Sunday, August 31, 2008        (we have the photos to prove it) Frankfort Fest and Parade

On an extremely hot, Sunday, August 31, 2008, the DANK Chapter Chicago South participated in the Frankfort Fall Festival Parade. This Festival is the largest outdoor arts and crafts fair in the State of Illinois. Each year the participants are greater than the previous year. German immigrants originally founded the village of Frankfort. Therefore, we the DANK South show our ethnicity by marching in the Parade. This year the theme of the parade was whistle for the men and women fighting for the land of the free. Our slogan was “Whistle for 400 years of German immigration into the Land of the Free”. The organizers representing DANK South were Marianne Dietz and Anita Walthier. We were honored also by the president of the Rheinische Verein, Reinhard Richter and his wife Ilse, as well as Prince Eric and Princess Esperanza. The crowd was entertained with German music supplied by Reinhard Richter accompanied by Gary Dietz with his trumpet. Our club members riding on the float sang along to the “gemuetlichkeit”. A tractor driven by Wally Hartung pulled the float. Our own Miss DANK Chicago South 2008 Miss Andrea Dietz represented the club beautifully sitting in an Audi convertible driven by club members Jake and Margarite Setter. Thanks to member Don Lockmann who made arrangements for the vehicle. Anne Stromberg drove her own unique German decorated moped, which makes everyone have a smile on his or her face. The flag carriers were Doris Knight, Gisela Sorenson, Martin Walthier, Charlie Knoles, and Joe Osterhout. I must not forget the members riding on the float--Christine, Stefanie, Eddy and Heidi Walthier, Matthias Dietz, Maria Fandl and granddaughters, Edith Saurer, Brunhilde Knoles and Inge Osterhout. Following the parade, everyone returned to our clubhouse where we truly enjoyed a cold drink. Paula Malloy, Bill Schmidt and Beverly Baker prepared the delicious food. I want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s parade no matter what capacity you helped to make this a success. Without you, our members (the volunteers) we would not exist. As you know, we are the only German club on the South Side and welcome everyone to come and visit us. Danke schoen!! Respectfully submitted, Anita Walthier Marianne Dietz