April 2015 The German Club, 218 Loughlin Road, Binghamton, NY 13904 + 607-775-5265 + www.binghamtongermanclub.com

2013-2014 BRATS 'n BREWS OFFICERS Come join us on Friday May 1 (MAY DAY - MAITAG) President as we celebrate the opening of our Biergarten with Kurt Eschbach our annual Brats 'n Brews party, hosted by Francie Vice President Cook. We will have a fresh supply of Usinger's Brats Vacant imported directly from Wisconsin and a full selection Recording Secretary of your favorite German Bier, along with German Rebecca Olivet music. Bring some friends and make a great time. Treasurer Kitchen opens at 6:00 pm and is open until we sell out—the Bar however will remain open until Mary Shaffer-Sabine closing. Financial Secretary ANNUAL BANQUET Saturday 2 May 2015 John Evans You are cordially invited to attend our annual banquet on Saturday May 2, 2015. There will be a Asst Financial Secretary cocktail hour from 5:00-6:00 pm, followed by a dinner buffet (roast pork, chicken marsala, Allen P. Hayes potatoes, carrots, salad, dessert, etc.) catered by Joel Matis. Property Following dinner, club officers and guests will offer brief remarks chronicling events of the past John Spach year. There will be a service of remembrance for those club members that passed in 2014 Entertainment followed by a performance by our choir, as well as entertainment by other musical ensembles Andy Berner and skits by our German language class. Musik Direktor Members who joined the club in 2014 are strongly urged to attend, as you will be recognized and Randy Messing introduced. Chorus Representative The cost is $25 per person. If you volunteered for two or more events during 2014, the club will Rolf Eschke subsidize your dinner with a $10 credit and a complimentary beverage at the bar. Bar Director Reservations may be made by calling 760-8016 (Rebecca Olivet). Rob Schoonmaker When submitting reservations, please indicate if you are a volunteer, and also if you are a new Hall Rental and Catering member. Reservations are required no later than Tuesday April 28 (checks may be mailed Kurt Eschbach to: Rebecca Olivet 1215 Cornell Ave. Binghamton, NY 13901) Patty Lenga ARBEITSTAG – WORKDAY - Saturday April 25 Kitchen Director Vacant We plan on setting up our Biergarten picnic area on Saturday April 25. Plan to arrive at 9:00 am. Newsletter We will install the canopies over the frames and move the picnic tables out from beneath the Kurt Eschbach pavilion. We will also attend to general clean-up of the grounds (leaves and other seasonal Brian Skadowski debris) and inside the club building (getting it ready for the banquet and general spring cleaning). Many hands make light work. You presence would be deeply appreciated. If you have a leaf blower or rake you wish to bring, it helps. We usually finish by lunchtime and enjoy a bratwurst and beer for your efforts. Please also bring your chain saws if you can.

NEXT MEMBER MEETING - Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 2 pm. We will be electing 2014-15 club officers. 2 pm. Your attendance is earnestly solicited.

2015 MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE Please remember that your annual membership in the club is valid only until March 31. A dues reminder was sent out to our entire membership, and we would encourage you to make payment promptly to ensure continued membership in our club. Dues remain at $25 per member (there are no family memberships). Additionally, donations are welcomed to help cover operating expenses and the replacement of the Rathskeller floor. GERMAN LANGUAGE CLASS German language classes have resumed. Two sections are now in progress—beginning (new to German) and advanced (some German). The class is provided to club members in good standing at no cost (other than any study materials). Contact George Karius for more information and the schedule of class nights. (607-467-4642) MEMBER NEWS Please remember our club members that are ill or confined to home or health facilities: Lori Snyder, Harry Richter, Millie Zimmer, Elfreide Rothemeyer, Maurice and Margaret Sweitzer, Nettie Rathje, Lillian Veselka, and Polly Hermann. Andy Berner continues to recuperate from a hip fracture. Sympathy is extended to John Spach on the death of his wife Peggy on Feb. 26. A memorial service for Peggy will be held at the club on May 30. John has requested donations be made to the club in Peggy's memory. FAMOUS GERMAN AMERICAN - William Boeing William Edward Boeing (1881-1956) founded Pacific Aero Products in Seattle in 1916. That aircraft manufacturing company later bore his own name. Boeing was born in Detroit where his German father, Wilhelm Böing (1850-1890), had settled (1872) and prospered as a timber baron. William Boeing once visited his father's hometown of Hohenlimburg (now part of Hagen, Westphalia) where some Böing families still live. Under his guidance, a tiny airplane manufacturing company grew into a huge corporation of related industries. When post-Depression legislation in 1934 mandated the dispersion of the corporation, Boeing sold his interests in the Boeing Airplane Co., but continued to work on other business ventures. He became one of America's most successful breeders of thoroughbred horses. He never lost his interest in aviation, and during World War II he volunteered as a consultant to the company. He lived until 1956, long enough to see the company he started enter the jet age. William E. Boeing was a private person, a visionary, a perfectionist, and a stickler for the facts. The wall of his outer office bore a placard that read: "2329 Hippocrates said: 1. There is no authority except facts. 2. Facts are obtained by accurate observation. 3. Deductions are to be made only from facts. 4. Experience has proved the truth of these rules MAITAG In Austria and many parts of , especially in Bavaria, the tradition of raising a Maypole (Maibaum) on May 1 still serves to welcome spring—as it has since ancient times. Similar Maypole festivities also can be found in England, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. A Maypole is a tall wooden pole made from a tree trunk (pine or birch), with colorful ribbons, flowers, carved figures, and various other decorations adorning it, depending on the location. In Germany the name Maibaum ("May tree") reflects the custom of placing a small pine tree atop the Maypole, which is usually set up in a town's public square or village green. Traditional dances, music, and folk customs are often associated with the Maypole. In small towns virtually the entire population turns out for the ceremonial raising of the Maypole and the festivities that follow, with Bier und Wurst of course. In Munich a permanent Maibaum stands at the Viktualienmarkt. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE I wish to thank everyone that attended the March member's meeting. Much business was discussed and nominations were made for the upcoming year. I was nominated for another term as President, Michael-John Dobransky as Vice-president, Rebecca Olivet as Secretary, John Evans as Financial Secretary and Alan Hayes as Assistant Financial Secretary. After a call for further nominations, none being offered, the slate of officers nominated will be presented for election at our annual meeting Sunday 19 April. We are still seeking interested candidates for the offices of Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. We do have a very busy year planned and we are always looking for new ideas and suggestions for new cultural programming and fundraising. I wish to thank everyone that has renewed their membership and also made donations to help support the club and our various projects. If you have not renewed, please consider doing so soon. If you have any interesting stories, cultural offerings or news you would like included in the newsletter, please send me an e-mail and we will be certain to include it. Special appreciation is extended to George Karius and Tim Cook, both members, who are sponsoring the poker tournament at our club every Wednesday at 7 PM. This has been an excellent source of rental revenue for the club, as well as exposing our club to a growing number of people in our community. George also plans to present a "Wellness Fair" at the club in the near future. We look forward to learning new ways we can live better and more joyfully. ANNUAL MEETING – Sunday April 19 Please remember that our annual meeting will be held 2:00 pm Sunday April 19, 2015. The main purpose of the meeting will be to elect officers for the club’s next fiscal year and receive reports from officers. WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF A NEW TREASURER. If you have an interest, please let us know. (722-4023) GERMANY'S LIBERTY The Rathaus clock tower in holds a copy of the , presented to the city in 1950 by the US army commander in Berlin, General Lucius D Clay. More than seven million Americans had donated money towards this replica meant to be a symbol of freedom for a divided Berlin during the early days of what became "The Cold War". New York industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague designed the ten-ton bell, which had a laurel wreath symbolizing peace encircling the top and a frieze of five figures representing the five races of humankind passing the torch of freedom. Teague decided on the inscription in classic Roman letters, based on a statement by Abraham Lincoln, “That this world Under God shall have a new birth of freedom.” The bell was cast on July 27, 1950, at the British foundry of Gillett and Johnston in Croydon, England. One month later, August 27, 1950, the bell departed from Londonderry dock, England on the ship "American Clipper." The Freedom Bell was taken to New York on October 8, 1940 for a public display as preparations were made for it's departure to Schoeneberg City Hall (Rathaus) in . The Freedom bell arrived in the port city of Bremerhaven and was delivered to the Schoenberg Town Hall in American controlled West Berlin on October 21, 1950. It was dedicated October 24. A plaque on the building reads: THAT THIS WORLD UNDER GOD SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM So speaks the Bell of Freedom from the Rathaus Tower to all Mankind Gift to the steadfast Citizens of Berlin From their Friends, the American People Dedicated October 24, 1950 By Governing Mayor And General Lucius D. Clay In the Presence of more than 500,000 Berliners From Both Parts of the City RUDY’s CORNER Teacher: Edwina, can you give an example of a “coincidence”? Edwina: Yes! My mother and father were married on the same day!

Teacher: Edwina, how do you spell Mississippi? Edwina: The river or the state?

Teacher: Edwina, where is the ocean the deepest? Edwina: At the bottom!

Teacher: This essay about your family dog is the same as your sister’s! Edwina: Well, our family only has one dog.

German Club of Binghamton 218 Loughlin Road Binghamton, NY 13904

ANNUAL BANQUET— MAY 2