DESERT STEINERS’ FALL MEETING

Oct 8, 2011 

Thirty-five Desert Steiners and their guests showed up for their fall meeting on 8^th October at Joe and Sandra Heater’s beautiful home in Tucson.  Special guests were Wolfgang and Brigitta Gult and Günther and Maria Widmann, representing our German “sister chapter” Alte Germanen. 

Members began arriving around 11:00AM and quickly entered Joe’s new stein room to view his outstanding collection of Mettlach and character steins, as well as over a dozen KPM plaques depicting familiar Grützner scenes.  

Shortly after noon, a buffet of gourmet sandwiches and copious quantities of German beer were offered.  Needless to say, everyone enjoyed the bountiful spread.  A heartfelt thank you goes to Sandra and her sister Sara, who spent several days preparing for this event. 

Around 1:30PM, Chairman of the Nominating Committee John Piet, began the business meeting.  John first announced the resignation of President Spencer Wessling who could not attend due to Peggy’s health.  Spencer served as the Desert Steiner’s President for ten years, performing admirably.  No one gave more to the club during those years than Spencer, for which we all expressed our appreciation.  We certainly hope Peggy’s health improves and that they will be able to join us at our meeting in January.  

John Piet then gave a report of the Nominating Committee.  The Committee nominated Joe Heater for President and Ron Heiligenstein for Vice President.

Hearing no other nominations, the members supported the recommendations of the Nominating Committee. 

Erik Sanders, Secretary/Treasurer, reported that the club was slightly solvent. 

Ron Heiligenstein announced that the winter meeting would be at the Gordon Biersch Brewery in Mesa, AZ on the third Saturday of January.  Member Gus Reifenkugel would be making specific arrangements.  Details will be provided members several weeks prior to the meeting date. 

The drawing was held for the 2011 attendance stein and Gus Reifenkugel  was the lucky winner.

Next, newly selected S.C.I. Master Steinologist Wolfgang Gult thanked all the Desert Steiners for nominating him for that prestigious award.  He then gave an excellent PowerPoint presentation entitled “Collecting Steins in Germany”. 

Wolfgang began by showing several photos of Günther Widman’s outstanding collection of Durlach faience drinking vessels.  Durlach is probably one of the most sought after types of old faience.  Wolfgang then showed us some photos of his fantastic collection of regimental steins, over 450 in all.  He concluded his presentation with pictures and commentary on an area of special interest to him, regimental steins named to the Garde-Füsilier-Regiment – the so called Maikäfer Regiment.  

Wolfgang’s presentation was certainly one of the best we’ve had in the fifteen years of our chapter’s existence.  Although our meeting officially ended about 3:00PM, some stayed another couple hours to more closely examine Joe’s great collection of Mettlachs and character steins. 

Ron Heiligenstein

Chapter Reporter