The banquet hall at Northern Valley EMS in Coplay was filled March 6 with Pennsylvania Dutch enthusiasts attending the annual banquet of Grundsau Lodge 16.

Grundsau Lodges are social organizations dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania Dutch language, culture and traditions.

Members gather for events throughout the year that often feature the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, traditional foods and folk customs centered around the groundhog or “grundsau.”

Haaptmann (president) David Adam served as master of ceremonies.

Adam conducted much of the program in Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, with occasional English expressions.

The evening opened with the singing of “America” in Pennsylvania Dutch.

The Rev. Dr. David Smith of Jordan United Church of Christ, South Whitehall, delivered the invocation.

Guests then enjoyed a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dinner that included sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, pork, sausage, carrots and peas.

Appetizers included cottage cheese and apple butter, followed by salad with warm bacon dressing.

Fresh horseradish was available on the tables.

Vanilla ice cream completed the meal.

Live music was provided by Joe Kroboth on accordion and vocals, accompanied by Bobby Pritash on drums and vocals.

Following dinner, several speakers addressed the gathering, most speaking in Pennsylvania Dutch.

An important part of the evening’s program was the reciting of the Grundsau (Groundhog) pledge.

The ceremony concluded with what appeared to be a shot glass of mint tea and a groundhog-shaped cookie.