Tradition of celebrating the groundhog continues

Groundhog Day for Youth featured educational discussions, speaking and singing in PA Dutch

The PA German Zammelaaf continued a Pennsylvania German tradition of celebrating Groundhog Day by hosting the 3rd Annual Groundhog Day for Youth event recently at the Midway Diner in Bethel.

About 40 people attended Grundsau Daag fer Yunge hosted by the non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the Pennsylvania German (also known as Pennsylvania Dutch) language and culture.

“For the PA Germans, celebrating Groundhog Day has been a popular tradition for many years,” said Mary Laub, a member of the PA German Zammelaaf. “Keeping traditions alive for future generations is very important.”

Laub, who is author of the Uff der Bauerei (On the Farm) series and teaches Pennsylvania German (Dutch) at Shaynah Kinner Day Care Center in Kutztown, said that the purpose of the event is not only to develop an awareness of this PA German tradition but also learn about the background and history of the PA Germans.

“There appears to be a great interest in learning about the PA Dutch language and culture by folks of all ages. Actually in attendance were several teenage volunteers who participated in the entire event,” said Laub.

Geared for youth ages 5 to 12, as well as many youngat-heart participants, the event featured educational discussions about Groundhog Day traditions, learning to speak PA Dutch and singing songs in the PA Dutch language.

“As part of the event, Dale Zimmerman served as the Town Crier and rang a bell to announce when it was time to learn or sing in Dutch as well as when events would take place. He was dressed in traditional garb of a 17th century farmer,” said Laub.

Learning about Grundsau Lodsche (Groundhog Lodges) was also an important part of the event. Representatives from two lodges participated, Rich Riley from Grundsau Lodsch No. 1 which was the very first Grundsau Lodsch and David Adam from Lodsche No. 16. Both dressed in traditional Grundsau Lodsch green colored garb and spoke about the purpose, history and traditions of the Lodsche.

“One tradition that David spoke about was Lodsche No. 16, which features their stuffed groundhog going down the Jordan Creek in Lehigh County, either on a raft or, if the Creek is frozen, on a sled, in order to make a prediction about the weather,” said Laub.

There are now 19 Grundsau Lodsche. This 19th Lodsch is in the Palz area in Germany.

Children participated in Groundhog Centers including the Groundhog Beanbag Toss, Word Match using PA German (Dutch) words, speaking Dutch with Grundsau Lodsch members, Pin the Tail on the Groundhog, and Schpass Babiere (Fun Sheets) with Groundhog Day themes. Each youth received a paper groundhog at the centers that were turned in for an official Groundhog Day badge.

There were also free refreshments and a puppet show with Hans the puppet who taught about the PA Dutch words for manners such as Sei so gut (Please), Danke (Thank you), and others.

In addition, a virtual event was hosted on the PA German Zammelaaf Facebook page from Feb. 2 to 9.

Next year’s Grundsau Daag fer Yunge is scheduled to be held at Midway Diner on Jan. 29, 2023 with the snow date Feb. 5.

Alice Spayd encourages a participant as he tries to speak PA German (Dutch) to David Adam from Groundhog Lodge No. 16 at the Grundsau Lodsch (Groundhog Lodge) Center. On the wall Dutch words are displayed as a reference for the speakers.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Joanne and Les Noll along with the groundhog puppet greet families as they arrive at the Groundhog Day for Youth.

During Groundhog Day for Youth, children participated in Groundhog Centers including Word Match using PA German (Dutch) words and Schpass Babiere (Fun Sheets) with Groundhog Day themes.

Two teen volunteers assist with the Groundhog Beanbag Toss Center as a participant tries her luck. In the background, others get ready to participate in another center, Pin-the-Tail on the Groundhog.