A note was received from Professor Dr. Johannes Hampel, a professor at the University of Augsburg, and a principal in the Bukowina-Institut of Germany. He sent best wishes to "Unserer Bukowina Heimat," (Our Bukovina Community) after spending 14 days in the Bukovina region. He attended the 5th International Bukovina meeting there with participants from North and South Bukovina as well as from Germany. He noted that only the "Americans" were missing and hopefully will be with them the next time.

From our last mailout which contained membership renewal cards many members have paid their 1994 dues. We are pleased that the lifer list has increased also. The funds from the $150.00 fee, which are in a special endowment account, provide annual income from earnings for operating the society. Thanks for your commitment to the future. At this rate we will reach our goal of filling the memorial plaque in the entrance to our museum and headquarters.

Bukovina People & Events

Christine Falconer of St. Paul, Minnesota sent a large picture album to Oren and Pat Windholz from the 40th Bundestreffen, Landsmannschaft der Buchenlanddeutschen in Augsburg. It was prepared by her sister Otilie Nebl and follows the tours, activities, and programs attended by them, Irmgard Ellingson, and Paul Polansky in 1989. An introductory note was written to Oren and Pat from Dr. Paula Tiefenthaler, another friend from the 40th. Mrs. Falconer and her husband visit family each year in Germany and was asked to bring the album back. It will be placed at the headquarters for all members to enjoy.

The Daughters of Isabella in Hays hosted the Bukovina Society at their meeting on January 11th. Stephanie Schumacher heard the program at Leadership Hays last year and invited the editor to speak so the ladies of the organization could learn of the heritage of the Bukovina German immigrants to Kansas and of the work of the Bukovina Society. I have also been put on the board of directors as secretary for the Ellis County Historical Society.

Several special events and projects are envisioned which will be of interest to all Bukovina Germans as well as descendants of Jakob Friedrich Ast and Maria Katarina (Armbrüster) Ast, the first Asts known to have settled in Bukovina.

A guided bus tour is planned which will visit several sites in Ellis County associated with the Aust immigrant and settlement experience in Kansas. This pilgrimage will include stops at significant sites of family homes, farms, businesses as well as churches and cemeteries.

The Aust clan will gather together to share memories and a midday meal during Bukovinafest weekend. They will create a family memento to donate to the Bukovina Society museum and will record oral histories relating family traditions and stories. The Austs would like to display artworks produced by family members. A call for entries is issued, and contact person is Wahnetta Mills, 405 E. 15th in Ellis.

Currently an Aust Family Heritage Album is being compiled for distribution. It will contain genealogical information and a collection of family experiences and photographs. Don Ryden is searching for Aust kin in North America and Europe. If an Ast relative has not received a letter about the album, or if you know of other family members, please write to Don at 2241 E. Mountain View Road, Phoenix, AZ 85078,

The Schaffer Legacy

Doug believes there are many files of material generated as a result of the estate matters at City Hall in Philadelphia which could have strong genealogical value.

0ne Jacob Schaffer was born in Illischestie and located in Canada by way of Kansas according to Mr. Dale. The Ellis County naturalization records do reflect a "Schafer" from Illischestie. If anyone in Ellis County would like help to record their memories of this case, they can contact the secretary or editor.

California Czech Club

We appreciate receiving the CCSC Noviny, a very interesting newsletter through the courtesy of Kathryn Betlach Dankowski. It is of primary interest to the Czech and Slovak people with ancestors from the present day Czech Republic. The region was the homeland of Bohemian Germans who migrated to Bukovina and later to Canada, the United States, and Brazil. The newsletter lists a Czech university student who does Bohemian roots research back to about 1650. He is fluent in the English language and charges $8.00 per hour plus a small amount for extra expenses, with limits placed by the requesting party. The name and address are available by writing to the Bukovina Society secretary. Also listed in the Genealogy Guild column was the book Bohemian Germans in Kansas. Ms. Dankowski sent a copy of the latest surname listing (over 1300) for our headquarters library.

Bukovina Cooking