April 2011 Volume 6, Number 4
Monats Blatt
Vorstand
(Board of Officers)
President: Chris Baker(512-396-1348)
VP and P.E.: Eberhart Moese (830-632-9634)
2nd Vice-President: Richard Odorfer (830-629-6728)
Secretary: Leah Baker (512-396-1348)
Treasurer: Almut Wetzig (830-608-0171)
Publicity: Capt. Tom Stapleton (830-609-8129)
Public Relations: Mary Irwin (830-620-0369)
Publications: Tom Sears (830-626-2425)
Inhalt
(Contents)
Messages from Chris; Storage;
Musikfest; Folkfest; Dues Reminder; Maskenball;
Maifest: Wine & Sängerfest; Fun Time; Adult German Classes;
Children’s Summer Classes: Member News; Birthdays: Remaining Events for 2011;
Botschaften von Chris
April Meeting
I am always impressed with those Baker children, those 3rd Generation.....guess it helps to be claimed as their father! Anyway, I do appreciate what they bring to us in joy and thank Leah for her hard work. Be sure to plan on seeing them at Beethoven’s on April 14th Thursday in San Antonio.
Our April meeting brings us our beautiful Edelweiss Kinderchor von New Braunfels from here in town. Their melodious voices bring great joy and remembrance of our great heritage. Thank you, Mary Irwin, for your dedicated work with these young children.
We are all looking forward to our April meeting. For all new comers, our April meeting will be held at the Elks Club, located on Seguin St. across from the Chamber of Commerce/Civic Center. The meeting room will open at 6:00 PM for some friendly refreshments and fellowship. The meeting will start at 7:00.
Our Maifest Picnic will be held in Landa Park on May 3rd. We have great food and ice tea planned. BYOB for all others. Wein-Saengerfest is planned for May 7th. Get ready for pork chops, Wurst, and a NEW grill addition. Deutsch-Texanisches Musikfest is set for April 9th at 4:30 pm in the Brauntex. Cost is $20. Get out and support these travelling entertainers.
We continue to look for a volunteer to hold the chair position for the 4th of July Parade and the Comal County Fair Parade. We have many volunteers to help with all the events, just need someone to sign the dotted line as Event Chair.
Annual Dues need to be paid. See Almut please, and get these finalized.
The Wurstfest winners are in, and ready to collect their wine. Come to the meeting to see who gets the coveted award for wine.
See you Tuesday evening. And thanks Tom for this awesome newsletter. Appreciate your hard work. Chris
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Need New Storage!!
Your German American Society continues to collect more stuff. We have recently added a new grill. Our problem is storage! We have outgrown our current storage and are in need of a new updated weather-secure storage shed. Your Executive Board has approved the purchase a new shed. We just need a central location to place the shed.
So I have a proposition: If we have a volunteer step forward and give us a space to place the new storage shed, in exchange for 10 years of storage, we will give you this new shed at the conclusion. This is a win-win for us all. The only stipulation is that the location must be centrally located to New Braunfels. If you think you would like to have a new shed placed on your lot and keep for 10 years, we will give you the shed at the end. Let me know! Chris
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Deutsch-Texanisches Musikfest
The German American Society of New Braunfels and the Convention Visitor Bureau presents a wonderful musical concert.
A Country Western Band will open the show, then the Kindertänzer (children dancers) will perform and this will be followed by German music.
A Country Western Band will open the show, then the Kindertänzer (children dancers) will perform and this will be followed by German music.
After intermission a famous German singer, Hansie Kiesler will sing. He is on German TV and well known. The “Moderatorin” will be Carolin Reiber, TV MC in Germany for over 25 years.
Date: Sat. April 9th, 2011
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Place: Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, New Braunfels
Tickets: General $20/Seniors and Military $15.
Tickets will be available at the door.
Info: Helgard at (830) 625-6330
Date: Sat. April 9th, 2011
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Place: Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, New Braunfels
Tickets: General $20/Seniors and Military $15.
Tickets will be available at the door.
Info: Helgard at (830) 625-6330
or helgard@satx.rr.com
All members of our society are invited and asked to bring a friend.
Helgard, chairman
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Folkfest
The New Braunfels Heritage Society will once again sponsor the FOLKFEST on April 9 and 10. Our society supports this venture each year and will do so again this year. We will have a booth that features the mechanics of winemaking and sauerkraut making. Bill Moltz will demonstrate and teach the steps of winemaking and his son in law, Darren Kowalski, will teach the mechanics of sauerkraut making. Stop by our booth for a taste of wine and sauerkraut, but hopefully, not together. Also, the Gemischter Chor Harmonie and the Kinderchor will be performing. This is a wonderful event for young and old, so try to attend.
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Important Reminder
The 45 members who have not renewed their memberships need to do so ASAP!! If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact:
Almut Wetzig
125 Donald Ross Place
New Braunfels, TX 78130-8304
Make checks out to:
GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIETY
Like always, you can also pay at the next meeting.
Dues are still:
$15.00 per single membership,
$20.00 per couple.
Please keep your membership active, so you receive the newsletter each month. Also, please inform us of any change of address or e-mail.
Thank you, Almut
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Maskenball
Saturday night (Feb 26th) the Elk's Lodge dance floor was crowded with hordes of colorfully-dressed people who attended the German American Society's annual Maskenball (costume ball). This years Maskenball was attended by more than 100 people. The music was great and everybody had fun. Thank you to Jack Griffey, Tom & Martha Stapleton, Harvey & Edith Soechting, Helmut Meyer, Ron & Joyce Evans, David Schoenvogel, Richard Odorfer, Pat and Helgard Hollis for setting up the decorations.
The variety of character outfits resembled the patron's of the Star War's Bar. After dinner, live music was provided by Robert, Kevin and friend (of the Sauerkraut Band) and the party-goers danced a variety of waltz, polka, foxtrot and two step music. After the award presentation for the best nine costumes, Christabell Reiche West performed "Sevillanas"--a Spanish folk dance with castanets. The group photo shows all the 'Best Costume' winners (from left to right) : Lady Arven Legolds Wilson, Chris Baker and daughter, Emma, Helgard and Patrick Hollis, Christabell Reiche West, Lila LeMaster, Martin and Karola LeMieux.
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Maifest Reminder
Don't forget our annual (Maifest) picnic in Landa Park on Tuesday, May 3rd, at 6:00 p.m. We'll be in pavilions #5 and #6, near the dance slab. Kevin Hatcher & Robert Atwood will provide their usual wonderful musical entertainment from 6:30 until 8:30.
The BBQ meal is free for members and will cost $5.00 for each guest. Members are asked to bring side dishes, such as salads, vegetables, and desserts. Please bring enough to serve 8-10 people. If your last name begins with a letter ‘A’ through ‘K’, bring a salad or a vegetable; ‘L’ through ‘Z’, bring a dessert.
This year, we will provide only tea and water to drink. If you wish to have beer, wine or soft drinks, please bring your own.
If you'd like to help with set up, call Barry Irwin at 620-0369. If you'd like to help decorate, contact Lou Streitenberger or Sylvia Mayer.
See you there!
This year, we will provide only tea and water to drink. If you wish to have beer, wine or soft drinks, please bring your own.
If you'd like to help with set up, call Barry Irwin at 620-0369. If you'd like to help decorate, contact Lou Streitenberger or Sylvia Mayer.
See you there!
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Wein & Sängerfest
On May 7 the Wein & Sägerfest will be held in downtown New Braunfels and our club will sponsor a food booth serving pork loins, bratwurst, sauerkraut, and strudel. This is a big undertaking and many workers will be needed for this daylong adventure. Bill and Diane Moltz are asking members to sign up to help at the April meeting when a sign up sheet will be passed around. This event requires a lot of work, but it is a fun filled occasion with many activities going on at all times, so please lend a hand.
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Spaßzeit für alle!
(Fun Time for All!)
At the March general meeting, the 3rd Generation band wowed the audience with lively arrangements of accordion, fiddle, and drums as they played traditional German, American and even Hungarian music. The Baker children were assisted by their sound technician, father, and Verein President, Chris Baker. Everyone enjoyed this emerging band, which has previously played at Wurstfest and also opened for the band, Two Tons of Steel.
The April entertainment will also be kids. This time we will have the "Edelweiss Kinderchor von New Braunfels." This will be their fifth annual performance, although most of you have heard them singing at other times also, such as Wurstfest, Wein and Saengerfest, Folk Fest, Wassailfest, Saengerfest or the German Advent Service. They also perform at nursing homes here in New Braunfels.
The current group was re-organized six years ago, and averages about 20 singers each year. Children range in ages 5-16, with one special 3 year old who always manages to draw smiles from the audience.
They will be singing traditional German folksongs that are sure to evoke pleasant memories from your childhood. Bring your children and grandchildren and join the fun.
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Adult German Classes
Our adult German class has been so well received that the students have asked for a follow-up class. Our teacher, Debbie Pickett, has agreed to teach again much to the delight of her students so the next class will begin on March 24 and will continue for 10 lessons. Anyone who wishes to continue in their learning of the German language is welcome to attend this class at Cross Lutheran Church on Thursday evenings at 7:00. The cost for the ten lessons is $20.00. For more information call 660-0437.
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Children’s German Summer Camp
Once again our club will sponsor a children's German language summer camp that will continue for two weeks at the CONSERVATION PLAZA in Forke's Store. Our camp will begin on June 13 and end on June 24. The class for beginners will be from 9:00-12:00 and the class for children with some knowledge of German will be from 1:00-4:00. This camp has been very successful in the past with classes filling up rather quickly, so if you have children or grandchildren who are interested, please call 660 0437 or 620 0369 soon for more information.
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Mitglieder Nachrichten
Herzlichstes Willkommen zu den neuesten Mitgliedern unserer Vereins! We welcome most heartily our newest members:
Melvin Gutknecht
Dianna & Bernard Tupa
and returning members,
A. D. and Vivian Nuhn
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Herzlichen Glückwunsch
zum Geburtstag
(Happy Birthday)
Member birthdays in April
Almut Wetzig 4/5
Herbert Strunk 4/7
Donald Knippa 4/8
Debbie Vetter 4/8
Frauke Morin 4/20
Wilfredo Osorio 4/21
Ralph Schonholz 4/29
Joyce Eichmann 4/30
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The Red Ravens
Come To Town
On April 16th, the Red Ravens come to Eagles Hall with their band of talented musicians. The dance is being sponsored by the Goodtime Polka & Waltz Club. The dance is from 7:00 to 11:00 and is open to all. Come out for a great evening of dancing or just sitting and listening to great polkas, waltzes, country and big band music. They put on a great show.
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Remaining Events 2011
April 5: General Meeting at Elks Lodge
April 16 & 17: Folkfest
May 3: General Meeting & Annual Picnic in Landa Park
May 7: Wein & Saenger Fest (We will be selling Schweinskoteletten (Pork Chops) &
Wurst (Sausage)
June 7: General Meeting at Elks Lodge
July 5: General Meeting at Elks Lodge
August 2: General Meeting at Elks Lodge
September 6: General Meeting at Elks Lodge
October 4: General Meeting at Elks Lodge
November 1: November General Meeting at Elks Lodge
November 4 - November 13: Wurstfest (Come help sell in our NEW Booth.)
December 3: Wassailfest (We will be selling Schweinskoteletten)
December 6 : General Meeting and Christmas Party at Elks Lodge
We will be scheduling bus trips to Beethoven (San Antonio) and Fredericksburg Weihnachtsmarkt.