The Swiss News of Oregon is tri-yearly publication of the
Helvetia Alpengluehn Singing Society. It serves communities in Oregon and
southwest Washington.
“The Lazy Days of Summer” Not sure where a person would go to find one of those, but the Swiss choir is making an effort, with only one performance planned on July 19th in Helvetia. We will be singing a few favorites and looking to find a nice shade tree to catch up with our fellow Swiss. Hope to see you there, because seeing old friends is REALLY the best part.
The choir finished up a great spring season. On April 18th, the Helvetia Alpengluehn were special guests at the Männerchor Edelweiss concert in Bonney Lake, Washington. Yes, with a few of our best fans the choir chartered a bus and away we went. The Männerchor were great hosts, the food wonderful and a good time was had by all; thank-you for inviting us. Our Springfest Concert was a bit lonesome. We missed many of you but, regardless, our special guests, The Alpenfolk, were delightful. The Alpenfolk really know how to entertain. More than just a Bavarian band, they played alphorn, sang and danced for us as well. Make a point of seeing them in Leavenworth if you get a chance.
Our Novemberfest Concert is shaping up. Our special guests will be partially familiar to you. Doug Stickler, the choir’s accordion accompanist and friend Rouke Vanderveen have been invited. They perform at the Tapalaya, a New Orleans style restaurant in NE Portland and at the Milwaukie Farmer’s Market. They play a variety of music and the choir is certain you will enjoy them. A Swiss schublig dinner will be served at 5:30 with the concert following at 7:00 pm. Hope to see you at Bethany Presbyterian Church on November 21st.
In June, soprano Elizabeth Hidden moved to Germany to teach English. This spring, Elizabeth received her Masters Degree in Education from Concordia College in Portland, her Bachelors was in German. The choir is really going to miss her but wish her the best in her new endeavor.
Last, the choir wishes to extend their condolences to the Boekli-Gillenwater Family. On February 28th former singer and contributor of the Swiss news Elizabeth Boekli Gillenwater passed away at the age of 88. Elizabeth was a very talented and gifted member of our choir, and her hard work and devotion to this choir will never be forgotten.
By Sally Schoch
The summer is upon us, and the Swiss Picnic is happening again!! This year the date is July 19, 2009, at Helvetia Community Church, 11295 NW Helvetia Road, Hillsboro, OR. We are praying for good weather, hopefully not near 80 degrees, and without rain and wind. Services at the church start at 9:00 and 10:30. The Helvetia Alphorns are to play in church again, and Alice Gillenwater has promised to sing at both services. We are hoping Peter Rosenast will yodel again if he can get away from the cows! The parade will start at 11:45 (or thereabouts); participants will be Brown Swiss cows, goats, Bernese Mountain dogs, and a multitude of children, flags, bells and people in traditional Swiss outfits. Bring your food, chairs, and tables and experience the camaraderie of fellow Swiss and people you haven't met yet. Pop, soft drinks, coffee will be provided. The afternoon entertainment, starting about l:l5, will include the Helvetia Alpengluehn Singers, the Yodelklub Edelweiss, Peter Rosenast, Shelby (Aeppli) Imholt, Helvetia alphorns and more. Come and enjoy a beautiful day with friends old and new and renewal of the Swiss spirit. Call Sally Schoch at 503-547-5578 for directions or information
Since March 17th of this year the Jodelklub “Edelwyss” has held rehearsals on Tuesdays in Wilsonville at the Denny’s Restaurant. It seems to have allowed the members a more central location with less travel time.
Under the direction of Father Frank Knusel, we are learning five new songs and practicing our old favorites. We shall present them at a “Harvest Fall Concert” to be held on September 12, 2009 at the German Hall in Portland. Please mark your calendar, as we will present an exciting program; more details shall be made available in the next few months.
Florence Knusel, mother of our director Frank Knusel was hospitalized recently. Fred Pfarrer from Salem, a long-time Jodelklub member, has also been under doctor’s care and would like to hear from friends. His address is Tierra Rose, 4254 Weathers St., N.E., Salem, OR 97301.
On March 13 a good friend and long-time member of the Jodelklub came to the end of the road. Paul Anton Kappenthuler passed away very suddenly. Our sincere sympathy from the Oregon Swiss community.
“Blibet g’sund und munter” ******* “Stay healthy and cheerful” Enjoy your summer 2009.
Plans are underway for our 7th annual Golf Tournament and 92nd annual Schwingfest. If you are a Life Member, be sure to have your membership card with you at the schwingfest for a free beverage. Also, those who volunteer for at least four hours will be given a ticket for a free dinner
Contact Joanne Odermott at 503-640-9675 or jojodermott@hotmail.com or any board member to volunteer.
The Golf Tournament will be July 31 at Wildwood Golf Course. Contact Kathy Reimers at 503-648-1380 or klrpjr@aol.com for all of the details, including sponsoring a hole. We are hoping for lots of golfers and lots of hole sponsors. Hope you will join us. Awards will be presented that evening at Helvetia Tavern.
The Schwingfest will be August 1 at Paesano-Cedarville Park. Contact Joanne if you need lodging. The park will open at 10:00 a.m.. Wrestlers are to register by 10:30 a.m., and wrestling will begin at 11:00 a.m. Up for grabs again is the Northwest Schwinger Champion trophy for a senior wrestler who competes at the Frances, Portland and Bonney Lake Schwingfests.
There will be a break from the wrestling about 1:30 p.m. for lunch. Schueblig, Swiss hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. Wrestling will then resume about 2:30 p.m. A pork chop or Bratwurst dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
During the dinner, the Drawing will be held. Tickets and information for the Drawing will be in the mail soon. If you would like to donate a prize for the Drawing (all items must be new and have a value of at least $10), contact Joanne Odermott. Money from the Drawing makes scholarships
available. This year’s $500 scholarship, The Ted & Margaret Blatter Scholarship, was awarded to Sierra Gernhart, daughter of Bart and Sandy Gernhart and granddaughter of Millie Kappenthuler. She will attend the University of Washington in the fall.
The dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. with music by the Alpiners Orchestra (they will also be playing in the afternoon). Awards to the wrestlers will be about 10:30 p.m. Note: We would appreciate less casual dress (such as t-shirts and shorts) for the wrestlers and crown girls at the awards ceremony. We see the awards as a honor for both, and the attire should reflect that. Thank you. We hope many of you will join us for this fun weekend.
It’s not too late to contact Joanne if you would like to put a $5 name line in the schwingfest souvenir book. Deadline is July 13
Members of Swiss Ladies Club were saddened by the death of a very special lady. Elizabeth Gillenwater passed away February 28th, too late to be written up in the last newsletter. Elizabeth was a wonderful person and the driving force behind our cookbook project. It was her knowledge and talent, having worked as the food editor of the old Oregon Journal newspaper, that made our cookbook “ En’ Guete Appetit “ a success. She was liked by all and was always involved in the club activities. Elizabeth is survived by her husband Eugene and five children.
Another dear long time member passed away March 28th. Alice [Amacher] Hogan was born in Portland to Swiss immigrant parents and was always proud of her heritage. She was a registered Nurse and led quite an interesting life traveling the world as an early flight nurse. Alice is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Margot and Gregg Hodges-Tinner and a much loved grandson Erich Hodges. Our condolences go to the families of these two ladies. They will be missed.
Our sympathy also goes to Millie Kappenthaler and her family on the sudden death, in March, of her husband Paul. Sympathy also to Elda Harris and family on the loss of her husband Chuck.
Two of our members had recent surgery, MaryEllen Schraner for Carpel Tunnel and Elsie Neff for knee replacement. Both are doing well.
Rose Seeholzer has moved to an assisted living facility.
On a lighter note, the club will award three $500.00 Scholarships at a luncheon on June 24th. The young ladies are Lily Jones, granddaughter of Virginia Welch; Erica Lippert, granddaughter of Bev Yungen; and Cambria Sutter, granddaughter of Frances Sutter. All are excellent students with many outside interests. Congratulations to all.
Sally and Hans Schoch are awaiting the birth of twins, in August, to their daughter Stephanie and her husband John. They are also enjoying the beautiful new Bernese Mountain Dog puppy imported from Switzerland .
Don’t forget to sign up for our popular Swiss Kids Kamp held August 21-23rd
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Willet Stauss, 92 passed away on February 25th in Hillsboro, Oregon. Raised on the family dairy in Shadybrook (NW of Hillsboro), he was the son of Hartman and Annie Stauss. The Rev. Henry Stauss, the first pastor of the Helvetia Community Church, was Willet’s great-uncle. His simple down-to-earth manner made him a friend to many. He is survived by nephews John and Randall Stauss and niece Irene Stauss Gresick.
Charles Harris passed away on March 10 at the age of 89. He enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1937 and escorted President Franklin D. Roosevelt three times. He served in the Pacific Theater, on Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian and Tarawa campaigns. He also served in Korea and was honorably discharged as a captain in 1958. He became a bridge inspector for ODOT. A highlight of his career was the construction of the Fremont Bridge in Portland. He is survived by his wife Elda; a daughter, Charlene Pettingell, a sister Rose Morsey and two step-grandchildren.
Gottlieb “Ted” Deiss passed away March 12 at the age of 99. He was a longtime Portland resident and retired grocer and greenhouse owner. As superintendent of buildings and grounds at the University of Portland, he transformed the campus into a horticultural showcase. He had moved to Atlanta to be closer to his family but always kept up on “how things were in Portland.” He is survived by his daughter Barbara Schwendler (Bill) and two grandchildren.
Paul Kappenthuler passed away March 13 at the age of 88. He was born in Bad Ragaz, Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland. He and his wife, Millie, immigrated to the US in 1957 and were in Reno for five years. They then moved to Portland where Paul eventually had his own business, Paul’s Foreign Car Service. He is survived by his wife and daughter Sandy Gernhart (Bart) and three granddaughters, Geneva, Sierra and Shelby.
Alice Amacher Hogan passed away on March 28 at the age of 85. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart General School of Nursing in Eugene and had worked many places around the world (Vietnam, El Salvador, Dominican Republic). She met her husband James while working in Pakistan. He predeceased her in 1996. Alice is survived by her daughter Margot Hodges-Tinner (Greg) and a grandson Erich.
Fritz Fivian passed away on April 2 at the age of 79. Fritz was an outstanding wrestler at Olympic Style, Grecco Style, Free Style and Swiss wrestling. He participated in the 1952 Olympics in Oslo, Norway, representing Switzerland. He wrestled for the Swiss Army and was Swiss National Champion four times. After coming to the US, he enlisted in the Army and was US Army Wrestling Champion in 1957. He later attended Oregon State University and was National Champion twice and competed in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He received a teaching degree from OSU and then taught German and French at Rex Putnam High School for 24 years. He was inducted into the OSU Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992. In Swiss wrestling he was Pacific Coast champion three times. (Thank you to Willy Heusser for this information). Fritz was predeceased by his wife Dolores in 2007. He is survived by a daughter Lisa, sons Alan and Fritz and grandson Jaden.
Elizabeth Gillenwater was a member of Helvetia-Alpengluehn and Swiss Ladies Club. Please see their articles for their remembrances of Elizabeth. Condolences to her family from the Swiss community
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Jason Wilson, a recent graduate from North Salem High School, is receiving national recognition for building a craftsman style head and foot board (bed frame) he crafted out of locally harvested black walnut lumber. He titled it “Black Beauty” and entered a photo of the finished project in the Fresh Wood Design Contest as part of the American Woodworking and Furniture Suppliers Trade Show held this month in Las Vegas, NV. Jason is one of 50 nationwide finalists and will be flown to the trade show with his instructor from North Salem High to participate in the events. Jason’s “Black Beauty” will also be featured in a hardcover book which includes all the finalist’s projects Jason, is the son of Heidi Burkhalter and Paul Wilson of Salem and grandson of Betty Grossen of Woodburn. Congratulations Jason!
Just days before Bob Ulrich’s departure for Switzerland this past April, Appenzell, Switzerland passed a ban on hiking naked. On April 26th, by the show of hands, this tiny canton voted overwhelmingly to impose a 200 franc ($176) fine on all violators, mostly German tourists. Bob is an avid hiker and loves visiting his homeland, so glad Bob’s “views” were preserved to just the scenery in time for his visit!
Several Swiss farms are featured in this summer’s publication of Tri-County Farm Fresh Foods. They include Baggenstos Farms, Groveland Farms (Jossi Family), Grossen Nursery, and Jossy Farms. These farms feature berries, peaches, produce, and nuts. For more information pick up a copy of the publication or check their website at www.tricountyfarm.org.
In early June, Hans and Sally Schoch had a new arrival from Switzerland… a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. Sally has named her Sophie. Sophie is making herself right at home; and though a long way from a man eater, she eats almost everything else; grandson’s Jake’s shoes are especially good! She is very cute and will be at the Helvetia Swiss Picnic but be advised of her appetite for just about anything.
Accidentally omitted from our last newsletter was the announcement of a second great-grandchild for Gerhard and Hedy Schurig. Parents of Guage Conery McLeod, born February 2, are Kurtis and Ann McLeod. Grandparents are David and Linda McLeod. Guage joins a brother Steel.
The family of Edna Truttman had a rose bush planted in her name at the Powell Valley Assisted Living facility, in conjunction with the Portland Rose Festival. The Royal Rosarians and princesses took part. Edna had always been a fan of the Rose Festival.
A recent article in the travel section of the Oregonian highlighted the Sechseläuten-Sechislüüte festival in Zurich, Switzerland to celebrate the end of winter and arrival of spring. Our local version was held at a farm in Forest Grove and hosted by Diane Vireday and Bob McCormick. A very large replica of a snowman stuffed with straw (the Böögg) was mounted on a 10 ft. high stand. Wood scraps, tree branches and straw were built up under his feet. His head contained fireworks. At 6:00 p.m. sharp the wood was set afire and participants rode horses around it in circles. They were dressed in costumes from the Middle-Ages, Renaissance, Rococo and Biedermeier periods. Folk wisdom holds that the time between the lighting of the Böögg and the explosion of its head is a clue to what the summer will be like. A quick burn signifies a long, warm summer. A slow fire means a cold and dreary one. Diane and Bob hope to expand on the celebration for next yea
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The North American Swiss Singing Alliance (NASSA) is hosting their Säengerfest this year in Banff, Alberta, Canada. They are inviting you to join them for 3 days of Swiss music, songs, yodeling and festivities from June 26-28, 2009. The member societies of the NASSA include 14 choirs from Ohio, Wisconsin, and Alberta and Ontario, Canada. The Grand Concert is held Saturday, June 27th. See www.swissfest09.com for more information. At the conclusion of the Säengerfest, Fred Salvisberg, a member of the Wildrose Yodel Club of Alberta, Canada, is offering a 4 night, 4+ day tour of the area. The tour includes both historical and scenic highlights; space is limited but for more information contact Fred at salranch@explornet.com.
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Return to Home PageLast updated June 30, 2009
Swiss News of Oregon is a publication of the Helvetia Alpengluehn Singing Society, 20921 NW Bendemeer Rd., Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. To contact the editor, send email to Resiyodels@aol.com Swiss News of Oregon is published three times per year (March, July and October).