Report and pictures by Rosemarie Reisch
It
is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the home of Rosemarie Reisch.
On December 6, 2003, she invited the members and friends of the Los Angeles-Berlin
Sister City Committee to celebrate the holiday season together. Walking
through the lights in the garden and upon entering the festively decorated
house with the beautiful Christmas tree and the many tables decorated with
orchids and spruce, the guests began to feel the magic and the spirit of
Christmas instantly. In her welcome speech, Rosemarie Reisch thanked the
members and friends of the Los Angeles-Berlin Sister City Committee for
their support throughout the years. Among the guests were Consul General
Dr. Hans-Juergen Wendler and Mrs. Gudrun Wendler, Councilman Tom LaBonge,
Stelle Feuers of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Claudia Gordon, Director
of Villa Aurora, Elke Sommer and her husband Wolf Walther, Helma Bloomberg
as well as numerous leaders of organizations and institutions committed
to promoting German-American relations.
Following
the reception, the guests enjoyed an excellent musical program presented
by Gregorio Gonzalez, baritone (Resident artist of L.A. Opera), and Katja
Rothfuss, soprano, accompanied by Victoria Kirsch at the piano. The English
and German Christmas songs enchanted the guests and everyone joined in
with “Silent Night, Holy Night …” This year, something special had been
planned: A traditional German Christmas Dinner with duck, red cabbage and
other holiday favorites. During the dinner, an animated exchange took place
with Louise King providing festive background music. One of the highlights
of the evening were the spontaneous presentations by Gregorio Gonzalez
who touched the audience with his “Ave Maria”, as well as the German songs
sung by Katja Rothfuss and Elke Sommer. When the evening ended, everyone
felt that the holiday season had begun.