Groundhog Lodge No. 12, Gathering, Shartlesville, Pa., May 4, 1990

A ticket for the Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch Fersommling (Pennsylvania Dutch gathering) held at Haag's Hotel in Shartlesville, Berks County, Pa., on May 4, 1990, by the Grundsow Lodsch Nummer 12 on da Dulpehocka Pawd (Groundhog Lodge No. 12 on the Tulpehocken Path).

As Wikipedia indicates, "A Fersommling (plural, Fersommlinge) (also spelled Versammling or Fersammling) is a Pennsylvania Dutch social event in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment." Check out the wonderfully amusing photo of King Groundhog arriving at the Fersommling held on February 2, 1968, by Grundsow Lodge Nummer Ains on da Lechaw (Groundhog Lodge Number One on the Lehigh).

Folklorist Don Yoder points out in his book Groundhog Day (Mechanicsburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 2003), p. xii, that the groundhog is "a vital if tongue-in-cheek symbol of the Pennsylvania Dutch. This identity is celebrated in the all-dialect Grundsow Lodges (Groundhog Lodges) of Southeastern Pennsylvania, where every February hundreds of Dutchmen meet to spend the evening feasting and frolicking, with pledges of allegiance, the sacred Groundhog Oath, and lots of harmless revelry--all in Pennsylvania Dutch."

Although some Groundhog Lodges do hold Fersommlinge on Groundhog Day or later in February, other gatherings--like this one on May 4, 1990--are scheduled at different times.

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(Not yet translated from the Pennsylvania Dutch.)

Grundsow Lodge No. 12 on da Dulpehocka Pawd

Des baweiss'd das da ________ fon ________ 'n fol shtandich lead iss fon da Grundsow Lodsch No. 12 on da Dulpehockae Pawd, und fershprocha hut die yarlich 1990 Fersommling ei tzunemma om 7:13 ovets, da 4't Moi onn, Haaga Watshaus, Shartlesville, Pa.

Harvey A. Hill, Jr., Hauptmann
William H. Keener, Shreiver

Sei so gute und halt ken sitzplatz zurick. Please do not reserve any seats. Seating is available as members arrive.

No. 0255

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Dierra Tzettle

Des beweiss'd das da ________ fon ________.

Mir Zwelf Daller Batzawled hut fer ein Glead tzu,
werra
bleiva
fon da Grundsow Lodsch No. 12 on da Dulpehocka Pawd.

Fohr g'shloga fom
Glead Tox $12.00 RAWD

No. 0255