The author talk on Monday at the South Bloomfield United Methodist Church was well-attended. Great people to talk to. I was especially pleased that a few young people came.

The pictures show Pastor Floyd Hubble thanking me after the presentation and the book signing. Afterward was a social time for eating delicious cookies and asking questions.

The last of our current home renovation projects was completed today: we had new blinds installed in five rooms by Brad of Buckeye Window Treatments, LLC. Of course, we hire only the best and brightest, so naturally Brad bought a book.

The blinds are beautiful. If you want to be as smart as Brad, you can purchase a book from www.themaroscherstory.com or if you need blinds visit Buckeye Window Treatments.

I just found a new way to sell a book: call AAA because your car is in the driveway and won’t start. When the tow truck driver arrives, sell the nice man a book.

Much to my surprise the gentleman who came to start my car was a former student of mine named Harley. Harley is one of the many good memories I have from my teaching career. As he started the car he asked how my book was coming along. Since the inventory is in the house I was able to show him a copy. Being an intelligent fellow he bought it on the spot.

Each year people with German, Transylvanian, and Saxon heritage and interests gather for a “North American Heimattag” which is hosted in alternating years in the USA and Canada. This year Heimattag took place over a three day period in Youngstown, Ohio.

I was surprised when the President of the Alliance of Transylvanian Saxons (ATS) Thomas J. Manning presented my book as a gifts to State Senator Michael J. Skindell and Edwin-Andreas Dortleff, a representative of Saxons in Germany.

Note the American flag is first in the procession. Those Saxons are good Americans or Canadians!

The book recently received this nice review on goodreads.com:

“I grew up on my dad’s stories of what he saw in Germany during WW2, stories that took hold in my brain and just never let go. This is a book that is a must-read for any age, should be mandatory in schools actually.

The title might throw you as it did me—but when you read where it stems from you’ll get it, AND agree.

Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here is a big book that is written in clear concise short sections. Easy to follow, horrifying to have to understand, you’ll smile shed a tear, become a cheerleader and root for this family that just never gave up. Two brothers lived due to the strength and ingenuity of their mother, and eventually the determination of both parents. This story is their personal struggle of survival in a horrible time. ~~WELL DONE GERHARD~~”

–Linda Marsh, goodreads.com

Another printing of 300 books – my third print run – just arrived! But there was a problem with this delivery. The truck was too big to deliver the pallet of books to my driveway. My wife’s Subaru came to the rescue and we had a mid-street transfer of book boxes. It took two Subaru trips to deliver the books to my garage, aka warehouse.

I am pleased to report the driver left with a book! I’m still batting 1,000 with contractors and workers wanting to read the book. This is a good way for me to hone my salesmen skills. Who-woulda-thunk that an engineer turned teacher could also be a salesman?

The 105th Transylvanian Saxon Convention was held in Salem, Ohio, last weekend. I had the opportunity to speak about my book to about 100 delegates from 26 local branches that make up the national organization. Afterward there was a book signing.

It was wonderful to talk to fellow Transylvanian Saxons. I especially enjoyed speaking with cousin Rudy Maroscher, whose father came to the USA in 1906. The first meeting between my dad and Rudy several years after we immigrated to America is described in the book.

From Kathy Blue: Our afternoon book club was honored to have lunch today with Ruth and Gerhard Maroscher. Gerhard talked and answered questions about his book, “Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here”.