Senior's Day

Subject: Senior's Day Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:20 am

Yesterday was Senior’s Day in Göcklingen, Germany held at the Sport Hall. It is an annual event sponsored by the town for all residents over 70 years of age.

My wife and I arrived at 2PM and the room was already full. The Mayor welcomed us when we entered. I asked him how many people were in attendance. He said, "There are 186 people over seventy in Göcklingen and I believe they're all present.” There are 135 children under 14 years of age. Those are not good statistics." (Total residents of Göcklingen are about 1007)
I said, "I’d like to help improve those statistics, but at my age, I don't think you could count on it, but I’d be willing to try." My wife gave me one of those looks. He laughed and said, "I think you've already done your share."

The tables were colorfully decorated, Christmasy with candles. Each table had bottles of mineral water and an assortment of wine that were replenished as needed. Two small ribbon-wrapped bottles of white and red wine including a bar o chocolate was in front of each place setting to take-home. Serving as waiters/waitresses were the current and past Mayors and wives along with all members of the town council and their spouses.

After the welcome by the Mayor, we stood in silence while the Mayor read the names of seven people who passed away since our last Senior’s Day. Then it was time for Coffee and cake.

Coffee was served at our table. A large assortment of home-baked cakes/torte lined the buffet table. Those unable to get to the table were served.

After the coffee and cake, there was some entertainment. The over 70 ladies of the Catholic Church did some Folk dancing. That was interesting. Then there was a magic show by a young lad from the village. A big surprise was the presentation of a film of the town. It was done professionally with narration. I requested a copy of the DVD since it showed the historical gates/doors entrance to my house.

Dinner: Salad was served at our tables and then there was a buffet of Rouladen, Spätzel, Blumenkohl & Pommes. Desert was ice cream with raspberry sauce.

The oldest person in attendance was 98. Two were 97.

A very pleasant day.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Sun Nov 29, 2009 5:01 am

It sounds fantastic, Abe. That is such a tribute to those over seventy, honoring the elders.

Carol

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:15 am

11/29/2009

Abe..

Sounds like a peaceful place to live..
I would love to move to your village....

Cheers...Joe

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Sun Nov 29, 2009 12:50 pm

It's right out of a story, Abe. You will write it, I'm sure. I remember my small town of Butzbach. Everyone knew everybody else. I loved my time there and felt like I belonged at the time. I had good friends and good times that were usually from the heart.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:18 pm

Joe, there are times when I would like to share this village with the world, but then if too many people come, it would not be the same. Carol did come for a visit and we hope she will come again.
DK, You certainly can relate having lived in Germany. A "feeling" about a place is difficult to express in writing. Culture, environment, language and even weather creates an atmosphere of something unique. Not everyone is willing to adjust to a new environment and would not be happy. Living in a place is much different than visiting as a tourist. Too often fantasy is not reality.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:35 am

It is a lovely place. We met some of Abe's friends, went to a pub where people were singing, visited a wine cellar with wonderful wine, walked amongst the grape vines. I'd love to go there again.

Carol

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:49 am

All those words -spatzel, rouladen, pommes -are bringing me back. I once lived in Wiesbaden for three years. Sure was sick of spatzel at the time, but I wouldn't mind a trip back for a plate of it now. And a shopping spree on der Wilhelmstrasse.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:23 pm

I lived in Wiesbaden also - near the park and Opera House. It was a splendid time. I attended the Opera often with friends. It was in the mid '70's.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:10 pm

I was there in the late 80's, early 90's. I remember the park, but was the opera house the big classical-style building with the columns in front, across from der Wilhelmstrasse? If so, it was a casino when we were there. I don't remember an opera house in Wiesbaden.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:21 pm

I was stationed at Wiesbaden Air Base in 1959 - a long time ago.
I visited Wiesbaden about two years ago and found it difficult to recognize things as I remembered them. Of course that is also true of my hometown, York, Pennsylvania. I had trouble finding my way around since so much had changed.
Change is inevitable and requires adjustment, however I will always have my memories.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:57 pm

My husband was stationed at Camp Pieri, which I hear was turned back over to the Germans. I worked at Lee Barracks in Mainz. I hear that's no more, too. I loved crossing the bridge from Wiesbaden to Mainz each day, what a great view.

Another great view was the Christkindlmarket in Nurenburg. I still have the fabulous wooden ornaments I bought there.

Germany was fun to live in, but just for three years. It's more convenient here, the sidewalks don't get rolled up at 5pm and 1 pm on Fridays.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:48 pm

Unfortunately, things have changed. The sidewalks are no longer rolled-up at 5 or 6 PM.
The
convenience of shopping late in the evening or on weekends means someone must
work. The implications of that needs no
explanation. When one store is open,
the competition thinks they must also be open or lose business. Business is not lost when all stores are closed
on the same days or adhere to store hours.
What is lost is a way of life and that is changing rapidly.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:40 am

Well, I assume they make more money when they work more, which isn't a bad thing. Germany could stand a little motivation to shake up its quasi-socialist complacency.

Subject: Re: Senior's Day Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:52 am

If Germany is quasi-socialist, I heartily endorse it.

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