$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

In 1950, and 1951, Henry N. Weber would be President of Section 15, succeeding Joe Witry,
Sr. In 1935, Hank was elected a Commissioner of the Niles Center Park District, a post he
would hold until 1971, the longest tenure of any Commissioner in the Park District's history. For
this and other contributions to the District, the park and nine-hole golf course located adjacent
to the Skokie Skatium were named Henry N. Weber park. Hank was the third of four Section
members to be elected a Commissioner of the Park District, having been preceeded by John
Kalmes in 1928, Ben Schaul in 1933, and having been succeeded by Richard J. Witry in 1979.
In 1950, Joe Hermes died, as did John Origer, who had transferred from Section 25 in 1944.
As in keeping with previous years, the Section did not meet during the summer months and
would resume meeting in September or October.
The minutes continued to reflect the attendance at Section meetings of members of other
sections as well as Grand Lodge officers. In 1951, Frank Peiffer of Section 8 attended the January
meeting and won the pot-of-gold. Frank was the consummate guest, for he donated his winnings
back to the Section. Harry Heinz was granted five weeks sick benefit.
At the January 28,1952 meeting, another motion to disband Section 15 was made and tabled
until the February meeting. At that meeting, held February 28,1952, after discussing the matter
at length, a motion was made and carried that Section 15 not disband.
At the same meeting, the quarterly meetings were abandoned in favor of monthly meetings,
commencing in March, 1952.
Beginning in 1952, Matt Dechambre was elected President, a post he would hold until
1957. In 1952, the President began making real money to compensate him for his leadership
abilities—$25.00. Scotty Krier was Vice-President, Paul Hermes continued as Recording
Secretary, Joe Weber was Financial Secretary, and Bill Biegert, Jr. was Treasurer. The grand
old man of Section 15, Anton "Tony" Seul, who had joined the Section in October, 1905, was
the one-year Trustee.
At the Section meeting held September 25, 1952, the minutes reflect the receipt of a letter
from Fred Gilson regarding the upcoming tour of the United States by a group from Luxembourg,
sponsored by Emil Weitzl. The letter was noted and put on file. Weitzl would come to the United
States, meet the members of Section 15 and become a fast friend of many of them. In later years, he
would collaborate with members of the L.B.A. in arranging and hosting many affairs of mutual
benefit, including the royal visit of H.R.H. Jean to Chicago, in 1984.
The Sauerbraten continued to be held each year. Joe Witry, Sr. was chairman of the 1953
dinner which was held at the American Legion Hall in Skokie. In 1956, the Sauerbraten would
be held at the Luxembourg Gardens and would continue to be held there until its demise in 1966.
After the 1953 Sauerbraten, rather than have a private dinner for the help, the Section donated
$30.00 each to Mrs. Bill Biegert, Sr. and Mrs. Fred Kastenholz.
The 1956 Sauerbraten served over 700 people. In order to generate interest in the 1957 affair,
the following piece of doggerel was placed in the April 27,1957 edition of the Luxembourg News:
SAUERBRATEN
by Leo Hunsdorfer
Section 15 wishes to
on Saturday, May 4
have a dinner just for you
a delight is in store.
This date, keep in mind,
at the Gardens you will find
Saurbraten, it's ideal
prepared only to appeal
to you, friends and relation
accept this invitation.
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