Texas German Society Organized September 6, 1983 ■ Witte Schmid Haus 1860

Editor – Marie Herridge, 5462 Hwy 159 W, Bellville, TX 77418

marie@herridgeconsulting.com

REPORTER Winter 2014

VOL. XVI, NO. 1

MARCH 28 & 29, 2014

TEXAS GERMAN SOCIETY

STATE CONVENTION

WILLKOMMEN

Hosted by the Bluebonnet Chapter

Austin County Fairgrounds, Convention Center

Hwy 159 E Bellville, TX

The President’s Corner Wie Gehts Ya’ll!

Grüße an alle! Marie und ich hoffe, sie hatten ein wundervolles Thanksgiving,

Weihnachten, und Neue Jahr. I had the humble privilege of being invited to some of our

TGS Chapters over the holidays and was able to play violin, accordion, and sing some

great German Christmas songs with everyone. I want to say “Vielen Dank” for the

gracious hospitality I received. It is a sincere honor to be serving as your Texas German

Society State President for the past four years and to be included in your local chapter

special events such as these. As a side note, most Americans are missing out on some

great Christmas music that we have in our German culture!

For State Convention news, the 2015 State Convention is already in the planning by Linda Phillips (President,

Katy Tri-County Chapter) and by Cathy Hanzik (President, Fort Bend Chapter). I want to thank these ladies

and these two chapters for the energetic efforts being put into this and thank them for getting such an early

start! As a Society, it is my opinion that we should know 2 and 3 years in advance who will be hosting our

State Conventions. This kind of early planning makes the task much easier and less overwhelming. Speaking

of early planning, I would like to thank my home chapter, the Bluebonnet Chapter, and President Herbert

Schumann for the excellent and early planning efforts for our upcoming 2014 State Convention. This will be in

just over a month from now on Friday (social time) and Saturday (Convention Day) March 28 & 29, 2014 in

Bellville, Texas. This issue of the TGS Reporter has all the information. Please register as early as possible!

Danke!

Scholarship essay time! Please encourage your German teachers at your local high school to participate in the

TGS essay contest to win scholarship money for college. See www.texasgermansociety.com and go to the

scholarship page for details.

I send an apology to the North Harris County Chapter and their President Roger Wunderlich because our 2014

State Convention this year is on the same weekend as the Tomball German Heritage Festival. This conflict is

due to the limited dates available for the hall used for this year’s State Convention. For future reference, the

Tomball German Heritage Festival is always the last full Friday, Saturday, Sunday weekend in March. The

Tomball German Heritage Festival is a premier display of promoting Germans and non-Germans to “Go

German” for a weekend! Two members of the North Harris County Chapter, Grady Martin and Paul

Pasemann, helped start and grow the Tomball German Heritage Festival into a huge success. Vielen Danke! to

Grady and Paul. www.tomballgermanfest.org

Also in this issue of the TGS Reporter you will find a Texas Polka Music Museum flyer for their 10th

Annual

Texas Polka Fest. I have met with the TPMM leaders several times and can confidently say that these people

are extremely committed to keeping the German, Czech, and Polish Texas music from being lost and forgotten.

Their museum is in Schulenburg (open Thursday, Friday, Saturday) www.texaspolkamuseum.com Try to get

to Sealy on Sunday, March 2nd

for this fundraiser (I hope to be there playing in one of the bands!).

We send a big Willkommen! to the newest chapter of the Texas German Society, Der Meer Platz Chapter.

Thanks to the efforts of Reverend Tom Dietzel, the chapter will be serving the South Texas counties of

Aransas, Nueces, and San Patricio. These three counties border the Gulf of Mexico. Rev. Dietzel lives in

Rockport and serves Grace Lutheran Church in Sinton and is developing a mission on North Padre and

Mustang Islands. Their meeting locations are JB’s German Bakery & Café at 1513 S. Padre Island Drive in

Corpus Christi and at 816 Oak Avenue in Rockport. Rev. Dietzel can be reached at 361-445-1029 or 210-363-

3538.

We also send a big Willkommen! to the Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann who has joined us

recently as a corporate member. Hermann Sons has a very rich German origin and has been in existence for

over 150 years in Texas. Sons of Hermann is named after Hermann the Cherusker, an early German hero

recognized for his leadership and valor.

See you in Bellville at the State Convention very soon! Alle meine besten, Robert Herridge.

Registration Form

2014 Texas German Society State Convention Hosted by the Bluebonnet Chapter

At the Austin County Fair Convention & Expo Center

Austin County Fair Grounds on Highway159 East

1076 Hill Street

Bellville, Texas

March 29, 2014

Registration: Postmarked March 19 -- $20.00

Postmarked after March 19 (must be received by March 28) -- $25.00

Purchase at the door (must wait until all ticket holders are fed. Not guaranteed food) -- $25.00

(Please print the name/names wanted on name tag)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________City/State/Zip: ________________________________

Phone Number: __________________ Email Address:____________________________________

Chapter or indicate if visitor _______________________________________________________

Please indicate:

________ Number of people before March 19 X $20.00 = _____________ amount enclosed

_________Number of people after March 19 X $25.00 = _____________ amount enclosed

_________Number of people paid at the door X $25.00 = _____________amount paid

(not guaranteed food)

_________Number of students** X $12.00 = ______________amount enclosed

_________Booths for vendors X $20.00 = ______________amount enclosed (Submit by March 19)

_________Friday afternoon social Free will donation _________number attending

(Submit by March 19)

** Under 22 years of age and enrolled in an accredited school, college, or university.

Make checks payable to: Bluebonnet Chapter TGS

Return this form and money to: Bluebonnet Chapter TGS

% Ray Ledbetter, Treasurer

P.O. Box 142

Kenney, Texas 77452

Phone: 979-865-5407

Email: rayled6300@gmail.com

Please make copies of this form for all members. Families with last name and address can use same form but please list first names

separate for name tags.

2014 Texas German Society

State Convention

Hosted by the

Bluebonnet Chapter

Saturday, March 29, 2014 At The

Austin County Fair Convention & Expo Center Austin County Fairgrounds Highway159 East

1076 East Hill Street

Bellville, Texas 77418

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.

Come and enjoy German Music, Heritage, and Culture

Vendors of German and handmade crafts

German Style Meal (serving starts at 12:00 Noon)

Ticket Price $20 (postmarked after March 19, 2014 - $25)

For additional information:

Herbert Schumann at 979-865-3804

Email: hschuman@industryinet.com or

www.texasgermansociety.com

2014 Texas German Society State Convention

Vendor Exhibitor Rules

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014

Place: Austin County Fair Convention & Expo Center

Austin County Fair Grounds Highway 159 East 1076 East Hill Street Bellville, Texas 77418

Cost of space is $20.00 paid in advance. Please make check payable to “Bluebonnet Chapter of the

TGS”, and mail check and application to Elizabeth and Harold Remmert, 211 Lisa Lane, Bellville,

Texas 77418 or if any questions call 979-865-2944.

1. Booth size is approximately 10’X 12’

2. Booth site will be assigned indoors and exhibitor will provide necessary tables, chairs, etc. The

Bluebonnet Chapter of the Texas German Society and/or the Texas German Society will not be

responsible for any loss, damage, or injury.

3. Booths should be set up by 8:30 a.m. and remain until the end of the convention which will be

approximately 3:30 p.m.

4. Limited electrical outlets are available, but arrangements need to be made in advance.

5. Each participant is responsible for collecting and reporting STATE SALES TAX. You sell directly to

the public.

6. Submit application by March 19, 2014.

2014 TEXAS GERMAN SOCIETY STATE CONVENTION

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

8:30 -9:30 a.m. Registration

Music – State President Robert Herridge

Kaffe, Saft, Strudel

9:30 a.m. Willkommen

Bluebonnet Chapter President – Herbert Schumann

Judge Carolyn Bilski

Flag Ceremony – U.S., Texas, and German

Narrative read by German Students from Sealy High

Flag bearers are Harold Remmert, Art Remmert, and Judy Fisher

Pledge of Allegiance - United States Flag - Evelyn Kieke

Invocation in German and English – Evelyn Kieke

9:50 – 10:20 a.m. Dr. Jim Kearney - The German Language –It’s Future in Texas??

10:20 – 10:40 a.m. Break

10:40 - 11:10 a.m. Ann Lindemann – Industry – First German Settlement in Texas

11:10 – 11:50 a.m. Texas German Society Business Meeting / TGTP – President Robert Herridge

11:50 – 12 noon German Consulate

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Meal

Table Blessing – Herbert Schumann Music – Bellville High School Polka Band

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Karl Micklitz – The Vereins in Austin County

1:30 - 2:00 p.m. Concordia Gesang Verein - Entertainment

2:00 – 2:20 p.m. Break and Silent Auction will close at 2:20 p.m.

2:20 – 3:00 p.m. Music by Enzian Buam

3:00 – 3:20 p.m. La Grange High School German Dancers

3:20 Closing Remarks

Texas German Society State Convention

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Austin County Fair Convention & Expo Center

Austin County Fairgrounds Highway 159 East

1076 East Hill Street

Bellville, Texas

Booth Application Due March 19, 2014

Booth (cost $20) _______________________________________

Booth Name ____________________________________ Date_______________

Applicant’s Name ___________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

City ___________________________State ____________ Zip _______________

Daytime Phone __________________ Cell _______________________________

E-mail _____________________________________________________________

Items to be sold _____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Signed Agreement

I hereby release the Bluebonnet Chapter – Texas German Society and Texas German Society of any

responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to any work shown at the 2014 Convention. I agree to abide by

the rules included with this application. I also agree that my booth name and items to be sold may be

used to advertise the 2014 Convention.

Signature_______________________________

Date ___________________________________

(Mail application to Elizabeth and Harold Remmert, Bluebonnet Chapter of the Texas German Society, 211 Lisa Lane,

Bellville, Texas 77418) (Any questions call 979-865-2944)

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

Austin County

Bastrop County

New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact our president Mikki Meyer at (512)

253-1111 or vice-president Rebecca Bernhard at (512) 818-1022.

Bluebonnet Chapter

Jan 23, 2013: President Herbert Schumann welcomed members and guests to the first meeting of

2013. The Nominating Committee recommended the following officers for 2013:

President: Herbert Schumann; Vice President: Elizabeth Remmert; Secretary: Grace Holtkamp; Treasurer: Ray Ledbetter

The program for the meeting was presented by Karl Micklitz, who told about his family's experiences in Selessia and Germany after World War II.

March 27, 2013: President Schumann welcomed members and guests in German and English.

Two important upcoming events were discussed. The first event was the Texas German Society Convention to be held April 13 in Galveston. Sixteen members of the Bluebonnet Chapter attended this convention. The second event was the Fruhling Sängerfest to be held on April 28 in Bellville. The Bluebonnet Chapter and the Bellville Lions Club worked very hard to have another successful festival. The program for the meeting was a presentation by local historian Herbie Kollatschny. He talked about his books and how life has changed in the community of Cat Spring.

May 22, 2013: Approximately 46 members met at Hinze's Barbeque in Sealy for a German dinner. After the dinner the

group went to the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, where early settlers arrived in the early 1820's and received

their land grants. The site manager, Bryan McAuley, gave a tour of the site and gave an interesting report on changes and

future plans.

July 24, 2013: The July meeting is the chapter's ice cream social which everyone enjoys. Approximately 54 members and guests enjoyed many servings of ice cream Special guests were Phoebe Browne and her parents Doug and Rhonda Browne. Phoebe a recent graduate of Sealy High School, received the $500.00 scholarship given by the Bluebonnet Chapter. The entertainment for the evening was selections by the Concordia Singers.

The September 25 meeting will be held at the Hill Center in Sealy. The program for this meeting will be Dorothy Leyendecker's research on cemeteries in Austin County.

Membership to the Bluebonnet Chapter is open to anyone who is interested in preserving German culture, language and heritage.

Texas German Society Reporter 8 Winter 2014

Colorado County

February 28,2013 - The Colorado County Chapter met at the EMS Building opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The German Culture Committee along with some chapter members met with the German students of CISD in December. A short informational program was presented and Christmas cookies and punch were enjoyed by everyone. In order to have a more continuous relationship with the students, the chapter purchased a German dictionary for each of the 22 students.

Nelda Hajdik, a member of our chapter, presented the program for the evening. She had a visual and narrative story of Oberammergau, the small Bavarian village near Munich, where the Passion Play is held

every ten years with the next one to be held in 2020.

There were three visitors present - Al Gene and Deanie Chollett and David Kotzebue.

April 25, 2013 - We met at Schneider Hall for our annual BBQ picnic and meeting. The hall had been offered to our chapter by Kathy Burris prior to her fatal auto accident and the

family extended this offer to us at this time.

Dorothy Leyendecker presented our program in honor of Kathy Burris. With help from Kathy's daughter, Amber, Dorothy was able to give us an interesting and factual history

of the hall.

Carolyn Hastedt reported that ten people visited Liendo Plantation and had lunch in Hempstead on April 12. This was the home of Elizabeth Ney, the German sculptress who was important in our history. She is buried there on the beautiful grounds surrounding the lovely home built in 1853.

Vema Nell Dittmar of the Nominating Committee along with members Virginia Lilie and Elsie Kahlden thanked the outgoing officers, namely, Janice Houghton, Fay Elliott and Elsie Kahlden for a job well done. Each of the outgoing officers and the new officers re- ceived a single rose from the chapter.

The following slate of officers elected for the next 2 year term were: President - Dorothy Leyendecker, Vice-President - Virginia Lilie, Secretary - Shirley Frers, and Treasurer- Siegfried Keierleber.

Committee Chairman, Frnka reported the German students are being taken on a day trip May 17, to visit Monument Hill-Kreische Brewery state historic sites in La Grange, Texas.

Fort Bend County

The Fort Bend Chapter of the Texas German Society meets on the second Tuesday of every other month

at the Albert George Library Meeting Room in Needville at 7 PM.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact President Cathy Hanzik by telephone at 281-342-

8243 or by email at cathyhanzik@gmail.com.

Fort Bend Chapter of the Texas German Society Visits Washington County

Texas German Society Reporter 9 Winter 2014

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, members of the Fort Bend Chapter of the Texas German Society began the day by driving the

scenic route to Washington-on-the-Brazos. A guided tour was enjoyed by the group as they learned about Texas Independence. The group all agreed that more time was needed to enjoy the Star of the Republic Museum and other

attractions at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park. The group then traveled to Brenham and had lunch at the Must Be Heaven Restaurant. Joycine Hanath, past TGS State President, gave a presentation on the history of Germans

settling in Brenham. Germans fought in the Civil War and in Washington County there were both Union

and Confederate Soldiers. The railroad was very important in the growth of Brenham. The railroad was built from Houston to the Brazos River to transport goods in and out of Brenham. She talked about how the Germans were very

educated people - doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc. Blinn Jr. College started out as the Mission Institute sponsored by the German Methodist Ministers. After a while the school was in financial need and Dr. Blinn came to the school's rescue and

so the name of the school was changed from Mission Institute to Blinn College. She shared how Brenham was burned and how the townspeople built in the ground cisterns to capture rainwater from the rooftops. We walked to Toubin Park

where a in the ground cistern is on display. The cistern was accidentally uncovered in 2000. These cisterns were under

buildings and had a cooling effect on the building. There is a series of over 20 cisterns throughout the city of Brenham. The day ended with a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery and the group enjoying Blue Bell Ice Cream. If anyone is planning

a trip to Washington County, more time is needed than what this group planned. There was so much to see and learn in Washington County.

Pictured: Front Row: Carol Niemann (Missouri City), Irene Bohac (Needville), Darlene Mensik (Needville), Loyce

Anderson (Rosenberg), Ruth Kendziora (Rosenberg), Dolores Kueck (Rosenberg), Marilyn James (Houston), Abby, our Blue Bell Tour Guide, Barbara Sanders, Blue Bell Tour Director

Back Row: Delbert Niemann (Missouri City), Raymond Schmidt (Beasley), Evelyn Schmidt (Beasley), Laveta Mitchell (Needville),

Winona Luedeke (Needville), Erna Thielemann (Richmond), Clarence Thielemann (Richmond), Bruce Baca (Trinity), Georgie Ann Bosak (Needville), Jeannette Matthews (Rosenberg), Theresa Schultz (Needville), Cathy Hanzik (Needville)

Texas German Society Reporter 10 Winter 2014

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013, members of the Fort Bend Chapter of the Texas German Society took a trip to Das

Haus. The 1860 Witte-Schmid Haus was donated to the Texas German Society in 1986 by Annie Schmid and her son, Sanford Schmid. The German fachwerk structure known as "Das Haus" was listed on the National Register of Historic

Places in December of 1997. It is located in the Schoenau community between Industry and Shelby in Austin County, Texas. Das Haus is an unusual structure representing both Old World building traditions and the realities of pioneer life

here on the Texas prairies. All of the interior walls are of fachwerk construction, consisting of wooden beams joined by

mortise-and-tenon joints secured by wooden pegs. This framework is filled in with adobe bricks for the most part, and then plastered on both sides of the wall. The use of adobe for the walls and chimneys is perhaps an adaptation to Texas

or West Texas building methods. In Germany, the original fachwerk houses and barns used daub-and-wattle (mud on wooden sticks) for the infill, which was then plastered. Das Haus is left as original as it can be with only parts that are

damaged replaced with as close to original as possible. The view from the second floor bedrooms windows is astounding. Das Haus sits on top a a hill and one can see a long distance from the second floor window.

Paul Schenck, a member of the Museum (Das Haus) Commission and someone who been a part of the restoration and upkeep of Das Haus, met the group and spoke about the house giving the group a tour from the first floor to the second

floor where the bedrooms were to the basement where according to Mr. Schenck hogs were butchered. The group brought food and enjoyed a picnic at Das Haus. Before the group left, they visited the cemetery on the grounds.

Pictured from left to right: Loyce Anderson, Jeannette Mathews, Ora Dell Strieder, Evelyn Schmidt, Raymond Schmidt,

Theresa Schultz, Erna Thielemann, Darlene Mensik, Irene Bohac, Clarence Thielemann, Winona Luedeke, Frank Strieder, Cathy Hanzik, Juanita Todd, and Walter Todd

Texas German Society Reporter 11 Winter 2014

Galveston Chapter

Golden Crescent Chapter

June 09 2013 This was our annual June picnic meeting. We began the picnic at 3:00pm members gathered and

visited with each other until about 4:00pm. Several of the members organized games to be played among the

members consisting of cards, dominos and bunco. Robert Meyer, President, got our attention about 6:00pm and

gave the blessing for our meal. We had fried chicken catered and members brought side dishes and desserts to

complete the meal.

Program: We did not have a program, we played games instead.

Old Business: No old business was discussed. New Business: No new business was discussed.

Minutes: No minutes were read as this was not a formal meeting. Announcements: No announcements were

made.

Attendance: 29 persons were in attendance. There were several other events going on the same day for some of

our members, so we were missing a few members who usually make all of our meetings. Meeting was

adjourned about 7:00pm

Aug 1 2013 Robert Meyer, President, called meeting to order at 7:10pm, he led the group with the Pledge of

Allegiance and said a prayer blessing our food for the evening.

Program: Linda Wolff gave a very informative talk on “The 1946 Victoria, Texas Response to Polio, DDT and

Cleanup Process”.

Minutes: Were read and approved from the last meeting.

Treasurer Report: Ending balance in regular account $5,226.31, scholarship account balance $6,562.86 before

treasurer wrote three $500 scholarship checks for: Kayla Headley, Logan Kalich and Brayden Sievers our three

scholarship winners for this year.

Old Business: Dorothy Albrecht gave us an update on our scholarship winners. She was very impressed with

the essays she received. Each student must write two essays, one outlining why they want the scholarship and

the second one about their German Heritage. It was very hard to choose winners.

Patsy Hand gave a report about her research into getting us a banner to use as advertisement during events

which we participate in an attempt to attract new members. Patsy gave us the facts if we ordered business card

size magnets to use as handouts at events. After discussion/question period the membership voted for Patsy to

go ahead and order the banner and magnets

New Business: Eric Chester gave a report on his progress in setting up booths on two upcoming events for all

the organizations in town to promote new membership. Eric is working with the mall for us to have a booth for

“Heritage Days” on September 20 and 21. There will be an essay and a poster contest for persons to enter for

prize monies. Our group voted to donate $100 toward contest prize money. Eric is in contact with the

“BootFest” organizers for the same groups to be able to have a booth to promote membership. “BootFest” will

be October 3 and 4.

Texas German Society Reporter 12 Winter 2014

Mary Belle Meitzen approached the group about hiring a band “Tony Wilhelm Band” to play Christmas polka

music at the Christmas party. It was voted to hire the band of two persons for one hour at the cost of $150.

Announcements:

Mary Belle Meitzen – August 15, Swedish photo story at Calhoun County Library.

November – Henry Wolff, Jr. will do a presentation during Folklore days in Port Lavaca, Texas.

Lillian Lau – August 18, 1st English Lutheran Church services 8:00am and 10:30am will have polka church

services.

Attendance: 46 persons were in attendance, including two guests. Meeting was adjourned about 8:45pm

Dec 3 2013 We did not have a formal meeting this month instead we had our annual Christmas Party.

Thanks to the board members, regular members and our hostesses who came at 10am and decorated Wesley

Hall, the hall was decorated very festive and looked wonderful.

Hostesses and board members began arriving about 4:30pm and guests began arriving shortly thereafter.

Everyone had a great time visiting until our food arrived. Our meal was catered by Werner’s Bar B Q from

Shiner, Texas. Robert Meyer, our President, said a blessing for our food and everyone enjoyed a wonderful

meal. The members brought desserts and we had a nice selection to choose from.

Robert also announced to be sure and add a donation to the “No Bake, Bake Sale” bucket. He also reminded

the members once again that whoever is on the committee for the next meeting is requested to take the supplies

home with them so they can inventory and replenish before it is their turn to host.

Thanks to everyone who donated all the decorations for our party. Ann Heinrich and Dorothy Boehm donated

the poinsettias for the table decorations. They gave them away as door prizes at the end of the evening.

Program: Our program for the evening was the Tony Wilhelm band playing music throughout the evening.

The music was very enjoyable

Treasurer Report: No report was read. Minutes: No minutes were read.

Old Business: No Old Business was discussed. New Business: No New Business was discussed.

Attendance: 56 persons signed up for the party, 45 persons actually arrived

Party adjourned about 8:30pm, many thanks to the members who assisted in taking the decorations down and

putting the tables and chairs back where they belonged before leaving.

Harris County Chapter

Guten Tag, Harris County Texas Germans, The Harris County Chapter of the Texas German Society will feature Tristan Smith, Executive Director of the Houston Fire Museum, speaking on the "Early History of Firefighting in Houston" at 6:45 p.m. tonight, Thursday, January 9, at the Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, which is at 1414 Wirt Road at the intersection of Wirt and Westview in Spring Branch.

Texas German Society Reporter 13 Winter 2014

Also, this is the meeting when we have our traditional apple strudel made for us at Rudi Lechner's! A slice will await you at the meeting! Many thanks to Ruth for ordering and picking it up for us. If you would all bring sandwiches and side dishes--that would be great! As always, many thanks to Delores and Ruth for arriving early to set up the room. Also keep our member Larry Hoff in your prayers. He has contracted pneumonia plus staff infection and is seriously ill. He has just returned home from the hospital. This is also the meeting when you want to bring your dues if you have not already given them to our secretary Cheryl Snyder.

Heart of Texas Chapter

Oct - Helen presented a program about “Interesting German Songs.” Ein Prosit (the Drinking Song) can be

tracked back to 1846 and means “do good” and the part at the end most everyone knows translates to “one, two,

three, drink up.” Quite interesting.

Betty Hubbard, Andrea Baker and Carroll Warschak participated in the Central Texas Genealogical Society

Lockin on October 18th

with a HOT Chapter table. Since Andrea is from Germany, she translated some papers

for a lady during the evening. It was a fun evening with other ethnic groups represented.

Dec - The HOT Chapter met for the annual Christmas party at 7 p.m. on December 12, 2013 at Trinity

Lutheran Church. President LaNell Mueller welcomed everyone. Our guests were Lissa Derrick, Edel Gore and

Liz McCorkle friends of JoAnn Fleetwood. Everyone enjoyed a catered meal from Wiethorn Catering and

desserts by members.

For the program Betty Hubbard read a poem by Dan Willis titled, “Christmas Cheer.” Helen Miller read a

story by Dorothy M. Ross called “My Most Cherished Christmas Gift.” We had fun answering questions from

Helen’s Christmas Quiz. Gerhard Liehsel read the Christmas story from Luke 2 in German and Betty Hubbard

read it in English. Members brought food for Caritas.

Katy Tri-County Chapter

The Katy Tri-County Chapter started the year 2013 with an organizational meeting since it would be celebrating

the 20th

anniversary of it’s formation in February.

The Katy Tri-County Chapter was organized on February 2, 1993, and so at the February meeting the members

celebrated their 20th

anniversary. TGS President Robert Herridge and his wife, Marie, joined the celebration in

Katy. Our President, Linda Phillips, created a DVD from our scrapbook pictures of our 20 years and the

members enjoyed seeing these memories while also sharing a pot luck meal. The evening was a success with

TGS President Robert entertaining us with his accordion and violin.

In March, the German students from Cinco Ranch High School and their teacher Heidi Kirby, presented us with

some of the activities they used to compete at the State Competition this year for German Students. Their

enthusiasm for the German culture and language was evident.

Texas German Society Reporter 14 Winter 2014

We had 13 members and their guests attend the annual TGS Convention in Galveston this year.

May was a sad month for our chapter since we lost long time member and Historian, Roberta Rylander. Ms.

Rylander’s family was one of the first German families to immigrate to the Katy area.

At our May meeting, President Linda Phillips showed an interesting video on the details of errors leading up to

the sinking of the Titanic.

In celebration of Flag Day in June, our chapter was presented with a very special “Flag” program by Mr. Ed

Raines and Ms. Virginia Evans. Mr. Raines is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and presents a

program on the history of our American flag while he displays actual flags from all the stages of the flag up to

present day. Ms. Evans portrays herself as Betsy Ross in costume and in first person. This is not only an

informative program but very entertaining.

Lavaca/DeWitt County

Lee County

The Lee County Chapter meets the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at First National Bank meeting

room, and we enjoy a snack supper.

.

North Harris County

It was a great year 2013 with always between 45 and 65 participants in attendance.

We enjoyed the State Convention in Galveston April 13th. We chartered the Precinct 4 bus,

some came by private cars. The program was very interesting and we learned a lot.

Congratulations go to state president Robert Herridge, Delores Taylor and all helpers from the

Galveston County and South Bay Chapter for a well organized event. The table decoration was

remarkable.

At the March 25th meeting, Judge Karl Micklitz gave a power point presentation of his

experiences of being displaced from his birthplace in Oberschlesien, Germany (now a part of

Poland) to West Germany, and then described his trip from Germany to Texas via New York in

1952.

Micklitz began his presentation with a short history of Germany, including an explanation of the

three German Reichs and the subsequent changes since World War II. His maps showed how

Germany was divided after the war and the subsequent reunification after the. fall of the

Berlin wall in 1989. He explained how the family was forced to leave their home in 1946 and how

they arrived in the British Occupation Zone near Hannover. Then he described the family’s

journey from Bremerhafen to New York , and the subsequent train ride from there to Houston

and on to a ranch at the Mexican border in South Texas. The family finally settled in Houston.

Texas German Society Reporter 15 Winter 2014

The May 27, 2013 meeting of the North Harris County Chapter of the Texas German Society

featured a program on the Klein, TX Museum and Wunderlich Farm. The Klein, TX Historical

Foundation was chartered in 1988 by Klein ISD with a mission to preserve the history and

culture of the rich German heritage that helped create the community life of Klein, Texas.

Guest presenter LaNell Allee, district historian and Living History Educator, showed a pictorial

timeline of the museum complex. The Peter Wunderlich farmhouse, now surrounded by modern

suburban developments northwest of Houston, stands as a reminder of a simpler time when the

rural area was farmed by German immigrants. The farmhouse still stands where it was first

built by Peter Wunderlich II, son of the first Peter who came to Texas from Germany in 1852.

The 1891 house was occupied by the Wunderlich family until 1995, yet the house retains much

of its earlier style. As part of their Texas history curriculum, all fourth graders in Klein ISD

visit Wunderlich Farm for a hands-on experience led by costumed volunteers from the

community. Students rotate around the farm to different station activities which include

washing clothes on a scrub board, pumping water from the well, shelling corn, and mowing with

an antique hand mower. Students also learn about farm activities at the smokehouse, the hen

house and the numerous barns and tool sheds. The time period of these exhibits feature 1890’s

to 1930’s.

Since 1995, other buildings have been added to the museum complex. During the May meeting,

LaNell Allee used numerous photographs to illustrate the restoration and upkeep of these

buildings. The Klein, TX Historical Foundation is dependent on donations for these projects.

The 1874 Maria Katherina Wunderlich house was moved to the complex in 1999. This house is

furnished in the time period of the late 1800’s. Katherina was the widow of the first Peter

Wunderlich and raised her six children in this house.

The Hildebrandt House was added to the complex in 2003. The last family member moved out

just prior to the 2003 re-location. This furnished house features artifacts and furnishings

from the 1940’s and 1950’s.

The museum complex also features the two room Kohrville schoolhouse moved to the museum

property in 2000 and the Ulrich Barn added in 2010. The Ulrich Barn was reconstructed from

original barn beams and doors and now holds numerous collections from local German families

including the Klebs, Franks and Mittelstadts.

Tours of the farm are designed to reflect the way of life in the rural community. The public is

invited to a free tour from 11am to 3pm the last Saturday of each month except November,

December and May. More information about the Foundation and Wunderlich Farm can be found

at www.kleinisd.net. Look for the Department of Historical Foundation on the home page.

The July program was presented by the Tomball Sister City Association (Grady Martin, Paul

Pasemann). Teltge is the city in Westphalia/Germany. We saw DVDs from the annual Tomball

Heritage Festival and Texas German Christmas Market. Many members recognized themselves.

We had a wonderful time and also many laughs.

Sept. 23, 2013 NHCC celebrated its 18th anniversary under president Roger Wunderlich. A

buffet dinner was prepared by Petra Gebert, Eva Holloway, Doris Guettler. Roast, Sauerkraut

Texas German Society Reporter 16 Winter 2014

and potatoes were enjoyed by everyone. Of course, there was a birthday cake and much more.

Clarice Wunderlich always helps in the kitchen, thank you. The international accordionist Joe

Brikha entertained with popular music for almost three hours. It was an enjoyable evening.

November was election night. The whole Board was reinstated - Congratulations. With sorrow it

was announced that we lost Catherine Neal (PR). Her husband James accepted a plague on her

behalf. Also, other members were honored by Roger Wunderlich.

Glenn Guettler furnished the DVD "Silent Night", the story about the most known Christmas

carol in the world. His wife Doris played the melody on the piano to get us in the mood for the

holiday season.

We would like to say "Auf Wiedersehen in 2014".

Southbelt Chapter We meet at Mount Olive Lutheran Church on Scarsdale every third Thursday at 5:30 pm. Our meetings begin

with food and fellowship.

The members of the TGS-South Belt Chapter were very pleased to see many of you in Galveston for the TGS

Anniversary Convention on April 13th. The weather was very pleasant and all of us were able to take a step

back in time to the Port City of Galveston from 1850 to 1900 when many of our ancestors arrived from

Germany. We were also able to connect with the music, dancing, and singing societies which our ancestors

brought to Texas from the “old country.” The proclamations given by the Mayor of Galveston and the Special

Representative of the Sons of Herman were presented to President Robert Herridge by Lydia Dozler at the TGS

state meeting this summer at Das Haus. We hope that the Proclamations be part of a display in the “Das Haus

Museum.”

A few members of our chapter joined with the Galveston Chapter at the Haak Vineyards and Winery in Santa

Fe for a very enjoyable social event. And some of our members accompanied the Ellington American Legion

senior group for a trip in July to the George Bush Library and Museum in College Station. Our chapter also ate

at the Austrian Restaurant in Pearland one evening when they had a band playing. In October, some of us

attended the Oktoberfest Polka Service at First Lutheran Church in Galveston.

Mr. Alfred Dresher was the speaker at our August meeting. He showed us his very interesting coin collection

from many of the places that he visited. We enjoyed hearing his discussion about these coins. He also shared

some literature and newspapers from Germany. In September, Ruby Reviere brought many pictures and spoke

about her trips to the Berlin area in Germany.

Our celebration of German Day took place on October 19th at the home of James and Carol Hamm in League

City. This was a celebration of food, fellowship, and listening to German music played on the accordion of Tom

Visentin.

The South Belt chapter meets at 5:30p.m. on the Third Thursday evening of every month at Mount Olive

Lutheran Church on Scarsdale Blvd. in Houston, Texas. We invite all who are interested in our German heritage

to join us for food and fellowship.

Tarrant County

Washington County

Texas German Society Reporter 17 Winter 2014

Texas German Society 2014 State Convention

The 2014 TGS State Convention will be hosted by the Bluebonnet Chapter in Bellville, Texas on Friday, March

28 and Saturday March 29,2014. Activities on Friday will include several places to visit in the area. Friday

evening is on your own. On Saturday, there will be some great entertainment and speakers throughout the day.

There will be a silent auction throughout the day. A light breakfast including coffee and juice will be served

Saturday morning. There will be a German lunch served.

Mark your calendars NOW for March 28 and March 29, 2014. This will be an event you won’t want to miss!

There will be more information to come. The information to register is in THIS newsletter., TGS, is looking

forward to and working hard on the next State convention to be held March 29, 2014, in Bellville as the Austin

County Fairgrounds EXPO center. Get the forms out of this newsletter & mail in your registration!

Texas German Trails Project

Texas German Trails project is underway to identify and locate on a state map or in a guide all of the more

significant communities and towns that were settled by German immigrants. If you would like to see your area

represented and are willing to help or would like additional information, please contact Van Massirer at (254)

Please! Support the Texas German Society Scholarship Fund by subscribing or renewing your subscription to GERMAN LIFE. 50% or 1/2 of the subscription money stays in our scholarship fund ONLY if you send your renewal to the address below – not directly to German Life. You will receive your renewal from German Life but please make your check payable to TGS and mail to the address below.

FUND RAISER PROGRAM

2013

TEXAS GERMAN SOCIETY

Zip __________

City ______________________________________

State ___________________________________

1 -yr. Subscription $24.95 (save 23%)

2 yr. Subscription $38.95 (save 38%)

3 yr. Subscription $53.95 (save 42%)

Renewal

Address ___________________________________

Payment: Cash Check # ____ (make checks payable to TGS)

Amount Paid: ____ Cash ._____ Check

Name ___________________________________

German Life Thank you for your support! Please mail to:

TGS Scholarship Fund 13730 Hambleton Circle Houston, TX 77069 www.texasgermansociety.com

Amount Paid: ____ Cash ._____ Check

Texas German Society Reporter 18 Winter 2014

486-2366 or vmassirer@yahoo.com. There will be more information at the Convention on this project. We

hope to have a TGTP meeting immediately after Convention adjournment.

Be sure to submit any activities in your area. The next newsletter will be in June so

start submitting your articles and information now. The deadline for the June 2014

newsletter is May 15, 2014.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL? If you would like to receive your newsletter by email, please send me an email at

marie@herridgeconsulting.com and you will be added to the database. The newsletter will be sent in a PDF

format, which if you do not have Adobe Reader on your computer it is a free program to download and I will

include instructions for you. If you are willing to receive it by email, it will be helpful on the cost of printing

and mailing our newsletters. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thanks.

If you do not have a computer or do not wish to receive it by email, you will still receive a printed newsletter by

US mail. Please do not worry, as the newsletter will always be available in printed form for all who want to

receive printed.

Bluebonnet Chapter of Texas German Society & the Bellville Lions

Club

Invite you to the 12th

Annual

Frühling Sängerfest (German Spring Singing Fest)

Sunday April 27, 2014

Concordia Hall 952 South Tesch, Bellville, Texas 77418 Free Admission - - - Free Entertainment

German Singing Groups, Bier Garten Music, Sing-alongs and Dancing Afterwards

BBQ Chicken and Sausage Dinner ($9.00 per plate)

(Opening Ceremony and Serving starts at 11:00 AM)

For additional information call:

Laura Schumann 979-865-3804 or Robert Herridge 713-582-2461

Texas German Society Reporter 19 Winter 2014

Texas German Society Reporter 20 Winter 2014

IN MEMORIUM

Catherine Neal

Catherine Lola Bailey Neal, 79, was born in Houston, Texas, on February 14, 1934, and passed away

September 21, 2013, in Tomball, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, James Luther and Lillian

(Wunderlich) Bailey, brother “Sonny”, and sister Rosalie.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, James C. “J.C.” Neal; sons, Tommy Neal (Theresa) and Ron

Neal (Janet); daughter Janice Provost (Roger); grandchildren Kelly Neal, Clayton Neal (fiance Jessica), Candice

Munchrath (Eric), Alicia Schultz (Matt), and C.J. Neal; great-grandsons Matthew Schultz II and Tyler

Munchrath; brother Victor Bailey (Shirley); sister Mary Stolman (Ron); sister-in-law Florence Dodd; brother-

in-law Bill Neal; and a host of relatives and friends.

Catherine was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and various garden clubs. She was also a

member of the North Harris County Chapter of the Texas German Society. The family thanks her caregivers at

The Heritage Tomball. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Visitation Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, 5pm to 8pm at Klein Funeral Home. Funeral service Thursday, Sept. 26,

2013, 11:00 am, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5201 Spring Cypress Rd., Spring, Texas 77379.

78754.

Charles H. Vibrock 83, passed away peacefully at home on Dec 15, 2013. A 6th generation

Texan from Houston, born in Yoakum, Dewitt Co. Graduated from Stephen F. Austin HS '48,

earned his BBA at the University of Houston; played trumpet, loved music. He joined the Air

Force and earned his wings, commission in 1954.

Lt. Col. Charles Vibrock had assignments all over the world including Viet Nam. Awards

included Sr. Air Traffic Control Badge; Bronze Star; Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class,

Republic of Viet Nam; Command Pilot Wings; retired Air Force in 1976, then, retired from

export sales at TXT in 1993. A life long Lutheran and Member of Trinity Lutheran Church,

Klein TX. "Trinity has been our cornerstone church since 1976." He volunteered at the

Bethesda Thrift store in Tomball, Men's Club at Trinity and was a member of the Texas

German Society.

He met Carolyn Bacon in 1951 and married 12 Jun 1954; they have been inseparable since

celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004. He was predeceased by his parents Henry

and Cora Vibrock; son Michael Vibrock. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Vibrock; son's Tim Vibrock, Charles Vibrock, Jr.;

daughter-in-law Sandra Vibrock; grandson's Eric & John Vibrock; sister Rose Bishop; uncle Herman Vibrock; and many nieces,

nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5-7pm Weds in Champions at Klein Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at Trinity

Lutheran Church, Klein, TX at 11am, Thursday December 19. Interment will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, with

full military honors.

In lieu of usual remembrances, family suggests contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church Men's Club or the charity of your

choice . Published in Houston Chronicle from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, 2013

♫♪♫♫♫♪♫♫♪♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♪♫♫♫♫

Calendar of Events

2014

MARCH

March 28, 29, 30 14th

Annual Tomball German Heritage Festival www.tomballsistercity.org

March 28 & 29 – Texas German Society State Convention – Bellville, TX hosted by Bluebonnet Chapter at

Austin County Fairgrounds

Texas German Society Reporter 21 Winter 2014

APRIL

April 27- 12th

Annual Frühling Saengerfest, sponsored by Bluebonnet Chapter of TGS & Bellville Lions Club,

Bellville, Concordia Hall, 936 S Tesch, Bellville 11 am.

MAY

May 2 -4 – Brenham Maifest, Washington County Chapter, Brenham, TX www.maifest.org

DECEMBER December 7 – Das Haus Christmas Party - all members welcomed - Bring your favorite dish/snack

December TBD- German Christmas Market “Weihnachtsmarkt Texas Style”, Tomball, TX The Market is

sponsored by the City of Tomball, Tomball Sister City, and German Heritage Festival

www.tomballsistercity.org . www.myspace.com/tgchristmas

2014

Tomball

German

Heritage

Festival

March 28,

29, 30,

2014

Old Town

Tomball,

Texas

Historical

Train

Depot

Plaza

Texas German Society Reporter 22 Winter 2014

Texas German Society Reporter Non-Profit Org.

5462 Hwy 159 W U.S Postage

Bellville, TX 77418 Paid

Spring, TX

Permit No.230