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Just so any celebration actually could take place the board of directors at
the Hansa Club wisely decided to place the mentioning of the disaster in the
Indian Ocean pretty much at the beginning of the evening, together with a
minute of silence to honour all those many lost lives. It was a good
decision and people dipped into their wallets to collect money for the
cause. Together with the clubs 400 dollars the amount grew to over 16
hundred dollars.
Table Talk Downstairs
 After
this damper the good food and wine served for dinner the mood quickly
improved, became less sober and party atmosphere finally came up. No one
rushed through the delicious mixed salad and fresh buns. Chicken breasts and
tender pork roast with green beans, red cabbage and mashed potatoes found a
friendly reception and were praised by all. Red and white wine from Reif
Estate complemented the meal. Right after dinner the band finally started to
play and the dance floor was continuously packed to sounds from right across
the musical garden.
Table Talk Upstairs
Many faces were unfamiliar to some of us, yet many friends
and regular visitors also came. Prominent business people arrived and occu pied
a table, such as the folks from Brandt Meat, Crown Food and their guests.
The media was well represented too. Other then ourselves we registered Paul
Schneider and Heidi and Helmut Gschoesser with his wife.
 The
venue was completely sold out well in advance of the evening and upstairs
was also opened up to accommodate more people close to the Champagne Bar.
They even had their own music up there and they were in "Stimmung" much
earlier than we were downstairs.
 To
escape the boisterous scene downstairs many trips were made to the "Sekt
Bar", where in good old German tradition Henkel Trocken Piccolos were
awaiting their fate.
Couples and Friends
 This
year the decorations were even more resplendent than last year and the
tables were elegantly set, even though 10 persons to a table are VERY tight!
The service was fairly swift too, and this time the coffee actually arrived
almost together with the cake! Wow! German style and speed!
 Much
dancing and laughter could be observed and time flew by and suddenly it was
time for a countdown to midnight.
 
The balloons came down from the ceiling and were happily
stomped on after much hugging and kissing and well wishing with champagne
all around. The New Year could begin immediately after the old one, in form
of confetti and paper and balloon lint, had been swept away by a special
board member work crew.
Well Wishings
All that excitement caused hunger or at least some appetite.
No problem! Big plates of delicious sandwiches arrived on the tables. People
settled down, ate, reflected and slowly started to leave after 1 am.
 
The highway into Toronto had a rush-hour feel to it, but
there were no problems or stops.
 It
was a great party! And we heard that others were just as good.
We wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New
Year!
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
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After
this damper the good food and wine served for dinner the mood quickly
improved, became less sober and party atmosphere finally came up. No one
rushed through the delicious mixed salad and fresh buns. Chicken breasts and
tender pork roast with green beans, red cabbage and mashed potatoes found a
friendly reception and were praised by all. Red and white wine from Reif
Estate complemented the meal. Right after dinner the band finally started to
play and the dance floor was continuously packed to sounds from right across
the musical garden.
pied
a table, such as the folks from Brandt Meat, Crown Food and their guests.
The media was well represented too. Other then ourselves we registered Paul
Schneider and Heidi and Helmut Gschoesser with his wife. 
The
venue was completely sold out well in advance of the evening and upstairs
was also opened up to accommodate more people close to the Champagne Bar.
They even had their own music up there and they were in "Stimmung" much
earlier than we were downstairs.
To
escape the boisterous scene downstairs many trips were made to the "Sekt
Bar", where in good old German tradition Henkel Trocken Piccolos were
awaiting their fate.
This
year the decorations were even more resplendent than last year and the
tables were elegantly set, even though 10 persons to a table are VERY tight!
The service was fairly swift too, and this time the coffee actually arrived
almost together with the cake! Wow! German style and speed! 
Much
dancing and laughter could be observed and time flew by and suddenly it was
time for a countdown to midnight. 
It
was a great party! And we heard that others were just as good.