Frank Nechvatal
We start the new year with a big Thank You to Delores Kline and Larry Schoenborn for putting together a very enjoyable Christmas Party. Sehr gut! Our January meeting will be on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Our meetings are open to anyone who is a SunBird Resident interested in the German culture. Please join us and become members; learn about German Gemuetlichkeit!
In Germany, the holiday season was greatly dampened by the horrendous attack at a Berlin Christmas market. The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, urged Germans to find the strength to lift their heads up and keep living. After the attack at Beitscheidplatz, all Berlin Christmas markets closed as the country mourned. It was most challenging for the German folk to find joy in that moment of darkness, but they still wanted to take a moment to say to the rest of the world, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Happy Holidays.” From Germany, the year was closed with a wish for all; that 2017 will bring good fortunes, good health and happiness.
Upcoming in February we look to the celebration of Fasching/Fastnacht. This is Mardi Gras German style. It marks the beginning of Lent; the 40 days before Christ enters Jerusalem to face his death on a cross in order to give rise to a new faith or philosophy of love and forgiveness. Sei brav meine Freunde! Auf wiedersehen.