April 2018

Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club-April 2018 1

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April 2018

Irish Dance 7pm

Kaffeeklatch

3pm

IAS Board of

Directors 7pm

Essen und

Sprechen pg 5

Irish Dance 7pm

Irish Dance 7pm

Irish Dance 7pm

GAC Board

of Directors

6:30 pm

Jazz Sunday

2:00-5:30 pm

The Edelweiss am Rio Grande

German American Club

Newsletter for April 2018

Easter Sunday

Private

Party

Vienna Ball

Page 5

URGENT The club is in a critical financial situation-See page 2

Membership

Meeting 2pm

See page 4

IAS Member-

ship Meeting

7pm


URGENT —- URGENT —— URGENT

The club’s regular General Membership Meeting will be held on Sunday, April

29. Your attendance is vital since we must discuss the possibility of closing the doors of the

club for good. There are several Items of tremendous importance that will require

a consensus of a good amount of the general membership.

Dear fellow members:

I write now of a very serious condition at our German Club.

These first few months as a BOD member have been an eye-opener for me. It seems that there

has been no P & L statement for quite some months. Our Finance Officer, Christine was appar-

ently swamped with her own personal occupation and allowed the club’s finances to get to a

very precarious point.

There are a team of helpers who regularly come into the club to Z out the cash register,

take the tape from the previous days transactions. The information from those register tapes

is transferred to a weekly income sheet and on Monday the weeks income is tallied and entered

into the computer. This is the only way that we can generate an accurate P & L statement that

tells us what is in the bank.

Unfortunately Christine decided that she did not have enough time to spend

on the finances at the club so she took the tapes and the weekly tally sheets to her home and

gave herself access to the club’s computer system. Although requested many times we have

been unable (so far) to have her return those register tapes or the weekly accounting sheets.

Without them there is no way we can verify the income for 2017.

At the direction of the BOD, Jay Vandersloot was directed to request Christine’s resig-

nation which was over a month in coming. The BOD appointed Rose Marie Keating to the posi-

tion as temporary Finance Director until the club holds its next election.

Rosalie Pfeiffer, Rose Marie Keating, and myself went into the office to make sense out

of the piles of paperwork that had accumulated. Much of it was filing that had not been done.

Some paperwork went back a couple or more years, but there were many unpaid bills that had

never been opened or not paid.

There was a great deal of sorting to do and Rose Marie took a stab at the computer to try

to find out what our finances were like. The news was not good. We owed a great deal of

money and even with the BOD voting to cash in our $12,000 CD, it left us with very little

to operate on. In fact it will barely keep our heads above water.

Our biggest worry was the club’s insurance policy which was due immediately and was

a whopping $6000 or some odd. I agreed to contact the insurance company to re-negotiate the

payment. That has given us a bit of breathing time. Then there is the settlement of the insurance

claim from the robbery of the club last October. The insurance company wants a complete in-

ventory of what was missing and what by law we had to destroy. All open bottles of liquor had

to be disposed of. As yet we have not compiled the information they need for them to pay a

claim.

Dear members, our club building is very old and the repairs and maintenance have also

become very burdensome. The BOD directed that only urgent repairs be done and all cosmetic

fixes will be suspended.

Not only is the building aging but alas we all are too. We have lost so many of our dear

ones over the past few years and you can all see the attendance even at very special occasions


has dropped dramatically. The club is like any other business and needs income to operate. We

have been very lucky to have so many volunteers to help run the place but even those are be-

coming harder to find.

Yes, at the General Membership Meeting we might be asked to vote on whether or not

we want to slog on or call it quits and close up the building. Many ethnic clubs around the

country and in Canada have had to close their doors on their physical building. That does not

mean they disbanded. Rather their BOD meet in community centers or even private houses. The

dues are collected and two or three times a year that rent a venue for an event.

The decision to follow their lead is up to you, our members. You need to be present at

the next General Membership Meeting on April 29th to help us navigate how you want us to

proceed.

I beg your forgiveness for being the bearer of all this very sad news but it is incumbent

upon your BOD to be up front with all this information and not suddenly tell you the club is

closing for good.

Yours in friendship

Carole Eberhardt

NOTICES

Kaffeeklatsch April 8th The Kaffeeklatsch will be held on Sunday April 8th at 3 pm at the club since Easter Sunday is on the first. Please call Kathe Mirabal at 836-6182 for more information.

New Membership Chairperson John Waldrop is no longer the membership chairperson. The new chairperson is Ester Liz-cano-Griego. Her phone number is (505) 463-5343 and her email is [email protected]. Please refer all membership activities to Ester. John Waldrop

Acting Finance Director Due to the resignation of Christine Philips, our Finance Director (Acting) is Rose Marie Keating.

Our most sincere thanks to Rosalie Volz for updating our memorial board. You will soon see it at the club and we ask that you take a look to make sure that all our dear departed are recog-nized. Carole Eberhardt

Our volunteers work very hard in order to keep their trips to the bank at a minimum, so please do not use $100 bills at the bar. The cash on hand has to be kept at a level for us to operate efficiently and make change. Large bills tend to generate the need for trips to the bank for change for our operating cash. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. Carol Eberhardt


Events for April 2018

Event Day Time

IAS Board of Directors Tuesday, April 3rd 7pm

Kaffeeklatsch Sunday, April 8th 3pm

Essen und Sprechen Wednesday, April 11th Page 5

Irish Dance Wed, April 4, 11, 18, 25 7pm

Vienna Ball Saturday, April 14th Page 5

Jazz Sunday Sunday, April 15th 2:00-5:30 pm

GAC Board of Directors Thursday, April 19th 6:30 pm

GAC Membership Meeting Sunday, April 29th See below

Upcoming Activities

Events and Dates are Subject to change

May

5-Mayfest-Swingshift 19-Fiesta

20-Jazz

June

2-Sock Hop-Hit Squad 16-Summerfest-Street Scene

17-Jazz 0-Jazz

July

7-Luau-Roger Burns 15-Jazz

21-Club Anniversary

August

4-Membership Appreciation -DJ Madie 18-Woodstock Dance-Street Scene

19-Jazz 25-Kathe Mirabal 80th Birthday Party

GAC General Membership Meeting Sunday, April 29th at 2pm

GAC Members, Only

Please come out and take part in the decisions of the GAC membership. For our April meeting we have not scheduled a speaker, for we want to con-

centrate on and apply our full attention to the discussion of our financial crisis the club is experiencing (see Carole Eberhardt’s letter on page 2), and “brain storm” ideas on what we can do to carry us through this financial crisis. We

will also have the usual agenda items and discussion, but the major portion of the agenda will focus on our financial situation and the way forward.


Essen und Sprechen

Essen und Sprechen

Come join together at the monthly Essen und Sprechen to practice your German and socialize

over dinner in German (with some English). We jointly decide at each month’s dinner where to

go the following month. For April we will gather at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday, April

11th for our monthly Essen und Sprechen Treffen (gathering) at the Outback Steakhouse, 4921

Jefferson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 884-8760 (located on the south side of Jeffer-

son, just east of I-25).

Please, PLEASE, reply by the prior Sunday, April 8th, to Jay by email to JayVander-

[email protected] or call at 505-362-1733 to let us know whether you will be there, so we will

know how large of a table to reserve. The Essen und Sprechen dinner is quite popular—

attendance usually ranges 10-16 people, with our all-time high having been 28 in attendance. In

March we had 12 in attendance (and spoke about 80-90% of the time in German).

(The Essen und Sprechen monthly dinner group is not affiliated with the GAC; rather it is a

separate, autonomous group. This notice is provided for the convenience of anyone who may

wish to attend)

Vienna Ball

Saturday April 14th

Members Door Fee $10.00

At 6:45 we will have a concert by Maya, Sophia and Nick, friends of “Frau Kathe” Mirabal, their former Nanny

At 7:00 we will have the Polonaise followed by Jim Brauer’s music for Dancing until 11:00.

At 8:00 the Fledermaus Quadrille will be performed by club members led by Sheri Kraemer

Meal Served from 5:30PM to 6:45PM Meal prepared by Kathy Mueller and Britt Peters

Menu Wiener Schnitzel (pork cutlet) Bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes)

Rotkohl (red cabbage) Salad/Dessert

All for only $10.00. Children under 12, $5.00

Please make reservations by April 12 Call the club at 888-4833 when club is open

Attire: Formal


April Festivals in Germany

Traveling to Germany in April? This month is traditionally filled with Easter celebra-

tions, spring festivals and celebrations of the arts.

Visitors can expect rain, sunshine, or hail—sometimes all within an hour. Pack for

every scenario.

That said, April is a great time to visit. The weather is getting warmer, there are plenty of festi-

vals, and spring is finally here after a long winter. Find out what annual events, festivals and

holidays you can experience during your Germany travels in April.

Spring Fair in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s annual spring festival, or Dippemess, is one of the largest folk festivals in the Rhine

region. The fair dates back to the 14th century, when it was a medieval market for pottery, es-

pecially ceramic bowls and pots called “dibbes” in the Frankfurt dialect and reasonable for the

name. Today, the spring fair is well-known for rides, roller coasters, and fireworks.

If you miss it during the season, it comes around again in fall. Other Spring Festivals take place

in Munich, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and many other southern cities.

When: March 23—April 15, 2018

Where: Fairground on Ratsweg, Frankfurt

Easter in Germany

Easter is one of the most popular holidays in Germany. It is celebrated for a long weekend

which includes Good Friday when traditional osterierbaum (Easter trees) appear. Eggs are still

hand blown and delicately decorated. And chocolates are everywhere, including the Italian-

born and German-adored Kinder Surprise (Kinder Überraschung).

When: March 29—April 2nc, 2018

Where: Everywhere in Germany

Spargel Festivals Germans are obsessed with spargel (white asparagus). It is on every menu, every grocery store,

and devotees plan trips to the farms where it is grown. Join the happy hordes to eat the “king of

vegetables” at source.

The states of Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony are two of the most important asparagus

growing regions, with the city of Beelitz claiming the north-eastern title. Each place claims to

grow the best Spargel, but the only way to know is to tour them all.


Birthdays , Anniversaries, Membership

Geburtstage - Herren

(Men’s Birthdays)

Ken Blemel

Kenneth Cable

Ivan Emerson

Peter Heinstein

Stephan Helgesen

Jack Jones

Randy Jordan

Jim Lowell

Thomas Miles

Dennis Pfeiffer

Marvin Sanchez

John Waldrop

Geburtstage-Damen

(Ladies’ Birthdays)

Johanna Baumgartner

Jan Clark

Angela Garcia

Madie Mirabal

Virginia Sanchez

Peggy Tolson

Karin Waldrop

Anniversaries

William & Gloria Fischbach

Adam & Angela Garcia

Louis & Teresa Magyari

Dennis & Rosalie Pfeiffer

Bill Weber and Joanne Connolly

Membership : Updated as of

March 2018

Total 214

Males 93

Females 121

Couples 61

Singles 92

Life Members 11

When: April—June 24th

Where: Spargel is found everywhere in Germany with farms open for visits in Baden-

Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Beelitz.

Bonn’s Cherry Blossom Festival

Bonn’s cherry trees have earned it a place on the list of “Top 10 Most Beautiful Tree Tunnels In

the World”. Heerstrasse in the Nordstadt neighborhood is also known as “Cherry Blossom

Avenue”. The long limbs of the trees are weighed down with blooms, creating a tunnel-like

canopy.

Submit your best pic in the Cherry Blossom Photo Contest and attend the trees with fruit wine,

local cuisine, and live performances.

When: April 1-22, 2018

Where: Bonn

From “trip savvy” Germany Guide


The 2018 Officers and Board Jay Vandersloot Chairman 362-1733 Steve Borbas Vice Chairman 265-7088 Miguel Mata President 620-3666 Mark Meadows Vice-President 238-2289 Rosalie Pfeiffer Executive Secretary 304-1668 Rose Marie Keating Financial Director (Acting) 999-8841

John Waldrop Director-at-Large 298-5893 Carole Eberhardt Director-at-Large 922-1550

Walter Kirsch Director-at-Large 293-0154

The 2018 Committee Chairs and Coordinators

Ester Lizcano-Greigo Membership 463-5343 Membership Input: [email protected] 463-5343 Kathy Mueller German Culture 856-6359 Britt Peters German Culture 867-5969 Debbie Holt Entertainment Contracts 280-6350 Sheri Kraemer Functions Coordinator 271-2634 John Waldrop Newsletter Editor & Web 298-5893 Newsletter Input: [email protected]

NOTE: Deadline for Newsletter Input: 15th of each Month

Other Positions and Associate Groups Miguel Mata Past President 620-3666 Jim Payne Elferrat Chair 553-8715 Rosalie Pfeiffer Greeting Cards 299-3951 Open Position Volksdance Teacher Madie Mirabal Decorating Coordinator 839-0229 Open Position Decorating Kathe Mirabal Kaffeeklatsch 836-6182 Ellen Dowling Irish American Society Pres. 307-1700 Kathe Mirabal Front Door Coordinator 836-6182 Steve Borbas Hungarian Club Rep 265-7088 Bruce Green St. Andrew Scottish Society 270-6507 Norita Callahan Dinner Ticket Sales-GAC 298-2708 Casey Den Hollander Rio Grand Jazz Society 266-3148

We Send Cards!

Please notify Rosalie Pfeiffer, at 299-3951,

if you know of any Club Member who should receive a

greeting card, i.e., get well, sympathy, congratulations, etc.


For renewals, use only if your renewal is due. Check your membership card for renewal date

The Edelweiss am Rio Grande German American Club New Membership or Renewal Form

Dues are: Single Membership --------------- $45 New Membership Couples Membership-------------- $80 Annual fee for Life Members----- $5 each Renewal

Please complete this form and return it with your check for dues to the German Ameri-can Club, 2609 Quincy St., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 Attn: Membership. If you pay your dues with cash at the bar, please keep your receipt.

Name ______________________________________________________________ Spouse/Partner ______________________________________________________

Street Address _______________________________________________________ City _________________________________ State ____ Zip ___________ Phone ______________________ E-mail __________________________________

Would you like your e-mail address added to the GAC Group Web Site for automatic notifications and reminders of upcoming events and last minute schedule changes? _________Yes __________No Your birth month_______ Spouse/Partner ________ Anniversary _________ Your GAC depends on your participation to keep the club running smoothly. Please mark the task or tasks where you would be willing to help

Recruiting____ Decorating____ Door Greeter____ Kitchen____

Clean Up____ Event Planner____ Contacting Members____

For new members only Referred by_________________________________ Referral must be made by a GAC member in good standing

(GAC Form Revised February 2018)

For Office Use Only: Cash ____ Check _____ Date__________________

Receipt # or Check #_______________Amount __________


The Edelweiss am Rio Grande

German American Club

2609 Quincy St. NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

Phone (505) 888-4833

Please note that you must be a dues paying GAC

member to rent the club. If you have been a member for more than 3 years, you may rent

the club on availability for your family functions at discounted

price (weddings excluded).

Security $135 extra per guard

Use of Kitchen $100 extra

Use of Linen Table Cloths $100 extra

Cleaning $100 extra

Mon. thru Thur. Night $400

Friday Day $400

Friday Night $450

Saturday Day $450

Saturday Night. $550

Sunday Day Only $450

Call Miguel Mata at 620-3666 or

Mark Meadows at 238-2289

April 2018

Documents

Transcript of April 2018