German Fest Milwaukee in July

It’s been a busy summer. From German Fest in Milwaukee in July to the Steuben Parades in September to German-American Day in Washington on October 6. We finally received the presidential proclamation from President Obama late afternoon on the 6th. We were hoping to have it earlier so that it could have been read at various celebrations across the country. Maybe next year!  Also check out www.Germanpulse.com for more on our visit to the New York Steuben Parade with our chance to show off at Fox News in the morning of the parade.
Enjoy the pictures.
President Bill

Steuben Parade in New York with Hans & Kathy Wolf, Chicago Karneval RV Princes and Prince and Darlene & Bill Fuchs

On Stage with Lars Halter, Chairman of NYC Steuben Parade and Prince Manfred & Princess Jennifer from the RV Chicago, who handed out Karneval Orden to the dignitaries at the Mayor's reception on FridayGerman American Day Reception at the Friendship Garden in Washington

Singing of the National Anthems at German American Day in Washington

Darlene showing off the potato pancakes in Mainz

Bill and Darlene in Mainz

Potato Pancake station in Mainz

The verdict: my favorite for food, the youth spirit and hot drinks like Kirschwein: Mainz!  Prices go up when you go to Wiesbaden, where the charge for Glühwein is 2.50 to 3 Euros instead of 2 Euro but the atmosphere is uniquely different.  Rüdesheim has the most quaint atmosphere of the three but they do roll up the side walk at 7:30PM.  Best place for Potato Pancakes: Mainz by far!

When we talk about what goes on at the Christmas Markets, we cannot leave out the many booths that sell artsy and crafty things like ornaments, candles, nativity scenes and much more.  What is interesting is that usually all the things that are available at the markets in Germany, one can find at the Chicago Christkindelmarkt, an original recreation from Nürnberg, one of the most popular in Germany.  You won’t find the $ 2.50 Glühwein there though.

Sternschnuppenmarkt Wiesbaden

Students in Mainz enjouing Gluehwein with Darlene

Darlene and Bill warming up at our favorite wine bar in Ruedesheim

At Kaethe Wohlfart in Ruedesheim

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Captain Bill

The final Amount

Ein Herz Für Kinder was initiated in 1978 by the publishing mogul, Axel Springer, of Germany’s Bild newspaper, which is still the main sponsor.

Royal Family Prince Harry received the top honor tonight, the Golden Heart, for the charity work that he does with kids in Lesotho, Southern Africa.

http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/hauptnavigation/startseite/#/beitrag/video/1218524/Prinz-Harry-erhält-das-Goldene-Herz

In the past this prestigious top honor was given to Jane Fonda, Sharon Stone, Steffi Graf, Königin Silvia of Schweden, George Clooney or Salma Hayek.

Besides Prince Harry, this year’s stars participating in the program included Paul Anka, Rolando Villazón, Amy McDonald, Kylie Minogue, Inka Bause, Karlheinz Böhm, Veronica Ferres, Maria Furtwängler, Stephanie zu Guttenberg, Joachim Löw, Jörg Pilawa, Guido Westerwelle und wife of Germany’s President, Bettina Wulff.

More information on this program can be found at

http://einherzfuerkinder.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/16/0,1872,8144272,00.html?dr=1

and of course one can donate to “Ein Herz Für Kinder” at

Bild hilft e.V.
Deutsche Bank AG Hamburg
Konto: 0 67 67 67
BLZ: 200 700 00

Winter Landscape in Amsterdam

Captain Bill Saying Merry Christmas from Amsterdam

All the best and Season’s Greetings,
Captain Bill

Chef Ralf with his latest creation, the Royal Palace

The Chef at work

The chef's helpers at work

Front view of the Royal Palace

Aloha and Merry Christmas!
Captain Bill

Chicago Consul General Onno Hückmann with National Pres. Bill Fuchs and Günther Kranz from DANK Chicago-South

This year was a special since it was the 20^th celebration of Unity Day for Germany which celebrates the re-unification of East and West Germany in 1990.

The next day I flew to Washington DC to participate in the German-American day which was celebrated with the members of various German-American Organizations in the Washington DC area. German-American Day is celebrated on October 6^th as a commemoration of the arrival of the first 13 Mennonite immigrant families from Krefeld on October 6, 1683, who subsequently founded Germantown, Pennsylvania.

Newly installed marker at the German-American Friendship Garden

We gathered at 10 AM in the German-American Friendship Garden, which is situated between the Washington Monument and the White House, to sing the German and American Anthems, read poems and then the important proclamations from various officials like governors and mayors.  Unfortunately we did not receive the presidential proclamation until later that day so President Obama was not represented.  We hope to rectify this in the future.  In fact at the luncheon at Café Mozart, that followed this event, we had very positive discussions on how to make German-American day and our organizations more relevant in many ways.

Celebrating German-American Day

Rüdiger Lenz of the Washington German-American Heritage Museum reading Proclamation

Dedication of the new Friendship Garden Marker

Lunch at Cafe Mozart

During this trip I also spent some very productive time to exchange ideas with Rüdiger Lenz, Executive director of the Washington German-American Heritage Museum and Gerhard Meinzer, President of the Association of German-American Societies of the Greater Washington DC area.
We pledged to continue to foster our respective organizations’ relationships and look forward to even more cooperation in the future.

Below you will find the links to the Greeting from German Ambassador Scharioth and the Presidential Proclamation that we finally received from President Obama.
Grußwort from Ambassador-GADay
German-American Day Presidential Proclamation 2010

Viele Grüsse and Best wishes,
President Bill

After our short breather along the Mosel, we continued to Munich to meet up with Fred Schumacher, President of Hofbräu of America. Check out the previous report again since I had a chance to add pictures now.

On Wednesday we met in the afternoon at our hotel and headed to the Hofbräuhaus, where we teamed up with the touring group of the German-American Police Association of Chicago, one of DANK’s associate members.  Upstairs in the special events room, Fred made sure that we were dined and entertained Hofbräu style. What a grand evening!

President Fuchs toasting in the Hofbräuhaus with Fred Schumacher and Rory Trausch, President of the Chicago German-American Police Association

DANK and GAPA with Fred Schumacher at the Hofbråuhaus

Trachten Show at Hofbräu

"In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus" was the theme song of the evening!

The next day we set off to check out the latest Trachten Fashions.  It was amazing to find so many Americans, Brits, Aussies and many other nationals buying Trachten gear for Oktoberfest.  Lederhosen, Dirndls and all the accessories.  Of course, we all found some great bargains during the last week of Oktoberfest that we could not pass up.  In the afternoon Fred joined us again at the Oktoberfest grounds and the celebrations continued in the Hofbräu Tent, the largest tent at Oktoberfest.  We were once again treated with great VIP hospitality.  Fred introduced us to many dignitaries and we had the pleasure to have a toast with Günter Steinberg, the proprietor of the Hofbräu tent, who also presented us with the special 200^th Anniversary pin.

Hofbräu Festzelt (festival tent) at Oktoberfest

Cavernous and spacious inside of the HB tent

No shortage of pretty girls in Dirndls at the Hofbräu tent

more fun loving patrons at the HB tent

Enjoying the gracious hospitality of HB in the Oktoberfest tent

Dr. Möller and Mr. Steinberg, our gracious hosts, with Bill Fuchs in the middle

Of course we had to check out the festival grounds with the many rides, the Riesenrad (Ferris wheel) and the special anniversary area with the horse races and special tent.  I even got to enjoy one of the faster rides, the break dancer, which did wonders to my hair.  After several hours of adventuring we returned to the Hofbräu tent to close out the evening with Country Road and Hey Baby and some new songs we still have to download onto our I-Pods.  Seating room was not easy to find but Dr. Möller, the CEO of Hofbräu, extended his gracious hospitality by offering us a seat at his special Stammtisch table.  After making the rounds with the guests at the fest, an exhausted Dr. Möller joined us at the end of the evening for one last round of Oktoberfest beer.   We certainly appreciated and are thankful for the wonderful Gastfreundlichkeit (hospitality) of HB.

Outside the HB tent its a busy hussle and busle on the grounds

You can always find a gingerbread heart for your sweetheart at Oktoberfest

There is always a barrel of fun at the Oktoberfest

Resi is looking on... Oh yes, after too much fun some folks need a break on the hill

The Wiesn grounds from the giant ferris wheel

Horse Race Grounds at Oktoberfest

Check out Bill's hair after the fast "break dancer" ride

Dr. Möller joining us for a beer at the end of the evening

The next day we continued our whirlwind adventure in the direction of Cologne.  After a little more bargain shopping in Munich of course.  We arrived in Köln just in time to check out the stores in the shopping district by the Dom (cathedral), and then head off to nearby old town for some delicious Kֲölsch beer and a great meal.  We even found some delicious pumpkin soup, which is always on the autumn dinner agenda for Darlene and Kathy.  This one was a little spicy with hot peppers, which they did not like as much as previous soups but it certainly was a hit with me.  Old town was full of people celebrating Oktoberfest and 20 years of German unity.  Well after some deserved rest for the night, we did some more sight seeing the next day with the mandatory cathedral visit and stop-over at the Glockengasse 4711.  We all smelled refreshed after dousing ourselves from the free cologne fountain in the store.  Of course we also had to check out the latest Karneval stuff in town, since Cologne is one of the Karneval capitals of the world and they have several stores in town that specialize in costumes and Mardi-Gras gear all year around.

Bill & Darlene in front of the Kölner Dom

4711 Glockengasse... Kölnisch Wasser any one?

Our next destination was Frankfurt am Main for our flights home just in time for German Unity day celebrations in the US.
Check out the next blog about that adventure.

Best wishes,
President Bill

I would like to give a quick update on the NYC Steuben parade travels.  Darlene, Hans & Kathy Wolf and I traveled to NYC on Thursday to participate in the event and to represent DANK.  On Friday morning we participated in the mayors reception near city hall which had about 7 groups from Germany showing off their musical and dancing skills.  There were presentations and I had a chance to greet the crowd and pin the 50 year DANK anniversary pin on officials.  Mayor Bloomberg could not attend in person but sent his representative.

At Mayor Bloomberg's Reception

Steuben Parade participants from Germany at the Reception

New York City was a busy place last weekend due to the UN Week and international conference.  Crazy and busy is an understatement.

construction at NYC Ground Zero Site in the background - Darlene, Kathy and Hans in the foreground

After a little sight-seeing at Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty we attended the Steuben Banquet on Friday night.  What a party with class!  Around 275 guests were entertained and dined on a 5 star meal at this impressive fund-raiser.  The parade marshals, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Dr. Möller, CEO of Hofbräu, gave riveting speeches and we had plenty of chances to mingle with both of them and the rest of the crowd.

Dr. Ruth advising the participants at the Banquet

Dr. Ruth with Darlene & Bill Fuchs and Christine & Lars Halter

A fine group picture with Hofbräu and parade VIPs at the Banquet in front of the NYC Steuben Parade Banner

The Steuben parade on Saturday morning was a smashing success.  I would estimate the parade to be about 5 to 7 times larger than the Chicago one, with it being more closely comparable with the St. Patricks day parade in Chicago.  It went along the east part of NY Central Park for around 20 blocks on classy 5th. Avenue.  There were groups from many parts of the east coast and several from other parts of the country, including DANK for the first time in years.  I wish we could have more of us participating but us 4 carried the DANK pr banner and waved to the crowd.  There was a lot of cheering from the crowd and we were surprised by how often we heard affirmative cheers for us being there and being recognized.

Darlene, Hans and Kathy preparing to march with the DANK Banner with other groups lined up in the background

Colorful Parade outfit of the Philadelphia Mummers

Progressive German Consulate float featuring Mc Digga, German rapper from Philly

DANK Banner in the parade as carried by Hans Wolf and National President Fuchs - In the background with German Flags is Kathy Wolf

Black Forest outfits of the Schwäbischer Sängerbund of New Jersey

Cannstatter Foundation float

More about the NYC Steuben parade can be found at  http://www.germanparadenyc.org/index.html

The parade was followed by an Oktoberfest in Central Park by the concert stage.  Limited to only 3500 participants by the city it was sold out weeks ago.  We were able to attend, courtesy of HB and the Steuben Committee.  Hofbräu held its second Beer Stemming contest this year with German singer, Melina (I love German Boys) cheering on the contestants.   It’s the US Championship in Masskrugstemmen, a Bavarian strong man (and woman) contest. Contestants hold a filled one liter mug with their outstretched arm. Finalists from all over the US competed to win the Grand Prize, a trip to Munich with a visit to the world famous Hofbräuhaus. (I was made official time keeper of the event).

Contestants getting ready for the Maaskrugstemmen Contest

Parade Chairman, Lars Halter, asking Bill Fuchs to be the official time keeper

Fred Schumacher of Hofbräu America making sure no one is cheating

The winner of the contest down to the last seconds - 8 minutes, 59. 89/100 seconds.

Visitors from Germany and USA enjoying the HB atmosphere in Central Park

It was a very busy but fun time and on Sunday we all flew off to Germany.  Our first destination was the Mosel Region from Cochem to Trier.  From there we drove to Munich and the Oktoberfest 200 year celebration.

Tired and ready for some rest we arrive in Cochem an der Mosel

For more of the NYC Steuben Parade, check out the website   www.germanparadenyc.org

Best wishes
President Bill

Pride of Baltimore II offers Cannon Salute

Over 20 Tall Ship sailing vessels opened up the event with a ceremonious sail by the east end of Navy Pier, many with firing gun salutes.  At 5 PM the event was officially opened by a ceremony that was MC’d by Mark Suppelsa of WGN Chicago.  This year’s event was definitely an international event that included vessels from Canada, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany.  German Consul General Onno Hückmann was the official representative of Germany at the event.

Opening Ceremony with Consul General Hückmann seated in back on left

Of course of special interest to us was the arrival of the “Roald Amundsen” the German Brig that calls Eckernförde, on Baltic near Kiel, her home port.  She is a converted Tall Ship that actually started out as a deep sea fishing vessel serving the East German Army as a logger in 1952.  She was converted to a Sail Training vessel in 1992 by the German non profit organization, “LebenLernen auf Segelschiffen” also know as LLaS eV.

Roald Amundsen in Full Sail

Darlene and I were fortunate to be able to tour the ship once it docked and talk to several of the German volunteer sailors.  What a feeling, that could only be topped by actually going to sea in the ship.

Captain Bill at the helm of the Roald Amundsen

Navigation Room of the Roald Amundsen

Darlene Fuchs with Student Sailor below deck of the Roald Amundsen

I was curious about such a Nordic name that the vessel carries and asked Claudia Bankert, one of the International Ships Liaisons accompanying the ship.  As she explained that is a German custom to name these sailing vessels after sea explorers.  The Roald Amundsen is named after the Norwegian Polar Explorer by the same name.  There were three ships re-fitted in the Fritjof-Nansen-Wharf at Wolgast, in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region of Germany, and all three are named after explorers of the Polar Regions who roamed the seas in the early 1900’s: Fridjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile.

Claudia Bankert of the American Sail Training Association , International Ships Liaison for the Roald Amundsen

Ms. Bankert also pointed out that one can actually join the crew and sail on the Roald Amundsen on select voyages.  Voyages from 5 days and longer are still available at discounted prices from August to September as the ship begins its journey back to Europe via the Azores.  More information on voyages can be had at: http://www.sailtraining.de/fileadmin/files/toernplan-vUS.pdf

Complete information on this magnificent vessel can also be obtained on the website: http://www.sailtraining.de/homepage.html?&L=1

Pirate Ship "Bounty"

If you are anywhere near Chicago, you have to see these great ships this weekend.  By the way, also attending this great flotilla was the Bounty, the real ship used in the filming of the original movie and subsequently in Pirates of the Caribbean and many other films.

Best Wishes,
Captain Bill