Join the Fredericksburg Dance Club at the Turner Hall (Fredericksburg Social Turn Verein), at 103 E. Travis Street, Saturday from 8 pm to Midnight.  $10 at the door. Beer & Set-Ups available. Great dance floor and great music!

A Turn Verein (that’s the Texas spelling of Turnverein) was orginally a gymnastic and social club begun in 1811 in Germany by Friedrich Ludwig Jahn.  Turn Veriens were established all over the country promoting gymnastics and calisthenics, and Turners contributed to the standardization and popularization of bowling nationwide.

Since 1854 there have been twenty-eight turnvereins in twenty-one Texas communities, some with over 600 members. As soon as possible after formation, all acquired halls spacious enough to accommodate gymnastics. Whether simple frame structures or elaborate masonry complexes housing bowling alleys, ballrooms, theatres, and saloons, nineteenth-century Texas Turner halls were often centers of community life. Financing came primarily from dues and rental and sale of property, although tax incentives and rent-free buildings for community service projects were sometimes provided. In 1984 six Texas turnvereins remained active: Boerne, Comfort, Fredericksburg, Houston, La Bahía, and San Antonio. Turners, however, have contributed much more than buildings. Though begun as gymnastic societies, most vereins also had social, intellectual, and benevolent goals. Houston’s Turners cared for the sick and needy, established schools, and provided dramatic and musical entertainment for the public. Turners organized elaborate Fourth of July celebrations for their towns or counties and made turnverein parks, gymnasiums, and bowling alleys available for general use. Most significant, Turners founded several of the first volunteer fire departments and provided fire protection for years. The Houston and Fredericksburg clubs received citations for this work. The 1870s were the heyday of turnvereins in Texas, with fifteen new clubs organized, both by second-generation German Texans and by Turners from other states. -

Mary Lou LeCompte, “TURNVEREIN MOVEMENT,” Handbook of Texas Online(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/vnt02), accessed February 15, 2011.

Chicken and pork barbecue meal with all the trimmings served at American Legion Hall, 726 South Washington from 10:30 AM until sold out.

$9 per plate donation.  Drive-thru or dine-in.  Prize tickets available.

This event raises funds to help Friends of Gillespie County Schools preserve 12 historic school buildings currently being used as public community centers.  Live music by The Polkamatics.

For more information, (830) 685-3385 or (830) 685-332.

Come out and take a self-guided trip to as many of the 32 participating Texas Hill Country wineries as you can during this picturesque trail - taking in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country and enjoying yummy, award-winning Texas wines.  Tickets are limited and must be purchased online.

Congratulations to Laughlin Homes and Restoration, Inc. for being featured in the March newsletter of “Propane, Exceptional Energy” from the Propane Education & Research Council.

Richard Laughlin is the owner of Diamond Belle at Palo Alto Crossing. Hebuilt, Das Jager Haus, Anastasia, Francesca’s, Inspiration Hill and Red Barn at Pepper Ranch.

On Saturday, April 6th at 1:30 pm in the historic ballroom of the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the author of For Crew and Country: The Inspirational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts, John Wukovits along with veterans who served onboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts, DE-413 will be present to talk about his book and the experiences of the veterans that were part of the crew.

For Crew and Country tells of the most dramatic naval battle of the Pacific War and the incredible sacrifice of the USS Samuel B. Roberts, DE-413. At 1:30 pm author John Wukovits will talk about what inspired him to write this story and the input he has had from the crew and their family members. Following John Wukovits guest will hear first from those who were at the Surigao Straits, and their courageous David and Goliath battle with the Japanese fleet.

The program will end with a Q & A session with those in attendance. For Crew and Country books will be available for purchase at the program with an opportunity to have them autographed by the author and those who lived the story.

This program is open and free to the public. If you have any questions about the program or book please contact Helen McDonald at 830-997-8600 ext.206 or by email at mcdonald@nimitzfoundation.org.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.

Showcasing the latest original works by pyrography artist Kathleen Marie of Johnson City at Artisans at Rocky Hill, 234 West Main.  Opening reception on April 5 from 5 to 8 pm during First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg. Call 830-990-8160 for more information

Renowned oil painter, Robert Pummill, brings his treasured Old West stagecoach scenes and his magnificent Hill Country landscapes to InSight Gallery, 214 W. Main Street, in a One Man Show that is not to be missed.  A true master, he captures the land we all hold dear like no other and offers a visual treat for the viewer.  Opening reception on April 5 during First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg.

Gästehaus Schmidt is closed today so we can celebrate Easter with our families.  We will reopen Monday morning at 9 am.

If you are checking out today, please drop your keys in the key drop in or office door.

If you are arriving today, please consult the map we sent you. Keys will be delivered where applicable by 2 pm.

If you have any problems or mechanical issues, please contact your property manager. Their phone number is on the map we sent you, and should also be in the welcome letter in your property.

Happy Easter!

Photo by La Branĉaro

Take the kids to participate in an old-fashioned Easter celebration at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park on Hwy 290 near Stonewall during its Easter Traditions event on Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Costumed interpreters provide insight to life as early German settlers, showing how those early settlers performed Easter traditions, like dyeing eggs naturally and building grass nests. While there, stop by to see all of the Farm’s newborn animals. There’s no cost to attend; however, donations are always welcome. For details, call 830-644-2252.

A re-enactment of the founding of Fredericksburg and the ensuing peace treaty with neighboring Indians with the inclusion of the German fable of the “Easter Bunny”. At the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive.

Begins at dusk. $10.00 adults, $1.00 children 6 to 12; under 6 free. Box seats available for $15.00. Call 830-997-2359 for imformation.