my story today

The architect and preservationist
Käthe Menzel-Jordan,
led after World War II
restoration projects for historic buildings
in Erfurt and Thuringia,
such as Augustinerkloster
10 March 2026
(from User:Gerda Arendt/Stories)

story · music · places
Segne, Vater, diese Gaben Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel O Täler weit, o Höhen Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne Viel Glück und viel Segen Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud

We moved from 2025 to 2026, with new calendar pictures and new music. The topic is to prepare peace, in small steps. You find a daily story, often with an image and something to listen to, a collection of music and memory related to a day, and images from places I visit: let's stay inspired and connected.

Ongoing efforts regard improving articles of people who recently died, music heard and sung, and their makers. Watch my user page for articles any given day, done in collaboration. Compare 2025 for the amazing number of users who began and expanded articles. Thanks also to reviewers, and I do plan to review more and write less, and in writing, focus more on quality than the little daily article. Last year, I finally began to also review GAs.

2026 calender pics and musical events are collected here, and the 2026 diary of my pictures of places, food, flowers ... is here, - just watch those lists if you are interested. The monthly images come with a list of songs related to friends as I meet or remember them, or remember their birthdays, for more music.

My talk goes like this: on top there's the "story" related to the day. Below this follow three or more boxes, often one for people remembered and others for musical experiences, performing or listening. In these boxes, topics related to the top story and topics featured on the Main page appear bold. I archive this talk from time to time. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:42, 5 January 2026 (UTC) - updated for new calendar pics and a different sequence --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:40, 1 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

music memories

8 March · service Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, Paphos Nothing can trouble Rock of ages, cleft for me I heard the voice of Jesus say God forgave my sin in Jesus' name

in memoriam Seele, vergiß sie nicht Käthe Menzel-Jordan Bernhard Waldenfels Gustav Gunsenheimer · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and others who have just given up

15 February · opera Oper Frankfurt Agostino Steffani: Amor vien dal destino Margherita Maria Sala (Lavinia) Michael Porter (Enea) Karolina Makuła (Turno) Daniela Zib (Giuturna / Venere) Thomas Faulkner (Latino) Constantin Zimmermann (Giove / Coralto) Pete Thanapat (Corebo / Fauno) Theo Lebow (Nicea) R. B. Schlather, dir. Václav Luks, cond.

Isues where I need help, such as reviews:

• Talk:Joseph Haydn#Infobox parameters: which infobox parameters to fill? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:24, 24 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]
• Giuseppe Verdi, portrait or photo? infobox or not? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:06, 29 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026

good articles · recent deaths · did you know? · blushing

Thank you for the reminder. I'll give it an anchor, to quote in discussions ;) - I should perhaps make a list of DYK sentences I made which refer to peace, and perhaps make it the topic for 2026 ... (so far I thought about dedication and interesting stories). - Peaceful Holidays to you and yours! My song this year is funny, - look above. We'll sing the song of the angels (thank you for the illustration, and I'll add mine) on Christmas Eve, this year from Bach's Magnificat, one of three works by Bach for five voices, and "et in terra pax" (peace on earth) is especially expressive, listen. I should expand the section. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:06, 18 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I go for peace this year, and will collect steps towards more peace, open for discussion:

• Let's perhaps avoid to comment more than twice in a discussion.
• Let's perhaps avoid two discussions about a topic at different locations. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:42, 3 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

J. S. Bach led
the first performance of
Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16,
his church cantata for New Year's Day
to a libretto by Georg Christian Lehms
on 1 January 1726.
listen
1 January 2026

Begin with a thankful Bach cantata, including prayer for peace, and other great music. To collaboration and peace, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:13, 1 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

		The Special Barnstar
		Happy New Year, Gerda Arendt! I have lost count of how many years now it has been that I have written this message on your user talk page, but here I am again in 2025. In the past year, other editors thanked you 1538 times using the thanks tool on the English Wikipedia. This made you the #2 most thanked Wikipedian in 2025. As you once told me, giving is better than receiving, and in 2025, you were also the #1 most thankful Wikipedian with 3132 uses of the thanks tool. As I said last year: congratulations and, well, thank you for all that you do for Wikipedia. Here's to 2026! Mz7 (talk) 05:13, 31 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you so much, Mz7, - in words (which I still believe is the better way to thank)! I was curious and I found 2020. No. 1 is new, and that being in "thankful" is wanted! I'll move this into next year ;) --[[User:Gerda Arendt|

friends' songs
Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Herr, unser Herr, wie bist du zugegen O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig For the beauty of the earth ... und eine neue Welt Je vous salue Marie Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen Le Laudi Freuet euch der schönen Erde Viel Glück und viel Segen What the World Needs Now Is Love O du fröhliche

Congratulations, Gerda Arendt! The article you nominated, Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110, has been promoted to featured status, recognizing it as one of the best articles on Wikipedia. The nomination discussion has been archived.

This is a rare accomplishment and you should be proud. If you would like, you may nominate it to appear on the Main page as Today's featured article. Keep up the great work! Cheers, Ian Rose (talk) via FACBot (talk) 11:06, 2 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Congrats dear Gerda--Symposiarch (talk) 11:07, 2 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Congratulation. Grimes2 17:09, 2 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

1. Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110 - Ian Rose - 2 Jan

On 3 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Stanislaus Kennedy, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the social work of Sister Stan was praised by two presidents of Ireland? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Stanislaus Kennedy. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Stanislaus Kennedy).

♠PMC♠ (talk) 00:02, 3 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

The credit said: "Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to nominate it". Do you find interesting that two presidents praised her without being told for what? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:13, 3 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

1. Stanislaus Kennedy - 3 Jan
2. Armand Avril - 4 Jan
3. ... zwei Gefühle ... - 11 Jan
4. Carmen Moreno - 21 Jan
5. Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Telemann) - 16 Feb
6. Thomas Johannes Mayer - 23 Feb
7. Marie Engle · by Viriditas and Katzrockso - 24 Feb
8. Ritva Auvinen - 28 Feb
9. Miroslava Pešíková 6 Mar

On 5 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Rudi Spring, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 22:45, 5 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

1. Gary Graffman - Schwede66 - 2 Jan (from 2025)
2. Rudi Spring - Stephen - 5 Jan
3. Ruth Wagner - Stephen - 5 Jan
4. Andrew Carter - PFHLai - 9 Jan
5. Rolf Riehm - Spencer - 9 Jan
6. Jonathan Powell (musician) - Spencer - 10 Jan
7. John Wallace - Bagumba - 16 Jan
8. Isaiah Jackson - Spencer - 18 Jan
9. Miroslava Pešíková - Schwede66 - 18 Jan
10. Francis Buchholz - Spencer 28 Jan
11. Richie Beirach - robertsky - 4 Feb
12. Tamás Vásáry - Stephen - 11 Feb
13. Helmuth Rilling - PFHLai - 13 Feb
14. Lambert Hamel - Spencer - 21 Feb
15. José van Dam - Stephen - 24 Feb
16. Roman Kofman - Stephen - 2 Mar
17. Käthe Menzel-Jordan - Spencer - 7 Mar

My story today remembers a DYK 10 years ago, which remembers a great conductor, also director of a conservatory with a long tradition. - I was part of the event the DYK mentioned. We sang Bach's cantata Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56, and Mozart's Requiem at the Lutherkirche Wiesbaden (and in three other concerts in the region). When the conservatory was founded, Clara Schumann was a piano teacher. Let's keep expanding free knowledge. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:12, 15 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Did you know ...

• ... that director Frank Stähle revived the choir and orchestra of Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium and conducted them in Mozart's Requiem for the centenary of the Lutherkirche?

11 January · service St. Martin, Idstein Stern über Bethlehem Seht ihr unsern Stern dort stehen Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehn Heilig, heilig, dreimal heilig Zu Bethlehem geboren Wir kommen daher aus dem Morgenland O du fröhliche · 2023 Mozart: Requiem

in memoriam Mozart: de morte transire ad vitam Jonathan Powell Frank Stähle Ritva Auvinen John Wallace · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and Alakzi, Khazar, RexxS and others who have just given up

7 August 2025 · RMF Rheingau Musik Festival Eberbach Abbey Bach: Mass in B minor Tenebrae Kammerorchester Basel Nigel Short, cond.

Dear Gerda, as it is coming round to my annual self-indulgence-Fest over being Awesome, I thought I'd save you the trouble of mentioning it, and at the same time take the opportunity to reply to your New Year greeting with one of my own. Sorry it's so late, I am in a deluge of dental appointments for which I have to make a 50-mile round trip in my "characterful" old Astra. But you may imagine me as a severe old would-be Quaker who has decided not to be an observer of times and seasons, or at least who uses that as an excuse for his laziness. I have just recovered my old CDs of Borciani and Pegreffi reinventing Die Kunst der Fuge into something that sounds like late Beethoven, which has been locked away in storage since 2018, and am much enjoying it. That work, and the two Ricercars from the Musical Offering, contain a special sort of Peace if one doesn't bang them out too horribly! It's all in the light touch, dear, as Noel Coward possibly remarked. "Nur wo Recht und Weisheit halten / können Ruh' und Friede walten, / und was Länder glücklich macht." Somebody tell the leaders of the "free" and un-free world, if you can tell which is which, please... Prayers and good wishes to you for 2026 - Eebahgum (talk) 13:32, 21 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you and never too late for some wisdom! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:36, 21 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

story · music · places
Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel O Täler weit, o Höhen Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne Viel Glück und viel Segen Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Segne, Vater, diese Gaben

Your good article nomination of the article Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. If the article is eligible to appear in the "Did you know" section of the Main Page, you can nominate it within the next seven days. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of GoldRomean -- GoldRomean (talk) 18:07, 11 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

1. Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 - GoldRomean - 11 Feb

On 11 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Tamás Vásáry, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 22:37, 11 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

in memoriam Seele, vergiß sie nicht Tamás Vásáry Bernhard Waldenfels Miroslava Pešíková Ritva Auvinen · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and others who have just given up

25 January · mass Iglesia de El Salvador, Santa Cruz de La Palma Cantemos al Señor un canto nuevo Paz, Señor, en el <cielo y la Tierra Hay que encender la lámpara Que sea mi vida la sal Hasta los confines de la Tierra

3 December 2025 · concert Philharmonie de Paris Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 Anders Hillborg: Hell Mountain Bizet: Symphony Mitsuko Uchida, piano Orchestre de Paris Klaus Mäkelä, cond.

My story today, reflected in my music (which also hints at vacation), - enjoy! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:57, 12 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 16 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Helmuth Rilling, which you updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. PFHLai (talk) 18:12, 16 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

He was one of the conductors I experienced listening in a concert, with talk, forgot what it was. My day today: look! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:27, 16 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 22 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Lambert Hamel, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Spencer^T•C 14:28, 22 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 23 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Thomas Johannes Mayer, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Thomas Johannes Mayer went from performing jazz, rock, and punk, to portraying operatic characters such as Wotan and Wozzeck? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Thomas Johannes Mayer. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Thomas Johannes Mayer), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to nominate it.

—TechnoSquirrel69 (sigh) 12:02, 23 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 24 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Marie Engle, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Marie Engle (pictured) was one of the earliest operatic singers to be recorded on rare Bettini cylinders? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Marie Engle. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Marie Engle), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to nominate it.

Launchballer 00:02, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 24 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article José van Dam, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 02:44, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

		The Music Barnstar
		Four in one on Main Page. Well done! 7&6=thirteen (☎) 20:22, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

.

Thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:27, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Eine schöne Leistung 7&6=thirteen (☎) 20:30, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Danke! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:33, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

This is to let you know that Easter Oratorio has been scheduled as today's featured article for 5 April, 2026. Please check that the article needs no amendments. Feel free to amend the draft blurb, which can be found at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/April 2026, or to make comments on other matters concerning the scheduling of this article at Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/April 2026. Please keep an eye on that page, as notifications of copy edits to or queries about the draft blurb may be posted there. I also suggest that you watchlist Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors from two days before it appears on the Main Page. Thanks, and congratulations on your work! Z1720 (talk) 21:00, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:05, 24 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

March 1-31: Artists & Activists | Artworks by women | Alphabet run: countries starting with C Continuing (year-long initiatives): #1day1woman | Sports

--Rosiestep (talk) 09:28, 25 February 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging[reply]

Thank you for your previous messages on my talk page — I’ve appreciated them. I’m currently tied up with school examinations, so I won’t be taking on anything heavy for the moment. However, I’m very keen to work with an FAC mentor. I noticed your name at WP:FAM and wondered whether you might be available to assist me. The article concerned is Fashion of Catherine, Princess of Wales. Cheers. MSincccc (talk) 15:55, 27 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for asking, MSincccc, and although I have nothing particular to offer regarding the topic, I can assist you in the process, time permitting. The article is short, so manageable ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:21, 27 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your response. You can send any suggestions you have at User:MSincccc/sandbox3. MSincccc (talk) 04:24, 28 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 28 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Ritva Auvinen, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that opera singer Ritva Auvinen (pictured) also worked as a gymnastics and swimming teacher? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Ritva Auvinen. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Ritva Auvinen).

 — Chris Woodrich (talk) 12:02, 28 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting?? I don't think so. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:06, 28 February 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Gerda, I don't how familiar you are with Salzburg. I wonder if you can help me to clarify the use of the name Mozarteum in Wikipedia? I started translating the article de:Mozarteum (Gebäude) into English, but feel there need to be some changes to other articles, too.

Currently, English Wikipedia has the following pages:

• Mozarteum, which redirects to Mozarteum University Salzburg. This is similar to German WP's de:Mozarteum, except the page itself is about Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, not a redirect.
• Mozarteum University Salzburg, which says it "is one of three affiliated but separate…entities under the "Mozarteum" name in Salzburg municipality; the International Mozarteum Foundation and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg are the other two." de:Mozarteum does not say this, but does mention the de:Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum, without context.
• International Mozarteum Foundation (German equivalent is de:Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum)
• Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg (German equivalent is de:Mozarteumorchester Salzburg

In German WP, there is also de:Neues Mozarteum, which describes the main university building, and has no English equivalent.

Additionally, there exists the German WP article de:Mozarteum (Gebäude), which I am translating. This says the Mozarteum is the name for the Foundation's building complex, and that the name is inscribed in gold above the entrance portal. It also says that the Mozarteum University Salzburg is also called the Mozarteum, and so the building is sometimes referred to as the Mozarteum Building or the Old Mozarteum or the Mozarteum on Schwarzstraße.

This is all highly confusing. I am thinking of changing the English Mozarteum redirect page into a disambiguation page, saying something like:

The term Mozarteum can refer to several different institutions and buildings in Salzburg:

• Mozarteum University Salzburg
• New Mozartium, the main building of the University
• International Mozarteum Foundation
• Mozarteum (building) (my new page), which houses the Foundation. It is sometimes referred to as the Old Mozarteum or the Mozarteum on Schwarzstraße
• Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg

Also, Mozarteum University Salzburg says the "larger of the two halls [in the Foundation's building] is itself known as the "Mozarteum" and is world-renowned; its proper name is simply 'Großer Saal'." This is unsourced, not mentioned anywhere else, and I suspect is incorrect.

If you can't help, please don't waste your time on this. Just writing this has helped me to organise my thoughts! I'm not messing with the German WP pages. Many thanks, in advance. Masato.harada (talk) 11:56, 1 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for asking. I agree with a disambiguation, but would prefer Mozarteum (disambiguation). I know of many pages saying someone studied at the Mozarteum (and that was most often before the University label), and would not like to send them all to a dab page, nor having to pipe them. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:30, 1 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Good point. Thanks. Masato.harada (talk) 17:40, 1 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I agree about the disambiguation page. I've been digging around in English WP, and have found a lot of confusion with the use of "Mozarteum". There are many musicians who have studied or have taught at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg and its earlier incarnations and names, loosely referred to as the "Mozarteum". There are also many who have performed in concerts "at the Mozarteum" - I think this means in one of the concert halls in the building of the Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum, which is nearby but separate from the University. Does this sound right to you? If so, I'll have to redirect the articles which currently link the performance venue to the University article so they link it to my new (translated) Mozarteum (building) article. Thanks. Masato.harada (talk) 12:46, 8 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I have found several instances where you reverted my edits - one in a Jose van Dam article (recent death), another labelled Hogwood - and I don't understand why your reversions were made. My main problem is that, as a continually inexperienced editor/contributor, I don't know enough about the process of reverting an edit to be able to follow up and find out 'why' a reversion was made. The best I can come up with regarding your reversion of my addition of wikilinks for Bizet and Messiaen in the article on Jose van Dam is the phrase, 'per project opera'. Even after reading about Wiki's Project Opera, I don't have any idea what this means. Another mystery is a comment on your Talk page titled, "Hogwood" in which you ask for more information about my edit (?). I know very well who Christopher Hogwood was - I worked with him when he conducted a concert in my city in the early 1980s - but I don't remember contributing any edits to any page concerning him; furthermore, I can't find any reference to the reason you made the comment on your talk page dated 22 February 2025 Bottom line: I don't know how to follow up when you (or anyone) reverts edits that I don't think should be reverted, because I can't find your reasons for doing the revert. Please help me understand. Seauton (talk) 21:04, 1 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I'll reply on your talk, Seauton, in a nutshell: I am sorry, - when I have little time, I don't check if the user I revert is experienced, but treat them as experienced. However, an experienced editor would not add a talk page message at the top of a talk page, and would include more precisely which revert when, by a socalled diff. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:12, 1 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 2 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Roman Kofman, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 23:56, 2 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia. Regarding your recent edits to Roman Kofman when you modified the page, you introduced unknown parameters. Just because you specify |some_param=some_variable does not always mean that variable will display. The |some_param= must be defined in the template. You can look at the documentation for the template you are using but it is also helpful to use the preview button before you save your edit; this helps you find any errors you have made and ensure that the values you have added are displaying correctly. Below the edit box is a Show preview button. Pressing this will show you what the page will look like without actually saving it. It is strongly recommended that you use this before saving. Note I have likely fixed the error by now so check the history of the page to see how it was fixed. If you have any questions, contact the help desk for assistance. Thank you. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 05:45, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Nothing about that edit was a bot. This is pretty clearly (and easily verifiably) not a bot account... Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 05:53, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

(ec) "Can you perhaps train your bot to change organizations to organisations when I forget, User:Zackmann08?" I wanted to say so here but first fix the article. I made a typo. Your bot removed the parameter altogether and placed the above message here. There's room for improvement, for both. Yes, I made a typo, and yes, I was too absent-minded to preview a minor edit, - I apologise/apologize. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:00, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Please read my comment above. Nothing about my edit was performed by a bot. My account is not a bot account, something that is easily verifiable. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 06:04, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I will say that had I realized you had 400,000+ edits, I would not have templated you, but instead left a simple reminder message. Apologies for that. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 06:06, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know where to put what I typed before we had an edit conflict. I put it below.

(ec) I apologize once more. The templating leaves an impersonal bot-like impression, and I misunderstood your message below it, once conditioned that way. I shouldn't edit before coffee ;) - Same question about possibly improving the reaction to a typo of one letter because of U.S./UK difference in language?

(after ec) You improved one thing already now, thank you. - How about a simple reminder message for all, and a huge template about almost nothing only in case they don't get it? Or just reminder in the edit summary when "fixing" the template? How about fixing the spelling mistake instead of removing the parameter? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:17, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		For all the kind messages you post on mine and other users’ talk pages. MSincccc (talk) 09:28, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		From what i've seen of you on Wikipedia, it is good articles, pleasant messages, and treating deceased Wikipedians with respect. I feel like out of any person i've seen on this site whilst getting used to it as a new user, you stuck out to me as the most deserving of it. Thanks for your service on Wikipedia! FrostbornSage (talk) 22:32, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Imagine how surprised i was to see the exact same barnstar above my message on the same day i was going to award it! Congrats on the double barnstar!! FrostbornSage (talk) 22:32, 3 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you, both, great to wake up to! Welcome to the site, FrostbornSage, you are the user with the highest ratio of giving barnstars per edits ;) - very kind!! Now go and make your first edit to an article without fear. We all make mistakes. - I haven't given a single barnstar in my career here, but Precious. It begins with "Thank you for quality articles ...". Today, I could use help with the article of Käthe Menzel-Jordan. My friend Storye book supplied an image! The references need to be checked, and matched with the facts, and perhaps new references found. My friend Grimes2 is great in all that. I'll go now and hightlight Aribert Reimann who would have been 90 today. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:07, 4 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the response, it has definitely intrigued me to start working on some actual pages to contribute more to this site!

I wanted to ask, how did you check my edits to barnstar ratio and how do you know it’s the highest?! That’s really cool if true!!! FrostbornSage (talk) 13:39, 4 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I saw that you edited on two days (when I wrote that, - today is the third), giving five barnstars (when I wrote that, you added two). I may be wrong, but it looks extreme ;) - I received a barnstar on my second day, for resilience, but never gave one, finding the design too spiky ;) - I'd not be surprised if most editors didn't see a barnstar until here for much longer, let alone give one. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:56, 4 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Good point, although the same does not apply for me!

Ironically, the reason i made my account is because i was bored one time scrolling through random wikipedia pages and user pages until i saw a user being awarded a barnstar. The idea of Wikipedia having it's own community inspired me so much that I made an account, hoping to award users too!

I'd say it's been going pretty well so far, the idea of me potentially holding a website record is very cool, i'll keep it up!

Have a great day! FrostbornSage (talk) 17:20, 4 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

story · music · places

Aribert Reimann's 90th birthday, with a hook mentioning his 80ths, the opera played by Oper Frankfurt after he died, see video, and I was there. - Ruta de los Volcanes is among the latest places, 3 February that was, up to unknown heights. - Note to self and all interested, - I'm too tired to spread more good news. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:33, 4 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Gerda, you could use a kind of mms for your dispatches. Just call it a newsletter. People who opt-in would receive them automatically on their page. Since you often structure your dispatches in a way that encourages participation and article improvement, this would meet the rules for this kind of thing. You could call it Die Stimme, Der Funke or maybe Der Schubs. Just brainstorming. The advantage is that you would only have to edit one page and the service would distribute it to everyone without you having to do it manually. You will first want to setup a page like User:Gerda Arendt/Die Stimme/Mailing list. Then you could just write the message once over at User:Gerda Arendt/Die Stimme/Newsletter. It would make your life easier. Viriditas (talk) 00:22, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

It's an interesting idea, thank you. I like person-to person talk, though. Will think about it. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 03:58, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

You could do both. A weekly or monthly digest summarizing everything (with updates and outcomes) and your usual daily kaffeeklatsch. Viriditas (talk) 06:09, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I am happy to have two women on the main page for IWD: Ruth Wagner and Käthe Menzel-Jordan. On vacation. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:13, 8 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 6 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Miroslava Pešíková, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Miroslava Pešíková was a ballerina at the National Theatre in Prague for 28 years in 47 roles? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Miroslava Pešíková. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Miroslava Pešíková).

HurricaneZeta^C 12:02, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Only counting, no roles, no drama, no emotions? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:48, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

You know, that the picture is not M.D.St.! Hübner-GCL (talk) 17:52, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

It doesn't matter too much, and says "likeness". It provides an idea of the era, instead of having to explain. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:58, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

The image is relevant to the opera, shown during the premiere. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:15, 6 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 7 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Käthe Menzel-Jordan, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Spencer^T•C 15:53, 7 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

On 8 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Ruth Wagner, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Ruth Wagner, the minister of culture in Hesse from 1999 to 2003, was nicknamed Mother Courage of Hesse? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Ruth Wagner. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Ruth Wagner), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 00:02, 8 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]

I came across WP:Precious in 2024, but have still been trying to understand the criteria for it being given to a user.

I look forward to your response, and hopefully one day I will be part of the cohort. MSincccc (talk) 07:20, 8 March 2026 (UTC)[reply]