Where is she, Miss America?

offBeat with PHILIP POTEMPA

BY PHILIP POTEMPA ppotempa@nwitimes.com 219.852.4327

This story ran on nwitimes.com on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 12:49 AM CDT

Where she is

The words to the late Bert Parks' famous serenade "There She Is ... Miss America" might have to be changed this year to "Where is She ... Miss America?

After an 84-year association, last week the pageant's organizers announced they would leave Atlantic City and its famed boardwalk.

Last year, the pageant lost its television broadcast contract with ABC and only recently made a deal with the cable channel Country Music Television to air this year's pageant in January. Traditionally, the pageant is always in September.

On Tuesday, I received word that in response to the Miss America Organization's frantic search for a sponsoring host site, Nine.com, an online entertainment gaming site, has offered Pageant CEO Art McMaster $5 million to bring the pageant to Costa Rica. In previous years, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority kicked in less than $800,000 annually to help with pageant bills.

"Costa Rica has a long history with beauty pageants and hosted last year's Miss Teen World Pageant," said Nine.com spokesperson Jack Abrams.

"We believe that this offer will give the venerable Miss America pageant the financial stability it needs to continue as the world's leading provider of scholarships for young women not to mention the incredible display of beauty and talent."

The Miss America Organization is still entertaining offers and hasn't made its decision.

Some of the famous beauty queens who became big names after their turn with the Miss American Pageant include: Delta Burke, who at age 17 was a former Miss Florida in the 1974 Miss America pageant; Anita Bryant, who was first runner-up for Miss America 1958; Lee Meriwether, crowned Miss America 1955; Bess Myerson, crowned Miss America 1945; Vanessa Williams, crowned Miss America 1984; Mary Ann Mobley, crowned Miss America 1959 and Phyllis George, Miss America 1971.

Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Reach him at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

Psst. Wanna Buy a Bunch of Roller Coasters?
Theme Parks Blog

From Arthur Levine, Your Guide to Theme Parks. Stay up to date!

August 25, 2005

One week after a disgruntled shareholder made some overtures to assume control of Six Flags, the company today announced that it is inviting bidders to participate in an auction for the chain of regional amusement parks. According to Reuters, the surprise move may be an attempt to call Daniel Snyder's bluff. The owner of the Washington Redskins and a major shareholder of Six Flags stock, Snyder has been a vocal critic of the company and its management for some time. Despite recent improved performance, he ratcheted up the rhetoric, attempted to acquire more shares, and announced his intention to assume the position of chairman. Instead, the preemptive move by Six Flags will force Snyder and his Red Zone investment company to join other would-be suitors in an auction process. What will this mean for roller coaster fans? It's difficult to say. Six Flags is saddled with $2.3 billion of debt, making it a challenging sell. Major industry players, such as Disney or Cedar Fair (owner of Cedar Point and other parks), probably won't be interested in the company. Still, Six Flags is enormously popular and does appear to be on the rebound. It's likely Bugs Bunny and the thrill rides will be back next season, but different owners--maybe Snyder, maybe a private investment company--will be hoisting the flags.

Congratulations to the Schaefers!

The Schaefers celebrated their 15th anniversary this past weekend. Uwe wrote me:

On Sunday, we had a great show in our hometown Bretten. About 4500 people joined our party. It was really great. I'll send you a few picutures next time.

Don't worry. I'll have those pictures up on the site once they are available!!!

Democrat & Chronicle: Editorials: "Updating Miss America

What if the pageant starts to resemble modern reality TV?


(August 30, 2005) — The Miss America pageant, which features young women in elegant gowns competing for scholarships, just hasn't proven edgy enough to compete with today's other reality TV offerings.

Last week, the pageant organizers announced that financial woes have forced them to abandon Atlantic City in search of a cheaper broadcast site.

Keep your fingers crossed that the latest move might not tempt planners to tweak the Miss America contest to make it more attractive to television viewers who prefer shows like, say, Fear Factor and The Bachelorette.

Instead of the traditional talent portion and discussion of social issues, contestants might be selected according to their willingness to lie in a box of scorpions or eat live roaches. Those who refused would be voted out or 'fired.'

Then the winner, in addition to her scholarships and speaking tour, would also have the opportunity to select a husband from a dozen handsome strangers, each of whom may or may not be a millionaire.

Meanwhile, instead of hugging and congratulating the winner, the runners-up could be invited to do monologues that rip the new Miss America behind her back.

Hey, that's today's television reality.

Better for the Miss America pageant to remain a classy affair with fewer viewers than to sink into the bog of modern television entertainment."

Zoren: How to save the Miss America show

By NEAL ZOREN, Special to the Daily Times

08/29/2005
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15114552&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18179&rfi=6

When I was a child, I was excited by three annual special television events - the Academy Awards, the CBS airing of "The Wizard of Oz," and the Miss America Pageant. I remember sitting in my grandparents’ living room circa 1962 when one of the candidates who seemed dull suddenly went into the Miss America version of a striptease. My grandfather said, "She’ll win now." She did.

In 1962 and neighboring years, the Miss America Pageant consisted of six simple elements, the announcement of the 10 finalists, a swimsuit competition to show off the contestants’ figures, a talent contest, an evening gown competition to show off contestants’ taste, a question-and-answer session for the finalists, and the crowning of the new queen. The program also had one host who showed up annually, Bert Parks.

Simplicity was the key to the pageant. As I child, I rooted for Miss Pennsylvania because she represented my home state. As I grew older, I cared most about the talent contest. The Miss America Pageant was an early version of "American Idol." It was annual rather than weekly, and it resulted in "our ideal" rather than an idol, but the talent was prodigious - except maybe for the one beauty who had no talent and was taught "Fur Elise" by her state committee for the occasion - and the competition features some great singing, a few good novelty acts - witness 1965 winner, ventriloquist Vonda Kay Van Dyke - and the much-parodied baton routine.

The pageant was fun because it kept its entertainment basic. It knew what it was about and didn’t veer from that.

I watched the pageant religiously well into the 1980s. I would even seek it out at bars when I was out of town or out on the town pursuing other pleasures. The reason I stopped watching was my social life. As I became older, I just had no Saturday nights on which I could watch television. Even now, when something I want to cover airs on a Saturday, I watch it on tape, in advance or after the fact.

I am not alone in abandoning Miss America. Year after year, its ratings go down. Today, television coverage is in jeopardy. It is not cost-effective for a network to air a dinosaur that has diminishing returns. This week, the pageant board announced it would not renew its contract to hold the event in Atlantic City, the town that invented Miss America as a public relations gimmick. In two years, Miss America will be homeless in terms of a television and actual venue. Country Music Television is stepping into the breach. No surprise there. The places you see the kind of old-fashioned wholesome entertainment of my Miss America memories are Nashville, Branson, Mo., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., all bastions of good solid singing, dancing and comedy that stay basic, show why old ways work, and rarely get blue. Middle brow? Yes. Entertaining? Also yes.

Even in my abandonment, I did enough taping to keep up with the television presentation of the pageant.

Producers, like producers and advertising buyers everywhere, had the idea the pageant had to adapt to time. This is true in some contexts. The trouble is in adapting to times, the Miss America Pageant lost its essence. It wasn’t happy being a talent show. It jumped around with various hosts. It changed its trademark song. In trying to please, it forgot what it is. Shades of Major League Baseball!!!

Yes, some thought has to be given about how audiences change. MTV has brought about faster cutting and frantic camera motion. What started as one network’s technique has become state-of-the-art, and all television moves at lightning pace with frequent cuts and camera angles.

Music has also changed. A Miss America contestant before 1970 could sing standard tunes by Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin or Cole Porter and delight a crowd. After 1970, rock or heavy singing a la Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin was more of the ticket. After 1990, pop music had to rule. After all, television and radio in general - Country Music Television excepted - gave up on a variety of music and concentrated only on rock, when music was presented as a direct part of a program at all.

My problem with "American Idol" is the wailing and unnecessary embellishments singers apply to tunes, singing in the name of warbling rather than presenting a story through song. I prefer the simplicity of presentation of 1962.

I think many who would watch the Miss America Pageant do. I think the show can still garner ratings high enough to warrant its being an annual television event of note. In Miss America’s case, that might mean going back to the future. Country Music Television may be exact venue to take it there.

Here are some hints.

1.) Go back to emphasizing talent. "American Idol’s" success is a sign people like talent competitions. Ten women competing on a single evening can be as compelling as a larger group going through a weekly elimination process.

2.) Forget political correctness. Movements might be right for a time, but we should live in a world where anything goes. That means there should be room for the tough and edgy and room for the wholesome. They can exist side by side and attract the same person. I’m an example of that. Miss America worked when it concentrated on the six simple elements I mentioned at the top of this column. Go back to them. Take the parodies and the hits for being old-fashioned. They could become a great source of publicity.

3.) Combine the first two hints by getting rid of anything that smacks of politics, point of view or opinion, especially alleged popular opinion, which doesn’t exist except in feature writers’ minds anyhow. Keep Miss America an entertainment event. No one needs a beauty queen to be relevant or to champion a cause. Go back to basics and crown a beauty queen. The Bess Myersons, Phyllis Georges, and, yes, Vanessa Williamses will emerge as rounded entertainers if you just leave things alone. And, for goodness sake, don’t bow to current journalistic outrage over hangnails. If you have another Vanessa Williams incident, face it boldly, and tell journalists and critics to suck eggs if they’re unhappy. The modern penchant to respond to any complaint or comment stymies life and just hands the world over to the Puritans or the all-purpose gripers.

4.) Get one host and stick with him or her. Regis Philbin or Kathy Lee Gifford would be perfect. Regis is the inheritor of the Johnny Carson mantle as all-around emcee. Other candidates could be Tony Danza, Oprah Winfrey, Ryan Seacrest, or Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

5.)Move to Sunday night or a weeknight. Saturdays are for getting out and socializing. You won’t keep an audience by stubbornly sticking to the one night the least people stay home.

Miss America lost audience because it lost its focus. As an organization, the Miss America group has been an effective source of scholarships for talented women. That was always true, and once upon a time, it was mentioned in appropriate passing. If Miss America can laugh at critics and go back to swimsuits, sexy or plain as a contestant wants; evening gowns, fashionable or classic; and talent, its audience may return. If they can find the pageant as it wanders from CBS to whatever cable network happens to carry it from whatever city in a given year.

Who was that contestant?

- Because having more than 150 channels at my disposal rarely yields any program I truly want to watch, I often go to old standbys - twenty- and thirty-year-old reruns of quiz shows on the Game Show Network. (It has to be reruns; I truly detest all new original programming on GSN.)

My favorite is ancient tapings of "The Match Game" - well, this week, it’s reruns of "The Amazing Race" (go Reichen and Chip!)- each installment of which I begin by determining who on the program is dead.

Last week, in the 9 a.m. airing of "The Match Game," Gene Rayburn (dead) introduced a new contestant, who said she was from Wichita, Kan., and just moved to Los Angeles to work as an interior designer. The contestant was Kirstie Alley. Yes, the Kirstie Alley of the baby talk movies, "Cheers," and "Fat Actress" among others. She did not mention acting to Rayburn at all, but even before her show biz days, she had star quality. Her hair and eye coloring and unusual face made her stand out. Makes one wonder. Did Alley’s "Match Game" appearance show some producer or director how much the camera loves her and makes her features special? Hmmmm. Have to find out.

While talking about GSN, I realize why, on weekdays, the announcer teases "Blockbusters" by talking about Bill Rafferty, who was the show’s second host and presides over most weekday airings. But why does the announcer mention Rafferty on weekends when the emcee is "Blockbuster’s" original host and quiz show icon, Bill Cullen?

©The Daily Times 2005

Pageant Decides it’s Time to Move, Thanks AC for
Miss America Receives Release from Atlantic City Contract
85 Years of Hospitality

(Atlantic City, NJ, August 25, 2005) - The Miss America Organization (MAO) announced today that it has asked for and received permission from the Atlantic City Convention Center & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) to move the Miss America Pageant out of Atlantic City. “The ACCVA, in releasing Miss America from its current contract, is helping to ensure the pageant’s continued vitality and growth,” stated Art McMaster, President & CEO, MAO.

“The decision to leave the Pageant’s longtime home in Atlantic City was made after extremely careful deliberation and with the highest level of respect for the countless friends, volunteers and fans of the Pageant,” McMaster said. “The MAO would like to thank the ACCVA and the State of New Jersey for its continued support throughout the process leading to this difficult decision.”

Jeff Vasser, ACCVA executive director, stated, “We did not undertake this decision lightly. In view of the financial considerations facing MAO now and in the future, we respect MAO’s decision to start fresh. We wish the Pageant well. Atlantic City will always remain the Pageant’s home and we relish our 85-year history together.”

“We thoroughly appreciate the assistance we have received from the Atlantic City community, and the State of New Jersey over the past 85 years,” said McMaster. “The entire community has embraced Miss America, its contestants and the Pageant’s rich history.”

“We plan to work with CMT to create an exciting and compelling show for 2006 that builds on our traditions and embraces new opportunities,” continued McMaster.

A location for next year’s Miss America broadcast has not yet been determined. The Miss America Organization’s corporate headquarters will remain in Atlantic City.

###

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its parent agency, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

Stimmung Stunde, Milwaukee's Best German Radio Show!

Marta Kretschmann directorial debut now available!

Check out the new German Fest 2005 video on the media page to see the artistry of this tortured genius. Enjoy her rendering of the sights and sounds of this year's German Fest and particularly the German Fest Showcase.

MISS TEXAS' OUTSTANDING TEEN MEGHAN MILLER WINS FIRST EVER
MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN COMPETITION

Orlando, FL - August 20, 2005 - Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen Meghan Miller walked the runway as the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen on Saturday night in the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. This historic crowning moment marked her first steps on a journey that will take her across the country promoting scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, community involvement and healthy living for our nation's youth.

Through an official partnership with the US Dream Academy, Miller will help improve the outlook of America's young people by increasing literacy through creative mentoring. She will also continue work on her personal platform of character education called "Hop on the Bus with R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

Miller, a 17-year-old Beaumont, TX resident, attends West Brook High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She developed a character curriculum which is currently being used in elementary schools. She has starred in an independent film, is enrolled in an advanced placement/honors program and aspires to become an attorney.

The recipient of a $30,000 scholarship, Miller also won an additional $1,000 scholarship for preliminary awards in Talent and Evening Wear, as well as the Carole D. Holsonback Scholarship for Overall Talent for $1,000 for her uniquely delightful ventriloquism performance of "Dummies in a Disney Daze."

"I am so excited to be the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen," said Miller. "I have always dreamed of becoming Miss America. I remember watching Miss Pennsylvania 1990 Marla Wynne on television during the Miss America Pageant when I was barely three years old. Her talent was ventriloquism and I was just mesmerized. I spent hours in front of the mirror trying to figure out how she did it and I've been doing it ever since!"

Miss California's Outstanding Teen, 13-year-old Adrianna Afsar, earned a $20,000 scholarship as first runner-up. She also won a preliminary talent award for $500 for her powerful rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade." She is an honor roll student and hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree in Engineering while pursuing her career ambition of becoming a legendary singer.

Second runner-up honors and a $15,000 scholarship went to Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen, 16-year-old Shalane Larango. Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen, 17-year-old Sierra Minott took home a $10,000 scholarship as third runner-up. Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen, 17-year-old Jennifer Gulbrandsen earned a $5,000 scholarship as fourth runner-up.

Miss Galaxy visits Stimmung Stunde

Jackie Hart was a great guest on our program and now the photo gallery has been updated! Be sure to check it out.

...and check it out today!

Holmen Courier - News: "Smaby wins Miss Holmen crown

By RANDY ERICKSON/Editor
It might have been nice if Kristina Smaby had gotten a chance to talk one-on-one with Kellye Cash, the former Miss America who emceed the sold-out Miss Holmen Pageant Friday.

Cash could have shared with Smaby - who won the Miss Holmen crown - the story of how within six months of entering her first pageant, Cash was crowned Miss America. But Cash, Smaby said, 'was off in big groups, telling big stories.'

Smaby did get a chance to chat with the reigning Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, who was only 19 in June when she won the state title and the right to compete at the Miss America Pageant in September.

'It gives me hope that when I go to Miss Wisconsin, anything can happen,' Smaby said in an interview Sunday. 'I would love to someday win Miss Wisconsin.'

Smaby, the daughter of Kathy Smaby and Frank Smaby, said she's not really expecting to win Miss Wisconsin next June, but plans to go into it to learn as much as she can. That approach worked for her in winning the Miss Holmen pageant. Last year, she was first runner-up in the pageant, and that experience put her in position to win the crown this year, she said.

Check out the great new photo in our Miss Wisconsin photo gallery

If you'd like to see all the Miss Wisconsin photos, check her Webshots gallery on the Stimmung Stunde.

KEYC Television, Mankato, MN - The One To Watch: "Organizers Decide to End New Ulm's Heritagefest
Published Date: 07-25-2005 11:07 PM
It's been a New Ulm tradition and a celebration of German heritage for 30 years. But now, organizers of Heritage Fest are calling it quits. First at Ten: the decision to fold the Heritage Fest tent came just hours ago and wasn't an easy one to make. News 12's Kelli Grant joins us live with more on this bombshell decision. Dion, the board of directors made the decision around six O clock this evening that one of New Ulm's landmark events would not return next year. The first Heritage Fest took place in 1975, but the event has struggled to turn a profit in recent years. Board president Hugh Nierengarten says that despite corporate sponsorships and experimenting with new events, as well as a promising record for last year's festival, revenues for 2005 were down once again. He says a number of factors prompted the board's decision. There are lots of activities in which people are involving themselves now, that didn't used to be the case years ago there is I think a decreased interest in ethnic festivals in general. There are complications of brutal weather, conditions we encountered this past year and on occasions in years gone by. Nierengarten also cited higher fixed expenses. He says the board will meet some time next week to get an exact count on revenues and expenses. He says they'll also try to develop new ideas for celebrating New Ulm's German heritage. Kelli grant, news 12. "

Heritagefest is history

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Heritagefest's board of directors bowed to the inevitable Monday, putting the venerable festival down after a challenging but stimulating, 31-year run.

In a brief news release, the board said it had concluded 'that it is no longer possible to continue operation of the festival in a manner that both presents a quality community festival and is financially responsible.'

'Executive Director Kathleen Backer and other Heritagefest employees have poured their hearts and souls into this festival, and the board is highly appreciative of their efforts. Likewise, the board members are to be credited for their years of dedication to Heritagefest and New Ulm, and for their prudence in recognizing that responsible governance sometimes requires drastic action,' Heritagefest President Hugh Nierengarten said.

'We've had a good run, but even the best Broadway show closes eventually.'"

JS Online: For 150 years, it's been Miller time here: "For 150 years, it's been Miller time here
By JOHN GURDA
Last Updated: Aug. 6, 2005

Frederick J. Miller would not know what to make of Bon Jovi or the Goo Goo Dolls.

The first Miller Brewery was built on Plank Road. A replica can be seen on W. State St. today.

Despite their common preference for long hair, the 19th-century brewer and the 21st-century rockers might as well be from different planets.

Soon, however, they'll be sharing the same stage, in a manner of speaking. On Aug. 20, the bands will fill Miller Park for the Big Brew-Ha, a lavish celebration of the company Miller launched 150 years ago.

The man behind the celebration was certainly a standout in the annals of American brewing.

Born with patrician good looks, Frederick J. Miller was ambitious, articulate, and accomplished, but he was also a deeply human individual who observed a careful distinction between making a living and making a life.

Like most American brewing chronicles, Miller's story begins in Germany. The founder was born in 1824 to a middle class merchant family in Riedlingen, a small town northwest of Munich.

His father died when he was only 12, leaving the family business to Frederick's older brother.

Forced to choose a trade when he was barely in his teens, Miller gravitated naturally to brewing.

He served a ten-year apprenticeship, learning under the tutelage of master brewers in southern Germany and France.

By 1849, Miller was a master brewer himself. At the age of 24, he leased an old brewery attached to a castle just 16 miles up the Danube River from his hometown.

The young man made the most of his new opportunity.

One sentence in an 1851 letter to castle officials spoke volumes about Miller's approach to his craft: 'My beer in regard to contests was preferred, and rightly so, to that of other brewers.'

Committed to quality and determined to provide it, Frederick Miller decided that the New World offered the most promising outlet for his skills. In 1854, accompanied by his young wife and their infant son, he set sail for America.

Miller was hardly a penniless immigrant. He arrived in New York with the modern equivalent of $200,000, enough to start his own business and to take plenty of time choosing its location.

After months of investigation, Frederick Miller picked Milwaukee. The decision, in hindsight, was an easy one.

Milwaukee was a western boom town with an abundance of Germans who appreciated good beer, and its winters were cold enough to guarantee a plentiful supply of ice - one of the universal requirements of the trade.

In the summer of 1855, Miller took over a bankrupt brewery at 40th and State streets. Its previous owner was Charles Best, whose father and brothers founded the enterprise that became Pabst Brewing.

Miller succeeded where Best had failed. After sweeping out the cobwebs and refurbishing the equipment, he began to make beer again. His first customers included hotels and saloons in such rural hamlets as Wauwatosa and Elm Grove.

The brewer clearly had loftier ambitions. Miller was shipping beer to Chicago during his first year in business, and he followed the rail lines even farther south.

By 1860, the immigrant was supplying customers in Memphis and New Orleans, and he had planted the flag in St. Louis, home of the brewery that would become his company's arch-rival, Anheuser-Busch.

Miller was devoted to the business in its smallest details, but there were limits to his energies. As Milwaukee's larger brewers - Pabst, Schlitz and Blatz - became national producers, Miller decided to focus on a territory that stretched from Chicago to the mining and lumber towns of the North Woods.

That region was more than enough to provide him with a comfortable living." ...more...(check link)

America's Junior Miss has not given a final wave: "America's Junior Miss has not given a final wave
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
By JOY E. STODGHILL

GAUTIER -- America's Junior Miss will continue to light up the stage in Mobile for the national program in 2006 'and beyond.' The board of directors voted unanimously Tuesday to continue the scholarship program, which has awarded a total of more than $87.7 million over its 48 years of existence.

Since a May 4 announcement from the national board of directors that the June 25 national final would be the last, groups such as Friends of America's Junior Miss have come together with their time and money to encourage the board to continue the program.

'I had no doubt in my mind that we would have another America's Junior Miss. When I had heard the bad news, I was very upset just like everyone else was,' said Kelli Schutz of Brandon, Mississippi's representative to the America's Junior Miss 2005 and the national winner.

Schutz added that she wanted other young women to have the same opportunity.

Bunny Scholl, one of the founders of the Jackson County Junior Miss program, said one of the best parts of the program is the fact that all the girls, whether they win or not, benefit from the program.

'I think they should (keep the program). It's wonderful for the high school girls,' she said.

Her son, George Scholl, has worked with the Jackson County Junior Miss programs for a total of 16 years.

'I'm not surprised,' he said of Tuesday's decision. 'I think they came to their senses.'

According to Eric Patterson, the president of America's Junior Miss board of directors, the organization realized through proposals from proponents for the continuation of the program that it can survive without a national television sponsor.

A press release read, 'AJM board members have recognized the communications activities of AJM state and local programs as a powerful media that helps hundreds of thousands of young people nationwide make positive life decisions every year, and that national television coverage is not a necessary component of the program. ... The people of the AJM are themselves a media.'

Pascagoula Junior Miss chairwoman, Felicia Busby, was excited about the decision. She said committee members are planning to begin work in October on the next local program, which will be in March or April. She said more people need to realize 'a scholarship program based on talent and scholastic achievement is worthwhile.'

'We are thrilled. We have worked so hard to build the program where it is, that we hated to see it go away,' Busby said.

Reporter Joy E. Stodghill can be reached at jstodghill@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1428."

Presseaussendung vom 11.08.2005
ALPENTRIO TIROL AUFTRITT IN AMERIKA !

Das Alpentrio Tirol in Milwaukee beim 25 Jahre Germany Fest.
www.StimmungStunde.com


Nur in 3 Tagen kommen 200.000 Besucher zu diesem Fest. Es sind sehr viele Gäste dabei, die in den 50-und 60er Jahren nach den USA ausgewandert sind. Das Alpentrio Tirol konnte bei herrlichen Sommerwetter mit Blick auf dem Michigan See und mit viel volkstümlicher Musik und Jodler, sowie den dort bekannten Erfolgsliedern vom Alpentrio Tirol „Tepperter Bua“ „Hast a bisserl Zeit“ „Drob`n auf dem Berg steht a Kircherl“ u.v.a. eine große Begeisterung auslösen. Der Tenor vom Publikum war, „das Alpentrio Tirol muss wieder kommen“. Auch die Presse und zahlreiche Radiosender interessierten sich für die Tiroler Mannen und durch ständige Interviews und Autogrammstunden blieb für Georg, Mario, Christoph und Richard wenig Zeit für die Sehenswürdigkeiten des Landes.

Das Alpentrio Tirol hat aber auch an die Fremdenverkehrswerbung gedacht und hat Gäste für das traditionelle „Servus-Freunde-Fest“ 1.- 4. Juni 06 in Neustift/Stubaital eingeladen, die auch schon Ihren Besuch angekündigt haben.

Das Alpentrio Tirol wird die nächste Reise über den Teich im September nach New Jersey und zu Sylvester nach Los Angeles antreten.



Termine demnächst:

12. Aug. D-83242 Reit i.Winkel

14. Aug. A-6263 Fügen im Zillertal Frühschoppen Radio U 1

16. Aug. D-83324 Ruhpolding

17. Aug. D-39218 Schönebeck

18. Aug. A-7122 Gols Weinfest

19. Aug. ORF-Krone Fest in Linz

20. Aug. NL -Harkema



Informationen unter www.alpentrio.com

Germany Info: Information Services: Publications: The Week in Germany: "The Week in Germany: Culture

July 29, 2005

Largest North American German Fest kicks off in Milwaukee

Thousands will converge on the Milwaukee shore of Lake Michigan this Friday for the kick-off of the largest German Fest in the United States. The festival, celebrating its 25th year, runs through Sunday, July 31.
A Germanfest musician plays the accordion as a group of children dance. Photo courtesy of Germanfest.com

The Milwaukee German Fest has been a staple of summer fun for a quarter of a century, having become one of the most important cultural events for the German-American community in the Midwest.

Wisconsin, along with Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, comprise an area of the Midwest with the highest concentration of German ancestry in the country. In these states, as many as half of all people claim German heritage.

But the visitors who flock to Milwaukee in celebration of German culture are not necessarily German-Americans in search of their roots. Visitors of all stripes come to enjoy a unique mix of food, drink and fun.

Coordinated by several area German-American associations and staffed by 3,000 volunteers, the festival attracts most of its visitors from out of town.

After days filled with beer, parades, dances, and activities for children, each evening ends with a fireworks display with Lake Michigan as its backdrop. On Sunday, the program traditionally concludes with a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Authentic German foods such as Bratwurst, Strudel and Sauerkraut are prepared fresh each day, with over 20,000 Bratwursts and 10,000 pounds of potatoes and of German sauerkraut to be consumed over the course of the three-day festival. A wine-tasting will offer the best in imported German wines, while 35,000 pieces of pastry from Torten to Strudel will fulfill the German tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen.

On ten entertainment stages, eleven European bands and twelve musical and dance groups from Wisconsin will perform, among them the Alpentrio Tirol, the Barden-Band, Die Scaefer, Lydia Huber and even Japanese yodeler Takeo Ischi, who in 2000 enthralled festival-goers with his unorthodox yodeling skills.

Festival organizers will also raffle off a grand prize 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, as well as continental airline tickets from Midwest Airlines and a selection of wine from a local German wine distributor.

About German Milwaukee

Milwaukee is certainly a befitting location for the largest German Fest in the country. The first wave of German immigration to the city came on the heels of the failed Revolution of 1848-49, which brought thousands of liberal, intellectual '48ers' to the newly created state of Wisconsin.
German immigrants contributed much to Wisconsin’s political, social and agricultural development. In 1852, the state legislature even established a 'Commission of Immigration' to recruit more German settlers. Letters to the old country in praise of Wisconsin’s fertile land and business opportunities fed the flames, so that by the turn of the century one-third of Milwaukee’s population was German.

Newspapers such as 'Germania Abendpost,' and 'Der Herold' enjoyed widespread readership, German-speaking schools, banks, churches, and businesses were commonplace, and the city's beer gardens, social organizations, and fine arts scene earned Milwaukee the nickname 'German Athens.'

The immigrant architect Henry H. Koch designed the city’s famed Turner Hall, a name which referred not to a man named Turner, but the many gymnasts who practiced there. The building was dedicated in 1883, complete with murals of German landscapes and a massive bust of gymnastics pioneer Turnvater Jahn.

Although German culture for most part left public life during World War I, the city of Milwaukee has been rediscovering its German flavor over the last few decades. Turner Hall continues to offer gymnastics for children and serves arguably the best fish fry in town. A Schiller-Goethe monument in Washington Park, German epitaphs on local gravestones, and restaurants like Karl Ratsch's and Mader's with its Hummel collection recall Milwaukee's rich German legacy.

Links:

Germanfest Milwaukee

German still most common ancestry among Americans (from Germany Info)"

What is this?

This doesn't look good. That cow is attacking this young woman at the State Fair. Or is it? You can only find the whole story one place in all the world. The Stimmung Stunde State Fair photo gallery.

You can go to the gallery immediately to join the fun! And see you at the Wisconsin State Fair!

Press Release

The United German Societies’ 2005 Oktoberfest
A bit of Bavaria in your own backyard for three great weekends in September.
Glendale, WI, August 1, 2005: The UNITED GERMAN SOCIETIES, a non-profit cultural association dedicated to the preservation of the traditions, dress, music, dance, athletics and language of old Bavaria, celebrates another year with the area’s largest and most authentic Bavarian Oktoberfest on September 9-11, 16-18, 23-25.

The fest will take place in Heidelberg Park at the Bavarian Inn, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI, and kicks off the event on Friday, September 9th, with the River City Blaskapella at 6:30 pm. Other outstanding bands which will play during the fest are the Freistadt Alte Kameraden, Johnny Hoffmann, Austrian Express, and the Julida Boys. Entertainment continues with the club’s very own Schuhplattlers “D’Oberlandler” and “D’Lustig’n Wendlstoana” doing traditional folk dancing.

The ceremonial Keg Tapping by the Mayor of Glendale will take place in the Bavarian Fest Garten on Saturday, September 10th, at 8 pm.

On the first Sunday the “Muenchener Kindl” (Oktoberfest Queen) is chosen. The first Sunday is also free to all Seniors 60 years and older in honor of Grandparent’s Day.
The second Sunday will feature the German Shepherd Club demonstrating dog skills and giving away free coloring books to kids.

The third weekend will host the NASCAR #99 driven by Carl Edwards and a simulator for everyone to try the experience. The car can even be started up so you can hear the roar of the engine. In addition, Sunday Packer games will be shown on large screen TV. So there is something for everyone at Oktoberfest!

Tasty German-style food will be served including charbroiled chicken and Spanferkel (spit-roasted pig), Bratwurst, Rollbraten and Strudel on Saturdays and Sundays. A special menu and fish boil will be offered on Fridays. A variety of the season’s best beer import and domestic - will be available to complete the celebration.

Tickets at the gate are $4 on Friday and Saturday and $3 on Sunday. Advance tickets are just $3. Call (414)462-9147 or visit the Bavarian Inn, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, (414)964-0300 to get your tickets early.

Fest hours: Fridays 5 pm. to Midnight, Saturdays 4 pm. to Midnight, Sundays 1 pm. to
7 pm.

Complete Oktoberfest information available at bavarianinnmilw.com.

Bavarian Inn Oktoberfest 2005

The United German Societies of Milwaukee, Bavarian Inn & Heidelberg Park would like to welcome you to the Area's Oldest and Most Authentic Bavarian

Oktoberfest

JOIN US FOR OUR 2005 CELEBRATION!!!!

Running the three weekends after Labor Day, Friday, Saturday and Sundays of each weekend

Sept. 9, 10 & 11, 16, 17 & 18, 23, 24 & 25

Fridays - 5:00PM 'til Midnight • Saturdays - 4:00PM ‘til Midnight • Sundays - 1:00PM ‘til 7:00PM

Tickets

Friday and Saturday - $4 ea. and Sunday $3 ea.

Advance Tickets are just $3.00 - Call 414-462-9147 or visit The Bavarian Inn 414-364-0300 to get your tickets early

A special menu for Friday including a Fish Boil!

Watch Our German Cooks on Saturday and Sunday
Roasting Delicious Chickens, Scrumptious Spanferkel, Our “Wunderbare” Bratwurst and Tasty Rollbraten
Have a Sweet Tooth? Try our Homemade Cakes!

For Your Dancing and Listening Pleasure:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
5:00 PM. Gates open and food served
6:30 PM. River City Blaskapella
12 Midnight Park Closes

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
4:00 PM. Gates open and food served
4:00PM. Alte Kameraden
Wendlstoana Dancers - performing all evening 8:00 PM, The ceremonial Keg Tapping by the Mayor of Glendale will take place in the Bavarian Fest Garten 8:30 PM. Johnny Hoffmann
12 Midnight Park Closes

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Grandparents Day - Seniors 60+ FREE! The "Muenchener Kindl" (Oktoberfest Queen) is chosen 1:00 PM. Gates open and food served
2:00 PM. Austrian Express
D’Oberlandler Dancers - performing all afternoon
7:00 PM. Park Closes

Enjoy the PACKER game at Oktoberfest on large screen TV!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 $4.00
5:00 PM. Gates open and food served
6:30 PM. Johnny Hoffmann
12 Midnight Park Closes

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
4:00 PM. Gates open and food served
4:00PM. Alte Kameraden
D’Oberlandler Dancers - performing all evening
8:30 PM. Johnny Hoffmann
12 Midnight Park Closes

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
1: 00 PM. Gates open and food served
2:00 PM. River City Blaskapella
2:30- 3:30 German Shepherd Club
Demonstration with FREE coloring books to kids
Wendlstoana Dancers - performing all afternoon
7:00 PM. Park Closes

Enjoy the PACKER game at Oktoberfest on large screen TV!

The third weekend will host the NASCAR #99 driven by Carl Edwards and a simulator for everyone to try the experience. The car can even be started up so you can hear the roar of the engine.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
5:00 PM. Gates open and food served
6:30 PM. Austrian Express
12 Midnight Park Closes

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
4:00 PM. Gates open and food served
4:00PM. Alte Kameraden
Wendlstoana Dancers - performing all evening
8:30 PM. Julida Boys
12 Midnight Park Closes

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
1: 00 PM. Gates open and food served
2:00 PM. Austrian Express
D’Oberlandler Dancers - performing all afternoon
7:00 PM. Park Closes

Enjoy the PACKER game at Oktoberfest on large screen TV!

ADVANCED TICKETS AVAILABLE!!

For more information please email bavarianinn@aol.com or

call (414) 964-0300

ACCOMMODATIONS
Overnight accommodations within one mile of our Park include:
Woodfield Suites 5423 N. Port Washington Rd. (414) 962-6767 www.woodfieldsuites.com		Exel Inn/Milwaukee NE 5485 N. Port Washington Rd. (414) 961-7272 www.exelinns.com		Baymont Inn 5110 N. Port Washington Rd. (414) 964-8484 www.baymontinns.com
		Hilton Milwwaukee River 4700 N. Port Washington Rd. (414) 962-6040 www.milwaukeeriver.hilton.com
Advance reservations are suggested . Thank you for your interest.
MORE ABOUT OKTOBERFEST
UNITED GERMAN SOCIETIES is a non-profit cultural association dedicated to the preservation of the traditions, dress, music and dance of Old Bavaria. The Societies own and operate a beautiful complex on the northern edge of Milwaukee which includes the BAVARIAN INN, OLD HEIDELBERG PARK, world class SOCCER FIELD and large parking area.
We celebrate the oldest and most authentic BAVARIAN OKTOBERFEST in the Mid-West - every September on the three weekends following Labor Day. Continuous entertainment from 4pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday includes "old-time" German brass bands, "Schuhplattler" folk dancing, singing, yodeling,…plus sing - along and dancing for everyone. On the first Sunday, the "Muenchner Kindl" (Oktoberfest Queen) is chosen. Candidates for this title are unmarried young women representing the various societies.
Tasty German style food is available in the Park. Plate dinners of charbroiled chicken, bratwurst or "spanferkel" (young pig spit-roasted over an open pit) include potato salad, "rollbraten" (sliced roast pork on a Kaiser roll), and hot dogs. Desserts include fruit strudel, tortes and assorted homemade cakes. There's plenty of Milwaukee's favorite beverage on tap - imported and domestic - as well as wine coolers, soft drinks and coffee.
The main festivities take place in our "BAVARIAN FEST GARTEN" - an Alpine style pavilion equipped with weather curtains on the open sides. Picnic tables and benches seat up to 2000 under one roof in the FEST GARTEN with more tables out under the trees in the Park. We do not reserve tables in the FEST GARTEN; seating is on a "first come" basis.
WILLKOMMEN und EIN PROSIT!

OT-NEWS 05.08.2005

Hallo Musikfreunde,

hier wieder einige Neuigkeiten von Oliver Thomas:



Achtung!! Kurzfristiger Termin für morgen!!!

Am morgigen Samstag, den 6. August springt Oliver kurzfristig bei einer Veranstaltung ein: Bietigheim bei Rastatt / Beginn 20 Uhr / mit Heinz Siebeneicher, Fr. Wäber, Feldberger und weitere... na dann nichts wie hin!!!



Neues Homepage-Design

Seit Juli erstrahlt die Homepage in neuem Glanz: Mit neuem, gelifteten Gesicht gibt es weiterhin brand aktuell alle Termine, TV-Termine, News, Hörbeispiele, ein Gästebuch und neue Fotos unter www.oliver-thomas.de.



Oliver in Zeitschriften

In der aktuellen Ausgabe der Zeitschrift „Meine Melodie“ (Nr. 8, Aug.) ist einiges über Olivers Freizeitgestaltung zu lesen. Demnächst wird es in Verbindung mit “Meine Melodie” auch eine Telefonaktion geben. Die Nummer für diese Aktion wird auf der Homepage bzw. in der Zeitschrift noch bekannt gegeben. In folgenden Zeitschriften wurde ebenfalls über Oliver berichtet: „Das goldene Blatt“ Nr. 27 (nachbestellen) / „Neue Welt“ Nr.27 (nachbestellen)!



OPEN AIR in Alpirsbach am 20.08.2005

Wer noch Karten für das OPEN AIR möchte, sollte schnell bestellen. Das Open Air (Fanclubtreffen am Nachmittag) wird ein super Musikereignis vor toller Klosterkulisse. Mit dabei: Die Schäfer, Maria Da Vinci, Bettina und Patricia sowie die Albtalstreuner. Die Moderation übernimmt der SWR4-Moderator Edi Graf.

Karten können hier online bestellt werden: www.ksk-fds.de/shop oder unter folgender Nummer: 07444 19433 (Kurverwaltung Alpirsbach).



Autogrammstunden-Tour

In vier Städten gab Oliver jeweils eine Autogrammstunde der besonderen Art. Hunderte von Menschen ströhmten zu den Autogrammstunden, warteten teilweise schon zwei Stunden vor Beginn an der Bühne, um dann die neue CD “Ich will” und natürlich ein heiß begehrtes Autogramm zu ergattern. Bevor der Sturm auf die Autogrammkarten begann, präsentierte Oliver natürlich seine schönsten Songs aus seinem Album während seiner Auftritte in den Veraufshallen und Centern. So eine beeindruckende Stimmung haben die Menschen wohl kaum, wenn sie zum einkaufen gehen. Als absolute Lieblingslieder wurden “Ich will” und “Zauberland” fleißig mitgesungen. Auch der Veranstalter der Autogrammstunden zeigte sich sehr begeistert und war überrascht über den großen Zustrom.



Aktueller Titel immer noch in den Airplay-Charts

Seit der Veröffentlichung des aktuellen Titels “Ich will” (schon vor Erscheinen des Albums) mischt der Titel an der Spitze der Airplay-Charts kräftig mit und befindet sich immer noch unter den ersten 10 Plätzen. Somit gehört der Titel zu den meistgespielten deutschsprachigen Titeln im Radio! Schon mit zwei Titeln seines letzten Albums schaffte es Oliver Thomas, jeweils über 8 Wochen auf Platz 1 zu bleiben!



Tolle Erfolge in den Radio-Hitparaden

Mit den Titeln “Ich will” und “Zauberland” konnte Oliver schon erste und zweite Plätze in den Radio-Hitparaden erlangen. Am 11.08.2005 ist es wieder soweit. Oliver geht in der “Volkstümlichen Hitparade” (Aufzeichnung von Schönaich) von SWR4 an den Start. Alle Infos wie Telefonnummer und Startnummer unter www.swr.de!



TV-Termine

02.09.2005 MDR 20:15 Uhr „Tag der Sachsen“

09.09.2005 MDR 20:15 Uhr „Achims Hitparade“

29.10.2005 ZDF 20:15 Uhr „Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel“

24.12.2005 ARD/ORF 20:15 Uhr „Weihnachten auf Gut Aiderbichl“

weitere TV-Termine in Planung!



ACHTUNG WICHTIG!!! +++ ACHTUNG WICHTIG!!!

Wollen Sie weiterhin aktuelle Neuigkeiten von Oliver Thomas? Dann sollten Sie sich bei unserem Newsletter anmelden. Durch eine Umstellung unseres News-Systems ist eine Neuanmeldung notwendig (auch für diejenigen, die sich schon einmal über news@oliver-thomas.de angemeldet haben)!!! Außerdem nehmen alle, die sich neu bzw. wiederholt anmelden demnächst an einem tollen Gewinnspiel teil. Ihre Daten werden selbstverständlich vertraulich gespeichert.

mkeonline.com: slideshow: German Fest
German Fest photos on MKE online.

JS Online: The Brew's allure keeps director out of Chicago: "SPINNING THE DIAL: 'Continental Showcase' airs live from German Fest from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday on WJYI-AM (1340). Host Robert Deglau says it's the 25th year for such broadcasts of the German music show, which marked its 50th birthday on June 15. . . . "

Elmar Kretschmann
Portrait of a Driver at German Fest

Hello, Milwaukee.

This is Elmar Kretschmann, past director of German Fest and ex-president of the Milwaukee Donauschwaben. This year, being the 25th Anniversary of German Fest, I wanted to be part of it and learned they needed drivers. It is no secret that I like to drive and am very familiar with the Chicago airport. I just came back through that very airport three weeks ago. I volunteered to pick up all the stars of the German Fest Showcase.

I had met the Schaefers in the Westerwald on my recently completed trip. In addition, my lovely wife, Marta, had interviewed Uwe of the Schaefers and Georg of Alpentrio Tirol for my son's fantastic radio program. (It's Milwaukee's best, in case you wanted to know.)

On Wednesday, we picked up the Zolling group and Chickeria at the Chicago airport. (You can see my photos of these trips on the gallery Tim and Marty helped me put up on the website.) On Thursday, we picked up Lydia Huber, the Barden Band, Alpentrio Tirol, Captain Cook band and Gunther Behrle. When the Schaefers saw me, the greeting was very warm. (Bianca and Carla even gave me a kiss. Tim, eat your heart out!) At this time, we found out that not all the German Superstars had a smooth trip to the United States.

Apparently, Takeo Ischi could not board the airplane in Frankfurt so he would be arriving the next day (Friday). This meant his 3:00 p.m. performance would need to be delayed. No one wanted to see me yodel. And I don't even look Japanese.

So on Friday, I made another trip to Chicago O'Hare. There I was greeted by Takeo and his lovely wife, Henrietta. I was treated to a wonderful two hour drive with this charming couple. There is no one I would more have enjoyed to be in Chicago traffic with more. Takeo had not slept for twenty-four hours when he stormed the stage at German Fest. He put on a fantastic program--no one would have suspected he had any jet lag by that performance! And--he got a standing ovation.

Throughout the festival, these performers were warm and appreciative of the hospitality of German Fest and their volunteers. (German Fest has over 3,000 volunteers!) The performers kept thanking us for everything. I've never had so many thank you's at any German Fest in the past. In the past, I was the one saying "Thank you!" to my volunteers--it was nice to receive the "Thank you!" for my work.

On Sunday night, at the end of the festival after the fireworks, it was my pleasure to drive Uwe & Bianca from Schaefers, Georg, Mario and Christoph of Alpentrio Tirol, and Gunther Behrle serenaded me back to the hotel. That was the first time I was serenaded by so many talented singers--professional singers. When I sing with my friends, we sound a little different. I'm not sure I understand why. They get paid to sing--people pay me not to sing.

I would like to congratulate German Fest on a successful festival and so much fun!

My master plan doesn't work but still lots of fun!

We had a great time with all the folks involved with the German Fest Showcase. You can see all the pictures from the weekend in our gallery.

Bianca App of the Schaefers took time back stage to pose with me for this photo. I'm wearing my NEW Stimmung Stunde shirt but I was already a mess. It was so hot but Bianca can't help it--she's always hot. Seriously, all the entertainers were so down to earth and accommodating. Expect lots of great things on the air and on the website popping up the next few weeks. We're not done yet!!!

Well, the master plan may not have worked this time. Now, I need a master plan to get them back to the United States!