Happy New Year to members and friends!  Sunday, January 14, marks the first dance practice and membership meeting of the year.  It's also the day we hold our elections for dance officers and club officers. There's plenty to do and the more workers, the lighter the load for each.  Don't be shy.  Of course, voters are valuable, too.  So be sure to venture out to the meeting (it's always warm in the meeting room, no matter how blustery it is outside!) and have your voice heard.  See you soon!

Edelweiss already has a lot of things planned for 2018 -- the dates have all been added to the events calendar.  So that you can print out a handy one-page list of events -- go over to the Newsletter box on the right and download the file.  Note that the date for the anniversary dinner at Jovan's is confirmed now!

We are sad to say that another long time member of Edelweiss has passed away.  Don Schultz passed away on November 15.  Anyone who knew Don would most likely describe him as "quite a character."  He was fun loving and worked hard within Edelweiss at the many large functions we had in the past.  Don was awarded the Golden Edelweiss for his contributions to our Verein.  He was just 64 years old when he passed away.

His memorial service will be held on what would have been his 65th birthday on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 1 pm at Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road, Utica.  Our condolences go out to Don's family and friends.

Here is the link to the obituary at the Funeral Home website. 

Sunday, December 10, is what many of the Edelweiss Verein think of as the official start of the Christmas season. We get together to listen to beautiful music played by our talented musicians, hear poems (some touching, some funny), hear the story of the birth of Jesus in German and English, munch on cookies and goodies, and feel the "Weihnachtliche Stimmung" at the nicely decorated Carpathia Hall. After the program, a hearty dinner, a visit from Santa, and the ever popular Tombola -- a fun way to do a raffle.

If you're coming and want to reserve a spot for dinner, please call Annette at 248.840.1953 by December 1.  You'll pay the day of the program -- $20/adult; $10 children 12 and under.  Cash bar.

Short meeting at 2 pm; program starts at 3 pm; dinner about 4:30 pm.  If you are bringing a child, please sneak a gift under the tree for Santa to deliver.  Members are asked to bring along a wrapped gift or two to put in the raffle. Feel free to bring along some goodies for your table.

Come join us for an afternoon of Gemütlichkeit!

GTEV Edelweiss is sad to report that its Ehrenvorstand, Joseph Gassel, passed away on November 9, 2017, at the age of 88.

Joe was Vorstand of Edelweiss from 1991-1999.  Shortly after the end of his tenure, he was named Ehrenvorstand for his many years of dedication to our Verein. He and his wife Helen joined Edelweiss in 1972 and were active dancers for many years. We will miss Joe's friendship and his big smile.  His fellow members and friends extend their deep sympathy to his beloved wife Helen and their children and grandchildren.

Services will be held on December 5, with viewing at 10 am and service at 11 am. Lunch is by invitation.

St. Kieran Catholic Church, 53600 Mound Road (between 24-25 Mile Road), Shelby Township, MI

Ruhe in Frieden