In the warmly lit, old-fashioned interior of Philadelphia’s Hop Angel Brauhaus, the North Penn German Club laughs and talks over a mouthwatering spread of Bavarian cuisine. The club, visiting the restaurant for its annual German dinner, enjoys distinctly Deutsch tradition and bilingual banter, encouraging its members to get a taste of German culture. This dinner, among a plethora of other activities such as trips to cultural events, German-themed activities, and German games and movies, offers a fun way for any student to get involved with the club.
Club adviser Margrit Marino explained that although the club focuses on German culture, students of all kinds – and of any language – are welcome.
“I love working with the students. I especially enjoy when I hear them speak German – not that all members [have to]! We want anyone who is interested in German culture to join, not just students of German; I am a math teacher and I’m in German Club!”
Club members look forward every year to a wide variety of activities. This year kicked off with a scavenger hunt in the high school, followed by the delicious dinner at Hop Angel. During the upcoming holiday season the club will travel to the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market), a beloved tradition that is always popular with members.
“Throughout the month of December there are outdoor Christmas Markets in most of the German cities. This year we are going to Philadelphia to visit their outdoor Christmas market,” Said Marino. “Some of our other activities are watching German movies, making Spätzle, playing German Pictionary, and listening to German music.”
You could say that there’s something for everyone in this year’s German club agenda, from Spätzle-making night, where members can make the popular German egg noodle dish, to the annual World Cup Soccer Tournament, where the language clubs of North Penn face off for the World Cup title (which, by the way, the German club is “looking forward to winning this year!”).
“I love being the advisor,” said Marino. “The club allows me to share my interest in my German heritage and also to meet other students.” The club’s members feel much the same way, taking advantage of the opportunity to experience German tradition and all the food, friends, and fun that comes along with it.