Koopman's father, a Holocaust survivor, went to school with Frank in the Netherlands shortly before the period of persecution and hiding made famous in her diary.

She even wrote about him, briefly. That section of the diary was not published until after his father died, Koopman said.

He might have had mixed emotions about his footnote in history, if he had known.

Running down her impressions of her new classmates, Frank had this to say: "Herman Koopman also has a filthy mind, just like Jopie de Beer, who's a terrible flirt and absolutely girl-crazy."

That's better than some of his classmates fared. On the same page, she calls one "pretty boring," another "a short, goofy boy" and another "an obnoxious, two-faced, lying, sniveling little goof who has an awfully high opinion of himself."

In short, your average group of elementary school students. Nevertheless, they were all "good at heart."

REPUBLICAN PARTIES: Forget pig-pickings. The new political powwow is a tailgate party.

The Wake County Young Republicans are holding a contest for the best GOP-themed tailgater at a football game this fall.

The rules: You have to post Republican political signs at a college or NFL football game between Sept. 3 and Nov. 6. You have to send e-mail with a photo of the tailgater to wakeyr@gmail.com by Nov. 10. And you must be a registered Republican.

Also: "Only entries considered to be in good taste and which promote Republican candidates in a positive way will be accepted."

The contest got props from Kim Cotten, the vice chairman of the N.C. Federation of Young Republicans, who praised it on a statewide blog for attracting "more young professionals" to the party.

The Republican Party, that is.

DONALD'S DAY: Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams has proclaimed Thursday to be F. Donald Rohrbaugh Day in honor of one of the town's most decorated public servants. Rohrbaugh served as alderman from 1983 to 1989 and mayor from 1991 to 2001. Among his most visible accomplishments were acquiring the land that became Benson Park and helping get Timber Drive built.

POLITICAL TRAIL

* WAKE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT

Aida Doss Havel, candidate for Wake County District Court Judge, will hold a "meet-and-greet" event Sunday at the home of Brenda (Ott) Collier, 1029 Bungalow Park Drive in Apex from 2 to 4 p.m. Havel faces former Wake assistant district attorney Vince Rozier for the seat. For information, call 782-9820 or 740-7031.

* WAKE COUNTY SHERIFF

Wendell residents Sharon and Glenn Perry and Tim Perry will host a fundraiser for Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison on Sept. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 5409 Riley Hill Road in Wendell. The cost is $25 per person, $35 per couple.

PHASE II Personal Training Centers will host a "meet-and-greet" for Democratic challenger John Baker, a former Wake County sheriff, Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 5808-101 Departure Drive in Raleigh.

* N.C. HOUSE DISTRICT 41

Supporter Jay Sable will host a "meet-and-greet" for N.C. House candidate Ty Harrell today from 3 to 5 p.m. The event will be held at 7001 Valley Drive in Raleigh. Harrell, a Democrat, is challenging J. Russell Capps for the seat in District 41, which covers western Wake County. For more information, call Lara Swanson at 593-4275.