Visit our Facebook Group page at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/171816402927010/

Log-in with your Facebook account and explore more about the Hudson German Settlement.

For more information contact Richard Schwenk on Facebook.

Veterans Day, God Bless All Those Who Served Our Country & Community

The Oscar Von Kuster family. Oscar served in the Civil War. Richard & Marian Timmerman hold tree planted in honor of their father Merton who served in the US Air Force, WWII. Richard served in Viet Nam.

Art Feyereisen and family decorate graves of Vets each year on Memorial Day. He served in the Korean conflict. Larry Rohl, Al Krita and how many others also served. (Please send me names of more Vets in the GSHS) Thanks to all Vets who served our country and came back to serve their community. (Floral photo by Derek Peterson)

Above are some of the books of Christian Bonnes, used by the German Settlement.

By-the-way, Richard Timmerman wrote recently that the Oak Valley School building (1858-1952) was sold after 1952 to Frank Hufford who moved it a mile north to serve  as his farm granary. The school was also called the “Bonnes School “, after Christian Bonnes who donated one acre of his farm land on the SE corner of Highways SS and N. Before that, he was the first teacher of neighborhood kids in his home in the early 1860s. Christian had some college education in Alsace-Lorraine in the “Old Country” as well as his library (see pictures above).  He was often visited by neighbors seeking knowledge.

THIS IS AN INVITATION to all interested in preserving the history of the German Settlement. It’s easy to renew or become a GSHS member now.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2009!

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men and women; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.  ~E.P. Powell

The German Settlement pioneers made more graves than houses in 1852 yet they were thankful to settle in virgin land between the Big Woods and Hudson Prairie near the St. Croix River way. We have much to be thankful for this year. The Pioneer Grove is cleaner with a picnic table added and more trees dedicated last May. Memorial bricks have been engraved with names of the original 1852 German Settlement settlers as pictured below, but not yet paid for nor set in place. Let’s express our thanksgiving by sponsoring these memorial markers of our forbearers and lift this message.

Thank you Lord for guiding our forbearers to a land of opportunity. Forgive us when we fail to pass it on better than we found it. May you help us to act wisely so that our descendants will bless us for being on the right side of history.

Present day descendants and other friends of the German Settlement are urged to donate generously to more than cover the costs of honoring the pioneers who overcame hardships to pave the way.  After the pioneers bricks pavers are set in place, we will next honor descendants and neighbors who expanded the German Settlement. Contact Charles Garbe 715-386-9243 or cgarbe@baldwin-telecom.net about donating memorial stones at $70.00 each.  Please send your checks to Evonne Ganz, Treasurer, 565 County Road U, Hudson, WI  54016.

The 2009 BARN DANCE was a SUCCESS by ALL MEASURES

The 4^th annual German Settlement Barn Dance was sweetly serenaded at the start by the Blond Moment, an accordion duet of Diana Oleskow Lubich and Laura Bond. They created a nostalgic ambiance for an authentic German dinner with assortment of desserts. Mike & Eddie, members of the Trigger Happy Band, played a wide variety of familiar dance music, much applauded by the audience.

In addition, the German potato salad of JoAnn Carlson and Martina Büchner’s chocolate cake and sauerkraut were big hits among many other labor of love donations.  Barbara Peterson produced Apple pizza in the wood-fired brick oven for the event.

THANKS to DONORS of GIFTS for DRAWINGS at the BARN DANCE

We thank all who contributed gifts and hours of work to make the 4th annual Barn Dance the most successful yet. The total value of the following was over $2,400.00.

Larson Concrete, Chinese stone lantern, 1017 Highway 35, North Hudson
Family Hair Care, Linda White 1810 Webster St., Hudson, shampoo
Badlands Winter Tubing, Maggie Hall, 783 Badlands Rd., Hudson, 1 day pass
Tires Plus, 1560 Livingston Ave. Suite 101, St. Paul, MN 55118, 24 oil changes
Wal-Mart, 2222 Crestview Dr., Hudson, gift certificate
Tires Plus, 1202 Gateway Blvd., Hudson, 2 gift certificates
Treasures From the Heart, 200 So. Main St. River Falls 55022, gift certificate
Whispering Gardens, 111880 70^th St. So., Cottage Grove, MN 55016, gift basket
Bruegger’s Bagel, 131 Carmichael Rd., Hudson, gift basket
Nobles Tire Service, 1426 Hwy 64, New Richmond 54017,  2 oil changes
Capt. Sam’s Sports Bar, 129 Main St. Somerset, WI 54025, gift certificate
Winzer Stube Restaurant, 516 2^nd St., Hudson, gift certificate
J.W. Kaladi’s Restaurant, 3250 Heiser St., Hudson, gift certificate
Carbonne’s Pizza, 212 Locust St., Hudson, 2 gift certificates
Family Fresh Groceries, 2351 Coulee Rd., Hudson, gift certificate
P.K. Creations, Mike & Polly Knauf, 300 3^rd St. Wausau, WI 54430, box of candy & candy basket

Hudson Golf Course, 201 Carmichael Rd., Hudson,  1-18 holes golf game
Kilkarney Golf Course, 183 Radio Dr., River Falls,  2-18 holes golf games
River Falls Golf Course, 1011 E. Cty Rd. M., River Falls,  2-18 holes golf games

New Richmond Golf Course, 1226 180^th Ave, New Richmond, WI 54017,  4 -18 holes
Pine Meadows Golf Course, 1139 Cty Rd. G., New Richmond,  2-9 holes golf games
Brtistol Ridge Golf, 1978 Cty Rd. C., Somerset, WI. 54025,  2-18 holes golf games
Target, 2401 Coulee Rd., Hudson, gift certificate
Sports Club, 601 2^nd St.. Hudson, gift certificate
Paddy Ryan’s Irish Pub, 709 Rodeo Circle Hudson, 3 shirts and 2 hats
Art Feyereisen, Hudson, wooden turkey call, handmade and ready to call a big Tom!
Andre & Martina Büchner Family, Hudson, 3 hats
Knoke’s Chocolates, 216 Locust St., Hudson, Tel: 381-9866, 2 gift certificates

Thanksgiving for Barn Dance Improvements

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Old Thanksgiving Song by Alice C.D. Riley

Swing the shining sickle, cut the ripened grain,

Flash it in the sunlight, swing it once again.

Tie the golden grain-heads into shining sheaves,

Beautiful their colors as the autumn leaves.

Pick the rosy apples,  pack away with care,

Gather in the corn ears, gleaming everywhere.

Now the fruits are gathered, all the grains are in,

Nuts are in the attic, corn is in the bin.

Loudly blows the north wind through the shivering trees,

Bare are all the branches, fallen all the leaves.

Gathered is the harvest for another year,

Now our day of gladness, Thanksgiving Day is here.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving. ~ Psalm 147

If the only prayer you knew was, “thank you,” that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

2010 EVENTS, EXACT DATES ANNOUNCED AFTER FEBRUARY MEETING

Early February   Planning Meeting of German Settlement Heritage Society leaders

Late May           Pioneer Grove Annual Work Party and Spring Meeting

Mid-June           Pie and Ice Cream Social at the German Settlement bakery-smokehouse

September 25    Annual Barn Dance at the Ganz farm & dining with comfort foods

September 26    Fall Meeting at the Ganz farm

Keep in touch, mark your calendars and participate. Be a part of history.

Many Thanks to all those who helped restore the Pioneer Grove and the Bakery, while boosting community spirit!

THIS IS AN INVITATION to all interested in preserving German Settlement history and become a GSHS member now.

Benefits of Membership

* Opportunity to participate in activities that preserve and even make history

* Satisfaction in passing on our heritage and accomplishments to the next generation

* Receive German Settlement Updates via email newsletters

* Opportunity to be a member of an affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society with Tax Exemption under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) for a nonprofit organization

- – – – – – Please fill out, cut off here & send to the address below – – – – – -

German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Membership

Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name:  _________________________

Address: _______________________ City: _____________  State: ___ Zip: ________

Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________  _________________

Circle one or more years that you are paying dues for: 2009, 2010, 2011, _____

Annual dues/donations. Check a category that fits best for you:

[  ] Senior $10

[  ] Individual or a Senior Couple $15

[  ] Household  $25

[  ] Contributor $30

[  ] Supporter $50

[  ] Benefactor $100

[  ] Lifetime Member $500+

<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=County+Rd.+N+%26+Hilary+Farm+Road,+Hudson,+WI++54016&ie=UTF8&ll=44.952286,-92.628007&spn=0.006378,0.013883&t=h&z=16>

  From the junction of Country Road N and Hilary Farm Road, drive south about 200 yards to the Pioneer Grove. *  *  * May 15 (Thurs) 6:00 p.m. Pot Luck Family Picnic & Talk “Nearest American Indian Settlements and Conflicts”   Picnic at 837 County Road N – one of the oldest farmsteads in the county.   Noted Wisconsin historian, John M. Russell, will give a presentation on the Indians from our area before and during the arrival of the white settlers. Mr. Russell is a photographer and artist living in Menomonie, WI. Since 1966 he and his late wife Lou have written over 2500 weekly columns called “Wisconsin Lore and Legends” for The Dunn County News. He served as president and curator of the Dunn County Historical Society, as past-chairman of the Wisconsin Council of Local History and is currently on the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society. He has either written and illustrated books, such as Where the Wild Rice Grows. His latest book is Wiscomical: A Collection of Funny Facts, Fiction and Facts in Wisconsin History. He is informative and has good humor. His website tells much more: http://members.localnet.com/~legends1/publications.html   These are some of the questions he will address: Where were the major Indian encampments, battles, and burial grounds nearest Hudson? Where was the “contested area” between the Chippewa and Dakota tribes? Where were the main Indian trails in St. Croix County?   Children are welcome and will have Indian craft making opportunities close by.   Bring food to pass, plus utensils, lawn chairs, etc. for your family. Some tables will be available on a “first come” basis. The pole barn will be used in case of rain.   Parking is available on a new internal road, behind the historic bakery-smokehouse.  Enter from 837 County Road N. and follow limestone road SE for angle parking. *  *  * Sept. 18 (Thurs) 6:30 p.m. Apple Pie & Ice Cream Picnic at Pioneer Nick Schwalen homestead (now Schwenk Family Trust).  Please bring lawn chairs.   Both picnic events will be held at 837 County Road N. (6 mls. north of River Falls) *  *  * Oct. 4 (Sat) 6:30 p.m. Barn Dance Benefit at 565 County Rd. U, 4 miles. N of River Falls at the Mike & Evonne Ganz farm. *  *  *   Warm Springtime Greetings! We hope to see you for these activities. Just a Friendly Reminder… Many thanks if you have already sent your membership dues for 2008.  New and Yearly membership dues will be appreciated for this year 2008. Please send ASAP to:  Evonne Ganz, 565 County Rd. U, Hudson, WI 54016   THIS IS AN INVITATION to all interested in preserving German Settlement history and artifacts to become a GSHS member now. Please fill out and send to our Treasurer, Evonne Ganz at the address below.    - – – – – – Please fill out, cut off & send to the address below – – – – – -   German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Membership (New & Renewal membership form for 2008)   Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name:  _________________________   Address: _______________________ City: _____________  State: ___ Zip: ________   Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________  _________________ Please consider giving a gift Membership with these words:                          “This is a gift membership from” (your name & address):   Check a category:  [  ] Student $5,  [  ] Senior $10,  [  ] Individual or Senior Couple $15, [  ] Household  $25,  [  ] Contributor $30,  [  ] Supporter $50,  [  ] Benefactor $100, [  ] Life Member $500+, [  ] Corporate Member $100+  [  ] Preservation donor $_____ (Life & Corporate Members receive acknowledgement & free tours) Note: Tax Exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) for a nonprofit organization   Please make checks payable to: German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. & send to: Evonne Ganz, 565 County Rd. U, Hudson, WI  54016   Please circle any activities you would like to volunteer for:  Tree planting, Brush clearing, Carpentry, Cement work, Special Events, Publicity, Research, Historic displays, Restoration, Special recipes, Tour guide, Museum keeper, Website help, Others:   To aid in planning, we would greatly appreciate your estimate of the number from your family who are likely to attend these events in the year 2008:   [     ] Pioneer Grove Clean-up & Tree Planting, 8:30 AM & Noon lunch meeting, May 10 [     ] Pot Luck Family Picnic, 6:00 pm, May 15 at 837 County Rd. N, 6 miles east of Hudson [     ] Apple Pie and Ice Cream Picnic Gathering, 6:30 pm, Sept.18, 837 County Rd. N. [     ] Barn Dance Benefit, 6:30 pm, Oct. 4 at 565 County Rd. U, 6 miles north of River Falls

Dear Friends of the German Settlement,

Please mark your 2008 calendar & bring others to join the following:

May 10 (Sat.)  Pioneer Grove Clean-up & Tree Planting  8:30 a.m. to lunch meeting. We need your help to clear brush and plant trees.  Besides yourself we need shovels for tree planting and a chain saw for clearing dead trees. A wood chipper for branches is needed.  We need help to identify rare indigenous plants and protect from loss. We will start at 8:30 and conclude at noon. A wiener roast lunch will be provided.

Merton Timmerman Memorial Tree Planting

One of the founding members of the GSHS was Merton Timmerman who spent much of his retirement planting and caring for trees. He grew up on a farm, was a Navy pilot in WWII, an Ag. teacher of vets of that war, a dairy farmer, county board member, church leader, a naturalist, opinion leader, community volunteer, encourager, and source of inspiration. He placed his 73 acres of forest land in the West Wisconsin Land Trust to preserve it for posterity. His 33 acre forest in the German Settlement was originally owned by Peter Yost who was among the founding pioneers of 1852. Many more inspiring details of Mert’s life are found in the book, Tea Man, Tree Man, He Man as told to Diana Oleskow Lubich.

*  *  *

“Even if I knew the world was going to end tomorrow, I’d go out and plant a tree today”

*  *  *

Tree Planting at the Pioneer Grove

Come join us on May 10 (Sat.) as we plant trees in the Pioneer Grove in honor of  “Tree Man” Merton Eugene Timmerman and his community leadership.  We will plant his favorite tree with a stone marker.

    The GSHS board voted to plant a dozen 2″ diameter trees along the walk way at the Grove to replace some of the dead and “weed” trees.  The trees will include white oak, black walnut, sugar maple, white ash, and linden. They will be planted at our work day. We have been lucky to obtain the trees at below wholesale cost to us.  If you would like to sponsor a tree in honor or memory of someone, we will provide a stone engraved marker with the persons name.  The cost will be $190 for tree and marker. Please use the following models for your lettering and spacing:

Walk Down Memory Lane in a Small Part of the Big Woods

The Pioneer Grove historical project is for the preservation of this heritage site and a part of the Big Woods ecosystem. The GSHS board and other leaders have suggested we pave, with memorial paver stones, a portion of the pathway leading to the pioneer John Peter Roehl farm house and anew historical marker. Before the Roehl house was built, this area was where our immigrant ancestors built shelters to survive their first year, after landing in Hudson in June 1852. The names of descendants and other friends of the German Settlement will honor those who have paved the way in our lives.

Each paver stone has room for a maximum of three lines of type with 15 character spaces (including letters and spaces on each line). Examples from another German settlement in Wanda, Minnesota are shown above.

We are very grateful to Kernon Bast and family for their vision and donation of this grove to the GSHS, Inc. in Cottonwood South (200 yards south of the junction of Cty. Rd. N & Hilary Farm Road.)

You may order the memorial paver stones from Charles Garbe at $70.00 each and/or

contribute towards a 2” diameter memorial tree at $190 each.

Send your clearly TYPED or PRINTED dedication and checks marked, “German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc.” to: Charles Garbe, 772 County Rd. N, Hudson, WI 54016.

May 15 (Thurs) 6:30 pm Pot Luck Family Picnic. Ample parking is available on a new internal road, behind bakery-smokehouse. Enter from 837 County Road N. Bring food, utensils, lawn chairs, etc. Some tables will be available on a “first come”

When our founders came ashore

They stopped to purchase one thing more,

To share together this one plow,

Bring it with them from then to now.

A plow made out of wood and steel

Gave their hearts hope their hands could feel.

Twelve oxen pulled six wagons back

Along the lonely prairie track

Into Galena from Racine

To board a steamboat with  each team,

Till in Wisconsin they arrived,

In St. Croix County, where they thrived.

If that old breaking plow could talk,

It would tell us of their long walk,

And would reveal more of the tale,

As up to Hudson they set sail,

And how, after they settled here,

They plowed the land and held it dear.

          –  Anne Marie (Schwalen) Stickel

German Settlement Heritage Society Life Member

The plow was bought in Racine and used by the

1852 pioneer families who started one of the

earliest farming communities in St. Croix County,

Wisconsin.  The plow now belongs to the

German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc.

From:

Richard Schwenk

1130 Rexford Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91107-1711

Wishing you and your family

Christmas Joy and

A Blessed New Year!

                                                                                   To Friends of the German Settlement:

Please Mark Your 2008 Calendar & Join our…

FLASH BACK: NEW FACTS ON IMMIGRANT TRAVEL DISCOVERED**

Here are some newly found facts from a 1848 book by Dr. Carl De Haas a German emigrant to Wisconsin in 1847. The English translation of the book is: North America Wisconsin Hints for Emigrants. http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/tp&CISOPTR=18597&REC=1

It gives recommendations to travelers to Wisconsin. His facts are marked ** below. The * marks are facts gleaned from old reports and news articles. From this we can get a better picture of the time line in their travel, while still open to any new findings:

Back in 1852:

April 11  About 35 emigrants followed Nicholas Schwalen from Honsfeld, Bullingen, Prussia (now part of eastern Belgium). They would have traveled by train or horse drawn wagons about 130 miles to the port of Antwerp. Train is more likely.

April 15 (Thurs.)  The emigrants set sail on the SS Columbus from Antwerp.*

May 31 (Mon.)  They landed in New York City after 46 days at sea.*

June 1 (Tues.)  They would have taken a Hudson River steamer 12 hours from NYC to Albany costing only 50 cents each.**

June 2 – 3  A 2-day train ride from Albany to Buffalo saved 8 days by canal boat.**

June 4 – 11  Buffalo to Racine by steamer on the Great Lakes lasted about 7 days.**

June 12-15  Estimated time in Racine to buy oxen, wagons and a breaking plow. Friends & relatives in Racine could have helped prepare these if they sent word ahead.

June 16 to 24  Racine to Galena by oxen pulled wagons about 8 days to cover 170 miles.

June 25  Galena to Hudson by Mississippi-St. Croix river steamboat took about 2 days.

 
27 June (Sun) They landed in Hudson and went directly to the cabin of  Nicholas and Hely Schwalen, built in 1851, six miles east of Hudson. They would have been eager to stake claim on the land and to graze their oxen. One of their earliest projects was building a community bakery oven.*  Thus, the plow and bakery oven are symbols of our heritage.

German Settlement Heritage Society Members

BARN DANCE FUND RAISING AND FAMILY FUN TIME

The Barn Dance fund raising held in the Mike and Evonne Ganz’s barn last October 6 was enthusiastically attended by about 120 of all generations. People began gathering and eating German food about 6:30 p.m. with lively music by Jim Schwenk, Lynn Johnson, and George Bruhn. The Mike and Eddie Band of the “Trigger Happy” Band kept us dancing again like last year. The barn dance brought in $1,666.91 before expenses. Many thanks to all who helped make this 2^nd annual event a big success.

Jim, Lynn & George enliven

All generations enjoy the dance.

Mick & Eddie dance band

THANKS TO DONORS OF GIFTS FOR DRAWINGS AT THE BARN DANCE

Donor/City                                                              Gift

Ava’s Restaurant, New Richmond, (1) $15.00 Gift certificate

Badlands Golf Course, Roberts, (1) Certificate, 18 holes of golf

Bernard’s Northtown Chrysler, New Richmond,  (1) Packer cap, (2) Packer shirts

autographed by #22

Bristol Ridge Golf Course, Somerset,  (1) Certificate, 2 rounds of golf with carts

Bud’s Lanes, River Falls, (5) Bowling certificates

Kilkarney Hills Golf Course, River Falls,  (2) Certificates of 18 holes each.

New Richmond Golf Club, New Richmond,  (1) Certificate of 4 rounds of 18 holes

Noble’s Tire Service Inc., New Richmond,  (2) Oil Change certificates

Pine Meadows Golf Course, New Richmond, (2) Certificates of (2) 9 hole rounds each

Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear MN, (1) “Original Apple Pie”

Radio Shack Electronics, New Richmond, (1) Touch screen electronic game

Ready Randy’s Sports Bar & Grill, New Richmond, (1) Certificate for $25.00

Sports Club Lounge & Restaurant, Hudson, (1) Certificate for $25.00

Tires Plus, Hudson, (4) Oil chg. certificates, each for 4 oil changes & discounts.

Treasures From The Heart, River Falls, (2) $10.00 Gift Certificates

Winzer Stube German Restaurant, Hudson (1) $35.00 Gift Certificate

Paddy Rian’s Irish Pub, Hudson (1) Certificate for $25.00 & (1) man’s shirt

Econo Foods Store, Hudson, $25 Gift Certificate

Tires Plus, West St. Paul, MN  (4) oil changes and discount coupons per Cert. @ $39.99

Thomasville Furniture, Woodbury, MN  (1) tall clock

Rick and Nancy Baines, Hudson, John Deere D, large authentic looking model tractor

CALENDAR of EVENTS for 2008

May 6 (Tues) 6:30 p.m. GSHSI Board of Directors to meet at the Ganz barn office

May 10 (Sat) 8:30 a.m. Pioneer Grove community action project

12:30 Noon picnic lunch and brief General Meeting

June 14 (Sat) Picnic & Pie at newly purchased Schwenk Family Trust farmstead,

837 Co. Rd. N (the pioneer Nick Schwalen farm is being revamped & restored).

Oct. 11 (Sat.) 9 to 11 a.m. Final setup for Barn Dance at Mike & Evonne Ganz farm

“   “    “      NOON General Fall Meeting & election before the big Barn Dance

“   “    “     6:30 p.m. Preliminary music, display & food sale followed by Barn Dance

October is the time to go leaf gazing at the Fall foliage in Wisconsin!

THIS IS AN INVITATION to all interested in preserving German Settlement history to join GSHS now. Please fill out and send to our Treasurer, Evonne Ganz at the address below. 

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Cut off here – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -

German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Members

(New & renewal membership form for 2008)

Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name:  _________________________

Address: _______________________ City: _____________  State: ___ Zip: ________

Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________  _________________

Please consider giving a gift Membership with these words:                         

“This is a gift membership from” (your name & address):

Check a category:  [  ] Student $5,  [  ] Senior $10,  [  ] Individual or Senior Couple $15,

[  ] Household  $25,  [  ] Contributor $30,  [  ] Supporter $50,  [  ] Benefactor $100,

[  ] Lifetime Member $500+, [  ] Corporate Member $1000+  [  ] Preservation donor $___

Note: Tax Exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) for a nonprofit organization

Please make checks payable to: German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. & send to:

Evonne Ganz, 565 County Rd. U, Hudson, WI  54016

Gifts for the Drawings are mounting, so far including autographed Green Bay Packer cap, 2 adult Green Bay Packer shirts and many certificates for restaurant meals, oil changes, 18 holes of golf, bowling, discounts, and many more.

Donations are Needed to Restore Bakery-Smokehouse

Funds are needed for restoration and preservation of the bakery-smokehouse in the German Settlement for future generations. The Schwalen brothers built the bakery about 1855 on the Nick Schwalen farm. It was used as a community bake oven about twice a week and for meat preservation and storage. Estimated restoration costs are as follows:

$1,800.00 for renewing fascia boards and roofing

$2,400.00 for building a dome-shaped brick bakery oven & fixing scalding pit

$1,800.00 for refurbishing the limestone walls and brick chimney

We hope you can join us in the restoration with your talents and/or donations. Extra amounts above the $5.00 minimum donation for Barn Dance admission will help in the restoration. Checks may be given or sent to our treasurer, Evonne Ganz. Her address is at the bottom of this newsletter. The oven and smokehouse restoration will be about $6,000.

HISTORY BUFF STUFF

Nick Schwalen was the pioneer who went back to Prussia in 1851 and brought back 8 families as pioneers in 1852. The bakery-smokehouse was built in his back yard. How many loaves of bread and Apfel Strudel could be baked at one time? Join our meetings and learn much more.

CALENDAR of EVENTS for the rest of 2007

Sept. 27 (Thur.), 6:30 p.m. Barn Dance planning and action meeting at Ganz barn office

Oct. 2 (Tue.) at 6:30 p.m. GSHSI Board of Directors meet at the Ganz barn office

Oct. 6 (Sat.) 9 to 11 a.m. Final setup for Barn Dance at Mike & Evonne Ganz farm

“   “    “     5:30 p.m. General Fall Meeting & election before the big Barn Dance

“   “    “     6:30 p.m. Preliminary music, display & book sale followed by Barn Dance

THIS IS AN INVITATION to all interested in preserving German Settlement history to join GSHS now. Please fill out and send to our Treasurer, Evonne Ganz at the address below. 

German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Members

(New & renewal membership form for 2008)

Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name:  _________________________

Address: _______________________ City: _____________  State: ___ Zip: ________

Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________  _________________

Please consider giving a gift Membership with these words:                         

“This is a gift membership from” (your name & address):

Check a category:  [  ] Student $5,  [  ] Senior $10,  [  ] Individual or Senior Couple $15,

[  ] Household  $25,  [  ] Contributor $30,  [  ] Supporter $50,  [  ] Benefactor $100,

[  ] Lifetime Member $500+, [  ] Corporate Member $1000+  [  ] Preservation donor $___

Note: Tax Exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) for a nonprofit organization

Please make checks payable to: German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. & send to:

Evonne Ganz, 565 County Rd. U, Hudson, WI  54016

-  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  – –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  -

German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Members

(New & renewal membership form for 2008)

Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name:  _________________________

Address: _______________________ City: _____________  State: ___ Zip: ________

Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________  _________________

Please consider giving a gift Membership with these words:                         

“This is a gift membership from” (your name & address):

Check a category:  [  ] Student $5,  [  ] Senior $10,  [  ] Individual or Senior Couple $15,

[  ] Household  $25,  [  ] Contributor $30,  [  ] Supporter $50,  [  ] Benefactor $100,

In this Memorial Day Issue:

[1]  Smokehouse-Bakery is Unique in Wisconsin & America

[2]  History Buff Stuff

[3]  Pathway Built to Pioneer John Peter Roehl Homestead

[4]  Membership Perks: “Find Your Place in History, Then Go There!”

[5]  Calendar of Events for 2007 Revised

[6]  Points to Ponder

[7]  Membership Open to All Friends of the German Settlement. This is your invitation…

*  *  *

[1]  SMOKEHOUSE-BAKERY is UNIQUE in WISCONSIN & AMERICA

This unique multi-purpose limestone smokehouse-bakery is a one-of-a-kind building not seen anywhere else. The new owner wants it moved by mid-June. Funds are urgently needed for restoration and historical preservation for future generations.

We hope you can join us in the restoration with your talents and/or donations. Checks may be sent to our treasurer, Evonne Ganz. Her address is at the bottom of this newsletter. Please respond immediately so our board can decide feasibility of moving.

The smokehouse and community bakery needs funds forrestoration and preservation.

The oven dome on the otherside needs to be restored.

[2]  HISTORY BUFF STUFF

Which one of the Schwalen pioneers went back to Prussia and brought back eight families as pioneers in 1852? Where is that pioneer’s farm located? Hint: The bakery -smokehouse was built by him in his back yard. Join our meetings and learn much more.

[3]  PATHWAY BUILT TO PIONEER JOHN PETER. ROEHL HOMESTEAD

A limestone path and rail fence was built by a volunteer crew on May 4 and 5 in the Pioneer Grove Memorial Park in the German Settlement. Gravel was donated by Kernon Bast. A group photo appeared in the Hudson Star-Observer and the New Richmond News. Those workers not in the photo were Wally Riedel and Bob Freiermuth. A wiener roast picnic lunch was served by Barb Garbe and other volunteers. Our Spring Meeting was enjoyed as we sat around on logs in the Pioneer Grove. More volunteers are needed as we make historic markers, and restore the smokehouse and community bakery.

[4]  MEMBERSHIP PERKS: “Find Your Place in History, Then Go There!”

One of the rewards of membership in the German Settlement Heritage Society comes through being an Affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Through the WHS we are affiliated with sister historical societies all over the state.

During the month of June GSHS adult members may use the coupon below for a 20% discount when you visit the well-preserved historical sites mentioned on the coupon.

As a proof of your affiliation, at the ticket counter, bring this newsletter with you. Your membership card would also help. This coupon is just one of the perks for joining GSHS. Have a great Memorial Day celebration and summer.

[5]  CALENDAR of EVENTS for 2007 Revised

June 1-30  Find Your Place in History and Go There, Use WHS Coupon

Oct. 2 (Tue.) at 6:30 p.m. GSHSI Board of Directors meet

Oct. 6 (Sat.) 9 to 11 Final setup for Barn Dance at Mike & Evonne Ganz farm

“   “    “    11 to 12 General Fall Meeting and old-fashion lunch

“   “    “     6:30 to 11 p.m. Historical display followed by BARN DANCE

Bring your GSHS Membership Cards for discounts.

[6]  POINTS TO PONDER

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” — Dorothy Parker,

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”  – Albert Schweitzer

[7]  MEMBERSHIP OPEN to ALL FRIENDS of the GERMAN SETTLEMENT

We are accepting new members for this year. Dues and donations are needed for renovation of the Pioneer Grove and Smokehouse-bakery before they are lost.

THIS IS YOUR INVITATION…

To all interested in preserving German Settlement history to join GSHS now. Please fill out and send to our Treasurer, Evonne Ganz at the address below. Donations are tax deductable.

——————————————————————————————————-

German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Charter Membership Form 

Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name:  _________________________

Address: _______________________ City: _____________  State: ___ Zip: ________

Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________  _________________

Please consider giving a gift for Charter Membership.                           

This is a gift membership from: Name & Address: ______________________________

Check a category:  [  ] Student $5,  [  ] Senior $10,  [  ] Individual or Senior Couple $15,

[  ] Household  $25,  [  ] Contributor $30,  [  ] Supporter $50,  [  ] Benefactor $100,

[  ] Lifetime Member $500,  [  ] Corporate Member $1000+  [  ] Preservation donor $___

Note: Tax Exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) for a nonprofit organization

Please make checks payable to: German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. & send to:

Evonne Ganz

565 County Rd. U. 

Hudson, WI  54016