QUAKE BRINGS GERMANY TO WAYNEDALE

Hermann Quake, who was born in Germany, has long time ties to the Waynedale community. Hermann had already completed a toolmaker’s apprenticeship before leaving Germany. Soon after arriving in Fort Wayne he started to work in the Model Shop at Bowmar Instrument Corporation on Bluffton Road. When he and his wife, Sally, married in 1963 they bought a home on Waynedale Boulevard where they lived for 8 years. They have been members of St. Therese Church in Waynedale for 39 years. Eventually, Hermann left Bowmar, and following other business ventures became an entrepreneur, founding Quake Manufacturing in 1990. The business moved into a permanent location on Engle Road in 1996. Hermann has since retired and Quake Manufacturing is now in the capable hands of his oldest son, Paul, a 1983 graduate of Elmhurst High School. His son, John, and his daughter, Melissa S’Chevalier, are also both Elmhurst graduates classes of ’86 and ’91 respectfully. John lives in Michigan and Melissa resides in North Carolina. Hermann has strong ties to the German community of Fort Wayne and has been a member of the Fort Wayne Maennerchor, a German singing Society for 25 years.

Since 1982, the Maennerchor/Damenchor has maintained an active role in the annual Germanfest. Besides being a member club of the Germanfest Committee, they also sing an annual Germanfest Concert that opens the festival activities each year. You can also hear members of the club singing joyfully around the bar in the beer tent.

Singing in the choir does not require an audition, but it does require a love for singing, and a love for things German, including FUN. Rehearsals are held every Thursday evening from September to June.

After 132 years, 80 of which have been spent in rented rooms on West Main Street, the Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor, in conjunction with the Fort Wayne German Heritage Society, has purchased property to call their own. PARK EDELWEISS, formerly known as the Elmhurst Garden Club (or Lunz’s Barn), 3355 Elmhurst Drive, is now their permanent home. The building, and the 14 acres of surrounding park land, provides ample space for many club activities, as well as public events.

For more information go to FORTWAYNEMAENNERCHOR.US.

At this time the Maennerchor/Damenchor is planning their annual Octoberfest for Saturday, September 28.

The Maennerchor’s own special recipe bratwurst will be served for the occasion, as well as original recipe sauerkraut, and unique German style deserts made by the ladies. Entertainment for the evening includes singing by the choir, and dancing to the music of die Perlen, a German band from Chicago.