Walt Groller asked a question to which he knew the answer. "You know its spring. How many of you are glad?"

The occasion was the Austreibungs Fest, held annually to chase away winter.

This year the banquet, sponsored by the Pastorius Home Association, took place March 22 at the Goodwill Fire Company, Germansville.

The association re-stored the Pastorius Home in Bad Winsheim, Germany, which was built by the father of the organizer of the first group of German immigrants to arrive in Philadelphia.

The home was a place of refuge for people following the 30 Years War. It is now a lodging for members of the association.

The dance floor quickly filled after the first dance, while a "European Waltz" was played.

"Is there anyone named Ann out there" Groller asked. "If there is, this song is for her."

The song, "There's Only One Chance for Me" was sung in German.

Groller then asked how many of the attendees were Irish? In their honor the next song was "Danny Boy."

Some people could be seen singing along to the lyrics: "Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes they are calling.

The yellow, red and black flags decorating the hall were German. Red and white was for Austria. The blue and white were from the Bavarian Forest.

Groller announced a Vienna Ball would take place at Sunnybrook Ballroom on April 19 to benefit epilepsy. Many people seemed to be familiar with the site and said it is beautiful.

Don Eckhart asked how many dancers were 50 or younger and then 80 or older. He said the older people should bring the young ones along so they get familiar with the festival.

How many are hungry? he asked and most hands went up.

Fire company volunteers prepared a hot meal of wursts, potatoes, vegetables, rye bread and pickles, with ice cream and a cookie for dessert.

Groller told the audience he had been to Saltzberg, Germany, and anytime one walked down the street, music could be heard coming from the windows.

He was reminded of that because this year is the 50th anniversary of the "Sound of Music."

Then, the audience was asked to sing along with "Edelweiss."

John Oravec and Joann Hunsicker were chosen as Mr. and Mrs. Austreibungs Fest. Each received an apron tied on by Eckhart and then they led the next dance.

Hunsicker had not danced in a year and enjoyed it very much.

One of the band members then announced Groller had been a bandleader for 70 years. The event will be celebrated June 13 at Mount Bethel Fire Company.