June 7-10 at Heritage Park
Celebrating our German Heritage with music, beer, food and fun! A Special Supplement to the Frankenmuth News
2B - Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival
50 Years of Sister City History…1962-2012 Frankenmuth, Michigan USA and Gunzenhausen, Mittelfranken, Bavaria GERMANY
by Greg Rummel, Sister City Committee Member assisted by Jamie Furbush and Beth Bernthal
The Founding of “People to People” In 1956 President Dwight Eisenhower, realizing that “peaceful relations between countries of the world required understanding between individuals,” founded the “President’s People to People” program.
Frankenmuth Invites Gunzenhausen Recognizing that Frankenmuth shared common ancestral and Christian heritage with Franconia in northern Bavaria, Frankenmuth extended an invitation to the community of Gunzenhausen, Germany to become sister cities in January of 1962. Frankenmuth’s “People to People” chapter leadership included Marv Engel, President; Jerry Nuechterlein, VP/Secretary; Hans Schmidt, Treasurer, along with Carl Creger, Oscar Huber, Rev. Philip Janz and Trudy Nuechterlein. Why Gunzenhausen? In his remarks on the occasion of the
25th anniversary of the partnership in 1987, Gunzenhausen’s “ErsterBürgermeister” (First Mayor) Willi Hilpert explained: “How did this partnership with Frankenmuth come about? Strictly speaking, it began with the wedding of an American soldier and a young Gunzenhausen woman. The young man had been born in Schlungenhof [a village near Gunzenhausen]. His name was Franz Gross. In 1937,his family moved to Regensburg and in 1950 he emigrated to Birmingham, MI (about 150 km from Frankenmuth) together with his family.” Later, young ‘Franzl’ returned to Germany as an American soldier. “By chance,” Hilpert explained, “he was invited to a celebration by Adam Völker and his family. There Franzl Gross got acquainted with Sonja Völker, whom he married in 1958. He took her to the ‘new world’ to
Frankenmuth, and served as a manager at Zehnder’s Hotel.” There the young couple met Dr. Marv Engel. From December of 1960 to May of 1961, Sonja’s mother Frieda Völker lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Frankenmuth and also met Dr. Engel and his wife Margie. A plan for a stronger relationship between the two cities emerged. Sonja Gross wrote the first letter to Erster Bürgermeister Friedrich Wust on January 11th, 1962 suggesting the idea of sister cities. The next day, Dr. Engel wrote a letter to the city of Gunzenhausen promoting the same. On March 7th, 1962 the Frankenmuth News reported that the City of Frankenmuth received official word from 1st Mayor Friedrich Wust that Gunzenhausen “would be most happy to join with Frankenmuth in a ‘People to People’ program to promote long lasting friendly relations between his city in Germany and the city of Frankenmuth with its rich Bavarian heritage.” According to Wust’s letter to Dr. Marv Engel, the Gunzenhausen council unanimously accepted Frankenmuth’s invitation with “great enthusiasm” at their Feb. 15th meeting. Mayor Wust referenced the many correlations between the cities including “good cooking and good beer.” Additionally, because the bond between the communities “comes from our hearts” Wust mentioned the formalities could be kept to a minimum. He added, “...we want to foster the People to People program to our utmost ability. “Since then, the Frankenmuth-Gunzenhausen partnership has grown to become one of the longest continuous and most active “People to People” sister city relationships in the world.
“Pilgrims Travel ‘Home’” Plans began almost immediately to visit Gunzenhausen later in 1962 to consummate the newly formed bond on a ‘people to people’ level. According to a March 17th account in the Detroit News, of the more than 80 individuals scheduled to fly to Germany in Sept. 1962, 95% were leaving Michigan for the 1st time and “going home” (their ancestors having made the original trip some 117 years earlier in the opposite direction). Many of the travelers would be staying with relatives they had never met, according to the News. On Tuesday, September 18th, 1962, Frankenmuth’s St. Lorenz church congregants and the travel group of 82 individuals convened at the church for a special communion service. The Frankenmuth News reported “many Frankenmuth citizens paused in their labors to attend these church services and wished their pilgrimage group Godspeed on their flight to Germany.” Later that day, their Detroit flight departed for Munich and landed safely there on the afternoon of Sept 19th. The group spent the first 2 days in Munich, then traveled north to Gunzenhausen on Friday morning to meet their host families in Frankenmuth’s sister city. On Sunday, the group departed for Neuendettelsau – home of Wilhelm Löhe, Lutheran Pastor and organizer of the Franconian mission colonies including Frankenmuth. On Monday, Sept. 24th, the travel group dispersed. Some returned to Gunzenhausen. Others took private trips to friends and sites in Germany. Roughly half of the group departed on a 12-day guided tour through Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Paris, France. Most surprising to the travel contingent and their Bavarian hosts alike was the dialect of German spoken by the Frankenmuth visitors. Germans responded with delighted laughter at the command of the old Franconian dialect held by their American guests. Irene Zeilinger, Frankenmuth News editor, noted in her travel journal at how impressed the Germans were that Americans could speak so eloquently a language often with words not heard for more than a half century. Irene wrote “Time and time again we were asked, ‘When did you migrate from Germany?’ We explained that we didn’t, that we are citizens of Frankenmuth, Michigan, a German-speaking community in America. “Yes, we know,” they would agree, “but how old were you when you left Germany”? Irene stated “we explained that we didn’t ‘leave’ Germany, we were born in America.” “Well, then when did your father and mother leave Germany?” We again patiently explained that they too were born in America. Irene added “It was beyond [the Germans’] comprehension…impossible to them that a dialect could be retained so perfectly in a foreign country.” Today, that dialect survives among many older Frankenmuth natives. In Germany, the “old Fränkisch” dialect exists faintly among Franconian farming communities.
50 Years
of Friendship 1962 ~ 2012
A Spiritual Journey Irene and Wally Bronner with Gunzenhausen Mayor Willi Hilpert celebrating the Sister City 25th Anniversary in 1987. A 25th Anniversary button commemorated the special occasion.
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Luther’s ‘Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word’ and “Dein Wort, O Herr, Bringt Uns Zusammen” (Your Word, O Lord, Brings us together). Reassembling in Roβtal, Bavaria (also an ancestral home for many Frankenmuthers) on Oct 5th, many among the “pilgrims” identified the experience at the Roβtal ‘home’ church as the pinnacle of their trip. On October 9th, the group departed Germany to return stateside; however, unlike the arriving travel group that numbered 82, the departing contingent numbered 83! Through the cooperation of the fledgling twin cities, Dr. and Mrs. Marv Engel, “Father of the Partnership” on the Frankenmuth side, brought home a new daughter through legal adoption—a 3-year-old named Heidi. To this day, Heidi and her husband Ken Knieling and their family are the sole residents on Frankenmuth’s Gunzenhausen Street in the home formerly owned by her father, Marv.
While the group was in Germany, Frankenmuth Pastor Rev. Philip Janz gave sermons in Neuendettelsau, Roβtal & Gunzenhausen on “I am not ashamed of my God, my faith, my religion.” The theme for ‘Gottesdienst’ (church service) on Sept. 23rd 1962 in Neuendettelsau was “Wie Schön und Gut es bei Jesus ist” (How beautiful and good it is with Jesus); The German pastor’s sermon text was based on Gal. 5, 16-25. Among the hymns sung by congregants and Frankenmuth visitors were Martin
Mayor Gary Rupprecht designated September 25, 1987 as Gunzenhausen Day in Frankenmuth, and during the 25th anniversary celebrations, dedicated Gunzenhausen Street along with Gunzenhausen First Mayor Willi Hilpert and his wife Gertrud.
Germans Visit America Two years later, in June of 1964, 25 Germans traveled to Frankenmuth from Gunzenhausen and surrounding communities, marking the first reciprocal visit from the Europeans.Mayor James Wickson welcomed the friends from Bavaria: “As Mayor of Frankenmuth it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our city. It is always an honor to be host to people from other countries. We are particularly honored to have you as our guests as you represent the area from which the founding fathers of Frankenmuth left some 120 years ago.” Under the direction of Frankenmuth’s city council, Wickson appointed Erster Bürgermeister Friedrich Wust as honorary mayor of Frankenmuth for the duration of their stay and presented him a desk plate inscribing such designation. Among the highlights of the visit was a plant tour of the Carling’s Brewing Co. led by manager Lester Freidinger who at the conclusion of the tour commented to the group “If you have not had enough to eat and drink, I believe it is your own fault.” Later that Saturday, a tree was planted near Zehnder’s Restaurant—a Linden that still grows in that spot today— commemorating the partnership. That evening, a “tremendous banquet” was held with more than 350 people attending. Zehnder’s manager Eddie Zehnder remarked that people who failed to get their tickets were disappointed, and offered as much as $10 for the $5 face-value tickets. It was the first time in his career he’d ever heard of “scalping” tickets for banquet festivities! The Germans’ trip did not conclude in Frankenmuth, rather the delegation headed to the east coast where Bürgermeister Wust met the first lady, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s wife Lady Bird Johnson, during a visit to our nation’s capital. In acknowledging the Sister City program, President Johnson said “Sister Cities work outside government in a field vital to the promotion of friendship among all citizens of every land so they will understand each other and want peace. I know of no other task more important for the people of every country.”
The Partnership Matures In September 1965, a second tour group from Frankenmuth with 40 people, including its new mayor Elmer Simon, went to Gunzenhausen. It was Simon’s first trip to Gunzenhausen. In addition to Gunzenhausen, the travel group also visited Rome, Florence, and Munich. In early February, 1968, Frankenmuth icon Wally Bronner made a surprise visit to Gunzenhausen. His comments affirming the bond established 6 years hence: “In Gunzenhausen, womersprechenkowiean der Schnoblwachsen is, bin I ganzsicherdaham” (In Gunzenhausen, where one can speak as he did as a kid, I’m right at home)! In the summer of ’68, a young woodcarver named Georg Keilhofer—originally from Berchtesgaden Germany who later made Frankenmuth his home—presented Marv Engel two hand-carved wooden crests of Frankenmuth’s city shield as gifts for Gunzenhausen and Roβtal. The shields were made of rosewood, black walnut, ash, pear, teak wood, and maple. In 1968 a group of 25 Frankenmuth area residents traveled to Germany, arriving in the sister city on Oct. 8th. In addition to the wood inlaid crest, Frankenmuth presented gifts of Indian head coins, and a display of arrowheads. On Oct. 10th, the group visited Roβtaland presented the second of Keilhofer’s hand-crafted plaques. Mayor Simon presided over the visit and spoke at the banquet, also having helped place the new “Frankenmuther–Str.” (street) sign at the formal dedication of the new street. In June of 1969, 45 German guests came to Frankenmuth including Bürgermeister Friedrich Wust. The Germans toured Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Co, Universal Engineering, the Schnitzelbank (woodcarvers) Shop, Rupprechts Sausages, Bronner Display & Sign, Frankenmuth State Bank, Geyer Brothers’ and Carlings Brewing companies, Zehnders and Bavarian Inn restaurants. During their visit to Frankenmuth, the Memorial Park’s Rose Garden was dedicated to the sister city of Gunzenhausen. In an account of the 1969 visit, the Saginaw News column Ed Miller Writes said “Gay Days Again in Frankenmuth,” referring to the atmosphere at Bavarian festival upon the arrival of our sister city friends! In 1971, the Americans traveled to Gunzenhausen again and visited Löhe’s grave in Neuendettelsau. The group was part of a larger People to People delegation that numbered 173. Among the travelers was News’ editor, Irene Zeilinger, who presented a hand-sketched rendering of the Frankenmuth News building done by famed Fran-
Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival - 3B
PILGRIMS TRAVEL “HOME”...In 1962 Frankenmuth residents on the People-to-People tour to Gunzenhausen posed in front of their Lufthansa airplane. kenmuth artist Harold Eckert. Pastor Herman Zehnder, brother of Bavarian Inn founder William “Tiny” Zehnder and Zehnder’s Restaurant owner Edwin Zehnder, also accompanied the group. In 1970, Herman Zehnder authored the book ‘Teach My People the Truth,’ an account of Frankenmuth’s founding and its ministry to the native Chippewa Indians. By 1971, the People to People organization boasted 350 American cities with affiliations with 450 cities in 60 different countries. In 1976, Frankenmuth High School German teacher Jim Weber, along with his family, led a group of 24 students and parents on a trip to Germany, including a visit to Gunzenhausen. Current Frankenmuth sister city chairman Dan Haubenstricker participated in that visit. Terrorist activity in Germany during 1985 prompted Jim Weber and other organizers to cancel a similar trip much to the dismay of the students. Throughout the 70’s, Frankenmuth and Gunzenhausen continued visiting on formal and informal occasions. From the partnership’s founding in 1962 up to the 25th anniversary in 1987, there were 9 formal visits between the two cities: ’62, ’64, ’65, ’68, ’69, ’71, ’76, ’79 & ’80. When 110 Frankenmuth area residents visited Gunzenhausen in August of 1980, former Frankenmuth mayor Elmer “Pete” Simon appealed to the two cities to uphold the friendship’s pioneering spirit (“Pioniergeist der Freundschafterhalten!”). Other visits during the first 25 years included Marv Herzog—Frankenmuth’s Polka King—for numerous travel tours with his ‘Bavarian’ polka band.
Frankenmuth-Gunzenhausen – the Next Generation In July of 1987, new mayor Gary Rupprecht and his wife Barbara were among 44 Frankenmuthers who visited Gunzenhausen to celebrate 25 years of partnership. 1987’s official gift to Gunzenhausen was created by Nancy Goyings, a 36” x 42” stained glass picture depicting the log cabin and cross at Cross Park at the south entrance to
the city of Frankenmuth. Mayor Rupprecht presented the gift along with former mayor Elmer P. Simon on July 3rd at the Gunzenhausen Stadthalle. Later that year in September, 72 Germans came to Frankenmuth. Mayor Gary Rupprecht designated September 25th as Gunzenhausen Day in ‘Muth, and during the 25th anniversary celebrations, dedicated Gunzenhausen Street along with Gunzenhausen First Mayor Willi Hilpert and his wife Gertrud. Guests were also treated to a tour of Frankenmuth city hall, a bus tour of the city, a local children’s folk dancing performance, as well as a formal banquet featuring Gunzenhausen native Karl Kugler on the zither, and Marv Herzog’s Bavarian Polka Band. The 25th anniversary of the partnership in 1987 began a new era. Recognizing that the original generation of sister city founders was aging, Frankenmuth City Councilwoman, Judy Zehnder Keller led the creation in 1988 of a formal Sister City Committee under the oversight of the City of Frankenmuth. The committee encouraged stronger youth involvement in the partnership by supporting German language instruction at St. Lorenz Elementary School, Frankenmuth High School and the community at large. Of the 13 members who began the Sister City Committee in 1988, four are still active as of 2012: Judy Zehnder Keller (Chair 1988-2005), Dan Haubenstricker (Chair 2005-present), Judy Simmerman, and Hans Schmidt. In fact, Schmidt’s involvement has spanned the partnership’s entire 50 years, including positions as treasurer, CEC representative, interpreter and official translator. On the 7th of October, 1987, Frankenmuth’s St. Lorenz Lutheran School announced it would commence German language lessons for children in K, 1 & 2 classes under the tutelage of Karen Rummel. Since that time, German language lessons have expanded to encompass K-8 grades, with hundreds of Frankenmuth children learning foundation lessons in German
language, history, art and song. In 1995, Judy Zehnder Keller helped organize a children’s German church service honoring Frankenmuth’s heritage. To this day, the services are held annually at St. Lorenz church and feature students from local schools assisting with readings and singing in German. From 1993 to 2007, the Bavarian Inn Lodge hosted annual German luncheons for St. Lorenz and Frankenmuth High School German students along with other sister city supporters. The Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival (Civic Events Council) and other donors awarded youth exchange trips to Gunzenhausen to Frankenmuth High School students. Since 1993, 51 students have participated with gifts of airfare to Gunzenhausen compliments of the CEC and other donors. For 10 years beginning in 1996, Judy Zehnder Keller along with her husband Don Keller, accompanied more than 700 people on trips to Germany. The travel groups consisted of Frankenmuth High School German students, Venner Performing Arts students, parents, relatives and friends. In 2011, Judy Zehnder Keller received the Wilhelm Löhe Medallion—an award recognizing her achievements in the perpetuation of the Franconian and Christian heritage through her business and cultural endeavors from Frankenmuth to Franconia. It was the first time the prestigious award was given to a non-German. In 1992, Frankenmuth and Gunzenhausen celebrated their 30 year
- See Sister Cities on page 4
4B - Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival
Sister Cities...
- Continued from page 3 anniversary. A younger generation of ‘People to People’ advocates from Gunzenhausen and Frankenmuth answered the call to build on the foundation strongly laid by leaders on both sides. Frankenmuth resident Angie (Ringlein) Kern participated in a 3-month professional and cultural exchange trip with Gunzenhausen that year. Two years later, Mark Schutte and Greg Rummel participated as Frankenmuth representatives and Andreas Volek as the exchange participant from Gunzenhausen. Since then, 46 other individuals have visited their respective sister city on cultural and professional exchanges. In addition to Kern, Schutte and Rummel, Frankenmuth participants include Charlie Graham, Vicky Hayden, David Bergdolt, Abby McClellan, Mary Dietrich & Robin Mueller (former St. Lorenz German teachers), Rachel Frahm, Stephanie Sparschu, Paula Zehnder, Stephen Hargash, Ed Kuck and Ryan Buchinger. In August 1995, hundreds of Germans visited Frankenmuth for the 150th anniversary celebration of the founding of Frankenmuth and for the filming of the Bavarian TV musical show ‘Die Lustigen Musikanten.” In the years 1997, 1998 and 2004, Frankenmuth High School’s acclaimed vocal group “Venner,” led by director Keith Spaulding, made concert tours in Germany and Austria. Their 1998 tour included the 700th birthday celebration for Neuendettelsau. To reciprocate, Gunzenhausen’s youth band (Jugendkapelle) gave concerts in Frankenmuth in 1998 and 2005. Also, the enthusiastic Gunzenhausen traditional music group “Gunzenhäuser Blous’n” performed at Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest from 2002 to 2007. Since 2010, Frankenmuth High School German teacher Jennifer Fruendt has taken students to Germany in even years with the German American Partnership Program. In August 2010, twenty-four scouts from Gunzenhausen visited Frankenmuth and also took part in the 100th anniversary of Scouting National Jamboree in Virginia.
The 50th Anniversary: June 7-11, 2012 In summary: · · ·
·
Thursday, June 7th: 8 pm anticipated arrival of 3 buses, followed by a welcome and dedication of the new fountain at Gunzenhausen Platz (intersection of Main St. & Covered Bridge Lane) Friday, June 8th: Evening spent at Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival Sunday, June 10th: 11 am German worship service at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church; 1 pm Bavarian Festival Parade (some German guests in the parade); 5 pm anniversary banquet at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. $30 tickets available by calling Frankenmuth City Hall at 989-652-9901 or Frankenmuth Credit Union at 580 N. Main St. Advance sale only. Monday, June 11th: 7:45 am farewell at the Bavarian Inn Lodge
The Frankenmuth Sister City Committee has 21 members to plan for events, exchanges and anniversaries. Its current officers are Dan Haubenstricker, chair; Mark Schutte, vice chair; Charlie Graham, secretary; Cheryl Mossner, treasurer. Gunzenhausen’s Sister City Committee “Freundeskreis” has been led by Renate Herrmann since 2003; she succeeded Siegfried Rein after his many years of service. In September 2012, Gunzenhausen will host about 100 visitors from Frankenmuth to conclude the 50th anniversary year.
Zum Schlu (In Closing) As these stories account, the friendships made within the partnership are a testimony to a small progressive group of leaders that first forged a cross-Atlantic relationship 50 years ago. The first Frankenmuth pilgrimage trip to Gunzenhausen, cited by many accounts as both a civic and religious visit and on a “People to People “basis, was “absolutely fabulous” according to Irene Zeilinger’s writings in 1962. During their first visit to Frankenmuth in 1964, Bürgermeister Wust commented in his dedication of the Linden tree in Gunzenhausen Platz that he hoped the tree “will bloom and grow like the friendship between Gunzenhausen and Frankenmuth, between the people of these sister cities.” Ultimately, both Zeilinger’s & Wust’s comments affirm what the sister cities’ relationship really is: Gunzenhausen, in Mittelfranken, Bavaria and Frankenmuth, in Mid-Michigan, are as much places in our hearts as they are places on a map. Mayor Rupprecht stated recently that “in the end, we may forget the speeches and the formalities, but we will never forget the memories with the people.”
TAPPING THE FIRST KEG of the 2011 Bavarian Festival is Mayor Gary Rupprecht, left, and Fred Schumacher, President of Hofbau America. (News photo)
Variety of beverages “on tap” in 2012 Frankenmuth Civic Events Council (CEC) Bartending Chairman Jeff Hervert has a large menu to suit the tastes of all festival attendees. Hofbrauhaus of America and Anheuser-Busch will be providing the beer. Hofbrau varieties will include the Original and Hefeweizen while Bud Light will also be on tap. Hofbrauhaus of America is headquartered in Frankenmuth, originating here in 1997 under President Fred Schumacher. Bud Light is available in a 16-ounce glass for $4, a 32-ounce pitcher is $7, a new 48-ounce pitcher is $10 and a 48-ounce pitcher refill is $9. Hofbrau Original and Hofbrau Hefeweizen are available in a 16-ounce glass for $5, a 32-ounce pitcher is $9, a new 48-ounce pitcher is $12 and a 48-ounce pitcher refill is $11.
O’Doul’s non-alcoholic beverage will aslo be available in a 12-ounce can for $2 (you must be 21 to purchase). In 2012 Black Label beer will be available on Thursday ONLY....$2 for a 12-ounce can. Persons looking for “malternatives,” the fest will be offering Jack Daniels products for $4 and Bacardi products for $3. Wine is also $3. Pepsi products in 20-ounce bottles will be selling for $2 each and bottled water is $1 each. Jägermeister shots will be $3 and $4 each and a mixed Jäger Barrel (Jäger and root beer) will be $5 each. A mixed drink/cocktail bar will be located inside the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion. Mixed drinks will be $5 and $6 a glass.
Traditional chicken barbecue at Bavarian Festival
One of the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival’s long-time staple foods lets people know its there long before anyone sees or tastes it. Barbecue chicken dinners were a part of the first festivals over 50 years ago and today, the gas grills are conveniently placed in the rear of the Sommer Garten in Heritage Park. Returning organizations manning the grills this year will be the Frankenmuth Noon
Rotary Club on Friday, June 9 (58pm), the Frankenmuth Jaycees on Saturday, June 10 (noon until gone) and the Richville American Legion Post #400 on Sunday, June 11, beginning at 2pm. A full size chicken dinner is $9 and each meal comes with all the fixings, plus the choice of beverage. Tickets are available on the festival grounds. The Noon Rotary Club will also be offering their hot pretzels from
their counter near the festival’s front entrance. Rotary members will also be “hawking” pretzels on the grounds as well as along Main Street on Sunday for the Bavarian Parade. This year’s rides and games will be provided by TJ Schmidt Amusements of Standish. Allday ride wrist bands as well as individual ride tickets will be available on the grounds.
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Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival Parade 2012 # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67
Name of Unit Frankenmuth Police Department Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department Michigan State Police Sheriff Federspiel Mustang American Legion Post 150-Honor Guard Frankenmuth Fire Department Mobile Medical Response 82nd Airborne Divison Association Frankenmuth Area Blue Star Families Frankenmuth American Legion Post 150 Willkommen Banner Frankenmuth High School Marching Band Theme Banner “Imported From Germany” Schaefer & Bierlein Truck Horse Drawn Carriage Schaefer & Bierlein Charges Grand Marshall - Bierlein & Family 2012 Bavarian Festival Princess Court Dorothy Zehnder & Family Oehrlein Dancers 2012 CEC President Amanda Cormier Plymouth Fife & Drum Lutheran Homes Of Michigan Frankenmuth Credit Union Michigan Sugar Company Michigan Bean Festival Queen Honorary Marshall Banner Mayor Gary Rupprecht Gunzenhausen Mayor - Joachim Federschmidt Gunzenhausen Stadtrat ( City Council Members) Honorary German Consul General Frederick W. Hoffman Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland 2012 Parade Chair Wayne Cormier Sorgenbrecher Band Schaefer & Bierlein Car St. Clair High School Marching Band McDonald’s Of Frankenmuth Servpro Of Saginaw Redford TWP. Unicycle Club Emil Rummel Agency Fire Truck Harmony Acres Arabian Parade Horses Tribute to Fallen Soldiers St. Lorenz Jr High Band Veterans Bell Memorial Schaefer & Bierlein Car Frankenmuth Boy Scouts Large Flag State Representative Ken Horn Frankenmuth Noon Rotary County Commissioner Dennis Krafft Vietnam Dog Handlers Association Richmond Good Ole Days Queen Frankenmuth Lions Club The Gratitude Steel Band Miss Davison & Court Pure Michigan Mustang Schaefer & Bierlein Senator Roger Kahn MD Mid Michigan Mad Men Flint Shrine Oriental Band NBC 25 Miss You Can Do IT Frankenmuth Travel Service 2011 Bavarian Festival Princess & Court Frankenmuth Sister City Committee Kia Of Frankenmuth Frankenmuth Jaycees Michigan Apple Queen
68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122
St. Martin Lutheran Church Congressman Dale Kildee Frankenmuth Soccer Association Elf Khurafeh - Tall Shriner Unit Polka Riot Saginaw Spirit Hockey Meijer Shopping Cart Meijer Antique Vegetable Truck Romeo High School Marching Band Virgil Norgrove The Clown Chesaning Showboat Music Festival Schaefer & Bierlein Car Miss Saginaw County Frankenmuth Bible Church Help Restoration El Fuego St. John Lutheran Church Parade Judges WHNN 96FM Johnny Burke Children’s Foundation Montrose Blueberry Queen & Court Frankentrost Band Allure’s Salon & Spa Bringing Back The 80’s Big Country Music Fest Sheriff’s Posse Sullivan’s Black Forest Frankenmuth Oktoberfest Virtel Voice Of Frankenmuth Turner Concrete La Placinta Mexican Restaurant St. Julian Winery Vassar Building Center Vassar High School Marching Band Frankenmuth Farmers Market Sevin’s O’brian Miss Bay County Mustang Club Of Mid Michigan Mid Valley Insurance & Financial 7-Eleven Of Frankenmuth Farm Bureau Insurance Schaefer & Bierlein Car Miss Beaverton 2011 MId Michigan Renaissance Festival The Good Volks (Volkwagons) Tuscola County 4 - H Star Of The West No Where Fast Youth Band Dale “Munchy” Muehfeld Calliope Music VanSteenhouse Memorial Schaefer & Bierlein Car Buena Vista Fire Department Frankenmuth Police Department Michigan State Police
Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival - 5B
NEW TO FRANKENMUTH BAVARIAN FESTIVAL is Die Lustigen Almdudler. A four piece band from Rochester, New York, they specialize in German/Austrian music, playing both traditional and modern songs. Die Lustigen Almdudler also features Schuhplattling, cow bell ringing and skits. You can find them on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 alternating with Sorgenbrecher in the Fest tent.
Civic Events Council Past Presidents
S&B OFFICIAL FEST CAR DEALER: Schaefer & Bierlein Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, celebrating the 160th anniversary of the family business, is the official dealership of the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, supplying courtesy vehicles for the Frankenmuth Civic Events Council (CEC) executive board during the 54th annual event. Above, S&B Sales Manager Kyle Bierlein shows off some of the cars to 2012 CEC President Amanda Cormier. The vehicles will appear in Saturday’s Kinder Tag Parade and the Bavarian Sunday Parade as well as in front of Heritage Park at various times during the Fest. Following the Fest, they will be available for sale at Schaefer & Bierlein. (News photo)
1961-Howard Mueller 1962-Charles Kern 1963-Jack Friebe 1964-Harry Boesnecker 1965-Richard Schluckebier 1966-Gene Schmidt 1967-Dr. Robert Protzman 1968-Tom Conzelmann 1969-Eric Wessborg 1970-Oscar Huber 1971-Allen Nickless 1972-Jack Otter 1973-Richard Krafft 1974-Arnold Krueger 1975-Bill Speer 1976-George Andrew 1977-Ted Luzenske
1978-Ron Hildner 1979-Don Mahlmeister 1980-Jim Williams 1981-Charlie Nickless 1982-Chuck Downey 1983-Jerry Vandeveer 1984-John Deterding 1985-Bill Varney 1986-Tom Jaffke 1987-Jerry Stanton 1988-Elva Kehrberg 1989-Michael Fassezke 1990-Tom Zuellig 1991-Ruth Abraham 1992-Dennis Krafft 1993-Sally Van Ness 1994-Jim Herzog
1995-Joe Cramer 1996-John Compton 1997-Greg Rummel 1998-Jerry Thompson 1999-Sue Slivinski 2000-Willy Rummel 2001-Frank Frysh 2002-Craig Fick 2003-Scott Wenzel 2004-Kim Hervert 2005-Jon Blegen 2006-Wayne Cormier 2007-Rolland Wenzel 2008-Brett Blegen 2009-Martin Wenzel 2010-Dan Martuch 2011-Juli Burns
6B - Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival
Bierlein family to be 2012 Bavarian Sunday parade Grand Marshals Saginaw County’s second oldest business and second-oldest family-operated auto-mobile dealership will be the featured guests at the Franken-muth Bavarian Festival’s Bavarian Sunday Parade. Schaefer & Bierlein ChryslerDodge-Jeep, founded 160 years ago in Frankenmuth, will have the Bierlein Family as its 2012 Grand Marshals. Dorothy Bierlein, wife of the late Duane Bierlein, will be joined by her son, Randy, and his sons, Kyle and Craig, in the parade. Their mode of transportation will include one of Randy’s older Chargers, a 2012 Charger and a convertible. A mini horse and buggy will also be part of the parade, as the sixth-generation business literally went “From Horseshoes to Horsepower,” as their slogan says. Dorothy, age 92, received a Paul Harris Fellow from the Frankenmuth Rotary Club last year. Dorothy is the daughter of the late Barney and Hannah Schaefer and married Duane Bierlein in 1948; he passed away in 2006. She sang in the St. Lorenz Treble Choir for over 60 years. Randy Bierlein, owner of the dealership, was joined by son Kyle, 33, seven years ago and Craig, 31, three years ago. Today, Kyle is the sales manager and Craig is the fixed operations manager. The firm employs 29 full-time personnel and a dozen part-time workers. “This is a nice honor and it is a great way to kick off our 160th anniversary celebration, as the business opened in September 1852,” Randy said. The business has had just two locations, the first being where the Frankenmuth River Place is located. In 1961, they moved the dealership to the corner of Weiss and East Jefferson streets. Prior to River Place, the Frankenmuth Carling and Heileman breweries were located on the same site. Schaefer &
Bierlein chose to relocate when then-Carling Brewery was looking to expand. The business began just seven years after Frankenmuth was founded. From 1852 through approximately 1920, the business was operated by three men, two Schaefers and one Rummel. The trio were primarily blacksmiths and the first name in 1852 was Schaefer Blacksmithing with a carriage shop. From the early 1920s until the early 1950s, Barney Schaefer and Henry Rummel were the men in charge and the firm was called Rummel & Schaefer. Back in 1914, Barney became intrigued with the horseless carriages that were making their way north of Detroit. He enrolled in the Michigan State Automobile School in Detroit, earned his certificate in May 1914 and was certified to chauffeur, repair, test and demonstrate automobiles. He returned to the blacksmith shop and hung out a sign that read “Garage” and Frankenmuth’s first auto dealer was in business. After World War II, Barney’s son Elmer returned home, married, and settled into the family business. Meanwhile, Barney youngest daughter, Dorothy, was planning to marry returning Navy veteran H. Duane Bierlein. Duane had worked at a competing dealership in town but when he and Dorothy became engaged, Barney thought it best that his future son-in-law also worked for the family business and not in competition with it. Duane and Dorothy had a daughter, Barbara, in addition to Randy. With Henry Rummel getting out of the business in 1954, Elmer and Duane purchased the Rummel half and the dealership was renamed Schaefer & Bierlein. Barney retired in 1957 after 50 years in the business. Elmer and Duane expanded the dealership and improved the business for nearly 30 years. In 1983, after turning 65 years
old, Elmer sold his half of the business to Duane’s son, Randy and that began the fifth generation operating a transportation family business in Frankenmuth. Over the years, the dealership also sold Fords, Buicks, Reos as well as a designated dealer for Willys Overland cars and farm implements. In 1933, the firm received Dodge and Plymouth franchises and became a dealer for John Deere farm machinery. They sold the John Deere business in 1974 to further concentrate on passenger vehicles. In 1978, the Chrysler nameplate was added and Jeep came along in 1991. Since 1961, the property has been renovated and expanded five times. In June 2007, in memory of Duane Bierlein, the Schaefer & Bierlein Platz was built at the corner of South Main and West Genesee streets. “We built it as a legacy to Schaefer & Bierlein. The people really notice it and we place many of our high-profile vehicles there,” Randy said. The Bierleins will also place red, white and blue vehicles on the platz for the patriotic holidays and even park purple and white vehicles there during Relay For Life of Frankenmuth as well as the MS Walk, which took place in early May. The Frankenmuth Boy Scout troops also use the platz for their fall pumpkin sales. Randy is pleased Kyle and Craig have joined in the family business, to add new ideas to the venture. “They may do things I necessarily would not do but then again I did some things I’m sure Elmer and Duane would not have done,” Randy explained. The Jeep line has added business to Schaefer & Bierlein, in particular, the Wrangler. “The Jeep line is really fun to work with,” Craig said. S &B has also renovated and installed a state-of-the-art paint booth, which cuts down on the painting drying time.
Popular Festival Olympics set for Friday, June 8 For the past four years, the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival has sponsored fun-filled contests for Frankenmuth-area organizations. The Festival Olympics will take place at 7pm Friday, June 8, in
Heritage Park, next to the Jaycee Pavilion. The games of skill and luck will feature eight, four-member teams competing for the traveling trophy, a $100 gift card donated by Meijer Stores and
Former Bavarian Princesses 1963 Kathy (Uebler) Nolan 1964 Diane (Schluckebier) Karst 1965 Marcia (Vanek) Conaway 1966 Vera (Zehnder) Bamberg 1967 Sue (Finkbeiner) Piesko 1968 Faye (Bronner) VanWert 1969 Bonnie (Borchard) Hildner 1970 Carolyn Ann (Goldammer) Frazee 1971 Barbara (Heindl) Jammer 1972 Diane (Scharrer) Pearl 1973 Debbie Eichhorn 1974 Carla (Bronner) Spletzer 1975 Christine (Schwab) Jablonski 1976 Nanette Jekel 1977 Deborah (Lips) Dunnam 1978 Michele Moskal 1979 Lynn (Showerman) Kaiser 1980 Joyce (Gessler) Mello 1981 Andrea (Bueker) Hoffmann 1982 Kimberly Harms 1983 Kathryn (Walker) Welch 1984 Gail (Stephens) Brow 1985 Lisa King 1986 Cheryl (Karst) Dzioba 1987 Kimberly (Kalkman) Jabbar 1988 Kristine (Frank) Gibson 1989 Cynthia (Banes) Keinath 1990 Carla (Reinhardt) Belill 1991 Jennifer (Keller) Standish 1992 Anna (Mossner) Meyer 1993 Bridget (Isquierdo) Smith 1994 Cindy (Maurer) Schroeder 1995 Trish (Spencer) Scharrer 1996 Elizabeth (Deterding) Merrihew 1997 Carolyn (Piesko) Petzing 1998 Laura (Budnik) Brown 1999 Jill Schrems 2000 Jennifer Hart 2001 Kristy (Nemec) List 2002 Megan (Savard) Martinka 2003 Sarah Herzog 2004 Melanie (Zuellig) Manthey 2005 Melinda (Frahm) Bierlein 2006 Katie Krafft 2007 Renee Auernhammer 2008 Kasey Gugel 2009 Britney Reinert 2010 Casey Schnitker 2011 Carolynn Brown
2012 GRAND MARSHALS for the Bavarian Parade are Dorothy Bierlein (front) along with her grandsons Craig (left), Kyle and her son Randy. (Photo courtesy/Rummel Studio)
free entrance into the festival’s Harvey Kern Community Pavilion. Second place is a $50 gift certificate from Tiffany’s Food & Spirits and free entrance into the pavilion. The 2012 teams include the Frankenmuth Athletic Association, Frankenmuth Credit Union, Frankenmuth Fire Department, Frankenmuth Insurance, Tiffany’s Food & Spirits, the Frankenmuth Jaycees Volkslaufe, the Jaycees World Expo of Beer and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth.
Chairpersons Juli Burns and Amanda Cormier have two returning games in the highenergy Beer Barrel Roll and the Dirndl Relay featuring men dressed in the ladies’ German apparel. “We have three new games this year which will include trays, peanuts and Mardi Gras beads,” Burns said, wanting to keep those three events secret until Friday evening. All of the activities take place near the Maypole. The crowd rings the area for the competition. There is no admission to Heritage Park.
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Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival - 7B
Youngest CEC president puts her stamp on 2012 festival For more than a decade, the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival’s Sunday Parade has had a lot of Amanda Cormier’s influence. This weekend, Cormier’s fingerprints will be all over the 54th annual event, set for Thursday, June 7 through Sunday, June 10. Cormier, 27, is the youngest president of the festival since the Frankenmuth Civic Events Council was formed in 1991 to operate Michigan’s oldest and largest German festival. “One of my early memories, when I believe I was 12-yearsold, was being dragged to a parade meeting by my dad,” Cormier recalls. “But soon I began to figure things out and I went willingly and helped out, taking part in the meetings.” Amanda’s father, Wayne, has played a large part in the festival’s history since he and his family moved here in 1989. Wayne, like Amanda, has chaired several Bavarian Sunday Parades and Wayne was the 2006 CEC president. This year, he is the parade chairman for his daughter. “In 2000, Wayne was parade chair and Bill Prueter was the co-chair. That’s when I decided to step up and it’s been gung-ho ever since,” Amanda said. Amanda was born in Vail, Colorado and is the oldest of three. Her brother, Nathan, and sister Samantha, assist with the festival as well as her mother, Jody, who can be seen pitching in Parade Sunday as well as in Heritage Park. For a dozen years, Cormier has played traffic cop at the St. Lorenz Rock on Parade Sunday mornings. Things can get quite chaotic with over 120 parade units all clamoring for time, looking for their assigned spot along Churchgrove Road. Invariably, conflicts arise, such as musical units ending up too close to horse-drawn entries,
units that show up late, ribbons and awards that must be given out, banner carriers arranged and marshals assigned to various locations along the city-long route. Cormier handles these tasks, and more, in an unflappable manner and has taken that approach to her year-long presidency. “I’ll still be working the registration tent on Parade Sunday. That is one thing I’ll do as long as I can,” Cormier said. A 2003 Frankenmuth High School graduate, Cormier earned her bachelor of arts in elementary education from Saginaw Valley State University in May 2008 Her minors were in mathematics and social studies and she holds early childhood and mathematics teaching endorsements. While looking for a full-time teaching position, she has been the office manager for Bavarian Specialties in Frankenmuth. In fact, owner Andy Schwarzkopf is a member of the CEC this year and the two promote the wearing of German apparel not just during the Bavarian Festival, but at many of Frankenmuth’s ethnic functions. Although Cormier has been a long-time CEC volunteer, she joined the board of directors in 2006. Amanda is a Frankenmuth Jaycee member, a Frankenmuth Sister City Committee volunteer and co-chair of the Ein Prosit Open golf tournament, which is a Sister City fundraiser. (The Open is set for Thursday, June 21, at The Fortress Golf Course). She is a member of the Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Frankenmuth. Amanda is proud to have her dad along side her. “Dad was determined to get more bands and we have four this year, the most in many, many years,” Amanda said. Frankenmuth High School will be joined by neighboring Vassar, along with St. Clair and Romeo
high schools. “He’s worked amazingly hard at the parade as well as sponsorship,” Amanda added. She is also pleased the Pure Michigan Mustang, from the Sprint Cup 400 NASCAR series, will be in the parade. The pace car should be a hit with the crowds as the series comes to Michigan International Speedway June 17. Cormier has made some good additions to the fest, including holding “Black Label Night” on Thursday only, bringing in a new band she saw in Spencerport, New York called Die Lustigen Almdudler from Rochester, New York, bringing in new Festival Olympics games and revamping Saturday’s Kinder tag activities, under the direction of Pam Mossner and Julie Haney. Also new this year is TJ Schmidt Amusements and their dozen rides, which will keep the Marv Herzog Fest Platz a lively place to be for children and their parents. Oh, there’s also a new Beer Slide inside the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion. Cormier encourages folks to come down and check it out for themselves. “Time management is something I have learned and it is a big thing. I put together a time line to know when to order things, such as the steins and ribbons, and learned to plan carefully. But the board has been tremendous and we really have a great group this year As for the presidency, “I knew it would happen eventually, but I thought I’d be on the board longer,” she said. “But I’m glad I decided to do it. I’m very excited, I look forward to the Fest and with my dad involved, I look forward to following in his footsteps,” Cormier said. Amanda has noticed the community is starting to back the festival once again. “We want this fest to be something the community can be proud of. We’ve been in a slump for a while and while we’ve had our tourists, I’m starting to see the local support coming around for the Bavarian Festival,” Cormier stated.
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NEW LOGO ON 2012 STEIN: The Frankenmuth Civic Events Council (CEC) revamped the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival logo and it was unveiled this spring. The logo is on one side of this year’s German-imported half-liter beer steins, which are available in limited quantities at the Fest for $40 each. The other side of the stein recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Sister City Partnership between Frankenmuth and Gunzenhausen, Germany. The two communities will celebrate the half-century mark during the Bavarian Fest. (News photo)
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CEC PRESIDENT AMANDA CORMIER holds a 2012 commemorative bier stein with the revamped Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival logo. Cormier invites the community to rediscover the Bavarian Festival in Heritage Park this year. (News photo)
Wayne Cormier views chairmanship as ‘labor of love’ For Wayne Cormier, working on the Bavarian Festival’s Sunday Parade is a labor of love. Cormier, who has chaired the annual parade in the past, is back this year as the top organizer for his daughter, who is the 2012 Frankenmuth Civic Events Council (CEC) president. Cormier has compiled a 122unit lineup that has something for everyone, young and old. Over the years, area residents have remarked that music makes a good parade and Cormier worked diligently to secure four high school bands, the most in many, many years. In addition to the hometown
Frankenmuth High School Band, musical troupes from Vassar, St. Clair and Romeo are coming to town. Micah Volz, formerly of Richville, is the St. Clair band director. Cormier said FHS band director, Eric Clauder, assisted in getting telephone numbers for the high schools. “I think I called all the high school band directors in lower Michigan,” Cormier said. “I’m really happy to have four high school bands,” Cormier said. Cormier singled out the 2011 National “Junior Miss You Can Do It” Margaux Wellman for mention.
Wellman is a seventh grade student at White Pine Middle School in Saginaw. This contest is open to all girls nationwide with special needs with the goal of creating a magical event as a stepping stone for girls and women with special needs and challenges. This summer, Wellman will be featured in the HBO documentary special, “Chasing Butterflies.” The film does behind the scenes of the pageant and Cormier says her story is very moving. Also, the Frankenmuth varsity girls’ track and field team will be at the end of the parade, celebrating the MHSAA Division 3 state title they won last weekend.
8B - Frankenmuth News 2012 - Bavarian Festival
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the Frankenmuth-Gunzenhausen partnership. The Partnership’s 50th anniversary commences Thursday, June 7 around 8pm in Frankenmuth with the arrival of 111 Germans for the dedication of a new fountain at Gunzenhausen Platz located along Main Street in downtown Frankenmuth. Atop the fountain’s stone pillar is a bronze sculpture of a couple clad in traditional Franconian attire, embraced in a dancing pose. Among the dignitaries dedicating the fountain are Joachim Federschmidt, the “Erster Bürgermeister” (1st Mayor) of Gunzenhausen, Frankenmuth Mayor Gary Rupprecht, and Judy Zehnder Keller, fountain project chairperson. Zehnder Keller provided conceptual and creative input in addition to soliciting funding. The Frankentrost Band, a brass and woodwind ensemble established in 1895, will provide live music at the dedication. (News photos)
Princess Coronation Luncheon set for June 9 The Bavarian Princess tradition began in 1963, almost 50 years ago, with the crowning of Kathy (Uebler) Nolan. This custom will continue at the 54th annual Bavarian Festival with a 1pm Princess Coronation Luncheon on Saturday, June 9. The event will be held inside the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion in Heritage Park, with a special food menu prepared by the Bavarian Inn Restaurant. Bavarian Princess Program Coordinator Abby Marshall is expecting a large turnout as the community says goodbye and thank you to the 2011 royalty, Princess Carolynn Brown and Court attendants Sarah Hadaway and Christine Varley. A new trio of young ladies is vying for the crown, chosen at the Bavarian Princess Tea on February 25, from a field of applicants. The candidates are, in alphabetical order, Meaghan Beyer, Shannon Ciszek and Morgan Townsend. The Frankenmuth Jaycees are an Edelweiss Sponsor of the event. Frankenmuth’s Dennis Krafft, who was the 1992 president of the Bavarian Festival, will be the master of ceremonies. The judges are Rebecca Trylch of WJRT ABC-12 and Cindy Bartkowiak, a past Yale Bologna Festival queen. The afternoon will begin with remarks from the 2012 CEC President, Amanda Cormier, followed by the invocation and lunch. The 2011 court will conduct “The Year in Review,” followed by the coronation of the 2012 princess, closing remarks and the playing of “Princess Fair” by Polka Riot accordionist Trent Urbytes. Tickets are $18 each and may be had by visiting the web site www.frankenmuthfestivals.com or by calling 1-800-FUN-FEST. Over the years, there have been over 140 young Frankenmutharea ladies taking part in the princess and court experience. Coronations have been held on different dates and sites. For
ONE WILL BE CHOSEN: The Bavarian Princess will be selected from these three finalists on June 9 in Heritage Park. They are, from the left, Meaghan Beyer, Shannon Ciszek and Morgan Townsend. (Photo courtesy/Rummel Studio)
a long time, Friday night was “Frankenmuth Night” and the new royalty was ushered in later in the evening. The coronation was also held separately from the fest, at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, in late May. Before the move to Saturday afternoons, the first night of the fest, Thursday was the day to crown the candidates.
The royal trio receives college scholarships, dirndls, sashes, white gloves, a tiara or flower rings, and more. They represent Frankenmuth at local events such as Zehnder’s Snowfest and Frankenmuth Jaycees’ Volkslaufe, and travel around the state to appear in about a dozen parades and events.