“All on a Winter’s Night” lived up to its name as a wicked wind, skiffs of snow, along with freezing temperatures greeted dinner guests at the Versailles K. of C. Hall for the annual historic dinner. The hall was transformed into the Fredrick Siebt home and Golden Eagle at Webster. Fredrick & Christina Siebt were born in Saxony Germany and arrived in the village along the Stillwater in the 1830’s. Siebt opened a dry goods store and became a leading citizen of the little community. Many other Germans came over in the years that followed and earned the surrounding countryside to be referred to as “Dutch Roost”. Herr Siebt was a generous man who gave acreage northeast of the village for the building of a Lutheran church like the church the settlers had left at home in Germany. While the Siebt’s were born German they embraced their new home and new country, learning English and becoming hard working citizens of this emerging area.
Tim & Kathleen Nealeigh portrayed the Siebts and John & Karen Burket portrayed the Seibt’s good friends and neighbors John Adam & Martha Klipstine. A early frontier parlor served as the entrance to the “Golden Eagel” (which was originally above the Seibt home). Appetizers along with a bar in keeping with the traditions of Siebt’s store allowed guests to mingle and enjoy the beautiful museum pieces placed on display, while Ron & Elaine Marchall played music of the period. A candle light dining room with tables laden with china, crystal, and silver on starched white linen table cloths greeted guests for the five course German/American dinner.
Herr Siebt entertained his guests in his broken English and native German, concluding the evening with a recitation of Webster’s name sake, Daniel Webster with “The Devil & Daniel Webster”. All departed into the winter night excited for what next year’s dinner theme might be.
Our thanks to Thrivent Financial, our many volunteers, and other generous donors who helped make this gala event a success!
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