http://www.GermanHeritageFoundation.org
ENJOYING TRADITION, PRESERVING HISTORY...
History is full of adventure, discovery, tragedy, and success. We Texas Germans want to share the reasons we enjoy our German heritage in the USA so much and want very much to share it. We will try to provide you with a year full of our activities and links to more detailed history and events. We welcome your interest and participation. We appreciate your financial help to improve our services. Become a member of the GHF. Send your check of any size to German Heritage Foundation, 407 Cora Strasse, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 USA. This will get you on our emailing list to let you know about things from time to time that might help you also ENJOY THE HERITAGE!
Thank you, vielen Dank! Kenn Knopp, Acting-Director. email: info@germanheritagefoundation.org
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1. GERMAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS:
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Fredericksburg-Gillespie County, Texas German Heritage organizations:
1. Gillespie County Schuetzenbund: Dwight Schmidt, 1.Vorsitzender; Charles Feller, Secretary, 813 W. Schubert, Fbg TX 78624. 830-997-8006. Member clubs: Bear Creek, Grapetown Eintracht, Tivydale, Hubertus, Scharfschuetzen. Vorfest, Schuetzenfest in midsummer at various club centers. Contact Herr Feller for details.
2. Historic Fredericksburg Northern Railroad Association: Joe Coykendall, 206 Tangelwood, Fbg TX 78624, 830-990-0765 email: jcoykdendall@ets.org; Mark Wieser, Anthony Oehler, Billy Teague (historian).
3. Fredericksburg Saengerbund:
Arion Maennerchor, Franz Dieter Kemper, 1. Vorsitzender, 830-997-0371; email: hs_kemper@yahoo.com
Hermann Sons Mixed Choir, Heinrich Boenig, 1 Vorsitzender, 830-669-2104. email: boenig@ctesc.com
Uebung: Thursday evenings 7:30 pm (Hermann Sons), 8:15-9pm (Arion) in Historic St. Joseph Halle, 302 W. San Antonio St. Everyone Welcome!
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4. Skat Spieler Bund: Every Wednesday 7 pm., Turnverein Halle. Tournaments yearly.
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5. Fredericksburg German Club. Every Thursday, Noon Lunch at the Golden Hub Senioren Centrum, 1009 N. Lincoln, followed by 1 hour of Beginners German Class. All welcome! Elsie Burrer, 1 Vorsitzenderin, 830-997-2009. Sponsors annual Zweite Weihnachten Party, December 26, 2-5 pm in Historical Society Halle.
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6. Fredericksburg Texas-Montabaur Germany Sister City Verein, 6:30 pm, Gatti's Restaurant, call Bob Weidman for monthly meeting info: 830-990 -8849 Come with us in September 2011 to Germany and several other countries for a special visit to Montabaur the sister city of Fredericksburg...and many other places of interest. Contact Bob Weidmann, wst@austin.rr.com
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7. KEGEL BAHN at Turnverein Halle: call Frances Hartmann: 830-997-3936. Also same location for the Family Dance Club once a month with band. The weekly Skat Players meet there too on Wednesday at 7 pm.
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===== REPORT OF THE LAST GATHERING OF THE Fredericksburg German Heritage Association: one and all are welcome to its next monthly gathering: ON SATURDAY, May 12, 2012, at Paula Kager's Kukucksnest German SuperStore & Kaffeeklatsch, 1 mile North of Fbg on Highway 16. Time: 9 a.m. Bauernfruehstueck. Glenn Treibs reported on our assistance in developing our History Archives to be located in the Historical Society. On May 26 at the Pioneer Pavilion at Lady Bird Johnson Park in Fburg we will celebrate the 200th birthday of Fburg's founder, John O. Meusebach from 6 to 10 pm. Food & drinks will be available. The New Braunfels Old Time German Band will play. We will honor the mayor and guests from Meusebach, Germany. No admission fee!
Suggestions were also given about how we do more to honor the namesake of Fredericksburg, Prince Frederick von Hohenzollern, the nephew of the King of Prussia, who was the highest ranking royal in the Adelsverein founded in 1842. It was decided that a statue should be erected in his honor. A committee will be formed at a later time. To reserve your free seats telephone 830-997-7356 ================================================================STILL NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP! Ute Boese of Leipzig, Germany, from the German American Connection who will accepting particpants in her personalized and specialized tours of Germany for 2011 and 2012. If you want to go or need information, please Email: Jo Ann Wolf at info@tgac-texas.com
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SOME GET-ACQUAINTED AND INFORMATIONAL LINKS:
http://www.friedrichsburg-texas.com (alles auf Deutsch-- all in German, verdeutsched by Prof. Dr. Heinrich Otters of Blumenthal, Texas)
http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com (all in English, events calendar) or telephone toll free 1-888-997-3600. Lodging B&B (350+choices) & 20+ Hotels/Motels/Inns: http://www.FredTexLodging.com; (This website also provides a fine Yearly Calendar of Events, not just German style events. In the calendar one can find: Night in Old Fredericksburg; Pferdrennen; Vor Schuetzen & Bundes Schuetzenfest Finale; IVV Volkssport Wanderungen; Weinguete; Museum Anstaltungen; Oktoberfest; BESTfest Okt.17 noon to 7pm, Marktplatz; Wein & Essenfest; German Chorale Concerts; Beleuchtet Weihnachtszug; St. Nikolaus Markt; Eisbahn (Skating on Eis); Tannenbaum Ball; Zweite Weihnachten Party; Silvesterfeier (tanzen); Skat Tournier; Gottesdienst auf Deutsch, usw.
Visit the newly expanded PIONEER FREILICHT MUSEUM & Store, 325 West Main St., Fredericksburg TX 78624 in Uptown Historic District. Open daily. Tel: 1-830-990-8441. Website: http://www.pioneermuseum.net; Email: info@pioneermuseum.net
GASTRONOMICS & CULINARIA! Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country is famous for its more than 50 restaurants, diners, coffee houses, bakeries and Schnell Imbis (drive ins & walkup kiosks). Here is a list of German restaurants serving traditional fare found in present-day Germany and other German speaking countries, in alphabetical order. As in Germany and elsewhere no two German restaurants prepare their dishes exactly alike. But they must not depart too much from the traditional! Nowadays pork steaks have replaced veal at most establishments, which is true in Fritztown as well as in Germany. Experience the following restauar
Altdorf Biergarten & Indoor Restaurant, 301 W. Main St. ;... Andy's Steak & Seafood Grille, 413 S. Washington St.; ...Auslander Indoor Restaurant & Biergarten, 323 E. Main St.; ...Der Lindenbaum Rhineland Restaurant, 312 E. Main St.; ...Fredericksburg Brewery & Restaurant, 245 E. Main St. ; ...Friedhelm's Bavarian Inn Restaurant & Bar, 905 W. Main St.; ...Lutz Henschell's Old German Bakery & Restaurant, 225 W. Main St.;
...Rathskeller Restaurant, 258 E. Main St.; Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille, 310 E.Main St.; Fredericksburg's newest and very beautiful restaurant, The Crossroads, 305 West Main St., wants to know what German food you would like for them to include in their menu!
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Literature: Now available, a 4-volume compendium of history by Kenn Knopp on 4 read-only CD's: 1. Hin Nach Amerika! Off to America!; 2. Lone Star Freedom!; 3. Texans Forever!; 4. Pioneers & Patriots, Cultures & Conflicts. Send $25 check made out to German Heritage Foundation, 407 Cora Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624 USA. (Includes shipping & handling)
Also by Kenn Knopp, JOURNEY INTO WISDOM, Testimonies of Personal Epiphanies, $20 per book, s/h included. Order also through: http://www.iUniverse.com. A German language version is also available through: http://www.BoD.de
LBJ & Father Schneider: THE PRESIDENT & THE PRIEST, $15 per book, postpaid.
A DRIVING/WALKING TOUR OF THE FREDERICKSBURG TEXAS HISTORIC DISTRICT, with an introductory chapter about why so many Germans came to the Texas Hill Country starting in 1844. Includes map; $5 per copy, includes shipping/handling.Order from GHF, 407 Cora St., Fredericksburg TX 78624 USA
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ENJOY YOUR HERITAGE.... AND SHARE IT! Having received such a wonderful gift of heritage we simply must share it with others. It would be our pleasure to meet and greet you!
(While we endeavor to take care and develop our Deutschtum, German Ways, we also cherish the customs of others in our midst: the Latinos, Italian, Irish, Czech, Polish, Anglos, etc. Variety is the spice of Life & and key to Gemuetlichkeit!)==================================================================================
JOIN THE FREDERICKSBURG GERMAN FOLK DANCERS! New dancers always welcome. Contact Jerry Farley at 1-830-990-9355. No set schedules. The group loves to travel to other locations and events where there are contests, regular ethnic dancers and festivals. No prescribed folkwear rules but Tracht is always appreciated.
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KURSTADT FRIEDRICHSBURG: Der Weg zur Gesundheit!
http://www.SpaCityTexas.vpweb.com
Health City Fredericksburg, The Way to Health! Its location in the scenic Hill Country of Central Texas provided the German settlers of Friedrichsburg an unbelievable lush and healthy year-round environment of strong leylines, two fine water acquifers and the overall best year round temperature in the world. Since 1849 the German water cure clinic in nearby Sisterdale (which shut down during the Civil War in 1861 and never reopened) and the Nimitz Steamboat Resort Hotel in downtown Friedrichsburg, noted for its Kurschatten, have to this day continued to attract many practictioners of health and wellness. Today there are many Health Spas, numerous physicians (90) of many specialties, and the health services of one of the best community hospitals in America, Hill Country Memorial Hospital, Wellness Center, and Year Around Indoor Thermal Pool modeled after those in Germany: 1-830-997-1357. There are many hotels and more than 300 Fremdenzimmer (Bed & Breakfasts) while arranging for therapies at the spas of your choice:
Above & Beyond Day Spa in the Historic District, 418 W. Austin St., 1-830-990-8413; ...Changes at Serenity Spa, 206 S. Lincoln: 1-830-990-1126; ...European Day Spa at the Trois Estate Resort & Restaurant across from Enchanted Rock: 1-830-997-5267; ... Fredericksburg Massage Healing Center, 1603 East Main St., 1-830-997-6867, http://www.FredericksburgMassage.com, Marla Buck, LMT; ...Fredericksburg Herb Farm Health Spa, Bed & Breakfasts & Restaurant, 405 Whitney St., 1-830-997-8615; ...Hoffmann Haus Bed & Breakfast and Spa, 608 E. Creek St., 1-830-997-6739; ...Living Touch Therapeutic Spa next to the Inn on Baron's Creek, 304 S. Washington St., 1-830-990-5006; ...Massage Connection Day Spa, 109 N. Orange St., 1-998-0103; ...Peach Basket Health Food Store & Day Spa (Reformhaus), 334 West Main St., Ober Stadt, 1-830-997-4533; ...Tranquil Pastures Day Spa, 1311 North Milam St., 1-830-992-2993. ...The Weight Health Center & The Thin Shop, 222 West Main St., 1-830-997-0123, Linda Finch, Weight Specialist.
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HOW VOLKSSPORTING CAME TO AMERICA! In 1967 Fredericksburg visitors to Eitelborn, Westerwald, found out about the popular German IVV Wandervereine or walking clubs and events where participants walk at their own speed and enjoy the German Soda Water and great foods at the rest stops. Record books are provided to keep count of kilometers and events walked, with rewards for reaching various levels. The Fredericksburgers joined the IVV (Internationale Volkssport Verband) and put on the first American IVV Walk in Fredericksburg upon returning to Texas. Volkssportverein Friedrichsburg became the first sanctioned IVV club and event in the USA. Now there are hundreds of IVV clubs in the country. Google: American Volkssport Association...to locate an IVV club and events nearest you. Check out the website: http://www.walktx.org/AVA1/ for the regular walk events as well as Year Around walks you can take on any day.
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AVAILABLE... the Fredericksburg Dictionary (Friedrichsburger Woerterbuch)...and handy guide of German words, phrases and songs, by Jim Lowe, 707 N. Bowie St., Fredericksburg TX 78624. $5.95 pp. Delightful booklet for the Anfaenger (Beginner in learning German); and great gift for any occasion.
A good Fredericksburg resource for German folkwear, collectibles: Paula Kager's KUKUCKSNEST , http://www.kucks-nest.com; email: rotetante@yahoo.com; Paula will soon be opening her new and larger store in front of her present location. Her old store will then serve as storage and what-not rooms.
More than 5000 German delicatessen items are available from http://www.GermanDeli.com
Want help in Germany with your genealogy, family research: email Ute Boese in Leipzig, info@tgac-usa.com; or http://www.thegermanamericanconnection.com
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Need certified translation from German to English, viceversa? you can rely on Helma Koster, 37 Angel Lane #B, Fredericksburg TX 78624. Tel: 830-990-4139, or cell: 830-992-5646. email: faldera_tx@yahoo.com
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WE BELIEVE IN OUR FRIENDS & NETWORKING....Google the words/phrases, or connect to these URL's (websites): The German-Texan Heritage Society, POBox 684171, Austin Texas 78768-4171. Toll-Free: 1-866-4624847, email: info@GermanTexans.org, URL: http://www.GermanTexans.org The Gillespie County Historical Society, Pioneer Museum Store, Freilicht Galende, 325 W. Main, Fredericksburg Tx 78624, email: info@pioneer museum.net; Hill Country Memorial Hospital & Wellness Center, http://www.hillcountrymemorial.org; Fort Martin Scott Historical Site & Museum, 1606 E. Main St., Fredericksburg TX 78624. 1-830-997-7521; Admiral Nimitz Historical Site & Museum, 340 E. Main St., Fredericksburg TX 78624. 1-830-997-4379; see also National Museum of the Pacific War on the same grounds. Hill Country University Center: http://www.hcu-center.org (site for Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg,
Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Nursing at Fredericksburg, Angelo State University at Fredericksburg, Austin Community College at Fredericksburg. The goal of the higher education consortium is not to duplicate courses.
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WILLKOMMEN und BEGRUESST IN FRIEDRICHSBURG:
Manfred Klarl aus Gebelkofen-Obertraubling bei Regensburg, wohnt jetzt: 203 Mann Rd., Tyrone, Georgia 30290. Email: klarl@earthlink.net; Tel: 1-770-306-0841. Enjoyed the fine German breakfast at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant in the Oberstadt and getting getting to speak German and hearing some of the Texas-German dialect or "Germlish."
AXEL CZARNECKI from Sweden; MONICA HAUSERN from Lucerne, Switzerland; MICHAEL & ILSE GILL from Heidelberg, Germany; DR. CHRISTIAN ZIETHEN, Oberdorf 8, D-5581 Womrath, Deutschland:"Wie pictoresque & impressive!"; MICHAEL FLAAKE, Sauebruecken, Germany; ALMINTAS & SANDRA POVILAITIS, Lithuania
MARCUS LUCAS, actor & vivant from Germany, arrived in Fritztown on his special "Walzer" durch Amerika. He was amazed at the Germanness of the little city and was the guest of Der Lindenbaum Restaurant & its chefin/owner Ingrid Hohmann and the German Heritage Foundation & Kenn Knopp. After filming and interviewing he went on his way toward Dallas/Ft. Worth and beyond the Red River! You can keep up with his travels by clicking: www.statedinners.com; or emailing: esmeralda@statedinners.com
Hans-Werner & Beatrix Thomas,von Schwerin, Germany: http://www.fischerei-alt-schwerin.de; They enjoyed the city and especially the food and ambiance at the Rathskeller Restaurant in the Unterstadt. They looked forward to the drive through the countryside and seeing the Zauberstein, Enchanted Rock before returning to Austin where their son now lives.
Linda Winchester, San Antonio Texas Area Tourism Council, 212 Losoya #100, San Antonio TX 78205. Tel: 1-210-886-9991. Email: linda@sanantoniotourism.com; http://www.sanantoniotourism.com. Her parents recently retired in Fredericksburg and she enjoys the tasty German Pfannkuchen at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant.
Oliver Koerner, Feuerwehr Flughafen Dortmund, oliver.koerner@dortmund-airport.de :"Wir waren in der ersten Januarwoche am Dallas/Fort Worth Airport zu einem Lehrgang und am 09. Januar in nach Fredericksburg! Nach Fbg haben wir noch einige Staedte gesehen, aber so schoen wie Friedrichsburg war keine! Schade das wir nicht mehr Zeit hatten. Wir werden Ihre schoene Stadt aber weiter ueber das Internet beobachten. Mit freundlichen Gruessen aus Dortmund!
Dankeschoen von: Dr. Barbara Reinhard & Harro Clausen von Kiel, Germany....
Evy & Tomas Englund, from Oernskoeldsvik, Sweden: We loved Friedrichsburg!
Christoph Gadow aus Hamburg, jetzt mit Dow Chemical Co in Houston, Div.Power OPIC UPI Project Sohar: "First weekend bike trip up to the Texas Hill Country & Stadt Friedrichsburg! Fantastich!"
Welcome to Fredericksburg! Don & Olga Millhouse from Arizona, via the Ukraine and Minnesota. They are looking forward to finding some acreage in the countryside and enjoying the Gemuetlichkeit of the German atmosphere of the area and enrolling their children in the Catholic School. She is a nurse and looks forward to joining the staff of Hill Country Memorial Hospital designated as one of the finest small city hospitals in the nation. He is a big machinery operator and has had some good offers. As is usual, they must first sell their place in Arizona. God bless!
Willkommen..... Anne-Leno Grobleben aus Oldenburg... Igo Scherlizin, Liege, Belgium; ... Helga Rosato von Eisleben, formerly East Prussia; ...Gabi Grabosch von Bad Vibel near Frankfurst am Main, Germany.
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