3rd Quarter Newsletter
Hello Volksmarch Club!
The Board wants to thank you again for your support of Volksmarch 2024! We couldn’t have done it without your help!
Newsletter Highlights:
- Planning for Volksmarch 2025
- Club Support Needs
- Holiday Party
- Leadership announcements
Volkswanderung 2025:
- 23rd Annual Volksmarch: Saturday, April, 26, 2025. Save the date.
- We will meet and end at the Bodensee Restaurant’s Biergarten.
- Hikers and walkers can register from 8:00 am-11:00 am to allow for out-of-town participants.
- This promises to be the biggest and best Volksmarch ever and you are part of it!!
Where we are in planning:
- We have a commitment from the Bodensee for Bier, German food, and Live German music.
- We have a commitment from the Helen Rotary for the pins for the Volksmarch.
- We have a commitment from the Helen Rotary to run the raffle and gather raffle prizes.
- We have begun publicizing the Volksmarch.
- We have permission for online registration for next year.
Where we are with Club Support:
- We have a new website with club information and hikes in Helen.
- Alpinehelenvolksmarch.com
- We are applying for an LLC incorporation. We need it to qualify as a non-profit with the State of Georgia
- We have a new club logo designed by Sharon Hartis. Thank you so much!
- The AVA is designing a banner with our new club logo
- We have joined the Helen Chamber of Commerce and will soon be able to advertise and post updates on the Chamber website.
What we need going forward:
- A sponsor or part sponsor of t-shirts for the Volksmarch ($1500)
- 15 Silver Level sponsors needed ($100), Gold Level Club Sponsors ($250) and Platinum Level Sponsors ($500)
- Names of the business or family will be included on the T-shirt.
- Signs for the Volksmarch ($250)
- Flags for the Volksmarch decorations at the Bodensee ($300)
- Volunteers for the day of including: registration, check point monitor good will ambassadors/greeters, membership table, return check-in table, and more!
Please join us for……
- Alpine Helen Volksmarch Club Holiday Party
- Thursday, December 5, 2024. 5:30 pm.
- The Bodensee is planning a special menu for the club
- More information to follow
Club Kudos…..
- Very special thank you to Bryan Meckley for stepping up and volunteering to be our Treasurer. He is doing a great job!
- Also, many thanks to Bev Blissit for volunteering to be our AHVC Web Site manager and publisher of our very FIRST AHVC Newsletter!!!
Very Best regards,
Rod Powell, President AHVC #0994
PO Box 728
Helen , GA 30545
4th Quarter Newsletter
Happy Oktoberfest!
Prost!
Newsletter Highlights:
• Holiday Party
• Planning for Volksmarch 2025
• Exciting news from our President
Alpine Helen Volksmarch Club Holiday Party:
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 5:30 pm.
All Aboard!!!
The Alpine Express will treat Volksmarch Club Members and their guests to a holiday train ride to view the lights of Helen. Bring a blanket and cuddle up for a short ride through town at 5:30 pm. Enjoy a hot toddy or glass of Glühwein when you return. The Bodensee is planning a special dinner menu for the club. More information to follow
Volksmarch 2025:
23rd Alpine Helen Volksmarch: April 26, 2025
We are embracing the 20 past volksmarches that the Helen Chamber sponsored during the 80's and 90's. Thank you to the Helen Chamber for building the foundation for our event. The German Festival after the hike/walk will be offered to the first 200 to register online for the event, and then complete the hike/walk. This promises to be a great day of Fitness, Fun and Friendship and you are part of it!!
Where we are in planning:
The following businesses have already contributed to the Volksmarch 2025: (Please help us thank them when you visit their businesses}
Bodensee Restaurant is once again giving us the food, bier and music! Thank you!!
The Helen Rotary is once again giving the pins for the walk and handling the raffle for charity. Thank you!!
Generous Donations from Helen Businesses:
Summit Seekers: $500
*Hofbräuhaus Restaurant
Trailblazers: $250
*Alpine Shirt Co.
*Hanzel and Gretel
*Betty's Country Store
*The Heidelberg
*Bigg Daddy's Restaurant
* LaCabana Mexican Restaurant
*Cool River Tubing and Adventures
*Christoff's Caramel Corn and Coffee
*Alpine Pizza Garden
*Unicoi Lodge
Hikers: $100
*Chattahoochee Dog Haus
*King Ludwig Biergarten
*Cafe International
We are waiting for confirmation of donations from:
Spirits of Helen, Helen Cellar, The Helendorf, Troll House, Helen Hat Company, Yonah Coffee, Zu ZU’s Rocks, Cowboys and Angels, Spice 55, Pirates Cove, Hoochee River Basket, Vahalla Hotel and Resort, Two Tire Tavern, Hampton Inn, the Helen Chamber
We have also contacted Paul’s Steakhouse, The Dizzy Bear (gift basket), Handcarved Candles (want to hike), Habersham Winery (gift basket)
Club Partners:
*Loreley $500
Rod will be contacting :
The City of Helen, Uhuburg Castle, Alpine Vacations, and Georgia Walking Tours.
If you own or know of a business that might want to donate, please email [email protected] for a sponsor form.
Exciting News from our President:
Beginning January 1, 2025, Helen will have a year round walk sponsored by the Volksmarch Club. The Helen to Unicoi Trail is a 10K, class 3 hike that will bring hikers to our area. Hikers will begin at the Helen Visitor’s Center where they can register, receive start cards, trail map, and AVA Stamp for their AVA books. The walk fee is $4.00 and optional AHVC Pin is $5.00. Did you know you can go to the AVA.org website and find Volksmarches all over the United States? Check out the Helen walks on the site. Ava.org Rod and Bryan met with a lawyer and the club has now been incorporated. This status helps the club with liability issues and non-profit benefits.
The AVA is designing a banner with our new club logo. The Helen Chamber and City of Helen have agreed to advertise the Volksmarch on their websites. Our new website has over 750 views! It’s not just me!!
Donations to the club are GREATLY appreciated as we plan new events to bring visitors to Helen and promote German culture in our beautiful city.
Very Best regards,
Beverly Blissit, Secretary and
Rod Powell, President AHVC #0994
PO Box 728
Happy Oktoberfest!
Prost!