{"id":156024,"date":"2026-04-03T04:36:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T04:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/156024\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T04:36:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T04:36:11","slug":"pennsylvania-german-nonprofit-hosts-annual-gathering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/156024\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania German nonprofit hosts annual gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pennsylvania German Zammelaaf nonprofit organization held its 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, on March 21.<\/p>\n

Zammelaaaf translates to \u201csocial gathering.\u201d Approximately 225 individuals of all ages attended.\u00a0 There was no cost for the event; however, donations were accepted.<\/p>\n

Entertainment was provided by a new internationally known family band, the Shooflies. The four-member band provided lively, invigorating music and was well-received.\u00a0 In October, they will make a return trip to Germany to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the German-Pennsylvania Day sponsored by the U.S. Consulate and Europe Direct.<\/p>\n

\"DieDie Swatara Schalle choral group performed songs in the PA German dialect during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)<\/p>\n

In addition, music was provided by Die Schwadore Schalle (Swatara Sounds) choral group of youth and adults who sang a variety of songs in the PA German (Dutch) dialect. Some of the songs were familiar and the audience sang along with the group.<\/p>\n

The name, \u201cSwatara,\u201d originates from the Native Americans, which means \u201cplace where we feed on eels\u201d or \u201cthe place of eels\u201d and comprises an area in Lebanon, Dauphin, Schuylkill, and Berks counties, in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

Two speakers presented interesting information about the PA Germans \u2014 \u201cPA German Easter Traditions\u201d by Linda Manwiller and \u201cSaffron Use Among the PA Germans\u201d by Diane Wenger.<\/p>\n

In addition, three lively children\u2019s sessions included singing, stories, and learning PA Germa. It is hoped that all these presentations encouraged others to learn more about the PA Germans, their language, culture and heritage.<\/p>\n

\"Keith<\/p>\n

Keith Reigart, left, provided many items to assist visitors in learning about the PA German culture, language and heritage during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)\n<\/p>\n

\"Stewart<\/p>\n

Stewart Walton played his singing saw during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees were interested in learning the PA German language from those fluent in the dialect during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)\n<\/p>\n

\"Decorated<\/p>\n

Decorated eggs and many other traditional handmade items were displayed by Matthew and Nancy Vardjan during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)\n<\/p>\n

\"Zammelaaf<\/p>\n

Zammelaaf co-chair Alice Spayd displayed items for sale during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

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Keith Reigart, left, provided many items to assist visitors in learning about the PA German culture, language and heritage during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Sharing the PA German dialect was an important part of the event. There was a conversation table where attendees could converse and learn about the language with fluent speakers.<\/p>\n

There was much to see!<\/p>\n

Five artisans were demonstrating their craft. In addition, there were seven vendors displaying their handiwork and five societies sharing information about their venues. All information related to the culture and heritage of the PA Germans (Dutch).<\/p>\n

\"BryanBryan Nye, dressed in traditional costume, brought samples of his leather-made items during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)
\n\"JohnJohn Huber, left, of Huberhaus Pottery in Myerstown displayed his PA Dutch redware pottery with traditional patterns during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)
\n\"LiamLiam McCay displayed his wood products, hand-crafted from Pennsylvania hardwoods, during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)
\n\"RepresentativesRepresentatives of the Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead dressed in 17th-century garb during the 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona, Lebanon, March 21. (Photo courtesy of Mary Laub, Maxatawny Township)<\/p>\n

There was also a display of old-fashioned toys which drew the attention of many and provided challenges for those who attempted to use them, too! A silent auction with many craft items was also available.\u00a0 Food was provided for purchase by the church. Midway Diner, Bethel, provided delicious baked goods.<\/p>\n

The Zammelaaf event replaced the Pennsylvania German Heritage Festival, which had previously been held for 16 years at the Harrisburg Area Community College\u2019s Lebanon campus. Plans are already in place for next year\u2019s March 2027 Zammelaaf.<\/p>\n

The other popular event sponsored by the PA German Zammelaaf is the Grundsau Lodsch fer Yunge (Groundhog Lodge for Youth), which will be scheduled in 2027. Visit the PA German Zammelaaf Facebook page for more information.<\/p>\n

It is hopeful that this Zammelaaf experience provided insights into the rich language, heritage and culture of the PA Germans and the importance of passing along the traditions to future generations.<\/p>\n

Columnist Mary Laub of Maxatawny Township is the author of the \u201cOn the Farm\u201d series. Her Something Dutch column, published by MediaNews Group, is written in Pa Dutch with English translation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Pennsylvania German Zammelaaf nonprofit organization held its 14th annual Zammelaaf at the Zion UMC Church of Iona,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":156025,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[349,1559,1560,2568,43862,28,30,29,706],"class_list":{"0":"post-156024","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-pennsylvania","8":"tag-berks-county","9":"tag-opinion","10":"tag-opinion-columnists","11":"tag-patriot-item","12":"tag-patriot-item-opinion","13":"tag-pennsylvania","14":"tag-pennsylvania-headlines","15":"tag-pennsylvania-news","16":"tag-top-stories-reg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156024","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156024"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156024\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}