It's with great sadness that we let you know that our member Richarda "Ricky" Ritterhaus passed away on Friday, September 20.  Her son and daughter-in-law, Ernie and Rosemary, are also members of our club.  To them and grandchildren and great grandchildren Michael (Ciara), Garrett, Darcy and Eamonn we extend our deepest sympathies. Below is the obituary and a link to the funeral home.

Richarda "Ricky" Barbara Ritterhaus (nee Tegtmeier) passed away on Sept. 20, 2019, at the age of 85. She was born in Weiden, Germany, and moved to the United States in 1953 to Oak Park, Michigan. Loving wife of the late Ernest Edwin Ritterhaus. Beloved mother of Ernest Richard Ritterhaus and favorite daughter-in-law Rosemary. Cherished grandmother of Michael Kendrick Ritterhaus (Ciara) and Garrett Christopher Ritterhaus. Devoted great grandmother of Darcy and Eamonn. Caring sister of Andreas "Andy" Tegtmeier (Nancy), the late Karl-Heinz Tegtmeier, and the late Johanna "Hansi" Rozanski.

A funeral service will be held at 7 pm on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, at A.J. Desmond and Sons Price Chapel, 3725 Rochester Rd., Troy (between Big Beaver and Wattles). Visitation will begin at 12 noon and continue until the time of the service at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Ricky's name to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit MI 48207.

LINK TO FUNERAL HOME

One of our favorite events of the year is coming up! St. Joseph Oratory Church in Detroit holds a one-day Oktoberfest every year and it's so much fun.  Lots of good food, beer, refreshments. Fun activities -- children's games, pumpkin decorating, raffle, silent auction, steinholding contest, and church tours (gorgeous church!).  Siasswasser Tanzlmusi is playing and Edelweiss dancers will be dancing between 1-4 pm.  After that, there's more excellent music.  The Oktoberfest is from 12:30-8:30 on Sunday, Sept. 22. Admission is free; parking is free and easy.  See the flyer below for map and info. Please join us for a fun afternoon!  

Oops -- stop by later to see the images -- having a little issue with the website.   In the meantime -- the address is 1828 Jay Street, Detroit -- it's across the street from Eastern Market.  Parking is in the Crain's Communication parking lot and a shuttle will take you to the church.

Time to get ready for Edelweiss meetings and dance practices again. The Committee Meeting is this Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Annette & John's house. Which means, of course, that the Membership Meeting is Sunday, Sept. 8. It'll be nice to get together again in the GACC room at the Carpathia Hall and catch up. If you're not a member, you're welcome to come and meet us on Sunday either at dance practice or at the meeting.

• Wed., Sept 4 -- Committee Meeting at 7:30
• Sun., Sept. 8 -- Dance Practice at 12:30; Membership Meeting at 3

You guessed it -- time for another festival!  Edelweiss will be dancing at the German-American Festival in Oregon (Toledo suburb), Ohio this Saturday, Aug. 24. This year marks the 54th GAF -- every year is bigger and better. There's great food (potato pancakes, chicken dinners, lots of cheese, even more cake), beer bars scattered all around the large grounds, a wine bar, rides for the kids, Import Haus, ice cream. Several different seating venues, each with its own band and band-break entertainment. You can't go wrong by attending.  Edelweiss will be there from about 2 pm on, most likely with seats in the Weingarten under the oak trees. We'll dance four times -- 2:45 in the main tent, 4:45 in the Weingarten, 6 in the main tent, and 8:45 in the Weingarten again. The festival is on the grounds of Oak Shade Grove at 3624 Seaman Road, Oregon, Ohio.

Yup, it's that time again -- our annual members & friends picnic.  Come to Spindler Park in Eastpointe on Sunday at 2 pm and join in the fun.  We've been here twice already -- look for us in a pavilion not far from the rest rooms.  Bring a dish to share; Edelweiss provides the Wurst, beer, soft drinks, water, and utinsels. Cost is $10/person. Your Edelweiss friends, some with musical instruments, will be there for an enjoyable afternoon.  If you did not let Annette know you were coming, please do so right away (248.840.1953).  We want to make sure everyone is well fed.  See you Sunday!

Spindler Park, 19400 Stephens Dr, Eastpointe.  Park entry is off Stephens, which is off Kelly Road between 9 and 10 Mile Roads.