NMU German professors Dirk Ahlers and Carol Strauss have begun another year of weekly German conversation tables, also known as “Stammtisch.” Every Thursday night for the past five years Ahlers and Strauss have brought together members of the local community, Northern Michigan students, alumni, staff, and Marquette Senior High School students.

The German enthusiasts gather together to speak, learn, and exchange information and materials on the German language and culture.

“It has always been a goal of ours to be able to unite the community and the university with a common love or interest in German,” Ahlers said of the group. “Though it seems to become more of a challenge every year, we’re still coming together and meeting every week.”

The biggest challenge Stammtisch members have had to face is the location of their meetings, Ahlers said. In previous years, the German conversation tables took place at the Panini Grill, and then at Overtime by the Dome on Presque Isle Avenue, both of which have closed down. .

[The group] is in the process of trying to come up with a more permanent, German-friendly environment to meet at this year, Ahlers said.

“When we met at the Panini Grill we could leave our German books, games, magazines, and music there. We just can’t do that here and it’s kind of sad.” NMU alumni Jessica Straczowski said.

Straczowski said she always comes to the meetings to enjoy the community and engage in conversations with other people interested in Germany.

Students and community members interested in joining the conversation tables should contact Ahlers at 225 5412 or Strauss at 227 1207 for any questions. Those interested can stop by Vango’s next Thursday night between 5:30 and 7 pm.