Dick reports... 

We have a new ‘Princess’…

…at the Danube Swabian Club in Toronto – and a sort of Prince again. I do not quite understand why the festivities are called "Prizessin Ball" when they really are only selecting a "Miss" and "Mister" Danube. No ‘Royalty’ involved here – even though the ‘Miss’ gets to wear a little tiara as a crown. The "MR DANUBE" just gets to wear his sash. Since this was the 18^th time that this event was held by the ‘Youth Group’ of the club, I suppose it all boils down to ‘tradition’.

Danube Swabian Youth Group

Nevertheless it was a very festive occasion with wonderful new and innovative décor, great food and the rich palette of beloved melodies performed by the Golden Keys, from Kitchener. It was also a full house and more young members filling the hall to capacity.

This was so unusual that many of the other guests that I talked to always mentioned this fact. However many of them were also complaining about the lateness of the actual ceremony which apparently was way past their bedtime (?). I asked members of the board about the complaints and was informed that the board had nothing to do with any decisions regarding the festivities, and that it was the youth group that ran the show.

On the dance floor

This festive occasion is an event the youth group is looking forward to from one year to the next and is staged by and for the youth group as an occasion to raise funds for any activities that are planned in the coming year.

The function of the new ‘Miss’ would be to represent the club at various functions during the year such as Rosenball, Traubenfest, Kirchweihfest, important banquets, Oktoberfest – which replaces the defunct Caravan activities - and more.

It was a grand sight as the exquisitely gowned young ladies and their escorts entered the hall to the strains of waltzes by the Golden Keys and took a turn around the dance floor before lining up at the stage.

Making an entrance

After the usual welcoming addresses by the group’s president Natasha Szauter – the outgoing ‘Miss’ - gave an account of the happenings in the past year. Having been a runner-up for three years in a row has had its advantages in preparing her for the last year. At one of the events when she was dancing with the group – with her sash and crown – and they were doing the flyer, she was afraid that her crown might land in somebody’s goulash, but it did not happen.

She listed many more events that she attended that year including the fun bus ride to Ohio at the "Tag der Donauschwaben" – starting at 4:00 am – for an opportunity to meet many other "Schwabs", and to do some shopping in the local mall. She closed her detailed account with thanks to all the people hat supported her and with a little note to the new "Miss Danube": Enjoy every moment of your reign… the year flies by! I wish you all the fun and enjoyment that I had and more!

Finally the great moment! Michael Lutz, the new president of the club asked: The envelope please! The first runner-up is Deanne Vincent and our new reigning Miss Danube for 2008 is Jennifer Domotor – her escort for the year will be Adam Turi as Mr. Danube! Congratulations.

The Crowning

A nice touch was the presence of a number of past Misses – a sort of reunion as it were all wearing their sashes going back many years. Impressive!

The youth group would also like this opportunity to thank all those who have supported the group in the past and for some of the generous donations, especially the last board of directors for giving us a foundation on which to continue heritage activities.

End it with a dance

Good luck to Jennifer in this important phase of her growth and community involvement from us here at Echo Germanica.

How could I forget …

…the Black Forest Inn in Hamilton – when I complained about the lack of German Restaurants in the last issue. Of course I was concentrating my attention on the more immediate area around Toronto – completely forgetting one of my favorite watering holes in Hamilton.

But it’s not the water that makes this eating-place so unforgettable; it is the rich and tasty selection of delicious fare. I am not going to mention the Cordon Bleu, the Züricher Gschnetzeltes, the Schnitzels, the Onion and Potato Soup, the Cucumber Salad, the Black Forest Cake and Strudel or the fact that all sorts of imported wines and beers are available to complement your meal. Some beers are even on tap! No, you have to find this all out for yourself when you visit this gastronomic jewel at Ferguson and King St. East, in Hamilton.

This – by the way – is also where the almost world-renowned annual Mustard Festival is held, right in front of the restaurant’s patio ‘Biergarten’ – around the Labourday weekend. This year for the 11^th time! If you want to know more about this event go to our website www.echoworld.com and look for the September 2003 issue under "Cutting the Mustard…" There is more to this event than just mustard!

Of course this type of event for this location was not even on the horizon when Fred and Rosa Oberreiter bought this restaurant in 1967 and established an enviable reputation for great food. Something Wolfgang and Gabi Schön continued when they became an integral part of this establishment in 1979 and the Oberreiters semi-retired. This was the time when Wolfgang had returned from his apprenticeship and training as a Chef in Austria - where he also worked and completed his culinary training in various hotels and restaurants. Fred Oberreiter passed away in October 2001 – he was 76 at the time.

Of course, while I am in Hamilton, I should also mention Helmut Schöller’s "Zum Linzer" – on Main St. East - another restaurant with the Austrian Flair. He also serves mouth-watering food and refreshing beverages – and should be included in my complaint about the lack of German Restaurants – but he is Austrian – same as Wolfgang! I was told that there are culinary differences! Thank God for that!

On some occasions you might even find edible fare at the Germania Club on King Street East – when they have one of their rare functions. But a hot-table is not the same and will never replace table-service in a real restaurant setting!

Have I forgotten someone else? Let me know!

Have a pleasant spring…

As always

Dick Altermann