THE DEVELOPMENT
In 1930, a German Club called ''Frohsinn'' was established in Kingsville. The Club was true in keeping together the old German customs and traditions. Presidents of the Club were: J. Moser, T. Mayer, and P. Kungel.
When the war started in September 1939, the Club was dropped. After the war, the Club was re-established in Leamington, but it took years for fellow Germans to become economically established. Activities such as soccer were started for the youth.
In 1955 a new club was established at a meeting. Much thought was given as to what to name their new club. Mr. T. Frank, Sr. mentioned ''The Rhine", and Mr. P. Kungel brought up "The Danube'' .A compromise was made, naming their new club ''The Rhine- Danube Club". Elections were held, and Peter Kungel was chosen as the first president of the club. The Orchid Hall was frequently rented for dances-always a huge success. They then formed a large membership drive which turned out to be a huge success. In 1956 Mrs. von Zittwitz was chosen as Club president. They continued the rental of the Orchid Hall for their dances and entertainment.
Later on in 1956, a building was bought at 75 John Street. A weekend German School was started to which Mrs. von Zittwitz contributed a lot of time.
In 1957, the Club became its own chartered Club - signed by the President, F. Tober. The Board of Directors were. T. Daeschle, A. Frank, T. Frank Jr., E. Freiter, A. Gossmann, J. Herhalt, F. Petershofer, G. Pimiskern Sr., and M. Pichler.
"Rhine-Danube Club for the following objects, that is to say: at number 75 John Street, in the said Town of Leamington and not elsewhere to establish, maintain and conduct a club for the accommodation, recreation and convenience of the members of the corporation and others: To encourage the development of good Canadian citizenship among residents of the Province of Ontario who are of German ethnic origin".
In 1958, W. Pimiskern was elected as president. In 1959, P. Kungel was elected president. It was in that year that all efforts were made to acquire our own hall. In 1960, The Agriculture Building from the Leamington Fair Board was for sale. Asking price was $15,000, with a down payment of $5,000. The Club only had $2,275 on hand. At the next membership meeting, a few men co-signed for the remainder of the money. They were M. Bielz, A. Dietrich, A. Dust, E. Feldhan, E. Freiter, N. Geiser, J. Grundner, F. Krohn, A. Pimiskern, F. Pimiskern, G. Pimiskern, A. Stein, and A. Walker. Members sold shares to fellow members to raise more money. A few thousand dollars more were collected but it was not enough. In December of 1960 a loan of $18,000 was taken out from the Bank of Montreal in Leamington. Co-signing this loan were E. Feldhan, A. Fischer, P. Fiss, K. Foerster, E. Freiter, T. Hansen, J. Herhalt, T. Jakob, P. Kah, F. Krohn, A. Mayer, J. Mayer, F. Petershofer, M. Pichler, A. Pimiskern. F. Pimiskern, G. Pimiskern Sr., G. Pimiskern, W. Pimiskern, E. Sarfeld, F. Tober, S. Torau, H. Walter, H. Zuschlag.
The official opening for the hall was a banquet on April 29, 1961. Most of the work was done voluntarily and we salute these people who gave so much.
Mrs, T. Freund took over as the Club's Cook in 1961, and gave it a very good reputation. She still holds this title today.
The ladies of the Rhine-Danube Club established as an under-group in 1961. Today, what would our Club be without our Ladies Group? They are a foundation to our Club, and we are very proud of them.
In 1963 the Board made the decision to build an addition. It was brought to the membership meeting with a vote of 18 for and 17 against. A banquet room, bar, and kitchen were built. On November 28, 1963 the Club took out a loan of $30,000 from the bank for the addition. Co-signing this loan were: K. Beyer, M. Bieltz, W. Binder, J. Freund, J. Glaser, J. Grundner, J. Kohl, F. Krohn, P. Kungel, J. Mayer, G. Mesz, M. Mulhaupt, F. Petershofer, G. Pimiskern, W. Pimiskern, E. Sarfeld P. Schonherr, J. Tell, M. Thoman, and F. Tober.
In 1965 the Club celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a Banquet which honoured guests attending. The president at this time was E. Sarfeld.
The next goal was to get a mortgage-free hall, with most work being done voluntarily. The Club supported its sport groups and under-groups. It also sponsored sports groups. German musical groups and traditional costumed dance groups visited us from Germany and Austria.
On May 19, 1973 we reached our goal of attaining a mortgage-free Club. It had taken us 13 years of hard work, commented president J. Loechel.
In 1975 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of our Club with a banquet. Honoured members received certificates for their work and dedication to the Club. President P. Schonherr commented, "How nice it is to have a nice Club, but we need continuous dedication to ensure a future for the Club. Where there is a will there is a way."
It took 25 years of hard work and dedication of our German forefathers to establish a good reputation, in the public eye, of our community. German-Canadians, it is your duty to carry on our German heritage and to give it to your childrem. If we can do this, then we can say our forefathers did not sacrifice for nothing - our German heritage still lives on.
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