Ohio German American Business Association Christmas Party 2009
German Christmas Party December 14, 2009
Reinecker's Catering and Bakery Center was the festive setting for the 2009 Ohio German American Business Association (GABA) Christmas Party. GABA president David Jakupca welcomed the crowd to an evening of great food, music, camaraderie and traditions.
Radio host Dr. Joe Wendel, David Jakupca and George Brown from Senator Voinovich's office
David Jakupca cut the stollen, the traditional bread-like fruitcake, with a sword as is the custom.
David Jakupca cuts the stollen with a sword
Renate Jakupca told of the famous Dreden Stollen and Festival as David used the sword to cut stollen for the crowd.
David and Renate Jakupca with the stollen
Watch a short video of the stollen ceremony
Throughout the evening, Stan Mejac and his accordion entertained the crowd with Christmas, German and other music.
After a sumptuous German dinner buffet, several well-deserved awards were given out.
Businessman of the Year Edward McGrath
Businesswoman of the Year Magdalena Reinecker
Germania Editor/Publisher Maria Roth was honored with proclamations from Senator George Voinovich, Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
David Jakupca, George Brown from Senator Voinovich's office and Germania Editor/Publisher Maria Roth
Steve Inchak of Congressman Kucinich's office, Maria Roth and David Jakupca
Debbie Hanson representing Cleveland Mayor Jackson, Maria Roth and David Jakupca
Debbie and Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople.Com were awarded the Foreign Media Award by David Jakupca
The festivities continued with a raffle and a gift for the keen-eyed person who first spotted the Christmas Pickle on the tree.
Renate Jakupca gives a gift to the first to spot the Christmas Pickle
Lucky raffle winners
Maria Roth read a poem called Under the Holly Bough by Charles Mackay and then Renate Jakupca read a humorous half-English/half-German Christmas poem.
What Christmas party is complete without a visit from jolly old St. Nick?
Everyone wanted to pose with Santa and Mrs Claus so the group photos (below) were taken from the left, middle and the right.
One of the highlights of the evening was when the crowd sang Stille Nacht (Silent Night, in German)
Before the dancing began and the merriment continued, the crowd wanted to wish you all a Frohe Weihnachten/Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches/gutes Neues Jahr (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year)
