President’s Message:
Maifest
Thanks to all who worked the Maifest last weekend. Just about everyone who signed up showed up. Special thanks to Tim Schaefer for coordinating it all for us. It was a huge success. Good weather, good crowds, and no trouble. The Maifest Committee was very happy and wants us back next year.
Golf Outing
Excellent GAPA Golf Outing at Rennwood and post-golf party at the Aid Society! A storm rolled in after the golfing ended but by then we were already under the pavilion putting down some great German chow and washing it down with Hofbrau. The Glunz’s showered us with great prizes as did Kevin Brumley of Old Style and Dave Dunham of the Chicago Patrolman’s Credit Union and Eddie Bacher of Hartmann Electric.
Golf Meister Joe Kirchens (above pic) coordinated everything perfectly. Jeff Schuck vastly improved our Hole Sponsor count. Tom Hartwig was on hand to sell GAPA merchandise. Pat Kirchens and Carol Haas sold raffle tix. Art Oswald took great pix. John Meindl set up everything at theAid Society pavilion. Tom Moritz and Jeff Schuck helped with the registration. Tim Schaefer, John Huinker, and I helped out wherever we could.
Let’s not forget all the hole sponsors who also supported our golf outing. See pix inside and on our GAPA Chicago website.
Thank you to all who participated! We hope to see you next year!
GAPA Picnic
Our annual picnic will be Friday, 14 July 2016 at Bunker Hill forest preserve. John Meindl has a fun-filled day in store for us! See ad/map inside. Don’t forget to buy or sell some of our GAPA 1000 Raffle tix. Let’s not let our GAPA 1000 picnic raffle be held hostage to the weather. We need the picnic raffle to subsidize the picnic itself. The less we make on the raffle, the less “free” our picnic actually is. Please support us in this way.
GAPA Road Trips
This year, German Fest Milwaukee will be held 29 July 2017 at Henry Meier Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. For more information call Tom Moritz at {815-464-4665}.
The Annual GAPA Chicago/GAPA Milwaukee Tailgater for the Norbert Holzinger Cup is on 23 Sep 2017 this year. Tix still available. Contact Tom Moritz {815-464-4665} for further info. Total cost is $110 per person which includes round-trip bus, bbq, and Hofbraeu on tap at the tailgate which is situated right under the German flag in the parking lot of Miller Park.
GAPA Oktoberfest
Our Ofest will be held at the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont this year in order to provide a more authentic experience for our members and guests. Also to attract a younger crowd. So members should encourage their 21 or older kids to come with them and join in what could possibly be GAPA’s best Ofest ever. See ad inside!
GAPA Scholarships
Our GAPA Scholarship application will be available in coming weeks and will be downloadable from our website! The drawing will be held the night of our O’fest.
Hope to see ya at the picnic and the Von Steuben/German Day Parade on 9 September!
Mike & Carol Haas
Health and Welfare:
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Please take a moment to remember those members or family who have passed on or are struggling to return to health and normal activities. GAPA expresses condolences for the families of Dina Markham, James DeFina, Thomas Jensen (brother of Kris Hunger), Maria Vallely (mother in law of Brian Righeimer), Pauline Haas (mother of Mike Haas), Peter Marsalek (nephew of Diann Marsalek.)
Our good friend and tireless pension advocate Ken Hauser underwent some serious heart surgery and while he is recovering it’s at a slower pace than he would wish. Best wishes to Ken. George Volkl had some health issues and we were very glad to see him at the June meeting.
I wrote a series of articles a few years ago about the Eagle Scouts of GAPA, whether sons, other family, or our very own members in their younger days. In addition to the years of long serious efforts by these Scouts with the support of their families and friends it’s the adult volunteers at all levels who encourage, guide, organize and keep everything on track. GAPA’s own Chairman of the Board Paul Kurtzner is one such person who was this April honored with the BSA’s highest award, the “Silver Beaver” for distinguished service to the troop (his son PJ is an Eagle) the local council, and his community. Recipients who are nominated represent many years dedicated to the ideals and practice of Scouting. It is specifically awarded to those who did not seek it ( would that our politicians had that attitude) . Paul’s contributions, other awards , and activities are too numerous to list here, suffice to say they are truly impressive. Congratulations to Paul for this outstanding achievement.
The 2017 GAPA Golf Outing had an excellent turnout on a beautiful day for the golfing part, the rain held off until picnic time when we were under shelter. Great hospitality at the Renwood golf course in Round Lake Beach contributed to the fun and the wonderful dinner at the picnic served up by the ladies of the Donau Schwaben of Lake Villa along with plenty of cold beer from our friends at Glunz kept spirits high. The raffle table was so bountiful that I believe everyone (or almost) won something. Our thanks and kudos to Golf Meister Joe Kirchens along with Tim Schaefer, Jeff Schuck, Tom Moritz, and many others. Tom Hartwig hauled the GAPA store along and did a brisk business. Attendees also bought a good number of picnic raffle tickets with our thanks.
Von Steuben Day Parade
Don’t forget Chicago’s annual German Day Parade on 9 Sept.! Step-off is at 2 pm. GAPA also offers a pre-parade brunch at Laschets Inn at 11 am. Consider this event our GAPA membership pride parade. The FOP float will be there for anyone unable to march. See ad inside!
My Best Wishes to all and hope to see you at the GAPA Picnic 14 July. Have a happy and safe summer.
Art
GAPA Membership Renewal Form
(Right-click to download .pdf file.)
