The Lodge and the Anschluss

This group of people by all definitions had become a family; they had love, respect and admiration for each other. They worked hard and soon the lodge, which now had a new name, "Alpine Wonderland Resort," was making a name for itself. A place for others to come and share in that experience, because while your were there you were family.

Birthdays and holidays were celebrated with gusto that first year, beginning with the fourth of July. Reservations that had been made weeks or even months before the sale were kept. Within sixty days the lodge was profitable.

In March of 1938, there was great sadness at the lodge. Nobody was ill or hurt. it was a time on national sadness. Austria as they knew it was gone – the people had been duped into voting for German unification. Hitler's soldiers marched in without resistance and big changes came to the beautiful city of Salzburg. The "spider flag" was everywhere and if you objected you would be sent away. The Jewish people suffered the most; orphanages were overflowing as mothers and fathers disappeared.

Maria received an unexpected letter. It was from the director of the orphanage at the Abbey. It read in part: we desperately need to find homes for our children, they are not safe. Some are Jewish. Can you help us?

"Georg, Georg." He heard Maria call him and it sounded like she was crying.

"Maria, what's wrong sweetheart?"

"Read this." She handed the letter to him. His eyes became wet as he read it.

"We need to do something, Georg."

"I know. I wonder if they can really get them out of Austria."

A family meeting was called to share with them Maria's letter. Everyone was stunned but all agreed. "We need to help." As a family they went to their small mission church to pray and ask for guidance. Father Stephan heard them come into the church; the twins were babbling.

"Maria what's wrong?" She told him about the letter.

"We need guidance Father."

"Give me a couple of days. I'll come to the lodge and share my information. The family prayed there in the church and never stopped praying until Father Stephan came to see them.

The day came. "I have good news; the Church in England will help us, not the Catholic Church, the English Church. My contact is Franz Schubert."

"Franz," they all exclaimed.

"You know him."

"Yes, Father, he got mixed up with the Austrian German Party and left before they found him. He surfaced in London. A good friend of ours ran into him as a doorman for a department store."

"How is he going to help?' Maria asked.

"He's been helping people get out of Austria for many months. He will need an adult sponsor for each child."

"There are seventeen adults in our group alone, is that enough?"

"Yes, I believe there will only be fifteen children, of all ages. I'll send this information later today."

Maria and Georg sat alone for awhile. "Georg, do you think Eleanor knows what Franz has been doing?"

"It's hard to say, Maria. I have a feeling he has kept it a secret."

On the other side on the ocean in a small apartment sat Franz just staring at the information about the next group of children he would help get to America. He was reading the list of sponsors. His family he thought. Maria had taught everyone to help the less fortunate. Now they were doing it again.

"Mother, are we going to celebrate the twins' birthday?" Marta asked.

"Of course girls, do you want to plan it for me?"

It didn't need to be fancy; just happy. They knew Joanna and Mathew napped from noon until about three and they were always happy when they woke up. Finger food for them and a delicious salad for everyone else; the first crop of lettuce had just been harvested.

Katia made two small cakes, one with blue icing trim and the other in pink.

"Okay Joy, you help Joanna and David you help Mathew."

"Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you – the two were giggling and smiling

Happy birthday Joanna and Mathew

Happy Birthday to you"

"Now blow out your candle, one, two, three."

"Can you hold up one finger?" Joanna and David showed them how.

"That's how old you are." more giggles and smiles from the twins.

As with all one year olds, not much cake gets in their mouths, it's mostly everywhere else. Joy and David had the most fun watching them.

Many small baby/toddler toys were unwrapped for them. The party was a good diversion as they waited to hear about the orphans.

Meanwhile in Austria, the plan had worked once again; the children were smuggled out; arriving in London a few days later. The church had ladies who kept a supply of clothes. Each child changed into a set of clean clothes so theirs could be washed before they boarded the ship.

Captain James took good care of the children during the sail. When he came into the port he was so surprised to see the entire von Trapp family waiting. The ship would be in port a few days; he joined the group as they traveled back to the lodge. They had a wonderful reunion.

Georg and James walked the property. "James, are things really as bad as I've read?"

"Yes Georg, probably worse."

"Any danger at sea?"

"Not yet but I'm sure that will change, I'll sail as long as I can do it safely."

Their walk took them near the theater. "These two buildings were recently renovated to house students or cast members. This is where the children are. Let's go see if they are all settled in."

Liesl and Friedrich were inside. "Papa, we'll spend the night here with the children, I think they are scared." This group was very young, all under the age of twelve including two four year olds. Everyone's heart broke when they saw them, especially Maria's.

Father Stephan assured them they all had good homes waiting for them. Children who were related or good friends would be kept together. The Jewish Federation and several Christian organizations were their sponsors.

The lodge family was sad to see them leave, but not for long. James traveled back to the port having the feeling he would see them again. He was right. They sponsored four more groups. The air war had already begun in London; everyday people would spend part of it in a bomb shelter.

When they met the last group at the port, there were surprises on board.

"Georg look."

"What sweetheart?"

"Who do you see?"

"Oh, my gosh, I don't believe it!"

As soon as she could Maria ran to Eleanor, embracing her firmly and almost picking her up off the ground. No words could be spoken. Meanwhile Georg embraced Franz, something men don't usually do. Georg didn't care.

Harold spoke, "After spending hours in bomb shelters, Georg. We decided enough was enough. We took the opportunity to come with the children. I think this will be the last group; things are just terrible in Austria."

Franz heard him speak and acknowledged to Georg and Maria the same thing. "Now what can I do to earn my keep."

"Do what you always did, greet people coming to the resort and open the door to their temporary home."

Harold and Eleanor stayed with them for a month, eventually moving to Hartford. Not far away, Eleanor and Maria would visit often and they always returned for parties.

In this last group were four older teens, who approached Georg and Sidney.

"We would like to stay here. I'm Sam, Paul and I are good skiers, we could help teach your guest."

"And I'm Anna, Margaret and I worked in a bakery. We could help bake. We also know some good Austrian recipes.

"Children, do you have families waiting for you?"

"No sir, just an organization that will watch over us until we get a home and employment."

Georg looked at Sidney, who nodded. "Children, I'll contact your sponsor; you can stay with us, we will be your family." Smiles abounded from everyone.

Georg went up the main house to find Maria. She had just put the twins down for a nap and was sitting on the porch; it was a beautiful warm autumn day. He shared with her the good news. "That's wonderful Georg; I think they will fit into our family quite nicely."

Just then Friedrich approached the house waving a letter in his hand. "Mother, Papa, I got in."

"What are you talking about?"

"Yale University Medical School, on a full scholarship!" Georg got up and went to congratulate him and read the letter.

"It says you start in January. You've worked hard son, I think we'll have a party."

Later he and Maria were sitting in their room. "Maria, our first son has grown into quite a young man."

"Yes, Georg, you must be very proud. I remember him talking about becoming a doctor when I first came to the family. It's nice to see him fulfill that dream."

"He's just the first Maria. Neither Liesl nor Louisa will be going anywhere; Liesl is very happy with the theater and its opportunities and the same for Louisa she seems quite happy with her art studio. The next to leave will probably be Brigitta and Marta, most likely Marta."

"Yes, I know. They both help Katia in the kitchen. She tells me they have become experts in cookie and biscuit making. But I see them sitting in the lobby of the main house; Brigitta writing her reviews and Marta sketching the next ball gown or fashionable suit."

Time passed quickly, they had been so busy Maria wondered.

Maria turned to look to look at Georg. "What Maria?"

"I just wonder if you remember what tomorrow is."

"Darling I'll never forget one the happiest days of my life."

"Another seven years, Georg, that's a good number; the Bible uses it often. We need to celebrate it with the family just like we always have."

"Yes, Maria, I know, cake and ice cream and games." She just smiled and laid a loving kiss on his lips. At the celebration Georg commented.

"You know everyone; Maria's prophesy of why we escaped the villa just in time has come true. I'm sure saving all the children was one of those things God wanted us to do for Him."

Once again it was taken as a toast. "Here, here to the next seven and another task to do for Him."