|
Just how much community matters
becomes obvious when we have to rally for a common cause like
supporting the
 Nördlinger Knabenkapelle, 130 strong and
in need of a little bit more income while visiting sister city
Markham. Despite very short notice it was still possible to fill
the house to the last seat with music lovers. The young people,
some of them only 11 years old, proved to be astounding
musicians, but they do train from an early age on, as we
learned. Their medieval costumes from the 17th
century were something to behold as they marched into the big
hall. The repertoire was extremely versatile, sometimes old,
sometimes new and everything in-between.
 They had of course played during celebrations in Markham, but
also made an appearance during and on the Canadian National
Exhibition (CNE) with much success. The EX had never seen
anything like it. They create this amazing effect wherever
 they
go as ambassadors of music for Nördlingen and Germany: Japan,
America or Australia, and now also Canada. I dare say they could
easily participate in any band competition and win! Perhaps they
already did and we just do not know about it.
 In any event, it was a great pleasure listening to them and we
wish them continued good luck with their performances.
Hansa Haus Oktoberfest
There is not a German Canadian Cub
that does not participate in this most popular festivity.
Kitchener of course has the biggest one outside of Munich, but
every other location is just as much fun to go to.
We attended
the Oktoberfest at the Hansa Haus in Mississauga, where the
German Consul General Mr. Holder Raasch and his wife Jacqueline
also partook in the festivities.
 The full house was filled with
people dressed in the popular Trachten look, often supplied by
Regina’s Dirndls, who was situated in the lobby with a selection
of the finest estate look fashions, including a wedding gown!
 An important part of Oktoberfest is the food and choice of
beverage. Even people who usually watch their diet were willing
to fall off their regular fare for some hardy sausages and
smoked pork hocks. The portions were so big that one hock was
plenty for 2 people, at least at our table. Washed down with a
good brew the mood could not be better.
 We met up with old
friends, I found myself a dress twin and we showed each other
our cool shoulders, and someone else showed that they had heart,
a lot of it!
 All the dance groups of the club participated in showing what
they had rehearsed on a weekly basis. It is especially enjoyable
to see the real little ones get better and better. Their
enthusiasm is heart warming.
| The Bell Ringers |
 |
 |
When the bell ringers did not play
and dance groups did not perform the Golden Keys brought the
house down with their special brand of popular music and kept
everyone hopping.
| Dancing to the
Golden Keys |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 A raffle raised money for the club and at the
same time made a lot of people very happy with the winnings.
There were some real goodies to be had; all donated by local
companies and friends of the club.
A good time was had by all and that is all that matters!
Consul General Holger Raasch has been
very active in rallying allies to celebrate all that is
worthwhile with our community. He turned up nearly everywhere it
seems, at Oktoberfest, at a meeting in the Danube Swabian Cub,
where group representatives, including the German Canadian
Congress, turned up to discuss more effective ways to work
together as a community within the framework of a multicultural
country.
 We saw him many different places, including in the German
Consulate General where he, together with Swiss Consul General
Ryff and the new Trade Commissioner and Consul from the Austrian Consulate Dr.
Luck announced the Flag raising Day at Queens Park. This will of
course be held on Pioneers Day, the day after Thanksgiving, on a
Tuesday, at high noon, just outside Queens Park. Immediately
afterward he arranged for a reception for 40 invited guests to
celebrate German contributions to Canada with key people. Next
year he hopes to have an even bigger opportunity to commemorate
German Pioneers Day. After the reception it will be a mad rush
to get to Kitchener for the celebrations there.
It is important that as many people as possible turn out to be
recognized by government officials and the public as a valuable
and contributing community in Canada. We have much reason to be
proud and let ourselves be celebrated. It matters!
Good Bye Dr. Schmidt – Welcome Dr. Robert Luck
 Another farewell was announced
sometime back and just now we had to officially say good bye to
Dr. Karl Schmidt and his wife Maria of the Austrian Consulate
General, Commercial Section. He is being posted in Europe in De
Haag, and while that brings him closer to family, he is going to
miss us as much as we are going to miss him.
 He is another
individual who has distinguished himself with the community as
an avid promoter of Austrian business and culture, making
 many
friends along the way over the years, supporting the German
language culture with his counterparts of the German and Swiss
contingents.
 His good bye party in the Delta Chelsea Inn was
spectacular with the many people rallying to him one last time,
enjoying a fabulous buffet Delta Inn style, filled with Austrian
 specialties, a "Staendchen", gifts given, like Canadian Golf
paraphernalia, which caused a big smile on his face. All the
while a big screen promoted, what else, Austria in all her
glory!
 We thank him for his kindness and his generosity and wish him
well, while we welcome Dr. Luck into his position, who will no
doubt continue to do what Austrians do so well: be charming
while promoting business and culture.
Until next time
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
|
