The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania Newsletter: January 2015 Printer: Gannon University Press Website: http://gcsoe.org Mission: The mission of The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania, is to preserve German values, customs, language and music through education and activities. The German Cultural Society of Erie, Pennsylvania, aims to unite German-Americans and to share our German culture in the community through special events and charitable functions. Meeting Location and Date: All are invited to attend our meetings and events. We meet the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Erie Männerchor Club, 1607 State St. in Erie. Officers - 2015: Board of Directors - 2015: Paul Fischer, President 838-4315 Rose Hill 825-6721 Betty Schubert Vice President 217-9425 Wayne Koble 873-7552 Tom Laska, Treasurer 572-8016 Carol George 572-2774 Bill Schubert Board Secretary 217-9425 Charles Roehrl 452-6158 Committees: Roland Mueller 920-2113 Membership: Betty Schubert 217-9425 Programs: Wayne Koble 873-7552 Ways & Means: Carol George 572-2774 Christian Mueller 825-5702 Nancy Rusnak 864-3427 Marilyn Melhuish 866-1709 Parliamentarian: Marilyn Melhuish 866-1709 Dance/Luau: Bill Matheis 864-8417 Grant Programs: Paul Fischer 838-4315 Website: Roy Voshall 898-2124 Activities: Marilyn Voshall 898-2124 Newsletter: Wayne Koble 873-7552 I would like to wish the members of the German Cultural Society; ein gluckliches Neues Jahr! 1
Calendar of Events January 5 Board Meeting ************************************************** Since the first Thursday of January is New Year s Day the monthly board meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, January 5. January 8 Monthly Meeting February Mary Lou Lowry See below 7 German Cultural Society of Erie Third annual Fasching Party Tickets: $25 per person Call Nancy Rusnak at 864-3427 or Carol George at 572-2774 February 12 Monthly Meeting Royal Cousins at War; Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and King George of England, all grandsons of Queen Victoria. March 12 Monthly Meeting German Costumes by Marilyn Voshall See information in this newsletter. Preview of January Meeting GCS of Erie member, Mary Lou (Mertens) Lowery will be our presenter on January 8 th. Mary Lou s grandfather, Eugene King, served as an officer and treasurer of Koehler Beer. The Kings and Mertens are related to the Curtze family that once lived in the historical Watson-Curtze Mansion at 356 W. Sixth St. The Koehlers and Curtzes were united in marriage when Rose Koehler married Adolf Curtze, then president of the Erie Brewing Co. Their stately home, still known today as the Rose Koehler Curtze Mansion, is located at East 26th and Holland Streets. (GCS June program will be held there) In addition, most GCS members will be greatly surprised to learn that Mary Lou joined the FBI in 1972, which was the first year that women were allowed to become Special Agents. She was the tenth female Agent hired. Make plans to attend what promises to be one of the most interesting and diverse programs our society has ever had! 2
Highlights of December GCS of Erie Christmas Party Our leader, Rose Hill 3
On Thursday, December 11, over fifty members of the GCS of Erie attended our annual Christmas Party in the ballroom of the Erie Maennerchor Club. Member were treated to a Christmas in Deutschland slide presentation during the social hour. Hats, gloves and scarves were collected and will be distributed to The Refuge and The Community Shelter. The highlight of the evening was a special presentation of holiday music, sung by very talented members of the Mercyhurst University Opera Department, led by Mr. James Bobick. After the performance, the students; Alexa Zeremenko, Christina Cacchione, Brandon Miller and Jared Hancock, received a long and well deserved standing ovation from our membership. Their participation in our Christmas party is greatly appreciated. If you were unable to attend our event or would like the opportunity to enjoy their talents again, the four of them will be staring in the upcoming Mercyhurst D Angelo Opera Theater presentation of Madame Butterfly in April. Finally a special thank-you goes out to Rose Hill, Robin and Wayne Koble for their efforts in making our party happen. 4
Deutschland New Year s Eve Traditions Dinner for One: The British actor Freddie Frinton played the tipsy butler James in the 1963 German TV production. May Warden played the role of Miss Sophie, who is celebrating her 90th birthday. The only problem is... all of her party "guests" are imaginary friends who have died off. A German New Year's Eve just doesn't seem right without hearing the lines known to just about any living German: "The same procedure as last year, Madam? - The same procedure as every year, James." In these politically-correct times, the sketch-in which Miss Sophie and her butler proceed to get thoroughly sloshed-has come under some criticism. But so popular is the perennial "Dinner for One" that the German airline LTU shows the 15- minute sketch on all its flights between Dec. 28 and Jan. 2, just so passengers won't miss out on the annual tradition. Before its demise at the end of 2005, the GERMAN TV satellite service also broadcast "Dinner for One" in North America. New Year is popularly called as Nuejahr in Germany. It is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the first month of the Georgian calendar. People in Germany hold lot of fervor and zeal for the New Year celebrations. Many efforts go into planning to ensure a grand farewell to the old year and much grander welcome to the New Year. New Year Eve is called as 'Sylvester' in Germany, as a mark of honor to the Saint Sylvester, who used to live in Germany in fourth century. Saint Sylvester is credited as the one who mended leprosy, and baptized Constantine the Great, the Roman Ruler. Saint Sylvester is also credited as the only Pope to have met the recognized members of the family of Jesus. Food Traditions Sauerkraut Eating Sauerkraut on New Year's Eve is a long-standing tradition in Germany. It is believed that eating Sauerkraut will bring blessings and wealth for the New Year. Before the meal, those seated at the table wish each other as much goodness and money as the number of shreds of cabbage in the pot of Sauerkraut. Seafood Seafood for dinner (evening meal) on New Year's Eve has been a long-standing tradition. Particularly popular is the New Year Eve Carp (Silvesterkarpfen). The carp can be baked, panfried, grilled, or smoked. Other seafood, such as trout, salmon, crab, sturgeon, eel, lobster, crayfish, and oysters, are also favorites on New Year's Eve. It is not really known how this tradition started. However, one theory is that people wanted to cut their caloric intact after all the Christmas celebrations and food, so they chose less fattening food, seafood, for their New Year's Eve celebration. 5
Announcements and Coming Events German Costumes, by Marilyn V. Voshall The March 2015 Program I ve titled German Costumes. I have a good collection of European costume books. In each case I bought the last copy last in the store and last available anywhere. With such a collection I could choose my favorites from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even some from Denmark. However, I thought many of you might like to see a costume of your family. While I d like to promise to find your costume, I cannot. My collection is large but not complete, All Costumes vary (1) from Area (country, province, and city/town) to area and (2) by Date. To search for your ancestral costume, I Must Know 6 things: (1) your name and phone number, (2) Ancestor s full Name, (3) the Country, (4) the Province/Area, (5) the City/Town, and (6) the Date of nos. 3-5. (Please state this Date s significance to you.) Please OUTLINE (not put in a paragraph) these 6 items! I must have your information no later than Jan. 15, 2015. You can send your data by Regular Mail or Email. My Email address is mevmusic@aol.com and Roy s Email address is rev106@aol.com. When you receive your renewal notice from German Life, please forward to Hildegard Marshall. Each year she collects the individual renewal forms from our membership and subscribes on our behalf as a group. That way we each receive a substantial discount from the cost of an individual membership. If you have any questions, Hildegard can be reached at 825-4137. Herta Danowski Herta called to tell us that she fell and broke her leg. She is receiving therapy and recuperation at The Manor. Although she is not yet able to receive visitors, she would enjoy receiving cards and telephone calls. Her address is: Millcreek Community Hospital-The Manor, 5515 Peach Street, Erie, Pa. 16509. Room 113. Phone 868-7381. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! From your editor. If you receive your newsletter by mail you have noticed that it is printed in black and white, instead of the usual color. In addition you are receiving your newsletter earlier than usual this month. There is a reason for both. Gannon University Press, which does an outstanding job in publishing our monthly newsletter is closed for the holidays from December 19 th until January 2 nd. In addition their color copier is being replaced and they won t have a new one until after the first of the year. Thus the lack of color for the printed copy and the early delivery of both. Also, extreme stress on the part of your editor to get everything put together much earlier than usual. 6
The German Cultural Society of Erie Sponsors its 3 rd Annual (A Fasching Party) What: Costume Party: *Costumes encouraged, but optional. (Or visit our costume bin that evening) Menu includes a GERMAN BUFFET with BEER or WINE Music by DJ Mark Fischer Dancing *Prizes for costumes Tie cutting contest (ties furnished) 50-50 and basket raffles Where: Maennerchor Club ballroom When: How: Saturday, February 7, 2015 @ 7PM-11PM Reservations only, $25/person. Call: Carol 572-2774 / Nancy 864-3427 /Betty 217-9425 or Hildegard 825-4137 7
German Cultural Society of Erie PO Box 67, Girard, Pa. 16417 GCS of Erie Membership Renewal, Year 2015 Name Spouse Address (if new) City/State Zip Code Phone E-mail Address (optional) Birthday & Anniversary Dates Type of Membership: ( ) Basic or Head of Household $25, ( ) Spouse $5, ( ) Family $35 All membership fees go to the GCS operations in Erie. Children under 17 are free of charge with a Basic or Family Membership. Membership includes monthly newsletters, monthly programs, and reduced fees for special events. Make checks payable to German Cultural Society of Erie. Send to: Betty Schubert, 6377 Dickens Ct., Erie, Pa. 16505 8