August 2007 - Nr. 8
German Customs shine at Carabram
The German Canadian Club Hansa outdid itself once again with their pavilion during this year’s Carabram festivities. The house was beautifully decorated and many displays showed a lot of the German people’s most beloved customs and celebrations right through the calendar year. Christmas and Easter were not forgotten, nor was Carnival or the trimmings and foods that go with all these special occasions.
| German Customs | |||||
 |
 |
||||
| Wood carvings | Tree Masks | ||||
 |
 |
||||
| "Kaffeeklatsch" | Easter decorations | ||||
 |
 |
 |
|||
| The Christmas Tree | Nutcrackers | Carnival | |||
It
was impossible not to try some of the foods offered. And even after a good
meal of Kaiserschmarren, or smoked pork hawks there had to be room for a
fresh salty pretzel with another ice cold beer from the tap.
Outside
Kartoffelpuffer were the big hit and all was watched over by our very own
policeman Heinz Hachenberg, resplendent in his uniform, always
smiling…surely taking away any fear someone might feel while thinking about
the police.
Hachenberg
is the ingenuous designer of many a decal for numerous police forces of the
world, including many in Germany and even New York. But he also designs
other paraphernalia to be put on hats and jackets to commemorate an occasion
or signify a kinship.
 |
|
| The Harmonie Brass Showband | |
 |
 |
| Dancing to the music | |
 |
|
| Harmonie Brass Alphorn Trio | |
There can not be any German amusement without music and that was supplied by the ever popular Harmonie Brass Showband, who tirelessly animated the crowd to eat drink and be merry, and yes, to dance.
| The Weiss-Blau Bayern Juniors | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| Their candle dance | |||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
||
| ...and their Schuhplattler | |||
When the Weiss-Blau Bayern Dance Group, junior and senior ranks, performed taped music had to do the job and did it well, and the bell ringing was certainly something to wait for and is always honoured with much applause.
| Now with audience participation | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
All this took place on three days and the many volunteers and workers need to be thanked for their dedication to represent our German customs to a broader audience.
The
club is worth visiting, and not only because members will have now even more
opportunities to congregate, because the appendix was nearing completion.
Now the big hall can be rented out for banquets and the home crowds can
still have their own festivities. Perhaps we can see the finished product at
the upcoming picnic?
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
