Larry and Astrid Flanders sitting on the couch, displaying their recently published book they compiled for friends and family. Larry Flanders of Trout Lake, author of "Alive and Free in the EUP," has recently published another book, a translation from German of the memoirs of his mother-in-law. "Mutti’s Memoirs" was written by Astrid Kessler. Larry credits his wife, Astrid Flanders, for the initial translation.

The intention of this book is to share Grandmother Astrid’s life experience during the first and second World Wars with her grandchildren, as well as other relatives and close friends. Although not available to the general public, the book contains a wealth of information for anyone interested in those difficult times.

One of Mutti’s thought-provoking remarks: "If there is a lesson to be learned from my story, it is this: The hardships we all suffered made us stronger as a family and as individuals."

Mr. Flanders was born in Knoxville, Iowa, in 1935. His father worked for Gamble- Skogmo, parent company of the more familiar Gamble Stores throughout the Midwest. Promotions and transfers required that the family move often, to places including Sterling, Illinois; Albion, Michigan; finally Sault Ste. Marie, where Larrys dad took over the management of the Gamble Store. That was in 1940, so Larry attended school in Sault Ste. Marie, in grades kindergarten through eight. In the meantime, his parents had acquired property on Monocle Lake, where they built two cottages, one of which became their summer retreat for several years, even after another promotion took the family back to Illinois and the Eastern Regional Headquarters of Gamble-Skogmo in Chicago. That was in 1949.

Still, the Eastern Upper Peninsula had a strong pull. In 1955, Larrys parents, Phil and Ferne Flanders, bought the St. Ignace Gamble Store and moved back to the country that had captured their hearts.

Larry attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, where he earned a degree in English in 1957. His master's degree in English was awarded by Northern Michigan University in 1967. Shortly after graduating from Monmouth, Mr. Flanders joined the Army and spent the next three years in Germany, where he met and married Astrid. They returned to the United States in 1961 and have lived in the Eastern Upper Peninsula ever since.

Until he retired in 1991, Mr. Flanders was employed by Rudyard Area Schools, where he taught English, speech, creative writing, and drama. He also directed drama productions. For a few years, he taught evening classes at Lake Superior State University as an adjunct instructor of English.

"Alive and Free in the EUP" was Mr. Flanders' first collection of stories and poems that focus on living in the U.P., and was inspired by his six grandchildren. The grandchildren enjoy visiting their grandparents at their cottage on the lake.

Proceeds from the sale of Mr. Flanders' book are donated to the Rudyard Area Education Fund.

The couple has two daughters. Ingrid, a nurse practitioner in Hood River, Oregon, has three children, Elsbeth, Caleb, and Laurel. Sandra Griffith lives in Woodstock, Illinois, with her husband, Jeff, and three children; Katelyn attends Monmouth College with an English/theatre major; Dean attends Northern Michigan University, studying wildlife management, and the youngest, Korinne, is also interested in theatre.

Mr. and Mrs. Flanders recently returned from Woodstock, where they saw their granddaughter in a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Aside from enjoying the chalet they built on the shore of Frenchman Lake near the Village of Trout Lake 40 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Flanders devote their time to various hobbies. If Larry is not at his desk writing, you may find him in his shop concentrating on a woodworking project. Presently he is finishing the loft above the garage, creating more office and library space. Astrid spends time in her garden, reading, and knitting baby jackets for friends and family.