Saturday, April 11, 2009

Destination: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada


My next travel adventure is in the works....the International Convention of Germans from Russia starts on June 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. I've been invited to speak about my travels in Argentina and am extremely fortunate I will have the support of most of the group who traveled with me.
I have forty-five minutes to describe a fabulous two week trip. The challenge is to cover all aspects of the trip...the villages...the sites...and most importantly, the people we met.
While I do believe my presentation would make it worth your while to go to Medicine Hat, there is just so much more to see. According to the latest AHSGR newsletter, "This will be only the third time in our long history that we have traveled to Canada to share our heritage. The planning committee has woven a red carpet of welcome entitled, 'Experience of a Life and Time.' Beginning with Welcome Night, we will celebrate our rich heritage with music, history, culture, and traditions while greeting our friend and neighbors."
The list of keynote speakers, programs and workshops is a genealogist's dream. The tours include Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery, the Historic Clay District, a tour of Medicine Hat, and a self-guided tour of the Germans from Russia historic sites.
Make plans now to attend! If you haven't updated your passport, do it now or there is still time to request one. Here are also some important links about the program and hotels for further investigation. Hope to see you there!


Saturday, April 04, 2009

Who says accordions are extinct?


Random Observations of the week:


1) Medicine Hat, Alberta and Rapid City, South Dakota are calling my name. Travel plans are shaping up quite nicely. The German from Russia conferences are a must to attend for me this year.


2) I love grocery shopping at Sunflower Market on Southern. No rush, no fuss. Ideal for the new economic times. Good produce at farmer's market prices. Great way to start my week.


3) Visits to the dentist are never fun, but extremely valuable.


4) Tropical Smoothie on McQueen is open again and Sunny Day makes a great dinner.


5) Lettuce wraps and peace on earth tea at Mandala Tea Room combine for a fabulous dinner. Toni & Guy's created a whole new look for me, too


5) Accordions are making a comeback, not just with Andy Kroneberger and my German Russian friends. I ended the week at jobing.com arena in Glendale, Arizona where Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played for over three hours straight. It was the second night of the Working on a Dream tour.
I retraced my life through his songs and relished the music and memories. I can never hear Tenth Avenue Freeze Out without picturing myself at The Gym near Marquette University, sitting next to Carol Cassano, Carol Mellon, Sharon Doherty and Hugh Walsh. Sharon and Hugh were from New Jersey and when Tenth Avenue played, energy exploded throughout the room.
Bruce's encore included American Land which featured two accordions! One of the best known rock icons of our time used the unique sound of an accordion on his latest CD. Outstanding stuff! The accordion lives on in unlikely venues. Precious entertainment. Great fun. If your children or grandchildren think the accordion is not cool, have them check out the latest Springsteen. I have to listen to more.

Dead Reckoning, New Web site, and New Blog

  Great News!  My latest book is now available.  Dead Reckoning is my attempt to share our heritage with the next generation. It’s about a ...