Eastevan &District German Freundschaft Society – 20th Anniversary
Events
Call for Articles
Treffpunkt Weekend and AGM
On the last weekend,June 11 &12,the SGC held its Treffpunkt weekend and Annual General Meeting. The event took place at the new German Canadian Club Concordia building. Although the building is not yet completely finished the club welcomed everyone warmly. 26 member organisations,several individual members and guests were present.
The meeting included a German supper with Rouladen,red cabbage and Spätzle. The evening entertainment was provided by Rita Dahlem of Saskatoon,William Boan of Saskatoon and later the Little German Band from Humboldt.
On the morning of Sunday the AGM took place with high attendance by first and second delegates from member organisations. During the meeting new directors were elected. A lunch followed,which gave more opportunity to socialize and discuss German language,culture and events.
During the Treffpunkt weekend the SGC awarded volunteer from the German community. There were 7 nominees:Sheila Beassler of the Prince Albert Club, Erika Dumont of the Karnevalsgesellschaft Harmonie;Ray &Ute Fichter of the Volksliederchor Harmonie;Terry Keim of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia,Regina Chapter;Barbara Stehwien of the German Language School Saskatoon Inc.;Don Thomas of the German Canadian Club Concordia and Bryce Van Loosen of the German Canadian Society Harmonie.
The Awards were presented by Ilona Beck,SGC President. All but one nominee were present at the Awards ceremony and received their award and gift basked in person. The gift basket was filled with German “Schmankerl” from Ritter Sport chocolate to Kühn Red Cabbage.
Bryce Van Loosen and Ilona Beck
From left to right:
Bryce Van Loosen,Erika Dumont,Sheila Baessler,Ilona Beck,Don Thomas,Barbara Stehwien,Ute &Ray Fichter
New Executive &Directors
A new Vice-President and Secretary as well as five new directors for the Board of Directors had to be elected at the AGM. Josephin Dick was elected Vice-President and Darrell Dick as new Secretary. Both will serve on the board for the next two years. There was also a good amount of nominees for the director positions of whom Franziska Davies,Rod Gellner,Ulrike Hecker,Amanda Stehwien and Michael Zimmermann were elected. The two year positions went to Franziska Davies,Rod Gellner and Michael Zimmermann. Ulrike Hecker and Amanda Stehwien will serve for one year on the board.
We welcome the new Executive and Board of Directors and look forward to a productive year.
From left to right.
Back row:Rod Gellner,Darrell Dick,Ray Fichter,Josephin Dick,Michael Zimmerman,Les Lautner,Andrew Grzesina
Front row:Ulrike Hecker,Barbara Hoggard-Lulay,Ilona Beck,Franziska Davies,Amanda Stehwien
Estevan &District German Freundschaft Society – 20th Anniversary
On June 4th the Estevan German Society celebrated its 20th Anniversary at the Elks Lounge in Estevan. Our President Ilona Beck was present and congratulated the club on 20 years. John Gress,Cecilia and John Olheiser,Agnes and Gerald Seipp are five of the original members that started the club. They received art work to commemorate their effort and contribution to the club. Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles and Estevan city Councillor Lynn Chipley were also present. The celebrations included a dinner at which over 100 people attended.
From left to right:John Gress,Cecilia and John Olheiser,Agnes and Gerald Seipp
The Estevan Mercury published an article about the Society,which is available on our website at www.saskgermancouncil.org.
The SGC wishes all the best to the Estevan German Society. We hope they will grow stronger over the next 20 years,encouraging new immigrants in the area to join and to contribute to the German culture and traditions.
Events
The SGC thanks all members and organizations for their effort,time and commitment to develop events so that German culture,language,customs and traditions are promoted for the benefit of all Saskatchewan people.
PLEASE CONTACT THE SGC OFFICE IN SASKATOON TO NOTIFY THE STAFF ABOUT ANY EVENTS YOUR ORGANIZATION IS HOSTING.
Several events are planned for the upcoming months:
- Every Monday:Karaoke Night at the Harmonie Society in Regina at 8 p.m.
- Every Wednesday:German Stammtisch at Alexander’s Restaurant in Saskatoon at 9 p.m.
- Every Sunday:Treffpunkt Deutschland on CFCR 90.5fm from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- On August 14,2011 the German Heritage Society of Humboldt &District and Folkart Co-op Humboldt will host their annual German Family Day
- On August 18-20,2011 the German Canadian Club Concordia will host the German Pavillion for the Saskatoon Folk Fest
- On October 28,2011 the Lloydminster German Heritage Society Inc. will host their Oktoberfest
Call for articles
We are always eager to receive articles about various topics,which could include but are not limited to group events,German traditions,cultural events,news updates,and travel experiences. There is no limit to what the article could be about. We would be delighted to receive any submission. The article can be written in German or English,however,if writing in German,please attach an English summary. If pictures are submitted,please use the jpg format. Articles should be send to postillion@saskgermancouncil.org.
Freundschaft Society lives up to their name while marking 20 years
Five people who were original members of the German Freundschaft (Friendship) Society were presented with art works to commemorate their contributions to the society that celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday with an afternoon program and banquet at the Elks Lodge. From the left:John Gress,Cecilia and John Olheiser and Agnes and Gerald Seipp. Over 100 people attended the afternoon program. -
June 14,2011
It all started with an innocent request for some German baking goods and now the Estevan and District German Freundschaft Society is celebrating its 20th year as an official entity within the community.
The society’s good work is earmarked by its celebrated German choir that can be found at many special events in Estevan throughout the year. They group has also travelled to several other communities in the province,spreading the joy of being German Canadians.
Agnes Seipp,one of the five original members of the society who are still actively engaged in the group,along with her husband Gerald;Cecilia and John Olheiser and John Gress were joined by other society members and guests for a celebration program and banquet in the Elks Lodge Saturday afternoon and evening. Over 100 were in attendance,said Katharina Ulbrich,one of the organizers.
Agnes Seipp,who provided some historical highlights for those in attendance,noted how it began with a request for her and her friends to “do a little baking.”That soon led to an advertisement in The Mercury seeking people who might be interested in organizing a more formal club to provide a little promotion of the German culture within the local population. The original response was strong enough so official recognition was sought from the Saskatchewan German Council and the club was off and running.
The choir was formed and,according to Seipp,“we’ve gone pretty well everywhere in the province,”as well as providing musical items for the annual Christmas concerts,at the hospitals and nursing homes and senior complexes. They have travelled short distances to places such as Lampman and Bienfait and as far as Melville,Moose Jaw and Flaxton,North Dakota among others.
The group,supported by the German Council,has enjoyed three major bus trips and they have even provided musical interludes at wakes and funerals,Seipp said.
Walter Biberdorf is the current president of the Freundschaft Society as well as the choir director. He is just the second director they have had,taking over from long-serving director Barney Styre just recently.
Biberdorf served as emcee for the afternoon program that included words of greeting from Estevan city Councillor Lynn Chipley,Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles and German Council president Llona Beck from Regina. Biberdorf also read words of congratulations from Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki and Germany’s Honourary Consul to Canada,Barbara Hoggard-Luly.
Biberdorf noted that the club’s mandate is to spread goodwill while promoting the German culture,language,customs,traditions and interests with the express interest in providing good fellowship that will benefit all Saskatchewan people. Seipp also noted that German language classes for members,were also part of their local mandate and the choir has contributed vocally and financially to the community,including the local United Way Telethon for many years. She said the numbers in the choir range between 14 and 26,determined by the availability of members at any given time.
The society keeps track of their activities through their archives and history recording books with Seipp serving as co-ordinator for the entire 20 years. The club has a membership that ranges in age from those in their early 30s to some who are now over 90.
“Twenty years is a good cause to celebrate,”said Beck “It takes the community to preserve the culture and now is a good opportunity for your club to grow with a new generation of immigrants arriving almost daily into our communities.”
Beck went on to note that the provincial council is working toward observing past German cultures while also focusing on current cultural events including literature and customs.
“The need for the language is growing,so the new literature will help you refresh this active and alive language so take advantage of this opportunity to practice your German and keep the culture alive,”Beck said.
German Heritage Week was proclaimed by Mayor Gary St. Onge for May 29 to June 4.
In her written message,Hoggard-Lulay noted how the Estevan society members were great volunteers.
During the course of the afternoon program guests enjoyed a virtual journey to Germany,courtesy of Ulbrich who had gathered significant videos and photos featuring Germany’s highlighted events and places.
The Volksliederchor Concordia presents its Spring Concert. On May 29th 2011 at the Rock of Ages,Lutheran Brethren Church,130th Kingsmere Place. The concert will start at 2p.m. Admission is $7 which includes coffee and cake.
our one and only,Ron Link,was interviewed by the CBC in Edmonton.
Skat is one of the most played card games in Germany and has its own association. However,it has spread beyond it’s German boarders and is played in other countries such as Argentina,Australia,Bahamas,Brazil,Chile,Canada,Namibia,Thailand,USA and many more.
- New Immigration Settlement Advisor and Pension Advisor - New Staff at the SGC Office
Follow up Forms 2010/2011 Member funding for 2011/2012 Events – past and upcoming Call for articles
Introducing
SGC is proud to introduce the new Immigration Settlement Advisor,Hannelies Kuehnle,who started her position on September 1,2010. Additionally,Hannelies Kuehnle is SGC’s new Pension Advisor for all of Saskatchewan since November 1,2010. If you have questions concerning settlement or German pension or if you know someone who needs help in Saskatchewan,please contact Hannelies under 306-974-1087 or send an email to immigration@saskgermancouncil.org.
The SGC office will undergo some changes in 2011. As of February 1,2001 Sabine Doebel-Atchison,Executive Director,will be on maternity/parental leave for one year.
The new Interim Executive Director will be Andreas Denz,who will join SGC until January 31,2012. He was born in Biberach an der Riss in Swabia,Baden-Württemberg and immigrated to Canada in 2009. We are looking forward to work with him. You can contact Andreas Denz at andreas@saskgermancouncil.org. In December 2010 the office welcomed a new Office &Program Assistant,Andrea MacLeod. She recently moved from Leipzig/Saxony to Saskatoon and is excited about sharing her knowledge and experience. You can contact Andrea at office@saskgermancouncil.org
Follow up Forms
The SGC fiscal year comes to an end on March 31,2011. If you have any outstanding grants for the year 2010/2011,please send in your follow-up forms by March 15,2011 so that the SGC office will be able to process them. In case you are not sure about any outstanding grants or you are in need of follow up forms,contact the office and we will be happy to help you.
Member funding for 2011/2012
On April 1,2011 we will start our new fiscal year and new member funding will be available. There are two terms for applications. Term one starts on April 1,2011 and runs to September 31,2011,term two starts on October 1,2011 and runs to March 31,2012. Application forms will be send out to all members in the following weeks. Please fill them out and return them by March 15,2011 for the first term and by September 15,2011 for the second term,so that the office can process all applications in due time. Think of programs your group or organization is planning for the upcoming year and apply to SCG for financial assistance. If you are unsure about the application process or filling in the application,contact the office and we will be happy to assist you. Please remember that we accept “Mach mit! – Get involved!” applications on an ongoing basis.
Events – Past and upcoming
The past year has seen many exciting events such as various Language School activities,choir concerts,the crowning at the Karnevallsgesellschaft and a great turnout at the German Pavilions during Folkfest and Mosaic. We at SGC thank all members and organizations for their efforts,time and commitment to develop those events so that German culture,language,customs and traditions are promoted for the benefit of all Saskatchewan people.
Several events are planned for the upcoming months:
-Every Monday:Karaoke Night at the Harmonie Society in Regina at 8 p.m. -Every Wednesday:German Stammtisch at Alexander’s Restaurant in Saskatoon at 9 p.m. -Every Sunday:Treffpunkt Deutschland on CFCR 90.5fm from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
-The Karnevallsgesellschaft Harmonie will celebrate a German Kinderfasching on Sunday,February 13,2011 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the German Club in Regina. -On February 26,2011 the Heritage Language Day will be celebrated at the Balfour Collegiate in Regina from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. -On April 16,2011 the Humboldt Kaffee Stunde will take place at Humboldt Legion Hall between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Call for articles
We are always eager to receive articles about various topics,which could include but are not limited to group events,German traditions,cultural events,news updates,and travel experiences. There is no limit to what your article could be about. We would be delighted to receive your submission. You may write in German or English,however,if writing in German,please attach an English summary. If you would like to submit pictures,please use the jpg format. Your articles should be send to postillion@saskgermancouncil.org.
