Community Matters

End of an era

What happens in our community matters a great deal. That is why we try to inform you of interesting and important events and information. What we do not print you can find on the internet.

With the death of Dr. Richard Altermann, our friend and partner, an era is coming to an end. He is one of the original founders of the Deutsche Presse, he even gave the paper its name. It was called Der Oesterreicher before. Being a theologian and also having studied metaphysics he was interested in everything under the sun, asking questions as to the origin of all things and how they impact our lives. Early studies in engineering helped him too. His personal interests had a lot to do with his favorite activities. When he was young he loved to fly and everything concerning aviation and the related and necessary fields also became his hobby, like meteorology for instance.

All this experience made him an ideal newspaper person, one that is interested in everything and can communicate it to others in word and with photos. We were very fortunate indeed to have him by our side for so long.

Remembering Dick at the Hansa Haus

That he will be missed was clear at his wake. Some 60 people showed up, some from as far away as Kitchener. Toni Bergmeier, President of the National German Canadian Congress came with his wife Brigitte to honour Dick’s (as he was known to all of us) contributions to the German culture for so many decades.

Sybille recalls Dick's life

Several carnival clubs had sent representation, because he was their ambassador or propaganda minister as he himself called it, for many decades. Toni Baumann praised him as a dedicated reporter for the Danube Swabians.

Honouring Dr. Richard Altermann

Whoever could not come send us a condolence card or an email or phoned to say they are sorry that they were out of town or traveling. Juri Klugmann of the Deutsche Rundschau acknowledged him as a dedicated and friendly journalist and colleague who would serve his community with a smile even if there were no rewards waiting.

The community attending the wake

Community was important to Dr. Altermann. He was always a bit taken aback when there were disharmonies in our ranks, especially if it effected our younger generation in a negative way. He was a “uniter”, he wanted people to get along and work together to the same end, which was showing the chocolate side of our German Canadian community. He was united with us in forwarding this goal.

We want to thank all who offered their condolences to us and the entire German Canadian Club Hansa for honouring its honorary Member Dr. Richard Altermann in such a generous way!

We started Echo Germanica without him and now have to continue without him. He will be sorely missed!

February is Austrian Month

The kick off to the most Austrian month of the year however started in late January, when the Austrian Consulate General, Commercial section, invited to its annual open house and New Year’s reception. As always there were numerous buffets offering Austrian delicatessen, there was of course a bar with Austrian wines but also with the drinks of sponsors like Red Bull, and there was a dessert section with amazing sweet confections and mulled red wine available. What a treat!

The atmosphere among Austrians in an official capacity is totally different than in the German arena, where the actions are measured and have a lot more decorum and are sometimes somewhat stiff, even impersonal sometimes. There is a lot more decorum there than among Austrians of all layers of the population. With Austrians it is all a bit more inclusive, less cliquish, very warm and friendly. Everyone talks to everyone else, enjoys meeting someone new. I met a few interesting Chinese individuals: Emily Kung-Quance and Rita So, representing Chinese Tea Culture; and Ron K. T. So of Creative Art Glass Inc. We shared some interesting points of view on life and living in Canada and Hong Kong.

Dr. Luck introduced a very nice young lady as a newcomer to the roaster at the Consulate: Maria Bozic, which has since been already helpful to us. Birgitta Samavarchian was everywhere taking photos, and the rest of the smiling staff was engaged in helping where they could, greeting, directing the traffic, introducing etc.

Mingling in a small space

Everyone who was anyone of the German language community (Austrian, German/Swiss) somehow squished into the office space on St. Clair Ave.

Drawing of the door prizes

The highlight of course was the drawing of some door prices by the various sponsors, like the Delta Chelsea Inn, Opera in Concert, Red Bull, and Lifford - a case for wine, which we likely drank. It was delicious!

It was a lively affair, hopeful in its optimism for a good new year for everyone and of course, we wish, for Austria!

In February there is the annual Austrian Gala Ball and a Via Salzburg concert on the 10^th of the month, as well as performances of Die Fledermaus at Opera York.

We hope to see you there.

Sybille Forster-Rentmeister

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