Live from the studio - 10/29/05

Generally my posts on the Blog lately have been news articles I've found about pageants, German events and roller coaster news. I thought what I might do from time to time is release a blog posting live from the studio during my broadcasts from time to time.

Today, I was able to play a song for my birthday and I was pleased about that and got to play a lot of music from some of the great German artists that we've interviewed on the program. It's remarkable how much stuff I can get done in the studio when we're not hosting a guest.

I'd much rather have a guest in here, but today I was able to start setting up for our Christmas music that will begin the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Those are my favorite shows of the year and I'm excited to be able to bring the traditional songs to our listeners again this year. On top of that Nikki (Groppi) Swickert is returning to sing Stille Nacht live for us! Feller & Feller will be interviewed the very DAY that they release their new Christmas CD and our Miss Wisconsin Tracy Gest will come into the studio to play her piano live (which is going to be a logistical challenge).

Time to get excited for Christmas!

As for Halloween, this weekend I'm getting ready for a party I'm throwing tonight and Tick and Treating tomorrow. I hope there are lots of neighbors giving out Three Musketeer bars...okay, I'm kidding. Actually, during Trick and Treating, my father will be sitting out in front of the porch making sure that no one disturbs my mother and I as we record another great interview with a German star (won't tell you who yet; but he's competed in the Grand Prix numerous times) in the front studio.

The podcast also continues to grow. It's so exciting to see how this show continues to grow. Our mention in Milwaukee Magazine is already growning even more interest in the program--so our plan to move more mainstream to introduce a new audience to the beautiful schlager and volksmusik Germany produces each year is really starting to payoff!

Speaking of which, if you'd like to advertise before we find out how much we've grown this past quarter and have to hike rates, e-mail me at tim@stimmungstunde.com. I'd like to get you involved while our rates are at this affordable level.

I just checked my uploading of this week's program and it looks like I still have a half-hour to go--Yikes! Now that's scary!

For those of you that don't know, we post each week's program on the site so no matter where you are in the country, you can listen to the program. All you need is Internet access. Look for the "jumping radio" icon in the left hand column on the main page and look for the link to listen to the entire show.

If you check out Continental Showcase's website using Internet Explorer (doesn't work with Firefox yet) live during the show, you can find his broadcast and many of the WJYI programs streaming. Sometimes he even gets it to be in complete stereo on top of it, which is magical as far as I'm concerned.

Today during the Feiter program, I had a zither song that had such beautiful stereo separation I was literally upset my listeners couldn't enjoy it like I do in the studio. I was having a blast, though. And since this is still my birthday week, that's what matters.

OK, my file is just about loaded so I'm going to sign off. Hope you like this little post. If you do, let me know in the forum or shot me an e-mail. Maybe I'll do it a little more often. I just hope whatever is slowing down the transfers lately in the system gets fixed so these posts won't be as long in the future.

I'm sure you hope for that, too.

Tim

Essen Haus in the Dells

Finally, we did get a shot of me with the manager before we had to go. They have a wonderful bar.

You can see ALL our photos if you go to our Webshots gallery or pick the photo gallery from our main page.

It was great food and a wonderful atmosphere featuring live entertainment. I greatly encourage anyone going through the Dells or Madison to stop by soon! 

Essen Haus in the Dells

I had the Schnitzel, naturally, and was quite surprised. It was breaded a little more like the European breading overseas and it made a big difference.

Of course, I loved the Schnitzel, too.

I should also mention all those plates were actual portions we just ordered off the menu. They were huge. Best to check your hotel's fridge capacity because you are likely to take some home with you--if you can resist just eating it all. I couldn't, but I have no will power. We know this. 

Essen Haus in the Dells

Marta, our German music expert and interviewing superstar, opted for the Kase Spaetzle. "You don't see this on the menu much here. I love it!"

We did, too. Kept her mouth busy. 

Essen Haus in the Dells

My father had what he terms the best "Schweine Haxen" he has ever had in the United States. Looks hungry, doesn't he? Not Hungarian--hungry. 

Essen Haus in the Dells

We came into the restaurant and you can see there was some live entertainment going as we came in. (All those cobwebs were part of their Halloween theming. The place was spotless--and HUGE!) 

Essen Haus in the Dells

My family and I (Mom took this picture) went to the Wisconsin Dells this past week or so and visited the Essen Haus.

It's located in the Downtown Dells district right off this scenic square. 

ThrillNetwork.com :: Mt. Olympus to build indoor amusement park

ThrillNetwork.com :: Mt. Olympus to build indoor amusement park: "
News: Mt. Olympus to build indoor amusement park





Posted at 1:24 AM EDT (0524 GMT)

Oct. 27th, 2005 -- Mt. Olympus Theme Park has announced that they will build a year-round indoor amusement park that will open in 2006. The park will be added on to the current indoor waterpark and include a spinning coaster.

Admission to the indoor amusement park will be included with the outdoor rides when that portion of the park is open. The indoor park, approprietly named 'The Parthenon', will be home to Opa, a brand-new spinning roller coaster. The 43,000 square-foot theme park was approved by local government on Tuesday and construction between Mt. Olympus and Treaure Island indoor waterpark has begun.

For more information, see: Wiscnews.com"

ZDFmediathek--Heino Farewell Tour

ZDFmediathek: "Heino zu Gast im ZDF mittagsmagazin

14.10.2005mittagsmagazin
Video
Heino zu Gast im 'mittagsmagazin'
Mit seiner letzten Tournee durch 25 Städte in Deutschland unter dem Motto 'Das Beste zum Jubiläum' will sich Heino im Herbst von seinen Fans verabschieden."

America's Next Muppet

Disney has finally officially noted that it will have "America's Next Muppet" sometime next year.

I think Pepe is a shoo-in, okay? 

Miss America Pageant Has Date but No Place

Thu Oct 20, 5:35 PM ET

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

Miss America's got a when — but no where. The famous beauty pageant, which is taking its show on the road after 84 years in Atlantic City, will air Jan. 21 on cable channel Country Music Television, pageant CEO Art McMaster said Thursday.

But no final decision has been made on the site, with three cities still in the running. McMaster wouldn't identify them.

He said CMT executives were still evaluating telecast production issues — arena, lights, staging — before deciding which city should host the pageant.

Twenty cities had expressed interest in hosting the pageant, according to McMaster, who would not say when an announcement will be made about the site.

The pageant, a ratings loser in recent years, was dropped by ABC last year, leaving Miss America without a network TV contract for the first time since 1954.

In August, McMaster announced plans to stop staging the event at the city's Boardwalk Hall because of high production costs, saying pageant officials would seek a new home where the host city or entity would pay for the right to hold the annual extravaganza.

Lisa Chader, a spokeswoman for Nashville, Tenn.-based CMT, did not return telephone calls Thursday.

___
source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051020/ap_en_tv/miss_america_2

Tracy Gest appearance below (look for bold)

Area ethanol fuel station celebrates grand opening

by Jacob Phillips, of the Advance Titan

Issue: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Added: 10/19/2005 12:30:43 PM

An Oshkosh native fills up his vehicle at the Renew E85 fuel station located at highways 41 and 76 during the grand opening on Thursday. (by Chris Hopf, of the Advance Titan)

Traffic was backed up out of the parking lot and along Highway 76 in Oshkosh Thursday as cars lined up for fuel costing $.85 per gallon at the grand opening of the Renew E85 fuel station.

The opening marks the second Utica Energy fueling station opened in Wisconsin, joining the Auroraville location, which opened in May. The new location is near the intersection of highways 41 and 76.

“We’re thrilled to build on the success of our original E85 station in Auroraville and to provide Oshkosh and surrounding communities with affordable fuel that strengthens the economy,” Alternative Fields Director for Utica Energy Phil Younger said.

During the grand opening, customers could fill up for $.85 per gallon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the promotion for the new station. The price then rose to $2.29 per gallon, still 40 cents cheaper per gallon than the gas station across the street.

Younger said he plans for the same type of success in Oshkosh as they have at the other location.

“Since May, we have had over 36,000 transactions and sell roughly 1,500 gallons of E85 fuel per day,” Younger said.

Other events took place at the grand opening, including an appearance by Miss Wisconsin winner Tracy Gest. Other speakers who came to endorse the new fueling station included State Administrator Maria Redmond and Bob Oleson of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association.

E85 fuel is made from a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 also contains a high oxygen content, which makes for a cleaner, more environmentally friendly burn than regular gasoline.

Corn is the main ingredient for the fuel. Younger said the majority of the corn used is locally grown from Winnebago, Waushara, and Portage counties.

Utica Energy President Paul Olsen said in a press release that the new fuel station will require Wisconsin farmers to grow an extra 10 acres of corn per day.

“This is truly a win-win. The local farmers can have a greater demand for their crops, and the average citizen can save a significant amount of money on fuel costs,” Olsen said.

The new fueling station caused some confusion for customers who were curious whether or not they had a flexible-fuel vehicle and could use the E85 fuel. Pamphlets were distributed and are still available at the station, citing which makes and models are flexible-fuel vehicles.

The Utica Energy Plant, located just west of Oshkosh, is capable of producing 54 million gallons of fuel per year. Younger said that one bushel of corn can produce 2.8 gallons of E85 fuel.

According to Younger, Utica Energy will continue to expand, putting five more fueling stations in the ground this year. Younger said that the company already has approval in Howard, Waupon and Cedar Rapids.

Bergstrom Automotive was also present at the grand opening, showing new cars that can use E85 and providing information to customers curious about the alternative fuel source.

Sales manager Chris Twohig said that while most newer cars being built will be flexible-fuel vehicles, you may be out of luck if your vehicle isn’t compatible.

“If you do have an older vehicle, you can’t switch to flex-fuel,” Twohig said. “It just wouldn’t be cost-effective.”

Twohig agreed with Younger, noting how the fuel is environmentally conscious and has very low emission rates.

People who are able to use the alternative fuel seemed satisfied for the most part. Red Granite native Dan Mulvey said he stopped specifically because he saw the sign from the highway.

“I almost always use E85 now,” Mulvey said. “It’s much cheaper and I hardly notice any difference in the way it runs.”

Those interested in finding out more about E85 fuel and if their car is compatible with it can go to www.uticaenergy.com.

Bizarre Facts on Monster Movies

Boris Karloff, who starred as Frankenstein, had to wear 22-pound size 24 boots. He also donned two pairs of pants with steel struts shoved in them, and a double-thickness quilted suit.  

Karloff's facial makeup was one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and the bolts on the side of his neck left long-term scars.  

Bette Davis wanted the part of Mrs. Frankenstein, but was turned down because she was "too aggressive."  

Among the lighting tricks in the classic film Dracula: Twin pencil-spotlights were shined in Bela Lugosi's eyes to give Count Dracula his legendary hypnotic stare.  
 
The Castle Dracula and Carfax Abbey sets were so expensive to build that Universal Pictures kept and reused them. You can spot them in numerous Universal films of the '30s.  

In Boris Karloff's second big monster flick The Mummy, he had to be wrapped every day in linen and gauze, and was covered with mud.  

Lou Chaney, Jr.'s werewolf makeup in The Wolf Man took five hours to apply every day.  

The werewolf costume was actually made of yak hair. 

...from Bizarre News

Tracy Gest photos up

Photographs from Tracy's last appearance on the radio show are up in our Webshots directory.

You can visit the gallery at this link.

She was lovely, as usual, and even took the helm for a while.

And then, there was a crowning moment.

Yeah, yeah. Grown if you like. It was so cool! 

Miss German-American Societies 2006

Miss Molly Zielke (21) of Brown Deer, WI was selected as the German-American Societies Princess at the German-American Day celebration held at the Bavarian Inn on October 2, 2005. Molly is the daughter of Bruce and Bonnie Zielke of Menomonee Falls, WI.

Molly represented the Danube Cultural Society in the competition and is a founding member and secretary of the DCS. She is also a member of the Pommerscher Tanzdeel of Freistadt, WI and the Apatiner Verein of Milwaukee.

Molly attends the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee majoring in Dance Education and Psychology. Molly's father, Mr. Bruce Zielke, owns several businesses including the Coffee News, a weekly restaurant publication in Southeastern Wisconsin.

We congratulate Molly and her parents on this wonderful achievement. We are certain Molly will represent the German-American community with integrity, elegance and dignity for the coming year. She can be reached at 414-759-6870 to represent the German-American Societies at your events this year.

The First Runner Up is Miss Heidi Weiss representing the Spielmannszug Milwaukee. Miss Weiss attends Marquette University in Milwaukee majoring in Nursing.

The Second Runner Up is Miss Jacqueline Knapp representing D’Lustig’n Wendlstoana. 

Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, on program today!

Be sure to tune in TODAY at 10:00 a.m. (geez, I better get ready!) for Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005.

And watch out for these guys. They're always chasing her around. 

Munich court enforcing EU directive in sausage squabble

Nuernberger, the sausages that is, are known for their thin, long shape.

The term "Nuernberger Bratwuerste" (Nuremberg Bratwurst) can only be used to define products made in the same-name northern Bavarian city, according to a ruling this week by the city court of Munich. The decision comes in a line of similar cases where producers in certain European regions have registered a type of trademark on traditional recipes for regional specialties.

In 1992, the European Commission began accepting registrations for geographic trademarks of food items in order to protect product names from misuse and imitation and to help consumers by giving them standardized information about the products.

Called the EU directive on protective designation of origin, it awards producers of foods from meats and cheeses to chocolate, beer and mineral water named after the location where they are produced the rights to those names.

A Munich restaurant had been using the extended name "Nuernberger Bratwurst Gloeckl am Dom" to market its sausage products and advertise its menu, a violation of the terms of the EU directive, according to the local court.

"The consumer cannot be led to believe that the products in question come from Nuremberg," said Judge Helmut Lieber.

Under the directive Protected Designation of Origin, terms used to describe foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area and in a recognized fashion, Lieber explained, noting that "these rights extend extraordinarily far."

In a another recent EU ruling, all countries except for Greece were barred from using the word "Feta," meaning "slice" in Greek, to market a type of goat's cheese originally produced in the Mediterranean nation.

German trademarks to have been registered in recent years include "Bavarian beer," "Luebeck Marzipan," and "Spreewald pickles."

"Nuernberger," which can also mean "a person from Nuremberg," was added to the controlled EU list in reference to sausage products in 2003. The designation pertains to both butchers and the restaurants that serve the links.

The decision will prove costly for a Munich butcher who had been advertising his form of the thin brown linked sausages as "Nuernberger."

"This says nothing about the quality of the sausages made in Munich and Nuremberg — both are excellent," the judge remarked.

From the Week in Germany newsletter

Great announcing in the blood!

In case you were wondering if other great announcers were in my family, witness this photo from listener Julie Wagner of my father, Elmar Kretschmann, at the Danube Cultural Society Kirchweih last weekend.

He was the auctioneer of the Kirchweih Strauss. Not only did he do a great job announcing, but he looked quite handsome and charming while doing it.

I guess some folks do have things to be frightened of. Halloween is the fright time of year for it! 

Tracy Gest returns to Stimmung Stunde this Saturday!

Remember to tune in this Saturday for Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, on the Stimmung Stunde!!

It will be an outstanding show, as it always is, when she is on the program. 

Six million attend Bavarian beer bash

Attendance was up but beer-drinking was down at this year's Munich Oktoberfest, organizers said after the boisterous and beloved celebration of Bavarian heritage wrapped up on Monday.

The Oktoberfest is one of Germany's best-known and most popular tourist events. dpa photo

Oktoberfest director Gabriele Weishaeupl said some 6.1 million people passed through the sprawling Theresienwiese fairgrounds for the 172nd edition of the two-week festival, up sharply from 5.9 million visitors last year.

Yet consumption of beer was down by about 5% this year, to just six million liters of the German national beverage — approximately enough to fill around six Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Organizers blamed cool weather and new restrictions on the volume of oom-pah brass bands and other musical entertainment before 6pm for the slump. But others suggested that the soaring price of a liter glass — to a record high of 7.25 Eur ($8.65) — might have quelled the thirst of some beer enthusiasts.

Food consumption, though, was up, with miles of sausage links changing hands and the number of cows slaughtered for the occasion rising to 95 from 89 a year ago. "When the music volume is lower people tend to drink a bit less but instead eat more," said Weishaeupl.

Despite the drop in drinking, however, Oktoberfest patrons proved as forgetful as ever, leaving more than 4,000 items behind in beer tents, including a set of dentures, two crutches and one wedding ring.

The Oktoberfest — one of Germany's best-known and most popular tourist events — began back in 1810 as a comparatively humble celebration of the wedding of a Bavarian prince, but it now employs nearly 12,000 people and generates upwards of 1bn Eur for the local economy.

Links:

Oktoberfest merriment begins in Munich (from Germany Info)

back

German-American paper marks birthday, offers free subscription

The Atlantic Times this week saw its first-anniversary issue roll off the presses, marking a major milestone for a monthly paper that has quickly grown to become a leading voice on German-American relations.

The English-language paper, which is edited in Berlin but distributed in the United States, was unveiled to great fanfare last October with the aim of rekindling dialog between Europeans and Americans.

"We launched The Atlantic Times to stop the drifting apart of Europe and America, and especially Germany and America … and to build on common ground while learning to live with our differences," said the paper's executive editor, the renowned journalist Theo Sommer.

Since then, the paper has featured scores of articles by prominent leaders and experienced journalists from both sides of the Atlantic — and has in the process won thousands of new readers in the United States.

It has also unveiled a revamped website, but has all the while stayed true to the same basic mission.

"Our basic message, in print and online, has been, and will be: We are still friends, and we must remain friends," said Sommer. "So let us not confront each other with swollen necks, but let us reason together."

People in the United States and Canada can sign up for a free subscribe to the Atlantic Times by visiting its website, www.atlantic-times.com.

President Bush marks German-American Day

Cincinnati's Fountain Square is the site of a traditional German dance. Photo courtesy Zincinnati Oktoberfest

President George W. Bush Thursday celebrated the manifold contributions of millions of Americans of German descent to American life in a proclamation commemorating German-American Day.

Since Ronald Reagan declared the first German-American Day in 1983, the President of the United States has traditionally used October 6 to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication and innovation of German immigrants and their descendents.

In his proclamation, Bush said:

"German Americans have played an important role in establishing America as a land where liberty is protected for all of its citizens. Each year on German-American Day, we celebrate the contributions the millions of Americans of German descent have made to our great Nation.

"Among the early German immigrants, many saw America as a beacon of religious freedom and an opportunity for an improved standard of living. German immigrants helped pioneer the first American colony at Jamestown. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg served as the first Speaker of the House of Representatives; in this role, he certified the final version of the Bill of Rights.

			On German-American Day, we also honor the important friendship between the United States and Germany. Our nations share beliefs in human rights and dignity, and on this day, I join all Americans in celebrating the bonds that tie our two nations and in reaffirming the importance of our continuing friendship. -- President Bush

"Throughout our country's history, men and women of German descent have worn the uniform of the United States military to defend our country's freedom. Among these were Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II, and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who went on to become one of America's Presidents of German ancestry. Today, German-American troops continue to serve proudly in our Nation's Armed Forces.

"German Americans have enriched many other aspects of American life. Albert Einstein's advancements in the field of physics help define our understanding of the universe. Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss, has captivated the imaginations of children for generations with his timeless classics. Baseball great Lou Gehrig's courage on and off the field continues to inspire the American spirit more than 60 years after his death.

"On German-American Day, we also honor the important friendship between the United States and Germany. Our nations share beliefs in human rights and dignity, and on this day, I join all Americans in celebrating the bonds that tie our two nations and in reaffirming the importance of our continuing friendship."

...from The Week in Germany

Congratulations to Molly Zielke

Congratulations to our new Milwaukee Miss German-American Societies, Molly Zielke! Molly is a member and officer of the Danube Cultural Society and hopes you all join her at the Kirchweih Festival to help celebrate!

Unification anniversary: "A wonderful day"

From "The Week in Germany" newsletter:

Unification anniversary: "A wonderful day"

Germany will this weekend begin celebrating the 15th anniversary of its formal unification at a two-day festival leading up to ceremonies marking the Day of German Unity on Monday, October 3.

Koehler on German reunification: "Many friends and partners helped us, and the whole world shared in our joy." dpa photo

Over 500,000 people are expected to participate in the festivities, which will take place in Potsdam, just outside Berlin. The celebrations will feature a multicultural music program as well as lively presentations from all 16 of Germany's federal states.

For some, though, the highlight will be a planned appearance on Monday by Germany's straight-talking President, Horst Koehler, who in a message to the German people ahead of the event called Unity Day "a wonderful day."

The national holiday recalls the civil courage of East Germans whose mass protests forced the end of communist rule and reminds Germans of what has been achieved in a landscape that once abounded in crumbling infrastructure, Koehler said.

"[East German protestors] wrote one of the most beautiful chapters in Germany's history and bestowed this gift on all of us in Germany," Koehler wrote in a statement.

"Many friends and partners helped us, and the whole world shared in our joy.

"One and a half decades have since passed, and we have achieved much thanks to the drive and solidarity of Germans in East and West.

"Towns in eastern Germany have been saved from ruin and reveal new splendor. There are new roads, railway lines and modern telecommunication networks.

"Internationally acclaimed centers for science and technology have sprung up. Considerable success has been seen with building up the economy.

"But we also know that many problems still remain to be solved.

"We have to steadily continue and deepen the modernization process," Koehler concluded. "I am certain Germany as a whole will ultimately emerge all the stronger."

Separately, Germany's Ambassador to the United States, Wolfgang Ischinger, paid tribute to the vital role that the United States played on the path to German unification.

"We owe a great deal to the United States," Ischinger wrote in a statement.

"Without America's unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy, Europe as a whole and many of its parts, including Germany, would definitely be a different place today.

He added: "Without America's belief in German democracy, German unification might not have taken place in my lifetime."