Monthly Progress, Volume 47, No. 7 – July 1992
Schuhplattlers Descend on Oakford
The fifteenth Delegates’ Meeting of the Gauverband Nordamerika, Inc. was called to order by President Walter Wieand at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 1992, at the United German Hungarian Club in Oakford, Pennsylvania. John Schaefer gave the opening prayer and Paul Ulrich called the roll of member clubs. Forty‑nine member clubs were in attendance. Ninety‑three delegates and sixty‑two observers were present.
After adoption of the agenda and approval of the 1990 Delegates’ Meeting minutes, the Gau officers were introduced and the following reports were given:
• Gaupressewart Report – Wilhelm Banzhaf
• Gaufest Steering Committee Report – W. Hubner
• By‑Laws and Rules Report – T. Vogt
• 25th Anniversary Chronik Report – K. Dean‑Kraft
• Flag Committee Report – John Schaefer
Walter Wieand appointed Eric Heitzel, Joan Anthony, and Hans Bauer to the Nominations Committee.
Bids to host the 1994 Delegates’ Meeting were presented by Pete Muller of Original Auerhahn Schuhplattlers of Miami, Florida, and by Wilhelm Banzhaf of Alpen Schuhplattlers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A 1995 Gau Bid Presentation was made by Rudy Unger of B.G.T.E.V. D’Holzhacker Baum of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, together with B.G.T.E.V. D’Werdenfelser of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Emil Schuster gave a brief history of both clubs. Mr. Scott of the Milwaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau stated that hotel room rates would be $59.00 to $89.00. Tim Smith of the Mark Plaza in Milwaukee stated that this would be the main hotel with 400 rooms committed at an $82.00 guaranteed rate. Sherry Brotz reported that the all‑inclusive price for all activities, beer, and soda is $85.00 per person. Children’s pricing is still being finalized. Joe Unger reported that a tentative schedule has been laid out.
Voting for the 1994 Delegates’ Meeting and the 1995 Gaufest locations will be held at Sunday’s General Session.
A report was given by A. Greindl of Vancouver on the 1991 Gaufest.
The 1993 Gaufest report was given by A. Kronbeck, who will serve as Chairman. The Hyatt is the main hotel with 325 rooms reserved. The Hilton Hotel, Journey’s End Suites, and Holiday Inn will also be used. The banquet ticket is $80.00 per person and includes all events, beer, and soft drinks. Wine may be included at some events. The first mailing will be sent in September/October, and all clubs are asked to respond promptly.
The following groups were accepted under full membership to the Gauverband:
• SGTV Alpenblumen of Providence, Rhode Island
• Germania Schuhplattler Trachtenverein of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Rathkamp Folk Dancers of Houston, Texas
• Enzian Schuhplattlers of Seattle, Washington
• Weiss‑Blau Bayern of Ontario, Canada
The Enzian S.V. of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada was not present and will continue under conditional status for two more years. The Gauverband Nordamerika now consists of 76 member clubs.
Walter Wieand called the General Session to order at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 3rd. He thanked the Milwaukee groups for hosting the Hospitality Room on Saturday and for providing breakfast on Sunday morning. Various session reports were made: Administration, Preisplatteln, Tracht, Jugend, Music & Song, Customs, Traditions & Ceremony, Dance, German Language.
The following officers were elected:
• President – Walter Wieand
• Vice President – John Schaefer
• Secretary – Walter Kraft
• Treasurer – William Hubner
• Gauvorplattler – Martin Hubner
• 2nd Gauvorplattler – Tom Vogt
• Vortanzerin – Karin Dean‑Kraft
• Historian – Loyd Wevang
• Librarian – Jerry Fischer
• Jugendvertreter – Rex Lane
Trustees:
• Robert Christie
• Mark LaCourse
• Kenneth Roberts
• Erech Morrison
Directors:
• Hans Henoch
• Leo Mayer
• Paul Ulrich
• Don Klingseisen
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was chosen as the site for the 1994 Delegates’ Meeting, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin was chosen as the site for the 1995 Gaufest. Judges were selected for the Preisplatteln.
A special thanks was given by President Walter Wieand to John M. Blank of the host club, the United German Hungarians, and the committee for their excellent work. Walter Kraft thanked the secretary staff: Janet Fricker Malofiy, Susan Galgon, and Joe Reiter.
Walter Kraft also announced that Gemuetlichen Enzianer of New York have already submitted a bid for the 2001 Gaufest. Various announcements and invitations were made, and finally a motion to adjourn was passed, concluding the productive meeting.
The delegates bid each other farewell. Many would not reunite until the Gaufest in Buffalo in July 1993, while others expected to see friends again at regional events soon.
EDITOR’S NOTE: this piece was written and originally published in Monthly Progress, Volume 47, No. 7 – July 1992. It has been re-published here in 2026 with minor edits.
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