Passing a Torch
What is the Vorplattler? He is exactly what his title suggests. He dances first; he is our captain; he is the Spielführer of our team; he is the leader of our dance group on the floor. In a way, for us, he is the first of the Buwe.
The United Gauverband Nordamerika translates the German term Vorplattler as “Male Dance Instructor.” If you break the word down and translate each part, you get a literal and specific meaning. Plattler, the second part, refers to one who dances in the Schuhplattler style. The word vor means both “in front of” and “with.” Together, these words mean “the one who dances in front.” He also dances with us.
Alex Blank, 24, was appointed Vorplattler of the German Hungarian Schuhplattler Group by John Reiter on Tuesday, February 27, after a rehearsal in our hall.
Alex Blank is a longtime member of our club and of our dance group. His family has a long tradition of involvement with the club in all aspects and at all levels. Alex boasts the most family relationships to past and current Presidents of our club. He is the grandson of two presidents (Werner Fricker and John Blank). His father, John M. Blank (also a past Vorplattler of the group, making Alex the second generation of his family to hold that position), was the 23rd president. Alex is also the nephew of our 24th president, Werner Fricker Jr. Our current president, Billy Galgon, is the stepfather of Alex.
Within the club, Alex often works tirelessly both on and off the dance floor. He is a bartender and a waiter. He is a cook and a lawn mower—and even after all of that and more, he still finds time to be a dedicated member of the dance group. Alex has served as the 2nd Vorplattler since 2006.
John Reiter has been a lifelong member of the club and the Cultural Group, joining around age 6. He is currently a member of our Board of Governors. In the past, John has served as the Grounds & Fields Chairman, and over the years he has been part of various special committees. In 1990, John was a recipient of the United German Hungarian Ehrenwürdig pin.
In 1979, at age 14, he became a member of the Schuhplattler Group. He served as 2nd Vorplattler from 1988 to 1991. He then became 1st Vorplattler. John was a member of our Prize Plattling Team from 1989 until 2009.
On that Tuesday in February, John called us all together and said:
“We met weeks ago to go over dances and change some things, and I’m very proud to see you all out there working hard. I’ve held this position for over twenty years, but it is time: the Vorplattler needs to be on the floor. So I would like to ask Alex—I know you will wear this proudly. I will, as long as my legs allow me, be here to dance and help with whatever you need.”
Anyone who has held a position within our club understands that your duties include the responsibility of educating a youthful peer. The goal is to mold someone so that one day they can take over and succeed. The dance group is no exception to this. They now usher in a new era of progress that aims to maintain future success while continuing our proud traditions.
As a club, we thank John for his service and guidance, and we hope and wish Alex good luck moving forward.
Michael N. Fricker
EDITOR’S NOTE: this piece was written and originally published in Monthly Progress, Volume 68, No. 3 – March 2013. It has been re-published here in 2025 with minor edits.