You may have noticed we had a few issues with the website the last 6 weeks.  But we're up and running again!  The calendar of events that was there during those six weeks was accurate but incomplete.  Committee meetings & some out of town events have been added.  There's also a "fridge edition" of the 2019 calendar of events that you can download or view (it was handed out at the December meeting and has not changed).  The Wegweiser for September went missing but is back and the November Wegweiser has been added.    Look under "Newsletters" in the right hand column for Wegweiser issues & one-page calendar).

Unfortunately, all the news posts that were on the website since August 1 disappeared and cannot be restored easily (but I'm still working on it!).  These included:

• Gedächtnismesse information (posted 11/4)
• Funeral information for Bev Knofski, Fred Walker's sister (posted 10/24)
• Funeral information for Edelgard Dziersk, Rita's mom (posted 9/24)
• Funeral information for Ken Baker (posted 9/5) -- a remembrance is in the September Wegweiser
• German-American Festival, Toledo, info (posted 8/14)

Wishing all of you a very Happy, Healthy 2019!  Euch allen einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

--Karin

Can you believe it's less than a year away to the 2019 Gaufest in Washington, DC, hosted by Alt-Washingtonia?  As of 12:01 am on August 1, you can reserve your room at the Hilton Hotel in DC either online or by phone.  You'll have to pay a non-refundable one night deposit per room that will be booked to your credit card right away.  Go to the Gauverband website (THIS LINK) for much more detailed information.

Every year we have a great time together at our annual Edelweiss members picnic. This year’s picnic will again be in lovely Spindler Park in Eastpointe. We enjoyed the large pavilion, close and clean restrooms, and easy parking last year.

We start the fun at 2 pm. Bratwurst and rolls are being provided by our own Hubert Turner. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share with others. The amount and quality of good food on our table is pretty amazing! If you go away hungry…. well, it’s your own fault!

Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are provided by the Verein. It’s a bargain at $10 per person donation for such a feast with friends. Please let Annette Edelhauser (248.840.1953) know how many of you and your friends are coming. Let your friends know that a dish to share is highly recommended so that there’s enough food to go around.

We’re always fortunate that our musicians bring along their instruments to play some music for us. Always a treat. See you there!

Our long-time member, Albert Buechel, passed away on June 23 at the age of 87. Even though he was more closely associated with the Swiss Club, he and his wife Dorothy were at nearly all of our events. His always smiling face, friendly and warm demeanor, and fun loving personality made him a pleasure to know.  Albert joined Edelweiss in 1973 and was awarded the Goldenes Edelweiss in 1991.  His presence will be sorely missed by his fellow Edelweiss members and by his many friends in the German-Austrian-Swiss community.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, their seven children, eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three siblings; ten siblings pre-deceased him. 

Visitation at the Sterling Heights Chapel of Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home 13650 E. Fifteen Mile Road, (@ Schoenherr) Friday, June 29, 2 pm until time of evening service at 7 pm.  Click this link to see his obituary.

Election of officers was held at the January 2018 meeting.  Not too much changed -- the membership didn't want to mess with success.  Three officers decided not to continue in their positions.  Wegweiser Editor Michelle Uebrueck is taking a break after over 15 years of bringing us our wonderful newsletter.  Many thanks, Michelle, for all the great work you've done over the years.  Alex Lamerand felt he could not continue as Fahnenträger because he's unable to attend many of the events that call for his flag carrying services.  Thank you, Alex, for the 4 years that you've done the job so well.  Our Bar Obmann for the last year was Dennis Hoshield.  He and his wife Sue will be moving back to the Petosky area, so Dennis did not run again.  Thank you, Dennis, for making sure our events this last year were stocked with refreshments!

Our officers are:

• Vorstand - Erwin Rauschendorfer; 2. Vorstand - Fred Walker; 3. Vorstand - Rick Michels
• Secretary - Rita Dziersk; 2. Secretary - Mike Campbell
• Treasurer - Colleen Michels; 2. Treasurer - Sharon Walker
• Sachenverwalterin - Chrissy Walker
• Ticket Obmann - Sharon Walker
• Kitchen Obmann - Annette Edelhauser
• Bar Obmann - Open
• Trustees -- Alex Lamerand (elected this year); Roger Kraft; Annette Edelhauser
• Appointed:  Musikwart - Rick Michels; Wegweiser Editor/Pressewart/Historian - Karin Dean-Kraft; Fahnenträger - Erwin Rauschendorfer & others

Normally we swear in our new officers at the February meeting.  But because of the big snow and ice storm that day, we cancelled the meeting.  The swearing in took place at our March meeting. You can see in the photo that it was a nice enough day to take the picture out on the patio at the Carpathia Hall.

The dance group also elected its officers in January. 

• 1. Vorplattler - Eric Walker; 2. Vorplattler - Alex Lamerand 
• 1. Vortänzerin - Chrissy Walker, 2. Vortänzerin - Anni Porter
• Secretary - Janet Seefried

Here's to another good year of Kameradschaft and working together!