Dank journal apr may 2017

Proud To Be German - American Stolz Deutsch - Amerikaner Zu Sein Visit us at www.DANK.org

Volume 65 Number 2

Dresden Frauenkirche

April/May 2017

PAGE/SEITE 2

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Volunteers Needed To Maintain a Tradition For more than 35 years, DANK Chapter Lake County, IL has held a Volkstrauertag observance at the Fort Sheridan, IL cemetery where nine German Word War Two POWs are buried. Now it is time for another Chicagoland Chapter – or a group of people – to step up to continue this tradition.

If Volkstrauertag is going to continue to be observed at Fort Sheridan, someone needs to take control of the project – to be in charge. The individual assuming the leadership role will need to recruit a team to work with him/ her to make decisions about what the observance will entail and whether or not there should be a reception after the service. Planning information will be made available to the Volkstrauertag team.

Interested individuals, please contact DANK staff member Russell Knoebel at the National Office by phone (773-275-1100) or by email to office@ dank.org There have to be DANK members in the greater Chicagoland area who want to see this tradition maintained and are willing to give of their time once a year to see this through. Where is your Germanic Pride? Come on Chicagoland members – step up to the plate!

About This Journal's Cover Image: Dresden Frauenkirche The Dresden Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is a Lutheran church in Dresden.

Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden during World War II. The remaining ruins were left for 50 years as a war memorial, following decisions of local East German leaders. The church was rebuilt after the reunification of Germany, starting in 1994. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004, and the interior in 2005. The church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on 31 October.

The rebuilt church is considered a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies, and illustrates the possibility of rebirth.

From Wikipedia

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

PAGE/SEITE 3

Contents of This Issue 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

From The President’s Desk DANK Education Fund at Work!

New Members Turkey has stepped up spying in Germany, says Berlin Easter in Lusatia/Ostern in der Lausitz Pentecost Traditions in Today's Germany by Francine McKenna-Klein Adidas profits hit the billion mark The Germania Club of Chicago – a History and some Curiosities by Reinhard Andress, PhD "Man of the political centre" Der geborene Diplomat Germany to invest 100 billion into national gigabit internet network Chancellor Merkel's approval rating rises in polls as parties stay close Chapter Chatter - Cleveland DANK Chapter #30, Pittsburgh Chapter 58 Chapter Chatter - Great Lakes Bay Region #78 Chapter Chatter - DANK Chapter Milwaukee Welcomes Spring Chapter Chatter - A Visit from the Prince and His Princess Chapter Chatter – Fasching 2017 DANK South Chapter Chatter - Helau and Alaff Fasching in South Bend

Editorial Staff Russ Knoebel Eva Timmerhaus Christel Miske Ron Kabitzke Correspondents Anne Marie Fuhrig Francine McKenna Typography Russ Knoebel General Information

German American Journal -ISSN 10868070 is published bimonthly and is the official publication of the German American National Congress. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional mailing offices.

„Ick bin ein Berliner“/I am a Berliner German and African-American groups to rescue, restore historic Harambee church Deutsche Damen-Staffel siegt in Antholz NBA: Dirk Nowitzki passes 30,000-point milestone German Mother's Day: Florists to Nazis and back again Schokokuss: Sweet Drops of Heaven Aus Oma's Küche Gedichte für Alle Aus Unserer Schatzkiste/From Our Treasure Chest In Remembrance Sudoku Wordsearch “You know it is spring!”

Member Donations Calendar Of Events

POSTMASTER” Send address changes to: German-American Journal 4740 N. Western Avenue Suite 206 Chicago IL. 60625-2013 Annual Subscription Rate $15.00 www.dank.org DANK does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information published herein.

DANK reserves the right to change or amend submissions for any reason without prior notice.

PAGE/SEITE 4

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

From The President’s Desk Mike Ianni, National President There seems to be something in the air lately making this winter a bit more bearable – oh, wait, I think that’s the sun because “die Frühlingszeit” is coming! If you’re like me, you’ve got a bit of cabin fever and are ready to get outside to enjoy a nice walk to the park, play on a swing or grab some ice cream…oh wait, that’s my daughter’s routine. OK, as a relatively new dad, I’m finding that my free time (and creativity) is a bit limited, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have time for DANK. As we get ready for the Spring festivities, especially Easter & Mother’s Day, I’m excited to once again get a bit of time with our members.

Now, let’s start with DANK National. As President, I have continued to think of what the organization needs to be successful. This is a lot to consider given the legacy of your accomplishments, volunteerism, cultural heritage and families. As you can see I state “your” and not “our”, and that’s for a very specific reason. Being part of DANK National for only 16 months gives me just a brief look under the hood, it’s no substitute for the years you and my fellow Board members have devoted to DANK. This duty to be representing your best interests and assisting the Board to steer the organization is not something I take lightly. So, my conclusion so far is just one thing: our key to success is you, our chapters.

We want to hear from you so that we can highlight your events and ideas that your chapters are undertaking right now. Let the DANK Journal be your brag sheet to show how your chapter is really stepping up to “der Teller”. The more we hear from you, the more ideas we’re spreading amongst your fellow members.

We will always have some tidbits of news from Germany or German-American events, but this journal is all about you. It’s about exclusive content that you won’t be able to find in an online news outlet. We know that many of you have your own newsletter, but since that doesn’t go to other chapters, the DANK Journal is your vehicle to reach others. Please continue to submit your articles and photos to Russ Knoebel in the National Office, and we’ll do our best to include as much as we reasonably can. My hope is that we are able to learn from and enjoy each other’s activities across the country.

Lastly, let’s all focus on opening up DANK to non-German individuals and organizations so that we can show how proud we are of our German culture. You might be able to connect with various language clubs or cultural organizations in your city to partner on celebrating events like Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick’s Day (OK, I admit it, that’s a little shout out to the city of Chicago!). It would be a great way to show what DANK is all about.

I hope that as you’re reading this letter, you’re either getting ready for a nice Easter meal with family, or perhaps simply enjoying the Spring weather. You deserve it.

Please call on DANK National if we can help and I am excited to see what our future holds.

DANK seeks to bring together Americans of German descent in the pursuit of cultivating and presenting their heritage and interests on local, regional and national levels. These were the primary reasons that the German American National Congress was founded in 1959 and they are still among the organization’s primary objectives today.

DANK National Executive Board

President: Michael Ianni Vice President : Erik Wittmann Ronald Kabitzke Treasurer: Bob Miske Secretary: Beverly Pochatko Membership: Erik Wittmann DANK National Executive Office 4740 N. Western Avenue Chicago IL. 60625-2013 Phone: (773) 275-1100 Toll Free: 1-888-USA-DANK Office Hours: 9 am - 4 pm Monday, Wednesday-Friday

Office Secretary Russ Knoebel

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

DANK Education Fund at Work!

By Erik Wittman DANK Education Fund Chair

If you have been one of the members who have donated to the DANK Education and School Fund, (a 501c3 Fund, which is completely separate from the DANK National organization), we thank you, and you may have wondered how that money is used. In the last six months the DANK Education and School Fund funded two projects based upon the requests submitted.

The first Project was to fund the buying of equipment such as computers for the DANK School (German Language School) located at the DANK HOUSE in Chicago for $2000. The second was funding the German Language Meet up group website in Pittsburgh so that the approximately 800 members of that Meet Up could continue to have a means of communication and means to schedule their meetings. That amount was for 180 dollars.

While these two requests were honored recently, throughout the years we have supported German Language Programs provided by our various Chapters, donated financial support to outside groups requesting assistance with German language or German Language Meet Up groups and Cultural programs, as well as supported Education/Cultural efforts at the local level when requests were in keeping with the Mission of the Fund.

Obviously the Education Fund is limited by the donations provided to it

by DANK members and others, and has to consider all requests for funding in order to keep the Fund in good standing. One of the recent efforts to grow the fund was made by Fund Treasurer Robert Brouse, who added the DANK EDUCATION AND SCHOOL FUND as one of the beneficiaries from persons using Amazon Prime. If you use Amazon Prime request that proceeds from that vendor be assigned to the DANK EDUCATION AND SCHOOL FUND. Go to www.Smile.Amazon.com for more details. This is something very easy to do and it costs you no more than if you do not designate any charity.

So if you wish to help grow the Education Fund either through using Amazon Prime or while getting a tax write off you can always contribute to this Fund in any amount you are able. If you wish to provide a donation in your name or someone else we would be happy to accept any amount and send an acknowledgement to the persons in whose name the donation was made. Let’s keep our German culture and heritage alive by assisting the DANK Education Fund. Donations can be forwarded to the DANK Office –made out to the DANK Education and School Fund and they will be forwarded accordingly. Thank you!

Upcoming deadlines for the DANK GermanAmerican Journal To keep this magazine on schedule for on-time delivery please use the following schedule for upcoming issues:

June/July: May 10 August/September: July10 Chapter news and pictures should be sent to the editor, Russ Knoebel at Office@DANK.org. If you need assistance of any kind please call me and I will be more than happy to assist you, please call (773)275-1100

PAGE/SEITE 5

DANK Chapter Listing ARIZONA Phoenix ILLINOIS Chicago Chicago South Chicago West Fox Valley Lake County Northern Suburbs Peoria Springfield INDIANA Indianapolis LaFayette South Bend MICHIGAN Benton Harbor Great Lakes Bay Region (Bay City) OHIO Cleveland PENNSYLVANIA Erie Philadelphia Pittsburgh WASHINGTON DC Washington DC WISCONSIN Milwaukee www.dank.org

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 6

April/May 2017

New Members National

Kevin Schmidt

Chicago South Ed Glavin Deborah Kreuger Douglas Kreuger Norene Kurth Kristin Thirion Sven Thirion

Springfield

Susan Braasch Ed Clark Kara Clark Brenda Dacar Thomas Dacar John Doellman Alli Donaldson

Colleen Donaldson Zetta Rose Engel Susan Masten Jerome Michaud Louise Michaud Pam Springer Anne Sustik Rita Rohrer Wilson Ronald Wilson Annette Young Christopher Young

Benton Harbor Michelle Troyer

Milwaukee

Kristina Beck Annelies Beck-Kelley Steven Kelley

Turkey has stepped up spying in Germany, says Berlin While tensions between Berlin and Ankara have escalated ahead of next month's referendum on Turkey's presidency, the German government said on Wednesday that there has been a significant increase in Turkish spying in Germany.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, said divisions in Turkey leading up to the controversial April 16 referendum on boosting the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were mirrored in Germany.

"The BfV is observing a significant increase in intelligence efforts by Turkey in Germany," it said in a statement. No further details were provided.

Already strained relations between Germany and Turkey reached a new low this month in a row over canceled Turkish political rallies to drum up support for the impending referendum.

Some 1.4 million Turks living in Germany are eligible to cast their ballot in the vote.

Hoping to calm the storm on Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel met with his Turkish counterpart Melvut Cavusoglu in Berlin. While both diplomats agreed on the importance of good relations, Cavusoglu said that Germany must now "decide whether Turkey is a friend or not."

In light of recent comments from both Cavusoglu and Erdogan, Gabriel also made it clear that in maintaining good relations "there are lines that should not be crossed." "...And one of those is the comparison with Nazi Germany," Gabriel said.

Cavusoglu, meanwhile, said he would host Gabriel for a new round of talks in Turkey "as soon as possible."

In a bid to secure support ahead of next month's referen-

James Peychal

Chicago Northern Suburbs Ian Gronau Jonathan Henkels Luke Henkels

South Bend

A. James Johnson Irene Johnson James Johnson

Phoenix

Gerald Kleinfeld

Bay City

Maurice Hosford Ronald Sohn

dum, Erdogan himself is also due to hold a rally in Germany.

Critics have warned, however that the proposed presidential system which seeks to expand Erdogan's powers as president would cement a one-man rule in the country.

Fuelled by concerns over tensions between right-wing Turks in Germany and supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Bfv President Hans-Georg Maassen launched an investigation in January into possible spying by clerics sent to Germany by Ankara.

"There is the danger that these proxy fights between Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) supporters and nationalist, rightwing extremist Turks will escalate because there is a high, hard-hitting potential for danger in both groups," Maassen said.

Although not specifically addressing the issue of Turkish spying, Maassen told reporters in January that Germany would not tolerate Turkish intelligence operations within its borders.

Echoing Maassen on Wednesday, Gabriel said following his meeting with Cavusoglu that Turkey's internal fights should not be imported into Germany.Berlin has had its own fight to deal with in recent weeks, however, following the arrest of German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel.

Yucel, a journalist for the German newspaper "Die Welt," was arrested last month over allegations of terrorism propaganda, making him the first German reporter to be detained in Turkey as part of Erdogan's wide-ranging crackdown on press freedom.

The 43-year-old, who has penned several articles critical of the Turkish government's treatment of ethnic Kurds, has been in jail pending trial ever since, with Erdogan labeling him a "German agent."

ksb/jm (Reuters, AFP, dpa)

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

PAGE/SEITE 7

picture-alliance­/DUMONT Bildarchiv - Easter eggs

Easter in Lusatia Easter is celebrated with traditional customs, especially in Lusatia.

What would Easter in Germany be without brightly coloured eggs? The elaborately decorated eggs from Germany’s Lusatia (Lausitz) region are highly sought-after and collectable items of folk art, because they are not just coloured. Lusatia on the German-Polish border is home to the Sorb people. This ethnic group is known for its Easter customs, e.g. the artistic painting of Easter eggs and Easter horse riding. In Bautzen in the heart of Lusatia you can already watch artists engrossed in their sophisticated decoration work weeks before Eastertide.

They use a total of four different techniques. In one, beeswax is delicately applied to the shell with goose-feathers and then dyed. Tradition has it that these patterns on the eggs can have a magical effect on the recipient.

Horse riding is another big tradition in the Lusatia region, which extends from Görlitz and Zittau in the south to the Spree Forest in the north. The festively dressed Easter riders on their lovingly decorated horses start their processions on Easter Sunday, sometimes with more than 400 horses. It is a old religious ritual proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ.

The oldest and biggest is the ride from Wittichenau to Ralbitz in Upper Lusatia. Many visitors are also attracted to the Easter Horse Ride from Ostritz to the impressive Marienthal convent.

If you would like to go for a wonderful (Easter) stroll in this part of eastern Germany, you might like to visit the Prince Pückler Park in Bad Muskau. This exceptional example of landscape gardening, designed by Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, stretches out on both sides of the River Neisse and is the largest English-style country park in central Europe.

The German and the Polish sections of the park are connected by several bridges over the Neisse. The park is one of the few transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Ostern in der Lausitz Ostern wird besonders in der Lausitz mit traditionellen Bräuchen gefeiert.

Was wäre Ostern ohne die kunterbunten Eier? Die kunstvoll verzierten Eier aus der Lausitz werden als begehrte Volkskunst sogar gesammelt, denn sie sind nicht einfach nur angemalt. In der Lausitz, einer deutsch-polnischen Grenzregion, leben die Sorben. Die Volksgruppe ist bekannt für ihre Osterbräuche, für das kunstvolle Bemalen der Ostereier etwa und für das Osterreiten. In Bautzen im Herzen der Lausitz kann man schon Wochen vor dem Fest Künstler beim aufwändigen Verzieren zusehen – in vier verschiedenen Techniken. Filigran wird etwa mit Gänsefedern Bienenwachs auf die Schale aufgetragen und danach gefärbt. Diese Muster auf den Eiern sollen laut Volksglauben übrigens magische Effekte auf den Beschenkten haben.

Auch das Osterreiten gehört zu den Traditionen in der Region Lausitz mit Görlitz und Zittau im Süden und dem Spreewald im Norden. Festlich gekleidet, die Pferde liebevoll geschmückt, starten die Osterreiter am Ostersonntag ihre Prozessionen mit zum Teil mehr als 400 Pferden. Dabei handelt es sich um ein altes religiöses Ritual, das die Auferstehung von Christus verkündigen soll. Die älteste und größte ist die Route von Wittichenau nach Ralbitz in der Oberlausitz.

Viele Besucher zieht auch das Osterreiten zwischen Ostritz und dem beeindruckenden Kloster Marienthal an.

Und wer in dieser Region im Osten Deutschlands einen wunderbaren (Oster-)Spaziergang machen möchte, der sollte im Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau vorbeischauen. Beiderseits der Neiße liegt das Gartenkunstwerk von Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau, der größte Landschaftspark Zentraleuropas im englischen Stil. Der deutsche und der polische Teil sind durch mehrere Neißebrücken miteinander verbunden.

Der Park ist eine der wenigen staatenübergreifenden UNESCO-Welterbestätten.

© deutschland.de

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 8

April/May 2017

Pentecost Traditions in Today's Germany by

Francine McKenna-Klein, Staff Columnist

Pfingsten, with the Dove and Fire, two symbols for the Holy Ghost, via pvsenglischefraeulein.at Pfingsten with its religious, preChristian and secular, traditions and festivals mark the last day of Easter celebrations throughout Germany. Ostern didn't end with Easter Monday but with Pentecost from the Greek "Pentekoste"; fiftieth day. Pfingsten.

Another "moveable feast", and major Christian festival in Germany. Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead it can be held in May, or at the latest on June 13th; commemorating the day the Holy Spirit gave the "gift of tongues" to the apostles.

The birth of the Christian church, and something Jesus had foretold.

As a religious and public holiday, thousands of Germany's Christians walk in procession to church to attend the special services; often wearing Tracht, the traditional dress of their region. In other areas horses, their riders carrying banners and crosses, are led by priests.

There are local secular and pre-Christian customs and traditions, many connected to farming and planting; country fairs are held all over the country while it is also the "revision break" for many students before their summer exams.

Not all have to study though, and the night between Pentecost Sunday and Pentecost Monday is Unruhnacht, "unrest night", or Bosheitsnacht, "Wickedness Night", when, as with Walpurgisnacht, any young people who do not

have to "hit the books" are often out and about making mischief; doing what in pagan times was believed evil spirits would have done.

That is to come out into the open, and take away and hide any moveable objects not safely put away. "Was nicht durch ein Dach geschĂźtzt ist"; what is not protected by a roof.

At the same time, there are regions where more romantically minded young men fix branches from a birch tree to walls of homes belonging to the young woman they hope, perhaps secretly, to marry. Sometimes even planting an entire young birch tree. This is a fertility rite that can be traced back thousands of years; "Pfingstbaumpflanzen" or "Birkenstecken".

Greenery symbolizes the fertility of nature, so many customs are centered around trees; including Pfingstbaumpflanzen, Pentecost tree planting. Covering a birch tree with ribbons like an old fashioned maypole.

In a way it also used to be a form of "Harvest Festival", because at this time of year the first fruits and vegetables have ripened.

It is today a maypole, Pfingstbaum, is erected in some regions, not May 1; especially on the eastern side of Germany, and one of the day's highlights is the classic "Dance around the Maypole" with ribbons ending entwined around the pole.

While the Pentecost wreath, Oelder Pfingstenkranz, is a three meter high pyramid made from evergreen branches used as the central point for dancing, and singing traditional songs.

This dates from the days of the Germanic pagan god Woton, who among other things was worshipped as the protector of harvest and farm animals.

When Pentecost is in May, livestock, which has spent winter and spring in barns and fields close to villages, is taken out to pasture for the first time; often to fields high in the mountains.

Leading the herd will be the strongest animal, der Pfingstochse, the Pentecost Ox. Usually decorated with flowers, greenery, ribbons and bells, this is a tradition that continues in many rural areas; especially in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

There is a saying: Geputzt wie ein Pfingstochse, "dressed up like a Pentecost ox", describing someone who is wearing either highly fashionable or formal clothes. Perhaps for a special occasion, but at the same time ending up more than a little over-dressed.

A June Pfingsten, with the herds already in their summer pastures, does not mean no Pfingstochse. As a tradition that goes back generations an ox will be chosen, decorated and paraded.

Pfingstfoto by Trachtenverein Hirmonstaler, via Bayern.blogger.de While, in some regions, whoever in a family or household sleeps the longest on Pfingstsonntag is awarded the title "Pfingstochsen".

There are "Pfingstfeuer", Pentecost fires, originating from a pagan custom for chasing away the last of the winter and welcoming the spring, but now a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christian circles; as well as a popular secular tradition.

Some children put wild coltsfoot leaves, Huflattichblätter, out in the night before Pentecost, and in the morning find they have been replaced by a Pfingstenbrezel. Pentecost Pretzel. The leaves

April/May 2017

PAGE/SEITE 9

German - American Journal

Pfingstochsen ready to be led through the village, via GrevenerZeitung.de are kept as they are used for quite a few "herbal cures" in Germany.

While in the Bible the dove plays a part in Pentecost, as a symbol for the Holy Ghost, and one used to be released into churches on the Sunday.

There it flew around until being allowed to fly free on Pentecost Monday.

At the same time roast dove was a traditional Pfingsten meal. These days in most places it has been replaced by Brotvögeln, bread birds, either with a meal or given as a present.

Pfingstmontag is an official holiday, and the country's "quiet laws" are in place; meaning no loud noise, mowing of lawns etc. is allowed, but the day is still filled with tradition. Including more religious processions with or without horses, Kermes (funfairs), Pfingsten Markets, Bratwurstfeste and if the "Pfingstl" didn't visit on Sunday, then he will appear today.

The Pfingstl in Bavaria, or "Maimann" as it is known in some other regions, is a symbol of the last winter, and under those layers of birch and evergreen is a man hoping that is doesn't rain; making his outfit heavier than it already is.

Adidas Profits Hit the Billion Mark

The firm said Wednesday that annual net profit increased by 60.5 percent, to 1.02 billion euros ($1.07 billion). The announcement was a surprise to analysts, beating their predictions and the company's own forecast.

Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted hailed 2016 as an "exceptional year" for the company, with double-digit growth in almost all regions of the world. It was a big year for sports that featured the Olympic Games in Rio and the European Football Championships in France.

Much of 2016's success for Adidas was down to strong growth of 16.6 percent at its central three-striped brand, accounting for the biggest share of its revenues. Subsidiary Reebok grew much more modestly at 1.1 percent. Overall revenues increased 14 percent to top 19 billion euros.

The company also unveiled an optimistic forecast for this year. They predicted revenue growth of between 11 and 13 percent, adjusting for currency effects, and aim to increase profits by 18-20 percent to around 1.2 billion euros.

Citing its strong results, Adidas said it would offer shareholders a dividend of 2 euros per share for 2016, up from 1.60 euros the previous year.

After the news was announced, shares in the company leapt on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In early morning trading, the stock gained 8.2 percent, which added $2 billion to its market value. By mid-day it was still up over 7 percent, trading at around 171 euros per share.

tr/hg (AFP, dpa)

Exchange Rates 1 USD = 0.936965 EURO 1 EURO = 1.06731 USD 3 – 10 –17

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 10

April/May 2017

The Germania Club of Chicago – a History and some Curiosities Reinhard Andress, PhD Professor of German Director of German Studies Loyola University Chicago

In 1965, the Germania Club of Chicago celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding to considerable fanfare, including a 65-page Centennial Book that highlighted an image of a ceramic tile tableau entitled “Glory of Germania” (cf. illustration). Inside the booklet we find out more: roughly 18½ feet high, 14 feet wide, and made of some 1,057 tiles, it was a product of the Berliner Porzellan-Manufaktur and graced a wall of the Grand Ballroom of the Germania Clubhouse in Chicago.

Inspired by a painting by the 19th century artist Anton von Werner, it had been sent to the Chicago World’s Colombia Exhibition in 1893 as part of Germany’s display in the Palace of Industry. After the exhibition, the Germania Club purchased it.

It is the goddess Germania who reigns supreme in the center of the scene, an anthropomorphic manifestation of the German people. She is seen against the background of the towering twin spires of the Kölner Dom, the Cologne Cathedral, as one of the jewels of German Gothic architecture and

no doubt symbolizing Germany’s spirituality. Representations of historical figures in the arts and sciences form a group to the right of Germania. Some of whom we are still familiar with today such as the theologian Martin Luther, the artists Lucas Cranach and Albrecht Dürer or the printer Johannes Gutenberg.

On the right you see a billowing imperial flag, in turn on the left medieval-looking troops with flag references to Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Württemberg and Baden – the German lands Bismarck united in 1871. Returning to the mythological, at the bottom we observe an allegorical figure of Father Rhine, thoroughly enjoying himself with a barrel of wine and a maiden. Two dwarfs allude to the Rheingold, the treasure of the Nibelungen, a founding myth of the Germanic people. Finally, across from the lofty spires of the Cologne Cathedral, we see angelic figures with palms and trumpets. They likely symbolize peace and, in a sense, proclaim the mix of myth, legend and history below as quintessentially German, or you could say, more specifically, “Wilhelminisch”, that is Wilhelminian, the era in which the artwork was created and referring to the two Hohenzollern emperors Wilhelm I and his grandson Wilhelm II, the latter in power at the time when the ceramic painting arrived in Chicago. The Germania image and what surrounded her no doubt represented their concept of what was German.

From the perspective of the Germania Club, a more general cultural-historical essence of what was German ended up transcending the Wilhelminian of the artwork, a period in history which ultimately turned out to be rather bellicose anyway.

The aforementioned Centennial Book concludes its description of the ceramic artwork with the following words: “The picture glorifies what we desire to keep for America: The traditions of world wisdom, sagas, the arts and sciences. May we always be inspired by the spirit radiating from this masterpiece!”

Oddly, it was Lincoln’s tragic assassination on April 15, 1865 that led to the founding of what was to become the Germania Club. When the former president’s casket lay in state at the Chicago Court House on May 2, some 300 German, male voices sang a requiem and funeral dirges. One can probably assume that the vast majority of these men had been strong supporters of Lincoln’s anti-slavery policies since most German-Americans of the time had been moved by the liberating spirit of the 1848 revolutionary movement in German lands.

Soon after, on June 25, the choir was organized as the Germania Männerchor and was even officially chartered by the State of Illinois on March 31, 1869. The men were Germans, of course, but there was nothing overly patriotic here. In fact, the motto of the Chor was, “Wo man singt, da lass dich ruhig nieder. Böse Menschen haben keine Lieder” (Where people sing, let yourself belong. Bad people have no songs). They simply wanted to be good citizens of the expanding country and take part fully in its social, political and economic institutions, a point that pervades much of the history of the Germania Club, all of this in a city that in the late 1800’s had the third largest

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

German population in the world after Berlin and New York, and could count some 450 German clubs.

The Chor even had space in the Deutsches Haus, a facility used by numerous German organizations at the time but destroyed by the Chicago Fire in 1871. The Chor needed to find another space, and so a bond issue was floated in 1887-88 for $100,000 in order to construct a new building, designed by a fellow German, William Augustus Fiedler, and officially opened on April 6, 1889 to much fanfare on the corner of North Clark and Germania Place. Sam Steele wrote the following in 1899 when the Club had a male membership of about 550: Its membership includes, and for years has included, what may be justly termed the elite of the German-American element.

The Mannerchor, though kept well up to the mark, is perhaps more of an adjunct to the social life of the organization than anything else, while the club has grown notable for well managed social entertainments, and a lavish hospitality dispensed at its spacious and handsome modern club house on North Clark Street near Lincoln Park.

The quote already refers to the Club by its new name, the Germania Club, a change from the Germania Männerchor that didn’t occur officially until December 16, 1914. However, the name didn’t stay that way for long at all since anti-German sentiments surrounding World War I motivated a further name change to the Chicago Lincoln Club on May 20, 1918, thus harking back very clearly to the organisation’s beginnings and an allegiance to the United States. It ended up being a period of membership prosperity for the Club since in 1921 it reached its 1000 member limit. As Raymond Lohne has written, the Chicago Lincoln Club “was swinging with the rest of America during the Roaring Twenties.” On May 14, 1925, with the image of Germany in much better shape, the name was changed back to the Germania Club, and that’s the way it remained, even surviving the terrible Hitler years when things German were once again in great disrepute.

The social activities also mentioned in the quote were pretty much what you would expect them to be of a Germania Club. A roll-call of the Germania Club’s committees in the year 1934 provides an idea of the activities and how highly organized they were in true German fashion: there was a Plan Committee; a House Committee; Entertainment Committee; a Literary, Library and Publication Committee; a Membership Committee; a Grievance Committee; a Speakers Committee; a Finance Committee; a By-Laws Committee; an Athletic Committee; a Publicity Committee; a Card Committee; a Germania Male Chorus Committee; a Billiards Committee; a Young Germania; a Germania Arts and Crafts Group; a Parades and Public Receptions Committee; a Bowling Committee; a Club Interrelations Committee, and the Germania News. The Germania Club Restaurant no doubt also played a key role in the social activities of the organization.

In the course of the years, the Germania Club also had many prominent members: Harry Rubens and Fred Busse were heavily involved in Chicago politics, both ran for mayor,

PAGE/SEITE 11

Busse successfully in the early 20th century; Rubens was also President of the Germania Club for a while; Charles Henry Wacker who implemented Burnham’s Urban Plan of 1909 for the city of Chicago and has the two-tiered Wacker Drive named after him; Oscar Mayer, the wurst magnate of the first half the 20th century; Everett McKinley Dirksen, an Illinois representative and senator for many years starting in the 1930’s. Over the years, prominent guests included: Albert Einstein, the bacteriologist Robert Koch, the composer Richard Strauss, Konrad Adenauer, the music conductor Herbert von Karajan, the boxer Max Schmeling, and Prince Henry (Heinrich) of Prussia (the brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II).

The official occasion of Prince Henry’s visit was a new imperial yacht his Kaiser brother had had built in New York, and which the Prince was to pick up in 1902. The Germania Club sensed an opportunity, mobilized Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison, and an invitation was extended to the Prince, which he accepted. Louis F. Bockmann, a very active member of the Germania Club for many years, reported on the event as follows: In 1902 our Grand Ballroom and the entire clubhouse were elaborately decorated for this occasion. Fifty members of the Club were invited to dine with the Prince, together with many Chicago notables and the Prince’s personal suite. There were 150 guests at the luncheon and the entire membership of the Club was invited to the reception. The cost was $100 per plate. Expenditures including decoratings, invitations and entertainment were said to have totaled $20,000.

That significant amount for the time was to haunt the Germania Club as we shall see later.

In any case, it was a contradictory and curious event in the sense that many of the original founding members of the Germania Club had been 1848 liberals and adherents of Lincoln’s republican policies; the Prince, of course, represented the old order. Nonetheless, it all somehow came together, at least on the surface. The opportunity to hobnob with the Prince may very well have smoothed things over for the Germanians, aside from interacting with many other Chicago elite attending the events such as Marshall Field (of the department store), John G. Shedd (of the later aquarium), Robert Todd Lincoln (a son of the assassinated president) and many others.

As we have seen with the Prince Henry visit, the Germanians’ “liberal” foundations could be pragmatic, but they suffered from other limitations, at least from a contemporary perspective. Let me quote from the 1941 By-Laws of the Germania Club regarding its membership: “Only white persons over the age of twenty-one (21) shall be eligible for membership in this club.” This no doubt rubs us the wrong way today.

To their credit, the Germania Club dropped the stipulation of “white” in 1942, but I was not able to ascertain if they ever had black members.

This story will continue in the June/July edition of the DANK Journal.

PAGE/SEITE 12

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Frank-Walter Steinmeier litican in opinion polls. Both aspects will be useful in his new post, which he will occupy for five years, with the option of Former German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier serving at most two terms.

Democracy is central to Steinmeier's worldview. "What is is Germany's new president. the glue that keeps a society together, transcending all the diUnlike the newly elected US president, Frank-Walter Steinvisions?

This is the essential question for democracy," he says. meier will not be tweeting his every thought after taking office "I would like to instil courage, because I am firmly convinced in the largely-symbolic role of German president. A seasoned that democracy will not tolerate resignation," Steinmeier says.

Social Democrat politician, Steinmeier has never had a Twitter After a total of seven years as foreign minister over two account and is not the kind of politician to formulate policy in periods in office, Steinmeier has moved on with some regret 140-word formulas. a sentiment shared by many in the ministry who saw him "I would like as Federal President to be something of a as an ideal chief diplomat.

As president, he will not be silent counterweight to the current tendency towards boundless on foreign affairs, but he will also take care not to be seen as simplification," the 61-year-old said ahead of election on Sunsomeone who cannot let go.

"The good news is in any case: if day to the largely ceremonial post. The election by the speI am elected by the Federal Convention, I will remain linked cially constituted Federal Convention, comprising members to the Foreign Ministry," he said in his valedictory speech of the lower house, the Bundestag, and representatives from the ministry is tasked with the protocol arrangements for the the 16 states, was a formality. Steinmeier has been endorsed by president when abroad. the major parties and Chancellor Angela Merkel, leader of the Starting out as a legal adviser in the state of Lower Saxony conservative Christian Democratic Union who described him in 1991, Steinmeier held a series of senior positions, including as a "man of the political centre." vice chancellor and chief of staff to Social Democrat chancelSteinmeier, who referred to US President Donald Trump lor Gerhard Schroeder in 1999. As a reform-minded moderate during the US campaign as a "hate preacher," is to replace on the right of the party, he helped push through Schroeder's Joachim Gauck, who has resigned after a single term. During controversial drive to reform the Welfare State. a tour through Germany promoting his candidacy, the former The 2005 elections brought Merkel's Christian Democrats foreign minister emphasised mutual respect, strengthening to power at the head of a grand coalition with the Social Demdemocracy, taking a broader view, tolerance and solidarity as ocrats, and Steinmeier was appointed foreign minister. Four the ideas that will inform his presidency. The contrast with years later he ran unsuccessfully against Merkel, returning Trump and European populists, from Marine le Pen in France, to the opposition benches as head of the Social Democrats' to Viktor Orban in Hungary and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, was clearly intentional. "The noise they make has noth- parliamentary group. In 2013 Steinmeier was back in office as ing at all to do with the strength that they are looking for," he foreign minister in Merkel's third coalition.

The son of a carpenter, Steinmeier studied law and politics has said. at Giessen University. He is married to Elke Buedenbender, a Steinmeier may be changing office, but there will be no judge, and they have one adult daughter. In 2010, he absented need for him to change his style, which has always tended to himself from politics for a few weeks to donate a kidney to his the unifying, the key quality required of the German presidenwife. cy. Few politicians have earned as much respect across party

"Man of the political centre"

lines. He is also regularly voted Germany's most popular po-

Š deutschland.de

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Der geborene Diplomat Jahrzehntelange Erfahrung wird Frank-Walter Steinmeier in seiner neuen Rolle als Bundespräsident helfen.

Eines wird Frank-Walter Steinmeier ganz sicher nicht tun: Er wird nicht als eine seiner ersten Amtshandlungen einen Tweet zu seinen Plänen als Staatsoberhaupt absetzen. Der 61-Jährige ist bei Twitter gar nicht angemeldet und war es auch noch nie. Er ist auch nicht der Typ, der seine Botschaften in 140 Zeichen formuliert – im Gegensatz zu US-Präsident Donald Trump.

«Ich möchte als Bundespräsident so etwas sein wie ein Gegengewicht zur Tendenz der grenzenlosen Vereinfachung», sagt Steinmeier. Nicht nur das. Respekt füreinander, Stärkung der Demokratie, Blick über den Tellerrand, Toleranz und Zusammenhalt – alles was Steinmeier auf seiner Bewerbungstour durch ganz Deutschland in den letzten Wochen betonte, klingt wie ein Gegenprogramm zu Trump und zu den europäischen Populisten. «Deren Geschrei hat mit Stärke, nach der sie suchen, überhaupt nichts zu tun», sagt er.

Zumindest was den Stil angeht, muss sich Steinmeier mit diesem Ansatz gar nicht großartig umstellen. Er war auch als Außenminister präsidial. Kaum ein Politiker hat sich so viel Respekt über die Parteigrenzen hinweg erarbeitet. Und er hat damit in der Bevölkerung eine Beliebtheit erlangt, wie kein anderer. Beides kann er in seinem neuen Amt gut nutzen.

Man kann davon ausgehen, dass er sich sehr intensiv um das Thema Demokratie kümmern wird. «Was ist der Kitt, der eine Gesellschaft jenseits aller Trennlinien zusammenhält? Das ist die Überlebensfrage der Demokratie», sagt er. Auf diese Frage müsse eine Antwort gefunden werden. Steinmeier will daran mitarbeiten, dass die Menschen das Vertrauen in die Demokratie zurückgewinnen oder es festigen. «Ich will ein Mutmacher sein, denn ich bin fest davon überzeugt: Demokratie verträgt keine Resignation», sagt er.

Und was ist mit der Aussenpoliti? Steinmeier hat sich nur schweren Herzens vom Auswärtigen Amt getrennt. Insgesamt sieben Jahre stand er an der Spitze des Ministeriums – und galt den Mitarbeitern als idealtypischer Chefdiplomat. Man kann davon ausgehen, dass er auch auf diesem Feld weiter seine Akzente setzen wird. Aber vielleicht nicht gleich als erstes.

Steinmeier wird nicht in den Verdacht geraten wollen, nicht loslassen zu können. Bei seinem Abschied aus dem Auswärtigen Amt versprach er dennoch: «Die gute Nachricht jedenfalls ist: Sollte ich von der Bundesversammlung gewählt werden, bleibe ich auch im neuen Amt dem Auswärtigen Amt verbunden – auch, aber gewiss nicht nur der Protokoll-Abteilung.»

Die Protokoll-Abteilung ist unter anderem für die Organisation von Auslandsreisen zuständig. Man kann gespannt sein, welches Ziel sich Steinmeier als erstes aussucht. Völlig offen ist, wann ein Treffen mit US-Präsident Donald Trump zustande kommen könnte. Wann auch immer dieses Treffen stattfinden sollte, es wird sicher eines der interessantesten in Steinmeiers Amtszeit werden.

© deutschland.de

PAGE/SEITE 13

Germany to invest 100 billion into national gigabit internet network Germany's federal government plans to help invest 100 billion euros (US$106 billion) over eight years to roll-out gigabit internet across Germany, it announced on Tuesday.

The project will focus not only on a wide bandwidth, but also on security, response times, Federal Minister of Transport Alexander Dobrindt, who is also responsible for the digital infrastructure, told a Berlin audience.

The rollout would be funded by a government and private consortium known as Netzallianz Digitales Deutschland, which includes most major telecommunication firms in Germany. Since its founding in 2014 75.5 percent of all households gained access to internet speeds of at least 50 Megabits per second.

"In the future, we need more bandwidth, reliable real-time transmission, and intelligent networks that process data independently, prioritize it and transport it to the user as quickly as possible," Dobrindt said.

"To this end, we are now building next-generation broadband networks, bringing together the most advanced technologies, such as fiber and the future 5G mobile communications standard . Our common goal is to invest 100 billion euros to create a nationwide gigabit network in Germany by 2025."

According to German IT news outlet "Golem," the 100 billion euros would be made of 80 billion from industry and 20 billion from government. It reported the areas of the network serviced by 5G instead of fiber might only receive speeds of 500 or 600 Megabits per second.

Left-wing politician Herbert Behrens told German news agency dpa he considered the measures to be inadequate, saying the gigabit goal had been part of the popular consensus for so long that the measures were useless.

aw/bw (dpa)

DANK Benton Harbor, MI Fish Fry Schedule

April 7 May 5 June 2 The House Of Gemütlichkeit DANK Haus - Benton Harbor

2651 Pipestone Rd. Benton Harbor, MI (269)926-6652 · www.dank13.org

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 14

Chancellor Merkel's approval rating rises in polls as parties stay close Deutsche Welle In the latest opinion poll published Friday, Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) led by Martin Schulz closed in on Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

In the poll for broadcaster ZDF, the SPD gained two percentage points to reach a result of 32 percent of respondents saying they would vote for candidate Schulz. It was the party's best showing in five years.

Merkel's CDU remained steady at 34 percent in the poll of 1,212 people carried out from March 7 to March 9.

A poll for public broadcaster ARD found Chancellor Angela Merkel's approval rating hit its highest point since her 2015 decision to open the country's borders to refugees.

According to the monthly "Deutschlandtrend" survey published on Thursday the CDU leader gained five percentage points to reach a 60 percent approval rating.

SPD chancellor candidate Martin Schulz scored 52 percent, losing 3 percentage points.

The pollsters found the CDU would win 32 percent of the vote, down two percentage points, while the SPD would win 31 percent, up three points. The Left and Greens remained at 8 percent, the FDP remained at 6 percent and the populist AfD dropped a point to 11.

Schulz has enjoyed a groundswell of support since he announced his candidacy, breathing new life into the ailing SPD. In February the same "Forschungsgruppe Wahlen" for ZDF poll found 49 percent of Germans wanted Schulz, the former European Parliament president, to become chancellor compared with 38 percent who wanted Merkel to stay in office.

But six months ahead of the September federal elections the two candidates are neck-and-neck in the personal popularity stakes, with both achieving 44 percent support.

For years the SPD lagged behind the conservatives, but recently surged under the new leadership of Schulz. He campaigned on social justice and revising deeply unpopular labor market reforms that were introduced by former SPD chancellor Gerhard Schröder more than a decade ago.

The popular Schulz, previously president of the European Parliament, set out a new and significantly more left-wing agenda in February that would roll back some of the Schröder's reforms collectively called "Agenda 2010."

In February backing for the center-left Schulz briefly dropped, prompting some to question whether the "Schulz effect" was over.

aw/jm (dpa, Reuters)

April/May 2017

Chapter Chatter Cleveland DANK Chapter #30

By Mark R. Bohn DANK Chapter Cleveland President

The Cleveland DANK chapter has taken on a very large and important responsibility for the Cleveland German Community.

It was decide in January to transfer the oversight of the German Gardens from the Cleveland Stadtverband to Cleveland DANK #30. The German garden is one of 28 ethnic gardens in the Rockefeller Park. The park was donated by John D. Rockefeller to the city of Cleveland in 1896 and the German Garden was the second garden constructed in 1926.

The gardens are owned by the city of Cleveland and governed by the Cleveland Cultural Garden Foundation.

However, it is the responsibility of each ethnic community to repair and maintain their garden. The Stadtverband has held this responsibility up till now. This will be a huge challenge for our chapter and will require us to pull the German community together to help.

We will be scheduling spring clean-up for the garden for April and preparing for the annual One World Day that will be held at the Cultural Gardens on Sunday August 27th.

I will have more on this event in the next Journal.

Pittsburgh Chapter #58

By Chris Sabatini DANK Chapter Pittsburgh Vice-President Pittsburgh Chapter 58 would like to thank Erik Wittmann for his many years of service. Erik moved from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. His presence will be missed.

The following members have stepped up to serve the chapter: President—Eric Trainor Vice President—Chris Sabatini Treasurer—John Kugler Secretary—Natalie Kugler Board Members: Carol Steiner, Colletta Stickel, John and Diane Smith, Jim and Pat Schmitt and Larry Sabatini.

It was decided that we would hold three meetings a year and the location will be announced. We will also be planning activities for the current year. These activities will be listed on the National newsletter calendar and we will send a reminder e-mail to the chapter members. Going forward we will be using the e-mails members have supplied to National and if there is a correction or you would like to suggest an activity please feel free to contact Natalie Kugler by e-mail--Natalie @germaninpittsburgh.org

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

Chapter Chatter

PAGE/SEITE 15

DANK Chapter Milwaukee Welcomes Spring

By Jane Nacker DANK Chapter Milwaukee member

Great Lakes Bay Region #78

By Monte Oswald DANK Chapter Bay City President Great Lakes Bay Region DANK members were treated to a fun filled night of German beer, brats and ballads by Michigan's "Little Bavaria" German Club of Frankenmuth Michigan.

DANK's monthly meeting was held in the world famous Bavarian Inn Restaurant where the local "Gemütlichkeit Verein" offered first class hospitality! Fred Schumacher and Beth Bernthal coordinated this musical effort as natives of this Bayerische community and both club's members applauded the magical success.

Business was conducted under the light of the DANK candle and even the Pledge of Allegiance was honored as the DANK Journal cover page was used which displays the American and German Flags. (Great marketing use of our DANK publication) Many copies were distributed to interested host club members in DANK's history and membership opportunities.

The affair was concluded with the singing of our chapter's theme song "Edelweiss" just after 50/50 raffle winner Dale Griffiths claimed the $187 prize!

Macht's gut!!

After cancelling its Christmas party due to snow, DANK Chapter Milwaukee welcomed spring by planning events for March and April.

At the time of this writing, the DANK Milwaukee Board was finalizing plans for the Membership meeting held on March 19. The DANK Milwaukee Board will update members on Membership, Chor, Dance and other activities.

Two weeks after that, on April 1, 2017, DANK Milwaukee will hold its inaugural Frühlingsfest. Held at the Schwabenhof, Menomonee Falls, the evening will begin with a short concert performance by the DANK Chor, with special guests the Schwaben Männerchor. Classic music from the Johnny Hoffmann und die Herzbuben band will provide listening and dancing pleasure. The DANK Folk Dancers will perform during a band break. Door prizes, gift raffles, and a 50-50 raffle will add to the fun. Food, coffee and desserts will be available for purchase. This event is DANK Milwaukee’s fundraiser with proceeds going to support German education programs. The DANK Milwaukee Board has again selected local teachers to receive monetary support for their initiatives in teaching about German language and culture. For Frühlingsfest tickets, or if you would like to donate to DANK Milwaukee’s fundraising for German education programs, please contact DANK Milwaukee President, William Bessa, at 414-331-6957.

Meanwhile, the DANK Chor is actively practicing for the Kommers singing competition on May 20 in Kenosha.

DANK Milwaukee is looking forward to German Fest 2017 with all of the usual Gemütlichkeit, and extra this year is the Stihl Timbersports Series. They will host the U.S. Pro and Collegiate Championship at German Fest, with top lumberjack athletes competing in chopping and sawing competitions. German Fest will be held July 28, 29, and 30, 2017.

DANK Chapter Milwaukee is on Facebook! See photos, videos, and chapter news. “Like” us at www.facebook.com/ dankmilwaukee.

PAGE/SEITE 16

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Chapter Chatter

A Visit from the Prince and His Princess

By Dr. Silvia Schmid DANK School Chicago Northern Suburbs

Prince Couple reenact the Crowning

Prince Couple with Entourage and Faculty

On Saturday, February 4, 2017, The DANK German Language School Arlington Heights was delighted to welcome das Prinzenpaar 2017 (“the prince couple”) to celebrate the annual Fasching or German Karneval. Seine Totalität (“his totality”) Prinz Robert Ludwig I und Ihre Lieblichkeit (“her Ioveliness”) Prinzessin Hildegard II belong to the Rheinischer Verein Chicago that crowns every November a new prince and princess to begin the new Karneval season. Every prince couple creates an Orden (“medal) for the season with a motto. Prinz Robert Ludwig I und Prinzessin Hildegard II reign over the city with the motto mit Musik und Tanz geht alles besser! – (“with music and dancing, everything goes better!”)

German Karneval may be compared with Mardi Gras where people like to dress up. It is the perfect time to party and have a good time before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

German Karneval dates back to the 16th century that allowed the people to mock the monarchy and politicians

Prince Couple with Entourage with Schuhplattler Nathan

without fear of punishment. Therefore, people dress up for Karneval events similar to Halloween except that the costumes express the silliness of the season.

At the DANK German Language School Arlington Heights, the prince couple arrived with his entourage, the Adjutant and the Hofdame. Both are responsible that all needs of the prince couple are met. The dresses were spectacular, directly imported from Germany, and obviously, the attraction of the DANK students. They lead the parade through the school to the cafeteria where everyone gathered, the Parent Tot class, the 4- and the 5-year-old class, all students from 1 through 8, families and friends. The prince couple demonstrated what a crowning each November looks like with the crowning of four of our students as Prince, Princess, Adjutant, and Hofdame.

DANK German Language School Arlington Heights entertained the prince couple and its entourage with a special German performance. A student performed a Schuhplattler.

The dancer strikes his Schuhe (”shoes“) with his hands held flatt (”platt”). The origin is the courthisp dance, with each boy trying to outdo the other’s powerful leaps, dancing and intricate striking sequences to impress the girl.

Needless to say that this special event at the DANK German Language School Arlington Heights is packed with fun activities throughout the morning. And as the Germans always do to conclude the party, a refreshment table filled with sweet surprises.

Schuhplattler Nathan

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

Chapter Chatter

PAGE/SEITE 17

By Christine Walthier DANK South Chapter member

Prize Winners and Judges

February 18, 2017...Chicago/Frankfort, IL...60 degrees?... craziness…Mardi Gras!…That’s what it was like this year for our Fasching. We were absolutely delighted to have such a wonderful crowd. The hall was decorated to the hills in Mardi Gras style for the festivity. One of Chicago’s top notch bands “The Paloma” played a variety of new & old favorites for everyone to kick up their heals and dance. Brewing in the kitchen was a Schwäbische pork dinner dish called “Scheufele”. We can not have Fasching with out those sweet Krapfen which came in a variety of flavors.

Vice-President Chris Beutow welcomed all our guests. We were excited to have former president and Prinz Reinhard & his Prinzessin Ilse from the Chicago Rheinischer Verein Karneval Gesellschaft join us. Other guest we had were an entire table from The Reavis High School (Burbank, IL) German Club along with their teacher Frau Therion, Sheppard High School (Palos Heights, IL) German teacher Frau Fischer, Eddie Karosa (Band leader) and his friends, former DANK South president Bill Schmidt, former DANK National vice-president Gunther Kranz and Becks Becker (DANK Chicago West) wnner of the 50/50 raffle. We can not forget all of our members and friends that support our events without you these events could not happen. There was a Birthday boy in the haus John Joneitis-alles gute zum Geburtsjahr mit viel Gesundheit!

An appreciation is extended to Prinz Reinhard for being our MC of the evening getting everyone in the spirit to “schunkel” and sing German Karneval songs; no one could have done a better job—danke. Of course the high light of the event was the costumes. There was a polonaise lead by the Easter bunny so that everyone in attendance could check out the unique, imaginative, wonderful dressed-up guests.

Some winning costumes were Father Time (Lorin Schab), Easer Bunny (Anita Walthier), Puss n Boots (Doris Speer), Doctor & Patient (Elisabeth & John Hennihan), Witch & Sorcer (Angelica Thomas & Pete Simon) and Jedi Knight R2D2 (Renate Pocius and daughter Brianna). We are grateful to see the willingness of so many to wear costumes hope to see more next year.

If you missed our Fasching please join us for some south side Gemütlichkeit at our Maitanz on Saturday May 20, 2017. www.dankchicagosouth.org

PAGE/SEITE 18

German - American Journal

Chapter Chatter

April/May 2017

Helau and Alaff Fasching in South Bend

By Christine Weiss DANK South Bend

Waving their hats to the song „Mein Hut der hat drei Ecken."

John Tarwacki receiving third prize as Georg Washington

The actual Fasching starts on February 11th at 11:11 o’clock and finishes on the weekend before Ash Wednesday.

At that time the festivities take place all over the city. People dress up in funny costumes, parade in the street and have a marvelous time.

We celebrated our Fasching on February 25th at Weiss’ Gasthaus. Anne and her father Jim Fuchs entertained in front of a full house. Anne, an outstanding singer and entertainer brought the spirit of Fasching with her and gave her best that evening. Three people received prizes for best costumes. John Tarwacki, our treasurer, came as George Washington and received 2nd prize. It was nice to see so many DANK members at the Fasching celebration.

As a Mainzer I sign off with a big Helau!

Erika and Gunter as Mr. Colgate and Mrs. Crest

Members of DANK

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

„Ick bin ein Berliner“ Dieses süße runde Ding, eine in siedendem Fett ausgebackene, faustgroße Hefekugel mit einer Füllung aus Konfitüre, hat alle Jahre wieder etwas Außerordentliches anzukündigen. Sobald es in Deutschland in den Schaufenstern der Bäckereien und in den Supermarktregalen auftaucht, weiß jeder: Es ist wieder soweit. Wir befinden uns auf dem Höhepunkt des Karneval, in der für viele schönsten, der so genannten „fünften Jahreszeit“. Sie findet so ungefähr zwischen Winter und Frühling statt, weit entfernt von Sommer und Herbst und dauert bloß ein paar Tage. Aber dafür geht es so hoch her, wie im ganzen Rest des Jahres nicht. Man verkleidet sich, feiert, schunkelt, trinkt. Und immer und überall ist das runde Hefegebäck, außen schön gezuckert, als kulinarischer Escortservice dabei. Allerdings unter verschiedenen Namen. Denn wie das Event, das er begleitet und das je nach Region auch Karneval, Fasching oder Fassnacht heißt, herrscht auch bei der Hefekugel sprachliche Zwergstaaterei.

In Berlin heißt das Gebäck Pfannkuchen oder Berliner, in Ostdeutschland nur Pfannkuchen, in Hessen, Rheinhessen und Westthüringen Kreppel, im Süden Krapfen. Auch die Füllungen variieren. Im Norden nimmt man rote Konfitüre, im Süden eher Aprikose, im Osten wird Pflaumenmus bevorzugt, in Baden, Schwaben und Franken auch mal Hagebuttenmark. Es gibt Gourmet-Versionen mit Champagnercreme.

Und es gibt solche für Scherzkekse – dann kommt zur bösen Überraschung des Essers und zum allgemeinen Vergnügen der Eingeweihten Senf hinein. Ist ja Karneval, da MUSS Spaß sein. Zumal man danach nicht mehr viel zu lachen hat. Denn dann beginnt für Christen die Fastenzeit, die bist Ostern dauert. Deshalb war der Kreppel in seinen Anfängen auch als letzte Gelegenheit gedacht, es kalorisch noch einmal richtig krachen zu lassen.

Im Mittelalter sollen Mönche empfohlen haben, sich vor Beginn der Fastenzeit mit dem Gebäck zu stärken. Damals war es allerdings noch nicht rund und wurde im Ofen gebacken. Das änderte sich laut einer Legende, als 1756 ein Berliner Zuckerbäcker als Kanonier bei Friedrich dem Großen dienen wollte, sich aber als wehruntauglich erwies. Wenigstens durfte er Feldbäcker beim Regiment werden. Zum Dank soll er den Hefeteigstücken die Form von Kanonenkugeln gegeben und sie mangels Backofen erstmals im heißen Fettbad zubereitet haben. Seitdem werden Krapfen in siedendem Öl frittiert und haben vermutlich ähnlich viele Wohnungsbrände auf dem Gewissen wie der Weihnachtsbaum mit Echtkerzen. Ganz zu schweigen von den Verheerungen, die sie auf den Hüften anrichten können. Schließlich schwankt der Kaloriengehalt des Pfannkuchens je nach Füllung zwischen 200 bis mehr als 300 Kalorien für 70 Gramm und liegt damit über dem von Käsekuchen und Schwarzwälder Kirsch. So nähern sich die Deutschen ihrem Lieblingsgebäck auch figürlich immer näher an. Sollte es an Fasching zu eng werden im Kostüm vom letzten Jahr. Kein Problem. Ist ja Karneval und man kann immer noch behaupten: „Ick bin ein Berliner!“ – sehr rund, sehr süß und sehr beliebt.

PAGE/SEITE 19

I am a Berliner Every year again this sweet round thing, a fist-sized yeast ball baked in boiling fat and filled with jam, has something special to announce. As soon as it makes its appearance in the shop windows of bakeries and on supermarket shelves in Germany, you know: it’s time again. We are at the height of Mardi Gras, Carnival, the so-called “fifth season”, and for many people the most delightful one. It takes place more or less between winter and spring, far from summer and autumn, and lasts only a few days. But is all the more fun for that, more than the entire rest of the year. People dress up in costumes, party, dance to music, drink. And always and everywhere the round yeast pastry is there, like a culinary escort service. But under different names. Because like the event that it accompanies, and which depending on the locality is called Karneval, Fasching or Fassnacht, the designation of the pastry is also the product of linguistic regionalism.

In Berlin the pastry is called a “Berliner” or “Pfannkuchen”; in East Germany, just a “Pfannkuchen”; in Hesse, Rhine Hesse and western Thuringia, a “Kreppel”; in the south a “Krapfen”.

The filling also varies. In the north, people use red jam; in the south, apricot jam; in the east, plum jam; and in Baden, Swabia and Franconia, sometimes also rosehip puree. There are even gourmet versions that use champagne mousse. And there is also a sort preferred by practical jokers, which, to the unpleasant surprise of the eater and the general amusement of the initiated, is filled with mustard. It’s Mardi Gras and there MUST be fun. All the more because you won’t have much to laugh about afterwards. Then begins Lent, the Christian fasting period, which lasts until Easter. The Kreppel was therefore originally conceived as the last opportunity to really let yourself go calorically.

In the Middle Ages, monks were said to recommend strengthening yourself with the pastry at the start of Lent. Back then it was not yet round and was not prepared in the oven.

The change occurred, according to legend, in 1756, when a Berlin confectioner wanted to serve as a gunner for Frederick the Great, but proved to be unfit for military service. He was, however, at least allowed to serve as the regimental field baker.

To show his gratitude, he is said to have given the pieces of dough the form of a cannon ball and, lacking an oven, to have prepared them in a bath of boiling oil. Ever since, Krapfen have been deep-fried and probably have as many house fires on their conscience as do Christmas trees with real candles.

Not to mention the catastrophes they can cause for your hips.

After all, the calorie content of a Pfannkuchen varies, depending on the filling, between 200 to more than 300 calories for 70 grams, far above that of cheesecake or Black Forest gateau.

Thus the Germans approach ever more closely to the shape of their favourite pastry. And if last year’s Fasching costumes becomes too crowded – no problem! It’s Karnaval and you can always claim “Ick bin ein Berliner!” – very round, very sweet and very popular.

© deutschland.de

PAGE/SEITE 20

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

German and African-American groups to rescue, restore historic Harambee church

By Michael Zahn, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service German-Americans are joining with historic restoration advocates and civil rights groups in a "Rescue and Restore" campaign for King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, formerly Dreieinigkeitskirche.

The structure is a landmark on 4th St., one block north of North Ave., in the Harambee/Bronzeville neighborhood, adjacent to Halyard Park, Brewer's Hill and Riverwest.

German immigrants were the initial settlers of the neighborhood. German Evangelical Lutherans formed a congregation called "Dreieinigkeitskirche," meaning "Trinity Church," and erected a magnificent building in 1892.

Vivid stained-glass windows and murals honor the early German political and business leaders of Milwaukee.

The German Lutherans made civil-rights history in 1896 when their pastor, the Rev. George Hirtz — withstanding a tremendous national protest — presided over the marriage of David P. Redd, a black man, and Gertrud Farun, a white woman.

While some of Hirtz's congregation left in protest, most of the congregation stuck with their courageous pastor. Hirtz remained at the helm of the church for another 15 years.

King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1958 and has been in the Dreieinigkeitskirche building since 1977. King Solomon is a stabilizing influence in the community, assisting its own congregants as well as area residents with projects that include a food bank and lunches for the homeless. The congregation's leaders encourage civic involvement — and the church is a forum for politicians and civic leaders.

The church choir and congregation members participate in civic events such as Milwaukee Shakespeare in the Park, held in COA's Kadish Park a few blocks from the church.

"German-Americans, African-Americans, thriving Americans and modest-income Americans are all working together to accomplish this great task," the church says. "In honor of the German founders — and the worshipers of today — we will rescue and restore the building's German-American / African-American artistic, cultural and civil-rights heritage."

Over the years, King Solomon's members have dug deep into their pockets on numerous occasions to pay for exterior and interior restoration projects. But maintaining the structural integrity of a 125-year-old building is a challenge.

Today, the structure needs significant repairs to its roof, exterior brickwork, heating system and electrical wiring. The glorious stained-glass windows also need some loving care.

Estimated cost for complete restoration of the building is over $500,000. The work does not need to be done all at once.

The project will proceed in stages as funds become available.

The "Rescue and Restore" Steering Committee includes respected Milwaukeeans who are not members of King Solomon; they are committed to German heritage and historic

The King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church in Harambee is getting ready for a restoration

preservation.

The Steering Committee's fund-development program includes grant applications to foundations and corporations, church members' own fundraising events, and donations from the community at large. The Steering Committee is also seeking support from Milwaukee-area residents of German descent whose ancestors founded and attended Dreieinigkeitskirche.

Funds for the "Rescue and Restore" campaign are at all times strictly segregated from general church revenues.

"Rescue and Restore" is in the process of becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Expenditures are reviewed by an independent "Rescue and Restore" Audit Committee.

For more information, or to tour the building, contact the "Rescue and Restore" campaign at GermanAfricanAmerican@gmail.com.

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Deutsche Damen-Staffel siegt in Antholz

PAGE/SEITE 21

NBA: Dirk Nowitzki passes 30,000-point milestone

By Calle Kops (sid, dpa) Deutsche Welle

Die deutschen Biathletinnen gewinnen beim Weltcup in Südtirol auch das dritte Staffelrennen der Saison. Mit seiner Überlegenheit untermauert das Quartett seine Favoritenrolle für die kommende WM eindrucksvoll.

Die deutsche Damen-Staffel hat auch das dritte und letzte Weltcup-Rennen vor der Biathlon-Weltmeisterschaft gewonnen. In der Besetzung Vanessa Hinz, Maren Hammerschmidt, Franziska Hildebrand und Laura Dahlmeier sicherte sich das Quartett am Sonntag in Antholz über 4x6 Kilometer einen souveränen Sieg vor Frankreich und Italien. Der Vorsprung auf Frankreich betrug trotz insgesamt zwölf Nachladern stattliche 24,2 Sekunden.

Starläuferin Hinz benötigte zwei Nachladepatronen und übergab mit nur 0,4 Sekunden Rückstand an Position zwei auf Hammerschmidt. Die 27-Jährige übernahm nach ihrem ersten Schießen sofort die Führung und schickte Hildebrand mit 32,9 Sekunden Vorsprung auf die USA in die Loipe. Hildebrand offenbarte anschließend Schwächen am Schießstand.

Aber auch insgesamt vier Extrapatronen brachten sie nicht in Gefahr. Schlussläuferin Dahlmeier ging mit komfortablen 42,5 Sekunden vor Frankreich auf die letzten sechs Kilometer und gab die Spitzenposition trotz einiger Patzer mit der Waffe nicht mehr her.

"Wenn man am Schluss als Erster über die Ziellinie fährt, hat man nicht so viel falsch gemacht. Beim nächsten Mal versuche ich, es wieder besser zu machen und besser zu treffen", sagte Dahlmeier, die ungewohnte fünf Nachlader benötigte, im ZDF. Bereits die beiden vorherigen Saisonrennen im slowenischen Pokljuka und in Ruhpolding hatte das deutsche DamenTeam gewonnen. Bei der WM vom 9. bis 19. Februar in Hochfilzen sind die DSV-Skijägerinnen damit die Topfavoritinnen auf den Titel.

Damit endete in Südtirol ein äußerst erfolgreiches Wochenende für die deutschen Skijäger. Am Samstag hatten bereits die Männerstaffel und sensationell auch Nadine Horchler im Massenstart vor Teamkollegin Dahlmeier jeweils Siege gefeiert.

Feierlaune: Vanessa Hinz, Maren Hammerschmidt, Franziska Hildebrand und Laura Dahlmeier (l.-r.)

Nowitzki is the first non-American in NBA to score 30,000 or more points

The Dallas Mavericks power forward earned his 30,000th point on a step-back jumper early in the second quarter on Tuesday night. He then went past the mark on a three-pointer that sent the American Airlines Center crowd into a frenzy with 9:54 left in the first half. Nowitzki ended the match with 30,005 career regular season points.

"Sort of surreal, 30,000 is amazing," the Würzburg native said. "It's a lot of points, obviously. Every milestone makes you reflect a little bit. It makes you reflect on the people that have helped you and been with you all of this way."

The 38-year-old Nowitzki had gone into the contest in which the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 122-111, 20 points shy of the mark.

Nowitzki's teammates and Mavs owner Mark Cuban mobbed the German during a timeout and the 13-time NBA All Star acknowledged the crowd as his accomplishment was announced over the PA system.

"Just an amazing experience," the 19-year NBA veteran said. "After every basket I made, I felt a buzz in the crowd."

Nowitzki is just the sixth NBA player to reach 30,000 points after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. He is also the first nonAmerican to reach the milestone.

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James was among the first to congratulate him on the achievement.

"I gotta congratulate Dirk Nowitzki on putting up 30,000 points. I'm watching the game right now. Congratulations," LeBron James said on a video message. "There's no way I was missing this moment. Hopefully I can join you at some point, big fella. Salute."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also congratulated Nowitzki.

"Throughout his 19 seasons with the Mavericks, Dirk has been a model player and terrific ambassador for our game," a statement issued by Silver's office said. "This latest accomplishment further establishes his legacy as one of the NBA's greatest players."

pfd/ (Reuters, dpa)

PAGE/SEITE 22

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

German Mother's Day: Florists to Nazis and back again

By Emma Anderson thelocal.de DPA

A heart that reads. "For my loving mother". Photo: DPA.

American Mother's Day: started by a grieving daughter. British Mother's Day: stemmed from Christian tradition. German Mother's Day: started by some florists looking to sell more flowers.

Mother's Day is celebrated around the world as a way to pay your respects to the woman who gave birth to you, raised you or otherwise got you through those embarrassing, difficult early years.

And Germans like to fuss over their mothers on the day too. This year it falls on Sunday May 8th like in the US (so don't forget that card or phone call!).

But Germany's Muttertag is a bit more questionable in its origins than most other countries: it was started by florists and co-opted by Nazis.

In the 1920s, Germany was experiencing a declining birthrate, which some attributed to the fact that more women were now in the labour force given increased industrialization, the economic downturn after the First World War and urbanization.

It became a time of heated discussion about the role of women in society.

Concerns about the lack of babies made the idea of honouring women for their role as mothers popular, writes author Michelle Mouton in the book From Nurturing the Nation to Purifying the Volk.

Soon support grew for a Mother's Day like one already celebrated in the US and other countries - but most vocal of the concept's supporters may not be surprising: The German Association for Flower Shop Owners.

The group's leader, Dr. Rudolf Knauer, was a huge advocate of the day, proclaiming that “the inner conflict of our Volk and the loosening of the family” had inspired him to introduce the day at flower stores.

He said it could reunite the politically divided and economically struggling nation.

Knauer created a Committee of Mother's Day and by 1923,

Mother's Day was celebrated with flower shop windows displaying signs reminding people to “Honour the Mother”, according to the book Gender History as Society's History by Karin Hausen.

To this day, Mother's Day remains one of the biggest days for business among florists, according to DPA. When the Nazis came to power, they wanted to encourage women to have more “Aryan offspring”. Mother's Day seemed like the perfect way to do this. So they made it an official public holiday in 1933.

Adolf Hitler's Reich even started handing out a special Mutterkreuz (Mother's Cross) award to women who showed exceptional merit to the German people, like by having tons of German babies.

A bronze medal was given to women who had at least four children, silver to women with at least six and gold to the mothers with upwards of eight.

Nowadays, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May - and crosses are definitely no longer given out.

Instead the holiday seems to have gone back to its original tradition: getting mum a nice bouquet as Dr. Knauer would have wanted. About one-third of respondents to a new YouGov poll for DPA said they opted for flowers as the perfect present for mommy dearest.

Another 12 percent though thought that simply giving mum the gift of their presence by spending the day with her was enough, and nine percent went for chocolates.

For Father's Day, in contrast, Germans choose to spend the day hiking or biking with booze in "man parties", which is why it's one of the worst days of the year for alcohol-related accidents.

Still, even mums in Germany apparently don't seem to get the proper appreciation they may deserve, with a new YouGov poll for DPA showing that roughly one in five adults don't get their mother anything for the special day.

But however you choose to commemorate the day - or not - at least don't forget to wish someone Alles Liebe zum Muttertag!

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

Schokokuss: Sweet Drops of Heaven This is a delicacy, a sweet delight hailing from Germanic regions of Europe. It is almost fascinating to know that it is consumed in different varieties across the globe. Moreover, these are not just chocolates or something that one distributes during certain occasions. They have become popular and indoctrinated within the local cultures.

The origin stories of Schokokuss are varied, as is varied the sheer variety of Schokokuss that are available these days.

Though, it is said to have originated in Denmark sometime around the early parts of 1800’s.

It is very much popular in the western region of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and in these regions Schokokuss is otherwise known as Mohrenkopf. Especially in Germany it is also found under the name of Negerkuss spread. Furthermore, in the Middle Western parts and western Germany, Schokokuss is also known as chocolate kiss and sometimes the word marshmallow is also used to describe it. Later on the names were changed and became more neutral like Schokoküsse or Schokokuss (Chocolate Kiss). Schokokuss began being mass produced in Ge4rmany since 1920. Here you can find these sweet drops throughout the year.

This delicacy is massively popular among school children.

Schokoküsse are indeed addictive because, just can go endlessly and it is hard to stop. They are made by using sugar cream on a wafer and then covering this wafer in chocolate.

Typically, Schokokuss is available in myriad types of chocolates. Also, other than chocolates, they are available in: coconut, Krokantstreuseln or sprinkled almonds.

There are also different varieties that are found across the globe. For instance, in New Zealand the chocolate fish is a form of chocolate coated marshmallow. It is quite the nation’s favourite. It is also available in pink or white marshmallow and then is dipped in crispy thin layer of milk chocolate. After it freezes, the texture of the milk chocolate resonate with that of the fishes scales. These chocolate fishes have become an inte-

PAGE/SEITE 23

gral part of the Kiwi culture and are in-fact starkly visible in their daily practices.

The United Kingdom has its very own version which is known as chocolate teacake. On the other hand, England has its very own variety of teacakes, they are available in the form of sweet rolls along with dried fruits; these rolls are served after toasting and with butter. The chocolate tea cake is like the favourite British pass time. They are usually served on the side of the cuppa. Furthermore, the Scottish company Tunnock’s are among the most popular manufacturers of the tea cake in the country. In-fact during the 2014 Commonwealth Games that was featured in Glasgow, the star of the show was a giant dancing Tunnock’s Teacake.

Similar rolls are also available in Turkey. They can be found under many name tags including: Çokomel” or “Eti Puf ”. On the other hand, in its place of origin Denmark, it is known as flødebolle (cream bun). It was also known as: negerbolle or negerkys, but these words were phased out in the 1960’s and 1980’s. Denmark also boasts of being the largest manufacturer of these chocolate-coated treats. Schokokuss has become incorporated in the local traditions so much so that these are handed out to children typically on their birthdays in schools.

In Israel, they are available by the name Krembo which literally means cream in it. They are largely available in two flavours: vanilla and mocha. On the other hand, in Palestine, it is known as Kushi, and also as Rosh Kushi. In this region particularly, Krembo is available seasonally, only between the months of October and February. Despite that hindrance, the companies are able to achieve grand sales figures each year.

In the United States of America, they have come to be known as Mallomars and Nabisco is responsible for this popular treat. Mallomars first came in the market in the year 1913.

Furthermore, they were not available throughout the year, rather only between October and April.

You go further east to the Philippines or go south to Brazil or explore furthermore in the Middle East, you are going to find many versions of Schokokuss and their very own localised versions of the recipe.

Learn to cook Schokokuss on the next page!

© 2017 I like Germany

PAGE/SEITE 24

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Aus Oma's Küche Recipe of the traditional Schokokuss: Ingredients: Sugar: 1 3/4th cups Egg Whites: 3 large Water: 1/4th cup Cream of Tartar: ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon Almond Extract: ½ teaspoon.

The method: First, take a heatproof medium sized bowl. Next, take this bowl and place it over water which has to simmer slightly. Then you will have to mix sugar, the egg whites, cream of tartar and water in the bowl. Using an electric whisker will be very helpful, make sure to turn it on high till the point the mixture becomes foamy. Do this for about 12 minutes and then when the right kind of consistency appears, take it off. After this point add the vanilla and almond extracts and then beat the mixture further for 2 more minutes, till it becomes thick and creamy.

The important thing to understand here is that it is in-fact through the heat from the simmering water that the eggs are able to combine together and get solidified. Also, there are recipes which choose to ignore the almond extract; you can also do the same if the need arises.

Furthermore, you will be required to take a piping bag and place a big ground tip on it. You will now need wafer sheets and by using a cookie cutter cut out small, round cookie shaped sheets. Now, using the piping bag pipe out circles the best way you can.

Now, you can melt the chocolate and then add a little bit of vegetable shortening. This will make the chocolate flow easily and also give it a thin consistency. Next, you will be dipping each of them into the chocolate. Also, make sure that the entire piece gets dipped in chocolate. Finally, they can be refrigerated, preferably overnight. You can garnish by adding sprinkles or any other thing of your preference or simply gobble each one as they are.

While serving: There is no ideal way to serve the Schokokuss. German children have their own unique ways of enjoying this sugary confection. They are squashed right in between the two halves of Brötchen or the bread rolls. This combination is known as: Matschbrötchen, Klatschbrötchen, Datsch or Schokokussbrötchen.

DANK Decals are here!

Show everyone that you are a DANK member with this DANK Decal. It is a die-cut oval in full color and looks really great!

The cost is $2.00 each including shipping. For more information e-mail at wb_dank@yahoo.com.

Order from and make your check payable to:

DANK Chapter Milwaukee Vicky Ohde 18550 Ventura Circle Brookfield WI 53045

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 25

Gedichte für Alle

Der Mai, der Mai, der lustige Mai

Ostern

By anonym – Maientanz aus dem Siebengebirge, (1847)

By Ferdinand von Saar (1833-1906)

Der Mai, der Mai, der lustige Mai, Der kommt heran gerauschet.

Ich ging in den Busch und brach mir einen Mai, Der Mai und der war grüne.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, Der Mai und der war grüne.

Ja, der Winter ging zur Neige, holder Frühling kommt herbei, lieblich schwanken Birkenzweige, und es glänzt das rote Ei.

Ich ging vor Herzliebchens Fenster stehn, Ich redt mit falscher Zunge: Herzlieb, steh auf und laß mich ein, Ich bringe dir den Mai von Grune.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, Ich bringe dir den Mai von Grune.

Der Mai, den du mir bringen willst, Den laß du mir da draußen.

So setz ihn auf die weite, breite Straß, So wird er nicht erfrieren.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, So wird er nicht erfrieren.

Ich setz ihn nicht auf die weite, breite Straß, Lieber wollt ich ihn begraben, So soll das Grab auf ein ander Jahr Drei Rosen und eine Lilie tragen.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, Drei Rosen und eine Lilie tragen.

Trägt das Grab keine Rosen mehr, So trägt es Mandelkerne.

Und wer ein fein Herzliebchen hat, Der siehts von Herzen gerne.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, Der siehts von Herzen gerne.

Zu Rheindorf steht ein neues Haus, Das ist gedeckt mit Leien.

Da kommt alle Morgen mein Liebchen heraus, Braun Nägelein sind ihre Kleider.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, Braun Nägelein sind ihre Kleider.

Sind sie nicht braun Nägelein, So sind sie rot Scharlachen.

Und wer ein fein Herzliebchen hat, Der kann wohl herzlich lachen.

Faldera vidubbe dubbedub, Der kann wohl herzlich lachen.

Schimmernd wehn die Kirchenfahnen bei der Glocken Feierklang, und auf oft betretnen Bahnen nimmt der Umzug seinen Gang.

Nach dem dumpfen Grabchorale tönt das Auferstehungslied, und empor im Himmelsstrahle schwebt er, der am Kreuz verschied.

So zum schönsten der Symbole wird das frohe Osterfest, dass der Mensch sich Glauben hole, wenn ihn Mut und Kraft verlässt.

Jedes Herz, das Leid getroffen, fühlt von Anfang sich durchweht, dass sein Sehnen und sein Hoffen immer wieder aufersteht!

Winter ade!

By August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (ca. 1827)

So hört doch, was die Lerche singt!

Hört, wie sie frohe Botschaft bringt!

Es kommt auf goldnem Sonnenstrahl Der Frühling heim in unser Tal, Er streuet bunte Blumen aus Und bringet Freud' in jedes Haus.

Winter, ade!

Frühling, juchhe!

Was uns die liebe Lerche singt, In unsern Herzen widerklingt.

Der Winter sagt: ade! ade!

Und hin ist Kälte, Reif und Schnee Und Nebel hin und Dunkelheit — Willkommen, süße Frühlingszeit!

Winter, ade!

Frühling, juchhe!

PAGE/SEITE 26

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

Aus Unserer Schatzkiste From Our Treasure Chest Das Ostpreußenlied Land der dunklen Wälder und kristall'nen Seen, über weite Felder lichte Wunder geh'n.

The Song of East Prussia Land of somber forests And crystal clear lakes 'Cross wide open plains Vivid wonders occur

Starke Bauern schreiten hinter Pferd und Pflug, über Ackerbreiten streift der Vogelzug.

Strong Plowmen are striding Behind Horse and Plow All across the farmland The migratory birds fly

Und die Meere rauschen den Choral der Zeit, Elche steh'n und lauschen in die Ewigkeit.

And the seas are roaring To the choral of time Elks they stand and listen To the sound of eternity

Tag ist aufgegangen über Haff und Moor, Licht hat angefangen, steigt im Ost empor.

The day has broken Across lagoon and moor The Light has risen Climbing up in the East

Das Pommernlied Wenn in stiller Stunde Träume mich umwehn,bringen frohe Kunde Geister ungesehn, reden von dem Lande meiner Heimat mir, hellem Meeresstrande, düsterm Waldrevier.

Weiße Segel fliegen auf der blauen See, weiße Möwen wiegen sich in blauer Höh’, blaue Wälder krönen weißer Dünen Sand; Pommerland, mein Sehnen ist dir zugewandt!

Aus der Ferne wendet sich zu dir mein Sinn, aus der Ferne sendet trauten Gruß er hin; traget, laue Winde, meinen Gruß und Sang, wehet leis und linde treuer Liebe Klang!

Bist ja doch das eine auf der ganzen Welt, bist ja mein, ich deine, treu dir zugesellt; kannst ja doch von allen, die ich je gesehn, mir allein gefallen, Pommerland, so schön!

Jetzt bin ich im Wandern, bin bald hier, bald dort, doch aus allen andern treibt’s mich immer fort: Bis in dir ich wieder finde meine Ruh, send ich meine Lieder dir, o Heimat, zu!

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 27

DANK mourns the passing of

Armin Homann Longtime Chicago radio host Armin Homann has passed away at the age of 75.

Since 1975, Homann has hosted the weekend radio show “Deutschlandecho” (“Germany Echo”), a show that played traditional German folk music for Chicago radio listeners. It has aired on numerous ethnic-targeted radio stations over the past few decades, but most recently has been heard each Saturday and Sunday morning from 9:00am-11:00am on WNWI-AM 1180. Homann also hosted regular concerts, dances, and events that brought German entertainers to Chicagoland. Last year, Homann was honored at the Chicago German Consulate and given the German-American Friendship Award for his many years of having a positive impact on GermanAmerican relations.

Born in Bielefeld, Germany, Homann came to America in 1960 as a professional soccer/fussball/football player.

He played soccer for a few years in Chicago with the Schwaben AC team, as well as in New York with the New York Cosmos. He settled in suburban Chicago (Niles) after his soccer career, and went into radio.

Armin Homann, beloved father of Simone (Edward Tomlin) Markus (Denette Scarpaci) and Carina (Darrick) Santa Maria; proud grandfather of Alexis, Anthony, Taylor, Christian, and Mateo; brother of Rita Reger and Lothar in Germany; loving nephew, Petra Homann.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Schwaben Charity Fund appreciated.

DANK Chapter Erie mourns the passing of

B. Christel Kuster Caldwell April 9, 1930 – January 7, 2017

Longtime member and benefactor of Chapter Erie, Christel Caldwell passed on January 7th, at age 86. Her passing came as a shock to all since Chris was so active.

Christel was born in Danzig, Germany the daughter of Eugene and Emmy Thomas Kuster. She was raised in Berlin, Germany where she was employed as a hospital dietician for many years. She married Karl E. Caldwell in 1975 and settled in Erie, joining DANK in 1991. Christel attended St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and Lakewood United Methodist Church and was a member of several local German affiliated Clubs. For 15 years, she enjoyed taking her place next to her companion, George, at the Beer Ticket sales.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 1999 by her husband Karl E. Caldwell and stepson Roy E. Caldwell.

She is survived by her companion George Stefanovski; a stepdaughter Judy Caldwell Edwards of Lafayette, Ind.; a stepson Blake D. Caldwell of Laurinburg, N.C. and Peggy Sorenson Caldwell (wife of Roy E. Caldwell) of Dallas, TX ; six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Ruhe In Frieden!

PAGE/SEITE 28

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

Sudoku #254 (Easy)

Sudoku #242 (Hard)

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

PAGE/SEITE 29

Member Donations Education Fund

Guenther Boeger Robert Dooman Peter Mantel Andreas Gaas Wally Neumeier Alan Lemke Margarete A Tkocz Rosemarie Morgen Wolfram A Kollacks Heinrich Janssen Elly Heuberger Robert Griner Elfriede Vogel Ingrun F Wagschal Gerhard Greiff Kenneth Schlick Ewald Gansewendt Daniel Wiemerslage Linda A S Ray Christiane T Manko-Morgan Irma Gronau Ernest Zeller Ilse M Workman Janice Sherry Brian Sherry Scott Sherry Inge Dominis Doris Mueller Sara Brantsch Doris H E Simon Karl O Mayer Elfriede Lohr Karl Schmidt Robert Mitchell Gunter Kison Thomas Von Oesen Walter W Whisler MD Herbert Schreck Jeanine Blakely Raimond Cerbins Dieter Markwart Martin Debler Matthew Wirtz

German American Day Robert Griner Robert Dooman Wally Neumeier Elly Heuberger Alan Lemke Hildegard Pieger Ingrun F. Wagschal

Elfriede Vogel Linda A S Ray Christiane T Manko-Morgan Meredith C Dunn Boza Rosina Lotspeich Helmut Brandt Brian Sherry Karl O Mayer Scott Sherry Janice Sherry Karl Schmidt Elfriede Lohr Thomas Von Oesen Helmut Appelt Jeanine Blakely Matthew Wirtz John Stern

Newspaper

Horst Adomat Alan Lemke Hildegard Pieger Joseph T Fields Wally Neumeier Robert Griner Wolfram Kollacks Elly Heuberger Andreas Gaas Guenther Boeger Alexander D Hinz Heidi Eichler Thaddaus Geiger Ingrun Wagschal Gerhard Greiff Michael Anglemire Harry M Meinhold Elfriede Vogel Bernhard Deichmann Heinrich Walz Ewald Gansewendt Linda A S Ray Francesca Hau Sauter Helene Schoentag Rosina Lotspeich James Mulderink Sr Christiane T Manko-Morgan Meredith C Dunn Boza Irma Gronau Roland Scheibe Doris Simon Brian Sherry Karl O Mayer Hermine K Sabol Joseph Pucher

Janice Sherry Scott Sherry Harri Strelis Eleonore M Harle Elfriede Lohr Anneliese Strupat Susan B Schubert Robert Mitchell Karl Schmidt Karl Kordas Helmut Appelt Herbert K Schreck Thomas Von Oesen Gunter Kison Erika Laven Matthew Wirtz Dieter E Markwart Anita Prolic Nicholas Popoff Erika G Eddy Marie H Howard James Schmidt Lanny H Keary Egon Polnau Reiner Mueller Jeanine Blakely

Technology

Sharon Bell Alan Lemke Andreas Gaas Wally Neumeier Elly Heuberger Robert Griner Elfriede Vogel Ingrun F Wagschal Linda A S Ray John Dorow Hans Dieter Mosch Christiane T Manko-Morgan Irma Gronau Janice Sherry Scott Sherry Karl O Mayer Brian Sherry Robert Mitchell Elfriede Lohr Thomas Von Oesen Jeanine Blakely Matthew Wirtz Martin Deubler Dieter E Markwart

We thank you for all of your contributions!

PAGE/SEITE 30

German - American Journal

April/May 2017

Calendar Of Events Saturdays at the DANK HAUS April 1 Milwaukee’s Frühlingsfest, Schwabenhof 5 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm 7 Benton Harbor - Fish Fry, 5:30pm 8 Milwaukee, Board Meeting 10:00 am 9 Chicago West, Board Meeting, 1:30 pm 11 DANK HAUS Chicago, 3 Theater German 6:30pm 12 Milwaukee, Dancing 6 pm, Singing 7 pm 18 DANK HAUS Chicago, Board Meeting, 7 pm 19 Erie, General Membership Meeting, 7 pm 19 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm 23 Chicago South - Monthly Meeting & Mai Fest training 21 DANK HAUS Chicago, Stammtisch – Open House, 7:30 25 DANK HAUS Chicago, 2 International Art Group 6:30pm 26 Milwaukee, Dancing 6 pm, Singing 7 pm 28 DANK HAUS Chicago, German Cinema Now, 7:30 pm

May 1-4 Mai Fest Chicago, Multiple Chapters Participating 3 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm 5 DANK HAUS Chicago, KulturKuche, 7:30 pm 5 Benton Harbor - Fish Fry, 5:30pm 6 Milwaukee, Board Meeting 10:00 am 10 Milwaukee, Dancing 6 pm, Singing 7 pm 14 Chicago West, Board Meeting, 1:30 pm 16 DANK HAUS Chicago, Board Meeting, 7 pm 17 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm 17 Erie, General Membership Meeting, 7 pm 19 DANK HAUS Chicago, Stammtisch – Open House, 7:30 20 - Chicago South - Mai Tanz - Band: Tempos 21 - South Bend - Meet at Fernwood, 12pm 24 Milwaukee, Dancing 6:00 pm, Singing 7 pm 26 DANK HAUS Chicago, German Cinema Now, 7:30 pm 31 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm

Kino Kaffee & Kuchen – Heimat films in German, 2 pm Lost German Chicago Exhibit in Museum, 11 am - 3 pm

Language Schools Chicago North, Christian Liberty Academy, Arlington Heights, Adults and Children 3+, Satudays, 9:30 am – Noon Palatine H S, Adults and Children 5+, Monday's, 5:45 pm 8:15 pm For more info: 847.392.5352 Chicago South, Adult classes, German Conversational Courses, Thursday's, 6 pm – 8 pm, 6 week sessions

Meeting Locations for DANK Chapters Bay City meets at the Stein Haus, 1120 N. Water St., Bay City, MI, 48708 Tel. 989.891.2337 Benton Harbor meets at their DANK Haus, 2651 Pipestone Rd. Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Tel. 269.926.6652 Chicago meets at the DANK HAUS, 4740 N. Western Av. Chicago IL 60625 Tel. 773.561.9181 Chicago South meets at the DANK House, 25249 S. Center Rd, Frankfort, IL 60423 Tel. 815.464.1514 Chicago West meets at Redeemer Lutheran of Elmhurst, 345 S. Kenilworth Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Tel. 630.805.1504 Cleveland meets at the Cleveland Männerchor Club, 4515 State Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109 Tel. 216.741.772 Erie meets at the Erie Männerchor Club, 1617 State St. Erie, PA, 16501 Tel. 814.835.1939 Milwaukee meets at the German Fest Office, W140N5761 Lilly Rd., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Tel. 414.331.6957

June

Phoenix meets at North Mountain Brewing Company, 522 E. Dunlap, Phoenix, AZ 85020 Tel. 602.569.9381

2 DANK HAUS Chicago, KulturKuche, 7:30 pm 2 Benton Harbor - Fish Fry, 5:30pm 3 Milwaukee, Board Meeting 10:00 am 7 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm 10 - South Bend - Trip to Germanfest Fort Wayne 10:45am 11 Chicago South - Monthly Meeting 11 Chicago West, Board Meeting, 1:30 pm 14 Milwaukee, Dancing 6 pm, Singing 7 pm 16 DANK HAUS Chicago, Stammtisch – Open House, 7:30 17 Cleveland, Summerfest @ Cleveland Maennerchor 5pm 20 DANK HAUS Chicago, Board Meeting, 7 pm 21 Milwaukee, Singing 7 pm 21 Erie, General Membership Meeting, 7 pm 23 DANK HAUS Chicago, German Cinema Now, 7:30 pm 25 Milwaukee, DANK Picnic , Sacred Heart, noon 28 Milwaukee, Dancing 6 pm, Singing 7 pm

Springfield meets at Engel's on Edwards, 552 S. MacArthur, Ste. A, Springfield, IL

The 2017 DANK National Convention is coming to DANK Chicago South this October 13-15th, more details soon

April/May 2017

German - American Journal

ANSWERS TO WORD SEARCH: ----->

PAGE/SEITE 31

PAGE/SEITE 32

German - American Journal

April/May 2017