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Brownstown Germania's 37th
German/American Festival held on May 30 and 31 was again a great success.
The weather cooperated this year and our halls were filled to capacity on
Saturday. Germania Gemütlichkeit" was present everywhere, as old
acquaintances and new ones joined in this annual celebration.
Master of Ceremonies, Ruth Speer, first and foremost thanked Co-chairs Tom
Schleif and Tony DeMarco and all volunteers who worked so hard, and without
whom this Festival would not have been possible.
She welcomed all guests and acknowledged groups from the Slovene, Czech,
Hungarian, Austrian and Teutonia Club Windsor.
Honored Guests were: Arthur Wright, Supervisor Brownstown, Horst Griesser,
Pres, of the Austrian Club, and Curt Kitter the German-American of the year
recipient along with the large representation of the Austrians who have
supported our Festival for so many years. It was also a pleasure to have our
old Friend, Pres. Arno Erdmann and members of the Teutonia club surprise us
with their visit. Our bridge of friendship with our Canadian friends spans
over several decades.
Steve Seward represented the Downriver Youth Soccer League, which is part of
RUSH, the soccer organization that works to develop a centralized pool of
talent for consideration by European and National Olympic soccer programs.
These players practice on our Germania Field, and many soccer families
joined our festivities. We apologize to all for the longer than usual food
lines.
Our parade of flags took place on Saturday, and along with our national
flags which were carried by Denise Lucas and Katie Baganz, an array of many
Downriver flags were presented by Germania members, including our young
Germania Boys, Julian and Simon Aytes who carried the Dearborn and Michigan
flags.
Our thanks to member Norlita Kaul who's beautiful voice echoed through the
halls as she sang the American and German Anthems, and Frank Sinz who also
represented GACC honored us with his singing of the Austrian anthem. Doris
Kautz and Katie Baganz, who baked for days, took care of the Konditorei,
Torten and homemade baked goods were a sell-out. Denise Lucas provided a
very relaxing atmosphere in the Weinstube, while Siglinde Rickert had the
Library open for guests to reflect and browse. Tom Schleif, Siegfried
Rickert, Helga Droge and Karolla Mousseau were in charge of food
concessions; the Walter Bayko family was in charge of beverages. The
Kinderparade lead by Sabine Aytes took place on Saturday afternoon, children
enjoyed their balloons and ice cream treats. At our gift/information table,
set up by Ruth Speer of Germania's Herit/Cult/ Foundation and Doris Kautz of
the Frauengruppe, guests were able to purchase authentic German items from
Dirndl dresses, steins/mugs, shirts, etc. From this sale, a donation will be
made to the Bipolar Research Foundation at the University of Michigan in
memory of Heinz Prechter.
Behind the scenes and working diligently for the Festival were Emil
Schnellbacher, Media, Harry Pankratz and Liesl Downey whose daughter flew in
to help at the event did finance, Tony DeMarco, signs, flyers, set-up and
more; also instrumental in set-up were Bill Lett, Otto Lichtfusz, Walter
Lambart and Henry Krueger and Susan Roberts. Tom Schleif supervised the
staffing and was the food-purchasing agent. Herb Vogel and family manicured
the grounds.
Through a combined effort by so many, the Festival was enjoyed by all -
members and guests danced and listened to the music by The Natale Emanuele
Group, Martin Brothers +2, Millie & the Czech-US Out Band and the
Sorgenbrecher.
Please consider attending our next events: the /Czech/Slovak Dance on
September 14, German/American Day on Oct. 5, and the Oktoberfest on October
25.
Until we meet again, Aufwiedersehen!
Ruth Speer |
