Schlaraffia

Saturday, August22, 2026

Peter was invited to a picnic by a member of his stammtisch (German speaking reserved table) group at the Schlaraffia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlaraffia meeting hall in South Milwaukee.

Peter was a member of this group a number of years ago, but the drive from Wauwatosa to South Milwaukee was a little too demanding.

People were gathered at the rear of the building, and soon we met old friends and were introduced to new ones.  We were just in time before the spanferkel (roast suckling pig) was going to be cut up.

Two men carved the roast, putting the meat in large roasting pans and took the pans to the lower level of the building that was set up for the meal.  The dining hall was full, the largest it has ever been, according to a long-time member, with between sixty and seventy people.  This was a fund raising event; at $20 per person in was both good for the organization and the diners.

There was a huge buffet to accompany the main course.  The meat was delicious: moist, tender and done to perfection.

Another large table had an array of desserts, both home made and commercial.  My favorite was a Kahlua bar with coffee.

Nothing like music to aid in digestion, and we had that also, with one of the members playing familiar melodies on his accordion, along with ein prosit to finish off the beers.

Peter guided me on a tour to the main hall on the upper level to learn more about Schlaraffia, which is an International organization with hundreds of groups around the world.  The building once housed a women's group, but the architecture and design fit this group perfectly with its old world details.  There were a lot of owls which symbolize wisdom, which is one of the precepts of Schlaraffia.

A few of us gathered at a small bar where we finished the event having shot glasses of apple schnaps. 

We did a little shopping at P & S before Peter dropped me off at SRS.
 

Pot LuchFrank's 95th Birthday

Saturday, August 15, 2026

I made a frittata with ham, spinach, tomato, Swiss cheese, heavy cream and a dozen eggs for our pot luck breakfast.  While it was in the oven I delivered Birthday cards to Marilyn Minor, Nancy Mitchell and Julie our new resident.  I turned on the warming plate and put out items for the pot luck.  

We had one of the largest groups attending with enough food and Dwight Morgan's pancakes.  My frittata was cleaned up.

I was pretty tired, especially lifting that full cast iron pan.  I took a nap and felt refreshed.

I sat on the piazza with my knitting just before 3:00 p.m., expecting more people to assemble for Frank D'Amato's surprise party.  Frank's son was busy grilling and Frank was sprucing up tables for "some of his family" he was expecting.  All the guests had assembled in the Cannoli Room and filed out together, much to Frank's surprise.  Guests from SRS included a number of church members, plus Chuck and Jane Boecher.

There were appetizers and beverages, followed by a huge buffet with salads, fruit, Italian sausage and hamburgers.  Frank circulated among the guests.  Here he is with Mike Bruski and Jane Boecher.

I took my dessert to my balcony and had it with some hot tea, while I still watched the party from up above.

The forecast had been for thunderstorms, but the day could not have been more ideal.

Friends of Friends Gone

Friday, August 14, 2026

Brad texted me an obit asking if I knew this person: Chuck Zahnow!, what a shock.

https://www.muellerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/charles-zahnow

Peter and I enjoyed sitting at the table with Chuck and his wife Bonnie at the MARTA luncheons for many years.  Every September he would present me with one or two of his fabulous dahlias.  I was so happy that I could post this photo on his Memorial page.

Then, Terry sent a message that Marilyn Schrader died.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/marilyn-obituary?id=62175075

Marilyn was such a vital part of WAUC, leading us on her keyboard with seasonal songs and bringing her scrumptious cheesecake to WAUC parties.  She was a serious sheepshead player and would not tolerate bad plays.

These were two friends and friends of each other; Marilyn and the Zahnows were close friends.  Both funerals were the same day, hours apart.

Peter and I drove to attend Chuck's funeral at St. Paul's church in Grafton.  Because we were very early, we filled the time picking up a few things at P & S.

The service was lovely, with a men's choir singing two hymns, one in German.

I greeted Rev. Scultz afterwards, commenting on his homily that reflected his connection with Chuck.  Peter had to remind me to mention that Brad is a member of the church.  That sparked a recognition.

We started thinking about lunch and I suggested Ma Fisher's, where I had never been.  Great idea. We had more food than we could eat; the lunches included soup and salad/fruit.

We drove to the ATM for cash and to Whole Foods to get a refund on my Amazon sweaters.

That was a pretty full day.

German American Day and More

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Laura said she had home made bread and apple pie that she would put together with a dinner if Peter and I would like to come.  I put that on hold until I checked with Peter on how long we wanted to stay at Schurz Park.  He was more than willing to have dinner at Jay and Laura's when he picked me up.

The day was absolutely perfect for this event, outsmarting the weather forecaster's rain prediction.

My handicap hanger helped getting us parking closer to the entrance.  We found a grassy area to park our chairs among many people having a good time.  Peter got our steins filled and he talked me into having something to eat; I didn't want to spoil my appetite for later at J & L's.  I'm glad he did, because the hot dog and brats were in a wonderful bun, not the regular soft buns or the massive buns, but they had nice substance.

A couple that we met at Kegel's stopped by looking for the Austrian Club meeting; Peter thought the meeting would be here, I have no idea how that could happen.  I got comments about the shawl that I was knitting.  We also shared a plum coffee cake and a cup of coffee.

We left shortly before 4:00 p.m. and took Capitol Drive to J & L's, getting there just at 5:00 p.m.

We sat under the pergola for a short while until Laura determined the flies were bothersome.  Their patio shelter is priceless on these lovely days, devoid of bugs.  We had appetizers before Laura brought out her home made bread, a chicken/avocado/raspberry/ garden Swiss chard salad with balsamic dressing.  She topped off our dinner with home made apple pie ala mode.  What a wonderful dinner.  And I got to take some chicken home.

We had such a good time laughing, mostly at my expense (Poor Dolly!  Nobody loves her).

Stormy Weather

 Monday, July  31, 2026

During our Needlework Group meeting the skies turned black and rain came down in torrents.  The wind came in gusts and knocked over a lot of things.  Cecile Langford said that a heavy pot on her balcony was tipped over; my plants really got whipped around.  I hope they will recover.

Saturday, August 1

Through the night there was lightning that caused power outages.  My microwave and stove lost power and there were random outages throughout the two buildings.

There is no cable TV due to a part that needs replacement.  I really didn't miss it.  I can still use Roku.

Friday, August 7 ?

Cable has been restored.

Preview of Irishfest

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Jerry McClusky, as he did last year, engaged Irish musicians to play for us starting at 5:00 p.m.  Last year they played in the piazza, but rain threatened, so they played in the trattoria.

There were snacks and Guinness beer

People remarked that they liked the group playing indoors where they could hear it better.  

I stayed as long as I could tolerate the repetitious music.

I was able to maneuver the remote to watch The Exotic Marigold Hotel in the Club Room.  I saw it more than once before, and still loved it. 

Wrong Yarn

August 1, 2026

I ordered a pattern on-line that looked interesting for women instead of the plain cap I've been making for men.  It featured a chevron design.  I was eager to get it finished, but as I worked, it looked extremely large.

It was VERY large and bulky when it was finished.

I inquired with AI about knitting with Caron Wintuk and it advised me that that particular yarn is more suitable for outdoor or sturdy projects, not for items close the the skin which would by scratchy.