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There is nothing quite like summers in Canada to celebrate in
the great outdoors. At every opportunity people congregate to
celebrate something or other. And even though many of these
events are annual ones, they still offer variety or renew a
purpose.
Toronto had for 25 years or so a major festivity called Caravan,
a showcase of the multitude of cultures in this great diverse
city. The German-style culture was represented by not one but
three pavilions, the German Pavilion Berlin, The Blue Danube
Pavilion for the Austrians, if memory serves correctly, and the
Danube Swabians also participated. I am not sure if the Swiss
ever had a pavilion.
Somehow after all those years it had run its course and died.
However, the smaller communities outside of Toronto gave it a go
and these events are still a draw. Mississauga had one and
recently the Brampton area had one too, called Carabram. Quite a
few different cultures participated and lots of locals and not
so locals came out to sample the various offerings.
| The Harmonie
Brass Showband |
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 I had the pleasure to MC for the German Pavilion at the Hansa
Club. All efforts had been made to re-enact a quite authentic
Oktoberfest – in July – and why not, in Munich it is also
celebrated in a different month, namely in September. A special
committee chaired by Ekko Hildebrandt and Hilde Mrasek collected
and arranged all the various parts to a very successful
festivity.
 The 3 days brought a lot of traffic to the club and a
lot of favourable comments. When the judges came on the busiest
day, the Saturday, they said that they had not been more royally
entertained, and did not have as much fun as in the Hansa
 Club.
That does not surprise if you consider that the kitchen under
Karin Walter had once again outdone itself. Everything from pork
hogs to sauerkraut and sausages, schnitzel and , and,
and…deserts galore, including Kaiserschmarren…you name it, it
was on the menu in the big hall.
The smell of roasted
caramelized and roasted almonds and nuts wafted welcoming
through the big hall, the music played by the Harmonie Brass
Band was pleasing to all and invited to dance, the Weiss Blau
Bayern Schuplattler seniors and juniors danced up a storm and
let the cowbells ring, the Folkstanzgruppe Almrausch also
performed to much applause and the 3 fellows of the brass band
played the big Alphorn until their lips fell off.
 Outside on the patio of the wonderful and new Biergarten Patio
German Potato pancakes were fried endlessly. The potatoes ran
out several times and someone had to dash to find stores that
could accommodate the tremendous demand. In the backroom, the
new
 Members lounge was ready to receive many visitors with a
bar, coffee and cakes, and a viewing room with videos about
Oktoberfest and other components of German culture. The décor in
all rooms was authentic, with many beer steins, donated by Mrs. Armin Hau, that were filled with flowers.
| The Celebrities |
| Susan Fennell, Mayor of
Brampton |
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| Gurbax Singh
Malhi, P.C., M.P. |
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The judges |
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 If one considers how much work all this caused before during and
after the 3 days for the many workers and volunteers, it is not
surprising that Mayor Susan Fennel had only praise for the club.
She much enjoyed the dancing and participated vigorously. In a
short speech during her visit she said: "Like many Canadians I
speak two languages, but I dance in 20." And she proved it and
did very well!
| Polonaise by the Weiss-Blau
Bayern with audience participation |
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| Weiss-Blau Bayern Seniors
with audience participation |
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| Weiss-Blau Bayern Juniors |
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After this extremely busy weekend many surely wanted to have a
short vacation afterwards. I certainly did. Unless one has
participated one cannot know how much effort and know how goes
into an event like this.
| The Hansa Choir with Dieter
Wütherich conducting and Gretel Schauer's great
yodeling |
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All parties need to be congratulated,
even though the Hansa Club did not receive any special award
this year. The criteria for that are strange. I had a look at it
and it does not quite make sense from my perspective. I feel the
club had outdone itself with a grand show of hospitality.
Anna Tuerr Memorial
Since the founding of the Remembrance Society 7 years ago,
starting with just 3 founding members, Paul Tuerr, Toni
Bergmeier and Klaus Koeppen, the society has grown in leaps and
bounds and has fulfilled its mandate admiringly well. Bringing
into consciousness to German Canadians all those things that
their community contributed to this country and what its members
have lived through in the past despite historical blunders,
taking care of a heritage in the spirit of love and forgiveness,
forging a future that recognizes the dignity of all mankind, in
a communal spirit, that is what this society does well.
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| The Concordia Choir under the
direction of Dr. Alfred Kunz |
 This was
recognized by the many short yet very effective speeches at the
Anna Tuerr Memorial in Mannheim, Ontario, close to Kitchener.
Klaus Koeppen, the first president, introduced them all after an
opening musical introduction with the Concordia Choir, Dr.
Alfred Kunz conducting.
| Wayne Roth, Mayor of the
Township of Wilmot |
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| Andrew Telegi |
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| Harold Albrecht, Member of
Parliament, Kitchener-Conestoga |
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| Ernst Friedel, President
German Canadian Congress (Ontario) |
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| Danuta Grigaitis reads her
poem "Please, let there be peace" |
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| Helene Schramek, President of
the German Canadian Remembrance Society |
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| Father Marten Milkulski of
St. Mary's RC Church |
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First we heard from Wayne Roth, Mayor of the Township of Wilmot,
then Andrew Telegi confirmed the importance of this society’s
work. An address by Harold Albrecht, MP Kitchener-Conestoga was
followed by Ernst Friedel, President Ontario of the German
Canadian Congress, after which Danuta Grigaitis recited her
famous poem:" Let there be peace".
 Finally current president Helen Schramek addressed the gathered
crowd, recounting the history of the society and its purpose and
reporting also on its progress and activities, such as taking
over the care of the graves of German soldiers on the Woodland
Cemetery, where annually Remembrance Day is celebrated and also
conducted by the society. A prayer was offered by Father Marten
Jasik Mikulski, and an invitation to a picnic at Paul Tuerr’s
farm was offered.
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| The audience
protected against a rain-threatening sky |
 That is where the weather god continued to favour all present,
many more than were originally expected. The BBQ was delicious,
the silent auction interesting, lots of funds were raised, music
was made, songs were sung, conversation was animated and people
were happy to be together in a spirit of togetherness and
harmony.
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| Ernst & Ruth Friedel and
Brigitte & Toni Bergmeier |
Bring your own chair |
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| Danuta Grigaitis |
Nick Zeiss |
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| Sybille Forster-Rentmeister &
Herwig Wandschneider |
The Concordia Choirs under
Dr. Alfred Kunz |
We were pleased to be a part of this society and its purpose. It
totally aligns with ours.
Until next time
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
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