On Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, the German-American Social Club of Peekskill will hold their annual Oktoberfest. All are welcome to listen to authentic German music, enjoy food and drink Oktoberfest beer. There will be games for children, dancing and vendors at the Club’s Kramers Pond Road location in Putnam Valley. The festivities begin on Saturday at 3 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. Sunday’s activities begin at noon and end at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 and children under 14 are free if accompanied by an adult.
Roots in Peekskill
In 1936 a small group of Americans of German descent gathered to form a club with the purpose of preserving the traditions, culture and heritage of their German homeland. They met at the Lyceum Hall on Main Street in Peekskill under the leadership of their first president, Otto Bollhagen. The club gathered in other locations for years until 1979.
In 1979 they bought nine acres of land on Kramers Pond Road in Putnam Valley and built their clubhouse. Through the efforts, skills, enthusiasm, labor and love of their German heritage the Bavarian style building is the scene of events, dinners, and meetings for members.
Gerald Schamrek has served as club president for 13 years. ‘Gerry’ as he is known to club members is the son of German immigrants. His father is from Munich, and his mother is from a small village in Bavaria. His wife Anna serves as second Vice President and Secretary of the GASC. His mission is to give back to the community and stresses it’s not only a social club but it is a benevolent organization that gives to communities and organizations in addition to student scholarships.
Civic Involvement
Over the years the German-American Social Club of Peekskill has received numerous awards: Putnam County Business Council “Trailblazer Award” in December 2021 for recognition of the ability to show grit with “great response through tough times”; County of Putnam, Carmel NY “Certificate of Congratulations” also in December 2021 for earning the Best Community Outreach by a business or not-for-profit Award. The GASC uses their building as a crisis center during the winter as a warming station and also during the summer as a cooling center for those in need of comfort and relief. During the winter they have an annual coat drive where they distribute winter coats in the community. They also have a food drive where they collect non-perishables to give to a local church food bank. They sponsor a Little League baseball team.
Every spring, a Veteran’s Benefit Dinner is held in which all the proceeds are given to a veteran’s organization. This year the GASC selected the Guardian Revival. The club raised enough funds to sponsor a companion dog for a deserving veteran or emergency responder. On August 10, 2023 the Guardian Revival introduced the dog the club sponsored at a Hudson Valley Renegades baseball game at Dutchess Stadium and the dog was awarded to a local town police officer.
The GASC sponsored their annual school drive recently where they gave backpacks and gift cards to children in need. Mahopac High School has a German Club where members of the club donate their time to volunteer at events and dinners. The GASC is also a major contributor to the Vietnam Traveling Wall which was exhibited at the Putnam County Veteran’s Memorial Park last year.
The GASC boasts members who are passionate about preserving and celebrating the German culture. Herb Seef, who is treasurer and his wife Kathy have been members of the GASC since the late 1970’s. Herb served as a president for two terms, 1985-1987 and 1991-1993. He was also the Journal Chairman for the 80th Anniversary of the German-American Social Club of Peekskill and also served on the 80th Anniversary Committee in 2016. In his address to the GASC for the 80th Anniversary Herb said, “let us join together at this occasion as Americans of Germanic Ancestry to renew existing friendships, to form many new ones and to continue to preserve the traditions, culture and heritage of the “Alte Heimat (old homestead).” Herb has served as Vice Chairman of the Steuben Day Parade in New York City for 31 years and ran the Oktoberfest in Central Park at the Summerstage for 17 years with more than 4,000 people attending.
Past Presidents
Roland and Trudi Link have been members since 1974. Roland has been First Vice President of the GASC since 2010. He also served on the 80th Anniversary Committee. Roland was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1952. He expressed being a member of the GASC means maintaining his German heritage. He takes pride in maintaining the grounds of the club house.
Donald Leisengang, my husband, has been a member for more than six years and serves as the club’s Financial Secretary. Coming from a German/Austrian heritage, Don felt a need to help preserve his heritage by joining the GASC and supporting it in any capacity he can.
I became a member of the club in February. I find the members warm and engaging. It’s like a family when we have gatherings. Members are from Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland and the US. Being a native Peekskillian, it’s great to know this club started in downtown Peekskill. I love the conversations I have with some members who have fond memories of shopping in Peekskill at Offenbacher’s, Karl Ehmer’s, Hahn’s Bakery, Genung’s and The Modern Bake Shop.