It is hard to describe our Celebrations and the friendships that have evolved from these weekends.
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Over the past four years people from North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, California, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia have attended the Celebration.
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We have had cousins attend who had never met.
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We have had people attend who hadn't seen each other for over 30 years.
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The Friday dinners are always a roaring success. After 10 minutes complete strangers are part of a big, happy family.
One of the major reasons for the success of the event has been the shaker and mover qualities of Barbara Anne Daniels. Barbara Anne was instrumental in getting the initial Celebration organized and you will find her actively promoting the event every year.
The Celebrations would not have been nearly successful without the help of Ray and Diane Borschowa who live in Mt. Angel. They selected the wonderful restaurant, made all the arrangements with the monastery for holding the workshops including the last minute transition to a much larger conference room. Ray's brother to provided free event tickets for door prizes.
Some of the ladies (Carol Jackson, Clara Fischer) brought home baked goodies that were wonderful. Thank you ladies! And for all you North Dakota folks, Polly Lefor Peyerl brought some Chokecherry syrup for a door prize. Thank you Polly!
There were three workshop sessions held by David Dreyer, David Kemle, and John Michels. David Kemle showed a dance video taken at an event in Mansfield, Ohio which was very entertaining. John Michels talked about the political situation for Germans now living in Serbia. David Dreyer gave a presentation on some of his findings from the ship extraction records. Great job!
Last year Tony and Martha Steigerwald from Brookfield, Wisconsin, his brother Jacob and Marie Steigerwald from Littleton, Colorado and Carol and David Blank from Phoenix, Arizona won the honors of coming from the furthest distance.
Steve