Fasnacht and Peanut Butter!





















Well, last night was Fasnacht in Helvetia. We tried in January to get lodging at the Bee Keepers Inn but we were too late. All 3 rooms were booked. The Hutte called Friday and said that they had a cancellation, but alas we were unable to commit to the celebration this year. The reason is the wife is suffering from Salmonella poisoning as a result of what we believe to be contaminated peanut butter.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday night (02/14/07)that jars of Peter Pan and Wal-Mart's Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with the product code "2111" on the lid of the jar could be contaminated with the strain Salmonella Tennessee. This variety of salmonella is so rare that the CDC normally sees only about 100 cases a year, says Robert Tauxe, chief of the CDC's Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch. It is believed to be the first salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter in U.S. history, according to officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So my wife, we think, is one of the chosen elite who is suffering from this strain of Salmonella poisoning. We definitely had plans of dancing the night away at Helvelia's Fasnacht celebration. Next year we will be there. We called today and reserved the Rose Room in the Bee Keeper's Inn one year in advance so we can be sure to experience this event next year! (PS- The Hutte just called and said that they had made a mistake and there are no rooms left even for NEXT YEAR! Yes, since TheBee Keeper's Inn has only 3 rooms so we are once again on the waiting list. Darn!)

By the way, it snowed last night. I am certain that Helvetia was amazing with a fresh coating of snow!

Let me explain what Fasnacht is in the great hamlet of Helvetia. On the other hand, I will quote from Dave Whipp’s website. He has a personal website, The Helvetia, WV News. You need to subscribe at:
http://mysite.verizon.net/davewhipp/.

Here is Dave’s description of Fasnacht.

Fasnacht is the pre-lenten burning of Old Man Winter. It occurs on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and is likened to Mardi Gras. It has its roots in the Swiss Winterfest.

Saturday afternoon features food, beverages, and open mic music in the Star Band (Red) Hall, a buffet at the Hutte restaurant, mask making and other activities at Grandpa John's, and browsing in the local shops. At 8:00 p.m. a parade featuring large, often frightening, and quite artistic masks travels from the Red Hall to the Community Hall where the costumes are judged and the square dance begins. At midnight the efigy of Old Man Winter is cut down from the ceiling of the Community Hall, carried on the shoulders of the celebrants to the bonfire outside, and burned to signal the end of Winter.

The warming effect is not immediate and visitors should wear plenty of warm clothing so they can enjoy the outdoor activites.

A typical schedule is:
1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Open Mic, food, and beverages. Star Band (Red) Hall.
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Buffet - Greetings - Hutte Restaurant.
8:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Lampion (candlelight) parade - Star Band Hall to Community Hall.
8:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Judging costumes - Prizes - Community Hall.
9:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. Masked Ball - Community Hall.
12:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. Burning Old man Winter - outside Community Hall.
1:00 a.m. -2:00 a.m. Open mic and fun - Star Band Hall. At 2:00 a.m., the Red Hall will close to all but those who are sleeping there.

There are a number of
links to Fasnacht pages. It has been covered by local and national media.

Since we missed Fasnacht, we hope on March 17-18 to be next door at Pickens for the Maple Syrup Festival.
http://www.smilingcountry.com/pickenswv/maplefest.htm