May, 2005 - Nr. 5
47 Years Hansa Club
It was the club’s birthday again. Founded on the 24th of March, 1958 and looking back on a rich variety of historical events, the members took this opportunity to get together, to celebrate the anniversary and enjoy the opportunity to meet many old friends and members that at times you only meet on occasions such as this party.
After a welcome address by Boe Hladysh, the MC for the
evening, the Hansa Choir invited the guests to join in singing the Canadian
and the German National Anthems. Then came a special presentation of the new
"Hansa" song by Herbert Gross and Marcus Ludwig from the "Leipziger
Pfeffermühle", dedicated to the club in memory of their recent visit.
Needless to say, that it was enthusiastically accepted by the audience.
After the invocation by Ekko Hildebrandt a delicious Schnitzel dinner, with all the trimmings, plus red and white wine, were served.
After the dinner, Reiner Walter, President of the club,
addressed the guests.
This is also always the occasion to honour members of long standing. The new lifetime honorary members were Edith Olma, who had joined the choir in 1980. In those days you didn’t have to be a member of the club to join one of the ‘Undergroups’ such as the choir.
Next in line was Renate Lieder, who had been with the club and the Ladies Auxiliary since 1990 and had also been a member of the Hansa Choir since 1989. Congratulations to both!
An honorary guest this evening
was Navdeep Sing Bains, Member of Parliament for Mississauga - Brampton
South.
STV Weiss-Blau Bayern
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The Almrausch Dancers
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Schuhplattler Lessons
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Being taught by the Best
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This ceremony was followed by performances of the club’s dance groups: Weiss-Blau Bayern’s junior and senior groups, the Almrausch group, and an amusing interlude where people from the audience were invited to participate in the dance performance.
One of the highlights was the bell-ringing performance by
Carmen Harany, which would have won a gold medal if it had been an Olympic
discipline.
The guests were also treated to a dynamic dance routine by two
couples from the Blue Silver Dance Club.
The balance of the evening was reserved for general dancing to the sounds of John Kreuzer’s "Romero’s" dance band.
In the early 1950’s many of the German immigrants settled in Brampton and the surrounding areas, working in nurseries or on farms in this part of Peel County.
After a while, during meetings in a restaurant on Queen St. and the 3rd Line, the idea came up to establish a German Club. During the winter of 1957/58, these efforts were intensified and in March of 1958 the German Canadian Club Hansa was officially registered. The clubhouse was purchased in 1962 and dances were held in the Legion Hall, St. Mary’s Hall and from 1966 on in the Junior Farmers Hall.
One of the first ‘Undergroups’ was the Ladies Auxiliary who looked after the "inner man" during those dances, and much of the credit that the Hansa Club became famous in and around Brampton has to go to this tireless group. For many years they also organized Christmas parties and Easter egg hunts, to the delight of the members and their children.
In 1958 the Hansa Bowling League was established.
During the early years the club was very active not only in social but also in community affairs. Peel Memorial Hospital was one of the beneficiaries because the proceeds of one dance per year were donated to the hospital.
After the acquisition of the property on Highway 10, a soccer team was formed and during the winter months Skat and chess games were held in the clubhouse.
In 1978, Ernst Hammans founded the Hansa Choir – with 7 voices - and in the early 1960’s the club organized Mardi Gras dances and on the 3rd of April 1966 the K.G. Hansa (Mardi Gras Society) was formed which took over the responsibility of entertaining during the carnival season.
The Hansa Club and the "Historical Society of Mecklenburg Upper Canada Inc." agreed to convert the second floor of the clubhouse to a museum. It was opened on the 14th of October 1984.
At a time when other clubs reported declining memberships or ceased to exist, the membership of the Hansa club grew to record numbers.
The new club facilities were built in 1973, later on the Hansa Stube – members lounge – was added upstairs, and exciting times continued. The members enjoyed Saturday dances, guest entertainers such as Fiete Münzner, Kolorit, Leipziger Pfeffermühle, Enztäler Musikanten, just to mention a few. Last year the DKK celebrated its 20th anniversary with "Germanica 2004" at the Hansa Haus. The annual Carabram festivities must also be mentioned, since the German Pavilion – in its 21 time this year - at the Hansa Haus won many awards and citations in the past for its exceptional efforts.
Time hasn’t been standing still at the Hansa Club and great happenings are on the horizon. Since it is the only game in town, there is still great hope for the future.
Looking ahead, I should mention the "Viva Las Vegas" show at the Donauschwaben Club on the 14th of this month. Great entertainment! Don’t miss it! And keep in touch with our website for great photos: www.echoworld.com
As always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
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Princess Ball
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Kinderfest at the Hansa Haus
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Nostalgia at the Hansa Haus
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47 Years Hansa Club
