March 2001 - Nr. 3
Dick reports...
"Jägerball" at the Donauschwaben
I looked in on the Hubertus Rod & Gun Club and their 37th
annual ball at the Donauschwaben Club in Scarborough. The hall was filled
almost to capacity and the "Golden Keys" from Kitchener, did a
fantastic job again to also fill the dance floor. 
I
arrived after the pork and beef roast dinner had been finished and the
audience was relaxing with a beverage of their choice, or dancing to the
great sound of the band. A raffle and a silent auction was eagerly
participated in and some really great prizes taken home.
It seems that at the Danube Swabians any excuse is an excuse to celebrate. This is what keeps them together and serves as an incentive to the younger generation to emulate and to remind them of their heritage. Isn’t it great to be a member of such a large family?
Much better this time!
I
am talking about the costume ball at the Germania Club in Hamilton, hosted
by the Ladies Elferrat, on the 17th of February. The theme was
"Bedrock Twitch" featuring the characters from the Flintstone
Comedy series and film. Fred Flintstone and Wilma, Barney Rubble, their boss
from the quarry and many other characters were in evidence. 
I
am always delighted to see the efforts that the Narrhalla 58 puts into their
productions. It does make for a colourful event.
One
of the great surprises this evening was the "One-Man-Band plus
Five". This one musician really sounded like a complete band.
Fantastic! He entertained with a great repertoire of popular dance music and
kept the audience swinging and in the mood. One did not really notice that
it was only one man doing it all!
While
we are on the subject of entertainment we must mention the Junior Guard who
tried a guard dance that was greatly appreciated by the guests and l
ater
danced again with a bare-footed show dance befitting the "Bedrock"
theme. Well done, girls.
Catering, upstairs as usual, by George Egressi, who runs Nicky’s Restaurant on the club’s premises.
It
was a successful event, much more successful than some we remember from the
past. The ambiance was great and the audience enjoyed it, from what I
observed.
And the last "Great" ball of the season…
…is
always hosted by the 1.KG Hansa and took place on the 24th at the
Hansa Haus. The event was sold out - but then it usually is. One of the many
highlights was the visit by "Hurricane" Hazel McCallion, Mayor of
Brampton, who just completed her 80th Birthday. This was of
course celebrated by the audience with a resounding "Happy Birthday,
dear Hazel…" and played by the Mississauga Express band that provided
the musical background for this event with the usual aplomb.
!["Happy birthday to you..." Mayor Hazel McCallion [3rd from left] (1.KG Hansa/Hansa Haus)](103c_D-Hansa-c.jpg)
Her
Worship had also brought her sister along who is nine years her senior and
still in pretty good shape. Longevity seems to run in the family. Echo
Germanica also joins the well-wishers with "Many Happy Returns" to
Hazel McCallion!
Unfortunately
there were not as many costume in evidence at this event but some of those
that were present were really great.
The Hansa kitchen provided the usual great fare including an excellent "Rouladen" dinner with Spätzle and red cabbage – despite the fact that they had to cater to a birthday party in the Hansa Stube, upstairs, with 80 hungry guests.
The
girl-guard of the Treue Husaren Mississauga, with a wonderful show-dance and
a Funkenmariechen Solo, provided the carnevalistic entertainment for the
event.
Rose Monday at the Danube Swabians
The annual "Rosenmontagsball" at the Donauschwaben Klub in Toronto – hosted by the Harmonie Brass Show Band" - was another successful event. However noticeably absent were Toronto’s "carnivalists". Something I cannot quite understand, since most of them are retired and do not have to go to work in the morning. They could very well support this great event.
Last year we had the "Hofstaat" from Hamilton attending which made this a real Mardi Gras event. This year we only have one really active royal couple but they had to officiate at their own Rose Monday event in Kitchener. Well, maybe we get lucky next year.
However the audience enjoyed every minute of it and that, in the final analysis, is what is really important and the reason to hold this event. Read about the details in "Beaux – Beaux loves the girls" elsewhere in this issue.
In Germany – especially in the Rhineland – this last Monday before "Ash Wednesday" is one of the most important dates in the history of German "Karneval". In the larger cities a mile-long (or Kilometres long) parade winds its way through the downtown area and the evening is filled with events all over the area. They take their fun much more seriously than we do here. They also have the younger generation participating. We missed the boat on this one here and as the old-timers fade away, so is our carnivalistic heritage.
All that is left for this season is the herring on Wednesday and the washing out of the purses at the town-fountain – if you can find one!
So now all that is left for us is to suffer through spring, summer and autumn before the next season starts in November. Let’s hope every one of the old-timers survives this so we can celebrate our "Spaß an der Freude" again later this year.
Until then a last Alaaf, Helau and Ahoi, as always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
