Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia
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Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Vol.12, No. 3 Fall 1989 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ............................................…………………………………..……………….............................. 1 PHOTO ALBUM ............................. ……………………………………………………....................................... 2 MEMORIAL SERVICES ........................................…………………………................……………………...... 20 WE HONOR IN MEMORIAM ...........................................……………………………………………............... 21 PERPENDICULARISM — THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS .............………………………………....................... 22 International President Larry W. Metzler THE CURRENT EMIGRATION OF GERMANS FROM THE U.S.S.R. ..............………………………...... 24 Alexander Schwindt SIXTEENTH ANNUAL APPRECIATION LUNCHEON ...........................………………………………......... 27 SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION .....................……………………………............ 29 SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY ......................................…………………………………....... 30 MAJOR RECEIPTS .......................……………………… ………………………............................................. 30 FOLKLORE SYMPOSIUM ......……………………………………………......................................................... 31 MENNONITE PLAUTDIETSCH FOLKLORE OF WESTERN CANADA AND THE AMERICAN MIDWEST…………………………………………………………………... 33 Victor Carl Friese LAUGHTER: A GOOD MEDICINE ....................…………………………………………................................. 38 Lawrence Weigel EDITING A VILLAGE RESEARCH NEWSLETTER ..........………………………………............................. 45 William L. Scheirman VISITING UMSIEDLER IN WEST GERMANY ..................……………………………………......................... 50 Tina Block Ediger RUSSIAN GERMANS BETWEEN THE BLACK SWASTIKA AND THE RED STAR ..............................……………………………………….................................. 54 Arthur Janke RESEARCHING MY ANCESTORS FROM RASTADT, SOUTH RUSSIA .........:..,,……………………….,..... 60 Paul J. Polansky Schneller (Continued on inside back cover) Published by American Historical Society of Germans from Russia 631 D Street • Lincoln, Nebraska 68502-1199 • Phone 402-474-3363 Edited by Richard R. Rye Copyright 1989 by the American Historical Society of Germans From Russia. All rights reserved. DEDICATION This 1989 Convention Journal is dedicated to Miss Ruth M. Amen, Executive Director, who has selflessly given more than 20 years service to AHSGR. We offer her our heartfelt thanks and congratulations upon her retirement. Henry and Mary Alt of Covina, California presented this doll to Ruth Amen. The doll carried many items reminiscent of Ruth's life. Ruth Amen received a beautiful gold watch on a Ruth holds high a crystal rose bowl, a gift from the chain in recognition of her 21 years of service, 11 Lincoln chapter. She also received a dozen red roses years as Executive Director. and a plaque commemorating her service. Eric Eisenman of Omaha brought in the American flag and Mr. Jacob Amendt of North Battleford, Saskatchewan brought in the Canadian flag. The Honorable William Nichol, Lieutenant Governor of Councilman Ted Hempel welcomed the group to Nebraska, extended greetings .2 Lincoln The Honorable Bill Harris, Mayor of Lincoln, extends greetings to the convention. Ruth K. Stoll, Foundation secretary, read the minutes. 3 Mary Froscheiser, Lincoln Chapter president and co- chair, extended the welcome to this 20th convention. We Honor in Memoriam Ed Schwartzkopf This morning we recognize our members, who during the past year have departed their home on earth to be received in their eternal resting place. Would you please stand; hold hands if you wish. Oh God, we rejoice in the lives you have shared with us. We never cease to marvel how so many have benefited so much from the effort of so few. Comfort us with the knowledge that they are at peace in your eternal home. Assure the family of Mrs. Alvana Sturdevant who passed from this life while attending the convention on Tuesday evening that she now is safely in your eternal care. When it comes our time to depart our home on this earth, may we hear your soft sweet words— "Well done, good and faithful servant". Finally, oh God, save this moment from being merely a gesture to custom and habit and make it a real experience in remembering the sacrifices made for us. Amen 4 This Twentieth International Convention was special. It brought 932 members to Lincoln, Nebraska to see their International Headquarters and the Heritage Center. After several days of research, meetings of chapter presidents, board business sessions and tours, everyone looked forward to the formal opening. Singing familiar German hymns was such a pleasure. It was also the time we pause to remember those who are no longer with us. Our president's keynote address directs our thinking toward the year ahead. President Larry Metzler (center) of Fresno, California, called the meeting to order. Others at the head table (from left) are: Ted Hempel, Mary Froscheiser, William Nichol, Ruth M. Amen, Ed Schwartzkopf and Dr. Otis E. Young of First-Plymouth Church, who gave the invocation. Katherine Pabst accompanied the singing at all our sessions. Her German Singers group also performed in the Atrium on Tuesday evening. 5 Ruth Freehling, Forklore Chairman, planned an Ruth and Carl Michel of Lenwood, Kansas, have excellent session. never missed a convention. Jud Gabelhaus checked in those who attended the auction. 6 The Bookstore was full of shoppers. Total sales came to $7,556.85. Genealogy Workshop Lillian Weber, in charge of the workshop, arranged for helpers to answer questions. 7 THE FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST A large group received their life membership certificates. Cleora Flegel received the charter for our new Rebecca Rose Mallenby of Omaha, Nebraska was chapter, Central Coast at Monterey, California. enrolled as a new life member, a gift from Ruth Amen 8 THE AUCTION AND BAZAAR ARE FUND RAISERS FOR THE FOUNDATION Al Reiber of Scottsbluff, Nebraska is our faithful auctioneer. The quilt at left brought in more than $2,000.00 for the Beratz Fund. 9 SPECIAL PROGRAMS WERE PLANNED FOR YOUTH Some of our youth on the Capitol steps. Ralph Ruff of Vacaville, California, was in charge of the program for youth. Their activities included a visit to the Children's Petting Zoo, a Get Acquainted Night in President Metzler's suite, trips to museums, a roller skating party and a session with Ed Schwartzkopf on games their parents and grandparents played. 10 THROUGH THE YEARS with GERMANS FROM RUSSIA First-Plymouth Congregational, United Church of Christ, was filled to capacity two nights for the pageant, "Through the Years with Germans from Russia". The choir and cast were members of the Lincoln Chapter. The pageant, by popular request, was updated and presented for the third time. The final scene shows the immigrants and all the characters named in the story as told by the narrators, Dorothy Schwartzkopf and Ralph L. Giebelhaus. The audience Joined the choir in singing, "Nun Danket Alle Gott", by John Hotchkiss of Kent, England, who was commissioned to compose this special arrangement for the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. 11 The script and tableaux depicted the emigration of Germans to Russia and their move to the new world 100 years later. The history of the organization and development of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia were recounted. Catherine the Great, played by Irene Gabelhouse, issued her Manifesto in 1763, inviting Germans to settle in the Volga region of Russia. An immigrant family: Mollie Grenemeir, Amy, Kelly and Nancy Bouwen. 12 The pageant was one of the events of the convention that was free and open to the public. Duane Andersen, bass-baritone, was soloist. Kathleen Svoboda, Sally Hieb and Diena Schmidt sang The brass choir, tympani and organ accompanied the the beautiful Mennonite emigration song, "Jetzt is die Zeit singing by the choir and the audience. John Levick and stunde da. directed the pageant. The organist was Stephen Krahn. 13 An afternoon at the Heritage Center. Many visitors read the plaques near the entrance. Ruth Amen greeted visitors. 14 Bud Dietrich answered questions in the country store Hugh Dobler greeted visitors in the All-Faiths. Chapel. Paul Newcombe was a railroader who so enjoyed the caboose. The main floor of the museum at 601 "D" was set up as "Christmas Time at the Amens." Sally Hieb played carols on the reed organ through the afternoon. 15 AHSGR Board of Directors Foundation Board of Trustees Dr. Solomon R. Schneider, Dr. Larry W. Metzler, President of the President in AHSGR. International Foundation. 16 THE FRIDAY LUNCHEON Tina Block Ediger was introduced by Harley Stucky who also gave the invocation. Sally Hieb at left presided. Center is Anny Zimmerman who added humor. Adam Nadel of Detroit, who was named the "German- American " of the year, spoke briefly. 17 THE FINAL BANQUET 715 attended the final banquet. It was a special occasion when Elizabeth K. Wilson was introduced as the new Executive Director and Ruth M. Amen became Executive Director Emeritus. Lydia Jesse, Northern Illinois Chapter, third from right, gave the invocation. Harry Hoffman, at far left, was convention co-chair- man. Executive Director Emeritus Ruth M. Amen is shown with new AHSGR Executive Director Elizabeth K. Wilson. 18 AS IS OUR CUSTOM, IT WAS POLKA TIME AFTER THE SATUDAY BANQUET. THE POLKA PLAYBOYS OF SCOTTSBLUFF, NEBRASKA FURNISHED THE MUSIC. 19 Memorial Services Presented by Ed Schwartzkopf Our international conventions are designed