Der Adler Winter 2015 | Volume XI, Issue I
Digital Edition
HELPING THOSE IN NEED, ONE SCHNITZEL AT A TIME
The New Dinner Dance Experience
ALSO INSIDE: Schwaben News Upcoming Events
German Community Celebrating the Holidays Together
Contents From the President...................................3
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In the News................................................4
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Upcoming Events......................................6 The German Community..........................7 The New Dinner Dance Experience........8 Celebrating the Holidays Together........10 Groups & Committees............................12
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Weinlesetanz 2014.................................13
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From the President What a successful and memorable year for our club!
As you probably already know, we are hosting the national Landesverband Meeting at the end of April. The Landesverband Meeting will be attended by the Donauschwaben presidents, delegates and group leaders from all the Donauschwaben clubs in the U.S. and Canada. An event like this will take a considerable amount planning and organization and we will need a lot of help from our membership. Please look for forthcoming communications on how you can help us make this event run as smoothly as possible.
In addition to celebrating our 60th anniversary, we introduced our new house beer, Schwaben Lager, at our Fifth Friday Froth Fest in May and it was very well-received. We hosted our first annual Bridal Expo to help get the word out about our rental business and our 22nd Annual Oktoberfest had a record year. Finally, we held several Fuchs workshops, bringing new and old members out to the Club to participate in this old world tradition. We also made some major improvements to our house and grounds in 2014. The wooden eves and overhangs of both halls were repaired and painted. In addition, we installed new lights along the west driveway and updated the shelter and beer garden in time for our Oktoberfest. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and worked hard to help improve our club.
We have many great events coming up in the next couple of months, all of which are highlighted in this publication. Throughout 2015, I would like to see more of our members attend our events. Remember, all of our events are open to the public with exception to our member’s Easter and Christmas party. I encourage each of you to invite your friends to come and participate in the fun and fellowship. The Board is actively looking for new ways to increase the attendance at our events but if you have any ideas, please feel free to present them at our monthly meetings.
At our annual planning meeting in November, we discussed several new projects that we could potentially accomplish in 2015. Committees are being formed to research the feasibility and cost of these projects. As they present their findings to the Board, we will keep you updated at our monthly meetings, online and in future newsletters. We are in the process of updating the ladies’ restroom in the basement of the old hall. The bar in the basement is also being removed. With this extra space we could potentially build a room that can store our extra tables and chairs.
I look forward to serving as your President in 2015. With your help, I know that we will have another successful year. Sincerely,
Bob Decher
Bob Decher Cincinnati Donauschwaben President
From the Editor
Due to the quarterly nature of this publication, information may change after printing. Please understand that the editor does his best to ensure the accuracy of all information in Der Adler. Please accept his apologies for any mistakes made herein. Also please understand that space is limited. For the latest information on all events please visit the club website or Facebook page. –Joe
T. Ludwig– Editor, Der Adler
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In the News MEMBERSHIP DUES
Annual membership dues are due no later than March 1, 2015. Please make checks payable to the Verein der Donauschwaben. Dues are $35 per family. As a reminder, Youth Group members whose dues are not current by March 1, 2015 will not be able to participate in our 2015 Strauss Ball. You can pay off your dues at our monthly member's meeting or you can send a check to: Nick Abt 5397 Rapid Run Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 E: abt.nick@gmail.com T: (513)-356-6851 If you have any questions, please contact Nick Abt.
FISH FRY & MEMBER’S MEETING
The Youth Group will be hosting a fish fry before the February 27 and March 27 member's meetings this year. The menu will be Lent-friendly and includes a variation of fried fish, baked fish, mac and cheese, baked potato, bread, salad, spaghetti and tomato sauce, and garlic bread. Proceeds from the fish fry will benefit the Youth Group. Thank you for your support.
LANDESVERBAND MEETING
LABOR DAY UPDATE
We are already starting to plan our annual Labor Day Trip. This year our friends at the Los Angeles Donauschwaben will host the event. The trip will not be during the typical Labor Day weekend. The event will instead be on August 7, 8 and 9. We plan on flying a group out to LAX on August 4 and return on August 11. Lori will be making group flights very soon. For more information, please contact Lori Decher at lpd@fuse.net.
The Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society is hosting the national Landesverband Meeting April 24, 25 and 26. The Landesverband Meeting is an annual meeting and will be attended by the Donauschwaben presidents, delegates and group leaders from all the Donauschwaben clubs in the U.S. and Canada. An event like this will take a considerable amount planning and organization and we will need a lot of help from our membership. Please look for future communications on how you can help us make this event run as smoothly as possible.
DER ADLER DEADLINE REMINDER
The deadline for the Spring edition of Der Adler will be Friday, March 20. Please send all information about upcoming Schwaben events, German community events etc. to Joe T. Ludwig at ludwigjt89@gmail.com. Joe will need information about the Dirndl/Trachten Ball, Schwabenfest, Gulasch Dinner, Golf Ball Drop and any other Donauschwaben Events or news between May and July 2015.
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In The News DONATIONS NEEDED
APRIL MEMBER’S MEETING IS BEING MOVED
Do you have items that you can donate to the club? We are looking for new/unused items to help fill baskets throughout the year. The baskets will be used to help raise money for our various groups.
Because the Landesverband meeting will take place on the fourth Friday of April, the Member’s meeting has been moved to the third Friday, April 17. The meeting will still start at 8:00 PM like normal.
For more information, please contact Helen Hary at hary@fuse. net.
IS YOUR EMAIL/MAILING ADDRESS UP-TODATE?
ADVERTISING IN THE DIGITAL DER ADLER
If you would like to receive bi-monthly reminders about news, upcoming events please email cincydonau@gmail.com with the subject “E-Newsletter Subscription”. If you are receiving our email updates via your work email, please send us a personal email that we can replace it with.
Are you interested in advertising in upcoming digital editions of Der Adler? There are still spots available for 2015 but space is limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. All advertising dollars will help offset the production costs of our newsletter.
If you recently moved, please stay in touch and let our Membership Chair, Nick Abt know. You can contact him via email at abt.nick@gmail.com.
The 2015 prices are available upon request. If you are interested please contact Joe Ludwig at ludwigjt89@gmail.com as soon as possible.
DONAUSCHWABEN WEDDING RECEPTIONS & EVENTS
FRIDAY NIGHT STEIN VEREIN HIATUS
Our monthly Friday Night Stein Verein is taking January, February and March off but don’t worry the event will be back in April 2015. Grab your favorite stein and come out and enjoy a few drinks with your Schwaben friends when our Friday Night Stein Verein returns on Friday, April 10.
The Club’s rental business is now on Facebook! With your support, a Facebook presence will help get the word out about what we have to offer, help us increase traffic to our receptions website, spread the word about our non-cultured events (e.g. Bridal Expo) and ultimately increase our rentals in the future.
Come out to socialize with one another, listen to great prerecorded German music, share stories, play cards, and enjoy some delicious beer. There’s no official membership, no formal meeting, no officials duties, and no dues. Beer, chips, and pretzels will be available for sale. Food will not be provided.
Please help us spread the word about our new Facebook page by inviting friends/family and by liking and sharing our posts. If you are interested in helping to provide engaging Facebook content, please contact Joe T. Ludwig at ludwigjt89@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
3RD ANNUAL BEER & WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER
Ever wonder how American beers and wines compare with their European competition? Find out this year at the 3rd Annual Donauschwaben Beer & Wine Tasting event on Saturday, February 28. This year dinner will be offered from 6 to 7:30 PM. The entry price includes 10 tastes (beer, wine or a combination) in addition to Hors d’oeuvres. The event will also include music, stein shuffle, barrel of beer raffle, a silent auction and a cash bar. If you make reservations between now and Monday, February 16 tickets will cost $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. If you make reservations between Tuesday, February 17 and Friday, February 27 tickets will cost $35 per person or $240 for a table of 8 (if available). Dinner will be available for an extra $10 per person. Make your reservations as soon as possible because seating is limited. Participating guests must be 21 years or older. For reservations call Lori Decher at (513)-245-9450 or email her at lpd@fuse.net.
45TH ANNUAL JOHANN STRAUSS BALL
On Saturday March 14, enjoy an evening from a bye gone era when our youth group and other young adult members of the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society perform a series of dances set to songs written by the famous Austrian composer, Johann Strauss. In addition to a performance by our dancers, live music will be provided by the Spitzbuam band. A light snack buffet will be provided around 10:00 PM. Because of the popularity of this dance, reservations are required. Phone reservations can be made at 385-2098. You can also make reservations via e-mail at dtullius@ fuse.net. Please put Johann Strauss Ball in the subject line.This is one of the Donauschwaben Society’s more popular events so we encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible. Admission is $12.50 per person. Due to our new round table layout in the main hall, we can accommodate no more than 10 people per table.
2ND ANNUAL BRIDAL EXPO
The Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society is pleased to announce their 2nd Annual Bridal Expo on Sunday, March 22 from noon to 6 PM. Come tour our wonderful facilities that are designed to handle receptions as small as 75 or as large as 400 and meet with a wonderful collection of wedding vendors. Wedding photographers, caterers, limousine and party bus companies, event planners, etc. will all be represented to help make your big day perfect. Entry fee is $10 and includes soft drinks and appetizers. Please help us spread the word about this event and our rental business.
MEMBER’S EASTER PARTY
Come celebrate the Easter holiday at the annual Donauschwaben Member’s Easter party, on March 29. The party starts at 2:00 PM and features a performance by our kindergruppen, a surprise guest and an Easter egg hunt. A buffet dinner will then be served by the ladies group and includes carved ham, chicken strips, all the trimmings and dessert. Dinner is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Reservations are required if you are eating dinner. For reservations contact Helen Hary at (513)-923-4548 or e-mail her at hary@fuse.net.
ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT
On Thursday, March 19, join well-known German singers Edith Prock, Sanny and Harmonika Freundefor a festive evening at the Cincinnati Donauschwaben. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7:00, and the show will be from 7:30 to 11:00 PM. The dinner menu is TBA but is always delicious. Both the dinner and the show will be $25 per person, just the dinner will be $10 and just the show will be $15. For reservations, contact Helmut Wolfram (513)-451-6452 or email him at derkaiser@fuse.net. The reservation deadline for dinner is March 16.
For tickets/reservations to upcoming events, call our reservation line at 385-2098, option 3
Fifth Friday Froth Fest Friday, January 30 6 to 10 PM
Annual Dinner Dance* Saturday, February 7 Dinner: 6:30 to 7:30 PM Dance: 7:30 to 11:30 PM
Member’s Meeting Friday, February 27 8 to 10 PM
Beer & Wine Tasting* Saturday, February 28 6 to 11 PM
Johann Strauss Ball* Saturday, March 14 7:30 to 11:30 PM
2nd Annual Bridal Expo Sunday, March 22 12 to 6 PM
Member’s Meeting Friday, March 27 8 to 10 PM
Member’s Easter Party* Sunday, March 29 2 to 6 PM
Stein Verein
Friday, April 10 6 to 10 PM
Member’s Meeting Friday, April 17 8 to 10 PM
Landesverband Meeting
April 24, 25 and 26 Various Times * Reservations required
Visit our website and Facebook page for more information about our events.
DER ADLER INFO
To submit information to the newsletter, please contact: Joe T. Ludwig ludwigjt89@gmail.com Spring 2015 issue deadline:
March 20, 2015
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The German Community
THE GERMAN COMMUNITY EVENTS
BOCKFEST MASS AT OLD ST. MARY’S CHURCH
The Annual Bockfest Mass will be held on Sunday, March 8 at Old St. Mary’s Church. Mass will begin at 11 AM with a parade of German society flags into the church. The music will be provided by the Vereinsmusikanten.Fellowship will follow mass in the Ratskellar and at the numerous Bockfest venues in the area. We hope to see you there to represent the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society.
BOCKFEST 2015—IN HISTORIC OVER-THE-RHINE
The 2015 Bockfest will be March 6–8 in historic Overthe-Rhine. It begins with a parade on Friday evening that starts at Arnold’s Bar & Grill, Cincinnati’s oldest saloon. The parade is led by a goat pulling a keg of bock beer and the reigning Sausage Queen. It ends at Bockfest Hall where the ceremonial first keg is blessed, the best Parade entries are honored, and Bockfest officially begins.
Karneval Maskenball Germania Society Saturday, January 31 Bockfest Weekend Various Times & Locations March 6, 7 & 8 Bockfest Mass Old St. Mary’s church Sunday, March 8 | 11 AM King’s Ball Kolping Society Saturday, March 21 Mustard Club Meetings Mecklenburg Gardens 2nd Saturday, Monthly 11:00 AM
The hall is open throughout the weekend and features live entertainment, great food, historic walking tours, authors and breweriana, a homebrew competition, 5K, Continental Sunday celebrations and lots of delicious bock beer. Come see the Donauschwaben Schuhplattlers perform at Bockfest on Sunday, March 8 and enjoy the festivities.
MONTHLY MUSTARD CLUB MEETINGS
The Händlmaier’s Mustard Club Cincinnati is the first and only U.S. chapter — and one of only two clubs located around the world — dedicated to sharing the gemütlichkeit that is Händlmaier’s Mustard. Come out to their monthly meeting on the second Saturday of every month at Mecklenburg Gardens starting at 11:00 AM. All “meetings” are open to the public. Mecklenburg charges $11 for the buffets, and both buffets are all-you-can-eat.
KOLPING SOCIETY CELEBRATES 90 YEARS!
Congratulations to the Kolping Society for celebrating 90 years in Cincinnati and for carrying out the ideals of Adolph Kolping.
If you would like to submit an event to this section for next quarter, please email Joe T. Ludwig at ludwigjt89@gmail. com. We are happy to spread the word about events happening in the German community as long as the event doesn’t conflict with a Donauschwaben event.
DONASCHWABEN RECEPTIONS & EVENTS Need a place to celebrate? The Donauschwaben Society offers two halls & an outdoor pavilion for wedding ceremonies, receptions, anniversary parties, and other events! Contact Mike at 513-385-2098 or mkurzhals@fuse.net for more information.
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HELPING THOSE IN NEED, ONE SCHNITZEL AT A TIME The New Dinner Dance Experience By: Joe T. Ludwig
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he Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society is known for hosting a wide variety of German events throughout the year. For example, in June, they host their annual Schwabenfest a Bavarian themed festival with roasted ox and in October, they host one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the Greater Cincinnati area. On Saturday, February 7, however, the Donauschwaben will offer a different kind of experience: an evening filled with home cooked food, all-you-candrink-wine during dinner, live music and traditional German Gemütlichkeit, a German word that describes friendship, fellowship and good company.
A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE The Donauschwaben’s Dinner Dance has always taken pride in giving its guests a unique dining experience. Everything about the event—from the food to the décor and even what the committee members wear—is carefully planned and executed to give guests the best experience possible. The evening begins with a sit down dinner. This authentic meal, which includes a large piece of breaded schnitzel (pork), mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert, is prepared just a few hours before the dinner begins and is served by members of the Youth Group. Meanwhile, throughout dinner, wine is
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served to each table by members of the committee. After dinner, the evening concludes with several hours of music provided by The Rheingold Band. This year, the Dinner Dance will provide the same wonderful experience guests have come to expect from years past, except it will go one step further: it will help a local cause in need. BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY In 1980, the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund (CISE) was established to help combat poverty in Cincinnati’s inner-city neighborhoods. CISE was founded to give all children, regardless of their religious backgrounds and
economic circumstances, the opportunity to receive a quality education. St. Francis Seraph, in Over-the-Rhine, is one of these eight inner-city schools that are committed to help less fortunate families give their children a strong education in order to break the cycle of poverty. A school such as St. Francis Seraph has its challenges. The family income of approximately 99% of the students enrolled at the school is at or below the federal poverty level and over 90% of the children who attend the school come from single parent households. In schools such as this, there are limited funds available for school-sponsored field trips and, as a result, the students do not receive the opportunity to grow up with these valuable out-of-classroom experiences. This year, the Dinner Dance is partnering with St. Francis Seraph to help give some of the students the opportunity to go on a field trip. With the “Let’s Fill the Bus Fundraiser”, the goal is to raise $750, the necessary amount to send three classes (or
75 students) on a field trip. Cash donations will be accepted at the door, and, while any amount is welcome, those who donate $5 or more will not only receive a free drink ticket, good for one draft beer or soft drink but they will also be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. “A CAUSE BIGGER THAN OURSELVES” Helping the kids at St. Francis Seraph is the perfect opportunity for attendees of the Dinner Dance to help “a cause that is bigger than themselves,” says Kevin Wilzbach who is on the Dinner Dance Committee. “We believe that community service is an important value to many members of the Cincinnati Donauschwaben. The Dinner Dance Committee was looking for a way to have a positive impact on those less fortunate in our community,” Kevin said. “Education is one means by which we can help end the cycle of poverty, and because St. Francis Seraph is committed to
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doing just that, regardless of the student’s religious affiliation, it seemed like a natural fit to work with them.” The Donauschwaben’s Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, February 7 where dinner starts at 6:30 PM and the music starts at 7:30 PM. Dinner and the dance together cost $17 per person (or $8 just for the dance, $9 for just dinner). To make reservations call (513)-385-2098 or you can email Eddie Tullius at dtullius@ fuse.net. Our reservation deadline is Tuesday, February 3. If you are unable to attend the dance, you can still support the cause. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is currently fundraising to support all eight inner city schools that serve Cincinnati’s urban poor. Please visit their website at http:// www.catholiccincinnati.org/ for more information. Special thanks to St. Francis Seraph for providing us with the pictures used for this article.
St. Nick at the Annual Member’s Christmas Party.
Member’s Christmas Party 2014 Celebrating the Holidays Together By: Joe T. Ludwig
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n Sunday, December 14 member’s of the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society came together to celelbrate the Christmas Holiday. The program started off with a performace from the Kleine Kinder Group where they sang German Christmas songs. After the Kleine Kinder Group performed, the Middle Group performed a Christmas play where the lines were said in German.
The Kleine Kinder Group and Middle Group performing at our annual Member’s Christsmas Party.
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Top Left: St. Nick visiting the Christmas party. Top Right: Trays of Christmas Cookies shared by the members. Middle: The Kleine Kinder Group performing.
Pictures courtesy of Donauschwaben club member Annette Suer 11
Bottom: The Middle Group singing Christmas songs.
Groups & Committees KLEINE KINDERGRUPPE
TRACHTENGRUPPE
Meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact: Erin Sucher: 741-4986 Patty Butterfield: 863-1243
Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Any member interested in helping with For more information, please contact: catering should contact: Kathi Weissmann: 467-6120 Helen Hary: 923-4548 Lori Prugel-Decher: 245-9450
MIDDLE GROUP
FRAUENGRUPPE
DER ADLER
Meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact: Rose Abt: 367-4887 Heidi Kurzhals: 680-5303 Lauren Hunt: lauren.marie@fuse.net
Meets 4 Friday of every month at 8:00 p.m. For more information, please contact: Helen Hary: 923-4548
The quarterly newsletter for the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society. For all inquiries and suggestions contact: Joe T. Ludwig: ludwigjt89@gmail.com
YOUTH GROUP
SENIORS GROUP
CULTURE COMMITTEE
Meets every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. For more information, please contact: Debi Tullius: 522-3849 Lori Prugel-Decher: 245-9450
Meets 1 & 3 Thursday at 10 a.m. For Please consider donating cultural matemore information, please contact: rials to the committee. Hans Bucher: 861-6450 Richard Elder: 761-4090 Karl Themare, Jr.: 451-1483
SCHUHPLATTLER
SOCIAL MEDIA
Meets every Monday night at 7:15 p.m. For more information, please contact: Lori Prugel-Decher: 245-9450
Like the Cincinnati Donauschwaben For all the latest information about on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. upcoming events, please visit our website at www.cincydonau.com
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CATERING COMMITTEE
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CLUB WEBSITE
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Weinlesetanz 2014 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT Bob Decher VICE PRESIDENT & RESERVATIONS Ed Tullius SECRETARY Marty Kunkle TREASURER Joe Abt HOUSE COMMITTEE Adam Hary GROUP LIAISON & BAND COORDINATOR Rick Stolze BUYER Nick Krummen RENTALS Mike Kurzhals MEMBERSHIP Nick Abt MARKETING Kevin Wilzbach LANDSCAPING/ GROUNDS Dave Brabender
LADY’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Der Adler Credits Joe T. Ludwig.................................................................................................Editor-in-Chief Caroline Dektas............................................................................................................Editor Annette Suer, Joe T. Ludwig..............................................................................Photography Joe. T. Ludwig...............................................................................................................Design
Are you interested in contributing content to Der Adler? Contact Joe T. Ludwig at ludwigjt89@gmail.com for all inquieries. The Spring deadline is March 20, 2015.
PRESIDENT Helen Hary VICE PRESIDENT Jean Swierling TREASURER Rose Abt SECRETARY Johnna Stolze HISTORIAN Eileen Waldeck
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