Dear Reader
This summer, you must agree, is much easier on us than the one
of last year. Personally I do not feel the need to escape as
frequently, since temperatures did not go over the 30 degree
Celsius mark often. But when they do we packed a picnic and made
our way to Lake Erie and our most favorite spot, Long Point,
which reminds us so of the Baltic Sea. It is almost like being
"back home".
This feeling of "at home" will never quite leave first
generation immigrants. We look for it wherever we go shopping,
dining, vacationing, and in our entertainment. Luckily there are
a few choices out there to support this yearning. The Kaerntner
Doppelsextett did for Austrians what they desire most, namely
bring the old homestead to Canada. But the attending
German-Canadians from other regions equally enjoyed this
fabulous ensemble.
The Swiss celebrated their National Holiday in style at the King
Edward Hotel in Toronto and the German Canadian Club Hansa in
Mississauga offered up good portions of German culture at
Carabram.
Living in Toronto has its advantages. Every culture of the
planet is somehow, somewhere represented. This year North
America’s biggest festival, Caribana, was elevated into the
hallowed halls of the Royal Ontario Museum with a fabulous
exhibit appropriately called Roots of Rhythm.
I hear that there is a German exhibit in the planning, and we
will keep you posted all the way! As a matter of fact, German
culture has hit again the mainstream this year with a most
unusual venue in a most prestigious place. The Stratford
Festival (it has been called the Walhalla of the Anglo Saxon’s)
is presenting Lessing’s Emilia Galotty in the German
Language! On November 6, opening night, the Goethe Institute is
arranging for a bus that is free to ticket holders for that
night. Get your tickets by calling the box office at
1.800.567.1600 and refer to code 22572, then call the
institute. This is a first come first serve situation…..If the
bus is full you will have to find your own way there. I can
promise you an outstanding experience! It is suggested that you
wear formal attire for opening night!
 Closer
to home and our creature comforts I have to report that the long
missed Woodhouse proprietor Bernard and his terrific wife Teresa
are back with another venue. It is called the Schnitzel Queen, a
takeout and counter eatery with all your favorite European not
too fast foods prepared the home-cooked way. It is located on
Queen Street East, south side, at the east side of Sherbourne.
Go check it out and take home a few Schnitzel sandwiches or some
awesome polish sausage on your way from work or during lunch
time, or call them at 416-363-9176 and get reacquainted. They
can also cater your next event or prepare any sort of home
cooked meals for you.
In the meantime let us enjoy the rest of summer. I know we will.
And please forgive us the small issue. We simply are having too
much fun to work too hard at this time of year. Perhaps we see
each other at the Hansa Haus picnic?
Until then!
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
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