Planning for Germans from Russia in Casper
The April 2008 meeting of the Planning Committee in Casper, Wyoming, was likely the last comprehensive gathering prior to the convention this summer.
These sessions have had full agendas, and many members came great distances to contribute their time and energy to helping make the Casper convention a success.
Some 22 volunteer committee members attended this meeting.
As you have occasion to visit with them, you may want to let them know you appreciate their good work!
A deep discussion between Val Wangler (left) of Bismarck, North Dakota and Dennis Zitterkopf of Wichita, Kansas.
Okay, it wasn't all work -- we had to eat!
Bob Schneider of Spearfish, South Dakota admires a huge Kuchen that added a bit of "heritage" to our weekend cuisine.
Kuchen and other tasty morsels are always an important part of German-Russian gatherings. 2008 in Casper will be no different!
Muriel Kraus (AHSGR)of Riverton, Wyoming again displayed her quilt, which is being donated for a convention drawing. It is one of several items that are being contributed to support AHSGR and GRHS activities.
Debbie Eberle (GRHS) is also donating a quilt for the convention.
We hope to add photographs of other items for which there will be drawings -- and others that will be awarded as door prizes.
Vera Hoff of Rapid City, South Dakota does the cutting chores, while JoAnn Wangler of Bismarck, North Dakota helps serve the Kuchen.
I'm not certain, but I believe that's Mary Hein of Casper at left. Others (left-to-right) are Val Wangler of Bismarck, North Dakota, Barb Jones of Torrington, Wyoming, and Patti Sellenrick of Sheridan, Wyoming.
Co-chairman Al Feist makes notes on his computer during the April 2008 planning meeting.
Al and Dorothy Feist -- from Hebron, North Dakota -- are among many couples who are dedicating much time and energy to the Germans from Russia convention next summer.
A beautiful cotton quilt with polyester batting and extraordinary embroidery will be donated for raffle at the International Convention of Germans from Russia next summer in Casper. Muriel Kraus of Riverton, Wyoming, made the quilt and has named it Faith of Our Fathers -- Iron Crosses. This is not the first time Muriel's talents have benefitted Germans from Russia. When AHSGR met in Casper in 1999, she made two quilts for the gathering. After learning that the joint convention of GRHS and AHSGR would be held in Casper next July, she thought about making another quilt and "decided that it could be done again."
This is Muriel Kraus (at right) last September at a convention planning meeting in Casper. She's visiting with Dick Kraus of Massachusetts -- believed to be a distant cousin of Muriel's husband, Bob.
Her quilt design was inspired by photographs of iron crosses in Kansas cemeteries, taken by Laurin Leonhardt. He has also made some small jewelry with these designs.
According to Muriel, Laurin designed all of the iron crosses used for the quilt on his computer, using his own photographs and some that he found on the internet. They've been modified somewhat to be able to adapt them for fabric. The patterns have been shared with many people, including Jeanne Rupp of Hays, Kansas, whose tea towels will also be raffled in Casper.
There are many German-Russians across Wyoming, and we expect to see many of them in Casper next summer.
Convention co-chair Patti Sellenrick (left) was delighted to see Evelyn Lovell of Riverton at our September planning meeting in Casper.
Muriel Kraus says "if it weren't for Evelyn Lovell, this (quilt) probably would not have happened. Evelyn is the inspiration for Germans from Russia in our area. Both Muriel and Evelyn live in Riverton.
The pattern for the quilt came from a book Pink Lemonade by Linda Johnson and was named "Day and Night" in the book. Muriel says, "It was appropriate because it had 12 plain blocks in it that we could use to embroidery the iron crosses on. This, of course, is the main attraction of the quilt. You may click on the photograph to see a larger image. Alma (Sauer) Woodard, Kathy Rein, and I embroidered the crosses. It has applique roses in the center, also a vine running about the outer edge with roses. It has 36 nine-patch blocks in assorted light floral prints of pink, red and peach. The blocks are set on point. It is approximately 78" square, with a scalloped edge. It has been beautifully machine quilted by Floy at the "Back Door Quilter" in Lander. In addition to inspiration from Evelyn Lovell, Muriel acknowledged help from Laurin and Cindy Leonhardt, Janet Bath, Alma Woodard and Kathy Rein. Return to G-R Blog or continue in this gallery.
The 2008 Convnetion Planning Committee met in Casper September 21-22, 2007. These three photo gallery pages capture a few candid moments of the planning sessions.
After an initial gathering on Friday evening, committee members started to work in earnest on Saturday morning. We met with Stephanie and Sven from the Parkway Plaza Hotel.
Click on any of these photographs to see a larger image.
Our fearless leaders for the convention! That's Patti Sellenrick of Sheridan, Wyoming (AHSGR) and Al Feist of Hebron, North Dakota (GRHS) presiding over the planning meeting.
Left-to-right in the front row are Dick and Vera Hoff of Rapid City, South Dakota; Ken Koehler of Arvada, Colorado; and Dave Kilwien of Bismarck, North Dakota.
Val Wangler of Bismarck, North Dakota; Barb Jones of Torrington, Wyoming, and Corinne Koehler of Arvada, Colorado, talking food.
And, of course, Kuchen always enters the discussion and brings smiles!
Facilities, including a wide range of equipment and different technologies, are integral to every good convention. Dennis Zitterkopf of Wichita, Kansas and Steve Eberle of Gillette, Wyoming discuss some of the issues.
Henry Schmick of Sheridan, Wyoming (left) joins Dennis and Steve in the conversation. That's Dick Kraus from Leverett, Massachusetts, making notes in the background.
New Casper resident George Bauer visits with Cora Raugutt -- also of Casper. George will be working on transportation issues, while Cora is GRHS co-chair for Hospitality.
Workshops will be at the heart of the convention. Here, Dave Kilwein of Aberdeen, Washington, and Ken Koehler of Arvada, Colorado, chat with convention co-chair Patti Sellenrick.
Steve Eberle, Dick Hoff, Leah Rennell talk with Vera Hoff during a working lunch.
This is Cindy Leonhardt from Riverton, Wyoming, chatting with Henry Schmick of Sheridan. Cindy's husband Laurin generated patterns for the iron crosses on a quilt done by Muriel Kraus.
Nick Bretz of Arvada, Colorado brings considerable experience to the planning table. Nick is a former AHSGR president, elected when the society met in Casper some eight years ago.
GRHS President Valerie Ingram joined most of the meeting via audio conferencing through Dave Kilwien's computer. Left-to-right are Ken Koehler, Dave Kilwien and Patti Sellenrick.
Vera Hoff (left) of Rapid City, South Dakota and her daughter Leah Rennell (center) of Gillette, Wyoming, are both members of the Youth Committee. Here, they're chatting with Al Feist.
Representing the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Patti Sellenrick of Sheridan, Wyoming, was also deeply involved with the successful 1999 AHSGR convention in Casper.
Al Feist serves as Convention Co-Chairman on behalf of GRHS. Al is from Hebron, North Dakota.
Ken Koehler is from Arvada, Colorado.
As a co-chair of the Publicity committee, Dick Hoff brushes up on his technique as a photographer.
Dorothy Feist of Hebron, North Dakota (left) and Deb Eberle of Gillette, Wyoming, are members of the overall planning committee. Dorothy is working with both the Photography and Kuchen committees. Deb is working with Special Promotions, Door Prizes, and the Quilt Raffle.
Cora Raugutt discusses possibilities for the Hospitality Suite.
From left-to-right: Dick Kraus from Leverett, Massachusetts; Dennis Zitterkopf of Wichita, Kansas; Nick Bretz and Barb Bretz from Arvada, Colorado.
Following our September 2007 planning meetings in Casper, Mother Nature provided a marvelous sunrise. Click on photo for a larger image. Return to G-R Blog.