The Central Oklahoma Chapter of AHSGR along with the North Texas Germans from Russia, was the host of the 54th AHSGR Convention in Oklahoma City August 7-9. Preparations for the event began over a year ago and planning meetings were held every other Monday – all this planning resulted in a convention of which we are proud.
Among the almost 30 presenters was our own Dr. Phil Bryant speaking on Native American history and German-Russian settlers in Oklahoma. Doug Schoenhals presented the Shattuck Windmill Museum and Park; David Jahn, a member of our chapter, spoke on a panel exploring our shared heritage; Dr. Phil Goldfarb, President of the Tulsa Genealogical Society, spoke on traveling in steerage and passports; Dr. Eric Schmaltz of Northwestern Oklahoma State University presented German-Russian settlements in Oklahoma and Texas; Kay Pimple of the North Texas chapter demonstrated making the “Froebel Star;” Earl Schoenhals of the Shattuck Chapter demonstrated the Volga German dialect as he told the “Red Riding Hood“ story. The delicious cherry kuchen served was provided by the German-Russian family-owned Twisted Tree Baking Company of Edmond.
Special thanks to the planning committee for all its hard work; it must be mentioned that Karlene Grosz made 260 bierocks, and Marsha Sauer made 410 schnetke, a Mennonite pastry, for Welcome Night. Thank you, ladies!