Bayern Verein Newark
Founded in January 1931

Thanks to all of our members that were gracious enough to bring salads and desserts and help with the set-up, clean-up and the many jobs during the day that make this such a special event. As usual, Paul Ulrich and Ralph Ehmann were in their element in the kitchen and all of the servers helping with the salads and desserts kept everyone full and satisfied. A special thanks to Paul Koehler, Walter Kraft, Arlene Siegel, Rick Ernst and Trevor Seitel for their musical talents. What would a Christmas Party be without Christmas carols! Another special thanks to Kathi Koehler for taking care of the Gluekshafen for us.

All of the wonderful singing and dancing performances by the children preceded the annual visit by Santa Claus. It was great to hear the BVN rendition of "The 12 Drinks of Christmas" again, performed by the BVN Men's Chorus. What a crowd-pleaser! As always, we look forward to next year's party.

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As always, we were invited to participate in the event by performing a few of our dances "on the mall". Bernie's Orchestra was on hand to play the dance music for our Kinder, Junior and Adult groups and the crowd was very appreciative of our efforts. The rest of the day was spent relaxing in the shade and watching the stage show featuring Mandy Bach and Heino's last Arts Center appearance.

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A wonderful and appreciative crowd danced to the music of Bernie's Orchestra throughout the evening. BVN dancers from the Kinder, Junior and Senior groups entertained throughout the evening with traditional plattlers and folk/figure dances. Our friends from Edelweiss Passiac (NJ) and Edelweiss Weschester (NY) were also kind enough to join us for the evening and add to the entertainment with their special dances. A big "thanks" to them for their efforts.

The kitchen was busy all evening with the smells of Bratwurst, Bauernwurst, Leberkaese and Kassler Rippchen wafting throughout the grove. Add a weissbier from the tap at the bar, and you felt like you were in Munich. A great ending to the meal awaited those sampling the apple and cheese strudel made by our own Max Schuerer. Thanks Max! Traditional Bavarian pretzels, lovingly warmed in the outside oven and a staple at our fests for many years, were also a big hit with the guests.

Before we knew it, the evening was coming to an end and we were already looking forward to next year's Oktoberfest. Thanks to all who helped make it a wonderful event. Prost!

You can see BVN in an Oktoberfest video here.

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It was a beautiful day and fest tent was filled to capacity. With the mountains surrounding us it sure felt like a fest in Germany! The entertainment included SPITZE!, Die Schlauberger, Die Bayrische 7, Jimmy Sturr and the Schuhplattlers from G.T.V. Germania Almrausch, Poughkeepsie, NY. We ran into many members of our neighbor clubs in New Jersey and New York and it was a great way to have some fun with them in a less formal environment. We look forward to going again in 2008!

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As always, the food and beverages were plentiful and the music of Bernie's Orchestra and dancing of our good friends from Edelweiss Passaic kept everyone happy. Many of our friends from the Duetscher Club in Clark and Germania Park in Dover also enjoyed the day along with us.

The great weather allowed many of our younger members to enjoy the "natural" pool on the SSC grounds, with the diving board being the scene for lots of action by our more experienced swimmers and divers. Some of the non-swimmers played card games and everyone enjoyed the music and entertainment in the pavilion.

A thunderstorm late in the day chased some of us inside for dinner, but the festivities carried on into the early evening. The setting sun greeted us again as we loaded up the cars and ventured home. As always, we look forward to coming back again next year.

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There were many events at this Gaufest for everyone to participate in. Our group enjoyed the Mid-Atlantic Jugend Willkommen Zimmer, many of the music, singing and dance workshops, as well as all of the U.S. and European vendors displaying their wears. The music and entertainment at all of the main events was fantastic and congratulations to all of the other trachten groups that performed Ehrentanze over the weekend. It's always great to see so many different groups and their tracht. Even with all of these activities, we still found time to catch a tan at the pool. The weather was great! Since we were so close to Hershey Park, many of us also took the time to take in the rides and amusements at one of the great parks on the east coast.

We would like to congratulate our two couples entered in the Adult Einzelpreizplatteln competition on Friday. To Paul and Marianne and Gemmy and Monika - well done! We are all very proud of your accomplishments. We would also like to congratulate our dance team entered in the Gruppenpreizplatteln competition. 5th place out of 17 groups! Fantastic! We know you all worked very hard and it showed. Congratulations also goes to the top three groups in the preizplatteln, United German Hungarians, Gemutlichen Enzian and SVEV D'Oberlandler.

We hope to see as many members as possible at the next Gaufest in 2009 in Toledo, Ohio!

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Music was provided by "Die Sptizbuam" and they had everyone dancing till the last song of the evening. Thanks to Freddy and the band for making our evening an enjoyable and successful one. As always, the food served was delicious and plentiful. Thanks to all of the "chefs" in the kitchen and everyone who helped make this even a success.

The evening was highlighted by the performances of our adult and Kinder dance groups. The adults were splendid in their rendition of the Bandltanz (May Pole Dance) and the Kindergruppe stole the show with their performance of the Kronentanz (Crown Dance). We also had performances by all of the visiting Vereins, including Edelweiss Passaic from New Jersey and Gemutlichen Enzian and Edelweiss Westchester from New York. We also had a number of visiting "social" clubs, including Elizabeth Sport Club, Bayrische Volksbuhne, Deutsche Sprachschule and Deutscher Club Clark. We always appreciate their support of our events and they came through for us again!

See you again next year!

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A significant portion of the meeting was used to discuss our plans for the upcoming 21st Gaufest being hosted by G.T.V Edelweiss Reading in Hershey, PA in June. As of the meeting date, 85 BVN members and family will be attending the Gaufest. We are all looking forward to a great event.

At the end of the meeting BVN President Paul Ulrich presented Membership Anniversary pins to our new 50, 25 and 15-year members. We would all like to congratulate the following members on their significant milestones:

50-Year Member:

Zita Ehmann

Walter Kraft

25-Year Member:

Meta Brockmann

Irene Ehmann

Gary Engler

Barbara Oberding

15-Year Member:

Susan Arrigone

Joe Catanzaro

Once the meeting concluded, we headed to the Deutscher Club dining room for a wonderful cocktail hour and buffet dinner. We are looking forward to an eventful and prosperous 2007!

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