Community Summers
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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 MemorialSince 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.
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. 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".
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.
We were pleased to be a part of this society and its purpose. It
totally aligns with ours. |