Picnics – Picnics – Picnics
This year the Burgenländer Club’s "Annapicnic", at the
Evening Bell Park, was better visited than last year. Even
though the weather was a bit on the cool side, as was most of
this summer, about 800 revelers showed up anyway. This should
fill up the coffers of the club again.
One of the distinguished guests was Dr. Robert Luck, the
Austrian Consul and Trade Commissioner.
At the traditional church service – in the chapel on the hill –
Father Paul Hansen reminded the congregation that we need
contact to and with the live around us and that we should be
grateful for the rare opportunities offered us, when we can be
with friends to celebrate a wonderful and blessed life.
After the service it was time to enjoy the delicious lunch that
had been prepared by the many volunteers – plus, of course the
magnificent home baked pastries, supplied by the Ladies’
Auxiliaries. The well-stocked bar offered additional liquid
refreshment – and Gösser beer seemed to be a clear favorite.
The "Golden Keys", from Kitchener, provided the music
again to dance by – many of the tunes were beloved old "Goldies"
that kept many dancers on the dance floor.
In the afternoon, when the sun came out, the children were
entertained with competitive sports events such as sack races
and related games, enjoyed by all.
Yes, there even were some people using the swimming pool! Brrrrr!
The board of directors thanked the many helpers and volunteers
for making this picnic the successful annual event that will
enable the club to keep supporting it’s favorite charitable
organizations and to present our talented students among the
members with five scholarships again. The board also expressed
their thanks to all the guests for participating and mentioned
that it hopes to see them all again at the "Martini Dance" on
the 14th of November, this year, at the St. Peter &
Paul Church, in Scarborough.
 The Germania Club Picnic, in the Germania Park at Lake
Niapenko, was not depending on good weather to be a success,
since the clubhouse’s lounge is large and it also has an
additional large covered patio. But the
 weather was great and
about 300 people participated in the ‘fun in the sun’ (I
stole that from the Narrhalla) – lots of them kids.
For them
the ‘Olympics’ were organized and one particular discipline was
an all-time favorite: Potato sack races. Of course there were
many other games for them, organized by Christina Albrecht and
young Albert Kergl, who just recently welcomed a baby girl to
the family.
That kind of activity is a good thing, because it
fosters intimacy with the club itself – which may just guarantee
its survival. There are just too many of our clubs going – or
have gone – down the tube, because of a lack in motivating our "Nachwuchs"
in its aims and activities. (Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt
Hans nimmer mehr!) Get someone to translate this for you!
| Children singing |
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 The large BBQ made sure that the inner man was satisfied and the
bar made sure all the food could be flushed down to be properly
processed. On the menu were pork and chicken plus delicious
home-baked deserts from the Ladies’ Auxiliary, and "Freebees"
for the kids as well.
| Lining up |
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The Germania Club House Band (Choir Club members) and lots of
CDs took care of the musical end of the event.
| Entertainment |
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This year no one went swimming in the lake! Maybe ‘Niapenko’
sounds too scary?
| Fun at any age |
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All pictures supplied by the Germania Club
Hamilton
The annual Hansa Haus Picnic is scheduled for the 16th
of August on the new patio area beside the club, and – in
inclement weather – inside the new addition to the member’s
lounges. With Peter Henkel providing the musical entertainment
it promises to be a successful afternoon again. (I can
already taste the "Kartoffelpuffer!)
If you require additional information, please contact Heidi at
905-785-2386
The Deutsche Kultur Verband Osteuropa also has a picnic
scheduled on Sunday, August 9 the Regina Mundi Resort. But I
fear this notice is arriving too late at our readers’ doorstep
with this issue. In case you get a pair before Sunday you can
call Christian 416-439-1446 for more information.
This written with notes from Helga Graf, Burgenlaender, and
David Simon, Germania Club, yours truly
Dick Altermann
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