Sybille
Forster-Rentmeister
 February
26 of this year saw another gala ball of the Canadian Austrian Society under
the patronage of his Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria
Dr. Otto Ditz.
 A
reception with champagne, of course it was one with Austrian Schlumberger
pedigree, got the affair started for the many festive guests as they arrived
in their best black tie outfits, among them even some real couture.
At the Reception
 President
Christine Meyer appeared everywhere to greet the new arrivals, as they filed
in to pick up their tickets on the same floor of the Fairmont Royal York
hotel in downtown Toronto where Mr. Fontino was being given his farewell
party from his post as the Police Chief of our city.
 All
the strenuous music and honour guards and uniforms in such close proximity
certainly added to the energy of the evening and spilled over into the
Austrian Ball quarters.
The Head Table
 The
tables in the Concert Hall were splendidly decorated and after most people
were seated the members of the head table arrived. Herbert Wolf as MC
welcomed all attending to the Austrian Societies 32nd annual
"Ball Austria 2005- A Salute to Graz". While the Matt Lebar Band played the
Radetsky March in the background Mr Wolf announced the members of the head
table as they were escorted in and seated by the Maitre’D: MS. Chrtistien
Meyer, President of the Austrian Society and Mr. David Greiner of SOS
Children’s Villages Canada, Mr. Alfred Wirth, Wirth Institute , and Ms.
Allison Dyer, Mr. Peter Schmied, Executive Magna International and Ms. Linda
Villareal, Toronto City Councillor Ms Sylvia Watson and Mr. David
McCutcheon, Consul And Trade Commissioner Dr. Karl Schmidt and Mrs Schmidt,
Consul General Mr. Frank Stronach and Mrs. Stronach, His Excellency, the
Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Dr. Otto Ditz and Mrs. Dietz.
Visitations
When all were seated Christine Meyer held a short welcome
speech. She especially thanked Mr. Stronach for attending and voiced the
hope that he would return to this ball from now on as one of his more
favourite activities. The end of this speech
 signalled
the beginning of a most delicious dinner after Mr. Wolf had introduced a few
more dignitaries, among them Mr. Joseph Suidan, regional Manager of Austrian
Airlines, the sponsor of the big door prize, and his wife.
While the music played and the fabulous first course was
served, Lachsteller Erzherzog Johann - who dreams up these names? -
conversation was becoming very animated and hardly slowed down when the
Steirische Kuerbiscremesuppe followed. Only with the arrival of the Filet
Mignon a la Austria could a momentary lull here or there be observed, while
the diners cherished the tender and perfectly cooked meat with all sorts of
delicate vegetables and a risotto. To go along with the fine fare Austrian
red and white wine kept our pallet wet.
Classical Entertainment
During the dinner someone came around with table favours for
the ladies. Swarovsky’s little sea stars looked really good on the ladies
when they immediately were put on! And during dessert everyone was treated
to a musical intermezzo in the form of famous Viennese melodies performed by
lovely Helena Holl, soprano, and Yevgeny Yablonsky, baritone.
On the Dance Floor
Then it was time to open the ball officially by Christine
Meyer and the Ambassador Dr. Ditz, as well as the other head table guests.
It must be said that some of them did better at the waltz than others, and
surprisingly it was the none-Austrian compatriots that did very well indeed!
It did not take long and the ample dance floor was filled while Doug
Zimmerman played everyone’s favourite tunes. Later the bandleader serenaded
folks at the table like a troubadour. This was a new and very nice touch!
Visitations between tables took place, conversations continued to thrive,
and a really good time was had by all.
Later on past president John Raschke officiated in thanking
the sponsors and got the draw of the grand door prize organized. Gerald
Schorn of Waterloo, who was extremely pleased, won the Airline tickets of
 Austrian
Air and the hotel accommodations in Vienna and Graz donated by Herbert Wolf,
a Director of Tour Development for Atourz. 40 more prizes were drawn quietly
and available in the connecting salon to the winners.
 After
these proceedings a slow fade out started to occur as usual. It had been a
long and happy evening, full of Austrian traditions and charm, yet one thing
was missing, something that we all had come to expect every year: Goulash
soup at midnight, the perfect refresher before driving home. Perhaps this
custom will come back next year? Pretty please!!!
|
February
26 of this year saw another gala ball of the Canadian Austrian Society under
the patronage of his Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria
Dr. Otto Ditz.
A
reception with champagne, of course it was one with Austrian Schlumberger
pedigree, got the affair started for the many festive guests as they arrived
in their best black tie outfits, among them even some real couture. 
President
Christine Meyer appeared everywhere to greet the new arrivals, as they filed
in to pick up their tickets on the same floor of the Fairmont Royal York
hotel in downtown Toronto where Mr. Fontino was being given his farewell
party from his post as the Police Chief of our city.
All
the strenuous music and honour guards and uniforms in such close proximity
certainly added to the energy of the evening and spilled over into the
Austrian Ball quarters.
The
tables in the Concert Hall were splendidly decorated and after most people
were seated the members of the head table arrived. Herbert Wolf as MC
welcomed all attending to the Austrian Societies 32nd annual
"Ball Austria 2005- A Salute to Graz". While the Matt Lebar Band played the
Radetsky March in the background Mr Wolf announced the members of the head
table as they were escorted in and seated by the Maitre’D: MS. Chrtistien
Meyer, President of the Austrian Society and Mr. David Greiner of SOS
Children’s Villages Canada, Mr. Alfred Wirth, Wirth Institute , and Ms.
Allison Dyer, Mr. Peter Schmied, Executive Magna International and Ms. Linda
Villareal, Toronto City Councillor Ms Sylvia Watson and Mr. David
McCutcheon, Consul And Trade Commissioner Dr. Karl Schmidt and Mrs Schmidt,
Consul General Mr. Frank Stronach and Mrs. Stronach, His Excellency, the
Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Dr. Otto Ditz and Mrs. Dietz. 
signalled
the beginning of a most delicious dinner after Mr. Wolf had introduced a few
more dignitaries, among them Mr. Joseph Suidan, regional Manager of Austrian
Airlines, the sponsor of the big door prize, and his wife.
Austrian
Air and the hotel accommodations in Vienna and Graz donated by Herbert Wolf,
a Director of Tour Development for Atourz. 40 more prizes were drawn quietly
and available in the connecting salon to the winners.
After
these proceedings a slow fade out started to occur as usual. It had been a
long and happy evening, full of Austrian traditions and charm, yet one thing
was missing, something that we all had come to expect every year: Goulash
soup at midnight, the perfect refresher before driving home. Perhaps this
custom will come back next year? Pretty please!!!
