Dick reports...

CARASSAUGA was ‘cool’…

…said one young lady while fighting with a huge Bratwurst on a bun.

That seemed to be the consensus among the many visitors at the recent – three day – Carassauga celebration at the Hansa Haus, in Brampton. The first day – Friday – was not as well visited as the next two days, but on the Saturday and Sunday the kitchen had trouble keeping up with the hungry crowds. However, they bravely managed, as usual.

Only the Pretzels arrived a little late on Sunday, but the club never ran out of liquid refreshments at the bar. One of the visitors –an elderly oriental gentleman – tried a Warsteiner beer and almost cried into it. It was his first one and he mentioned that this was the best glass of beer he ever had. Even though it came in a plastic cup! He confessed that he didn’t want to come but his ‘number one son’ convinced him that it was a worthwhile effort. He also tried a Bratwurst, but that was the last time I have seen him. Maybe he took the free shuttle bus to one of the other locations.

The food was good

I noticed a number of the visitors trying the ‘Sample Plate’ consisting of a Schnitzel, ½ Bratwurst, Potato salad and a bun. It was designed to provide a typical German culinary adventure for only $9.00 incl. Taxes. But a number of connoisseurs also ordered the Pork Hocks at a very reasonable $17.00, a price unmatched in any restaurant in the area.

A separate Café area – organized by the Ladies Auxiliary and Choir members – provided Black Forest cake, Berliners, Apple Strudel and similar baked goods to the visitors with a sweet tooth.

The first thing everyone spotted when they approached the building was organ-grinder Klaus Wehrenberg, playing the old "Drehorgel" (barrel organ) that Karl-Heinz Freitag had imported from Berlin, many years before, during the heydays of Carnival in Toronto.

Karl-Heinz may be dead now, but his memory is still alive to the old-timers that remember him every time they hear his or another barrel organ being played.

Back in the old days organ grinders usually had a live monkey with them who collected money from the crowd watching the performance. Klaus substituted a monkey-puppet whose upkeep is a lot cheaper. But the two were still a favourite with the younger visitors.

The Almrausch Dancers

As usual at Carassauga or Carabram (which is still ahead in July with our very own Sybille as the MC) the visitors are constantly changing while the marvelous entertainment remains the same. That goes for the sound of the Harmonie Brass Show Band that traditionally provides high-class entertainment during those festivities at the Hansa Haus and it was gratifying to note that Danielle Bourre’s extraordinary voice has not changed in those many years that I was fortunate to know her.

...and now with audience participation

Boe Hladish, the board’s treasurer, was the MC that guided the audience through the various performances of the folkdance groups including the talented ‘Bell Ringers’, a performance that is unusual in itself and amazing to many in the audience.

Ringing the cow bells

I would not be surprised if the Hansa Haus and their "Hofbräuhaus" Pavilion wouldn’t win a prize again this year.

As always

Dick Altermann