wheathill.

The people there at W.E.C. are ever sohospitable and friendly, and really go out oftheir way to make us feel welcome. We had avoluntary collection so I could give them £61.50at the end as a thank you. They do appreciate it.

One or two of the group also took some

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Bulstrode Park in bloom. The big tree by the lake, Bulstrode Park

Pink rhododendrons in Bulstrode Park

Joy Greenyer and Pauline Davies

plants and soil and water down to the graveyard to plant on the graves. The Bruderhof also go there regul-arly to tend the graves. I was told they have been there the last two weekends, and that they come fromDarvell, Beech Grove, and from America.

Here are a few photographs taken by Pauline Davies at the Bulstrode Gathering on 26 April 2014:

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Bridget & Joy GreenyerBluebells in Bulstrode Park

A Rainy Day in the Life of the Old Grey Beardby Andy HarriesI set off in the rain up a track with water running down each side. I have a choice of walking in that wateron firm ground, or between the tracks where it is muddy and wet. Everywhere is wet, lots of puddles, somesmall, some like small ponds, so I sometimes have to make a detour. It is raining almost continually. In oneplace the path goes up a long narrow track which is sunk, so has high sides. There is a stream rushing downthe middle, so I have to dodge from side to side or straddle the stream to avoid stepping into it. It’s alsovery muddy so I have to be careful not to slip and fall.

It’s time for lunch. Where shall I stop? I can stop on the other side of the wood. I might get a bit of sunthere, as it is brightening up. But then I will catch the wind and nothing to lean against. So I decide to stopin the wood and find a nice big tree to lean against. The rain seems to be stopping, but it’s a job to tell,sitting under a tree where it continues to drip long after the rain has stopped, and every time there is a gustof wind a shower of rain comes down. It’s no harm, it’s only water, and it increases the amount of tea inmy cup.

I am sitting in the middle of a bluebell wood, but I am not alone. There are some bees busy, going fromone flower to the next searching for nectar. Between the bluebells are some ferns which look lovely. Theyoung plants seem to be just sprouting out of the ground, the fresh green leaves uncurling as they come up.I hear a song thrush singing, later, there is a blackbird. Both have a lovely song. A squirrel is preening itselfon the stump of a fallen tree. Two goldcrests are working their way through the branches of the trees. Theyare our smallest bird with a beautiful golden crest. Sometimes I can hear the harsh call of a raven, but Idon’t see one. There is nothing better than being alone with nature, with only the sights and sounds of thenatural world.

It’s time to get going again. Soon my path is blocked by a fallen tree. There are many fallen trees whichcame down in the storms some weeks ago, and usually one can find a way round, or over or under them,but not in this case. This is a case of an unstoppable object facing an immovable object. So I have toscramble up a near vertical bank on my hands and knees to get past the tree.

After raining all morning, it is brightening up now, and even the sun has come out. There is plenty moremud to negotiate, but the worst is behind me now, and the walk is more enjoyable.

Enjoying a Close-up of Nesting Bald Eaglesby Joann HomannEven as a little girl, I was always intrigued by the many miracles in nature and, according to the adults whoknew me then and with their encouragement, I continued to develop a love and curiosity about anything

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Bald Eagle, photo by Michael Melford

I encountered in our natural world. I eventually was able to go back to school to study animal ecology andbecame a naturalist by profession at the age of fifty.

I found a dream job working as a naturalist at a Y.M.C.A. camp in Boone, Iowa and was teaching allages about nature and how to observe and respect it. I felt such satisfaction when I witnessed how myknowledge and love of nature was changing other peoples’ lives and how they could now also make adifference in our natural world.

However, one sad experience involving the death of a bald eagle still remains with me and was thecatalyst to my current interest in observing the amazing comeback of the American bald eagle and whatwonderful parental role models they are for this country.

Our camp was situated along the Des Moines River and one day we observed a mature bald eagleseemingly resting on the shore. When he didn’t leave we knew something was wrong and after capturingit by wrapping it up in a towel, we placedit into one of our bird enclosures forobservation. Sadly, he wouldn’t eat, gotweaker and weaker and eventually died.An autopsy revealed that our eagle haddied of lead poisoning because he hadeaten fish which had ingested the leadweights used in fishing.

This turned out to be a wonderfulteachable moment in our programs, as wecould demonstrate to our public how ourcareless actions still had a negative effecton these birds, even though their numbershad been increasing for quite a while.

We had an estimated half a millionbald eagles here in the United States whenEuropeans first arrived, but their numbersdecreased considerably when many birdswere shot as vermin, or lost their habitatsdue to the felling of many trees. To make things worse, the widespread use of DDT after WWII also hada devastating effect on the remaining eagle population by causing their egg shells to become thin andfragile and thus preventing successful hatching. By the 1960s, only four-hundred nesting pairs remained.

In 1970, our national bird was placed on the endangered species list and when DDT was banned in 1973,their numbers slowly rebounded. This success eventually resulted in these magnificent birds being re-moved from the endangered species list in 2007. Thankfully, the public was now able to see these birdsin many of their neighborhoods, and with their renewed interest and the miracle of modern technology, theidea of the nest webcam was born.

In 2007, the Iowa Raptor Resource Project began tracking a bonded pair nesting in an eighty-footcottonwood tree situated near the Mississippi river and a North-East Iowa Fish Hatchery in Decorah, Iowaand decided to utilize this new technology. They installed a camera above the nest which was six footacross, five foot deep and weighed approximately one-thousand-three-hundred-sixty-seven pounds. Theybroadcast live footage twenty-four hours a day and this ‘birds eye view’ of our nesting national symbolbecame an instant success.

The devoted pair of eagles started a family, and even though the female was blind in one eye, they tookturns sitting on the eggs for one to one-and-a-half hours to keep them warm. Sadly, during a late winterstorm, the female took her break, but never returned. She was later found in a snowdrift. The malecontinued to keep the eggs warm while waiting for her return. Eventually, he had to abandon the nest tohunt for food and to protect his territory from other eagles.

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The next fall, with the return of migrating eagles, he found a new mate, a four-year-old female, and thenewly bonded pair worked diligently to refurbish the nest. (Experts guessed the age of the female, as eaglesdon’t achieve their adult coloring until they are five-and-a-half years old.) This inexperienced larger femaleworked hard bringing in new materials and placing them carefully on the nest, but the smaller, moreexperienced male would always rearrange all of her contributions.

With successful matings, they produced two eggs, laid two days apart, and took turns sitting on them,as these four ounce eggs would freeze in one minute during the cold winter temperatures. Amazingly, thisimmature female knew how to ball up her talons to protect her fragile eggs, but when the first chickhatched thirty-five days later, she initially had no clue of how to feed it. Thankfully, the male was able tokeep the chick fed and taught his new bride how to be a nurturing parent.

They took turns bringing in fresh fish, rabbits, squirrels and pigeons and were amazingly tender in gentlyoffering the tiniest morsels to their fragile, fluffy chicks. Often the older chick would dominate at feedingtimes and would peck the younger one into submission, so it could be fed first. (This is called the Caineand Able Syndrome.) Seeing this would cause us viewers great concern, but when the older chick wassatisfied, the younger also got its fill.

Amazingly, all of their chicks survived over the years, but feeding them was a full-time job for theparents, as these chicks could eat from half to one pound of fish a day.

I always found it amazing to witness how all of these tiny chicks instinctively know how to keep theirnesting area clean by positioning their bodies in such a way that their liquid excrement shoots away fromthe nest. Learning how to fly is also completely instinctive. It will take about ten weeks before all of thechick’s down is replaced by seven-thousand feathers and they seem to know when it is time to practiceflapping their wings and do practice jumps in the nest. Eventually, they will try short flights to nearbybranches before they actually take off in flight.

This pair of eagles continued to use and add to the nest for four years, successfully raising fourteenchicks. Then, in 2012, they suddenly decided to build a new nest five-hundred feet away. That year, to thedisappointment of the public, we were not able to watch them raise a new batch of eaglets, as new camerashadn’t been installed.

The new camera was installed by the fall of 2013, but now only transmitted during daylight hours. I wasso excited when the first of three eggs was laid and when the chicks started to hatch, I shared this websitewith many friends who also seemed to love and appreciate this amazing close-up view of the miracle ofnature.

For those who wish to watch these eagles and their chicks, here is the internet link to the webcam:http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles/theater.

The cameras quit transmitting after the eaglets are fully fledged, and don’t return to the nest anymore.They start running again when the parents arrive back to refurbish their nest and begin the mating processall over again in late fall.

A Trip up Riverby August Pleil, 11 years oldThe colony Nueva Germania in Paraguay was celebrating their 50th anniversary. My father decided to goto help celebrate. He did not want to go alone, so he took me with him. My father decided to take thepaddleboat he had made himself. So on Friday the 15th of October 1937, we started out. We had to walkto the river.

It took us three hours to get to the river. We quickly got the boat ready and before the sun disappearedbehind the trees, we were on our way paddling up the river Jejuí. Many times we had to paddle from oneside of the river to the other to avoid the very strong current. The river has a lot of bends and twists. Theinner side of the river has a lot of sandbanks. When we came to a sandbank, my father got out of the boatand pulled the boat with a very strong fishing line. He explained that he was towing the boat. (He used theGerman word, “treideln.”)

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http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles/theater


Part of the “Pleil Clan” in Primavera, Paraguay, 1958: Front row, L-R: Friedrich, Artur, Helga and Amadeus.

Back row, L-R: Hermann, Ruth, Juanita, Dora, Otto, Heinrich Otto, Nadinewith Vijaya, and August.

We had already been on the river six hours. The moon was ready to disappear. We looked for a placeto make a campfire and stay overnight. We prepared our sleeping place by the light of the fire, quickly atesomething and went to sleep.

The next day we continued upstream.Soon we were in Paso Cocuere where therewere a few houses. Midday we finally gotto the estuary of Aguaray-Guazú. On eitherside of this river there are a lot of trees.Many Pindó palm trees had fallen into thewater. On the sandbanks we saw signs ofcrocodiles, herons, carpinchos and tapir.We had to spend one more night on theriverbank. The next day we saw a house.Two houses later we saw campo (prairie).

We paddled to the side of the river andgot out to see where we were. Suddenly wesaw the white houses of Nueva Germania.We arrived at the colony just as the sunwas setting.

“Abendlied,” by Wolfgang LoewenthalPrimavera, Paraguay – 1949(printed with permission from the

Loewenthal family.)

“Evening Song”, translation by Virginia Cuenca-Loewenthal

(Childlike)

1. The sunset, rosy sunset, such luminositythat all the towering treesappear much more lively.

2. The evening star, the evening starnow twinkles over the fields,high above the palm trees,up in the firmament.

3. The evening song, the evening song,how we love singing it,while thinking of the heavens,of moon and evening star.

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Ostern in Primavera, wie wir Kinder es erlebtenvon Irene Pfeiffer

Es hatte sich herumgesprochen: Wir feiern Ostern in vier Wochen!Die Kinder freuten sich auf diese Feier, besonders auf die Ostereier.Die Erwachsenen hatten sich vorbehalten die Osterfeier einmal anders zu gestalten.Für alle wär`s doch wunderschön, um ein Osterfeuer zu stehn.

Auf dem Nussfeld in Iba, wo nichts mehr stand, ein riesen Holzhaufen entstand.Am Ostersonntag sollte dann das Feuer gezündet werden an.Bis dahin mußte noch manches geschehn und viele Osternester entstehn.Wir waren eine große Kinderschar die sich drauf freute jedes Jahr.

Eier kochte man sehr hart, mit Farbe wurde nicht gespart. Und mit dem Pinsel in der Hand darauf manch schönes Motiv entstand. Etwas Besondres ins Nest sollte rein, es mußten süße Limonen sein. An einem Abend wir auf Bänken hockten, Lieder sangen und Erdnüße knackten.

Wir brachten sie zum Bäcker, dann schmeckten sie uns lecker.In der Küche wurden sie durch den Wolf gedreht, durch das “knowhow” von Mutter Wilhelm draus Marzipan entseht.In Form von Eiern wurde die Masse gedrückt, und in jedes Nest zwei davon reingesteckt. Bonbons und Erdnüße das Nest noch ergänzten, in voller Schönheit die Nester jetzt glänzten.

Es ist ja noch Nacht. So kam es mir vor als ich hörte einen schönen Chor:“Ostern ist heut, wir sind erfreut, weil der Herr Jesus Christ heut auferstanden ist! Sehet daher, das Grab ist leer! Leben und Sieg ist da, singet Halleluja!”An vielen Plätzen des Dorfes dann der Chor die Osterlieder sang. Es war der Gemeinde Jugendchor der all die schönen Osterlieder uns sang vor.

Schnell sind wir aus dem Bett gehüpft und in unsere Kleider geschlüpft. Die Eltern uns an die Hand mitnahmen, bis wir zum Osterfeuer kamen. Einen großen Kreis wir bildeten dann, und warteten auf den Sonnenaufgang. Jetzt in der frühen Morgenstunde las einer uns vor von der schönsten Kunde, dass Jesus Christ auferstanden ist und uns von dem ewigen Tod hat erlöst!

Der Morgensonne goldener Schein leitete das Osterfest nun ein.Wir Kinder waren soooo gespannt: Wann wird der Holzhaufen angebrannt? Einer, der was davon verstand, setzte den Haufen endlich in Brand. Es sollte ein Freudenfeuer sein für unsern Herrn Jesus ganz allein. Für Ihn haben wir all diese Lieder gesungen bis die Sonne ist aufgegangen.

Dann gingen wir gemeinsam alle in die große Essenshalle. Dort nahmen wir das Frühstück ein und gingen danach wieder Heim. Mittags die Männer mussten raus zum Verstecken der Nester in Busch und Haus.Dann endlich tönte der Glocke Klang! Ab ging’s in den Schulwald mit Gesang.

Das Suchen der Nester dauerte immer lang. Doch glücklich und zufrieden ging man heim.Ich erinnere mich gern an diese Feste, sie war’n für uns Kinder immer das Beste.

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A child’s eye view of Easter in Primaveraby Irene Pfeiffer, translation Linda Lord

Someone whispered: We’ll be celebrating Easter in four weeks time! The children couldn’t wait for the festivities to begin and especially looked forward to the Easter eggs.But the grownups had plans to celebrate Easter differently this time.

It was wonderful for everyone to gather around the Easter fire. On the freshly harvested peanut field in Iba a huge mountain of firewood appeared. On Easter Sunday, the fire would be lit. Before that, there was much to do, lots of Easter nests to be made.

So many children looked forward to this every year with excited anticipation. The eggs had to be hard boiled, then, brush in hand, painted with beautiful, colourful designs and patterns. Something special was needed for every nest, so sweet citrus fruits were added.

One evening we sat together on wooden benches, singing songs as we cracked open peanuts to get to the delicious nuts inside. In the kitchen they were then roasted and put into the mincer. With Mother Wilhelm’s special knowhow the mixture was soon turned into marzipan. This was then rolled into egg shapes, and two placed in every nest. Sweets and peanuts were added too. Each nest was a creation of colour and beauty.

In the middle of the night, or so it seemed, I heard a choir singing: “It’s Easter today, we are all full of joy, for Christ has risen today! Look, his grave is empty! Love and victory are here, sing Hallelujah!” From all corners of the village the singing could be heard. It was the community youth group that sang the songs for all to enjoy.

Quickly we jumped out of our beds and slipped into our clothes. Our parents took us by the hand and led us to the Easter fire. We all stood in a circle and waited for the sunrise. At the break of day, someone read to us the message that Jesus Christ had risen and redeemed us from eternal death.

The first golden rays of the rising sun heralded the start of the Easter celebrations. We children were so excited: When would the fire be lit? Someone with experience then lit the pile of wood. It was a fire of joy for Jesus our Lord. For Him we sang the wonderful Easter songs, until the sun rose above the horizon.

Together we made our way to the dining room. Here, we shared Easter breakfast before returning to our homes. At midday, the men had to go and hide the Easter nests in trees and bushes, and around the buildings.

At last the bell rang for us to gather in the school wood. Searching for the nests always took a long time,

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Map of Primavera, ca 1958/1959, by Wolfgang Loewenthal

but finally, happy and contented, we made our way back home. I love to remember these festive times. They were the best for us children.

Sunset and Palm Trees in Paraguay, drawing by Clementina Jaime

A Brief Historic Background of Primavera, Paraguay, and its Mapsby Hans ZimmermannVirginia Cuenca Loewenthal was kind enough to provide us

with an updated colored map of Primavera which her fatherWolfgang must have redrawn circa 1958/59 before we had soldeverything to the Mennonites west of Monte Caraby-í [monte =forest] and Monte Guaná. This map is more true to reality than theone most of us are familiar with. It also gives all the names of ourcampos and forests, even the names of the potreros [grazingareas] in Monte Jaime.

Wolfgang was in Primavera right from the beginning and stillknew the German manager of the Estancia Primavera, and theParaguayan capataz [foreman], Felix Prieto. Both of these menstayed on for a while to introduce the newcomers to the details ofhow to run a ranch and deal with the Paraguayan cattle. TheGerman manager left after a year or so, while Felix Prietoremained until his retirement in the early 1950s as our Paraguayancapataz. His son Gregorio continued working for many years asa cowboy on our Estancia. He now lives in Carolina, Paraguay. Ienjoyed working with him.

The Estancia Primavera was held in partnership with theEstancia San Vicente, which lay east of Primavera, in Vacahú.

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The partners were Herr Lenz, who managed San Vicente, and Herr Rutenberg, who managed Primavera.The name “Primavera” means “Lenz” or “Frühling” in German, or “Spring” in English.

Bette Bolken Zumpe sent me a book about Paraguay which her father Hans Zumpe obtained inGermany. This book, by a certain Dr. Adolf N. Schuster, the German Consul to Paraguay during 1910-1920, provides a detailed description of Paraguay: the land, people, history, economic activity andcolonization. He was a repeat visitor to Herr Lenz and Herr Rutenberg. The map shows both Estancias, andprovides the names of the forests and campos.

At that time, the land west of Primavera was owned by a certain Zarate. It is now called Friesland, andis owned by the Mennonites. The Bruderhof people retained all these names, and continued with theranching and logging operations. Wenceslao Jaime, who lived in Mbocayatý, worked for one of thecarreteros [cart drivers] who extracted the logs from the forests. Later he would be in charge of thisoperation for the Bruderhof.

Herr Rutenberg also kept track of the meteorological data which Dr. Schuster published in his book.Herr Lenz and Herr Rutenberg also entertained visitors and took them on hunting safaris. Dr. Schustergives a detailed account of one which took place in 1914.

Wolfgang must have had a fascination with Primavera, because he updated his map (WolfgangLoewenthal’s Primavera map, see above, printed with permission from the Loewenthal family).

What amazes me is that he also makes a note of the environmental changes which occurred when westarted clearing more and moreforests. Our forests were located onhigh ground and absorbed themoisture like a sponge. Once theforests were gone, the rainwater nowstarted coming up as ground-water atthe foot of the hills and into thecampos, turning them into bogs orswamps. Wolfgang makes that clearby indicating swampy conditionsbetween the forest of Abebo Guazú(Ibaté), and Monte Abeboí. Thisnarrow strip of campo used to befirm and dry. By 1956, when wecleared most of the forest on the eastside of Ibaté, the ground-wateremerged in this valley and turned itinto a swamp which was nearlyimpossible to pass on horseback.How many of you knew this?Wolfgang apparently did. How manyof us knew the names of the potreros

in Monte Jaime? Very few, I suspect, unless you had been working with the cattle.A few years ago, Christoph Mathis sent me a satellite photograph of Primavera taken in 1965 before

major forest changes had taken place, i.e. the Mennonites clearing all the forests. In this photograph, whichcovers about ninety-nine percent of Primavera, one can still recognize all the forests and campos includingall the copses (wooded islands) on the campos, of which only the major ones are shown on the originalmaps.

Maybe seeing these maps will give you the pleasure to once again revisit where we as kids roamed theforests and campos.

Satellite Map of the Primavera, Paraguay area, 1965

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Remembering Bill Petersby Margot Wegner Purcell, 1 March 2014I had a call this morning from Hanna and Hans passing on the sad message from Lizzie Maas Peters,

that her husband Bill had passed away yesterday afternoon, February 28th.For those of you who do not know Bill and Liz: Lizzie (as most of us knew her, while her family calls

her Tif) is the only daughter of Nicki and Henry Maas. She grew up in the Bruderhof. Her brothers Rolf,Peter and Nick all still live in the Bruderhof. Rolf lost his wife Mary Patrick (Hanna's sister) last year, Peterlost his wife Lisa Arnold in 2011, and is married now to Clara Maendel Greenyer. Nick is married toPatrice Pappas. Liz has been off the Bruderhof for most of her life. She has been with Bill for 37 years. Billand Liz came to several KIT gatherings, withchildren and grandchildren also tagging along. Iremember good times singing songs with Bill onthe guitar and Liz on the violin. Bill added muchjoy and encouragement to these gatherings.

Bill also helped many former Bruderhofers bysetting up the Alt Support Bruderhof web postingsite in 1997 (a googlegroups site). He was notafraid of the Bruderhof. They asked him to removethe site and threatened him with a lawsuit, but hewould not budge, and they could not sue. The sitewas a bulletin board for anyone who wanted topost their comments. I think it is still out there. Itwas a busy site. Bill enjoyed knowing how wellworthwhile it had been for him to put this together. Alt Support Bruderhof was one of the earlier publicsites where we could all write about our experiences on the Hof, our lives off the Hof, and also know thatthey were reading it too.

Bill loved music. He played several instruments and wrote songs. He and Liz had formed a band calledBorderline Express, and played in small venues. They also made several CD’s with him singing his owncompositions, with harmonies by Liz and friends, and Liz playing the violin. As Liz stated on the CD‘sflier, “Cancer hates laughter, music and joy. This is good knowledge to keep with you. Many lives wouldbe better if we would all sing and dance and laugh and laugh, and then sing some more.” I know Billheartily agreed.

Bill served in the Vietnam War and Agent Orange may have caused his multiple myeloma. He survivedmany, many years beyond what the doctors had told him he might be able to. He underwent manytreatments, and together, Lizzie and Bill struggled for many years with his condition, but he still smiledand would always beat it.

Lizzie lovingly looked after Bill through bad times and good times. Bill decided late last year that thetreatments he had to take for his illness were making him feel so bad, that he no longer wanted to strugglewith the brutal side effects. So he made the decision to receive only the needed care and treatments to makehim feel alright, and to let go. He posted a sweet message regarding this decision on his facebook page,and received many supportive comments.

If you would like to send Lizzie a note or a card, here is her address:Elizabeth Peters, 7395 S. Washington Street, Centennial, Colorado 80122, USA.

*Liz received this note from her sister-in-law, Bill’s eldest sister, Dr. Rita Prather. She wanted to share

it with others:Rita Prather writes:I have such great memories of Bill growing up and all the things he did. He was such a leader in his

youth. He started a Rocket Club and they actually launched rockets. It was quite impressive. He also

Bill and Liz Peters

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organized an Easter egg hunt in Coal Run when we were still very young. It was a big success. He couldreally accomplish things. As a Boy Scout he diligently accomplished all of his tasks with vigor andenthusiasm. Of course he taught himself music. I recall driving down to Fort Knox to visit him and watchedas he returned with his platoon from an overnight manoeuver. It was impressive watching him givecommands as they finished and dismissed. He was smarter than anyone I have ever known. I alwayswished he had a mentor growing up instead of those who were threatened by or jealous of his intellect. Ialso always admired his decisions to live his life fully. The travels and experiences certainly match thequote on the remembrance card, “Living life full out.” I can’t really think of anything he didn’t enjoypursuing!

We have always been grateful to you, more than you know. Mom always said how well matched youtwo were. And when Bill got ill, it couldn’t have been more comforting to us that you were in his life. Thecare you provided was unmatched. He had the drive and ability to learn about his disease and how best totreat it, which helped bring about follow-through in his best interests. I know it had to be quite tiring andtrying at times as you wrestled with your own emotions and health. I know he lived as long as he couldbecause of you. I hope you will always consider yourself our sister.

Thank you forever.Love always – Rita and Robert

Bill Peters’ Funeralby Joann Homann, 5 March 2014Hans and I were thankful that we were able to attend Bill Peters’ funeral in Denver today and be

representatives of Liz Maas’ side of the family.We had planned to attend the family viewing at 10am but just missed that, because a fresh overnight

snowfall had caused cars to slide off the Interstate to Denver, and they were now being towed out of theditch. Maybe those distractions had also caused two new accidents, which resulted in the Interstate comingto a practical standstill.

Thankfully, we were still able to follow family members from the viewing to the military burialceremony at the Fort Logan National Cemetery. Here, we were deeply moved by the simplicity of thissolemn and dignified farewell to one of their compatriots. We felt the deep reverence they had for one whoserved their country and died of a disease caused by Agent Orange.

The service was held in an outdoor pavilion next to a lake full of Canada geese. Amazingly, the sun hadcome out to shine over the beautiful fresh snowfall and the sea of white marble markers which stretchedout in straight lines from any direction you viewed them. The service was conducted by several olderveterans and some Army personnel in full dress uniform who flanked the casket. The veterans gave theeulogy and used World War II M1 rifles to give a four gun salute. At the end, a solitary soldier playedTaps, before the Army personnel solemnly folded the American flag and presented it to Liz. After theceremony, as the family gathered to hug and shed some tears, a huge flock of Canada geese circledoverhead, honking as if to give a final salute to Bill before they settled back onto the lake.

From there, we drove in procession to the VFW reception Hall and met many of Bill’s children and theirfamilies. While we ate, we heard music performed by Bill and Liz, as well as music by friends of Bill’s,and at the end we were deeply moved by various eulogies given by Liz and other family members. Theroom seemed to be filled with a feeling of love and reconciliation, something which the family said Billwas all about.

May you rest in peace, Bill.

Annelene Wiegandby Linda LordI just heard that on 8th April, 2014, my dear friend, from Ibaté days and beyond, died in Darvell. Whilst

I feel saddened that she is gone, I feel grateful that she is now at peace. I first really got to know Annelene

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Some of the dolls produced by the Wiegand Family inTierberg, Germany in the 1960s

Picnic at the foot of Titterstone, Wheathill, Hesterworth 2002.Annelene Wiegand sits in the center, to her left (R in photo) are

Isolde Pfeiffer-Brummelohe, and Irene Pfeiffer-Fischer

Linda Lord and AnneleneWiegand, Tierberg, Germany,

circa 1966

in Ibaté when I lived with her family for a while. We loved to chat, gossip together and go for walks in thejungle and campo around Ibaté, collecting flowers and enjoying fruit fresh from the trees.

The Wiegands left in the early 1960s and set up home in Tierberg in Germany. They took with them thedoll making business from the Sinntalhof, andAnnelene worked with her father building up thebusiness. Everyone helped. Whenever I visited, I toowould help her dress the dolls and listen to Germanfolk songs as we chatted. We also enjoyed long walksin the surrounding countryside, often singing songsfrom our childhood as we strolled and recapturedhappy memories.

When Annelene’s father, Gerhard, returned toDarvell, she was unable to keep the business goingwithout his expertise. She then worked for a while as ahome help with families in the area, which suited herwell and also gave her the opportunity to make friendsin the local community.

However, she found it difficult to fit into the worldaway from the Bruderhof. What she enjoyed most was keeping in touch with the many others who had left.She was sometimes able to visit with them, or they visited her. Those were the good times for her. Shecame to several KIT gatherings and renewed more friendships from long ago. Her letters were always fullof news of friends from our years in Paraguay. I am sure many of you reading this will also have enjoyedher newsy letters.

When her mother became ill with Alzheimer’sDisease, she tookon the care of hermother at home.She was totallycommitted to mak-ing her mother’sfinal years as happyand comfortable asshe could.

As she grewolder, she longedfor the closenessand companionship– ‘the life’ – of theBruderhof, andhoped she would be

able to return. This was her wish. As she then developed Alzheimer’s herselfand the illness progressed, it became clear she wanted and needed the comfortand familiarity of Bruderhof life. Her wish was granted. Gottlieb and Celiacame to take her “home” to Darvell. She soon found her place singing andplaying her mouth organ to the small children in the toddler group. So shesettled back in happily, living the rest of her life in peace and contentment, inthe place where she felt most at home.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

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The KIT Klaashof Gathering in Germany, from the 8th to 11th August, 2014, Friday to MondayAddress: Pension Klaashof, Heinz Klaas, Hombergen 6, 41334 Nettetal, Germany

This year, we are returning to Klaashof. Their courtyard is a great meeting place, with an outside sheltered area, as well as plenty of space undercover and/or indoors. Saturday night there will be a BBQ, at €20.For the other meals our hosts offer to make us a Kartoffel- Nudel- and/or Wurstsalat (potato, noodle and/or sausage salad) for a small fee, or they will let us have the use of their kitchen and we can make our own meals.

No payment needed in advance, BUT: Payment must be made for drinks, BBQ etc, before leaving the Klaashof! Mr. Klaas will give each person a “Deckel” (chitty or tab)on which consumption will be recorded.

Accommodation must be made by direct booking (payment usually is on arrival or departure).Several rooms and apartments are available, prices vary; also, limited camping space.Tel: 0049 (0) 2153 4984 [email protected] 0049 (0) 2153 0387 http://www.pension-klaashof.de/Klaashof are happy to provide breakfast for anyone opting for bed only.

Jugendherberge Nettetal-Hinsbeck,a short walk through the wood: €33.30 per person per night, full board.Also available: Bed only, or B&B. Petra & Manfred Podchull, Heide 1, 41334 Nettetal, Germany.Tel: 0049 (0) 2153 6492 [email protected]

Haus Waldesruh: B&B – a short walk through the wood:€30,00 to €35.00 per person per night.Mr. Malek Tulabek, Betriebsleitung, Heide 7, 41334 Nettetal-Hinsbeck, GermanyTel: 0049 (0) 2153 2771 [email protected]://www.waldesruh-hinsbeck.de/

Also nearby: Hotel Josten: B&B, €40,00 to €50,00 per person per nightWankumer Strasse 3, 41334 Nettetal, GermanyTel: 0049 (0) 2153 91670 [email protected]: 0049 (0) 2153 13188 www.hotel-josten.de

Hotel Krickenbeck: Anthony is trying to make a deal with this nearby hotel onthe lake side for rooms only, with breakfast at Klaashof. Contact Anthony for an update.

For further information: Irene Pfeiffer-Fischer or Norman ‘Anthony’ Lord, see below.

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http://www.pension-klaashof.de/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.waldesruh-hinsbeck.de/

http://www.hotel-josten.de


Norman ‘Anthony’ Lord, House of Lords, Johann Finken Str. 35, D-41334 Nettetal, GermanyTel: home: 0049 (0) 2157 3109, mobile: 0049 (0) 1797 040533 [email protected]

Irene Pfeiffer-Fischer, Vegesacker-Heerstrasse 113, 28757 Bremen 70, Germany Tel. 0049 (0) 421-627718 [email protected]

Please let Anthony and Irene know once you have booked, where, and for how many. Thank you.

* * * * *

13 May 2014 – KIT Klaashof Gathering latest, from Anthony Lord, Nettetal, Germany:

The KIT venue, “Klaashof,” is an old converted farm with sheltered “Innenhof” or inner patio.It stands on its own on the edge of woodland, overlooking a small lake and distant castle, in the nature protected area of Nettetal. Anyone wishing to pitch a tent can do so opposite, inan enclosed garden.

Hotel Josten is well booked by now, and only has single rooms available at the time of writing.

Haus Waldesruh is a short walk through the woods from the Klaashof.

If anyone can’t book into one of the hotels previously mentioned, or the youth hostel,Jugendherberge Nettetal-Hinsbeck, Anthony will find another one nearby, if they give hima ring: Home: +49 (0) 2157 3109, or mobile: +49 (0) 1797 040533

For Friday evening, 8th August, Anthony has planned a “Knackwurst & Kartoffelsalat” –frankfurter and potato salad – (“Knackwurst”: a type of frankfurter, the skin of which makes acracking sound when bitten. The potato salad is OK for vegetarians.)

For Saturday 9th August, Anthony will arrange a cycle run if the weather is OK and anyone isinterested. The Nettetal countryside is flat and has very nice rides through forest, fields and alonglakes, with pub stops on the way.

On Saturday 9th August there’ll be a barbecue, for 20.00 Euros per person. This is a must foreveryone, as the price also covers the cost of the venue.

Sunday evening 10th August we will have something to eat if required by those still there.Mrs. Klaas looks after her guests very well and will supply tea, coffee and drinks throughout thedays, as required.

Payment for drinks, meals and hotels to be settled directly with the hosts; no advance paymentsrequired.

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Contact us

Please make a note ofthe following addresschanges:

Hans Martin11604 Deerfield Drive,Yucaipa, CA 92399, USAPhone 909-797-3075Email:[email protected]

Alan and Carolyn Herringwould like their emailaddress posted (their address is already onthe list):[email protected]

Gillian Burleson has a newphone number: USA 617-669-8903

Simon Britts’ phonenumber should be:USA 920-261-9493

New address for Tim and Eileen Domer 8856 E McClellan Street, Tucson AZ 85710 USA

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+1-847-859-6268 550 Sheridan Square, Evanston, IL 60202

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+1-219-324-8068 2095 South Emmas Lane, LaPorte, IN 46350, USA.

Subscriptions Suggested annual contribution is USA $20, UK £10 or Euro €15 The Newsletter is available via: Email - full colour. (The preferred method) Please confirm email receipt to Linda Jackson. Printed Paper - monochrome. Large A3 - monochrome. For the vision impaired.

Donations: Depending on which currency you use, please send your donation:

> North America: US$, Cash or Check payable to “Tim Johnson” [email protected]

+1-404-373-0633 155 Garden Lane, Decatur, GA 30030, USA.

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Johann-Finken-Str. 35, 41334 Nettetal, GERMANY. [email protected]

+49(0)21 57 3109 Bank transfer: VOBA KREFELD. Ref: “KIT” !New! Euro€ only please. IBAN: DE66 3206 0362 2201 0520 10 BIC: GENODED1HTK. from other countries: !New! See UK£ for other currencies.

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