John Watt
Member
I'm happy to see you're still replying here.
Yes, many German prisoners of war stayed here, their prison camp becoming Stevensville.
It's hard to know this now, but the United States was the supplier for Germany during the war,
and after Europe bombed itself to the ground, America betrayed their contract and went over to take over.
And when I talk about getting sign-painting work, that wasn't just add-on signs.
The German club bought property outside of Port Colborne, and built a new building.
I got the job making the big signs you see from the road, doing artistic signs.
When I went back to the club to ask about painting male and female dancers,
it was because I couldn't mix the same colours as the artwork they gave me.
I was told to use yellow to lighten the greens and browns, not white, and that worked out.
My father and mother were honest people, but more than that, they wanted everyone to be happy.
When I was thirty, visiting them when I was living and playing in Toronto, they sat me down.
They said I'm still their son, because I've always talked with them and been open and honest.
I was told they would always have a room for me, if I ever wanted to move back to Welland,
and because I was thirty, I wouldn't have to pay room and board any more.
Being able to be with my father, after my mother passed away, and with my father as he went,
are some of the most important moments of my life.
Being born would be the most important, even if I'm not sure how my parents had me.
I don't talk about my parents very often, because that's very emotional for me.
I just say their love keeps me strong, and believe me, I still feel it.
Yes, many German prisoners of war stayed here, their prison camp becoming Stevensville.
It's hard to know this now, but the United States was the supplier for Germany during the war,
and after Europe bombed itself to the ground, America betrayed their contract and went over to take over.
And when I talk about getting sign-painting work, that wasn't just add-on signs.
The German club bought property outside of Port Colborne, and built a new building.
I got the job making the big signs you see from the road, doing artistic signs.
When I went back to the club to ask about painting male and female dancers,
it was because I couldn't mix the same colours as the artwork they gave me.
I was told to use yellow to lighten the greens and browns, not white, and that worked out.
My father and mother were honest people, but more than that, they wanted everyone to be happy.
When I was thirty, visiting them when I was living and playing in Toronto, they sat me down.
They said I'm still their son, because I've always talked with them and been open and honest.
I was told they would always have a room for me, if I ever wanted to move back to Welland,
and because I was thirty, I wouldn't have to pay room and board any more.
Being able to be with my father, after my mother passed away, and with my father as he went,
are some of the most important moments of my life.
Being born would be the most important, even if I'm not sure how my parents had me.
I don't talk about my parents very often, because that's very emotional for me.
I just say their love keeps me strong, and believe me, I still feel it.