November, 2004 - Nr. 11
Dick reports...
Downey’s Pumpkins
Downey’s Farm Market on Heart Lake Road, north of Brampton, is a bright example of exceptional marketing ideas. Children are uppermost in their marketing mix. Why children, you might ask, they don’t buy things, they don’t have money? Of course not! But their parents do.
By
bringing their children to Downey’s they accomplish several important
effects:
Firstly, the kids have a ball with all the entertainment
offered at the market such as clowns, entertainers – like Greg Tarlin - that
juggles objects and children at the same time.
There were magicians performing amazing tricks, the corn maze adventure –
with ten hidden stations, and the ‘Black Hole’ to scare the visitors. For
the youngster – and the young at heart - large bouncing balls had been
provided.
The
kids could also compete in tricycle races, apple slingshots, miniature – 18
hole - golf course, and more. A bare-bones band of skeleto
ns
that even tap their toes to the music were a sight not to be missed. Pony
rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, boo barn, puppet theatre, ice
cream saloon, hot dogs for the small fry
,
made for more excitement. Then there was the ‘Kritter Korrral’ where the
kids can pat and feed juniors of the farm animal kingdoms, or they can watch
the goats climbing to dizzying heights on Goat Mountain, that all provided
additional entertainment.
This
is a chance for parents to do something for the children that is unusual and
the experiences are not easily forgotten.
Especially
by "City Kids" that have never even seen a live goat or other farm animals!
Plus it keeps them away from the TV set!
Secondly,
the parents have a chance to visit the farm market itself where they can
purchase clean, organic and healthy produce and many other delicious bakery
and food items that are certified organic and are produced or grown locally,
plus craft and gift items and seasonal flowers, annual and perennial plants.
Something that is difficult, if not impossible, to find in the local
supermarkets.
The fact that thousands of visitors come to the market – filling the huge parking area – is proof that this additional marketing effort is very successful.
Last,
but not least, there is the Estate Winery where a large palette of
delectable, award-winning fruit wines are available for tasting - and taking
home to enjoy after dinner or other gatherings with family or friends. Ed
Roy will be glad to assist you in your selections with his expertise.
And
of course there were thousands of pumpkins of all sizes. From the almost 100
pounders to the small ones that weigh in at a few ounces, and a great
variety of gourds – some in such unbelievable and astounding shapes - that
they even surprise the experts.
I have visited other framer’s markets in the area, but found none yet with the variety of inducements - and the quality - offered by Downey’s Family Farm.
Downey’s also maintains a very all-inclusive website at www.downeysfarm.on.ca where you can check what products are offered, and when they are available plus all the special events - throughout the year.
Now here is a somewhat unpleasant note: Reiner Helbig,
famous for his songs about the sea, such as "Mein Herz ist in Hamburg zu
Hause" and many others along those lines, died of cancer last year. He was
only in his early 60s. Many of you may remember his last concert in Hamilton
(Holiday Inn and Germania Club) when Radio Hosts Gerd and Ingrid Brachlow (CKPC
– FM 92.1 "Musik – Musik – Musik") brought him over from Germany for a tour
of 13 cities in 1984. You may also remember him when he brought Silvia Janko
with him on a later occasion.
Oktoberfest is wunderbar!
Well, it would be if I were in Munich again, however people try very hard even here.
I haven’t attended many Oktoberfests this year but one of them really stands out.
It was the one that was hosted by the Esplanade Biermarkt, this year on the 13th of October and even featured a "Beer Tent" – although a bit smaller than the ones in Munich, where almost 6 million visitors congregate annually, to consume over 5 million liters of beer, in huge tents that can each accommodate over six thousand revelers.
But what really made this an interesting event, was the fact that "Erdinger Weissbier" was introduced - by Guy McClelland Premium Imports - to Canada for the first time ever. ‘Erdinger’ is exported to about 70 countries around the world.
And the first keg was officially tapped at this event. So far ‘Erdinger’ is only available at the "Bier Markt" here in Toronto. However, expansion plans are being contemplated and the beer may even be available in bottles – in the beer stores – come spring.
"Weissbier" is a wheat bear and brewed in accordance with the Bavarian Purity Laws of 1516 and only with the malt, hops, yeast and clean filtered water from underground sources that date back to the last ice age. It was first brewed in 1886. But that is a story all by itself!
I remember this wonderful brew very well. There was a small pub near the Airbase where I was stationed in Fürstenfeldbruck and one of our ‘specials’ was Erdinger Weissbier. We usually converted it to a "Berliner Weisse, mit Schuss" - in special shallow glasses. The ‘Schuss’ being a small dash of Raspberry Syrup. Wow, what a temptation to over-imbibe that was.
And now it is here! I tried it at the Bier Markt and it tastes just as I remembered it – except for the ‘Schuss’. This is one of those brews the Bavarians call "süffig". But then, so are most of the Bavarian and German beers. In the ‘good old days’ this beer was reserved only for the gentry, but now even the ‘great unwashed’ have access to it.
What
really made this Oktoberfest event at the Bier Markt a great experience was
the fact that my old pal George Kash provided the musical background with
the typical sounds of Oktoberfest. He even demonstrated his trademark of
drinking two glasses of beer while stand
ing
on his head. Does this make the beer go up? He did that several times that
evening – especially when TVO cameras were filming this athletic
demonstration.
Eins, Zwei, Drei, G’Suffa! – and ‘Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit’ - were some of the items that George instructed the audience in how to properly say. And it worked. George is an amazing and wonderful entertainer and ideally suited for an event of this sort.
Now the Bier Markt can add another brand to their selections
of over 100 brands from 24 countries around the world. (Maybe someone should
tell them about the ‘Schuss’?)
Oktoberfest at Lein’s Delicatessen
This annual affair went off without a hitch, as usual. Wonderful weather, wonderful food and wonderful customers! What more can one ask?
Free Bratwurst and Sauerkraut – on a bun – was served in the tent outside of the store. An opportunity the visitors did not neglect, and which kept the ‘Barbie’ going full blast all afternoon.
Pretzels set the Oktoberfest theme, the mood was indeed ‘festive’, and most of the visitors took advantage of this opportunity to do some extensive shopping.
"Paper or Plastic"? Well, there were no paper bags, but plenty of plastic ones to carry the loot home. Many in-store "Special" were available again, which meant more bags were carried out than usual. Service was brisk, smooth and efficient – which was greatly appreciated by the visitors.
Erwin Huber – on a visit from Germany – provided the musical background for this event with the proper Oktoberfest sound to help in setting the mood. Portions of that program were broadcast direct over 530 AM, during the afternoon.
The upcoming "Christkindl Markt" – in December - will be the
next opportunity for friends and acquaintances to meet at Lein’s for the
traditional ‘Rostbratwurst’ and a hot cup of coffee.
Oktoberfest at the Beach?
It was touted as a big event by the organizers – but apparently it turned out to be a bit of a flop! Here is what a reader by the name of Constance, wrote about it in a letter to the editor:
"It was a cold, raw, wet, windy day, October 16th as I walked along the boardwalk on the shores of Lake Ontario on the way to the Oktoberfest at the Sunnyside Pavilion. It was to be my first Oktoberfest, and sadly, I was disappointed.
I purchased my ticket at a discount price of $10.00 at the Grenadier Café. Prior to purchasing the ticket, I visited the German Shop on Roncesvalles, ‘The Old Country Shop’, located on Roncesvalles Avenue for close to 50 years. I asked the proprietress whether she was selling tickets to the Oktoberfest on the Beach. She didn’t know anything about it. She mentioned the Oktoberfest in Kitchener.
What disconcerted me the most was the presence of Universal showing monster movies in preparation of the Monster Bash to be held on the Beach. Is this a double agenda? Why? It dilutes the German celebration of Oktoberfest. Or is it an unconscious resurrection of the ‘monster’ of the German culture? We all have a shadow, a dark side, but is it appropriate to show monster movies at a German festivity?"
Unfortunately none of us were able to attend this event, but
it is interesting to see that someone felt that strongly about it. If anyone
else has any comments please let us know!
140 Years Germania Club – Hamilton
An anniversary celebration the club can be proud of. There are not many German or Austrian clubs that have survived that long. Some folded because the membership had been decreasing to the point of non-existence, other because of too many chiefs trying to rule it over too few Indians, some died because of lack of interest and not enough young people to follow in their footsteps and keep the clubs alive. So it is gratifying to see a club that can still occasionally fill the great hall and celebrate with friends and acquaintances.
The members shared it with guests from the municipal government and other dignitaries on the 16th of October. Hamilton’s Mayor Larry DiIanni and the newly elected councilor Bob Bratina, - who also runs the ‘Morning Show’ on CHML Radio - represented Hamilton, Tanya Ellis the German Consulate in Toronto.
Harald Krause, President of the Brantford club, John Schwager from the club in Delhi and Maria Braxant, president of the Continental Austrian Club in Burlington were some of the others honoured guests representing the German community.
One of the members, Jakob Schnitzer was also honoured for 55 years as an ‘active’ member in the club. That is dedication not emulated by many!
D.J. Christa, from Kitchener, did a wonderful job entertaining the guests with music fit for the occasion and a delicious roast beef dinner ensured that the guests had plenty of energy to dance the rest of the night away. Let’s hope that on the 150th anniversary – in 10 years – the same members will be able to attend again.
As always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
