Since we started this family website in 2000, we've received
quite a bit of interesting feedback (mostly positive, some negative or bizarre)
from visitors. We thought that it might be helpful and educational to share some
of these comments.
Of course, we'd love to get your feedback on our website as well - we just have
a short feedback form that we'd like to ask
you to complete. Or, please click here to send us
email if you need an immediate response.
This page holds some of the best feedback, including some of the more
provocative sorts, that we received in 2005 - the sixth year of our
family website. We also have separate pages for the best comments that we've received
each year.
Found the story fascinating. Loved the part about the traveling nursery.
We had a number of fruit trees in the backyard of our home in Garthwick (near Portland)
along the Willamette R. By far the largest was a huge cherry tree. I was born in 1947, 100 years
after that trip. Both my great grandparents went out to Oregon on the Oregon Trail but at
later times (1850) I really can't imagine the trials pioneers went through to stay alive
even in a large group like that. I loved the story of the cannon being shot off, that is
remarkable. My great grandmother was 9 yrs old riding her pony to Oregon, and at one
point was stolen by Indians when the wagons were slowed by dust and she
rode ahead. After 3 days the Indians brought her back and offered to
trade ponies for her. I learned an awful lot from the recollections of
your ancestor. Thanks so much for putting this on the web.
12/26/05
A search for solutions to otters under homes brought up your website
where you mentioned solving a similar problem by sealing up your crawl
space. We first noticed the essence of otter last year and have been
unsuccessful at keeping this determined critter out from under our house. He
burrows under the edge of the foundation to gain entry (the house is on post
and pillar with just a wood skirt). We even resorted to professional
trapping that was unsuccessful and discovered that otters do not return to
their dens every day. In fact we have found that if disturbed he/she can
stay away for long periods of time, days, weeks, months and perhaps this
isn't even the same animal. At any rate we would appreciate any suggestions you might have and
details of how you sealed your crawl space. The smell is driving us out.
[Our reply: Good luck...]
12/5/05
I am writing from the Embassy of Greece in Washington regarding your
grandfather’s autobiography and in particular, his mention of my hometown, Domvrena.
I was very moved to read it and I wonder whether you know of any photographs
at the time and where his archives would be. I would like to do some research
regarding my hometown during and after WWII and I would appreciate it if you
could tell me where I could look. Thank you very much and I hope to hear from
you soon
8/7/05
I am so happy to find Dr. Munk's autobiography online
that I have to tell someone. Dr. Munk was a political science professor
at Portland State in the mid-60s and there I took a course from him in
International Relations. I was, like most of my fellow students, deeply
impressed by his erudition, his personal history, his connections to world
figures and the clarity of his thought. I had heard he was something of
a celebrity and so was surprised at how approachable he was and how willing
to spend extra time with his students. His kindness and generosity of
spirit were evident. I believe he gave me "A" grades, but beyond that he
once gave me a memorable ego-boosting compliment when he told me that I
reminded him of the students he had taught at Reed College, and that he
thought I would have done well there. That single remark meant more to
me than any other academic kudos I gathered.
7/12/05
THANK YOU!!!!! for posting your grandfather's memoirs. My
grandfather was born and raised in Czechoslovakia and left in around 1948.
He experienced the day that Hitler's troops came in and when the Soviet
Union invaded. I am of both Czech and Slovakian decent and am doing a
research paper on Hitler's invasion. I needed to find a primary resource
which describes the atmosphere of the country leading up to and including
the invasion,.... that's how I found your family's site. I will be using
some of your grandfathers words in my paper. I have tried to encourage my
grandfather to write his memoirs but he doesn't think that people would care
to read it... Again I thank you for posting your grandfathers memoirs....
6/26/05
I was putting together a montage of
pictures of Lithuania and came
across your website. My own (gentile-Jewish) story is way too complex as
most of them seem to be. Suffice it to say, I found your comments most
interesting.
5/29/05
I really enjoyed your
photography and overall
professional web site. I read now how others are inspired and impressed with
your family history. This is a real eye opener for me on how to build a
better web site. Mostly I just loved the wildlife photos, but I also found
true respect for the person who took and posted them.
5/10/05
I just finished reading Frank Munk's
memoirs called "My Century and My Many Lives". I have to say that I read it
completely without a stop since I discovered it yesterday on the Internet.
As a young Czech living in London, I was looking for some historical data on
the 1939 events and, through Google, I got to your website and the mentioned
biography. I must admit that I did not hear the name of your grandfather
before and I really regret that his memoirs are not better known in the
nowadays Czech Republic and that I don't have a chance to send this email to
him personally. Unfortunately there are not many individuals still living in Czechia who have a direct experience with the first republic and the memoirs
written by your grandfather would certainly find its readers in this
country.
I really read with a keen interest the parts elaborating on the
first republic period, the Nazi occupation, Benes, and the after war events.
It is touching to see how much it resembles memories of my grandparents of
Czech, Hungarian, Slovak and Jewish roots who lived through these times and
told me about it. Very interesting is also the last part summarizing the
development in the 1990's and a prediction of future political events in
Central Europe that outlines the role of Germany and Russia in
the nearest future. As someone who is sensible to the politics and
especially to what is going on in Central Europe I cannot overlook what is
going on in today's Russia and increasingly also in Germany, with the former
turning into more and more dictatorship's regime, the latter quickly getting
rid of any feelings of guilt for its WW2 past.
I left Prague in 2003 to
finish my studies in London and after my graduation I co-founded a company
which is focused on advisory on the capital markets in Eastern Europe. I am
nevertheless traveling to Prague regularly and don't lose my contacts with
this place. It is great to see how this place flourishes and attracts
tourists and investors (as well as all Central Europe) after its accession
to the EU, but it is also painful to realize that the recent 40 years of
communism disrupted the social, political and economic links to the
Masaryk's republic and people are less aware of the geopolitical threats
related to the position of Czechia on the map of Europe. I may only agree
with Frank Munk that hopefully all his worries will prove to be hollow and
the united EU will bring some universal model of co-existence for all
nations. I will however recommend your grandfather's memoirs to my many
friends in Prague as I really believe that they bring lots of interesting
facts and light on the Czech historical events. Thank you for posting this
document on the website.
5/10/05
I have just read
Chapter 11 of ["My
Century and My Many Lives"]. I came to this website because I am simply
trying to find out when Edvard Munk painted the Scream. I could call my
old art history teacher from college days or make a trip to the library
and look in an encyclopedia. But instead I am here on the internet. I
have found that the internet does not let me find a simple answer most
of the time. So often it would save me time by just picking up a
reference book or dictionary or encyclopedia, but then I would not find
places like this.
Two nights ago I watched a
program on PBS about films of the Holocaust taken at the end of World
War II. These films were intended to be presented years ago but were
never finished. Today I was thinking about what I saw and I remembered
The Scream. Until today I did not understand that painting. I still have
not found the date, but have learned the Scream was stolen last summer
and have found your family's web site. I was born after WWII. I
remember listening to my parents and others talk about the war years.
Circumstances were such that they did not serve in the military in this
war and did not have close family ties to Europe. I grew up in the
middle of the USA. I read. I think. And I wonder about many things. I am
not Jewish, but it does not matter what our back ground or faith is, we
are together on this earth.
I am writing today to tell you why I found your
writings. This chapter is amazing. I will be back another time to read
more.
1/23/05
My journey to your website
began when I 'googled' the
Canon EOS 20D camera; I'm a
freelancer making the move to digital photography. What a nice
surprise your site turned out to be! Your photographs are gorgeous!
And I certainly appreciate your recommendations on equipment. You
helped solidify some of my 'hunches' in terms of equipment, and also
steered me in some directions I hadn't considered. Great site! I've
already added it to my favorites.
1/12/05
I'm a former corporate historian for the
Grumman Aerospace Corporation. I read "The Ragens" memories with
great interest because I also collect uniforms from the WWII period.
For the last 20 years, I have had a 'mystery' WWII uniform of a
Polish officer with the shoulder insignia consisting of a red arc
with the letters UNRRA. Thanks to your site I found out that if
stands for United
Nations Relief Administration. My question is do you have any
information on early members of this organization? This uniform is a
WWII Polish officers uniform and bears the name Stanislaw Worowski.
Is there any information on this officer in the Ragen papers. My
desire is to preserve the personal history of this gentleman along
with his uniform. Any help is greatly appreciated.
[If anyone out there knows something about this uniform or person,
let me know and I will pass on the information to Peter.]
1/11/05
I love your website and appreciate you sharing with us your blind
wine tasting dinner suggestions.
We are planning to try one very soon and I am a little nervous. Do you
have any ideas about simplifying this? The dinner will be catered and
our wine choices will be same as one you chose. We would like to try one
dinner with mostly white wines and I am not sure if that is possible.
Thank you so much. Oh! One of our group is very interested in
photography and mostly of birds. I can hardly wait to tell him about
your bald eagle!
[Our reply: Just do it and have fun - don't worry about planning too
much...]
1/2/05
Hi!!! I love all things on orcas and i especially love your website. My
dream is that when i grow up i want to swim with orcas but im not sure
if you can do that. Is it possible to swim with an orca? Could you
please answer this question for me if you can i would be grateful.
[Our reply: Orcas have very sharp teeth and are often hungry. This
video may give you pause...]
Books - Climbing and Outdoor Books
Books - Recommended Book Lists
Family History - Geer Family
Family History - Munk Family
Family History - Ragen Family
Photography - Bald Eagles
Photography - Orca Whales
Photography - Other Wildlife
Reunion Planning
Wine Tastings, etc.
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