Page 8 – Hermann Sons Life – February 2017
Yorktown marks anniversary 2017 Installations during Christmas celebration
YORKTOWN – Yorktown Lodge celebrated its 125th anniversary during its Christmas party on Dec. 16. The evening’s activities included the presentation of membership pins to nine members by Grand Vice PresidentMarketing Tim Kolbe. The same week as the celebration, the Yorktown News-View, the local newspaper, published an article about the lodge’s 125th anniversary. This is the article that was published. “Quasquicentennial. It is the official term meaning ‘125th anniversary.’ The Yorktown Hermann Sons Lodge has reached a milestone this year. “The lodge, located on the spacious, pecan tree dotted corner of North Eckhardt and Fifth Street, has been a long-standing icon in the Yorktown community. From fellowship in the lodge hall to the locally famous Yorktown Hermann Sons dance troupes to participation by local youth at the Hermann Sons Youth Camp in Comfort, the Yorktown lodge has been a long contributing factor in the community. “According to the publication ‘Yorktown, Texas – 150-Year Anniversary,’ a publication printed by the Yorktown Historical Society in honor of Yorktown’s Sesquicentennial (or 150th anniversary), ‘The Yorktown Hermann Sons Lodge was originally chartered as the Armin Lodge No. 36 on Sept. 15, 1891. Charter members included Paul C. Stark, R.B. Riedel, F.M. Braunig, Otto Schmidt, R. Jacob, C.F. Grosse, J. Neumeyer, Robert Zuch, Gus R. Schultz, Charles Gerhardt and F. DeLipsey. “’The early formation included two separate units, a men’s lodge and a women’s lodge. The Sister Lodge was chartered on May 25, 1907, with Martha Haertig, Mathilde Schultz, Emma Zuch, Emma Braunig, Josephine Nowierski, Bertha Schultz, Emma Gips, Fredericke Thiele, Sophie Wittstock, Helen Prismeyer, Louise Geffert, Mary Hengst and Martha Krause as charter members.
HOUSTON – Houston Lodge hosted the installation for Districts 34, 35 and 37 on Sunday, Jan. 8. Pictured are, from left, Larry Hoff, president of Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge; Gary Falkenberg, president of Houston Lodge; Al Stryk, president of Gulf Lodge; Elaine Swaim, president of Montgomery Lodge; and Grand Vice President-Marketing Tim Kolbe who installed the officers. Four members of Yorktown Lodge received their 70-year membership pins at the lodge’s Christmas party. They are Carol Blain, a member since Dec. 3, 1946; Gerry Riske, a member since Feb. 11, 1946; Don Simecek, a member since Sept. 9, 1946; and Buddy Boldt, a member since Nov. 26, 1946. They are pictured with lodge President Chris Hosinski and Grand Vice President-Marketing Tim Kolbe.
TWIN SISTERS – Twin Sisters Lodge hosted the installation for District 13 on Sunday, Jan. 8. Pictured are, from left, Clifton Klabunde, president of Prinz Solms Lodge; Karen Harborth, president of New Braunfels Lodge; Grand Finance Committee Member Sandra Jones who installed the officers; Sandra Duncan, president of Spring Branch Lodge; and Phil Hartmann, president of Twin Sisters Lodge.
Yorktown Lodge members receiving their 60-year membership pins at the lodge’s Christmas party in December were Sandra Bolting, a member since April 1, 1956; Nelda Warzecha, a member since Sept. 19, 1956; Jimmy Wolf, a member since April 1, 1956; Stuart Schroeder, a member since Nov. 6, 1956; and Scott Wolf, a member since April 1, 1956. Also pictured are Grand Vice President-Marketing Tim Kolbe and lodge President Chris Hosinski. “’The Brother and Sister lodges combined on Jan. 1, 1976, to form a mixed lodge which is currently known as Yorktown Hermann Sons Lodge No. 36. “And the Yorktown Hermann Sons Lodge No. 36 is still going strong today.’ “The lodge recently acquired additional lots adjacent to the hall, expanding usage of the grounds for their family Western Days weekend every October, as well as the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration and other cook-offs sponsored throughout the year. The lodge’s lounge is open to the public daily.”
YOAKUM – Hochheim-Prairie Lodge hosted the installation for Districts 10 and 11 on Sunday, Jan. 8. Pictured are, from left, Grand Finance Committee Member Wilburn Pargmann, Grand Vice President-Fraternal Kim Krueger who installed the officers; and Hochheim-Prairie Lodge President Janet Zabransky. Officers from Flatonia, Gonzales, Hallettsville, Hochheim-Prairie, Moulton, Schulenburg and Shiner lodges were installed that day. The Yorktown Lodge Hall is located at the corner of North Eckhardt and Fifth Street in Yorktown.
More installation photos coming in March!