2011 Winter Mag DS German Culture

LANDESVERBAND USA

NEWSLETTER AND MAGAZINE

DONAUSCHWABEN/GERMAN CULTURE

02/24/13

January February March 2011 Volume 6 Number 1

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

Cleveland Student Wins Award

in Chicago

By Frau Heike Haddenbrock

Deutsche Sprachschule Cleveland

Thirteen-year-old Julian De Georgia represented the Cleveland German Language School in a Midwest Regional Speaking Competition entitled “Deutsch in meiner Umgebung” (German in my vicinity). German language students from German language schools, international schools, and German immersion schools in Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio met in Chicago at the beginning of December for the finals in a competition sponsored by the German Consulate Chicago and the German Culture Ministry’s Zentrale für Auslandsschulwesen. To prepare for the short 5-minute presentation in which he unraveled the secrets of the German Bratwurst in Ohio, Julian found a retired Cleveland-area sausage maker, Adolf Brueck, in the internet. He interviewed Mr. Brueck and toured his sausage factory. He also visited Cleveland’s 100-year-old West Side Market to speak with Mr. Brueck’s former customers and other sausage makers. Julian learned what makes Donauschwaben Bratwurst so special…(hint: it’s the Hungarian paprika). He took hundreds of photos, conducted 80 hours of research, outlined his presentation, wrote several essays, and practiced his speech daily.

Julian’s victory is all the more remarkable because he was born in the US to a German mother and an American father. He is an eighth grade soccer player from Shaker Heights, Ohio who, for several years now, has sacrificed one evening a week of his precious free time to attend German School at the Donauschwaben's German American Cultural Center.

The Cleveland German Language School is justifiably proud of this hard-working, fierce competitor who brought the grand prize…a specially-engraved iPod touch…home from Chicago.

PDF Version of News Article from German Consulate, Chicao

	Competitors (15)
ViceKonsul Gunnar Christiansen
	Julian De Georgia Eating Bratwurst
Julian De Georgia und seine Mutter Anja De Georgia Heike Haddenbrock

Schüler der Deutschen Sprachschule Cleveland gewinnt

Wettbewerb in Chicago

Der 13jährige Julian De Georgia vertrat die Deutsche Sprachschule Cleveland in einem Sprachwettbewerb der Region “Midwest” mit dem Titel “Deutsch in meiner Umgebung”. Schüler von deutschen Sprachschulen, internationalen Schulen sowie deutschen Ganztagsschulen aus Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan und Ohio trafen sich Anfang Dezember in Chicago für die Endausscheidung eines Wettbewerbs, der vom Deutschen Konsulat in Chicago und der Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen des Deutschen Kultusministeriums organisiert wurde. Um sich auf seine 5-minütige Präsentation über das Geheimnis der deutschen Bratwurst in Ohio vorzubereiten, hatte Julian einen pensionierten Metzger aus Cleveland, Adolf Brueck, im Internet aufgespürt. Er interviewte Herrn Brueck und sah sich seine Wurstfabrik an. Er besuchte ausserdem Clevelands hundertjährigen West Side Market, um mit ehemaligen Kunden von Herrn Brueck sowie anderen Wurstmachern zu sprechen. Julian lernte dabei, warum die Bratwurst der Donauschwaben so etwas Besonderes ist (kleiner Hinweis: es ist ungarisches Paprikagewürz). Er machte zahlreiche Fotos, steckte 80 Stunden Arbeit in seine Recherche, bereitete seine Präsentation sorgfältig vor, schrieb mehrere Aufsätze und übte seinen Vortrag täglich.

Julians erster Platz ist um so bemerkenswerter, da er mit einer deutschen Mutter und einem amerikanischen Vater in den USA aufgewachsen ist und selbst nie in Deutschland gelebt hat. Er geht in die achte Klasse, spielt Fussball und wohnt in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Seit vielen Jahren schon opfert er wӧchentlich einen Abend seiner kostbaren Freizeit, um die Deutsche Sprachschule im Deutsch-Amerikanischen Kulturzentrum der Donauschwaben zu besuchen.

Die Deutsche Sprachschule Cleveland ist ganz besonders stolz auf diesen hartarbeitenden, ehrgeizigen Mitbewerber, der den ganz grossen, ersten Preis aus Chicago mit nach Hause nehmen konnte: einen iPod touch mit besonderer Gravur zur Erinnerung.

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

FEBRUARY 2011

ADULT LANGUAGE SCHOOL

NEW INSTRUCTOR TO THE TEAM

Forwarded From Trenton Donauschwaben

We welcome Christa Tindall Pullion to the Adult Language School teaching staff. Both Frau Christa Pullion & Herr Andy Franz invite adults to join them for a lively hour of instruction every other Wednesday night at 7pm at the clubhouse resuming February 9th.

Christa started her first session December 8, 2010 and it was well received. We now have a “Dynamic Duo” of instructors for the adult school.

Frau Christa Pullion

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

FEBRUARY 2011

2011 Los Angeles Königsball

Forwarded From Los Angeles Donauschwaben

by Karl Seitz

Gala Königsball!

Congratulations to Queen Christine Kolbusz and King Paul Fruhner, our 2011 King and Queen. More than 300 guests danced the night away and caught up on the latest news. Normally we only have one highlight of the evening but this year we had two. Not only did the Dance Group perform for us but Josef Becker, our President, unveiled our new Dance Group flag.

Father Rettig was there to bless it and in his words, "It's a beautiful flag. One that all generations can take pride in." In addition to Father Rettig, we were also honored to have St. Stephen's pastor, Father John, celebrate the evening with us. It was an especially big night for Paul because not only was he crowned King but he also was awarded the Dance Group's annual scholarship for his essay.

Congratulations!

"Click" on image for PDF version March 2011 Donauquelle

"Click" on image for PDF version February 2011 Donauquelle

"Click" on image for PDF version January 2011 Donauquelle

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

FEBRUARY 2011

KUDOS TO BILL GALGON

OF THE UGH

Forwarded From Trenton Donauschwaben

In December the Central Bucks School District announced it was considering the elimination of their German language program in its middle schools.

Our friend, and President of the United German-Hungarians, Bill Galgon, wrote a letter to the Editor of the Bucks County Courier Times expressing his concerns about the cancellation of the German language program in this school district. The letter appeared in the December 20th issue of the paper. He highlighted the importance the Germans played in our American history and their major influence in the Delaware Valley. Bill invited all to learn more about German-American culture by contacting the UGH (via phone or web).

We applaud Bill for his outreach and his cause in promoting our German Culture. Vielen Dank!

Bill Galgon

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

My Oma

By Christian Matico

Forwarded From Philadelphia Donauschwaben

There are many women in the world who sometimes inspire men. For me that’s my Oma also referred to as my grandmother. She went through horrible things when she was a child in Yugoslavia after World War II. She makes me proud of my culture as a Schwob. She taught me and my mom the value of money and shows as an example how hard some people work for their money. She helped raised me like her own child in her own special way, without her I would not exist.

Her life as a child was horrific under the rule of Tito. In history there was a time in her home land when the Serbians only wanted their culture in Yugoslavia. This was after WWII. She was born in Filipowa which was a German speaking town in Yugoslavia. When they were asked to leave her grandmother said no. Their punishment was to be sent to a concentration camp. There she lost her mother, two brothers, and one sister in eight days from starvation. Her and my great aunt, Tante Kathi were the only ones who survived. They fed you almost nothing, just little pieces of bread. They didn’t care about when you died, they didn’t give them to the earth, they stacked them up which passed around sickness. Luckily her father saved them from that hellhole and death. That is why she taught my mother that wasting food was a sin, because what you see in Haiti right now is similar to what she went through.

When she was an adult she bore two children named Rose and Jack. Next to that she worked with my Ota also known as grandfather at the bakery they owned. She would work as the manager while my Ota baked. Most of my family worked at that bakery like my mom, Uncle Jack, and other family members. I remember my mom telling me that she used what she called a ―love tap‖ any time her children misbehaved. She also was a member of the Donauschwaben German Club working as a cook. She is also wife of one of the founders. We have Donauschwaben Clubs world-wide. She has taught me about the culture of the Donauschwaben. She told me stories about the relatives she lost and the times she lived through in Yugoslavia. Everything I learn today was brought down from my Oma.

Today she is a tailor that works at Earl’s Cleaners near Newtown. She has made clothes, costumes for Halloween, and stuffed animals when I was little. During these times she taught me how to make my own things like stuffed animals. If my clothes are to short or to long she will fix them for me. She has taught me German and shows me old pictures sometimes. She tells me stories of what it was like at the Gakova camp she was in. If she had the fate of her brothers my mother and I would not be here today. She also suffers from arthritis in her hips but she still pulls through it by gardening. Her strength shows me I am able to do anything if I put enough effort into it. Her past affects my present because of what she went through. So Oma thank you for everything. Oma you are a hero among heroes.

VISITING AUTHOR-ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

AMERICAN AID SOCIETY

NOCH EINMAL TANZGRUPPE

Forwarded by American Aid Society, Chicago

The “Noch Einmal Tanzgruppe” performed for the second time in their existence at the Aid Society Schlachtfest on Sunday, November 7th. Although the dancers were nervous and anxious to perform, the group looked perfect. “Noch Einmal” debuted a new dance which involved a beer keg that the men carried onto the dance floor and prominently placed in the middle. The group danced around the keg for the duration of the dance which involved intricate clapping and dancing. The keg was carried out on the shoulder of one of the male dancers at the end of the dance. The “Noch Einmal” dancers performed the next two dances flawlessly including the crowd favorite, Zillertaler Hochzeitsmarsch, set to a roaring dance beat. Many accolades were offered to the dancers after the performance.

The “Noch Einmal” dance group consists of former Aid Society Jugendgruppe members as well as friends and family. Anyone over the age of 25 is welcome to join the group. Please contact Renee Stein (847) 381-7918 for more information.

By Laura Emmert

Noch Einmal Tanzgruppe

VISITING AUTHOR-ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

Gugelhupf Bierkuchen

(German Beer Cake)

Forwarded by United Donauschwaben Milwaukee

Gugelhupf

Bierkuchen

(German Beer Cake)

Recipe

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. all spice

2½ cup flour

1½ tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup chopped nuts

12 oz. beer

1 cup chopped dates

1.) Combine brown sugar and butter in

large mixing bowl. Cream until smooth

and well blended. Add eggs one at a time

and beat after each addition.

2.) Sift flour, cinnamon, all spice, cloves,

baking powder and salt together. Dust

walnuts and dates with a small amount of

the flour mixture.

3.) Add remaining four mixture alternating

with beer to the creamed butter and blend

well after each addition.

4.) Remove batter from mixer, stir in nuts

and dates. Spoon into a prepaired bundt

pan. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Enjoy!

Recipe Submitted By: Resi Potnek

VISITING AUTHOR-ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

AMERICAN AID SOCIETY

Von der Bibel

Forwarded by American Aid Society, Chicago

Von der Bibel

Gottes Wort

Diefolgenden Verse der Heiligen Schrift sind aus dem Lukasevangelium, Kapitel 2, begonnen mit dem Vers

Word of God

The following scripture verses are taken from the book of Luke, chapter 2, beginning with verse . . .

8. Und in derselben Gegend waren Hirten auf dem Felde, die Nachtwache hielten bei ihrer Herde.

9. Da trat ein Engel des Herrn zu ihnen, und die Herrlichkeit des Herrn umstrahlte sie, und sie fürchteten sich sehr.

10. Der Engel sprach zu ihnen: ,,Fürchtet euch nicht! Denn siehe, ich verkünde euch eine große Freude, die dem ganzen Volke zuteil werden wird.

11. Denn heute ist euch in der Stadt Davids ein Heiland geboren, nämlich der Messias, der Herr.

12. Dies soil euch das Zeichen sein: Ihr werdet ein Kind finden, in Windeln eingewickelt und in einer Krippe liegen."

13. Plötzlich war bei dem Engel eine Menge himmlischen Heerscharen, die Gott lobten und sprachen:

14. ,,Herrlichkeit in den Höhen für Gott und auf Erde Friede den Menschen seiner Huld!"

15. Und es begab sich, als die Engel von ihnen weg in den Himmel gegangen waren, sprachen die Hirten zueinander: ,,Laßt uns nach Bethlehem gehen und schauen, was geschehen ist und was der Herr uns kundgetan hat."

16. Sie kamen eilands hin und fanden Maria und Joseph und das Kind, das in der Krippe lag.

17. Als sie es aber sahen, berichteten sie von dem Wort, das Lhnen über dieses Kind gesagt worden war.

18. Und alle, die es hörten, wunderten sich über das, was ihnen von den Hirten erzahlt wurde.

8. That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flock of sheep.

9. Suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them,

10. but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!"

11. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!

12. And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

13. Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God:

14. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.

15. When the angel had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16. They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a manger.

17. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

18. All who heard the shepherd's story were astonished.

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

CARPATHIA FRAUENGRUPPE

Forwarded by Carpathia Donauschwaben

Casino Trip and Fashion Show

Im September machte die Frauengruppe einen Mini-Urlaub. Schon am fruehen Morgen ging es los. Wir waren 52 Personen an der Zahl. Der erste Stop war Casino Soaring Eagle. Hier konnten alle ihr Glueck an den Spielautomaten versuchen. Manche hatten wirklich viel Glueck. Nach etwa vier Stunden Aufenthalt ging es dann weiter nach dem Little River Casino. Das Hotel ist uns ja schon bekannt und jeder mag die schoenen grossen und sauberen Zimmer. Auch die Angestellten sind sehr hilfsbereit und freundlich. Nach dem Checkin traf man sich zum Essen im Willows Restaurant. Dann ging jeder seinen Weg zum Casino. Das Schoene ist man kann hinlaufen.

Am naechsten Morgen ging es dann wieder heimwaerts; aber es wurde nochmal ein Stop in Soaring Eaglegemacht. Allen hatte es gut gefallen. Das Wetter machte auch mit und wir genossen auch die schoene farbpraechtige Landschaft des Nordens von Michigan.

Unsere Fashion Show war in diesem Jahr im Oktober. Es war wieder gut besucht. Das Modehaus Dress Barn stellte wieder die neusten und schoensten Moden fuer die Herbst Saison zur Verfuegung. Zuerst wurden Moden fuer die Freizeit gezeight. Jeans in schwarz, grau und braun, und verzierten Seiten-Naehten, auch Kordhosen in einigen Farben wurden vorgestellt dazu wurden leichte Pullover und weiche kuschelige Strickjacken oder Lederjacken getragen. Als naechsten wurde Buerokleidung gezeight Strickkleider mit passenten Leggings, Kleider, Roecke und auch Hosenanzuege und Kostueme. Zum Schluss wurde „AFTER FIVE“ und „PARTY KLEIDUNG“ modeliert Schiffon Hosen und Roecke, mit einem schoenen farbigen Oberteil in schwarz, silber oder rot und schicke Cocktail-Kleider in schwarz und roten Farben dazu vielleicht noch ein Bolero Jaeckchen. Es war ein schoener erfolgreicher Nachmittag fuer uns.

Irene Dietz

Weihnachtsgruesse

Glocken klingen weit und breit. Kerzenlicht in jedem Haus. Frieden soll auf Erden sein. Stille Stunden frohe Feste, und zum Neuen Jahr das Beste.

Die Frauengruppe der Carpathia wuenscht allen unseren Lesern und Freunden Frohe Weihnachten und ein gesundes und zufriedenes Neues Jahr.

Row 1: Anna Fellinger, Maria Hammer, Resie Schneider, Sekretaerin Elisabeth Toepfner, Leiterin Irene Dietz, Vice Leiterin Margaret Pelvay, Stefi Schultz, Helga Reinhardt, Kathi Schuck.

Row 2: Rosi Grusling, Resi Gerber, Kathe Schuh, Maria Schmidt, Klara Homann, Appolonia Wolf, Kathe Heide, Antonia Hansmann, Leni Kolling, Anni Hammer, Elfriede Palovcik, Maria Lorenz, Elisabeth Menrath, Wilma Koberstein.

Row 3: Inge Pfropper, Rosa Koehlmann, Jane Koehlhofer, Mary Ann Virchow, Hilde Schmid, Anna Wunsch, Kathy Kirsch, Irene Unsleber, Marie Eppich, Maria Stefan, Katharina Schwager, Elisabeth Krause, Nancy Purz

Not Pictured: Otti Amann, Leni Blasius, Kathi Dietz, Kathi Fruhner, Helen Gassel, Kaethe Groedl, Resi Huth, Katharina Keil, Helga Kniep, Anna Kemmer, Elsa Lambrecht, Katherine Novak, Elizabeth Rebh, Katherine Schaefer, Eva Schwager, Karin Schwalbe, Elfriede Sopfe.

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

CARPATHIA SPRACHSCHULE

Forwarded by Carpathia Donauschwaben

Es gib nicht zuviel zu berichten.

Die Schule hat wieder im September angefangen. Hiermit moechte ich zuerst unsere Lehrerinnen vorstellen Ingrid Wasserbaech, Maria Pledel, und Irene Dietz.

Unser Motto ist „Deutsch lernen macht Spass“.

Es wichtig das die Kinder schon im jungem Schulalter eine Fremdspache erlernen. Kinder nehmen die Sprache mit allen Sinnen auf und lernen wie sie sich auf Deutsch mit einander verstandigen koennen. Der Unterricht soll abwechselungsreich sein.

Kinder lernen durch Lieder, Reime, Spiele, und Gedichte. So erwerben sie auf einfache und lustige Art eine gute Grundlage in der deutschen Sprache. Sie muessen aber bestimmte Kriterien erfuellen. Sie werden auch mit der deutschen Kultur und den deutschen Gebraeuchen vertraut gemacht. Ein wichtiges geselliges Ereignis ist die grosse Weihnachtsfeier. Bitte den 19.Dezember vermerken. Die Schulkinder warden wieder ein kleines Programm fuer Sie auffuehren. Da heist es noch tuechtig lernen. Wer weiss ansonsten kommt vielleicht der Weihnachtsmann nicht. Hiermit moechte ich auch im Namen der Lehrerinnen allen eine frohe Weihnacht und ein gutes Neues Jahr wuenschen.

Ingrid Wasserbaech, Maria Pledel, Irene Dietz

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

St. Louis German Cultural Society

At the Old Grave

In Memory of My Grandmother

1995

by Catherine Grosskopf

Forwarded From German Cultural Society, St. Louis

Today I place a bouquet of flowers on your grave, as a sign of my love for you.

The years have passed by so quickly; one year followed another - almost unnoticed. Your life had not been an easy one, you experienced two wars, the loss of your husband, in WWI, WWII brought you more sadness in losing your family to the west, and being dispossessed of everything you ever worked for. Your forced resettlement to the Baragan Steppe, at the age of seventy, (where you lost your second husband) and your return after five years, stripped you of all dignity. Yet, you remained strong and faithful.

The return of your family to their former home was impossible. Our hearts were filled with sadness, knowing that you and the other elderly were left behind and unaided.

By now, the sun has faded your name on your headstone. The letters filled with moss are unclear. I will clean them and make them readable once more. Today I have come back to thank you for all you did for us during your lifetime. Your loved ones have found a new home and built a new life in America, in the way we were taught by you - to be faithful, honest, hard working and loyal. We became law abiding citizens and raised our families in the Christian traditions you placed in our cradle; they were important to you and they are important to us. We continue to live our lives as you did, respecting our neighbors and their traditions.

Our family is well and we speak of you often. We want you to know, that God has blessed us in many ways. I want to tell you of my admiration and gratitude for you and my ancestors – I will tell my children and grandchildren of your bravery and loyalty.

As I leave, I’ll say good bye and join the others in my new home in America.

May you rest in peace and may God grant you everlasting life, of which you are so deserving. Until we meet again, I remain your loving granddaughter.

by Catherine Grosskopf

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

Deutschmeister Brass Band Report

Forwarded From German Cultural Society, St. Louis

Our playing season is just about over, and it has been very successful. We returned to the St. Charles Oktoberfest after a short break. The weather didn’t exactly smile on us, as a cold front came through while we were playing. The St. Louis Zoo Ottertoberfest was marked by spectacular weather and a new location to play in the park so we could entertain more people while they were enjoying their lunch or beverages. Of course we played for the Strassenfest. We have never missed one since it started. Of course we will play Christmas tunes for the Weihnachtsfeier.

Our performance at the Ladies Choir dance included a sensational rendition of Brillantpolka, by trumpet soloist John Corrandini. John is just in his second year with the band. The number he played is a very challenging arrangement, which John performed flawlessly. Doc Severonsen, move over.

Thanks to the recruiting efforts of our members and our web site invitation, our ranks have swollen this year. New members include: Tracey Koch, Christina Franzen and Steve Schuent, clarinets, Amy Uttendorf, tenor horn, and Kevin McKee, trombone.

We are always interested in new members for the band. For information about joining contact John Ampleman at 636-532-0290 or visit our web site at www.germanband.com Now, in addition to our web site, we are on Facebook, where you can see many more pictures of our performances and find more information.

By John Ampleman

John Corrandini plays the Brillantpolka

at “Liederabend und Tanz”

at our hall on Jefferson Avenue

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

St. Louis Ladies Chorus Report

Forwarded From German Cultural Society, St. Louis

We just completed a successful Liederabend under the leadership of our new director, Peggy Pancella. Many of the comments after our performance credited our new director for making our concert so enjoyable. Although our attendance could have been better, we felt that it was a good evening, and I thank everyone who supported us, especially members of our Volkstanzgruppe. Besides our director, I would like to sincerely thank the Deutschmeister Brass Band for playing so well for our dancing enjoyment, and the Kitchen staff for the delicious dinner. Special mention goes to our soloists, Barbara Potje, Karen Tones, Friedel Geissert, and Mike Kimbrell, who added variety to our offerings. John Unterreiner made us sound better than ever, and our decorating committee made our hall look ever so festive. Our singers themselves put great effort and time into doing our songs correctly, especially “Blue Johnny”, which was a total departure from our usual fare. So, all in all, I would say that we can be pleased with our performance.

In addition to preparation for our Liederabend, we prepared for a performance at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, the week prior to our concert. Mary Lee Wolf directed and accompanied us for this event. The Spitzbuam and we put on a good show, and it was fun to do. Everyone enjoyed it.

New singers are always welcome and needed. Please call 314-842-6798 or e-mail me at William.tullmann@att.net for more information.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

by Katherine Tullmann

St. Louis Ladies Chorus

The Ladies' Chorus performs various pieces of traditional German music at club functions throughout the year. They also represent the German Cultural Society by performing at several other events in the St. Louis area.

http://www.germanstl.org/damenchor.html

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

St. Louis German School

Forwarded From German Cultural Society, St. Louis

2010 / 2011 SCHOOL YEAR

The new school year began Saturday, September 11, 2010 as we welcomed back students from last year and many new students, in both the adult and children’s classes. Our latest enrollment figures show 120 students – 60 adults and 60 children.

The school offers 5 class levels for adults from Beginner to Advanced Conversation. The children’s classes offer Beginner to Advanced in two branches – one for German speakers and one for those learning German as a second language.

NEW PRINCIPAL

We welcome Daniela Müller-Williams as our new Principal. Daniela is a native speaker and also teaches the Advanced Children’s Class for fluent students. She brings with her a wealth of ideas and experience that will continue to grow and improve the school.

In her years of service, Carmen Freeman, our former Principal, did much for the school during her tenure as Principal. We thank Carmen for the many innovations she brought to the German School - creating and adding new classes to meet the ever changing demands of the students, acquiring grants from the German government, and initiating the Frühstückskonzert. Carmen continues teaching the Advanced Adult class and we are fortunate to have her as part of our teaching staff.

Meet the St. Louis German School

Article furnished by the President

of the German School Association,

Helga Thalheimer

Helga has been an instructor with the German School since 1993 and has been President of the German School Association since 1997. Her father, Jakob Thalheimer, was one of the founders of the school and Helga was among the first students to attend. Her approach to teaching children with little or no German background is to make the class time fun and interesting. She incorporates a generous amount of learning games, songs, dancing, and stories, along with her own first-hand experience in German culture, traditions, and lifestyles.

Helga received a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Marketing and Management and minors in German and English from Southwest Missouri State University. In 1997 she received her MBA, with an emphasis in International Business, from Webster University. When not teaching, Helga is an Independent Travel Consultant for Sixth Star Travel, specializing in upscale, adventure and unique travel experiences. Helga also sits on the Board of the St. Louis-Stuttgart Sister Cities, is a representative to the St. Louis German-American Committee, and a member of the German Cultural Society.

Helga Thalheimer

Biography

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JANUARY 2011

St. Louis Senioren Report

Forwarded From German Cultural Society, St. Louis

We are in full swing of things with the Senioren Afternoon. We are happy to see all of our friends on the second Tuesday of every month. In October we were celebrated Apple and Fall Season. November we celebrated Thanksgiving. In December we had a Christmas Luncheon. There will not be a Senioren Afternoon held in January. We always enjoy hearing about upcoming events and listing to poems that John Pappert reads to us. Every month we have a short program, then we serve delicious desserts.

The Senioren Committee wishes everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Rose Lengenfelder

Meet the St. Louis Senioren Committee