By Jeff Dhein - Germantown - Germantown Historical Society

INCORPORATED – 1974
4TH QUARTER 2010
ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR THE
GERMANTOWN OKTOBERFEST! By Jeff Dhein
Let me start by saying thank you to our volunteers, the committee, the
vendors and most importantly to all of our friends that came and
helped to make this the biggest in history! We increased sales in all of
our areas. In this economy that really is a pleasant accomplishment.
We tried some new things this year and I believe that they were a great
success. The car show will be back and fine tuned, the cheese curds
were delicious and the kettle corn really went over well.
We also got some new help
this year, the Germantown
wrestling boosters helped quite
a bit with set-up and kept things
running smoothly when I needed to be elsewhere. Coach Casey you are
a great guy and the wrestling parents should be proud that you are at
G'town. The key club, German honor society and the varsity football
team chipped in and assisted in many ways. Boy, we have a great group
of kids in this town.
Judy Ketterer from Aldo's
Catering did her usual
awesome job with the food. I
hope everyone gets a chance to stop by and try her delicious food at
her restaurant. The pizza is delicious (and I know a little bit about
eating) as well as her regular menu. Stop in and tell her thank you.
She is just south of Mequon
Road on Pilgrim. The
House of Homemade
Sausage was once again on
the spot with the brats and
all of the pork for our sandwiches. Bub's Irish Pub donated the chili
again and it was never better. Special thanks to all that worked in the
food area. That is the hardest job and one of our biggest money makers.
Jim Dix you are really special. I cannot thank you enough for all you
do.
Thank you to everyone that helped or put bids in the silent auction. I
know you are kind of on an island over in the church. Next year we are
going to try to link you via computer with the entertainment tent. Does anybody know a computer guy that can
help with this? Eileen and Mary would appreciate looking in on all the fun I believe.
The Bast family was a huge help at the Bell Museum, with signs, and helping us keep the finances in order.
Thank you all.,
The Germantown Fire Company Auxilliary was once again doing a great job with the kids area. I am pleased
to announce that Riteway Bus helped to sponsor this area and made the commitment to be the permanent
sponsor of this area.
The Dheinsville Dachshund Dash went over very well. I will let
Sandi expand on this report.
The village was greatly involved not only with financial help
but with many supplies and equipment to make things go
smoothly.
Once again
THANK YOU
to everyone I
hope that I did
not miss
anybody, but if I
did I am sorry and I do appreciate everything that helped us be
successful.
I am proud to announce that Copper Box will be back on
Saturday night September 24, 2011 and I am working to get the
rest of the
entertainment
lined up. I will
report in the next newsletter on any new info. Remember to
keep September 24 and 25, 2011 open so we can all have a
great time once
again.
2nd Annual Dheinsville Dachshund Dash by Sandi Dhein
This year was another successful year of wieners everywhere! With slightly fewer racers than last year, we
managed to raise more money for the Midwest Dachshund Rescue this year. In addition to the Dash, we had an
opportunity for dogs and their owners to try agility. Thanks to Dan and Tracy Pahmeier for bringing this
opportunity to our attendees.
We had dogs whose owners brought them 2, 3, even 4+ hours each way
to visit us this year. Whether they race or just visit, it is fun to see all the
different colors, sizes and hair types Dachshunds come in. Planning is
already in progress for next year. Any suggestions are always welcome.
Pictured left is Woody our returning, reigning champion.
Exciting Upcoming Event
The Germantown Historical Society is excited to announce that they will be hosting the Old
Settlers’ Banquet on February 20, 2011. The Old Settler’s Club was started in the winter of
1873/1864 when Maxon Hirsch, an early resident of Washington County gave a dinner at the
Washington House in West Bend to the old settlers residing in the vicinity. Out of this event a
club was formed in 1874. A constitution was adopted, officers elected and it was decided to
hold the first annual festival at the Washington House. The festival was continued until the
Second World War when food and gas were rationed.
In 1988, members of the Washington County Historical Society revived this event with a
dinner, displays and entertainment. It was decided starting in 1992 that this event should
include every township in Washington County. This is a way to acquaint everyone with the
different areas of the county and to learn more about the Historical Society.
Every year one of the thirteen townships is honored and Germantown will be honored in
2011. We look forward to seeing you at this event. More details to follow.
Wolf Haus and Geneology Research
The Wolf Haus and Genealogy Research Center will reopen in June 2011 after another
successful season with many visitors from across the country coming to research their family
history. Thank you to Bob Kohls and Carol Barkow for their many hours of work in the Wolf
Haus this season and beyond not only helping the visitors with their research but organizing the
Historical Society’s collection.
Stories of Interest
Oktoberfest Chair – Jeff Dhein
If you have ever attended Oktoberfest, the Historical Society’s biggest
event of the year, then you have probably met Jeff Dhein. Not only is
Jeff a Board Member but he is also the Chair of our Oktoberfest
Committee.
Jeff has been married to his wife Leza for 23+ years, and they have 3
children; Joe-22, Mike-19 and Jaymee-17.
Jeff has been involved with the Historical Society for the past 15 years
and a Board Member for about the last ten years. He has been running
Oktoberfest for about 15 years and gives credit to Jackie Schroeder for
helping to guide him through the rough spots when he first started
working on Oktoberfest.
During Oktoberfest, Jeff is usually working behind the bar or can be seen walking around the grounds to make sure
everything is running smoothly. Jeff spends countless hours throughout the year planning for the event with his dedicated
committee and coming up with new ideas to make the event more exciting and successful.
When you visit Oktoberfest, be sure to stop by and listen to Copper Box and you might be able to hear the Jeff Dhein
Polka!
NEW HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Norm and Helen Buck
Ruth Ackmann
Barb Mendenhall
Elmore and Lenore Kloehn
Penny Larmore
Mark and Christine Kauth
Richard Blaha
Bill and Jeri Shuster
DONATIONS
Thank you to the following for donations to the
Germantown Historical Society:
• John and Susan Smithers
• Millie Schuldt
Thank you to Tim Petzold for a donation for the upkeep of
the Wolf Haus.
Membership Rates Increase –
The Germantown Historical Society
will be increasing our Membership
rates as follows:
New Rates Effective January 1, 2011
Single
$20
Senior
$15
Family
$40
Business
$100
Lifetime
$250
Join now….and Save
Current 2010 Annual Rates
Single
$5
Family
$10
Business
$50
Lifetime
$100
Become a Lifetime member today!
Please join us for an exciting season in 2011.
2011 Season and Hours:
Wolf Haus & Genealogy Research Center – Open Wednesdays
June 1st – October 1st
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Christ Church Museum of Local History – Open Sunday
June 1st – October 1st
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum – Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and the 1st Wednesday of the month
June 1st – November 1st
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2011 Calendar of Events
February 20th : 1:00 p.m. – Old Settler’s Banquet
April 16th : 3:00 p.m. – Annual Meeting
May 7th : 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m – Bell Ringing and Wine & Cheese
June 1st – Season Opens for Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum, Wolf Haus & Genealogy Research
Center and Christ Church Museum of Local History
June 1st : 2:00 p.m. – Bell of the Month Program
June 4th : 1:00 p.m. – Germantown Historical Society Anniversary Party
July 6th : 2:00 p.m. – Bell of the Month Program
August 3rd : 2:00 p.m. – Bell of the Month Program
September 7th : 2:00 p.m. – Bell of the Month Program
September 24th : Oktoberfest
September 25th : Oktoberfest
October 1st : Wolf Haus & Genealogy Research Center closes for the season
October 1st : Christ Church Museum of Local History closes for the season
October 5th : 2:00 p.m. – Bell of the Month Program
November 1st : Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum closes for the season
December 4th : Sinter Klausen Christmas Concert
THIS SUNDAY !
Join Us for Sinter Klausen “2010 Christmas in Dheinsville”
Annual Sinter Klausen Konsert
Sunday, Dec 5th 3:00 – 4:00 pm at Christ Church Museum
• An old fashioned children’s German/English choir directed by Linda Wall, our dynamic
teacher at G.H.S.
• Music Selections on our antique pump organ presented by Beverly Wilke, talented music
professional.
• A visit from St. Nick with “sukker tuttes” (candy totes) for all of the “kinder”
• Prizes, Refreshments and Sing-a-long carols.
(Donations to the Historical Society appreciated.)
Sinter Klausen OPEN to Dec 31/Tues – Sun 11 to 5
W15909 Old World Main St., Germantown WI 53022