AUSTIN SAENGERRUNDE

SPRING 2007 NEWSLETTER

March 1, 2007

 

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Ray Martens, President

 

Although a couple of recent cold spells showed us that Winter is reluctant to go away, the fact is that Spring is upon us and we are in the home stretch of another year of our activities at Austin Saengerrunde. Sylvia Cook and Albert Holck have researched dates to note in the months to come and have shared them with many of the singers who have e-mail. This Newsletter and other sources will share much of the same information.

 

The festivities of the Anniversary Dance already will have been celebrated by the time this edition of the Newsletter appears, but still coming are the Texanischer Nacht Dance on March 31th and the Maifest Dance on May 5th. I trust you are aware that lack of attendance at dances has led to the cancellation of several. I encourage you to participate as you are able so that we can keep this important social tradition alive and well.

 

But my soapbox is more nearly reserved for promoting singers' involvement in the annual Saengerfest of the Deutsch-Texanischer Saengerbund to be held in San Antonio on Sunday May 20th with meetings and social programs the day before. Perhaps the fact that the date is two weeks later than typical will lead to fewer conflicts. At any rate, this is the event to which much of our rehearsal time after Christmas points, and it is inevitably disappointing to our directors and to our entire organization to be poorly represented at this opportunity to present ourselves at our best. Set aside the date now and then guard it jealously.

 

Happily, our club will be represented by quite a few who were able to make the commitment to go to Evansville, Indiana, in late April for the Saengerfest sponsored by the national organization of which we are a part through our involvement in its Southern District. This biennial event ordinarily attracts thousands to one of the most remarkable celebrations of German heritage held in the United States. There is the prospect that it may be hosted in San Antonio in the not too distant future.

 

 Unhappily, we have experienced the death of Gilbert Pillack, another of our veteran singers who was active in the Maennerchor for 20 years. We sang at his funeral at Christ Lutheran Church, the home congregation of eight or ten of our members. Our sympathy extends to Helen, his widow, who has been a faithful singer with the Damenchor, and to his family, including his brother who was a classmate of mine at Concordia many decades ago. The aging of our membership is becoming more and more apparent.

 

We are grateful that our prayers have been answered in the continuing recovery of Ella Fetzer from multiple and serious injuries suffered in an automobile accident last November. She is, as most of you know, one of our stalwart and valued veterans, and it will be a pleasure to welcome her back to regular involvement with the Damenchor and to our other activities.

 

A special committee is at work to propose bylaw changes having to do with a proposal from a study committee established by the Austin Saengerrunde Home Company to change categories of membership to make them more inclusive and more nearly in keeping with current societal standards. Even in a group so tied to tradition as ours, it is possible with some creativity to adjust our way of doing things without losing our distinctiveness. We shall report developments as they occur.

 

I am sure that I speak for all of us in expressing our thanks once again to Paul Kaschube, one of our newer active members, for his roles in editing this Newsletter and in managing our website. His new e-mail address for suggestions is kaschube@peoplepc.com. Thank you, Paul, for your good work. 

 

We look forward to all of the occasions before us to be together and to enjoy one another's company.

 

DAMENCHOR NEWS

Sylvia Cook, President

 

After singing at the Saengerrunde Anniversary Dance on February 24th, our spring rehearsals are focused on the Nord-Amerikanischer Saengerbund Saengerfest to be held in Evansville, Indiana April 27th and 28th , and the Deutsch-Texanischer Saengerbund Saengerfest to be held in San Antonio on May 20th. We also look forward to singing at the Celebrate Texas program in the rotunda of the State Capitol on March 2nd , Texas Independence Day, and at Maifest at the German Texan Heritage Society.

 

Three of our members Annette Stachowitz, Mollie Hejl and Kathy London participated in the Texas Choral Consort’s Mid-Winter Symposium, singing Dvorak’s Stabat Mater, February 9th and 10th. We welcome them back for our spring events. Other members sing with their church choirs and other choral groups.

 

The Christmas Concert committee reported on the well-attended Weihnachtsconzert at our winter business meeting held on January 8th. Preparations continue for the Damenchor's hosting of the Deutsch-Texanischer Saengerbund Saengerfest in 2009. Work continues on the reorganization of the music library. The spring business meeting will be held on May 21st.

 

Officers for the year are Sylvia Cook, president; Joanne Kunde, vice-president; Gerlinde Sehne, secretary; Niki Sanders, treasurer; and Velma Holck, music librarian. Members of the Music Committee are Marylin Bindseil and Amelia Mettke, soprano section; Martha Harkin, second-soprano section; and Elgene Hannah, Niki Sanders and Velma Holck, alto section. Velma Holck and Amelia Mettke represent the Damenchor on the board of the Kinderchor.

 

 

CHORGEMEINSCHAFT TEXAS MINUTES

Amelia Mettke, Secretary

 

The meeting was called to order on January 27th, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. by the President, Claus Heidi. The minutes from the November meeting were read by the Secretary, Amelia Mettke. A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as read. Motion carried. The Treasurer, Paul Mettke, read the financial report. A cash balance of $64,041.46 was reported. The report was accepted by general consensus.

 

The President noted that the February meeting will be held in Austin instead of Houston as originally planned. The change was due to the New Orleans people not being able to come to Houston in February and the Southern District meeting being in Austin. Therefore, the meeting in March will be in Houston.

 

Gary Nelson announced that the Southern District meeting would be held February 17th, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Austin Saengerrunde Halle. He indicated that the Chorgemeinschaft was entitled to eight delegates at the Southern District meeting. (Secretary’s Note: This was later corrected by letter to the secretary as being three members.)

 

Richard McGinty reported on their trip to Germany. He brought greetings from Quartett Lied Hoch in Gluckstadt.

 

John Donohue asked for a show of hands to indicate who was going to Evansville and on the Northwest Tour. Quite a few members are going on each trip. Donohue asked that only those going to Evansville come to the March and April rehearsals. If you are only going on the Northwest Tour and not to Evansville, you do not have to attend the March and April rehearsals. Beginning with the May rehearsal, those going on the Northwest Tour should attend all rehearsals until our departure in September to the Northwest.

 

Plans for the Evansville trip are complete. We will leave on April 26th and return on April 30th. The bus will stop in New Braunfels and Austin to pick up passengers. The uniform for women will be a white blouse, black skirt and a red ribbon with their club pin. Men will wear white shirts with black trousers.

 

Amelia reported that a letter had been sent to Quartett Lied Hoch in Gluckstadt expressing our regrets regarding their canceling their visit to Texas in 2008.

 

It was reported that Al Hannish of San Antonio, a long-time San Antonio Liederkranz and Chorgemeinschaft member, had passed away earlier this month.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

 

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

Robert Torn

 

The following members of Austin Saengerrunde were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at our Anniversary Dance February 24th in recognition of their longtime membership. Congratulations one and all!

 

George Wendlandt 60 years

Roy Walker 50 years

Twain Schieffer 45 years

Jim Ramsey 40 years

Gary Wendlandt 35 years

Charles Goldman 30 years

Albert Holck 30 years

Darrell Jones 30 years

Rodney Morgan 30 years

Kurt Rech 30 years

Jerry Buesing 25 years

Tony Hatheway 25 years

Bobby Maupin 25 years

Weller Seiders 25 years

Roy Simank 25 years

Fred Wendlandt 25 years

Ted Zoch 25 years

 

BOWLING NEWS

Don Ellis, President

 

We appreciated all of the volunteers who joined us for the clean up day on Feb 3rd. There are several lockers that are delinquent this year, mostly from members who do not currently bowl in our leagues. The lockers are tagged and the contents of each delinquent locker will be emptied after the annual meeting. Contact Milton on one of the bowling nights if you are not sure if you may have forgotten to renew or empty your locker.

 

We will be participating in the Texas Ten Pin in Galveston on June 9th and 10th. We welcome everyone who will join us there and hope that those who had a scheduling conflict this year will join us in the future. Remember we select our dates in August and we try to avoid potential conflicts including weddings and graduations if we have been advised of the events.

 

The bowlers’ end of year playoff will be Sunday June 3rd at 4 p.m. We will have food, refreshments, and dance to the music of Hi Tex. There will be a $8 fee for the meal with the entertainment and refreshments included. All Saengerrunde members are invited.

 

During the past year several of our bowlers have passed on. We list in memoriam Maruine Brydson, Frank Guffin, Ernie Hielscher, Lee Mills, Giblert Pillack, Kermit Stahl, and Oswald Wiruscheske.

 

The club tournament wrapped up on February 25th. There were exciting scores from beginning to end. The first bowlers finished included Sam Kononchuk and John Kindschi who posted scores high enough to stay in first place throughout the tournament. They will share the Newt Carlisle Award. Marge Kretschmar was in the last squad to bowl and she bested all of the women to win the Esther Bohn award.

 

We had excellent performances from our bowlers. Included in our first place winners were first year bowlers and life long members. We had a first place winner from each league night.

 

Women's First Place

Team: The Beauties: Gretchen Jones, Rand Schuetzeberg, Beatsy Nolen and Marge Kretschmar.

Doubles: Pam Starling and Hillary Castaneda

Singles: Marge Kretschmar

All Events: Marge Kretschmar

 

Men's First Place

Team: Tom Cats: Lloyd Schwartz, Ron Hughes, Ken Copeland and Ken Wingfield.

Doubles: Roy Pina and John Waliczek

Singles : Ted Wendlandt

All Events: Dan Starling

 

We would like to thank Mark Ivicic, Daryl Baldwin and Doug Prock who assisted in preparing the lanes. Krystal Ivicic, Sue Baldwin and Cindy Schubert provided the food. Entrees included chili, spaghetti, Mexican cheese soup, and chicken breasts with rice or dressing plus sides. The food was fantastic and their outstanding service was greatly appreciated. Royce Pietsch donated the sausage for the sausage wraps.

 

The bowler’s annual meeting and tournament payoff will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday March 18th. Everyone is invited to attend as we reward the bowlers for their accomplishments in the tournament.

 

DKV NEWS

(DAMEN KEGEL VEREIN)

Helen Anderson, President

 

We welcome two new members into DKV. Rand Schuetzeberg, husband Fritz, and Shirley Schwartz, husband Lloyd.

 

Due to the icy weather, the DKV cancelled its 72nd Year Anniversary Party on January 14th.

 

On March 5th Mark Klym, Texas Parks and Wildlife, will give a presentation on hummingbirds in this area and on gardening to attract hummingbirds.

 

On April 2nd, we will have our Annual Style Show. The Gift Solution Boutique furnishes the clothes and members of DKV are models. As always, wives of Saengerrunde Club members are invited to attend. If you wish to attend, please call Helen Anderson at 407-9104.

 

Our Summer Social will be held on June 24th at the Halle. 

Being a DKV member is a great way to meet other ladies of the Saengerrunde. Our membership is open to all women associated with Saengerrunde: wives, singers, and bowlers. Membership dues are $3 per year. If you are interested, you are invited to visit our meetings which are held on the first Monday of each month except June, July, and August. Current officers are Helen Anderson, president; JoAnn Middleton, vice president; Sandi Dodd, secretary; and Anna Hartmann, treasurer.

 

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Ernie Becker

 

The Entertainment year has reached the point that only two events remain for this year. The Texanischer Nacht dance on March 31st with the Hi Tex's from 8 to 11:30 p.m. And then the Maifest dance on May 5th, with the Cloverleaf Orchestra from 8 to 11:30 p.m.

 

WE REQUIRE RESERVATIONS FOR THE MAIFEST DINNER!

The admittance will be $15 for each member and $20 for each non-member. Postcards will be sent later with more information.

 

ADVANCE NOTICE!

The annual picnic will be July 28th.

Remember to Mark your Calendar.

 

 I want to thank those who decorated the Halle for our previous events this year. To the few who contributed so much of there time so we can keep the cost of our dances at a minimum, THANK YOU!

2007 DATES TO REMEMBER

 

Below are 2007 dates and activities collected by Albert Holck. Any errors, corrections, deletions or additions can be reported to him at alholck@aol.com

 

March 5: Quarterly Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 10: Chorgemeinschaft Texas in Austin 1 p.m.

March 12: First Quarter Birthday Party

March 31: Texanischer Nacht Dance, 8-11:30 p.m.

April 14: Chorgemeinschaft Texas in Austin 1 p.m. (rehearsal only).

April 28-29: Nordamerika Deutsch Saengerbund Saengerfest, Evansville, Indiana.

May 5: Maifest Concert, 7:00 p.m. Maifest Dance, 8-11:30 p.m.

May 19: Chorgemeinschaft Texas in San Antonio

May 20: Bund Saengerfest, San Antonio

May 21: Damenchor Business Meeting

June 4: Austin Saengerrunde Home Company Annual Meeting, 7 p.m.

June 12: Home Company Meeting

June 18: Summer Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m. Men and Women: NW Tour songs

July 9: Summer Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m.

July 23: Summer Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m.

July 28: Club Picnic

August 6: Summer Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m.

August 20: Fall Rehearsals begin

September 5: Chorgemeinschaft Texas Bus Trip to Washington and Oregon begins

September 10: Quarterly Meeting

September 16: Bus Trip ends

October 6: Oktoberfest Dance

November 9: Scandinavian Club Program, 7 p.m.

December 1: DKV Christmas Dance

December 2: Damenchor Christmas Concert, 2:30 p.m.

December 5: Maennerchor at Trinity Lutheran Church, 7:30 p.m.

December 9: Christmas Caroling at Trinity. Saengerrunde Christmas Party, 4:30 p.m.

December 16: German Christmas Service at St. Martin’s 5 p.m. Sunday Evening Service

December 31: New Year’s Eve Dance, 8:30 p.m.

 

NEXT NEWSLETTER

 

The next Newsletter will be printed June 1st , 2007. Articles are due no later than May 15th to Paul Kaschube, editor.

 

Email: kaschube@peoplepc.com .

Phone: (512) 873-0229.