The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania Newsletter
Transcription
The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania Newsletter
The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania Newsletter: June 2014 Printer: Gannon University Press Website: http://gcsoe.org Mission: The mission of The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania, is to preserve German values, customs, language and music through education and activities. The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania, aims to unite German-Americans and to share our German culture in the community through special events and charitable functions. Meeting Location and Date: All are invited to attend our meetings and events. We meet the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Erie Männerchor Club, 1607 State St. in Erie. Officers - 2014: Board of Directors - 2014: Paul Fischer, President 838-4315 Rose Hill 825-6721 Betty Schubert Vice President 217-9425 Wayne Koble 873-7552 572-8016 Carol George 572-2774 864-9474 Carol Matheis 864-8417 Marilyn Mack 734-3706 Tom Laska, Alice Niebauer, Treasurer Board Secretary Committees: Membership: Betty Schubert 217-9425 Ways & Means: Carol George Wayne Koble 873-7552 572-2774 Christian Mueller 825-5702 Nancy Rusnak 864-3427 Marilyn Melhuish 833-6718 Parliamentarian: Marilyn Melhuish 833-6718 Dance/Luau: Bill Matheis 864-8417 Grant Programs: Paul Fischer 838-4315 Website: Roy Voshall 898-2124 Activities: Marilyn Voshall 898-2124 Newsletter: Wayne Koble 873-7552 1 Programs: Newsletter Additions If you have a notice that you would like to appear in our newsletter, please submit to Wayne Koble, PO Box 67, Girard, Pa. 16417. Or e-mail to [email protected]. Information is due by the 20th of the month. A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT A big ‘thank you’ for your patience and understanding of the May meeting reschedule. In an effort to be as transparent as possible and to keep things in the proper perspective a bit more information should make matters more clear. Those of you who are members of the Erie Maennerchor know that there are some major transformational changes being made within the club building and also its management and staff. So far a modern new kitchen was recently installed and there have been some lesser decorating changes. Of more importance however, and affecting all members and visitors to the Maennerchor is that there is a new head chef, a new banquets reservation person and an aggressive search is underway for a new club manager. The Maennerchor has not had an active manager for several weeks. These changes are the result of the Maennerchor Board of Directors wishing to better position itself in the market going forward and more in keeping with the ideals of the Maennerchor founders. As part of these revitalized ideals I will be meeting with Maennerchor Directors in an effort to make our GCSoE part of the ‘new Maennerchor’. The ‘road bumps’ of the May meeting reschedule and the frigid ballroom conditions on May 15 were anomalies that should not occur going forward. Until the dust of the transformation settles there may be occasional quirks but working together we’re determined to make this a win-win situation for the GCSoE as well as the Erie Maennerchor. We both understand that we basically have a great thing going for each other and that we need each other. Your patience, understanding and cooperation will be sincerely appreciated as a new chapter is opened in the Germanic heritage of our community. As part of this new vision the Erie Maennerchor has planned a bus trip to Pittsburgh on August 10th for a ‘meet-and greet’ with members of the Pittsburgh Teutonia Maennerchor at their Club to be followed by a lunch/dinner on your own at the Pittsburgh Hofbrauhaus. To join in on this brief day trip would be a great way to show our intent to be a good partner with our local Maennerchor and possibly ‘borrow’ some ideas from the highly successful Pittsburgh Teutonia Maennerchor. Details to follow soon. Paul E. Fischer, President 2 Calendar of Events June 07 June 12 June 25 July 12 July 16 August 06 August 10 Bus Trip to Westside Market in Cleveland Sold out Monthly Meeting Program: Kurt Hersch, “An American Student in Cologne, Germany” Nuremberg, Germany Dancers at the Siebenberg Club For tickets call Hildegard Marshall at 825-4137 Bus Trip to Great Lakes Wine Festival, Watkins Glen, NY See inside of this newsletter for information GCS of Erie Annual Picnic at Scott Park See inside of this newsletter for information Abend Essen Dinner Call Carol George for information at 572-2774 Maennerchor Club Bus Trip to Pittsburgh Contact the Maennerchor Club for details and reservations at 452- 4731 August 16 GCS of Erie Schweinfest Pleasant Ridge Park, Dobler Road, Fairview, Pa. September 11 Monthly Meeting “.Getting to know you.” October 9 October 10 Monthly Meeting – Program TBA Bus Trip to “Cabaret” and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario $139 per person. Passport required. More to information to follow November 2 “All That Glitters Jewelry Party” Information to follow November 13 Monthly Meeting Herr Mueller’s Deutsche Spreche December 5-7 Bus Trip to Bethlehem, Pa. Christmas Market More information to follow in future newsletters December 11 Annual GCS of Erie Christmas Party The German Cultural Society of Erie holds a German Folk Dance class every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. for FREE. Beginners welcome! The steps are easy and our experienced dancers are happy to assist you. It is a great way to exercise to music with friends and to appreciate our German heritage. Classes are held at St. Joseph Church, 147 West 24th Street Erie, PA. Call Bill Matheis 814-864-8417, for more information. 3 Announcements & Coming Events German Cultural Society of Erie – Annual Picnic Pack Your Picnic Basket and Come to, The German Cultural Society, Summer Picnic Wednesday, July 16th at Scott Park (Across from St. Jude’s Church on West 6th Street) GCS of Erie will provide: Hot dogs and buns, condiments, horseshoes, hula hoops, and hillbilly golf. Members are asked to bring: Table service, beverage of their choice and a dish to share with members. We will gather around 3:00 PM for social time and we will eat between 4:30 and 5:00 PM . Carol Matheis Editor’s Note: Please be advised that last month’s Newsletter had an incorrect date for the picnic. As noted above, the actual date is Wednesday, July 16. Thank-you. Welcome New Members! Paula & Robert Praetzel Donald & Judy Nordin 4 Review of May 8th Meeting German Cultural Society of Erie President, Paul Fischer, assisted by his son, Mark Fischer gave our membership an educational, yet often amusing insight into the history of the Erie organ industry (which was started by German immigrants). This industry contributed greatly to the development of the Erie region. His presentation was accompanied by a slide show documenting the various organ manufacturing locations in their past and present state. Preview of June 12th Meeting Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a semester and study in a foreign country? How about Germany? Or how about a beautiful and historic city such as Cologne? Well the speaker for our June meeting did exactly that. Erie native Kurt Hersch, currently Instructor of Entrepreneurship at Gannon University spent a semester doing graduate work in Cologne. Kurt will share his experiences as a young American living and studying in a distant land. Not any distant land, but the land of his ancestors. Join us for what should be an insightful and entertaining evening. 5 Finger Lakes Wine Festival-Saturday, July 12, 2014 Motor coach departs Walmart parking lot on upper Peach Street in Erie promptly at 6:30 AM for Watkins Glen, New York where we will spend the day sampling the best wines and cheeses New York State has to offer. They have partnered with regional chefs, The New York Wine & Culinary Center, Finger Lakes Culinary Center, Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty and Cargill, Inc. to bring you cooking classes and demonstrations. No festival is complete without live, quality entertainment and at the Finger Lakes Wine Festival there is no shortage of talented individuals and groups. With over 25 bands booked in the four major courtyards, roaming a-Capella singers and much more – you can’t help but enjoy the atmosphere they’ve created. Brings a lawn chair to lounge by the bus and enjoy the weather and the wine. You will even have a chance to ride around the famous Watkins Glen race track in an official pace car. The festival runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We will arrive back in Erie by 9:00 PM. COST $89 PER PERSON Trip includes: Roundtrip motor coach transportation, admission to Wine Festival, wine glass, festival guide, and carry bag plus bus driver gratuity. SPACE IS LIMITED. PLEASE CALL IN YOUR RESERVATON TO 814-923-1044. THEN FILL OUT AND RETURN THE FORM ON THE OUTSIDE COVER OF THIS NEWSLETTER. INCLUDE PAYMENT IN FULL TO ADAMS TRAVEL AND MAIL TO 3714 ZUCK ROAD, ERIE, PA. 16506. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 923-1044 OR E-MAIL [email protected] 6 German Heritage in America Oldenburg is a quaint little town located in the southeast corner of Indiana in Franklin County, with a population of about seven hundred. Driving into town the visitor finds German/English signs at each intersection, and from there it only gets better. Oldenburg is not set up as a tourist site, but has the touch of authenticity reminiscent of the original settlers from northwest Germany. Founded in 1837 by Johann Heinrich Ronnebaum and Heinrich Plaspohl from the Oldenburger Münsterland (parish of Damme), the town attracted many immigrants from their homeland, giving Oldenburg a distinctive north German Catholic flavor and character. Like German hometowns, Oldenburg's horizon is defined by its towering church-related structures, causing it to be known as "the village of spires." Built in 1862, the Gothic Revival style, Holy Family Church forms the nucleus of Oldenburg and is adorned with beautiful stained-glass windows. Additionally, there is the Franciscan Monastery, which was built in 1894, and is located on Perlenstrasse, whereas the other church buildings are on Hauptstrasse. In the Holy Family Church cemetery many of the stone and iron grave markers bear German inscriptions. A drive through Oldenburg reveals that the residential architecture is as impressive as that of its religious institutions. Brick and stone houses, many of them built before 1900, adorn the town, often combining home and shop together. In 1983, Oldenburg was not surprisingly added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1863, Morgan's Raiders, led by General John Hunt Morgan, came through area, providing interesting anecdotes to places where the Confederate soldiers drank beer, or had their horses shod. also is the Kessing Haus Café. 7 After touring the town, visitors will obviously want to look for some refreshment. The Brau Haus, which features German and American brews and items on its menu, is especially well known for its fried chicken. Another good place to whet your thirst and satisfy your hunger is at the Perlen Strasse Pub. And if your taste runs in the direction of a good cup of coffee there From Christian Mueller German Cultural Society of Erie PO Box 67, Girard, Pa. 16417 Finger Lakes Wine Festival, Watkins Glen, NY Saturday, July 12 * $89 per person. Name________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________ City/State____________________________ Zip Code _______________________ Phone______________________ E-mail Address __________________________ I am enclosing $89 per person x _________ people = $ __________________________ Are you interested in purchasing travel insurance for this trip for anyone in this reservation? _____ Yes ____ No Signature ____________________________________________ Mail to: Adams Travel, 3714 Zuck Road, Erie, Pa. 16506. Make checks payable to ADAMS TRAVEL. For more information, read page 6 of this newsletter. 8
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