VOL. 17 NO. 4 FALL 2009 Christmas Traditions in Germany By Jared Winston Countries all across the world celebrate the winter solstice holiday season in their own unique ways. Some such as Christmas and Hanukkah are religious celebrations, while others are non-religious celebrations of nature, people and the coming spring solstice. The reasoning behind the various holiday celebrations can sometimes differ greatly, but there are a surprising number of commonalities among the celebratory traditions. Over the thousands of years that man has celebrated the season, each group influenced others with their traditions. Today each country and faith celebrates the holiday in their own unique ways, but more often than not you can detect common themes shared between countries. In this article we will take a closer look at how Christmas is celebrated in Germany, during which you will see that their traditions are not unlike those shared by England and America. The youth in many countries celebrate a beloved mystical figure such as Santa Claus and Germany is no different; the German equivalent of AmericaвЂ™s Santa and EnglandвЂ™s IN THIS ISSUE Father Christmas is none other than the Club Matters 2 kindly Kris Club Events 3 Kringle. UnRecipe Corner 4 like Santa, Kris Kringle Acknowledgments 5 is not responSports 6 sible for passing out gifts to Help Wanted 6 excited chilSponsors 7 dren, that duty is reserved by NГјrnberger Christkindlesmarkt another holiday figure: Christkind. In Germany children will write letters to Christkind (translated as the Christ Child), much like American children send letters to Santa in the North Pole. The German children place their letters into an envelope heavily adorned with glue and sugar. These envelopes are placed on windowsills where they can glitter in the gentle light of the moon. And as if the German youth didnвЂ™t already celebrate enough kindly eternal figures there is yet one more: Saint Nicholas! Traditionally children will stuff their shoes with hay, straw or carrots every Christmas Eve and leave them on their doorsteps. When Saint Nicholas rides by later that evening on his proud white stallion he stops momentarily by each door so that his stallion can feed on the treats left behind. To thank the generous children, Saint Nicholas will replace the eaten hay and/or carrots with delicious candies. Few things capture the holiday spirits of people better than the age-old Christmas tree. While millions of people set up their Christmas tree each and every year, a good portion of them donвЂ™t even realize that the tradition originated from Germany. Germans love their Christmas trees just as much as Americans and EnglishmenвЂ¦ in fact itвЂ™s not uncommon to see more than one tree in a German household! There are conflicting myths about how the Christmas tree first came to be, but one of the most common stories tells the tale of an old woodcutter that stumbled across a young hungry child in the woods. He stopped chopping trees for a bit to befriend and feed the child. Once their meal was finished the two went on their separate ways. Early during the next morning the child appeared in front of the woodcutter and his wife in the form of a spirit. He identified himself as Christkind and thanked the surprised woodcutter for his act of kindness on the previous day. To repay the woodcutterвЂ™s good will, Christkind gave him the sprig of an evergreen tree and told him the tree from which the sprig came Continued on page 4 German-American New Members REPORTER John Bernhardt Published quarterly with information to the membership and friends of the German-American Society of Trenton, NJ Krystal Lynn Gadsby Willkommen! Publicity Chairman Dennis W. Lawrence Ladies Auxiliary Club Theater Trip Editor George Brodbeck E-mail: [email protected] DEADLINE for the next Reporter All information for the next newsletter must be submitted to George Brodbeck, Editor, no later than December 3rd. From the Editor It has been almost a year now that I have begun my membership with the club and I have already met great people and heard wonderful stories about the club and its members. What got me interested in the club was its long history and itвЂ™s German culture. So, what I thought was to bring this into the newsletter. There is so much to tell new members, like myself, about our club and its history. IвЂ™m sure I canвЂ™t be the only one with such interests. IвЂ™m giving a open invite to share your stories, experiences, or other articles about our club. Maybe you have a great story about Germany, a great recipe, or just a informational article? Whatever the case, feel free to send it in to the newsletter. As always, if you want to mention something about your personal life, our BitвЂ™s & Pieces section is open for you to share. So please consider sharing your stories and information. Have any comments on the new layout of the newsletter? Please send them to George Brodbeck at [email protected] or drop them off in his mailbox at the club. 2 THE REPORTER FALL 2009 в—Џ OUR NEW CLUB STEWARDS The club would like to welcome Jason & Iryna Baker as our new club stewards. Already on the job and doing well, we ask you to make them feel at home here at the club. Thanks for your presence Jason & Iryna, Willkommen! Date: November 12, 2009 Show: The Producers, A musical comedy Place: Bucks County Playhouse Show Time: 2:00 PM Meet at the club at 12:30 PM Dinner: Lambertville Station following the show Cost: Show, dinner tax and gratuity $50.00 per person. DEADLINE: October 12th, 2009 For reservation please call: Adele Weber (609) 888-5301 Payment expected at time of reservation. Adele Weber 141 Redwood Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08610 Mail payment to: G ERMAN - AMERI C AN C HRISTMAS C HOIR Christmas Singers Wanted Rehearsals start on Monday, October 19 at 7:30 PM in the Main Hall. If you are interested or need more information, call Henry Sawadski at 609-890-1887. All are welcome, even if you do not speak German. Come and join the fun! th OR Place in Theresa Kluzner or Kathy HoenischвЂ™s mailbox at the club with: Attention: Adele Weber on the envelope. Please provide your own transportation or please volunteer to drive others if there is room in your car. вЂ In Loving Memory KEEP INFORMED It is with a deep sense of sadness that we announce the passing of our members Listen to Helmuth Hans Bartlog Egon вЂњJackвЂќ Makkay Marie Ann Hujus Our condolences and deepest sympathy go out to the families. TED HIERLвЂ™S GERMAN-AMERICAN PROGRAM Sundays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM On WNWR 1540 AM Radio FALL CALENDAR OCTOBER NOVEMBER Saturday 3rd Sunday 1 with music by DJ Brett Gash 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM with accordionist Mike Skweir Seatings 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM AMERICAN OLDIES DANCE 50вЂ™s - 90вЂ™s music. Food available from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. You will need a reservation. For table reservations call Dennis Lawrence at 856-764-3106. Admission: $7.00 per person at the door. Sunday 4 th CLUB FALL PICNIC - CANCELED Thursday, 8 th QUARTERLY MEETING Saturday 19th st CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY SCHLACHTFEST All You Can Eat - Family Style Admission: $14.00 Adult, $7.00 Children. Saturday 21st (Rain Date: 11/28) FALL CLEAN-UP 8:00 AM - FINISHED Bring a rake or use the clubвЂ™s. Refreshments will be provided. For information please call Henry Sawadski at 609-890-1887. 8:00 PM in the main hall Saturday, 10 th (Rain Date: 10/11) ANNUAL GERMAN-AMERICAN CHILI COOK-OFF 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Place: German-American Society picnic grove. Come join us in our Chili tasting cookoff. Beer & Food available with Live DJ. Call Bonny Buchler 609-208-2170 for information. Admission: $10, Kids under 12 free. Saturday 24 th HALLOWEEN DANCE with music by Bud & Linda Gramer 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM Costume contest. Food available from 6:00 to 8:30 PM Choice of meals: Sizzling Steak with peppers & onions, Sauerbraten with spГ¤tzle & red cabbage, Stuffed Shrimp with crabmeat and Seafood Newburgh with rice, Pork Schnitzel, JГ¤ger Schnitzel, or 1/2 Roasted Chicken Admission: $9.00 per person at the door This event is covered by your season pass. All calls for dance reservations, except otherwise noted, are to be to directed to JoAnn Lawrence, Entertainment Chairperson at 856-764-3106 or [email protected] Saturday Dances: Dinners available from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM including Soup, Salad, Coffee & Dessert, or AвЂ™ la Carte dinners are available. For those who do not have an entertainment pass, general admission is $9.00. For Sundays: Club opens 12:00 Noon with dinners served from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS, SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. Saturday 21st GRAND BALL with music by the Rick Koreyva 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Formal Dress/Black Tie. Choice of meals: Kassler Ribchen (Smoked Pork Chop) with sauerkraut, Veal Schnitzel, JГ¤ger Schnitzel, Broiled Flounder Florentine, or 1/2 Roasted Chicken. Admission: $9.00 per person at the door. This event is covered by your season pass. Thursday 26 - Sunday 29 th th THANKSGIVING DAY WEEKEND The Club and Kitchen Will Be Closed DECEMBER Tuesday 1st CHRISTMAS SHOW 2009 вЂњBald nun ist WeinachtszeitвЂќ with music by Axel Becker, Styrina, Mr. JГјrgen, & Kristall 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Entertainment from Germany. Dinner platters available 4:00 to 5:30 PM before the show. Please call Marlene Combs for reservations and tickets at 609-396-8332. Tickets: $18.00 Prepaid, $16.00 Balcony, $20.00 At Door with music by Tony Walters 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Buffet dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. Our Club Choir will also be performing. There will be no exchange gifts. Call JoAnn Lawrence at 856-764-3106 for tickets. Cut-off for tickets is Dec. 3rd. Admission: $10.00 per person at the door. This event is for Club Members Only. Sunday 20th CHILDRENвЂ™S CHRISTMAS PARTY 1:00 PM with entertainment & Santa Claus Free hot dogs and soda for the kids. Kitchen will be open with a limited menu. See registration form inserted in this вЂњReporterвЂќ. This form will also be available at the club. The form must be returned to JoAnn Lawrence by December 1, at 1 Ferry Street, Delran, NJ 08075. Phone: 856764-3106 or email to: [email protected] This event is for Club Members Only. Thursday 24th - Sunday 27th CHRISTMAS WEEKEND The Club and Kitchen Will Be Closed Thursday 31st NEW YEARвЂ™S EVE PARTY with music by The Windjammers 6:00 PM - 1:30 AM Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. Choice of meals: Prime Rib, Salmon stuffed with crabmeat, or Veal Schnitzel. A Continental Breakfast will be served after the New Year. You will need a reservation. For tickets call Stacy Hannawacker at 609-731-1572. Cut-off for tickets is Dec. 17th. Tickets: $50.00 Members $55.00 Non-members JANUARY Friday 1st - Saturday 2nd The Club and Kitchen Will Be Closed Sunday 3rd Club will be open, but no Sunday dinners. FALL 2009 THE REPORTER в—Џ 3 RECIPE CORNER Vanille-HГ¶rnchen (Vanilla Crescent Christmas Cookies) Yield: Makes 30 cookies вЂў вЂў вЂў вЂў вЂў вЂў Ingredients 7 1/2 ounces flour 3 1/4 ounces ground almonds 6 1/3 ounces butter 3 1/4 ounces sugar 1 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 cup powdered sugar Directions 1. Mix all ingredients except powdered sugar together in a medium mixing bowl. 2. Knead by hand until dough comes together. 3. DonвЂ™t over knead it. 4. Separate dough into about 30 segments. 5. Form each segment into a half moon or crescent shape. 6. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. 7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 8. Bake 10-12 minutes until theyвЂ™re golden colored. 9. Roll the cookies in the powdered sugar while theyвЂ™re still hot or dust them with the powdered sugar while still on the cookie sheet. 10. It is important that you do this while theyвЂ™re still warm or the sugar wonвЂ™t stick. 11. Put on wire rack to cool. If you have a recipe you would like to share with us, please send it to George Brodbeck at [email protected], or you can drop it off at his mailbox at the club German Christmas Tradition What Christmas would be complete without a seemingly endless assortment of tasty foods and drinks? If you were to celebrate Christmas while in Germany you would have your fill would bear fruit year round. In response to this miraculous in- of indulgent treats such as spiced cakes, cookies, handmade cident, each year Germans started felling evergreen trees each candies and cocoa. Although all the above are enough to satisfy winter and decorating them with ornaments, candies, candles the palate there are two specialties Germans are renowned for: and more. gingerbread and glГјwein (which is a spiced red wine). Bakers Once Thanksgiving arrives in America you can be sure of one also produce a special type of dough called Christbaumgeback, thing: virtually every mall and shopping outlet will be adorned which is molded into various shapes and hung on Christmas with many festive Christmas decorations. Germans know how trees as adornments. to kick the holiday shopping system into high gear tooвЂ¦ in Each country has their own festive traditions that take place fact they have a name for this tradition: Christkindlmarkt. Dur- during the winter holiday season, but few are quite as memoing this time vendors and merchants will line the various town rable as Christmas in Germany. Those lucky enough to vacation streets and offer special sales for Christmas. The festive decora- in this wonderful country during the holiday season will leave tions, scents and sounds of the holiday create a true feast for the with memories that will last them a lifetime. senses. Continued from page 1 4 THE REPORTER FALL 2009 в—Џ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Did You Know? The Thirty YearsвЂ™ War 1618-48 Jack Makkay By Peter Spildemer A honorable member Egon J. вЂњJackвЂќ Makkay passed away Tuesday, July 14th at the age of 87. Jack was a longtime New Jersey resident arriving in the U.S. in 1955. Born in Brasov (Kronstadt), Transylvania, Romania in 1921. Kronstadt belonged to Austria-Hungary prior to 1918. During the Second World War he was a pilot in the Luftwaffe. Jack also continued his love for flying with his ultra light aircraft throughout the 70вЂ™s and 80вЂ™s. Jack was employed at RCA Astrospace in Heightstown as a manufacturing engineer developing and aiding in the building of communication satellites. In his spare time he operated a commercial sign business вЂњCentral ArtвЂќ in Allentown. As a longtime member to the GermanAmerican Society he served some time as secretary. Thanks to Jack we have the many city and state plaques that hang in the Aurora Room. He also crafted the German sayings (sprГјehe) that hang behind the bar, over the stage, and throughout the Mary Ann C. Hujus Mary Ann hujus From the Ladies Auxiliary Mary Ann was born in Putnam County, NY, and was adopted by German immigrant parents, Anthony and Anna Wilhelm Dilk. She was a former resident of Tren- www.germanculture.com.ua Egon J. вЂњJackвЂќ Makkay club. Jack designed the original GermanAmerican Society flag that we proudly display. His love for our club reflects in all his wonderful artwork that still hangs today. Thank you Jack for your many years and excellent contributions. A memorial service was held on July 31st at the Peppler Funeral Home in Allentown. His ashes will be returned to Austria to join the ashes of his wife Frieda. ton and Holgate, later to find her home in Cream Ridge, NJ. Mary Ann Hujus became a member to the German-American Society in 1970 and with her many years involved with the club has accomplished many things. As a part of the Ladies Auxiliary she held the position of Treasurer and later to become president. She worked on the board as a director until 2008, when she resigned due to illness. Mary Ann was also a former organizer and member of the Franklin Park Civic Association. After 43 years, Mary Ann retired as manager of the New Jersey National Bank Trenton Branches. The wife of the late William D. Hujus, Mary Ann passed away at home at the age of 79. Funeral services and cremation were held at KnottвЂ™s Colonial Funeral Home in Hamilton. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Hospice, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701 or to the German American Society, Uncle PeteвЂ™s Road, Yardville NJ 08691. Germany enjoyed a time of relative quiet between the Peace of Augsburg, signed in 1555, and the outbreak of the Thirty YearsвЂ™ War in 1618. The empire functioned in a more regular way than previously, and its federal nature was more evident than in the past. The Reichstag met frequently to deal with public matters, and the emperors Ferdinand I (r. 1556-64) and Maximilian II (r. 1564-76) were cautious rulers concerned mostly with strengthening their familyвЂ™s hold on Austria and adjacent areas. Rudolf II (r. 1576-1612) was an indolent and capricious ruler who generally followed his advisersвЂ™ counsel. As a result, some German states were able to expand their territories by annexing smaller neighbors in the absence of an engaged and attentive emperor. Local rivalries engendered tensions that often were based on religious affiliation. BITS AND P IE C ES FROM THE CLUB Herbert & Ingrid Gutjahr would like to congratulate their grandson Michael J. Gobell in his graduating class of 2009. Michael was a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Congratulations! Congratulations to Dennis and JoAnn Lawrence on the birth of their sixth grandchild, Alyssa Bethany Brooks on September the 14th. Alyssa is the daughter of Suzanne and Terry Brooks and joins her sister Catilyn and brother Nikolas. Please send in information about yourself or family for the newsletter. Send your info to George Brodbeck at [email protected], or you can drop it off at his mailbox at the club. FALL 2009 THE REPORTER в—Џ 5 SPORTS HELP WANTED - GAK FALL SCHEDULE 2009 DATE DAY TEAM TIME FIELD 09/11/09 FRI U-13 BOYS 7:00 PM MAIN 09/13/09 SUNMEN Please visit all of our teamsвЂ™ websites linked from www.gakclub.org. Congratulations to the following teams for their promotion to the next flight due to their finish from the Spring 2009 season: U-9 Boys - 2nd Place U-11 YMCA Boys - 1st Place U-12 Boys - 1st Place U-14 Boys - 1st Place U-18 Boys - 2nd Place Season starts 09/11/09. Nick Wiener, Jr. Merry Christmas ! The Board of the German-American Society would like to wish all members and their families, patrons and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 6 THE REPORTER FALL 2009 в—Џ U-14 BOYS 09/19/09 SAT 09/20/09 SUN 12:00 PM MAIN 2:00 PM MAIN U-10 BOYS 12:30 PM SMALL U-14 BOYS 2:00 PM MAIN U-13 BOYS 3:30 PM MAIN 09/26/09 SAT 09/27/09 SUN U-10 BOYS 12:30 PM SMALL 10/03/09 SAT 10/04/09 SUNMEN 10/10/09 SAT 10/11/09 SUN 12:00 PM MAIN U-13 BOYS 2:00 PM MAIN U-14 BOYS 3:30 PM MAIN 10/17/09 SAT 10/18/09 SUNMEN U-10 BOYS 12:00 PM MAIN 12:30 PM SMALL 10/24/09 SAT 10/25/09 SUN 10/31/09 SAT 11/01/09 SUNMEN 12:00 PM MAIN U-14 BOYS 2:00 PM MAIN U-13 BOYS 3:30 PM MAIN 11/07/09 SAT 11/08/09 SUNMEN 12:00 PM MAIN U-10 BOYS 12:30 PM SMALL U-13 BOYS 2:00 PM MAIN U-14 BOYS 3:30 PM MAIN 12:30 PM SMALL 12:00 PM MAIN 11/14/09 SAT 11/15/09 SUN 11/21/09 SAT 11/22/09 SUNMEN U-10 BOYS NO GAMES 11/28/09 & 11/29/09 вЂ“ THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 12/05/09 SAT 12/06/09 SUNMEN 12:00 PM MAIN T O A L L M E M B E R S - Help Wanted - Will provide one/one вЂњhands onвЂќ training if you have the desire to learn. Looking for a motivated individual who вЂњlovesвЂќ our Club and is вЂњcost consciousвЂќ to assist in tracking profit/loss on various club & catering events. Must have email access and Microsoft Excel software. Contact Diana Grover for more information - [email protected] or dgrover@ hollyrealtors.com or cell 609-647-7564. KITCHEN - Helpers are needed to work in the kitchen on Sundays. You would be doing five Sundays a year and will be assigned to a new group. Please call Anna Marie Wiener at 609-585-6049. This is a vital program for our club members. KITCHEN - The club is looking for someone to help supervise the making of the donuts at the spring and fall Schlachtfests. Please call Theresia Kluzner at 609-4991308 for more details. CATERING - Anyone interested in working catered affairs, non-catered affairs, and picnics please call Anna Marie Wiener at 609-585-6049. MISC. - If anyone has pictures that you would like to share for the photo board please call Linda Baumann at 609-4900943. We would especially like to have some pictures from previous Anniversary dances for this years Anniversary Dance. All photos will be returned, please identify your pictures on the back of the photo. Please remember the club needs the support of all itвЂ™s members, not just a handful. There are many chances to volunteer for a task or two to help out here at the club. Whether itвЂ™s helping in the kitchen, working at the door at dances, volunteering at picnics or weddings, clean-ups, building projects, or any other of the many chores open to members. Also, you can support the club by coming out to the many offered affairs. There are a variety of dances, dinners, picnics, the Thursday night buffet, soccer games, naming just a few. So, come out and help and most of all join in the fun and fellowship. ADVERTISERS Thanks to all the contributors for making this issue and future issues of the Reporter possible. If you would like to advertise your business in the Reporter, please contact Dennis Lawrence at [email protected], or by phone at 856-764-3106. FALL 2009 THE REPORTER в—Џ 7 UPCOMING EVENTS QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING American Oldies Dance October 3rd Thursday, October 8th, 2009 at 8:00 PM in Main Hall. Fall Picnic CANCELLED HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Halloween Dance October 24th Schlachtfest November 1st FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT THE CLUB. Grand Ball November 21st Christmas Show 2009 December 1st New YearвЂ™s Eve Party December 31st MORE DETAILS INSIDE DONвЂ™T FORGET вЂ“ WEвЂ™RE OPEN FOR SUNDAY DINNERS 1:00 PM TO 6:00 PM. Bring the family! German-American Society of Trenton, NJ 215 Uncle PeteвЂ™s Road Trenton, NJ 08691-3733 Club Christmas Party December 19th Permit No. 170 Trenton, NJ PAID U.S. POSTAGE PRSRT STD