L to R: (front row) Ed Galgon, Ella Galgon, Eva Galgon, Christopher Deely, Michael K. Fricker, Nichole Blank Deely, Kirsten Blank, Kurt Blank, Michael N. Fricker; (back row) Michelle McFadden, Delanie Rae McFadden, Allyssa Schulz-Fricker, Kristen Reiter, Emma Walter, Penelope K. Fricker, John Reiter, Connie Reiter, Chris Deely, Mikaela Malofiy, Alex Blank, Jenn Lineman Blank, Sasha Malofiy, Janet Fricker Malofiy, Lisa Hartmann Fricker, Werner Fricker Jr., Bill Galgon, Marlene Fricker.
Friday evening, August 23, I sat at the Cannstatter maybe 30 feet from Heino as he sang many a favorite hit and had the audience all singing along. As the headliner sang “Du bist die Rose von Wörthersee,” a few of us from the German Hungarians had to be thinking about the Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein and their 45th Stiftungsfest we would attend on Saturday. (Text messages between Werner Fricker Jr., Werner Fricker III, Alex Blank and I noted that Heino was not singing our preferred lyrics. More on that later.)
Driving to events in our Mid-Atlantic region is a wonderful chance to see the beautiful landscapes of various states. As my family got close to the Evergreen Country Club on August 24, I smiled to myself glancing at the rolling hills, the green fields and farms, and the wooded communities of Eastern Pennsylvania. Walking into the Biergarten area, we were greeted by familiar faces of friends welcoming us. The sun was shining down on the open areas. You could smell food coming from the kitchen window and see cold beer in the hands of many. Everywhere you looked were women in Dirndl, and men in Lederhosen. Music could be heard from the stage rounding out the atmosphere of a Stiftungsfest.
The Auerhahn SV was founded in 1979 by the Schoellkopf family – James Sr., Dorothy, James Jr. “Schucks”, Alice, Eric “Fritz”, Veronica “Duffy” and Vicki; the Babilon family – George, Veronica “Ronny”, and Diane; the Klein family – Lorraine, William and Barbara; and the Row family – Ronald Sr., Ronald Jr., and Randy. It seems from the beginning, and continuing today, family has been at the center of what this club does. Many of these names are still among the membership, the officers, and the supporters of the group. It’s clear the motto still stands true “Treu der Sitt’, Treu der Tracht, Treu der Familie.”
Also in attendance was Joe Pichler, who is responsible for teaching a distinct Schuhplattler style to the GTV Edelweiss in Reading, the Alpenrose SV in Lancaster, and the Auerhahn SV in Oley, PA.
Eric Meck served as master of ceremonies for the afternoon and evening. A great choice for the role, not just for his clear booming voice, but also his genial demeanor and knowledge of his club and the clubs of his friends. Soon it was time for the grand march. Groups lined up and marched in led by our hosts. The following groups attended:
Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein – Oley, PA
Germania Almrausch SV – Poughkeepsie, NY
Alpenrose Schuhplattler Verein – Lancaster, PA
United German Hungarians – Philadelphia, PA
Lancaster Liederkranz Alleweill Jung Volkstänzer – Lancaster, PA
Lancaster Liederkranz Hobby Chor – Lancaster, PA
GTV Edelweiss – Reading, PA
BHTV D’Potomactaler Stamm – Washington DC
Edelweiss Passaic – Passaic, NJ
GTV Almrausch – Philadelphia, PA
Enzian Volkstanzgruppe – Newark, DE
SG Alpenland – Montreal, Canada
SV Alt Washingtonia – Washington DC
We were welcomed and Joe Kroboth and band led the national anthems for Germany and Canada. Then Eric welcomed to the microphone, Greta (aged 16) and Renate (age 14) Geisinger for an a cappella rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner”. It was a beautiful part of the evening. Two young voices sang out with patriotism. It was moving when the entire attendance joined in on those important and unifying words. To Greta and Renate, thank you for that performance. Your families, and all of the Auerhahn should be proud of you.
A moment of silence was held for those who have been lost and then Eric turned it over to the President of the Auerhahn, Veronica Littlefield (née Schoellkopf) who welcomed us all and thanked the membership and the Evergreen. The hosts then opened the dancing performances with a few numbers including their adult and children’s groups. For me the standout dance was the “Siegsdorfer.” Choreographed by the Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein, it was great to watch an out of the ordinary Plattler and a Plattler done well!
“Siegsdorfer” performed by the Auerhahn SV at their 45th Stiftungsfest on August 24, 2024. Choreography: Auerhahn SV.
When our turn came to perform an Ehrentanz, we marched on to the floor for the “Tyrolean Bauerntanz.” Thanks to Jayden Biesenbach (Enzian VTG, Delaware) for joining us and Erik Yearack (Germania Almrausch, Poughkeepsie) for his work on accordion. Erik also read quite an extensive letter on behalf of his club outlining much history and memories of the Auerhahn with fellow clubs providing many smiles, and much laughter. Performances by many of the attending groups were exciting and fun to watch.
Our club as well as a number of others took time to take group photos. Ours can be seen as the featured image on this article. Making her Schuhplattler festival debut was Delanie Rae McFadden, who had seasoned veteran Penelope (who attended Kinderfest and GTV Edelweiss earlier this summer) to show her the ropes! Both little ones looked beautiful in shades of blue dirndls. Eva, Ella, Kurt, Michael K, and Kirsten were rarely seen after the grand march. 90 percent of their time was spent together along with many other kids from other clubs at the Ronnie Row Memorial Playground. The only returns to our tables were for sips of water, bites of pretzels and handfuls of Haribo gummy bears.
That was of course until it was close to the time to go home, which is always the hardest part. The kids walked by, and I mentioned to my son it would be time to leave soon. He looked up to me and with a firm expression he said, “Dad! No, I have to dance.” He ran off to get in line for the Gauplattler with so many fellow dancers and I looked on with pride.
Reflecting on the evening (after we did leave) the music of that Heino song I mentioned earlier came to mind. The music yes, but the lyrics were different. From the welcome, to the food, the beverage, the smiling faces, the music, the dancing, reliving old memories and making new ones, the 45th Stiftungsfest was a wonderful time.
So, to our friends, our Patenverein, the Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein: congratulations on this anniversary and here’s to many more!
Michael N. Fricker
“And when people ask us, we have to say:
You are First Class!”
