What did it take to over come the United States ban on marriages between American personnel in Germany and German Nationals at the end of WWII? Could such marriages survive the paperwork, trials, and tribulations involved? Frances Mary Ponn, a Berchtesgaden native, and Melvin R. Bielawski, a native of Toledo, Ohio, tested the "System" and won. In 2004, they celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage.

THE CORNER provides an historical record of the life style of young men in what could be considered a typical neighborhood prior to and during the WW II period in America. Toledo, Ohio is the setting of this documentary. The specific scene is the corner of Junction Avenue and Lucas Street, located in a solid Polish/American neighborhood. The story could be written of many other neighborhoods and ethnic and racial groups throughout the United States. It just so happens that the writer was a member of this particular group and neighborhood. Dramatic changes have taken place since the time period addressed in THE CORNER. WW II impacted the way of life of all Americans. Ethnic and racial neighborhoods and groups are still located throughout the country but on a far less scale. Nicknames, a sign of popularity in most cases or of a special trait of the individual, are not as common in today's society. New and interesting developments have impacted the old meetings places and methods of communication amongst the young men throughout America. Television; new and interesting hobbies; and diverse civic, religious, and other group organizations that provide meeting places and many other features that make for a more effective life style of American youth have replaced the "old" but unforgetable meetings on the local "corners." Unfortunately a part of American culture and history are lost for the ages. THE CORNER captures a capsule of a part of American life during an era that has literally disappeared from the the American scene.

This is the story of two people, Melvin and Frances, who met while young, fell in love, and married. They raised three sons, enjoyed a loving, warm, and close family life. They traveled extensively in Europe, Canada, and the United States. They were blessed with good health and suffered only minor aches and pains during their middle and early senior years. However, Frances began to have memory problems almost concurrent with turning 80 years of age. An early diagnosis by the family physician and a neurologist identified the symptoms as minor cognitive impairment (MCI). In subsequent years the diagnosis was changed to "Alzheimer's disease." This is the story of the impact on Frances, Melvin, and the immediate family in dealing with this incurable disease.

This is the story of two people, Melvin and Frances, who met while young, fell in love, and married. They raised three sons, enjoyed a loving, warm, and close family life. They traveled extensively in Europe, Canada, and the United States. They were blessed with good health and suffered only minor aches and pains during their middle and early senior years. However, Frances began to have memory problems almost concurrent with turning 80 years of age. An early diagnosis by the family physician and a neurologist identified the symptoms as minor cognitive impairment (MCI). In subsequent years the diagnosis was changed to "Alzheimer's disease." This is the story of the impact on Frances, Melvin, and the immediate family in dealing with this incurable disease.

THE CORNER provides an historical record of the life style of young men in what could be considered a typical neighborhood prior to and during the WW II period in America. Toledo, Ohio is the setting of this documentary. The specific scene is the corner of Junction Avenue and Lucas Street, located in a solid Polish/American neighborhood. The story could be written of many other neighborhoods and ethnic and racial groups throughout the United States. It just so happens that the writer was a member of this particular group and neighborhood. Dramatic changes have taken place since the time period addressed in THE CORNER. WW II impacted the way of life of all Americans. Ethnic and racial neighborhoods and groups are still located throughout the country but on a far less scale. Nicknames, a sign of popularity in most cases or of a special trait of the individual, are not as common in today's society. New and interesting developments have impacted the old meetings places and methods of communication amongst the young men throughout America. Television; new and interesting hobbies; and diverse civic, religious, and other group organizations that provide meeting places and many other features that make for a more effective life style of American youth have replaced the "old" but unforgetable meetings on the local "corners." Unfortunately a part of American culture and history are lost for the ages. THE CORNER captures a capsule of a part of American life during an era that has literally disappeared from the the American scene.