Summer 2006

In Memory of Lowell Glendening  

Lowell Glendening passed away on his farm on Monday, June 5 th.   Lowell, and his wife, Joan, were devoted to preserving German heritage in Dubois County.   Lowell was president of the Deutscher Verein in 1985 and was on the Board of Directors of Sister Cities of Jasper, Inc.   We will miss him.   Grant him eternal rest.   Our sympathy is extended to his family. 

Strassenfest – 2006  

Thursday, August 3 rd – Sunday, August 6 th

Enclosed please find the booth workers schedule for this year’s Strassenfest, including the crews for set up and teardown.   If you are unable to work your designated shift, please find a replacement.   If you would like to sign up for a work shift, please call Doug and Karen Schulte at 482-2120.  

Remember to support the Strassenfest events sponsored by the Deutscher Verein.

Log Sawing Contest – Thursday, 9:00 pm – Main Stage

Sheephead Tourney – Saturday, 1:00 pm – Beer Garden

Proceeds from the sales at the Food Booth and Pastry Booth are the only source of revenue for the Deutscher Verein.   Please support the Food Booth and Pastry Booth during the Strassenfest.   The Souvenir Stand benefits the Deutscher Verein and the JHS Student Exchange Program.

Strassenfest T-Shirt Pre-Sale

T-Shirts for the 2006 Strassenfest will be available for purchase after July 10 th at the special pre-fest price of $8 each for M, L, and XL.   XXL will be $10 each.   Youth t-shirts are $5 each.   Shirts are available at the City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, the German American Bank Main Office, and the GAB Ireland Office.   Pre-sales are also available by calling Matthias Hilger at 661-0624.   Show your support for the Club by wearing your T-shirt or German attire during your shift in the booths and throughout the Strassenfest weekend.

Souvenir Booth Items

Items available in the Souvenir Booth will be Black/Red Deutscher Verein Caps, Khaki/Black Strassenfest Caps, Black/Red Strassenfest Caps, and Green/Khaki Strassenfest Caps at $10 each.   8” Willkommen Plate - $10 each, Germany auto sticker - $5 each, License Plate w/German Flag - $15 each, No Parking except for Germans sign - $12 each, German Flag Key chain - $5 each, German Mini Flag banner - $5 each, and    Beneath the Cherry Sapling – Legends from Franconia – Edited and Translated by Norbert Krapf - $12

May Meeting in Review  

German Club members met on Thursday, May 18, 2006 and enjoyed an interesting and informative presentation by Richard Pearson at the Train Depot in Jasper.  The group then toured the Presidential railcar currently located adjacent to the Train Depot before moving to the Dave Buehler Plaza to enjoy a 'Picnic in the Park'.

Virgil Gress and his crew, Dan Wehr, Ken Heim, Gary Egler, Rafe Ackerman and John Wibbels, grilled brats for the 80 people attending. A short business meeting followed.  President Dilger thanked Rita Reller,
Judy Gress, Sharon and Katie Dilger who greeted the people as they arrived. Karen and Doug Schulte were also available to schedule members to work at
the Strassenfest Booth later this summer.  The club is still looking for an over-all chairman for the Strassenfest booth. The work load has been divided so no one individual is overloaded.  Ed Zoglman will work with the incoming chairman this year.

The next meeting will be the Family Picnic on September 16 at the Jasper Outdoor Recreation Hall.  Matt Hilger and his crew are busy planning another memorable picnic.  Indy Polka Motion from Indianapolis is booked to provide the entertainment for this event.

Charmaine Verkamp and Joan Knies won the attendance prizes. Rita Egler and Joe Wanninger garnered the special prizes.

Ruth Wibbels
Secretary

April Meeting In Review

The Jasper German Club went to French Lick Winery, Thursday, April 20 to see their new facilities.  Members enjoyed a delicious pasta buffet before a short business meeting.

President Bob Dilger introduced Dan Wehr from Sister Cities of Jasper, Inc.   Dan presented the slate of officers for the coming year.   President, Dan Gutgsell; Vice president, Dan Wehr; Secretary, Patti Goepfrich; Treasurer, Dave Kieffner; Board of Directors, Nancy Eckerle, Stan Jochum, Lowell Glendening, Matt Hilger, Bob Dilger, Jim Gutgsell and Allen Hanselman.  With
no other nominations from the floor, Fred Hollinden made a motion to accept the slate and Virgil Gress seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

President Dilger reminded members of the next meeting on May18. A 'Picnic in the Park' will begin at the new Train Depot in Jasper.   After a tour of that facility and the adjacent railcar, the group will proceed to the Dave
Buehler Plaza.  The Club will furnish brats and canned drinks.   Members are asked to bring a salad or dessert.  He also reminded members to sign up for their work shifts at the booth at the Strassenfest at the next meeting.   A new overall chairman is being sought.  To lighten the work load for the overall Strassenfest booth chairman duties have been delegated to several different individuals.   Doug and Karen Schulte will be scheduling workers, Ed Zoglman will handle the ordering, Matt Hilger will chair the Souvenir Booth.   A chairman for the Pastry booth is still being sought.   A new Float Chairman is also needed.  

LaVerne Kieffner and Allen Luebbehusen won attendance prizes.   Special prizes went to Dean Liniger and Rosemary Heim.  

Pres. Dilger then introduced John Doty who introduced the personnel at the facility and spoke of the operations of the French Lick Winery.   He answered members’ questions to close out the evening.

Ruth Wibbels
Secretary

Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendars!

Annual Family Picnic
Date:   Saturday, September 16, 2006
Place:   Jasper Outdoor Recreation Club

More details in next newsletter

German Christmas Program

A German Christmas Program will be held at the Gasthouf in Montgomery on Friday, November 10 th, and Saturday, November 11 th.   More details in upcoming newsletters.   Mark your calendars for a great way to begin the Christmas season with good food and great German music.  

Strassenfest Parade Float

Anyone interested in helping to prepare the Float for the Strassenfest parade is invited to help on Tuesday evening, July 18th at 6:00 PM.  We will meet at the corner of 9th and Vine St.  Anyone who wishes to bring some cleaning supplies and rags is asked to do so.  The Club will provide canned drinks.  Please call Raymie Eckerle at 482-2774 if you have any questions.

German Club Membership Cards

The German Club has issued membership cards annually for many years.  At a recent Board of Directors meeting, the question was asked if this practice needed to continue in light of the expense and work involved to do this task annually.  After discussion, the Board decided to discontinue the practice of issuing membership cards to each member each year.  If any member wishes to have a new card, please contact our Treasurer, Rita Egler, to obtain a new replacement membership card.

Lapel Pins with the Jasper/Pfaffenweiler Logos

Lapel pins with the Jasper/Pfaffenweiler logs have arrived.   They will be available for sale during the Strassenfest in the Souvenir Booth or at the Dubois County Museum Gift Shop or Schnitzelbank Gift Shop.   Cost is $3.00 each.

Outdoor German
Home Decorating and Lighting Contest

A feature of the 2006 Strassenfest will be an outdoor German home decorating and lighting contest sponsored by the Lorey’s Ben Franklin, the Jasper Deutscher Verein and Sister Cities of Jasper, Inc.

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.   The top winner in each category will receive a $25 gift certificate to Lorey’s Ben Franklin.   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 decorate our community for the Strassenfest.  

The entry blank for the contest will be published twice in The Herald.   It will appear on Saturday, July 15, and Monday, July 17 th.   Additional forms will be available at the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at 302 W. Sixth Street, or by calling 482-6866, faxing to 482-1883 or e-mailing the chamber at chamber@jasperin.org.

Entries must be received in the chamber office no later than Monday, July 24 th.   Entries may be mailed to P. O. Box 307, Jasper, IN   47547-0307.

Judging will take place Friday evening, July 28 th.   Lights should be turned on by 7:30pm.

German Heritage Day Program and Annual German Heritage Award  

The 8 th annual German American Day Program will be held on Wednesday, October 11 th, at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant.   Social hour begins at 6:00 pm with the Program beginning at 6:30 pm.   The eighth annual German Heritage Award will be presented.   Past recipients of the German Heritage Award are Mary Jo Meuser, Claude and Martina Eckert, Dave Buehler, Linus and Sally Lechner, Joe and Irene C. Eckerle, Danny and Linda Wehr, and Leo and Lora Lou Eckerle.

See nomination form for the German Heritage Award.

The German American Bank will again sponsor an essay contest open to all seniors in the four county high schools.

Giles R. Hoyt, PH.D., Professor of German and Philanthropic Studies at IUPIU, Director of the Max Kade German-American Research and Resource Center, and president of the Indiana German Heritage Society, will be guest speaker.   The winners of the Essay Contest will also present their essays.

Cost for the German-style buffet dinner is $10.   For reservations, please call Patti Goepfrich at 482-4821 by October 4 th.   There will also be a reservation sheet at the Family Picnic.

Deutscher Verein and Sister City Golf Shirts

Deutscher Verein and Sister City Golf Shirts may be ordered and purchased at Jasper Embroidery, 310 Main Street, Jasper.   They can also embroider the American Flag and the German Flag on shirts.   What a great way to display your German heritage.   These could also make great gifts and also worn at the annual Family Picnic.

German Festivals Around the State

Berne Swiss Days – last 3 days of July

Evansville Germania Maennerchor Folksfest – 1 st week of August

Tell City Schweizerfest – 2 nd week of August

Vincennes Germanfest – 2 nd week of August

Anderson Octoberfest – last Thursday of September

Huntingburg Herbstfest – 4 th week of September

Indianapolis Octoberfest – 1 st and 2 nd week of September

Indianapolis Germanfest – 1 st and 2 nd week of September

Kokomo Octoberfest – 4 th weekend of September

LaPort Octoberfest – 1 st week of September

New Harmony Kunstfest – 3 rd weekend of September

Seymour Octoberfest – last week of September, 1 st week of October

Marion Octoberfest – 1 st weekend of October

Terre Haute Octoberfest – 1 st and 2 nd week of October

Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt – 3 rd weekend of November

Fort Wayne Christkindel Market – 4 th week of November

Jasper Tannenbaum Days – 1 st weekend of December

Thanks to Ralph Ruppel of Vincennes for gathering this information.   For more information on German Heritage in Indiana, contact the Indiana German Heritage Society at 317-464-9004 or www.ighs.org.

Other German Fests

36 th Annual Oktoberfest – Cincinnati – August 25 th – August 27 th

Oktoberfest – Louisville – September 8 th and September 9 th

Oktoberfest – Zinzinnati – September 16 th and September 17th

Invisible Presence:
A Walk through Indiana in Photographs and Poems
by Darryl Jones and Norbert Krapf
Indiana University Press, Quarry Books
Cloth, 288 pp., 140 colored images, 125 poems
ISBN 0-253-34753-X, $39.95
1-800-842-6796; http://iupress.indiana.edu

Darryl Jones’ Polaroid manipulations and transfers of Indiana scenes, which resemble Impressionist paintings or watercolors, and Norbert Krapf’’s meditative poems in response, take the reader on a spiritual journey through a familiar landscape that reveals the “invisible presence” of a higher reality underlying everyday Midwestern life.  The book takes the reader on a stroll along back roads, into fields, woods, the barnyard, the garden, the small town, and, finally, along waters that become increasingly spiritual.  Readers will recognize these Jones images as familiar scenes transformed into the timeless realm of art further deepened by Krapf’s short meditative poems. Invisible Presence is a unique and ground-breaking collaboration between a photographer and a poet that makes the reader see and appreciate the Midwestern heritage, as well as everyday reality, in a new way. In the Foreword, Scott Russell Sanders says, “After spending a few hours in the pages of InvisiblePresence, I can see once more beyond the familiar to the miraculous.”

For a more detailed description, sample pairings of images and poems, and an autobiographical essay about how and why this collaboration came about, visit www.krapfpoetry.com.  The book is available directly from the publisher, independent and chain stores, and Internet retailers, sometimes at a substantial discount.  Any bookseller who does not have it in stock can order it.

  --Norb Krapf

Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. reading, Dubois County Museum. See Jasper Strassenfest booklet and   for info on signings at Words of Wisdom, Flower Stall Hearth & Home, and DCM Aug. 4 & 5.

Potential New Club Members

If someone knows of a potential new club member and would like information about the Deutscher Verein forwarded, please contact Ruth Wibbels at 482-5403 .

This and That

In 1985, Mary Jo Meuser and her students gathered information from parents, grandparents, and older neighbors to help preserve a little of the German heritage in Dubois County.

The following is information from that booklet:

Wenn man so alt wie eine Kuh wird,
Lernt man immer noch dazu.

One never gets too old to learn.

Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein.

Man does not live on bread alone.

Hilf dir selbst, so hilft dir Gott.

God helps those that help themselves.

Was geht kinauf, kommt
Wider herunter.

What goes up must come down.

An Holz klopfen.

Knock on wood.

Ach, du liebe Zeit!

Ach, du liever Himmel!

Um Himmels Willen!

Meine Guete!

Oh my goodness!   For goodness sake!!

German Hot Noodle Salad  

Ingredients:

2 cups side egg noodles
3 bacon strips
¼ cup onion – chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
½ cup water
¼ cup cider vinegar
1 cup sliced celery
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation Method:

Cook noodles according to package directions.   Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook the bacon until crisp.   Crumble and set aside.   Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in the skillet; sauté onion until tender.   Stir in sugar, flour, sale, and mustard; add water and vinegar.   Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 - 3 minutes.  Rinse and drain noodles; add to skillet.   Stir in celery and parsley; heat through.   Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle with bacon.

(taken from www.derdeutschemichel-online.de)

Erinnerst Du Dich?

From The Dubois County Daily Herald
Wednesday, January 12, 1955

HARK THE HERALD

Facts, Dates And Names--- by A. T. Rumbach

The “Chronik” traces the history of Pfaffenweiler through successive centuries.   The name “Pfaffenweiler” to designate the village first occurs in a document dated 1094.   It is mentioned in a papal bull issued in 1173 by Pope Alexander III, in which he enumerates the possessions of the Abbey of St. Ulrich.   The first reference to a pastor being assigned to “Phaphenwiler” is made in a document dated 1267.   The feudal land-herren (overlords) who owned most of the property are traced through 1321, 1379 and 1449.   References to the grape culture, which is still the main crop, go back to the year 1372; and court records through the 15 th and 16 th centuries give evidence of the struggle for ownership of the rich vineyards, forest and meadows of the neighborhood.

An interesting account is given of the ravages of the Peasants’ War, the Thirty Years War and other military activities which surged up and down the country during the 16 th and 17 th centuries.   Witness to the antiquity of the village is the rectory which bears the inscription 1572, one of the oldest buildings. It is followed closely by the Gasthaus (tavern) Zur Stube, erected 1575; both buildings survived the Thirty Years War.

Speaking of this tavern, that is the place where we found the rest of our party, who, thinking we were lost in the maze and tangle of the centuries, had left us to find a place to rest and to refresh themselves.  

The Gasthaus Zur Stube, which boasts of serving its own brand of wine, is conducted by one Alfonse Eckerle, the present host, successor to a long line of other Eckerles since 1575.   Darkness had descended upon Pfaffenweiler (Saturday, October 16, 1954), making further exploration of the town impossible, so we joined the rest at a large oaken table and ordered bratwurst and forelle (pork sausage and trout) where were very palatable with the “Eckerle” brand of beverage made of home-grown fruit of the vines.

While waiting to be served by Herr Eckerle, we had the first opportunity to look over the booklet given us by the pastor.   It contained a “Willkommengrusz” from Burgermeister Friedrich Dischinger and a foreword by Karl Spaeth (Spayd?).   Under the title “Festausschuss” were the names:   Hans Dick, Gustav Gutzsell; Marzeil Kiefer; under “Honorary Members” we found Emil Gutzsell, Karl Eckert, Karl Scherle, Herman Kiefer, Karl A. Eckert, Franz Eckerle, Franz Werner, and Fredrich Wehrle.

Among the active members are:   Franz Baumann, Paul Eckert, Hyancinth Kiefer, Karl Kiefer, Franz Eckerle, Henry Werner, Hermann Dischinger, Werner Schuble, Heinrich Eckert, Karl Gutgsell, Hermann Haury, Josef Gutgsell, Emil Schlegel, Josef Weibel, Karl and Franz Eckert and Adalbert Schlegel.   Listed as former directors are Karl Friedmann, Hermann Stork and Franz Meier.

From the memorial at the church I copied the following familiar names:   Daeschle, Litschgi, Beck and more of those listed above.

Most of these names are among those listed by George R. Wilson in his “history of Dubois County” as members of the group of immigrants who came to Jasper in 1847 and erected the Votive Cross in the churchyard of St. Joseph’s.    He tells how the group, making the trip across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel, were threatened with death in a severe storm.   They made a solemn vow that they would erect a cross on the premises of the parish church in their new home if there were spared.   They finally landed safely and having settled in Jasper, they fulfilled their promise.   The stone cross and corpus was executed by George Baumann, one of the immigrants who was a sculptor.

Jasper Deutscher Verein (German Club) German Heritage Endowment  

A gift to the Jasper Deutscher Verein (German Club) German Heritage Endowment of the Dubois County Community Foundation is a wonderful way to remember that special someone.   A gift in honor of someone or in memory of someone may be given. The Dubois County Community Foundation will send a letter of acknowledgment to the individual being honored or to the family of someone being remembered.   Send your gift along with the appropriate  information  to the Dubois County Community Foundation, P. O. Box 269, Jasper, IN   47547-0269.   Envelopes are also available at the greeting table at each club meeting.

Enclosed is my gift of $___________.   Please direct my gift to the Jasper Deutscher Verein (German Club) German Heritage Endowment.  

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________

City/State/Zip: _________________________________

I want my gift to be in memory of/in honor of:

_____________________________________________

Please acknowledge gift:

Name: _______________________________________

Address:______________________________________

City/State/Zip:__________________________________

Sister Cities of Jasper
Jasper Partnership Commission
Jasper Deutscher Verein
 GERMAN HERITAGE AWARD

"Honoring those who promote our German Heritage"

The annual German Heritage Award is presented to an individual or group who has contributed generously his/her or their time, talents or resources to maintaining, improving or building upon our German roots in Dubois County. Sister Cities of Jasper and the Jasper Partnership Commission created the award in 1999. The Jasper Deutscher Verein is sponsoring the award.

This recognition is open to all individuals, not just residents of the City of Jasper, who give what they can in order to make a difference.

Because the efforts of these individuals are sometimes known only to a few, a nomination will recognize the work of those who generously support our German Heritage.

A committee, consisting of the Presidents of the Jasper Deutscher Verein, Sister Cities of Jasper, and the Jasper Partnership Commission, will judge all nominations.   The Presidents will present the German Heritage Award during the German American Day celebration on October 11th at the Schnitzelbank.

How you can nominate:

The nominee must be an individual or group, nominated by any individual or group. Please submit the official form below (copy is accepted), along with the following:

1. A letter of up to one page listing your reasons for the nomination.
2. A biography, up to two pages, listing the service or efforts of the nominee.
3. Mail or deliver your nomination to:
   Jasper Deutscher Verein
   German Heritage Award
   P.O. Box 15
   Jasper, IN 47547-0015

Nomination for the 2006 Jasper German Heritage Award

Sister Cities of Jasper
Jasper Partnership Commission
Jasper Deutscher Verein
 GERMAN HERITAGE AWARD

"Honoring those who promote our German Heritage"

The annual German Heritage Award is presented to an individual or group who has contributed generously his/her or their time, talents or resources to maintaining, improving or building upon our German roots in Dubois County. Sister Cities of Jasper and the Jasper Partnership Commission created the award in 1999. The Jasper Deutscher Verein is sponsoring the award.

This recognition is open to all individuals, not just residents of the City of Jasper, who give what they can in order to make a difference.
Because the efforts of these individuals are sometimes known only to a few, a nomination will recognize the work of those who generously support our German Heritage.

A committee, consisting of the Presidents of the Jasper Deutscher Verein, Sister Cities of Jasper, and the Jasper Partnership Commission, will judge all nominations.  The Presidents will present the German Heritage Award during the German American Day Dinner celebration on October 6th at the Schnitzelbank.

How you can nominate:

The nominee must be an individual or group, nominated by any individual or group. Please submit the official form (copy is accepted), along with the following:

1. A letter of up to one page listing your reasons for the nomination.
2. A biography, up to two pages, listing the service or efforts of the nominee.
3. Mail or deliver your nomination to: Jasper Deutscher Verein

German Heritage Award
P.O. Box 15
Jasper, IN 47547-0015

(Remember, nominations need to be postmarked to the address listed above by September 2, 2008)

(Remember, nominations need to be postmarked to the address listed above by September 1, 2006)

Strassenfest Reminder

Thursday, August 3 rd

SET UP TABLES AND CHAIRS AND PUT
 TABLE CLOTHS ON TABLES

ANYONE WHO COULD HELP WITH THIS,
PLEASE SHOW UP AT 10:00 AM

2006 STRASSENFEST UPDATE

Strassenfest time is nearing and plans are well underway.   We do not have a General Chairman this year.   Each function will have a Chairperson as listed below.   We will be operating our Main Food Booth, the Pastry Booth, and the Souvenir Booth.

Listed below is the schedule for the stands’ set-up and tear down.   Contact your Chairman if you cannot be there or have questions, but most important, please be there on time to help.   We do appreciate your help!!!

Attached is the worker’s list for the booths.   Thanks to everyone who volunteered to work.   Please work your scheduled shift.   If you can’t work your assigned time, please trade with someone or get a replacement.   We also appreciate and NEED HELP to CLEAN UP each evening.   THIS IS OUR ONLY FUND-RAISER.   PLEASE PARTICIPATE SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAMS WE ENJOY THROUGHOUT THEYEAR.   And finally, you will notice some slots on the schedule that say NEED HELP.   If you would be willing to work an additional shift or can recommend someone who would be willing to help, let us know.

Thanks….

The DeutscherVerein Strassenfest Committee

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please contact Matthias Hilger or Patti Goepfrich.