History of the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society
In the summer of 1929, a group of Swiss gathered together at the Jake Kaech farm for a picnic. At this time, they made plans to meet again for another picnic in 1930. Konrad Huber offered a piece of his land, saying that it was a nice shady spot along the Willapa River. This location is part of our present Swiss Park. The August 10, 1930 picnic was held on the property which Konrad Huber had suggested would be an ideal location. It was here that the groundwork for an organization was begun. After much discussion, the officers were elected. It was decided that the dues for a life membership would be fifty cents. After much talk and "gemutlichkeit", a decision was made to name the club "Lewis-Pacific Swiss Verein" as the officers were from both counties. Verein was later changed to Society, hence L.P.S.S.
After their business had been finished, the evening was spent dancing in the old, vacant Huber house situated across from Hermina Huber's house. Louie Muller remembers that all the footstomping of the crowd scared out the moths and bats. An open dancefloor was built on the picnic grounds for the 1931 and 1932 picnics. The following year, 1933, a dance hall was built. Electricity was obtained from lines and poles on the Jake Kaech farm.
A beautiful float was entered in the All-Nations Day Parade in Raymond on July 4, 1933. The float was designed by Fred Hubscher and with much help from members was erected on the bed of a log truck. On one side were thirteen girls representing the original colonies and on the other side were thirteen girls representing the original Swiss cantons. The float was awarded first place.
The first Masquerade Dance was held on Feb. 3, 1934 in the Frances (Grange) Hall. The Grange Hall actually belonged to the Catholic Church, from whom the Swiss Society rented it.
A special committee meeting was held at Joe Huber's house on March 5, 1934, necessitated due to two vacancies which had arisen. Elizabeth Kaech and Conrad Muller had moved away. Fred Hubscher was appointed as Secretary and Louie Muller was chosen to fill Conrad Muller's position as trustee. In 1936, Fred Hubscher resigned as Secretary and Hedwig Kaech was elected. Of interest is the fact that Fred Hubscher made the Charter plaque and is also responsible for the plaque listing all the members of the L.P.S.S. at that time. The two plaques are on display in our present hall.
Notations from the original minute book state that gate admission for the annual Picnic in 1936 was .10¢. Dance admission was .15¢ for the ladies and .35¢ for the gents. Music was provided by the Studer Bros. and Fritz Wolfisbarger at the cost of $35.00. The charge for rental of the picnic grounds at $15.00 was voted on and passed.
All officers were retained, with the exception of two of the trustees at the June 9, 1940 annual meeting. Clem Ulrich resigned and was replaced by Fred Rengel. Martin Imhof had moved out of the area, so John Moseman was elected to his position. A discussion arose as whether to continue having Swiss dances since the last dances had not been very successful. It was decided to continue the dances to keep up the Swiss spirit.
In 1941 a decision was made to have free beer at the annual meetings. One of the ladies suggested that since the men were getting free beer and the children were getting free ice cream, why shouldn't the ladies be entitled to a free bratwurst. After a lengthy and amusing discussion, the men agreed that they would buy their ladies' bratwurst.
At the annual meeting on July 4, 1945, the L.P.S:.S. membership fee was raised to $2.00.
The enlargement of the dance hall at the picnic grounds was discussed in 1948. Mr. Fred Hubscher, Sr. offered to donate the lumber for a 20' extension, provided the labor would be donated by the members. This was agreeable.
The following year the committee had drawn up a set of bylaws. A motion was made and carried that they be accepted. Under these new by-laws, the officers would serve three-year terms. In the past the officers had been elected yearly.
In 1952 a motion was carried to purchase the Frances Grange Hall from the Catholic Church for the sum of $600.00. A slight discussion followed about a lease to the picnic property. More information will be gathered.
A special meeting was held Sept. 3, 1952 at the Charles Kaufman residence for the purpose of perfecting the incorporation of the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society. In attendance were Ed Zumbuhl, Mary Ulrich, Louis Kuttel, Jr., Werner Kaech, Louie Muller and Charles Kaufman. The articles of the agreement were filed on Jan. 8, 1953 at the Lewis County Courthouse.
At the annual meeting in 1938, Jake Kaech refused the renomination for President, as did the Treasurer, John Moseman. Hedwig Kaech moved away and the trustees wished to retire. A complete new board was required. Louie Muller was elected President. Lena Kaech Hudziak became Secretary and Mary Ulrich was elected Treasurer. The trustees elected were Clem Ulrich, Charles Kaufman and Martin Imhof. The new board vowed to continue the fine work of the former officers. A motion was made and carried that the President should appoint a committee to write a Constitution for the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society.
At the suggestion of trustee, Martin Imhof, the first Bowling Picnic was held on Sept. 3, 1939. This became an annual event until 19 when it began to be held in conjunction with the present Oktoberfest. At the first bowling picnic, there was only one alley which consisted of a 12" wide plank. More alleys were later added and improved. There are now six concrete alleys under cover.
Since there was no refrigeration and other facilities at the hall and the picnic grounds, Louie Muller would purchase much of the food, pop, etc. and store it in the milk cooler overnight. The morning of the event, Louie and Bennie would load the supplies into the cattle truck and haul it to Frances. At the end of the event whatever that had not been used, containers, etc. had to again be loaded and hauled back to Pe Ell. This procedure went on for many years.
The annual Swiss Picnic continued on the first Sat. in Aug. Throughout the year, several dances were held. An occasional card party and a Christmas Party each year were also enjoyed.
At the committee meeting on June 24, 1939, it was noted that there were some who worked hard whose names were not on the membership list. The committee agreed that they had more than earned their membership fee. They were automatically made members.
The membership fee was raised to $5.00 in 1953. After being in the red for some time due to the purchase and remodeling of the hall in "downtown" Frances, the treasurer's report showed a balance of $224.05 in 1957. Again the subject or the sad looking outhouses at the picnic grounds was mentioned. It was assured that they would be repaired.
On May 31, 1958 Louie Muller, who had held the position of President for 20 years, stated that he felt that it was time for a change. He refused the renomination for the presidency. Tony Portmann was elected President.
The Start of Our Schwingfest
In early 1964, a meeting of the Board of Directors was held in the old LPSS Swiss Hall located then across from the Frances Holy Family Catholic Church. The idea of a LPSS Schwingfest was brought to the floor by Werner Blaser. During the discussion, some were not sure of the club's ability to get enought schwingers and interest of the other West Coast Swiss Clubs to attend our LPSS program in Frances. Werner did not come to teh meeting without other suggestions and ideas. After a long board discussion, a unanimous vote to schedule a LPSS Schwingfest on June 27th was passed. Officers at teh time were Tony Portmann, President; Marie Monohon, Secretary; Manley Niemcziek, Treasurer; and Trustees Adolph Huber, Louie Camenzind, Mary Huber, Werner Blaser, and Fred Huber.
Local men volunteered to learn swiss wrestling techniques and rulings to help promote this new venture. Club members and area neighbors constantly worked creating ways to make park grounds more delightful and convienent for travelers. An informative program had to be developed for planning day and night activities for the schwinging, eating, dancing, and music schedules. Many hours were spent soliciting ads and putting the book together that was fun to read and guided readers around. A kitchen crew had to organize food and dinners for the Schwingfest crowds daily. Great effort by their ingenuity and stamina they arranged a gourmet variety of foods. Alphorn, jodeling, and landler music added to our Sunday Mass created sentimental joy for travelers to the park.
The sporting events required officials to score, match schwingers adn present crowns. They worked hard to complete a good program. Swiss musicians provided joyous intermission and dance tunes during the day and well into the evenings for young and old to enjoy.
Over the years, many appreciative thanks have been received by the LPSS from people who enjoyed the park, people and program they have discovered here. One letter sums it up this way:
Thanks from our hearts....
for many kindness bestowed upon us;
for being warm-hearted adn generous people;
for creating a Schwingfest we'll long remember;
for your wonderful sense of humor.
With sincerest wishes, Trudy & Roland Shumacher
After their business had been finished, the evening was spent dancing in the old, vacant Huber house situated across from Hermina Huber's house. Louie Muller remembers that all the footstomping of the crowd scared out the moths and bats. An open dancefloor was built on the picnic grounds for the 1931 and 1932 picnics. The following year, 1933, a dance hall was built. Electricity was obtained from lines and poles on the Jake Kaech farm.
A beautiful float was entered in the All-Nations Day Parade in Raymond on July 4, 1933. The float was designed by Fred Hubscher and with much help from members was erected on the bed of a log truck. On one side were thirteen girls representing the original colonies and on the other side were thirteen girls representing the original Swiss cantons. The float was awarded first place.
The first Masquerade Dance was held on Feb. 3, 1934 in the Frances (Grange) Hall. The Grange Hall actually belonged to the Catholic Church, from whom the Swiss Society rented it.
A special committee meeting was held at Joe Huber's house on March 5, 1934, necessitated due to two vacancies which had arisen. Elizabeth Kaech and Conrad Muller had moved away. Fred Hubscher was appointed as Secretary and Louie Muller was chosen to fill Conrad Muller's position as trustee. In 1936, Fred Hubscher resigned as Secretary and Hedwig Kaech was elected. Of interest is the fact that Fred Hubscher made the Charter plaque and is also responsible for the plaque listing all the members of the L.P.S.S. at that time. The two plaques are on display in our present hall.
Notations from the original minute book state that gate admission for the annual Picnic in 1936 was .10¢. Dance admission was .15¢ for the ladies and .35¢ for the gents. Music was provided by the Studer Bros. and Fritz Wolfisbarger at the cost of $35.00. The charge for rental of the picnic grounds at $15.00 was voted on and passed.
All officers were retained, with the exception of two of the trustees at the June 9, 1940 annual meeting. Clem Ulrich resigned and was replaced by Fred Rengel. Martin Imhof had moved out of the area, so John Moseman was elected to his position. A discussion arose as whether to continue having Swiss dances since the last dances had not been very successful. It was decided to continue the dances to keep up the Swiss spirit.
In 1941 a decision was made to have free beer at the annual meetings. One of the ladies suggested that since the men were getting free beer and the children were getting free ice cream, why shouldn't the ladies be entitled to a free bratwurst. After a lengthy and amusing discussion, the men agreed that they would buy their ladies' bratwurst.
At the annual meeting on July 4, 1945, the L.P.S:.S. membership fee was raised to $2.00.
The enlargement of the dance hall at the picnic grounds was discussed in 1948. Mr. Fred Hubscher, Sr. offered to donate the lumber for a 20' extension, provided the labor would be donated by the members. This was agreeable.
The following year the committee had drawn up a set of bylaws. A motion was made and carried that they be accepted. Under these new by-laws, the officers would serve three-year terms. In the past the officers had been elected yearly.
In 1952 a motion was carried to purchase the Frances Grange Hall from the Catholic Church for the sum of $600.00. A slight discussion followed about a lease to the picnic property. More information will be gathered.
A special meeting was held Sept. 3, 1952 at the Charles Kaufman residence for the purpose of perfecting the incorporation of the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society. In attendance were Ed Zumbuhl, Mary Ulrich, Louis Kuttel, Jr., Werner Kaech, Louie Muller and Charles Kaufman. The articles of the agreement were filed on Jan. 8, 1953 at the Lewis County Courthouse.
At the annual meeting in 1938, Jake Kaech refused the renomination for President, as did the Treasurer, John Moseman. Hedwig Kaech moved away and the trustees wished to retire. A complete new board was required. Louie Muller was elected President. Lena Kaech Hudziak became Secretary and Mary Ulrich was elected Treasurer. The trustees elected were Clem Ulrich, Charles Kaufman and Martin Imhof. The new board vowed to continue the fine work of the former officers. A motion was made and carried that the President should appoint a committee to write a Constitution for the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society.
At the suggestion of trustee, Martin Imhof, the first Bowling Picnic was held on Sept. 3, 1939. This became an annual event until 19 when it began to be held in conjunction with the present Oktoberfest. At the first bowling picnic, there was only one alley which consisted of a 12" wide plank. More alleys were later added and improved. There are now six concrete alleys under cover.
Since there was no refrigeration and other facilities at the hall and the picnic grounds, Louie Muller would purchase much of the food, pop, etc. and store it in the milk cooler overnight. The morning of the event, Louie and Bennie would load the supplies into the cattle truck and haul it to Frances. At the end of the event whatever that had not been used, containers, etc. had to again be loaded and hauled back to Pe Ell. This procedure went on for many years.
The annual Swiss Picnic continued on the first Sat. in Aug. Throughout the year, several dances were held. An occasional card party and a Christmas Party each year were also enjoyed.
At the committee meeting on June 24, 1939, it was noted that there were some who worked hard whose names were not on the membership list. The committee agreed that they had more than earned their membership fee. They were automatically made members.
The membership fee was raised to $5.00 in 1953. After being in the red for some time due to the purchase and remodeling of the hall in "downtown" Frances, the treasurer's report showed a balance of $224.05 in 1957. Again the subject or the sad looking outhouses at the picnic grounds was mentioned. It was assured that they would be repaired.
On May 31, 1958 Louie Muller, who had held the position of President for 20 years, stated that he felt that it was time for a change. He refused the renomination for the presidency. Tony Portmann was elected President.
The Start of Our Schwingfest
In early 1964, a meeting of the Board of Directors was held in the old LPSS Swiss Hall located then across from the Frances Holy Family Catholic Church. The idea of a LPSS Schwingfest was brought to the floor by Werner Blaser. During the discussion, some were not sure of the club's ability to get enought schwingers and interest of the other West Coast Swiss Clubs to attend our LPSS program in Frances. Werner did not come to teh meeting without other suggestions and ideas. After a long board discussion, a unanimous vote to schedule a LPSS Schwingfest on June 27th was passed. Officers at teh time were Tony Portmann, President; Marie Monohon, Secretary; Manley Niemcziek, Treasurer; and Trustees Adolph Huber, Louie Camenzind, Mary Huber, Werner Blaser, and Fred Huber.
Local men volunteered to learn swiss wrestling techniques and rulings to help promote this new venture. Club members and area neighbors constantly worked creating ways to make park grounds more delightful and convienent for travelers. An informative program had to be developed for planning day and night activities for the schwinging, eating, dancing, and music schedules. Many hours were spent soliciting ads and putting the book together that was fun to read and guided readers around. A kitchen crew had to organize food and dinners for the Schwingfest crowds daily. Great effort by their ingenuity and stamina they arranged a gourmet variety of foods. Alphorn, jodeling, and landler music added to our Sunday Mass created sentimental joy for travelers to the park.
The sporting events required officials to score, match schwingers adn present crowns. They worked hard to complete a good program. Swiss musicians provided joyous intermission and dance tunes during the day and well into the evenings for young and old to enjoy.
Over the years, many appreciative thanks have been received by the LPSS from people who enjoyed the park, people and program they have discovered here. One letter sums it up this way:
Thanks from our hearts....
for many kindness bestowed upon us;
for being warm-hearted adn generous people;
for creating a Schwingfest we'll long remember;
for your wonderful sense of humor.
With sincerest wishes, Trudy & Roland Shumacher
