germania executive board president: newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
Germania of Poughkeepsie, Inc., 37 Old DeGarmo Road, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603-2062 Phone (845) 471-0609 Fax (845) 471-0720
Newsletter December 2017
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Germania wuenscht Euch ein frohes und gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest
und alles Gute zum Neuen Jahr. Germania wishes you a blessed Christmas and
Happy New Year. The time of year is fast approaching where many of us spend time with family and friends over the holidays, reflect on life and look ahead to the coming year. Perhaps we might also consider the less fortunate, helping in any way possible to brighten their holiday as well. We are truly blessed to be a part of our Germania family. Being surrounded by so many passionate people, who care for one another, makes Germania a most special place to belong. Thank you for volunteering your time to support our club. Our success, this year and always, is ultimately due to all of us working together as one team. Let’s keep it up! It has been a privilege to serve as your President over the past few months. I am very much looking forward to an eventful, successful and fun 2018! Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. May your holidays be filled with joy and love. Looking forward to seeing you soon at Germania! Sincerely, Bill Reuter
GERMANIA EXECUTIVE BOARD President: Bill Reuter 914-882-0307 Vice President: Dave Yearack 452-6360 Secretary: Karen Rose 914-489-8344 Treasurer: Robb Rose 471-7442 Financial Secretary: Michael Reichert 635-1065
DAUGHTER CLUBS & COMMITTEES Singers President & Wed. Lunches: Helga Nowak-Razey 797-7519 Soccer Club President: Joe Ulrich 380-7925 Germania Almrausch President: Karen L Rose 914-489-8344 Newsletter Editor: Karen L Rose 914-489-8344 or [email protected] Membership: Sylvia Reuter 914-882-0200 or [email protected] Buildings & Grounds: Peter Licis 255-7616 Kitchen: Gary Schonmann 454-9324 Bar: Sue Koppenhaver 389-0351 25-Week Club: Marilyn Luhmann 914-489-2561 Rentals: [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec 17 Weihnachtsmesse (1st Lutheran Church) 2pm Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party (Mountain Tops) Jan 05 Pub Night (acoustic music, food) 7pm Jan 07 25 Week Club (Paul Slusar) 1pm Jan 12 Biergarten (Joe Unger) 6:30pm to 10pm Jan 20 Membership Dinner 6:30pm Jan 26 Friday Dinner (Hungarian Goulash) 5:30pm Jan 28 Semi-annual Meeting - SUN 1:30pm
SEE FULL CALENDAR WITHIN
Club Bar is Open 7 - 11 pm Thursdays & Fridays (Winter Hours)
Wednesday Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30pm
With Christmas right around the corner, it’s once again that time
of year when we graciously ask Germania’s members to donate
food and/or toys for those in need.
Thank you so very much for your generosity! Please drop off food items and/or toys on days/times when the club is open:
Thursdays & Fridays 7 pm—10 pm
Wednesday during Lunch, or during upcoming Club Events
Please drop off your donations by Dec. 20th
Questions please call Joyce Schonmann @ (845) 454-9324
This year new and unwrapped toys
will again be going to the Children’s
Home of Poughkeepsie. TOYS MUST
BE NEW AND UNWRAPPED.
Food donations will again be going to The
Grace Smith House. Germania will ensure
that 10 families will receive a full Christmas
dinner. Accepted food items are: Canned
vegetables, instant mashed potatoes,
canned cranberry sauce, stuffing, packaged gravy
mix & canned yams. *Monetary donations also accepted.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
—Winston Churchill
Celebrate NEW YEAR’s EVE At Germania!
Ring in “2018” with good friends, great food, wonderful music and dancing past midnight!
Doors open at 7pm on New Year’s Eve Dec. 31st
Complimentary beer and wine from 7pm-8pm. Complimentary soda throughout.
8pm Dinner: Salad, Choice of Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce or Shrimp Scampi
Served with Baked Stuffed Potato and Green Beans Almondine Dessert: Crème de Menthe Parfait
11pm Assortment of Cheeses, Fruit and Pastry
Dancing to music by the Mountain Tops until 12:30!
Champagne toast at midnight to ring in the New Year 2018! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$65pp members - $75pp non-members Name: ________________________ Beef ___ Shrimp __
Tel.________________ email________________________
RSVP by: 12/22/2017 Mail check made payable to Germania to: Helga Nowak-Razey, 58 High Hill Rd., Catskill, NY 12414
For information call Helga at 797-7519 or Maria at (518) 470-2158
Info: Sue at (845)462-7771 [email protected]
FASCHING Karneval - Mardi Gras 2018
Open to Members and Accompanied Guests
Saturday, February 10th Doors Open 6:30pm, Dinner 7pm Celebrate our Bartenders Sponsored Benefit at Germania!
Live Music by BUD GRAMER
Full Home Cooked Dinner Buffet, Dessert, Coffee
Raffle, Contest, Prizes - Cash Bar
RSVP by February 2nd
Contribution: $30 MEMBERS, $35 NON MEMBERS ($5 discount if you come in costume)
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RESERVATIONS FOR FASCHING ON FEBRUARY 10, 2018:
Please mail your check payable to
GERMANIA OF POUGHKEEPSIE (Attn: Sue Koppenhaver)
37 Old DeGarmo Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Member Name: ______________________________ Telephone Number: __________________
Members attending: _______________________________________________________________
Accompanied Guests attending: _______________________________________________________
Check amount enclosed: $______________________
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GERMANIA’S 168th ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER DANCE SATURDAY GERMANIA HALL APPETIZERS DINNER & PROGRAM
JANUARY 20, 2018 37 OLD DEGARMO ROAD 6:30 PM 7:30 PM
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12603
♪ MUSIC BY GREGORY AND THE BRAUHAUS BAND ♪ PAID RESERVATIONS ONLY RSVP BY JANUARY 8TH MEMBERS $35 GUESTS $40
For information, please contact SYLVIA REUTER at [email protected] or at 914-882-0200
This year's honorees are Fred Zipprich (50 Year Life member); and Momir Guzijian and Gerhard Stoetzel (25 Year Honorary members).
Before January 8th, please make your checks payable to Germania of Poughkeepsie and mail it to Germania, ATTN Sylvia, 37 Old DeGarmo Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 with choice of Roast Pork Loin, Salmon, or Vegetarian. You may also pay with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). The bartenders can take your payments anytime the bar is open. Please give a copy of your receipt to Sylvia Reuter. RSVP by January 8th please. __________________________________________________________________________________________
German Heritage DDaayy SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2018
GERMANIA OF POUGHKEEPSIE BAKE SALE Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall – Center Court – 10am until 4pm
This is our 16th annual Germania German Heritage Day and Bake Sale. Each year we introduce German heritage to the Hudson Valley community and showcase our club while raising funds. German choral performances featuring the Germania Men & Ladies Chorus, and Bavarian Schuhplattler dance performances featuring Germania Almrausch SV und Kindergruppe. We ask that our members and their families and friends come out to the mall and support us. We are looking for volunteers to bake and package cookies at Germania the week of February 5th. In addition to our traditional apple strudels, we are seeking volunteers to bake their favorite German tortes, cakes or pastries. Each baked good must contain a label listing all ingredients. Baked goods can be brought to Germania on Friday, February 16th from 12 noon to 4pm. We also are asking for people to volunteer for selling of the baked goods at the Galleria Mall on Saturday, February 17th. Contact Barb Troan@845-546-1752 with any questions or offers of baked goods and offers of help. Thanks in advance for all your help.
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GOOD & WELFARE AND SUNSHINE NEWS News from and about our members.
GERMANIA MEMBERS LIZ AND GEORGE CALABRESE PERFORM FOR CHARITY - The Baroque String Quartet performed at the Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie on October 22, 2017. The show was presented by the Knights of Columbus Bishop Mestice Council. They played well known classics such as Rondeau (Jean-Joseph Mouret), Serenade; "Eine kliene Nachtmusik" (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel), Selections from "The Phantom of the Opera" (Andrew Lloyd Webber), Emperor Waltz (Johann Strauss Jr.), La Cumparsita (Gerardo Matos Rodriguez), and many more. They even played a Beatles Medley! Liz and George Calabrese, Janet Muscat, and Sandra Brandman have performed at many different venues in the Hudson Valley like the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, Dutchess Manor in Beacon, Troutbeck in Amenia, Le Chambord in Hopewell Junction, as well as many restaurants and churches in the area. They have also performed with several Hudson Valley orchestras including the Newburgh Symphony, Mid-Hudson Community Orchestra, Woodstock Chamber Orchestra and the Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra. Recently, they made an appearance in the Academy Award winning movie "The Black Swan". Liz and George are parishioners at Holy Trinity Church and are the violinists at the Sunday noontime Mass. Some Germania members were also in attendance and were treated to a Sunday afternoon of beautiful music. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We are saddened by the news that member Ray Skov passed away. RAYMOND A. SKOV, 92 of Millbrook, NY passed away on
Monday, November 27, 2017 at the Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was born in Queens, NY on April 22, 1925 to the late Bunde Villadssen and Emma Mueller Skov. He married Eleanor B. Hornlien on April 15, 1950 in Elmhurst, Queens; she predeceased him. Raymond served honorably in the United States Army during World War II and was a Purple Heart Recipient. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering and was employed by IBM until his retirement at age 65 in 1990. Raymond was a member for over 60 years with St. John's Lutheran Church and involved with their Bible Study and Social Ministry. His memberships included Germania of Poughkeepsie, the Big Brother Organization, the IBM Quarter Century Club, the local Food Pantry and the Crop Walk. Raymond loved ballroom dancing, classical music and opera, was an avid gardener, watched tennis, enjoyed traveling, doing puzzles and had a season pass to the Bardavon. We extend our sympathy to his two sons, Warren and Kenneth, and their families.
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Nikolas the “Dolphin Whisperer” - Nikolas Pattantyus, son of Christine and Gabor, was interviewed by a Philadelphia Enquirer reporter last August for his interest in the dolphins. He lives a few miles away from the Atlantic Ocean, in South Jersey. His interest in dolphins started about 5 years ago when the paddle boards arrived. On calm mornings he goes to the beach searching for the fins along the Seven Mile Island. ‘‘EVERY TIME YOU SEE THEM YOUR HEART JUMPS IN YOUR CHEST ‘‘he says. Many times there are so many pods around him he can’t decide which one to follow. He has posted several videos on Facebook which caught the attention of the Philadelphia newspaper and the TV station. The local Chanel 10 TV station interviewed him, and his spectacular dolphin videos were shown in a program. Nik became a “Dolphin Whisperer” and celebrity in south Jersey. Nikolas was a member of the Germania Almrausch Kindergruppe until his teen years. He was always interested in outdoors as he was growing up. His parents took him skiing (snowboarding) and hiking in the Catskill Mountains and New England. Since grade school he spent his summers in Avalon, boogie boarding and surfing. He always had a love and fascination for the ocean and the dolphins. Nikolas graduated from Temple University with a B.S Degree in Anthropology and a degree from the Utah College of Massage, in Salt Lake City. He has a successful business in the south Jersey, the ‘’Seven Mile Island Massage”, where he lives with his wife, Yvonne.
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Our warmest get well wishes to the following members: Renate Grosshans, Anneliese Krieg, Susie Greinacher, Horst Schaffner and Lisa McVey.
PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE AAADDDVVVEEERRRTTTIIISSSEEE HHHEEERRREEE $60/year supports Germania by reducing
postage & copy expense of this newsletter.
Mail checks payable to "Germania" to Katherine Ulrich, 1 Baldwin Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Email ad to [email protected] (MS Word, Rich Text or jpeg formats)
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Do you enjoy attending our parties, dinners, Biergartens, lunches and special events? Do you like dropping by for a drink at your club bar?
Do you rely on Germania being available for practices and rehearsals? Do you enjoy our German classes and dance classes? Did you find friendship or love at Germania?
We need our entire membership to work together so that Germania can stay open! We are a club, and you are a member. By definition, "join" is to be united, to participate, to come together, to connect... as fellow members we are part of a community; we are linked together; we are a family. And we all need to help out. We sometimes take for granted the handful of members that dedicate time each and every week, or each and every month to run the club. What if 'someone else' does not do it? We all need to do it. It is our club... your club. We are searching for volunteers! If you can donate a few hours, please stop by the clubhouse and sign up in the red binder to help at upcoming events. If the pages remain empty, we will need to cancel events. Members are also needed to join committees, chair events, help with buildings and grounds maintenance and projects, and hold positions on the Board. We are in desperate need of bartenders, cooks and bakers. There are many things to be done at Germania, large tasks yes, but many small tasks too. Please let us know how you can help us keep our doors open, and keep so many wonderful events on our calendar. Any amount of time our members can give is helpful. We welcome your ideas on how we can create new energy at Germania; create a sense of commitment and dedication from all; consistently practice many hands working together to make light work; recognize the need for all of us to do our part to ensure that we keep our organization flourishing; and instill passion in each member to achieve our organization's purpose, honor our rich history, and be committed to our future.
" The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each
individual." - Vince Lombardi
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Building and Grounds * Property Committee Peter Licis, Chairman (845)255-7616
"When life gives you snow, build a snowman.”
During the winter months on week days, when Arlington Central School District closes due to inclement weather, Germania will be closed. On the weekends, if we need to cancel or postpone an event we will send an email to members who are registered to receive the newsletter and post the announcement on the club website; you should also call the event chairperson to confirm. If you are able to help clear and salt the sidewalk prior to events and club hours, please call me. Many hands make light work, the more volunteers we have on rotation the fewer amounts of trips to the club one or a handful of members needs to make. It is this time of year that I need to remind all members that if you open the buckets to salt the sidewalk, PLEASE firmly replace the lid and brick weighing the lid down so that we do not get moisture in the salt. All members, committee workers and chairpersons are asked to please return decorations and centerpieces to the proper area in the basement after each event; your cooperation is greatly appreciated by the rentals committee, bar committee, and chairpersons of the next event after yours. Please do not buy decorations, centerpieces or candles until you have first ascertained what the club already has for events; we need to reduce unnecessary event expenses. In order to achieve this, all boxes in the basement must be clearly marked; clear plastic bins are preferable so that items can be easily found. There is a lot to do at Germania in 2018, and we need help from our members. Please call me today to see what club projects are pending.
GERMANIA FOOD DRIVE NEWS
THE MISSION OF GRACE SMITH HOUSE, INC. IS TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO LIVE FREE FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; THEY HAVE SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS. ELEVEN SHOPPING BAGS WERE DONATED TO THE GRACE SMITH HOUSE. EACH BAG GERMANIA DONATED INCLUDED A FULL THANKSGIVING DINNER: A TURKEY, MASHED POTATOES, STUFFING, CRANBERRY SAUCE, GRAVY, VEGETABLES AND YAMS.
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED, AND TO JOYCE & GARY SCHONMANN AND THEIR HELPERS SYLVIA, CAROL ANN AND RESI.
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WWWIIISSSHHHIIINNNGGG OOOUUURRR MMMEEEMMMBBBEEERRRSSS AAA HHHAAAPPPPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY!!! NOVEMBER: Roseanne Carl-Beckley, Daniel Cwik, Ilse Dela Puente, Kathryn Dlugozima, Dr. James G. Fisher, Eric Fuegel, Peter Gay, Manfred Hochmuth, Mustafa Jamal, John Jorgensen, Frances Kalble, Hans Klein, Susan C. Koppenhaver, Anneliese Ruh Kreig, Alfred Kuenzelmann, Ken Maier, John Mueller, Ben Murtha, David Pastir, Mike Reichert, Bill Reuter, Wilfred Roehe, Marguerite Schaedlich, Rudy Schaelchli, Janice Schrandt, Michael Schroeder II, Ernest Sciame, John Spring, Robin Stoetzel, Hans Stuewer, Renate Winfield, Frederick Wright IV, and Kim Yengel. DECEMBER: Karen Barone, Stephen Bastian, Christopher Blatz, Charles Braun, Elsie Charkalis, Cathy Delahoyde, Brigitte Dessauer, Frederick Doneit, Hugo V. Fueglein, Thomas Ghee, Matthew Gordineer, Marlene Heer, Edward Kelley, Ronald Kupin, Jerry Ludwig, Jeanette Lumb, Paul Maley, Keith McArthur, David J. McCarthy, Erika McManus, Carol Meyer, Vincent J. Miller, Karl Muggenburg, Joseph O'Connell, Herb Redl, Rachael Rose, Lore Schoenfeld, Siegfried Schrandt, Rose Sciame, Arthur A. Scott III, Joe Simone, Werner Steger, Tom Turner, Evan Whitson, David Yearack, and Christine Yost.
EDITOR'S NOTE: If we have missed your birthday, please contact the Membership Chairperson so we can update our records.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS
Reminder to Members: Always bring your CURRENT membership card along whenever you come to Germania Hall. If you lost or misplaced your card, please
contact the membership chairperson for a replacement card. If we have a volunteer at the bar or front door that does not personally know you, please be patient and
respectful if you are asked to show your membership card.
♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪
Notes from the Germania Singers The Singers will participate in their annual Weihnacht’s, traditional German Language Christmas Service, on Sunday, December 17, at 2:00pm, with Pastor Tobias Anderson, guest celebrant. We are also planning to participate in our traditional caroling to our homebound members! We wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season!
♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪ ELEVENTH ANNUAL SPRING GALA Saturday April 7th 2018 * Music by Mario Tacca
The committee is finalizing plans for this special event. Early bird reservations of $75.00 per person are due by February 23, 2018. The price goes up to $90.00 from February 24 through March 21, 2018. After March 21, 2018 the cost is $100.00. All non-members should add $10.00. Please send your reservations to Helga Nowak-Razey, 58 High Hill Road, Catskill, N.Y. 12414. Please watch for the upcoming flyer for all the details.
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Holiday greetings from Germania Almrausch Schuhplattler Verein!
Fröhliche Weihnachten! Ein glückliches neues Jahr!
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Like us on Facebook @GermaniaAlmrauschSV
If you would like to learn Bavarian dancing we welcome you to join us! We look forward to seeing you in 2018 at any of our upcoming rehearsals: Jan 26, Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 9, Mar 16, Mar 23, Apr 20 and Apr 27. Kindergruppe 7:30pm, adults and juniors 8:30pm. Contact us at [email protected]
The German Language Class of Germania would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!
Beatrix Clarke (German Language Class teacher) and her ensemble "LOST IN THE WOODS" played beautiful Christmas music for the many members and guests at our annual Christkindlmarkt. The German Language Class presented a Christmas Carol sing along at this year's Christkindlmarkt. Their teacher, Beatrix Clark led the class in several popular German Christmas songs like "O Tannenbaum", "O du frohliche Weihnachtszeit", 'Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht", and many more. They were glad to bring some holiday spirit to the shoppers and volunteers that day.
Meeting Notice: All members are urged to attend the club's semi-annual Meeting on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 1:30pm. There are only 4 membership meeting each year. At the semi-annual meeting we will induct new members, provide financial and event reports, and discuss the direction our club is going in. As follow up to the annual meeting in June 2017, we will also vote on a bylaws change to create a Junior Member membership classification.
Come Home to Unconditional Love Sunday at 10 AM
First Evangelical Lutheran Church 325 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845)452-6050
Lunch and Listen: 1st Wednesday 12 PM
MOUNTAIN BRAUHAUS RESTAURANT 7 Miles West of Thruway Exit 18
3123 Route 44/55 (at Jct. 299), Gardiner, NY 12525 (845) 255-9766 • Closed Mon & Tues
www.mountainbrauhaus.com Sit long • Eat much • Laugh often
Germania Men & Ladies Singers President - Helga Nowak-Razey (845)797-7519
Director - George Calabrese (845)242-2769 Adult Rehearsals 7:30 PM every Monday
1850-2017 * 167 Years ♪♫ VOICES WANTED ♫♪
24 Hour Towing * Late Model Wrecks Bought & Sold
MATT’S AUTO BODY
1930 Salt Point Turnpike, Salt Point, NY 12578 Bob Beckmann * Matt Lawlor * (845) 266-5450
Germania Blue and White Soccer Club Celebrating “59” Years 1958 - 2017
President - Joseph Ulrich Vice President - Bill Kapogiannis
Treasurer - Mark Woyner Secretary - Scott Grimes
GERMANIA ALMRAUSCH
SCHUHPLATTLER VEREIN Traditional Bavarian Dancing Founded 1970 Poughkeepsie, NY Adult & Children's Group
Vorstand: Karen Rose (914) 489-8344
[email protected] [email protected]
ADVERTISE HERE!! $60/year supports Germania by reducing
postage & copy expense of this newsletter. Mail checks payable to "Germania" to Katherine
Ulrich, 1 Baldwin Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Email ad to [email protected]
(MS Word, Rich Text or jpeg formats ONLY)
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The celebration of Christmas throughout Germany varies by region and we could fill these pages describing all of them, but here are some well known traditions that are worth sharing at this time of the year: Advent marks the beginning of the build-up to Christmas, starting on the Sunday after the 26th of November. The Advent Wreath (Adventskranz) is a very popular decoration in German homes. It consists of a circular wreath of pine-branches with four candles on it. On the first Sunday in Advent, the first candle on the wreath is lit; two candles are lit on the second; three on the third and all four on the fourth Sunday, immediately prior to Christmas. For children the highlight of Advent is St. Nicholas’ Day (Nikolaustag) on 6th of December. Some traditions include children leaving hay and straw and carrot or apple for St. Nicholas’ horses, and putting a shoe or boot outside their bedroom door, window or by the fireplace on the evening of 5th of December, hoping to find it full of sweets, biscuits, nuts and fruit the next morning. In appearance St. Nicholas is often dressed like a bishop: red gown, with a white beard, boots and a sack. The origin of the Advent Calendar can be traced back to the 19th Century, it was used by German Lutherans as a way of physically counting down the days of Advent beginning on Dec. 1st. The first known Advent calendar was handmade in 1851. The first printed Advent calendars date back to the early 1900s. By 1958 chocolate was found in many of the calendars. Each year Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) spring up around Germany in the weeks before the Christmas holidays, signaling the beginning of Advent. Each Christmas market specializes on local delicacies as well as serving as a festive meeting place for locals and a market for traditional products, homemade Christmas ornaments and decorations, crafts and toys. Glühwein is a hot, spiced wine typically served at Christmas markets; it warms you up as you walk around the outside markets on those cold days in December. Germania proudly holds an annual Christmas market called Christkindlmarkt each November in an effort to bring its members to Germany in spirit. In Germany gingerbread is made in a soft form, called Lebkuchen, and a harder form particularly associated with carnivals and street markets such as the Christmas markets that occur in many German towns. The hard gingerbread is made in decorative shapes, which are then further decorated with sweets and icing. The most well known traditional shape gingerbread is cut into is the gingerbread man. Gingerbread is considered an art form in Nuremberg, Ulm and Pulsnitz in Germany. The gingerbread house became popular in Germany after the Brothers Grimm published their fairy tale collection which included "Hansel and Gretel" in the 19th century. Early German settlers brought this lebkuchenhaeusle - gingerbread house - tradition to the Americas. A special kind of Lebkuchen is the delicious thick and chewy Christmas cookies called Aachener Printen which are manufactured around the City of Aachen and famous in the Rhine valley. A Stollen is a loaf-shaped fruitcake, powdered with icing sugar on the outside. The cake is usually made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts and spices. It is a traditional German cake, usually eaten during the Christmas season. Germania has been known to serve Stollen at its annual Christmas dinner party and sell it at its Christkindlmarkt. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas can be traced back to 16th Century Northern Germany. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne), or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum) . "O Tannenbaum" (Oh Christmas Tree) is a Christmas carol of German origin and one you will undoubtedly hear at Germania’s adult and children’s Christmas parties. Christmas Eve (der Heilige Abend, literally the "Holy Evening") is the climax of the German Christmas. Shops and offices close at mid-day and most people spend the afternoon at home in preparation for the later celebrations. Depending on a family’s religion they will attend either a late afternoon Church service or a midnight service. At home, with the children playing out of sight, the tree is decorated with such items as straw stars, foil and glass decorations, apples, gilded nuts, ring biscuits, Lebkuchen, chocolate or marzipan decorations, wooden angels, pine cones, tinsel, and wax candles or electric lights. Presents are placed either under the tree, with the crib if there is one, or else on the "present table" (der Gabentisch). When everything is prepared, normally just after dark, a little bell is rung as a signal that the children may come in to see the lighted tree and receive their presents (die Bescherung). Before the exchange of gifts takes place, families spend time together and eat a simple meal of traditional foods and goodies; the Christmas story is often read by the light of the candles, favorite Christmas carols are sung, and poems are recited. The glass pickle ornament is a tree decoration that comes with a story of its tradition: For good luck, the pickle is the last ornament to be hung on the tree with mother and father hiding it deep in the green boughs among the other ornaments. When the children are allowed to view the splendor of the decorated tree they gleefully begin searching for the pickle ornament; whoever finds that special ornament first receives an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas for the most eager child. It remains a mystery if the pickle custom as origins in “old world” Germany based on myth or legend because many modern day families in Germany do not recognize or have not even heard of the Christmas Pickle (Weihnachtsgurke). December 25th is known as the "First Day of Christmas" (der erste Weihnachtstag) and, in comparison with the 24th of December, is a quiet day, often spent at home or with close relatives. Goose is still widely eaten for the main meal, but is by no means obligatory. December 26th, the "Second Day of Christmas" (der zweite Weihnachtstag) has much the same function as the day before, being another public holiday and a day of family reunions or outings and delivering gifts.
Revised December 7, 2017
GERMANIA 2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Germania Hall (845)471-0609 / Rentals (845)255-7616
CLUBHOUSE/BAR OPENS 7PM on Thursday & Friday (Winter Schedule), and Tuesday October and April-June 2018 WEDNESDAY LUNCH 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
German Language Class – Thursdays 5:30pm-7:00pm
Jan 05 Pub Night (acoustic music by John Mueller) FRI 7pm to 11pm Jan 07 25 Week Club (Paul Slusar) SUN 1pm to 5pm Jan 12 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Jan 20 Membership Dinner (Gregory & the Brauhaus Band) SAT 6:30pm Jan 26 Friday Night Dinner (Hungarian Goulash) FRI 5:30pm to 7:30pm Jan 28 Semi-annual Meeting SUN 1:30pm Feb 02 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Feb 10 Fasching (Bud & Linda Gramer) SAT 6pm to 11pm Feb 17 German Heritage Day at the Galleria SAT 10am to 4pm Feb 23 Friday Night Dinner (Rouladen) FRI 5:30pm to 7:30pm Mar02 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Mar 16 Friday Night Dinner (Chicken Paprikash) FRI 5:30pm to 7:30pm Mar 24 St. Patrick's Party (Mac Cana Band) SAT 6pm to 11pm Apr 07 Spring Gala (Mario Tacca) SAT 6pm to 11pm Apr 13 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Apr 17 Membership Meeting TUE 7:30pm Apr 21 Polish Dinner Dance (Maria & John) SAT 5:30pm Apr 27 Friday Night Dinner (Pork Roast w/ Sauerkraut) FRI 5:30pm May 04 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm May 06 Singers Spring Concert SUN 3:00pm May 18 Maifest FRI 5pm to 10pm May 19 Maifest SAT noon to 10pm May 20 Maifest SUN noon to 6pm Jun 01 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Jun 16 Annual Meeting & Election of Officers SAT 7pm Jun 22 Friday Night Dinner (Goulash) FRI 5:30pm Jul 08 Member Appreciation Picnic SUN 1pm to 5pm Jul 15 25 Week Club (Paul Slusar) SUN 1pm to 5pm Jul 27 Friday Night Dinner (Chicken w/ Dumplings) FRI 5:30pm to 7:30pm Aug 10 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Aug 18 Summer BBQ SAT 2pm to 6pm Sept 07 Oktoberfest FRI 5pm to 10pm Sept 08 Oktoberfest SAT 11am to 10pm Sept 09 Oktoberfest SUN noon to 6pm Sept 28 Friday Night Dinner (Sauerbraten) FRI 5:30pm to 7:30pm Oct 12 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Oct 16 Membership Meeting TUE 7:30pm Oct 19 Family Night FRI 7pm to 10pm Oct 28 International Dinner SUN 1pm to 5pm Nov 09 Indoor Biergarten (Joe Unger) FRI 6:30pm to 10pm Nov 11 Singers Fall Concert SUN 3pm Nov 16 Christkindlmarkt FRI 4pm to 8pm Nov 17 Christkindlmarkt SAT 10am to 4pm Nov 30 Friday Night Dinner (Rouladen) FRI 5:30PM to 7:30PM Dec 08 Christmas Party SAT 6pm to 11pm Dec 15 Children’s Christmas Party SAT 10:00am to 12:30pm Dec 15 Soccer Christmas Party SAT 5:30pm to 11:30pm Dec 16 Weihnachtsmesse (First Lutheran Church) SUN 2pm Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party MON
ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE / EVENTS ARE RUN BY MEMBER VOLUNTEERS *** When Arlington Central School District closes due to inclement weather, Germania will be closed *** www.GermaniaPok.com / www.GermaniaOktoberfest.com / Facebook @GermaniaOfPoughkeepsie
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GERMANIA NEWSLETTER Germania of Poughkeepsie, Inc. 37 Old DeGarmo Road Poughkeepsie, New York 12603-2062
Member Address Label Here
Frohe Weihnachten