Just in time for Groundhog's Day we had a rare visit from "Uni" the
Groundhog. The members of Groundhog Lodge #17 held their monthly
meeting in the Village Lobby and allowed us to listen in. The entire
meeting, called a versammlung, or gathering, was held in Pennsylvania
Dutch. Luckily they also brought along a translator. It was amazing
to hear them speaking to our residents in a language that is a local
tradition here. We know you are really from Lebanon if you speak
"Dutch." Many of the residents laughed aloud at the jokes and stories
told, and replied with their own anecdotes in PA Dutch.
There are many groundhog lodges across central Pennsylvania and they
are dedicated to the preservation of Pennsylvania Dutch language and
culture. We enjoyed getting up close and personal with the
weather-prognosticating groundhog, but we really loved hearing the
language of our youth.
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