Elk Toss Update

The DGS Officers have been hard at work to plan the best Elk Toss in history, especially considering this year does happen to be our 75th. Here are a few highlights:

1. Once again, Slimfit will be performing at the Pub II after the Elk Toss.
2. An Opening Ceremony is being planned to properly kick-off the festivities at the Wagner Farm.
3. We have already been contacted by the Danville News about running an advance story in the newspaper about the Elk Toss. We expect to see that article published closer to February 25. They will have a photographer and reporter at the event again.
4. We are working on finalizing the list of organizations that we plan to support with our fundraising, and that information should be posted here on the blog soon. 
5. It's our 75th Year.

DGS Member to Appear on CBS's "2 Broke Girls"

Although he probably does not know it, Mike Pfaff is a member of the Danville German Society, and he is also an actor and a good friend from college days at Penn State. If you are interested in seeing him perform in probably his biggest role yet, tune in to CBS next Monday, January 16 at 8:30 pm to see him play Brian, the upstairs neighbor, on "2 Broke Girls."

Updated 1/17/11: Mike told us he was playing the neighbor, Brian, in an episode called "The Upstairs Neighbor", so we incorrectly assumed that meant he was the upstairs neighbor. He played the neighbor across the hall who happened to be on a leash when he answered the door. Either way, we know a guy who was on a popular, primetime sitcom with a chance of a recurring role. Pretty cool if you ask us.

75th Annual Christmas Eve Driveway Report

From DGS President Van Wagner...

I am pleased to report above-average conditions for the Wagner driveway for December 24, 2011. There are two slight hazards worth mentioning. First, a small icy patch where spring water is freezing on the shale bedrock. This does not appear to be a big enough issue to warrant the creation of another Shale-Ice Committee as in 1998. The second issue is a toilet flange on a stump above the driveway. This cast iron device could potentially become unstable and land on a windshield. I have several people looking into this situation later this afternoon. Feliz!

Sled Dog Info

Our recent survey indicated a lot of interest in bringing back the Sled Dog Race for 2012. The officers are considering this.

To have a successful Sled Dog Race, we need a few things:
1. Snow
2. Sleds (sturdy toboggans work best)
3. Enough time to hold the event

If anyone can provide those items, please email us.

The one item that should not be used for the Sled Dog Race is a dog. Dogs should not be brought to the Wagner Farm. The Wagners have chickens, rabbits, and a peacock, and dogs have caused too many issues with the animals in the past. Also, we do not want to frighten the elk.

How can you have a Sled Dog Race without dogs?

Driveway Conditions Update - December 13

Every year, it seems like we have had concerns about the driveway conditions at the Wagner Farm. So this year, we are going to attempt to provide semi-regular updates of the conditions until the 2012 Elk Toss. We know that conditions can change in the next 10+ weeks, but we feel that you can use all the information that we have available.

Van Wagner, our official Danville German Society Driveway and Parking Conditions Inspector, submitted the following driveway conditions report earlier today:

"There are bodies all over the place."

Not sure what that means, but at least there is not any ice, snow, or flood damage at this time.

Survey Results

A total of 59 people completed the survey. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help us. Here are the results so far.

1. Have you ever attended the Danville German Society Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival?
Yes                      91.7%
No                         3.3%
Other                     5.0%

2. What do you like the most about the Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival?
ScrappleFest at Pappas Restaurant          0.0%
Salvation Army Shopping Trip                 0.0%
Jerseytown Tavern and Burger Eat-Off    0.0%
Events at the Wagner Farm                    52.5%
Charity Auction                                     18.6%
Tour of Danville                                      1.7%
Musical/Magical Entertainment               6.8%
Other                                                   20.3%

3. What do you like the least about the Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival?
ScrappleFest at Pappas Restaurant        21.6%
Salvation Army Shopping Trip                 9.8%
Jerseytown Tavern and Burger Eat-Off    7.8%
Events at the Wagner Farm                     2.0%
Charity Auction                                      0.0%
Tour of Danville                                      3.9%
Musical/Magical Entertainment                3.9%
Other (please specify)                            51.0%

4. What is your favorite competition?
Jerseytown Burger Eat-Off            1.8%
Elk Bugling                                   8.8%
Scrap Iron Toss                          22.8%
Salad Toss                                    8.8%   
Elk Toss                                      52.6%
Other (please specify)                   5.3%

5. If you were forced to name one, what is your least favorite competition?
Jerseytown Burger Eat-Off            36.4%
Elk Bugling                                    14.5%
Scrap Iron Toss                              9.1%
Salad Toss                                    18.2%
Elk Toss                                         0.0%
Other (please specify)                    21.8%

6. Several of the competitions are not contested every year. Would you like any of the following events to be brought back for 2012? (multiple answers allowed)
Chicken Race                     39.3%
Ice Roping                         32.1%
Clog Toss                          17.9%
Sled Dog Race                   44.6%
Catapult Vegetable Toss     41.1%
Other (please specify)         12.5%

7. What is your favorite stop on the world famous Tour of Danville? Note that we do not stop at all locations every year, and some locations are no longer in operation.
Pine Barn Inn                                14.5%
Old Forge Brewing Company        29.1%
BJ's Steakhouse                             5.5%
Pub II                                           18.2%
Danville Sub Shop                          0.0%
LT Evans                                       3.6%
Brews N Bytes                              0.0%
TJ Shooters                                   1.8%
Mulberry's (no longer open)           0.0%
Stingers (no longer open)               5.5%
American Legion                          12.7%
Other (please specify)                    9.1%

8. Where do you get most of your information about the Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival?
emails and internet invites from DGS    61.0%
DGS Blog                                           6.8%
DGS Website                                     6.8%
DGS Facebook page                          0.0%
Some guy named Joey                       13.6%
Other (please specify)                        11.9%

9. Please provide any additional comments or suggestions that you may have which could help us improve the Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival.
(We’ll provide more information on the responses to this question and the "other" responses for previous questions at some point in the future)

Elk Toss Survey

We wanted to get some feedback from Danville German Society members to help improve the 75th Annual Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival, so we created an online survey using SurveyMonkey. Please help us by completing the survey.

Click here to take the survey

Elk Bugle

Found a video of a Pennsylvania elk bugling on YouTube. Check it out.

Also, if you are planning to attend the 2012 Elk Toss (February 25, 2012), it is never too early to start collecting items to donate to the Charity Auction. 

2012 Elk Toss Date

The 75th Annual Danville German Society Elk Toss, Winter Festival, and Charity Auction has been scheduled for Saturday February 25, 2012 at the Wagner Farm near Danville.

If you have read this blog post, you should feel special as you are one of the first people to know of this exciting announcement. Please spread the word.

More information will be provided via email and also here on this blog.

2011 Elk Toss Thanks

The 75th Annual Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival would not have been a success without the help and generosity of so many people. Hopefully this list is complete - please email us if we forgot someone.

Many thanks goes out to...

Our guest German Societies and Chapters:
The Shikellamy German Society (in their 74th year)
The Shamokin German Society (in their 60th year)
The DGS State College Chapter
The DGS Lancaster Chapter

Aaron Jensen for collecting and counting money, Elk Toss measuring, auction assistance, and more.

Franz Klingermann for auctioneering, event organization, and other important tasks.

Michael Espinosa for auctioneering.

Karen Jensen for making the informational sign about the Elk Toss charities, collecting money, and more.

Francy Moyer for faithfully serving as our Faculty Advisor and running the Children's Elk Toss.

Lewisburg HS faculty for supplying the Children's awards.

Everyone...
...for bringing auction items and buying auction items and taking those items with them when they left
...for politely dealing with the parking situation at the Wagner Farm
...for bringing pot luck food
...for having a good time

Voelckers Beer Distributor and 16 Mile Brewery for sponsoring the event.

Joe McMonagle (formerly of Stoudt's Brewing Company) for obtaining a keg of beer from Stoudt's.

Pam Shellenberger for organizing events, collecting money, and more.

Slimfit and Van Wagner for performing at the Pub II.

Fred Iobst for performing his magic at the Pub II.

The Jerseytown Tavern for opening early for us.


And most importantly.... the Wagner family for hosting the Elk Toss, providing supplies and an outhouse, keeping an extra eye on children, etc.