Clubbing
Easter Delights

Going to the local club is for many as natural as it is for others to participate in a daily workout. This was especially true for the past decades and after so many immigrants came from overseas after WWII. The scene has changed somewhat, because the originally driving forces of postwar years are getting on and are largely diminished in numbers. Their children do not often participate to the same degree their parents did. They feel they are Canadian and want to fit in and have assimilated themselves into the local Canadian culture. A few times a year they enjoy coming to the club to celebrate German customs with their families. Christmas is of course one occasion and Easter is another.

While we have brought you stories of these festivities in the past we still feel that it is worthwhile to do so again. We get to see who had children and how they have grown. It is simply wonderful to observe several generations together in one room. On occasion we have seen 4 generation around one table.

Easter Delights

There is one affair I never want to miss in our community: the annual Easter festivities. Whether it is the Easter Brunch at the Danube Swabian House, or the Easter Egg Hunt at the Hansa House, I just have to go and feel like a kid again. Luckily the club caters to my inner child and I do not go home empty handed, but with a basket full of Easter treats.

Children and their arts & crafts

This year the Hansa Haus seemed to me even fuller than last year. When we arrived parents, grand- parents and great-grandparents were sitting at round tables, easterly decorated, enjoying coffee and cake while watching the kids have fun with arts and crafts projects, face painting and full of anticipation for the Easter bunnies arrival. All the while Albert Dittgen tirelessly played the accordion.

The Weiss-Blau Bayern Juniors
...playing the cow bells
	.

Before the Easter bunny arrived the littlest of the Weiss-Blau Bayern Dance Group performed. The audience let out a lot of oohs and aahs and big smiles were evident everywhere. And when Carmen’s daughter played the cow bells, learned from a her mom of course, who is a master at it, everyone cheered.

Children, parents, anticipation
Robert Gutwein initiates the Easter egg hunt
The Easter egg hunt

Finally, finally the Easter Bunny arrived and had a lovely basket for everyone. It was all a bit rushed, but the bunny had a good excuse: there are sooooo many kids to go to and bring eggs to!

Waiting for the Easter bunny
The Easter bunny, helpers, baskets, children
Winners of the draw

The entire afternoon was supervised by the new president Robert Gutwein, who beamed all the way through as did his wife. They clearly enjoyed their duties.

While we were having fun in the Big Hall the newer part of the club in the back facing the lawn was rented out to a tea party held by to a seniors group of immigrants from Goa, a tiny province of India on the west side of the country.

A tea party

Everyone in their Sunday bests wore a hat, some of them quite fancy and tea was served from a variety of amazing tea pots. It was a pleasure interacting with such friendly people. They enjoyed their stay at the Hansa Haus as much as we loved having them.

Until next time

Sybille Forster-Rentmeister

Sybille reports as a German-Canadian about culture, arts, entertainment, community events from her unique perspective as an artist.