June 2003 - Nr. 6
Alpine Club – 50 Years!
by Herwig Wandschneider
It is not every day a club celebrates a 50th Anniversary and the Alpine Club went all out to mark the occasion, Saturday, May 24th. 50 years ago, 10 enterprising men from the Gottschee area (just a bit south of the Austrian Border, an area small in size but long in history) got together to form the Club to conserve language and culture. Two surviving members of the founding group were there to celebrate and to be honoured for their vision and success to get the club off the ground and lay the groundwork for its now 50 years of successful existence.
![A presentation by Gerhard Griebenow to President Bill Poje [photo: Herwig Wandschneider]](306c-HW_AGPres.jpg)
On this special evening, skilfully put together by the 50th Anniversary committee chaired by Hans Kroisenbrunner Sr., guests were ceremoniously welcomed with a commemorative book and pen, then greeted by a receiving line of present and past presidents and led into the festively decorated and recently refurbished main hall. Hansi Kroisenbrunner, one of the 11 presidents of the club, the immediate past president, and MC for this occasion, guided the guests and procedures with flair and experience, supported by Miss Alpine Club for 2003, Julia Poje.
Following presentations and a welcome to many special guests from all levels of government and presidents of clubs in the community, guests from New York and Cleveland, founding members, past presidents and innovative dedicated members, guests were surprised with a performance of the Club’s "Alpine Children Dancers", who performed traditional dances with enthusiasm and dedication, much to the delight of the audience. It is always heart-warming to see tiny tots perform dances or theatre, but so much more so when it is done in traditional style.
The club’s kitchen produced excellent hors d’oeuvres, an excellent dinner and dessert, accompanied by both red and white wines, specially labelled for the occasion. The in-house kitchen creates delicious meals for organized festivities, but the club does not operate the kitchen on a daily basis.
Music for dancing was provided by the Romeros. And the clubs "Alpine Dancers" later performed what we hope to see again from the Children’s dancers at later landmark occasions.
![Federal, provincial, regional and municipal politicians joined in the festivities [photo: Herwig Wandschneider]](306c-HW_F2-1.jpg)
Dedicated
to this special anniversary, the commemorative book reproduced a multitude
of congratulations ranging from the Governor General to the Premier of
Ontario, from MPP’s to Mayors and from local clubs to faraway sister clubs.
Most importantly, the book outlines the history and the reasons for the
existence and success of the club in b&w and colour photos. Included is a
listing of the many people, who have contributed to the club, its management
and leading staff, making it a truly historic document. It can still be
purchased by contacting the club directly or through its website at
www.alpineclub.ca/index.html.
Echo Germanica joins the many well-wishers to wish the Alpine Club and its current President, Bill Poje, continued success for many decades to come. Bill and the many young members, down to the tiny tots, will ensure that there will be many more special anniversaries to celebrate.
