To begin with, we had 9 couples participate in the Einzelplatteln competition that took place on Friday morning/afternoon at the convention center. We had to dance in 2 different halls and the schedules were sometimes tight. That meant we had to juggle the competition with 3 musicians - Reinhold Rock, Rudi Hermes, and Erich Hetzel. Someone asked Erich Hetzel if we really had 3 musicians. His answer? "Not really, we have four. Karl Becker wasn't able to join us." That was followed by, "You are really lucky. Some clubs can't find one musician."

The nine competing couples in the Einzel were:

Rudi u. Barbara Hermes
Emil u. Erika Wagner
Wolfgang u. Nancy Wiewel
Erich u. Sonja Hetzel
Ken Ott u. Renate Elber
Kyle Ott u. Regina Ott
Joel Elber u. Kelsey Ott
Patrick Beargie u. Katie Krutschnitt
Martin Hermes u. Erin Krutschnitt

Of those 9 couples, 5 placed in their respective age groups:

Rudi u. Barbara Hermes - second
Emil u. Erika Wagner - third

Wolfgang u. Nancy Wiewel - first

Erich u. Sonja Hetzel - second

Kyle Ott u. Regina Ott - second

The Gruppen competition took place on Saturday morning, also at the convention center. Our couples were

Erich Hetzel u. Katie Krutschnitt
Ken Ott u. Sonja Hetzel
Wolfgang u. Nancy Wiewel
Martin Hermes u. Erin Krutschnitt
Kyle Ott u. Regina Ott
Joel Elber u. Kelsey Ott

The alternates were Patrick Beargie and Melanie Hetzel; our musician for the Gruppen Preisplatteln was Rudi Hermes

At the same time in the afternoon on Saturday, the Jugend Einzelplatteln, the choir practice for the Bauernmesse and setting up for the midnight party took place. Speaking for myself, a nap would have been in order but there was work to be done! True to form, our members stepped up before returning to the Convention Center for the Bauernmesse.

In the Jugend Einzelplatteln at the convention center, Jordan Raiber u. Abby Hermes danced. In addition, Jordan was asked to partner with Chelsea, a girl from another Verein. This is an opportunity for our young dancers to perform in a competition-like setting without being judged. They get comments from judges to help them become stronger dancers but they aren't competing against each other.

Practice for the Bauernesse took place at the convention center at the same time.

Meanwhile, back at the Crowne Plaza, too many people to count and thank spent the afternoon setting up the banquet hall for our party that started at midnight. But first back to the Convention Center for the Bauernmesse.

During the Bauernmesse, also at the convention center, Reinhold Rock conducted the choir, comprised of members for many different Vereine, including many from STV Bavaria. Two of our members - Jen Wozniak and Cheryl Bindel were featured in a duet during the Ava Maria. Breathtaking!

After Mass, we headed off to the Saturday night banquet at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, OH - a short school bus ride away.

Around midnight, people started drifting in to the hospitality party where we kicked off our bid for the 2013 Gaufest. Hundreds of people came, ate bratwurst, drank beer and pop and danced to the music of Spass, the band we had from Detroit. The party was still going strong at 3:30 AM when it was time to break up.

Sunday morning, we all slowly (maybe it was sleepily) found our way back to Oak Shade Grove for the picnic and the announcement of the Gruppen Preisplatteln. Before the announcement, Toledo Holzhacker Buam did their Holzhacker as their Ehren Tanz but needed some extra guys - up to the plate go Joel Elber, Kyle Ott, and Patrick Beargie.

Finally, it was time for the announcement

Fifth Place - United German Hungarians
Fourth Place - Denver
Third Place - Ottawa
Second Place - STV BAVARIA
First Place - Newark

Someone said we were lucky. I say we are blessed to have so many talented and committed members who are willing to go that little bit extra and make it all look so easy.


Thank you to all you attended the 22, Gaufest. and,
Thank you to all of you who supported us and cheered us on. and,

CONGRATULATIONS

Heidi Rock