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The Steuben News Registered U.S. Patent Office 1929 A Newspaper for Americans |
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VOL. 80 NO. 4 |
JULY/AUGUST 2007 |
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Kissinger and Kohl Honored Guests Since 1957, German-Americans have celebrated their heritage and the friendship between the "alte Heimat" and their new home with one of the most colorful, most spectacular Parades in New York City. In 2007, the 50th Anniversary will the biggest Parade ever. Parade officials are expecting around 50 clubs from Germany, among them music and dance groups, carnival groups and marksmen, and, of course, groups wearing historic costumes or their traditional "tracht." They come from all parts of Germany, from Bavaria to the Baltic Sea, from the Black Forest to Berlin, and they bring back beloved traditions. Leading the 50th Anniversary Parade will be two very special guests: As Grand Marshal, the Hon. Dr. Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State and highest ranking German-born politician in US history and as Guest of Honor, the Hon. Dr. Helmut Kohl. The former German Chancellor has been a champion for German-American friendship throughout his life. German-American pride will be running especially high this year as these two great men lead the parade up Manhattan's posh Fifth Avenue on Saturday, September 15, 2007. Says Lars Halter, General Chairman of the Parade: "Throughout his entire life, Chancellor Helmut Kohl had a very deep and heartfelt relationship towards America. More than just on a political level, Chancellor Kohl had and still has a close personal friendship with the United States." Halter, who in the past had often had the pleasure to listen to Dr. Kohl at events in Germany as well as the US, has often heard the former Chancellor speak openly about his feelings. It was always with humility and gratitude that Dr. Kohl spoke about being given food by American GI's as a school boy in post-WW II Ludwigshafen/Germany. It was then, that Kohl met Americans for the first time and saw them as liberators after dark times and as friendly partners to depend on. Dr. Kissinger's story is quite different: Born in the city of Fürth in the state of Bavaria, Kissinger and his family fled the Nazi regime in 1938 and moved to New York. After having grown up in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, Dr. Kissinger became an advisor to New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and was later called into the administration of President Richard Nixon. To this day, Dr. Kissinger is the highest-ranking German-born politician in the United States. His advice is still sought after today, both in Washington as well as from clients of his consulting firm Kissinger Associates. The German-American Steuben Parade is deeply honored to have Dr. Kohl and Dr. Kissinger head this year's anniversary events in New York City. Drs. Kohl and Kissinger join an exclusive list of dignitaries leading the Parade, including New York developer Donald Trump, magicians Siegfried & Roy, Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, actor Eric Braeden, supermodel Carol Alt and New York mayors Rudolph Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg as Grand Marshals, as well as German presidents Walter Scheel, Richard von Weizsäcker and Johannes Rau as Guests of Honor. Many of the Grand Marshals and Guests of Honor are expected to take part in this year's anniversary festivities. The German-American Steuben Parade was founded in 1957 by German-American clubs and these clubs are still the backbone of this annual tradition. Aside from all the clubs from the Greater New York region, who march regularly, German-American clubs from all parts of the United States have been marching up Fifth Avenue in the past, including groups from Texas, California, Florida and Wisconsin. If you are interested in marching, send a letter and a group photo and any other suitable media (CD, DVD) to the Parade Committee at the address given below. Official invitations go out the November prior to the parade. Once invited, you will receive detailed information about the upcoming parade. This includes a full schedule of events and all forms necessary for your successful trip to New York. Check out the schedule of events for pre and post-parade events listed below. Parade weekend starts with the Gala Benefit Banquet at the New York Hilton. Tickets are $150 each. There will be a Mass on Parade Day at St. Patrick's Cathedral (Fifth Avenue, 53rd Street), which starts at 9.30 AM. Following the Parade, you're invited to the German-American Friendship Party at Rumsey's Playfield in Central Park (use E. 72nd St. entrance). Tickets are available for $8 each. Tickets to the above events are available at the website at www.germanparadenyc.org or by mailing a check to the address at the end of the events listing below. The check should be made out to "Steuben Parade" and be in the appropriate amount for each ticket requested. PRE AND POST PARADE EVENTS
For more info, visit: www.germanparadenyc.org, write: German-American Parade Committee of NY, PO Box 3386, Church Street Station, New York, NY, 10008; or call: 201-763-7285 PHILADELPHIA STEUBEN PARADE The 37th Annual German-American Steuben Parade will begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday September 22, 2007. The parade will commence on Frankford Avenue (between Welsh Road and Knorr Street) in Northeast Philadelphia, PA. It is sponsored by: Steuben Day Observance Association of Philadelphia & Vicinity, Inc. Honorary Chairman, The Honorable John F. Street Mayor of Philadelphia, President and General Chairman Al Taubenberger and Honorary Presidents Hans J. Beyer and Bruno Karnas. The parade route formation will be in the front schoolyard of the Brown Elementary School at 3600 Stanwood Street (corner or Stanwood Street and Frankford Avenue). Note: Marchers can park in the rear schoolyard accessible from Craig Street, which is one-way south bound off of Stanwood Street. The Parade will begin by marching south on Frankford Avenue beginning at Welsh Road. It will continue down Frankford Avenue to Knorr Street. The Reviewing Stand will be at across the street from the Mayfair Community Development Corporate Office (6810 Frankford Avenue). The following events are scheduled for the weekend of our 36th Annual Parade: Friday, September 21, 2007 Steuben Parade Gala Banquet 7:00 PM - Canstatter Volksfest Verein; Saturday, September 22, 2007 Ecumenical Service at Noon at Saint Mathew's Catholic Church (Cottman Avenue & Battersby Street); The German-American Steuben Parade starts at 2:00 PM beginning at Frankford Avenue from Welsh Road to Knorr Street; Strassenfest following the Parade at the Food Court at Cottman and Frankford Avenues. Oktoberfest following the Parade at the Bavarian Volksfest Verein on the grounds of the United German-Hungarian Club; Sunday, September 23, 2007 an Oktoberfest continues at the Bavarian Volksfest Verein. For more info, please visit www.steubenparade.com.
Global Peace Mission Brings German Woman to America to Visit Steubenites Brigitte Nödler, a German-born Australian, has been continent-hopping the world over, toting her mission of peace and healing. About four years ago, she serendipitously met the Steuben News editor in Iceland while visiting the ancient site of Thingvellir. One of the few spots in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge comes above water, Thingvellir is an enormous geologic rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The rift has created spectacular scenery, including Iceland's biggest lake and dramatic cliffs. Thingvellir was also home to the first parliament in the world when Icelandic Vikings began meeting there annually in the 10th century. It is also a well-known "power spot" which draws people like Nödler, because of the rejuvenating energy that abounds. Nödler recently visited some Steubenites at the business location of Steubenites Fred and Kathy Wagner's KFW, the Spa for Skin, in Holbrook, NY. Nödler encourages people to contribute friendship bands and or colored strings to tie on to her "peace net" which is symbolic on many levels. The net symbolizes 'unity' and that we are all connected; the holes stand for 'freedom', and the friendship bands tied on the net embody the 'humanity' of people's hopes and wishes. The goal of this peace net is the "integration of all community members which is represented in the overlapping of the strings in the friendship bands. This integration forms the basis for harmony which gives strength to communities thereby promoting peace," says Nödler. The net is currently being displayed at van der Plas Gallery at the South Street Seaport in NYC (Pier 17, Second Level). For more info, www.vanderplasgallery.com. Click on "home" and scroll down to see the net on display. Friendship bands and/or strings can take any form, from simple clothe to ornamented ones. They should cost no more than a few dollars to make or buy and should represent your country, ethnicity, interests and/or other unique attributes about yourself. Please send your friendship bands/strings to: PO Box 200, Wyalkatchem WA 6485, Australia. For more info, http://www.global-village-web.net
"The Wallachei"
Kuhviertel (cow quarter) was once the local cow pasture, now home to a big 3M plant, trucking firms, and light industry. New Ulm is built on a series of five terraces. At the top in the west, is Summit Avenue. Located here are our famous Hermann Monument (Denkmal), Martin Luther College, the Country Club, and many finer homes. And then there is "The Wallachei", deep in a hollow on the far South Side. July 21, 2007 a plaque is to be erected in South Park. This excerpt from the plaque tells the story of this unique neighborhood: THE WALLACHEI: This neighborhood dates back to the early days of New Ulm. Only oral history suggests its borders. The origin of the name "The Wallachei" is obscure. The most likely translation is "low land horse pasture". Or, as legend has it, Mr. Kraus had a horse named Walla. Each morning, he would send his son out to the barn with the instruction: "Gibs' du Walla heu" (Give Walla hay.) There were a few large families, large gardens, numerous farm animals, flocks of chickens, and outdoor privies. It was a tough, hard-working neighborhood where outsiders were not always welcome. There was a small grocery, mink ranch, and gravel pit, all anchored by the Hauenstein Brewery. There was even a "Wallachei Clubhouse" to provide low-cost gemütlichkeit. German-Bohemian names predominated such as: Hesse, Lamecker, Kagermeier, Prokosch, Wallner, and Wieland. The character of the area began to change when it became built-up beginning in the 1950's. But its proud name endures. Erected by: Junior Pioneers of New Ulm and Vicinity; German-Bohemian Heritage Society; George L. Glotzbach; and New Ulm Area Foundation. 2007"
Please Support the Make sure you mark the Steuben Society of America's German-American Day Golf Tournament and Dinner to be held Friday, October 5, 2007 at Swan Lake Golf Club in Manorville, Long Island, NY on your calendar. As last year, this year's tournament coincides with German-American Day. Even if you are not a golfer, we are sure you know a golfer you will want to recruit to this exciting tournament. You, your family and friends are invited to attend the very delicious German-style buffet banquet afterwards. We will also need volunteers to make this event successful - one that golfers will return to year after year. Last year's event was very successful and is an important fundraising event for our Society that members and Units can be involved with in many important ways. There will be lots of great golf and non-golf related raffle prizes offered which mean raffle prizes need to be bought/sold by Unit members to family, friends and business associates. Selling tee signage, corporate sponsorship and getting prize donations will also be required. Unit members can solicit the local businesses they regularly patronize for support. Swan Lake Golf is a beautiful 72-par course with a total yardage of 7,011 and slope of 121 from the back tees. Framed by Suffolk County's magnificent pine barrens, cranberry bogs, natural lakes and nature preserves, this course is one of the most well maintained courses on Long Island. Famous for its oversized greens, the 18-hole course presents a fair test for beginners and advanced players alike. Water in play for 9 of the 18 holes and strategically placed fairway bunkers add to the character and challenge of Swan Lake. Eagle's Nest Café offers delicious food in the clubhouse where the tournament dinner will be held. The $150 per golfer tournament fee includes: greens fee/cart, one raffle ticket to win a roundtrip (RT) airfare ticket to anywhere in the US courtesy of Jet Blue airlines (value of $600), pool prize money (longest drive, middle of fairway, closest to pin and others), one sleeve of Nike golf balls, chance to win brand-name golf merchandise, closest-to-pin prizes on each par 3 hole, hole-in-one prize on each par 3 hole. There will also be raffle chances to win gift certificates to German mail order companies, national retail outlets, Karl Ehmer's, German restaurants, spa and massage services, free rounds of golf at area golf courses, golf vacation resort prizes and more.
The $150 fee also includes a BBQ lunch: Brats and German beer/soda with salads and fixings and Buffet Dinner with 2-hour open bar with German Beer: Sauerbraten and Red Cabbage, Potato Pancakes and Applesauce, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut, Chicken Francaise, String Beans Almandine, Caesar Salad, Fruit, Cookies, coffee/tea. The fee for dinner-only guests is $65 by reservation-only before September 25, 2007. Volunteers will be required to help distribute & registration forms selling raffle tickets & tee box sponsors for the tournament. During the event, volunteers will be responsible for selling prize pools on select holes, mulligans and raffles. Please call Christine Lynn Harvey, Tournament Director and Committee Chair c/o New Living Magazine with further questions or concerns: (631) 751-8819 office; (631) 751-8910 fax. Credit Cards, cash and checks will be accepted. Directions to Swan Lake: Long Island Expressway, Exit 70 North (Country Road 111). Follow to end and turn right on Ryerson Avenue. Turn right at stop sign on North Street. Make second right on River Road. Entrance is 1/2 mile on left. There are signs posted to trees that point you in the right direction along the way. For more info about the course and directions, please call (631) 369-1818.
The Menger Hotel: A Piece of German-American History in San Antonio, TX
William A. (1827-1871) and Mary Menger, both born in Germany opened a boarding house and brewery at this site in 1855 when most local businesses were still clustered around a main plaza and military plaza. The popularity of the boarding house led Menger to replace it with a two-story stone hotel erected at the corner of Blum and Alamo Plaza in 1859. In 1859, Mary Menger sold the hotel to JH Kampmann, the builder of the first portion of the structure. Famed for its excellent meals and beautiful patio garden, the Menger was San Antonio's most prominent hotel in the 19th century. It attracted many well-known visitors and was periodically enlarged and remodeled to accommodate more guests. Cattlemen such as Richard King stayed here during the era of the great cattle drives. Other guests included Generals Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and John Pershing. Poet Sidney Lanier, Writer O Henry (William Sidney Porter) and performers at the Grand Opera House located across the plaza. Theodore Roosevelt recruited his regiment of "Rough Riders" for the Spanish-American War at the Menger in 1898. In 1943, it was purchased by WL Moody, Jr. The hotel was further expanded in 1966-67 to cover the entire block. (from a plaque on the wall of the hotel) German-American Actor Gets Star on "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood
The German-American actor Eric Braeden, who has played ruthless tycoon Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless" for more than 25 years, recently received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Braeden's co-stars from day-time's top-rated soap opera, along with former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, a friend and fan of the show, and former heavyweight boxing champion Ken Norton were on hand as star No. 2,342 was unveiled on Hollywood Boulevard. Also at the ceremony was George Kennedy, who appears with Braeden in "The Man Who Came Back," a Western movie scheduled to be released next year. Braeden, 66, joined the cast of the CBS soap in 1980 and won an Emmy for his role in 1998. Born Hans Gudegast in Germany, Braeden came to the United States in 1959. He often played soldiers and co-starred as Capt. Dietrich in the 1960s TV drama "The Rat Patrol." He also played another German-American, John Jacob Astor in the 1997 Oscar-winning smash "Titanic." Braeden co-founded the German-American Cultural Society which aims to promote a positive, realistic image of Germans in the United States and encourages German-Jewish dialogue. He has been honored by the German and Israeli governments for his efforts. Braeden has also served as the Grand Marshall of the German American Steuben Parade in New York City.
German-Brazilians
and their History German immigration to the U.S. was part of a worldwide wave with destinations around the world. In the course of history, perhaps as many as ten million Germans immigrated, with ninety percent choosing to come to North or South America. Most, of course, came to what became the U.S.A., but many also went to Canada and Latin America, as well as elsewhere. One of the major destinations in Latin America was Brazil, and anyone interested in the topic might want to get a hold of the German-Brazilian newpaper, the Brasil-Post for further information on German-Brazilian life today. Also, those interested in further exploring the German-Brazilian experience might want to visit the following German-Brazilian website: www.brasilalemanha.com.br - although it is in Portuguese, general introductory information to the site can be found in German at the link entitled "Wir über uns." Many of the links are bilingual, in both Portuguese and German. However, for more in-depth information about the German-Brazilian experience, see the recent introductory history: Die Deutschen in Brasilien einst und jetzt by Hartmut Froschle (Vienna: Oesterreichische Landsmannschaft, 2006). Now retired in Stuttgart, Froeschle served for many years as Professor of German at the University of Toronto, and founded and edited the Deutsch-Kanadisches Jahrbuch/German-Canadian Yearbook, which contained articles not only on the German-Canadians, but also German-Americans, and Germans in Latin America as well. His most recent work provides a brief, but excellent survey of German immigration and settlement in Brazil. This is interesting in and of itself, but also because it is quite informative to compare it with the German-American experience. Although there are many differences, of course, there are also a number of comparisons that can be made between German-Americans and German-Brazilians today. German immigration to Brazil began in the early 19th century when the heir apparent to the throne of Portugal, Dom Joao/Johann VI fled to Brazil due to the threat of Napoleon. He then united all Portuguese possessions, declaring them the Kingdom of Brazil in 1815.
In 1817, he married the Duchess Leopoldine Karoline Josephine von Habsburg, the daughter of Franz II, the last Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire and the first Kaiser of Austria. Shortly thereafter, and most likely as a direct result of this marriage, Johann VI issued proclamations inviting German and other immigrants to come to Brazil, and the first German settlements were then established in the 1820s. Germans settled in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Parana, Sao Paulo and Rio, Espirito Santo, as well as other Brazilian provinces. After tracing German immigration and settlement, Froeschle then surveys German-Brazilian schools, churches, societies, literature and press. As with German-Americans, the German-Brazilians did not become actively involved in political affairs until the arrival of the Forty-Eighters, as refugees of the 1848 revolution were called. Like German-Americans, they also stressed their loyalty to their new homeland, but their desire to preserve their German heritage as well, and that this desire was not political, but cultural. Although World War I struck a blow at German-Brazilian identity, it was really the Second World War that deeply affected the German heritage in ways much more harshly than in the U.S.A. In 1942, Brazil joined the war against Germany, and declared the public use of the German language illegal. This had an obvious devastating impact on the some 2,000 German-Brazilian societies and the 70 German-language newspapers. Schools and clubhouses were closed down and some of them were confiscated by the state. Those with a German passport were interned as well. At the time, propaganda spoke constantly of the "German menace" in Latin America, and the danger of a German fifth column. Readers need only to recall the 1978 Hollywood film "The Boys from Brazil," which played on this often-heard theme. After the war, the ban on the German language was fortunately lifted - already as early as 1946 in the case of Santa Catarina. However, it took many years for German societies to get back on their feet, especially due to the shock of having the German language criminalized for over four years. Froeschle then briefly traces the years of postwar reconstruction of German-Brazilian life and heritage, which included the re-introduction of German instruction into the schools of Brazil. Today, the major center of German heritage can be found in the metropolis of Sao Paulo, and as Froeschle notes, most readers of the Brasil-Post reside there. In 1953, an outstanding German-Brazilian historical institute, the Hans-Staden Institut, was founded in Sao Paulo. This publishes an excellent German-Brazilian yearbook, the Staden-Jahrbuch, which contains articles in Portuguese, as well as German. As in the U.S., the real big postwar upswing in German heritage came about in Brazil in the 1970s. In Brazil, this was given added impetus by the election in 1974 of Ernesto Geisel, a Brazilian of German descent as President of Brazil, which might be compared to the election of Eisenhower in the 1950s in the U.S. Although German is understood and spoken by German-Americans, English has by and large become the primary language of discourse. This compares likewise in Brazil, where Portuguese has become the primary language of the German-Brazilians, especially among the younger generation, although German is still spoken and maintained as in the U.S. In coming to a conclusion of his historical survey, Froeschle calls the German-Brazilians an "ethnic group in transition," as they are in the process of becoming much like the German-Americans, a group that is well rooted in its new homeland, but which still maintains a pride in the German heritage, which they have successfully blended together with their American identity. In like manner, German-Brazilians have linguistically adopted the Portuguese language, and become an important part of Brazil, but also maintain a sense of German heritage as an integral part of their identity. Froeschle's survey history provides a concise introduction to German-Brazilian history, and one that is not only informative, but also of great interest by way of comparison to German-American history. To order Froeschle's book, see the website of the Oesterreichsche Landsmannschaft at: www.oelm.at. Bette Hartleb: That many years ago, Elizabeth and George Hartleb met at a Herkimer-Schmitt Unit meeting when she was about to be inducted into membership. His duty was to keep her "busy" outside the meeting room while she was being voted in. They were married just four years after that first acquaintance. That's right: George and Bette enjoyed 51 years of marital bliss and 55 years of Steubenism.
Elizabeth was known as Bette to her Steuben friends, co-workers and neighbors, and as Elizabeth to her immediate family. Among Steubenites Sister Bette was well known for her participation in many conventions, including Reno, NV, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Washington, DC, Long Island, NY, Rochester, NY, Cleveland, OH, Philadelphia, PA, St. Louis, MO, Clearwater, FL, and Morristown, NJ where she was a hostess. She enjoyed many trips, and most fondly recalled the tour of Europe in 1967, when the members of the Steuben Society of America were among the first groups of American citizens allowed to visit the Eastern Zone. Seven nations were visited. One highlight of that trip was when Bette and George danced the Waltz the entire length of the Grand Ballroom of Schloss Schoenbrunn in Austria "with imagined music." Bette loved to dance. Anyone who attended the National Council banquets will attest to that. George and Bette did not miss many banquets. Bette participated in the first Steuben Parade in 1958, riding in the NJ Steuben House float through the Lincoln Tunnel, then up 5th Avenue to 86th Street. Bette marched with the NY State Council and Muehlenberg Unit practically every year until her physical condition no longer allowed her to participate. She attended many annual sessions at the Governor's office when proclamations were signed declaring Steuben Day in September at River Edge Steuben House, and Steuben Parade Day in New York. Sister Bette was the Secretary of the Muehlenberg Unit for four years during John Pietz's leadership. During her "single" days, Bette served as a volunteer in the American Red Cross transporting the sick to hospitals in New York and elsewhere. She worked as an Edge Cutter in the garment industry, specializing in women's coats. She was in high demand until her retirement after four years of married life when she embarked on a new career, a wonderful life of being a housewife, homemaker, and partner with all the attributes of compassion, encouragement, kindness, love and humor. Bette loved to bowl, and played Bocce and golf starting in 1986. She earned the "Most Improved Golfer Award" in her Holiday City Golf Club in 1987. She loved to dance, and did so until multiple sclerosis took over. In her battle with MS, Sister Bette was a true survivor. She will be missed, but never forgotten. National Chairman's Message: Dear Steuben Brothers and Sisters, First and foremost let me apologize for the misprint that appeared in last issue's calendar of events. Please note that the correct dates for the New York and Philadelphia Steuben Parades are Saturday, September 15th and 22nd, respectively. The correction was also sent out by e-mail and also appears on our official website. I trust that these measures have adequately remedied any confusion that the misprint may have caused. As your National Chairman, I plan to join with fellow Steubenites at the German Heritage Festival in Holmdel, New Jersey on September 9th, as well as march in the New York and Philadelphia Parades on the ensuing two weekends. At the invitation of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Steuben Society has also commissioned a flag depicting our emblem which is to be flown at the New York State Historic Site in Remsen, New York where the baron is buried. The Steuben Society is working hard to preserve the memory of our patron. In this respect, we owe a debt of thanks to Brother David Valuska who brings von Steuben back to life through his portrayals of the baron in full Continental Army uniform. In this issue, you can read about Brother Valuska's re-enactment on May 5th at the Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, New Jersey. You will also see a photo of his June 23rd re-enactment beside the Steuben Monument at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Malapan, New Jersey. On May 5th, Brother Valuska was joined by Brother William Hettel, Brother Willam Aust and other members of the Franz Daniel Pastorius Unit of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On June 23rd, Brother Valuska was supported by Brother Siegfried Bette, Sister Betty Reilly, Brother Hans Pfeiffer and other members of the Molly Pitcher Unit of Howell, New Jersey. Also in attendance were Brother Fred Otte and his daughter Linda Taylor from the Dr. Charles Gilbert Spross Unit of Poughkeepsie, New York. I also had the pleasure to make it there that day to attend the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Monmouth. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the life of Baron von Steuben or who simply loves history. In closing, please mark your calendar for our second annual German-American Day Golf Tournament which will take place on Friday, October 5th. Full details appear in this issue. The event will be followed that evening by a dinner celebrating not only German-American Day (October 6th) but also German-American Month. The Steuben Society and our GAJAC partners, DANK and the German-American Heritage Foundation, are actively soliciting governors throughout the nation to proclaim October to be German-American Month We expect to have several state proclamations to display at the October 5th Dinner. Fraternally yours, Your Support is Needed for the 2nd Annual Dear Steubenites, Family & Friends: On October 5, 2007, we will be having our Second Annual German-American Day Golf Tournament & Dinner at Swan Lake, in Manorville, NY on Long Island. We hope that you will attend either as a golfer ($150 single; Foursome $550) or as a dinner-only guest ($65). Tables of 10 or more (dinner only) are $500 per table. If you are not a golfer, you probably have golfer friends & business associates who would be interested in joining us. We have some fantastic hole-in-one tee prizes, golf incentives and raffle prizes even for those of you who are not golfers! Soon, you will be receiving the details of this event in the mail on all of our prizes offered. Even if you don't golf or can't attend the dinner, we hope you can support us in one or more of the following ways: 1. By purchasing or selling the raffle tickets for $10 (10 raffles@ $1 each) you will be getting in the mailing to friends, family or business associates. Winner need not be present to win. Drawing held on Oct. 5, 2007. Please write the person's name & phone # with area code on back of the TICKET stub (KEEP COUPON ticket goes to person who purchased ticket) to the address below along with a check payable to "Steuben Society of America." DO NOT MAIL CASH! 2. By selling Tee signs or banner signs to the local businesses you patronize. They know you better than we do and you probably have given them hundreds of dollars in business over the years. Tee signs are $50 each; Banner signs are $150 each. The sponsor gets three lines of info (name, street address or web address and phone number). Please fill out coupon found in brochure, mail their three lines of info and check to address on coupon. 3. By distributing brochures to your local golf courses, golf shops, German related clubs, restaurants/delis, places you patronize, etc. We thank you ahead of time and hope to see you on October 5, 2007. We have great German food, camaraderie, fun & prizes planned for this special day. Proceeds support the educational activities, German language scholarships and lobbying efforts of the Steuben Society of America. Thank you! Please make checks payable to: "Steuben Society of America" and mail to: Hicksville Unit's Scholarship Awards
Miss Elaine Bossong was this year's recipient of the Steuben German Language Achievement Award from the John Peter Zenger Unit, Hicksville, N.Y. Miss Bossong received a U.S. Savings Bond for excellence in German at the Hicksville High School Senior Awards ceremony. Elaine plans to attend SUNY New Paltz and continue her studies in German as a minor. Her major will be in Mathematics and Education. She plans to be a teacher. She plans to spend part of her college years in Germany as a foreign exchange student. After the awards ceremony we met Elaine's family and her German teacher, Mrs. Helena Lipska, at a reception. Mrs. Lipska teaches German to the students from middle school through high school. She, therefore, gets to know the students quite well by the time they are seniors. We thank Mrs. Lipska for keeping the German language program active in the Hicksville school system. Congratulations to Elaine and continued success in the future! (L-R) Mrs. Lipska, Miss Bossong and Brother Kurz. THE ARMY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND ITS ORGANIZER: RUDOLF CRONAU'S BIOGRAPHY OF BARON VON STEUBEN Dr. Tolzmann continues his efforts to spotlight the historical contributions of German-Americans in this new edition of Rudolf Cronau's landmark biography of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. Cronau, as you may know, was one of the founding members of the Steuben Society of America. A professional soldier in the army of Prussian King Frederick the Great, Steuben came to the American colonies in 1777 at the urging of Benjamin Franklin to act as an advisor to Gen. George Washington. Washington's Continental Army was preparing for its desperate winter at Valley Forge, licking its wounds after a string of nearly crippling defeats at the hands of the British and in dire officers. Cronau's gripping narrative sees General Steuben through the darkest days of the American Revolution at Valley Forge to the brightest victories of his career at the Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Yorktown. A personal feel is maintained throughout the text with much information drawn from Steuben's own correspondence. Steuben's financial difficulties, his foibles with the English language, his explosive temper, the mutual respect and fanatical devotion he shared with General Washington and the soldiers under his command are all rendered with detail and insight. A new full name index has been compiled for this edition as well as a new introduction by Dr. Tolzmann. Baron von Steuben and the Spirit of Jerseys
State History Fair
The New Jersey State History Fair was held on May 5, 2007 at the Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville New Jersey. Living historians representing all aspects of New Jersey's history were invited to spend a day discussing the role they represented and their moment in New Jersey's long and proud history. Kevin Wright, who has been featured in the Steuben News, contacted me and asked if I would consider coming to the State Fair and give a portrayal of the Baron von Steuben. Through the auspices of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council I have been portraying the Baron for several years and I was pleased to be asked. However, I did tell him that bringing several horses, a marquee tent and two members of von Heer's Provost would require some financial compensation. He said he would contact National Chairman Randall Ratje and ask if The Steuben Society would underwrite the project. Brother Ratje replied in the affirmative and the Baron was on his way to the Fair. The New Jersey State History Fair is a monumental undertaking complete with live demonstrations, lectures, opportunities to meet one-on-one with historical personages and a host of foods and beverages. In a single day nearly 6,000 visitors attend the one-day fair. The students are sent on an historical scavenger hunt where they must find the figure, or group, and obtain the signature of the person in question. I can tell you that the Baron signed nearly 500 autographs, and in that time he discussed the significance of the Baron von Steuben to the American cause. One of the most disturbing aspects was the total lack of awareness of many who came searching for the Baron. When asked if they had heard of the Baron more than half said NO, and the other half had a vague awareness of the importance of von Steuben. We are talking about a man who many consider to be one of the top two generals in the American War for Independence. General George Washington attributed much of the Continental Army's success to the Baron, and Washington counted von Steuben as one of his closer confidants, and yet he is largely unknown. It is incumbent upon an organization that bears his name to address this sad state of affairs and give importance once more to the name of Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin Baron von Steuben. Philadelphia's Pastorious Unit #38 did its best to keep the name of the Baron alive and to promote the work of The Steuben Society. Past Chairman, Willi Aust and the current chairman, Bill Hettel, along with other members of the Unit, had a table set up and were passing out literature on The Steuben Society, The Steuben News, German immigration and various other aspects of German-American history. There was a lively discussion about the role the Baron played and why he is forgotten in our history. The Baron, dressed in the uniform of an American general and wearing his Cross and Star of Fidelity awarded by Baden-Durlach, was seated before his marquee entertaining a host of visitors. He displayed his usual convivial ways and chatted with students and visitors. He discussed his role at Valley Forge and his part in the battle of Monmouth. He also discussed the home given to him in New Jersey, and his dedication and commitment to the new country and to George Washington. Also active were the two mounted troopers of von Heers Provost. They discussed this all Pennsylvania German unit and the important role they played as the first military police for the entire American Army. The role that German colonists played in fighting and winning the War for Independence was well presented. Although a very tiring day, it was unbelievably successful and steps were taken to refurbish the image of the Baron von Steuben. It was a good day for The Steuben Society of America and hopefully we will see more such days!!
General von Steuben and Monmouth The battle of Monmouth took place on June 28, 1778. The adversaries were the British forces under General Henry Clinton and the young American Continental Army led by General Washington. After a full day of fighting on this brutally hot summer day, the end result was a draw. Hundreds of soldiers on both sides lost their lives. Today, the battlefield near Freehold, NJ is a state park. For several years now, the battle and the fallen soldiers are commemorated on this day in June with a re-enactment. Organizations interested in Revolutionary War history come from far and wide in authentically reproduced uniforms, old weapons, yes canons, horses and old fashioned tents. Women too participate in their period dresses; they do the cooking over campfires. For German-Americans, this battle is important because General von Steuben played a decisive role. Formerly with the court of Friedrich the Great, he now was on George Washington's staff. The previous winter at Valley Forge General von Steuben had trained the American volunteers so well, they could go eye-to-eye against the most professional fighting force in the world at that time, the British army. Three years later, the British capitulated at Yorktown. General Steuben was there too. Today unfortunately, the General has been all but forgotten. Modern history books barely mention him. The Molly Pitcher Unit of the Steuben Society of America decided to change that. Four years ago, they erected a monument to General von Steuben next to the Visitor's Center of Monmouth Battlefield Park. It is an over life sized bronze statue. No visitor to the park - and thousands come for the re-enactment - can avoid seeing the monument. We can only imagine how much effort was involved, how much persistence was necessary to bring this about, innumerable logistics problems, finding a sculptor, convincing a cumbersome bureaucracy and, not at least raising the necessary money. The able leader of this undertaking was Paul Bette, assisted by his father Siegfried Bette and other committee members. To further spread the word about our patron, the General von Steuben, on re-enactment day, Dr. David Valuska appeared. He is a professor of American history at Kutztown University. On this day, he dresses in the magnificent uniform of the General and tells everybody who wants to listen about the significance of General von Steuben in American history. Informal groups gather around him as he emphasizes key facts as well as relates amusing anecdotes. Thus the memory of General von Steuben is brought back, his importance is highlighted to this generation of Americans.
German-American Happenings Sept 23, 2007: Von Steuben Parade and Germanfest, Barryville, NY *********** The Steuben Parade Committee of Suffolk County is requesting donations for the Suffolk County float for the New York City Steuben Day Parade. Contact: Barbara Yager, 1952 Feuereisen Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779; Home # (631) 981-7794 *********** The German Genealogy Group will hold its next monthly meeting on Thursday, September 6th at Hicksville VFW Hall-Post 3211, 320 South Broadway (Route 107) Hicksville, New York. The program is "19th Century Germany: A Genealogical Overview" with presenter Richard Haberstroh, CG, author of The German Churches of Metropolitan New York. The 19th century represents the period of greatest emigration out of Germany and it is therefore a time of great interest for many German-American family historians. This talk will address, among other things, the topics of geography, politics and religion in the context of how they affect the genealogist's search for family information and how that information can be interpreted. An Orientation session for beginners and newcomers will be held at 7 PM and the regular meeting will start at 7:30. GGG members and guests will have access to the building beginning at 6:30 PM. Among the many benefits of membership are a newsletter published ten times a year, a database of surnames, a free translation service, a book and CD lending library, interesting guest speakers at the meetings, mentoring, a start-up kit of helpful information and much more. For more info: www.GermanGenealogyGroup.com and while there, be sure and visit the GGG's searchable Church, Yearbook, Vital Records and Naturalization databases. *********** The National Council is reserving 1 table for the New York Parade's Banquet. The cost is $150 per ticket. The date is Friday, September 14 at 7 pm. We can reserve more tables; however, we will need to hear from you and you will need to send in a check. We cannot book additional tables without money in advance. For more info, call 718-381-0900. *********** On behalf of both Br. Ratje and Br. Alan Staub we would like to urge you to come to the Philadelphia Parade and banquet. The Phildadelphia banquet is on Friday, September 21 at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein at 7 pm and the cost is $55. The parade marches in the Northeast part of the city along Frankford Avenue and shuttle buses will take you from the church service at 12 pm to the parade route. If you want to watch instead of march, you can bring chairs and sit along the 2 mile route. The parade kicks off at 2 pm. Br. Al Taubenberger and Br. Bill Hettel can give you more details on the Philadelphia parade. Br. Hettel's phone # is 215 257-7908. You can e-mail Br. Taubenberger, but he may be busy with his mayoralty campaign. *********** Karen Staub will be ordering tickets for the Mets Oktoberfest game at Shea Stadium scheduled for Friday, September 28 at 7:10 pm. She is also willing to do a Yankee outing since there are many Yankee fans amongst us. It would be preferable to do a Friday night or Saturday or Sunday game so the people who work could come too. For more info, call her at: 917 620-8959 or email: k_staub2@yahoo.com 100 Year-old Member Gertrud Disse Passes Away
Ringling Concord Unit #813 mourns the passing of Sister Gertrud Disse. Sister Gertrud just celebrated her 100th birthday on June 6, but sadly, fell ill and passed away on July 30, 2007. Sister Gertrud was born in Labiau, Germany. She came to the US in 1939, to visit her sisters and to see the New York World's Fair. Her sweetheart of 6 years, Karl Disse, followed her here and they married. During the action of WW II, he was listed as (MIA) Missing In Action. She became a citizen in 1946 and in 1968 joined the Steuben Society, Lincoln Unit #996 in Jamaica, New York. She and her brother, Fritz Petrikat, started the Hendo Toy Factory in Flushing, NY, employing up to 100 people. Fritz suffered a stroke and Sister Gertrud became ill, so they gave up the factory and in 1984 moved to Holiday, Florida where she became a member of the Concord Unit. Soon after the move, Fritz died. At the age of 84, Sister Gertrud moved to a retirement home where she spent her final years quite happily. She celebrated her 100th birthday with relatives and friends on June 6, 2007, but shortly afterwards, she started to fail and passed away peacefully on July 30, 2007. She is survived by a sister, Frida Hochfeld of New Jersey, 4 nieces, 2 nephews, their families and many loving friends. 1st Vice President Charles Klein, of the Ringling Concord Unit #813 gave the Steuben funeral service at her memorial service on August 8, 2007. Rest in Peace, Sister Gertrud. The World's Largest Spoon Collection Collected After over a decade of being tucked away in storage, a portion of the world's largest collection of spoons is once again on exhibit at Lambert Castle Museum. The Bertha Schaefer Koempel Spoon Collection, consisting of over 5,400 individual pieces, is considered the largest grouping of its kind in the world. In fact, this spoon collection is so famous that it was the subject of a question on the popular game show Jeopardy.
The collection represents a range of commemorative-type spoons that were collected by the late Bertha Schaefer Koempel (1882-1966) over the course of her lifetime. There are spoons of every shape and description and from every State in the Union as well as from most countries around the world. She began collecting spoons as a young girl while growing up in Paterson, New Jersey. In those days, practically every gift shop throughout the world sold souvenir spoons which usually depicted scenic or historic views of the area in which they were purchased. Over the years, relatives and friends would present her with souvenir spoons from their travels, and thus this extraordinary collection emerged. It was Mrs. Koempel's wish for her spoon collection to remain intact after her death and to be placed on display for all people to enjoy as she had. In 1967, her estate donated the entire collection to the Passaic County Historical Society at Lambert Castle Museum, where it was placed on exhibition shortly thereafter. However, in the mid-1990s, Lambert Castle was closed for a multi-year restoration and the spoons were removed and placed in storage. Now after ten years, a portion of the collection, 250 spoons, are on display in an on-going exhibition at Lambert Castle Museum. These spoons are grouped into seven subject categories: nautical, religious, Scandinavian, enameled figures, novelties, Middle Eastern/North African and spoons made from natural/organic/animal materials. In the future, other subject groupings will replace the spoons currently on display in order that the entire collection may be rotated over time for viewing by museum visitors, as Mrs. Koempel had wished. Many of the spoons are beautiful examples of craftsmanship made by outstanding jewelers and silversmiths throughout the world. Some have bowls with miniature paintings in enamel depicting the scenery and native people from the areas where they were made. Other spoons feature mechanical parts, such as the turning blades on the windmill spoons from Holland as well as the spoons with keepsake lockets that open to reveal tiny representations of mummies from the Middle East. Excerpted from: www.lambertcastle.org/spoon%20exhibit.htm For more info, contact: Passaic County Historical Society, Lambert Castle, 3 Valley Road, Paterson, NJ 07503-2932; phone 973-247-0085; fax 973-881-9434; email: lambertcastle@verizon.net A Primer on Beer Brewing
Malted Barley is barley that undergoes the malting process. The malting process takes barley that is harvested and soaks it in water, encouraging it to grow. At a specific point, the barley that is beginning to grow is placed into large ovens and kilned. This will stop the growing process while reducing the moisture level. By encouraging the barley to begin growing, the maltster develops the plant's enzymes necessary for the brewing process. While in the oven, the barley Hops are the cone-like flower of the humulus lupulus plant. Hops are added to beer because they provide bitterness and aroma which adds balance to the finished product. Hops also have an antiseptic value, a feature that helped them become a staple brewing ingredient before modern refrigeration techniques were available. Since beer is composed of mostly water, it is critical that the water used for brewing be of the proper chemical composition. Fortunately, Lancaster PA's municipal water supply is excellent for brewing. For example, calcium is very important and Lancaster water is rich with this mineral. This is one of the reasons why Lancaster Brewing's beer is so much better than many others. Yeast is a microscopic single cell organism responsible for processing sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. There are basically two types of yeast responsible for the two main types of beer. Top-fermenting yeasts produce ales, and bottom-fermenting yeasts produce lager beers. At Lancaster Brewing, both are used to produce award-winning beers. Milling or grinding is the first step in the brewing process. In this step, grain husks are crushed to expose the starch in the center of the barley kernel. By doing this, it's easier to dissolve the starch in the next step of the brewing process. The crushed grain, known as grist, is then transported to the grist case until enough grain for the batch has been milled. The next step is called mashing. The grain is dropped from the grist case into the mash tun and mixed with hot water. At the desired temperature, enzymes in the grain husks are activated and they begin to break down the starches into simple sugars. This is important because the yeast are unable to process the starches in their original form. This conversion process takes about 60 minutes; the resultant sweet fluid is known as wort. Lautering separates the sweet wort from the spent grain. It is accomplished in the same vessel as mashing. In the bottom of the mash tun, there are slotted plates that work similarly to a colander. The grain remains on the plates and the wort is allowed to pass through and be pumped to the kettle. Fermentation begins when the yeast is added to the wort as it is pumped into the fermenter. The yeast consumes the sugars produced in the mashing process and converts them into carbon dioxide and alcohol. The fermentation process takes about 4 weeks to complete and is composed of two distinct stages: primary fermentation, during which the yeast are actively consuming the sugar producing a large amount of CO2. And secondary fermentation; where the yeast slow their pace and begin to develop various flavors. Secondary fermentation occurs at a cooler temperature, which facilitates the slowing down of the yeast. At this time, the beer is said to be maturing. After the fermentation process is complete, the beer is filtered to remove the yeast and brighten the final product. A "DE" Filter is used to accomplish this task and it takes approximately two hours to filter 1,000 gallons of beer. Once the beer is filtered, it is pumped into a bright tank and carbonated to the desired level. At this point the beer is transferred into bottles or kegs and shipped fresh and non-pasteurized to restaurants and beer distributors. Excerpted from: www.lancasterbrewing.com
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need of support. Bolstered by his belief in the cause of colonial independence, Steuben set about the total reorganization of the Continentals' military structure with a new emphasis on drilling, discipline and time-honored battlefield tactics and strategy. Though harassed by Congress and frustrated by inefficiency and corruption within the military infrastructure, the dynamic baron overcame the shortcomings of so many of his contemporaries and succeeded in transforming the Continental Army from a slipshod troop of guerrillas into a motivated, highly disciplined corps of soldiers and 
The process of brewing a beer is the artful and meticulous combination of four select ingredients: malt, water, hops and yeast. When beer is brewed using only these four ingredients it is considered to be in accordance with the Rienheitsgabot, the German Purity Law of 1516. This law also allows for the use of malted wheat in addition to malted barley. The slightest variation in the composition of any of these components can have drastic effects on the quality of the beer; our brewers take great care in choosing only the finest materials with which to produce consistently great beer. 
can be roasted to varying levels of darkness and flavor. By doing this, the brewer is able to use the different malts to produce drastically different colors and flavors. 
