Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 1
The Edelweiss am Rio Grande Nachrichten
The newsletter of the
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club
4821 Menaul Blvd., NE Albuquerque, NM 87110-3037
(505) 888-4833
December 2018
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 See notice on page 2 for information on a special members’ Royal Ball - opportunity for waiver of rental fee for use the GAC facility. See Page 4
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IAS Christmas Irish Dance 7pm Party 1-4pm, Pg 4 (No Kaffeeklatsch in December) 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 12:30-Hungarian Elferrat Irish Dance 7pm GAC Christmas Christmas Party Meeting 6:30 Essen und Dance See page 3 Sprechen pg 4 See Page 4 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jazz Sunday Irish Dance 7pm 2:00-5:30 pm GAC Board of Directors 6:30 pm
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 GAC Irish Dance 7pm Cigar Evening Private Party Closed for 4-7pm, Christmas See Page 3 30 31 Call for Vienna Ball Dancers : Anyone interested in New Year’s Eve Ball being in the dance troupe for the Vienna Ball please See Page 4 email Sheri Kraemer at
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 2 NEWS AND NOTES Kaffeeklatsch Due to the overabundance of activities going on this month, the Kaffeeklatsch has been cancelled. There will be no Kaffeeklatsch in December 2018. Please call Kathe Mirabal at 505-836-6182 for more information.
Club Rental Fee Waiver Special for Members For the next six months (November 2018 through April 2019) your Club is extending an opportunity to those who have been members for over three years to reserve/rent the Club at no facility rental cost. You would still have to pay for any band or entertainment you will have and for any security, kitchen use, use of linen table cloths, and cleanup (janitorial), but the basic facility rental cost is being waived. Scheduling of GAC functions, associate organization functions, and paid rentals will take priority, and the waived rental functions can be bumped by them up to the first of the month prior to the date the waived function is scheduled, but this waiver of rental costs is available for any dates for which there is nothing else scheduled. (See page 10 for further details on Club rentals)
Hello Dear Members of the German American Club and the Irish American Society, GAC Children’s Christmas Party Thank you so much for your sock and mone- Cancelled for 2018 tary donations. We were able Due to low attendance it was decided at the to collect about 725 pairs of October General Membership meeting to can- socks, largely because of do- cel the Children’s Christmas Party for 2018 nations from the club. Mem- and reassess it next year. bers of A Light In The Night The IAS and the Hungarian Club both have were very excited to see these family friendly Christmas Parties with activi- two large boxes of socks be- ties for the children and visits by Santa— ing donated. We really appre- EVERYONE IS WELCOME ciate everyone's support! See December 2nd and 9th in the calendar on Alex Mirabal page 1 and notices on pages 3 and 4
Volunteers STILL Needed (Some New Ones Added)! It is thanks to our many volunteers that we are able to continue the many activities we have at the GAC (see page 8 for a list of some of our many volunteers). We do, however, still need a few more volunteers. Whether you’re looking for a long-term or a short-term commitment, please take a look at the below list of needs and consider volunteering for any that fit your talents, If you think of anything you are interested in that is not on the list, please let us know. We always appreciate everyone who helps out.
If you would like to volunteer, or just have questions about any of the positions, please contact GAC Board Chair Jay Vandersloot, either at email
Current Volunteer Needs: LIBRARIAN to organize our lending library and recommend what should be kept or disposed of Decorating Coordinator German Culture Chair Person and Committee Member(s) Operations Committee Members (to assist the President) Newsletter Editor Functions Coordinator (planning and scheduling events and reservations for renting the GAC) Volksdance, Waltz, Polka, etc., Dance Instructor (any or all) Youth Activities Coordinator (for teens) Media Coordinator (Facebook, Alibi, etc.) Meal Preparation for Dances beginning March 2019 (a good short-term commitment, whether for just one meal, or for volunteering to prepare meals for a number of dances)
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 3 Hungarian Holiday Event December 9th Upcoming Activities
The 2018 Holiday/December get together will be on Dec 9, Sunday, starting at 12:30.We’ll Events and Dates are Subject to chg. enjoy great company, good food, and rumor has it January that Santa will put in an appearance. 04-Karaoke 4:30-6:30pm Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share, 06-Afternoon Tea Dance (tentative) homemade/Hungarian if possible. 12-Officers’ Ball (tentative) Usual raffle drawings also. Free admission. 18-19 GAMGA in Las Vegas, Nevada 25-Cigar Night, 4 to 7 pm
Cigar Evening at the GAC February 01-Karaoke 4:30-6:30pm Friday, December 28th, 4pm—7pm 02-Verrücktenball (Krazy Ball)-Music by: Roger Burns 10-Afternoon Tea Dance (tentative) GAC, IAS, SASS, Jazz & Hungarian 16-Damenball (Sweethearts Ball)-Music by: Swingshift Members & Guests Welcome 17-Jazz Sunday 22-Cigar Night, 4 to 7 pm Bring your favorite cigar and enjoy your favorite bourbon or March whiskey on this relaxing evening. 01-Karaoke 4:30-6:30pm 02-Maskenball-Music by: Hit Squad If you like cigars, this is your night 05-Kehraus-Music by: Walter Kirsch 10-Hungarian Club 1848 Revolution Remembrance (Conversely, if you do NOT like cigars, this is 16-GAC St. Patrick’s Dance NOT your night) 17-Jazz Sunday 24-Afternoon Tea Dance (tentative) Essen und Sprechen 29-Cigar Night, 4 to 7 pm
Come join us at the monthly Essen und April 05-Karaoke Joe 4:30-6:30pm Sprechen Treffen (gathering) to practice your 06-Vienna Ball German and socialize over dinner in German (with 14-Afternoon Tea Dance (tentative) some English). For December we will gather at 20-Roaring 20’s Dance 6:30pm on the second Wednesday, December 12th, 21-Jazz Sunday at the Aura European Mediterranean Restau- 26-Cigar Night, 4 to 7 pm rant, 6300 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 28-GAC Gen. Membership Mtng 87109 (NE corner of San Mateo and Academy, in the NE corner of the Far North Shopping Center, behind McDonalds and Village Inn), Phone number (505) 508-3224. We jointly decide at each month’s Please join the GAC web group dinner where to go the following month. so you can get automatic notifications and re- Please, PLEASE, reply by Tuesday, Dec. th minders of upcoming events, and be provided 11 , by email to
(The Essen und Sprechen monthly dinner group is not affili- Or, email Jay Vandersloot at ated with the GAC; rather it is a separate, autonomous group. The
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 4
Fasching Royal Ball New Year’s Eve Ball
Saturday, December 1st Monday, December 31st Door Fee $10.00 (See below for cost / reservation info)
GAC, IAS, SASS, Jazz & Hungarian Please join us in welcoming the New Year!
Members & Guests Welcome GAC, IAS, SASS, Jazz & Hungarian
Members & Guests Welcome Music by: Hit Squad From 6:30 ‘til 10:30 Music by: Hit Squad From 8:00pm ‘til after Midnight Meal Served from: 5:30PM to 6:30PM Prepared by: Peter Blemel & Crew Meal Served from: 6:00pm to 7:30pm Menu Prepared by: Peter & Ken Blemel & Crew Goulash Menu: Spätzle & Vegetable Roast Beef Salad & Dessert Potatoes and Veggies $10.00 per person for the Meal Salad, & Roll Dessert Make checks payable to GAC Elferrat
Please make meal reservations by Nov 16th Champagne Toast at Midnight By calling 505-888-4833 between 4 and 9pm Then, after Midnight Posole, Pastries and Sub Sandwiches Dress Code: Semi-formal or Served at 12:30
Tracht (Dirndl, Lederhosen) TICKET SALES: Start at 6:30pm, Dec 1st at the Royal Ball
GAC Christmas Dance After that, tickets sold Fridays throughout
Saturday, December 15th December at the GAC from 5 to 7pm
Door Fee: $12.00 $40 Per Person, Reserved Seating. GAC, IAS, SASS, Jazz & Hungarian Includes dinner, dance, champagne toast, and Members & Guests Welcome snacks after Midnight
Music” Stepping Out Productions (DJ Madie) $25 for without the meal reservations From 6:30 to 10:30 PM Tickets without meal also available at the door if not already sold out Light Potluck: Please bring an appetizer, dessert, or sweet/salty snacks to share Dress: Formal if you have it,
Attire: Smart Casual (Otherwise Semi-Formal)
IAS Annual Christmas Party! Sunday, December 2nd, from 1 to 4pm It’s that holly jolly time of year and once again the IAS will be hosting its annual Christmas Party at the GAC (Potluck starts at 1:00. We have two requests: 1. Please bring a potluck dish to share. (And be sure to mark your plates and utensils so we can get them back to you.) Coffee, tea, and a no-host bar will be available. 2. Please bring a dessert of any kind (cake, pie, cookies, etc.) to donate to the Cake Walk Contest! (It’s also perfectly all right to bring store-bought goodies!) Here’s the lineup for the day’s festivities: 1-2pm: Musical entertainment by the Duke City Ceili Band (and Ceili dancing with Norita!) 2-2:30pm: Irish Step Dancing Performance by the Coleman Academy of Irish Dance! 2:30-3:00pm: Visit from Santa! [Please bring a wrapped / labeled present with child’s name for each of your children for Santa to give to them personally. And don’t forget to bring your cameras!] 3:00-4:00pm: Cake Walk!
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 5 German Christmas Traditions From excerpts from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Christmas season has become incredibly commercial in recent years, with many retailers starting Christmas promotions and dec- orations as early as September. In light of this, it may be wise to remember some of the German Christmas traditions which made the season mysterious and wonderful, and may continue to do so today. Although German and Anglo-Saxon holiday traditions are now inextricably linked, there are some noteworthy differences worth exploring. Here are some German Christmas traditions, with some historical background and anecdotes. Advent Calendar (Adventskalendar) The Advent Calendar counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Every day during the Advent season a new door on the Advent calendar is opened. Each opened door proceeds to reveal a sweet chocolate! The Advent calendar tradition began with plain cards with paper backings and 24 “windows” that opened to reveal Christmas scenes. Today you can get original German ad- vent calendars with religious motifs and advent calendars containing cute figures or chocolates for boys and girls. Advent wreath (Adventskranz) Many families in Germany put an Advent wreath on the living room table the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The wreaths have four large candles and, traditionally, pinecones and berries. As lights are dimmed, the whole family gathers around the wreath. They spend a quiet, reflective hour together. Some families may sing Christmas carols or enjoy a child’s performance on the flute or piano. This may include having hot chocolate, tea, coffee or glühwein for drinks. Additionally they may munch on stollen, cookies, marzi- pan chocolate, roasted chestnuts and fruits. Each Sunday before Christmas a candle will be lit until all four candles are lighting the room. The Advent wreath tradition is especially observed in households where the decorated tree is not revealed until Christmas Eve. ‘Till then, the Advent wreath provides the heart-warming candlelight and evergreen aroma throughout the month. St. Nicholas Day (Sankt Nikolaus Tag) In Germany, December 5th is a very special night. Children place a freshly polished pair of boots in front of their bedroom doors. They do this in the hope that St. Nicholas and his assistant Knecht Ruprecht will visit their house. While there, perhaps he will leave a little gift in the boots, such as chocolate, nuts or fruits, or a bag of gummy bears. On the morning of December 6th, parents have no trouble getting their children out of bed! They will already have snuck out to peak at what St. Nicholas has brought them. Howev- er, not all children are that lucky. St. Nikolaus only brings presents to children who are generally well-behaved throughout the year. Those who were not may find a piece of coal in their boots, courtesy of Knecht Ruprecht, who carries a sack of coal. Sankt Nikolaus’ Practices While Sankt Nikolaus dresses similarly to his American counterpart, he does not drive a sleigh or come down the chimney. In some households, children may actually come face to face with Nikolaus! The imposing Saint (played by a family friend) asks the children whether they have been naughty or nice. Lying is pointless, because Sankt Nikolaus knows everything! He carries around a record of each and every child’s good and bad behavior in his golden book. His assistant Knecht Ruprecht is a menacing figure whose role is to frighten children into good behavior with threats of being spanked. However, Sankt Nikolaus is a goodhearted character who sim- ultaneously exudes gentleness and authority. In fact, the German Nikolaus is based on an actual person. Nikolaus was a popular bish- op who lived in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) during the 4th century and became a legend due to his humble, generous nature. What About Kris Kringle? So how did St. Nikolaus become popularly known as Kris Kringle? With the Reformation came a movement away from the worship of saints, and the tradition of giving and opening gifts was moved to Christmas Eve. Ever since the tradition is that gifts are thought of as having been brought by the Christkind (Christ Child). This is how Kris Kringle derived his name — it’s an incorrect angliciza- tion of Christkind! In Germany presents are now usually opened on Christmas Eve, December 24th, after a traditional family meal and the singing of Christmas carols, similar to North America. Krampus Night (Krampus Nacht) In Southern Bavaria, locals celebrate St. Nicholas’ Night in an alternative fashion. Muscular men in demonic costumes, devilish masks and furry coats march from house to house — this is the fearsome Krampus with his devilish mates. They bang on doors, and, when invited in by expecting parents, attempt to frighten children into good behavior. Occasionally, a rebellious teenage male may be dragged outside into the open. There he is dunked in the deep snow several times, much to the delight of his younger siblings. Afterwards, the Krampus and his fellow devils may be found at the local pub celebrating devilishly long into the night. Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) During Advent major German city light up with Christmas markets, known as Weihnachtsmärkte. Holiday lights and decorations captivate locals and tourists alike, with vendors of local arts and crafts and plenty of food! The Christmas market tradition dates back to the 15th century. Today there are over 2,500 Christmas markets across Germany. Markets commonly feature a nativity scene, and vendors offer a wide variety of gifts, including many that are still handcrafted. You can also find a mouthwatering array of foods like grilled sausages, fried fish on a fresh bread roll (Backfisch), and sautéed mushrooms. For dessert there is an unending variety of spe- cialty sweets, confections and baked goods. Mulled Wine (Glühwein) On a cold day, nothing will warm you up faster than a mug of steaming hot Glühwein. This quintessential Christmas beverage con- sists of hot mulled red wine, with an optional shot of brandy (Glühwein mit Schuss). Most major cities in Germany serve Glühwein in ceramic mugs designed specifically for the local Christmas markets.
Continued at bottom of page 6 (next page)
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 6 Members’ Birthdays and Anniversaries
Geburtstage - Herren Geburtstage-Damen Jubiläen (Men’s Birthdays) (Ladies’ Birthdays) (Anniversaries) Albert Deimer Gloria Casale Terry & Rebecca Meadows Samuel Herrera Armelina Chavez James & S. Johanna Payne Kurt Weber Marianne Jones John E & Rita D Peck Susanne Luckie Jerry & Donna Zimmerman Betty Murphy Carol Rehbein Caitlan Sandberg Leisa Schuelke Normal Club Hours Sunday 12-5 pm Carol Stevens Mon—Wed 4-10 pm Linda Nielsen Thurs—Fri Noon-10 pm Membership : Updated as Donna Zimmerman Sat Noon-11 pm of October 31, 2018 Happy Hour 4-7 pm Total 175 On Thurs-Friday-Saturday Males 78 Females 97 The club may be closed on Couples 47 some holidays. Singles 81 For Info call 505-888-4833 Life Members 12 Monday thru Saturday between 4pm and 9pm
German Christmas Traditions - Continued from page 5 “Oh Tannenbaum” At merely 400 years old, the tradition of the decorated Christmas tree is a comparatively young German custom. Historically, fami- lies decorated their living rooms with evergreen branches at Christmas time. This custom eventually evolved into bringing in en- tire trees. In the 17th century people started decorating their trees with ripe red apples, scrumptious gingerbread and silk flowers to create the illusion of a tree brilliantly blooming in winter. By the 19th century, the Christmas tree had even replaced the nativity sce- ne as the focal point of German Christmas festivities. The Modern Christmas Tree Modern Christmas trees are usually conifers such as fir, spruce or pine. The tree is often decorated with live candles or strings of lights, as well as a variety of intricate ornaments. Some of the ornaments may be heirloom pieces, handed down from generation to generation. Homemade cookies, decorative candy and chocolate are also often added to the ornaments. Christmas Angels (Weihnachtsengel) One of the most common Christmas decorations, though, are little wooden Christmas Angels! Hailing from the Erzgebirge, the mountain range between Saxony and the Czech republic, these wonderfully carved wooden figurines depict angels in a variety of poses, often playing their musical instruments. Traditional Christmas Foods Saving the best for last, one of the most anticipated German Christmas traditions is the Christmas dinner! The traditional Christmas meal features duck, goose, rabbit or a roast, accompanied by German delicacies such as apple and sausage stuffing, red cabbage, and potato dumplings. Dessert typically includes Christmas Stollen, considered one of the best Christmas pastries in the world! The most famous Stollen, which can be found at many supermarkets, is called Dresdner Stollen. This tasty version bursts with nuts and fruit and is sure to change your mind about the term “fruitcake.” Stollen is shaped with tapered ends and a ridge down the center, symbol- izing the Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. There are many more traditional foods associated with the Christmas season in Germa- ny, and many are readily available here in the USA, such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread), chocolate Santas and various other Christmas confectioneries. In Germany, Christmas is also a time for baking Plätzchen or Christmas cookies.
Reprinted from excerpts from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Under Wikipedia Terms of Use, one is free to: Read and Print their articles and other media free of charge; Share and Reuse their articles and other media under free and open licenses; Contribute To and Edit their various sites or Projects.
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 7
GAC P&L October 2018 Operations Membership Total
Ordinary Income and Expense Income Bar 6,647.25
Other Income Donations/Misc 58.00 Door Fees 1,579.00 Hall Rental 577.53 Kitchen Income 1,068.00 Membership Dues 330.00 Rental Income - Quincy - Total Income 7,282.78 2,977.00 10,259.78
Expenses Cost of Goods Sold 2,558.22
Other Expenses Accounting/Legal 140.24 Bands 175.00 Bar/Kitchen Supplies 240.84 Decorations 100.00 Dishwasher - Exterminator 91.69 Insurance 473.00 Janitorial Sup and Service 145.79 Linen Service 60.25 Member Expense 273.98 Office Supplies 6.31 Party Food Payroll Expenses 2,799.13 Repair and Maintenance 77.84 Security 26.91 Telephone/Internet/TV/Radio 321.85 Tax and License GRT 485.26 Bar Licenses - Property 0 Total Tax and Licenses 485.26 Utilities 856.86 Total Expense 8,284.19 548.98 8,833.17
Net Ordinary Income 1,426.61
Bank Balances as of Oct 31, 2018 Operations Acct 14,690.23 Investor Acct 1,423.13 CD 5.00 Total 16,118.36
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 8 The 2018 Officers and Board ELECTIONS-UPDATED: Jay Vandersloot Chairman 505-362-1733 Steve Borbas Vice Chairman 505-265-7088 As the person elected President Mark Meadows President 505-238-2289 declined, the person with the next Vacant Vice-President Rosalie Pfeiffer Executive Secretary 505-304-1668 most number of votes will be the Rose Marie Keating Financial Director (Acting) 505-463-8097 GAC President for 2019. As such, John Waldrop Director-at-Large 505-298-5893 the following will be the Board Carole Eberhardt Director-at-Large 505-922-1550 Walter Kirsch Director-at-Large 505-293-0154 President: Lance Klafeta
Committee Chairs and Coordinators Vice Pres: Ester Griego Membership Chair 505-463-5343 Mark Meadows Membership Input: [email protected] 505-463-5343 Kathy Mueller German Culture 505-856-6359 Britt Peters German Culture 505-867-5969 Secretary: Debbie Holt Entertainment Contracts 505-280-6350 Carolyn Gonzales Vacant Functions Coordinator Vacant Media Coordinator Financial Director: John Waldrop Webmaster 505-298-5893 Jay Vandersloot Newsletter Editor 505-362-1733 Ingrid Heinstein Newsletter Input:
We Send Cards! Please notify Rosalie Pfeiffer, at 505-299-3951 if you know of any Club Member who should receive a greeting card, i.e., get well, sympathy, congratulations, etc.
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 9
The Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club New Membership or Renewal Form
Dues are: Single Membership ------$45 New Membership Couples Membership------$80 Annual fee for Life Members----- $5 each Renewal
Please complete this form and return it with your check for dues to the German American Club, 2609 Quincy St., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 Attn: Membership. If you pay your dues with cash at the bar, please keep your receipt. (PLEASE PRINT)
Name ______
Spouse/Partner ______
Street Address ______
City ______State ____ Zip ______
Phone ______E-mail ______Would you like your e-mail address added to the GAC Group Web Site for automatic notifications and reminders of upcoming events and last minute schedule changes? ______Yes ______No
Your birth month______Spouse/Partner ______Anniversary ______
Your GAC depends on your participation to keep the club running smoothly. Please mark the task or tasks where you would be willing to help:
Recruiting____ Decorating____ Door Greeter____ Kitchen____ Clean Up____ Event Planner____ Contacting Members____
For new members only:
Referred by ______
Referral must be made by a GAC member in good standing.
For Office Use Only: Cash ____ Check _____ Date______
Receipt # ______
Check# ______Amount ______Initial______
(GAC Form Revised May, 2018) Ester L. Griego, Membership Chairperson
Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club Newsletter-December 2018 10
Mon. thru Thur. Night $450 Friday Day $450 Call Mark Meadows Friday Night $500 at 238-2289 Saturday Day $500 For more information Saturday Night. $600 Sunday Day Only $500
Security $135 extra per guard Use of Kitchen $100 extra Use of Linen Table Cloths $100 extra Cleaning $100 extra
Please note that you must be a dues paying GAC member to rent the club. If you have been a member for more than 3 years, you may rent the club, depending on availability for your functions at a slightly discounted price (weddings excluded).
The Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club 2609 Quincy St. NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 Phone (505) 888-4833