Dick reports...

55 Years “Loreley”

It was certainly a proud moment for the Loreley Club in Oshawa, and worthy of a proper celebration.

The words of Sabine Sparwasser, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, expressed it well: “Together with my colleagues at the Consular Office in Toronto, I am sending you congratulations on the 55^th anniversary of Club Loreley.
Your club is an important building block in the colourful and wonderful Canadian cultural Mosaic.
For the future, I wish the members continued success in the service of German-Canadian friendship.
Thank you all for having kept alive the connections to your roots in Germany.”

Those sentiments were, later on, echoed by many of the honoured celebrity guest during the formal part of the evening.

The Loreley Singers conducted by Monica Cotton

The celebratory event started with a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m. offering delicious punches, both with and without alcohol, to set the mood and give the guests a chance to mingle and renew old acquaintances, which was followed by the Loreley Choir, conducted by Ms. Monica Cotton, in leading the guests in singing the national anthems of Canada and Austria. After “Grace” was said by Mrs. Johanna Uhlmann – a scrumptious dinner was served, starting with a shrimp cocktail that was followed by a tasty Schnitzel Dinner and an ice cream desert with the obligatory coffee, afterwards.

At around 8:00 pm the MC introduced himself: “I am Otto Heller, a past president, and I have the honour to be the Master of Ceremonies for this evening.”

He first introduced Ernst Stader, the current president of the club, who chronicled the club’s past with interesting facts and hopes for the club’s future. He mentioned some interesting facts that not everyone may have been aware of.

Congratulations & honours from...
MP Colin Carrie for the Federal Government
MPP Jerry Ouellette for the Ontario Provincial Government
His Worship, Oshawa's Mayor John Gray

This was followed by addresses of the various dignitaries that had been invited to this event, starting with MP Colin Carrie, followed by MPP Jerry Ouellette and His Worship, Oshawa’s Mayor John Gray. All had congratulatory messages lauding the club for its efforts in keeping their roots alive and contributing to their success in Oshawa. One of the shortest and most succinct was the address by Mike Ewles, the Chief of Police.

Mike Ewles, Chief of Police Durham Region

Lidia Francis, Oshawa Folk Art Council

He was followed by Sylvester and Lidia Francis, who represented the Oshawa Folk Art Council and Margaret Staeger – wife of the late president and last remaining founder of the club Josef Staeger, who now resides in Owen Sound. She was accompanied by her son Raymond.

Next the MC introduced past presidents, who were present this evening: Alex Hildebrandt, Olaf Rudolph, Kurt Wagner, Heinz Henninger, John Brunner, Herb Albrecht and Tom Henninger and their wives.

Tom Henninger’s wife Holly is also instrumental in guiding and maintaining the Mardi Gras Dancers. They are almost the last active group of Girl Guards on the Mardi Gras scene, sorry to say.

The MC asked them all to come forward for a photo opportunity.

Miss Loreley 2009 and introduction of upcoming Miss Loreley 2010

Otto Heller then introduced the current Miss Loreley Alison Burghardt – who received a floral contribution and her tiara - and her sidekick the Mini Miss Loreley Abigayle Giarrizzo and a friend.

The crowning of Miss Loreley 2010
....and the proud parents

The new Miss was then crowned, Julia Henninger got the job and the responsibility of the position for the coming year. Julia is the daughter of Holly and Tom Henninger – apparently a chip of the old block!

The Golden Keys

After the introduction of Eric Offac and the Golden Keys Band – and after they started to play - it only took a few seconds to fill the dance floor.

It was great to see Heidi – one of the original band members – in action again!

Dancing to the Golden Keys

It is of course needless to mention that this event was sold out completely. Loreley is still one of the greatest clubs in the area and we can only join the celebrants with a “Happy Birthday Loreley” – from the team at Echo Germanica!

As always

Dick Altermann

The guests