Newsletter    ISSUE 55
September-October, 2006

AWARDS BANQUET AT ADLERSAAL

Invitations have been mailed to all members and ticket requests  are being received daily.  The event in the "Eagle's Hall" at Zion Church, across the street from Baltimore's City Hall, are distributed on a first come-first served basis and seating capacity is only 160. It is recommended that you don't delay in sending in for tickets, since this year's event will be especially festive. Awards will be made honoring the Schifferstadt museum in Frederick, Md our own director, Sr. David Denisch, for his professional accomplishments and contributions to preserving Maryland German traditions in his work in helping to preserve and publicize Schifferstadt.

The elevator to the Adlersall is under construction but will not be ready in time for our banquet; however, a mechanized chair will carry those up the stairs who have difficulty climbing.  The event is catered by Old Europe and the menu features a German tradition. .

ANNUAL ECUMENICAL SERVICE  -SUN. AFTER ST. MICHAEL'S DAY

For 200 years our Society held an annual Kirchgang, a day of worship in the tradition of our founders.  When the Berlin wall fell in November, 1989, we joined with The Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland and with Zion Church to hold an ecumenical service, on Thanksgiving eve, in thanksgiving for the liberation of Germany from communism and freedom of religion throughout that nation.  The Kirchgang merged with the ecumenical service, and the date was recently changed to avoid conflict with family Thanksgiving celebrations. It was moved to the Sunday closest to the fest of St. Michael, the patron of Germany.

Oct.  1  Ecumenical Service - St.  Michael's - at Zion

Oct.7-8  MD Oktoberfest at 5th Regiment Armory

Oct. 17  German American Day at McDaniels College

Oct. 21-22 Oktoberfest at Schifferstadt, Frederick, MD

Oct. 25-26 Zion Church Sour Beef lunch and dinner

Oct. 28  German Society Annual Awards Banquet

Nov. 25-26 Christkindlmarkt at Zion Adlersaal

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

Articles from some past newsletters are posted on our website. Dr. Maureen Helinski maintains the site.
"Pioneers in Service", the history of our Society, can now be found on our web site.
For more local German-American happenings, check the web site of the Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein von Maryland:   www.md-germans.org

ATTEND THE GERMAN AMERICAN  DAY STUDENT EVENT McDANIELS COLLEGE IN WESTMINSTER

On October 17, McDaniel College will host a day dedicated to the German language and culture, The participants in the event will be high school students who are studying the German language and who will arrive by school buses. The event consists of 24 seminars for which the students enroll in advance. Members of our Society are invited to attend and register or to observe. Lunch will be available in the college cafeteria. It is recommended that you notify the moderator, Dr. Mohamed Esa, in advance if you wish to be present. Dr. Esa is a member of our Society's board of directors.  Dr. Esa's e-mail address is: mesa@mcdaniel.edu

WANT TO WIN AT ENGLISH? LEARN GERMAN: ADVICE TO SPELLERS

Our newsletter received notes and calls from several of our members pointing to an article by Dan Hamilton printed in the Baltimore Sun. The winner of the 2006 Scripps-Howard national spelling bee won by correctly spelling "ursprach". The runner-up misspelled "weltschmerz".Another finalist lost one "heiligenschein". It appears that many German words have found their way into the English language. Hamilton wrote: "We check the weather on the Doppler and the temperature in Fahrenheit. If your neighbor chokes on his bratwurst, you give him the Heimlich."

SCHULER'S STUDIO TURNS 100

The family and admirers of Baltimore's  world renowned sculptor, Hans K. Schuler gathered last month to celebrate the founding of his studio in 1906 at y E. Lafayette Ave. Schuler built the studio with a large glass northern exposure to take advantage of the natural light for his work. He served as the the director of the Maryland Institute College from 1925 until 1951.

The family still owns the studio and the art school which operates there and houses over 100 of Schuler's works of art. Examples of some of his work: the  statue of Sam Smith on Federal Hill; Johns Hopkins' bust at Charles St. and 33rd and the statue of Martin Luther in Druid Hill Park. You can make an appointment to visit the studio by calling at 410-685-3568.
 

Our Society will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Schifferstadt at our annual awards banquet. The house in Frederick, MD was built by Joseph Brunner who named it after his birthplace in Germany. It is now a museum and is the finest example of colonial German architecture still standing. We congratulate the long line of the Brunner family and the Frederick County citizens who have worked over the years to preserve the building and make it a national historical landmark.

At our awards banquet, our Society will award a plaque as a reminder of this event. Those in attendance will hear a short presentation of the historical importance of Schifferstadt by  Douglas Clator, a U.S. Park Service educator who is recognized as the nation's foremost authority on early American architecture.. He is also a specialist in Frederick County landmarks.

A few years ago our Society sponsored a bus trip to Schifferstadt and were amazed at what our German processors accomplished when they came to Maryland in the 1700's. Joseph Brunner was attracted to Maryland when land prices in Lancaster County, PA became too expensive. After farming in Frederick for only 20 years he had accumulated enough wealth to build this mansion. It was built as a residence and a fort, as protection against Indian attacks which were frequent at that period.

DR. DAVID DENISCH NAMED 2006 HONOREE AT AWARDS BANQUET

Dr. David Denisch, one of our directors, has been named as the honoree at this year's awards banquet for his professional accomplishments in the field of dentistry, for his work as an historian and for his efforts to preserve Schifferstadt, which was built by his grandfather 11 generations back, Joseph Brunner.

Dr. Denisch received his Doctorate in dentistry from the University of Maryland Dental School where he did post-doctoral studies and served on its clinical faculty. Among his many honors, he is both a Fellow and a Master of the American Academy of General Dentistry He received acclamations from the Governor and the Senate of Maryland for is work as a master dentist. Baltimore Magazine selected him as one of 4 "Top Docs" in his field.

David is an avid student of Maryland history.  He relates how his ancestor, Joseph Brunner, was a member of our General Assembly and was a signatory to the petition to create Frederick Country out of part of Prince George County. Other ancestors fought in the Civil War in a Maryland confederate brigade. Dave often serves as a reenactor in commemorative events.

His prime hobby is spreading the word and helping in the preservation of Schifferstadt. He serves as a docent at the museum and is always present at the entrance to the museum wearing colonial garb for the Schifferstadt Oktoberfest and other events.

He maintains his dental practice  in The Professional Center  on the St. Joseph Hospital campus in Towson.

SEPT.-OCT., 2006  VEREINSNACHRICHTEN The German Society of Maryland Page 4

Director Maureen Helinski and President Brigitte Fessenden at our Society's exhibit at the German Festival, July 28, at the Timonium Fair Grounds

       GERMAN FESTIVAL MOVES FROM CITY TO BALTIMORE COUNTY

After 105 years in the city limits, the Baltimore German Festival  moved its location to the Timonium Fair Grounds in Baltimore County. In the past century, the festival was moved at the whim of the city administration from various spots: East Baltimore, the Inner Harbor, Carroll Park, etc. The festival is put on by the Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein von Maryland, whose roots also stretch back 105 years and of which our Society was a founding member and is today one of two founding members still in existence and active in the festival. The other is the Arion Gesangverein whose members sung at this year's festival.

The event was highly successful, judging from the activity at our Society's booth which handled far more traffic than it has done in recent years and received more applications for new members as a result. Next to our booth was one operated by a member, Josh Cockey, owner of a history and genealogy business, which appeared to be packed and jammed with customers. The facility provided easy parking with no difficulty, a major improvement  to the prior city operations. The event was held under cover of the grandstands, which was insurance against rain (which often ruined past affairs in the city); and as always, with rain insurance on hand, it did not rain. The grandstands did provide relief from the hot sun. On Sunday afternoon the entertainers and musicians on the band stand appeared to be playing to a non-existent audience; however, the audience simply took the chairs from out of the burning sun and moved them into the shade of the grandstand where they could see and hear quite well.

President Fessenden extends he thanks to the many volunteers who worked at the Society's booth. Our workers commented that the crowd was very pleasant and inquisitive and made the time go by quickly.  Our handouts were all gone early in the afternoon, putting us on notice to bring a bigger supply next year.  The visitors were impressed by our exhibit and the literature. Our volunteers actually had fun. Members who like to talk to people should make a note to sign up as a volunteer when the event comes around again.

PHIL HILDEBRANDT & MENCKEN

Phil Hildebrandt, a member of our Society and a past president of The Friends of the Mencken House, is seen at that group's booth at this year's German festival. Henry L. Mencken, Baltimore's most famous literary figure, was a member of our Society.  Several of our members serve on the board of the Mencken House. Our president, Brigitte Fessenden, was one of the gardeners who prepared Mencken's backyard garden for display on "Mencken Day", the second Saturday of September.

DON SCHAEFER'S  CAREER ON HOLD

Our most famous member, William Donald Schafer, lost his bid for a second term as Comptroller of Maryland, the result of a campaign by local TV and print media  to unseat him and by some Byzantine machinations the state democratic party. It brought an end to 51 consecutive years of elected office. His next role may be either that of elder statesman, king-maker or another elective office. Don served with distinction as a council president, mayor of Baltimore, governor of Maryland and comptroller. When our Society started its tradition of an annual awards banquet over 20 years ago, Don was our first honoree. The banquet was attended by more than 500. He has been a loyal member who never fails to send in his dues.

 MEMBERS SURVIVE PRIMARIES

Other members of the Society who survived their party's primaries are Robert Ehrlich, running for reelection as governor and Bill Frank (incumbent) and challenger Jack Sturgill, running for the House of Delegates.

 DETAILS OF ECUMENICAL SERVICE

                                   MICHAELIS

          AN ECUMENICAL VESPERS SERVICE CELEBRATING

        ST. MICHAEL and ALL ANGELS

 and giving thanks for the freedom to worship in all   German-speaking nations

              5 P.M. Sunday, October 1, 2006

   Guest Preacher: The Rev. Peter Krey, PhD

Old Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, PA

ZION CHURCH OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE                 

City Hall Plaza  400 E. Lexington Street     Baltimore, MD 21292

 This festive ecumenical service is sponsored by

               The German Society of Maryland

    Society for the History of the Germans in MD

 Zion , Christ Inner Harbor and St. Mark's Church

 Reception (co-sponsored by our Society) with refreshments immediately after the service in Zion's magnificent ADLERSAAL

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 410-747-3939

HANNA GELDRICH-LEFFMAN, 72

Prof. Hanna Geldrich-Leffman died August 6th at her home in Homeland from complications of post polio syndrome. She was a long-time member of our Society and was named the honoree at the Society's award banquet three years ago. She was also the First Vice-President of The Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland. She was the chairwoman of the Department of Modern Languages at Loyola College and a faculty member for three decades. Her husband of 28 years, Peter Leffman, teaches French at Loyola.

She was born in Budapest and spent her early years in Hungary. She moved to Germany in 1944 and to Buenos Aires in 1949. While a medical student in Argentina, she contracted polio and for the rest of her life was confined to a wheelchair and had the use of her hands and only one arm. Despite these handicaps, she went on to earn a doctorate and follow a lengthy academic career. She was proficient in Spanish, German, French and Hungarian.  Her father, a physician, took a post in Baltimore where she obtained a bachelor's degree in German at Mt. St. Agnes College, a master's and doctor's degree in German at Johns Hopkins. Through her accomplishments and contacts, many world famous scholars were brought to Loyola College to lecture and interact with the students. She was a well-loved figure at Loyola and was universally greeted as she wheeled herself around the campus. One of our members commented that when you socialized with Hanna, you would completely forget that she was sitting in a wheelchair. She always had a smile on her face.

Dr. Leffman was active in the Maryland German academic community and despite her handicap, participated in many German and other civic events. Wherever she went, her husband Peter was with her and he also became popular with the community. She was a friend of many of the members of our Society who sadly mourned her passing.

 MEDIEVAL GERMAN MANUSCRIPTS ON EXHIBIT AT WALTERS MUSEUM

Henry Walters collected German illustrated manuscripts produced between the era of Charlemagne through the time of Gutenberg, a period of about six hundred years.  The Walters collected the books between 1895 and 1931.  The documents are coated with gold, silver, ivory and rock crystal, with a stunning effect.  The books will be on display until October 29th.  Tickets are $10.00.  The Museum is located at 600 N. Charles Street; and the hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.  For information call 410-547-9000 or see the website: thewalters.org.

 GERMAN CLUB IN COLUMBIA OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS

Claudia Wehdeking Friend, member of our Society, writes to inform us about an organization which she founded in Columbia about ten years ago, known as "Deutscher Kreis".  The group has 45 members.  All of the meetings are conducted in German.  The Circle is open to anyone who is able to speak German fluently.  The group usually meets at the home of Mrs. Friend, usually with at least twenty participants.  Refreshments are served, usually brought by the members to the host's home.  The members are between 40 and 85 years old.  The format is to spend the first half hour socializing one-on-one or in small groups.  Then they form a large circle and share, one at a time.  The group reads poems, short stories and sings Volkslieder, drinking songs and Christmas songs.  Mrs. Friend has a good German library which she shares with the group. 

            She met her husband Joseph Friend (100 years ago the family name was Freund) when she was a student at the University of Frankfort. Claudia and Joseph lived in Frankfort for two years where their daughter was born and then were transferred to Norfolk, Virginia where Joe served on the U.S.S. Muliphen, subsequently moving to Stockholm where Joe was the Assistant Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy.  When Joe retired they moved to Columbia,.

            Claudia has offered to help on the committee which our Society is putting together to prepare a book of German folk songs.  Claudia even learned to "Yodel" while growing up in Garmisch-Partenkirschen in the Bavarian Alps. 

            Claudia has recently returned from Israel where she discovered the existence of a German Society for the Holy Land which owns land on Lake Galilee.

 POETRY OF INGRID CARSTEN-MILLER HONORED  BY COUNTY

            Two poems by our member, Ingrid Carsten-Miller were displayed in the Poetry Gallery of the Montgomery County Executive.: "There are Many Roads"  and "Watching Robert Frost at 84"  Ingrid is a strong supporter of poetry and the arts in Montgomery  County where she resides with her husband, Brad Miller, . Both are prominent in German organizations in the Washington and Baltimore areas.

120 YEARS OF GERMAN AMERICAN & MD HISTORY NOW ON INTERNET

The Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland has been publishing its journal (called "The Report") since 1876. The collected articles consist of over 3,000 pages which delve into many aspects of the history of Maryland Germans and other German Americans. The reports are available in many libraries in the U.S. and in Europe. Besides being a valuable research tool for scholars, it is a remarkable source of information for anyone who has an interest in this aspect of history, particularly for Marylanders whose ancestors came from German speaking countries.

120 years of articles are now on the internet. It includes a search engine which allows one to insert a name or word and find the references immediately. The internet version will be activated on October 1, 2006.

To access the books, an internet name and a code will be needed. Each member of The Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland will be assigned a name and a code and will be entitled to internet access by reason of membership in that Society. Anyone may become a member of that Society by sending the annual dues of $20 to the President, Judge Gerard W. Wittstadt, Sr. at 8224 Carrbridge Circle, Towson, MD 21204.  Libraries and institutions can gain access by paying an annual fee.

The scanning of the books to the internet was performed by Loyola College, which paid for the process. The program was supervised by our member, Dr. Randy Donaldson. (The Maryland Archivist previously quoted a price of $50,000 to do the job, but the society lacked the funds.)

We encourage our members to join the  historical society, which has been a sister society to our Society for over a hundred years and many of our members also belong to the historical Society. In fact, all of the officers of the historical society are members of our Society. The officers of the historical Society who were elected at its annual meeting on Sept 12 are: President: Judge Wittstadt; first vice-president: Ted Potthast; second vice president: William White, Esq., Treasurer: Prof. Dr. Randall Donaldson and Secretary:  Anna K. von Schwertner.

OUR BANQUET PROGRAM PRINTS A RECORD OF OUR MEMBERSHIP

HISTORICAL SOCIETY REFERS TO "GERMAN TERRORISTS"

Announcing a lecture on activities of German spies in America in the World War I era, the historical society's recent bulletin called the Germans terrorists". In those times, as well as in WWII, Americans were on the lookout for German spies and "espionage agents".  We expected them to try to blow up military bases, war factories, shipyards and munitions warehouses. The enemy agents were called "saboteurs" but not terrorists. Terrorist is a term coined to spread terror by killing civilians, as in the 9-11 attack of the NY Twin Towers and in the subways of London and Madrid or in the streets of Baghdad. The writer of the historical society's  brochure could use a history lesson.

The lecture on Sept. 21 was given by the author of a new book: "The Detonators", by Chad Millman,  published by Little, Brown in July, 2006.  It describes the blowing up of a spit of land in the New York harbor known as Black Torn.  Mr. Millman referred to the plot's shocking ties to Baltimore and refers to the "von Hindenberg of Roland Park."

 SPRINGER OFFERS CLASSES IN GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATION

Maria Springer,one of our members, officer classes in holiday baking and, for children, gingerbread house decoration/. The holiday baking classes are Friday evening, Nov. 3 and Saturday morning,  Nov. 4.  The children's decorating classes  (ages 5-12) are Dec. 2,3,9,10,16 & 17, 1-4:30 pm, concluding with a Christmas tea. Class sizes are restricted, so early registration is essential. $55 per class. Call Maria at 410-561-1157. Maria also conducts regular classes in baking and cooking under the title "Maja's Vienese Kitchen."  website:  Majaskit@aol.com

WORLD'S LEADING EXPORTER

The current bulletin of The  Society for German American Studies reports the the World Trade Organization (WTO) lists Germany as the champion  exporter of major goods such as vehicles, , heavy equipment, chemicals and medical technology.-not the USA, China or Japan, but tiny Germany.  The stats for 2005: Germany, #915 billion; China #593 billion;  Germany has the highest labor costs and China one of the lowest. Germany's labor force is 1/20th that of China.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS:

Angst, Angela

Angst, Dennis

Aumann, Delegate Susan

Aumann, Karl

Blotkamp, April

  with her children:

  Watts, Cari

  Watts, Leann

DeWitt, Lynn

Doellinger, Scott

Doellinger, Rebecca

Kaelber, Andreas

Lee, Uta

McLain, Edgar E.

McLain, Jacqua L.

Mueller-Anderson, Bernhard

Mueller-Anderson, Karen

Paulus, Charlene

Rosmus, Nadine

Schwartz IV, Lawrence S Stoehr, Richard J.

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HELP OUR SOCIETY BY PLACING AN AD IN THE BANQUET PROGRAM - TO COMMEMORATE YOUR ANCESTORS OR FRIENDS

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BE A SPONSOR IN OUR BANQUET PROGRAM

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GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE BANQUET - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - SEATS ARE LIMITED

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INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN THE GERMAN SOCIETY

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REMEMBER OUR EDUCATION FUND  ========

ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET SAT. OCTOBER 28 IN ADLERSAAL