As I drove between the first state, Delaware, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the garden state, New Jersey I took note of my surroundings. The beautiful green, yellow, orange, red and brown of the landscapes could be seen all around. While good hearted American music played on my radio I sang along enjoying the open road and the company of my children. The thought occurred to me as it has plenty of times before:
“We live in the greatest country in the world.”
We might be tempted to take interstate travel for granted. As Allyssa boarded a plane to fly to Louisiana for work, I was driving my Chevrolet across the borders of three different states. That interstate crossing is a freedom not often considered.
A freedom that led me with my kiddos to 127 NJ 156 on Sunday November 17 for Schlachtfest at the Trenton Donauschwaben.
I have attended this yearly event in the past but it has been some time since my last visit. A group from the German Hungarians attended including Janet & Sasha Malofiy, Bill Galgon, Mikaela Malofiy, and of course myself, Michael K. and Penelope.
We were some of the first to arrive and were greeted warmly by the Trentonians. I handed Penelope right to my friend Hans Martini so I could go back out to the car for Michael K. (We had a spot right out front of the clubhouse.) By the time I returned (rather quickly I might add) the passing around of the baby had already started.
With time to spare before dinner started we made appearances in the back bar room for a DAB or a glass of wine and Michael K and I took a walk through the backyard where he used the sliding board a few times. Then we heard the dinner bell, which was actually Sasha Malofiy Jr. coming outside to let us know. Sasha joined us at the table for dinner and we had the best waitress in the house in Chrissy Malofiy.
The table was quickly filled with dishes and bowls. There was roast pork, fresh Hungarian Brotwurst, warm liverwurst, Sarma, Sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. Each table also had a bowl of applesauce and a breadbasket.
Though we did chat during dinner, mostly it was quiet. Everyone was hungry and the food was all just like mom makes. After dinner plates of house made donuts were served as well as coffee. Thank you to Emma Walter for checking the ingredient list for me.
With bellies full there was no further place to go but back to the little bar for a drink (or two!). This included a toast to Anna Martini on her wedding anniversary! It was at this point that Marlene Fricker joined us after her visit to the Cannstatter Penny Party.
As the evening wound down, folks started to leave the Trenton Clubhouse, we found ourselves some of the last guests still there enjoying the company of all our friends.
When it was time to go, my family helped me carry my kids to the car and we all said our goodbyes. On my ride home I thought about my day and decided that taking a drive across state lines for a hearty meal with friends and family was a perfect Schlachtfest Sunday.
Michael N. Fricker
Thank you to Dennis Bauer for the photos!
