Obituaries

Continued from Page 44 proprietor of Rick’s Cafe Americain in Casablanca, is portrayed by Bogart. The proprietor of a competing saloon, The Blue Parrot, Sefior Ferrari, played by Englishman Sydney Greenstreet, bragged that, “As the leader of all illegal activities in Casablanca, I am an influential and respected man.” This was his third movie with Bogart and his second with Peter Lorre.

Lorre was a Hungarian Jew, who, as Senor Ugate, stole two Letters of Transit from two German couriers, during the theft of which, they were killed. This brought him to the attention of the local constabulary. The Letters of Transit were very valuable, because they were required to leave Morocco. Just before he was apprehended, and killed, he sureptisously slipped them to Rick.

Meanwhile, Ilse Lund, played by Swedish beauty Ingrid Bergman, with whom Rick had a torrid love affair in Paris just before the Germans occupied it in June 1940, arrives at his establishment.

He had thought they were going to leave Paris together and were to meet at the train station. When she didn’t show, he was heartbroken. It turns out that she was married to noted Resistance Leader Victor Laszlo, played by Austrian Paul Henreid, but had thought him dead. She learned that he was alive, and therefore didn’t meet Rick.

When Ilse arrived at Rick’s Cafe and sees Sam, the piano player, she asks him to, “Play it once, Sam, for old times’ sake.” When he declines, she requests it again, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’.”

When Rick hears the song, which he has forbidden Sam, played by Dooley Wilson, to ever play in his presence, he comes to the floor and sees her, and all of those fond memories begin flooding back. He then utters the immortal line, “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine!”

Gestapo Major Heinrich Strasser, played by German actor Conrad Veidt, appeared and is concerned that the noted Resistance leader Victor Laszlo is at large in Casablanca, and that there are two unaccounted for Letters of Transit. He is sure that the two exit visas and the Laszlos will be united and that they will escape his clutches.

Rick, who wants everyone to think he cares about nothing, or anyone but himself, at great risk to himself foils the major’s attempt to apprehend

Laszlo. Veidt, who had fled Nazi Germany because his wife was Jewish, thought it ironic that he was playing the type of man that caused him to flee Germany!

Rick’s Cafe is populated by all sorts of international characters, contributing to the film’s international intrigue — most of them seeking the precious exit visas. There was Leonid Kinskey from Russia, who played the Russian bartender, Sascha. Yvonne, one of Rick’s ex-girlfriends, was played by Madeleine Lebeau, of France.

Her story was much like that of the movie. She was married to Marcel Dalio, the son of Romanian Jews. They left Paris just ahead of the Germans, making their way to Lisbon, Portugal, where they obtained visas to enter Chile. When their ship docked in Mexico, they learned their visas were forgeries. Eventually they were able to enter the U.S.

In “Casablanca,” Dalio played Emil the croupier. In the scene where the cafe patrons sing the inspirational French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” those are real tears coming from Yvonne.

John Qualen, born in Canada to Norwegian parents, is Laszlo’s Resistance contact. The head waiter at the cafe, Carl, was played by S. Z. Sakall, a Hungarian Jew. Richard Ryen was also from Hungary, and played Col. Heinze, Major Strasser’s aide.

With two weeks left in production, the writers still had not decided upon an ending. One day, as the Epstein twins were driving down the highway, they began ruminating as to how the audience would want to see the story end. They decided that the audience would want to see Rick kill Major Strasser. So, as the Laszlos are about to board a plane for Lisbon and freedom, the major arrives and orders that the plane be stopped.

After Rick kills him, French police appear and the head of the French

Pictured from left, Paul Henreid, Candice Bergman, Claude Rains and Humphrey Bogart

Continued on Page 46 LAKELYN ASHLEY DRAHEIM Bishopville

Lakelyn Ashley Draheim passed away peacefully at her home in Bishopville, Maryland, on Jan. 13, 2023, after a yearlong battle with DIPG, an aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer.

Lakelyn was born in Salisbury, Maryland, on June 28, 2017, to her parents, Lauren and Lance Draheim. To her family, friends and teachers, Lakelyn Draheim Lakelyn was known as a passionate, creative and loving little girl who loved to dance, paint, camp, ride fourwheelers, go to school, cook with her Daddy, bake with her Mommy, and play with her brothers, Lawson “Bubba” and Levyn Beau “L.B.”

She often said that when she grew up, she wanted to be a dancer/ballerina/4-wheeler rider/deer hunter/hair dresser, a list which was constantly growing.

When Lakelyn wasn’t cheering on Lawson in sports, she enjoyed going camping in Williamsburg, Virginia, Disney World and at Jellystone Campground in Lincoln, Delaware.

Some of her family’s favorite memories are of making S’mores and playing Charades around a campfire. Continued on Page 46

Continued from Page 45

At home, she loved to work on puzzles, read, play school and watch her favorite shows, including “Sleeping Beauty” and “Bluey.”

Lakelyn was kind, intelligent and a beacon of light to everyone she encountered.

She would often style her friends’ hair, do their makeup, paint their nails and always wanted people to feel better when they left her.

Her infectious smile drew people in, her giggle would bring instant joy to everyone she met and her touch would soothe any broken heart.

She is survived by her parents, Lance and Lauren; her brothers, Lawson and Levyn Beau; her grandparents, Eugene MaGee, Eddie and Sally Draheim; her aunts and uncles, Robbie “Bobo” Draheim, Brian and Rebecca “Boppy” Benson, Lenny and Kelsy Draheim, and Hunter and Shannon Draheim; and her cousins, Tripp Benson, Sterling, Amelia, Paxleigh and Brook Draheim.

Lakelyn was preceded in death by her Momom Dolly MaGee; and her great-grandparents, Carlton and Dollie MaGee.

In lieu of flowers, the Draheims are asking that you consider donating to The Cure Starts Now, an organization dedicated to putting an end to Childhood Brain Cancer, in Lakelyn’s Honor using the link, https://p2p.thecurestartsnow.org/18 46.

Viewing and visitation: Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Showell Elementary School, 11318 Showell School Road, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

Funeral Services will begin at Showell Elementary School on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at 1 p.m.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.

GERDA MARLENE STOVER Berlin

Gerda Marlene Stover passed away peacefully after a short illness on Jan. 2, 2023, at her residence at Gull Creek Senior Living in Berlin, Maryland. Gerda was born on May 9, 1930, and was the daughter of the late George and Edith Oman. Toward the end of World War II, she, her mother, sister and two brothers escaped from Berlin during the Russian invasion of the city.

They eventually found themselves safely in territory occupied by the American army.

She had written a very poignant story of what she, as a 15-year-old, had experienced during that time and gave a presentation of it at her residence and at her son’s neighborhood.

The family was eventually reunited with her father, who had previously been forced to join the German Army. The family re-settled in what was East Berlin at the time.

They subsequently relocated to Frankfurt, Germany.

Gerda resumed her education and, following graduation from school, she was employed by Reuters News Agency for several years before meeting her future husband, Charles Ackerson, an American soldier.

Her son, Robert, was born in Germany in 1950 and the family came to the United States in 1955, settling briefly in Ohio before moving to southern California.

Gerda and her husband had two more children, a son, David (who had tragically passed away in a drowning accident at 12 years old) and another son, Stephen.

Gerda and Charles had eventually divorced and she later married Dennis Stover and they lived happily in Highland, California, for many years.

Gerda then began a second career as an accountant and was employed in this capacity for several years.

She and Dennis traveled extensively, preferring luxury travel on cruise lines and visiting many exotic ports of call. They were married over 30 years when Dennis passed away in 2012.

Shortly thereafter, Gerda moved to Berlin, Maryland, to be closer to family.

Her hobbies were singing, knitting and creating beautiful creations in counted cross stitch.

She was very active during her nine years at Gull Creek Senior Living with participating in their choir and helping the staff with many of their social activities.

She appeared in a few of her residence’s TV commercials and ended them by saying, “I live at Gull Creek!”

She had also volunteered for the town of Berlin’s visitor center, marched in the annual Berlin Christmas parade, as well as the Ocean City Saint Patrick’s Day parade (dressed as a leprechaun!).

She was an avid walker and took great pride in that she could walk the parades the whole way without assistance.

She will be remembered for being a fashion plate and prided herself in always looking her best.

Gerda is survived by her son, Robert Ackerson and his wife, Janet, of Frankford, Delaware; and her son, Stephen Ackerson and his companion, Hong Liu, of Suquamish, Washington; as well as many other family members and friends.

We wish to thank the employees of her residence as well as Coastal Hospice for the care they provided.

She will be missed by all who knew her. As Gerda had requested, a service will not be held.

Gerda Stover

$1,445.

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page police, Capt. Louis Renault, played by Englishman Claude Rains, orders his men to “round up the usual suspects.” There, the film ends.

But not everyone was satisfied. About a month after production ended, Bogart was brought back to record the line, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” which was dubbed in.

Louis had one of film’s great lines earlier in the story, when looking for an excuse to comply with Major Strasser’s edict to put the squeeze on Rick, he ordered the Café closed, saying that, “I’m shocked, shocked, to find that gambling is going on in here,” shortly before he is handed his winnings from the previous evening.

Next week: Natal Conference

Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be con-