June2017

Vol. 120, No. 8

June 2017

InsIde

The new Board of Directors is pictured at left after being installed on Tuesday night during the 47th Grand Lodge Convention. The six include, from left, Suzanne Hildebrand, David Wolf, Stan Steiger, Sandra Jones, David Noak and Mike Beam.

Campers can apply for first-ever Grief Support Session ➤ Pg. 7

Five reasons why you should attend Camp Open House

Below: Sandra Jones is the new Chair of the Board following her election to the position on Tuesday at the Grand Lodge Convention. The new Board’s first action was to appoint Buddy Preuss to be President and CEO of the organization.

➤ Pg. 8

Five receive Retirement Home Scholarships ➤ Pgs. 11-12

hermannsonslife.org

A new name, a new board SAN MARCOS – Delegates to the 47th Grand Lodge Convention have approved important changes to Grand Lodge Laws that will change the organization’s name and the way it is governed. The Convention was held April 30-May 3 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos.

Since it was chartered by the state of Texas in 1890, the organization’s legal name has been Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas. The new name is Hermann Sons Life.

“The paperwork has been filed with the Texas Department of Insurance to legally change our name to Hermann Sons Life,” President and CEO Buddy Preuss announced after the Convention. “Once we

have TDI’s approval, we can move forward with changing our name in all of the places where it appears.”

The new governance structure includes the creation of a Board of Directors. The first six directors were elected by the delegates at the Convention. Two more will be appointed in the weeks to come.

The six elected delegates are Sandra Jones from Fort Worth Lodge, Mike Beam from Harmonia Lodge in San Antonio, Suzanne Hildebrand from Mission-Alamo Lodge in San Antonio, David Noak from Rutersville Lodge, Stan Steiger from Harmonia Lodge in San Antonio and David Wolf from Wichita Falls Lodge.

See DELEGATES, Pg. 18

Complete Convention coverage on Pages 18-23!

Page 2 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

President’s Message

The State of Our Organization HERMANN SONS LIFE USPS 242200 Periodicals Postage Paid at San Antonio, Texas Published Monthly by ORDER OF THE SONS OF HERMANN 515 S. St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, Texas 78205 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Hermann Sons Life P.O. Box 1941 San Antonio, TX 78297-1941 HOME OFFICE: 515 S. St. Mary’s Street P.O. Box 1941 San Antonio, Texas 78297-1941 210-226-9261 or 1-800-234-4124 Fax: 210-226-3055 Hermann Sons Life-Camp 830-995-3223 Retirement Home 830-995-2724 DIRECTORS Sandra Jones, Chair Mike Beam Suzanne Hildebrand David Noak Stan Steiger David Wolf OFFICERS President and CEO Allan W. “Buddy” Preuss Vice President of Operations and COO Mary Beam Vice President of Finance and CFO Harry Werland Vice President of Marketing Timothy P. Kolbe Vice President of Member Benefits Kimberly A. Krueger

I just returned from the 47th Grand Lodge Convention in San Marcos. It was nice to be in San Marcos. Forty years ago I was there meeting with advisors and getting ready to start my freshman year at Southwest Texas State University. The next summer I would spend my first season at Camp and three years later would start working fulltime for Hermann Sons. Most of my last four decades have been spent with Hermann Sons. The people I have met and the roads we have traveled together as an organization have strengthened the Hermann Sons pride which was instilled in me from an early age. I join with all of you in acknowledging the pride of being members of the greatest fraternal benefit society in the nation.

The state of our organization is strong. We are relevant. We are enduring. We are successful. We have everything people need and want in a life insurance company. We are successful because we are working harder to meet our true potential. We are finding better ways to communicate with all members. Better ways to do business. Although we are experiencing the membership declines that plague most membership organizations, we feel optimistic about our potential for future growth.

Any plan for growth must include future vision. There are external forces at work shaping our future and the officers, under the direction of the Board of Directors, are ready to continue the vital work in these areas.

There are really five external forces that are shaping our future: technology, increasing regulations, the economic environment, growing customer expectations and talent acquisition and development.

Digital technologies continue to redefine the life insurance industry. Yes, we are a small fraternal fish in the big corporate pond. But there are still things we can do to compete and improve customer service for all.

Our Marketing and Sales, Information Technologies, Underwriting and Member Services and Engagement departments are working together to create online member tools. These ad-

vancements will give members real-time access to policy information, applications and payments, and policy changes. Our members expect the best in customer service and we should be able to provide at least the same level of service they get at every other company with which they do business. I understand we are a company steeped in tradition and our members like that.

But we can still be modern in our business practices creating a smart, personal approach to making insurance easier.

Insurance regulations have increased greatly. In just the past four years, Texas Department of Insurance risk-based audits, model governance regulations and required asset liability matching testing have emerged.

And there is more to come with Enterprise Risk Management requirements, Department of Labor legislation, Risk Based Capital rules and new cyber security regulations. The good news is we have a dynamic staff that has personal relationships with the Texas Department of Insurance and the American Fraternal Alliance who are advocates for our fraternal mission. We have positioned ourselves for success and are ready for what is around the corner.

Continued global economic

"Hugs from Home"

Give us the name and address of someone who is serving in Iraq or Afghanistan and we will add them to our "Hugs from Home" list of care package recipients.

Name ______________________________________ Address Line 1 _______________________________ Address Line 2 _______________________________ Address Line 3 _______________________________ Deployment Dates ____________________________ Clip and mail to:

Hermann Sons Grand Lodge P.O. Box 1941 San Antonio, TX 78297-1941 Attention: Fraternal Department

weakness, combined with the low interest rate environment, is expected to continue. We have been very successful weathering the economic environment but the stress is not over yet. We must continuously re-evaluate our business model and define our risk appetite if we want to continue to be successful.

There is a real competition for talent and a real need for succession planning. Governance changes have already shown positive effects on board candidate numbers and talent.

Approved Board education and assessment standards will strengthen Board decisions, oversight and successful outcomes.

Our roadmap to success focuses on unlocking value from a complex regulatory environment, preparing for more economic uncertainty ahead, remaining laser-focused on customer-centered innovation, embracing the technologies that can improve performance and rethinking strategies to attract, develop and retain talent. Our vigilance in both understanding and adapting to these emerging forces will be the key for our positive and successful future.

Fraternally, Buddy Preuss President and CEO

Donations make ‘Hugs’ from Home’ possible SAN ANTONIO – Donations continue to be made so that more “Hugs from Home” can be sent to military personnel serving overseas.

The latest donors to the program were: Carol Swan McGregor Lodge Retirement Home If you would like to make a donation, send it to: Hermann Sons Home Office, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297-1941, Attention: Member Services Department.

If you know someone serving overseas and would like for him/her to receive a care package, fill out the form to the left and mail it to the same address.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 3

Schlitterbahn outing now open to all members

SAN ANTONIO – All Hermann Sons members are invited to be a part of Family Fun Day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels on June 17.

In the past, this event was reserved for the Future Club Shining Stars and their families. But this year, the event is open to all Hermann Sons members.

“This outing has been growing in popularity every year,” Vice President of Member Benefits Kim Krueger said. “It is such an awesome way for Hermann Sons families to spend time together that we decided it was time to open it up to all Hermann Sons members.”

Shining Stars will still get into the park for free. They have received information in the mail about how to order their tickets.

All other Hermann Sons members can order their tickets by completing the form here or by

calling the Home Office at 210226-9261 or 800-234-4124 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.4:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $47 for everyone ages 12 and above (regular price is $56 at the gate without lunch) and $42 for children ages 3-12 (regular price is $44 at the gate without lunch). Schlitterbahn cups are available for $7 each and can be refilled free of charge throughout the park that day.

A picnic area in the Surfenburg area of the park has been reserved for Hermann Sons members.

Lunch will be served there free of charge to everyone who is part of the Hermann Sons group.

The deadline to order tickets is June 7. A reservation confirmation will be sent after June 7 that will list information on the tickets that you have ordered and how you can pick them up on June 17.

Schlitterbahn Family Fun Day Ticket Order Form Name___________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City ______________________ State _______ Zip ______________ Adults

______ X $47 = ____________

Children ages 3-11

______ x $44 = ____________

Refillable cup (with free refills all day)

______ x $7 = ____________

TOTAL ENCLOSED ____________ Mail completed form with check or money order made payable to Hermann Sons to Hermann Sons, Attn: Cecily Kelly, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297-1941.

Events JUNE 17 – Womack Lodge will host its annual Fish Fry 4 – Kirby Lodge will hold its annual Senior Games benefitting the Clifton Volunteer Fire Depart-

at the lodge hall in Kirby, 210 Bauman St., starting at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Anyone age 55 or older is welcome to come and play for free.

10 – The annual Open House at Hermann SonsCamp will be held today. Open House offers campers and their parents a chance to tour the facilities and take part in Camp activities before the summer season begins. The pool will be open and lunch will be served. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

ment. Serving starts at 5 p.m. at the lodge hall.

JULY 5-8 – The first Grief Support Session at Hermann

Sons-Camp will be held. This session is open to children ages 6 to 17 - members and non-members - who have experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. Camper applications are now being accepted at hermannsonslife.org. For more information, see Pg. 7.

JULY 11-12 – Pershing Lodge members and guests 19 – Vineta Lodge will host its annual scholar-

will travel to Coushatta Casino Resort by bus. ship fund-riaser in the Home Association RathsFor more information, contact Terri Armstrong at keller, 525 S. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio. Serving of sandwiches, ice cream and lots of desserts be210-378-0319. gins at 11:30 a.m. for a $5 donation. There will be 14 – Kirby Lodge will hold its annual Flag Day attendance prizes. For tickets and more informaceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Kirby Fire Station. tion, call 210-602-5147.

15 – Marion Lodge members and their guests are invited to the lodge’s summer picnic being JULY-AUGUST held at the Marion Bowling Club. Pizza and drinks 29-30 and 5-6 – The annual Hermann Sons will be furnished and there will be free bowling. State Bowling Tournament will be held at Dart Bowl in Austin. Deadline to enter is July 1. The enMembers are asked to bring desserts. try form and tournament rules can be found on Pgs. 14-15.

If you would like to see your lodge’s event listed here and in the Events section of the Hermann Sons Life website, call Kathie Ninneman, 210-226-9261, ext. 273, or 1-800-234-4124, ext. 273, or email kathien@hermannsonslife.org.

Editor/Communications Director Kathie Ninneman 210-226-9261, ext. 273 email: kathien@hermannsonslife.org Assistant Editor/Assistant Communications Director Elaine Soto 210-226-9261, ext. 279 email: elaines@hermannsonslife.org Fax: 1-888-443-3377 or 210-892-0252 Website: www.hermannsonslife.org All news articles and photographs should be mailed to: Editor Hermann Sons Life P.O. Box 1941 San Antonio, TX 78297-1941 or emailed to: kathien@hermannsonslife.org Deadline for each monthly issue is the 10th of the month of publication.

The Hermann Sons Life newspaper is an official publication of the Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas. The management and editorial policy of the newspaper shall be in the hands of the Grand President, and the Grand President shall have the authority to appoint a member or members of Hermann Sons as editor and/or business manager thereof (Art. 38, Grand Lodge Laws).

Page 4 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Attorney Don Saunders passes away at age of 75

SAN ANTONIO – Funeral services were held Friday, May 12, for Don W. Saunders, longtime corporate legal counsel for Hermann Sons. Brother Saunders passed away May 1 at the age of 75. He had been a member of Kirby Lodge since 1981.

Brother Saunders was born Sept. 8, 1941, in San Antonio, to Frank and Ruby (Robinson) Weltens, and was later the stepson of longtime San Antonio attorney T.J. Saunders.

He attended North East High School and graduated in 1959 as the class president of the inaugural senior class of Robert E. Lee High School. He went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin on a baseball scholarship, ultimately graduating from St. Mary’s University with a Juris Doctor

degree in 1966.

He would then go on to a distinguished law career and life of community service spanning more than 50 years, highlights of which include serving with distinction as a Captain in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, recognition by the North East Independent School District Board of Trustees for meritorious service on the Board of Equalization, service as president of the Rotary International Club of San Antonio, and service as general counsel to Hermann Sons and other San Antonio corporations.

Brother Saunders took great pride in being a member of the State Bar and representing the legal profession with dignity and respect.

He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoy-

ing hunting, fishing, photography and SCUBA diving, both as a member of the SAINTS and as a PADI-certified instructor. He was an unwavering fan of the San Antonio Spurs.

He is survived by wife Sharon; daughter Kathryn Craven and husband Jonathan and grandsons Astin and Tyler, son Charles Saunders and wife Suzanne and grandchildren Jackson and Josephine, stepdaughter Lorene Kohleffel and husband Michael and grandchildren Jacob, Luke and Olivia; sister Janet Saunders and sister Susan Ford and husband John and sons Mark and Joseph Maniscalco.

Donations may be made to the Grief Support Session at Hermann SonsCamp or Remington Acres Equine Sanctuary.

Don W. Saunders, corporate legal counsel for Hermann Sons, has passed away at the age of 75.

Inside Lodge Reports Albert Kypfer . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Anton Wenzel . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Bellville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Bernardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Bexar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Boerne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Cat Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Cibolo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Converse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Corpus Christi . . . . . . . . . . . .38 DaCosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Deanville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Dunlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Edelweiss-Magnolia . . . . . .35 El Campo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Fort Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Fredericksburg . . . . . . . . . . .32 Gay Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Giddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Harmonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Helotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Highland Lakes . . . . . . . . . . .32 Hochheim-Prairie . . . . . . . . .27 Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Kirby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

La Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Laubach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 La Vernia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Lockhart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Louise Schuetze . . . . . . . . . .35 Marion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Maxwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 McGregor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Montgomery County . . . . .35 Moulton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Needville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 New Braunfels . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Niederwald . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Old Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Paige . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Pershing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Prinz Solms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Richland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Round Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Rowena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Rutersville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Schulenburg . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 San Marcos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Seguin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Siemering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Twin Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Vineta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Womack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Monthly Features 2 2 3 13 16 17 17 17

President’s Message Donations made to send ‘Hugs’ Calendar of Events Retirement Home News Pioneer Members Memorial donations In Memoriam of Our Deceased Members Medical Notes

1 & 18-23 3 4 14-15 8 8

Grand Lodge Convention coverage Schlitterbahn event now open to all members Attorney Don Saunders passes at age 75 Bowling tournament set for Austin Pat Saunier retires after 27 years as underwiter Heinsohn takes role as new underwriter

5 6 6 6 39

Convention campaign proves successful April recommenders recognized Prize offered for recommending members Current interest rates listed Listing of agents

7 8 8 9 9-10 10 11-12 12 12 15 15 24 40

Campers can apply for Grief Support Session Camp Open House set for June 10 Former campers invited to apply to CIT program Summer jobs available at Camp Tournament held to raise money for scholarships Scholarship recipients recognized Home awards five $1,500 scholarships Answers to puzzles on Pg . 40 Poth-Floresville holds dance recital Dance recital dates listed Assessment fee added to Dance Program DaCosta School of Dance holds recial Shining Stars

New This Month

Marketing News

Youth in Action

Marketing

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 5

Marie Herridge was the winner of a $100 prize in a drawing held among all those delegates and guests who recommended a new member during the Grand Lodge Convention. Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe presented the prize.

Marjorie Kohler of Shive Lodge accepts the $100 prize her lodge received for being the single-delegate lodge with the most new member referrals during the Convention. Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe presented the prize.

Siemering Lodge President Ana Vasquez accepts her lodge’s $100 prize for being the lodge with the most new member referrals during the Grand Lodge Convention. Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe presented the prize.

By TIM KOLBE Vice President of Marketing SAN MARCOS – The Marketing Department really shone through at the recent 47th Grand Lodge Convention.

Members of the staff stayed busy at the registration table taking referrals from Convention delegates and guests. At the tote board and map, lodges were competing to see which would be the winner in the referral contest.

A large map of the state of Texas is where the application and referral locations were indicated. The tote board listed all the lodges and the number of referrals tallied by lodge.

In all members referred 110 new prospects for membership during the Convention.

Our members are the best prospectors for growth, and we love you for it. Those referrals will be in the hands of agents soon, so expect a call from the agent assigned who will ask for your assistance in an introduction to the proposed client/member. This is a team effort to recruit and

retain members.

At Tuesday night’s banquet celebration, Marie Herridge of Bellville was introduced as the lucky winner in the $100 recommender drawing.

The lodge with the greatest number of referrals was awarded a $100 gift card. Congratulations to Siemering Lodge in San Antonio with its 13 referrals. Honorable mention goes to Seguin Lodge for submitting 12 referrals.

An unannounced drawing was held among the singledelegate lodges. Our smaller lodges are just as important in recruiting new members as the larger ones. All lodges are important and asked to contribute to the effort to grow our organization. Congratulations to Shive Lodge, which submitted six referrals. Shive is a small central-Texas community in Hamilton County.

Agent delegates who attended the Convention submitted 17 applications during the event. The two agents who submitted the most applications at Convention were

Sandra Jones from Fort Worth and Special Representative Al Stryk from Pearland, both with four applications each.

Thank you Sandra and Al. While attending agents submitted applications at Convention, the special campaign stipulated that all applications dated April 24 through May 3 were eligible for the agent prize drawing. In all, 39 applications were submitted during the contest period and we are happy to announce the drawing winner as Agent Ruth Bailey from San Antonio. Congratulations Ruth!

Special thanks go to all members of the Marketing Team and supporters for their hard work prior to, at and immediately after the Convention. They are the support system for our field agents and we love them for it. Most of all, we want to thank our recommenders again for an awesome job referring potential members at Convention. Keep sending in referrals and be eligible for the monthly drawing of $100.

The Marketing Department Team took referrals for new members from delegates and insurance applications from agents during the Grand Lodge Convention. Special Representative Eulla Krueger and the other special representatives worked the table each day.

Marketing Analyst Ana Vasquez places a pin near the location where a potential new member was referred. The large map of Texas sat next to a tote board where lodges competed to see which one would have the most referrals.

Special Representative Eulla Krueger and Marketing Analyst Ana Vasquez mark the location of a potential new member on the big state of Texas map displayed at the Grand Lodge Convention. That’s Vic Krueger looking on.

Recommenders are highlight of Convention

Page 6 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Smaistrla wins gift card for April recommenders The Marketing Department is recognizing 61 recommenders for the month of April. This brings the total to 156 members recommending 198 new members to Hermann Sons in 2017.

The winner of the $100 gift card for April is Grayson Smaistrla, a member of Gulf Lodge.

Congratulations to the following April recommenders: Recommender Agent Sally M Staudt, Fredericksburg Dennis Henke Jennifer L. Bartlett, Seguin Shirley Huebinger Maci Jane Biehle, Giddings Linda Kieschnick Bradford Boehme, Castroville Glenford Boehme Alexis J. Castor, Fort Worth Sandra Jones Christi Anne Cole, Comfort Jean Merchant Callie M. Cox, Mission-Alamo Roxy Pruski Janene Cravy, Gulf (*) Al Stryk Emily Crouch, Prinz Solms Teresa Saathoff Bonnie Mae Cypert, Pershing (^) Marilyn Vogt Bonnie Mae Cypert, Pershing Carol Krauss Brynn Dominguez, Vineta Ruth Bailey Ricky Alan Engelke, Stern Annette Roecker Vincent Franckowiak, La Vernia Marlin Tanneberger Catherine A. Freeman, Fort Worth (*) Sandra Jones Austin Wayne Greer, Da Costa Laura Thigpen Tenley Hamlin, Cibolo Dan Boenig Dustin Hardaway, Anton Wenzel (*) Gary Falkenberg Ryan Ella Hatcher, Castroville Glenford Boehme Jake Douglas Hooker, Prinz Solms (*) Teresa Saathoff Chloe Nicole Howard, New Braunfels (*) Ruth Bailey Beck Travis Hudson, New Braunfels Shirley Huebinger Ryan M. Ives, Gulf Al Stryk Alexis May Kellogg, Vineta (*) Ruth Bailey Ava Taylor Klein, New Braunfels Shirley Huebinger Phyllis Ann Krause, Karnes City Russell Swize Kyle Allen Leach, Marion Lorene Bielke Kylie Renee McElroy, New Braunfels Shirley Huebinger Noah A. Miller, Spring Branch Sandra Duncan Justin A. Missildine, Marion Lorene Bielke Kimberly A. Mockert, Spring Branch Teresa Saathoff Grace Emily Mondini, Boerne Marilyn Vogt David Muehlstein, Shiner Mary Koenig Irene A. Mueller, Cuero Family Laura Ann Tiffin Chad C. Naylor, Harmonia Marilyn Vogt Breanna D. Nelson, Converse Dan Boenig Edward Joe Nester, Dunlay Glenford Boehme Sara Ann Pack, Giddings Loretta Chilek Trinity Patterson, Corpus Christi Dennis Henke Elexis Faith Pearson, Bandera County Stephanie Brown Rosendo Punte, Manchaca (*) Shirley Faske Willa Mae Pyle, Kerrville Betty Murphy Ruby Rechenthin, Comfort Norma Bruns Riley Ann Sablatura, Hondo Victory Ruth Bailey Patricia Ann Saunier, Hondo Victory (*) Eulla Krueger Cole Matthew Savage, Marion Lorene Bielke Lance E. Schulze, Bexar (*) Darlene T. Irwin Brooklyn Seidensticker, Comfort (*) Norma Bruns Grayson Smaistrla, Gulf Al Stryk Landon A. Smith, El Campo Dennis Wigginton Holiday Lynn Starr, Spring Branch (*) Sandra Duncan Kathleen H. Tarbox, Louise Schuetze Angela Netherton Anne Van Westen, Schwertner Irene Schwertner Ana Vasquez, Siemering Eulla Krueger Zoe Addison Walter, Lone Oak Roxy Pruski Marianne Walters, Fort Worth Sandra Jones Autumn Lynn Weaver, New Braunfels (*) Shirley Huebinger Garrett Weaver, Boerne Carl Behrendt Emma Jean Weynand, D’Hanis (^) Glenford Boehme Jonathan Wiatrek, Stockdale Ronald Wiatrek Carl Jane Wick, Bryan (*) Gary Falkenberg Phoenix Zimmerhanzel, Gonzales Angela Netherton (*) Recommended 2 new members (^) Recommended 3 new members

Recommend a New Member!

Be a part of our “We Strengthen Community” 2017 Campaign and help each Hermann Sons lodge reach its new member goal.

Recommend someone you know for membership and you could win a $100 gift card. Every time you submit the name of a prospective new member, your name will be placed in a drawing.

Each month one name will be drawn and that person will win a $100 gift card.

The more new members you recommend, the more chances you have to win.

PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBER INFORMATION Name_____________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________ State ______ Zip _______________________ Home Phone ____________________________ Cell Phone _________________________________ Best time to call ____________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDED BY _________________________________________________________________ My phone number ________________________ My lodge _________________________________

Current Interest Rates on New Life and Annuity Plans Flex Life Single and Modal Premium Products Current Non-Guaranteed Rate on Accumulation Account: 4.5% Current Guaranteed Rate: 2.5% Senior Adult Final Expense (SAFE) Plans Paid-up Additions on the Face Value: 2.5% Simple Qualified and Non- Qualified Annuities 5-Year Annuities* Current: 2.6% Contact a local agent or the Home Office at Guaranteed: 1.5% 877-437-6266 or 210-527-9113 9-Year Annuities** for more information on these and other Current: 2.8% products offered by Hermann Sons.

Guaranteed: 1.5% * Refers to the surrender period in which penalties apply for early surrender ** Certain exceptions to early surrender apply; call home office for details

Camp News

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 7

First ever Camp Grief Support Session begins July 5 Application deadline is June 16

By Katie Klohn Miller executive Camp Director When Vice President of Member Benefits Kim Krueger first told me that Hermann Sons had chosen grief support services as its focused service cause, I thought it was a wonderful idea. Then when she told me that we would like to offer a Grief Support Session at Camp I got really excited because I soon realized just what a need there is for it.

Our journey started in July of 2016 when Kim, Engagement Director Jennifer Cernosek and I went to visit Camp Fire El TesoroDe La Vida during its week-long grief session. It was amazing to see the work the therapists were doing and I remember on the way home realizing just what an amazing opportunity we had to serve our members and others in our communities.

I distinctly remember the lead therapist telling us that often a child is able to make the same amount of progress during one week at a camp like this as they do after several months of individual counseling. He told us there is just something powerful about grief support happening in a camp setting and after seeing it in action I was a believer.

In the fall of 2016, thanks to Community Service Coordinator Laura Adams we made a connection with the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas located in San Antonio.

We knew we had the facility and the program staff to make the camp aspect of the Grief Support Session possible, but we were missing the therapeutic aspect. Our partnership with the Children’s Bereavement Center has been such a blessing and we are so excited about working with them to make our first Grief

Support Session possible.

The Children’s Bereavement Center’s mission is to foster healing for grieving children and youth, their families and the community. They offer individual counseling services, grief support groups with peers, as well as family counseling opportunities.

The center has also offered grief camps in the past.

We are excited because several representatives from the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas will be joining us for Open House on Saturday, June 10. That day they will be holding the first of two pre-camp meetings for families who have campers attending our Grief Support Session. This will be a great time to tour the Camp, experience some activities and have an opportunity to meet with the therapists and ask some questions.

Our Grief Support Session will be held July 5-8 at the Hilltop site.

It is for children between the ages of 6 and 17 (by Sept. 1, 2017) who have lost a loved one. This session will be different from anything that we have done in the past. It will take place in a small setting with only 50 campers and many volunteers. The application for the session is currently live on our website and registration is open to Herman Sons members as well as non-members.

This is a true community service project. There is a $50 assessment fee associated with the application but this is the only money that will be required from the

camper and the family. Thanks to our generous members we have been able to raise the remaining cost of the session. Once an application is received, families will receive a phone call from a therapist to learn some more about the camper. If for some reason it is decided that the Grief Support Session is not a good fit for a camper, the assessment fee will be refunded. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

I am sure you are wondering what campers will be doing during the half-week session. When campers arrive on Wednesday, July 5, they will come to the Houston Home Association Activities Center where they will be greeted

by Camp staff as well as therapists from the Children’s Bereavement Center. We will have an opening meeting together and then families will have the opportunity to get their camper(s) all moved into their cabin for the session. Campers will be placed in cabin groups based on their age and gender.

Bunks will already be assigned when families walk into the cabin on opening day.

After campers are all settled, families will leave and we will begin getting to know each other.

First, campers will have an opportunity to get to know their cabinmates and cabin counselors during a cabin team meeting. Following the meeting we will take cabin photos and then there will be a free swim. After campers have the opportunity to cool off in the pool, it will be time to get

changed and ready for dinner.

Once dinner has been completed we will have our first official whole Camp meeting with everyone. This will be a time for us to create our community as a whole group and campers will have an opportunity to get to know everyone who they will be working with. Campers will also have a chance to participate in their first Healing Circle on Wednesday evening when they get to introduce their Special Person that they lost to their small group followed by an opportunity to learn about everyone’s Special Person when we gather back together as a community. Once the Healing Circle is finished we complete our nightly grateful circles and get ready for a good night’s sleep.

Thursday and Friday will be similar days for the campers.

Campers will have the opportunity to participate in a mixture of regular camp activities while continuing their Healing Circles with their small group. Some of the traditional camp activities that campers can pick from are Recreational Games, Adventures in Nature, Rocketry, Camp Crafts, Ceramics, Archery, Dance, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Court Hockey, STEM Exploration, Flag Football, Cheerleading and Drama. In the morning campers will go to two activities and one Healing Circle. In the afternoon campers will pick one activity, attend a Healing Circle and then have the opportunity to swim.

Each evening we will gather for a full Camp activity that will include a variety of things like a campfire and Camp dance.

At the conclusion of the session we are planning a picnic lunch with our campers and their families. It will be a time to celebrate the time they spent at Camp and share what they accomplished with their family. Parents and guardians also will have the opportunity to meet with the therapists to learn a little bit more about what the campers did throughout the week and some things they can do to continue to

help them on their healing journey.

We know that a grief journey is never quite finished, however we are excited to provide our campers with some skills and tools that they will be able to use as they continue their journey as an individual and with their family. We can’t wait to serve our members and other individuals in our communities during the Grief Support Session.

Are you interested in supporting the Grief Support Session or our focused service cause of grief support services? Here are some things you can do to help: • Tell others about the session we are hosting. We have room for 50 campers for the session and even if you do not know a child between the ages of 6-17 personally who could benefit from the session, someone else might. The deadline to apply for this session is June 16.

• Make a donation to the Grief Support Session by visiting https://www.texashermannsons. org/donate.

• Encourage your lodge to have an event or fund-raiser and donate the funds to an organization in your town that supports our cause such as a hospice center.

There is actually a list of different grief support services available on our website.

• If you live in the San Antonio area you could volunteer through the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. They are always looking for individuals to serve as greeters, provide the meal for an evening or even possibly assist with group sessions.

I am so excited for the session and the opportunity we have as an organization to really impact our communities and the individuals in them.

If you have any specific questions regarding the Grief Support Session please call the Home Office and we will be there to support you. Thanks go to our members who have already helped to make this focused service cause a success!

Page 8 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Camp News

Hermann Sons-Camp to host annual Open House

By Katie Klohn Miller executive Camp Director COMFORT – Everyone is invited to join the Hermann SonsCamp staff for Open House on Saturday, June 10.

Both the Riverside and Hilltop sites will be open to visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

They can tour the facilities, talk with Camp staff members, have lunch and take part in activities.

Both pools and the Challenge Course will be open. You must be wearing sneakers to take part in the Challenge Course.

Open House is entertaining for the entire family. Many children like to bring their friends.

Campers not yet old enough to attend Camp are especially encouraged to attend Open House so they can begin exploring and learning about Camp.

Lunch will be available at both sites from approximately 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. There is no charge to enjoy the sandwich bar.

Even if you have attended Open House before, you’re welcome to come again. Many families make a point of attending each year for the activities.

There is no need to make a reservation. Participants come and go as they please. Call 830-9953223 for more information.

Five Reasons You Should Attend Open House NO. 1: You get to meet our summer staff. Sometimes it can

Camp Director Kristen “Dyno” Vineyard, from left, Executive Camp Director Katie Klohn Miller, and Assistant Camp Director Erin “Holla” Rose will be directing the campers and staff at Riverside this summer.

Assistant Camp Director Jesus Ocana, from left, Camp Director Hunter Miller and Executive Camp Director Katie Klohn Miller will lead the Hilltop staff and campers this summer.

be intimidating for a new camper to come to Camp without knowing anyone. Open House is a great time to get to know the counselors who will be working at Camp for the summer. It is also an opportunity to get to meet the camp directors. Our director team has been hard at work planning for a great summer.

Katie Klohn Miller will be back for her 10th summer on staff and her second as the executive director. Riverside Camp Director Kristen “Dyno” Vineyard will be back for her 10th summer on staff and Riverside Assistant Camp Director Erin “Holla” Rose will be back for her sixth summer on staff. Returning for his

STEM Exploration class.

NO. 3: Open House is a great time for future and first-time campers to tour the facilities.

Just like when a child starts at a new school, that first day can be overwhelming because you are unsure of where to go. On the first day of Camp, campers go on a tour with their cabin but you will get a much more personalized tour and some history about Camp during Open House.

NO. 4: We love when past campers and staff members come to visit us during Open House. Once you have attended Camp as a camper or staff member you will always be a part of the Camp family. It is a great

11th summer on staff is Hunter “Papa Bear” Miller, the Hilltop Camp director. Jesus Ocana will be returning for his sixth summer on staff and his first summer as the Hilltop assistant director.

NO. 2: When you come to Open House you get to try out several different activities.

The pools at both sites will be open. In addition our Challenge Course will be open for participants who are wearing sneakers. Open House is a great time to try different activities to see what campers might be most interested in taking during their session. Individuals attending Open House will also have the chance to try some of the challenges that will be offered in our

time to come and see how Camp has changed and just spend a day reliving some old memories.

NO. 5: There will be snocones! We are excited to let you know that Kona Ice from Kerrville will be on site all day up at the Challenge Course. They will be selling sno-cones for $3-$5.

The coolest part though is that Camp will receive a portion of the sales from the day. There is not much that tastes better than a cold sno-cone on a hot day!

Open House is always an exciting time because our staff has been hard at work during staff development and is ready to meet and interact with campers and their families. We hope that you will consider joining us for a

Former campers invited to apply to CIT program Are you a Hermann Sons member who cannot attend Camp this summer because you’re 14 years old? Now is the time to apply for the 2018 Counselor-In-Training program!

To be eligible to apply to this program, you must be a past Hermann Sons camper, a current member of Hermann Sons and you must turn 15 by Sept.

1, 2018. Eligible applicants will be invited to an interview at Camp in January of 2018.

The CIT program offers past campers educational and leadership experiences, preparing them to be the future leaders at Camp and in their communities.

If you would like to be considered for the CIT program next summer, complete the online application. Go to www.hermannsonslife.org and click on the Member Benefits page and then the Counselor-In-Training page. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30, 2017.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 9

Camp News

Annual golf tourney raises more than $7,500 SAN ANTONIO – The seventh annual Hermann Sons Youth Camp-Shannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament was held at Northern Hills Golf Club in San Antonio on April 1. Thanks to the support of the golfers, sponsors and volunteers, a total of $7,511.17 was raised.

The first place team included Kerry Schindler, Coy Pfeiffer, Jason Salesberry and Joe Lalanne.

Hal Wahlers, Larry Stanley, Chris Douglass and Mike Moran were on the second place team.

Coming in third was the team of Travis Viator, John Moyers, Jared Bricker and Branden Morris.

The fourth place team included Phil Sandera, H.J. Sommers, Cruz Contreras and Cato Hardy. The players on these teams received prizes and were recognized at the awards luncheon.

Several contests were held during the day. Martin Gaffney won closest to the pin, the most accurate drive winner was Cody

With a team score of 56, the first place team in the April 1 tournament consisted of Kerry Schindler, Coy Pfeiffer, Jason Salesberry and Joe Lalanne. Also pictured is Michael Gaffney.

Hal Wahlers, Larry Stanley, Chris Douglass and Mike Moran shot a 58 as a team to take second place honors at the benefit tournament.

Also pictured is Michael Gaffney.

Church, Aaron Guzman had the longest drive for the men and Casey Gaiser had the longest drive for the women.

“Part of what makes the tournament special is the support it receives from the Gaffney family, the Camp staff, Home Office staff and Hermann Sons members,” Executive Camp Director

felt strongly about, so she is remembered through scholarships benefiting others in pursuit of a higher education. Hermann Sons-Camp was a big part of Shannon’s life from the time she first went to Camp through her college years when she served as a counselor.

For more information about

Summer Camp Jobs Hermann Sons-Camp is seeking highly motivated men and women for summer employment.

Summer Positions Available: Food Service Worker Nurse Come live the adventure of camp for a rewarding summer experience!

For an application or more information visit our website at

www.hermannsonslife.org (Click on the Contact Us tab and then Camp Employment)

For more information contact Katie Klohn Miller, Executive Camp Director Hermann Sons-Camp P.O. Box 629 Comfort, TX 78013 830-995-3223 katiek@hermannsonslife.org

Katie Klohn Miller said. “I want to thank everyone who played a part in making this year’s tournament such a success.”

The scholarship fund was created in memory of Shannon Leigh Gaffney, a former camper and counselor at Hermann Sons-Camp. Getting an education was something Shannon

the fund and upcoming fundraisers visit www.hermannsonslife.org.

The next fund-raiser, the annual bowl-a-thon, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Oak Hills Lanes in San Antonio. Information regarding registration and sponsorship opportunities will be released soon.

Tournament Sponsors The Scholarship Fund Board gives special thanks to the companies and individuals who donated to the tournament through sponsorships, monetary donations and prize donations: Corporate Hole Sponsors Documation-Business Technology Integration Wahlers Construction, LLC Persyn Engineering – Dave and Sue Wonder Stone Accounting Services – Jan Stone You Name it Specialties – Jan Meuth Hill Country Safety Training Central Women’s Health Care – Dr. Jose Farina Spyglass Hill Condominiums HOA Giles Parscale, Inc. – Design and Web Marketing Topgolf San Antonio Shiner Beer – Tim Crisp Individual Hole Sponsors Mike and Cathy Gaffney Auntie Angel’s Babies – Shannon’s Nephew and Nieces Charles & Roslyn Walker – Camryn, Charlee and Jemma Comfort Lodge Security Technology of South Texas Sembera and Biediger, P.C., Certified Public Accountants Connie and David Spenrath Steve and Julie Prewitt

Tournament Prize Contributors Northern Hills Golf Club The Quarry Golf Club Silverhorn Golf Club Dominion Country Club La Cantera Hill Country Resort and Golf Course The Republic Golf Club Fair Oaks Golf Club Flying L Golf Course and Resort The Buckhorn Golf Course Prize Drawing Contributors La Cantera Golf Course Bohanan’s Prime Steak Bending Branch Winery Singing Water Vineyards Vineyard Photography Pampered Chef – Nettie Mabry Bowl and Barrel at The Rim Katie Klohn Miller Mike and Cathy Gaffney Kim and Dustin Krueger Buddy and Elizabeth Preuss Paul and Jan Stone Mary and Mike Beam Harry and Debra Werland Jennifer and Brandon Cernosek Tim and Cheryl Kolbe

Page 10 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Camp News

Golfers help raise money for scholarships

Finishing in third place were Travis Viator, John Moyers, Jason Bricker and Branden Morris who is pictured with Michael Gaffney.

Cody Church, left, was the winner of the Most Accurate Drive Contest. He is pictured with Michael Gaffney.

The fourth place team finished with a score of 62. It included Phil Sandera, H.J. Sommers, Crus Contreras and Cato Hardy. Also pictured is Michael Gaffney.

Michael Gaffney, left, presents his brother, Martin, with the award for Closest to the Pin. Michael and Martin are Shannon’s younger brothers.

Aaron Guzman, right, receives the award for Longest Drive by a male golfer from Michael Gaffney.

Casey Gaiser was the winner of the Longest Drive Contest for the females. She received her award from her cousin, Michael Gaffney.

Haley Miller, left, a member of Waco-Robinson Lodge, was presented with her Hermann Sons Youth CampShannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarship at the May lodge meeting by Scholarship Board Chairman and Executive Camp Director Katie Klohn Miller. Haley will be attending Texas A&M University this fall.

Haley Trainer, left, was presented with the Hermann Sons Youth Camp-Shannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarship at the Lone Oak School of Dance recital held in La Vernia on Saturday, May 13. Trainer, a Lone Oak Lodge member, received the award from Executive Camp Director Katie Klohn Miller, who also serves as scholarship board chairman.

Hermann Sons graduates receive scholarships

Madison Dziuk, left, a Karnes City Lodge member, was presented with two scholarships at the Karnes City School of Dance recital on Sunday, May 7. Executive Camp Director Katie Klohn Miller, presented Madison with the Hermann Sons Retirement Home Scholarship and the Hermann Sons Youth Camp-Shannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarship.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 11

Erin “Beth” Logue

Ronald Burns-Lane

Emily Saathoff

Madison Rebekah Dziuk

Marissa Kaylee Pollok

Five earn $1,500 Retirement Home Scholarships COMFORT – Five members have been selected to receive a $1,500 Retirement Home Scholarship. The five are Erin “Beth” Logue, a member of Niederwald Lodge; Ronald Burns-Lane, a member of Fort Worth Lodge; Emily Saathoff, a member of Prinz Solms Lodge; Madison Rebekah Dziuk, a member of Karnes City Lodge; and Marissa Kaylee Pollok, a member of Siemering Lodge.

Scholarship applicants were judged by a group of volunteer educators. They were judged on neatness, grammar, spelling and structure of the 300-word essay titled “What Hermann Sons Means to Me” and the student’s ability to follow the guidelines set forth for making the application.

Erin “Beth” Logue is the daughter of Kenneth and Barbara Niemann of Lockhart. She will graduate from Lockhart High School and plans to attend Texas A&M University where she will study animal science. Her goal is to open her own veterinary clinic and animal shelter.

She attended Hermann SonsCamp from 2008-2012 and was a Counselor-in-Training in 2014.

In her essay, she wrote, “When I think of Hermann Sons, I think of the many summers that I was lucky enough to get to go to HSYC. From the flag-raising in the morning, to taps each night, each day at Camp was a day filled with fun and laughter.

Camp, to me, meant new-found talents, life-long friends and wisdom that will always hold a

place in my mind.

“Throughout my many years of being a camper, I was introduced to various activities and discovered passions that I may not have otherwise found. For example, my first year of Camp, I was accidentally placed into a tennis class. I wanted to change my schedule so badly and had no desire to engage in any sort of play, but I stayed in the period anyways and ended up really enjoying it. Fast forward four years and I was playing high school varsity tennis. Fast forward another two years and I placed fifth in state junior team finals.

“Besides many sports and activities that I discovered and experimented with at Camp, I was able to make countless lifelong friends. During my years as a camper I formed bonds with fellow campers, and during my years as a CIT, I formed close relationships with my entire cabin, whom I keep in contact with.

Camp also provided me with countless role models and mentors.

“Camp taught me to pray and give thanks, to be a team player, to try new things and to love myself. Hermann Sons Youth Camp shaped me in ways that my family and friends alone never could have done, and I am obsessively grateful for the many memories, friendships and lessons that it’s offered me.”

Ronald Burns-Lane is the son of Karen Burns-Lane and Billy Lane of Burleson. He is graduating from Burleson Centennial High School and plans to attend

the University of North Texas where he will study computer engineering in preparation for working in the family business.

He attended Hermann SonsCamp for three years.

In his essay, he said: “Whenever I hear the name Hermann Sons, it brings to my mind memories of Camp, bowling tournaments and friends and family, and holiday lodge activities I participated in as a small child. These memories always bring a smile to my face.

“As a small child my cousin and I would go to the lodge for dances, pizza and bingo nights, and holiday parties. My parents still laugh because I would cry and refuse to have my picture made with anyone dressed in costume.

They were glad when I outgrew this. We did crafts, played games and the children always got to dance. Food, fun, friends and family were the main parts of these events.

“Camp is another part of Hermann Sons that I hold dear to my heart. Each year I would get to enjoy the beautiful Camp that is exclusive to Hermann Sons members. The environment was always welcoming and the dance at the Retirement Home was a highlight. I wish everyone could have the opportunity to attend and have the wonderful experience that I was blessed with each year I attended summer camp.

“Each year many of my family members and their friends participated in the annual bowling tournament. The great thing

about the Hermann Sons Tournament is that I am always allowed to attend to cheer on all the bowlers. I am enveloped with a welcoming feeling from all those that attend each year.

It is a great weekend where fun and fellowship comes from winning, at least most of the time.

We get to get together with members from other lodges and keep close ties with the Hermann Sons community. Spending time with my uncles, aunts, parents and their Hermann Sons friends is something I look forward to. The love and support from my Hermann Sons family is something I will rely on during college and life.

“When I think of Hermann Sons I think of community and family. I think of life-long support and friendships. I look forward to growing my ties to the Hermann Sons community throughout my life.”

Emily Saathoff is the daughter of Doug and Theresa Saathoff of San Antonio. She is graduating from Ronald Reagan High School and plans to attend the University of South Carolina at Columbia where she will study biological sciences with a focus on pre-med. She hopes to attend medical school and eventually become a pediatric oncologist.

She took part in the Dance Program and is a Shining Star.

She attended Camp five years, was a Counselor-in-Training, a junior counselor and counselor.

In her essay, she wrote: “Hermann Sons has been a part of

my life since the very beginning.

From stealing my grandpa’s Hermann Sons hats off his hat rack as a little girl to working at Riverside Camp as a counselor nicknamed ‘Bounce,’ Hermann Sons has helped shape me into the person that I am today by providing me with invaluable experiences.

“Although my twin sister and I were kicked out of our first dance class for crying the whole entire time, my time as a dancer taught me the importance of laughing off mistakes rather than dwelling on them, for no show is ever perfect.

“The occasional lodge meetings that my mom brought me along to showed me what it felt like to be part of such a welcoming community.

“Being a Shining Star gave me something to look forward to every year and provided a fun atmosphere that allowed me to simply enjoy the little things in life.

“And, most importantly, my time at Camp gave me the confidence to take chances and try new things, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone. I still remember the anxiety I felt as a first-year camper, away from home for the very first time and incredibly upset about having a different schedule than my sister. However, my first year quickly turned into my fifth, and the girls I timidly approached during Rec Games now teach the class alongside me.

See RETIREMENT, PG. 12

Page 12 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Retirement Home presents five scholarships

Cont’d from Page 11 “Life passes by in a flash, but Hermann Sons has provided me with a family that I know will always be there for me to fall back on. I used to be an 8-yearold afraid of jumping off the top bunk, but thanks to Hermann Sons, I am now ready to leap into my future.”

Madison Rebekah Dziuk is the daughter of Rodney and Karen Dziuk of Falls City. She is graduating from Falls City High School and plans to attend Texas A&M University at College Station where she will study kinesiology in preparation for a career in pediatric medicine.

She attended Camp for five years, served as a Counselor-inTraining for two years and as a junior counselor for one year.

She was a member of The TRIBE for one year and danced for five years.

In her essay, she wrote: “My journey with Hermann Sons has

provided me with a solid foundation in becoming the responsible young person I am today.

In fact, at the very early age of only 3 years old, I began to conquer the world with my ‘unique’ dancing skills. From there, I attended Camp for as long as they would have me as I was selected as a CIT1, CIT2, a junior counselor and became a member of The TRIBE. “As a little girl attending dance class, I took notice of the older girls talking about their experiences at summer camp. I could hardly wait! Then I would sit back and watch as my older sister and her friends prepared and packed for their time at Camp. It seemed as if I would never get there! Finally, it was my turn. With my first Camp letter in hand, my friends and I began planning activities, bedding and clothing for our anticipated week together. I recall not wanting to leave as I was named Camper of the Week!

“Camp was definitely a time to find yourself and make new friends. As I became older, I realized that I wanted to give back to this incredible organization that had done so much for me.

I found my time in this capacity to be the most rewarding as I witnessed other young girls embark on their own journeys.

“Hermann Sons Life is just that – LIFE! Through this amazing organization, I have become better prepared for the road ahead.

It has instilled in me a sense of purpose and established a commitment to all that I do. I will be forever thankful to HSYC as it has influenced my career path to work with the medical needs of children in the field of pediatrics.”

Marissa Kaylee Pollok is the daughter of George and Rebecca Pollok of San Antonio.

She is graduating from East Central High School and will attend the University of North Texas where she will study psychol-

ogy and mathematics. She says the human mind interests her and she loves solving problems.

She took part in the Dance Program from 2002-2015 and attended Camp from 2009-2015.

In her essay, she wrote: “To me Hermann Sons means growing into the ideal citizen of society by learning leadership skills, as well as respect for others. I have learned many of my leadership skills through Hermann Sons Youth Camp, not only as a camper, but also as a Counselorin-Training. In being a camper, I learned how to lead a group, give good instruction and many social skills. Being a CIT taught me more life skills than I thought I would ever need. Being a CIT shaped me into the young woman I am today by allowing me to understand and respect others.

“Not only did youth camp teach me, but dance did too. I was a dancer for many years, with my last few being a Polkateer.

Going through the Polkateer process taught me how to prepare for an interview and how to continually persist to reach my goals. The first two years I tried out for Polkateers, I made the junior team even though I was of senior age. The dance instructor told me it was because I needed to strengthen my skills. This did not discourage me but instead fueled my passion to be better.

Throughout my four years of being a Polkateer I again learned to strengthen my social skills as well as my leadership.

“Being a senior Polkateer comes with many more responsibilities than one would think.

Being in multiple extracurricular activities at once taught me better time management skills, which I will continue to use throughout college and into my adult life.

“Hermann Sons means the world to me and I am glad I have been able to have this learning experience.”

Poth-Floresville Dance hosts recital

The Poth-Floresville Parents’ Club officers and the Grand Lodge representative are pictured prior to the start of the Poth-Floresville School of Dance recital. They are, from left, Sara Lyssy, vice president; Holly Walston, secretary; Janice Fait, a member of the Youth Activities Committee; and Pam Nichols, president.

More dance recital news and photos coming next month!

FLORESVILLE – “A Night at the Museum” was the theme for the Poth-Floresville School of Dance recital held May 13 in the Floresville High School Auditorium.

The audience was entertained with easy listening music before the recital.

The recital opened with a routine to The Roaring 20’s theme song, “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” performed by Hailey Castillo, Makenzie Daniel, Laila

Enriquez, Cambry Koether, Aubrey Lerma, Kenna Lyssy, Kyndal Marin, Harper Nichols, Emma Powell, Emily Quintana, Taryn Scheffler, Abby Skloss and Madison White.

Then came the Greek Goddesses, Daisy Daniel, Lilly Enriquez, Elizabeth Graham, Mercedes Johnson, Adelyn Marin, Sadie Skloss and Riley Walston, performing to “Royals.”

Cloe Bostick performed to “Gravity” and then it was “Walk

the Dinosaurs” performed by Tynley Kotara, Connley Martin, Trinity Northam, Corinn Pruski and Gabby Quintana.

Teacher Trini Dominguez and Cloe Bostick performed The Heist of the diamond at the museum to the song “Brighter than Gold.”

The recital concluded with each dancer receiving a medal, gift and flower. Several dancers were presented perfect attendance certificates.

Puzzle answers for Page 40

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 13

Retirement Home residents celebrate Easter, birthdays COMFORT – Visitors to the Retirement Home in April were Barbara Fuchs, Converse; Julie Shelden; Jennifer Mein, Kingston, Wash.; Bud and Lorrie Myers, Baytown; Cecil and Corrine Widner, Cameron; Jeff and Lisa Widner, Bandera; Pastor Mike Widner, Helotes; Bud and Lorrie Myers, Jareth and Aries, Baytown; Robert Boring; Karen Lynk and Chris Caltrider, Peachtree City, Ga.; Randy Franklin, New Braunfels; Eddie Franklin, Frankewing, Tenn.; Janet and Rodney Tedford, Temple; and Robert DeSalme Jr., San Antonio.

The Retirement Home Com-

mittee’s quarterly meeting was held April 10. Residents and committee members bid fond farewells to each other because the term of office for this committee is expiring. We thank you and we will miss seeing you here.

Many residents were gone to visit family and friends for Easter.

But those who remained were treated to lovely little baskets of Easter candy. Assistant Manager Brenda Treiber renewed the Easter tradition that was observed many years ago by Manager Leo Allerkamp and wife Paula. She created baskets from strawberry crates and pipe cleaners. She

and Manager Brenda Gunnink provided the candy. Cook Barbara Kisselburg helped Brenda Gunnink fill the baskets because Brenda Treiber is home recovering from knee replacement.

Thank you to them and get well soon Brenda T. Anglican Priest David Guthrie conducted the chapel service on April 24. He was assisted by residents Kathy Bender at the piano and Al Schroeder with Holy Communion.

Birthday cake and ice cream were served at the noon meal on April 28 to honor all those with birthdays during the month.

– Helen Widner

Residents Susan McGuire and Myrtle Kirchhoff are pictured selling Scholarship Fund Store items at the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market in Comfort Park on April 15.

Home residents joined Cheryll Cain and her family, Saul, Tracie, Jaedan and Taylor Gonzalez and Val Johnson, for a birthday celebration.

Residents Annette Shaw, left, and Billie DeSalme celebrated April birthdays.

Cheryll Cain enjoying the birthday party hosted by her family in the Home Recreation Room on April 29.

Celebrating April birthdays at the Retirement Home were, from left, Ross Murphy, Vernell Homilius, Trudy Boring and Cheryll Cain.

Calvin Lamensky, a Retirement Home Committee member, made these lovely wooden white rabbits. He made one for each table. Thanks go to him for his service and thoughtfulness.

Residents Annette Shaw and Jane Haberman tended the Scholarship Store Fund booth at the Boys and Girls Club of Comfort Bazaar on April 29. The money raised will be go into the Retirement Home Scholarship Fund.

Ralph Treiber, a member of the Retirement Home staff, is shown with the barbecue grill that he and his wife, Assistant Manager Brenda Treiber, donated to the Home. Nothing beats the fragrance of meats grilling outdoors. Thanks very much, Ralph and Brenda!

Page 14 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

State bowling tournament set for Austin

AUSTIN – The 2017 Hermann Sons Statewide Bowling Tournament will be held July 29-30 and Aug. 5 and 6 at Dart Bowl in Austin.

Here are the rules for the tournament.

1. At least three members of the team must be a member of Hermann Sons as of July 28, 2017. Only one non-member per team is allowed.

2. Non-USBC bowlers may pay an affiliate membership fee of $20, which will provide high score recognition.

3. Handicap is 90 percent from 220 for each bowler per event.

4. IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY: It shall be each bowler’s responsibility to determine that the submitted average is correct. Failure to use the correct average shall disqualify the score if submitted average is lower than correct average thereby resulting in a lower classification or more handicap.

Prize winnings shall be based on the submitted average if it is higher than the correct average.

However, corrections in averages may be permitted up to the completion of the first game of a series. Every entry blank must have each bowler’s highest USBC Certified 2015-2016 book average based on 21 games or more at the time of participation in the tournament. Bowlers not having a 2015-2016 average must use highest 20162017 book average based on 21 games. Bowlers not having 2015-2016 or 2016-2017 book average must use 2017 Summer average of nine games or more in one league at time of participation. Bowlers not having any of the above averages must enter with a scratch average of 220 for the first nine games bowled in the tournament. Bowlers will then establish a tournament average to be used the following year. Bowlers not having any of the above averages, but who bowled nine games in the 2016 tournament may use the average for those nine games in the 2017 tournament. USBC Rule See BOWLING, Pg. 15

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 15

Youth in Action

Dancers will be asked to pay assessment fee SAN ANTONIO – The dance year is coming to a close. The last of the recitals will be held June 3.

Representatives from around the state have enjoyed the performances and recognize all of the hard work the students, instructors and officers have put into each and every routine. So with the recital season winding down it’s time to start gearing up for the 2017-18 season.

Registration information will be sent to all eligible junior members in June. An important change is being implemented this year.

To help defray operational costs, each dancer will be asked to pay a $50 assessment fee.

Since the Dance Program was established in 1954, the only fee students have been asked to pay

each year is a one-time registration fee that goes directly to the individual schools of dance to be used for studio rental, recital location rental, décor and anything else deemed necessary by each

Parents’ Club. The Home Office has always covered the cost of instructor salaries, mileage paid to instructors and incidentals.

The assessment fee has been added as a way to stay competi-

tive and tuition free. It will help the Home Office defray the cost for instructor salaries, ASCAP licensing fees, the liability insurance needed for all recital venues and training seminars. The assessment fee will be paid during the registration process.

The program remains a tuition free benefit for junior members ages 3 to 17.

“We feel like this is a still a great member benefit since most dance studios charge a monthly tuition of $40 or more a month for one hour per week which equates to $360 or more for the year PLUS a registration fee,” Vice President of Member Benefits Kim Krueger explained.

Each school of dance will still collect a one-time registration

fee. That fee varies depending on the school of dance and is determined by how much the individual schools pay in rent for their studio space. The total cost would be anywhere from $75 to $150 for the year for registration and assessment fees.

Registration will begin in June.

Eligible members will be mailed a brochure with a username and password they can use to log in to hermannsonslife.org where they can register at their preferred school of dance and pay their registration and assessment fees.

Anyone with questions about the Dance Program is asked to call the Member Benefits Department at 800-234-4124 or Member Benefits Coordinator Cecily Kelly at ext. 257.

2017 Dance Recital Dates School of Dance

Date

Castroville June 3 Corpus Christi June 3 North West Bexar Co. June 3 San Antonio June 3 Seguin June 3

Time

Place

5 5 7 4 1

Medina Valley Performing Arts Center, 8365 FM 471 South, Castroville Tuloso Midway Middle School, 9768 La Branch, Corpus Christi Edgewood Theatre of Performing Arts, 402 Lance St., San Antonio Antonian High School, 6425 West Ave., San Antonio Jackson Auditorium, Texas Lutheran University, 1000 W. Court St., Seguin

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

Address

Bowling tournament rules outlined for 2017 Cont’d. from Pg. 14 319(A-2) is waived (10 or more pins increase in average). A: 2015-2016 yearbook average.

B: 2016-2017 yearbook average.

C: Summer 2017 average (nine games or more in one sanctioned league at time of participation).

5. All bowlers must check in 30 minutes before scheduled to bowl and should present their current USBC Certified card.

6. Entry closing date is July 1.

7. Any appeal or protest must be made prior to the payment of prizes. USBC Rule #329.

8. Make check payable to HERMANN SONS STATE BOWLING

TOURNAMENT. 9. All entries must be sent to the Tournament Manager no later than July 1 . All entries postmarked the first post office business day following the entry closing date shall be accepted.

Tournament director reserves the right to accept applications up to the beginning of bowling as long as lanes are available.

10. NO ENTRIES WILL BE RECORDED UNTIL MONEY IS RECEIVED. 11. No entry fee will be returned after being received.

12. Entry fee is $17 per event.

All Events is $4 optional.

13. 100 percent of the prize money will be returned to bowl-

ers.

14. All winners’ averages will be verified before distribution of prize fund.

15. Prize ratio will be at least one for every five entries in team, singles and doubles.

16. Prize ratio for All Events will be one prize for every 20 entries.

17. Plaques will be awarded to each event’s first place winners.

18. Multiple participation will not be allowed, except in cases of emergency where a bowler who has not participated already can not be found. At least three officers of the Executive Board must approve the substitute.

This can only occur in the Team Event and Doubles Event. The

decision of the Executive Board shall be final unless an appeal is made in accordance with Rule 329.

19. Two separate tournaments with two separate prize lists: one for USBC female members only and one for USBC male members only.

20. Average Adjustment USBC Rule 319E will apply.

21. No previous prize winnings need be reported.

22. USBC Rules will prevail in all instances not herein covered.

23. SQUAD TIMES (TEAM CAPTAIN WILL BE NOTIFIED OF DATE TO BOWL): – Opening ceremony will be held on July 29 at 12 noon.

– Singles/Doubles - Saturday, July 29 and Aug. 5, at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

– Team - Sunday, July 30 and Aug. 6, at 11 a.m.

Additional squads may be added during the course of the tournament, however no squad may be added after the final squad on Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. unless tournament is extended due to number of entries and upon approval of USBC. Secretary may drop squad if not enough bowlers.

24. Two free team entries for 2017 tournament (one male and one female) will be drawn for at the Annual Meeting on July 29.

25. Lanes will be dressed after each squad.

Page 16 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

80 Years

martha tauch Flatonia Lodge gertrude gastinger Louise Schuetze Lodge

75 Years

virginia s. godwin robert l. siemsen Houston Lodge doris b. retzloff Karnes City Lodge nobert brietzke alfred c. lohse jr.

La Vernia Lodge

t. jack wernette Castroville Lodge

joyce m. mcilvain Louise Schuetze Lodge

hubert h. hermes Hondo Lodge

gladys marie perry McGregor Lodge

elaine m. dole Louise Schuetze Lodge

70 Years

sherian l. gibson Bryan Lodge robert a. cornehl Corpus Christi Lodge

harold c. weyel sidney a. weyel New Braunfels Lodge mary ann s. pfeifer Nordheim Lodge verna mae bickham Orange Grove Lodge

james f. haller Dallas Lodge

voncile lohse brown carolyn june johnson Poth Lodge

ervin andrew pechacek Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge

linda sinast lemmons Yorktown Lodge

lucille m. dieetel Fredericksburg Lodge darvin w. ahrens george c. feldtman patrick walter mattfeld Harmonia Lodge mary kneupper marsh gerald nickel Helotes Lodge

60 Years ruth v. brooks Bellville Lodge steven g. simon Dallas Lodge s.e. braunagel gerald w. james jr.

Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge dennis w. feller Fredericksburg Lodge

fielding k. reiner Highland Lakes Lodge

nanci d. mcmaken Giddings Lodge

leonard meinke Hochheim-Prairie Lodge

clinton r. baacke Goliad Lodge

Pioneers allen walter simon Harmonia Lodge maida c. modgling Hondo Victory Lodge ray f. morwood jr. joseph p. stankovich renate hedwig tannenberger d.m. twardowski Houston Lodge

50 Years donald e. gregory Austin Lodge kurt ryan hinze Bellville Lodge dale dawson baker Brunhilde Lodge stephen g. vogelsang Columbus Lodge

loraine erler Karnes City Lodge

charles s. sutton jr.

Corpus Christi Lodge

glenn h. barnett Lone Oak Lodge

robert e. friedrichs jr.

Da Costa Lodge

helen k. carney billie l. engbrock ida jane starling Louise Schuetze Lodge

gerald wayne korth Deanville Lodge

herbert e. caffey jr. montgomery Lodge

d’ann rose gardner sherry lynn thornton Fort Worth Lodge

dale m. dietert ingrid vera horne mary jane schwab New Braunfels Lodge

tracy l. gourley joy e. reznicek Fredericksburg Lodge kenneth w. paris glenn wayne preuss Gonzales Lodge

vivian s. deavers Plum Lodge

harlen f. merks jr.

Gruenau Lodge

frank joe bohlmann Schulenburg Lodge

sharon ann cotton Katy-Bear Creek Lodge

jeannie bauer Seguin Lodge

kenneth a. pevehouse Laubach Lodge

yvonne m. hornak michael w. zbranek Shelby Lodge

esther m. berg brigid n. mahula Louise Schuetze Lodge

k.w. wunderlich Spring Branch Lodge mary lou geer susan recker steele Vineta Lodge

frank a. spizzirri Siemering Lodge lee r. davis elizabeth r. pressler Vineta Lodge lovel a. blain iv robert w. goehring Yorktown Lodge

larry fred skinner Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge

jimmy ray swanner Poth Lodge

gary c. duncan Siemering Lodge

melissa faye lewis Schulenburg Lodge

rose marie howmann Niederwald Lodge mary e. fuessel diane v. lohrke delora k. williams raymond l. zirkel jr.

Pershing Lodge david a. zdunkewicz richard l. zdunkewicz Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge

Charles W. Miculka of San Antonio has received his 70-year membership pin. Brother Miculka joined on Aug. 27, 1946. He is a member of Pershing Lodge.

Pamela Sebesta Basco of Houston has received her 60-year membership pin. Sister Sebesta joined on Aug. 13, 1957. She is a member of Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 17

Medical Notes

Memorial Donations

and the back and sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are crucial to relieving inflammation and preventing permanent joint damage. symptoms Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can develop gradually or quickly, and some symptoms can be severe. NPF indicates that common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include • morning stiffness and tiredness; • tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons; • swollen fingers and toes; • reduced range of motion; • nail changes, including pitting, and • redness and pain in the eyes.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reactive arthritis. Doctors will rule out other symptoms that may be indicative of those conditions. The American College

donations to the retirement home in memory of:

People who see dermatologists for the skin condition psoriasis should not take the presence of joint aches and pains lightly, as the two things might be connected.

The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that psoriasis is a precursor to psoriatic arthritis in 30 percent of patients.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the rate of skin cell reproduction. People with psoriasis may experience redness, itchiness and raised bumps (plaques) of skin on various areas of their bodies. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that typically occurs in people with skin psoriasis, but also can be present in those without the skin condition, but particularly among those who have relatives with psoriasis.

The American College of Rheumatology says that psoriatic arthritis typically affects the large joints, especially the lower extremities, distal joints of the fingers and toes

of Rheumatology also indicates that psoriatic arthritis is typically blood test negative. The diagnosis is typically made by a rheumatologist after reviewing a clinical history and performing a physical exam. treatment Doctors will need to assess symptoms before deciding on a course of treatment. Mild cases may respond to over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. However, antirheumatic drugs and newer biologic drugs may be prescribed to treat more aggressive cases of psoriatic arthritis.

Corticosteroid injections can be useful for swollen joints, and surgery may be necessary to repair badly damaged joints.

Individuals who suspect their arthritis may be linked to psoriasis can first speak with a dermatologist or primary care physician. The NPF also offers a screening tool at www.psoriasis.org/psa-screening.

fred thomas hankey iii Donor: Lockhart Lodge john j. stockbauer jr. john a. streLec Donor: DaCosta Lodge mary edna camPbeLL GWen ruth carroLL ViVian m. trauGott mary t. WardWeLL sandra jean WiLLiams Donor: La Vernia Lodge

donations to the retirement home scholarship fund eVeLyn Luchak Donors: Harlene Novak New Bielau Lodge

In Memoriam of Our Deceased Members ellien lindsay goff Haskell Lodge Died April 11, 2013 • Age 78

frances p. thompson Fort Worth Lodge Died Feb. 21, 2017 • Age 83

edward c. jank Harmonia Lodge Died March 5, 2017 • Age 98

helen clem h. elliott Schwertner Lodge Died March 14, 2017 • Age 87

floyd k. rieper Mission-Alamo Lodge Died March 20, 2017 • Age 101

standfield volkmann jr.

Seguin Lodge Died Oct. 25, 2015 • Age 64

vernon e. braden Bernardo Lodge Died Feb. 21, 2017 • Age 96

kenneth m. cowan Paige Lodge Died March 5, 2017 • Age 79

candace e. kitkoski Houston Lodge Died March 15, 2017 • Age 65

vernon l. buchhorn Nordheim Lodge Died March 20, 2017 • Age 77

alfred h. wendel El Campo Lodge Died March 1, 2016 • Age 85

charles w. eaddy Hondo Lodge Died Feb. 23, 2017 • Age 65

jerry f. saffel Old Glory Lodge Died March 6, 2017 • Age 81

annie b. basse Fredericksburg Lodge Died March 16, 2017 • Age 89

fred thomas hankey iii Lockhart Lodge Died March 22, 2017 • Age 63

doris e. glenn Plum Lodge Died Dec. 31, 2016 • Age 83

leroy guillory Anton Wenzel Lodge Died Feb. 24, 2017 • Age 96

medora m. haass Castroville Lodge Died March 6, 2017 • Age 97

larry hartman Hochheim-Prairie Lodge Died March 17, 2017 • Age 69

roselyn vasut La Grange Lodge Died March 22, 2017 • Age 80

calvin r. weinheimer Fredericksburg Lodge Died Jan. 15, 2017 • Age 90

mabel p. suehs Castroville Lodge Died Feb. 26, 2017 • Age 93

audrey paradise Pershing Lodge Died March 8, 2017 • Age 85

lola mae herndon Poth Lodge Died March 17, 2017 • Age 91

weldon d. kettler Waco-Robinson Lodge Died March 23, 2017 • Age 86

eugene l. vincik sr.

Shiner Lodge Died Feb. 7, 2017 • Age 90

lucile m. rybak Da Costa Lodge Died Feb. 28, 2017 • Age 101

charles h. klaus Mission-Alamo Lodge Died March 11, 2017 • Age 83

guy riemenschneider Yorktown Lodge Died March 17, 2017 • Age 62

brian patrick koennecke Kerrville Lodge Died March 27, 2017 • Age 21

henry c. schulz Rowena Lodge Died Feb. 15, 2017 • Age 99

john l. rowen Harmonia Lodge Died March 4, 2017 • Age 95

preston dee hogan Austin Lodge Died March 12, 2017 • Age 87

audrey f. kuecker Cuero Family Lodge Died March 18, 2017 • Age 82

joyce m. rogers Louise Schuetze Lodge Died April 6, 2017 • Age 87

mae ola grebe Brenham Lodge Died Feb. 21, 2017 • Age 88

marilyn j. saddler Pershing Lodge Died March 4, 2017 • Age 81

helen ruth kuberski Anton Wenzel Lodge Died March 18, 2017 • Age 87

The names of deceased members are listed on this page only after a death claim has been filed.

Page 18 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Delegates elect new directors Cont’d. from Pg. 1

The six members of the new Board of Directors take the oath of office on Tuesday night of the Convention. They are, from left, Mike Beam, Sandra Jones, David Noak, Stan Steiger, David Wolf and Suzanne Hildebrand. Past Grand President Stephen R. Prewitt, far right, administered the oath.

The outgoing Grand Committee posed for one last picture at the end of Tuesday’s business session. Pictured are, seated, from left, Grand Finance Committee Member Sandra Jones, Past Grand President Leroy Muehlstein, Grand Vice President-Secretary/Treasurer Mary Beam, standing, from left, Grand Vice President-Marketing Tim Kolbe, Grand Finance Committee members Jack Larned, Paul Heath and Wilburn Pargmann, Grand Vice President-Investments Harry Werland, Past Grand President Stephen R. Prewitt, Grand Finance Committee Chairman Janice Kuhen, Grand President/CEO Buddy Preuss and Grand Vice President-Fraternal Kim Krueger.

The last three Grand Presidents were in attendance for the Grand Lodge Convention. They are, from left, Stephen R. Prewitt, who served from 2009-2013; Leroy Muehlstein, who served from 19892009; and Buddy Preuss, who served as Grand President/CEO from 2013-2017 and now assumes the title of President and CEO under the new governance structure approved at the Convention.

They were chosen from a slate of 13 candidates. The other candidates were Doug Saathoff, Laura Tiffin, Brad Dietrich, Gerald Ziemnicki, Marla Heger, Glenn Altwein and Joseph Figo.

After the board was selected, delegates were asked to elect a Chair of the Board. Sandra Jones was elected by acclamation.

Grand Lodge Laws now call for the President and CEO to be appointed by the Board of Directors and for the President and CEO to then appoint the four vice presidents with the approval of the Board.

After the Convention recessed, the new Board held its first meeting and officially appointed Buddy Preuss to serve as President and CEO. He also will serve as a member of the Board.

He, in turn, asked the Board to approve the appointment of the current vice presidents to their respective positions. The names of those positions also have changed.

Harry Werland, formerly Grand Vice President-Investments, was appointed Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer; Tim Kolbe, formerly Grand Vice President-Marketing, was appointed Vice President of Marketing; and Kim Krueger, formerly Grand Vice President-Fraternal, was appointed Vice President of Member Benefits.

Mary Beam who is retiring from her position as Grand Vice President-Secretary/Treasurer has agreed to stay on as Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer until her replacement is named.

The changes also include a restructuring of Grand Lodge Committees.

The Retirement Home Committee and Youth Activities See CONVENTION, Pg. 19

The officers are pictured at the Tuesday night banquet at the end of the Grand Lodge Convention.

President and CEO Buddy Preuss, center, was appointed to his position by the new Board of Directors.

The four vice presidents were appointed to their positions on the recommendation of President Preuss and with the approval of the Board of Directors. They are, from left, Vice President of Finance and CFO Harry Werland, Vice President of Member Benefits Kim Krueger and Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe. Mary Beam will fill the position of Vice President of Operations and COO until her replacement is hired. Sister Beam has decided to retire after more than 50 years of service to Hermann Sons.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 19

Convention program keeps delegates busy Cont’d. from Pg. 18 Committee have been combined into a Member Services Committee that will have seven members.

The former Fraternal Activities Committee will now be known as the Community Engagement Committee and will now have seven members. A new committee – the Business Operations Committee – will also have seven members. The Laws Committee remains but will now have 15 members.

Although the Convention did not officially begin until Monday, May 1, delegates and their guests checked in to the hotel on Sunday afternoon and were treated to a welcome reception and dinner that night.

They were greeted at the hotel by a delegation of San Marcos Lodge members including Agnes and Freddie Dreibrodt, Janice Kuhen, Shirley Faske, Billy and Mary Lou Preuss, Leola Gourley, Peggy Meiners, Lillian Cargil and Janet Magin.

Engagement Director Jennifer Cernosek hosted a First-Timer Orientation session that afternoon.

Sister Dreibrodt gave an official welcome to San Marcos during dinner and Janice Kuhen, chair of the Grand Finance Committee and secretary-treasurer of San Marcos Lodge, gave the invocation.

A memorial service was held after dinner and included a tribute to all former Grand Lodge officers, committee members and employees who had passed away since the 2013 Grand Lodge Convention.

Grand Vice President-Marketing Tim Kolbe outlined the Marketing campaign that would take place during the Convention (see Pages 5-6) and the two co-chairmen, Grand Vice President-Secretary/ Treasurer Mary Beam and Grand Vice President-Fraternal Kim Krueger, gave an overview of the new Convention format.

At the conclusion of the evening, the 13 candidates for the Board of Directors were introduced.

Grand President Preuss official-

ly gaveled the Convention into session on Monday morning.

Grand Guide Amanda Deicke introduced all of the Grand Lodge officers and Wilburn Pargmann, a member of the Grand Finance Committee, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Anna Larie Keith, a member of the Fraternal Activities Committee, gave the opening invocation.

Grand President Preuss then delivered his State of the Organization address during which he outlined “the five external forces that are shaping our future: technology, increasing regulations, the economic environment, growing customer expectations and talent acquisition and development.”

He told the delegates, “our vigilance in both understanding and adapting to these emerging forces will be the key for our positive and successful future.”

To read more from the State of the Organization address, turn to Page 2.

Open Committee meetings were then held. In the past delegates were assigned to a committee. This year committee sessions were divided into three time slots and delegates were allowed to choose which one or ones they wanted to attend. For more on this new Open Committee structure, turn to Page 23.

After lunch, committee reports were heard and then the votes on the name change and governance changes were held.

Grand Vice President-Secretary/ Treasurer Mary Beam’s report included an emotional farewell.

She is retiring after 50 years of services to Hermann Sons. She received a standing ovation from the group.

During the Grand Finance Committee report, each of the outgoing members of that committee spoke briefly.

They reflected on their years of service and thanked the members for their support.

Prior to the vote on the name change and governance restructuring, delegates heard reports on why both of these changes were being proposed.

The Heart of Texas men’s singing group provided the after-dinner entertainment on Monday night.

The Countrymen provided the dance music after dinner on Tuesday night. Al Michalczak, on steel guitar, is a member of Helotes Lodge.

After gathering for a group photo, delegates and guests were treated to an evening featuring “Sights and Sounds of San Marcos” that included entertainment from the SMART Orchestra, mime Taylor Griswold and stilt walker Adam Trujillo and the Heart of Texas men’s chorus.

Tuesday morning’s invocation was given by Sayra Martinka, a member of the Fraternal Activities Committee.

The remainder of the committee reports were heard and then the election of the new Board of Directors was held.

Past Grand President Stephen R. Prewitt installed the new Board that evening.

The evening and the Convention concluded with a dance featuring music by The Countrymen.

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Prewitt welcomed delegates and guests to San Marcos during the Monday morning business session.

Page 20 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Hermann Sons members gather at Convention

Agnes Dreibrodt, president of San Marcos Lodge, welcomed delegates to San Marcos during the Sunday evening meal.

Frank Brandon, left, and Calvin Lamensky post the colors at the start of the business session on Monday morning. Brother Brandon is president of Corpus Christi Lodge. Brother Lamensky is president of Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge. Both were members of the Retirement Home Committee for the past four years.

The Grand Lodge Convention was held at Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in San Marcos. The hotel has 10 floors of rooms that all open on to a large courtyard where the evening receptions were held.

Harrison Hilt, a member of Harmonia Lodge, was a delegate to the Grand Lodge Convention. Brother Hilt is a longtime employee of the Home Office but has decided it’s time to retire and will be leaving his position at the end of May.

Grand Vice President-Secretary/Treasurer Mary Beam, left, and Grand Vice President-Fraternal Kim Krueger present Grand President Buddy Preuss with the gavel with which he conducted business during the Grand Lodge Convention. The presentation took place at the beginning of the Monday morning business session.

Three generations of one family served as delegates from Siemering Lodge. Pictured are, from left, Sharon Fite, daughter Augusta Fite and mother Sally Hertzberg. Augusta was the youngest delegate at the Convention.

Grand Inner Guard Bob Jungman was a delegate to the Grand Lodge Convention. He and wife Carol live in Yoakum.

The Prewitt family attended the Grand Lodge Convention.

Past Grand President Steve Prewitt, left, is pictured with wife Julie and son Rob who served as the delegate for Montgomery Lodge and on the Credentials Committee.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 21

Grand Lodge Convention not all business!

Mime Taylor Griswold photo bombs the picture Paul and Eileen Heath were taking on Monday evening. Both are members of Bandera County Lodge were Eileen serves as president. Paul ended his term as a member of the Grand Finance Committee at the Convention.

Sandra Jones takes a selfie with stilt walker Adam Trujillo on Monday night. The next day Sister Jones was first elected to the Board of Directors and then was elected Chair of the Board by acclamation.

On Tuesday night after dinner, the ladies (and one brave man) took to the dance floor for a little line dancing to the music of The Countrymen.

Community Service Coordinator Laura Adams played a key role in organizing the Grand Lodge Convention.

She is pictured with one of the entertainers on Monday, mime Taylor Griswold.

Stilt walker Adam Trujillo plays a rope tying game with one of the delegates during the Monday evening reception.

Co-chairmen of the Grand Lodge Convention were Grand Vice President-Fraternal Kim Krueger, left, and Grand Vice President-Secretary/ Treasurer Mary Beam.

The string quartet from the SMART Orchestra performed during the Monday evening social hour.

The theme for the evening was “Sights and Sounds of San Marcos.”

Page 22 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Donations to Grief Support Session top $15,000 SAN MARCOS – More than $15,000 – $15,225.03 to be exact – was raised to support the first Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp during the 47th Grand Lodge Convention.

The Grand Lodge designated the special session as its Join Hands Day project for the year

and invited delegates to support the effort in one of three ways.

Delegates could pay an extra $300 per couple when they registered for the Convention in exchange for a chance to check in at the Embassy Suites Hotel a day early and enjoy dinner at the Gristmill Restaurant in his-

toric Gruene, which is located just outside New Braunfels.

Or, they could donate all or part of their per diem and mileage reimbursement for the Convention to the session.

Or, they could have their picture taken at the Convention with all the money from the photos going to the session.

Grief Support Session Donors The following individuals donated to the Grief Support Session at Hermann SonsCamp in one of two ways – they donated all or part of their per diem and mileage reimbursement from the Grand Lodge Convention to the session or they took part in the outing to the Gristmill in Gruene on the Saturday night before the Convention with a portion of their $300 payment going to the session.

This list does not include individuals who donated to the Grief Support Session by having their photo taken or buying a tote bag through the Marketing Department.

Thomas Allison Bill and Pearl Barnard Mike and Mary Beam Jerome Bendele Glenford and Denise Boehme Frank and Darlette Brandon Lillian Brietzke Norma and Dusty Bruns Douglas Buck Sheila Caron Brandon and Jennifer Cernosek Dorella Colbert Thomas Daum Brad Dietrich Agnes and Freddie Dreibrodt Barbara D’Spain James and Janice Fait Shirley Faske Henrietta Fenner Sharon Fite Augusta Fite Letty Fragoso Lillian Franckowiak Stella Frerich Bonita Friesenhahn Betty Frisby Lila Garlin Paula Gebert Michael Gumpp Tammy Haecker Paul and Eileen Heath Rebecca Henley Harrison Hilt Lawrence Hoff Wilbert Hoffmann

JoAnn and Paul Hood Howard and Ann Huebner Donald and Betty Huebner Larry and Carolyn Huesser Margaret Jones Ronald and Darlene Jones Sam and Sandra Jones Donald and Deborah Jordan Robert and Carol Jungman Cecily Kelly Clifton Klabunde Melvin and Jonnie Klatt Sr. Charles and Sharon Knibbe Wayne and Marjorie Kohler Tim and Cheryl Kolbe Dustin and Kim Krueger Eulla and Vic Krueger Janice Kuhen Calvin and Joyce Lamensky Jack and Dianne Larned Terrel and Robin Maertz Jo Ann Massengale James and Ann McNeel Emilie and Stanley Meyer Leon Mueller Betty Newman David and Mary Noak Sherry and Wayne Noak Donald O’Connor John Opiela Wilburn and Mary Pargmann Lillian Pfefferkorn Jerry and Celia Pietzsch Pamela and R.J. Poulk Buddy and Elizabeth Preuss Robert Prewitt Steve and Julie Prewitt Mildred Radtke Sherry and Jerry Rakowitz Albert Ranzau III Roberta and Owen Ray Bill Richard Mona Rieger Lisa Kay McCorquodale‐Robalin Annette Roecker Don Roese Dolores Rollins Doug and Teresa Saathoff Howard and Glenetta Saathoff

Timothy and Celeste Salge Patricia Saunier Harry and Connie Schriber Mary and Leroy Schroeder Ann Schroeder Samantha Schulmeier Irene and Randall Schwertner Diane Smith Stan and Karen Steiger Charles and Mary Stork Anthony Straube Al and Marie Stryk Allison Tiffin Laura and Wayne Tiffin Lori Todd Douglas Vahlenkamp Ana Vasquez Erna Vogt Michael and Dena Warneke Linda Wehmeyer Roberta and Tom Wenzel Harry and Debra Werland Donald Wigginton Dennis Wigginton Bobby Wilbanks Patrick Wolf David Wolf The following lodges made donations to the Grief Support Session during the Grand Lodge Convention: Albert Kypfer Lodge Beaumont Lodge Cameron Lodge Castroville Lodge Cat Springs Lodge Comfort Lodge Edelweiss‐Magnolia Lodge Fort Worth Lodge Fredericksburg Lodge Gulf Lodge Haskell Lodge Lockhart Lodge Macdona Lodge Mission-Alamo Lodge Rosenberg‐Richmond Lodge Rutersville Lodge Schulenburg Lodge Schwertner Lodge Stockdale Lodge

A fourth option was added at the Convention. They could buy a tote bag from the Marketing Department.

Several local lodges also designated the Grief Support Session as their Join Hands Day project and delivered donations during the Convention.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our delegates and lodges,” Vice President of Member Services Kim Krueger said. “But I shouldn’t be surprised. Our members are great people and they always rise to the occasion when asked to support a worthy cause. And what a worthy cause this is.”

Leslie Wood from the Children’s Bereavement Center in San Antonio spoke on Tuesday night. The center will provide the therapists for the Grief Support Session.

She thanked Hermann Sons for making the session possible and shared her personal story of how the Bereavement Center helped her children when her husband passed away suddenly.

During the July 5-8 Grief Support Session, children ages 6-17

Leslie Wood from the Children’s Bereavement Center spoke to delegates and guests during the Grand Lodge Convention. She thanked Hermann Sons for making the Grief Support Session possible and shared her personal story about the Children’s Bereavement Center.

– members and non-members – who are grieving the loss of a loved one will be able to take part in traditional Camp activities while working with counselors and therapists. Read more about this special session on Page 7.

Delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention enjoyed dinner at the Gristmill Restaurant in Gruene on Saturday night. They had paid an additional $300 per couple to support the Grief Support Session in exchange for the opportunity to have dinner at the restaurant and check in a day early at the hotel.

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 23

A First-Timer Orientation session was held on Sunday afternoon. The meeting room was filled with first-time delegates and those wanting to hear more about the new format for the Grand Lodge Convention. Engagement Director Jennifer Cernosek led the session.

Engagement Director Jennifer Cernosek speaks during one of the Coffee and Conversation Sessions held Monday and Tuesday mornings. The sessions were held prior to the start of the business sessions both mornings and were well attended by delegates and guests.

Grand President/CEO Buddy Preuss led one of two Open Committee meetings on Monday. His sessions outlined the accomplishments of the Grand Committee and the Grand President/CEO during the past four years.

Grand Vice President-Fraternal Kim Krueger addresses the group that filled the meeting room during her Open Committee meeting. The sessions gave delegates a chance to interact with the officers in a small-group setting.

SAN MARCOS – The new structure and new sessions debuted at the 47th Grand Lodge Convention received good reviews from delegates and guests. They included a First-Timer Orientation, Coffee and Conversation morning sessions and Open Committee meetings.

The new format was designed to increase delegate voice and choice and the response was overwhelming positive.

First-Timer Orientation The First-Timer Orientation was held Sunday afternoon and was led by Engagement Director Jennifer Cernosek. She outlined the Convention format for first-time attendees and other interested delegates.

Coffee and Conversation On Monday and Tuesday mornings, delegates were invited to attend Coffee and Conversation sessions. The sessions were held from 7:45-8:30 a.m. both mornings and preceded the opening of the official business sessions.

The Monday morning topics were “Gatherings Across Generations,” led by Sister Cernosek, and “What’s On Your Mind?” led by the Grand Lodge officers.

During the “Gatherings Across Generations” session, a panel of members from different generations offered their insight into how to increase member engagement at lodge meetings and special events.

The “What’s On Your Mind?” session offered delegates and guests a chance to ask questions about the changes in name and governance that they would be voting on

later in the day.

Tuesday morning’s sessions were titled “Empowering Your Lodge Coordinators,” “Using Technology to Streamline Lodge Processes” and “Committee Structure and Getting Involved.”

Communications Director Kathie Ninneman and Community Service Coordinator Laura Adams conducted the session on “Empowering Your Lodge Coordinators” and talked about how the new lodge officer structure can be used to better share the responsibilities of lodge leadership.

Sister Cernosek and Assistant Communications Director Elaine Soto led the session on technology and talked about the tools that are available to lodges to use to engage and interact with their members.

President and CEO Buddy Preuss conducted the session on committee structure. He talked about the four Grand Lodge Standing Committees, the responsibilities of each and how members can apply for a position on those committees.

Open Committee Meetings For the first time, instead of being assigned to a particular committee, delegates were allowed to decide which committee meeting they wanted to attend.

Three time slots were offered with at least three different committee meetings going on during each time slot. Delegates were required to attend at least one committee meeting but most attended two or three.

The hotel provided box lunches which the delegates ate during the sessions.

New Convention structure receives positive response

Page 24 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

La Grange Lodge President Leon Mueller, left, presents a donation to Bobbye Locke, director of the local Meals on Wheels program. Also pictured are Sanford and Mannie Schmid who made personal donations to the program.

La Grange makes donation

Niederwald Lodge will meet June 13 Niederwald Lodge will meet June 13 at 11 a.m. at the Sirloin Stockade. Pictured are members at the last meeting. The door prize winners were Charles Croley and Betty Wisian. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Helen Homann. The lodge will present 60- and 70-year membership pins at the July 11 meeting.

DaCosta celebrates 50 years of dance YOAKUM – The DaCosta School of Dance celebrated its 50th year at its May 6 recital. A total of 39 junior members performed during the recital held in the Victoria Fine Arts Center.

Melissa Parks, Parents’ Club president, welcomed the crowd.

She then introduced Youth Activities Committee Member Janice Fait who congratulated the group on 50 years of dancing.

The recital began with a tap number called “Get the Party Started” followed by “Party In the U.S.A,” “Dear Future Husband” and many other favorites.

The parents and former students performed a routine to “Evolution of Dance.”

The recital concluded with the teachers, Alayna Belcik and Adrienne Rogers, performing.

After the finale, the dancers were presented with trophies and five-year and 10-year danc-

LA GRANGE – La Grange Lodge will meet June 8.

A donation was made to the Combined Community Action/ Meals on Wheels program at the May 11 meeting.

The meeting was held at Riverside Café where members enjoyed a buffet meal.

Members were given a report on the Grand Lodge Convention.

Director Bobbye Locke explained that CCA serves nine counties and brings meals to 50 people locally every day.

Sanford and Mannie Schmid also made personal donations to the program.

Brother Schmid served as a Meals on Wheels volunteer until he was 96 and decided to slow down.

– Reporter

Anton Wenzel will meet June 6

DaCosta School of Dance Parents’ Club officers are pictured with Youth Activities Committee Member Janice Fait, center, at the May 6 recital. They are, from left, Melissa Parks, president; Kimberly Holiday, vice president; Kristin Grahmann, secretary; and Sayra Martinka, treasurer. ers were recognized.

On Monday, Aug. 7, the Parents’ Club will meet to provide information on shoes and dis-

cuss the next dance year in more detail. Registration information will be mailed to eligible students in June.

Stay tuned for coverage of Join Hands Day and Agents’ Awards Banquet in the July edition of Hermann Sons Life!

SAN ANTONIO – Anton Wenzel Lodge will honor its 2017 pin recipients at the June 6 meeting. It begins at 6 p.m. And the lodge will celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Brisket will be provided. Members are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert.

A special invitation is issued to the pin recipients and their families.

Thanks go to those who made monetary donations for the Join Hands Day event held at the

St. Francis Home. Thanks go to Edward and Paula Reid, Joseph Figo, Salina Barrientes, Edward Elizondo, Larry Burns and Merlinda Elizondo for volunteering for this event.

Volunteers and donations are needed for the annual visit to the Retirement Home in Comfort in July. More information will be available at the next few meetings. A list has been started. Lunch will be served at a cost of $5 per person.

– Salina Barrientes

Womack plans benefit fish fry WOMACK – Womack Lodge will hold a fish fry to benefit the Clifton Volunteer Fire Department on June 17 at 5 p.m. Mark the date and plan to come. A lot of help will be needed. Details will be finalized at the June 4 meeting that begins at 5 p.m. A covered dish meal will be served at the meeting.

Calvin Rueter, a member of the Grand Lodge Laws Committee, attended the recent Grand Lodge

Convention along with wife Nadine Rueter, the lodge’s alternate delegate. Both reported the event was informative and enjoyable.

At the May 7 meeting, Mary Sue Crawson won the attendance prize and Dorothy Conrad was the 50/50 drawing winner.

Joe and Mary Sue Crawson hosted the afternoon meeting that included a covered dish supper.

– Nadine Rueter

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 25

Boerne Lodge will meet June 2 BOERNE – Boerne Lodge will meet Friday, June 2, at 12 noon at Kronkosky Place.

Lunch reservations must be made in advance by calling the Rainbow Senior Center by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting.

The lodge met May 5. Carolyn Bentzinger talked about the Boerne Community Coalition.

The Boerne Community Coalition is a collaborative group of local organizations, non-profits, churches, businesses, the Boerne Independent School District and city government working together to improve

the lives of at-risk children and their families in Boerne.

She explained that many children in Boerne are at risk of being hungry and face food insecurity. The situation is most critical during the summer months.

The organization’s Hearts of Love bags are filled with packaged breakfast, lunch and snack items.

The lodge made a $50 donation to the program.

A note was read from Judy Beauford thanking the lodge for a contribution that was made to

the Mission for Health Mission Garden.

Barbara D’Spain and Erna Vogt were the lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention held in San Marcos from April 30-May 3.

They found the Convention to be organized and informative.

In honor of Mother’s Day, all ladies present were given candy and a free meal ticket to the Rainbow Senior Center for future use.

Esther Faecher was the winner of the door prize of silk flowers.

– Reporter

Erna Vogt, left, and Barbara D’Spain represented Boerne Lodge at the Grand Lodge Convention.

Fort Worth junior awarded Retirement Home Scholarship

Ronnie Burns-Lane is pictured holding the letter notifying him that he had received one of the Retirement Home Scholarships for 2017.

Ronnie is a member of Fort Worth Lodge.

FORT WORTH – Fort Worth Lodge is proud to announce that Ronnie Burns-Lane, a member of the lodge, is the recipient of a Retirement Home Scholarship this year.

Fort Worth Lodge members have been supporting the Retirement Home Scholarship Fund for years by buying Chili Cook-off prize drawing tickets from Sandra Jones. Now, some of that money is coming back to Fort Worth.

Ronnie will be playing football while he attends East Texas Baptist University in the fall where he will major in business.

Ronnie is a second-generation Hermann Sons member and in more ways than one. Ronnie has aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends who are members. Ronnie has been a member of Fort

Worth Lodge since he was 6 months old. He is the son of Bill and Karen Lane.

The lodge’s Youth Committee has selected Preston Lewallen and Alexis Castor to receive Hermann Sons-Camp scholarships this year.

Members are reminded that the next meeting will be held Sunday, June 11, starting at 2 p.m. at Warren Park, 301 SW Johnson Ave. in Burleson. After the meeting, the lodge will furnish hamburgers, hot dogs and all the condiments. Members are asked to bring desserts. This year’s pin recipients have been invited as special guests.

The 47th Grand Lodge Convention was held in San Marcos and thanks go to the lodge’s delegates, Ronnie and Darlene Jones, for attending. This year’s

Convention was well attended and the delegates approved major changes. A report will be made at the June meeting in the park.

Marcia Walters has been in the hospital this month.

Reaching milestones with the lodge this month are Tracey Spartin, a 50-year member on May 1, and Donna Beene, a 70year member on May 22.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Eleonore Whiting. Sister Whiting had been a member since 1970.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Rylee Carter-Canton, Virginia Crawford, Jarod Hanna, Valton Lewallen, Cecil McLaughlin, Jeremy Putman, Sonia Hassenpflug, Marcia Walters, Bradley Whitley and Fred Whitley.

– Reporter

Bellville Lodge members to hear report on European trip BELLVILLE – Bellville Lodge will meet Monday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the Sens Center, 200 Briar Ridge, Bellville. A salad supper is planned. All members are asked to bring a salad.

Judge Karl Micklitz and Robert Herridge will give a program on their recent trip to visit the area where their families originated in Europe.

The lodge met April 24 and welcomed Special Representative Gary Falkenberg and wife Doris.

In observance of Join Hands Day, members agreed to make a $100 donation to Crime Stoppers and to plan a date to sing at one of

the local nursing homes.

Emily Pfeffer reported that the Cheer Committee sent sympathy cards to the family of Barbara Spacek and to Allen Garling following the passing of his brother, Johnny Garling. A “thinking of you” card will be sent to Betty Krueger who is recovering at one of the local nursing homes.

Patsy Marek was thanked for making the preparations for the meeting.

Herbert Schumann gave the program by reading letters his family received from relatives in Germany after World War II. The Falkenbergs and Mildred

Lange were guests at the Feb. 27 meeting.

Robert Herridge provided accordion music during the social hour. Brother Falkenberg and President Marie Herridge installed officers.

Welcomed as new members were Hayden Kistler and Payton Lindsay.

Emily Pfeffer reported sending cards to Allen Hintz and Betty Krueger and she said she would send a card to Mr. and Mrs. Engelholm.

Sister Pfeffer celebrated her birthday in December.

– Laura Schumann

Bellville Lodge recognized March and April birthday celebrants at the April meeting. They were, from left, Patsy Marek, April, and Gary Falkenberg and Marie Herridge, March.

Page 26 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

El Campo to announce scholarship winners June 2 EL CAMPO – El Campo Lodge will meet Friday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Phoenix Restaurant in El Campo. The recipients of the lodge’s scholarships will be announced.

The lodge met April 7 at the Golden Phoenix Restaurant. Guest for the evening was Jim Sipos of Glen Flora.

President Dennis Wigginton gave a brief report on the Grand Lodge Convention that he was scheduled to attend.

Members are reminded that Brother Wigginton is an agent for the lodge and would appreciate any recommendations for new members.

Hailey Rickman of Yoakum was welcomed by way of transfer.

The lodge has been supporting the BP MS 150 for the past several years. The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising bike ride organized by the National MS Society, South Central Chapter.

The ride is the largest event of its kind in North America, with 13,000 cyclists, 3,500 volunteers and countless spectators along the route and at the fin-

Dennis Wigginton, president of El Campo Lodge, presents a 70-year membership pin to Lorene Koenig of El Campo. She has been a member since Nov. 20, 1947.

ish line in Austin. The fund-rais- Tawnya Witcher of Rosenberg ing goal for the 2017 BP MS 150 participated in this two-day was $16 million to help those event from Houston to Austin.

The lodge made a $300 donaaffected by multiple sclerosis.

Members Brent Wigginton of tion to the BP MS 150.

President Wigginton presentEl Campo and Phillip Wigginton of Needville along with Agent ed a 70-year membership pin

Needville to give graduate gifts NEEDVILLE – Needville Lodge met May 7 with members enjoying fellowship and a meal before taking care of lodge business.

It was announced that Melissa Kostelnik and Chris Stoeltje have completed the course to become a licensed agent and will be taking their tests soon.

President Chris Stoeltje is going to discuss the possibility with the Needville Fire Station of the lodge painting the AuxilJunior members of Needville Lodge who recently participated at the 2017 Needville Youth Fair are pictured.

They are, from left, Lauren Bosse, Lita Meyer, Myla Meyer, Mason Stoeltje and Grant Stoeltje. The lodge recently made a $250 donation to the Needville Youth Fair Scholarship Fund.

iary Room at the fire station.

Members agreed to present graduating high school and college graduates with a $350 gift from the lodge.

And junior members of the lodge attending Hermann Sons-Camp will each receive $140, which is equivalent to a little more than half of the Camp fee.

Members discussed the possibility of holding a fund-raiser and possibly selling baked po-

tatoes with barbecue.

Members also discussed having a community service project benefiting the Needville SPJST Nursing Home. The project would involve collecting stuffed animals to donate to the nursing home.

Door prizes winners were Shay Meyer, Owen Jeske, Virginia Stoeltje and Julian Prestridge.

Shay Meyer donated hers back and it was given to K.B. Otto.

– Reporter

Phillip Wigginton of Needville, Brent Wigginton of El Campo and Tawnya Witcher of Rosenberg participated in the 2017 BP MS 150 ride from Houston to Austin. El Campo Lodge donated $300 to the event. to Lorene Koenig at her home on May 4. Lorene and her husband, Walter, purchased life insurance from Hermann Sons just before their wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Koenig were active members of the local lodge for

many years.

Celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary on March 31 were members Charles and Linda Harris of El Campo. Members and guests serenaded them.

– Cindy Witcher

Marion picnic on June 15 MARION – Marion Lodge will hold a summer picnic June 15 at the Marion Bowling Club. Pizza and drinks will be furnished along with free bowling. Members are asked to bring a dessert.

At the April 20 meeting, the lodge welcomed new members Kyra Krenek, Addison and Ryane Willis, Jackson Missildine, Caiden Atzger and Olivia Egg. In observance of Join Hands Day, members voted to donate a $100 Walmart gift card to Carole Hooge who

has been displaced from her home due to a fire.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Mildred Woerndel and Terry Jentsch.

Members discussed and agreed to open a Facebook account for the lodge to help notify members of upcoming events and meetings. Sharon Grimm will set up the account and maintain the page.

Drawings were held and four cash door prizes were awarded.

– Carolyn Crawford

Bernardo social set for June 10 BERNARDO – Bernardo Lodge will hold its annual summer social on June 10 starting at 5 p.m. at the Bernardo Volunteer Fire Department. The lodge will provided the barbecue, paper goods and refreshments. Members are asked to bring two side dishes. The meal will be served at 6:30 p.m.

The lodge met April 19.

Members agreed to give each

camper who is a member of the lodge $50 to help cover their registration fee. At least one member of the lodge will be attending Hermann Sons-Camp this summer.

“Happy Birthday” was sung to Joe Trojacek and Anita Zaskoda.

Attendance prizes went to Terrel Maertz and Billy Hagen.

– Robin Maertz

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 27

Cibolo Lodge will meet June 1 at Lutheran church CIBOLO – Cibolo Lodge will meet Thursday, June 1, at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Brisket will be served. A drawing will be held for a gift card just for dads.

The lodge honored mothers at the May 4 meeting. Welcomed as new junior members were Jack Andrew Anderson, Kailyn Riley Calahan, Lauren Jessie Castillo, Lillian Paige Franco and Lillian Gail Hodo.

Deepest condolences go to the family of Canyen White who passed away in January at the age of just 19.

The Scholarship Committee awarded Zane Gray a $350 scholarship again this year to enable him to continue to pursue his engineering degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The lodge observed Join Hands Day on May 21 at Texas Lutheran University’s Jackson Auditorium by distributing flowers to the dancers at both performances.

The delegates reported that the Grand Lodge Convention was informative. Delegates approved the name change to Hermann Sons Life. The Home Office was collecting money for the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp. Delegates

The mothers attending the May meeting of Cibolo Lodge gather for a photo. Gail Gray was the winner of the prize drawing for mothers.

Delegates and guests from Cibolo Lodge are pictured at the Grand Lodge Convention. They are, from left, John and Gail Gray, Mike and Dena Warneke and Jerry and Sherry Rakowitz. Brother Warneke is a member of Harmonia Lodge. The others are all members of Cibolo Lodge.

John Gray and Sherry Rakowitz donated their mileage reimbursement to the program and member Shana Wiley offered a $50 cash donation. The lodge also made a $150 donation.

The rummage sale is set for Sept. 16 beginning at 8 a.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

The sale benefits the Clemens 4-H Club.

The side dish winner was Jonny Brown’s homemade squash dish made with his homegrown squash and the dessert win-

Hochheim-Prairie welcomes four new members in May YOKAUM – Hochheim-Prairie Lodge will meet June 11. Flag Day will be observed.

Four new members were welcomed at the May meeting.

They are Preslee McCord, Lauren Lundy, Azai Mills and Stockton Groves.

Get-well cards were sent to Ann Richter, Marie Schumacher and Leonard Hagens and a sympathy card was sent to the Johnnie Friedel family.

President Janet Zabransky reported on the Grand Lodge Convention in San Marcos.

Delegates and guests attending were Charlie and Carolyn Hoepfl, Wilburn and Mary Pargmann, Tommy and Roberta Wenzel, Ann and Joe Machalec, Janet and Jason Zabransky and Carol

and Bob Jungman.

The delegates approved the name change to Hermann Sons Life and elected six board members. The board members then named Buddy Preuss as the president and CEO. Everyone had a great time and said it was a learning experience.

In observance of Join Hands Day, members volunteered at the St. Ann Catholic Church fund-raiser. They were joined by members of the Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus and KJZT. Joyce Word read an article about Memorial Day. Mary Pargmann and Kenneth Gerdes were the door prize winners.

– Reporter

ner was Tracy Campos’ oatmeal, cranberry, raisin and pecan cookies.

The adult prize winners were Fay Fey and Shana Wiley and the junior winner was Bret Gray.

The special drawing prize money would have gone to Isabella Rose Wissmann but she was not present. Next month the drawing will be worth $49.

The Mother’s Day gift card winner was Gail Gray.

Guest speaker Hans Boas, professor for Germanic Linguistics

in the Department of Germanic Studies and the Department of Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin, has rescheduled his visit until Oct. 5. Everyone is invited to come and listen and ask questions especially those who speak native German or know of anyone who still does.

Hans is documenting and recording native German so the language is not lost. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the classroom of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1129 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, across from the Whataburger. The event has been posted on the Cibolo Lodge Facebook page.

– Reporter

Mary Ann Gray, left, and Gail Gray celebrate May birthdays.

The ladies are members of Cibolo Lodge. Gail is Mary Ann’s daughter-in-law.

Paige Lodge will meet on June 11 PAIGE – Paige Lodge will meet June 11 at the lodge hall. A potluck meal will be served prior to the meeting.

In observance of Join Hands Day, the lodge sponsored a grilled hot dog and Frito pie lunch and egg hunt on Sunday, April 9, for the Elgin School of Dance students and their families. An array of desserts and cold drinks also were available.

Special thanks go to the Kunkel family for donating the wieners and buns, to Debbie Harmon for donating the chili and Fritos, to members and friends for the condiments, chips and desserts, to Ronnie Harmon and Frank Bilberry for handling the grilling, to all who helped set up the tent,

And the egg hunt begins! Members of the Elgin School of Dance and Paige Lodge juniors enjoy an Easter egg hunt. In observance of Join Hands Day, the lodge held a luncheon and egg hunt for the dance students and their families on April 9. tables and chairs and to the Barrington family for stuffing the eggs. The food and fellow-

ship truly made the gathering a success.

– Sandy Botkin

Page 28 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Houston members volunteer at local food bank

HOUSTON – Houston Lodge’s next two meetings are scheduled for June 12 and July 10.

Both will include potluck meals and desserts provided by members. The location is the usual meeting place, which is Sokol Hall, 1314 W. Patton. The social hour starts at 6 p.m., the meal is served at 7 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:45 p.m.

The lodge hosted its annual Family/Pioneer Day on April 9 at the Sokol Hall. Special thanks go to James and Darlene Ellison for preparing the hamburgers and hot dogs along with the sides. It was a great event with good weather, activities, food and refreshments. Members won door prizes and took part in a cake walk and an all-time favorite games party. Winners of the “guess the amount of candy in a jar” game were Larry Weikel, Doris Falkenberg, Diane Weikel and Milton Fuchs Jr. In observance of Join Hands Day, members teamed with

Houston Lodge President Gary Falkenberg presents Catherine Manchack with her 50-year membership pin. Sister Manchack has been a member since Nov. 5, 1967.

Houston Community College Alumni, Grocers Supply, several Boy Scout troops, Texas A&M Houston Volunteers and Phillips 66 for a day of volunteering at the Houston Food Bank. There were more than 250 volunteers that morning and the Houston Lodge’s group alone processed more than 3,700 items. Mem-

bers attending included Lavina Patterson, Pat Bushman, Rebeka Dunsmore, Jackie Bushman, Emily Falkenberg, Doris Falkenberg and Gary Falkenberg.

Help the lodge grow! The lodge is always looking for new members, both adults and children. Contact Gary Falkenberg at 713-466-6069 or 713-899-

Attending the Grand Lodge Convention from Houston Lodge were, from left, Jean Dueitt, Gary Falkenberg and Pat Bushman. Sister Dueitt was a member of the Retirement Home Committee and Brother Falkenberg and Sister Bushman were the lodge’s delegates.

4138 about life insurance or annuity information.

If you know someone in need of a get well, sympathy or “thinking of you” card, email Communications Coordinator Rebeka Dunsmore at dunsmore. rebeka.e@gmail.com.

Officers also are currently looking for new ideas for lodge

projects and activities that will make meetings more interesting and are developing an email list for use in notifying members of upcoming events. If you have any suggestions or would like to be added to the email list, email Sister Dunsmore at the same address.

– Reporter

New Braunfels will meet June 4 NEW BRAUNFELS – New Braunfels Lodge will meet Sunday, June 4, at 3 p.m. at the lodge hall. The lodge will provide the meat and members are asked to bring side dishes or dessert.

At the May meeting, one new adult member and nine new junior members were welcomed.

President Karen Harborth gave a report on the 47th Grand Lodge Convention held in San Marcos.

Members voted to make a donation to the New Braunfels

School of Dance.

The recital was held Sunday, May 7, at Smithson Valley High School.

Attendance-prize winners were Rennie Guenther, Harvey Heideman, Virginia Vetter, Michael Huebinger, Jolene Meuret, Sharon Suchy, Dorothy Moose, Alfred Stremmel, Delbert Tanneberger, Karen Harborth, Jo Heideman and Bill Wenzel.

Additional door prizes provided by Sandra Guenther were a Mexican flower arrangement

Pershing to honors moms, dads SAN ANTONIO – Pershing Lodge will meet Wednesday, June 7, at 7 p.m. Church’s Chicken will be served along with a cake honoring both mothers and fathers. An election will be held to replace one Home Association representative.

Terri Armstrong reminds everyone an overnight trip to the Coushatta Casino is set for June 11-12. Cost is $55 for Pershing

Lodge members and $60 for non-Pershing Lodge members.

For more information call her at 210-378-0319.

Members also are reminded to bring items for donation to the SAMMinistries to the June meeting. Items needed include socks, toiletries and snack crackers.

Call the lodge office at 210-2273085 for more information.

– Reporter

won by Bill Wenzel, a Cinco de Mayo scarf won by Jolene Meuret and Mexican Wedding Cookies on a hot pepper tray won by Karen Harborth.

Rennie and Sandra Guenther hosted the meeting with King Ranch Chicken and Cinco de Mayo decorations.

After the meeting, Lt. Greg Guenther, assistant fire marshal with the New Braunfels Fire Department, gave a presentation on fire prevention and safety for adults.

– Reporter

Greg Guenther receives his 50-year membership pin from New Braunfels Lodge President Karen Harborth, right. Also present was his mother, Sandra. Brother Guenther became a member Jan. 4, 1966.

Old Glory hears report on Convention OLD GLORY – Old Glory Lodge will meet Sunday, June 4, at 4 p.m.

Members are asked to bring sandwiches and desserts.

A large crowd attended the May meeting.

Doug Vahlenkamp and Diane Smith were the lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention.

They both spoke about the Convention proceedings.

Members voted to move forward on lodge roof repairs.

Verlene Corzine won the door prize.

Don and Pat Pyron were welcomed back after a long illness.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Jerry Saffel, a former member.

Celebrating May birthdays were Valton Schmidt, Gary Teichelman,

Don Pyron and Doug Vahlenkamp.

Celebrating anniversaries were Marvin and Brenda Vahlenkamp and Doug and Debbie Vahlenkamp.

Following the meeting, the group enjoyed games and a meal of fried chicken and all the trimmings.

– Anita Dozier

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 29

Lockhart members hear reports on Convention LOCKHART – Lockhart Lodge will meet June 4 at the Chisholm Trail Restaurant at 6 p.m.

Members met Sunday, May 7, to hear reports from the 47th Grand Lodge Convention held in San Marcos April 30-May 3.

After the meal and opening of the meeting, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Fred Thomas Hankey III who died March 22 at the age of 62. He had been a member since 1994.

Marla Heger, who attended the Convention as a candidate for the Board of Directors, was present along with husband Ryan and son Cole.

Agent Janice Kuhen presented everyone with a pen featuring the new logo and new name, Hermann Sons Life, on it as a reminder to use the new name.

Sister Kuhen reported the new Board of Directors was elected at the convention with Sandra Jones to serve as chairman.

Lockhart Lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention held in San Marcos in early May were, from left, Jonelle Frerich, Lil Pfefferkorn and Ann Schroeder.

Lockhart Lodge door prize winners in May were, from left, Rudy Schroeder, Ryan Heger and Ray Pfefferkorn.

Grand Vice President-Secretary/ Treasurer Mary Beam is retiring after 50 years of service to Hermann Sons.

Attending the Convention from Lockhart Lodge were Ann Schroeder, who served on the Elections

be held again in four years. The site is to be determined.

Funds raised for the Join Hands Day project benefitting the Camp Grief Support Session totaled more than $15,000. Members and non-members ages 6-17 grieving

Committee, Jonelle Frerich and Lil Pfefferkorn. They each gave a report and agreed the Convention was a success.

Agent Kuhen said she is always open to suggestions to share to improve the Convention that will

the loss of a loved one can register for the summer session. There is a $50 assessment fee.

Attendance-prize winners were Ray Pfefferkorn, Ryan Heger and Rudy Schroeder.

– Lillian Pfefferkorn

Helotes Lodge plans pin presentations

Austin Lodge honored all of the mothers attending the May 7 meeting.

Austin to host Family Day AUSTIN – Austin Lodge will hold a Family Day celebration on Sunday, June 4. A catered lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

The meeting will begin at 2 p.m.

Membership pins will be presented.

Beer and soda will be provided. Members do not need to bring anything.

Four new members were welcomed at the May 7 meeting.

They are Kiplyn Marie Livingston, Keeton Livingston, Josephine Mae Moss and Josephine Alice Lehman.

President Ed Kurtz, Pat Spradling and Betty Kurtz gave a report on the Grand Lodge Convention.

It was reported that Fred Weber had fallen and broken his leg.

Clarence Stark received the kitty and Johnny Duecker received the attendance prize.

President Kurtz recognized all the mothers. Edna Weigelt, Betty Rountree and Mary Maluschka won door prizes donated by Pat Spradling.

– Reporter

Helotes Lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention were, from left, Letty Fragoso, E.J. Menn and Rebecca Henley.

Al Michalczak, a member of Helotes Lodge, also is a member of The Countrymen band. The group provided the dance music on Tuesday night during the Grand Lodge Convention.

HELOTES – Helotes Lodge will meet June 13 at 7 p.m. at Braun Hall.

Membership pin recipients will be honored. They include Charles Menn, E.J. Menn, Mary Marsh, Gerald Nickel and Lawrence Schenk, 70 years; and Peter Koch, Rita Benson and Larry Bitzkie, 60 years. An officer from the Home Office will be presenting the pins.

Members will discuss this year’s Make a Difference project benefitting Habitat for Humanity.

Shirley Jonas will be heading up the project. The lodge will donate food and drinks for the Habitat for Humanity volunteers. Members will be asked to make sandwiches and put the lunches together.

The lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention held in San Marcos April 30-May 3 report that it was an exciting and busy time. E.J. Menn, Rebecca Henley and Letty Fragoso said they had some great times mingling with other delegates from across the state. Helotes Lodge Vice President Al Michalczak performed with The Countrymen after the Tuesday night banquet.

– Reporter

Page 30 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Elaine Unger is the daughter of Ralph and Annette Unger of Pleasanton. She will major in music education at Texas Tech. She is the recipient of a scholarship from Vineta Lodge.

Hannah Jordan is the daughter of Don and Debbie Jordan of Boerne. She will major in music education with vocal emphasis at Texas Lutheran University. She is the recipient of a scholarship from Vineta Lodge.

Lillian Unger is the daughter of Ralph and Annette Unger of Pleasanton. She will major in music education at the University of North Texas. She is the recipient of a scholarship from Vineta Lodge.

Vineta Lodge presents three senior scholarships SAN ANTONIO – Vineta Lodge is presenting three scholarships this year. The recipients are Hannah Jordan and Elaine and Lillian Unger. They all are music majors.

To help fund these scholarships the lodge will hold a fundraiser July 19 beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Home Association Rathskeller. A donation of $5 for sandwiches, ice cream and lots of desserts is asked. There will be attendance prizes. For tickets and more information call 210602-5147.

A salad potluck meal will be part of the June 1 meeting.

Members are asked to bring a salad of their choice. The lodge will furnish dessert.

A social will be held June 21 starting at 10:30 a.m. Members will play games and be served a surprise lunch.

Members enjoyed dinner from Little Italy in honor of Mother’s Day in May. Thanks go to Beth Byron for bringing the food from Little Italy. The members enjoyed cake and Lucille Stremmel brought cookies. All the mothers received a red rose for Mother’s Day. Thanks go to all for making the evening special.

The lodge’s Join Hands Day project will be to fill bags for the children who will be attending the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp. Teddy bears, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils and stress balls are some of the items members are asked to donate. For more information call Ruth Bailey at 210-602-5147.

Split-the-pot winner was Irene Kace.

Attendance award winners were Lucille Stremmel, Gladys Garrett, Mary Ann Pintaric and Beth Byron.

– Reporter,

Dallas Lodge will meet June 25 DALLAS – Dallas Lodge’s next business meeting will be held June 25 at 1 p.m. at the Dallas Hall.

Steve Schellenberg will report on the Grand Lodge Convention.

The lodge did not hold a business meeting in May. Instead a public meeting/luncheon was held May 21 at El Fenix Restaurant. Anniversary pins for 60year and 70-year members were to be presented at the luncheon.

If recipients were unable to attend their pins will be mailed to them.

Two members are receiving 70year pins. They are Frank L. Bernhard from Porter Ranch, Calif., who joined in April 1947, and James F. Haller of Waco who joined in June 1947. Receiving 60-year pins are Lee A. Mosty of Irving who joined

in March 1957 and Steven G. Simon of Coppell who joined in June 1957. His mother was the late Dorothy F. Simon, the lodge’s long-time agent. John W. Meusel Jr. of Greenville is receiving his 50year pin. He joined in April 1967.

In observance of Join Hands Day, members volunteered at the North Texas Food Bank in Dallas and the lodge made a $50 donation.

At the April meeting, Andy Schellenberg reported the lodge might have two graduating high school seniors but that information has not been confirmed. If you are a member and plan to attend college or a technical school after graduation and have not received an application, call him at

972-313-0058 before July 1. The application deadline is Aug. 1.

Terri Homes won the attendance prize.

Margaret Owens reported that Arthur E. “Butch” Smith passed away April 24 from ALS. He was 68 years old and resided in Wylie. He received his 50-year membership pin in 2016. The lodge will make a donation to the Retirement Home in his memory.

School will be out soon. Do your children need a vacation? Do you need a vacation? Are your children or grandchildren members? Send them to Hermann Sons-Camp. Go to hermannsonslife.org or call the Home Office at 800-234-4124 for more information.

– Reporter

Vineta Lodge member Lorene Kreusel and husband Al celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in May.

Vice President Emily Roberts, left, congratulates Vineta Lodge member Yvonne Anderson, who celebrates her birthday in May.

McGregor meeting June 7 McGREGOR – McGregor Lodge will meet June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Charlie Griffin Center, 300 N. Johnson, Marblecrest Addition. Members are reminded that there will be no meeting in July.

President Doris Mooney welcomed everyone to the May 3 meeting and wished all the mothers a great Mother’s Day. All the mothers received a plant.

Hermine Wolf reported mailing a sympathy card to John and Teresa Sneed following the passing of John’s brother, Mike.

The lodge lost long-time member Walter Zacharias on April 18. He would have celebrated 70 years with the

lodge on June 1.

President Mooney extended a thank you to Janet Schmalriede, El Nora Lawton, Teresa Sneed and Leona Hendrickson who joined her in buying additional food and to all who brought food for the McGregor Food Pantry in observance of Join Hands Day. Members were reminded to recommend new members.

Contact the Home Office at 800-234-4124 with the name and contact information.

Happy Anniversary wishes go to Jerome and Diane Weinstrom and Kerry and Regina Arseneaux.

Carol Wiethorn was celebrating a May birthday.

– Reporter

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 31

Giddings Lodge welcomes two new members GIDDINGS – Two new members were welcomed at the April meeting of Giddings Lodge. They are Sara Ann Pack and Elaine Hadley Port.

Donations of $100 each were made to the teams representing Grace Lutheran Church and St. Margaret’s Catholic Church at the local Relay for Life event.

A $100 donation was made to the Giddings Grad Bash.

Elana Maria Ledwik will receive a scholarship from the lodge.

Members planned to go to the Lee County Youth Club on May 4 to help the children make cards to be delivered to nursing home residents on May 21.

The lodge planned to present the Youth Club with an appre-

ciation award for all the help it has given the lodge in preparing projects over the years.

Pat Abell visited Bernice Bittner who is recovering from surgery in a nursing home and Ruby Lehmann. Olivia Mize visited Willie Mae Meyer.

Laverne Urban celebrated her birthday in April.

Door prize winners were Belle DeLaRosa, Blake Harmon and Olivia Mize.

The lodge provided the pizza and ice cream. Members provided the side dishes, pasta and desserts.

Members are reminded that the lodge meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

– Reporter

Cecelia Martinez and Brenda Potter from Giddings Lodge participated in a community event geared for a night of fun for children.

They gave out Tootsie Rolls to children playing washers and a bean bag toss game.

Elana Ledwik will receive a scholarship from Giddings Lodge. She is graduating from La Grange High School.

Albert Kypfer serving burgers June 2

Members celebrating special occasions at the May meeting of Gay Hill Lodge were David and Doris Roehling and Stanley and Mary Jo Klekar, anniversaries; and Mary Jo Klekar and Mary Lee Mertz, birthdays.

Preparing the meal for the May Gay Hill Lodge meeting were, from left, David and Doris Roehling, Janice McLendon and Charlie Schroeder.

Gay Hill will meet June 1 GAY HILL – Gay Hill Lodge will meet June 1. A potluck supper is planned.

Hamburgers were served at the May 4 meeting. David and Doris Roehling, Janice McLendon and Charlie Schroeder prepared the meal.

Billy Lehde reported on the Grand Lodge Convention.

Patsy Fischer reported on the Chicken Fried Steak Supper fund-raiser. The next fund-

raiser will be the Fried Chicken Sunday Dinner on June 25. This will be a drive-thru only event.

Thanks go to Robert Ziese and Bobby Mertz for mowing the grounds.

The Cheer Committee reported that a sympathy card, which everyone signed, would be delivered to Wilford Gaskamp following the loss of his wife.

– Reporter

CLEAR SPRINGS – Albert Kypfer Lodge will meet June 2. Darline Preiss will make the hamburgers.

Everyone else is asked to bring trimmings, a side dish or dessert.

Ham, side dishes and desserts were served at the May 5 meeting. Thanks go to Kerry and Kathy Noble for donating and preparing the ham.

Nelrose Koepp reported that Barbara Pizel had been in the hospital again but she was at the meeting and everyone was glad to see her.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Dwight Schraub.

If you know of anyone on the get-well list or who has passed, let Sister Koepp know.

The Grand Lodge Convention was held April 30-May 3 in San Marcos. President Tim Salge talked about the changes that were approved by delegates. Tammy Seiter reported on how much she learned at the Convention and how much fun she had.

Celeste Salge, left, and Jeanette Constance, right, from Albert Kypfer Lodge present the proceeds from the lodge’s Valentine Bunco Party to a representative of St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch. This was the lodge’s Matching Funds project for 2017.

Celebrating a May birthday was Nolan Koepp, who is 90 years young.

Celebrating an anniversary were Kerry and Kathy Noble, 50 years.

The attendance prize winners were Kerry Noble, Charlie Seiter, Tammy Seiter, Noland Koepp and Art Brinkkoeter. The Moth-

er’s Day prizes went to Merry Brinkkoeter and Darline Preiss.

If you know someone who does not drive, offer to pick them up for the meeting. If you know someone who would like to join the lodge or is thinking about joining, bring them to a meeting.

– Darline Preiss

Richland joins hands with Cele 4-H Club RICHLAND – Richland Lodge will meet June 4 at 4 p.m. at Richland Hall. Members are asked to bring sandwiches to share and a friend or two. The lodge will provide ice cream and there will be

games.

In observance of Join Hands Day, the lodge joined hands with the Cele 4-H Club. A team of 49 placed approximately 250 red roses on graves in St. John

Richland Cemetery. This included all veterans who received a red rose and a U.S. flag. Thanks go to all who worked on this project.

– Reporter

Page 32 – Hermann Sons Life –June 2017

Kirby will host annual Senior Games on June 4 KIRBY – Kirby Lodge will meet Monday, June 5, starting at 7 p.m. The lodge women will provide the meal in honor of Father’s Day. Members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.

The lodge is planning upcoming events and community service projects.

On Sunday, June 4, the lodge will host its annual Senior Games at the lodge hall starting at 2 p.m. A total of 15 games will be played. Refreshments will be provided.

The lodge will host a Flag Day program on Wednesday, June 14, at the Kirby Fire Station beginning at 8:30 a.m. If you would like to help or attend, contact

Judy Schulmeier at 210-6671938.

The lodge is planning a bus trip to the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass on Sunday July 16. The bus will leave the Kirby Lodge Hall at 7 a.m. Cost is $25 per person. If anyone would like to go or has any questions about the trip, contact Henrietta Lowak at 210-667-1435 or Tammy Haecker at 210-601-6802 no later than Friday, June 5, to secure a seat. The trip will open up to others later in June to help fill the bus.

In observance of Make a Difference Day, Community Coordinator/Agent Judy Schulmeier is organizing a project to ben-

efit the Fisher House at SAMMC. She has a list of items needed at the house where the families of wounded warriors live. Call her at 210-667-1938 for more information.

At the May meeting, three new members, Garrett Tarbox, Aubrey Tarbox and Eric Hajduk, were welcomed.

Celebrating a May birthday was Irvin Schulmeier.

Everyone in attendance won a door prize.

Everyone sends get-well wishes to James Lowak.

The 2017-2018 schedules are still available and can be picked up at any meeting.

– Angela Netherton

The Kirby School of Dance students had a wonderful time performing at the Kirby Hobo Days event. This is something the dancers and their families look forward to every year.

Columbia Lodge plans annual picnic for June 17 DALLAS – Columbia Lodge rolls into summer with lots of activities.

The annual picnic is scheduled for June 17 at Mary and Doug Caudill’s home. There will be plenty of overnight camping. No need to bring anything but your towel, swimsuit, guitar and some potato chips. The lodge will provide the rest. The party starts around noon and goes until everybody leaves.

Mrs. Butterworth is planning to bring her famous brownies and some homemade vanilla ice cream.

Several lodge members recently gathered for a somber memo-

rial tribute to a friend of the Hall who passed away. Tim Alexander, although not a member, played many great evenings at the Hall throughout the years. Tim was a five-time Grammy award winner and played keyboards with Asleep At The Wheel for many years and then around Dallas for the past 15 years or so.

This reporter remembers those nights when The Wheel rocked the dance floor and the Sons swayed and held court. Thanks for the great musical memories Tim. Everyone had a fun time reminiscing those great nights from 20-plus years ago. Tim really

liked the Sons and we will miss him.

It was nice to visit with Robert Wilonsky, Mike Snider and Elvis T. Busboy at the memorial service. The great Ray Benson said he wants Asleep At The Wheel to play a show at the Hall again in Tim’s honor. Wouldn’t that be something? Yes it would.

Kimball Curnutt is planning to attend Hermann Sons-Camp again this summer. Members are eager to hear his tales of adventures in the Hill Country.

Dallas Lodge hosted a Join Hands Day project on May 6 at the North Texas Food Bank and

several members of Columbia Lodge were there as well. Thanks go to Dallas Lodge for putting the project together. And thanks go to all those who participated and did some good for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

There are many things going on at the Hall. Every member is encouraged to attend lodge meetings. The Hall’s Board of Directors meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. And the First Friday events continue every month. There is swing dancing on Wednesday evenings. And don’t forget that on Thursday evenings you can find like-minded

Fredericksburg will honor dads on June 6 FREDERICKSBURG – Fredericksburg Lodge will meet June 6. A baked ham meal will be served. The lodge will furnish the ham. Members are asked to bring a side dish along with a plate and utensils. The social begins at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting. All fathers will be honored.

Call Hans Enderlin at 830-8952176 or Windy Duecker at 830997-2983 for more information.

A hamburger supper was served before the May 9 meeting. Mothers were honored.

Cary Bierschwale won a floral ar-

rangement given away in honor of Mother’s Day. A new junior member was welcomed and another member was welcomed by way of transfer from Comfort Lodge.

The lodge partnered with the American Cancer Society in supporting its Relay for Life event. Members helped set up the Relay for Life site at the Fairgrounds’ Exhibit Hall on May 12.

The rally was held Saturday, May 13. The lodge also made a $150 donation.

Four members of the lodge attended the Grand Lodge

Convention in San Marcos. Key organizational changes were approved including the name change to Hermann Sons Life and a change in governance to a board of directors.

Attendance prizes were awarded to Bryan Bierschwale and Marissa Weinheimer.

– Reporter

Windy Duecker, a member of Fredericksburg Lodge, celebrated her birthday in May.

souls should picking and grinning around an electric campfire be your creative outlet. Recently Channel 8 did a feature on the Thursday night jam. There are musical events in the evenings in the Ballroom and in the old Bowling Alley. There is most always something going on at the Sons of Hermann Hall.

And the Hall could always use a few more volunteers. Won’t you give a few hours of your time to help the lodge and the Hall remain a vital part of the neighborhood and greater Dallas community?

– David Moynihan

Highland Lakes to meet June 4 HIGHLAND HAVEN – The next meeting of Highland Lakes Lodge will be held at the Highland Haven Community Center on Sunday, June 4.

Members are encouraged to come for the social hour at noon followed by a meal featuring fried catfish that will precede the meeting.

The lodge will furnish French fries and hush puppies. Members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert and an appetite.

– Reporter

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 33

Rutersville to hold Family Fun Night July 8

Seguin Lodge meets Attendance prize winners at the March meeting of Seguin Lodge were, back, from left, Cheryl Kolbe, Tom Allison, Dottie Kallies, Emily Copeland, Brenda Schrank, front, from left, Hannah Bentley and Velma Huebner. The Progressive Pot winner of $60 would have been Wade Maierhofer but he was not at the meeting so the pot increases for the next meeting.

RUTERSVILLE – Rutersville Lodge will hold a Family Fun Night Saturday, July 8, at 6 p.m.

A fish fry and presentation of membership pins will be held.

Members are asked to mark their calendars and make plans to attend.

At the May 3 meeting, Special Representative Gary Falkenberg was in attendance with wife Doris. He gave a report on the Grand Lodge Convention in San Marcos.

He reported delegates approved changes to governance and the name change to Hermann Sons Life. He also announced lodge member David Noak was elected to the board

Rutersville Lodge members celebrating special occasions at the May meeting were Delores and Bob Schmitt, an anniversary; and Delores Bayer, a birthday. of directors. Brother Noak then gave a summary of his experience.

Get-well cards were sent to

Agent Linda Mattocks and Mary Jane Treybig. Congratulations were sent to Hollie (Tietjen) and Barry (Tuffy) Hale Jr. on their wedding.

Attendance prize winners were David Noak, Margie Svrcek, Wayne Noak, Albert Loehr and Stephen (Chip) Citzler.

Prior to the meeting, everyone enjoyed the social and a meal of chicken, pork and beef fajitas with all the trimmings and desserts.

For the June meeting, the Food Committee will prepare hot links. Members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.

– Reporter

La Vernia Lodge to present pins in August

Tim and Cheryl Kolbe celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at the March meeting of Seguin Lodge. The meeting began with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” to Henry Huebner. He turned 101 on March 8.

LA VERNIA – The next business meeting for La Vernia Lodge is scheduled for Aug. 20 at 4 p.m.

Sixty-year and 70-year pins will be presented to eligible members. If you received your 50-year pin in the mail, bring it with you, as the lodge would like to recognize you and have your picture taken.

A meal and refreshments will be served. All members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. If you plan to attend, make reservations with Sharon Tanneberger at 830-779-4641 or 210827-0526 with the number of attendees no later than Aug. 14.

In observance of Join Hands Day, members of the lodge took part in a workday on Saturday, May 6, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in La Vernia. Seventeen lodge members and church volunteers spent

Members and guests enjoyed a pizza meal at the April 23 meeting of La Vernia Lodge. They discussed upcoming events including Join Hands Day and the Grand Lodge Convention. the morning trimming trees and tearing down a dilapidated storage shed at the cemetery.

Refreshments were provided.

After the work was complete, everyone enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant.

Five members of the lodge attended the Grand Lodge Convention held April 30-May 3 in San Marcos. Those who attend-

ed were delegates Charles Stork, Marlin and Sharon Tanneberger and Elaine Schnitz. Candy Stork attended the Convention as a guest. The delegates attended committee meetings and educational sessions and voted for the new Hermann Sons Life name, new governance laws and a new board of directors.

– Lucy Schott

Moulton Lodge to present two scholarships

Dunlay represented at convention Dunlay Lodge’s delegate to the Grand Lodge Convention was Dolly Meyer. She and husband Stanley are pictured with other delegates and guests from Medina County at the Tuesday night banquet. They are, seated, from left, Betty Newman, Hondo Victory Lodge; Richard Muennink, Hondo Lodge; Stanley and Dolly Meyer, Dunlay Lodge; standing, from left, Carolyn and Larry Huesser, D’Hanis Lodge; and Jerome and Debbie Bendele, Hondo Lodge.

MOULTON – Moulton Lodge met April 12.

The lodge will present two scholarships this year.

The date for the plates-togo fund-raiser has been set for Aug. 30. The menu has not yet been decided.

John and Kathy Koch prepared the meat for the meal.

Other members provided side dishes.

Door prizes were awarded.

– Reporter

Judy and Irvin Schulmeier celebrated their April wedding anniversary at the Moulton Lodge meeting. Sister Schulmeier also celebrates her birthday in April.

Page 34 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Schulenburg will meet June 14 SCHULENBURG – Schulenburg Lodge will meet June 14.

Grilled chicken will be served and members are asked to bring side dishes. Mary K. Seifert, Kathy Loth and Shirley Machicek will provide the cakes for dessert. Shirley Machicek and Susan Kohleffel will provide kitchen help.

Members are reminded that the meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at the Schulenburg Community Center. Refreshments are served at 6:30 p.m. and the meal and meeting start at 7 p.m.

Grace Baylor conducted a memorial service during the May meeting. Those honored were Nora Konvicka, Clarence Guentert, Laura Bartos, Leonard Schimcek, Dorothy Dieringer, Eugene Pauler, Carol Ann Ross, Jason Kahanek and Lawrence Berger.

The lodge’s scholarship recipients this year are Alondra Adame, Kaleigh Blaschke, Stormie Dunning and Juliana

Grace Baylor conducted a memorial service during the May meeting of Schulenburg Lodge.

Representing Schulenburg Lodge at the Grand Lodge Convention were, from left, Communications Coordinator Junette Rodecap, President Bill Michalke and Agent Mary K. Seifert.

Machac.

Agent Mary K. Seifert gave a report on the Grand Lodge Convention in San Marcos. The organization’s new name is Hermann Sons Life. Six directors were elected to the new board.

Grace Baylor reported sending a sympathy card to Hugo and Ann Schilhab following the loss of their daughter. A thank you

note was read from the Schilhabs.

Rene Sustr reported that volunteers are needed to help with games at both nursing homes.

Call her to find out the details.

Elmer Ulrich won the gift certificate to Arlan’s.

Arline Ulrich won the Hermann Sons bag.

– Junette Rodecap

Celebrating May anniversaries at the Schulenburg Lodge meeting were, from left, Ed and Jennifer Moeller and Kathy and Nathan Loth.

Cat Spring to meet June 8

Madison Krause, a member of Round Top Lodge, received Grand Champion honors for her Roaster Megan Krause, a member of Round Top Lodge, at the Fayette County Junior Livestock Show this placed 14th with her rabbit during the Fayette County Junior Livestock Show this year. year.

Round Top welcomes new members ROUND TOP – Round Top Lodge welcomed three new members at the April 27 meeting.

Final plans for the Country Store the lodge sponsored at the Round Top-Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department Feast on May 20 were made.

A donation was made to the Round Top Show Fund and par-

ticipants were recognized.

Community Coordinator Melanie Rauch reported on the visitations and cards and flowers sent to President Linda Mattocks.

Celebrating April birthdays were Melanie Rauch and Myrtle Meinkowsky.

The March attendance prize winners were Orville Glaesmann,

Edna Meinkowsky, Ted Stardig, Leonard Meinkowsky and Melanie Rauch. The April winners were Margie Stardig, Floyd Braun, Myrtle Meinkowsky, Sophie Rauch and Mary Rauch. Jocie Braun, Leonard Meinkowsky and Lila Garlin won door prizes.

Food and fellowship followed the meeting.

– Reporter

CAT SPRING – Cat Spring Lodge will meet June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Members are asked to watch The Sealy News for an update on the meal.

The lodge met March 9.

Members agreed to make a donation to the Grief Support Session at Hermann SonsCamp in observance of Join Hands Day. A get-well card was sent to Marge Michaelis.

A donation was sent to the Retirement Home in memory of Ellen Wible.

Members in attendance celebrating birthdays since the last meeting were Charles Abel, Randall Tipp, Nathan Zanek and Loyce Pacher.

The attendance prize would have gone to Melinda Brod but she was not present to claim the cash.

– Marsha Tipp

Prinz Solms makes donations BULVERDE – Prinz Solms Lodge will meet Sunday, June 11, at 5 p.m. at the Bulverde Community Center.

The lodge met April 9 at the Bulverde Community Center.

Members enjoyed a barbecue dinner.

Members voted to contribute $1,000 to the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp and $200 to a fund established at First Baptist Church to assist the families affected by the bus accident.

Discussion was held on the Spring Chicken Festival. The lodge manages the cake booth and donates all proceeds to the Bulverde Community Center.

The prize winners were Evelyn Teague, Bonnie Friesenhahn, Jackie Oldfield, Tom Purdue and Teresa Saathoff.

The lodge will take part in a joint new member event in Comfort on Aug. 12 with other area lodges.

– Reporter

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 35

Deanville Lodge prepares for annual celebration DEANVILLE – Due to activities in May, the Deanville Lodge monthly meeting has been moved to June 4 and the June meeting will be held June 25 at 2 p.m.

Marsha Kocurek conducted the April meeting.

It was reported the Texas Dance Hall Preservation Organization did a survey of the lodge hall on May 9.

Plans are under way for the annual Fourth of July celebration. Barbecue will be ready for

sale at 7 a.m.

The event will include games, music, a silent auction, cake sale and bounce house for the children. The activities will be going on all day. The kitchen will be open serving barbecue on a bun.

In observance of Join Hands Day, the lodge made three $100 donations. The recipients were the Caldwell Christians Care Store, the Elizabeth Lutheran Church food bank and the Burleson St. Joseph Manor

nursing home.

The Cheer Committee reported sending get-well cards to Rudolph Zalobny, Frank Kristof and Henrietta Cunningham.

A sympathy card was sent to the family of Vivian Schumacher.

“Happy Birthday” was sung to Viola Bartek who celebrated a birthday on April 15.

Thanks go to Marsha Kocurek for providing the drawing prizes.

– Reporter

Pictured are Deanville Lodge members who won prizes at the April meeting and the birthday honoree.

Louise Schuetze to meet June 12 SAN ANTONIO – Louise Schuetze Lodge will meet June 12 at La Fonda Restaurant, 8633 Crown Hill Blvd., San Antonio. Members and their guests will gather at the restaurant about 6 p.m.

The lodge will cover the cost of dinner for members. Guests will be asked to pay for their meal.

Call 210-867-1975 or 210-2231631 to make a reservation.

– Reporter

JoAnn Massengale, left, and Debbie Gold were two of Louise Schuetze Lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention. Also pictured is Donald O’Connor.

Alice Naughton and daughter Mary Naughton were delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention representing Louise Schuetze Lodge. Janet Abell, pictured with husband Phil, also Alice was the oldest delegate at the Conven- represented Louise Schuetze Lodge at the Grand Lodge Convention. tion. She is a young 102 years old.

Edelweiss-Magnolia meets June 20 HOUSTON – Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge will meet June 20 at 7:30 p.m. A meal featuring Firehouse Subs will be served at 6:30 p.m. If you plan to attend, call Anna Larie Keith at 713-819-8853 so enough food can be ordered.

The lodge is planning an ice cream social on July 15 at the SPJST Hall at 1435 Beall St. in

Houston from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Call Anna Larie Keith at 713819-8853 if you plan to attend.

There also will be a cake walk, a giant Jenga game and more activities.

And the lodge is planning to sponsor a booth at the Turkey Trot on Nov. 23. More information will be coming soon.

– Reporter

Montgomery plans next meeting CONROE – Montgomery County Lodge will not meet again until Sept. 18. Members will gather at Ryan’s Steakhouse in Conroe beginning at 7 p.m. Vice President Lisa Moore will conduct the meeting.

The weather kept attendance down for the April meeting.

Those who did attend enjoyed

a potluck meal. Members discussed the business that was to be acted on at the Grand Lodge Convention.

Joyce Taylor won the door prize.

Members are reminded that the Christmas party will be held at Incredible Pizza on Dec. 12 beginning at 7 p.m.

– Reporter

Thirty members and friends of Bexar Lodge gathered April 23 and attended a showing of the Earth Day movie “Born in China.”

Matt Stoddard and Emma Grof celebrated their birthdays at the Bexar Lodge meeting.

Bexar Lodge welcomes new members SAN ANTONIO – Bexar Lodge met Sunday, May 7, at the Wehmeyer home.

Five new members were welcomed.

Members agreed to send donations to help those serving wounded veterans.

With encouragement from the lodge’s junior members,

the lodge will host a Halloween party this year instead of a summer picnic.

In observance of Join Hands Day, members brought bags of groceries that were then donated to the St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank at Saint Helena’s Catholic Church.

Linda Wehmeyer, Joan Crid-

er, Frances Wehmeyer, Sherry Stoddard and Cheyenne Stoddard delivered 19 bags of food.

Members recognized for their May and June birthdays were Matt Stoddard, Jason Rozacky, Emma Grof and Taylor Harris.

Pizza and salad were served after the meeting.

– Reporter

Page 36 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

DaCosta to host Western dance June 17

Converse Lodge plans picnic for June 4 Converse Lodge will hold a picnic June 4 at the GRASP Center in Converse beginning at 2:30 p.m. The lodge will furnish the meal and members are asked to bring desserts. The lodge sponsored a team in the Hermann Sons Youth Camp-Shannon Leigh Gaffney Tournament. The men, pictured above, finished in third place.

DACOSTA – DaCosta Lodge will host a Western dance on June 17 from 8 p.m. to midnight.

The Night Riders will provide the dance music. Cost is $10 per person. The dance is open to the public.

The lodge’s delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention report that they had a great time. They commented that the three days were well planned and they are looking forward to what the new Board of Directors and committees will accomplish to keep the organization thriving.

The DaCosta School of Dance held its 50th anniversary dance recital on May 6. The students danced through the years. Parents and former students participated in an Evolution of Dance performance.

Members are reminded that the Summer Family Social is scheduled for Aug. 13. The lodge’s 50-year, 60-year and 70-

DaCosta Lodge’s delegates at the Grand Lodge Convention included, from left, Bernice Fabian, Joe and Rose Pustka, Geraldine and James Venglar, LaVerne Hajek and Sayra Martinka. year pin recipients will be honored. The scholarship recipients and campers also will be recognized. Campers are invited to talk about their Camp experience.

A silent auction is planned with the proceeds benefiting

the lodge’s scholarship fund.

Door prizes will be awarded.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 11 at 6 p.m. at the hall.

Follow the lodge on Facebook and read the newspaper online at hermannsonslife.org.

– Sayra Martinka

Comfort will present scholarships June 12

Rowena Lodge presents award Rowena Lodge presented J.C. Gore, former Ballinger police chief, with its 2016 Humanitarian Award. Lodge Secretary Kay Halfmann presented the award. The award was presented in recognition of Gore’s service to the lodge and community. He was police chief for 10 years and active in the Rotary and Lions clubs. He and wife Dana are members of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Ballinger and active in the arts community.

Harmonia meets on June 8 SAN ANTONIO – Harmonia Lodge will meet June 8 in the Rathskeller. The lodge will provide fried chicken and members are asked to bring a side dish and/or dessert. Games will follow the meeting.

The lodge provided the brisket for the May meeting. Members provided the side dishes and desserts.

Brad Dietrich reminded members of the annual Bob Worrick Memorial Golf Tournament

scheduled for Sept. 23.Once again it will benefit Camp Discovery.

John Hoog was celebrating a May birthday.

Mike Gumpp and Robert Peters won the attendance prizes.

Bill Bernhard won split-the-pot.

Drawings were held for guest prizes. Lela Nurrlinger and Angelina Kretzschmar won the flowers and Ginger Bernhard and Emily Roberts won the candles.

– Reporter

COMFORT – Comfort Lodge will meet Monday, June 12, at the VFW Hall in Comfort. Social hour and games will begin at 5 p.m. and will be followed with a meal and meeting at 6 p.m.

Scholarships will be presented and members will be discussing plans for the joint new member event that the lodge is co-hosting Saturday, Aug. 12, at Hermann Sons-Camp.

The lodge held its annual picnic at the Retirement Home on Monday, May 8. A sandwich supper was served and members enjoyed playing games and socializing with the residents.

Several members attended the Grand Lodge Convention held in San Marcos. At the Convention, the lodge made a $100 donation to the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp.

The Comfort School of Dance

Comfort Lodge was well represented by members and guests at the Grand Lodge Convention. Pictured are, from left, President and CEO Buddy Preuss, Elizabeth Preuss, C.B. Chenault, Bobbye Burrow, David Spenrath, Connie Spenrath, Jennifer Cernosek, Dusty Bruns, Norma Bruns, Brandon Cernosek and Katie Klohn Miller. held its recital on Saturday, May 20, at Comfort High School and the dancers did an excellent job.

Thanks go to their teacher, Miss Aimee, the Parents’ Club officers and many volunteers who helped make the recital and dance year

a success. Information regarding dance registration for next year will be mailed in June.

For the most up-to-date lodge news like the lodge’s Facebook page.

– Reporter

Laubach Lodge will meet June 11 at Red Barn SEGUIN – Laubach Lodge will meet Sunday, June 11, at 1 p.m. at the Red Barn. The lodge will provide the meat and members are asked to bring side dishes or desserts.

Members are asked to bring

a poem or prayer in honor of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Members have decided to do a nursing home project in observance of Join Hands Day. Flags will be placed around the Big Pecan at the Red Barn

in observance of Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July.

A committee has been appointed to select the 2017 Humanitarian Award recipient.

– Reporter

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 37

San Marcos will host speakers from 4-H Club, FFA SAN MARCOS – San Marcos Lodge will meet Monday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. at La Vista Retirement Home in San Marcos. Everyone is asked to bring sandwiches, chips and dips. The lodge will provide the ice cream.

Members of the local 4-H Club and FFA chapter have been invited to speak about their projects.

Fathers will be honored and the lodge will pay tribute to the U.S. flag.

The lodge will hold its annual Family Picnic on Saturday, July 15, at the Zorn Bowling Club starting at 2 p.m.

The lodge met Monday, May 8, at Black’s Barbecue in San Marcos to celebrate Mother’s Day and Armed Forces Week.

Peggy Meiners gave a report on the Grand Lodge Convention.

Celebrating an anniversary were Janice and Howard Magin and Lillian and Ken Cargil.

The Cheer Committee reported sending a sympathy card to Janet Boehringer and her family and Mary Lou and Billy Preuss following the passing of David Boehringer and a get-well card to Florence McQuaig following her shoulder surgery.

Thanks go to Peggy Meiners for

Three former members of the Armed Forces were honored at the May meeting of San Marcos Lodge. They are, from left, Ken Cargil, Billy Preuss and Bob Robbins. coordinating the meal at Black’s Barbecue.

A joint meeting with the Hermann Sons Social Club at Texas State University was held Saturday, April 22, at the Zorn Bowling Club.

“Happy Birthday” was sung to President Agnes Dreibrodt.

The meal included ham prepared by Evelyn and Larry Moreau and the side dishes and desserts provided by other members.

The Cheer Committee reported that sympathy cards had been

sent to Cassia Hodge following the loss of her great-granddaughter and Pixie Hageman following the loss of her sister.

A thank you note from Leola Gourley was read expressing her appreciation of the lodge’s donations to the family following Dean Gourley’s passing.

President Dreibrodt reminded everyone about the 2017 Lodge Membership Campaign “We Strengthen Community” and the lodge’s goal of nine new members.

Leola Gourley and Janet Magin won a Hermann Sons bag in the Mother’s Day drawing held as part of the May San Marcos Lodge meeting.

Lillian Cargil won the attendance prize.

The members and students then prepared bags that will be distributed to children attending the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp. Lillian Cargil and Carli Bartell from Texas State coordinated the project. Members donated items for the bags and and monetary donations were used to purchase additional items. The lodge contributed $150 to the project.

– Reporter

Esther Schmidt celebrated her 92nd birthday on May 5. She is a member of San Marcos Lodge.

Siemering Lodge to honor agents, fathers June 13 Wear red, white and blue for Flag Day SAN ANTONIO – Siemering Lodge will meet Tuesday, June 13. The lodge will honor its agents and all fathers and observe Flag Day. Members are asked to wear red, white and blue.

The lodge celebrated its 126th anniversary and Mother’s Day in May. The turnout was the largest of the year.

Each lady was presented with a corsage.

President Ana Vasquez and the other delegates to the Grand Lodge Convention shared information about decisions made at the event.

Retired Agent Frank Matias is pictured with the Baza family during the Siemering Lodge anniversary celebration held in May. Brother Matias was the family’s first agent when they joined Hermann Sons.

Several members who had been away due to health and scheduling issues were in attendance. Frank Matias, who has been very ill, was escorted by his daughter, Diana Proud

from Austin.

The Baza family was in attendance. Zach Baza is the reason why members collect can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. He was presented with

Past presidents of Siemering Lodge are pictured at the lodge’s anniversary celebration in May. They are, standing, from left, Bill Ramzinski, Ronnie Bara, seated, from left, Sharon Fite, Sally Hertzberg and Frank Matias. the first gallon of tabs. Brother Matias was the Baza family’s first agent when they joined Hermann Sons.

Members are reminded that

the lodge will not meet in July.

Information on a special event in August will be included in the next issue.

– Augusta Fite

Page 38 – Hermann Sons Life – June 2017

Corpus Christi Lodge will meet June 5

Darlette and Frank Brandon attended the Grand Lodge Convention in San Marcos. Brother Brandon is president of Corpus Christi Lodge. The lodge’s next meeting will be held June 5 at Hilltop Community Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Members are invited for a covered dish dinner and games.

Corpus Christi Lodge did not meet in May because four of the officers were attending the Grand Lodge Convention in San Marcos. Pictured at the banquet on Tuesday night are Ida Blankenship, standing, and Pearl Hunt.

Paul and JoAnn Hood attended the Grand Lodge Convention on behalf of Corpus Christi Lodge. The lodge’s delegates said attending the convention was an amazing experience and they congratulate the six newly-elected directors. Not pictured is delegate Brittny Mcpheeters.

Maxwell members attend recital

Celebrating an April wedding anniversary at the Twin Sisters Lodge meeting were, seated, Gertrude and Francis Hartmann. They have been married 71 years. Celebrating May anniversaries were John and Shannon (not pictured) Hartmann, 10 years; and Kent and Sherry (not pictured) Weber, two years.

Ashley Taylor, far right, presents a plaque to Charles and Elsie Croley in appreciation of their years of support for the Luling School of Dance.

Twin Sisters to present pins TWIN SISTERS – Twin Sisters Lodge will meet June 4. Membership pins will be presented.

A fish fry is planned. The meal will include fish, French fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, beans, German salad, dessert and homemade ice cream.

President Phil Hartmann stressed the importance of recruiting new members for the

lodge during the April 2 meeting.

Plans were made for the Join Hands Day event on April 8.

Celebrating April birthdays were Travis Tomlinson, Margo Ethridge, Maverick Ethridge, Stephen Hartmann and John Hartmann.

Jennifer Ethridge and Karen Steiger won the door prizes.

– Reporter

Maxwell Lodge President Catherine Blackard, center, presents Janice Kuhen, left, and Ashley Taylor donations from the lodge for the Luling School of Dance and the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp.

MAXWELL – Maxwell Lodge will meet Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Maxwell Social Club.

Several members attended the Luling School of Dance recital.

The theme this year was “Dancing Through the Year” and featured dances with a New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, spring, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, summer, fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas theme.

There were many colorful costumes. The young, shy dancers were so cute and the senior students performed solos.

Ashley Taylor, president of the Parents’ Club, presented Charles and Elsie Croley with a plaque to thank them for their many years of service to the school of dance.

The Croleys have both resigned as officers of the lodge.

President Catherine Blackard presented Ashley Taylor a donation for the school of dance and Janice Kuhen with a donation for the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp.

After the recital, lodge members enjoyed dinner at Blake’s Café.

– C. Blackard

June 2017 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 39

Agents Directory (alphabetized by area) Abilene Diane Marie Smith 325-665-2253 Adkins Alayna Menzer 210-413-0001 Roxy Pruski 210-667-1995 Austin Shirley Kuhen Faske 512-789-3975 Crystal Livingston 512-466-2433 Bandera Stephanie Brown 210-621-3891 Paul Heath, FIC 210-392-0760 Bellville Robert Herridge 979-865-3222 Bernardo/Columbus Terrel Maertz 979-732-1727 Boerne/Fair Oaks Carl Behrendt 210-422-1159 Pam Poulk 210-753-2626 Boerne Lisa Rozacky 210-838-3306 Bryan Katherine Akin, FIC 979-823-8625 Caldwell Donnie Blinka 979-596-1309 Canyon Lake Sandra Duncan 830-905-3233 Castroville/La Coste Roger Bippert 210-737-4070 Castroville Glenford Boehme, FIC 210-219-9792 Cibolo/Schertz Judith Schulmeier, FIC 210-667-1938 Comfort Norma Bruns, FIC 830-995-3980 Betty H. Murphy 830-998-0860

Corpus Christi Frank Brandon 361-241-5593

Gonzales Bobbie Polasek 830-672-6317

Charles Croley 512-357-6638

Pearl Hunt 361-241-0940

Greg Polasek 830-540-4812

McQueeney Stephen Weniger 830-743-2045

Troylyn Sisneros-Gonzalez 361-232-7413

Graham/Wichita Falls David Wolf 940-550-5202

Needville Melissa Kostelnik 713-304-1692

Hondo Stacy Saathoff 830-444-9160

Chris Stoeltje 979-559-6127

Cuero Laura Tiffin Wayne Tiffin 361-275-8421 Dallas Helen Tyson Brown 214-796-0668

Houston Anna Larie Keith 281-259-6337

Del Rio Pat Fritz, FIC 432-292-4483

Sarah Spencer 361-550-1883

Devine Cynthia Sultenfuss 210-219-6409 Dee Stricker 210-414-0293 Edna/Jackson County Sam Matlock 361-782-3206 El Campo Dennis Wigginton 832-278-9636

Gerald Ziemnicki 713-622-9001 Jourdanton Valerie C. Craig 830-769-3128 Valerie M. Vick 210-748-5598 Katrina Wiatrek 210-326-9505 Lillian Wiede, FIC 830-769-3481

Floresville/Poth Beth Cutsinger 210-325-6667

Karnes City Abigail Fenner 830-534-6982

Floresville Lynn Wiede 830-393-4660

Russell Swize 830-780-4053

Fort Worth Sandra Jones, FIC 817-295-2666 Fredericksburg Todd Bierschwale 830-997-2130

Kerrville Mary Muehlstein 830-896-5750 Kirby Angela Netherton 210-831-1293

Dennis Henke 830-997-5290

La Coste Tanya Crisp 830-985-9230

George West Tracy Caron 361-449-0348

La Vernia Sharon Tanneberger, FIC 210-827-0526

Georgetown Brad Klein, FIC 512-497-0678

Marlin Tanneberger, FIC 210-827-7229

Giddings Loretta Chilek, FIC 979-542-2806 Linda Kieschnick, FIC 979-542-5224 Richard Symons 979-451-0988

Lubbock April Behnke 806-797-3585 Marion Lorene Bielke, FIC 830-420-2380 Maxwell Darlene Bohmfalk 512-558-2773

New Braunfels Cecilia “CC” Gagliardi 830-620-1060 Shirley Huebinger 830-822-1942 Rhonda Muehlstein, FIC 830-980-3162

Marketing Department Staff

210-527-9113 • 877-437-6266 • 888-839-7667

Grand Vice President-Marketing Tim Kolbe timk@hermannsonslife.org Markering Analyst Ana Vasquez, FLMI, AIRC, FIC anav@hermannsonslife.org Administrative Assistant Gladys Rowley gladysr@hermannsonslife.org Special Representatives: Dan Boenig - 210-705-1815 danb@texashermannsonslife.org Gary Falkenberg, FICF - 713-466-6069 • 713-899-4138 gfalken908@aol.com Alfred Stryk, FICF, LUTCF - 281-485-4095 alstryk@sbcglobal.net Teresa Saathoff - 210-276-0361 • 210-422-6996 teresaasaathoff@gmail.com Marilyn Vogt, FICF - 210-630-9874 marilynv@hermannsonslife.org Eulla May Krueger - 210-863-0546 • 830-985-3643 eullak@hermannsonslife.org

Tim Salge 830-625-4816

Ruth Bailey 210-602-5147

Nixon-Smiley Blake Janicek 830-582-1581

John Hoog 210-226-8801

Orange Grove Paula Gebert 361-384-2375 Paige RaChelle Dube 512-740-3518 Pflugerville Julius Dubcak 512-272-8393 Port Lavaca Nancy Annette Walraven 361-552-9403 Priddy Ruth Witzsche, FIC 325-966-3757 Richmond Tanya Witcher 281-652-6606 Rockdale Judy Marie York 512-446-5914 Round Top/Rutersville Linda Mattocks 512-736-9988 Rowena Kay F. Halfmann 325-442-4731 San Antonio Philip A. Abell 210-771-1213 Maria Elisa Ashati 210-863-2217

Darlene Irwin 210-392-2649 Rayna Sue Irwin 210-710-7038 Clif Klabunde, FIC 830-980-4020 Valentin Lucero, FIC 210-725-6535 Jim McNeel 210-601-2097

Seguin Yolanda Gonzales 830-305-7445 Susan Perkovich 830-303-3496 Annette D. Roecker 830-832-0724 Tina B. Ynfante 210-859-1973 Diane Terp 830-305-3564 Smiley Diana P. Moreno 830-379-2244

Emma Moya 210-344-3935

Spring Branch Gloria Gass 830-885-4405

Greg Sterner 210-363-0373

Lisa Lanphere 830-221-8128

Veronica Trejo 210-710-0932

Stockdale Ronald Wiatrek 830-996-3005

San Marcos Janice Kuhen 512-393-1431 Schulenburg/Weimar Mary K. Seifert 979-743-0312 Schwertner Irene Schwertner 254-527-4470 Sealy Joanie Griffin 979-398-0706 Seguin/San Antonio Carol Krauss, FIC 210-725-4106

Victoria Jason Hybner 361-652-6924 Victoria/Yoakum Laura Thigpen 361-676-8307 Yoakum Mary Koenig 361-293-1743 Yorktown Judy Wolf 361-564-2452

A list of agents also is available online at www.hermannsonslife.org

Page 40 – Hermann Sons Life – May 2017

Shining Stars

JAMES SCHUMANN is a member of Bellville Lodge. He is in fifth grade. His favorite foods are fruit and dessert. His favorite TV show is “Star Wars.”

James has a pet dog, cats, a rabbbit, chickens and a rooster.

His activities include raising pigs and heifers, baseball, soccer, Scouts, choir and Beef Quiz Bowl.

HUNTER SCHUMANN is a member of Bellville Lodge. He is in eighth grade. His favorite foods are pizza and ice cream. His favorite TV show is “Shark Tank.”

Hunter has a pet dog, cats, a rabbbit, chickens and a rooster.

His activities include raising heifers and steers, Beef Quiz Bowl and Boy Scouts.

KATIE SCHUMANN is a member of Bellville Lodge. She is in third grade. Her favorite food is ice cream and her favorite TV show is “The Thundermans.”

Katie has a pet dog, cats, a rabbbit, chickens and a rooster.

Her activities include Girl Scouts, soccer and she likes to dance, swim, sing, garden and cook.

GARRETT MANN is a member of Cibolo Lodge. He is in fourth grade. His favorite food is chalupas and his favorite TV show is “Outrageous Acts of Science.”

Garrett has pet dogs, Rosie and Pepper. His activities include baseball, video games, swimming and 4-H.

ASHLYN EAVES is a member of Corpus Christi Lodge. Her favorite food is broccoli and her favorite TV show is “Lego Super Heroes.”

Ashlyn has a pet cat, Cleo, and a turtle, Rainbow. Her activities include dance and T-ball.

MORGAN EAVES is a member of Corpus Christi Lodge. She is in fourth grade. Her favorite food is lasagna and her favorite TV show is “Teen Titans Go.” Morgan has a pet cat, Cleo, and a turtle, Rainbow. Her activities include dance.

CASSIDY BARECKY is a member of Pershing Lodge. She is in second grade. Her favorite food is pizza and her favorite TV show is “iCarly.”

Cassidy has a pet kitten, Snow, and a pet fish. Her activities include art, dance, swimming, singing and gymnastics.

ZACKARY BARECKY is a member of Pershing Lodge. He is in fourth grade. His favorite food is steak and his favorite TV show is “Andy Mack.”

Zackary has a pet fish and dog. His activities include Little League baseball, tennis, basketball and swimming.

Sign up to be a Shining Star and see photos of our Shining Stars online at

Flag Day Word Search

www.hermannsonslife.org

Allegiance Betsyross Flag Francis Scott Key

You can be a Shining Star too! Just send us a photo of yourself (that we can keep) and fill out this form and send to: Tammi Sutherland, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297.

The form is also available online, www.hermannsonslife.org. Shining Stars are also featured online.

Name:

Freedom Independence June Oldglory Patriotic Pledge

Red White Blue Stars Stripes Star

Spangled Banner Thirteen Union

Birthday: Home Phone: Daytime Phone: Address: City:

Zip:

E-mail Address:

Father’s Day Maze

Grade in school:

Help the dad find his Father’s Day gift!

Favorite Food: Pets: Favorite TV Show: Activities: It is OK with my parents that I am featured as a “Shining Star” in the Hermann Sons Life newspaper, website and any other advertising publications.

Parent’s Signature: I am a member of

Lodge No.

June 18

Certificate No.______________________________________________________ Answers to both puzzles on Pg. 12