German American Club celebrates 80th Anniversary!

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the German American Social Club, located in Putnam Valley. They will commemorate the event with a gala celebration at Ceola Manor in Jefferson Valley on Sunday May 15th. More than 100 people are anticipated to attend this festive affair which will include dancing and live music with a German-American band, "Die Spitzbuam".
The club began in March of 1936, as a small group of Americans of German descent, meeting in one another's homes and various meeting halls in the Peekskill area. During the latter part of the 1970s the club began looking for a permanent location nearby. They decided on a beautiful piece of property, nestled amongst the trees in Putnam Valley. It was the site of an old gun club that had fallen into disrepair. Then with much enthusiasm, unity and a wealth of skills and labor the members themselves completely remodeled and enlarged the old building. They added a second story and a gabled roof, all in a classic German-Alpine design. The present building is evidence is of their accomplishments and we are now reaping the rewards of their labors.
Originally the club was established to gather people together of German heritage, but has evolved from being merely a German social club to a German-American club and a benevolent organization serving the Hudson Valley region. The club invites its members and the general public to attend its functions, activities and membership meetings which occur on a regular basis.
Many people are most familiar with their large festivals that are held each year. The first occurs in July of each year, called the GermanFest and the second is Oktoberfest, held in September. This year GermanFest is on July 16th and 17th, featuring the band "Die Spitzbuam" and Henry Leschke on accordion. The German-American Clubs' Oktoberfest weekend is always the weekend before the Steuben Day parade or German parade in New York City. The clubs' Oktoberfest will be held on September 10th and 11th, featuring a band from Germany called "The Blasorchester Oberlind". Each "fest" has a wide variety of homemade German and American foods, imported beers, Oktoberfest pretzels, Viennese Cafe and inside bar. Something for everyone!