Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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SPECIAL EVENTS N Dugan samples German culture at Oktoberfest (Continued from page 12) The Munjor booth ordered about a thousand glass beer mugs, and they were sold out in 45 minutes, Ron Werth, Munjor senior, said. On hand to begin the festivities at 10 a.m. were Kansas Lieutenant Governor Paul Dugan, FHSU President Gerald Tomanek and Hays Mayor Dan Rupp. It’s fun waiting around until 10 o’clock to chug your first beer, then try- ing to make it back to 10:30 class, Jan Meier, Abilene senior, said. Dr. Stiles ' Medicine Show made its annual Oktoberfest appearance. Unsus- pecting customers were humorously persuaded to purchase the empty bot- tles of elixir peddled by Bill Baker of Pleasanton. “It seemed like people stayed a lot for the whole time,” Werth, a e Ellis County resident, said. The 1979 Oktoberfest was the third event attended by Theresa Rosell, Stei- lacoom, Wash, junior. “I think it’s a lot of fun because of all the people getting together, and it gives us a taste of Volga-German culture, she said. Oktoberfest

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OKTOBERFEST The Volga-German heritage in the Hays area is a strong and proud one. Most of the smaller towns in Eliis county were settled by the Volga-German immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Fort Hays State University students cannot help but be affected by the unique ethnic flavor of the area. From the names of local businesses to Oktoberfest itself, the Volga- German influence affects not only the permanent residents of the area but the temporary residents, FHSU students, as well. Proceeds made from Oktoberfest by the Ellis County Volga-German Society are put back into FHSU in the forms of scholarships and items purchased for the university. Presented here are brief descriptions of the first five Volga- German settlements in the Hays area. Various other Volga- German communities such as Antonio, Vincent and Walker are outgrowths of the five original settlements and have also formed their own traditions. VICTORIA The majestic Cathedral of the Plains — St, Fideiis Church — stands as a symbol of the great religious faith of the early Herzog settlers The church was completed in 1911 and was given its descriptive name by turn-oMhe-century politician William Jennings Bryan Founded April 8, 1876, the Volga-German community of Herzog eventually absorbed the older English settlement of Victoria and took that name in 1913 Victoria today Is the largest Volga-German settlement in Ellis County with over 1,200 residents Sweet and Sour Krauts is an annual talent production presented each spring by the townspeople of Victoria Profits from the show are given each year to a selected charity Victoria is located 10 miles east of Hays on old U S High- way 40 . CATHERINE The founders of Catherine were among the first to leave their homeland in Russia, Coming from the Russian trade center of Katharmenstadt, they were perhaps the most sophisticated of the Volga-German settlers Today the residents of Catherine are well-known at Okto- berfest for Herzchen, a hard Christmas cookie Catherine is located 13 miles northeast of Hays and is home for approximately 120 people

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1. Dale Moore, Copeland senior, reaches into a box Tor more mountain oysters while working at the Rodeo Club booth, Z Students from the music department give the Okloberfest crowd an impromptu session of German polka favorites. 3, Connie Goddington. Salina junior, is given a play- ful hug by Alpha Gamma Delta sister Laurie Stur- geon. Fowler senior, while working at their booth. 4 . An empty bottle of elixir is inspected by Pam Bertrand, Wallace senior, during Dr. Stiles ' Medi- cine Show. Bill Baker. Pleasanton, attempts to convince Bertrand of its powerful curing ele- ments. OktoberfesL 13