August 2009 - Germania of Poughkeepsie

In Verbindung
Official Publication of
Germania Almrausch Schuhplattler Verein
37 Old DeGarmo Road, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603
www.GermaniaPok.com
Editor: Karen L. Rose
Vol. 8, No. 3, August 2009
OKTOBERFEST SEASON ARRIVING FAST
It’s that time of year again to mark your calendars for Germania Almrausch’s upcoming performances:
Black Forest Mill Restaurant, Highland Mills, Orange County, September 5th and 6th
Germania Oktoberfest, September 11, 12 & 13, 2009 - www.GermaniaOktoberfest.com
Yulan Fire Department German Fest (outside of Port Jervis near Barryville), 12 Noon, September 19th
Oktoberfest at Tymour Park- Town of Union Vale, September 20th
Oktoberfest at Goold’s Orchard, Castleton, NY, September 27th
Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest, October 3rd, 4th and 11th - www.HunterMtn.com
Oktoberfest at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Poughkeepsie, NY, 6-11pm, October 10th
German American Club of Northern Catskills Oktoberfest at Belleayre Mntn. Resort, October 17th - www.gacnc.org
Oktoberfest at West Point Officers Club, tentative for October 30th
Please join us!
Die VORPLATTLERECKE und KINDERTALK by Dave Yearack
July 15, 2009: Wow, middle of July already, where has the year gone. I hope that you had your family have either had
your summer vacation or will be leaving shortly on vacation. My family and I returned from a week in Los Angeles,
California. We visit my family we have in the area along with seeing the sites (Disneyland, Universal Studios, La Brea
Tar Pits, and Long Beach Aquarium). We would recommend you go to these sites if you ever find yourself in Los
Angeles.
The club also recently returned from the 2009 Kinderfest hosted by Harugari Jr. Schuhplattlers, West Haven, CT. It was a
great event, the kids had a great time and our host put on a great Kinderfest. We are actively planning the Kinderfest we
will be hosting next year at the Germania pavilion on June 5th, 2010. We hope that you are able to attend this event and
see all the various performances and see how many groups and kids are embracing their German heritage.
I hope to be able to start teaching our kids a new dance to perform for the first time at the 2010 Kinderfest. The adult
group has learned a new dance this year, one that was choreographed by Frank of the Austrian boys. We will be
performing this dance for the first time at the Germania Oktoberfest, held the weekend of Sept 11, 12 and 13. If you are
able to come out this weekend, please come and enjoy a great Oktoberfest.
As reported in the last couple of issues, our group has grown over the past months with new members. We are able to
have 8 or more couples at practices which bring back fond memories of when I joined the club. I’ve been able to spend
extra time working with Mike, Thomas and Horst on various dances. Since we started in January, they have been able to
learn 4 dances and are now able to pick up new dances quickly. I look forward to them being able to perform this
Oktoberfest season. I hope that you have a great summer and enjoy the Gaufest coming up next month.
40th
SAVE THE DATE:
Stiftungsfest - Saturday, April 24, 2010
COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER… Germania’s first cookbook featuring recipes from
the kitchens of our members and friends is being published with hopes to go on
sale at Germania’s annual Oktoberfest, September 11-13, 2009. All proceeds
from the sale of the cookbook will benefit Kinderfest 2010. It’s not too late to
submit your recipes to Marijo at doedeem@yahoo.com. Please send one today!
Speaking of cooking… the story of “Grandma’s Apron” came across my email and
I thought it was worth sharing:
I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to
protect the dress underneath because she only had a few; it was easier to wash aprons than
dresses. Aprons used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the
oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the
chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be
finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And
when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring
brow while bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the
Fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up
the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was
ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch and waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from
the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many
purposes. REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her
Granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many
germs were on that apron! I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.
DUTCHESS COUNTY RESIDENTS PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE
On Saturday July 18, 2009, City of Poughkeepsie held an International Heritage Parade that stepped off from the
Poughkeepsie Journal parking lot and marched down Market Street to the Armory; the noon parade was immediately
followed by a ceremony of the placement of the 1891 Armory building on the National Register of Historic Places. The
event was part of the city's observance of this year's Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration. "The
parade was meant to celebrate the diverse heritage of residents in
the Poughkeepsie area", said Nancy Cozean, chairwoman of the
city's Quadricentennial Celebration Committee. Dancing and
marching, dressed in their native garb, groups participated
representing Native Americans, China, Bangladesh, Italy, Ireland,
Germany, Greece, Pakistan and other nationalities.
Pictured are Germania Almrausch SV members Karen Rose,
Rachael Rose, Dave Yearack and Mark Delaney. Thomas Mercer
and his friend Kevin Goin also attended but are not pictured. Our
small group enjoyed the great weather we had, the bagpipers, the
Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union float and the costumes of the
participants around us. When we got to the Armory we did a short
Reit Em Winkle Schuhplattler dance without music. We were happy
to be able to represent Germany at the event.
Photo by Kevin Goin Ph.D.
www.GermaniaPok.com
www.Kinderfest2010.com
Check the websites often for upcoming events at Germania, to keep in touch with the Schuhplattlers
and for details about Kinderfest 2010!
THIS ISSUE OF IN VERBINDUNG WAS SPONSORED BY
Zachary loves to dance!
Must be having a mid-life crisis.
Ed & Evelyn Blatz
Jason loves to dance!
Gene Schlag
Anne Delaney
Mark Delaney
Bruno Groetschel & Grete Licis
Faith & Dave Yearack
April & Erik Yearack
Rachael Rose
Thanks for your support! If you would like to sponsor the next newsletter for $1.00 per line, pass the
buck to any Almrausch member.
PERSONAL TIDBITS AND PLATTLER NEWS
Our Schuhplattler neighbors Bavarian Club Edelweiss have a new website; visit them at www.bavarianclubedelweiss.org
Sadly, we were informed of the death of Heinrich Schmitz. Henry
died peacefully in his sleep on June 11, 2009 at his home in Santee,
SC. He was a long-time member of the Almrausch (he joined in
1973), held offices on the Board including President, and was
extremely proud of his connection with the group. His wife Gisela
predeceased him by 10 years. Henry is survived by his two sons,
Detlef, living in Florida, and Marion, now in California.
Best of luck to all the Schuhplattlers that are competing at the 22.Gaufest in Ohio hosted by Toledo Holzhacker Buam
Schuhplattlers the 13th through the 17th of August, and thanks to Marijo Doedee and Horst Schaffner for making the trip to
represent Germania Almrausch SV.
After a second surgery on July 20th, ED BLATZ was out and about at his daughter-in-law’s 40th birthday party on July
25th! We are wishing you all the best Ed during your recovery.
Happy 40th HEATHER BLATZ! Lemon drops anyone? Now can Kevin have carpeting in the dog house?
At Germania’s membership dinner this past May, former Almrausch member ERICA RECHNER was honored as a 25year Germania member and Almrausch Life Member GENE SCHLAG was honored as a 50-year Germania member!
Congratulations to you both!
Gene playing the stumpf fiddle!
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“What’s a Meck?”
After Gerhard’s arrival as Tarzan to the PJ Party: “Karen! Get your ten bucks!”
“Get shot at Shotzies!”
“Everyone in this picture has dark hair” (I think our we were put down on how old we are now)
“Karen, get me a special coke.”
SCHUHPLATTLERS
SCHUHPLATTLERS OUT OF TRACHT
In 1993, before relocating to the state of Vermont, Dave and Faith Yearack invited the entire Germania
Almrausch dance group over to their apartment for a Rocky Horror Picture Show Pajama Party. What great
memories we have from that night; our members of all ages attended, Christie being the youngest and Inge
being the oldest. Anyone who was there spent a good part of the night laughing as we watched Robb and Faith
acting out the Rocky Horror Picture Show songs, Christie and Pam blowing up a man doll and dressing it in
lederhosen, Pam trying to capture a perfect picture of us laying on the floor from above (a bird’s eye view) and
the group “naked” picture behind the parade banner! So when Dave and Faith moved back to the area it seemed
appropriate to have a pajama party in their new home, in fact we had three more there in the bar in their
basement which was named “Shotzies”. It was there that our home made board game was created and named
“Get Shot at Shotzies”. And lots more laughs were had at those parties with the same ol’ members and new
members and some innocent bystanders. Sixteen years after that first pajama party and with our planning to host
Kinderfest 2010, we came up with “another great idea” to go public and hold a fundraiser for Kinderfest…
Pajama Party V.
The Pajama Party was held Saturday June 27th, 2009 and we were delighted by Ellis Woodward’s talent as a
singer and guitar player and his interaction with the guests; he traveled from Baltimore to be with us and we
were happy to have him provide the music for our event. We had a very relaxing and fun time. We appreciate
the group of six that traveled from Pennsylvania to support us, and Ellis. Many thanks to the Almrausch
members that donated to the pot luck dinner table and what a delicious
buffet spread it was! Finally thank you to those that made donations or
purchased tickets to attend and to the bartender that donated her time. In
spite of the small gathering we are pleased to announce a net profit to
Kinderfest 2010 of $185.94. Was it fun? The pictures speak for
themselves!
Calendar of Events as of August 12, 2009. Dates are subject to change.
Dance rehearsals are held at the clubhouse unless otherwise noted; Kinder 7:30PM; Adults 8:30PM.
Please join us! New members are welcome- children, associate and dance memberships available!
Please call Dave at 845-452-6360 to confirm rehearsal dates or advise if you are unable to attend rehearsal.
16 August 2009
Germania’s Annual BBQ 1:00pm, music by Rich Cruise, ticket includes food
21 August 2009
29 August 2009
Friday Dinner at Germania (Pavilion) 5-7PM, Margarethe’s Stuffed Peppers or Hungarian Goulash
Almrausch Rehearsal – Please attend if you are dancing at the Germania Oktoberfest
Pig Roast- fundraising for Kinderfest 2010- 4pm, music by Harvest Trio
6-7 September 2009
Oktoberfest at Black Forest Mill Restaurant in Highland Mills
11-13 September 2009
Germania Oktoberfest, music by The Austrian Boys, Spitze and die Spitzbuam
19 September 2009
Yulan Fire Department Parade and German Fest, 12 Noon
19 September 2009
Steuben Day Parade in NYC
20 September 2009
Oktoberfest at Tymour Park- Town of Union Vale
25 September 2009
Friday Dinner at Germania 5-7PM, Grete’s Beef Goulash
27 September 2009
Oktoberfest at Goold’s Orchard, Castleton, NY
3-4 October 2009
Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest
10 October 2009
Oktoberfest at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Poughkeepsie, NY – 6-11pm
10-11 October 2009
Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest (Almrausch is dancing October 11th only)
17 October 2009
German American Club of Northern Catskills Oktoberfest at Belleayre Ski Resort
24 October 2009
Germania Kinder Halloween Party 1-3PM Members only; reservation required
30 October 2009
Oktoberfest at West Point Officers Club (tentative)
6 November 2009
Almrausch Rehearsal – last one in 2009
7 November 2009
Bavarian Club Edelweiss’ Christkindlmarkt, Elmsford, NY (Germania Almrausch Kindergruppe
will have a table, come and shop!)
Germania Christkindlmarkt (Germania Almrausch Kindergruppe will have a table, come and
shop!)
Germania Christmas Party; Music by The Mountain Tops
20-21 November 2009
5 December 2009
12 December 2009
24 April 2010
Germania Kinder Christmas Party – Jam with Santa and DJ Johnny
1-4 PM Members only; reservation required
Germania Almrausch 40th Stiftungsfest, music by The Austrian Boys – details to follow
5 June 2010
17th Mid-Atlantic Kinderfest hosted by Germania Almrausch and Germania of Poughkeepsie
POINSETTIA SALE
6” POTTED RED POINSETTIA PLANTS LOCALLY GROWN BY ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS
Your purchase of this beautiful holiday plant will support Kinderfest 2010… our Kindergruppe
will have them on sale at Germania during Christkindlmarkt on Friday November 20, 2009 and
Saturday November 21, 2009! Details for pre-ordering will be coming soon!
Dear Almrausch Members and friends: We welcome articles, personal tidbits, pictures, drawings, poems and anything
relating to Germanic culture or Schuhplattler news. Please make your submissions to the Editor, Karen Rose, at
krose@germaniapok.com or 93 East Cedar Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Next newsletter deadline is October 1, 2009.
Almrausch Members! Please send me pictures!