Press Releases
SCHWENKFELDER LIBRARY & HERITAGE CENTER
105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073
Phone: 215–679–3103; Fax: 215–679–8175
info@schwenkfelder.com
www.schwenkfelder.com
January 17, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David W. Luz
Tel. 215–679–3103
Fax 215–679–8175
A Tradition Continues: A Grundsau Lodsch fer Junge; A Groundhog Lodge for Youth
Pennsburg, PA— The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center invites families to come to the first annual Groundhog Lodge for families and children on February 6, 2011, at 4:00 pm. A $5 donation to the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center for each participant is requested. R.S.V.P, required, to Rebecca Lawrence, Museum Educator, 215–679–3103.
As part of a century long tradition, Pennsylvania Germans have gathered at Fersommlings and Groundhog Lodges or Grundsau Lodsch, where members perform skits, sing songs, and recite pledges in the Pennsylvania German dialect to uphold Pennsylvania German traditions and celebrate the mid-point of winter. For generations the Grundsau Lodsch was a male-only tradition across the state of Pennsylvania. In 1983, Lucy Kern, a local resident of East Greenville, opened the first women's Grundsau Lodsch in the East Greenville Fire Hall, and on February 6, 2011, families can now take part in a family oriented Grundsau Lodsch fer Junge, at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center.
To keep the tradition of the Pennsylvania German dialect and spirit alive, the dialect will be encouraged in songs, pledges, and a dual language bulletin. All children will receive a special insignia to wear at future Grundsau Lodsch meetings at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center. It is a time for families to celebrate Pennsylvania German traditions through songs, pledges, games, and crafts, inspired by Groundhog Lodge traditions. A $5 donation to the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center for each participant is requested. Inquiries and reservations can be directed to Rebecca Lawrence, Museum Educator, 215–679–3103, by January 23, 2011. Knowledge of Pennsylvania German or a membership in a local Groundhog Lodge is not a requirement.
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center was founded in 1884 as an informal collection in a private home to assure the preservation of the Schwenkfelders' cultural identity. Today the Heritage Center, a not-for-profit organization, is still preserving, interpreting, and documenting the history of this German Protestant group along with their Pennsylvania German Heritage. The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Thursdays 9:00 am to 8:00 pm; Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; and Sundays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Heritage Center is closed to the public on Mondays. For additional information call 215–679–3103 or visit our website www.schwenkfelder.com
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David W. Luz
Executive Director
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073
Tel. 215–679–3103
Fax 215–679–8175
email: info@schwenkfelder.com
www.schwenkfelder.com