May, 2005 - Nr. 5
Dick reports...
Princess Ball
This
year this elegant affair was held by the Youth Group of the Danube Swabian
Club for the 15th time. It is staged by and for the benefit the
Youth Group as a means to raise funds for the group’s activities throughout
the year.
Escorted into the Ball Room
The highlight of the evening’s activities is the selection – by the members of the group – and the crowning of the new "Miss Danube", who becomes the new "Princess". Her function throughout the year is to represent the club as a "Goodwill Ambassador" at various events during her reign. Caravan and Oktoberfest readily come to mind, but also functions such as the Kindermaskenball, Kindertrachtenfest, Rosen Ball, Landestrachtenfest, Mother’s Day Banquet, Traubenfest, Kirchweihfest, Christmas Banquet, Kinderbescherung and many other events that require her attendance.
It will be a busy year for the new princess.
It
was a thrilling sight when the young ladies in their evening gowns and their
tuxedoed escorts marched into the full hall to a medley of waltzes by the
Golden Keys. As the group lined up at the stage where they were welcomed by
Brigitte Wecker, the club’s president.
Nicole
Hudson, President of the Youth Group, then addressed the guests and thanked
the many people who have contributed to the welfare of the group during the
past year. She thanked Mr. & Mrs. Schank for the donation of the First Prize
for Miss Danube
2005, the Schwemleins for a donation, Anne Hudson – for again searching and
finding the most perfect tiara for the new Miss Danube – and the Board of
the club for their assistance and support.
Next
on the agenda was the address by the outgoing princess, Rachel Seilern.
"For the past 15 years, the Prinzessin Ball has been the night to lay our beloved "Trachts" aside and step into evening gowns and suits," she said. She also mentioned that this was the night to celebrate our Danube Swabian Club and all that we have made over the past half-century.
"For one young lady in our Jugendgruppe, tonight marks the beginning of a year full of adventure and memories that she will surely treasure forever", was another of the sentiments she relayed with the authority of past experiences. She finished her address by thanking everyone for coming tonight and for celebrating with the group."
Then came the moment for which everyone was holding their collective breaths:
"The
runner-up for the Miss Danube for 2005 will be Natasha Szauter, and our new
Princess is Michelle Vincent"!
The large audience acknowledged this with deafening applause.
The new Princess
After
placing the new crown – or tiara – on Michelle’s head by Rachel Seilern,
congratulations, hugs and photo opportunities, the new ‘Princess’ opened the
dance floor with the first waltz.
Kinderfest at the Hansa Haus
The STV Weiss-Blau Bayern Junior Schuhplattler group hosted this annual event as in the years before.
The Hosts
Entering the Hall
The Dance Groups
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Seven other dance groups were invited to attend this
colorful event. From Kitchener the "Enzian Schuhplattler Verein" and the
"Alpine Junior Dancers" had arrived. The K.G. Loreley, Oshawa, sent the
Loreley Youth Dancers – that also included the carnival group who
demonstrated a traditional "guard dance", i
n the traditional uniforms.
An interesting group, with wonderful costumes was the
Russian Folklore Group "Poljanka" from Toronto. Another guest group from
Mississauga were "Shiamak’s Indo Jazz Dance Movement".
The "Grand School of Irish Dancing" had sent three young ladies in enthralling costumes, which demonstrated some of their traditional and very intricate dance routines that were noisily applauded by the large audience.
Their Dances
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This year something new had been added: Candy floss! Eva
Pinto was operating the candyfloss machine in the foyer and was constantly
beleaguered by the small fry who loved the stuff. I tried some of it and it
seemed that I was only eating sweet air.
Smashing the Piñatas
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After the first intermission the piñatas were brought on and
the children were forming a big circle on the floor. One lucky kid was
selected, blindfolded, given a stick and pointed in the right direction. But
it looked like the piñatas were made of concrete. It took a lot of swings –
by a lot of kids – to finally get the piñata to crack. The second one took
even longer. But every time the candy inside was finally released a mad
scramble to pick it up made the waiting seem worthwhile.
The Harmony Show band with Boris Grmek and Peter Henkels
provided the background music. Speaking of musical entertainment, the Weiss-Blau
bell ringers also had a turn at it.
Toronto Wine and Cheese Show
This year the show had moved to a smaller venue in Hall # 5 of the International Centre.
Many vendors that I had seen last year were no longer there.
Most of all I missed Captain John and his clam chowder. One of our clients
had their first try at show with the new Krimsekt from the Ukraine and
Downey’s were present with their wonderful Fruit Wines.
Reif Estate Winery
and Konzelmann Winery from Niagara proudly introduced their latest vintages.
Tom Grella from "Burnt Toast Art" of Richmond Hill, had
designed the theme logo for the Wine and Cheese Show this year.
Many of the vendors were familiar from past shows. Something new were the pocket breathalyzers – Personal Alcohol Testers – that you can buy for your own use, or to make sure your friends are sober enough to drive home.
Some of the show seminars included Wine Doctor, Harmony on the Palate, Tasting like Pro, Whites with Attitude, Robust Reds, The Marriage of Wine and Cheese and many others interesting seminars.
The Gourmet Kitchen Theatre also featured many delectable presentations concentrating on lamb in various modes of preparation, as well as easy Asian and Indonesian recipes and Kitchen Innovation demonstrations.
Beer lovers could check out the fabulous Ukrainian beers at the Multiculture Bevco Inc. booth. Others were the Amsterdam Brewing Co., Brick Brewing Co., Cool Beer Brewing, Creemore Springs, Steam Whistle and others.
Of course there was Sushi, Hot Sauces, Cheeses, Chocolates
and Chocolate Fountain, edible Shooters, exquisite Food samples, caterers,
resorts, Titanium Cookware, cigars and the LCBO store.
It was an interesting show, nevertheless – only much smaller and with less enthusiasm!
As always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
