German-American Social Club of Peekskill, Inc. 11 Kramers Pond Road P.O. Box 395 Putnam Valley, NY 10579 845-528-5800 www.gac1936.com
September 2009 Newsletter
Dear Members, Our 2009 Oktoberfest is almost here. It will run on 12 and 13 Officers: September. As always, we need all members to do their part President: Linda Geppert 1st Vice President: Kathy Scherer by helping with the setup 8–11 September and by working at 2nd Vice President: Chrissy Meslener our booths on the two days of the event. Please let Chrissy Secretary: Anna Schramek Meslener know if you are able to help with setup. Let Kathy Treasurer: Eric Boggs Scherer know if you will work at one of the food, beverage, Financial Secretary: Monika Wolf or entertainment booths. Oktoberfest cleanup is scheduled Directors: for 15 September. Jeff Bernert Our German band this year is die Schlauberger, a Herman Buck popular musical group that has performed at Trump Taj Marilyn Buck Kurt Kampp Mahal and Tropicana Casinos in Atlantic City, the Texas Frank Schusteritsch Wurstfest, the Hunter Mountain German Alps Festival, the Fred Sprado Cincinnati Oktoberfest, German Fest Milwaukee, Bethlehem George Wolf Musikfest, and New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Alternate Directors: Judy Hansen We especially want to thank our Oktoberfest Richard Hansen sponsors: Absolute Flooring (absoluteflooring.com, 914- Committee Chairpersons: 245-0225), Bill Volz Westchester Jeep Dodge Chrysler (914- Bar Manager: Volunteer needed 739-7100, bvwestchester.com), German Kino Plus (404-418- Grounds: Frank Schusteritsch Building: Paul Geppert 5035, germankinoplus.com), Hudson Valley Renegades By-Laws: Fred Sprado Baseball (845-838-0094, hvrenegades.com), Putnam Waste Entertainment: Board of Directors Disposal (putnamwastedisposal.com, 845-528-7111, 845- Kitchen Coordinator: 628-5000), Sansotta Brothers Italian Specialties Volunteer needed Membership: Kathy Scherer (sansottadeli.com, 914-526-4260). Newsletter: Linda Geppert Donations Needed: The homemade baked goods donated by Public Relations: Chrissy Meslener our members are always popular with our Oktoberfest Rentals: Paul Scherer visitors and are also great moneymakers for the club. Please Reservations: Chrissy Meslener plan to bring homemade cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, Kathy Scherer strudel, or other delicacies to the dessert table. Linda Geppert We also need donations to fill our raffle baskets. Souvenirs: Kathy Scherer Items for the two baskets of cheer as well as articles suitable Tag Sale: Monika Wolf for other raffle baskets are needed and appreciated. Please Webmaster: Kurt & Maggie Kampp plan to donate and buy some chances at our raffle table. Upcoming Events
German-American Steuben Parade. Our club will be represented at this annual German Heritage Event. We will provide transportation as long as someone volunteers to drive the van down to the city. After the parade, enjoy the German-American Friendship Party under the big tent in Central Park. We have 15 tickets for the party at $10 each. If you are interested in marching in the parade and/or attending the Friendship Party, please let me know (Linda Geppert, 845-628-9283 or
Membership Meetings Saturday, 26 September, 7:30 pm. The September meeting features German fare. Price will be determined. Saturday evening, 17 October. Menu to be determined. Sunday afternoon, 15 November. Our annual goulash dinner and nominations meeting. Saturday evening, 5 December, 7:30 PM. Election of officers for 2010.
Food Basket The club continues to collect food for our food basket, which are usually donated to the needy through Grace Lutheran Church in Yorktown. The food basket is especially important during the holiday season, when many of us struggle not to put on pounds and those falling on hard times struggle to fill their bellies and those of their loved ones. Please continue your generosity and bring nonperishable items to the Club on Friday evenings or to meetings.
2009 Membership Dues Dues are due now. Send or give your dues payment to Monika Wolf. Her mailing address is 13 Boswell Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579. Although members on social security who have belonged to the club for at least ten years need only pay $25, we are asking that they pay the full $50 if they can afford it. The club will appreciate the extra money in these financially difficult times.
Good and Welfare Paul Scherer will undergo knee surgery for a torn miniscus at the beginning of September. Paul, usually one of our most energetic members, will be forced to take it easy for a while. we wish him a speedy recovery. Do You Know The Steuben Parade was named by its founders after Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian General who served under General George Washington in our Revolutionary War. Von Steuben is still regarded as one of the most important German Americans, as his training of the young American troops made victory against the British possible and so his work helped in gaining independence for the United States of America. Friedrich von Steuben was born in Magdeburg. Steuben accompanied his father to the Russian Empire when Friedrich Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, ordered him into the service of Czarina Anna I. The family returned to Prussia after the accession of Frederick the Great to the throne in 1740. Steuben was schooled in Breslau by Jesuits and, by the age of 17, was an officer in the Prussian military. During the Seven Years' War he was a member of an infantry unit but served primarily as a staff officer. By 1761 he had risen to the rank of captain and was serving in the Prussian general headquarters. The army was greatly reduced in size at the end of the war, and Steuben was one of many Prussian officers suddenly without work. But his experience on a professional general staff, an agency then practically unknown outside of Prussia, would prove to be valuable in his American career.
The Annual Fall Dance October 3, 2009 Featuring Mario and Joe (If Joe is unavailable, Mario’s new partner will perform) Doors open at 6:00 PM Dinner at 7:00 PM Entertainment at 8:00 PM Beef Tenderloin Dinner, w/ Dessert Members: $30.00 Guests: $35.00 Casual Dress This is a prepaid event. Reservations Required Call Marilyn or Herman Buck at 845-227-5159 Make checks payable to: German-American Social Club of Peekskill, NY Mail to Marilyn Buck, PO Box 9, Stormville, NY 12582
Children’s Christmas Party December 6, 2 PM – 5 PM Featuring crafts, a magician and a visit from Santa Claus. Refreshments will be provided. $5.00 per family. A family consists of members with their children, or grandchildren. Example: if the parents of the grandchildren attend, this is now two families, and the cost will be $10.00. Bring a gift for each child you are bringing to the party. Make sure that the name of the child is clearly marked on the gift. Santa will give out the gifts. Please let us know how many children, parents, grandparents, etc. will be attending this party. Notify Marilyn Buck with this information at 845-227-5159. Donations of cookies, etc. are greatly appreciated.