Newsletter    ISSUE 46
AUGUST, 2004                        

GERMANY , AUSTRIA , SWITZERLAND REPRESENTED AT STUDENT AWARDS EVENT AT ADLERSAAL

The embassies of the three German-speaking nations, Germany , Austria and Switzerland sent representatives to the student awards presentation sponsored by our Society and the MD-DC-VA Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German . Nearly 400 students, teachers and families packed into Zion 's Church's Adlersaal where high school students who scored highest in the German language examination received monetary awards. Our Society donated $5,000 to the teachers' association for the event.

Our Society initiated the program 15 years ago, to encourage the study of German in local high schools. At the time, the local chapter of AATG was small and only 30 or so students qualified for a prize. The past 15 years have seen the number of student awards increase to this year's number of 95. The local chapter of the AATG, encouraged by programs such as ours, has become the only chapter in the USA to show dramatic increases in membership.

Representatives of the embassies addressed the students and participated in shaking hands and giving the awards to each student.

For the first time in nearly 50 years, the Julius Hofmann Medal was awarded. It was won by Alexander Higgins of St. Paul 's School for Boys, who achieved the highest mark on the examination, scoring in the 99th percentile. (The Hofmann Medal is explained on p.6.)

THE SOCIETY GIVES ESSAY  CONTEST PRIZES TO STUDENTS AT MERGENTHALER VO-TECH SCHOOL

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ottmar Mergenthaler, our most famous member, the Society sponsored a writing contest among the students at Mergenthaler Vo-Tech High School in Baltimore City . The school faculty screened the entries and presented 13 essays to our selection committee, which picked three winners. Three of our directors served as judges: Linda Butt , Brigitte Fessenden and Dr. Maureen Helinski . Brigitte Fessenden and Ted Potthast conducted the awards ceremony at the school on May 18, attended by a large number of students and teachers, and by the principal, Dr. Irby Miller. A portrait of Ottmar Mergenthaler, painted in 1958 from a photograph, was displayed at the event. The first prize of $300 was awarded to Stephen Conger; second prize of $150 to  Krystin Childs; third prize of $75 to Andre Dixon. The students read their essays to the assembly. The winning essay is printed on page 7.

 GERMAN EVENTS ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE BALTIMORE AREA

Two local events brought a touch of German culture to the citizens of greater Baltimore : a German fair in May held in Dundalk and sponsored by the Baltimore Kickers, and the annual Baltimore German Festival in August at Carroll Park . Both events presented German food, music, dancing and booths which put forth the best in local German American  customs and culture.

August 20-22  German Festival

September 26 - Ecumenical Service - Michaelis

Oct 9-10 - Maryland Oktoberfest  5th Regiment Armory

November 6- Annual Awards Banquet

November 14 - AGAS festival at Blob's Park

Visit the German Society's website: www.germansociety-md.com

For more local German-American happenings, check the web site of the Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein von Maryland:   www.md-germans.org

Tune in to the Edelweiss Hour every Sunday: Radio 750 AM  9 am

BOB GIBSON ELECTED PRESIDENT OF BÜRGERVEREIN VON MARYLAND

The popular president of the Baltimore Kickers' Club was elected president of the Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein von Maryland, succeeding Bob Sheppard who held the position for 25 years. Mr. Gibson has been the leader of tours to Germany sponsored by the Kickers, taking two groups per year to various locations. His competency and people skills have made him a well respected member of the German American community. Bob's reputation for fairness and his experience in dealing with diverse groups promises to make him a leader who can bring the German community together to work in cooperation and not in competition with one another. His attitudes give promise that he will work to promote greater integration of other clubs into the leadership of the Bürgerverein and participation in its activities.
   

ANNUAL PICNIC IS A BIG SUCCESS

Two hundred members and guests attended our annual picnic, held at Blob's Park in June. Music and games kept the fast pace of the event. German food and beer, supplied by Blob's, was abundant and satisfying. This year's picnic was marked by a large turnout of young people, along with families who made a reunion out of the event.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Total fund balance in the Society's accounts as of 6/30/04 was $545,178. Of this amount, the Education Fund portfolio was valued at $234,843.

RICHARD ACKLER, DIRECTOR

Richard Ackler, a director of the Society for six years until he resigned due to health in April, died June 26 at age 90. Dick had been a member for many years and attended most of the Society's functions. He was solicited to become a board member because of his more than 50 years of leadership in another non-profit organization, the Boy Scouts of America. Dick contributed many innovative ideas to the deliberations of our board. He was born in Baltimore and grew up in Pimlico. He was graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1931, worked for the gas and electric company before joining the Navy and serving in the Seabees in World War II. He then obtained an engineering degree form Johns Hopkins University and served as an industrial engineer with BG&E until he retired in 1977. He made jewelry which he exhibited and sold at craft shows for many years. His 45 years in scouting ranged from troop leader to scouting commissioner.

            Dick is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Markey, a son, Bryan Ackler of Portland . Ore. and a daughter, Lois R. Abbott of Hampstead.

ELSBETH SEEWALD, D.A.N.K PRESIDENT, SOCIETY'S FRIEND

Elsbeth Seewald national president of the German American National Congress, died June 2 in Wisconsin .. She served as president from 1981 to 1991. She welcomed our Society into DANK membership and took an active interest in our activities. Mrs. Seewald was the founder of German American Day, established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and is observed annually on October 6.

MEMBERS SEEK GERMAN SPEAKING DAYTIME NANNY FOR DAUGHTER

Dayna and Mike Stueck are looking for a German and English speaking nanny to care for their 18 month old daughter in their Lutherville home. The hours are 8 am to 5 pm , Monday through Friday, but are flexible. The Stuecks want to introduce their daughter to the German language and culture. For further information, contact Mike or Dayna Stueck at 410=458-2280

ATTEND OUR ECUMENICAL SERVICE

Plan to attend our ecumenical service on Sunday, September 26 at 5 pm , Zion Church , City Hall Plaza .

SOCIETY COMMITTED TO PRESERVE MEMORY OF JULIUS HOFMANN

            Julius Hofmann was Pastor of Zion Church for nearly 40 years, until his death in 1928. He was the leading representative of Baltimore 's German American community and he was on good terms with its mayors and public officials as well as with such luminaries as  H. L Mencken and Cardinal Gibbons.

            On page 177 of the History of the German Society, "Rev. Julius Hofmann" is listed as the manager of our Society for the year 1906.

            In 1930, some friends and admirers created The Julius Hofmann Memorial Fund to encourage students to study the German language. In the late 1980's the fund had amounted to about $8,000. It was then being administered by Dr. Carrie Mae Kurrelmeyer Zintl, a member and a director of our Society, who turned it over to our Society. Our officers promised to carry on.

            The medal shown above and below, bearing Pastor Hofmann's image, was the work of Hans Schuler, a renowned Baltimore sculptor. It was awarded annually to the top student in each German language class in Maryland high schools and colleges. By the 1960's that practice ceased. A supply of the medals are in the possession of our Society. These will be awarded to the local high school student who achieves the highest grade in the national language exam of the American Assoc. of Teachers of German.

 BOOK ON "WISDOM" OF MEMBER GETS HIGH GRADES IN REVIEWS

Reviews of the just-released book on our member, Diane Geppi-Aikens, who died last June at the age of 40, received high praises from many sources, including the New York Times. Diane was assistant director of athletics and women's lacrosse coach at Loyola College . Baltimore author Chip Silverman, described the recollections of Diane's students, team members, fellow coaches and family in 20 short chapters exemplifying Diane's philosophy and approach to life.The book is available at all bookstores. It sold out at Barnes & Noble and is being re-stocked. Part of the proceeds from the book sales goes into a trust for the benefit of Diane's four young children. A copy of the book has been donated to the archives of our Society.

ANNUAL MEETING REVEALS FACETS OF OUR MEMBERS

130 attended the 2004 annual meeting. President Jim Schaub asked the members to introduce themselves. We learned a lot. Members came from  Virginia and from many Maryland counties: Baltimore, Howard, Carroll, Harford, Prince Georges, Charles and from the Eastern Shore . About 25% present were born in Germany . 30% were belonged to  other  German organizations. 75% were retired. 40% had held positions with city, state, county and federal agencies, such as the State Deptartment, the military, police and fire departments and administration.

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STEPHEN CONGER, WINNER OF MERGENTHALER ESSAY CONTEST

Text of the first place essay:

"Like Gutenberg

       Every contemporary company that relies on print, such as computer printer manufacturers. newspapers, publishes, etc. owes thanks to Ottmar Mergenthaler. Like Gutenberg, Mergenthaler revolutionized the printing industry, and re-ignited interest in printing.  Mergenthaler's invention, the Linotype, opened doors  for newpapers - the only effective way to relay news at the time. . This invention made printing easier, increased the number of copies printed and expedited the printing process itself.

The American Dream

Mergenthaler was and continues to be an archtype of the "American Dream." Born in Wurttemberg , Germany on May 11, 1854 , he was the son of a poor village schoolteacher. At the young age of fourteen, Ottmar's ambition was to be a watchmaker. He was anxious to study in the engineering field, but his father could not afford a higher education for him, after financing Ottmar's older sibling's education. However, after some hesitation, Ottmar's father apprenticed him to a relative named August Hahl. Soon, Ottmar told Hahl he wanted to travel to America . Hahl was not enthusiastic about the idea, but his son in Wasington paid for Ottmar;s passage to America . On October 25, 1872 the Berlin docked in Baltimore , Maryland . At the outset, Mergenthaler worked on knives and other tools in Hahl's shop. He obtained his first patent at the age of twenty. After a decline in business, Hahl moved to Baltimore . Talk spread of Mergenthaler's talents. Charles Moore entered the shop, of which Mergenthaler had become part owner, on August 17, 1876 . He told Mergenthaler that he had a patent for a typewriter that automatted typesetting; however, the machine did not work. Moore asked Mergenthaler to help by desiging  and constructing a better machine,. Two years later, Mergenthaler had built a machine that printed, but did not fulfill his visionl

            Mergenthaler  then became determined to complete and construct the machine he named the "Linotype."  One night, a fire consumed his shop and everything inside. The fire destroyed his designs and machine models.  While it was a setback, the fire further inspired Mergenthaler to succeed in building the Linotype.

            In 1854, Mergenthaler found suport in Whittaker Reid of the New York Tribune.However, it took two more years to finally unveil his Linotype machine to a large audience. On June 3,  1885 , he demonstrated his machine to the New York Tribune. He had finally achieved public fame , and most importantly, he completed his printing machine.

In an unfortnate turn of events, Mergenthaler contracted tuberculosis.  The illness did little to make him falter. he continued to improve the printing process and continued to work insatiably until his death at the young age of 44, in Baltimore , Maryland on October 28, 1899 .

            In conclusion, Ottmar Mergenthaler truly did revolutionize printing.  The Linotype paved the way for newspapers to be produced with increased quality, - with more pages and improved print , as well as quality.  I feel honored to attend a school named after Ottmar Mergenthaler, because of his historical achievements and undying determination to succeed. If he had not died at such a young age, I believe he would have improved the printing process even more than he had already accomplished. Without Ottmasr Mergenthaler, we would not know printing as it exists today.

THANK-YOU NOTE FROM WINNER

Stephen Conger, who won our essay contest, wrote a lengthy thank-you to the Society. Excerpts from his note:   "My high school, appropriately named after Ottmar Mergenthaler, features many trades. One of the trades is, of course, printing. ...Excitement filled the day during which the winners of the contest were announced. Prior to the announcement, Mayor Martin O'Malley's proclamation of Mergenthaler Day was read. .I thank the German Society for its support...The Society has a long history of aiding immigrants. .. For this, all Americans owe thanks because such societies embody the spirit of America , a nation built by immigrants."

 WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS