Chuck wanted to bring his new-found interest closer to home. With the help of Edwin and Bonnie Abendschoen of the "Dutch Club", a German American Society was formed in York, PA in March of 1974. Irmgard Zerbe won the naming contest with the entry "Alpenrose".
Chuck also saw to it that the newly formed German American Society of York - Alpenrose was not just a social club by organizing another group within Alpenrose, the York Oberbayern Volkstanz Gruppe and giving dance lessons at the YMCA in York for about five years.
The years between 1975 and 1978 saw Alpenrose grow from about 40 members to almost 200. During this period, annual events like the Fasching Tanz, the Mai Tanz, Oktoberfest, and Christmas Dinner Dance were begun.
After more than 35 years, the club still adheres to its purpose, as expressed in its by-laws, to "maintain the German language, customs, and songs and to promote a true spirit of sociability and good will"!
The club participates in local community activities and has established a "book fund" at York College, to assist students of the German language with the purchase of their books. It is the plan of Alpenrose to eventually grow this book fund into a full scholarship fund.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of the Month (except July and September). Spring through Fall meetings are held at Das Siebenthal, Winter meetings are held at the West York VFW, at 1800 Andrews St., York, PA. See "events-monthly meetings" for a complete schedule.