Trisha Cornforth, German news reporter for "Der Kanadier" newspaper as well as for CFN/RFC radio and television, from the end of 1978 to the end of May 1994 The original "Der Kanadier " was the weekly newspaper for the Canadian Forces stationed in Europe. It was published in Lahr in the Black Forest, Germany, from 1 July 1970 until 25 May 1994, i.e. until just before Canadian Forces Base Lahr closed down in mid-August 1994.

Celebrating our third anniversary
At the end of 2002 it will be exactly three years since we started our virtual version of the
weekly newspaper for the Canadian Forces in Europe. We're delighted to report that we've received a total of over 95 000 "visits" since we went online. We've also been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic reaction of so many people who sent us friendly messages or logged in to the guest book. It's that kind of grateful response that makes all our volunteer work worthwhile! Thank you all for your support and please keep in touch!

Our main aim is to keep you informed about what happened or is happening to people and places in the Lahr area. Our visitors' forum is there for you, with postcards, small ads and a chat room. You can send a "missing" notice to try to find old friends and acquaintances who never left a forwarding address when they moved. You can submit a "wanted" notice or advertise something that may be of interest to other ex-CFE members, like special news items, events that may be relevant or, in sad cases, death announcements for our "In Memoriam" section.

"Der Kanadier Shop" has recently been added to our services, with a secure method of paying by credit card. It doesn't have a very wide range yet, mainly souvenirs and German things that you can't buy in Canada. The narrow assortment is partly because Lahr stores don't stock many special souvenirs any more - there are few Canadian customers or other tourists nowadays! We will gradually build up a stock of suitable items. Please let us know if there are any particular articles you would like Der Kanadier Shop to procure for you! By the way, direct internet commerce has not reached Germany yet, so Lahr stores do not have their own homepages.

We will definitely hold a CFE Reunion in Lahr in the week around 1 July 2004, exactly 10 years since the closure of Canadian Forces Base Lahr. This reunion will be for everyone who used to be part of CFE, not only military or military brats but also for teachers and other civilians. The idea is that you will make this reunion the centre of a holiday in Europe. We ourselves will not be able to arrange travel and accommodation for everyone but we can put you in contact with suitable agencies in Lahr or in the area of Baden-Soellingen. Of course we will organize a program of local tours, trips, get-togethers and events, but people will still have plenty of time to visit their old friends and neighbours or go to their favourite Gasthaus - although many have closed through lack of patronage since the Canadians left! I'll give you more reunion details in my next editorial.

With best wishes for peace, health and happiness at Christmas and in the New Year,

from Trisha Cornforth
also on behalf of our other volunteers Gabrielle, Marie-Hélène, Ivan and Klaus
(see "Contacts" for information on Der Kanadier's behind-the-scenes team).