August 2003 - Nr. 8
Goodbye and Hello
My
mother used to say that life is a constant saying of good byes; and in a way
that is true, since there always is a beginning, middle and an end to
anything. On a more positive note I would say that life is a saying of
hellos, because for something to end it had to start first. These changes
make life interesting and keep things moving.
One
fine and sunny day in early July the Canadian travel industry said goodbye
to one of Germany’s best ambassadors in Canada. Ingrid Scherer-Mohr had been
representing the National German Tourist Office first in Montreal and then
out of Toronto for 31 years. During this time she not only earned the
respect of the industry’s community, but also genuine affection. Like hardly
anyone I ever met she understood how to treat people of all walks of life
with sincerity and their best interest at heart. She spoke their language,
not just in the literal sense of English, French or German, which she
managed with easy fluency.
Under her many years of service she was instrumental in making Germany a popular travel destination for Canadians. Travel writers loved traveling with her and marvelled about her organisational talents and her sheer endless energy. Travel agents appreciated the support she made available to them. Everyone who knew her is sorry to see her go, including everyone at Echo Germanica.
Her
going away party was held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on one of
Toronto’s Islands. Many people had turned out for this last official
get-together with Ingrid, including some close personal friends like Erika
Goegginger, and of course the Consul General Klaus Rupprecht, and President
and CEO of the chamber Klaus Harnack and his wife. Of course, as her leaving
was announced we also welcomed the new crew, as it were. Ursula Henning-Pfau
was appointed the new Canadian director of the GNTO, and Gabriele Kotz is
the sales manager. Everyone is looking forward to an equally good working
relationship with these new ladies.
The new home of the GNTO is on the premises of the German
Canadian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, 480 University Ave, Toronto,
telephone 416-968-1685. This is a great location to start the next 50 years
of presence in Canada for the G
NTO.
Of course we wish Ingrid well for the next step of her life back in Germany and thank her for being who she is and how she is. The Vulcan greeting "Live long and prosper" comes to mind.
More good byes
Canada is getting emptier every day. One of our players has moved to Europe, as I already mentioned. Elizabeth Kuehn now resides somewhere in Switzerland and has to get used to her new environment. In the fall we hope to get started with the Youth Forum. Rachel Seilern will report on her visit to Austria, Antje Steiger, now a full fledged lawyer will report, likely in German, on her stay in New Zealand. We hope to hear from other young people about their travels and concerns.
Are you someone with a keen eye of observation and good writing skills? Why don’t you tell us what you would like to contribute? Or do you have questions for any of our writers? What concerns you? What do you love, what worries you? If you have a good "beef" we want to know, really!
There is just one thing that I have observed: Nothing runs by itself. There has to be a "strong" person at the helm, or else things get stuck instead of moving.
For example: Elizabeth asked where to have the picnic that was planned and there were so many different answers, it finely was too late to get everyone under on umbrella. This is of course no way of getting a picnic going. The next time I will announce it and folks either show up or they do not. Unfortunately not all requests can be accommodated. I am sure you understand the problems connected with this. Not having a method of arriving there, wherever it might be, can be dealt with separately, not beforehand as a qualification where to hold it. I am sure rides can be arranged for people without transport. There are always the clubs that we can go to. Let me know if that is expectable.
I do want to hear from you, wherever you are on the planet. Young people speaking out for young people! Get motivated!
We want to welcome you into the universal fold. Let’s communicate. You’ll be surprised what can happen if you do…
In the fall we also want to start some sort of literary event on a regular basis. Self-styled writers are welcome to read from their own work, or from a favourite author. Please talk to me about that and call me at 416-652-1332.
Laughing as medicine
The
Szauter family and the Forget-me-nots are holding yet another event at the
Danube Swabian Club. The last one was a fundraiser and again a smash hit.
Even if one has seen and heard some of the material before, it is a real
pleasure to watch the progress of the young people’s skills. Their musical
training has taken them a long way and confidence is becoming visible and
makes for even better performances. There is much more playfulness in the
classical interpretations to be found these days. I can see how they are
having fun while they play, rather than just concentrating on the sheet
music in front of them.
And the funny sketches cannot be watched enough: The 3 tenors, a young and budding relationship, and an older one, no matter which one of the vignettes, they have become classics of their own and can be watched again and again. No doubt, now and again the Szauters will introduce a new piece for our laughing pleasure.
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When the entire family sings together everyone hushes and even the small bluegrass section with Danny as lead singer is mesmerizing. To round out the evening and flavour of the show some dancing in different styles, including traditional Austrian folk and North American clogging, makes for a full variety program.
So
come and enjoy the show, again, if you please, on the 5th of
September at the Danube Swabian Club in Scarborough! You will not regret it,
guaranteed!
German Choir visits Oakville
On August 31 a famous boys choir is coming to Canada and performing in Oakville’s St. Andrews Church on Reynolds Street. Call Ann or Tony Ross for more information on the St. Florian Boys Choir, whose most famous disciple was Anton Bruckner! This is what we heard from the Schade family, who just came back from a concert tour with the Mendelssohn Choir in Europe. Son Michael Schade, of course, and his wife Noreen and the kids, are in Salzburg for the Festival season. Hopefully we get to see them soon again in Toronto. We always welcome him back here gladly.
Until we meet again,
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
