Page 1 - GC-Mar-Apr-2026

A NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GERMAN-AMERICANS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK
AUSTRIA • GERMANY • LIECHTENSTEIN • SWITZERLAND
Vol. 14 No. 2 March - April 2026

Frühlingsfest set to return
A FOUR-ALARM FIRE destroyed Photo by Adam Puchalski
to Hofbrauhaus March 28 the former St. Ann’s four-story
school building at 501 Emslie St.
By Amber Healy “Hofbrauahus draws out people on Buffalo’s East Side on Jan. 16.
et out your lederhosen and that love to get dressed up,” Arnold The building was vacant and no
dirndls, a German spring laughs. “I would expect a lot of that, one was hurt. The former church
Gfestival is making its return some lederhosen coming out. But I was not damaged but damage is
to downtown Buffalo this March. also think that’s just spring and ev- estimated at $600,000 to the
Hofbrauhaus is once again team- erybody in Buffalo wants to go out. school building and an emergency
ing up with Edelweiss Buffalo to We try to provide them that reason demolition was requested. The
host Frühlingsfest from 5:30 - 8:30 to get out and have something to
cause of the fire is under investi-
p.m. on Saturday, March 28. “Früh- do.”
gation. On Feb. 19 Buffalo Mayor
lingsfest is something our verein Frühlingsfest is a family-friend-
Sean Ryan said city taxpayers will
(club) has had for many years. Last ly event, Von Recklinghause says, not have to pay for the demoli-
year we approached Hofbrauhaus making it a welcoming place for
tion. "We've told the owners of
about doing a co-sponsored event,” parents to bring their children, espe-
their responsibility towards this
says Heidi Von Recklinghause, the cially those of German descent who
building," Ryan said. "You have a
president – or Vorständin – of the want to celebrate and participate in
club. “It’s been a great partnership their culture. “We try to make the responsibility to secure your
between Hofbrauhus and us. It event so that it can be enjoyed by building," he said. "We're going Photo by Peter Sloane
brings people in for them and helps the younger set and the older set of to be out of the business of de- expense.” The Muna Center of
us out as well, getting a whole dif- people, within keeping our tradi- molishing or repairing privately Buffalo owns the St. Ann's prop- states that it aims to establish an
ferent crowd of people to our tions that we’ve always done.” owned structures at the taxpayer erty. The organization's website Islamic education center there.
event.” A big part of that is the dancers,
“Frühlingsfest is the spring festi- she says. In Munich and Stuttgart,
val in Germany and they have them where Frühlingsfest stretches for German-American Musicians celebrate
in most cities,” says Ed Arnold, a several weeks in late April to early
co-owner of Hofbrauhaus. “It’s al- May, there are amusement park- tradition and service at 2026 installation
most like Oktoberfest as the fall style rides and other activities on the
festival.” grounds where Oktoberfest hap-
There’s a lot of activity packed pens, dancers play a big role. For
into the three hours of the main Buffalo’s event, Edelweiss will be
event, including performances by joined by clubs from Rochester and
Die Haus Band, the regular musical St. Catharines. Each club will have
accompaniment to events at their own individual dances, but
Hofbrauhaus, and Von Reckling- there will be one large dance at the
hause’s Edelweiss, the full name of end performed by all three vereins.
which is Schuhplattier-Gebirgstra- “The event starts at 5:30 and
chtenverin Edelweifs Buffalo (or runs until 8:30, so there’s going to
Edelweiss Buffalo SG). be open dancing with the house
Arnold anticipates a few special band, and I think two or three times,
items on the menu for Frühlingsfest, depending on how well it all works
in addition to some specialty beers out with the schedule, we will be
that will be tapped for the occasion. performing with our sister vereins
Both Arnold and Von Reckling- some traditional dancing. We’ll take
hause anticipate plenty of guests turns and do our own but we do one
arriving to the festivities in tradi- dance that’s all the same, called the
tional costumes. Gauplattler,” Von Recklinghause
says. he German-American Musi- A highlight of the evening was positive spirit keep the Association
Continued on page 8
cians gathered in January for the presentation of Lifetime Mem- running smoothly and members
Ttheir annual Installation Din- bership to Andy Fisher. The son of connected.
ner, celebrating a successful season Bavarian immigrants, Andy has de- The Golden Boot Award, honor-
while looking ahead to 2026. Sur- voted more than 35 years to the band ing the member who best embodies
rounded by members, friends, and while actively preserving German the spirit of the band, was awarded
family, the Association swore in its traditions through cultural programs to Arnie Rychlicki. Known for his
board members and honored several and his involvement with the Roch- constant smile, enthusiasm, and
individuals whose dedication ester Alphorn Society. His deep re- steadfast positivity (even after a ve-
strengthens both the organization spect for heritage and unwavering hicle breakdown on the way to an
and the broader German-American commitment make him a truly de- out-of-town performance), Arnie’s
community. serving lifetime member. dedication and upbeat attitude uplift
Vern McEvoy, a lifetime mem- The Leroy Schlebus Most Valu- everyone around him.
ber entering his 53rd year with the able Participant Award was present- With the 2026 board in place, the
band, administered the oath of of- ed to Ginny Zeis in recognition of German American Musicians look
fice—his continued involvement her extraordinary behind-the-scenes forward to another year of music,
serving as a meaningful reminder of service. As secretary and an active fellowship, and the proud continua-
the longevity and commitment that member of multiple committees, tion of German-American traditions.
define the organization. Ginny’s organization, initiative, and