Newsletter
Dedicated to Austrian-Hungarian Burgenland Family History
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 162
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Our 12th Year - Issued monthly as email by G. J. Berghold
April 30, 2007
(c) 2007 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved
~MEETING WITH AUSTRIAN DELEGATION IS AN OUTSTANDING
CULTURAL & ETHNIC EVENT!~
~READ ALL THREE NEWSLETTER SECTIONS, DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION~
Current Status Of The BB:
Members: 1415; Surname Entries: 4731 Query Board Entries: 3709; Newsletter Subscribers: 989; Newsletters Archived:
162; Staff Members: 15
EMAIL RECIPIENTS PLEASE READ: You are receiving this email newsletter because you are a BB member or have
asked to be added to our distribution list. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send email to G. J.
Berghold with message "subscribe" or "remove". ("Cancel" will cancel membership, website listings and
newsletter.) You cannot send email to this newsletter. If you have problems receiving the newsletter as email, it
may be read, downloaded, printed or copied from the BB Homepage. There is also an archive of previous newsletters.
This first section of our 3-section newsletter concerns:
1. BB Staff Meets With Burgenland Delegation
2. Burgenland Bunch Staff Reorganized
3. Burgenland Dignitaries Visit the New York City Area
4. Anna Tanczos Kresh - Delegation Impressions
5. Burgenland In America - The Aftermath
6. Taste Of The Burgenland - Kürbis Suppe (Pumpkin Soup)
1. BB STAFF MEETS WITH BURGENLAND DELEGATION
For three days, April 17-18-19, nine members of the BB staff met with the Austrian Delegation headed by Burgenland
Vice-Governor Franz Steindl and BG President Walter Dujmovits. The delegation included our own Klaus Gerger. He
received a standing ovation (as did the entire delegation) when he was presented to the Saengerbund guests. He had
previously visited the Saengerbund as guests of Ed and Frank Tantsits, local BB members. The Tantsits were much in
evidence throughout the three days of this event. Ed even met us at the airport at our departure to insure we and
the delegation had no problems. There were three festive evenings that included local BG members and much good
ethnic food and music. New BB president Tom Steichen (see article re: BB Reorganization) on the occasion of the
first meeting (Tuesday) greeted the delegation in the name of all 1400 BB members.
BB Lehigh Valley Editor Bob Strauch did a masterful job as master of ceremonies. His special musical presentation
Thursday night at the Coplay Saengerbund was a superb rendition of ethnic folk music. I was amazed that he was able
to direct his choral group, accompany them on the button box accordion and do it without musical scores. Many felt
that it was the highlight of the Austrian Delegation trip, which again strengthened ties with the Heimat. Bob's
humorous asides in German and Croatian, as well as English, evoked much laughter.
The assistance of vice-governor Franz Steindl and BG president Walter Dujmovits in ethnic song and music was most
enjoyable. The vice-governor plays a mean trumpet and Walter Dujmovits is not unfamiliar with the button box
accordion. Steindl was made a deputy sheriff of Lehigh County but was cautioned to make no arrests (at least
not until he was back home). The delegation all received sheriff's hats and numerous other gifts.
Senator Verena Dunst did an outstanding job in bringing a message from Burgenland governor Hans Niesel and had many
good things to say about the BB and the BG. She mentioned that many of her relatives had gone to America.
As BB founder and outgoing president, I was recognized on two of the evenings, delivered the BB message and received
a special BG scroll and other gifts from the delegation, in thanks for my work. Many area BB members were in
attendance at one or more of the events and the BB staff were able to personally greet them all. Gifts and
proclamations were exchanged and many of the local BG & BB representatives were honored with special recognition.
Our everlasting thanks to Anna Kresh and Bob Strauch for arranging the BB participation in this historic event and
to Emma Farkas who hosted the BB staff for a superb organizational lunch at her home.
As Molly and I waited for our plane to Washington, DC, at ABE Airport, the delegation were waiting for their plane
to Chicago. We shared memories of this great visit and during our goodbyes many of us had eyes full of moisture.
2. BURGENLAND BUNCH STAFF REORGANIZED
The staff of the Burgenland Bunch formed during the early BB days when correspondents began asking me if they could
help in any way. This was all very informal and ad hoc. The most important addition was the establishment of
a website. Then with growth, the website expanded significantly and required staff to maintain the various pages.
With membership growth, new member enrollment and member changes (my job) became a burden requiring help from staff.
It soon became evident that some of the staff were in effect the "managing directors" of the BB, with yours truly as
the chief operating officer. We formed links with other organizations and, during correspondence with them, it was
obvious that they were looking for organization officers. They would often refer to me as "President." My health
then failed and I saw the need for someone to replace me as BB head. I provided some suggestions and asked the BB
staff to discuss this among themselves. We used our recent meeting with the Burgenland delegation as an opportunity
to finalize this matter. Following are the results (a majority of the BB staff present and approving):
BB President - Tom Steichen
BB Vice Presidents - Hannes Graf, Anna Kresh, Klaus Gerger
BB Founder and Consulting Editor - Gerry Berghold
The above will be the managing directors of the BB and will also retain their website operating positions. I will
serve in a consulting capacity and continue to help publish the newsletter.
As a result of his outstanding work in developing the "Burgenlaenders Honored & Remembered" website, Frank Paukovits
was asked to become a BB staff member. He graciously accepted. Margaret Kaiser also agreed to assume responsibility
for LDS matters in addition to her southern Burgenland work. The status of the balance of the staff will remain
unchanged, with each member retaining their respective corresponding editor titles and responsibilities (these can
be found at the end of our Invitation Letter available from the BB Homepage).
3. BURGENLAND DIGNITARIES VISIT THE NEW YORK CITY AREA
- by Steve Geosits
On Saturday evening, April 14th, 2007, a private dinner was held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Queens, New York. In
attendance were Burgenland government officials including Lt. Governor Franz Steindl, as well as representatives and
friends of the Burgenland Gemeinschaft, including its President, Dr. Walter Dujmovits. A total of about 40 people
were present.
Klaus Gerger was there to greet me upon my arrival and he introduced me to my hosts. Everyone I met was warm,
friendly and in good spirits. The dinner itself was accompanied by wine, toasts, speeches and finally ended with
some traditional Burgenland songs.
The following morning, the Burgenlander group attended mass at St. Joseph's Church on 87th Street in Manhattan. In
the afternoon, the "70th Anniversary Dance and Crowning of Miss Bruederschaft der Burgenlaender 2007" was held at
the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Hempstead, New York.
4. DELEGATION IMPRESSIONS
- by Anna Tanczos Kresh
The visiting government delegation from Burgenland arrived at the Lehigh Valley International Airport on Tuesday
afternoon and were lodged at the nearby Four Points Sheraton. That evening they hosted a private buffet dinner
meeting at the Coplay Sängerbund. In attendance were the Delegation, Northampton Mayor Tom Reenock, local
Burgenländische Gemeinschaft and Burgenland club representatives, and Burgenland Bunch staff members. Opening
greetings and remarks were made by BG President Dr. Walter Dujmovits, Landeshauptmann-Stellvertreter Franz
Steindl, Senator (Minister) Verena Dunst, and Mayor Reenock. Tom Steichen read a Proclamation and Welcome written by
Gerry Berghold, who was flying in the next day.
Dr. Dujmovits was given a copy of the Tanczos family history book, written by Anna Tanczos Kresh, to demonstrate the
use of the online resources available to Burgenland researchers through the BB. On Wednesday the Delegation toured
various sites in the Lehigh Valley -- the Northampton-Stegersbach Sister City Memorial, Our Lady of Hungary Church
(100th anniversary), the graves of Tessie Teklits and Mayor Anthony Pany, and former Northampton Liederkranz
president Robert Laky (they also visited the grave of Edelweiss Haus owner Theresia Unger at St. Peter's in Coplay),
the Atlas Cement Museum, and other local sites.
On Wednesday evening, everyone enjoyed a delicious pork and sauerkraut dinner at the Northampton Liederkranz,
where music was provided by strolling buttonbox accordionists Frank Spitzer, Joe Weber, and Emil Schanta,
saxophonist Joe Furst, and Wimpy Rosner on his baritone horn. They were also accompanied by Vice-Governor Steindl
and his (traveling size) trumpet.
On Thursday, a private luncheon for the Delegation was hosted by Hermine and Frank Jarosch in Whitehall, while Gerry
and the Burgenland Bunch staff members and their spouses enjoyed lunch at the home of Emma Farkas, followed by the
first-ever BB Staff meeting (see section 162B for minutes).
There were many awards, among them Mayor Reenock was given the Burgenland Verdienstkreuz (service cross), Bob
Strauch received the BG Ehrenmitgleidschaft (membership with honor) and the Hianz'nchor received a
citation from the BG in gratitude for its preservation of Burgenland music. Other awards are mentioned in other
articles concerning the visit.
Thursday morning, Bob Strauch led the Delegation on a tour of Bethlehem, visiting Karl Ehmer's German-Austrian
import shop, the historic Moravian district, and Holy Ghost Church. The Lehigh Valley events concluded with an open
reception at the Coplay Sängerbund, with the wonderful music and song our forefathers brought to the U.S. from
Burgenland. The Sängerbund Mixed Chorus sang under the direction of conductor Joe Weber. Next Bob Strauch and
the Hianz'nchor delighted us with the beautiful music of our ancestors. The incomparable Edelweiss Haus Band
played and sang with Vice-Governor Steindl and Dr. Dujmovits joining in on the trumpet and buttonbox for an evening
of unbelievably enchanting music. You had to be there to experience it! A wide assortment of delicious baked
goods and refreshments provided by "The Happy Burgenland Bakers" and the Sängerbund, capped off a most
enjoyable three days of food, music and friendship that will be remembered for years to come. Our special thanks to
Bob Strauch for all his efforts , the beautiful music, and the lasting memories.
5. BURGENLAND IN AMERICA-THE AFTERMATH
- from Bob Strauch
Evening all, tonight was the monthly meeting at the Sängerbund and afterwards my choral group had our regular
rehearsal. Well, the place is still abuzz about the delegation visit. Nobody can get over it. The club would like a
photo of the delegation to enlarge, frame, and display prominently with the award. I told them that the photos
really haven't started rolling in yet, but we'll be on the lookout.
Al Recker called me on Tuesday and ended up stopping by with some photos that he needed help identifying. He'll be
putting photos in tomorrow's editions of the Whitehall-Coplay and Northampton Presses. Articles will appear next
week. There was mention of the trip on the ORF Burgenland news page.
6. TASTE OF THE BURGENLAND - KÜRBIS SUPPE (PUMPKIN SOUP)
Our pumpkin article in the last BB News generated some interesting replies. As one of our staff said some time ago,
"the only thing BB members like better than family history are articles about Burgenland ethnic food." We received a
lot of comment concerning pumpkin.
Lehigh Valley Editor Bob Strauch writes: *I just saw an item in the February issue of Das Fenster that a
company in Langenzersdorf (just north of Vienna) has started brewing a Kürbiskernbier/Pumpkin Seed Beer with
the brand name CORE. It contains malt, pumpkin seeds, hops, yeast, and spring water.
www.core-beer.com/eng/welcome.html
And don't forget Kürbiskernstrudel/Pumpkin seed strudel, which is a raised strudel with a sweetened filling
of ground pumpkin seeds. Very similiar to walnut filling in taste, but not color (it's green). One of my singers
makes this variety.
Gus Eckhart writes: I like this soup that comes from my Grandson in Chicago, but we simplify it. We leave out
most of the spices and the creams and just use condensed milk with a little flour added. I used my blender and
really make a puree out of it then add the milk and let simmer for a few minutes. We have been enjoying soups like
this all winter for lunch. This recipe can also be used to make soup from spinach and leek, cabbage, broccoli, or
asparagus. Almost anything in root or leaf form will do. Try this sometime when you have stuff left in the fridge
Spicy Pumpkin Soup
1-1/2 to 1-3/4 pound calabaza, Hubbard or butternut squash
2 tbs unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 jalapeno chile peppers, seeds removed, chopped
4 to 5 cups chicken stock
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme (1 tsp dried)
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
1/2 cup half and half, light cream or heavy cream
Spicy whipped cream garnish
1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbs chopped chives or scallion
1. Cut the rind off the squash and remove the seeds. Cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes.
2. Melt the butter in a big stockpot over medium heat. Saute the onion, carrot and celery until they get soft, but
don't brown them, for about 3 or 4 minutes. Add the garlic and chiles and cook for another 1 minute.
3. Add the squash, the bay leaves, the thyme and the parsley, and enough chicken stock that everything is covered.
Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 to 60 minutes, or until the squash is very soft.
4. Remove the bay leaves, and the thyme if you used fresh. Puree the soup in a blender. The longer you blend it for,
the thinner it will end up being. I have a stick blender that works really well for this. I use it on its lowest
setting, and I only blend it until the soup has a consistency like porridge, but you may like it to be more liquid.
I like the "stick to your ribs" thickness.
5. Add salt or pepper to your preference, and 1/2 cup of the cream.
6. Now, we make the whipped cream: Beat the other 1/2 cup of cream with the coriander, cayenne and cumin.
When you serve, ladle the soup into bowls and then drop a dollop of the spicy whipped cream on top. If you don't
want to go through the trouble of making the whipped cream, you can just stir those ingredients into the soup after
you blend it.
When I make this on Thanksgiving, I serve it fancy with the whipped cream on top, but when I pack up the leftovers,
I just stir it all together. Enjoy!
Newsletter continues as number 162A.
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 162A
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Our 12th Year - issued monthly as email by G. J. Berghold
April 30, 2007
(c) 2007 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved
~BURGENLAND LANDESRAT VERENA DUNST SAYS, "AS A CHILD IN THE BURGENLAND, I HAD ALMOST NO RELATIVES; THEY
HAD ALL GONE TO AMERICA."~
This second section of our 3-section newsletter concerns:
1. My BB Last Hurrah!
2. Austrian Occupation Memories
3. Austrian Delegation Visits Chicago
4. Thank You From A Member
1. MY BB LAST HURRAH!
The years flow by and before we know it, age is upon us, health deteriorates and we can no longer cope with all that
we would like to do. I had told the staff that I was in no condition to greet the Austrian delegation during their
April visit to the Lehigh Valley. Everyone expressed regret that I was not able to attend this event that also
promised to be the largest meeting of BB staff. While distance and prior commitments prevented some from attending,
we had their support. Staff member Maureen Tighe-Brown then convinced me that my attendance was possible, offered to
provide transportation and, as a professional nurse, offered to help me. One of her suggestions was that I fly as
opposed to driving. Along with the obvious, the airlines do provide wheel chair service. With trepidation, Molly and
I changed our minds, booked flights and motel room and advised everyone that we would attend.
Was man ever so fortunate to have so many boon companions and associates! An angel did tap on our window! The love,
compassion, joy, thanks, help and respect of those who greeted us will be with us always. The first person to greet
us as we were wheeled from the plane was Maureen followed by nursing friend Dorothy Zwick. Behind them came Klaus
Gerger, Anna and Rudy Kresh, and my area cousin Hilda Wallitsch Burkhardt (second generation Burgenland immigrant
descendant) and her son Kenneth. Hilda celebrated her 93rd birthday by coming to the airport especially to greet us.
Hilda is one of the last of my Lehigh Valley family group.
With Maureen and Dorothy supplying transportation (for our entire visit, guided by Anna Kresh) we drove to our 4
Points motel and Maureen provided a reception area in her room. Within minutes we were joined by most of the
welcoming group as well as my sister Donna and husband Don Kotz and cousin Emil Poeltl. Hours of ethnic, family and
BB talk resulted, followed by lunch hosted by Rudy Kresh. With our room available, a nap was in order, after which
we drove to the Northampton Liederkranz for a festive evening. We were joined by Margaret Kaiser and her
cousins, John Lavendoski (flew in from Texas) and his mother, Tom and Lois Steichen and Bob Strauch. When Klaus
Gerger arrived with the delegation (greeted with thunderous applause), the BB group was complete. Throughout the
evening I was hailed, hugged and made to feel like a VIP and a most important celebrity. We distributed special BB
Invitation Letters in the Burgenland colors, prepared by Tom Steichen. As the new head of the BB, the delegation
presented Tom with a Burgenland flag. The singing of both our national anthem and the Austrian national anthem were
stirring.
The following day, BB staff gathered at the home of Emma Farkas (sister to Anna Kresh) in Northampton. We were
joined by former staff member Frank Teklits and wife Mary and Frank Paukovits from New Jersey. Following a delicious
multi-course lunch we tried to get Emma to accept a BB staff position as head chef but she declined. We then held
the first staff business meeting (see minutes at 162B). Another nap was required and prior to attending the
Saengerbund affair in Coplay, Maureen, Dorothy, Molly and I looked for and found a Yocco Hot Dog Shop - a local
specialty from my younger days that I wanted to share with hot dog fanciers Maureen and Dorothy. (I had jokingly
asked for three Lehigh Valley specialties if we attended, Yocco hot dogs, molasses cake and Moravian sugar cake;
they were all supplied by members of the group.) We then went to Coplay for another festive evening, with the added
pleasure of local baked goods, including raised strudel and kipfils of all sorts. The choral group and the music,
both supplied by Bob Strauch, were magnificent. After being introduced with honor and presented with numerous gifts,
I delivered my last address as president of the BB. I later greeted and said goodbye to attending BB members and BG
friends. When we left this event, I knew I'd probably not see many of these people again.
The next morning was anti-climatic as Maureen and Dorothy took us to the airport. With great emotion and heartfelt
thanks, we said our goodbyes to the two people who, by suggestion, perseverance and on-hands assistance, had made
our attendance at this memorable experience possible. The delegation was also leaving from our gate and their plane
left a few minutes before ours. Klaus Gerger stayed with us until they left, at which time we again received the
best wishes of that group. As my wheelchair was pushed to the plane, I realized that the BB project started so many
years ago and so successfully developed was now in new hands and this had really been my last hurrah. Yet it was not
quite over as Tom and Lois Steichen, on their way home to North Carolina, visited us in Winchester the next day. We
discussed the future over a bottle of Mosel and sister Donna's nut strudel. Too soon, the Steichens left for home
with two boxes of BB subject books and sundry items from my library. As their car backed out of our driveway,
the early days of the Burgenland Bunch gave way to a new era. Heartfelt thanks to all for a splendid conclusion to
what has been a most gratifying experience.
2. AUSTRIAN OCCUPATION MEMORIES
- from John Rajkovacz
Member John Rajkovacz writes: I have read a number of Newsletters by the BB and have been reminiscing on the
narrative. My first personal contact with Burgenland and Austria was while I was in the US Army and a part of the
army of occupation stationed near Nancy, France. The Russian Army was about as far as Linz, Austria and Vienna was a
four-powered city, US, Britain, France and Russia.
Never having seen my grandparents, and against the advice of the Protestant Chaplain assigned to our post, I
determined to see my family. Obtaining travel orders, I went to Vienna and obtained a four-power pass allowing me to
go into Burgenland in January of l955. Traveling to the West Bahnhof, which was completely rebuilt (in Allied
hands), I was joined by relatives and then went to East Bahnhof (in Russian hands and still bombed out from WW II).
There were Russian soldiers and their girl friends or wives milling about. The train went south and stopped in
Oberwart, which had a Russian encampment. Two Russian soldiers got on the train armed with machine guns.
The train deposited me at the end of the line, which terminated between Rechnitz and Schachendorf, by the Hungarian
border. Before the Iron Curtain, I imagine it proceeded on to Szombathely. This area had been the scene of a Russian
ambush during the war. One of my cousins, at that time 13 years of age, participated in the removal of German army
troops for burial.
Once off the train, I saw a scene that I thought was incredible for that time. A "Town Crier" was strolling through
the neighborhood. I also saw a gypsy singing lustily from the last car of the train, about 7 AM in the morning. When
Russian troops appeared in the village, they had asked my maternal grandfather Balogh where the women were. He
wouldn't tell, because it was more preferable to be killed by the Russians than his fellow villagers after the
Russians left.
There has been much reported in the narratives about ethnic heritage. I know that my boldest relatives did feel a
strong affinity for their Magyar heritage and there was considerable nostalgia among my parents generation. I have a
great-grandparent named Ringlbauer and I have yet to see that surname pop up. One of my aunts, essentially the
family historian, knew all the past and how many were in a particular grave site and where they had traveled. It was
interesting when she mentioned that the Ringlbauers had lived in Krakow, Poland, when it was a part of the
Empire. There seems to have been a lot of temporary migration. I know that one of my uncles had lived and worked in
Salzburg for a number of years, as there was not much employment available in Burgenland. He would return to his
village home after long absences. My paternal grandfather worked in Weiner Neustadt at one time, away from his
family.
I have read a little about Szombathely (Saturday meeting place) in the Gemeinschaft news. For middle
Burgenland, its separation from Hungary must have had considerable impact on the vitality of that city, with the
proximity of all those Burgenland villages and its natural markets.
Returning to Vienna, I stayed with more relatives. My mother's youngest brother was 18 in 1939. He was captured on
the Russian front in l943 and was presumed dead when his name popped up in the announcements of the "Town Crier" in
1950. He was one of the last POW's released by Russia through the efforts of Konrad Adenauer. On a street car with
him in Vienna, a Russian officer climbed on board and he furtively said that they can not be trusted. His feisty
father, my grandfather, fought against the Russians in WW-I and narrowly escaped death. His brother was awarded the
equivalent of the Silver Star during WW-I but was beheaded in Graz in Dec 1944 for belonging to a group that saw the
futility of the war at that time. Others met the same fate. I have an interest in the archives of official
information leading to their fate other than informal sources.
3. AUSTRIAN DELEGATION VISITS CHICAGO
- by Tom Glatz
I believe the delegation had a very good time in Chicago. The Austrian Consul, Robert Zischg, took an active part in
the planning. Chicago BG president, Karl Billisits, Anita Walthier (Jolly Burgenländer president & now active BG
member) and I met the delegation with flowers at the O'Hare Airport at around 9 AM on Friday.
We proceeded to the Chicago Hilton Hotel on the tour bus they had arranged for transportation around the city. We
then all went on a Wendella boat tour in Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. The Austrian Consulate hosted a wine,
cheese, wurst and strudel affair at their office. On Friday, we all attended an event sponsored by the Austrian
Consulate and the DANK HAUS German Cultural Center at the Center. This event consisted of an exhibition by Austrian
(Steiermark-born) Renate Summer and music performed by the Affetti Musicali husband and wife team, Ernst
Kubitschek and Marianne Ronez.
Later that evening, active BG and other Austrian clubs' members were invited for dinner at the residence of Austrian
Consul Robert Zischg. On Saturday morning the delegation toured more parts of the city. Karl Billisits and I invited
them for lunch at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. There they enjoyed wonderful
food as well as the exciting views of the city and beyond. Late Saturday afternoon the Chicago BG reception was held
at the Hungarian Epicurean Restaurant in Hillside, Illinois. The room was decorated nicely with the colors of the
Austrian flag and was filled to capacity with 52 people. Speeches were made by the delegation. Chicago BG president
Karl Billisits honored Chicago BG founding member Hermine Volkovits and her deceased husband Frank. I found it
interesting that Landesrat Verena Dunst mentioned that when growing up, she found it odd that she had almost
no relatives. They had all gone to America! I felt honored when Landesrat Verena Dunst and
Landeshauptmann-Stellvertreter Franz Steindl presented me with Verdienstkreuz des Landes Burgenland
(service cross). Chicago BG president Karl Billisits was also presented with this honor as well as the "Ehrenmitgliedschaft
der Burgenländischen Gemeinschaft (Honored Member Of The Gemeinschaft). I was very impressed at how BG/BB
delegate Klaus Gerger reached out to the people in attendance. Pictures of Klaus were made with all BB members (and
many others) at the Saturday reception: Al and Betty Jo Kennedy, Laura Kochevar and friend Betty Chrastka, Frank
Radostits, Roy and Carol Hansen, and John and wife Kathleen Rajovacz.
The delegation left for Toronto early on Sunday morning. I had a wonderful time with the delegation and only wish
they could have been here longer.
4. THANK YOU FROM A MEMBER
- from Robert Keppel
Dear Gerry, My name is Robert Keppel. I am one-quarter Burgenlander and proud of it. I am also a member of the
"Bunch". I was very sorry to hear that you are relinquishing the position of chief editor of the Burgenland Bunch
newsletter because of ill health. I wish you all the best.
My grandfather's father, Johann Köppel, left his hometown of Inzenhof in 1875 to live in the village of his new
bride, Maria Hauser, of Oberradling. A trip which I now know only took minutes, thanks to your newsletter. The
married couple settled in Oberradling where my grandfather, Franz, was born in 1882. Franz came to this country in
1905 and finally took up permanent residence in Sheboygan, Wisconsin after a brief stop in McKees Rocks. In
Sheboygan he met and married another Austro-Hungarian, Rosa Varga, from Mor, Hungary.
For many years I wondered about this mysterious place called Oberradling. Occasionally, I would scan detailed
atlases of Hungary and Austria looking for the place. Then came the age of the Internet, and a search led me
straight to the Burgenland Bunch, and a very fine group of people. First Margaret Kaiser and then Bob Strauch helped
me search my Burgenland roots, and I found I was related to the Kurta, Hauser, Schuster, Artinger, Gollinger, and
other Burgenland families. But more importantly, I came to appreciate the culture of my paternal grandparents thanks
to your newsletter. Another great acquaintance I made is Bernadette Sulzer-Agreen.
Having found out what great group of people genealogists and Burgenlanders were, I decided to take a chance and
contacted a genealogist and historian who were interested in preserving the culture and history of Sheboygan County,
a place that I hold dear, as this is where I spent the first 18 years of my life. These folks were Debie Blindauer
and Bill Wangemann. My father, William, was an amateur historian and collected a treasure trove of Sheboygan
historical artifacts. Among these were about 750 glass negatives that were created by a Sheboygan photographer by
the name of George Groh. I made it my first retirement mission to create viewable images from these long neglected
negatives. With the help of Debie, many of these images were put on the Sheboygan genealogy website:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~sheboygan/25.htm.
And so Gerry, as the prime mover, you are responsible for providing the impetus so that the many people with roots
to Sheboygan County have an opportunity to view images of their forebears.
Thank you very much for your efforts to keep the culture and history of the Burgenland available to those
interested.
Newsletter continues as number 162B.
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 162B
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Our 12th Year - issued monthly as email by G. J. Berghold
April 30, 2007
(c) 2007 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved
~BURGENLAND LANDESRAT VERENA DUNST SAYS, "AS A CHILD IN THE BURGENLAND, I HAD ALMOST NO RELATIVES; THEY
HAD ALL GONE TO AMERICA."~
This third section of our 3-section newsletter concerns:
1. Minutes Of First Burgenland Bunch Staff Meeting
2. Telephone Directory Feedback
1. MINUTES OF FIRST BURGENLAND BUNCH STAFF MEETING
- by Maureen Tighe-Brown, Acting Secretary
Date: Thursday afternoon, April 19, 2007
Place: Home of Emma Tanczos Farkas, sister of Anna Kresh, in Northampton, PA.
Present: Gerry Berghold
Molly Berghold (Gerry's loving keeper)
Klaus Gerger
Margaret Kaiser
Anna Kresh
John Lavendoski
Frank Paukowits (New staff member)
Tom Steichen
Frank Teklits (Croatian Editor Emeritus)
Maureen Tighe-Brown
At about 12:00 noon, over appetizers prepared by Emma Farkas, host of the meeting of staff and staff guests,
Burgenland Bunch President Gerry Berghold called the meeting to order. Topics discussed were as follows:
1. Frank Paukowits: Gerry noted that Frank has created a great website called "Burgenlaenders Honored
and Remembered" and felt that he would be a great addition to the BB. Frank said he is willing to be a Contributing
Editor and Consultant on Burgenland-related issues. Frank thinks that, down the road, his site could be integrated
into the Burgenland Bunch site. Staff present agreed with the recommendation and Frank was welcomed to the
staff.
2. Officers: The staff present gave formal acknowledgement and support to Tom Steichen, who was
invited by Gerry to assume the formal role of Burgenland Bunch President. Tom had privately agreed to accept the
role conditional on staff acceptance.
Gerry commented that he saw the role of the Burgenland Bunch President as two-fold: to speak for the
Burgenland Bunch; and to contact staff members as needed, asking them to handle pertinent issues.
Gerry also had worked on a nearly daily basis with Anna Kresh, Klaus Gerger and Hannes Graf, maintainers of various
BB web resources, so he suggested that these three should be Vice-Presidents of the Burgenland Bunch
(prior to the meeting each had agreed to accept a role as VP). We will advise the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft of
their titles.
In an aside, Gerry noted that Walter Dujmovits' book, "Die Amerika Auswanderung der Burgenlaender"
(The American Emigration of Burgenlaenders), would be translated into English with the support of the Austrian
government.
Thereupon, Tom conducted the remainder of this meeting.
[At this point, Emma, with the help of her confirmation Godmother, Mary Pany Mazur, served her wonderful
"luncheon" meal. In his first official act as BB President, Tom astutely suggested that we suspend the BB meeting
until after lunch was complete. Anna asked that the lunch begin with "Grace Before Meals," sung (surprisingly well
by the group) to the melody of "Edelweiss:"
Praise and thanks,
Praise and thanks.
Lord, together we greet thee.
Bless our food,
Bless our friends,
Bless our homeland forever.
Many ethnic foods (in quantities large enough to serve all missing BB staff and their complete families!) were
placed on the table. Half a dozen excellent desserts, coffee and tea, then "medicinal" Jägermeister, an Austrian
liqueur made from a mixture of 56 roots, barks, blossoms and herbs, followed. The meeting continued after we all let
our belts out a notch.]
Tom noted that the critical issues to be discussed during the remainder of the meeting should center on
reducing Gerry's BB workload and planning for his eventual retirement from BB activities.
3. Newsletter: Via prior private communication, Fritz Königshofer had agreed to assume an Assistant
Newsletter Editor role whenever Gerry requested help (though not the full Editorship). Gerry will continue to write
articles for the Newsletter but, eventually, someone will need to step forward to assume the Editorship.
A discussion was held concerning how we might continue the newsletter after Gerry retires. He suggested that we
consider republishing useful articles from the Burgenland Bunch Archives. It was also proposed that the President
prepare a monthly article and that staff members submit more articles.
Currently, Gerry performs a number of tasks relating to the Newsletter: editing articles; writing articles; and
technical, procedural steps. The procedural steps include managing the newsletter subscription mailing list
(adding/removing recipient email addresses, deleting unauthorized posts, releasing the newsletter section when
ready, etc.), submitting the newsletter to Tom for posting on the BB website, and preparing an index for the
Archives and sending to Charles Wardell. It was proposed that the procedural tasks be split from the editor/author
tasks to reduce his load. Hannes Graf has indicated willingness to take on these tasks, if no one else will, when
Gerry so requests (he will carry on, as is, for now).
We discussed the idea of sending subscribers a monthly email with a link to the current Newsletter (rather than the
full text), but Roots-L requires that the newsletters be emailed before being archived.
4. New Member Contact: Gerry says that about a third of new members still contact him via email rather
than subscribing via the online form. He wants to stop serving as the new member contact, therefore, as soon as
possible the Burgenland Bunch web site will be edited to remove the offer to have new members contact him and will
offer only electronic enrollment. Therefore, he will no longer carry the burden of his customary customized, lengthy
replies to new members who contact him nor will he be assisting new members in identifying their ancestral villages.
5. Village Names: When the online form for new member enrollment was instituted, Gerry no longer was the
first to see these membership applications and thus could not provide initial corrections and clarifications nor
reject inappropriate applications. Questionable or incomplete applications resulted in a round robin of emails
between Hannes Graf (Members Editor), Tom Steichen (Surnames and Villages Editor) and Gerry to resolve these issues.
Now, with Gerry outside of the new member loop, additional help will be needed. Klaus Gerger noted that he
recognizes the combination of surname and village for the German-speaking villages, so he is willing to help new
members who have problems identifying their German-language ancestral village. Gerry says that Fritz Königshofer
recognizes most of the Hungarian-language villages, so he may be a resource for these people (we will ask Fritz if
he is willing to assume this task also). John Lavendoski and Steve Geosits recognize most of the Croatian villages
and John stated he is willing to fulfill this role for uncertain spellings of Croatian-speaking ancestral villages
(we will ask Steve to consider participating in this also). We will add Klaus and John, plus Fritz and Steve if they
also agree, to the automatic email copying of new member applications so they can review and, when appropriate,
suggest corrections, clarifications or rejections, or even contact new members.
6. Contacting Members with non-functioning email addresses: We had a lengthy discussion about whether to
offer subscribers the option of giving us their street address and phone number, in case their email addresses
change and researchers want to contact them. Currently, when we are aware that a subscribers' email address is
inactive (i.e., "invalid"), we remove it but keep their family information available. We would keep voluntarily
offered street addresses and phone numbers in a private, offline (inaccessible) database. John said that we could
put a paragraph in a future Newsletter in order to offer this voluntary feature to existing members. We could change
the new member form to include the new, optional entry fields. This issue was tabled for further consideration.
7. Burgenland Bunch Webmasters: Currently, Hannes and Tom fill this role (with Anna and Fritz having
access and editing Links and Maps, respectively). Gerry and Anna stressed the need to have someone else prepared to
handle the website, in case of emergency, if Tom or Hannes, or both, might be indisposed. Likewise, we need to be
able to rapidly reinstate the BB domain and its content should something happen to the current server hardware
(Hannes is currently our sole contact for this). Steve Geosits was mentioned as a good backup person, given his work
as a computer-programming specialist. It was discussed having a log-on procedure, which would identify where the
Burgenland Bunch member is, geographically, and what type of computer s/he is using (however, this information is
obtainable through less onerous methods). Gerry suggested that we "sit on these issues" for now.
8. Re-apportioning Gerry's current duties as President:
a. Tom and Hannes will handle the applications of new members. They will encourage web site
registration only.
b. We will add more Staff recipients to the application form.
c. Tom will temporarily take over the Newsletter (with help from other Staffers), should Gerry's
health become worse. A new Editor would then need to be appointed quickly to keep the newsletter functioning.
d. Burgenland Query Board: Fritz will handle. We encourage all Staffers to check the Board regularly,
and contribute as appropriate.
e. Newsletter: Gerry will continue to assemble for now. He encourages each Staff member to contribute
more articles. He will be glad to edit them.
f. Gerry's role: He will continue to research and answer Burgenland Bunch questions, as he can. He
also writes English-language articles for the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft. He suggests that Staffers should copy
all Staff regarding issues and queries. (The implication was that we could keep everyone "in the loop," as well as
get the most help needed at the time.)
g. Anna suggests having an Advisory Board, a panel of consultants.
9. Other Topics:
a. Hap Anderson's Defunct Burgenland Bunch Site: This site is still out there, with no links to our
current Burgenland Bunch site. Hap is no longer checking his emails or working on his computer. To get rid of this
page, one needs the name and password of the Administrator. Klaus will contact Hap's friend, Susan Peters. Anna will
try to get in touch with the server, spacestar.com. (Anna subsequently reported the server has been contacted and
the defunct site will be deleted.)
b. Gerry's Library: Gerry has a large library of Burgenland-related German-language books. He asked
for the names of three Staffers who would be willing to cull this library at his demise. Tom, Maureen and Anna
offered to take on this role. We discussed placing the bulk of materials in one staff person's keeping, for
Burgenland Bunch use. In addition, Gerry suggested that his Burgenland-related files could be trashed or distributed
to pertinent Staffers, or perhaps given to the LDS along with some of the books.
c. Newsletter content: We could add more songs, if their copyrights permitted; could add recipes or
even compile a Food issue with recipes from earlier Newsletters.
d. Newsletter Archives: Backups are on Roots-L, currently. We may think about having Backups
elsewhere.
e. Burgenland Bunch Stats for Staff to know: Gerry tells us that we have more than 1400 members, with
85 percent from the USA; we have produced (under Gerry's hand, we should add!) 162 Newsletters.
f. Burgenland Bunch's relationships to the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft: What is it? What should it
be? Klaus keeps the web links intact. Some Staffers and Burgenland Bunchers subscribe to the BG magazine. We support
the regional BGs as possible. Newsletters contain information about BG events.
g. Burgenland Bunch Business Cards: Several Staffers already have such a card. A generic card, based
on Klaus' card, will be assembled and offered to Staffers, who can personalize it with their contact information.
h. LDS Expertise. Since Margaret Kaiser also serves as an LDS volunteer, she agreed to add LDS
expertise to her normal staff duties. Contributing Editor For LDS Matters will be added to the her staff listing.
10. Gerry outlined the Burgenland Bunch goals as he formulated them at the Burgenland Bunch's founding:
1) to assist descendants of Burgenland immigrants in finding their ancestors;
2) to assemble English-language materials concerning Burgenland family history and culture;
3) to link, and maintain links, with the Burgenland, particularly the Burgenland government, the BG and other
groups as they are formed. He sees the BG and the Burgenland Bunch as the major Burgenland English language groups
available on the Internet.
11. Honoring Gerry Berghold: Tom presented the Staff's intent to change the Burgenland Bunch logo to
acknowledge Gerry role in founding the BB. He displayed four sample formats (based on an original suggestion from
Hannes Graf) and Gerry chose the one he preferred. As a further improvement, Klaus Gerger will provide a version
that highlights Burgenland better on the logo map. Then Tom presented Gerry with the virtual pièce de résistance:
The Burgenland Bunch web site will include a separate web page to honor Gerry. This page will include his photo and
a biographical piece, which Tom read to him. Gerry and the Staffers present approved.
12. Next Steps: Tom suggested that we send these Meeting Minutes to all the Burgenland Bunch Staff for
consideration. (also to be published in the newsletter.) Sub-groups will be formed to focus on unresolved issues.
Adjournment: Tom adjourned the meeting at about 4:00 p.m.
2. TELEPHONE DIRECTORY FEEDBACK
Member Susan Peters writes: Your article (Newsletter 161A) on looking people up in the online telephone
directory really struck a chord with me. When I discovered that my g-g-g-grandfather, Ladislaus Grosinger
(Grassinger), emigrated from Lebenbrunn in 1858, I immediately went to the online telephone directory and found 8
Grosingers still living there. I wrote to them all and received 2 replies. One was, indeed, my 3rd cousin, who still
lived in the same house. (And it seems all Grosingers in the village are somehow related.) After visiting them
twice in the early 2000's, we are still corresponding a couple of times a year. It was one of the best things I ever
did in my life!
END OF NEWSLETTER
The Burgenland Bunch homepage (website) can be found at:
http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org/
We can also be reached from: http://go.to/burgenland-bunch (this address
also provides access to Burgenländische Gemeinschaft web site)
Use our website to access our membership, village and surname lists, archives, internet links, maps, instructions,
ethnic song book, frequently asked questions and other information.
BB NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES (reached via Home Page hyperlinks)
Burgenland Bunch Newsletter (c) 1997-2007
Archived courtesy of RootsWeb.com, Inc., P.O. Box 6798, Frazier Park, CA 93222-6798.
Newsletter published monthly by G. J. Berghold, Winchester, VA.
Newsletter and List Rights Reserved.
Permission to Copy Granted; You Must Provide Credit and Mention Source.