Verein History
In the early part of 1930, seven young men
who had immigrated to Rochester, New York, from Germany banded
together to form a Bayern Verein. In addition to providing sick benefits the members wanted to carry on the traditions of their beloved native land of Bavaria, Germany, and to help one another overcome homesickness and loneliness. Although the membership rapidly increased, the club remained financially poor because of the Depression.
As the
membership grew, several moves were made to larger
quarters. At its first general meeting and election of
officers in April, 1931, Andrew Reber was elected
president. In December, 1931, a dance was given for the
public. The highlight was a Christmas play, "Das
Christkind'l". Also, two couples - John Braun, Helen
Mayer, Waldimar Mittermeyer, and Betty Mayer - made their debut Schuhplatteln
. The Schuhplatteln was a huge success, and, within six
months, the group grew to ten couples under the leadership of
Michael Schmaus.On May 21, 1932, the Bavarian Verein Alpengrün announced its existance at a Bunter Abend. During the years immediately folowing, bylaws were drawn up, and spring green was chosen as the color of the girls' skirts. A small cowbell, donated by one of the members was used instead of a gavel at the meetings. The club still uses the cowbell to this day.
In 1936, the highlight of the annual Stiftungsfest (Founders Day dance) was a play in German presented by the members of the club. The play was well received by the audience, and a different play was enacted each spring until the late1950s.
Besides the Schuhplattler and actors and actresses, the Verein was blessed with other talented members. The musically talented members had their own band, consisting of a violinist, a drummer, and an accordian player. The members enjoyed many happy hours listening and dancing to the tunes from the homeland.
On December 14, 1941, under the
direction of Theresa Biehler, the first Christmas pageant depicting
the birth of Christ took place. These performances, with
the children portraying the nativity characters, were presented
every December until the early 1960s and played to capacity
crowds. The children spoke their parts in German, and
familiar German songs were sung. St. Nicholas made an
appearance later in the evening with a bag of goodies for each
child. The Verein also took part in many German and non-German activities in the community. These included: Lilac Parades, so named because Rochester is famous for its many varieties of lilacs at Highland Park; International Day, which highlighted the various ethnic dance groups in the city; United Nations Week; and others. The club also danced for numerous charitable organizations. The children's group danced at the one hunderedth anniversary celebration of the founding of the city of Rochester in 1934 at Edgerton Park.
In 1960, the club purchased a beautiful flag from Germany and had it blessed at its Fahnenweihe on Septmber 3, 1960. In conjunction with the flag blessing, a Preisplatteln was held with BGTEV Holzhacker Buam, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, winning the first prize.
Bayern Verein Alpengrün joined the Gauverband Nordamerika in 1967. In recent years, members have traveled to many cities around the United States and Canada, attending many Fahnenweihen and Gaufeste. At the Gaufest in Passaic, New Jersey, the club presented an original skit depicting the origins of schuhplatteln and the antics of the mating of the Auerhahn birds. Teresa Mayer and Vorplattler Andrew Mayer wrote and produced the amusing skit.
The club performs an
original dance, the "Almtanz", with small cowbells. Joseph Mayer
originated the dance in 1987. Some of the children have done the
dance and also attend a weekly German language school. The club
considers the German language very important to maintain. Currently,
there exist a children's group, a adult Schuhplatteln group, and a
figure dance group (for those adults that find the Schuhplatteln too
strenuous). Again, members of the club play musical instruments, a few of those, Andrew Mayer (Vorplattler), Teresa Mayer, Erik Mayer, Jeremy Stoner, forming the band "Die Lustigen Almdudler" .