Convention Program and Registration Form

It's time to register for the International Convention of Germans from Russia July 28 - August 3 in Casper, Wyoming. Here's a link to the tentative Convention Program, including a printable Registration Form. If you've not already made lodging reservations, we urge you to do soon as soon as possible. See you in Casper!

Kilwien donates beautiful afghan

Debbie Kilwien has been knitting nearly half her life, and she has a deep commitment to helping the Germans from Russia Heritage Society youth programs. So it was a no-brainer for her to step forward and offer her talent in creating the beautiful afghan shown above.

Measuring about 45 inches by 70 inches, the red, white and blue American flag is sure to be a hit among attendees at the International Convention of Germans from Russia this summer in Casper, Wyoming. The creation will be the prize in a drawing that will benefit the GRHS Youth Program. Debbie says she started work on the afghan last fall, but the project was interrupted for several weeks last winter.

A native of Bremerton, Washington, Debbie and her husband, Dave, live in Aberdeen, Washington, not far from the Pacific Ocean. She and Dave own their own construction business, which focuses on residential restoration for homes that have been damaged by fire, flood, or other incidents.

“I married in to the German-Russian community,” says Debbie. Both she and Dave are lifetime members of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. Dave serves as Vice-President of the national organization and also belongs to the Puget Sound and Inland NW chapters.

Lodging accommodations for the international convention are filling fast, so persons wishing to attend the July 28-August 3 convention at the Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Casper should try to make their reservations immediately. A number of lodging possibilities are listed in the right hand column.

Conference registration forms will be in the mail any day now, and we’ll also be posting registration forms on-line in the near future!

Casper, Here We Come!

Twenty-two people showed up in Casper last weekend (April 4-5) for another planning meeting to finalize details for the 2008 International Convention of Germans from Russia. The convention is scheduled for July 28-August 3 at the Parkway Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Casper.

-

This will be a special meeting, since it is expected to bring together nearly 1,000 members of both the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. In most years, the groups -- headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota and Lincoln, Nebraska, respectively -- meet separately.

-

Under the leadership of convention co-chairs Patti Sellenrick (AHSGR) and Al Feist (GRHS), the planning committee hammered out final details on the convention agenda. We are posting here a copy of the tentative Convention Program and registration form. You'll also find a few photographs from the April planning meeting, as well as snapshots from earlier planning sessions.

-

In coming days, posts to this site and the convention web site will provide additional information on programs and events at the convention.

-

Among the many activities at convention time are several tour opportunities. Here is a summary of tour information that will allow you to learn more about these exciting tours. These forms will also be included with registration materials being mailed to members of both societies.

-

Rooms are going fast, so if you're planning to attend the 2008 convention, we'd urge you to make your reservations now! Many lodging opportunities are listed on this site. See you in Casper!

Planners to gather April 4-5

In less than four months, German-Russians from across the country -- even from across the sea -- will converge on Casper, Wyoming for the International Convention of Germans from Russia. As many as 1,000 attendees may attend the July 28-August 3 gathering.

This year, members of both the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia will meet in a joint convention.

Understandably, the event requires considerable planning, and that's just what a large group of representatives from both societies will be doing this weekend (April 4-5) at the Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Casper. That'll also be the site for the grand event this summer. Chaired by AHSGR's Patti Sellenrick and GRHS's Al Feist, the convention planning committee is set to put the finishing touches on plans that have been underway for more than a year. The committee will have a full agenda.

We expect a blitz of activities in the next few weeks, following many decisions that will be finalized at this planning session.

Lodging Update

We understand that lodging accommodations are filling up fast in Casper for the July 28 - August 3 convention.

If you've not yet made your reservations, we're advised that it's best to call the hotel/motel directly rather than through any national toll-free number. This is the BEST way to ensure that you'll get the special convention rates. Be sure to indicate that you're with the Germans from Russia convention. Among the popular lodging sites:

Parkway Plaza Hotel: (307) 232-2140

Holiday Inn (Soon to be Ramada): (307) 235-2531

Ramkota (307) 266-6000

Reservations at Holiday Inn?

Convention co-chairperson Patti Sellenrick has notified the planning committee that the Holiday Inn Riverside in Casper will become Ramada Plaza Riverside, effective April 1st -- and that's not an April Fool's joke!

-

Please remember, however, that our convention site is the Parkway Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.

-

However, given the number of attendees to the convention, many folks have made reservations or may be planning to stay at the Holiday Inn Riverside. We're told that reservations already made at Holiday Inn will be honored by Ramada Plaza Riverside. If you have questions, you can call the hotel toll-free at (877) 576-8636. Other accommodations are noted in the links posted in the column to the right under Lodging Opportunities.

Deadlines Approaching!

Sharing stories with younger generations is an important way that we Germans from Russia have preserved many aspects of our culture. In an age when our society is immersed in messages coming from a wide range of technological devices, it’s refreshing to experience the age-old art of simple storytelling!

However, like all things, how you prepare and present a good story are critical factors in just how effective you’re able to communicate. Of course, it all starts with……a good story!

A while back, we featured photographs and information from the 2007 GRHS Youth Essay Contest, and also alerted folks to the 2008 competition. Later, we announced the AHSGR Storytelling contest. Above are photos of the top three winners in the 2007 AHSGR storytelling competition. Their stories and information about all winners are included in the Winter 2007 AHSGR Journal.

With spring just around the corner (really!) this might be a good time to remind everyone that the 2008 GRHS youth essays are due March 31st, and the 2008 AHSGR storytelling competition deadline is April 15th.

For information and entry forms for these two events, visit these web sites:

GRHS Youth Essay Contest

AHSGR Storytelling Contest

In addition to honoring our heritage, these contests can also put some serioius money in the pockets of winners. Think of it as our very own German-Russian Stimulus Package!

It’s all another splendid way of “Celebrating our Common Heritage” – the theme of our 2008 joint convention in Casper, where the winners will be announced. It’s also an opportunity to reach out and capture the interest and imagination of our young people – a vital element in the future of both AHSGR and GRHS.

Coming to Casper: Iron Crosses Quilt

One of the splendid raffle items for the 2008 International Convention of Germans from Russia in Casper next summer is a beautiful quilt donated by Muriel Kraus of Riverton, Wyoming.

The quilt measures approximately 78” square; Muriel has done a lovely job making it; there's little doubt that it'll be a hot item in Casper! Read more about the making of the quilt, which she has named Faith of our Fathers – Iron Crosses.

Muriel says she was inspired to make the quilt after seeing the many photographs of iron crosses taken by Laurin Leonhardt in Kansas cemeteries.

-

Above right is a recent photo of Muriel and her husband Bob. While Muriel is not a G-R descendant, both of Bob's family lines are German-Russian.

Kuchen Alert!

One of the joys of gathering with fellow German-Russians is the opportunity of breaking bread together – especially if we can find some good Kuchen!

We were reminded of that today while thumbing through the Rapid City (SD) Journal this morning and seeing a nice story about fellow G-R Vera Hoff. A former delicatessen owner, Vera is extremely active with the German-Russian community, and – as this story amply illustrates – she’s no stranger in the kitchen!

Vera was interviewed while preparing Kuchen for a German dinner at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City this week. It’s a great story about how her knowledge and skills were handed down by her parents. The section also features some tasty German recipes. Read the on-line version of the story.

You can read the story at this link of the Rapid City Journal. The newspaper is expanding its coverage to include video pieces for many of print stories, and they did one while interviewing Vera. Here's the link to that video interview, which should be available for a few days. Look for it under "Multimedia" on the right side of the page. Nice job, Vera!

Both Vera and her husband Dick are long-time active members of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. Vera is also co-chair of the Publicity Committee working on the International Convention of Germans from Russia in Casper starting July 28th! Vera won’t be in charge of the kitchen….but we’ll bet attendees will have no trouble finding delicious Kuchen during the convention!

2008 Storytelling Contest

Even the marvels of high definition television can't compare with the theatre of the mind when great stories are told!

-

Storytelling remains an important way for us to preserve our heritage, even as aging buildings in the old country deteriorate and "unser Leute" become more assimilated into cultures around the world. Last year at the Hays convention, many of our AHSGR members were mesmerized by the stories shared by the Storytelling Contest winners -- and now it's your turn!

-

Not only is this a wonderful way to help preserve our heritage, the best storytellers will take home some cash! The First Place winner in the Adult Division will receive $100, Second Place receives $75, and Third Place wins $50. In the Youth Division for those 14 years old and younger, First Place is worth $50, Second Place is $30, and Third Place is $20. Additionally, all winners are awarded an AHSGR Youth Membership.

-

Here's a link to the AHSGR 2008 Storytelling Contest Entry Form and Rules. Please note that all entry materials are to be sent to:

Ken Koehler

7831 Lewis Court

Arvada, CO 80005

-

Entries must be received by April 15, 2008!

Coupled with the GRHS Youth Essay Contest, this competition is another splendid way of "Celebrating our Common Heritage" -- the theme of our 2008 joint convention in Casper, where the winners will be announced. It's also an opportunity to reach out and capture the interest and imagination of our young people -- a vital element in the future of both AHSGR and GRHS!

Froehliche Weihnachten!

We extend to you and your loved ones best wishes for a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Governor Freudenthal Invited!

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has been invited to welcome attendees to the International Convention of Germans from Russia next summer in Casper.

While the Governor’s office is not yet able to confirm his participation, he has expressed a willingness to do so, as his schedule may allow.

In January, Freudenthal begins his sixth year as Governor. A native of Thermopolis, the 57-year-old Freudenthal grew up on a family farm – one of eight children. He graduated from Amherst College in 1973 and returned to Wyoming to work for the state. He was appointed State Planning Coordinator in 1975. While working for the state, Freudenthal simultaneously earned a law degree from the University of Wyoming. While his ancestry is definitely German, there appears to be no direct ties with Germans from Russia.

The Governor and his wife, Nancy, have four children.

The Governor has been invited to speak at the Thursday morning, July 31st opening ceremonies of the conference. Several other conference-related events will begin on Monday, July 28th. The week-long conference runs through Sunday, August 3rd at the Parkway Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Casper.

To learn more about Dave Freudenthal and his family, visit the Governor’s official web site.