Can Anyone Translate German?

[Black Lab]

Hello Everyone! Long time, no type!

I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to translate something for me. I found an old newspaper ad for my grandfather's pharmacy back in the early 1900s. The ad is in English, but on the reverse side all the type is in what appears to be German. I was just curious as to what it said. I tried several of the free online translators but the don't seem to work very well.

Here is what it says (it seems the first sentence is not complete):

Anbau vergrößert und dienten bis zu Ende 1909 als Vereinslokal. Gegenwartig ist dieselbe durch eine prachtvolle Musikhalle ersetzt worden.

In dem Zeitraum von 1895 bis 1904 fungirten folgende aktive Sanger als Prasidenten: Philip Klingemann, Chas. Stump, Aug. Loehrig, Gustav S. Ripka, Robert Bischof.

Seit October 1905 bis zum heutigen Sangerfeste steht Herr William Alsdorf an der Spitze des Reading Liederkranz. Er ist vor Allem ein Sanger und ist der unerschütterlichen Ansicht, dass nur mit dem Emporkommen der Sanger der Verein bluhen und gedeihen kann.

[Ken Berry]

Good to hear from you again, albeit a little off topic!!!

My own modest translation is as follows -- though as you note, there seems to be something missing from the start. Note also that the word "Sänger" (with an umlaut, which I imagine your original has) can mean singer, but also minstrel or even poet in the sense of a bard (who traditionally sang his repertory of works). I also assume Reading may have some significance for you. The only Reading I know of is in the UK...

"...production increases, and served until the end of 1909 as a club house. It has been now been replaced by a magnificent concert hall.

In the period 1895-1904 the following active singers have officiated as presidents: Philip Klingemann, Cha[rle]s. Stump, Aug[ustus]. Loehrig, Gustav P. Ripka, Robert Bishop.

Since October 1905 until the present song/singing festival Mr. William Alsdorf has been at the forefront of the Reading song circle/group/club. He is above all a singer and is of the unshakable view that only with the rise [raising up? elevation? or even advancement/encouragement?] of the singer can the club thrive and prosper."

You will see I am a little confused towards the end about what exactly is meant. The word "Emporkommen" literally means "rise of", but I get the impression that what is meant is something along the lines of bringing the singer to the forefront or raising the singer's status in the world...

[Black Lab]

Thank you very much Ken! I should have known you would be able to take a crack at it. And yes, off topic, but I know this forum draws people from all over the world so I thought I'd take a shot and hoped the mods took mercy on me.

Yes, Reading is a town in Pennsylvania (only 15 miles from where I live) in which my grandfather's pharmacy was first located. It sounds like the ad was in a Reading newspaper. It's odd though that the ad itself is in English but that "article" was in German.

As I said, we were just curious as to what the article was about. Thanks again for the info!