19 April 2008: 40th Frankfurt Spring Ball

A ball of superlatives (by Frankfurt standards) is over, successfully and with satisfied guests — an appropriate anniversary event with many »firsts« and extras as well as some traditional elements, which joined many old-timers and numerous new faces — nearly 120 guests attended, and the organisation team can now rest easy!

Heavy rain and various snags formed obstacles at first: When we arrived at the Volkshaus Enkheim at 1 p.m., there were too many tables in the hall — since last year's »Clubraum« at short notice turned out not to be available, the buffet had to be set up in the main hall — hectic rearranging for the benefit of a large-enough dance floor ensued. At the same time, the check-in desk and the table with our 55 raffle prizes had to be arranged, the flower ornaments for the tables finished and signs put up. In the bar, Dagmar and her helpers heroically took care of preparing the stage decoration: A giant saltire (specially constructed by Dagmar from five bed sheets) had to be made fire-proof with a special spray, which because of the rain could not be done outside ... It was a hectic hour, during which we also had to fight for access to the mezzanine, which will probably no longer be available due to refurbishments (we think) — even this time we had to block the door latch, because otherwise people from the mezzanine would have had to take a detour around the building to get to the dance hall ...

The pre-ball dance-through session in the afternoon, like last year, started with a slight delay since exactly at that moment the janitor wanted to arrange the lighting for the rest of the day with Anselm — not an easy task, if the decoration has not been set up, many people are talking in the hall, but the light controls have been newly set up on the mezzanine. Of course one needs to be on the stage to see, in daylight, what the lights might be like at night ... and communication is only possible by hand signs (or a cell phone? There is room for improvement here!) However Dagmar, supported by Anselm on the piano, once again expertly went through a sizeable programme of dances in order to put the »finishing touches« on the attending dancers. — Then there was some time to relax and enjoy the delicious cakes provided for the helpers. Then to get dressed — the changing room was fully packed including the shower stalls (dangerous for the posh togs).

The ball was opened on schedule at 7 p.m. by pipers Peter Bergschmidt (in full dress) and Toni Auchter, who has been bringing his pipes to us from Ravensburg for years. Our musicians Keith Smith, Christine Moos, and Anselm, supported for part of the evening by Sabine Meier-Ude's »Scottish« debut on flute and tin whistle, Joe Wheadon on the double bass, and Andrew Dewdney with his accordion, fired up the crowd. Jelena Haramis and Heike Fröhling, who at their Irish dance school in Bonn had just had occasion to celebrate one of their students' European championship, presented some Irish step dancing to frenetic applause. And at 8.30 p.m., people streamed from two sides towards the delicious cold/warm buffet (only that it contained a very nice cream-of-asparagus soup wasn't obvious to everybody ...) because there was only time for an 1-hour break. — With another slight delay the pipers re-gained the floor and accompanied the entrance of the raffle helpers, not least Dave's wife Eva, who as the lucky fairy on her birthday and silver wedding anniversary drew the main prizes from the sold-out 200 tickets, and Knut, who very intrepidly and suspensefully presented the drawing of the three main prizes. — Our club member Liesl, who has been involved with the FSCDC since its inception year and donated part of the main prize, was subsequently honoured and enjoyed this unexpected attention very much. And then the programme continued — a complete success! On schedule at 12.45 a.m., after the Auld Lang Syne, everything was cleared up, and the eight raffle prizes that people seemed to not have picked up were put away.

Opinions concerning this big event were very positive, which makes all the effort and cost worthwhile. Next year we hope to have a nice ball again, even without all the extras — the date and musicians have already been fixed (again at the Volkshaus Enkheim, if nothing intervenes): on 18 April 2009, with musicians Christine Moos, Anselm and friends!