The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-25
President of Gesang Verein Frohsinn
Their New Home Was Dedicated
Last Evening.

ening of the rooms, and incidentally to
celebrate the 41st anniversary Of the
organization of the society.
The program of the evening opened
with a concert by RiedPs orchestra and
singing by the singing division of the
society. B. Joseph Bertels, in neat
speech in German on behalf of the
building committee, turned over the
keys of the new hall to William j.
Lichtenfels, president Of the society.
Mr. Lichtenfels accepted the keys in
speech of congratulation spoken in the
German language, in which he compli-
mented the building committee on its
faithful performance of its difficult
task. He then addressed the audience,
saying in part:
The aim and object of this society
is to uphold the traditions and Gus
toms of our beloved fatherland, to Gull
tivate the love for German song, and
to promote friendship and sociability.
The 18th day of March, 1858, dates the
birth of this society. 1t was founded
on Foster street, by IS men, and among
these, the best known were B. Zaeder,
r. Vol1mar, F. Diemer, J. Boehmer,
P. Piper and H. Munich.
On June s. 1890, the society was in
corporated under the laws of the state
of Massachusetts, and in that year we
sent delegates to Fitchburg, to form
the New England Saengerbund, which
we Joined in 1891. Taking part in the
Saengerfest, in Manchester and in
Lawrence, we had the pleasure of win
ming Sd prize, in competition with IS
societies in Lawrence. In 1897, the
Saengerfest was held in Worcester, on
which occasion the united societies
gave a grand concert in Mechanics
hall, which was largely attended, and
was in every way great musical
! achievement, in fact the festival was
the greatest ever held in the history Of
the New England Staten Saenger-
bund.
On behalf of the society, Mr.. Lich-
tenfels presented bouquets to Maurice
Thenius, Carl Zerrahn and DR.. Carl J.
Belling, three of the oldest members of
the society
Maurice Thenius Of Otter River, Vt.
was one of the first members to be ad-
mitted to the society after its organic
alton, and has attended every one Of
its Il anniversary celebrations. Dr.
Belling is one of the most popular mem
bers of the society, and has for many
years been identified with its social
success. Carl Zerrahn has been the
guest of the society frequently during
his long and faithful service as con-
uutloI oI TIE festival CuJruS. ana mas
trarely missed an anniversary of the So
ciety for a score of years.
Mr.. Lichtenfels introduced Mayor
Rufus b. Dodge, Jr., who congratulated
the society on its successful career and
upon the erection of its building. A
banquet followed in the upper hall, at
which 100 plates were laid.
The grand march began at Ii o'clock.
Mr.. and Mrs. William G. Lichtenfels led
in the circle of the hail to the music
of Riedps orchestra. Dancing continued
dancing were in charge of these menu
bers of the society:
Floor manager. Peter Turffs; assist
ant floor manager, Geo. f. Zaeder; aids
Emil Zaeder, VIM. J Carroll, Thomas
Smith, D. F. O'Reagan, w. A. Binckel
c. C. LANCE, Chas. T. Kern, F. H.
Lucke.
Building committee: B. JOS Bertels
Leopold Strauss, w. c.. Lichtenfels. H.
F. A LANCE, W. p. Delano.
Committee of arrangements: w. G.
Lichtenfels, Peter Turffs, Henry Roll
lig, Jacob Holden, J c. Zaeder, Moritz
Schuetz, Joseph Sauer, Christian Meyer
Hermann Trott
Among those present were: His honor
the mayor and members of the board
Of aldermen, George d. Webb. Ward p
Delano, James f. Fuller, Fred Dorns,
Spencer: Oscar Fritzsche, Webster. Ju-
Illus Schriftgiesser, Boston; Conrad
Schwartz. President Lichtenfels re-
ceived letters Of regret and congratu-
lation from Henry Muensch, Brooklyn
n. Y, who is the only living charter
member; Louis Olser, secretary of the
New England Sanger und; Carl EbeI-
hard. Boston and from the Boston
Turnverein.