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Archiver > BANAT > 1999-08 > 0935694915
From: "ctctel" <>
Subject: [BANAT-L] Re: BANAT-D Digest V99 #234
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 13:15:15 -0600
This is Part 2 of the kerwie as I can recall.
Part 2
The evening is what I remember the best. I remember it because the one I
remember
going to was in the 50s. At this time it was only an evening celebration
or recreation of
the original ones. There werent enough single people around and so married
couples
were used.
The evening started with a procession around the dance hall by the Kirwie
couples. There was dancing followed by couples passing the Kirwie Straus
back and forth between each other. After the original dancing was done by
the participants, and the Straus was passed among them, the Kirwie Straus
was auctioned off. Bidding was usually at 10 cents on the dollar. ($100 bid
was actually $10).If the bidder got it, he donated it back to the
participants. Once there were no more bids, the last bidder would donate it
back and the participants would dance again and with the lead couple dancing
with the Straus. The ribbons were then sold off the Straus. They were
priced according to their size and beauty. There was always a sprig of
Rosemary clipped along and then pinned on the person buying a ribbon.
The wine which each of the men participants had was also sold by
so much for a (schulg) swallow. You didnt worry about germs. After each
drink, you
received a ticket with a number on it. This was all done while the dance was
going on and
everybody was then dancing. Usually the women. The men most likely were
down stairs,
or wherever the bar was and socialized. After the wine was all gone from
the jugs or
around Midnight, there was a ticket chosen and the holder of the winning
ticked received
a decorated hat. The money gotten from all these sales and auction was used
to pay
expenses or maybe the balance was donated.
At midnight there was, of course lunch. There was a little more dancing and
people would start going home.
If anyone wants to add to this or correct me, feel free to do so. This is
what I remember
and what I remember me being told by my parents. I do also have a small
photo I can
email to anyone who would like one circa 1946. Its a photo taken with an
old box camera
showing the participants as a group. My email is <>
Bill Schiwal
-----Original Message-----
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Date: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 11:13 PM
Subject: BANAT-D Digest V99 #234
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