November 2006 - Nr. 11
German Pioneers Day Celebrations now in two Cities
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Whoever said that a good thing would take
a while was correct. The German Pioneers Day was celebrated for the first
time in November of 2000, thanks to the diligent efforts of Wayne Wettlaufer
and a group of Kitchener community volunteers, who would not give up until
this much deserved recognition was pushed through at Queen’s Park. Ever
since then this annual event has taken on bigger and better challenges to
make German Pioneers Day better known.
At
home in Kitchener that is also were
most of the celebrations have been held so far, with the exception of one
year when it was held in Unionville and Markham.
Since the first celebration there have always been special
ceremonies honouring the contributions of German Pioneers in any given
field. This year The Kitchener-Waterloo Record was hailed as an early
German
Canadian Publications. The long history of how the paper was founded and how
it changed hands and developed into what it is today makes for most
interesting reading.
The Speakers
At hand were all the local politicians who share in the
glory of the past and love to celebrate their diverse culture in public
view. Our picture gallery, especially on the web will tell the story. (www.echoworld.com)
Chairman
Gerhard Gribenow and the directors of the Pioneers Day Committee
had again planned and executed with the help of Helga Kessel a perfect
event. After the introductions of all the many important public figures and
special guests, after the readings of messages from Ontario
’s Prime Minister
and addresses by the various consular representatives the real purpose of
the event was fulfilled. We heard from keynote speaker J. Fred Kuntz, who is
the current Publisher of the Record and was also given a commutative plaque
for his work at the paper.
Paul J. Motz,
as a direct descendent of the founder of the publication was also honoured
and totally surprised to receive his ancestors Church songbook from a member
of the local church.
Throughout the program there was of course entertainment.
During the after noon already folks could listen to the wonderful
Transylvania Brass Band, conducted by Jeremy Frim, while walking through
City Hall to look at the exhibits, which reflect German Custom and History,
including an inte
resting storyboard on The Record.
During the proceedings some children of the Concordia German School performed under the direction of Angelika Werner.
The German Language School Concordia
Children's Choir
At the end the Schneider Male Choir performed under the
direction of Laurence Rowbotham, including the last of the anthem, O Canada.
Once again it was a great event, worthy of the many
contributions German settlers have made in Canada.
Flag Raising Ceremony at Queen's Park
Some of those exploits we heard about after a flag raising
ceremony at Queen’s Park, Toronto, where Tony Ruprecht hat organized the
first official recognition. The German Consul General Dr. Klaus Rupprecht
was on hand, also Gerry Meinzer, Founding Father of the National German
Canadian Congress, and other Community leaders.
After the ceremony Tony Ruprecht invited anyone who was
interested into the house to sit in the gallery. There was time for lunch in
the fabulous restaurant downstairs. Gerry Meinzer generously invited all
present. After the session opened MPP Frank Klees and Tony Ruprecht both
addressed the Speaker of the House on the subject of
German Pioneers Day. It
was a proud moment having those that came before us acknowledged in such a
fashion. I felt that we live in a democracy and that we are indeed a part of
it.
You can read the 2 speeches at another spot in the publication:
