June 2000 - Nr. 6
Dick reports...
Country Road…
Take Me Home…
Blue Gras, Gospel, Viennese melodies and so much more was featured at the "Bunter Abend" variety night, hosted by the Szauter Family, at the Danube Swabian Club, on the first weekend in May.
The
purpose of the event was to raise enough money for the whole gang to go to
Austria, where they have already booked 10 performances in the two week
planned stay. All thanks to Willi Platzer, the choirmaster of the Alpine
Singers, as Ingrid Szauter, who was master of ceremonies, informed us this
evening.
"All
we have to do is to raise some funds, put a little of our own money on top,
and we go" relayed Ingrid Willi’s comments. Now of course they are
all excited.
Especially
the young ones that started as the "Forget-me-not-children’s
choir" – not so long ago. They are now in their teens and fully
integrated into the "Blue Gras and Gospel Ensemble. Needless to say
that they demonstrated a very high degree of expertise already and are
continually trying to improve – not that much improvement appears
necessary.
The recently toured Virginia’s "Carter Fold" (Johnny Cash & June Carter’s place) and Bristol, Tennessee over the Easter weekend. They also participated in a "Sunrise Service, in Mount Vernon, Tennessee – (at 6:00 am.)
The
trip to Austria will include the Steiermark, Kärnten, Prague, Salzburg,
Vienna and more. That should be the experience of a lifetime, especially for
those members of the group that have never been to Austria.
Also
participating in the entertainment this evening were the "Youth
Group" of the Danube Swabians. They performed various dances – not
the Danube Swabian Folk Dances – including a fantastically choreographed
Viennese waltz, to the strains of – what else –"The Blue
Danube" of course. Wonderfully done!
One
of the members of that group was the latest "Miss Danube" –
easily recognized by the large sash she wore.
The latest CD’s and cassettes cut by the group were also available in the foyer and are called "Singendes, klingendes Heimatland".
Next year it is 44…
… That’s 4 X 11 years that the "Carnival Society Narrhalla ‘58" has been in existence. This year they celebrated their 43rd birthday on the 13th of May in the smaller hall, upstairs, at the Germania Club in Hamilton.
This festive occasion started with a minute of silence for departed members and Willi Gannser was foremost in out thoughts at that time. A very dedicated and active member, Willi was very well known as a tireless disk jockey for the club. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he were – spiritually – in attendance that evening.
Various
short addresses and introductions by Albert Kergl, Alfred Halbig, Paul Frank
and Heidi Flint concluded the formal opening of the festivities. After
"grace" by David Simon the fun-part began. Food, glorious food!
It was deliciously and lovingly prepared by our resident chef, George Egressi, who also runs the restaurant on the premises.
The meal started with a tasty salad and garlic bread (George loves everything Italian), followed by a very tasty beef and chicken dinner with all the trimmings – with coffee and cake closing the meal.
Then
came the "honouratoria" where medals were bestowed and gifts
received or exchanged.
The
past royal couple – Hugh and Monika Turner – received the order of merit
in silver. Congratulations and thanks again for the fabulous job you have
done in the last two seasons. I have seen many royal couples come and go but
you have been one of the most pleasant and delightful foolish royals I have
ever had the pleasure to meet and socialize with.
Sometime "Funky" and girl - or boy - Friday, depending on the occasion, Derek Halbig received the "Narrhalla" ring. It fitted right on his pinkie and I am willing to bet that he will never ever take it off.
Others,
both men and ladies, received commemorative medals from overseas carnival
societies for their collection, and Bill Matthew and Richard Lutz even
received a T-shirt and a pin from the Narrhalla in Munich, Germany.
Three
new social members were welcomed also and even Ruth Kergl, Albert’s silent
partner, and Heidi Frank, former president of the Germania Club, received a
bronze "Kasper" in recognition of their contributions.
Also
the "Garde" girls were not forgotten. Those that were present
received pins and flowers and a lot of grateful acknowledgements from the
board and the members.
The only thing that always irks me is the fact that we have
not been able to attract a younger crowd to these fun festivities we call
carnival or Mardi Gras. What are we doing wrong? The old guard is dying out
and there is no one to carry on.
Recently "Old Severin" in Pickering folded. They just gave up. And they were one of the few groups who still celebrated an annual city-hall takeover.
What are we not doing right? Are we not providing enough incentive and encouragement to our second and third generation?
We switched to English as the official language of Mardi Gras – some time ago - to encourage participation, and are using it now with only some minor exceptions. Maybe it was too late?
We realize that most of our get-up-and-go has got up and went, and we do no longer have the whim and vigour that we had in our younger years. But we are still coping, still dancing and having "Spaß and der Freud". Why aren’t we able to pass this on to our youngsters?
On
a somewhat lighter side our American friends of carnival crowned 22 year old
Ellen Neumann Murphy "Miss German-America 2000" and Queen of the
43rd Steuben Parade in New York. This parade takes place on the
16th of September this year.
They also elected two Princesses, Geraldine Brand and Lisa Cardinal, plus two Junior Princesses, Sarah Schlichte (8) and Melanie Briggs (9)
The annual Steuben parade always enjoyed the participation of many carnival societies and clubs with a German heritage, from the US and abroad - including some Canadian contingents in the past. I don’t know if any of our people here contemplate joining this traditional parade this year – if any do, let me know. See also their advertisements later this year.
In a more serious vein, the death penalty should be invoked for people caught putting viruses into computers! That’s my opinion anyway. But what do I know!
That’s it for this month. As always,
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
