The grand opening of the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant was May 24, but there’s a little bit of Germany in Chattanooga away from the plant as well. For those with German ancestry or just an interest in German culture, the German-American Club of Chattanooga exists as an opportunity for fellowship with those of similar interests, a way to be involved in German cultural celebrations, and to taste the cuisine the culture offers.
Members of the German-American Club don’t have to speak German, but they can if they wish at the meetings the club holds every fourth Sunday of the month which includes a 2 p.m. potluck meal and fellowship.
The early beginnings of the German Club go back to Doctor Robert Stanley, a professor of German and French at UTC. He organized “Stammtisch” style meetings, which literally translates as a table in a bar or restaurant, which is reserved for the same guests at the same time every day or every week. At these regularly based meetings Stanley established, members would speak in German only.
In the early 90s, when more Germans became interested in more social events, German-born Alex Ferda founded the German-American Club as it exists today. The club went through several incarnations until their meeting place settled at its current location atthe Trinity Lutheran Church. In 2005, German-born Andreas Fischer became president, and he is still president today.
Explaining the Stammtisch style of the club meetings, Fischer says in the most traditional German beer halls, there is a large brass plaque above the table with the word “Stammtisch” printed on it in bold lettering. This table is only for members of that certain Stammtisch, and no others should sit there. There can be all kinds of Stammtisch, from those simply for friends to drink together or those for specific interest groups like philosophy clubs or stamp-collecting clubs, he says.
“Our club started out as more of a ‘philosophy discussion Stammtisch’ solely in German,” Fischer says. “Over the years, it has progressed into a more casual Stammtisch where people, even families, of either German-born or German-descent get together and keep up with their German language skills. Either by improving, staying in practice, or just learning.”
Fischer says that people don’t have to be German at all to be a part of the group. All they need is an interest in the language or the culture, and they will fit right in.
The German-American Club does several activities and events throughout the year in addition to their potluck meals at the meetings. This past month, they attended the Bug-A-Palooza Volkswagen car show, and held an Easter egg hunt last month along with a dinner. At their May 22 meeting, Doris Harsman gave a presentation about her experiences in the Third Reich and during WWII. The group sometimes holds meetings at the Terminal Brewhouse to sample their selection of beers, especially during the Brew Fest week.
In September, a big event for the group is the Oktoberfest in Helen, Ga. This year’s 41st Oktoberfest begins on Sept. 22 and continues daily until Oct. 30. The festival includes German music, dancing, food and drink.
Also in September is the Arts and Education Council’s Chattanooga Culture Fest. The German-American Club is asked each year to attend this event and participate in the activities, crafts, music and culture sharing.
Chattanooga’s Oktoberfest at the Chattanooga Market is near the end of October, and is another place the German-American Club can be seen.
The German American Club celebrates German-American Day, a holiday in the U.S., on Oct. 6 each year. This holiday celebrates German American heritage and commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld near the Rhine landed in Philadelphia. These families founded Germantown, Pa., the first German settlement in the original 13 American colonies.
German-American Day died out for a time during WWI, when anti-German sentiment was high, but was revived in 1983. This is when President Reagan proclaimed Oct. 6 as German American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German American immigration and culture to the U.S.
Those interested in joining the German-American Club can join the group online at http://lederhosenlounge.wetpaint.com/ or by contacting Andy Fischer at andygesundheit@yahoo.com or at 423-877-5898.
The club will host a picnic at Chester Frost Park for their June 26 meeting, where all members eat free and non-member guests pay $5. The venue for most meetings is Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson. Dues are $25 for each member, which includes a $13 annual membership fee plus $12 for the first six months rent on the meeting place.
Just as Volkswagen officially became a part of Chattanooga this month, so too does our town turn to welcome and include the German-American Club into our community.