The 75th anniversary of the Delhi District German Home featured dancing, bowling, face painting and food.
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But for many of the hundreds who attended the day-long event, the milestone was a chance to share memories of a building that has meant so much to them over the years.
“This is a chance for all of us to get together and say ‘Prost’ to the past and the present and to look forward to the future,” Rick Csoff, the German Home’s 34-year-old president said. “It’s quite an accomplishment to still be here and thriving after 75 years especially when a lot of other halls like this haven’t survived this long.
“I think it’s a real testament to the families and to the community that not only has the home survived, we’re actually doing quite well.”
The facility was built by shareholders as a place where newcomers from Germany could gather. Many came to Canada to farm, particularly in the tobacco industry.
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Csoff, like many others who are on the home’s board, has strong connections to the hall. His grandfather – Mike Csoff and his father Joe – also served as president.
Although Csoff is a third generation president, he is not the first to hold that title. His cousin Tom Csoff, who followed in the footsteps of his father Gunther and grandfather Michael Sr., also holds that honor.
“I grew up here,” Rick Csoff said of the facility. “I’d spend all kinds of time here playing with my cousins and having fun.”
The 75th anniversary on Saturday included an afternoon open house featuring an exhibit of memorabilia from the home, bowling, face painting for the kids as well as a performance by the Saxonia Dancers from the German Canadian Club in Aylmer.
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The open house was held in the home’s downstairs lounge while the gala was held upstairs in the main hall. The gala included live music by Twin City Alpine Echo.
“This is how we do a lot of our events now,” Csoff said. “We usually have something that’s family oriented in the afternoon to ensure children can be involved.
“At night, we have something specifically for the adults.”
Csoff said it’s way of ensuring of bringing more people into the home.
Csoff said the home managed to do quite well during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the efforts of the home’s Ladies Society.
The home’s ladies society has a history of doing preparing meals and food that can be purchased by members of the community. During the pandemic, the ladies started doing the cook offs more frequently to help support the club.
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When people were able to begin gathering again, the home opened up a patio which proved to be highly successful. So successful, the patio has continued to operate, Csoff said.
While Csoff spent much of the open house greeting guests and helping out with last minute preparations, Annie Dierick and members of the ladies society were in the kitchen preparing food for the gala including chicken, roast beef, schnitzel and cabbage rolls.
Although Dierick spent much of her afternoon in the kitchen, she did take a break to watch the Saxonia Dancers.
“It brought back a lot of fond memories,” Dierick said. “When I was younger, I danced with that group.
“It sure was nice to see them today.”
Martin Kowanetz also enjoyed the dance performance and the food that was available during the open house.
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Kowanetz is a co-author of Our Second Home – a book capturing the first 50 years of home.
“My contribution is dedicated to my father Lorenz,” Kowanetz said. “He was a founder of the house and was the secretary of the board back in the 1949 and 1950.
“A couple of my brothers Joseph and Lorenz also served on the board.”
Csoff said the club still holds events like Oktoberfest and has big events at Christmas and Easter.
But it also hosts weddings, banquets for sports team and is used regularly by community groups for special occasions.
“Everyone is welcome,” Csoff said.
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