It all started with an innocent request for some German baking goods and now the Estevan and District German Freundschaft Society is celebrating its 20th year as an official entity within the community.
The society's good work is earmarked by its celebrated German choir that can be found at many special events in Estevan throughout the year. They group has also travelled to several other communities in the province, spreading the joy of being German Canadians.
Agnes Seipp, one of the five original members of the society who are still actively engaged in the group, along with her husband Gerald; Cecilia and John Olheiser and John Gress were joined by other society members and guests for a celebration program and banquet in the Elks Lodge Saturday afternoon and evening. Over 100 were in attendance, said Katharina Ulbrich, one of the organizers.
Agnes Seipp, who provided some historical highlights for those in attendance, noted how it began with a request for her and her friends to "do a little baking." That soon led to an advertisement in The Mercury seeking people who might be interested in organizing a more formal club to provide a little promotion of the German culture within the local population. The original response was strong enough so official recognition was sought from the Saskatchewan German Council and the club was off and running.
The choir was formed and, according to Seipp, "we've gone pretty well everywhere in the province," as well as providing musical items for the annual Christmas concerts, at the hospitals and nursing homes and senior complexes. They have travelled short distances to places such as Lampman and Bienfait and as far as Melville, Moose Jaw and Flaxton, North Dakota among others.
The group, supported by the German Council, has enjoyed three major bus trips and they have even provided musical interludes at wakes and funerals, Seipp said.
Walter Biberdorf is the current president of the Freundschaft Society as well as the choir director. He is just the second director they have had, taking over from long-serving director Barney Styre just recently.
Biberdorf served as emcee for the afternoon program that included words of greeting from Estevan city Councillor Lynn Chipley, Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles and German Council president Llona Beck from Regina. Biberdorf also read words of congratulations from Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki and Germany's Honourary Consul to Canada, Barbara Hoggard-Luly.
Biberdorf noted that the club's mandate is to spread goodwill while promoting the German culture, language, customs, traditions and interests with the express interest in providing good fellowship that will benefit all Saskatchewan people.
Seipp also noted that German language classes for members, were also part of their local mandate and the choir has contributed vocally and financially to the community, including the local United Way Telethon for many years. She said the numbers in the choir range between 14 and 26, determined by the availability of members at any given time.
The society keeps track of their activities through their archives and history recording books with Seipp serving as co-ordinator for the entire 20 years.
The club has a membership that ranges in age from those in their early 30s to some who are now over 90.
"Twenty years is a good cause to celebrate," said Beck "It takes the community to preserve the culture and now is a good opportunity for your club to grow with a new generation of immigrants arriving almost daily into our communities."
Beck went on to note that the provincial council is working toward observing past German cultures while also focusing on current cultural events including literature and customs.
"The need for the language is growing, so the new literature will help you refresh this active and alive language so take advantage of this opportunity to practice your German and keep the culture alive," Beck said.
German Heritage Week was proclaimed by Mayor Gary St. Onge for May 29 to June 4.
In her written message, Hoggard-Lulay noted how the Estevan society members were great volunteers.
During the course of the afternoon program guests enjoyed a virtual journey to Germany, courtesy of Ulbrich who had gathered significant videos and photos featuring Germany's highlighted events and places.
