50^th Anniversary of the
Women’s Auxiliary
at the Danube Swabian Association Toronto

June 6^th, 2009, was a proud day by all accounts in the Danube Swabian Club of Scarborough, Ontario. The Women’s Auxiliary celebrated its 50^th anniversary.

The festivities commenced with a scrumptious 4 course dinner, served at the table, and started with a chicken soup and a salad of mixed greens. The entree consisted of a pork schnitzel and spinach stuffed chicken breast with rice and a delicious gravy, and a medley of vegetables and roasted potatoes. For desert the Ladies Auxiliary had baked a very special cake like only they know how to make.

Enter the ladies' auxiliary

After the dinner all the ladies in their pretty dirndls marched proudly in together with Anni Gubasta carrying the flag. They took their place as a group in front of the stage.

The Women's Auxiliary of the Danube Swabian Association Toronto

Magdalena Forstner, who is the group’s president for many a year now thanked everyone for their contributions. She had nothing but praise for her fellow women, the club’s boards of directors past and present, the people who proudly carry the flags, the MC Kaethe Schwemlein, whose husband had donated the festive program and event tickets, and the many other volunteers who contribute to the wellbeing of the club and it’s cultural activities, like Lori Szauter, who does such marvellous work with the children.

Lena Forstner hands out the pins of honour

Kaethe Braunsar, who had donated the impressive flower basket which stood next to the podium, was thanked for her contributions, as was Echo Germania for its support to the club. Then every member of the Womens’ Auxiliary was handed a commemorative pin before they all went to their tables and the official part began with a welcoming speech by current president Joe Folk. Past presidents Henry Betsch and Toni Bauman, currently also vice president, and their wives were also present.

Julia & Henry Betsch	Toni & Inge Baumann

It was now time for Magdalena Forstner to recount some of the history of the group.

One imagine how many cakes were baked for how many occasions over 50 years with at least a dozen major events taking place every year for 50 years. At an annual occasion 1800 donuts were baked in one fell swoop assembly line style for a Carnival festivity! But those were of course not the only duties of the ladies. They can truly be called the major contributors to the clubs life and viability with many active duties like fundraising, organizing all sorts of folk fest activities and keeping the German culture and language alive among the younger generations.

Guests & members

This group is still very strong, counting over 50 members, not all of whom could attend. Along the way a few were lost, but all are well remembered. Mrs. Forstner’s speech can be viewed on our Echoworld website in its entirety. You can also read the words of Marianne Klimek about this event. Both speeches are written in German.

The sound of the Romeros

The evening ended on a social note with dancing to the sounds of the Romeros.

On the dance floor

We would like to add our own congratulations to the many accolades the club’s Women’s Auxiliary has received over the years and at this occasion specifically. The German Canadian Congress with Toni Bergmeier and Ernst Friedel at the helm did not forget the contributions of the "Frauengruppe" and MPP Frank Klees also delivered a plaque at an earlier date that commemorates the golden jubilee.

Read the text of the German Canadian Congress plaque and the MPP Frank Klees plaque.

Sybille Forster- Rentmeister
with notes from Marianne Klimek