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Oregon
The flyer read: Wir laden ein, Zum Schwäbischen Waldfest, Sunday, July 27,
Oak Shade Grove, Oregon, Ohio." This yearly summer event draws old friends
from far and wide to a typical German picnic. The Schwaben members who came
from the greatest distance this year were Kurt and Donna Hoevemeyer,
Sylvester and Margaret Meitinger from Florida and Karl W. Mueller from
Shreveport, Louisiana. Karl comes to visit with his cousin, Adolf Mueller,
and to enjoy the gemütlichkeit with friends in the shade of Schwaben Halle,
to which he contributed substantial financial support toward its erection.
The many inscribed floor tiles bear witness to the loyal Verein members and
friends, who consider this pavilion their Waldfest Heimat.
The Saturday
before the Waldfest is always the day of the great potato salad creation.
Rudy Schwarzkopf cooked the potatoes, 16 busy hands peeled and sliced them,
and Kris Schwarzkopf mixed them with most of the seasoning; however, on the
day of the Waldfest Eric Schielen gave it the final touch.
Sunday was ushered
in with beautiful sunshine, a slight breeze, and a temperature, which
hovered in the 80's. Guests were slow to arrive. However, by 2 p.m. the
picnic benches were beginning to fill. Otto and Margaret Kniffke had
arranged prizes for the raffle. Marsha Dunaway and Theresa Jakober showed
their Kuchen to advantage. Young Schwabs managed the soft drink concession
and at the beer bar all of the old servers were to be seen keeping thirsty
guests happy. The food line provided a surprise. Wolfgang Drescher, his
sons, Eric, Alex, Nick, Amy and Lynn Drescher were to be seen expertly
preparing food and serving platters of chicken, corn, and Bratwurst. Elsie
Schwarzkopf and Donna Hoevemeyer rounded out the food team. Al Novak's
Edelweiss Orkester filled Schwaben Halle with favorite old tunes and
contemporary music. Art French of the Ann Arbor Schwabenverein could be seen
munching a Stuttgart Brezel and downing a beer and later engaging in
conversation with Fritz and Lucy Bausch. Because of illness, two of the most
beloved friends were unable to attend the FestHubert Rosch and Lisa
Gerstheimer of the Detroit Schwabenverein.
At 3 p.m. Master
of Ceremonies, Don Pfouts, welcomed all guests and signaled the march of the
G.A.F. Society parade. But who were those men carrying a spear, who fiercely
pursued that monster rabbit? Seven Toledo Schwabenverein members again
presented Die Legende der Sieben Schwaben. They chased the fierce monster
right up to the Schwaben Halle stage. Matt Harrison convinced guest Jordan
Trujillo of Orange, California, to play the part of the rabbit. The
portrayal of this legend has become a regular part of Schwaben programs,
because it is enjoyed by everyone.
The American
national anthem was sung by all Fest-goers, the German national anthem was
sung by Rodney Langenderfer, and members of the Swiss choral group sang the
Swiss national anthem. President Herman Schmalzried gave a short welcoming
address. Mel Arndt, President of the G.A.F. Society, Inc. and Tim Pecsenye,
2008 German-American Festival Chairman gave short addresses welcoming all to
attend the 2008 Festival in August. Also recognized was Michael Willinger,
Chairman of the Board of the G.A.F. Society, Inc.
At 4 p.m. The
Bavarian Schuhplattler began their two-part presentation. The adult ensemble
presented the Hochzeit Tanz in its opening program. This was followed by
young male dancers featured in the Bankel Tanz. Chris and Bryan Pfouts were
especially impressive in the execution of this number. The Schuhplattler
continued with their usual crowd-pleasing dances. They appeared again at 6
p.m. for the second part of their performance. The addition of bellringing
tunes by Patti Mauery and Jackie Beutler brought a new talent of the dancers
to the foreground. The audience rewarded the bellringers with generous
applause.
Al Novak and the
Edelweiss Orkester played for listening and dancing until 7 p.m. By 8 p.m.
The crowd had thinned. Slowly Waldfest guests left the forest setting and
said goodbye to another successful Toledo Schwabenverein program.
Roy F. Lessing |
