Prior to the beginning of the evening’s activities, Lowell Glendening met with club members who are interested in expanding their German language skills. This group will meet prior to each club meeting to review conversational German language.

Dan Gutgsell, President, welcomed all in attendance.

President Gutgsell introduced Dan Wehr. Mr. Wehr announced that he is working with Jackie’s Travel on a Deutscher Verein trip to the Chicago – Moline area departing Jasper on September 3^rd and returning on September 7^th. Activities include two baseball games of the Chicago Cubs vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, a meal at a German Restaurant, a visit to the Sears Tower to view the Chicago lights at night, guided motor coach tour of Chicago, and a visit to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Woodfield Shopping Complex.

Also included on the trip will be a visit to the German American Heritage Center in Moline, IL and John Deere Headquarters.

Price is $695.00 per person based upon 2 per room. Reservations are accepted with a $75.00 deposit per person and are due by May 6^th. The balance is due July 3^rd.

As of May 7^th, the $75 deposit is not refundable. As of July 4^th, a refund minus the initial nonrefundable deposit, cost of lodging and admissions will be given if cancellation is received by July 31^st. No refunds after August 1^st.

Mr. Wehr also announced that sign up sheets for work shifts at the Strassenfest will be available at this meeting and also the May meeting. All members are encouraged to work one or more shifts during the Strassenfest as this is the only fund raising project of the Deutscher Verein. Members may also call Dan and Linda Wehr at 482-4432 and let them know which shift they can work. Dan and Linda thanked all who have already volunteered to work during the Strassenfest.

The Jasper Deutscher Verein will award a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating student from Dubois County who has taken three years of German in high school. Applications were due April 1^st and are being reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.

President Gutgsell then introduced Michael Delany, regional representative of GERMAN TV. At present, this is a satellite-based system. By subscribing to GERMAN TV, you are able to view entertainment, news, and sports from Germany.

Mr. Gutgsell then introduced Bob Dilger, vice president of the Deutscher Verein, and thanked him for arranging the program for the meeting. Mr. Dilger announced that the May meeting will be on May 15^th. Members may bring their covered dishes and desserts to the Ireland K of C at 6:15PM. The meeting and program will be in the Ireland Historical Society Building at 6:30PM. Tom Kellams of the Ireland Historical Society will give the program. Members are also encouraged to view the items of interest on display in the building. There will also be a business meeting as this will be the last regular club meeting prior to the Strassenfest.

At 7:15, club members will go next door to the Ireland K of C for brats and refreshments that will be provided by the club. Members with last names A – L should bring a covered dish. Members with last names M – Z should bring a dessert.

Mr. Dilger then introduced Glen Sturm, president of Inwood Office Furniture. Mr. Sturm stated that the company began in 1948 under the name Jasper Table Company. The company’s products were residential tables with subsequent expansion into office and school furniture.

The 1960’s brought a demand for office furniture and Jasper Table Company began to manufacture office furniture. In 1982, the name was changed to Inwood Office Furniture.

The finish process has changed greatly throughout the years. There are many EPA regulations to benefit the employees and environment.

The company prides itself on options, a quality product, and short manufacturing lead times. Their size company allows them to react quickly to customer needs and requests. At present, they employ 165 people.

Mr. Sturm then answered questions from club members.

Mr. Dilger then introduced Mona Schmadl from Pfaffenweiler who is in Jasper on a work internship and is staying with Bob and Sharon Dilger during this time.

President Gutgsell then introduced Tara Deppert, German language teacher at Jasper High School. Ms. Deppert brought along some of her students and they instructed the club members on how to play "Muhle". Students attending were Eric Bailey, Amanda Nordhoff, Shawn Kern, Andy Eckerle, Corie Eckerle, Shawn Seger, Ashley Ferguson and Ryan Cooper.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Sunderman were recognized on their 49^th wedding anniversary.

Attendance prizes were won by Don Scherle and Martina Eckert. Betty Hanselman won the ½ pot attendance prize.

The remainder of the evening was spent socializing.

 Tom Kellams of the Ireland Historical Society will present a program on the background of the Ireland Historical Society and their building. He will also share some of the special items that they have on display in their basement. After the presentation, members will be invited to spend some time before dinner browsing through the collection.

For dinner, the club will provide grilled bratwurst, soft drinks and beer. Members with last names beginning A-L are asked to bring a covered dish and those with last names beginning M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. Please drop off your items at the K of C before going to the Historical Society.

This will be our last meeting before Strassenfest in August. Please make an effort to attend!

Germania Society of Greater Cincinnati

The Germania Society of Greater Cincinnati has extended an invitation to the Deutscher Verein to attend their Oktoberfest in Cincinnati on August 22, 23, and 24^th.

Their Christkindlmarkt is November 21, 22, and 23.

If you are in the Cincinnati area, you are welcome to attend any of their events. See Patti Goepfrich for their complete 2003 Entertainment Schedule.

Thank you for helping again with our 2^nd group of German Exchange students. Marie Hendry has been an irreplacable help. She arranged homestays and schedules for the German teachers from Pössneck, which greatly helped me keep up with my family and teaching responsibilities.

Another heartfelt thank you needs to go out to Martina Eckert and Bob Fleck, who hosted the teachers for me. I hope that you enjoyed having your guest. I know that they enjoyed staying with you.

Finally, Lowell Glendening, Bob Steffe, Joe and Irene Eckerle, and Jan and David Kramer hosted the teachers for an evening in their homes or by introducing them to the local area.

Thank all of you for making the teachers feel welcome and being excellent American Amabassadors. The German teachers and students needed to have a good experience in America. They will be asked many times, how things went in America and you gave them plenty of positive things to talk about.

The students from Pößneck were a wonderful group of students and they all had very positive things to say about their daily activities and their homestays.

Our group of JHS students is busy wrapping up their school year and preparing to go to Germany. They will be leaving May 28^th, just 5 short days after the last day of school. I am proud of all students, who are going. I know that it will be the experience of a lifetime and I would like to recognize the sacrifices that you are making to go. The students will not be back until June 30t^h and many have had to give up summer jobs, athletic and academic opportunities to participate. I hope that you will have an excellent trip and I will be here to see you off on May 28th!!

The chaperones will be Michael Kluemper [the Art and Japanese teacher at JHS] and David and Jan Kramer [the parents of Alison Kramer, a GAPP exchange participant].

Amanda Nordhoff, the JHS German Club President will be given an award on May 1^st for OUTSTANDING FOREIGN LANGAUGE STUDENT OF THE YEAR. Amanda has attended every JHS German Club meeting since her freshman year, hosted 4 German Exchange Students, participated in GAPP, worked the Strassenfest Booth for the Deutscher Verein every year, gone to Staatskongress in Muncie, IN every year and participated in the Evansville USI Quizbowl the last two years. She plans to continue studying German after she graduates and I want to wish her the best of luck.

Amanda Haskins will be given the German 4 student of the year certificate. Amanda has participated in most meetings, Staatskongress, the GAPP Exchange and the USI Evansville Quizbowl. Amanda works part time at Bob Evans and always finds time to help me in and out of the classroom. I couldn't have done it without her the last 4 years! Amanda also plans to study German at the University level. I also wish her the best of luck!

Other outstanding German students will be Level 1 Nathan Humbert, who is also President of the Statewide Indiana Association for Students of German, Level 2 Lauren Berger, and Level 3 Brooke Bower.

German Club hosted a picnic for the German Exchange Students this past month and attended the Staatskongress Officer Meeting on April 27^th at Hamilton Southeastern in Muncie, Indiana.

We also attended a DV meeting and taught members to play a German tavern game called Mühle. The student shad a good time and it was a great opportunity for adult German Club members and High School club members to come together. I hope that there will be more opportunities in the future.

Deutscher Verein Members shouldn't be shy about helping the "new" German teacher next year. What I mean by "help" is that you offer to do things for that teacher. For example… offer to organize a hamburger sale for the Exchange or volunteer to interview students for the 2005 Exchange. My replacement will need a lot of support and I know that this community is willing to help. You have been a great help to me and I know that you will be for them.

Thanks for a great year!

Tara Deppert

1847 Deliverance Cross

"In 1847, eleven families left Pfaffenweiler, Germany for the U.S. These families were as follows: Baumann, Eckerle, Eckert, Kiefer, Schuble, Stenftenagel, Beck, Erb, Kraft, Kraus, and Schmidt. The voyage was a perilous one, and during the first week of its progress, the weather was so hazardous that it seemed as though the ship would go down with its crew and passengers. They prayed. At the height of a storm, Mr. George Baumann made a vow to erect a cross near the church in their new homeland."

This huge sandstone cross is located on the south side of St. Joseph’s Church yard.

In commemoration of our Ancestors
Mr. and Mrs. James J. Stenftenagel

(Found in DeutscherVerein Records)

It’s that time of year again! We’re already gearing up for our 25^th Annual Strassenfest. Dan and Linda Wehr have again agreed to chair our food booth and pastry stand (THANK YOU!!!) Remember that this is our only fundraiser during the year, so we need the support of our large membership.

Sign up for working in the booths will take place at the April and May German Club meetings. Please sign up for the shift of your preference.

The contest is open to all residents of Jasper and those living within two miles of the city limits.

The categories for the contest are: Most Traditional German Theme, Best Use of Lights Displaying a German Theme, and Most Original German Theme.

Prizes will be awarded to the top two winners in each category. A category/placing sign will be placed in each winner’s yard.

This is a wonderful way to promote our German Heritage and a great way to help decorate the City of Jasper for the Strassenfest.

Judging will take place prior to the opening of the Strassenfest and winners will be announced during the Strassenfest activities.

In memory of Edwin Klem
    Joe and Irene C. Ekerle

Anonymous

Darren and Ann Patterson

In honor of Sally Lechner
    Tom and Patti Goepfrich

http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/index.html