The City of Jasper, Indiana

2020 German Heritage Award Winners

The Jasper German Club, Jasper Partnership Commission, and Sister Cities of Jasper, Inc. have presented the 2020 German Heritage Award to Al and Judy Bennett.  2020 is the 22^nd year that this award has been presented.

The annual German Heritage Award is presented to an individual or group who has contributed generously his/her or their time, talents or resources to maintaining, improving or building upon the German roots in Dubois County.  The recognition is open to all individuals who give what they can in order to make a difference.

Al and Judy have been members of the Jasper DeutscherVerein since the early 1980’s.  They have hosted visitors from Pfaffenweiler on several occasions and their oldest daughter was a member of one of the first JHS Exchange Groups.  Al served as Vice President of the DeutscherVerein 2007 and 2008 and was President 2009-2010 and remains on its Board of Directors.

Under Al’s leadership, the DeutscherVerein purchased a 40’ trailer to house and transport Strassenfest supplies and was recognized for their continued contributions to ROJAC to support the “Wasserrad Terrasse” which translates to the Waterwheel Terrace at the Jasper City Mill.  The DeutscherVerein also celebrated its 30^th birthday during his tenure as president!! 

Judy has been the “artist” of the Jasper DeutscherVerein.  She was instrumental in designing and painting the header of the DeutscherVerein Food Stand and continues to repaint and refurbish it as needed.  She designed the Tannenbaum plaques that were carved and was one of the artists on the Mural at 6^th and Newton Streets.

She also redesigned, refurbished, and repainted the photo-op boards which the DeutscherVerein obtained.      

While her husband was president and vice president of the DeutscherVerein, she was at his side as Mrs. President and Mrs. Vice President.