In the late 1960s our Cultural Group began performing Schuhplattler Dances under the direction of Andy Weyershaeuser. This eventually led to the official forming of our Schuhplattler Group in 1976.
In 1982, some members of our Schuhplattler Group were at the Black Angus in Lancaster County with the Heimatklänge Band and met the Auerhahn Schuhplattlers of Oley, PA, who were performing there. Later, the Auerhahn Schuhplattler invited us to their annual Stiftungsfest. From then on, the friendship between the two groups was sealed. Through them, we met many other area groups and in 1988, the Auerhahn sponsored us as members into the Gauverband Nordamerika.
When we decided to have a new flag made, it was only natural that we would choose our friends from Oley as our “Pat”. And so on February 19, 1994, our members traveled by bus to Oley to plead our request.
‘When we entered “Schoellkopf’s Stube”, our friends were already awaiting us. Their president, Veronica Schoellkopf, welcomed us and opened the ceremonies which were to be both serious and humorous.
Our President, John M. Blank, and our Fahnenweihe Chairman, Bill Galgon, were each told to kneel on a wooden bench especially made for the occasion. (Each group received one of these as a memento.) Our other men knelt on wooden logs and we began to plead our cause with a skit we had prepared. This included songs and poems which the entire group sang and recited. Members of our Children’s Group Ed Galgon, John M. Blank Jr., Werner Fricker III, Alex Blank, Danny Galgon, Brian Noel, Nichole Blank and Michelle Galgon also recited a special poem.
Auerhahn’s Eric Meck asked that our men raise their arms high and George Babilon stated that we must make some serious promises in order to prove worthy. At each request our men had to answer, “Immer Freunde, Kamaraden, und Treu!” For the final sign of friendship, John and Bill had to kiss the “Auerhahn”, a stuffed bird which hung on the wall. It would also be our club’s duty to name the bird before the evening was ended.
Finally we were deemed worthy and various gifts were exchanged. All enjoyed a delicious buffet prepared by the Oley women with desserts prepared by our women. Three accordion players entertained us throughout the evening and we had a great time dancing and singing as old friendships were renewed and new friendships made.
During the evening it was announced that the “bird” would be named DETLEFF.
Finally it was time to say “aufwiedersehen” and thanking the Auerhahn for their wonderful hospitality we boarded our bus and headed for home.
