Jasper DeutscherVerein April meeting in review
The Jasper DeutscherVerein gathered on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Jasper Moose Lodge. President Landen Weidenbenner welcomed the 93 members and guests, then Vice President Laura Grammer led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Grammer then introduced the members of the newly formed German choir, the Gesangverein, who sang God Bless America. The director is Nancy Litteken, and the choir members are Al Bennett, Dan Otto, Grace Bartley, Van Ziegler, Nancy Ziegler, Kevin Mullen, Dave Gudorf, Birnie Jeffries, Phyllis Schuler, and Janet Rydberg. If you are interested in joining the choir, please contact Ms. Litteken.
Next, Mrs. Grammer asked anyone celebrating a birthday to stand and introduce themselves. Club members celebrating April birthdays were Judy McCarty, Amy Ruxer, Birnie Jeffries, Donna Humbert and Jackie Braunecker. The Gesangverein lead everyone in singing Happy Birthday in both German and English.
Mr. Weidenbenner then released the tables for dinner of Brats, Kraut, and mashed potatoes that was prepared by the Moose, as well as salad and desserts brought by club members. After dinner, Mary Leah Siegel gave a brief Sister Cities update on the German Exchange program golf scramble and Dan Otto and Jen Verkamp were voted in as new Sister Cities board members. Dan Otto and Tyla Rasche then led everyone in practicing German phrases.
The program for April was a 2023 Strassenfest update. Strassenfest Committee Chairwoman, Laura Grammer, gave an overall update on the fest location, parade route and booths. Next, Sherri Uebelhor announced the open ceremony lineup. Then Valerie Heim gave an update on the German Heritage events and the Glockenspiel stage schedule for the Strassenfest weekend. Kurt Heim demonstrated the new audio equipment purchased for the Glockenspiel stage and the German Club meetings. Mike Ackerman followed up with an update on what the German Club booth will be servicing this year and reminded everyone to sign up to work a shift. Then Mrs. Grammer and Jim Corn announced the new addition of carved wooden trees to the Glockenspiel this year. Following the presentation, Mrs. Grammer led the club in an Ein Prosit for the presenters.
Attendance prizes were drawn next. Winners were Kim Klein, Ginger Hedinger, Michelle Reller, Bob McCarty and Alan Brenner. Special Prize winners were Pat Hochgesang and Ronnie Keusch.
President Weidenbenner called the meeting to a close. The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 17 at the Jasper Moose Lodge. Doors open at 6:00 pm, and dinner at 6:30 pm. There will be a flower arrangement contest at the May meeting, so be sure to attend to see all the beautiful arrangements. The May Meeting’s theme is “Move and Improve”.
Group discussions on what makes the German Club great and ideas for improvements will be discussed. Pork Steak and baked potatoes will be provided by the club. Members with last names A – H please bring veggies, I – M a dessert, and N – Z a salad.
