Remember: Christmas Party is Dec. 1!

That's right! For those members that signed up for the Christmas party, don't forget that we'll be meeting at the Elks Lodge at 6pm for a social, with dinner being served at 7pm. We'll see you there!

For those of you that don't know where to go, here's a map:

View Larger Map

German Club featured in Rapid City Journal

Sommerfest grew out of 1972 flood
By Michelle Muellenberg, Journal correspondent

RAPID CITY - "Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, der Gemutlichkeit." -- the familiar sound echoes as fairgoers enter the gates. Both old and young raise their glasses and recite the well-known German saying toasting to good life and friends.

The German Tent, celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Central States Fair, is packed even on a midweek night as people enjoy the music, beer and conversation with friends. (Steve McEnroe, Journal staff)

For 25 years, people of all generations have packed into the blue and white striped tent and enjoyed the music, food, camaraderie -- and, of course, the beer, synonymous with German tradition.

The Rushmore German Club's annual Sommerfest celebration has itself become a local tradition.

"I can't believe it's been 25 years," Randy Smith, president of the club, said. Smith joined the club in 1981 after being stationed in Germany.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Free Dance Lessons at the Tent!

The Rushmore German Club is offering free dance lessons at the German Tent on August 20th and 22nd from 5-6pm. If you want to learn how to polka or waltz, come to our dance floor on those days! Depending on how turnout is, we may offer additional lessons.

Get out there and dance!

Get ready--Sommerfest begins this Friday!

That's right, everyone. We've been hard at work setting up the familiar Blue and White Sommerfest German Tent at the Central States fairgrounds to be ready in time for the official kickoff day of the fair on Friday, August 17.

Here is the schedule of bands, admission and gate times slated for Sommerfest:

Friday, August 17
Steve Rock und Seine Tanzkappelle -- $5 admission, 7pm - midnight

Saturday, August 18
Steve Rock und Seine Tanzkappelle -- $5 admission, 7pm - midnight

Sunday, August 19
The Happy Wanderers -- $2 admission, 7pm - 11 pm

Monday, August 20
The Happy Wanderers -- $2 admission, 7pm - 11 pm

Tuesday, August 21
Rick Borger and the Average German Band -- $4 admission, 7pm - midnight

Wednesday, August 22
Rick Borger and the Average German Band -- $4 admission, 7pm - midnight

Thursday, August 23
Rick Borger and the Average German Band -- $4 admission, 7pm - midnight

Friday, August 24
Rick Borger and the Average German Band -- $5 admission, 7pm - midnight

Saturday, August 25
Rick Borger and the Average German Band -- $5 admission, 7pm - midnight

Jason from Sturgis writes:

"What german beer is going to be at the fair this year, and will you have different varieties or just the same stuff as last year?"

Well Jason, you sound like a man who knows his priorities! The Rushmore German Club will proudly be serving Schell original and Schell dark for fans of German-style beer. We will also be serving Miller lite and Mike's Hard Lemonade. Any of those would be perfect to wash down some of the delicious brats that will be served in the tent!

2007 Sommerfest T-shirt preview!

For all you chicken dancers, here's a sneak preview of the T-Shirt design we'll have available at the tent this year:

Pictures!

We've got a picture album started right here.

More pictures will be added in due time.

See you at Schunkelfest!

Reply to Babs

Babs left the following comment:

Is The German Club a senior
thing? Pictures, Moose Lodge,
Elk Resort etc.? At the Fair
I see young people at the tent.
Love it. How do I join? Babs

June 22, 2007 2:27 PM

Dear Babs,

Nope, the German Club is not a senior thing. We have many younger members that grew up in the German Club. Others younger members joined because they had friends in the Club. Our next meeting will be held at the Rapid City Fire Department Main Station Training Room (East Blvd. and Main) on Friday July 20th. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM. Stop by and say 'hello' and pick up a membership application. You can also send your name and mailing address to rushmoregermanclub@gmail.com and we'll send you a membership application.

Thanks

Randy

Note to Members

Dear Members,

Want to be notified of updates to the Rushmore German Club web-site? Send your email address to rushmoregermanclub@gmail.com. Keep up with club announcements and events.

Coming Soon: Members Only Section containing - Constitution - Bylaws - Meeting Minutes - Announcements - Membership List. This section will not be available to the public.

As you may have noticed, so far the web-site is in the building stage...in other words it's a little rough around the edges. Travis tells me he has one more page to finalize, so check back frequently over the next few days for a more finished version. Ya might even see a photo or two of yourself! ;)

Feel free to post your comments. Just click on the 'comments' link below the blog article. That reminds me...what does 'blog' mean anyway?

Randy

Note to the Membership

Dear Members,

I stopped by Best-Buy today and found a display model CD Player at quite a discount! It can play 3 CD's and has a cassette player. It's MP3 compatible. It's not a 'boom-box' so we can't use it on bus trips or small functions, so I talked them into a good deal on a portable boom box that plays CDs and cassettes. Didn't even come close to the $250.00 authorization. We'll use the new system at Schunkelfest!

The July General Membership meeting location has been changed to the Main Fire Station Training Room instead of the Moose Club. This due to a large wedding being held at the Moose. We hope to have Travis give us a tour of our web site.

Randy

SCHUNKELFEST!

Schunkel-what?

Schunkelfest! So...what exactly does that mean? It comes from the word, "Schunkeln" which is easier to say than:

Die Bezeichnung eines Tanzes des Publikums zur Volksmusik oder anderen gesellschaftlichen Festen, wie zum Beispiel dem Karneval. Dabei wird sich mit den Armen zumeist im Sitzen untergehakt und der Oberkörper im Takt bewegt.

uh...yeah. Those Germans have a word for everything. For those of you who don't understand a lick of German, basically you lock your elbows with your neighbor and sway to the music in the spirit of fun and camaraderie.


So meet us in downtown Rapid City on June 29 & 30 at the Festival of Presidents and Schunkel with the Presidents!
(Not really. They're statues.)

Some reminders...

The next Board meeting will be June 7 at the main fire dept. at 10 Main St. (west door) at 7pm

The Picnic social is scheduled for June 10 at 12:30 at Elk Creek Resort. Bring a dish to share, and your own plates & silverware. As always, beverages will be provided by the Club.

Map to Elk Creek Resort

(click on the blue marker to zoom in!)

We have a new website!!

The Rushmore German Club finally has its own website! Members can expect lots of services from the website in the future. Be sure to check it out! http://rushmoregermanclub.com

Willkommen!

Here is the new blog space for the Rushmore German Club!
Watch these pages for the latest news from the Club...