The April 15th meeting, free to the public, will be held at 7 pm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1933 Hanover Avenue, Allentown. Will Hahn will discuss some aspect of the “Dutch” dialect or traditions at that time. He spend his early years on a farm in the Nazareth area where the dialect was spoken by his family on a daily basis. After completing his education, he assumed a professorship at the Graduate School of East Stroudsburg University. Upon retirement from teaching, he started an auctioneer company, which he continues to this day. He is also the Haaptmann of Nummer Tzae Groundhog Lodge.
On Saturday, May 1, at 1 pm, the Pennsylvania German Friends will host their Annual Fersammling, also at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The Fersammling is a banquet, featuring traditional Pennsylvania German fare and an address in the dialect. Speaking “Dutch” is not a requirement to attend and enjoy the event. The cost is $18.00 per person. Please call 610-264-2979 by Saturday, April 17th for tickets.
Mr. Richard Miller, who teaches a Pennsylvania German course at The Institute for Learning in Retirement at Cedar Crest College, will be the guest speaker at the Fersammling. He grew up in the New Tripoli area at a time when most residents spoke the dialect on a regular basis. After completing his schooling which included undergraduate and graduate degrees in the German Language, he chaired the foreign language department at Allen High and later became a German Professor at Kutztown University. To help preserve the dialect and culture, he served as Unnerhaaptmann for Groundhog Lodge Nummer Aens for several years and has spoken before many other groups in the dialect.
The Pennsylvania German Friends organization meets the third Thursday of each month at the church, with the exception of May, and the summer months, July and August. Parking available in lot across Tacoma Street; use ground floor “Office” entrance. For further information, call 610-264-2979.
