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!

Here's a fun event that is open to the public and is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  The Holzhacker Buam's annual Schuhplattler Tanz is being held at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, Ohio.  Edelweiss dancers will be going to see our friends and to hear our own Siasswasser Tanzlmusi play.  More info in the flyer below. 

For the third year in a row, we'll be roadtripping to Toledo to spend the day with our Patenkind D'Holzhackerbuam of the Bavarian Sports Club. Arrival time at the BSC is 11 am to enjoy a delicious Frühschoppen. After we're all full of good food and drink, it'll be time to have fun dancing (great wooden dance floor), playing music, singing, and socializing together. Wear your Boarisch Gwand and dancing shoes.  Friends from our other Patenkind, Chiemgau Windsor, will be attending, as will the Gauverband's 2. Gauvorplattler Rudy Leschke and his wife Cathy.  With so many enthusiastic Trachtler and friends, it's sure to be another really great afternoon.  See you there! 

If you haven't already let Eric Walker know you're attending, please do so right away so we have an accurate count.

Bavarian Sports Club - 2102 Lagrange Street - Toledo, Ohio

Photo of our 2017 afternoon

We have canceled the Sunday, Feb. 11, dance practice and meeting.  The weather and driving conditions are bad enough that even Michiganders don't want to venture out.  Stay safe, friends!