Binocle

Binocle (also known as 'Pinochle') is a trick-taking card game typically for two to four players. Within Germany, it is a regional card game played mainly in Württemberg with the particular Württemberg card deck. German immigrants brought the game to America, where it was later mispronounced and misspelled "Pinochle." During World War I, the city of Syracuse, New York outlawed the playing of pinochle in a fit of anti-German sentiment...

Gertrud - 'hen of the walk' among men

Gertrud and Rudolf Schoser are members of the Gammertingen hiking club which organises its traditional binocle tournament on Boxing Day. In this year's edition, after more than four hours of playing Gertrud came second place scoring 7968 points. Her husband Rudolf won the tournement in 2014, but had to content himself this time with seventh place scoring 6439 points.

Hitting the ski slopes

The board of Ringingen skiing club

Stefan Schoser is treasurer of Ringingen skiing club. As he managed to keep the finances in order during 2015, the club members could refurbish their skiing chalet in the Austrian Alps and organise some skiing trips. This winter three more skiing trips to Austria are already scheduled.

Fashion house facelift

After eight months in exile, Modehaus Schoser has moved back to its home seat in the center of Trochtelfingen. The move had become necessary due to heavy roadworks in Trochtelfingen cutting off access to the shop. During these months, the alternative location in an abandoned industrial site proved to be so popular that shop owner Bernhard took the decision to renovate the home seat in a similar fashion.

As a result, not only was Trochtelfingen's main street completely refurbished but also the 'fashion house' got a comprehensive facelift. The team including Ellen and Valentina Schoser gave a helping hand in the renovation and is now eager to get back to serve customers in the old/new location as of 4 November.

Discovery Festival introduces science careers

FARMINGTON — The organizers of this year’s Discovery Festival hope to build upon the foundation of last year’s inaugural event to get children excited about career possibilities in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Sam Schoser, of Bloomfield, volunteers
during the 2014 Discovery Festival
at the McGee Park Convention Center

The second annual Discovery Festival will take place at the McGee Park Convention Center Friday and Saturday, where more than 40 booths will provide activities for children of all ages to learn about local career opportunities in STEM.

Christine Garcia, chief executive officer of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Juan County, said about 2,500 children attended last year's event, and she expects this year’s turnout to increase.

“To have an event like this in our community that is educational and can get kids excited about learning, it’s really inspiring,” Garcia said.

More than 1,700 students are expected to attend on Friday, and the event is open to the public on Saturday.

A Californian wedding

Ben Davis & Michelle Schoser on September 27th, 2015

St. Pauli Refugee Welcome Space

The summer 2015 is in Germany marked by the arrival of thousands of refugees from war-ridden countries such as Syria, Irak and many more. All over the country, numerous community initiative emerge to welcome the new arrivals and provide them with first care.

In Hamburg, the local fair-trade soft drinks maker Lemonaid sponsors one of those initiatives: 'The St. Pauli Refugee Welcome Space.' Frederike Schoser takes part in this initiative and coordinates the various activities proposed such as language courses, legal advice, children programmes and sport activities.

The gardener

After finishing school, Vincent Schoser started an apprenticeship as gardener on 1 September 2015. His employer is Garten Moser, a company that has been active in garden design and maintenance for 80 years. Garten Moser has currently 230 employees among which 12 apprentices.

Vincent (standing 2nd from right) with the other new apprentices

During the 3-year apprenticeship, Vincent will learn everything from greening roofs and facades to building sport facilities. To start their apprenticeship, the new apprentices made a weekend excursion when they went hiking guided only by GPS, cut trees and made furniture from the wood and slept in a shepherd's hut.

Superior Bavarian education a myth?

In 2002, the level of school education was tested for the first time all across Germany in the framework of the PISA study ('Programme for international student assessment'). It turned out that there was a considerable divergence among the different German Länder. In particular, the results showed a clear North-South divide with Bavaria performing best in all main disciplines such as reading, natural sciences and maths. The validity and possible reasons for these results have been hotly debated ever since.

Gisela secondary school in Munich

Milena Schoser goes to school in Munich and therefore has an inside view into the workings of the Bavarian school system. In a contribution to the debate published in June 2015, Milena casts doubt on the alleged superiority of the Bavarian school education. She criticises that the education does not prepare the students for real life, lacking discussion about politics and practical insights for example into how to prepare a tax declaration or conclude an insurance. Rather, schools are old-fashioned expecting students to learn much by heart. Moreover, the quality of the lessons depends very much on the initiative of the individual teachers she adds.

Essential oils

dōTERRA is an American company set up in 2008 to market so-called 'essential oils' for therapeutic use. Its website explains essential oils in the following terms: 

"If you have ever enjoyed the scent of a rose, you've experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. Essential oils provide plants with protection against environmental threats and play a role in plant pollination." 

dōTERRA products are sold exclusively through Wellness Advocates. Working from home, these advocates introduce, educate about, and sell dōTERRA products in their local markets through person-to-person contact and globally through personalized web shopping sites.

Gretchen Schoser has become an independent wellness advocate for dōTERRA's essential oils. On her dedicated Facebook page, she tells about her own experience with the oils: 

"I started using oils when I got tired of going to the doctor for every ache and pain. A couple of months ago I had a really bad cold and two days after using my Oils my cold was gone, no antibiotics, no poison in my system.
I swear by my oils and the doTERRA products, I have used cheaper brands and not had the results that I have with the doTERRA oils.
There are so many awesome things you can do with the oils, you can make shower bombs, make shampoo, soap, foot and hand salve, anti itch spray. The oils last for a long time and not only do they make you feel better but they are also better for you."

Getting to meet Our Father on his birthday

Orlando Miera of Durango passed away on May 29th, 2015. He was 82. What a Gift, to get to meet Our Father on his birthday.

Orlando was born May 29th, 1933 in Lumberton, NM. He was proud of his service in the Air Force during the Korean War. Orlando married Dora Garcia they had 4 wonderful children together. Though the marriage ended their friendship remained strong. Orlando loved to fish, hunt, enjoyed bird watching and loved spending time with his family. He will be remembered most for his unique sense of humor.

He is survived by his children Lawrence (Sonia) Miera, Rodney (Larinda) Miera, Patricia (Tom) Schoser. Sister Cruz (Chuck) Johnson, grandchildren; Chance (Danielle) Schoser, Chase (Lizzie) Schoser, Tiffany Miera, Clay (Emily) Miera, Seth Miera, Cody Miera, Christopher Miera, and Reyetta Hubbs. 1 great grandchild Colston Schoser and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Candido & Mary E Miera, his daughter Jessica Miera, 2 sisters Margaret Root and Viola Child, 2 brothers Joe and Richard Miera.

A service will be held at 2:00pm, June 4th, at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 E. 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO. Graveside services will follow.

Published in The Durango Herald on June 1st, 2015

Stockbroker-to-be

Every year, about 150,000 school and university students take part in Europe’s biggest stock exchange simulation game ('Planspiel Börse'). In 2015, the participants traded a volume of €3.29 billion and made more than 875,000 orders.

Rebecca (2nd from left) at the award ceremony
in Stuttgart stock exchange

The Esslingen-Nurtingen savings bank organised a regional competition within the European game in which 350 students took part. Rebecca Schoser and her friend Carolin of Albert-Schäffle-Schule in Nurtingen were among those 350. They formed a team and managed to come third among the school student teams. The savings back invited them to a boat trip around Stuttgart harbour before handing out the awards in Stuttgart stock exchange.

Carnival Party

In Cologne, carnival is called the ‘fifth season‘ and for Cologne natives, it is inconceivable to miss it. During six days, there are parades and parties all over town and it is just a question of choosing a place that suits you  - and that is not closed for over-crowding...

On the guest list: Nicola

On 14 February 2015 ‘DIE HALLE Tor 2‘ invites once more to its annual carnival party which claims to be Cologne’s best carnival party. Starting at 10 p.m. until the early morning hours at 5 a.m. DJs will make the dance floors tremble. For the entrance fee of €27, beer’s for free.

DIE HALLE advises to order your ticket beforehand as the attendance is limited to 1000 guests. Gender distribution is expected to be 36.6% male and 63.4% female with Nicola Schoser being one of them.