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. 

Crack-peeping witches

Hörschwag is a village of 354 souls in the Swabian Jura. More than 70% of the villagers - to be precise 252 - are members of the local carnival club 'Spältlesgucker'. 154 actively dress up as witches when carnival arrives as this is their club costume.

Markus Schoser (left) and fellow board members

The club's home page explains that in the middle ages it was common for people in Hörschwag to believe in witches and the last witch was sentenced to death and executed as late as in 1600. The term 'Spältlesgucker' derives from the villagers' reputation of being suspicious towards strangers and only peep through door or window cracks when strangers would cross the village.

Today's villagers seem much more open and the carnival club organises and takes part in numerous events during the carnival season. The club is also home to two dancing groups and a music band. Markus Schoser is member of the Spältlesgucker board and thus helps to keep the tradition alive.

Taking on the fashion challenge

Fashion boutiques need to reinvent themselves to survive the competition from Internet sales and greenfield outlets. Customers must have fun to go shopping, making it an event for all their senses. This is the new philosophy of Modehaus Ronellenfitsch in Merzig, Saarland founded as early as in 1826.

Norbert (right) during the renovation works

Norbert Schoser, responsible for purchasing and training at Ronellenfitsch, is deeply involved in the renovation of the boutique. The new floor will appear three dimensional imitating cobble stones. The lighting will play an important role in creating an appealing atmosphere. While the works are on-going, Norbert rejoices "When we close the shop in the evening, it mostly looks different from the morning. We see progress every day. It's a good feeling. It is amazing what can be achieved within a day."

The Counselor

Steven M. Schoser

Feeling like no one understands what you are going through and wondering where to turn? When dealing with life's struggles, no matter how big or small, we often wish we could find someone who understands, is supportive, takes the time to listen, and who will help create a safe and supportive environment and build a trusting relationship to help navigate through life's twists and turns.

My thoughts behind counseling are that everyone should be welcomed with Open Arms and that the counselors have an Open Mind. This makes the counseling process warm, welcoming, thoughtful, and provides a comfortable and safe environment for the client to begin gaining insight and direction.

The following is a sample of the clients that I serve in my counseling practice: * LGBTQ adolescents and adults (individuals, couples) * Adolescents whom are struggling at home, in school, and in the community * Those struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health issues.

Call or e-mail Steven M. Schoser, MA, LPCC for a free consultation now - (303) 816-3896

Social market economy

After World War II, Germany experienced an exceptional period of economic growth known as 'economic miracle' (Wirtschaftswunder). This golden age of the 1950s and 1960s was based on a new economic order trying to combine the market economy with elements of a strong welfare state. This economic model has become known as 'social market economy'.




One of the founding fathers and key thinkers behind this model was professor Alfred Müller-Armack. It was in fact him who coined the term 'Soziale Marktwirtschaft' in his book 'economic governance and market economy' published in 1947.

When Franz Schoser did a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Cologne in 1959, Müller-Armack was his supervisor. Franz wrote his doctoral thesis on one of the key topics of the social market economy, namely competition policy. In his subsequent professional life, in particular as secretary general of the German chambers of commerce, Franz continued to promote the fundamental principles of the social market economy. This has now earned him the Müller-Armack medal for merit awarded since 1964 to renowned politicans and academics defending the values of the social market economy. A former prize winner and former president of Germany Horst Köhler holds the eulogy.

Welcome Veronika!

On Thursday, 14 January 2016, Veronika was born! She came into the world in Erlangen/ Bavaria and her full name is Veronika Lea Rosemary Hirmer. 



Relatives trying to figure out family relations

She is the first child to her parents Manuel and Jessica Hirmer (Schoser), the first grandchild to her grandparents Martin and Uta Schoser and the first great-grandchild to great-grandparents Franz and Edith Schoser. From her mother's side, she has three aunts and two uncles. Other relatives are still trying to figure out how they relate to the firstborn of the next generation, whether they are great-cousins, uncles or aunts of second or third degree or half-step-great-nephews or nieces...

Pedicure and wellness

Melanie Schoser runs a beauty parlour in Burladingen. She is specialised in foot care and promises to make you feel comfortable. While earning her living as beautician she still finds time to play the B-flat clarinet in the Burladingen orchestra. 

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.