Group History
The Early Years 1994-1999
The S.T.V. Maiglöckchen was established in May 1994, with the purpose of continuing traditional
Bavarian customs, clothing and dance. Traditionally, group names are chosen from Bavarian cities
or animals, birds or flowers, common to a region. Our name is no exception. The initials S.T.V
stand for Schuhplattler und Trachten Verein; which translated to English means: Shoe slapping and
clothing group. Maiglöckchen means “maybells” which are more commonly known as in the United
States as the lily of the valley flowers. Our tracht (clothing) represents the Bavarian Region of
Meisbach.
The pieces began to fall into place in October 1993. As she does every year, Karin Merrill, the
German language teacher at Spruce Creek H.S., took many of her students to the local Oktoberfest
held at the Elks club and run by the Daytona Beach German American Society. Tom and Carol
Schumann, at the time dancers with the Schuhplattler Gruppe Alpenrose of Casselberry, discovered
that the students had a sincere interest in learning but driving from Daytona to Casselberry for
practice every week would be difficult, if not impossible. In early 1994, Tom and another Alpenrose
dancer, Jennifer Healey, did a show/lesson for the Spruce Creek German students at their school.
Later, Tom had an idea, what if Alpenrose had a south AND north group? Same dances, same
tracht, same by-laws and rules. It could increase an already strong membership and multiply the
places that Alpenrose could dance at. It may have lead to dance jobs as far north as St. Augustine
with dancers closer to that city and willing to travel on weekends. The idea was dismissed by
Alpenrose and soon after, Tom and Carol with their daughter Paula were asked to leave Alpenrose
with no dancing in their future. In early April, God intervened and gave Tom a vision; start your own
group. By mid April we had permission to practice at Spruce Creek with a small but dedicated group
of students. In May we moved to our present location, All Saints Lutheran Church in Port Orange.
John Wagner, a deacon at the church and whose son, Geoff danced with us, offered to open the
church hall every Monday. The hall gave us more room than the school and a quieter venue; it was
and still is, ideal! By late August, so that John wouldn’t have to adjust his teaching schedule (he was
also a teacher at Spruce Creek), Tom was given a key to the hall. After we concluded our first
meeting it was official, Maiglöckchen does exist and the founding members are; Tom Schumann
(Vorstand and Vorplattler), Carol Schumann (2. Vorstand, Vortänzerin, Financial Secretary and
Treasurer), Paula Schumann, Erna Virts (Historian), Heather Noftall (Secretary), Nikki Trover, Tom
Cullen, Nathan Schade, Scott Christen and Geoff Wagner.
Tom petitioned the Daytona Beach German American Society (DBGAS) to allow the new group
be a club within the society. It would help both parties involved. The society would gain members,
as dancers would be required to be society members also and we may gain some public exposure
when we become the dance group at the societies Oktoberfest. The Society also helped in granting
a loan to provide costumes for the original student dancers!
HOME Continued
The Early Years 1994-1999
The S.T.V. Maiglöckchen was established in May 1994, with the purpose of continuing traditional
Bavarian customs, clothing and dance. Traditionally, group names are chosen from Bavarian cities
or animals, birds or flowers, common to a region. Our name is no exception. The initials S.T.V
stand for Schuhplattler und Trachten Verein; which translated to English means: Shoe slapping and
clothing group. Maiglöckchen means “maybells” which are more commonly known as in the United
States as the lily of the valley flowers. Our tracht (clothing) represents the Bavarian Region of
Meisbach.
The pieces began to fall into place in October 1993. As she does every year, Karin Merrill, the
German language teacher at Spruce Creek H.S., took many of her students to the local Oktoberfest
held at the Elks club and run by the Daytona Beach German American Society. Tom and Carol
Schumann, at the time dancers with the Schuhplattler Gruppe Alpenrose of Casselberry, discovered
that the students had a sincere interest in learning but driving from Daytona to Casselberry for
practice every week would be difficult, if not impossible. In early 1994, Tom and another Alpenrose
dancer, Jennifer Healey, did a show/lesson for the Spruce Creek German students at their school.
Later, Tom had an idea, what if Alpenrose had a south AND north group? Same dances, same
tracht, same by-laws and rules. It could increase an already strong membership and multiply the
places that Alpenrose could dance at. It may have lead to dance jobs as far north as St. Augustine
with dancers closer to that city and willing to travel on weekends. The idea was dismissed by
Alpenrose and soon after, Tom and Carol with their daughter Paula were asked to leave Alpenrose
with no dancing in their future. In early April, God intervened and gave Tom a vision; start your own
group. By mid April we had permission to practice at Spruce Creek with a small but dedicated group
of students. In May we moved to our present location, All Saints Lutheran Church in Port Orange.
John Wagner, a deacon at the church and whose son, Geoff danced with us, offered to open the
church hall every Monday. The hall gave us more room than the school and a quieter venue; it was
and still is, ideal! By late August, so that John wouldn’t have to adjust his teaching schedule (he was
also a teacher at Spruce Creek), Tom was given a key to the hall. After we concluded our first
meeting it was official, Maiglöckchen does exist and the founding members are; Tom Schumann
(Vorstand and Vorplattler), Carol Schumann (2. Vorstand, Vortänzerin, Financial Secretary and
Treasurer), Paula Schumann, Erna Virts (Historian), Heather Noftall (Secretary), Nikki Trover, Tom
Cullen, Nathan Schade, Scott Christen and Geoff Wagner.
Tom petitioned the Daytona Beach German American Society (DBGAS) to allow the new group
be a club within the society. It would help both parties involved. The society would gain members,
as dancers would be required to be society members also and we may gain some public exposure
when we become the dance group at the societies Oktoberfest. The Society also helped in granting
a loan to provide costumes for the original student dancers!
HOME Continued
