DAVENPORT, IOWA (September 4, 2019) —
GAHC Book Discussions, September 10, 7-8:30PM, Bettendorf Public Library
Join the GAHC Book Discussion group on Tuesday, September 10 at 7PM for the first of their 2019-2020 book discussions.
On September 10, the group will discuss The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck. The discussion will be led by Hedy Hustedde.
Winner of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the Hans Fallada Prize, The End of Days, by the acclaimed German writer Jenny Erpenbeck, consists essentially of five “books,” each leading to a different death of the same unnamed female protagonist. How could it all have gone differently? the narrator asks in the intermezzos. The first chapter begins with the death of a baby in the early twentieth-century Hapsburg Empire. In the next chapter, the same girl grows up in Vienna after World War I, but a pact she makes with a young man leads to a second death. In the next scenario, she survives adolescence and moves to Russia with her husband. Both are dedicated Communists, yet our heroine ends up in a labor camp. But her fate does not end there….
A novel of incredible breadth and amazing concision, The End of Days offers a unique overview of the twentieth century.
Visiting Author Beth Howard: Hausfrau Honeymoon, September 14, 2-3PM
Join us on Saturday, September 14, at 2PM for a visit from Beth Howard, author of Hausfrau Honeymoon: Love, Language, and Other Misadventures in Germany.
In 2003, Davenport native, Beth M Howard, moved to Germany for love. But her three years living in Stuttgart proved more challenging than expected — especially learning the language, which, she says, was harder than algebra. Howard documents her adventures — and misadventures — in her funny, sassy, heartfelt memoir Hausfrau Honeymoon, which she will discuss in her presentation. Her books will be for sale and Ms Howard will be available for signing after her talk.
Howard is an author and blogger living in Southeast Iowa. She is widely known for the four years she lived in the American Gothic House in Eldon, where she manned the Pitchfork Pie Stand. She is also the author of Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie and the cookbook, Ms American Pie.
This program is included with General Admission:
Adult: $5 | Senior: $4 | Child: $3 | Member: Free
Simply Circuits, September 15, 2-3PM
Join us on Sunday, September 15th at 2pm for "Simply Circuits," a child-friendly, hands-on program presented by educators from the Putnam Museum!
Simplicity is key when it comes to making electricity! Learn how simple circuits work in this electrifying class!
This program is Free, but space is limited! Call 563-322-8844 or RSVP on Eventbrite.com to reserve a space for your child!
9th Annual Fall Frolic Benefit Gala, September 20, 5-8PM
The German American Heritage Center and Museum presents the 9th Annual Fall Frolic Gala! One of our most anticipated events of the year, it will take place on Friday, September 20, 5-8PM, at the Outing Club in Davenport, IA (2109 Brady St).
Events will include a cocktail hour and a silent auction including handmade prizes and prizes donated by local businesses. An exquisite German dinner will be served for all of us to enjoy, as well as musical entertainment by Majestic.
All proceeds from the Fall Frolic benefit educational programs and exhibits!
Tickets for the dinner are $55 per person. RSVP (563) 322-8844
OR
Purchase Tickets online through Eventbrite.
Tickets are limited so don't delay!
Fall Frolic is made possible through generous sponsorship from Koehler Electric, Zimmerman Honda, and Blue Horizon.
Mighty Oak Scherenschnitte, September 21, 10AM-1PM
Keith Bonnstetter joins us on September 21st with the art of paper design cutting! Enjoy two Mighty Oak designs, one 2-D and the other 3-D, inspired by GAHC's 25th Anniversary.
2D Session: 10-11AM | 3D Session: 11:30AM-1PM
Members: $15 | Non-Members: $20
Members Only Deal: Both Sessions for $25
Space is limited and fills up fast.
Reserve your spots today by calling us at (563) 322-8844.
Halloween Scherenschnitte, October 5, 10AM-1PM
Keith Bonnstetter joins us again on Saturday, October 5, with the art of paper design cutting! Enjoy two Halloween inspired designs, one 2-D and the other 3-D.
2D Session: 10-11AM | 3D Session: 11:30AM-1PM
Members: $15 | Non-Members: $20
Members Only Deal: Both Sessions for $25
Space is limited and fills up fast.
Reserve your spots today by calling us at (563) 322-8844.
"Berlin: Before and After the Wall Fell", October 12, 2-3PM
Join us on Saturday, October 12, 2PM, for "Berlin: Before and After the Wall Fell" presented by Russell Baldner.
Set in the context of pre- and post-World War Germany and the Cold War, the richly-illustrated Berlin presentation features interpretive historical commentary and personal photography of Berlin and the infamous Berlin Wall in 1969 (eight years after the wall was erected), compared with many of the same, contrasting locations today. Also included are Sunday morning Gottesdienst (divine worship) at Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (Emperor William Memorial Church); the historic and beautifully-restored Reichstag national capitol building and dramatic ascent of its spectacular, new, sparkling glass dome; the iconic Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate); poignant Memorials to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and Victims of War and Dictatorship; additional sites of historical interest on a stroll along Unter den Linden (Under the Linden Trees), Berlin's Main Street, across the heart of the city; and a little light-hearted Berlin fare, both historical and current. The Berlin presentation concludes on a reflective note with historical ironies and prophetic words — including those spoken five days after the erection of the wall — and photographs which require no further comment.
Russell Baldner holds BA and MA degrees in History, did graduate study in German and Archaeology, lived in his great-great-grandfather's birthplace on his first visit to Germany, and specializes in the history of Germany, Lutheran, and ethnic-German history; historical documents drafter in archaic, seldom read, German cursive script; genealogy; and Native-American archaeology. By profession an educator, Baldner formerly taught German and history. His research publications include nineteenth-century German Lutheran historical and archaic-cursive manuscript-studies and several publications on the Late Prehistoric Native-American rock-art legacy (petroglyphs and pictographs) of northeast Iowa. Baldner is a frequent public speaker, presenting on a wide range of archaeological and historical subjects, including "The War Within: World War I and the Assault on German-American Identity in Iowa," presented in April 2019 at the 43rd Annual Symposium of the Society for German-American Studies in Madison, Wisconsin.
This program is included with General Admission:
Adult: $5 | Senior: $4 | Child: $3 | Member: Free
Come Volunteer with Us!
We are looking for volunteers in 4 different areas: Front Desk Volunteers, Special Events Volunteers, Docents, and Building and Grounds Committee!
Front Desk Volunteers: Help greet visitors to the GAHC! Training provided. Work as little or as much as you like- scheduled days available. Shifts are from Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-1PM or 1-4PM, and Sundays, 12-4PM. Want to help only on Special Event days — let us know! Give the gift of time this year at the GAHC! If you'd like to volunteer at the front desk, contact Corey at info@gahc.org.
Special Events: The GAHC holds special events throughout the year which require a larger number of volunteers to be on hand. Examples of these events are: The Best of the Wurst Sausage Competition, Annual Bier Tasting, Christkindlmarkt Holiday Craft Fair, etc. We may need assistance with ticket sales/check in, directing the increased number of visitors, etc. These are often fun but busy events and are not possible without the help of volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering for special events, contact Corey at info@gahc.org.
Docents: The GAHC offers guided tours of our exhibits led by volunteer docents. Docent volunteers must have an interest in history and be comfortable with public speaking. Tours are scheduled only when one has been requested. There is no experience or specialized knowledge required — new docents will be trained by museum staff. This is a good position for anyone interested in history and museum education. If you're interested in becoming a docent, contact Corey at info@gahc.org.
Building and Grounds Committee: Do you have knowledge of building issues, historic structures, or are just plain handy? The B&G committee is seeking new members to attend 6 meetings per year and help deal with the many issues that arise with a structure like ours! Meetings are on the first Wednesday of every other month at 10am and typically last one hour. Contact Kelly at kelly.lao@gahc.org
Are You a Member Yet?
In 2019, the GAHC is celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Celebrate with us by joining as a member this year! There are many benefits to membership with the GAHC. Members receive:
- Quarterly issues of the Infoblatt newsletter
- Free Admission to exhibits
- Free Admission to many programs and events
- Access to special members-only events
- Discounts on classes, events, and trips
- Discounts on facility rental
Want to be sure you never forget to renew? Sign up for automatic renewals online by clicking on the button below!
Would you like to save paper and receive your quarterly Infoblatt newsletter digitally? Give us a call at (563) 322-8844 or email Corey at info@gahc.org and let us know!
Looking For a Venue For Your Next Special Event?
Have your next gathering here at the GAHC and save big! Your rental dollars help us fund our educational programming. In addition, more people will see our beautiful event space and learn about our facility! We can help save you from the cleaning and hassle of having guests at your home. An event at GAHC allows your guest ample parking, we set up the room for you, and you can bring your own food and beverage!
We have many openings — even at the holidays! Hold your class reunion, baby shower, wedding gift-opening day, potluck, anniversary party, club or organizational meeting, family board-game night, graduation, or anything you can think of in our gorgeous space that looks out onto the Mississippi River and Centennial Bridge! We seat up to 100 comfortably, or 150 cocktail style, and can add on Museum Tours!
Call today to speak with Corey and let us do the work for your next event! Call 563-322-8844 or email info@gahc.org
