Volume 67 – No. 9 LANDESTREFFEN DER DONAUSCHWABEN Kitchener, Ontario 2012
September 2012
First Row: Nichole Deely, Susi Hartmann, Connie Reiter, Janet Malofiy. Second Row: Michael Fricker, Werner Fricker III, Dan Galgon, Joey Reiter, Nick Walter, Alex Blank, Werner Fricker Jr. Third Row: Kathryn Dieterly, Mike Cramer, Chris Deely, Sabina Hartman, Kyra Malofiy, Krissy Dieterly, Bill Galgon, Marlene Fricker, John Reiter, Lisa Fricker. Fourth Row: Joe Reiter, Allysa Reiter, Christopher Deely, Sofi Walter, Emma Walter, Karina Fricker, Kristen Reiter, Bob Walter. Emily Fricker, Joe Hartmann, & Kim Walter
Standing in the parking lot of our club we waited for the bus to arrive. Loaded and boarded we were off on our way to Kitchener Ontario! We were glad to have a few friends from Trenton and Philadelphia Donauschwaben along for the ride. We entertained ourselves with videos of Trachtenfests, Kirchweih Shows, and a few other films. Obviously beer, soda and water were stocked and on ice. A few of our mothers made Lunch for the whole bus! Thanks to those who did! With a quick stop for gas and another at the border we finally crossed into Canada! “Where do you Live?” “Pennsylvania.” “Do you have any gifts, or tobacco?” “No.” Hooray They let us in! We continued our trip and soon we rolled to a stop right in front of the Schwaben Club! Finally we were there! The fest tents, and club house made us feel right at home. We were greeted by our hosts and ushered into the event. The fest area served to corral the Schwobs in together and made every one conveniently have to walk past the bar before getting to the big tent or dance floor! I must say that this layout worked very nicely and also was a very clever plan! Friday Night Music was provided by the Golden Keys! Many caught glimpses of our old and soon to be new friends! We were glad to see from the Gauverband, Tom and Kathy Vogt from the G.T.E.V Alpenrösl, St. Catharine's Ontario, Erik Schwarz from Rochester New York, as well as Cindy Rom and Dorothy Neubauer of Original Enzian NY, but in Kitchener for the Gottscheer Treffen just down the road at the Alpen club! The schnitzel platters came rolling through the tent as most of our German Hungarians had their first meal at the club. The bus returned around 9:00pm to pick up some of our older passengers and anyone else who was ready to go! The rest of the German Hungarians waited until 12:00am to be picked up! We enjoyed the band and the camaraderie of Friday, but the real fun would start on Saturday! (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
Performing since 1996, Bigg Romeo was voted "Best of Philly" by Philadelphia magazine's Reader's Poll. The thing that makes Bigg Romeo very different from most bands is that they are constantly working, playing at least 100 dates per year. They rehearse weekly and you can find them in casinos and clubs from Ocean City, Maryland to Allentown, from the Jersey Shore to Lancaster. They love playing music together and never pass up an opportunity to do just that. Each of their performances are quite an evening of entertainment as their band places you right in the middle of a spontaneous party with their powerful, dynamic renditions of 60's soul, 70's disco, 80's retro, 90's dance classics, and the hottest pop tunes of today. Kirko is a Pennsylvania based band featuring Kevin, Chris, and Scott Kirk and "adopted" brother Michael Thompson. Billed as the "Brothers That Rock" they also play music from the 60's to present day rock. They have played together for 20 plus years and feature a unique approach to entertainment. They also play at various events along the eastern coast besides being popular locally. A modernized version of our authentic Oktoberfest to be held on Sept. 15th, we ask all our members who enjoy this type of music to attend. This event is the perfect time for you to invite your children and grandchildren who are not really interested in our ethnic events to attend our club. But YOU need to inform them of this event. Please do so! We are counting on you to spread the word.
September 2012
Monthly Progress
KITCHENER 2012 CONTINUED Saturday morning a few took a walk around the area by our hotel. The Kitchener Oktoberfest is usually held on the street near there. We found our way to the Oktoberfest Store. The building features a traditional May pole out on the street as well as a castle themed architecture. They had a variety of items from Tracht to more commercial shirts, hats and toys. We once again loaded the bus around 10 o'clock. Prior to the parade our dancers attended jugend and kinder dance workshops that were held in the middle school across the street from the club. Some other members joined in on the fun at the sing-a-long mit der Katie Bas that was held in the rattskeller. I had a chance to peruse the museum on Saturday morning. These museums, or exhibits that are often found in and among our clubs are always very similar. Our culture is the same, but I always find it interesting to see how another club treats some of the similar ideas artifacts and history. The different Trachts are always important because many times these types of garments vary both slightly and greatly from area to area. I enjoyed talking about each of our families' home towns with my grandmother Emily Fricker, Mr. Peter Knapp from Lancaster, and Mike Rakszawski from the Philadelphia Donauschwaben. I also was able to find out a little more about the history of the Kitchener Schwaben club. It was time for the parade and the various Schwobs gathered in the parking lot. Our Fahnentrager, Werner Fricker III with our flag high under the sun was a great landmark for our members to find us. After a quick picture with our flag and our sign that read “Philadelphia” we waited for the parade to start. It was during this time that we were approached by a Schwob from Los Angeles, Paul Fruhner. Paul is a graduate student at local Salas University pursuing a degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Salas is located in Elkins Park Pennsylvania. Paul made our contact and has expressed interest in attending various events at our club, while in school! We look forward to seeing him around soon. During the parade speeches Father Zillich was given a chance to speak. Following his speech he walked down the line of clubs presenting a stone to each club’s flag bearer. Standing with my brother and holding our Philadelphia sign Father placed the stone in my hand saying, in German that it was a stone from the riverbed of the Danube near Regensburg. Regensburg is in an area where some of the first Germans left to colonize the areas of Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. Following the parade and many speeches, and not to forget the National anthems, the “jugend” were taught a “friendship” dance. The fest day continues on with music by various German Bands, Dancer performances by all the groups, both inside and out, food, beer and fun. We made our way inside for our performance at 5:30pm. Our program was as follows: Kovarovska, an originally choreographed polka, Lueneburger Windmueller, Tritsch Tratsch Polka, and the German Hungarian Czardas. I can’t tell you what our performance was like for the audience, but as someone on the floor, we were very proud of ourselves. When you as a group work hard on a weekly basis to prepare a program of dances to perform, you can tell that you have succeeded by the feelings you have while doing them. I feel that the more fun you have during that performance most often the better it is! I had a blast! Of course we performed again on Sunday, but that first performance the day before was like a reveal of our hard work. I really got the chance to meet many new people this year at the Treffen. I met young people from, Chicago (both of them), Milwaukee, Cleveland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Detroit, from Windsor, Toronto, Akron, Los Angeles, Mansfield, even some from Trenton, and Kitchener! All of them are Schwobs, and all of them KNOW that they are Schwobs! All of them CARE that they are Schwobs! There is something about being with your own kind, that makes you feel special. You meet people for the first time and instantly you realize that you are the same. You come from the same background. Your family has the same story. Even though the news clip didn’t explain our history quite accurately, its interviewees, including our own Werner Fricker Jr. did describe what it , means to be a Schwob and what it means to attend the Treffen perfectly. “Our Kids are here. My mom is here. We have three generations here and we are really proud of our heritage.” One other woman on the news clip said, “It’s the families. We are like one big Family here.” I had a wonderful time in Kitchener and I can’t wait for Detroit in 2013! Michael Fricker
Page 2
MAJORS CORNER GH Season in the USL of PA The German Hungarian Major Team, will be returning to the United Soccer League for the 20122013 season. League play kicked off on the 9th of September. This season the league will have 7 clubs in the Major Division: Danubia SC, Phoenix SC, Predators, Ukrainian Nationals, United German Hungarians, Vereinigung Erzgebirge, and West Chester United. Looking forward to a Great Season! GH ties VE in Season Opener The German Hungarians started off the season against VE in usual fashion at the annual Sportsfest! The game started at 3:30pm and both teams played well. As always the GH supports our fellow local clubs by staying and attending the festival until late in the day! The fall season continues this trend on September 23rd when the GH plays the predators at the Oktoberfest! We are set to play at West Chester this Sunday the 16th at 2:30pm! GH Home Opener to Coincide with Oktoberfest Celebrations! The German Hungarians will officially open the GH Stadium on Sunday September 23rd! The official United Soccer League match will take place alongside and in conjunction with the Oktoberfest event, showcasing the Unity and Pride of the German Hungarian Cultural, Sport, and Social aspects of our organization. The German Hungarian Major Team will be playing against the "Predators", a new team to the league this season. This is a perfect opportunity to welcome the Predators into the league! The match is set for 2:30pm in the Stadium. The Oktoberfest will be in full swing, with Beer, Bavarian Food, and Music! The German Hungarian Cultural and Schuhplattler Groups will perform! Admission is $5 with children under 13 free!
Check out the German Hungarian Major Team Website! http://unitedghsoccer.wix.com/german-hungarians
September 2012
Monthly Progress
Page 3
LEGENDS OF SOCCER 2012
Willy Hubner, center, and Andrew Weyershaeuser, right, serve as Honorary Captains with referee John Koschewitz, left.
The Gemuetlichen Enzianer and the German Hungarian Schuhplattlers re-introduced the tradition of the Legends of Soccer, a friendly Soccer match between the groups, on August 11th.
BUWE, WAS HAM’R HEIT?
Plenty of Becks Beer at Oktoberfest!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH
THE MOST IMPORTANT TRADITIONAL GERMAN HUNGARIAN EVENT HELD AT OUR CLUB
GH Dancers are ready to entertain you at OKTOBERFEST!!
42nd ANNUAL GERMAN AMERICAN STEUBEN DAY PARADE The Parade will be held on Saturday, September 22nd with participation of all area German clubs and friends at 12 Noon on Frankford Avenue in Mayfair. Parade day festivities will begin with the traditional Ecumenical Service, Parade and Oktoberfest. Grand Marshal is COLONEL SAMUEL E. HAYES, III Commander of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division; Horsham Air Guard Station, Horsham, Pennsylvania.
Monthly Progress
German Hungarian
September 2012
SCHOCKTOBERFEST Halloween Party
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
Adult Tickets - $5.00
SCHNITZEL NIGHT Wednesday, October 3rd and November 7th This dinner is held every first Wednesday of the Month from 5:30pm to 7:30 pm. The cost of the platter is $10.00 and the menu is schnitzel, 2 side dishes, salad, bread and coffee. Desserts are available for purchase at $2.00 while the Bar Special on Domestic Beer Drafts is $2.00 from 5 pm to 8 pm. For larger parties, please call Kathi Galgon at 215-542-0868.
6 TO 10 pm
Under 12 Years of Age – No Charge
D.J. COSTUMES PREFERRED Food and Drink Available For Purchase
GALA FUNDRAISING BANQUET At our club on Friday September 21st 6pm—reception, 7pm—Dinner Live Music and Dancing by the Chemnitzer Tickets: $55.00 per person Reservations: Kathi Noel @ 215-368-3221
Page 4
Sponsored by the BOARD OF GOVERNORS GH Archiving Committee is looking for Photos: The German Hungarians are always looking to preserve our history and our culture as a club. We will accept donations of German Hungarian Memorabilia, Photographs, and Documents. It is not necessary for us to keep your items. We are looking to document them, by taking pictures, scanning and researching them. Currently we are specifically looking for photos of the 1977 GH Majors. The 1977 Majors were US National Open Cup Finalists, as well as the US National Amateur Cup Finalists. We have no known photographs of these teams, that have some very important players on them. If anyone has photos of this team, or of either of these final games, we would like to ask for them to be donated, or at least copied for our archives. If anyone has information about these photos you can contact Michael Fricker at 267.736.4390, or at mfricker92@hotmail.com
H.B.ENTERPRISE, INC.T/A HATBORO BEVERAGES
Beer-Porter-Ale-Stout-Soft Drinks-Ice Large Draft and Imported Microbeer SelectionFine Imported Cigars 201 Jacksonville Road, Hatboro, PA 215-675-1078
UNITED GERMAN HUNGARIANS 4666 Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053
MONTHLY PROGRESS founded by Ted Kereczmann† in 1946. Published by The United German Hungarians of Philadelphia and Vicinity 4666 Bristol Road, Oakford, PA 19053 Phone: 215-357-9851 Fax: 215-357-1560 Web Site: www.ughclub.us President: William Galgon, 1641 Loretta Avenue, Feasterville, PA 19053 Publicity/Editorial: Emily Fricker, 654 Manor Drive, Horsham, PA 19044 267-470-4828, ehfricker@hotmail.com