KLAUS GERGER VISITS USA
Klaus came to the US on a business trip recently and spent a weekend with us on his return from Texas. We spent much time in front of my computer downloading many of his pictures and files. After leaving Winchester, Klaus then visited with BB Austrian editor Fritz Königshofer. His visit is another link with the Heimat.

FASTNACHT COMMENTS
Of all of the Burgenland ethnic treats,Fastnachts (Krapfen-Kropfn-Raised Doughnuts) are number one with me. When US doughnut chains became popular in the 1950’s, they differed from the local bakeries by the addition of very many more variations containing much more sugar. The original Fastnacht or Krapfen almost disappeared. Now they are hard find. Our local Winchester Martin’s supermarket carries them seasonally (they must come from Pennsylvania.) My grandmother filled two big porcelain bowls with doughnuts every Fastnacht. They were crisp on the outside with a perfect yellow stripe around the middle. Bob Strauch reports much Fastnacht activity this year in the Lehigh Valley.

ANNA KRESH ELECTED TO BOARD OF PITTSBURGH AUSTRIAN SOCIETY
BB Internet Editor Anna Kresh was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Austrian American Cultural Society in Pittsburgh, PA. One of her tasks is to set up a web site for the Society. It is now up and running, although it is still „under construction“, but it will give you an idea of what the Society is doing  in Pittsburgh. Their annual Viennese Ball is coming up on March 27th.
The URL is http://www.aacs-pit.org/
Anna has been asked to give a presentation on „Austro-Hungarian and Burgenland Genealogy“ for the Cranberry Genealogy Club on March 20th. We congratulate Anna on her achievement.

RAINBOW OVER BURG GÜSSING-PORTENT OF A GREAT BURGSPIELE
When I visualize southern Burgenland, I see Castle Güssing. It is the most prominent physical feature of the area. When you stop anywhere and raise your eyes you see Burg Güssing. Our ancestors all had this vision and thus we, who visit the southern Burgenland, can become one with them, seeing what they saw. Many pictures of Burg Güssing exist and the castle has become a symbol of Burgenland.
Recently Klaus Gerger gave me a picture of the Burg with an immense rainbow anchored on its ramparts. Does the rainbow in this picture portend a good future for Burg Güssing? I hope so even if it may only mean that this year’s Burgspiel will also be another resounding success. If you attend the BG picnic on July 4, you can also attend a Burgspiel performance on July 2, 3 or 8.

G. J. Berghold, Burgenland Bunch <GBerghold@aol.com>, Editor BB News