† Zur Erinnerung †

Praise the Lord!   Good News.   We were blessed not to have any of our members pass since our last newsletter. We will keep all those who lead the way in German Singing, Culture, and Heritage in our hearts and souls, always.

INTRODUCING . . . . .

by Doris Vogt & Christa Scheitz

We hope you will take the time to extend a hand of friendship to our new members. Welcome to you all.

Alberta Cozza
Alberta was proposed for membership by Ruth Miller and Walter Bruchholz. She was accepted on August 8, 2007. Alberta was born and raised in Kingston and still resides here. She graduated from Kings H.S. in 1948. She and her Husband Ernie raised 5 children. Sadly Ernie is deceased. One of Alberta's sons is in the Bowling Hall of Fame and her great-grandson, who is only 6 years old, already is an accomplished bowler, getting his name in the local paper. He has been bowling for two years.

Alberta has worn many hats in the employment field. She worked at Hercules Powder Co., worked in Penny's, Wal-Mart and Adams, plus for a time, she did housecleaning for her family.

I don't know how they had the time (having 5 children) but Alberta and her husband were musicians for 30 years. Alberta played the accordion and organ, her husband the guitar and her daughter sang. They played at the Moose Hall, the Hillside and almost all of the local firehouses. They also volunteered at senior functions playing for an hour or more. They became well known at these functions and well loved. Alberta also was no stranger to the Maennerchor - having played for anniversary parties, etc. at the club and has also attended many of our dances. Welcome Alberta!

Jefferson Davis
Jeff was proposed for membership by Walter Vogt and Herman Koelmel. He was accepted on September 12, 2007. He is a willing worker. Jeff is no stranger to the "Club". His Opa, Willy Harms, and his Aunt, Annemarie sang with the Chor and Annemarie is still very active. Oma Elizabeth has always been a loyal supporter too.

Jeff was born in Kingston but he graduated from Saugerties High School in 1985. He now lives in Clifton Park, NY. He joined the NY Air National Guard in Scotia, NY. He has been active for 15 years, including five years in the US Air Force. He is an aircraft mechanic and was recently promoted to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. On October 14, 2007 Jeff was deployed to McMurdl Station in Antarctica and will be gone for 8 weeks.

Jeff is an all-around guy. He loves to boat on the Hudson and tour the Adirondacks on his motorcycle. He belongs to a sportsman club in Clifton Park and enjoys target practice. The club teaches hunter safety and also holds fund raisers to give back to the community.

As I said before, Jeff is no stranger to the Club. He has gone on several trips to Germany with our group and again has proved to be willing worker, unloading buses, and carrying suitcases up and down the stairs at the various hotels. Many German hotels do not have elevators, so many of us "old folks" really appreciated having Jeff's help and especially his good nature about all the work. Welcome Jeff! We know you will be real asset to the Kingston Maennerchor and Damenchor.

Michael and Clifford Maroney
Michael and Cliff were proposed for membership by Walter Vogt. They were accepted on August 8, 2007; Mike joining as a singer and worker and Cliff joining as a supporting member. Mike is no stranger to the "Club". His parents, Bruce and Doris, were members for many years. Doris sang with the "Chor", probably close to 25 years. They both were willing workers, sadly Doris is deceased.

Mike and his two sisters were born in Frankfurt, Germany. His dad was stationed in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army. He met and married Doris there, coming back to the States when Mike was about 3 years old. They lived in Port Ewen, NY and Mike and his family still live there, just a hop and a skip and jump away from his father's house. Mike and Jacqueline have been married for 19 years and have two sons; Clifford, who is 17 and Michael, who is 15.

Michael has been employed in retailing for 25 years. He worked at Potter Brothers Ski and Patio Store and now is employed at Herzog's True Value Home Center in the paint department. This is a busy man, folks. He has been attending Ulster County Community College for 2 years, studying psychology and elementary education. He needs one more semester to be able to teach at the elementary level. Michael also is a National Certified Soccer Coach and Referee. He has been doing this for 30 years. He enjoys soccer and taking good care of his family. Mike does not belong to any other clubs, so thank you Mike, for choosing the Kingston Maennerchor und Damenchor. I'm sure your Mom is smiling down on you for that and for being a great husband and father.

Cliff
As I said before, Cliff joined at the same time as his dad. Cliff is 17 years old and a senior at Kingston High School. Cliff joined as a supporting member. At school, Cliff plays bass clarinet in the 215 member KHS Band. On October 28th Cliff participated with the band in the Vestal Show Competition. On October 29th they traveled to Syracuse to participate in the New York State Field Band Conference 40 States Band Championship.

Cliff enjoys soccer also. He has played in Olympic Division Soccer for the Hudson Valley. After graduation, Cliff will be going to UCCC for two years, transferring hopefully to Boston University. He has not really decided on a major yet. Cliff enjoys music, getting together with some friends and forming a small band, playing base guitar. Welcome to the "Club" Cliff and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Editors Note: Each year the Kingston High School Brass Ensemble, a smaller contingent of the high school band, performs at our German Christmas Church Service. Come join us again this year to hear the fine music played by this distinguished young group.

Edward A. Zeboris and Julia Dennison-Zeboris
Edward and Julia were proposed for membership by good friends, Mickey Heilemann and Edgar Brown. They were accepted October 10, 2007, Ed joining at a worker and July as a supporting member.

Ed was born in Johnson City, NY and graduated from Binghampton Central H.S.. He also graduated from UCCC with an associate degree. He as a U.S. Marine for 3 years, stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. An interesting note, Ed was sent to Lebanon when General Eisenhower was President. After the service, Ed became a N.Y. State Trooper and Investigator for 23 years. Retiring from the State Police, he became a supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service, doing that for 17 years and then was a Post Master at Rhinecliff, NY. I think he has earned a well deserved retirement. Ed belongs to the NRA, Morgan Hill Game Association, Marine Corp. League, Ulster Det., and the VFW. He enjoys hunting and target shooting. He also collects military memorabilia. He has one son from a previous marriage who is a union electrician. P.S. If you want to hear a funny joke, just ask Ed.

Julia and Ed have been married for 19 years. They do not have children together. Julia was born in Catskill, NY and moved to Kingston and graduated from Kingston High School. She worked as a manager at Key Bank, retiring in May 2007. However, in September 2007, she returned as a part-time teller, which she enjoys. Julia, is also a member of the NRA, the Mid Hudson Wine Society, and the Hurley Heritage Society. Ed and Julia live in Hurley, NY. Julia enjoys nature, wildlife and wildlife photography. Welcome to both!

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Hildegard Edling, Historian/Archivist

As the Kingston Maennerchor & Damenchor approaches its 140th anniversary in spring of 2008 it is only fitting that we come to the end of this series on the building and move to Greenkill Avenue. The dedication of the hall occurred sixty-seven years ago in February of 1940. The optimism felt at the time of the dedication was soon to be tempered by the involvement of the United States in World War II. During the war, membership floundered and real progress and growth wasn't seen until approximately 1948.

Mannerchor Club Dedicates Hall

The Rondout Social Mannerchor dedicated its new hall on Greenkill Avenue Sunday with a banquet and program attended by members and their ladies, who heard several prominent speakers on topics concerning the organization.

Charles Corson, the toastmaster of the occasion, expressed extreme joy that the Mannerchor now has its own hall after 72 years of existence. Fred Scholl, the treasurer for 20 years, said that with the new hall, the members have an inspiration to progress. Mr. Scholl was very optimistic about the future of the club. "We have a place to work with," said he, "and this fact makes the members more anxious than ever to work for the club, and get some joy out of it."

Mrs. Corson, president of the Ladies' Auxiliary, in her speech said "It's as much our home as it is the men's and with the help of God and the cooperation of the members we cannot fail."

James H. Schoonmaker, builder of the hall, spoke on the various features of the building.

Members from the Germania Society of Poughkeepsie were guests, among them Ernest Bauer, formerly of the Mannerchor; Treasurer Held, Mrs. Held and Mrs. Vanderbilt, former president of the Germania Auxiliary.

After Fred Sudheimer, oldest member of the Mannerchor spoke, there was a program of songs and dancing to the tunes of the Marionettes.

Editor's Note: The above article is in its original format, with no changes, as printed in the Freeman probably February 4, 1940. I cannot tell from the archival material whether the dedication or the date of the newspaper article is February 4.

TALENT CORNER

by Hildegard Edling

The German American Choruses from around New York State gathered in Binghamton, New York to celebrate the 34th Sängerfest on 9, 10, 11 June 2006. We were rewarded with many unique opportunities to renew old friendships and we formed new ones while pursuing our common love of music through German Culture, Song, and Gemütlichkeit.

Congratulations and Well Done to the German Club of Binghamton for successfully hosting this triennial event. Also to the Music Directors, Adjudicators, and the Bundes Music Committee lead by Gail Miller and Helga Nowak-Razey for their hard work and dedication. Herzlichen Glückwunsch! und Gut gemacht! to the First Prize winners of the competitive singing events:
       <> Buffalo Schwaben Chor Ladies Chorus
       <> Buffalo Schwaben Chor Mixed Chorus 1st Class
       <> Kingston Maennerchor & Damenchor Mixed Chorus 2nd Class
       <> Syracuse Liederverein Men's Chorus
       <> Syracuse Liederverein Overall Best Wanderpreis

What is the New York State Sängerbund?

As German-speaking immigrants settled around the state, they brought with them a love of choral singing and formed choruses like those back in their heimat. In 1897 twenty-two choruses pledged to support each other, encourage competitive singing, and advocate camaraderie. Thus the sängerbund was founded.

This host association is the umbrella organization uniting German choruses from throughout New York State. Our mission is to promote and advance German culture, heritage, and tradition through music and song to communities all over the state. We meet these objectives in several ways:

        Encourage and support local concerts, festivals, and celebrations of traditional Germanic culture and heritage.

        Promote the triennial statewide competitive singing festival known as a Sängerfest. The Sängerfest comprises three days of concerts, dances, and competitive choral singing events.

        Distribute grants for German scholarship, youth choral programs, and funding for public concerts and community education.

Our only sources of income are contributions from the local choruses and endowments directly to the NYSSB Memorial Fund for use in grants and scholarship.

If you have a loved one, parent or grandparent who emigrated from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland and would like to remember them in a special way; please send your memorial gift to the New York State Sängerbund c/o 201 Avon Street East Syracuse NY 13057.

For more information, please checkout these websites:

NYSSB Website

REMINDERS

Monthly Business Meetings are the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 P.M. and usually last an hour. Our Financial Secretary Doris Vogt is now accepting dues, she also maintains our membership list. Please contact her if you have a change of address, phone number, or if you need a membership application or membership list.

Chorus Rehearsal Monday evenings at 7:00 PM. New singers are always welcome. Come and sit in on rehearsals if you are interested in participating.

Hall Rentals are available at reasonable rates for many types of occasions. Contact Carlton Bell or Walter Vogt for additional information.

Our members work hard to ensure a good time for all at our events. Come join us and support our German culture, heritage, and tradition. Don't miss out on another great event full of fun and camaraderie.

Listen for beautiful German Music and Announcements of local interests. The German Hour with host Hans Safer, 1490AM Radio WKNY.

Sundays 10:00 AM

Newsletter Sponsors
Aussergewöhnlich!    Vielen Dank!

Joan Arena

Christa Kohler

Christa Scheitz

Oskar Benzenhoefer

Alina Nitzschner

Rosemarie Stuedlien

Fred & Lieselotte Hatesaul

In Memory of William Wuerdeman

Herman & Linda Koelmel

Inge Martin

Pack Family

Thank you to all of the donors who gave generously to underwrite the cost of this newsletter. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Hildegard at the club.

Congratulations and Thanks to entire Newsletter Staff for their fine work in developing and delivering the Fall 2007 Newsletter.
Editor: Hermann Koelmel
Introducing: Doris Vogt
Layout and Transcription: Christa Scheitz
Talent Corner and Archives: Hildegard Edling
Overseas Correspondent: Katherine Wilsey
Reporters: Club Members

German Information on the Internet