Dick reports...

“Lieb’ Heimatland, Ade”…

…was one of the many German folk-songs the Donauschwaben Youth Group sang – under the direction of Lorie Szauter – at the recent “Kindertrachtenfest” at the club. This song especially conveyed a sense of loss, especially to the many ‘Old-timers’ and grandparents, in the shrinking audience.

Lori Szauter (l.) with the Danube Swabian Youth Group & the Weiss-Blau Bayern Juniors

The children are now third and fourth generation and many of them have no idea what these festivities are all about. It is usually up to the grandparents to keep traditions alive and to explain the wonderful heritage to them, when the kids are old enough to understand. But many of them are no longer around and are missed in the audience. Many dedicated parents have taken over this job, but every year it becomes another year further away from the original events in the past, and it is very important to live in the present as well.

It was gratifying to see that the Hansa Haus had sent the Weiss-Blau Bayern Junior Schuhplattler to add additional color to the event and swell the ranks of the Juniors; Youth; Girls; and Seniors group. The Kinder and Juniors are still under the guidance of Lorie Szauter but the Girls and Seniors are now instructed by last year’s ‘Miss Danube’, Cheyenne Kertes – now also a member of the Board - who has been giving endless support and energy to the groups.

Since the club opened its doors at 11:00 am already, there was enough time for a leisurely lunch that was available in the former restaurant section - including Christian’s Zurcher Gschnetzeltes and more, the bar was open as well, plus the usual coffee and lots of home-baked cookies again and time for relaxing conversation by the guests.

The various performances by the groups

The first half of the program started with the initial march-in of all the participants, welcome addresses by Tony Baumann, president, Katie Schwemlein, president of the ladies’ auxiliary, Joe Folk, V.P. and Lorie Szauter, director of the ‘Kinder Tanz & Sing Gruppen’. After the marching out again the original Tracht Show started with the presentation of certificates to the participants followed by performances of the various groups.

Selling raffle tickets

During the intermission Mike Nemeth, the resident DJ, entertained while the Senior Group – quite successfully - sold tickets for the raffle and anniversary pins.

Singing German folk song under the direction of Lorie Szauter

The second half of the program started with the entire youth group singing German Folk Songs – as I mentioned in the beginning – under the direction of Lorie Szauter and continued with performances of the Weiss-Blau Bayern and all the other groups again followed by the Raffle Draw, Thank You’s, plus an audience participation dance and the general ‘March-out’ ended the event. Mike Nemeth continued with dance music for a while.

Now for a special reminder from Tony Baumann: All the important FIFA Women’s World Cup, will be shown at our three large screens in the great hall. Please call the club at: 416-290-6186, for additional information!

As always

Dick Altermann

Dick reports about community, historical, cultural, ethnic events within the distribution area of Echo Germanica from a German-Canadian perspective.