German Hungarians Perform at Trenton Donauschwaben’s 70th Anniversary
Circa 2006, the United German Hungarians’ Children’s Group was knocking around pool balls in the Ratskeller of the Arbeiter Männer und Damenchor building on Franklin Street in Hamilton, New Jersey. Little Nicky Walter had a hand small enough that he could reach up inside the coin-op and release the balls without paying. (Score!) Then they called us, and Aunt Janet marched us out into the hall for our performance.
The occasion: the Trenton Donauschwaben’s 50th Anniversary.
Ten years later, in 2016, our dancers (a little older) returned, this time performing in the German-American Society‘s Aurora Ballroom for the Trenton Donauschwaben’s 60th Anniversary.
So it was no surprise when our fellow Landsleute asked us again to take part as a dance group and help celebrate their 70th Anniversary, or Platinum Jubilee.
Glenn Scheideler took over the master of ceremonies duties this year and did a fine and lively job. Glenn, husband to Luisa (Martini), was often joined by daughter Gemma who was very confidently attached to his leg beside the podium. Trenton, if you didn’t know, is a beautiful family affair.
It was a nice touch that Glenn invited everyone that was born in the old country to stand. The applause was heartfelt for the few who remain, and I have no doubt many had the intentions of those no longer with us on our hearts in that moment.
The tables were nicely set and each seat included a copy of the program book as well as a commemorative shot glass. (I have a full set of Trenton 60th Anniversary shot glasses and I’m happy to add a new set from the 70th). The full-color program book chronicled the club’s history in topical sections that I enjoyed reading. Photos from the past and present adorned the pages on family ads and historical pages. What I noticed most was how often the letters from club officers, regional and national leaders, as well as several historical sections, emphasized the connections Trenton holds dear with the Donauschwaben in Philadelphia and with our own club, the United German Hungarians. These connections have continued to grow over the years and this must continue.
Non-dancers who attended with our club included: Chris & Nichole Deely, Karen David, Ed & Chris Tokarski, Emily Fricker, Marlene Fricker, Werner & Lisa Fricker, Susi Hartmann, and Janet & Sasha Malofiy.
Trenton 70th Anniversary Committee
- Event Co-Chairs: President Joseph Brandecker Jr., President Emeritus Joseph Brandecker Sr., Hans Martini, & Liz (Hepp) Tindall
- Master of Ceremonies: Glenn Scheideler
- Art and Decorations: Ron Kernast & Sofi Walter
- Dance Group Coordinator: Sasha Malofiy Jr.
- Songs: Luisa (Martini) Scheideler
- Invocation: Deacon Steven Szmutko
- Marketing, Advertising, & Invitations: Liz Tindall, Chrissy (Martini) Malofiy, Dennis Bauer, Bob Walter, JoAnn Martini, Anna (Martini) Walls
- Program Book: Liz Tindall, Hans Martini, Joseph Brandecker Sr., Joseph Brandecker Jr.
- Video Presentation: Christa (Tindall) Pullion
- Appetizers: Hubert Pinkerton
- Accounting: Al Tindall, Dennis Bauer, Joseph Brandecker Sr.
- Event Photographer: Dennis Bauer
Appetizers were prepared by Trenton chef Hubert Pinkerton, and I’ll say they must have been a hit because I couldn’t even get close to the spread!
Luisa led the hall first in the national anthems and then in the “Deutsche Volkshymne.” Music often can tell us how we feel within our hearts. Strong voices of friends raised in song together washed a feeling of warmth over the event.
We would be remiss not to note the dance music provided by the best men for the job. Die Heimatklänge, dressed in red vests and black slacks, kept most of my peers standing, swaying, and dancing in camaraderie.
Deacon Szmutko from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Trenton gave a nice invocation before the main festivities and the buffet was opened. As usual the food from the kitchens and staff of the German-American Society was phenomenal. Schnitzel, roast pork, roast chicken, salad, vegetables, and red cabbage were included.
Around 4:00pm, it was time for the dance performance. Glenn introduced Marlene Fricker who introduced our dances. The following dancers participated:
Alex Blank
Bob Walter
Christopher Deely
Dan Galgon
Jason Noel
Michael N. Fricker
Sasha Malofiy Jr.
Stevie Paul
Chrissy Malofiy
Emma Walter
Jenn Blank
Mikaela Malofiy
Morgan Schulz
Sofi Walter
The group performed two favorites. Luneberger Windmueller always dazzles with its concentric circles and swinging lift of the girls. It remains in our repertoire after our group learned it under the direction of Susi Hartmann. Schwingende has a melody that is hard to forget, and as noted by Marlene was learned in homage to the Philadelphia Donauschwaben back in the 1990s. It’s always an exciting challenge when the mere mention of the name of a dance before the performance elicits awe from the crowd. It’s happened before and again on that Saturday. Our finale was a Hungarian Czardas which we hope met the expectations of our audience and our hosts!
Additional speakers took the microphone that night including the President Joe Brandecker Jr.
“Today I stand on the shoulders of great men who were, and are the foundation of our great club. Celebrating 70 years of culture and our heritage is beyond anything that I could have imagined.
My forefathers came from Weilheim in the black forest and traveled to Hungary, Yugoslavia, Austria and here to New Jersey…Today we celebrate our club, the families that started it, and you the family that keeps it together through the same common bond, our Donauschwaben heritage.”
-Joe Brandecker Jr., President
We also heard from Kathleen Martini, the Landesjugendleiterin who talked fondly of her “home club” being the New Jersey one in spite of the fact she never has lived in that state.
Gold pins and Urkunden were also presented to eight individuals from the National President Ray Martini who stated, “These are not just the future of this club; they are its dynamic present.”
The hall was full on the main level throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Some folks remained at their tables but many after the formal program took to mingling together, talking, laughing, telling stories. Others danced, or sang along with the band. The handful of young children in attendance enjoyed themselves as well, making new friends, coloring in the corner, and taking part in the anniversary just like the older folks.
Towards the end of the event, Luisa again took the microphone, this time alongside Hans and the duo led the hall in one final song together: “Kein schöner Land.”
After the Heimatklänge played its last song, those who didn’t want to go home migrated to the German-American’s bar-room. More conversations took place. I got to share some Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers with my godson Leo. More toasts were offered to the Trenton Donauschwaben, its founders, its leaders of the past, the present, and the future.
I didn’t even realize the connection until working on this article, but towards the end of the night the kids were once again playing with pool balls at a Trenton Anniversary.
Michael N. Fricker
