Schlactfest 2010

The annual Schlactfest dinner on February 27, 2010 was a great success.  For the third year in a row the event was held at the Donauschwaben Society in Des Plaines, Illinois.  During the evening, team MVP awards were presented for all the senior squads.  David Nichols was selected by his peers as the 2009 MVP of the Over 40 Team; Jon Parsinen for the Over 30 Team; Mel Qoku for the Reserves and Danny Caruso for the First Team.  The awards were present by Green White General Manager of Teams and Executive Board Member, Tom Czop.   Each award winner was presented with a certificate; a Green White pin and an Adidas warm-up jacket with the club crest stitched on the front. 

Without a doubt, however, the highlight of the evening was a special tribute to Hans Metzinger.  The club honored the long-time club President for all his years of dedication and service to the club. Indeed, Mr. Metzinger has been at the center of the club for the better part of six decades; providing leadership, guidance, devotion, back-breaking labor and untold fiscal support through both good times and bad.  This year, with his retirement from active participation on the Executive Board, the club sought to honor him with a special tribute book, comprised of individual stories, memories, anecdotes and expressions of thanks collected from members and friends of the club.  The response and out-pouring of sentiments was overwhelming.  During the presentation, Mr. Metzinger was received with a standing ovation from the 350+ people in attendance.  A few poignant and touching tributes from the collection were shared that elicited both laughs and tears from the audience.  In addition to the book, which was entitled “A Tribute to Hans Metzinger,” he was also presented with a collage of photos collected over the last 60 years, and with a humorous “photo” of Cindy Kaempfer draped over the elder statesman’s knee, receiving the spanking he always says that she deserves.  Kaempfer made clear with a broad smile that the doctored picture was as close as he’d ever get to laying a hand on her. 

Of course, as so often happens at these kind of gatherings, controversy reigned during the event.  The 50/50 raffle was won by Walter Stadler, the winning ticket having been selected by his daughter, Madeline.  A near riot broke out when the nepotism was revealed, but order was restored as soon as Dr. Stadler bought a round for the house.

It goes without saying that it takes a Herculean effort to pull this event together each year.  At the risk of forgetting someone, thanks to Frank and Trudy Stadler, Hilde Kaempfer, Klaus and Hilde Kilian, Cindy Kaempfer, Hans and Anni Metzinger, Christine Feichtl, Todd Schneider, and Trudy Roth for helping to set up the hall.  Also thanks to Adam Sollman, Martin Koenig and everyone at the German-American Aid Society for all their help.  Special thanks to Frau Maria Kreiling and Herr Nick Bappert and the whole kitchen crew at the Donauschwaben Hall that included Maria Haas, Maria Franz, Margaret Bauchinger, Maria Bappert, Hilde Sendef, Peter Franz, Nick Kreiling, Kurt Melcher and Chris Salatino.  Also special thanks to everyone who helped with the preparation for and slicing, dicing and plating of the appetizers back at the Green White Clubhouse, including Hans Metzinger, Rolf Albrecht, Fritz Becker, Steve Pastorelli, Adam Sollman, Rosie Barth, Joe Schlenhardt, Klaus Kilian, Jake Truty, Tom Czop, and Fritz Spiess.  Thanks to Jon Duddles transport support and thanks to Rick Kaempfer and Todd Schneider for handling the master of ceremony duties in Frank Stadler’s absence. Thanks to Rob Stadler for all his hard work coordinating the ticket sales and to the coat-check crew of Madeline, Lauren, Alec and Aidan Stadler.  Thanks to Sheila and Lisa Stadler for the bar ticket sales.  Thanks to the Donauschwaben Jugendgruppe for serving all of the food, leading the prayers and anthems, and especially Anni Mayer, Jugendleiterin (Youth Leader) for organizing them.  Thank you to everyone at the Donauschwaben Society for the use of the hall and all their support.  Thanks to Jon Duddles for organizing the 50/50 raffle. Thank you to Todd Schneider for all his efforts in designing, organizing and editing the tributes to Mr. Metzinger, as well as creating the slideshow of pictures from the past year.  Thank you to Johnny Lim and Keith Andersson from KAP Graphics, Inc. for designing the tribute book cover and printing not only the book but also the special photos presented to Mr. Metzinger.  Lastly, thank you to all those who contributed to the tribute book and for making it such a special evening for Mr. Metzinger.  It was an evening that none of us will soon forget.