On December 20, 1992 the United German Hungarians hosted the Christmas Party. In attendance was Lisa Fricker. The next day I was born.
This year, 2025 out Club Christmas Party was held on December 21, and it was a great way to spend my Birthday.
People stood around the Erzgebirge hall, dressed up like Christmas, mingling, talking, catching up.
I said to my father “look around this is a great party,” and he replied “everything the German Hungarians do is great.”
Seasonal music played live by Franco and Crabby rounded out the atmosphere. These two friends of the club joined us again this year and we were happy to have them. Merry Christmas boys!
Families are seated together. The tables lately have gotten bigger or have become clustered together for everyone to fit. That’s wonderful. Club-Life begins at the youngest of ages. Before the program began the dozen or so members of the Children’s group played together, ring around the Rosie and other games we all remember.
It sounds like a cliché to say it, but these children are the future of the club and they have already started to learn what being a part of this life means.
We were welcomed by President Malofiy and Nichole Deely who echoed a common idea about our Christmas Party:
“For a lot of us this is when the Christmas begins.”
Dinner was served including a fresh Caesar salad, rolls with butter and a choice of Rouladen or Chicken Marsala. Little folks were happy to have fries and chicken. A desert table with cakes made by some of our women was a nice homemade touch. (Thanks also to the club for providing Oreos for my two little ones).
When the program started I was excited to see a classic done again! The Elves and the Shoe Maker has been performed before by children’s groups of the past. It is a great story and the little ones did it great justice this year with Christopher Deely and Evie Noel playing the shoemaker and his wife.
Between setups Helena Marano recited a poem in German from Elke Bräunling
Kleiner Stern, du strahlst hell
in der dunklen Nacht.
Kleiner Stern, ich hab dich
mit nach Haus gebracht.
Kleiner Stern, du schenkst mir
einen schönen Traum,
strahlst mich an, sternenhell,
von unserm Weihnachtsbaum.—Elke Bräunling
Of course we also continued the tradition of singing the 12 days of Christmas led by Stevie Paul and Christopher. Each table received one of the 12 days and some families even sang their gift in German.
The highlight of the performances is always the traditional nativity scene. Leo Malofiy portrayed the infant Jesus with his parents as Mary and Joseph. Our children came out one by one as the animals, the shepherds, angels, and wise men. I watched as people around the room smiled and commented on the many costumes that maybe they wore when they were a child. Christmas is about being together, about traditions, about cheer, but at the center of that is this story of the nativity, the birth of the savior Jesus Christ. This is the reason for the season and the club Christmas party.
Following the performances Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived and the kids (and some adults) got to see the big man and take their photos.
A great time was had by all at the event and it reminded many of the great traditions of our club. If you were not there in 2025, make sure you plan to attend in 2026.
Michael N. Fricker
