December 2000 - Nr. 13
Dick reports...
C
hristmas Get-togetherThe Canadian Austrian Society hosted a get-together for members at the Delta Chelsea Inn in Toronto this last Thursday.
In her opening address Christine Meyer, President, bid the
guests welcome and thanked the sponsors and the Ladies Auxiliary who worked
"like little elves" to prepare for the event.
In her opening address she said: "Tonight we want to celebrate the most joyous season of the year – Christmas – and on behalf of the board of directors of the society and all elves, I wish you a wonderful Christmas and may the new year bring us all joy, health and contentment."
Dr. Straka, functioning as Master of Ceremonies, introduced
Günther Kunzelmann who entertained with stories and poetry of the season,
some of them in Austrian dialects that only the cognoscenti really
understood completely.
Additional entertainment was provided by the Edelweiss Choir
under the direction of George Zaduban who introduced himself by saying that
he was one of their neighbours, "I am Hungarian," he said, before
he introduced the choir. Especially noteworthy in their performance was the
wonderful voice of Carolyn Kühn in her solos, accompanied by the choir.
Christmas gifts were given out to the children presented by
Dr. Straka - to the delight of not only the children, but to their parents
and grandparents as well.
Wonderful Christmas decorations as well as "Stollen", oranges, nuts and cookies graced all the tables, providing a festive ambiance.
Another highlight was the delicious "Gulaschsuppe"
that the hotel had provided in copious quantity. There was enough for
everyone to get "seconds" and then there was some left over.
An enthusiastic sing-along – to the tunes of Mrs. Straka
and her accordion - concluded this festive occasion.
Christmas at the Hansa Haus
The annual "Club Christmas Party", the afternoon
of the second Advent, was a huge success. The hall was filled to capacity
and additional tables had to be set up to accommodate the many guests. Since
the party is geared to children, there were plenty of them on hand. I
counted about 60 – aged from babes in arms to just short of teenage.
The young ones were kept busy colouring Santa’s picture with crayons, while they were waiting for the man in red to arrive.
Coffee, Stollen and Christmas cookies were on all the tables
between the wonderful decorations, and soft drinks were provided for the
children.
Christmas-song "sing-along" hosted by Wolf
Schepp and his wife Inge on the keyboard, assisted by members of the Hansa
choir, bridged the time until Santa and one of his elves arrived with three
carts full of presents. This was of course the signal for all the kids to
assemble on the floor in front of the stage. As their names were called they
rushed over to Santa – most of them ended up - traditionally - on his
knee, to receive the goodies. This is probably the part that most of them
will remember of this afternoon.
Events of this type, designed to make club life palatable to the kids, should be staged more often, if possible. It would prevent the club from fading as members are reduced by attrition.
The success of this party proves that it is still possible
to attract people – you just have to take a little trouble to find the
right combination. Ask the kids, they will tell you what they like or
dislike. I think it is high time someone listens to them.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, as always.
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
