Checking in with John Ostrow

John Ostrow was one of those guys who attracted attention wherever he went. He was charming, cosmopolitan and restless. He had already seen much of the world when he came to Fredericksburg to run a hotel in the early 20th century. He was born in Bromberg, Prussia (today Bydgosczc, Poland) on May 27, 1878. The name Ostrow is probably Polish and Jewish.

Little is known about his early life although the opportunities that came his way as a young adult would indicate that his parents were people of some influence. An article in a San Antonio newspaper says he was “born into the hotel business.”

At age 21, Ostrow joined the German Army. He served as a steward to Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany — a job that probably didn’t fall into his lap by accident. Ostrow was in charge of the food service aboard the Kaiser’s ship.

The one blemish on his military record was a reprimand from Kaiser Wilhelm for missing church. Each Sunday morning, there was a Lutheran church service aboard ship, and the Emperor insisted that everyone attend.

The Kaiser usually awarded medals to discharged staff members, but when Ostrow left the army, the Kaiser gave him a Bible as a reminder that his religious life needed some attention.

After his discharge in 1902, Ostrow married Johanna Grebe from Hildesheim, Germany. The couple settled in China where Ostrow managed a hotel in Tsingtau, a German colony on the China coast about halfway between Shanghai and Beijing.

Both of Ostrow’s children, Sylvia and Heinz, were born in China. One source claimed he owned the second automobile on the Chinese mainland.

The Ostrow family returned to Germany in 1909, traveling by rail across Siberia and Russia.

Two years later, John Os-

Hindsights

Michael Barr

trow came to the United States. The Galveston Daily News (March 24, 1911) listed “Johannes Ostrow” as a passenger on the German steamship Koln, docked at the port of Galveston. His reasons for leaving Germany are not clear, but some sources hint that he was disillusioned with the German authoritarian regime.

Ostrow got a job in Houston, and once established he sent to Europe for his family.

Three years later, The Galveston Daily News broke the story that “Louis Dietz has sold his hotel building on North San Saba Street in this city (Fredericksburg) to John Ostrow of Houston.”

The Dietz Hotel, later the Ostrow Hotel, was a 3-story building facing San Saba Street (today Main Street). It stood where the Fredericksburg Winery (the old Knopp and Metzger Department Store) now stands.

Newspapers described the new owner as “a hotel man of international experience and widely known by the traveling public.”

Soon his hotel was “famous throughout the south for its hospitality and table.”

John Ostrow was a big part of the Hill Country social life. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Sons of Hermann and the American Red Cross. He loved the theater. He directed community plays performed at Peter’s Hall.

His lively dinner conversations with good friend Robert Penniger, editor of the Fredericksburg Standard, covered art, current events and politics.

John Ostrow ran the hotel in Fredericksburg for 11 years. Then, in 1926, he sold the business to T.G. Cordua “an experienced hotel man from San Antonio.”

At the same time, Ostrow paid $50,000 for the furnishings and a 14-year lease on the Jefferson Hotel at the corner of Houston and

Jefferson Streets in San Antonio, three blocks from the Alamo.

In San Antonio, he and his wife welcomed guests at their home on Patterson Avenue in Alamo Heights near Olmos Park. He directed plays, many in the German language, to entertain the sizeable German population in the Alamo City. After WWII he served as Deputy Tax Collector for Bexar County.

Even after John Ostrow moved to San Antonio, he never lost touch with Gillespie County. He came back often.

Late in life, the old innkeeper told his friends that Fredericksburg was his home, and he wanted to be

Appraiser Whatley is guest at Die Künstler gathering

Lee Ann Whatley, a certified framer and art appraiser, will present “Choosing Your Best Frame — Preserving Your Art” at the May meeting of Die Künstler von Fredericksburg on Thursday, May 5.

Whatley, ISA AM, is a fine art appraiser and professional framer in Fredericksburg. She has a degree in art history specializing contemporary art and the history of photography.

She has owned a fine art photography gallery and has worked as an assistant director for a contemporary fine art gallery in Aspen, Colorado. Whatley has been a conservation and archival fine art framer for 20 years.

Whatley specializes in evaluations and appraisals for Texas Art, American Indian Art, Contemporary Art, American Art and Fine Art Photography. She is available for consultation for insurance and estate tax appraisals. buried in Der Stadt Friedhof (City Cemetery). He checked in on Oct. 21, 1959.

The meeting of Artists of Fredericksburg seeks to support all artists and hosts art demonstrations or other relevant speakers to grow the skills and understanding of artists or those interested in art. Doors open at 6 p.m. so all can visit and browse through the many artists’ DVDs. Members may check out up to three DVDs.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Gillespie County Historical Society meeting room located at 312 W. San Antonio Street. Follow the sidewalk on the right around to the entrance to the fellowship hall. Die Künstler, is supported in part by the PCAA/ Oktoberfest and the city and county HOT funds.

Barr is a retired teacher and principal living in Fredericksburg, where he spends his time writing books, columns and magazine articles. Contact him at mikbarr@ aol.com.

Adventist

FREDERICKSBURG SEVENTH-DAY

ADVENTIST CHURCH

101 East Highway Street • 997-6042

Pastor: Dwight Seek

Saturday: 9:30 a.m. Sabbath School - classes for children, youth & adults

11 a.m. Worship Service

12:30 p.m. Potluck Lunch on 2nd & 4th Sabbath of month - all welcome

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Study-Prayer

IGLESIA ADVENTISTA

DE FREDERICKSBURG

101 East Highway Street

Pastor: Dwight Seek

Sabado: 9:30 a.m. Escuela Sabaticaclases para niños y adultos 11:00 a.m. Culto de Adoracion

ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS

ANGLICAN CHURCH

The Rev. John B. Onstott, Rector 2015 Singing Wind Dr., Kerrville 830-895-4990 st.michael.aaac@gmail.com kerrvilleanglicanchurch.com

Sunday: Holy Eucharist 10:00AM

Wednesday: Morning Prayer 10:00AM

NEW LIFE CHURCH

102 E. Travis • 830-992-0403

Pastor John Cruz

Sunday: 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship www.newlifefbg.com

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH (SBC/SBTC)

Jamey Day, Pastor 3022 N. State Hwy. 16 (Llano Highway) 997-9836

Email: faithbc@ctesc.net

Website: www.faithbcfbg.com

Sun.: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Worship Service

Wed.: 6:30 p.m. Bible Study/Prayer

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (BGCT/SBC)

1407 E. Main • 997-9511

Intercessory Prayer Line 997-9511

Email: staff@fbcfbg.com

Website: www.fbcfbg.com

Gary Covin, Music Minister

Catherine Zenner, Children’s Minister

Kyle Marcus, Student Minister

Sunday Schedule a.m. Sunday School a.m. Worship Service

Wednesday Schedule p.m. Bible Study & Prayer Service p.m. Youth in the Loft

FREDERICKSBURG

BAPTIST CHURCH

104 Pyka Road 997-6941

Ronnie Dyer, Pastor Sunday: 10 a.m. Bible Study 11 a.m. Morning Worship Wednesdays - 6 p.m. Evening Worship https://fredericksburgbaptist.org email: fredericksburgbc@gmail.com

FREDERICKSBURG

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Reformed Baptist

157 Schmidtzinsky Rd. 830-446-3232

Cody Carnett, Pastor fredericksburgchurch@gmail.com www.fcf-church.org

Sunday Morning

9:30 a.m. Sunday School All Ages!

10:30 a.m. Worship Service

Wednesday Evening

6:30 p.m. Small Groups & Fellowship

Thursday Evening

6:45 p.m. Boys Trail Life & American

Heritage Girls - Ages 5-18

Adventure & Skills Training

1st Sun. of Month - Lord’s Supper

2nd Sun. of Month - Fellowship Meal

HARPER

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Main Street - Harper 830-864-4241

Stephen Williams, Pastor

Sunday: 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship 6 p.m. Worship

PRIMERA IGLESIA BAUTISTA HISPAÑA 301 E. Live Oak 997-8335 Pastor Fernando Zurita

Domingo: 9:45 a.m. Escuela Dominical

11 a.m. Servicio De Adoracion

6 p.m. Union de Preparacion

7 p.m. Servicio de Adoracion

Miercoles: 7 p.m. Servicios de Oracion

STONEWALL BAPTIST CHURCH

214 Ranch Road 1623 N Stonewall TX 78671

Lead Pastor Victor Perez

Sunday 10:30am Worship

Monday THE EDGE (High School & Middle School) 6pm

Wednesday Hymms & Devotional 7pm stonewallbaptistchurch@yahoo.com

Facebook: @stonewallbaptist (830) 992 0546

SQUAW CREEK PRIMITIVE

BAPTIST CHURCH - Doss

Elder Bill Moseley, Pastor Worship Services: 10 a.m.

First and Third Sundays

FREDERICKSBURG BIBLE CHURCH

107 East Austin • 997-8834 Alex Garcia, Pastor

Sunday: 9:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday: Bible Study 6 p.m. www.fbgbible.org

HILL COUNTRY CHURCH EFCA

107 East Lower Crabapple Rob Holster, Senior Pastor Daniel Phillips, Youth Pastor 997-3968 http://hccfbg.org

Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Fellowship/Coffee 11:15 a.m. Sunday School

ST. ANTHONY CATHOLIC CHURCH 163 N. Third St. • Harper 830-864-4026

Rev. Rudy Carrola Jr., Pastor Curtis Klein, Deacon Communion Services: Mon. & Tues. 9 a.m.

Masses: Thurs. & Fri. 9 a.m.

Saturday 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Thursday-Saturday after Mass Nocturnal Adoration: Mon. 3-8 p.m.

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH Stonewall • 830-644-2368

Very Rev. John P. Nolan, V.F. Pastor www.stfrancisxavierstonewall.org

Masses: Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. (English/Spanish Bilingual) Tuesday 9 a.m. Wednesday & Thursday 12 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. Religious Ed. Classes, age K-12th

Preaching

Very Rev. John P. Nolan, V.F. Pastor

Francisco de la Torre, Deacon

Pat Klein, Deacon

Marty Robertson, Deacon Amy Voorhees, Music

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Catholic Mission (Spanish Language) Lincoln & College Sts. 830-997-9523

JEWISH

BETHANY

W. Lower Crabapple 997-2677 www.shepherdofthehillstexas.net

THE

& 3rd

Sun.: Sunday School; 2nd & 4th

Sun.: Relief Society, Priesthood, Young Women; 5th Sun.: Combined

BRIDGE CHURCH 224 FM 2093 (Tivydale Rd) Jimmy Pruitt, Pastor 830-990-0402 www.bridgefbg.com

Sunday Worship: 9:00 & 10:45 a.m.

Youth Gathering - Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

CALVARY CHAPEL FREDERICKSBURG

101 E. Highway St. Meeting Sundays at 10:30am

Children’s Ministry for ages up to 5th grade.

Pastor Craig Foster | 830-342-0024 Email: ccf@ccfredericksburg.church fb@ccfredericksburg www.ccfredericksburg.church

CME HOUSE OF PRAYER 602 E. Main Street Open Daily from 7am-6pm DESTINY CHURCH

106 S. Edison Street Michael Bell, Pastor 210-349-2295 pastormike@destinychurchfbg.com www.destinychurchfbg.com

Sunday Service 10:00 am

Children’s Ministry Every Service

FREDERICKSBURG CHURCH

103 North Industrial Loop, #101 Fredericksburg, Texas Tommy Russell, Senior Pastor 830-998-8710 or 830-307-8373 www.fredericksburg.church

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

4270 Ranch Road 1, Stonewall Phone 644-2479 Ryan Meyer, Pastor

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

426 W. Main - Fredericksburg 830-997-2195 www.zion-lutheran.com

Rev. Ron Windecker, Pastor SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 10:30AM (2nd Sunday at 8:00AM)

Sunday School at 9:15AM for all ages

Handicapped Accessible Sermons are available on the website Services Broadcast on KNAF at 10:30AM Worship Videos available at www.zion-lutheran.com/youtube

KEHILA: B’RIT CHADASHAH (Del Nuevo Testamento)

Congregational Leader: Ro’im David & Rachel Garcia 302 W. Park St • Fredericksburg 830-990-2607 www.netivimolam.com rabinogarcia@gmail.com

Sunday: 11 a.m. (come early for Fellowship)

Monday Worship 6:30-7:30 p.m. With Youth & Child Care

FREDERICKSBURG COWBOY CHURCH

BANKERSMITH, TX parking lot 7905 Old San Antonio Road Sunday: 9:45 a.m. Welcome/Fellowship 10:15 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Fellowship

GRACE FAMILY CHURCH

1603 E. Main St. (across from Law Enforcement Center)

Pastors Robert & Emma Garcia 830-998-8402

Sunday: 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Study

HILL COUNTRY FELLOWSHIP

Meets at Golden Hub Community Center - 1009 N. Lincoln Pastor Chip Johnston 970-596-2344 www.fellowship.life

10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship

BAD DAYS ARE FOR OTHER PEOPLE

412 Luckenbach Town Loop Meet us in the Dance Hall or at the Outdoor Stage Sundays at 9 am Aaron Toli, Pastor Deb Toli, Chaplain 727-204-9009 bdafop@gmail.com facebook.com/BDAFOP www.baddaysareforotherpeople.com

LIGHTHOUSE

Letters

The Poet X

Among the books under review for the Fredericksburg High School library is Elizabeth Acevedo’s “The Poet X,” a book I reviewed two years ago for Tweetspeak Poetry.

The entire novel by this Dominican-American author is written in poems. The mother in the story, Altagracia, and her daughter, Xiomara, have conflicts over faith and culture. They turn to their priest, Father Sean, who acts as intermediary to help them understand their differences and rediscover their love for one another.

The story doesn’t end with easy answers — Xiomara neither becomes a nun (as her mother wishes) nor does she swear off church forever. She’s captivated by the poetry of the Bible, and that appreciation fuels her own growing love for poetry.

The story is set in a contemporary high school, and some of its language and subject matter is best suited for older teens. But at its heart, it’s a story of reconciliation that is all too rare and oh so necessary.

Megan Willome Fredericksburg

Paid for?

I am somewhat confused (regarding last week’s letter by John Wells).

If, in fact, “It’s already paid for,” why the need for a bond election?

Don A. Nagel Fredericksburg

Dog park-loving dog

My name is Pete and I really love the dog park. I asked my Doggy Mom to write a letter a few weeks ago to the editor of this newspaper, and she did — taking my dictation down as I talked “dog.” It was about no water coming out of those awesome fountains at the park. You see, us dogs had been without water for quite a while and we were getting thirsty, and our doggy people were having to bring jugs of water for us, and it was turning into a real situation …

The letter didn’t make it into the paper because the day after it was sent, low and behold the water started flowing at those fountains! WOW! All us dogs thought that was just a miracle, or karma or something like that, when actually it was all on account of those people who ride around in those white pickups. They are the ones who keep our park looking spiffy by mowing and stuff. I guess they had been waiting for parts or something but now our fountains are fixed!

Yeah, Woof Woof, and a really big doggy Bow-Wow

Thank You to those people in those pickups. They do a bang-up job and if I see them at the Dog Park, I’ll jump in their arms and give them a thank you hug from all of us pups — I may even share my treats with them!

Think they would like that?

Deb Hofmann

(as dictated by the dog parkloving dog, Pete)

Fredericksburg

Grateful for help

To the lovely Heroes of Harper and Fredericksburg, thank you.

When Debi Hamilton and her puppy, Cooper, were struck from behind in what could have easily been a fatal vehicle accident in early March, you did not hesitate to help them. Your kindness and valiant efforts resulted in her safe return home. When her six-month-old Boston Terrier ran away in terror, you did not rest until he was found.

Steve, thank you for finding him and being such a wonderful man. Words cannot express how grateful my brother, Matt Mecke and I are to still have our mom. By the grace of God, she only has scratches and bruises. She has nothing but high praises for the first responders who pulled her out of her vehicle and law enforcement for their swift actions.

Harper, your priceless values as a community are exemplary. A special thanks to everyone in Fredericksburg who has been helping her recover. God bless you all. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.

Sincerely,

Emalee Hamilton and Matt Mecke Fredericksburg

Home audit

I would ask that everyone, including our elected officials, do an “audit” of their personal budgets to better understand how we citizens and businesses of the city/ county will be able to handle the growth of expenses and value of their dollars and the risks from our worsening economic situation.

The school has before us an $82-million bond election on May 7 but also, the city is considering bonds for necessary capital improvements. Our city has a surplus, but it needs margin for uncertainties, too.

As of March 2022, overall CPI is up 8.5% in one year — for urban wage and clerical workers, it’s up 9.4%. Gasoline up 48%, used cars up 35%, natural gas up 21.6%, electricity up 11%, food up 8.8% and eating out is up 10%.

Look at your bills. Atmos customer charge is up 17% and usage rate is up 50%. City water rate charge is up 37%, the exorbitant rates for internet, cable and cell phone service is going up again! People moving here find home prices here in Fredericksburg are up at least 30%!

Is there margin in your home budget for what is obviously coming? More inflation, more shortages (wheat, chicken), more “green” new deal regulations, more long-term impacts from the COVID vaccines, more illegal immigrants, more lawlessness and now, by presidential executive order in March, our president has initiated serious planning for a switch to a Central Bank Digital Currency that mimics China’s. Shouldn’t there also be margin in our city, school and county budgets?

Perhaps we could use a local club that could help busy households network together to share how to reduce their household costs and manage to a tighter budget. Perhaps then the city, county and school will follow suit.

George Studor Fredericksburg

HCM celebrates April as ‘Donate Life Month’

April is National Donate Life Month, and Hill Country Memorial and the San Antonio Eye Bank are partnering to remind the public about the importance of organ donation.

“Organ donation is a big way to help those in need,” said Arlene H. Brazell, MSN, Clinical Educator. “One donor can help save the lives of many people. So, we want to get the word out.”

HCM works with the San Antonio Eye Bank to coordinate donor education and organ donations in Central Texas.

“We work with the Eye Bank closely,” Brazell said of the nonprofit, nongovernmental organization.

“They teach our nursing teams the process and the steps of handling all types of organ donations.”

The San Antonio Eye Bank focuses specifically on the gift of sight with corneal donation and transplantation, but they do much more, according to Casandra Castro, Hospital Services & Family Aftercare Coordinator.

“We work to educate and inspire about all organ and tissue donations,” Castro said. “With any event we do, it can encourage those who have been touched by donation to come back out, to let all donor families know that the last memory of a loved one isn’t of them leaving, but that the hospital is honoring them and the decision their family made. It’s a way to honor our ‘donor heroes.’”

Another purpose of National Donate Life Month is to encourage individuals to become organ donors. They can access the state donor registry by signing up at DonateLifeTexas.org.

One of the points Brazell makes is that no one is ever out of the pool of possible donors, even due to age or chronic health issues.

“Surprisingly, a lot of people think that,” she said.

“But you’d be surprised what can be procured. Because every part of the living body — whether it’s bone marrow or skin, corneas, hearts, any kind of tissue, any kind of organ — everything is a potential donor material. It is their job to determine what is possible and what isn’t. So, we make the connection with them, and they handle it from there.”

Brazell understands that making the decision to become an organ donor is not always an easy one.

“We know that sometimes people do have questions about organ donation or are hesitant to discuss it. Of course, our teams respect all of that, it’s very well-handled, and they are extremely professional,” Brazell explained.

In the end, it is worth the effort that literally can change lives.

“Although it’s an unfortunate event when someone passes away, it’s also an opportunity to give somebody else life,” she said.

To become an organ donor, visit DonateLifeTexas.org/saeyebank.

BIRTHS

The following birth announcements were submitted for publication in the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post:

Henry Michael Burdick

Sean and Haley Burdick announce the birth of their son, Henry Michael Burdick, on Friday, April 1, 2022, at Hill Country Memorial.

At birth, he weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 22 inches in length.

Welcoming the baby are siblings, Connor, Jace and Ava.

Grandparents welcoming the baby are Randy and Stephanie Alford and Todd and Meg Burdick.

The baby’s great-grandparents are Norman and Judy Maurer, Gay Merritt and Jan Peterson.

Magnolia Denece Leftwich

Allison and John Leftwich announce the birth of their daughter, Magnolia Denece Leftwich, on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at Hill Country Memorial.

She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and measured 20½ inches in length.

She is welcomed by grandparents, Rusty and Donna Leftwich and DeWayne and Denece Hodges, and a great-grandmother, Martha Mitchell.

Savannah RaeAnne Powers

Jessie Cantrell and Dylan Powers announce the birth of their daughter, Savannah RaeAnne Powers, on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Hill Country Memorial.

Upon arrival, she weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 21 inches in length.

She is welcomed by a brother, Dominik Powers.

Michael James Pritchard

Michael and Holland Pritchard announce the arrival of their son, Michael James Pritchard, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at DuPont Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Upon arrival, he weighed 7 pounds and measured 19 inches in length.

The baby is welcomed by a sister, Skyelar Pritchard, and grandparents James and Dawn Melton of Decatur, Indiana; Billy and JoAnn Leifeste of Fredericksburg and David and Helen Pritchard of Burne, Indiana.

Yelena Jaymes Sanderson

Lori and James Sanderson announce the birth of their daughter, Yelena Jaymes Sanderson, on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Hill Country Memorial.

The new arrival weighed

Two Fredericksburg couples recently enjoyed a transAtlantic cruise on the Regent Seven Seas Explore, traveling from Miami to the Bahamas, Spain, France and Monaco, before ending in Rome. From left are Richard and DeAnn Johnson and Pamela and Gary Liddell. The cruise left on March 25 and docked on April 10. Locals are invited to photograph themselves with a copy of the Standard-Radio Post when they travel for publication. — Submitted photo

6 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 19 inches in length.

She is welcomed by a brother, Nicholas Sanderson.

The baby is also welcomed by grandparents, Rene and Deandra Ramirez, and great-grandparents, Domingo and Mary Rendon.

Joaquin Matthias Sorola

Henry Sorola III and Rosario Ramirez announce the birth of their son, Joaquin Matthias Sorola, on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 8:50 p.m., at Hill Country Memorial.

The newborn weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 20¼ inches in length.

He is welcomed by a sister, Ilyanna Renee Sorola, and grandparents, Rene and Maria Ramirez and Henry and Iris Sorola.

Blake Rachelle Stark

Noel Easterwood-Stark and Kelly Stark announce the birth of their daughter, Blake Rachelle Stark, on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Hill Country Memorial.

At birth, she weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20.5 inches in length.

The newborn is welcomed by siblings Waylon and Emerlee Easterwood.