November 2003 - Nr. 11
German Pioneers Day celebrates Waterloo County
Who would have known these days that Waterloo County was established 150 years ago, that German settlers played a big part and that the families that made the area what it is today are still around today.
Museums, historians and other specialized scholars have that knowledge, but it is far from being common knowledge in Canada.
It
is with much pride that the German Canadian community can look back to those
early settlers that eked out a living from nearly virgin land, established
thriving businesses and industries, some of which still exist.
All of this and much more was learned October 14th at Kitcheners
City Hall, were the rotunda was filled with dignitaries and a big audience
to celebrate Pioneers Day 2003.
Every
year since its inception some individuals are being honoured in playing
their part for the region and this year there were 2 families that were
honoured. The Eby Family and the Schreiter Family were given a special
commemorative plaque for the contributions their p
ioneer
families made, (by Ernst Friedel and Paul Weigel and Herwig Wandschneider
respectively) just after Ken Seiling, Chairman of the Municipality of
Waterloo, gave a very comprehensive historical overview of the past 150
years.
But
before all that happened Chairman James R. Breithaupt welcomed all and one
and introduced all special dignitaries and guests, all listed at length in
the very complete program booklet, which also holds the greetings of Prime
Minister Jean Chrétien, Regional
Chair
Ken Seiling, Carl Zehr, Kitchener’s Mayor, James R. Breithaupt, Q.C.,
Chairman of the German Pioneers Day and, very special His Honour the
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, James K. Bartelman, who graciously made a
personal appearance to convey his good wishes on this day.
Speakers
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Several
speeches were read by Mr. Breithaupt, a few were delivered in person, such
as the address by the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr.
Klaus Rupprecht, and the Swiss Consul Caludio Leoncavalla and Carl Zehr,
Mayor of Kitchener.
Another historical presentation with slides created and produced together with Herwig Wandschneider and Paul Weigel, as well as two charming young people, illustrated the history of the region and the German input.
But perhaps the most heart-warming moments were created by the children of the Concordia School Children’s Choir, who sang a truly funny song about the trials and tribulations children have with loosing teeth, and older people too as someone in the audience noted to much laughter.
And then there was the Transylvania Women's Choir.
Above all proceedings was one watchful eye, that of Toni Bergmeier, President of the National German Canadian Congress. He looked after everything personally as the proceedings went on and was a marvellous host that night at the Danube Swabian Club, where a dinner was arranged to end off this special day.
Some of the speeches can be read by clicking on:
Speeches
SFR.
