MAIFEST TO HONOR SEVEN IN HALL OF FAME
Since 1980, the Brenham Maifest Assoication has been acknowledging outstanding contributions to Maifest by community members. While Maifest does not hold a Hall of Fame induction on an annual basis, it is appropriate and fitting that a group of citizens be inducted on this, the 125th celebration of Maifest. Honorees for 2015 include Robin Cook, Lori Hasskarl, Nita Hyatt, Donna Kelling, Charlyn Schoenvogel, Gay Sonnenburg, and Alana Winkelmann.
Robin Winkelmann Cook has been involved with Maifest as a participant, an Association Director for 24 years, the mother of three queens, the relative of six additional royalty, and a volunteer in numerous capacities. She served as group mother, float mother, jester coordinator, gate mother, costume designer, souvenir program co-chair, courtyard design, and set-up, float coordinator, ad seller, flower party coordinator, Gala steering committee, and helped coordinate the display of former royalty attire in local stores. Her grandchildren now look forward to participating in Maifest each year.
Lori Winkelmann Hasskarl designed and created Maifest floats for the past 20 years as she served on the Maifest Board. She began creating trains and mantles when her sister reigned as Senior Queen in 1983. Then, for a period of 16 years, beginning with the 100th Maifest, Lori designed and created royal attire for the Kings and Queens. After taking a short break, she continued this creative endeavor up to the current Maifest year. There have been twelve monarchs in Lori’s family. Additionally, Lori won the contest of the design of the Centennial Maipole Banner in 1993.
Nita Nichols Hyatt moved to Brenham in 1979 and quickly became immersed in Maifest traditions. She chaired flower parties, became a float mother, assisted in courtyard design, set-up, and take down. Soon her creative talents moved to script-writing, and, to date, she has co-written 22 scripts and assisted choreographers with performance practices. She is often seen assisting the Master of Ceremonies with cueing the nights of Maifest.
Donna Box Kelling has just completed chairing the committee that produced the new 125th Maifest Anniversary Book. Prior to that, she served as a Maifest Director for 15 years, volunteered as Coronation Director, prepared rehearsal and final scripts for the program, and produced list of participants for costume and float assignments. She provided the technical skills that kept the Maifest moving forward. Along with her spouse, Donna took royalty and Maifest photographs for years. In addition to her own two sons being Maifest kings, nine other extended family members have served as royalty.
Charlyn Rosenbaum Schoenvogel, Senior Maifest Queen in 1971, returned to Brenham in 1979, and began working as a volunteer selling coronation tickets, designing costumes, hosting flower-making parties and coordinating the display of royalty costumes in town windows. Her creative expertise was used in designing elaborate courtyards, gowns, mantles, and trains. Charlyn served as a Board member for 24 years, and, along with Robin Cook, developed the Maifest souvenir program into the showpiece that it is today. Both of Charlyn’s children have been junior Maifest royalty.
Gary Sonnenburg was Junior King and retuned to Brenham in 1987 to begin 12 years of volunteer service in the Maifest Association, including serving as its President. Gary could be seen assisting with coronation gate coverage and food booths at the festival. In 1995, he took over as President of the Brenham Maifest Association, and then moved up to Chairman of the Board for the next two years. Both his son and daughter were selected as junior Maifest royalty.
Alana Winkelmann made her first Maifest costume for her daughter in 1968. From 1968-1988, she sewed one to three costumes for each Maifest, and then from 1993-2011, she created costumes for her granddaughters. The first royalty attire she created was in 1978 for her son’s Junior Maifest. Alana made the scepter, mantle, and crown. In the years following, Alana created royal attire, including gowns and trains, for 15 Maifest. Often she would be requested to create and sew scepter pillows, banners, and mini-trains for the royalty. In addition to her creative talents, Alan has sold Maifest programs, been parade coordinator, Maifest Director for three years, and currently assist in hosting the Former Royalty Breakfast.
The seven loyal Maifest volunteers will be honored on Saturday, March 28th at a seated dinner. Following the Hall of Fame dinner, the community is invited to participate in a public street dance in downtown Brenham on Douglas Street between Alamo and Main Streets. The dance will be from 7:00-11:00pm. And Maifest is sponsoring it as a way of thanking Brenham and the surrounding areas for 125 years of support for the spring event. Refreshments can be bought at the dance. The band is High Definition from the Dallas-Ft.Worth area. In case of inclement weather, please go to www.maifest.org for the listing of an alternate location.