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    LANDESVERBAND  

  NEWSLETTER AND MAGAZINE 

DONAUSCHWABEN/GERMAN CULTURE

02/24/13

July August September   2009    Volume 4 Number 3

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JULY  2009

Song History

"Donauschwaben Kindes-Kinder"

 June 2009

    For the past six month everyone is talking about a song that reflects the culture and history of the Donauschwaben.  However, nobody really knows its origin and who wrote it.  This article will reveal the background of the song "Donauschwaben Kindes-Kinder.

     The tune is in waltz form.  It contains touching lyrics that reflect the world-wide distribution of the Donauschwaben people and their spiritual ties.    Read the refrain:

    The song and lyrics were written by the bandleader of the “Schilcher Krainer”, Willi Possert.  He was born in Austria.  However, he lives now with his family in Switzerland.  This is just a few minutes away from the hometown of Thomas Dietrich.

    Thomas and his wife Heidi Dietrich-Kolupar (who is a member of the United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee) were planning their wedding.  They asked Willi if he and his band would travel to the US and perform at their wedding reception.  As they were discussing the event, Heidi reveaked her Donauschwäbischer background and heritage.  Immeditately, Willi remembered his own Donauschwäbische roots.  That inspired him to do some historical research of the Donauschwaben.  As a special gift he then wrote the song “Donauschwaben Kindes Kinder”.   The “Schilcher Krainer” recorded it especially for Heidi and Thomas’ wedding.

    In Willi's own words: 

    “Die Motivation war einerseits die Schilderungen wie die Donauschwaben in den USA ihre Bräuche pflegen und anderseits meine Nachforschungen die ich machen musste um ein wahrheitsgetreues Lied komponieren zu können.“

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE JULY 2009 My Story by Kerstin Rieg Forwarded From American Aid Society of German Descendants           My name is Kerstin Rieg.  I am eleven years old.  I have been a member of the Kindergruppe of the American Aid Society for six years.  It makes me feel happy.  All of my best friends are involved in the group.  I really like my dance instructors.  I am also involved in other German clubs.  This year I was chosen as a “Princess” for the Rheinische Verein of Chicago.  That was a total surprise to me.  I was crowned on the 25th of January 2009 in the Danube Swabian Hall.  Many other children were present wearing costumes.  Music was provided by Phoenix und die Fanfahren.  Prince Bob and Princess Sylvia also danced along with us.  Afterwards Prince Auggie and I passed out sweets and trinkets.  We had a lot of fun.   A masquerade ball was held on the 21st of February 2009.   I was on the stage which was very exciting.   On the 25th of July I will be in Milwaukee for the German Fest.   On the 12th of September there will be the Steuben Day Parade and German Day.   I am very happy to be participating and I hope that many of our club members will also be at these events.       Sunday January 25, 2009 A new Kinderprinzenpaar was installed by the Rheinische Verein Chicago at the Donauschwaben Halle. The Name of the Kinder Prinz is August I. The Kinderprinzessin is Kerstin I.

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JULY  2009

Congratulations König Hansi Becker

2009 Los Angeles

Forwarded From Los Angeles Donauschwaben

by Karl Seitz

Not only is Hansi the 2009 Dancegroup Koenig but now he's also been awarded a scholarship from the prestigious Goethe-Institut. He was one of four granted the scholarship from more than 3,500 candidates. He'll be studying German in Mannheim Germany for the summer.       The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institution that operations worldwide. They promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. They also foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics.      With their network of Goethe-Instituts, Goethe Centres, cultural societies, reading rooms and exam and language learning centers, they have played a central role in the cultural and educational policies of Germany for over 50 years.        To learn more about the Goethe-Institut, visit their website at Goethe-Institut .

The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institution operational worldwide.      We promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. We also foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics.      With our network of Goethe-Instituts, Goethe Centres, cultural societies, reading rooms and exam and language learning centres we have played a central role in the cultural and educational policies of Germany for over 50 years

Albuquerque Arlington Atlanta Boulder Charleston Chicago Chico Cincinnati Columbus Milwaukee

Davidson Eau Claire Fayetteville Flagstaff Gainesville Houghton Houston Ithaca Kalamazoo Kingston

Knoxville Lansing Las Vegas Logan Los Angeles Manhattan Memphis Middlebury Monterey

New Haven New York Northampton Olympia Omaha Oswego Oxford Portland San Antonio

Seattle St. Louis St. Paul Tuscaloosa Tucson University Urbana Winston-Salem Ypsilanti

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE JULY 2009 AAS Anniversaries Forwarded From American Aid Society of German Descendants          An amazing celebration was held on April 18th, to honor the American Aid Society of German Descendants on its many anniversaries.  The evening began with cocktails and appetizers, followed by performances from the Kindergruppe and the Jugendgruppe.  After the performances, everyone enjoyed a wonderful dinner.  It truly was a special evening.         This year, the American Aid Society celebrates its 65th year of establishment.    The Jugendgruppe celebrates its 55th year.   The Kindergruppe celebrates its 40th year.       A big thank you goes out to the anniversary committee:  Christine Slabinger, Erika Scheffrahn, Elsa Walter, Kaethe Engert and Nikki Anetsberger.      2009 AAS Anniversaries   AAS - 65th Jugendgruppe - 55th Kindergruppe - 40th

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

JULY  2009

Trenton Deutsche Sprach Schule

(Adult & Youth)

Forwarded From Trenton Donauschwaben

2009 GERMAN LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

                About the only negative thing one can say about our club’s three year old scholarship program is that the name “Danube Swabian” almost always gets butchered during awards’ night. We’ve heard “Danoobee Sapien” “Daneeb Swaaabian” and just about every other mutation/mutilation of our proud and historically significant name. Beyond this tiny little annoyance however, the scholarship program has been a hands-down success from every perspective.

                This year, scholarship committee chair Liz Tindall, vice-chair Christa Tindall and German School teacher Eva Martini each attended one of three ceremonies to present awards totaling $1,100 to some very worthy winners. They are: John Giordano of Steinert HS, Katrina Kleinmann of Hamilton HS and Kelli Jesson of Nottingham HS. That Kleinmann name may ring a bell with some readers as she is the granddaughter of the late Brigitte Kleinmann, a beloved former German School teacher of ours. All are simply fantastic students who will go on to do great things, of that we are certain.

                The scholarship program is a very big deal for our organization. Certainly one can look at it is a way for our club to “give back” to the community. We are promoting, supporting and recognizing the value of a language that will help our fellow citizens succeed in life and help them to make a difference in the lives of others. No need to go into all the possible uses of a second language like German in this increasingly global world of ours. Suffice it to say however that whether it’s the arts, sciences or because of any one of some 1400 registered German businesses right here in the USA, knowing “die deutsche Sprache” is of enormous importance.

                Our club does not exist in a vacuum. Who we are matters and what we do does too. It is never enough to merely “survive” each year. Because of the hard work and selfless dedication of today’s members and those who have gone before us, we have a responsibility to pursue an agenda that best serves our members, our community and our cultural heritage. So, whether it’s through our German classes or the dance group; memorial services, ski trips, or St. Nikolaus programs; the wonderful newsletter you are now reading or the car show just around the corner, the outstanding food we continue to offer …or the scholarship program we are all so proud of, Donauschwaben members are meeting the challenges and moving forward.

                The club would like to thank the scholarship committee lead by club director Liz Tindall for its fine work over the past year. Success however was only possible because of the truly inspiring generosity of members like Maria Petty, Manfred Grotzke, the Schmidt sisters, Rosa Kernast, the late Viola Dienes and all the folks who supported the raffles or gave direct donations over the past year. You have made a difference and we as a club are better for it.

ADULT SCHOOL

                Our adult language teacher, Andy Franz, resumed class this quarter. Classes are held each Wednesday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.  We have a number of “adults” enrolled already. Do not be shy, drop by and try it out! Auf Wiedersehen.

STUDYING HARD

The club would also like to wish the following members continued success in their college studies:

Lyla Lenyo in Graz, Austria (via Montclair University in North Jersey)

Alex Jakober at Norwich University in Vermont

Stephen Gruzlovic at Edinboro University in Erie, Pennsylvania

Brittaney Brandecker at LaSalle University in Philadelphia

Katie Tindall at Drexel University in Philadelphia

Anna Martini at Rosemont College near Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania