L to R: (front row) Eva Galgon, Joey Galgon, Charlotte Galgon, Isabelle Avrich, Ella Galgon, Michael K. Fricker, Alex Zygmont, Christopher Deely, Sofi Walter, Lilly Walter, Erik Walter, Kurt Blank, Will Kwoczak. (back row) Eddie Galgon, Danny Galgon, Sasha Malofiy Jr., Genevieve Avrich, Werner Fricker III, Emma Walter, Mikaela Malofiy, Jason Noel, Jenn Blank, Kirsten Blank, Chrissy Malofiy, Kristen Reiter, Bob Walter, Allysa Reiter, Evie Noel, Jakob Hubert, Delanie McFadden, Michelle McFadden, Joey Reiter, Kyra Malofiy, Karina Fricker, Alex Blank, Michael N. Fricker, Penelope Fricker, Allyssa Schulz-Fricker.
October is a busy month filled with a lot of festivities!
Scare crows are up and ready, pumpkins are carved and decorated, Halloween costumes are chosen, and Oktoberfest season is in full force.
For the German Hungarians, the fall season holds one more special event. KIRCHWEIHFEST!!
Picture this: Jewel toned shawls, deep green rosemary, yellow and blue satin ribbons, polished black dance shoes on smooth wooden floors, the golden amber of draught beer, burgundy red wine glasses clinking, the “tap tap” of two drum sticks signaling the first beats of the Kirchweih stuckl. The German Hungarian Kirchweih is truly a sensory experience.
The Heimatklänge were the soundtrack for the evening, with familiar, hearty voices and tunes. It was wonderful to see friendly faces catching up and enjoying each other’s company. This event was held in the main hall of Vereinigung Erzgebirge. A special thank you to their staff and leadership for this wonderful venue!
Our children’s group performed two folk dances, the Kinderpolka and Turn Around Me. Led by Sofi and Emma Walter, they are truly the future of our organization. The best part was their strong singing voices, “March and two and three and four and five and six STAMP!”
Dinner was served with a choice of the schnitzel platter or wurst platter, followed up with Apple Strudel, and it was delicious! Not to be forgotten, the bartenders were busy!
The Cultural Group performed, “Come Let us be Joyful”, Veilchen Blaue Augen,” “Schwingende,” and “Wein Polka.” It was a wonderful performance to watch.
Now.. for the Strauss!
The winners were as follows:
Hat: Brianne Galgon
Scarf: Susi Hartmann
Strauss and basket of cheer: Michael Wagner!
Congratulations to our winners and to all who helped put on this traditional event.
Buwe was hamm’r heit!
Karina E. Fricker
Editor’s Note: You may have read about the 2024 Detroit Carpathia Kirchweih, which Werner & Lisa Fricker, Werner Fricker III, and Karin Schulz attended in October. Sometimes our culture has perfect poetry. The winning ticket which was Michael & Betty Wagner’s was pulled from the pot by Werner Fricker Jr., who won the Detroit Strauss the week before!