Editorial
Dear Currents readers !
Welcome to our summer issue , which is really an end-of-summer issue , as we skipped our regular mid-summer edition this year . It made sense to do so — circumstances have prevented many of the usual updates from our clubs , and few regular events have resumed . We just figured there would be more to report after a short break and , happily , that ’ s at least partly true . Our intrepid clubbers , fiercely masked and properly distanced , have been out and about to the greatest extent possible , making the world a better place for themselves and others , come what may .
While the last 18 months have been hard on everyone , some are harder hit than others . Some of us who have been luckier have used this privilege to help those others . Our favored charity , Hanseatic Help , got a big boost in donations ( both material and monetary ) and manpower from one dedicated group-withinour-group . FAWCO celebrated its 90 years of service with a salute to “ Inspiring Women ,” and our target project with them , Hope for Girls and Women , will hold both a Region 5 meeting and an online auction this November ( mark your calendars now !).
Meanwhile , many of our members were finding ways to social distance and be social . They met in open , airy places or online to share books , music , and ideas . They virtually hiked the great American national parks while literally walking Hamburg ( if that makes no sense , read all about it here !). They toured the city on two wheels for World Bicycle Day . They Zoomed the Fourth of
July ( yes , “ Zoom ” is a verb now ). And many of us went “ home ” for the first time in a long time , or finally , finally vacationed away .
But many also stayed in Hamburg . This is why we chose an expanded Hamburger Hacks for our theme this issue ; there is so much to love in this city , and we want to know what that is for you . Also , visitors are beginning to return to us , and everyone has that special restaurant or place that they bring guests . Maybe your out-oftown-guest tour even takes you to places you ’ d never go otherwise ! We hope you enjoy your fellow clubbers ’ stories and remember — we are always happily accepting similar recommendations for Hamburger Hacks .
Finally , this is the issue where we say good-bye to Beatrice , who has done so much to make this magazine look like , well , a real magazine ! Between her computer skills and her design sense , Beatrice is in high demand ; this means that , between her job and working on her masters , she ’ s got her hands full . And so we close this editorial with a call to action : Currents need you ! You with the ability to use or the inclination to learn InDesign , you who enjoys getting creative with images and / or words , you who likes the idea of a brief , mad flurry of activity every three months — even if you ’ re just toying with the idea , we ’ d love to hear from you !
We hope your summer was everything you wanted it to be . See you next fall !
Regards , Beatrice K . and Mason Jane M .
Co-Editors
2 AWCH Currents Winter Edition