Neuer Pennsylvanischer Internet: www.germansociety.org Staatsbote Summer 2012

President’s Message Building News Chairman’s Comments At our Annual Meeting of Mem- One more item can now be elimi- " A rose by any other name bers on May 20th, we elected five nated from our “to do” list – the would smell as sweet"

Directors: Jeannette Brugger, Joe highly visible Main Entrance Nearly everyone remembers the DeMaria, Bill Hardam, Reinhard Door. The old door (which was above line of William Shakespeare's Kruse and Jim Niessen for a three- not as old as it looked) was in terri- play Romeo and Juliet from high year term, and Paul Welde for a ble shape and had to be replaced. school days, wherein Juliet asks her one-year term. We welcome these T h e lover "What's in a name?" While that new Directors and look forward to project quotation is meant to say that names their contributions to programs and w a s of things do not matter, only what activities of the Society. As noted c o m - things are, the opposite can be true in my prior report, we wish to pl e t e d when dealing with a person's name. thank two Directors who are step- by the Ever since I met Gudrun, the woman ping down from the Board after a l o c a l to whom I made a lifelong commit- long period of very dedicated ser- Cupola ment on Independence Day in 1964, vice. C o m - I was curious to know the meaning Hella Volgenau not only served p a n y of her name. on our Board of Directors for the ( w h o Cont’d on page 3 past ten years, but has been a most a l s o dedicated volunteer in my tenure at performed our window replace- In This Issue the Society. She always pitches in ment) and the door will now serve President’s Message 1 wherever the need arises, such as us for many, many years. In com- cleanups, washing dishes, setup pleting this project, we addressed Building News 1 and preparation for receptions after long overdue security issues, en- Chairman's Comments 1 concerts, etc. ergy efficiency guidelines and the Annual Fund Donors 4 Allen Krumm has served us well requirements of the Historic Com- Henry Melchior Muhlenberg 4 as co-chair of the Film Committee mission. A project of this scope Martin and Elise Simon 6 for many years. He typically pre- cannot be accomplished without Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon 7 pares an extensively researched significant support. Our heartfelt Delegation visit -Anhalt 8 summary for each film, which is thanks go to Christel and Ron Till- greatly appreciated by the audi- mann, whose most generous dona- PhillyKinder 8 ence. I am very happy to report tion helped us realize this impor- Cantus Novus 9 that both Hella and Allen will con- tant renovation project! GHI Fellows 10 tinue with their volunteer activi- We now turn our attention to the New Members 10 ties. I also wish to acknowledge replacement of the Townhouse Oktoberfest 11 the help and support that we re- Entrance door and hope to have Calendar of Events 11 ceive from all other volunteers. this project completed by the end Lobster Feast 12 Cont’d on page 2 of the year. — Tony Michels

Herausgegeben von der Deutschen Gesellschaft von Pennsylvanien, a publication of the German Society of Pennsylvania Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote

-President’s Message Cont’d On the financial front, I reported For parties who were not able to As has been our tradition, we will that we seem to be on track to attend our Annual Meeting and are achieve a balanced budget for the interested in the proceedings, please provide a complete list of volun- teers in the fall issue of our Staats- fiscal year ending on June 30th, call the office for a copy of the min-

bote. Like many not-for-profit or- which continues to be our goal. We utes. ganizations, we rely on the talent of exceeded several important per- As noted in prior issues of the our core volunteers to serve the formance targets spelled out in our Staatsbote, we established a Ger- needs of the Society. We can cer- yearly business plan, specifically man Society Endowment Fund with tainly use additional support, and if our Annual Fund Drive, the Lan- The Philadelphia Foundation to you are able to help us, please call guage School results and, most im- help put the Society on a stronger the office. portantly, our rental program is go- long-term financial footing which In my report at the Annual Meeting, ing quite well and now accounts for will benefit us financially on an I mentioned that overall our pro- more than 20% of our revenue ongoing basis. grams are running quite well. For stream. Progress is steady and at this point example, our music program has Thank you to the 160 Members and we received $179,000 in donations been enhanced by offering several Friends who contributed to this plus commitments for an additional special concerts and a cooperative year’s Annual Fund Drive – we $108,000 for a total of $287,000. arrangement with the Delius Soci- exceeded last year’s results by We have formed the Linden Society ety. The film program is probably about $10,000. Looking ahead, which recognizes contributions to still the best bargain in town, but we operating with a balanced budget this effort as well as commitments could use a larger audience. The will remain challenging, as our to remember the Society in wills special events, such as the First An- fixed costs continue to increase and and trusts. Twenty individuals or nual Bierfest, the Oktoberfest, the maintenance budget and a few families are recognized, and twelve Stiftungsfest, Hamburger Abend are critical building enhancements re- have indicated that the Society has all fun filled events. The Ham- main underfunded. been included in wills or trusts. We burger Abend was sold out, and we During a lively question and answer have used a variety of vehicles for are hopeful we might have 120 period at our Annual Meeting two donations – some made multi-year guests for the next Stiftungsfest on topics were raised. pledges, donated appreciated assets, November 10th. (1) Are the procedures used to elect or purchased annuities with cash or We obtained a two year grant from Officers and Directors consistent appreciated stock. the Max Kade Foundation to con- both with Pennsylvania law and the Annuities have been of interest to tinue with our archiving and cata- Society's by-laws, as approved by several members who are looking loging activities. This effort is ongo- the Membership? It was agreed that for a lifelong attractive income ing and proceeding well. We will we will have a legal review of our stream, especially now when inter- again host a group of academic current by-laws, and the applicable est levels are historically low. scholars in the Library during the procedures. If you want to join in this effort and summer months. We completed our (2) Should a building committee be would like to learn more, please first year of the cooperative reestablished to participate in devel- give us a call. PhillyKinder program and sixty oping significant capital projects? It Let me wish all of you a relaxing children are anticipated for the fall was agreed that forming such a and enjoyable summer. session. committee would be useful. — Ernie Weiler

Summer 2012 Page 2 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote of Sachsen-Anhalt, the Luther - Chairman’s Comments Cont’d debt-free Western country, primar- Decade celebrating "500 Years of She introduced herself as a ily due to the fiscal prudence of its Reformation" had just reached its "sorceress", but later on I learned, government, but also because of an midpoint; and in /Potsdam, and experienced, that the real ever growing income stream de- the 300th birthday of Friedrich der meaning of her name is "who rived from its exports of gas and Grosse, King of Prussia, was in- knows the secrets of battle". Of oil. Their 25% VAT surcharge voked for widespread celebrations. course, the most intriguing refer- makes all purchases very expen- Each of these historic events ence to her name is its Norse ori- sive. Hence, we refrained from tak- prompted me to think how we, at gin, meaning "god's secret lore". ing extra guided tours, exploring the German Society, could connect And then, there is the Gudrun instead on our own the numerous places, at which our ship stopped. with all three. Saga, an epic poem of the Middle Ages. While we enjoyed twenty hours of 1) In view of our own 250th anni- With all these mystical references daylight in early May, I wonder versary coming up soon, we may in view, Gudrun and I recently what that amount of darkness wish to invite the Thomanerchor to went on a cruise along the coast would feel like in winter? perform in our auditorium some of Norway aboard a postal The snow-capped mountains along time during that year of celebra- steamer of the Hurtigruten the fjords, and the beauty of these tion. An initial contact with the Line, thus fulfilling a long standing long, narrow inlets of the sea, plus father of two choir members has dream. Upon arriving by plane the excellent service onboard, already been established. in Bergen, the tour guide told us made this trip a very enjoyable 2) When Dr. Haseloff, Governor that it rains 270 days a year, yet we experience. Therefore, we shall of Sachsen-Anhalt, and his entou- were blessed with sunshine for the not argue with the ship-owner's rage visited us last month, he entire length of the trip. Only on claim that this is "the world's most pointed out that his state represents the last day did we experience a beautiful voyage". If you would the "Heartland of German His- severe storm with heavy rains giv- like to spoil your spouse, please go tory". Most stages of Martin Lu- ing us an inkling of what real sea- ahead and book such a cruise, pref- ther's life also took place within its faring is all about. erably before September - with a borders. Hence, I am willing to We travelled all the way up to the 20% discount, for travel in the lead a tour to that area of North Cape, Europe's northern- spring when the airfares are early next year, thus following "in most point, passing the Arctic low. Furthermore, with the Euro the footsteps of Martin Luther", Circle with its ritual of dropping in value, it's becoming provided there is sufficient interest. "baptism", Hammerfest and more of a bargain! Prior to our cruise, I made a quick 3) I just learned that the eminent Honningsvag, the two most north- historian Jürgen Overhoff has re- erly towns on our globe, and trip across the mid section of Ger- many, stopping in Leipzig, Mag- cently written a book on Frederick turned around at Kirkenes, near the the Great and his relationship to Russian border. The population of deburg and Berlin. In each of these cities major historic celebra- George Washington, the English that sleepy town will double in translation of which will be issued size as a result of recent natural gas tions had just been started. In Leipzig, it was the 800th anniver- later this year. We may have the discoveries and a resumption of opportunity to have him present iron ore mining. sary of the Thomanerchor; in Mag- deburg, and throughout the state that book to the Society. Incidentally, Norway is the only Cont’d on page 4

Page 3 Summer 2012 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote Furthermore, he has jointly devel- Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (1711 - 1787) oped with the manager of the Deutsches Historisches Mu- Throughout the past academic year, gin a project teaching young beg- seum in Berlin a concept for an the Lutheran Theological Seminary gars the three "R's". Literacy was a exhibit which we might want to of Philadelphia, along with other cause all during Muhlenberg's min- show here eventually. academic, historic and religious istry. If any of these ideas strike a re- institutions celebrated the legacy He also became acquainted with sponsive chord with you, please let of Henry Melchior Muhlen- various powerful members of the me know. In the meantime, I wish berg at the tercentenary of his lesser nobility from the re- you an enjoyable summer. Stay birth. Muhlenberg is widely re- gion. These contacts helped him to cool, wherever you are. garded as the Patriarch of the Lu- become an adept negotiator in civil — Hardy von Auenmueller theran Church in colonial America; affairs, and paved the way for him he had a hand in organizing 115 to meet Gotthilf August Francke in Add’l. Annual Fund Donors church communities along the East- the Saxon City of Halle. The piety ern Seaboard from Savannah, GA emanating from Halle, and to New York and Canada over a its Franckesche Stiftungen, was at period of 45 years. once religious and practical—a For privacy reasons, these names have Who was that remarkable man mixture of deeply felt religious con- been removed. whose progeny also helped to viction, love of learning and com- shape the early days of our repub- passion for the poor. lic? Where did he come from? That institution, founded by August He was born on September 6, 1711 Hermann Francke in 1698, engaged in the town of Einbeck—part of the in a remarkable range of activi- electorate of Hanover in what is ties: orphanages, schools, a print now , Germany. His shop and a pharmacy, to name a father, an artisan, died when Henry few. Recognizing his multiple tal- was only twelve years old. The ents, Francke hired the young young lad had to leave his studies Muhlenberg as a teacher in the or- to help support his widowed phanage school for one year. There mother. Despite these dire circum- he also learned administration and stances, he managed to study pri- pharmacology. In 1739, after his vately and to b e c o me ordination in Leipzig, he received quite a proficient organist. his first call to Hennersdorf, now At age 21, the Einbeck town coun- part of the town of Herrnhut located cil granted him funds to resume his not far from Görlitz on the present formal education. Later on, Saxon/Polish border. it supported his enrollment at the Just a few years earlier, the Saxon then newly established University Count Nicholas Ludwig von of Göttingen, where he directed his Zinzendorf had offered refuge to talents towards the Lutheran pastor- Moravian families fleeing persecu- ate. Joachim Operin, his mentor at tion in their home country, and es- Göttingen, encouraged him to be- tablished the Herrnhut community Summer 2012 Page 4 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote for them on his estate. Those Mora- largely been founded by lay- helped to prepare a uniform liturgy vian brothers, known as Unitas men, asked for formally trained and also wrote the basic Fratum, trace their roots back to the clergy. So, Muhlenberg initially tenets for an ecclesiastical constitu- Czech reformer, John Hus, who led served three Pennsylvania congre- tion, which most of the churches a protest movement against many gations— in Philadelphia, New adopted in 1761. Also, he did much practices of the Roman Catholic Hanover and Trappe (formerly work on a hymnal, published by the clergy and hierarchy—a century known as Providence). Zinzendorf Ministerium in 1786. before Martin Luther. moved north to Bethlehem, During a career that spanned dec- On his 30th birthday, Muhlenberg PA. Later on, a Southern Moravian ades of enormous social and politi- stopped over in Halle, where Church was established in an area cal change in America—from the Francke presented him with the called Wachovia (derived from his British colonies to the United opportunity to become missionary Austrian holdings in the Wachau), States—Muhlenberg was pastor, to colonial North America. Before missionary and truly the model of crossing the Atlantic, he spent a an evangelical bishop—lacking brief period learning English in only the title. Rather than “climbing London—where his territorial lord, up the high church steeple to be the elector of Hanover, also hap- closer to God,” he lived among the pened to be King George II. After a people as his personal life attests. harrowing sea voyage that took him He married Anna Marie Weiser to South Carolina and Georgia, he whose father, Conrad, was a fron- landed in Philadelphia on Novem- tiersman and a highly respected ber 25, 1742. mediator between native Ameri- Perforce, Muhlenberg arrived cans and European colonizers. late. The Pennsylvania parishes, Their sons were sent to Halle to be from the 1720's, had repeatedly trained as pastors, but upon their appealed to officials in the German return became prominent in other Lutheran Church for support. The fields as well. John Peter became a Moravian leader, Count Zinzen- L.T.S. President Philip Krey & Hardy Major General in the Continental dorf, had arrived a few months ear- Army and later was elected to the lier. Controversial and intense the site of the present city of US Congress. Frederick served as though he was, Zinzendorf had Winston-Salem, NC. first Speaker of the House in the already gained acceptance as the Muhlenberg frequently traveled U.S. Congress, and Henry E., an pastor of the very parish whose beyond the territory of his internationally acclaimed botanist, calls for pastoral succor Muhlen- own three congregations. He pro- became the first president of Frank- berg had been dispatched to an- vided leadership to numerous oth- lin & Marshall College. swer. Hence, these two clergymen ers, and started many new congre- We at the German Society are also never became friends. gations among the settlers along the deeply indebted to the Muhlenbergs While Zinzendorf succeeded in Eastern Seaboard. In 1748 he for their guidance and leadership in winning a number of converts to called together The Ministerium of the formative years of our organiza- the Moravian Church, the Luther- Pennsylvania, the first permanent tion. ans, whose churches here had Lutheran synod in America. He Cont’d on page 9

Page 5 Summer 2012 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote Remembering the Past – Protecting the Future ing. But….we all pulled together as immigrants tend to do and made My introduction to the German ary 13/14, 1945. In the mass chaos a new life for ourselves. Society was more than fifty years and turmoil at the train station, I So it is understandable that my ago as a teenager when my par- was almost left behind on the sta- parents found a piece of Heimat at ents, Martin and Elise Simon, be- tion platform, as my mother re- the German Society and my came active members as recent counts. mother became active in the immigrants to the United States. We "temporarily" settled in Erlan- Women’s Auxiliary. The reason they emigrated in gen, until leaving for Despite having moved to a new 1953/1954 was as a direct result of America in 1954. My father left country and becoming proud World War II. Our family lived in eight months earlier to find a job American citizens, my parents the Eastern province of Schle- and get settled. Our sponsors lived placed great importance in culti- sien (Silesia) and found itself, in Germantown, thus our destina- vating and preserving their Ger- along with 15 million other ethnic tion led us to Philadelphia. man heritage, and they instilled Germans from Eastern Europe “in this sense in their the wrong place at the wrong three children. time”, with the fate of being ex- I am reminded of pelled from their homeland. Some Goethe’s adage two million died in the process. “Was du ererbt I don’t believe at the time that any- von deinen Vätern one thought this would be a per- hast, erwirb es um manent displacement; but those are es zu besitzen” the realities and horrors of war. and contemplate So it was that in January 1945 my its application. family was forced to flee the ap- Translated, it says proaching Soviet Army. We left “Whatever you behind our comfortable house in have inherited the country in Stephansdorf and an from your fore- apartment house which my parents fathers, earn it so owned in the nearby city of Bres- Martin & Elise Simon that it will be truly yours.” lau. I was two years old and fortu- Consequently, when the German nately do not remember the night- Not until I reached the age my par- Society established an Endowment mare of the trek to the West. My ents were when they immigrated, Fund for the purpose of protecting mother’s handwritten story is pain- did I fully realize the tremendous its future, it became clear to me that ful to read, and it is clear to me courage it must have taken in com- one way I could help in this endea- from her account that only by ing to America, and the heartache vor, and honor my parents in the God’s grace did we make it safely they must have felt in leaving their process, is to make a contribution to to the West. homeland. My father was 53 and the Endowment Fund in memory of We were fortunate to be able to my mother 52 years old when they my parents, Martin and Elise Si- take one of the last refugee trains started a new beginning here. Fur- mon. out of Dresden, a few days before thermore, their three children were — Doris Simon the horrific fire bombing of Febru- not yet finished with their school- Summer 2012 Page 6 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon on May 5th, 2012 On Saturday, May 5th, a beautiful out the year, by waiting on them and make your events special and so spring day, members and friends serving lunch. very enjoyable.” streamed into the Society to cele- They did this with such expertise th brate the 112 Anniversary of the and enthusiasm that many of our Therefore, if you missed this event, Women’s Auxiliary. guests expressed compliments on please join us on our next one, which is an exciting overnight bus their efficiency and good humor. trip (September, 17 & 18) to south- No professional could have done a western PA, featuring Fallingwater, better job. Serving 160 guests in a Flight 93 Memorial, and other inter- timely manner was quite an accom- esting sights. plishment! A heartfelt thank you goes to: For information call our trip coordi- Werner Carrieri, John Engelbrecht, nator: Tony Michels, Jim Niessen, Lou Carol Olenschlager Oschmann, Tim Rausch, Ernie 856-962-7316 or e-mail her at The beautiful Auditorium Weiler, and their helpers David Fin- [email protected] gerle and Mitchell Frizzell. The Barthelmes Auditorium looked Please note that the registration so very festive with elegant table deadline for this trip is Friday, Au- settings and decorated with a multi- gust 10, 2012. tude of spring flowers. Next to the — Christel Tillmann stage, a beautiful May pole had been raised in honor of the day. Everybody chimed into the tradi- tional sing-along of our favorite spring songs, which were accompa- nied by Jacqueline Smith on the GSP Team of waiters piano and her youngest daughter, Martina on the flute. A special thank you also goes to our A highlight of the afternoon was the Benefactor, BFM Alarm Systems honoring of Margot Sawicki, an and all the donors who supported active member of the Women’s the event either financially or Auxiliary for nearly 30 years. through gifts in kind for the raffle, For the fifth year, Directors and which enabled us to offer the event members of the German Society at an affordable price. added a touch “extraordinaire” to One of the nicest compliments the the event. As in previous years, they event committee received from a volunteered to show their apprecia- fellow German Frauenverein mem- tion for all the work the Auxiliary ber was: “You and your women Dr. Beichl’s table performed for the Society through- always take that additional step to Page 7 Summer 2012 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote tions ensued. ABC Schützen (6 to 11 years), with Delegation visit from Saxony-Anhalt We look for- the younger ones providing the stage ward to fos- setting with props they had made Last month we had the rare oppor- t e r i n g a themselves and singing the Gruffalo tunity to welcome an important working rela- song, and the older kids performing contingent of German visitors to tionship with the speaking parts. the GSP. We were pleased to host S a x o n y – A n h a l t t o Dr. Haseloff with a Ger- develop fu- man copy of the Declara- ture events tion of Independence related to the celebration of 500 years of reformation by Martin Luther. — Tony Michels

Governor Dr. Haseloff in our Auditorium PhillyKinder The first year of PhillyKinder Dr. Reiner Haseloff, the governor came to a wonderful close of Saxony-Anhalt, along with an on May 17, entourage of political, business and with pres- The Gruffalo on stage cultural representatives at an event entations in our auditorium. Dr. Haseloff by all age At the end, everybody joined in sing- presented his ideas on “From ref- groups in ing “Ich liebe den Frühling …”, ormation to innovation” to a crowd front of an accompanied by piano and drums, of approximately 100 guests in- apprecia- while Seifenblasen were dancing cluding Philadelphia mayor, Mi- tive audi- through the room, eagerly chased by chael Nutter. ence of the little kids and some of the bigger delighted ones, too! parents. Even the Colorful “Ich bin ein K l e i n e PhillyKind” T-shirts were Freunde – given to all kids. r a n g i n g from 18 months to 3 years - par- The youngest PhillyKinder ticipated enthusiastically by shak- Mayor Mr. Nutter & Governor Dr. Haseloff ing their rhythm sticks to the tune The PhillyKinder team is looking of “Brüderchen, komm tanz mit forward to the start of its second All guests had the opportunity to mir”, while the Junge Entdecker year on September 20, and in the participate in a “meet and greet” (3 to 5 years) sang “Ciao, es war meantime wishes everybody a fun session with the governor and a schön”. and relaxing summer wherever lively discussion regarding various Then followed a play, The Gruffalo, you are. aspects of German-American rela- performed by both sections of the — Maria Sturm Summer 2012 Page 8 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote

- Muehlenberg Cont’d Muhlenberg came to Philadelphia mans at that time (World War I), it Our founding fathers, Heinrich to his death in 1787. The stage is was rejected. On September 6, Keppele, Peter Miller and oth- set in front of a replica of the Old 2011, Mayor Michael Nutter, in a ers, relied heavily upon the advice Augustus Church in Trappe, PA; public proclamation, rescinded the of Henry Melchior Muhlen- however, the action flows through a 1917 rejection by the City of Phila- berg. They used his connection to variety of locations. The play is delphia, and the "great intolerance" the Old Zion Lutheran Church to performed by three actors: One represented by that rejection. establish our organization on De- plays H. M. Muhlenberg; a second The colossal sculptured figure of H. cember 26, 1764 in the adjacent plays Gotthilf Franke, Christoph M. Muhlenberg (see photo) is in- schoolhouse (a model of it can be Saur, Peter Muhlenberg and a few deed awe-inspiring, particularly to found in our library). For many others. The third plays Count someone whose name is years, that school house, which still Zinzendorf, Phillip Marsteller, — Hardy von Auenmueller stands at Cherry & 4th Streets, was Judge William Allen and Abner, a the first home of our Society. fictional servant to the elder And then, of course, his two oldest Muhlenberg. Cantus Novus sons, Peter and Frederick, served as 2) A traveling exhibit on H. M. presidents of the German Society at Muhlenberg will be coming our In an attempt to expand our present various times in the late way in November for a two week "Wister and More" Concert Series, 18th and early 19th century. In fact, period. The exact dates will ap- we have reached out to the above Frederick's term of eight years pear in the calendar of events on organization, whose president, started one year after he was our website as soon as they Jack Weaver, is a GSP member. elected Speaker of the House, and are confirmed. This exhibit, con- Cantus Novus is a 40 voice audi- Peter served his second term with sisting of 21 panels, was prepared tioned chamber choir under the us while the English-speaking part by the Franckesche Stiftungen and direction of Dr. John Leo- of the St. Michael's and Zion con- has been shown in numerous Lu- nard. Founded in 2000 as the gregation, in an emotionally theran churches throughout the Bucks County Motet Singers, they charged fight, was splitting USA during the past twelve months have grown from an intimate off from their German brethren to after its premiere at the German- group of choral friends to an estab- form their own St. John's Lutheran American Heritage Museum in lished musical presence in the Church. Washington, DC. Delaware Valley. Their program- In view of the close relationship of all Incidentally, should you ever ming spans several centuries and those Muhlenbergs to our Society, we visit the Lutheran Theological honors the rich a cappella choral will be presenting two events this fall Seminary in Mt. Airy, at its drive- tradition that sprang out of motets which will give further insight into way entrance you will see an enor- from the Renaissance. this extraordinary family: mous bronze statue of H. M. On Sunday, October 14, 2012, at 1) On Sunday, September 23 at Muhlenberg, which had been cast 3:00 pm, this fine choral ensemble 3:00 pm, we will be enjoying almost 100 years ago. It was to will make their Philadelphia debut a play by Steve Seyfried, have been placed on City grounds here by presenting choral works of called PROVIDENCE which is in 1917 to commemorate the Bach, Mendelssohn and Schütz, based on the life of Henry Melchior 400th anniversary of Martin Lu- among others. Muhlenberg. It covers the events ther's Reformation. However, be- — Hardy von Auenmueller from the year 1742 when Pastor cause of hard feelings towards Ger- Page 9 Summer 2012 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote Brown bag lunch with GHI Fellows on July 12 A Hearty Welcome to our New Society Members! This summer our library is hosting environment. Christian Wilbers, a

again four fellows who are pursu- PhD candidate in American Studies ing research on German-American at Williams & Mary College in

topics in the 19th and 20th centuries. Virginia, also concentrates on let- The German Historical Institute in ters written by immigrants to their For privacy reasons, these names have Washington is, together with the homeland, in his case in the years been removed. German Society, a generous spon- between the World Wars in the 20th sor for two fellows from Germany century. Christian’s is a broad- and two from the United States ranging analysis of an area that has who will work on their projects not been researched well and where between late May and mid-July. the Society has much material: the We look forward to a brown bag reorientation of German- luncheon in the Ratskeller on Americans after the devastating Thursday, July 12, 2012, between purge of German culture in 12 noon and 2:00 pm where three 1917/18. of them will give short presentation Meredith Soeder who pursues a of their projects and their findings PhD in history at Carnegie Mellon at Horner. At that time, the fourth University in Pittsburgh looks at the fellow, Christian Horn, will have other side of the Atlantic with her already completed his stay and studies about Americans in Ger- gone on to Washington and New many in the 1920s. While there is York. much information available about The projects display an amazing Americans like Hemingway and array of topics and perspectives to Gertrude Stein in Paris, much less which our library delivers unique is known about Americans in Ber- access with its rare books, pam- lin at that time. It will be interesting phlets, and manuscripts. to follow Meredith’s exploration of Juliane Graf, a PhD candidate at the our holdings of the period. Freie Universität Berlin, focuses on Obviously, Christian Horn, the the everyday life experiences of fourth fellow, who studies at the migrants from German-speaking Johannes Gutenberg University of countries from 1850-1880 as they Mainz, has no problems in locating are related in letters these migrants rich and partly unknown material sent home. Juliane takes issue with for his project on German travel the traditional concept of immigra- literature about America between tion which assumes a linear move- 1840 and 1880. The travel section ment from one place to the other is one of the strongest at Horner. without considering the many dis- tractions in a multilayered cultural — Frank Trommler

Summer 2012 Page 10 Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote

Oktoberfest Calendar of Upcoming Events September 15th, 2012 July 2012 Thu. July 12 12:00pm Brown Bag Luncheon with GHI Fellows, Ratskeller Save the date ! Mon. July 16 Start of Six-Week Summer Session of German This year, we are trying to be Classes for Adults (Weeknights) ahead of the Münchener Wiesen- August 2012 no events fest by celebrating our traditional September 2012 Oktoberfest on Saturday, Septem- Fri. Sept. 7 8:00pm “Happy Birthday Pierrot Lunaire” - concert ber 15th, starting at 2:00pm. with music of Arnold Schönberg as part of the The menu includes wursts, potato Fringe Festival 2012 salad, sauerkraut, a traditional Sat. Sept. 8 10:00am Women's Auxiliary Monthly Meeting Spanferkel (roasted pig), dessert, Sat. Sept. 8 12:30pm Lobster Feast non-alcoholic beverages covered Sun. Sept. 9 3:00pm “Happy Birthday Pierrot Lunaire” (see above) by the admission charge. Mon. Sept. 10 Start of Twelve-Week Fall Session of German Classes for Adults (Weeknights) Sat. Sept. 15 1:30pm Buchclub Sat. Sept. 15 2:00pm German Society Oktoberfest Mon/Tues Sept. 17/18 Women's Auxiliary's Bus Trip to Fallingwater Thurs. Sept. 20 Start of PhillyKinder Sat. Sept. 22 Start of Ten-Week Fall Session of German Classes for Kids (Saturday mornings) Sun. Sept. 23 3:00pm PROVIDENCE, A play by Steve Seyfried Wed. Sept.26 7:00pm Konversationsabend: Harry Pfund und die German Society Sun. Sept. 30 3:00pm The Wister Quartet - Griffeth, Haydn, Debussy

Entertainment will be provided by October 2012 a “one man band” presenting tradi- Sat. Oct. 6 10:00am Women's Auxiliary Monthly Meeting tional German music. in the Ratskeller

For reservations before September Sat. Oct. 6 10:00amKindervorlesestunde 12th, the cost is $20 for Members Sun. Oct. 14 3:00pm Cantus Novus - Choral works of Bach, Schutz, and $23 for non-Members. Chil- Mendelsohn and more dren 12 and under are $10. Fri. Oct. 26 6:30pm Friday FilmFest presents "TBA", Ratskeller After that date, the cost is $25 for- Sun. Oct. 28 3:00pm Maksim Shtrykov, clarinet & Members and $28 for non- Alina Kiryayeva, piano Members. Children 12 and under Wed. Oct.31 7:00pm Konversationsabend: Heinrich M. are $12. Mühlenberg - Vortrag von Anne Schmidt-Lange November 2012 We are looking forward to this fun Sat. Nov. 3 10:00am Women's Auxiliary Monthly Meeting event and hope that you can come in the Ratskeller and celebrate with us! Sat. Nov. 3 10:00am Kindervorlesestunde — Tony Michels Sat. Nov. 10 6:00pm 248th Annual Stiftungsfest

Page 11 Summer 2012 Please save the date for the opening event of our Fall 2012 season: The German Society of

Pennsylvania 611 Spring Garden Street Lobster Feast – “Hummerfest” Philadelphia, PA 19123-3505 on Saturday, September 8, 2012 Phone (215) 627-2332 Fax (215) 627-5297 at 12:30pm. Email: [email protected] Web: www.germansociety.org Featuring freshly boiled 1.5 lb Maine Lobster,

organic vegetable side dishes, The Neuer Pennsylvanischer Staats- bote is published by the German Society home made desserts, of Pennsylvania. The German Society reserves the right to edit all submissions. plus Cash Bar and Live Music. The official registration information of the German Society of Pennsylvania may be The cost is $45 per person. obtained from the Pennsylvania Depart- ment of State by calling toll free within All proceeds will benefit the music program of the German Society. Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registra- tion does not imply endorsement.

Reservations and full payment are required by August 21, 2012.

Nov. 10th, 2012 10th, Nov.

248th Stiftungsfest 248th

Save the date: date: the Save

R S A EQUESTED ERVICE DDRESS

3505 - 19123 PA Philadelphia,

Street Garden Spring 611

Pennsylvania of Society German The