|
Sterling Heights Palm trees,
fishnets, flowers and other Polynesian decorations transformed Carpathia
Hall into a virtual Hawaii on Saturday, September 10th. The colorful attire
of the guests rounded out the effect and presented a very charming south-sea
picture. Sponsored by the Jugendgruppe, the Hawaiian Abend returned in great
fashion as the opening event for the 2005/2006 entertainment season. The
Tradewinds, appropriately named for the occasion, entertained young and old
with enchanting Hawaiian melodies. The perfect evening to dance or just let
the soothing melodies and Polynesian atmosphere carry you to the islands. As
I stated above, if you were not there, you missed a great evening.
The highlight of the evening was to be the crowning of the royalties of
Jugendgruppe. Every September this ceremony repeats itself when the outgoing
Jugendgruppe's first couple" crowns the newly selected incoming first
couple". Before this event took place, however, a rare treat from the
Carpathia Kindergruppe was to rival the main event:
To
the strings of Kahola Hula, a nimble Kindergruppe with well-practiced
exotic" hip movements, glided to the dance floor. Woah! This was not the
Carpathia Kindergruppe - these were little Wahines in grass skirts, ankle
bracelets and flower leis with smiles from ear to ear. Even the boys were
smiling! To the song of Pearly Shells" the guests were treated to a very
skilled and absolute delightful performance of the famous Hawaiian Hula
Dance. This performance captured everyone's undivided attention. Hukilau"
rounded out the performances. How proud the parents and grandparents were
and what an enjoyable show for the guests. The thundering applause just
wouldn't stop. It rivaled a curtain call at the opera!
I
personally would like to thank the leaders of the Kindergruppe for a job
well done. Cindy Schleis and Christine Pesta had worked with the children
for the past couple of months (they only meet once a week). Cindy had
purchased a hula" video and diligently taught the movements of hips and
hands to our youngest members. What patience and what dedication went into
these practices only Cindy and Christine can tell you. The applause, praise
and delightful comments of the members and guests were a much-deserved
reward for both of them.
Then came the crowning of Carpathia's new royalties. The outgoing first
couple, Marie Pelvay and Eric Prybula were thanked by Jugendgruppe leader
AnnaMarie Tittjung for representing Carpathia with honor and dignity
throughout the year. The newly elected royalties, Amanda Schwager and Kurt
Seiberling Jr. were then welcomed and crowned amid much applause and
cheerful whoopla! After their honorary dance, the entire Jugendgruppe joined
and the adults delightfully watched a younger generation dance to the
popular waltzes of the Johann Strauss Era. Where else but at Carpathia can
you find such reminiscence and such a strong next generation of
German-Americans?
The kitchen window served delicious tortes and hot pretzels and many a lady
threw dietary caution to the winds and succumbed to the demands of her taste
buds. The raffle at the end of the evening brought $642.00 and was
generously donated to the Red Cross for the Katrina victims.
It
was again a very enjoyable and rewarding evening for our members and guests.
Annemarie Gerhardt |
