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Oregon
The original purpose of the Toledo Schwaben annual banquet was to honor
the women for their loyal support of this all-male organization. Sunday,
April 6, the program held at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, Ohio, had a far
greater meaning. Honors went to individuals with whom there has been a long
association of friendship and cooperation. Honors must be heaped upon this
Verein itself, which was founded in 1884. Its membership at one time had
declined to as few as 16 members. Under the leadership of President Herman
Schmalzried membership now stands at 90 regular members and three social
members. Like all ethnic organizations, it has a large aging membership;
however, it also retains enough younger members to carry on the traditions
of the Verein. The old German principles of stable and conservative
financial management have made the Toledo Schwaben Verein an enviable model
to follow.
Sunday's program
began with a cocktail hour from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. During this hour
old-time friends, Arthur French of the Ann Arbor Schwaben Verein, Hubert
Rosch, Rolf Zerrer and Lisa Gerstheimer of the Detroit Schwaben Verein,
Heinz and Mary Ann Necker of Florida, Dan Ash, recovering from knee surgery,
could be seen conversing with old friends as they visited the hors d'oeuvre
buffet so generously prepared by Kristi Pfouts, Margaret Kniffke and Theresa
Jakober.
Before dinner Marc
F. Belcik offered a prayer of thanks. A long salad bar in the middle of the
Oak Shade Hall followed by a sumptuous dinner from TJ's Cookout under the
direction of Tracy Saba was presented at 3:00 p.m. While guests were happily
sipping their cocktails, nibbling on hors d'oeuvres, and enjoying their
dinner, Al Vogt, accordionist from Adrian, Michigan, provided pleasing
dinner music, as he has done for many Schwaben banquets in past years.
Faithful barkeep Becky Hiser made everyone happy serving her spirits.
Following dinner,
Master of Ceremonies Don Pfouts introduced President Schmalzried, who
welcomed all guests and then asked for a moment of silence "to honor those
members no longer with us." President Schmalzried then called the following
members to the stage to be honored for faithful service: A 30-year pin to
Vern Basilius in absentia; a 20-year pin to Donn Cranor, a 20-year pin to
Gerald Dunaway, in absentia; a 20-year pin to Charles Marr; a 20-year pin to
Alfred Mundt; a 20-year pin to John Rettig; and a 20-year pin to Robert
Zillis. A special award, with bouquet, was given to Kris Schwarzkopf for
years of peerless devotion in arranging all Schwaben food programs. It was
Kris who decorated Oak Shade Hall and presented the rich dessert table for
the annual banquet. Honors should also go to Rudy Schwarzkopf, the husband,
who makes up the other part of this splendid helping hand.
President Hubert
Rosch of the Detroit Schwaben Verein concluded the awards by honoring
President Herman Schmalzried with a glass goblet for friendship between the
two clubs. The Detroit Schwaben Verein celebrated its 125th anniversary in
January of 2008.
Entertainment for
the evening was presented by the Central Catholic High School Alumni Glee
Club under the direction of Dan Welch with Vivian Sommerfield as
accompanist. The Glee Club opening its program with the Central Catholic
alma mater song. This song was followed by a quodlibet, and arrangement of
"I believe and Ave Maria." There followed a Sinatra Medley, "Those were the
Days", "Moments to Remember" and "May the Lord bless you and keep you".
The performance by
the Alumni Glee Club was another example of the close friendship existing
between Central Catholic High School and the Schwaben Verein and other
organizations of the G.A.F. Society, Inc. Central Catholic students have
appeared as guests to cultural functions of the organizations making up the
G.A.F. Society, Inc. Several years ago Central Catholic gifted the Society
with a set of German instruction books. Long live this gracious exchange of
friendship!
Roy F. Lessing |
