German Consul Presents Gift: Dr. Wilhelm Van Almsick (right), the German consul in Detroit, presented a painting this week to the Rev. Merrill R. Abbey in his capacity as president of the Ann Arbor-Washtenaw Council of Churches. Dr. Van Almsick called the painting a "symbol of our gratitude for all that your community and organizations have done at the time Germany had its bitterest need." The gift was one of those given under the auspices of an organization called "Gifts of Gratitude of the German Nation." Dr. Almsick had presented similar gifts to seven other groups in the Midwest area. Dr. Abbey received the painting at the monthly council board luncheon meeting.