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Inger Stene Passes Away

Andrea Baston June 7, 2020

We were saddened to learn that Inger (Dietrichson) Stene passed away in Toronto on May 28, 2020, at age 102.   Inger was born in Norway. During World War II, she worked with the Norwegian Resistance fighting the country’s Nazi occupiers, until she was forced to flee to Sweden to avoid capture.

After the war, Inger married John Magne Stene.  John had been an officer and pilot with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross for acts of valour during active operations.

Inger and John moved to Toronto, Ontario, in 1956, where Inger worked at the University of Toronto for many years.  John predeceased Inger in 2008.

Inger is survived by her step-daughters Sheila Stene and Kristin Basso; her son-in-law Guido Basso; and their half-sisters, Vanessa and Katharine Vansittart.

Here is a link to Inger’s obituary, which appeared in the Globe & Mail newspaper on June 6, 2020:

http://ww.legacy.com/obituaries/Hertheglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=inger-stene&pid=196303757&fhid=9911

On a personal note, Inger generously shared her wartime memories with me, while I was writing Exile Air.  She was an elegant, wise, and charming lady. May she rest in peace.

(Photo of John and Inger Stene at Little Norway Memorial, Muskoka Airport, 2007.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75th Anniversary of VE Day

Andrea Baston May 7, 2020

May 8, 2020, marks the 75th anniversary of  Victory in Europe Day, when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to Allied forces following nearly six years of war.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to the cancellation of most public events, Veterans Affairs Canada will be commemorating the day digitally. Here is a link to Veteran Affairs  Canada’s website: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/commemorative-events/netherlands-ve-day

For my part,  I remember my late father, Andrew Baston, who served in the Canadian Army  during  WWII, and had landed at Juno Beach, Normandy, France, on D-Day plus one.  He was still overseas with the troops on May 8, 1945.

In the photo, Dad is on the left. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passing of Oivind Lorentzen Jr.

Andrea Baston April 3, 2020

We are grateful to David Wold of Greenwich, Connecticut, for letting us know about the passing of Oivind Lorentzen Jr., a former member of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.  Oivind died peacefully in Greenwich on March 27, 2020, at age 101.

Oivind was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1919, the son of Oivind Lorentzen and Ragna Nilsen Lorentzen.  When Germany invaded Norway, he had been studying marine engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but left his studies and travelled to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to join the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Oivind trained as a pilot at Little Norway, and eventually was stationed in the Shetland and Orkney Islands, flying Short Sunderland flying boat patrol bombers over the North Sea to fight the enemy. After the war, Oivind joined his father’s shipping business, and along with his brothers, operated liner trades between the United States and South America. Oivind was Chair of the American-Scandinavian Foundation and President of the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce. He also built a series of sailboats and actively competed in ocean races.

Oivind was predeceased by two wives: Evelyn Byrd LaPrade and Dorothy Holzinger Meeker, and is survived by three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

(Information from Greenwich Time, April 2, 2020.  )

World TB Day, March 24, 2020

Andrea Baston March 24, 2020
As the world awaits the discovery of a vaccine to combat Covid-19, today we remember another global epidemic, tuberculosis.  March 24, 2020, is World TB Day, commemorating the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacteria which causes tuberculosis. This eventually led to the diagnosing and curing of tuberculosis, though the disease remains the world's No. 1 infectious killer.

Many thanks to the Scarborough Tuesday Probus Club!

Andrea Baston February 21, 2020
It was great to speak to the Scarborough Tuesday Probus Club on Feb. 18, 2020, about Exile Air. The meeting had a Tropical theme, with many straw hats and Hawaiian shirts in view ... the perfect antidote to a wintery day!  Thanks for inviting me!

Upcoming presentation to the Scarborough Tuesday Probus Club

Andrea Baston February 13, 2020
I'm looking forward to speaking about Little Norway and my book, Exile Air: World War II's '"Little Norway" in Toronto and Muskoka, on February 18, 2020, at the Scarborough Tuesday Probus Club. The location is the St. Dunstan of Canterbury Church, 56 Lawson Road, Scarborough, Ontario.  The meeting starts at 10 a.m.  Hope to say hello to many members of the Club!

The Probus Club of Central Muskoka

Andrea Baston November 15, 2019
I was honoured to speak to the Probus Club of Central Muskoka about Exile Air on November 13, 2019. Thanks to the Club for the invitation, and for their warm welcome on a wintry day!

Thanks to the Durham Lifelong Learning members!

Andrea Baston October 14, 2019
I'd like to thank the members of the Durham Lifelong Learning group, for inviting me to speak to them about  Little Norway and my book, Exile Air, at their meeting on October 8, 2019 in Whitby. I'm grateful for their warm hospitality, and for all the interesting conversations with members after my presentation.  Many thanks to all!

Upcoming Presentation to Durham Lifelong Learning, Whitby

Andrea Baston September 8, 2019
I'll be attending the October 8, 2019 meeting of Durham Lifelong Learning members to speak about Exile Air. The location is the Hebron Christian Reform Church, 4240 Anderson Street, Whitby, Ontario, and the meeting begins at 1:30 p.m.  I'm really looking forward to meeting the organization's members and chatting with them about World War II's "Little Norway!"
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