Harry’s Story, Outtake #6 – A Glimpse of Aartswoud, North Holland Today

Aartswould, North Holland today is a quiet farming community north of Amsterdam. This is the village where Harry grew up when he experienced the Nazi occupation from 1940-1945.  A focal point of the village is the large church with a flat top steeple. Nazis used the steeple as a vantage point to watch the village below during occupation.

Harry’s Story Documentary

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

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Harry’s Story, Outtake #5 – Baking a Cake for the Nazi Soldiers

Harry explains how German soldiers would enter their home and demand his Mother and Aunt to bake them a cake.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps.

At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

See the complete documentary on YouTube.

“Harry’s Story” Screened at Lennox & Addington County Museum

Harry's Story screened at Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives

Harry and Fim Andringa attended the screening of the documentary “Harry’s Story” at the Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives on November 25, 2017.  Organized by Rob Plumley (Community Development Officer) and Jane Foster (Manager, Museum & Archives), the small screening took place in the beautiful meeting room of the Museum.  Once the County jail, the Museum and Archives has been transformed to be the premier meeting venue in Napanee after the extensive renovation program a few years ago.

The documentary was produced by Ken and Cathy Hook of Cloyne and is available for public viewing on Harry’s website.  Harry’s Story is about the memories of a 9 year old boy growing up in Holland during the Nazi occupation during WWII. Harry explains the horrors of war and the impact upon the citizens of Holland, waiting for liberation by the Allies.  The documentary is meant to be shared as much as possible and can be easily downloaded for free for public viewing, in 4K resolution.  Harry’s Story can also be seen on YouTube as a Trailer and full-length video. It is non-monetized.

Harry's Story screened at Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives

Harry’s Story, Outtake #4 – Money was Worthless – Trading for Food

During the Nazi occupation of Holland, Dutch money was worthless. To get food citizens traded anything of value to receive a bag of grain or other food. Harry tells an amusing story about a farmer with potatoes who made a bad trade.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

“Harry’s Story” in the Frontenac News, November 2017

Harry's Story - Frontenac News Nov 2017 Article

Harry’s Story” documentary launch at the Northbrook Lions Hall was mentioned in the November 9th, 2017 edition of the Frontenac News.  Jeff Green wrote the article and attended the public launch on October  25th.  Later Jeff interviewed Harry Andringa to answer some questions he had regarding  Harry’s immigration to Canada.  Harry’s wife, Fim also talked to Jeff about the refugee crisis in the world today.  See the full story here.

Harry’s Story, Outtake #3 – How the Underground Helped Us Hide Jews

In this outtake Harry describes how the local Mayor chosen by the Nazis was threatening Harry’s family because they were hiding Jews from the Nazis.  A local policeman who was a member of the Dutch underground stepped in to help the Andringa family by making his own threat to the Mayor.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

Harry’s Story, Outtake #2 – How We Played Cards At Night

In Outtake #2 Harry explains his role of riding his bike in a way that illuminated the card table when his father and Uncle played cards at night.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

Harry’s Story Documentary to be Shown in Napanee Nov 25, 2017

Harry's Story Documentary Screening at L&A County Museum and Archives

Harry’s Story will receive another public screening, this time in Napanee at the Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives. The date is November 25th, 2017 at 2 pm.  Admission is $3.00 per person. Harry plans to attend to answer questions after the presentation.  Everyone welcome!

A trailer video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Zbcw1NNQgUQ

Tweed News: Harry’s Story Launch at Lions Hall – Standing Room Only

Tweed News - Harry's Story Launch at Northbrook Lions Hall

Tweed News – Harry’s Story Launch at Northbrook Lions Hall

Click link to see full story.  Thanks to Shannon Binder Bray for coming to the launch and writing the story and taking the photo and to Rodger Hanna (owner/operator of the Tweed News) for publishing the article.

Harry’s Story Local Launch Announced!
October 25th at the Northbrook Lions Hall

Come to the Public Viewing!

The trailer video of Harry’s Story has been well circulated and now is the time to set a date for public release.  In partnership with the Cloyne and District Historical Society and the Lions Club of Land O’ Lakes Inc., we are pleased to launch Harry’s Story with a public viewing on October 25th at 7  pm in the Northbrook Lions Hall.

Harry Andringa  is planning to attend and will answer questions after the 38 minute presentation.

Refreshments will be served.

Please join us learn why there is a special bond between the Dutch and Canadians!