Unfortunately the Mittelwest Bezirksheimatfest scheduled for March 20-21 has been cancelled as of today, March 12.  Whether it will be rescheduled to a later time is still under discussion.  Please be sure to cancel your room reservation!  Stay well, friends!

Our long-time member, Bob Gracin, passed away a week ago.  Our condolences go out to his wonderful wife Eleanor and his family and friends. Bob joined Edelweiss in 1990 and was awarded an Urkunde in 2016 for his many years of membership in the Verein. Bob and Eleanor have been loyal, active members who were always up for fun and good conversation. His friendship and humor will be missed.  Bob was also a regular for decades as a drummer in many different German dance bands in the area.  Arrangements for his memorial and burial are still in the works and will be shared when they become available.

Rick Michels' brother, Tim, passed away after a difficult illness on March 2 at the age of just 63.  Although Tim was not a member of Edelweiss, we saw him at many of our functions and he was always a pleasure to see.  Our condolences go out to the entire Michels family -- especially his three siblings, Rick (Colleen) Michels, Terry (Michael) Karol, and Judy (Don) Adams, his many nieces and nephews, and Tim's two children and their families. 

We're on the road Sunday, February 23, to enjoy Frühschoppen with our friends at the Bavarian Sports Club - Holzhacker Buam in Toledo.  Doors open at 11 am with a crazy-big-and-delicious brunch served not long after.  $10/person for a breakfast of Weisswurst, cold cuts, sides, pretzels, and who knows what else; cash bar.  Once we're all too full to move, the dancing starts.  People from BSC, Edelweiss Detroit, Chiemgau Windsor, and Bavaria Cleveland will be there.  Always a great learning experience.  We're looking forward to seeing our friends!     Bavarian Sports Club Hall, 2102 Lagrange Street, Toledo, OH

Mark Dziersk, brother of our secretary Rita Dziersk, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 31, at the age of 60. The family is, of course, heartbroken. Mark leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Elizabeth, and their three daughters and his siblings Rita, Tom, Karin, Jennifer, and Michelle along with their families. Many of our club members have known Mark for many years and enjoyed his friendship. He was a gregarious man who loved his family and excelled in his career.  Mark's talents were well known in the design community, and his many friends and colleagues are stunned by his passing. The funeral will take place the weekend of February 8 in Skokie, Illinois, near where he lived. Please keep Rita and all of the Dziersk family in your thoughts and prayers. This link takes you to Mark's obituary.