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Proud To Be German-American Stolz Deutsch-Amerikaner Zu Sein Visit us at www.DANK.org

Volume 62 Number 4

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Wir sind Weltmeister!

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Contents Of This Issue 4

From the President’s Desk by Beverly Pochatko

5

Memory of the First World War

6

Where in the World is the Berlin Wall

7

German-American Hall of Fame names 2014 Inductees

8

Steuben Parade of NY Announces Miss German-America

9

Chapter Chapter

15

Alphorn – the sound of natural tones.

16

Mushroom Season in Germany

17

Cincinnati Historic German Sign Finally Uncovered

18

Germany's Cult Beach Chair, the Strandkorb

23

Kurznachrichten

26

Aus Oma's Küche

27

Calendar of Events

29

"Viehscheid" in the Allgäu

30

Odds & Ends

35

New Members

38

Kinderecke

Editorial Staff Beverly Pochatko Eve Timmerhaus Eva Timmerhaus Correspondents Anne Marie Fuhrig Christa Garcia Francine McKenna Desktop Publishing and Design Eve Timmerhaus Advertising and Classifieds Eve Timmerhaus

General Information

German American Journal -ISSN 1086-8070 is published bimonthly and is the official publication of the German American National Congress.

Periodicals postage paid at Chicago IL and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER” Send address changes to: German-American Journal 4740 N. Western Avenue Suite 206 Chicago IL. 60625-2013 Annual Subscription Rate $15.00 www.dank.org/news.html

DANK does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information published herein. DANK preserves the right to change or amend submissions for any reason without prior notice.

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From The President’s Desk Beverly Pochatko, National President Liebe Mitglieder und Freunde, Dear members and friends of DANK, It’s hard to believe that summer is just about over! I hope that you experienced the various ethnic festivals in your region and see how much alike we all are! As our summer activities are winding down, we are gearing up to celebrate milestones within our Chapters! Congratulations to Chapter 13, Benton Harbor as they celebrate their 50th anniversary on August 9th! Chapter 16, Indianapolis will celebrate their 50th anniversary in November. It is quite an achievement that is the result of the dedication of the membership to preserve our German heritage.

Your early response to our only fund-raising event, the DANK Raffle, has been great! Congratulations to Tom Selcke who won $150 in the early bird drawing! The main drawings will be on November 7 in Chicago. As National President, one of my goals was to raise sufficient funds to keep us financially sound. You can help via donations, selling our raffle tickets, even bringing in a new member or two.

We have had a nice response to our summer membership promotion.

With a little effort on everyone’s part, we can maintain and grow our membership numbers! “Together, we can accomplish great things!” Consider a Life Membership. As your National President, I stated that I couldn’t ask others to do what I myself had not done. In July 2013, I became a Life Member because I believe in DANK, its goals and its future. If you can’t pay the $500 all at once contact Eve at the office and arrange to make payments.

Please continue to support our St. Nicholas Project – collecting items needed by your local food pantries/food banks. There are many worthy projects in each community to support, via donations, or volunteering of your time/talents. Some chapters of DANK have been recognized for their contributions to their community. Make your chapter one of them!

There will be new ventures in the fall for us to enjoy. So, right now, sit back and sip your lemonade or beer and enjoy these remaining lazy, hazy days of summer as you gather your energy to fully celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 – a monumental day in history that led to Germany’s Reunification and the 26th Anniversary of German American Day in October.

“Vergiss mich nicht” Founded by German immigrants to teach and nurture the traditions, language and culture of their fatherland, DANK members value their heritage and respects all the great contributions of Germans and Americans of German heritage.

DANK seeks to bring together Americans of German descent in the pursuit of cultivating and presenting their heritage and interests on local, regional and national levels. These were the primary reasons that the German American National Congress was founded in 1959 and they are still among the organization’s primary objectives today.

DANK National Executive Board President: Beverly Pochatko Vice President : Ronald Kabitzke Erik Wittmann Treasurer: Bob Miske Secretary: Esther Markwart Membership: Erik Wittmann DANK National Executive Office 4740 N. Western Avenue Chicago IL. 60625-2013 Phone: (773) 275-1100 Toll Free: 1-888-USA-DANK Office Hours: 9 am - 4 pm Monday, Wednesday-Friday Office Staff Eva Timmerhaus Eve Timmerhaus

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Memory of the First World War War diaries, letters from the field, historical film documents – 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War, sources like these can once again bring the history of this war to life. They are now available in digital form at the website "Europeana 1914 - 1918".

The new online resource "Europeana 1914-1918" (www.europeana1914-1918.eu/) is a joint European project, which has the support not only of institutions but also of individuals in 20 countries. The venture has been coordinated by the Staatsbibliothek Berlin.

"Of the numerous projects initiated and financed by the German government to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One, this digital project stands out by virtue of its international, crossborder dimension," declared Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grütters at the launch of the new website. It impressively illustrates how the fragmentation that marked Europe one hundred years ago gradually gave way to cooperation, she continued.

More than 500,000 items available online

People from across Europe have contributed to this project. Families of soldiers have made available letters, photographs and diaries – a total of about 90,000 personal documents and mementos.

Libraries and archives have combed their stocks and released some 400,000 documents. To these resources come another 660 or so hours of films, posters and photographs from more than 20 film archives.

A total of more than 500,000 items have come together and have now been digitalized by national libraries in eight states. And more is still to come as the homepage says.

Contribution to mutual understanding

It is a wealth of sources that will give not only historians but all those interested in the period new insights into the history of the First World War. The sheer variety of the items available illustrate what life was really like at the front, as well as reflecting everyday life on the home front during the war years.

"The Europeana project will change the way we see this period – and thus make a major contribution to mutual understanding in Europe – across historical dividing lines," declared Monika Grütters with conviction.

The Europeana is the European online library. The virtual library provides access in several languages to books, maps, films, museum exhibits and archive material.

Today the Europeana already embraces more than 30 million digitalized objects, making it a unique instrument for cultural communication.

The German government is one of the initiators of the project. The main German contribution is the German Digital Library which is still being established but should be fully networked with the Europeana before the end of the year. • © Press and Information Office of the Federal Government

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Where in the World is the Berlin Wall

After the Berlin Wall was dismantled, sections of the wall became much sought after collectors’ items and works of art. The Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship set off to locate the many sections of the Berlin Wall and tells their stories in this richly illustrated book.

When the Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989, the symbol of oppression and lack of liberty overnight became synonymous with the successful fight of the East Germans to regain their freedom. Since then the painted sections of the Wall have become memorials to democracy and liberty around the world.

For the book "Where in the World is the Berlin Wall" the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship managed to locate more than 240 sections of the Berlin Wall across six continents. Numerous photos bear witness to the different ways these sections are used. The book also recounts curious, exciting and tragic tales linked

to the 2.6 tonne concrete sections of the Wall.

The managing director of an Italian cement factory, for instance, managed to purchase one of 70 sections of the Berlin Wall at an international auction in Monaco for some 20,000 marks. Fittingly, he erected the historical concrete artefact in front of the cement factory's art museum in Merone. Today the museum no longer exists; the factory has long been sold; but the section of the Wall stands where it was erected.

Twenty-five years after the Berlin Wall fell, the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship has published a new revised edition of "Where in the World is the Berlin Wall". The book is now available for the first time ever in English. Selected photos are also available online. Š The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government

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German-American Hall of Fame (GAMHOF) names 2014 Inductees The German-American Hall of Fame (GAMHOF) board has announced details for this year's induction ceremony and named their 2014 inductees.

This year's induction event will be held on October 15, 2014 from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at the newly established fabulous Bavarian Style "Paulaner Brauhaus and Restaurant", 265/267 Bowery in New York City.

Those being inducted in 2014 include: Heinz C. Prechter Heinz Prechter (January 19, 1942 - July 6, 2001) a German born entrepreneur who founded the American Sunroof Company (ASC) was a quintessential entrepreneur, legendary visionary, community leader and philanthropist. He was a close friend and avid fundraiser for the Bush Family. Mr. Prechter began his automotive career at the age of 13 as an apprentice in automotive trim, tool and die making and coach and body building. During his studies, Mr. Prechter gained a wide range of practical experience working for a number of German companies. In 1963, he came to the U.S. as an exchange student. While studying Business Administration and English at San Francisco State College he began installing sunroofs - then a virtually unknown product in the US. In 1965, with spending $764 on tools, a workbench from an old door covered with aluminum and a sewing machine from a junk yard, Prechter founded the American Sunroof Company (ASC) in Los Angeles. ASC developed into a supplier of highly engineered and designed roof systems, body systems and other specialty-vehicle systems for the world's auto makers. Now headquartered in Southgate, Michigan, the company employs approximately 1,000 employees at facilities throughout the U.S. In addition to ASC, Prechter founded Heritage Network

Inc., a group of Michigan companies involved in the transportation, hospitality and communications industries. Prechter died unexpectedly on July 6, 2001 at the age of 59. Heinz Prechter was recognized for his entrepreneurial accomplishments, broad community involvement and political achievements. His wife, Ms. Wally Prechter, will attend the induction ceremony.

Louis Joseph Freeh Louis Joseph Freeh was born January 6, 1950 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of Bernice and William Freeh Sr. Mr. Freeh's grandparents immigrated in the late 18th hundreds from the Swabia Province in Germany to the United States. He received an LL.M degree in criminal law from New York University School of Law degree in 1984 and subsequently joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of NY. In 1991 Louis Freeh was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as a judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, a position he held until he was appointed the 5th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and served in this position under two Presidents.

He is now a attorney and consultant in the private sector. Mr. Freeh will attend the induction ceremony.

Dr. Henry Kissinger Henry Alfred Kissinger was born on May 27, 1923 in F端rth, Bavaria, Germany during the Weimar Republic as Heinz Alfred Kissinger. His father, Louis Kissinger (1887-1982), was a schoolteacher. His mother, Paula (Stern) Kissinger (1901-1998), was a homemaker. In 1938, fleeing Nazi persecution, his family moved to London, England, before arriving in New York on September 5. Kissinger spent his high School years in the

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German-American Steuben Parade of NY Announces Miss German-America 2014 and Her Court The German-American Steuben Parade Committee of NY is proud to announce the selection of Miss German-America & Her Court, 2014! Stefani Kraker, a 21-year-old resident of Mahopac, New York is the new Miss GermanAmerica 2014! Miss Kraker, a senior at Pace University in Manhattan, is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with Teaching and Bilingual Certifications.

On September 20, 2014, she will ride the "Queen's Float" on Fifth Avenue during the 57th GermanAmerican Steuben Parade. Accompanying her on the float will be her court which includes two princesses: Pavlina Schriel of Norwalk, CT and Brittany Schreiber, of St James, NY. Miss Schriel is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from New York University's Steinhardt School in Manhattan, while Miss Schreiber is pursuing her degree in Marketing from Hofstra University in Long Island. Stefani, Pavlina & Brittany all speak German, and are very excited to represent the rich German-American heritage and culture of the tristate area.

This year's pageant took place on May 18th in a ceremony held at Reichenbach Hall in Manhattan. A packed house witnessed a pageant that included 3 finalists who ran for the title. The Queen receives a $3,000

scholarship, while each princess receives a $1,000 scholarship. Each contestant was interviewed by a panel of 6 judges, and then introduced individually to the audience. The winner was chosen through a combination of Judge and Audience voting.

Besides crowning Miss German-America, a Junior General and 2 Junior Princesses were introduced: Christian Thomas Fraehmke of New Providence, NJ is the Junior General von Steuben. Lucy Guarnaschelli of Blue Point, NY and Emily Pogozelski, of Garden City, NY are the Junior Princesses.

Over 160 guests were in attendance, including the Parade's General Chairman – Robert Radske.

Departing Miss German-America, Kristina Kren, remembers this past year fondly: "Being Miss GermanAmerica was an experience I will always cherish. It was so rewarding being able to represent my heritage in both the United States and Germany! I hope that young women of German-American descent will be able to take advantage of this same opportunity in years to come."

For more on the German-American Steuben Parade, which takes place on September 20, 2014, please see their websites: www.germanparadenyc.org or www. steubenparade.com. •

DANK Benton Harbor, MI - 2014 Fish Fry Schedule August 1 • September 5 • October 3 • November 7 • December 5

The House Of Gemütlichkeit

DANK Haus - Benton Harbor • 2651 Pipestone Rd • Benton Harbor, MI (269) 926-6652 • www.dank13.org

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Chapter Chatter Chapter #78 Gets Back To Its "Roots", Receives Visit From "Berliner" Bear Cubs On a pleasant yet very windy May 2nd early afternoon, a small but adventuresome group of Chapter #78 members got together at the courtyard patio of the Stein Haus in Bay City, Michigan to try their hand at a long-held Spring tradition here in Mid-Michigan... the making of homemade Horseradish (Meerrettich).

Under the experienced guidance and direction of Don Gaeth, Chapter member and local farmer, freshly harvested Horseradish roots were first thoroughly washed, the tops cut off, peeled, and then cut into small chunks. Following this time-consuming and laborious process, the pieces were then fed slowly into an ingenious homemade contraption made out of a small electric motor attached by a belt to an old cranktype meat grinder fitted with an appropriate size grate.

In short order a large stainless steel pot was soon halffilled with the pungent eye-watering ground root to which a specific ratio of vinegar, water, salt, and lemon juice (for color retention) was added and stirred.

After letting this mixture "ferment" for a brief period, the finished product -- which by then had been sampled by all present and pronounced "the best we

had ever had" -- was carefully spooned in to a variety of small jars and sundry other containers and made available to those who wished to take some home.

Should any of our fellow DANK members want to attempt making this popular German condiment, please feel free to contact Don Gaeth at DNGFARM68@Gmail. com.

With the last of the clean-up chores out of the way and the "aroma" of our efforts quickly dissipating in the stiff breeze, it didn't take long for other Chapter members as well as the general public to start arriving for the next event on this day's agenda... the much anticipated arrival of a couple of black bear cubs.

Planned and promoted well in advance by Monte Oswald, Chapter #78 President and one of the principals associated with the Oswalds Bear Ranch/Rescue Refuge located in Newberry in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, this event was meant as a "thank you" promotion for a local politician running for State Senate who was instrumental in having legislation passed that benefits private facilities such as the Bear Ranch.

With human-bear interactions increasing across the country the competition can become dangerous and fatal...especially for the bears. This unfortunately oftentimes results in orphaned cubs and the reason for this federal and state-licensed operation to be in existence.

By the time the twin 5-month old female cubs ar-

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Chapter Chatter Pittsburgh Chapter Elects New Board of Directors and scheduled events for 2014!

Chapter Pittsburgh elected a new Board of Directors at its May 17th Meeting! Several current Board Members were joined by new Members to make up the new Board of Directors. The position of Chapter President is currently vacant due to the resignation of 20 plus year Chapter President Erik Wittmann, who agreed to informally serve as President Emeritus, until someone steps up to the plate to fulfill that position.

The following persons were officially elected to the Executive Board – Colletta Stickel – Vice President; John Kugler – Treasurer; Christine Sabatini –Secretary with Carol Steiner – voted in as alternate Secretary.

Reelected to the Board were also Diane Smith, John Webber, Eric Trainer, Patricia Schmitt and Jim Schmitt.

Membership to the Board of Directors is open, and the membership of the Chapter is encouraged to apply for appointment to the Board if interested until the next Election.

The chapter as part of it’s on going community outreach has taken on a second charity for sponsorship.

In the past year as part of the National St. Nicholas Project, the chapter has given resources to assist two local food banks in their effort to serve the needy. Starting this year the Chapter will be partaking in the Pittsburgh area Alzheimer’s Walk, sponsoring a team to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. The regular Summer German Picnic scheduled for August 25th at Fairview Park, was also confirmed as was the Dec. 5th annual Weihnachtsfeier at the Teutonia Männerchor.

The Alzheimer’s Walk to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association is to draw attention to the serious nature of that disease and remind all of us that be it memory of our heritage or memory to function as an individual, it is critical to have a sound functional brain. The Chapter is also actively participating in the national raffle sales in order to benefit both the Chapter and the National office. Details of the forthcoming events can be found in the Schedule of Events in the Mittteilungsblatt, the local Newsletter or the DANK Journal. •

Vienna Café The annual German Fest held on June 20th at Deutsche Zentrale located at 7863 York Road is a two day event that is packed with music, dancing, lots of food and um something else…. Oh Ja! BIER!!!

DANK Cleveland Chapter #30 runs the Vienna Café selling fabulous Strudel and Beehives, exquisite Tortes, delicious Poppy Seed and Nut Rolls and even Brownies. We ordered these tasty treats from Michael’s and Reinecker’s Bakeries both of which are German/American and from the Transylvania Bakery Shop a Hungarian and European specialty shop. Thanks to all of those that purchased the wonderful items displayed, we sold out of everything again.

This is an outstanding event with German groups from around the Cleveland area participating at one huge German Fest. German Central is spacious with

great entertainment areas both in the main building and the pavilion. Dining either outside on picnic tables or inside in the hall or under the pavilion or along the deck there is plenty of seating everywhere. Why there is even a playground for those of us that enjoy swinging and playing. As for beverages it is easy to find something to drink too with bars and beir trucks on the property just follow the flow of mugs. German Central even recently added a multi-purpose building used to assist with the admissions process for volunteers and entertainers. The building also can be used for storage or as a changing area for performers. To help with the expenses of this new structure DANK #30 was very proud to give and present a check of $1,500 Continued on page 17

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Chapter Chatter Pittsburgh’s Laurel Highlands Sub-Chapter Participates in Laurel Festival!

Pittsburgh’s Sub Chapter, Laurel Highlands participated in the Laurel Festival which was held on June 20st in the city of Brookville, Pennsylvania.

Organized by William Russell, Sub-chapter President and fellow members of the German Club of Brookville, a booth was set up to recruit new members on the main street of Brookville. In addition to recruiting new DANK members the sub chapter sold raffle tickets. Chapter President Erik Wittmann joined the group for the day to show support for the effort by this wonderful group of sub chapter members. Two

new members were signed up plus approximately 50 membership applications with copies of the Journal were distributed to persons who stopped at the DANK Booth. Thanks to Bill for organizing the effort but the real thanks goes to those local members who came and manned the booth. Danke Viel Mals! •

210 = Two wheels, One world and No money In Cleveland I met a couple on a journey around the world, their names are Daniel and Joey both are from Berlin, Germany. Stefan Pigler our Vice President of DANK Chapter #30 introduced me to this fascinating couple during lunch at the Donauschwaben German American Cultural Club in May. These two individuals have such fantastic stories to share and you can witness for yourselves the places that they have been to by going to their website at www.open-explorers. com see for yourself! There are lots of beautiful pictures and even a short trailer video that you can get a sneak peak of their real life adventures.

What makes this truly unique is that they travel on two BMW motorcycles across all types of terrain and with no money. Daniel and Joey work along the way to pay for their needs, what ambition, drive and creativity that these two amazing people have. Do you have a dream? •

Ken Schlick, President , Chapter #30

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Chapter Chatter Bockbier Fest It was May 17th, 2014 at the Cleveland Männnerchor where Hank Haller and his band played all of the German party favorites through the night. An event that has become an annual feature sponsored by DANK Cleveland Chapter #30. You can contact Hank at omahaller@wowwow.com he has CD’s available that showcase the bands talents and talent they have! What a fun group. We sold raffle tickets and held drawings for 5 fun gift bags most of them contained wines paired with foods to enjoy. Everyone wants to win and they do with great food, drink and entertainment. The sausage was purchased from a local shop, Old Country Sausage Inc. their slogan is “Our Wurst Is The Best”. You can order yours from oldcountrysausage. com George Neiden is the proud owner of this special place. With music and dancing and friends

coming from all directions we even had folks from Columbus, Ohio enjoying this Bockbier fest with us. Our members help prepare and serve the meals and one of the favorites was a German styled potato sausage soup made by our very own Secretary Rhonda Schlick.

If you are ever in the area come check out the Cleveland Maennerchor located at 4515 State Rd., Cleveland, Ohio where there is a very active men’s singing group.

Ken Schlick, Presdient DANK #30

Weltmeister

Early Bird Raffle Drawing! Winning raffle ticket was draw by (ltr) Christel Miske, Eva Timmerhaus and Eve Timmerhaus, and oversaw by Bob Miske (not pictured)Thursday, July 3rd in Chicago.

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Chapter Chatter Historical Speaker On June 29th, William S. Lind, a columnist for the “American Conservative Magazine” spoke to a small gathering sponsored by DANK Chapter #30 at German Central located at 7863 York Rd. Parma, Ohio “Yesterday, it was 100 years ago that Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie Duchess of Hohenberg were assassinated at 11:00am on June 28th, 1914. This was the spark that began the steps to World War”, said Lind. He went on to say, “Thus began the Death of the West and it was the finale of the Middle Ages. This was the closest we have come to having a Christianized Civilization and since that time, we have regressed. In the Medieval days people were not concerned about being happy, they were concerned about being saved.”

“In the 1400’s the existence of The State began and the first requirement of people was Order not Liberty. During the 1700’s philosophers initiated a new concept, Reason. You don’t need Faith, just Reason. Then it was Napoleon and the French Revolution and with it came the Enlightenment Period. So you had Reason and Philosophy vs Faith. Prussia, Austria and Russia, commonly known as the Holy Alliance, defeated Napoleon. Along comes the 1900’s in Holland the first steps to remove Faith began.

The West had dominated the world prior to 1914 however things were

about to change forever.”

“Back in Bismarck’s days he knew that Russia, Austria and Germany needed each other in an alliance.

Even though Russia and Austria disliked each other, he created a Reassurance Treaty. When it was Kaiser Wilhelm’s turn, he also knew that he needed an alliance of three to five countries to avoid war at all cost. It was the Russian blunder of declaring full mobilization that overwhelmed the stress tolerances after the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie Duchess of Hohenberg that ignited the powder keg.” The outcome of the war was that three Christian Powers were wiped out. The war did not have to happen at all.”

Today in 2014, we see it on TV, we hear it on the radio, you read in the newspaper and magazines and even on the internet how Christians are being attacked around the globe. What Mr. Lind shared with us on June 29th falls in line with my thoughts of how our local and world history over the last couple of centuries has turned into a war waged against Christianity.

Whether it is the horrible bloodshed and lives lost or the day to day assault on Christian values and rights, there is a war going on and we are in it.

Ken Schlick President DANK #30

DANK Chapter Listing ARIZONA Phoenix IOWA Quad Cities ILLINOIS Chicago Chicago South Chicago West Fox Valley Lake County Northern Suburbs Peoria Springfield INDIANA Indianapolis LaFayette South Bend MICHIGAN Benton Harbor Great Lakes Bay Region OHIO Cleveland PENNSYLVANIA Erie Philadelphia Pittsburgh Uniontown WASHINGTON DC Washington DC WISCONSIN Milwaukee www.dank.org

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Chapter Chatter DANK Milwaukee Chapter Summer Events

By Dank Chapter Milwaukee President Ron Kabitzke and member Jane Nacker DANK Chapter Milwaukee had a busy start to summer. On June 21 the Milwaukee DANK Chor traveled to Madison, WI to participate in the Wisconsin Sängerbezirk Kommers choral competition. We had 22 singers that participated. The annual event consists of the eight German choirs in Wisconsin.

After the choirs sang their selections a fantastic meal was served. In the evening the choirs got together and sang a concert as a mass choir. The rest of the evening was spent enjoying and renewing old friendships and dancing to the music of the Brewhaus Polka Kings. A late night snack was provided with variety of sandwiches.

Many of our Chor stayed overnight and on Sunday at noon 150 singers from all the choirs participated in singing selections in the Capital Rotunda. With the four long corridors joining at the center of the Rotunda, the reverb made for quite an echo effect that listed about four seconds. there was a crowd of about 100 people that listened to us with great applause. We then went to the Essen Haus for a picnic.

For 2015 the Milwaukee DANK Chor is the host of the Kommers. Preparations are underway for this event.

On June 29 of the following weekend, DANK Chapter Milwaukee held its annual picnic at Sacred Heart Croatian Hall in Milwaukee. In addition to regular members, non-DANK members who volunteer to work in DANK

booths at Milwaukee’s German Fest attended.

While listening to German music, attendees enjoyed a satisfying meal of grilled meats, BBQ pork, German potato salad, and an assortment of other salads and accompaniments. Delicious desserts, made by the Milwaukee DANK Chor members, finished the meal nicely. Various German beer and wines and non-alcoholic beverages were available.

A beautiful day allowed people to visit and ended with watching our DANK Folk Dancers practice some dances in preparation for German Fest.

At the time of this writing, DANK Chapter Milwaukee is preparing for participating in Milwaukee’s 34th annual German Fest, held at the Milwaukee Lakefront Festival Grounds July 25-27. Known as “Milwaukee’s Original Haus Party” the festival celebrates the cultures of Germany and other German speaking countries.

Along with members from other German related societies in the greater Milwaukee area, DANK Milwaukee members will volunteer in the Konditorei (café and tortes), pizza, funnel cakes, information and admission gates. We are pleased that the DANK National booth will again be situated on the festival grounds to promote DANK and provide membership information to festival goers.

The DANK Milwaukee Chor and Folk Dancers will perform at German Fest. •

Celebrating Our German Heritage in NW Pennsylvania In August we begin the countdown to our German Heritage Festival on Labor Day weekend. Eighteen years ago, our DANK Chapter decided it was time to do a German Fest on its own. We started a Bavarian Fest in July 1992 for the East Erie Turners that continued for three years. Problem was that the EET wanted to keep it for their members only and we wanted to do more!

With our officers and members on board, we held our first German Heritage Festival in 1995 – a one-day affair – and attracted 285 attendees. Since then, we have improved on the ‘Bier und Brats’ party to a fest that now attracts just over 6,000 people on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend! With this growth,

we partnered with the Lake Erie Fanfare to provide a topnotch festival that has been rated as Erie’s Number 1 Ethnic Festival in Erie County. We are so grateful to our members and their families and friends who have helped us over the past 18 years!

At noon on Saturday, the Fest opens with a Parade of Flags featuring the sixteen German States, the American, German and Austrian Flags led by the Folk Dancers. Following the singing of the three national anthems, the keg is tapped and the traditional toast given and the festivities really get going!

Continued on page 21

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Alphorn – the sound of natural tones.

With the passing of time, the alphorn almost totally disappeared as an instrument used by Swiss shepherds. It was only with the romanticism of the 19th century and the revival of folklore and tourism that the alphorn experienced a renaissance and even became a national symbol.

Like the didgeridoo, the Indian bamboo or wooden trumpet and the African horn, the alphorn is one of the original wooden wind instruments. The alphorn in Switzerland was first documented in the mid16th century by natural scientist Conrad Gesner.

Communication with humans and animals The alphorn has long been a tool used by shepherds.

It was used to call the cows from the pastures and into the barn at milking time. An engraving from 1754 shows a shepherd using the alphorn to motivate the cows to cover the last steep stretch on their big climb up into the Alps. A glass painting from the Emmental Valley dating back to 1595 shows the alphorn being blown, probably to pacify the cows during milking.

The blowing of the alphorn in the evening is also a traditional theme in art. This sound served as an evening prayer, and was mainly practiced in the Reformed cantons, while in the German-speaking Catholic cantons in Central Switzerland, the call to prayer was preferred.

The main function of the alphorn was, however, for communication with the herdsmen on the neighboring Alps and with the people down in the valley below.

From a shadowy existence to the national symbol After 1800, as the production of cheese increasingly shifted from the Alps to the dairies in the villages, the alphorn was used less and less. After the alphorn was hardly heard at traditional festivals any more, the Bernese official, Niklaus von Mülinen, began to repair alphorns in the 1820s and distribute them to talented players in Grindelwald. Although the alphorn had more or less lost its original function in the mountains, it now won the hearts of its audiences as a musical instrument – and has become a tourist attraction and a symbol of Switzerland.

Brass wind instrument made of wood The key in which an alphorn can be played depends on its length. In Switzerland, the Fis/Ges (F sharp/G flat) alphorn is used, which is 3.5 meters long. Despite or indeed because of its simple design, the alphorn is a difficult instrument to play. This is because all other wind instruments have undergone technical advancements over time (finger holes, valves) while the alphorn has retained its original form. Musicians regard instruments made of wood as being brass instruments because the tones are produced by the same blow-

Alphorn continued on page 37

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GERMAN AMERICAN JOURNAL

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Mushroom Season in Germany One of the few nice things about summer coming to an end is the beginning of mushroom season in Germany. Meals with mushrooms proliferate in restaurants giving diners a taste of autumn.

Take a walk down one of Germany’s many forest paths in the fall and chances are good you’ll spot some mushrooms. Some are tall. Some are small. They can be brightly colored in red and orange hues or dusty brown. Many are wickedly poisonous and only a few are edible. So it’s best to leave the mushroom picking to experts.

Those brought up in the tradition of foraging for mushrooms in Germany take it very seriously. They often know of special locations where edible mushrooms burst through the soil as summer comes to an end and the cooler days of autumn arrive. Since the majority of mushrooms exist in deep root systems underground, the fruit of the fungi (the part we see above ground) usually emerge in the same locations.

Some families keep these locations as closely guarded secrets and go on surreptitious mushroom harvests every fall.

Gathering mushrooms in the forest poses many dan-

gers and only people with a trained eye should eat any mushroom picked in the wild. There are 60 deadly varieties in Central Europe. Many toxic mushrooms look like edible mushrooms and people die every year from eating poisonous varieties like the Death Cap. Even if you don’t die from eating a non-edible mushroom, you may feel like you have. Toxic mushrooms wreak havoc on your body and can cause organ failure, as happened with the author Nicholas Evans who accidentally poisoned himself, his wife and brother-in-law with deadly mushrooms picked from the forest.

But don’t let the doom-and-gloom talk dissuade you from trying some of Germany’s very edible and very delicious mushroom species in controlled situations.

For those who want a taste of wild German mushrooms, the safest plan is to stop by a local farmer’s market where varieties like Steinpilze, Maronenpilze and Pfifferlinge will be on offer. In the fall, many restaurants feature special mushroom soups and sauces. •

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Germania Building In Over-The-Rhine Cincinnati Historic German Sign Finally Uncovered The boxes covering the German sign on the Germania Building in the Over-the-Rhine district in Cincinnati, Ohio are now being uncovered due to the efforts of the German-American Citizens League. They were placed over the German sign during the Anti-German Hysteria of World War I. GACL President Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann and GACL Vice President Manfred Schnetzer met with Cincinatti City Councilman Chris Seelbach to see what the city could do about removing the boxes covering the German sign on the Germania Building.

Dr. Tolzmann explained the history of the building, which I had written about in my book “Over-the-Rhine

Tour Guide: Cincinnati’s Historic German District and Environs" and indicated that this would be a good time to uncover the sign, as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I and that uncovering the sign would honor the German heritage.

The German sign on the building reads “DEUTSCHE GEGENSEITIGE VERSICHERUNGS GESELLSCHAFT VON CINCINNATI,” which in translation is: German Mutual Insurance Company of Cincinnati.

Pictured below: A close-up view fo the sign that is visible thus far•

This article is reprinted from German-American News.

20:3(2014)

Vienna Cafe cotinued from page 10 to Leonard May the President of the German Central Foundation. We the people that make up the German community throughout this great country, living in so many cities everywhere in the United States need to work together to preserve the German heritage, language, culture and rich traditions. If you are interested in getting involved or would like to become a social member of a great organization contact your local German Group. To find our DANK (German American National Congress) Chapter #30 in Cleveland, Ohio contact our Vice President Stefan Pigler at #216-3190063 or our President Ken Schlick at #440-840-4959 either of these caring gentlemen will be happy to help you.

Ken Schlick, President DANK Chapter #30

Congratulations Tom Selcke

winner of the Early Bird Raffle drawing

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GERMAN AMERICAN JOURNAL

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Germany's Cult Beach Chair, the Strandkorb by Francine McKenna, Staff Columnist

For over a century the Strandkorb has been a part of Germany's culture, a symbol for holidays, sun, sand and sea.

It might be a cult object these days, but the first Strandkorb was invented in 1882 for an elderly aristocrat Elfriede von Maltzahn, who had rheumatism but no lack of energy and loved to visit Warnemuende, a northeast German sea resort. On the Baltic Sea it is in today's Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

A beautiful mixture of sandy beaches, pine forests, lakes and history, which following the region's restoration after Germany's reunification is now part of the new 'German Riviera', its weather has not changed since the 19th century so along with the sun, seagulls and sand dunes it often 'enjoys' strong and chill winds.

Doctors had agreed that sea air was good for Frau

Tourists in a Strandkorb on the edge of the Baltic Sea in 1955. (Photo provided by the Deutsches Bundesarchiv)

This image provided by the (Deutsches Bundesarchiv).

Photographer: Werner Krisch, 14 April 1961 von Maltzahn's health while at the same time insisted she should not sit on the sand, so she approached Wilhelm Bartelmann, chief basket maker to the imperial court of Emperor Wilhelm I, for a solution.

He designed the Strandkorb, literally a 'beach basket', as the answer to her problem. It looked like a large armchair, was compared to an "upright wash basket", and not only offered shelter from the wind, rain, sand and sun its occupant was also hidden from view, so although the noise from other beach users could be heard it was nevertheless a 'private' space.

Elfriede von Maltzahn's wicker beach basket was first used on June 15, 1882, and met with such enthusiasm that Wilhelm Bartelmann began production at once, and the next year designed a two seater. While at the same time his wife Elisabeth opened a "Strandkoerbe Rental Service".

The Strandkorb idea spread along the German coast, at first mainly with single seats but by the beginning of the 20th century there was increasing demand for two seats, as well as for beach chairs with padding to make the experience more comfortable, adjustable roofs and small tables for a vacuum flask.

German beaches are now dotted with more than 70,000 of the covered wicker beach baskets, and among many other options one of the most requested has drawers at the base to serve as sand free storage away as well as foot rests.

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Some have armrests with foldaway wooden airport style trays, roofs that tilt backwards, there are models adjustable for sunbathing, others with seat heating and/or rainproof covers making it possible to sit through the worst storms with no chance of becoming even slightly damp.

The list of modifications is virtually endless.

Of course there are special models for children, while pet dogs enjoying some time by the sea can also choose from several designs.

Anyone staying for more than a day at the seashore usually books the beach chair for their whole holiday, often building low sand walls around 'their' Strandkorb and decorating it with stones and shells. Complete with a gate put in place whenever they are not there it becomes their holiday 'home from home'.

The basic shape hasn't changed much since it was first invented, but two distinct variations have evolved, the straight angular North Sea beach chair which fits perfectly to the wild and stormy North Sea, but can be adjusted so it is possible to lie flat and sunbathe, and a round rolling Baltic Sea one.

The latter is the most popular basket chair on the beach, and also in gardens where they appear from March until late Autumn, despite the fact that as it only retracts 45 degrees it is just a seat.

Nevertheless it is this more "gemĂźtlich", cosy, Baltic Sea chair, also known as a 'Minilaube', Little Arbor, which is the background to many romantic holiday

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memories.

Wicker beach chairs have become a successful export for German craftsmen, and the construction of each is a joint project that takes the skills of a carpenter, basket maker, seamstress and upholsterer two days to produce.

Even those with 'wear and tear' from being used on

a German beach have an expected twenty year life span, and this combination, together with the chairs being 'in trend' and having colorful awing, is seen as a merging of old traditions with a modern image. Something typically German.

A 'Super Strandkorb', seven feet high and twenty feet long, was specially made to represent 'Germany' for the 2007 G8 Summit held in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The usually stiff and formal official "Family Photo" of eight world leaders, in this case including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Presidents Bush and Putin, instead shows them sitting in a blue and white upholstered beach basket in Heiligendamm on the Baltic Coast.

Almost a symbol of sheltering from The Winds of Change A Brazilian beach has golden sand, azure seas and a 'Wow' factor, an American one might conjure up slow motion images of red swim suited life guards running to the rescue, and perhaps hot dog stands, while for Australia it could be 'throwing something on the barbie', surfers and sharks, but for Germany's North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts it is the thousands of covered wicker beach chairs.

Germany's idiosyncratic 'Strandkorb' has for generations been an integral part of the country's culture, along with sun, sand, sea, wind and even snow, and it shows no sign of going away anytime soon. •

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GERMAN AMERICAN JOURNAL

DANK Haus celebrates World Cup

At DANK Haus in Chicago, Peter Winkler and Doerthe Erdbeer root for Germany's team in the World Cup. (Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune)

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

NW Pennsylvania Continued from page 21

Fest goers arrive early to secure their places in the whopping 150’X 275’ Fest tent, where they will enjoy the music of ‘The Mad Bavarian’ (Bob Hamilton) and the Fred Zwich International Band, the Augsberg German Band, Cleveland’s Hank Haller Band, and the traditional folk dancing of Pittsburgh’s Alpen Schuhplattler und Tractenverein.

Across from the fest tent is a matching tent for the Marktplatz where you will find German Tracht, jewelry, beer steins, and more; A great selection of t-shirts and novelty items; amber jewelry, fest bier mugs and glasses; learn more about genealogy research, the Gesangverein, DANK and more!

The youngsters are not to be forgotten and the Kinderplatz is where they head to enjoy Granny’s Ark Petting Zoo and pony rides. Also there are two inflatable activities, a playground as well as a train ride!

Food is definitely more than just bier und brats. Our co-partner the Lake Erie Fanfare has old favorites - sandwiches of Limburger Cheese or Braunschweiger along with the traditional hot dogs, pretzels and more. Sabella’s Catering provides full menu of German and American favorites and much more! Desserts range from German Chocolate Cake in the Viennese Café on the hill, Helmut’s Strudels, Connie’s Ice Cream, or Funnel Cakes. The Peanut Shop and Pacoe’s fresh popped Kettle Korn are favorites! In addition to the beer brewed specifically for our fest

by Erie Brewing Co, we have a variety of other beers available as well and fresh lemonade, bottled water, pop, etc.

Admission is $5 for persons 12 years and older.

Children under 12 years and parking are free.

We are easy to locate off I-90 at Exit 27 N – PA route 97 (to Erie) about 1 ½ mile to St. Nick’s Grove. Visit our web-site at www.DANK-Erie. org/Festival for more information (directions, hotels, etc.) •

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Germany Printed Five Million Stamps Celebrating Its World Cup Victory… Before the Final Took Place Just hours after Germany’s victory in Rio de Janeiro, the German Finance Ministry Wolfgang Schaeuble presented a new stamp honoring the new World Cup champions. Five million were printed before the final match was even held.

If Germany had lost to Argentina on the 0.60 euro ($0.82) stamps would have had to be pulped.

"It's wonderful that the team turned this dream into a reality," Mr. Schaeuble said.

"I hope that this stamp will remind many citizens of the immense joy the team has given us." •

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Kurznachrichten

Mindestlohn: Schaustellerbund fürchtet um deutsche «Volksfestkultur»

Kommt der geplante Mindestlohn von 8,50 Euro pro Stunde, sieht der Deutsche Schaustellerbund die Volksfestkultur in Deutschland gefährdet. «Denn ohne

Mit der längsten Bernsteinkette der Welt steht RibnitzDamgarten künftig im Guinness-Buch der Rekorde In einer ganztägigen Aktion fädelten Freiwillige auf dem Marktplatz eine 178 Meter lange Kette auf, teilte Ulf Erichson vom Deutschen Bernsteinmuseum mit.

Damit wurde das Ziel von 180 Metern knapp verfehlt, der angestrebte Rekord jedoch erreicht. Die mehr als 18 000 Bernsteine wurden auf eine ein Millimeter starke Stahlseide aufgereiht. Jeder Freiwillige bekam 100 Steine und musste diese so schnell wie möglich auffädeln. Der Schnellste erhielt einen 80 Gramm schweren Bernstein im Wert von 200 Euro. Bereits 2002 war in Ribnitz-Damgarten eine 120 Meter lange Kette aufgefädelt worden, allerdings wurde der Versuch zu spät angemeldet. Die Rekordkategorie „längste Bernsteinkette“ gab es bislang im Guinness-Buch der Rekorde noch nicht. •

Schausteller gibt es auch keine Volksfeste», sagte der Vizepräsident des Deutschen Schaustellerbundes, Klaus Wilhelm, am Rande einer Pressekonferenz in Annaberg-Buchholz (Erzgebirgskreis). Die Branche mit ihren rund 5500 Schaustellerbetrieben organisiere rund 10 000 Volksfeste. Ohnehin hätten die Unternehmen mit steigenden Energiekosten und Platzmieten zu kämpfen. «Kommen jetzt noch die Löhne dazu, wird es schwierig für uns», sagte Wilhelm.

Derzeit sei man mit Politikern im Gespräch, um sich für Ausnahmen bestimmter Branchen stark zu machen. Durch die Einführung des Mindestlohnes rechnet der Schaustellerbund mit steigenden Preisen für Volksfeste und Fahrgeschäfte - und infolgedessen mit Umsatzeinbußen. Nach eigenen Angaben gibt es in der Branche mehr als 40 000 Arbeitsplätze, Zulieferer eingeschlossen. •

Starke deutsche Marken Mehr als 25 Milliarden Euro ist die Marke MercedesBenz wert. Das hat die Unternehmensberatung „Interbrand“ ausgerechnet. In ihrer Rangliste der 50 wichtigsten deutschen Marken liegt der Autohersteller damit auf Platz eins. Nur knapp dahinter: BMW. Unter den Top Ten finden sich zudem Volkswagen und Audi.

Darüber hinaus gehören zu den teuersten Marken der Software-Hersteller SAP, das Pharma-Unternehmen Bayer und der Chemiekonzern BASF. Die Deutsche Bank dagegen kam mit drei Milliarden Euro lediglich auf Platz 15. Es fehle an „Klarheit und Commitment“, urteilt Interbrand, die Bank habe nach der Finanzkrise noch „keine klare Positionierung gefunden“. • www.bestgermanbrands2014.de

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Kurznachrichten Deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache?

Das sind die Lieblingswörter junger Amerikaner Die deutsche Sprache hat so ihre Tücken. Vor allem Austauschschüler und Studenten lernen das schnell.

Junge US-Amerikaner haben nun ihre Lieblingswörter gewählt. Die Ergebnisse überraschen.

Die Globalisierung macht auch vor der deutschen Sprache nicht halt. Viele englische Wörter haben sich hierzulande fest im Alltag etabliert. "Handy", "Sale", "Brainstorming": Sprachwissenschaftlern stellen sich bei solchen Begriffen oft die Nackenhaare auf. Ein Zeichen für Internationalität oder eines für Provinzialität? Über die "Denglisch"-Frage kann man vortrefflich streiten. Eine überzeugende Antwort lässt noch auf sich warten.

Die Kritiker der Anglizismen vergessen jedoch, dass auch die deutsche Sprache ihre Spuren im Englischen hinterlassen hat. Wer sich in den USA aufhält, hört oft Begriffe wie Kindergarten, Zeitgeist oder Doppelgänger. Aus wirtschaftlicher Sicht ist die Welt in vielen Bereichen zusammengewachsen, warum soll die Art, wie wir miteinander kommunizieren, eine Ausnahme bilden?

Die US-Botschaft in Berlin wollte nun wissen, welche

deutschen Begriffe bei Amerikanern auf besonders großes Interesse stoßen. Die Botschaft befragte 350 junge US-Bürger, erstellte daraus eine Liste und veröffentlichte diese auf ihrer Facebook-Seite. (www. facebook.com/usbotschaftberlin) Wer jetzt denkt, dass das alles Quatsch ist, hat sogar Recht. Auch dieses Wort hat es neben so wunderbaren Wörtern wie Dreikäsehoch, Honigkuchenpferd oder Dingsbums in die Auswahl geschafft.

Hier die gesamte Liste der US-Botschaft: Torschlusspanik abwimmeln Kummerspeck Honigkuchenpferd Winterspeck Gaumenschmaus Abschleppwagen befreien beziehungsweise Schwimmflügel Dreikäsehoch

Liebäugeln Quatsch Steckdose Hanswurst Sabberlaetzchen gediegen Dingsbums Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung •

Lebenszufriedenheit in Deutschland Die Arbeitslosigkeit in Deutschland ist auf dem niedrigsten Stand seit der Wiedervereinigung. Dies hat auch zur Folge, dass die Lebenszufriedenheit in Deutschland auf einen Höchststand angestiegen ist.

Denn erwerbstätige Menschen geben eine signifikant höhere allgemeine Lebenszufriedenheit an als Arbeitslose. Auf Basis der neuesten Befragung des Soziooekonomischen Panels zeigt sich, dass rund die Hälfte der Deutschen mit ihrem Leben in hohem Maß zufrieden sind. Nur eine kleine Gruppe von weniger als zwei Prozent der Befragten gibt eine niedrige Zufriedenheit an. Das Ausmaß der Zufriedenheit bleibt im Lauf des Lebens nicht konstant, sondern verläuft sinusförmig.

Junge Menschen und Ruheständler kurz vor und nach Renteneintritt sind besonders zufrieden. Personen im

Alter von 50 bis zu 60 Jahren sowie Menschen über 80 Jahre sind im Durchschnitt am unzufriedensten. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen Höhe des Einkommens und Ausmaß der Lebenszufriedenheit besteht nur mittelbar. Wer gesund ist, einen Hochschulabschluss erworben hat oder anderen vertraut, ist auch zufriedener.

So weisen zum Beispiel 64 Prozent der Personen, die Vertrauen in andere Menschen haben, eine hohe Lebenszufriedenheit auf. Unter den misstrauischeren Befragten sind es nur 30 Prozent. Auch ehrenamtliches Engagement scheint glücklich zu machen. Zwar engagieren sich nur 10 Prozent der Deutschen regelmäßig, ohne hierfür ein Entgelt zu beziehen, dafür sind sie signifikant zufriedener als andere.•

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"Feel the Past - Enjoy the Present..." in Bad Wimpfen, Staufian town on the river Neckar and part of the Historic Castle Route Perched high above the River Wimpfen: An individual schedNeckar, the striking silhouette of ule can be tailor-made of variBad Wimpfen, formerly the largous offers such as boat trips on est Emperors' Palace north of the the River Neckar, a ride in a covAlps, welcomes its guests from ered horse-drawn wagon folafar. The Blue Tower, the imposlowed by a vineyard tour and ing emblem of the town, with its wine tasting, a guided tour of impressive height of 58,75m is a the town with the night watchparticular eye-catcher. It is defiman or mouth-watering praline nitely worth climbing the 167 tasting. Only around 70 km away steps to the platform at a height from the City of Stuttgart and 60 of 32m, where the effort is rekm from Heidelberg, Bad Wimpwarded by a breathtaking view fen is the ideal base for a holiof the medieval old town and far day with trips along the Neckar across the Neckar valley. A tour of valley and the Historic Castle the town with a guide in histori- THE BLUE TOWER Route. The best way to relax in cal dress brings the past to life. The symbolic landmark of Bad Wimpfen. the evening after an eventful Visitors are led through the nar- Built around 1200 as the keep on the west day is to unwind in soothingly row alleys to visit historical build- side of the Staufen Imperial Palace it was warm salt-spring water. Just lie ings such as the Palace Arcades used until well into the nineteenth century back and enjoy the health and and Chapel and the many tow- as a watchtower, completing what was wellness programme of the spa ers and town gates. A wealth of probably the oldest continuous tradition of town of Bad Wimpfen. traditional festivals and cultural tower wardens in Germany. From the top events throughout the year in- there is a magnificent view of the Old Town Contact: vite visitors to join in the fun and and the Neckar Valley.

Tourist-Information Bad Wimpthe eventful history of the town fen can be experienced in the Historwww.badwimpfen.de ical Museum, the Reichsst채dtisches of Ecclesiastical History. Especially info@badwimpfen.org (=Free City of the holy Roman Em- company or society trips are made pire) Museum or in the Museum a very special experience in Bad

Former Civic Hospital is a stone building dating from the first half of the 13th century with 15th century Alemannic half-timbered annexes. Founded prior to the building now hoses the Bad Wimpfen Imperial Town Museum.

The pilars at the Staufen Imperial Palace , of varied design, are among the finest examples of Romanesque architecture.

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The Many Treasures of Aschaffenburg, Germany This year marks a historical point in the German city of Aschaffenburg. It celebrates its 200 year jubilee as part of Bavaria. In addition the amazing Johannesburg Castle in Aschaffenburg is celebrating 400 years.

Aschaffenburg was referred by King Ludwig I of Bavaria as the “Bavarian Nice.” It’s a beautiful city filled with rich culture and historic buildings.

Aschaffenburg is also widely known as the “Bavarian city of castles, palaces and parks.” This year will bring a wide variety of various events and exhibitions to celebrate the city’s big milestone.

Regarded as one of the most significant Renaissance castles in all of Germany, Johannesburg Castle proudly sits along the river Main and is currently the only 4 tower castle remaining. The current castle was built by a mason from Strasbourg named Georg Ridinger. Constructed occurred between 1604 and 1615. Until 1803, the palace served as the second official residence for both the electors and Mainz. Johannisburg Castle was basically destroyed during World War II. Soon after, reconstruction began and the mighty castle was rebuilt by 1964.

Recognized as one of the earliest landscape gardens in Germany is the stately Schönbusch Palace. Begin-

ning in 1775 on the grounds of the palace, Friedrich Carl von Erthal who was the Archbishop of Mainz, decided to have his deer park redesigned in the English landscape style. Schönbusch Park was finally completed in 1790 by Ludwig Sckell who was the garden architect. Visitors will delight in a beautiful garden setting.

Discover the Temple of Friendship, the Red Bridge, the Philosopher’s House plus an observation tower. You’ll also find a small village consisting of shepherds’ cottages around artificial lakes.

Another site that should not be missed is the Pompeiianum, which is an incredible, full replica of an ancient Roman villa that was moved to central Germany.

It represent the House of Castor and Pollux, which was seen in a painting that was discovered at the entrance to the ancient Italian city of Pompeii.

Sadly, Pompeii was buried during a large volcanic eruption way back in 79 A.D. Pompeiianum was built between 1840 and 1848 for King Ludwig I of Bavaria by Friedrich von Gärtner.

Aschaffenburg in Germany is a city that needs to be explored at leisure to take in all that the city has to offer. It’s rich in history and stunning architecture. •

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Aus Oma's Küche Pflaumenkuchen (Plum Cake)

For the batter 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ¾ stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits 1 large egg ½ cup milk 2 pounds purple (Italian) plums (about 30), halved and pitted ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ cup confectioners’ sugar bowl stir together the sugar, the cinnamon, and the nutmeg and sprinkle the mixture over the plums. Drizzle the plumbs with the butter and sprinkle them with the lemon juice. Cover the cake with a buttered sheet of wax paper, secure the wax paper in each corner with a wooden pick and bake the cake in the middle of a preheated 350 F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the plums are cooked through and bubbly. Discard the wax paper, let the cake cool on a rack for 5 minutes, Arrange the plumbs, cut sides up, as close together as and sift the confectioners’ sugar over the top. Serve the possible on the batter to cover it completely. In a small cake warm or at room temperature. • Make the batter: In a bowl whisk together the flour, the sugar, the baking powder and the salt, add the butter, and blend the mixture until it resembles meal. In a small bowl whisk together the egg and the milk, add the mixture to the flower mixture, and stir the batter until it is just combined well. With well-floured hands press the batter evenly into a buttered 15 ½-by 10 1/2 –inch jelly-roll pan.

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Calendar of Events August

on Chapter web site: www.germaninpittsburgh.org/

1 Benton Harbor, MI. All you can eat Monthly Fish Fry. Doors open at 5:30om. Food served at 6:00 pm. $9 per adult, $4 per child. (ages 2-12). 2651 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI.

30 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago, IL.

2 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago, IL. For more information: 773-561-9181.

September

9 Benton Harbor, MI. 50TH ANNIVERSARY. Includes German Buffet and one drink ticket. Music by Will Smaka Band. For tickets please call Kat Schramm (269) 876-4337.

9 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago.

16 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago.

17 Frankfort, IL. Alpine Music Fest, featuring “Blaskapelle Gemmingen” a brass band direct from Germany.

Doors Open 1:00 pm — Music Starts 2 pm . Tickets: $15 Adults / Children under 18 – free. For information and ticket sales call 708-636-3074. 25249 S. Center Road, Frankfort, IL 60423.

30-31 Erie, PA. German Heritage Festival.

6-8 Chicago, IL. German Day Festival. Lincoln, Western and Leland Ave. German entertainment, live music, German food and drinks.

5 Benton Harbor, MI. All you can eat Monthly Fish Fry. Doors open at 5:30om. Food served at 6:00 pm. $9 per adult, $4 per child. (ages 2-12). 2651 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI. 13 Pittsburgh, PA. German Parade in conjunction with the Alliance of Germanic Societies - parade starts at 11 am on East Ohio Street heading towards the Teutonia Männerchor. German Buffet Luncheon starts at 12 noon at Männerchor - tickets are available by calling 412-563-2352.

13 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago, IL. For more information: 773-561-9181

17 Erie, PA. Kaffee Klatsch at Perkins Restaurant. 2 PM. Call 835-139 for information.

13 Frankfort, IL. Oktoberfest. Music by the Will Smaka Band. 25249 S. Center Road, Frankfort, IL 60423.

20 Erie, PA. Meeting. 7 PM. Program:” Genealogy 101.

What do I start?”. Followed by a social hour.

20 Benton Harbor, MI. 1st Oktoberfest. Doors open at 6 PM. $7 per person entrance fee. Kitchen and Bar open to serve at 6 PM for an extra charge. German food available. Eddie Korusa & The Boys will entertain from 7-11 PM for your dancing pleasure.

21 DANK Chapter Lake County, IL. Milwaukee, WI outing. Lunch and Historic Milwaukee River Boat Tour.

For information call 847-602-5327.

23 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago.

24 Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh Chapter Picnic - Fairview Park- South Fayette Township. 1pm- 5pm . Directions

20 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago.

27 Chicago, IL. Kino Kaffee und Kuchen, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave., Chicago.

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A New German Heritage Monument A new addition to the German Heritage Museum in West Fork Park, Cincinnati is a new German Heritage Monument erected on April 10 to honor the many German-Americans in the United States. It consists of a four sided pyramid cut from light gray Vermont granite sitting on top of a thick granite plate. Both pieces are on a four by four foot concrete foundation which make the total height 4 ½ feet. The inscription is a quote by the famous German-American Carl Schurz: “Adapt the best parts of the American spirit and melt these with the best parts of the German spirit”. The idea for such a monument is from Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann, President of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati and curator of the German Pioneer Museum. It is based on a similar monument in Spring Grove Cemetery. We are grateful to the Gottenbusch Family for making the monument possible and to F. David Carpenter for the foundation and base. • Manfred Schnetzer This article is reprinted from German-American News.

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Historic Turnverein Founding Site, New Ulm, MN

by George L. Glotzbach

In 1811 in the Kingdom of Prussia (in present day Germany) Friedrich Ludwig Jahn was distressed that his Berlin was occupied by the French Emperor, Napoleon.

Jahn believed it was because the Germanic people were weak in body and weak in spirit. To correct those weaknesses "Turnvater" (Turner Father) Jahn formed the Turnverein (Gymnast's Society), which became not only athletic but also political. Turners were liberal "free thinkers" who oppossed the autocratic Germanic states of the day and oppossed organized religion, while promoting government as a republic and promoting universal education.

Turners became active in the Revolution of 1848. After the Revolution was defeated thousands of Turners left Germany, many emigrating to the United States.

Here they re-formed the Turner movement as a social, physical education, political, and cultural organization for Germanic immigrants. Their American motto, amended from the German, reads: Frisch/Frei/Stark/ Treu (Fresh/Free/Strong/Loyal).

Continued on page 37

One mile northwest of New Ulm, Minnesota, on KC Road in Milford Township, stands this small monument. Translation: "From here 717 feet in the direction of the arrow on the 11th of November 1856 the New Ulm Turner Society was founded." This stone and bronze tablet were erected on the Pfaender farm in the fall of 1906 to perpetuate the the location of the birth of the first Turner Society in Minnesota. A general celebration was held there marking the Golden Jubilee of the New Ulm Turners.

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"Viehscheid" in the Allgäu

Every year in September, thousands of cows are brought down from their summer alpine pastures high up in the mountains and treated like celebrity on their return to the valley. Head for Oberstdorf in the Southern Bavarian Allgäu region where this event will take place in September 2014.

The so-called “Viehscheid” is the yearly highlight for the locals who dress up in their traditional costume and together with thousands of visitors witness how the cows arrive back in the valley where they are being separated to be returned to their owners. The cow drive down to Oberstdorf is followed by a folk fair, oompah music, beer and local food included.

Facts: Cattle drive dates back to the turn of the last century, and since then the animals have traditionally had flower garlands and large bells as a festive decoration which is bound to the cattle already one day before

Chästeilet tradition Especially in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, the end of the summer grazing season is celebrated with what is known as the "Chästeilet", or division of the cheese.

At the end of September ,when the summer pasture season is over, the Alp cheeses are divided among the owners of the cows. Since not all cheeses are of equal quality, lots are drawn to decide which cheese goes to whom. The cheese is divided in proportion to the milk produced by the cows of the respective owners during the summer. In many places, the Chästeilet is also a cause for celebration and ends in a traditional festival, with music and a large party, and is an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike. •

Cattle drive.

From time immemorial, at about the middle of June every year as soon as the Allgäu Alpine pastures are snow free, the young cattle have been driven up to the mountain meadows.

The tradition of driving cattle up to the mountain pastures is carried out for several very good reasons.

Firstly, there are just not enough meadows down in the valley to provide for all the cattle especially as hay also has to be harvested for the long winter months to come. But that’s not the only reason. Spending the summer months higher up the mountains makes the animals more hardy as well as the fact that the sweet grass and mountain herbs taste good and are very healthy. No wonder that the Allgäu milk products are renowned for their quality. • © Pfronten Tourismus

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Odds & Ends The 181st Oktoberfest gets underway in Munich, Germany September 20th

How many calories do food and drinks at the Oktoberfest contain?

Roast pork and a big beer - what more could you wish for at the Oktoberfest? But watch out: Calories are hiding in thousands in those specialties. Some even more well hidden than the rest.

Of course, the most popular drink at the Oktoberfest is the Munich beer. But it comes with a price. No, not the almost 10â‚Ź you pay for a Mass; the up to 500 kcal in it. As a comparison: The very popular Viennese escalope with the crunchy breading only contains 400 kcal. Non-alcoholic drinks are a bit less drastic: Lemonade bring approximately 200 kcal to the table, the also very popular apple spritzer (apple juice with water) another 25% less.

The food might make want to you loosen your belt for quite some time, too: Half a roast chicken has 700800 kcal, also because of the crispy skin. A 200 gram serving of roast pork with gravy weighs in at 600-700 kcal - without the dumplings. Those add another 100 kcal (potato dumplings) or even 200 kcal, if it's a bread dumpling.

Even less a surprise are the numbers, when it comes to sweets: Kaiserschmarrn (a cut up pancake with extra sugar and raisins) or yeast dumplings with vanilla sauce are loaded with 800-900 kcal. And if you think, the classic big pretzel might be a better idea in order to stay slim - think again: One of those are hiding 800kcal or more in them.

But there is hope: If you want a traditional Bavarian snack at the Oktoberfest without having to buy new pants the day after your visit, you can always fall back on two of the most popular vegetables in Bavaria: Radish and horseradish, well salted, are a very popular specialty at the Oktoberfest and have only 30-35kcals in them. And if you desperately need something sweet, give the frosted apples a chance. Of course, the frosting doesn't make them a nutritionist's best friend, but they do actually only have about 150 kcal - and that's just a quarter of 100 grams of the inevitable candied almonds. Š Oktoberfest.de

Show pride in your German-American heritage.

Buy a Germany/USA Flag lapel pin 1x1 inch See order form on page 39.

Not actual size

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Odds & Ends German Scientists Find Evidence of Ancient Planet Using moon rock samples from Apollo missions that took place more than four decades ago, German scientists have found material evidence of an ancient planet called Theia. The discovery supports the longheld scientific hypothesis that the moon was formed by a cataclysmic collision between Earth and Planet Theia 4.5 billion years ago.

The existence of Theia was little more than a hypothesis for decades, and the discovery by the group of German scientists is the first to provide credible evidence in support of it. The study, which was led by Daniel Herwartz of the University of Georg-AugustUniversität Göttingen, used a new technique to find a slight chemical difference between Earth rocks and moon rocks, which suggests that another planetary body contributed to the moon's formation.

"The differences are small and difficult to detect, but they are there, Herwartz said in a statement. "This means two things: Firstly, we can now be reasonably sure that the giant collision took place. Secondly, it gives us an idea of the geochemistry of Theia. Theia seems to have been similar to what we call E-type chondrites. If this is true, we can now predict the geo-

chemical and isotopic composition of the Moon because the present Moon is a mixture of Theia and early Earth. The next goal is to find out how much material of Theia is in the moon."

Some scientists believe that as little as 8 percent of the moon is made up of Theia; others believe the composition is as high as 90 percent. Herwartz says the new data suggests it is about 50 percent, but this remains unconfirmed. • © Germany.info

German City One of the First to Offer Free and Unlimited WiFi Karlsruhe has become one of Germany's first cities to offer free and unlimited WiFi, making it possible for residents and visitors to stay connected at all times. As part of the 100,000 euro year-long project, WiFi antennas have been installed inside the belltower of 18th century Karlsruhe palace, and WiFi is accessible from open spaces such as the palace gardens.

To connect to the KA-WLAN network, users must register with their name and an e-mail address or a mobile number.

They are then assigned a code that they can use to sign on. This allows the city to identify users in the case that they engage in illegal online activities on the network.

The city's WiFi initiative is one

of the first of its kind. Many German cities have WiFi hotspots with certain limitations. In Munich and Cologne, the connection is cut off after one hour of use.

In cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, WiFi hotspots are controlled by commercial providers who restrict free access to 30 or 60 minutes per day, requiring users to pay for continued usage.

In 2013, Pforzheim became the first large German city to create an open network. However, its 21,000 users are limited to 500MB of Internet usage per month before their connectivity speed is reduced. In Karlsruhe, there is no such limitation, but streaming large amounts of data - such as this summer's World Cup would be impossible if too many people are doing so at the same time. © Germany.info

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Odds and Ends

Famous German Flowers Cornflower

fections, including conjunctivitis. Juices from the stem of cornflowers can also help wounds to heal.

Fuchsia

The cornflower is the national flower of Germany, because it is said that when Queen Louise of Prussia was fleeing Napoleon she hid her children in a cornfield and amused them by weaving cornflowers. Its German name is "knapweed" and it belongs to the centaurea genus of flowers. Its most common variety is bright blue in color, thus providing the inspiration for the shade known as "cornflower blue." Pink and purple varieties of cornflower can also be found. Cornflowers grow in the grain fields in many regions of Germany, although agricultural practices threaten their existence. Herbalists can use cornflowers to treat eye in-

Fuchsias are named after the 16th-century German botanist Leonhard Fuchs. There are many species of fuchsia and although they are native to South America, they are now also grown in many European regions, including Germany. Leonhard Fuchs was a medical doctor who was also an expert in the medical properties of plants. •

German Monastery Named UNESCO World Heritage Site The Imperial Abbey of Corvey, a Benedictine monastery located on the River Weser, became Germany's 39th UNESCO World Heritage Site on Saturday. The site, which was built under the leadership of Louis the Pious in former Dutch Saxony around 822 A.D., has the only preserved Westwork building dating back to the Carolingian era.

Corvey is widely considered one of the most important monasteries of the Middle Ages. It was politically and economically important to the Frankish Empire, and was also a pilgrimage destination. Today it is located near the town of Höxter in North Rhine-Westphalia, and attracts more than 100,000 tourists each year - a number that is sure to rise after its identification as a World Heritage Site.

Corvey was the only German site added during the

meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Doha on Saturday. Last year, the committee added Germany's Wilhelmshöhe - the largest European hillside park - to the list. In total, there are just over 1,000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe. © Germany.info

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Odds and Ends Germany Sees Immigration Boom Germany has officially overtaken the UK and Canada to become the number two destination for permanent immigration, second only to the US. A new OECD report shows that the number of persons permanently immigrating to Germany increased by about 38 percent in 2012, the equivalent of 400,000 people. The report suggests that many of the immigrants came to Germany from other EU countries, those hit hardest by the financial crisis. In 2009, Germany was in eighth place on the annual migration survey.

“Such a strong increase from one year to another has been rarely observed in any major OECD country,” Thomas Leibig, administrator at the OECD migration division, told the Wall Street Journal regarding the 2012 data. “We can clearly speak about a boom of migration to Germany without exaggeration.”

New immigration laws implemented in recent years have made Germany a more attractive destination for those seeking to start a new life. Once, Germany was well known for its strict immigration standards, but now the country boasts one of the most liberal systems in the EU. The strong economy is certainly a factor as well; many immigrants come from other EU countries that were hit hard by the financial crisis and are seeking to find a place in the German job market.

In 2012, there was also a sharp increase in skilled laborers immigrating into Germany. Around 34 percent were classified as “highly educated” by the OECD, up from 30 percent in 2007. For those who are less educated, the comprehensive training and education programs offered by many German companies make Germany and even more desirable destination. •

Melitta Bentz - Inventor of the coffee filter Born: 1873 | Died: 1950 Melitta Bentz was born on January 31, 1873 in Dresden. In 1908 she invented the drip brew coffee filter, which was granted a patent shortly after she created it. In the same year the Melitta Bentz company was established.

A housewife from Dresden in Germany, she changed the way coffee was made with her revolutionary idea. She simply punctured the bottom of a brass pot and lined it with blotting paper from her son, which perfectly filtered the coffee and eliminated residues. In 1930 the filter was changed to a cone-shape with a larger filtering area. In 1989,

Melitta was also the first company to introduce natural brown filter paper made from unbleached pulp.

For more than 100 years Melitta has provided the world with the ultimate coffee experience. The continuous improvement of the quality of the coffee filter, including the invention of filter paper with flavor pores to allow more coffee aroma to come through and the introduction of environmentally friendly bamboo filter have reinforced Melitta as the leading coffee filter company today. Melitta also produces a wide product range of gourmet coffees and products. •

More than a third of the households in Germany are single households The proportion of single households in Germany is 37.2%; thus 17.1% if the population live alone. Among those 13.4 million people, just 17.6% are less than 30 years old. 42.0% of them live in cities with 100,000 or

more inhabitants. Based on the results of the 2011 Census, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) also reports that single households are the most frequent household type in Germany. •

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DANK Summer Membership Drive Continues Through October 30th From June 1st to October 30th, DANK is offering a special pro-rated membership fee to new members who join during this time period only. The fee, $40 per single/head of household has been reduced to $20; spouses from $10 to $5. ($25/couple). This will cover membership dues for the balance of 2014.

As a new member, you will receive four issues of our German American Journal: June/July, Aug/Sept, Oct/ Nov, and the Dec/Jan 2014 issues - (a $10 value); you will be joining the brotherhood of thousands of people who actively acknowledge and preserve their Germanic heritage; meet other like members and share in

the camaraderie of a chapter at special events such as German American Day, Oktoberfests, Christmas parties and more. Many chapters offer discounted prices to chapter members; opportunities to travel, language classes and more. Most importantly they will be helping us to preserve the heritage entrusted to us when the German immigrants gathered to lay the foundation of respecting and honoring our German heritage.

To join or enroll new members go to www.DANK.org and join on-line. Or for more information contact our National Office: 888-USA-DANK . •

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New Members The German American National Congress proud to extend a warm welcome to our newest members.

National Martha Daxer Harrison Moore Christian Nixel Arianna Schulz Mathew Miles Chicago-South Steve and Roxanne Purucker Joyce Latz Yaralee Ojeda Dane Hartmann Patrick Glavin Sue Wolf Kathy Stern Christine Buetow Denise Hartmann Wayne Kern Richard Lattz Chicago Melina Ressing Devin Miller Anke Golde Robert Dennison Stefan and Adrian Ressing Ronald Ruhl David Mellem Steven Rehberg Cornellia Ressing

Monkia Lotter

Karin Thut

Chicago-West Paul Jockl

Cleveland, OH Reiner Mueller Raymond and Lori Schilling

South Bend, IN Gene and Janice Sherry Lake County, IL Joyce Keefe Markus and Ellen Rauchhaus Fox Valley, IL Jason Holliman Bernard Ross Benton Harbor, MI Lori Gowin Brewer Thomas Orr Daphne Pontius Michael and Ashley Wilford Thomas Divis John Mai Milwaukee, WI Wolfram Weinberg Josef Getzinger Colin Daugherty Chicago Northern Suburbs

Uniontown, PA Angela and Evan Braun Pittsburgh, PA Christine and Lawrence Sabatini Ronald Graham Elizabeth DeJong Barbara Edeman Sven Dejong Barbara Edelman Erie, PA Heather Blodgett Bay City, MI Richard Reinhardt Chris Phassen Noble Kaden and Patton Oswald Don Gaeth Linda Forester Camero Lynn Don Noble

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GAMHOF continued from page 7 Washington Heights section of upper Manhattan. After enrolling in the City College of New York, studying accounting in 1943 he was drafted in the U.S. Army.

Henry Kissinger received his AB degree summa cum laude in political science at Harvard College in 1950.

In 1968 President Nixon made Kissinger National Security Advisor. From 1973 to 1977 was the 56th United States Secretary of State. He left office when Democrat Jimmy Carter became President in 1977. A proponent of "Realpolitik" Kissinger played a prominent role in United States foreign policy between 1969 and 1977.

Kissinger continued to participate in policy groups, such as the Trilateral Commission and to maintain political consulting, speaking, and writing engagements.

He is the founder and chairman of Kissinger Associates, an international consulting firm.

Amelia Mary Earhart Amelia Mary Earhart, daughter of German American Samuel "Edwin" Stanton Earhart and Amelia "Amy" Otis Earhart was born July 14, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. Ms. Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and author and the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. During an attempt to make a circumnavigation flight of the globe in 1937 in a Lockheed Model 10 Electra, Earhart disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. Fascination with her life, career and disappearance continues to this

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day. On January 5, 1939 at the age of 41, Ms. Earhart was declared dead in absentina.

John Peter Zenger John Peter Zenger (born October 26, 1697 in Germany - died July 28, 1746 in New York City) was a German American printer, publisher, editor and journalist in New York City whose famous acquittal in a libel suit (1735) established the first important victory for freedom of the press in the English colonies of North America. Emigrating to New York City at 13, Zenger was indentured for eight years as an apprentice to William Bradford, pioneer printer of the middle colonies, and established his own printing business in 1726.

On Nov. 5, 1733, Zenger published his first issue of the New York Weekly Journal-the political organ of a group of residents who opposed the policies of the colonial governor William Cosby. For a year the paper continued its scathing attacks on Cosby until, on Nov. 17, 1734, Zenger was arrested for libel. Remaining in prison for nearly 10 months, he was finally brought to trial in August of the following year. Disregarding the judge's admonition, his brilliant Philadelphia defense attorney, Andrew Hamilton, argued that the jury itself was competent to decide the truth of Zenger's printed statements. To the acclaim of the general public and the spectators, the colonial jury acquitted Zenger on the ground that his charges were based on fact-a key consideration in libel cases since that time. Zenger subsequently served as public printer in both New York and New Jersey. His account of the trial was published in 1736 in the Journal and was widely circulated in both the United States and England.

Founded in 2004 by prominent Americans of German ancestry, the German-American Hall of Fame, a "virtual" Hall of Fame, recognizes and honors deserving German-Americans, creates awareness and appreciation of the huge impact German-Americans made on the evolution of the United States, and to present a positive, progressive, and accurate image of Americans of German ancestry.

Every year, GAMHOF recognizes and honors deserving German-Americans by inducting them into the German-American Hall of Fame. The German-American Hall of Fame is a Non-Profit Organization under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service, registered in the State of New York. For more information: www.gamhof.org •

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Alphorn continued from page 15

Chapter #78. continued from page 9

ing techniques. The distinctive sound of the alphorn, however, combines the richness of a brass wind instrument with the softness of a woodwind instrument.

rived, the crowd - thanks to social media - had swelled considerably and soon the "oohs and ahhs" and "Can I take one home?" could be heard echoing around the courtyard, and everyone including the politician and his staff were thrilled at the turnout. At times there was a 1/2 hour wait in line to see and pet the bears, all under the attentive and paternal gaze of Dean Oswald, the patriarch of the clan and founder of the refuge.

Sonja Korpal, a Chapter #78 member who spent her youth during the war years in Berlin, quickly reminded those present that the Black Bear is the iconic symbol/ mascot of Germany's capital, and the term "Berliner" bears soon was heard being used.

Elaine Fournier, proprietress of the adjoining Atrium Restaurant, provided a nice selection of complimentary appetizers, including her delicious "Scottish Eggs" which are hard-boiled eggs encased in a savory ground sausage and baked. It didn't take long for someone to pair these tasty treats with our freshly made Horseradish and they quickly disappeared as did any remaining containers of Horseradish that were offered to those in attendance.

Oswalds Bear Ranch/Refuge is open to the public through October and DANK members will receive special VIP treatment. Please call 906-293-3147 or visit at oswaldsbearranch.com.

Once again, Das Leben ist Gut (The Life is Good) for members, families and friends of the Great Lakes Bay Region DANK Chapter #78, and we're looking forward to this September when we'll revive another timehonored German tradition... making Sauerkraut! •

The distinctive alphorn Fa In the past, the length of the tree determined the height of the basic pitch. Today, proven measures are used to achieve the desired tuning so as to enable ensemble playing with similarly-tuned alphorns or other musical instruments. Within the tempered tone system the octave interval is divided into 12 semitones.

With the alphorn, this so-called chromatic scale can only be produced from the fourth octave on. Of particular note are three tones that do not occur in the tempered tone system. The 7thnatural tone is a b that is a bit too high, the 11th is situated between Fa and F sharp (the famous alphorn Fa), and the 13th sounds a bit higher than A flat.

Alphorn as a musical instrument The Swiss Yodeling Association, to which the alphorn players belong, now has some 1,800 Alphorn blowers in Switzerland and around the world as members – and this number is growing. The alphorn makes a grand appearance at the Swiss Yodeling Festival, in parades held by the Swiss Association for Traditional Costume as well as at the annual international alphorn festival in Nendaz. In addition, the alphorn is encountered in classical music. (Sinfonia pastorella for alphorn and strings in G major, Leopold Mozart, and Parthia on peasant instruments by Georg Druschetzky), in jazz or in various experiments in modern music. • © www.myswitzerland.com

Historic Turnverein Founding Site Continued from page 38

New Ulm was founded in 1854 by Germanic immigrants who had formed the Chicago Land Company to seek land in the west. The Turner Colonization Society of Cincinnati merged with the Chicago group in 1856.

The Turners were quick to build their first Turner Hall near the center of the city in 1858. It was burned during the U.S.-Dakota (Indian) War of 1862. The second Turner Hall was built in 1865, and an addition erected in 1873 complete with a Rathskeller, now believed to be the oldest barroom in continuous operation in Minnesota. It's murals are cultural and artistic treasures. The 1865 structure was razed in 1900 as being

too small. A third and larger gymnasium/theater was constructed in 1901. That burned in 1952, to be replaced by the fourth and current gymnasium/event center building in 1954. The entire complex is in daily use today.

"Turnvater" Jahn would be pleased with the results.

Today's membership includes 92 Verein (Society voting) members, 441 social members, 195 gymnastics students, and 110 Turner Ladies (formerly the Frauenverein). In many ways Turner Hall remains the heart and soul of New Ulm, the most German city in America. •

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Kinderecke Draw a line from each picture to the marching German word.

Apfelzine

Erdbeere

Bananen

Weintrauben

Kirschen

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It begins with YOU! Join DANK today!

2014 Summer Membership Drive

NOT ACTUAL SIZE

Show your German-American pride

Germany/USA Flag lapel pin 1x1 inch Quantity Price 1 $3.00 2 or more $2.50 each Shipping and handling $1.00 Total Price Makes checks payable to: DANK • 4740 N Western Ave, Suite 206 Chicago IL 60625 Mail pins to: Name Address City/State/Zip Telephone