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!