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The German-American Stammtisch is a monthly get-together of Americans and Germans living in the KMC. They meet at 6:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of the month at the Paradox restaurant in Ramstein-Miesenbach. Actually, a “Stammtisch” is a table, at a restaurant or pub, where guests come regularly to sit down to have a drink and talk.
The Stammtisch is a project of the state initiative, “Welcome to Rheinland-Pfalz! Our neighbors from the USA,” which is sponsored by the Atlantic Academy Rheinland-Pfalz in Kaiserslautern.
“Our state initiative helps U.S. families to become a member of the local community,” said John Constance, project coordinator. “We try to give them the right answers to their emerging questions and being aware of German customs, local businesses, clubs and events can accelerate this adjustment after a PCS.”
The Stammtisch get-together usually highlights a specific theme. Bianka Pfannenstiel and her husband Mill, a retired U.S. Army member, had the idea to schedule this monthly event. They invite speakers from various offices and institutions to talk about interesting subjects.
The guest speaker at the January Stammtisch was Elke Sittel, host nation advisor, 86th Airlift Wing. She talked about the different missions her office has and presented some of their programs. She talked about base tours, Grasroots, air-noise complaints and the German-American Community Office.
“Our host nation office also gives advice to the 86th Airlift Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Richard G Moore Jr., about political and social matters in the KMC and Germany,” Sittel said.
Stammtisch visitors were interested in learning about all these manifold tasks and started a discussion about how the atmosphere changed after 9/11. Some guests said the relationship between Germans and Americans improved, others said it got worse.
“This is one important idea of the Stammtisch, to involve both Americans and Germans in discussions and asking questions,” Constance said.
The Pfannenstiels try to expand the Stammtisch by offering special events and different locations.
The December Stammtisch took place in a private home.
“I was happy to have about 20 guests in my home for a Christmas party,” said Glen Corlin, 86th Airlift Wing violence prevention integrator. “My wife and I enjoy being Stammtisch attendants for several times now.”
Another regular Stammtisch attendant is Marisol Cediel from Ramstein-Miesenbach.
“I worked for more than 40 years on Ramstein Air Base, and as a retiree, I enjoy coming here and being able to speak in English,” Cediel said. “I miss meeting Americans each day, and the Stammtisch gives me one opportunity to be around some and make new friends.”
Bianka mentioned the idea of visiting the Pfennig Bazaar in March together or organizing a summer fest.
“We would love to welcome some young people who are interested in getting to know the German way of life and traditions and to join off-base festivities,” she said.
“Our next Stammtisch at the Paradox restaurant will be at 6:30 p.m. March 6,” Bianka said. “We invited a representative from the local community paper to share interesting information.”
For details, visit www.facebook.com/WelcometoRLP, get into contact with the Stammtisch group at https://goo.gl/jB67r9, or email Constance at constance@atlantische-akademie.de.
NOTE: Stammtisch visitors parking across the street on the parking lot of NKD and the copy shop, must buy a parking ticket. Failure in doing so will result in a €30 fine.
