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Oregon The Bockbierfest presented
by the Toledo Schwaben Verein at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, Ohio, Sunday,
April 2, is a cultural event that has deep roots in Germany, where it lives
on in large sophisticated cities as well as in country hamlets.
The founders of the Toledo Schwaben Verein have long ago been tucked into
their eternal resting place. The present guardians of this cultural event at
immigrants and offspring, who settles in the Toledo area in the 1920's and
1930's and perhaps there are a few who came a little later. Their numbers
are slowly diminishing, However, a solid core of these members, among which
the Dunaways, Pfoutes, and Schwarzkopfs stand out, is committed to
perpetuate German culture. Sunday's program is a tribute to the men of the
Schwaben Verein, who presented the Annual Bockbierfest. However, we must not
forget the women, who support the efforts of these men. Without them there
would be no cultural programs. Es lebe die Damen der Toledo Schwaben
Unterstützungs Verein!"
One must return to Saturday, April 1, to experience the dedication that
exists in the preparation of the Spätzle" for the Bockbierfest. The
powerhouse from Fremont, Ohio, Thersa Jakober, Ray Toeppe, and Bob Zillis,
were joined by Donn Cranor from Blissfield, Michigan, and Gerald Dunaway and
Rudy Schwarzkopf from Toledo in making this typical Schwaben noodle. The
merriment of this working crew is always heightened by the country humor of
Cranor. Looking on while busily preparing kits of napkins and tableware were
President Herman Schmalzried and Margaret Kniffke. There is no pecking order
here. Everyone participates for the joy of making the Fest a success.
Early Sunday morning the cooks, Gerald Dunaway, Karl Fiesel, Matt Harrison,
and the Schwarzkopf brothers, John and Rudy, under the direction of Erich
Schiehlen prepare the Kassler Rippchen, Knockwurst, roast pork, and
sauerkraut. The women of the Verein arrive with their homemade cakes, which
Marsha Dunaway and her crew prepare for the dessert buffet, which this year
was moved to the dining hall. Bar Chairman, Howard Schnabel, had old pros,
Frank Matyus, the Petz brothers, Bob and Rudy, Ray Troebbe, and Bob Zillis
serving Bockbier and other beverages that the guests desired.
Arriving guests were greeted by Kris Schwarzkopf's spring flower basked
arrangement at every table. Guests this year came from many areas to fill
Oak Shade Hall to capacity. President Art French of the Ann Arbor Schwaben
Verein brought a bus-load of happy guests. Detroit was also well represented
by Hubert Rosch and Lisa Gerstheimer, who are dedicated attenders.
This year's Fest welcomed back the Vern Basilius Encore Band to provide
traditional German melodies interspersed with popular American dance music.
Vern's group sounded better than ever, and Eric Hite, normally keyboard
player and accordionist in the band, used his soaring baritone voice to two
solo numbers.
It
has become a tradition for the Bavarian Schuhplattlers to present the
entertainment at the Fest. Their program this year began with the Kinder
Polka" followed by the Bandeltanz," which took place around a Maypole
streaming with festive ribbons. The first part of the Bavarian
Schuhplattlers' dance program ended with the Mazurka."
The Schuhplatters were accompanied by accordionist Jim Sturtz. Guests who
attended previous Bockbierfests will remember that Charles Lehmann played
for the group for many years. Special mention is also made of one of the
youth dancers, Angelina Krahn, from Michigan. Angelina was proudly watched
from the sidelines by her parents Jason and Anita Krahn. In her dancing
costume Angelina looked like a little Hummel figurine come to life.
The second half of the Schuhplatters' program consisted of the Stern Polka,"
the Bayrische Zell," the Wedding Dance," and the always popular Miners'
Dance." This dance with its swinging lanterns and clanging mining tools
signaled the closing of the evening's entertainment.
The final event of the Fest program was the Raffle, which Otto Kniffke and
John Rettig have organized into a fine crowd-pleaser.
Encore" played a variety of dance numbers, but slowly the crowd left Oak
Shade Hall. However, dedicated Schwabs stayed on to tidy up the room, police
the kitchen, and turn off the lights. These dedicated men and women of the
Toledo Schwaben Verein were tired, but it was a tiredness with a feeling of
contentment. They had presented another cultural event, which ties them
closely to the country from which they or their forefathers came.
Roy F. Lessing |
