German-French germane friends

In 1945, right after World War II, some German and French citizens founded the 'society for supranational cooperation' (GUEZ) to promote reconciliation and mutual understanding between the two people. GUEZ has as one of its main goals the organisation of bilingual holiday trips for teenagers of both nationalities. For this purpose, GUEZ operates several hostels in the two countries where the groups gather during Easter or summer holidays.

GUEZ is co-chaired two presidents, one German and one French. Franz Schoser has been the German president of GUEZ for more than three decades. As he grew up in post-war Germany in the part occupied by French troops, the reconciliation between the two people has been his personal cause ever since. 

Franz Schoser (2nd from right) at the signature of the Guidel lease contract

Franz has therefore been particularly proud to announce the further extension of GUEZ's activities. GUEZ will take over the management of another site in France to host youth trips. The organisation will lease for 20 year a hostel in Guidel in Brittany at the Atlantic Coast. The hostel offers 20 rooms for up to 80 guests. A person who appeared particularly pleased with the arrangement is GUEZ's French president whose family origins go back to a neighbouring village. 

Flower Power

When the corona pandemic hit in early 2020, the unthinkable happened: Numerous governments ordered a general lockdown of retail businesses. In Germany, as of 23 March, restaurants, bars and non-essential shops had to close for several weeks. Especially businesses dealing with perishable goods were severely affected. Notably, the flower industry faced serious difficulties as flower shops had to close at the beginning of the spring season and millions of flowers had to be distroyed. It was not until several weeks later that the industry discovered that there was also a positive side to the crisis. With people spending more time at home, they started caring more about their gardens and balconies. As the garden magazin for professionals TASPO noted in July, flower sales picked up again and flower storages emptied at a breathtaking pace. In an interview with TASPO, Michael Schoser reported from his experience as head of the flower wholesale market in Frankfurt.

"The flower season simply started later this year."

As typical plant for balconies, geraniums were most popular. Due to their rather easy handling they appeal particulary to newcomers who may not have cared so much about their window view before being confined to work from home. Finally, Michael notes that the pandemic may have a lasting positive effect on the flower wholesale business. Retail customers have appreciated the value of the local sourcing of flowers and have turned increasingly to the regional wholesale markets.

Rocket Science

The Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands is the oldest and largest technical university of the Netherlands. It is particularly well-known for its Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, one of the few faculties in Europe to specialise entirely on aeronautical and astronautical engineering, in other words the construction of aircraft and spacecraft. The university tries to teach and motivate students by offering them possibilities to participate in practical research projects. An example are solar-powered vehicles that have regularly won prices at the World Solar Challenge in Australia. 

Phoenix prototype

In Aerospace Engineering, students are currently working on Project Phoenix, the world's first liquid hydrogen fuel cell aircraft. The idea is to develop the first emission-free aircraft. 

Jakob Schoser is second year student in aerospace engineering at TU Delft and part of the so-called 'dream team' of 40 students currently working on the prototype of this aircraft. He is in the electronics & control sub-team responsible for IT. The prototype is supposed to cover a range of 500 km and to fly for up to seven hours. The maiden flight is scheduled to take place still this year  to demonstrate that sustainable air transport is possible! 

Vlog lesson

Due to the Corona lockdown and the temporary closure of schools, teachers have become more creative to use modern teaching methods. Why not ask students to think of a topic they could cover in a video? Why not do so in a language lesson? 

This vlog (video blog) was made by Emil Schoser for his Dutch course. He chose to bake a marble cake and explains the various steps. The result is not only informative but also tasty. Eet smakelijk!

Help in the time of Corona

It is the spring of the year 2020 and the Corona pandemic is sweeping across the globe. What started in a faraway city in China has spread at breakneck speed to every part of the world. The first European country hit by the pandemic was Italy. As it was the first, there was almost no time to prepare. The Italian people and health system came under great distress before they really realised what was happening...

Joachim holding the donation cheque

Joachim Schoser has very close business links with Italy. His very business is the import of food products from Italy, especially from Northern Italy were the pandemic struck hardest. In view of great strain on the population, he therefore decided to take action and to organise a donation for Ospedali Santa Croce in the Italian region of Piemont. The customers of Joachim's shop Via del Gusto donated in total €10,000 to the three hospitals in Monacalieri, Maggiore di Chieri and San Lorenzo di Carmagnola that form the Ospitali Santa Croce group. 

"We know our suppliers personally. Often, they are small family businesses with only two or three employees", explains Joachim. "It became very quickly obvious that the hospitals would not be able to manage the situation and needed support. By helping the hospitals, the action would benefit all inhabitants of the region. We are very, very proud of our customers who together have donated such a large amount", concludes Joachim. 

Vorarlberg Wedding

On 27 September 2019, Verena and Stefan Schoser married in Kennelbach in the Austrian State of Vorarlberg. The ceremony took place in the 19th century mansion Villa Grünau. After the photo shooting in the romantic park of the villa, the newly-weds celebrated their wedding party in Langenegg. 

Verena (in white) and Stefan (right) with bridesmaid and best man

The swimmer

On 23 and 24 March 2019, the youth team of Swimming Club Aqua Cologne took part in the annual swimming competition in Niederkassel near Bonn. The team included eight girls and six boys.

Throughout the competition the team showed that they had not just come to enjoy the warm water in the pool, but to beat records and win medals. In particular the team's girls turned out to be successful medallists.

Frieda Schoser (far right) and the SC Aqua Cologne team

Frieda Schoser impressed in her speciality event breaststroke. She won bronze medals both over 50 meters (in 45.42 sec) and over 100 meters (in 1.34.42 min). The latter result means that Frieda achieved the standard time of her age group to qualify for the next level of competitions.

11 weeks

The Schoser community welcomes McKinley Jae Schoser -
daughter of Chance and Danielle Schoser -
turning 11 weeks old today. Happy birthday!

Obituary for Hans Schoser

In tiefer Trauer nimmt die Stadt Trochtelfingen Abschied von Johannes Martin Schoser, der am 20. Januar, im Alter von 92 Jahren, verstorben ist.

Schoser war über 37 Jahre als Mitglied des Gemeinderates, davon viele als Erster Stellvertreter des Bürgermeisters, der Stadt Trochtelfingen kommunalpolitisch engagiert. In dieser Zeit ist neben der Umsetzung der Gemeindeverwaltungsreform insbesondere die Sanierung des historischen Stadtkerns ein zentrales Anliegen von Johannes Martin Schoser gewesen.

Zeit seines Lebens war er, aus innerer Verantwortung und tiefer Verbundenheit zu seiner Heimatgemeinde heraus, mit dem Wohl der Stadt Trochtelfingen verbunden, teilt Bürgermeister Christof Niesler mit. Neben seiner Kommunalpolitischen Arbeit war er weit über das normale Maß hinaus ehrenamtlich engagiert. Unter anderem war er maßgeblich an der Wiedergründung der Historischen Bürgerwehr der Stadt Trochtelfingen engagiert.

Hans (left) with his parents Gustav and Maria,
his elder brother Gustav (jun.) and his younger brother Franz
and his sister Mechtild at her First Communion

Ebenso war er zweiter und später Erster Vorsitzender der Stadtkapelle Trochtelfingen und Gründer des Trochtelfinger Geschichts- und Heimatvereins und hat bei letzterem wesentlich zur Überarbeitung der Stadtchronik beigetragen.

Darüber hinaus hat er als Geschäftsmann mit seinem Unternehmen erheblich dazu beigetragen, Trochtelfingen als Einkaufsstadt bekannter zu machen. 1989 wurde er mit dem Bundesverdienstkreuz und der Bürgermedaille der Stadt Trochtelfingen ausgezeichnet. Im Jahr 2004 wurde er zum Ehrenbürger der Stadt Trochtelfingen ernannt.

Erschienen in swp.de am 23. Januar 2019

The Real Estate Manager

In our occasional series of professions that Schoser are pursuing we have come across a description of John Schoser's current job. As we could not have expressed it in more accurate terms, we copy the precise description from the NAIOP website i.e. the site of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

John Schoser is a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, responsible for 3.8 million square feet of office, retail, raw land and industrial space as well as oversight of 21K apartment units and 285 hotel rooms across the US, Brazil and Canada valued at over $6.5B. His clients have included major foreign investors, domestic corporate and state pension funds, as well as insurance companies. John has directed over $1 billion in asset sales; including purchase money financing/ underwriting John’s current role includes the evaluations of investment opportunities, supporting major investment activities, such as portfolio level acquisitions, dispositions, development, joint venture and entity level underwriting. In addition John is responsible for the preparation of financial and valuation models and focusing on increasing the value by implementing distinct asset management strategies, including creative leasing and operational efficiencies. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in November 2003, John worked with Lend Lease predecessor (Equitable Real Estate) since 1987. He spent time in Denver , Chicago, Atlanta and New York. John is a member of NAIOP and The Appraisal Institute. He received an MBA from Loyola University, and a BS, BA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Denver. 

The outside hitter

Like most sports, volleyball has developed its own jargon. There are for example different terms describing how the ball is served: underhand, topspin, jump serve or float. Attacking techniques have funny names such as 'dip/dink/tip/cheat/dump', 'tool/wipe/block-abuse' or 'line and cross-court shot'.
It does not get much easier when it comes to player specialisation.  There are setters, liberos and various types of hitters such as middle hitters, outside hitters and opposite hitters. The outside hitter is considered the most important attacker who gets the most sets from his/her teammates in order to drive the ball over into the opponent's court.

Daria Schoser plays the position of outside hitter ('Diagonal') in the volleyball team of TVA Hürth. She joined the club in 2017 after having played previously for teams in Cologne and Münster. While Daria at first obtained a place in the team as maternity replacement her team mates have now quickly considered her irreplaceable. According to the team's website, they appreciate Daria's powerful attacks as much as her cheerful nature both during and after the matches.

Stiletto and a Suitcase

We are sending a big aloha, hola, bonjour and hello over to fellow blogger Michelle Schoser. Recently, Michelle has started the blog Stilettos & a Suitcase combining her professional passion for makeup and her private love for traveling. See below what it is all about. Keep it up Michelle!

Makeup Artist By Day, Travel Writer By Night!

After 10 years as a successful Freelance Makeup Artist and a goal oriented leader building businesses and teams with MAC Cosmetics, in 2008, Stilettos And A Suitcase was created as a hybrid concept extension of both my passion for Makeup and my love of writing about Travel experiences. Traveling for both work, adventure and pleasure has been something that I truly enjoy and want to share as much as I can with others.  Artistry in general has fueled my inner being and having the ability to do it by making others feel beautiful to build that outer confidence as a Makeup Artist is the best part of my job!  As a frequent business traveler in the Cosmetics Industry and veteran Makeup Artist, there is a constant hustle and bustle of getting from a variety of travel destinations, helping people look their best and having your own style on point while you are on the go.  After 20 years of professional makeup artistry experience ranging from celebrities to bridal clients and 10 years as a Travel Writer, I do believe in working hard and having fun both personally and professionally. The world is a big place, so why not see it doing something you love!

Stilettos And A Suitcase is not only a place to book your Makeup Artistry and Stylist needs, it is a place for the latest information on travel, food, drinks, culture, fashion and beauty.  Please click the contact page for any questions or use our chat function to have your Makeup and Travel needs met!

With Love,
Michelle xo

The brass-band players

Schosers in Burladingen have already previously attracted our attention as having 'rhythm in their blood'. As reported back in 2009, no less than four Schosers were then members of Burladingen's local musical ensemble.

The passion and talent for music seems to have been passed on to the next generation. Once again, no less than four Schosers participated in a concert of the youth music school Burladingen in the Hörschwag community centre on Sunday, 19 November 2017.


Fabian and Valentin Schoser were part of the trumpet ensemble that opened the concert. Marian and Daniel Schoser joined the two and others as part of the brass ensemble that played 'First Performance' and 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' later on. Marian played the trombone and Daniel the euphonium. Needless to say that the performance was met with thunderous applause as Südwest Presse reports.

PaPis snacks take off to the skies

Nadia - cofounder of PaPicante

Former stewardess Nadia Schoser has achieved her ambition to design a healthy snack and have it served on airplanes. With her start-up company PaPicante, she introduced a pea protein snack bar to the public in early 2017 and only a few months later, the snack is listed not only with German airline Eurowings but also with major retailers such as EDEKA and REWE.

The snack comes in three flavours: American style, Mediterranean style and Asian style. Nadia's vision was to create a savoury and healthy counterpart to sweet cereal bars and other calorie-rich snacks usually served on board.  Accordingly, the snacks are made of natural ingredients such as pea protein crisps, rice syrup and puffed quinoa.

PaPicante's website reveals that to date 29,314 PaPis have been consumed. The website also runs an online shop where PaPis can be ordered in unlimited quantities.

Chairman wanted

To support extracurricular school activities, the town of Burladingen hosts a privately run fund-raising association. Over the past year, the association has supported projects as diverse as 'classes with horses', visits to the former concentration camp in Dachau and to a refugee reception camp in Sigmaringen as well as an alcohol prevention project for adolescents.

Melanie (2nd from right) with the association's board

At this year's annual assembly, there was therefore obviously reason to celebrate the successful work of the association. Even more so as the finances of the association are in good shape. Of particular importance to us is of course that Melanie Schoser has taken an active role in running the association as parents' representative. All would be seem perfect if there weren't a particular concern: after the resignation of the former chairman no one new has yet been found to fill that post. We don't want to believe that this can't be solved...

Game, set and match to Schoser!

Since 2015, the three tennis clubs of Burladingen organise together an annual youth tennis tournament. It takes place on Ascension Day which in 2017 was 28 May and was a particularly hot day.

Youth champion Daniel Schoser in the middle

Braving the heat it was Daniel Schoser who won the tournament and became 'youth city champion'. Already in the previous year, he won the competition in the category for under 12-year old boys (U12). It was also in 2016 that Marian and Fabian Schoser took part in this tournament. Fabian finished third in the U12 category and Marian finished runner-up among the older boys.

Rather than awarding any cups or medals as in previous years, the organisers decided this year to hand out to the winners original towels from Wimbledon.

World Solar Challenge

RWTH Aachen university is known for its engineering studies, in particular for its electrical and mechanical engineering. But the university has much more to offer to its more than 43,000 students! It runs for example also a master programme in 'digital media communication'. This is what Luzia Schoser has opted for.

Being a media student, she has joined the team of the university's student magazine Kármán. In its latest edition, Luzia has written an article about an initiative of engineering students to participate in the World Solar Challenge 2017. She writes that this is known to be the toughest race for solar-driven vehicles as they have to cover a distance of 3,000 km across Australia. 

Sonnenwagen Aachen

While this shows how communication and engineering can play ball, it is not reported whether Luzia will also join the solar team on their trip down under next year.

90th birthday

Hans with his wife and younger brother in 1993

On 21 April 2016, Hans Schoser will turn 90. To our knowledge, this makes him the oldest living Schoser. This unique event will be celebrated correspondingly. On the day, the birthday party will take place in Trochtelfingen's largest festival hall Graf Werdenberghalle. As Hans is honorary citizen of Trochtelfingen, the festivities will gather the who is who of Trochtelfingen including the numerous members of Trochtelfingen's historic town guards, a club that Hans founded in 1957.

Oierrusala

Egg-and-spoon race, one of the two events
of 'Oierrusala'

It is a tradition whose origin even the oldest members of Burladingen's hiking association cannot remember. It already existed when they were children. Every year on Easter Monday, the hiking association organises 'Oierrusala'. It is a competition with two events: egg toss and egg-and-spoon race.

This year, about 50 participants and visitors were present and cultivated the tradition. Defying icy winds and rain showers, Valentin Schoser won the egg-and-spoon race. It is not reported if that gained him a prize, but in any event he must have brought his Easter egg safely over the finishing line and could then enjoy it without regret.

Embracing age with wisdom and humour

On 7 March 2016, Edith Schoser turned 80. During her small birthday reception, Edith addressed friends and family with the following welcome speech:  

Liebe Verwandte, liebe Freunde, 

Herzliches Willkommen Euch allen, die Ihr zu meinem Aufbruch ins neue Lebensjahrzehnt gekommen seid. Es ist ein frohes Gefühl, es bis hierhin geschafft zu haben und jetzt erwartungsvoll auf die 100 zuzusteuern.  

Um nun hier und heute die passenden Worte zu finden, habe ich einiges an Ratschlagbüchern zum Thema alt werden und fit bleiben untersucht. Zunächst z.B. das zweibändige Standardwerk "Altern als neue Dimension" oder das stark nachgefragte "Wohin mit den Knochen im Alter?" Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojektes erschien vor etwa 11 Jahren  "Was macht das Alter so wunderbar und zugleich so risikoreich?" Das bedeutende Nachschlagwerk "Wie buchstabieren wir Alter im 21. Jahrhundert?" nicht zu vergessen. Ganz speziell auch die Dokumentation "Vom Kreißsaal zum Greisenalter", um hier nur die wichtigsten zu nennen. Wirklich aufbauend fand ich den Titel "Morgens rot - abends tot - zwischendurch noch Atemnot" geschrieben von zwei Altertumsforschern, die mittlerweile auch schon tot sind. 

Doch nun zurück in die rosige Zukunft. Ich hoffe, es gefällt Euch hier, und ich wünsche Euch nun einen guten Appetit.