100th ANNIVERSARY 1908-2008 Gottscheer Hall TIMES 100TH ANNIVERSARY,Many TIMES 100TH ANNIVERSARY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 Times TIMES 100TH Many Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times 100th ANNIVERSARY 1908-2008 Gottscheer Hall Ridgewood CONGRATULATIONS Times/Times Newsweekly may we botth contt iinue tto be successffull~FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com may 12, 2016 • TIMES 5 Ridgewood Times/Times Newsweekly ON YOUR 100 YEARS OF KEEPING Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times 100th ANNIVERSARY 1908-2008 Gottscheer Hall ON YOUR 100 YEARS OF KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED THE COMMUNITY INFORMED FAIRVIEW AVE. , RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385 • WWW.GOTTSCHEERHALL.COM 657 FAIRVIEW AVE. , RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385 • WWW.GOTTSCHEERHALL.COM • 718-366-3030 young Gottscheers had been coming to Our History of Serving Ridgewood CONGRATULATIONS may we botth contt iinue tto be successffull~CONGRATULATIONS 657 FAIRVIEW AVE. , RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385 • WWW.GOTTSCHEERHALL.COM • 718-366-3030 Ridgewood Times/CONGRATULATIONS Times Newsweekly Ridgewood Times/Times Newsweekly ON YOUR 100 YEARS OF KEEPING Ridgewood Ridgewood ON YOUR Times/100 Times/YEARS Times Times OF KEEPING Newsweekly Newsweekly THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ON YOUR 100 YEARS OF KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ON YOUR THE 100 COMMUNITY YEARS INFORMED OF KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ambitious young Gottscheers had been coming to From one olld tt iimer tto anotther,, ambitious young Gottscheers had been coming to Ridgewood; the Gottscheer one of the last and oldest German-in the city, is a Ridgewood dance group participates in Gottscheer Hall continues generations of members that adjoining counties meet here Along with many area residents,have their family affairs—TIMES 100TH ANNIVERSARY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 42 Many ambitious young Gottscheers had been America since the late 19th century. The first ones settled primarily in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, around 1880. Their community in Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new clubs were formed, spurring among them a desire to find a place that would serve them as their common clubhouse. In Ridgewood, back then a city neighborhood that expanded rapidly with blocks after blocks of newly constructed multi-family housing, they found their place; a steam laundry and knitting mill at 657 Fairview Ave. was up for sale. The price was right, and a purchase was made. There were many craftsmen among their members who contributed coming to America since the late 19th century. The first ones settled primarily in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, around 1880. Their community in Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new clubs were formed, spurring among them a desire to find a place that would serve them as their common clubhouse. In Ridgewood, back then a city neighborhood that expanded rapidly with blocks after blocks of newly constructed multi-family housing, they found their place; a steam laundry and knitting mill at 657 Fairview Ave. was up for sale. The price was right, and a purchase was made. There were many craftsmen among their members who contributedtheir labor; together they worked the place over and turned it into a neat clubhouse with restaurant facilities. To run this operation, the Gottscheer Central Holding Corporation was established from the membership of their clubs. The Gottscheer Clubhouse opened its doors to business in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood CONGRATULATIONS and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the largest number of Gottscheers in the whole world. The clubhouse on Fairview Avenue was too small for the new crowds. For a number of years, bars and saloons in the imm e d i a t e neighborhood, run by Gottscheer proprietors, absorbed much of the overflow. Palmgarden on Onderdonk Avenue, Hoge’s Tavern on Woodward Avenue, Kioodles on Sen- e c a Avenue, and many others in the vicinity of the clubhouse served the fast-growing Gottscheer community. When in 1961 the property adjoining the clubhouse became available, it was promptly purchased and work began immediately on the enlargement of the facilities. In December 1962, a spacious new Gottscheer Hall opened its doors to the public. The new facility offered, in addition to a large banquet hall with a modern kitchen, two smaller meeting halls that quickly came to be utilized to capacity. At least a dozen Gottscheer clubs made their headquarters at the Hall and conducted nearly all their large and small affairs here. In addition to the Gottscheer clubs, many other German American societies also established themselves at Gottscheer Hall. To name just two of the best known: the Arion Singing Society and the Ridgewood Heights Singing Societies. The German societies that were once so typical of the Ridgewood scene have largely moved on, but the Gottscheer clubs remain. Some are more visible in the larger community than others. Blau Weiss Gottschee, with its highly successful neighborhood soccer program, is a source of pride to all of Ridgewood; the Gottscheer Men and Women’s Chorus, as one of the last and oldest German-American singing societies in the city, is a Ridgewood landmark; and a Gottscheer folk dance group participates in many community events. Gottscheer Hall continues to bustle with activity, as newgenerations of meGottscheer Hall continues to bustle with activity, as new generations of members that live anywhere in Queens and adjoining counties meet here and carry on their traditions. Along with many area residents, they often make it a rule to have their family affairs— weddings, anniversaries, graduation and birthday parties, etc.—conducted here. As choirmembers, soccer players, bowlers, hunters and dancers meet and mingle, along with just plain fun-and-company-seeking party goers, they are enjoying as well as helping to keep alivea historic institution of Ridgewood—an evergreen in an everchanging city landscape. We still keep tradition, but we also modernize our menu and customize to any party. TIMES 100TH ANNIVERSARY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times 100th ANNIVERSARY 1908-2008 Gottscheer Hall 657 FAIRVIEW AVE. , RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385 • WWW.GOTTSCHEERHALL.COM • 718-366-3030 Many ambitious young Gottscheers had been coming to America since the late 19th century. The first ones settled primarily in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, around 1880. Their community in Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new clubs were formed, spurring among them a desire to find a place that would serve them as their common clubhouse. In Ridgewood, back then a city neighborhood that expanded rapidly with blocks after blocks of newly constructed multi-family housing, they found their place; a steam laundry and knitting mill at 657 Fairview Ave. was up for sale. The price was right, and a purchase was made. There were many craftsmen among their members who contributed their labor; together they worked the place over and turned it into a neat clubhouse with restaurant facilities. To run this operation, the Gottscheer Central Holding Corporation the membership of their clubs. opened its doors to business in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the largest number of Gottscheers in the whole world. The clubhouse on Fairview Avenue was too small for the new crowds. For a number of years, bars and saloons in the immediate neighborhood, run by Gottscheer proprietors, absorbed much of the overflow. Palmgarden on Onderdonk Avenue, Hoge’s Tavern on Woodward Avenue, Kioodles on Seneca Avenue, and many others in the vicinity of the clubhouse served the fast-growing Gottscheer community. When in 1961 the property adjoining the clubhouse became available, it was promptly purchased and work began immediately on the enlargement of the facilities. In December 1962, a spacious new Gottscheer Hall opened its doors to the public. The new facility offered, in addition to a large banquet hall with a modern kitchen, two smaller meeting halls that quickly came to be utilized to capacity. At least a dozen Gottscheer clubs made their headquarters at the Hall and conducted nearly all their large and small affairs here. In addition to the Gottscheer clubs, many other German-American societies also established themselves at Gottscheer Hall. To name just two of the best known: the Arion Singing Society and the Ridgewood Heights Singing Societies. The German societies that were once so typical of the Ridgewood scene have largely moved on, but the Gottscheer clubs remain. Some are more visible in the larger community Ridgewood; the Gottscheer Men and Women’s Chorus, as one of the last and oldest German-American singing societies in the city, is a Ridgewood landmark; and a Gottscheer folk dance group participates in many community events. Gottscheer Hall continues to bustle with activity, as new generations of members that live anywhere in Queens and adjoining counties meet here and carry on their traditions. Along with many area residents, they often make it a rule to have family affairs—weddings, anniversaries, graduation and birthday parties, etc.—conducted here. As choir members, soccer players, bowlers, hunters and dancers meet and mingle, along with just plain fun-and-company-seeking party goers, they are enjoying as well as helping to keep alive a historic institution of Ridgewood—an evergreen in an everchanging city landscape. We still keep tradition, but we also modernize our menu and customize to any party. ~From one olld tt iimer tto anotther,, may we botth contt iinue tto be successffull~ © Times Newsweekly 2008 – GOTTHALL Gott ttscheerr Hall ll sttands on Faii rr viiew Avenue bettween Gattes Avenue and Liinden Stt rreett iin Riidgewood.. Note the street sign that identifies the location as “Gottscheer Avenue.” their labor; together they worked the place over and turned it into a neat clubhouse with restaurant facilities. To run this operation, the Gottscheer Central Holding Corporation was established from the membership of their clubs. The Gottscheer Clubhouse opened its doors to business in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the largest number of Gottscheers in the whole world. The clubhouse on Fairview Avenue was too small for the new crowds. For a number of years, bars and saloons in the immediate neighborhood, run by Gottscheer proprietors, absorbed much of the overflow. Palmgarden on Onderdonk Avenue, Hoge’s Tavern on Woodward Avenue, Kioodles on Seneca Avenue, and many others in the vicinity of the clubhouse served the fast-growing Gottscheer community. When in 1961 the property adjoining the clubhouse became available, it was promptly purchased and work began immediately on the enlargement of the facilities. In December 1962, a spacious new Gottscheer Hall opened its doors to the public. The new facility offered, in addition to a large banquet hall with a modern kitchen, two smaller meeting halls that quickly came to be utilized to capacity. At least a dozen Gottscheer clubs made their headquarters at the Hall and conducted nearly all their large and small affairs here. In addition to the Gottscheer clubs, many other German-American societies also established themselves at Gottscheer Hall. To name just two of the best known: the Arion Singing Society and the Ridgewood Heights Singing Societies. The German societies that were once so typical of the Ridgewood scene have largely moved on, but the Gottscheer clubs remain. Some are more visible in the larger community than others. Blau Weiss Gottschee, with its highly successful neighborhood soccer program, is a source of pride to all of Ridgewood; the Gottscheer Men and one of the last and oldest German-American in the city, is a Ridgewood landmark;dance group participates in many community Gottscheer Hall continues to bustle generations of members that live anywhere adjoining counties meet here and carry Along with many area residents, they have their family affairs—weddings,and birthday parties, etc.—conducted members, soccer players, bowlers, hunters and mingle, along with just plain fun-party goers, they are enjoying as well a historic institution of Ridgewood—an city landscape. We still keep tradition, but we also modernize customize to any party. ~From one olld tt iimer tto anotther,, © Times Newsweekly 2008 – GOTTHALL Gott ttscheerr Hall ll on Faii rr viiew Avenue bettween Gattes Avenue and Liinden Stt rreett iin Riidgewood.. Note the street sign that identifies the location as “Gottscheer Avenue.” America since the late 19th century. The first ones settled primarily in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, around 1880. Their community in Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new clubs were formed, spurring among them a desire to find a place that would serve them as their common clubhouse. In Ridgewood, back then a city neighborhood that expanded rapidly with blocks after blocks of newly constructed multi-family housing, they found their place; a steam laundry and knitting mill at 657 Fairview Ave. was up for sale. The price was right, and a purchase was made. There were many craftsmen among their members who contributed their labor; together they worked the place over and turned it into a neat clubhouse with restaurant facilities. To run this operation, the Gottscheer Central Holding Corporation was established from the membership of their clubs. The Gottscheer Clubhouse opened its doors to business in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the largest number of Gottscheers in the whole world. The clubhouse on Fairview Avenue was too small for the new crowds. For a number of years, bars and saloons in the immediate neighborhood, run by Gottscheer proprietors, absorbed much of the overflow. Palmgarden on Onderdonk Avenue, Hoge’s Tavern on Woodward Avenue, Kioodles on Seneca Avenue, and many others in the vicinity of the clubhouse served the fast-growing Gottscheer community. When in 1961 the property adjoining the clubhouse became available, it was promptly purchased and work began immediately on the enlargement of the facilities. In December 1962, a spacious new Gottscheer Hall opened its doors to the public. The new facility offered, in addition to a large banquet hall with a modern kitchen, two smaller meeting halls that quickly came to be utilized to capacity. At least a dozen Gottscheer clubs made their headquarters at the Hall and conducted nearly all their large and small affairs here. In addition to the Gottscheer clubs, many other German-American societies also established themselves at Gottscheer Hall. To name just two of the best known: the Arion Singing Society and the Ridgewood Heights Singing Societies. The German societies that were once so typical of the Ridgewood scene have largely moved on, but the Gottscheer clubs remain. Some are more visible in the larger community than others. Blau Weiss Gottschee, with its highly successful neighborhood soccer program, is a source of pride to all of Ridgewood; the Gottscheer Men and Women’s Chorus, as one of the last and oldest German-American singing societies in the city, is a Ridgewood landmark; and a Gottscheer folk dance group participates in many community events. Gottscheer Hall continues to bustle with activity, as new generations of members that live anywhere in Queens and adjoining counties meet here and carry on their traditions. Along with many area residents, they often make it a rule to have their family affairs—weddings, anniversaries, graduation and birthday parties, etc.—conducted here. As choir members, soccer players, bowlers, hunters and dancers meet and mingle, along with just plain fun-and-company-seeking party goers, they are enjoying as well as helping to keep alive a historic institution of Ridgewood—an evergreen in an everchanging city landscape. We still keep tradition, but we also modernize our menu and customize to any party. ~From one olld tt iimer tto anotther,, may we botth contt iinue tto be successffull~ © Times Newsweekly 2008 – GOTTHALL Gott ttscheerr Hall ll sttands on Faii rr viiew Avenue bettween Gattes Avenue and Liinden Stt rreett iin Riidgewood.. Note the street sign that identifies the location as “Gottscheer Avenue.” Many ambitious young Gottscheers had been coming to America since the late 19th century. The first ones settled primarily in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, around 1880. Their community in Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new clubs were formed, spurring among them a desire to find a place that would serve them as their common clubhouse. In Ridgewood, back then a city neighborhood that expanded rapidly with blocks after blocks of newly constructed multi-family housing, they found their place; a steam laundry and knitting mill at 657 Fairview Ave. was up for sale. The price was right, and a purchase was made. There were many craftsmen among their members who contributed their labor; together they worked the place over and turned it into a neat clubhouse with restaurant facilities. To run this operation, the Gottscheer Central Holding Corporation was established from the membership of their clubs. The Gottscheer Clubhouse opened its doors to business in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the largest number of Gottscheers in the whole world. The clubhouse on Fairview Avenue was too small for the new crowds. For a number of years, bars and saloons in the immediate neighborhood, run by Gottscheer proprietors, absorbed much of the overflow. Palmgarden on Onderdonk Avenue, Hoge’s Tavern on Woodward Avenue, Kioodles on Seneca Avenue, and many others in the vicinity of the clubhouse served the fast-growing Gottscheer community. When in 1961 the property adjoining the clubhouse became available, it was promptly purchased and work began immediately on the enlargement of the facilities. In December 1962, a spacious new Gottscheer Hall opened its doors to the public. The new facility offered, in addition to a large banquet hall with a modern kitchen, two smaller meeting halls that quickly came to be utilized to capacity. At least a dozen Gottscheer clubs made their headquarters at the Hall and conducted nearly all their large and small affairs here. In addition to the Gottscheer clubs, many other German-American societies also established themselves at Gottscheer Hall. To name just two of the best known: the Arion Singing Society and the Ridgewood Heights Singing Societies. The German societies that were once so typical of the Ridgewood scene have largely moved on, but the Gottscheer clubs remain. Some are more visible in the larger community than others. Blau Weiss Gottschee, with its highly successful neighborhood soccer program, is a source of pride to all of Ridgewood; the Gottscheer Men and Women’s Chorus, as one of the last and oldest German-American singing societies in the city, is a Ridgewood landmark; and a Gottscheer dance group participates in many community events. Gottscheer Hall continues to bustle with activity, as new generations of members that live anywhere in Queens and adjoining meet here and carry on their traditions. Along many area residents, they often make it a rule to have their family affairs—weddings, anniversaries, graduation and birthday parties, etc.—conducted here. As choir members, soccer players, bowlers, hunters and dancers meet and mingle,along with just plain fun-and-company-seeking party goers, they are enjoying as well as helping to keep alive a historic institution of Ridgewood—an evergreen in an everchanging city landscape. We still keep tradition, but we also modernize our menu and customize to any party. ~From one olld tt iimer tto anotther,, may we botth contt iinue tto be successffull~ © Times Newsweekly 2008 – GOTTHALL Gott ttscheerr Hall ll sttands on Faii rr viiew Avenue bettween Gattes Avenue and Liinden Stt rreett iin Riidgewood.. Note the street sign that identifies the location as “Gottscheer Avenue.” Many ambitious young Gottscheers had been coming to America since the late 19th century. The first ones settled primarily in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, around 1880. Their community in Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new clubs were formed, spurring among them a desire to find a place that would serve them as their common clubhouse. In Ridgewood, back then a city neighborhood that expanded rapidly with blocks after blocks of newly constructed multi-family housing, they found their place; a steam laundry and knitting mill at 657 Fairview Ave. was up for sale.and a purchase was made. There their members who contributed worked the place over and turned restaurant facilities. To Central Holding Corporation was established from the membership of their clubs. The Gottscheer Clubhouse opened its doors to business in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the largest number of Gottscheers in the whole world. The clubhouse on Fairview Avenue was too small for the new crowds. For a number of years, bars and saloons in the immediate neighborhood, run by Gottscheer proprietors, absorbed much of the overflow. Palmgarden on Onderdonk Avenue, Hoge’s Tavern on Woodward Avenue, Kioodles on Seneca Avenue, and many others in the vicinity of the clubhouse served the fast-growing Gottscheer community. When in 1961 the property adjoining the clubhouse became available, it was promptly purchased and work began immediately on the enlargement of the facilities. In December 1962, a spacious new Gottscheer Hall opened its doors to the public. The new facility offered, in addition to a large banquet hall with a modern kitchen, two smaller meeting halls that quickly came to be utilized to capacity. At least a dozen Gottscheer clubs made their headquarters at the Hall and conducted nearly all their large and small affairs here. In addition to the Gottscheer clubs, many other German-American societies also established themselves at Gottscheer Hall. To name just two of the best known: the Arion Singing Society and the Ridgewood Heights Singing Societies. The German societies that were once so typical of the Ridgewood scene have largely moved on, but the Gottscheer clubs remain. Some are more visible in the larger community than others. Blau Weiss Gottschee, with its highly successful Ridgewood; the Gottscheer Men and Women’s Chorus, as one of the last and oldest German-American singing societies in the city, is a Ridgewood landmark; and a Gottscheer folk dance group participates in many community events. Gottscheer Hall continues to bustle with activity,generations of members that live anywhere in Queens adjoining counties meet here and carry on their traditions. Along with many area residents, they often make it a rule to have their family affairs—weddings, anniversaries, graduation and birthday parties, etc.—conducted here. As choir members, soccer players, bowlers, hunters and dancers meet and mingle, along with just plain fun-and-company-seeking party goers, they are enjoying as well as helping to keep alive a historic institution of Ridgewood—an evergreen in an everchanging city landscape. We still keep tradition, but we also modernize our menu and customize to any party. ~From one olld tt iimer tto anotther,, may we botth contt iinue tto be successffull~ © Times Newsweekly 2008 – GOTTHALL Gott ttscheerr Hall ll sttands on Faii rr viiew Avenue bettween Gattes Avenue and Liinden Stt rreett iin Riidgewood.. Note the street sign that identifies the location as “Gottscheer Avenue.” 19th century. The first ones settled neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 1880. Williamsburg/Brooklyn grew and new spurring among them a desire to find a them as their common clubhouse. then a city neighborhood that in December 1924. Though it was nearly destroyed by fire four years later, the member clubs again rallied to restore their meeting house. Having all the Gottschee societies meet regularly at the new clubhouse in Ridgewood had an impact on their community in Williamsburg. One by one, the members relocated and became homeowners in Ridgewood. Within a few decades, nearly the whole Gottscheer community had moved across the Brooklyn/Queens border into this neighborhood and adjacent Glendale. By this time, there were as many Gottscheer people in the United States as were left in the old homeland in Europe, and their largest number lived in Ridgewood, New York, in the vicinity of the Gottscheer Clubhouse. Then came World War II and the enormous upheaval that caused millions of refugees all over Europe. The people of Gottschee lost their historic homeland. Their clubs in Ridgewood established the Gottscheer Relief Association, Inc. to help their unfortunate kinfolk. An immigration law signed by President Truman in 1950 opened the door to the United States for a large number of the “displaced persons,” as the refugees came to be called. In the years immediately thereafter, many of the uprooted, homeless Gottscheers arrived at American shores, to seek a new home primarily in those neighborhoods where they already had kinfolk living. Ridgewood was now home to the ttscheerr Hall ll sttands on Avenue bettween Gattes and Liinden Stt rreett iin Riidgewood.. sign that identifies the location as Avenue.”
RT05122016
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