The 2011 Munich American High School Reunion is over, but not forgotten!
All who came had a great time. Below are the highlights of the events:
October 5th, Wednesday evening at the Park Café in downtown Munich. About 16 of us who arrived early had a great time getting reacquainted. Schnitzels were flying, bratwurst and kartoffelsalat were a huge hit, and all washed down by some German beer and wine and “spezi” (Coke and Fanta for those who remember).
October 7th, Friday night at the Hofbräuhaus. This was our first official event of the three days. MAHS alumni joined the event in the Festsaal. It was a fabulous room with Bavarian entertainment like the “schuhplattler dance”. Overall we numbered more than 60 with friends and relatives. We used the time to register and reconfirm the events of the upcoming two days, eat some incredible German food and again drink some beer, and of course, meet old friends and classmates.
Favorite songs:
1. Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit
2. In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus: eins, zwei, g’suffa….
3. Bier her, bier her, oder ich fall um
Thanks to the generosity of those that were unable to attend:
Michelle (Spicknell) Pasternack and Gary Pasternack
Joe and Ceci Mano
Robert Gordon
Squeak and Gail Mead
They graciously gave their registration fees to the Reunion Committee to help with expenses. And a very special thanks to Gail who lost her dear husband, Squeak.
October 8th, Saturday morning. All aboard the “school bus” for an exciting trip down memory lane. We arrived at MAHS and parked near the statue of the Mustang, next to the school. Unfortunately, just as we pulled up to the school to exit the bus it began to hail. Bummer, since the entire week prior to the event the sun was shining and the temps reached into the 80’s. Never mind, the hail let up, and we soon entered the school and made our way to the cafeteria. Yes, the elephant is still there, (although hidden somewhat by shrubs) with 56 coats of paint. It all seemed so surreal. For most of us more than 40-45 years had passed, yet at times it seemed as though it was yesterday.
We were met by the school’s principal, Herr Lanzenstiel. The entire complex is divided up into 3 schools. Sort of like during our time, but different. The portion of the school, for example, that comprised our HS is now something like a vocational school, which allows students to explore educational paths that may not lead to college. The facilities all looked great! In addition to our group, the school was sponsoring a flea market to raise money for school activities. There was lots of life in the old school and it was fun seeing it so vibrant.
Back to the cafeteria. It looked the same, yet different. They had changed the décor of the ceiling by placing a ribbon-like structure over portions of the old ceiling. It made for a pleasant change to the room.
After some words of welcome from Ben, and the principal, JoAnn (Denny) Clark made some touching comments about students and teachers who had passed away but are still remembered. A local president of an organization that helps coordinate and administer activities for that part of Munich, Herr Walter, also welcomed the group. We were also accompanied by a journalist who was documenting our trip for a historical article about Americans in Munich, and a photographer. We began the tour with the auditorium since it is directly across from the cafeteria. They have completely renovated the large auditorium and made it in to a gym. It looked great and is also used as a large meeting hall. The last time I had been in that room was for HS graduation in 1967 when Rex Gleason passed out diplomas.
Then on to the main hallway of MAHS. Down the long hall past the parking lot to the school lobby. The feelings that we experienced were sensational. Students were heard saying things like: “That’s where my locker was”, “Isn’t that where Mr. Akimoto had his room?”, “That was Mr. Vahovich’s office”, “I think this was Home Ec”, “That’s where we took our senior pictures”, “Was Mr. Colby’s class next to Mr. Zibel’s?”, “Hey, I think this was Becker’s class”.
We spent about 45 minutes going through the classrooms. The school opened up all the doors and we had a great time running around like noisy kids.
We also went to the old gym and sat in the bleachers. We took separate pictures of those of us who lettered in a sport or participated in the band. The gym looked great. Those that stayed at the dorm during the school week while attending MAHS had a chance to view the outside of the building. Although it’s not a dorm anymore it is still standing. We’re lucky to have made it there before next year when it will be demolished. The old heating plant and dorm area will be home to a new International School for about 1200 students. It will be located next to MAHS.
By the way, the old hospital across the street has been turned in to the Federal Patent Court, and the housing area looks super. Before the Americans returned the community to the Germans in 1992 we added balconies to most buildings and renovated the interior of most apartments. The trees have all gotten huge and the entire area looks like a beautiful park. Even the old smoking area looked like a forest.
We went back to the main school after the gym and had a chance to visit more classrooms. One of our old teachers, Mr. Earl Switzer, was part of the reunion. It was special having him be part of the event. Mr. Switzer had a chance to check out his old classroom. We all pretended to be students sitting at our desks back in his biology class and had our picture taken.
Visiting the school was an unbelievable highlight for everyone on the tour. Could it really be that 45 years have gone by? It seemed like yesterday when we skipped school to go to the Oktoberfest. It seems like only a few months ago we were playing soccer in the field next to the gym. We all expressed some of the same feelings of wonder regarding how time has passed so quickly as we walked through the school. A great place with lots of special memories.
After touring the classrooms, we went back to the cafeteria where we thanked the principal, picked up some sack lunches (for those of you nostalgic for cafeteria food, we want you to know we skipped the green hot dogs and PBJ’s).
Off to the bus for a tour of the Perlacher Forst Housing area. First stop, Family Theater, now the Cincinnati Theatre. It’s still there and only missing the yellow phone booth in front. After the theater we went past the old chapel which has been turned into a Russian Orthodox church. Somewhat ironic considering why the U.S. stayed in Germany for so long, but none-the-less still a special place.
From the housing area we drove to McGraw Kaserne. On our way we looked at the old Wienerwald, Pizzeria, commented about gasthauses called “The Frau”, and the “Blue Room”. All old make-out joints and watering holes for some of us bad boys and girls. (Herr Ober, ein Pizza mit Anchovies und ein Helles, bitte.) The gas station and Von Stauben MP station have been replaced by an addition to the Stadelheim prison, a women’s wing.
After we all showed our ID cards at the gate of McGraw (NOT) we parked the bus and did a walking tour. We walked between the old motorpool and the back of the old University of Maryland campus toward the old library. We exited McGraw by the back of the old Commissary and then walked along the outside of the base past the back of the snack bar and bowling alley. Then we entered the base again by the old Officer’s Club entrance. (How many remember the basement of the building that was a club for the U of M students that high school kids crashed sometimes?) We then went around the front of the large building that used to be the old AAFES Headquarters (remember the elevators you had to step in to while they were moving?) where we had our pictures taken on the front steps. There is a plaque on the front of the building thanking the Americans for their years in Munich from 1945-1992. For those of you who have not been at McGraw since your high school days, you will be surprised at the highway going directly through the base. It was built in 1972 to help with the traffic for the Olympics. It runs through the base in an open tunnel about 50 feet below ground.
After McGraw it was off to our old football field in Harlaching. It’s great to see the area being used as a sports field by Munich’s FC Bayern soccer team. However, it didn’t take much imagination as we stopped on the bluff looking down on the field to remember our football games, the bands playing and our team winning (we’ll forget the losing games).
None of us could remember where the old AYA was located in Harlaching. In the late 60’s it was turned over to a private school called Munich International School. They later moved to a renovated palace in Starnberg, where they are currently located. The US Forces still have people stationed in Garmisch and their high school students attend MIS.
From the football field we were off again to the old PX downtown on Prinzregentenstr. It looked the same. Many fond memories of trips to the store, a lunch at the “Bavarian Room” on the top floor, or combing through the record store on the main floor for the latest 45’s from the Beatles. Remember the Shoppette on the left as you came in the main entrance?
After the PX we headed through Schwabing to Warner Kaserne and through the old housing area. For those of us who attended school at Alabama Kaserne, we had a chance to have our picture taken at the old school. One of only two original buildings still standing on what is now one of BMW’s large developmental complexes.
It was just a short drive from there to the BMW museum and new car showcase exhibit. This marked the end of the official “Memory Lane” tour, and at this point “the kids” started to split and go in different directions:
Walking tour of Munich with Ben
Residence Museum tour with Hanne Bowman
Back to hotels to recuperate
Harp concert in the Residence Chapel
At 6:30 about a dozen of us met at the Beer Museum in downtown Munich (between Victuallienmart and Isartor) and had a great meal, and of course, more beer.
October 9th, Sunday Morning. Another fun day of activities:
1. Bus tour to Chiemsee and Herrenchiemsee, led by Hanne Bowman
2. Hike to Kloister Andechs, led by Ben Bowman
3. Bus tour to Garmisch and surrounding area, led by Michael Woywod
4. Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Starnberg, led by Ben Bowman
The weather changed in our favor in time for us to enjoy the outings and all trips ended up being lots of fun. Those on the Garmisch trip even got to experience a light dusting of snow at the Eibsee.
Everyone made it back to their hotels to freshen up for the evening dinner/dance at the Undosa on the shore of beautiful Lake Starnberg. Sixty-six of us converged on the place between 6 and 7 o’clock for a super evening. The event was made even more special by having one of our own, Bob Suder, lead the band. Bob had played in an AYA band with Charlie Brown in the 60’s. He hasn’t lost his touch. Bob did a great job playing some of our favorite songs. We even had a guest singer, Kathy Bohn-Jones from the class of 1974, who sounded fabulous doing two numbers. Everyone had a glass of champagne, as a “Begrussungsgetränk”, and then settled in for a night of fine Mediterranean dining, dancing, and visiting with friends. Lots of food, lots of dancing, and lots of visiting. (See the attached menu—it was spectacular!) Even a German version of Mack the Knife by Ben.
A special table was set up as a remembrance to those students and teachers who are no longer with us. (The MAHS Reunion web site has an “In Memory” page. Please feel free to contribute additional names and comments directly on the web site.) We felt it was important to remember those who could not be with us but who will forever live in our hearts and our memories.
We closed the place down sometime around midnight, when the last of our MAHS group walked (or stumbled) out the door.
This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see our old school and visit with friends and fellow MAHs students. We are all grateful for the opportunity and will cherish our visit for many years to come. (Well, for as long as our memories are still intact).
Some additional comments and thoughts:
1. Please send your pictures to us at
cherwoywod@hotmail.com. We will post them on the site. In order to not have hundreds of duplicate pictures, we will likely edit some out…
2. There is a link to a commercial site for those of you who want to buy a shirt, coffee mug or shopping bag directly from the dealer.
3. We will add the names of those who have passed away. If you think it inappropriate to add someone’s name, please let us know and we will delete it.
4. This site will be up for another year, until October 5, 2012.
