“The display of culture became culture,’’ said William Donner, a Kutztown University anthropology professor. “It became meaningful itself.’’

Donner explained that three men were largely responsible for that achievement: William Troxell, Thomas Brendle and Clarence Rahn.

Donner discussed their contributions during a talk to the Friends of the Library of Franklin & Marshall College Wednesday afternoon.

Many of his listeners traveled from Berks and Lehigh counties — the heart of Pennsylvania Dutchland — to hear the presentation.

Donner is working on a book about the cultural history of Pennsylvania German, or “Dutch,’’ groundhog lodges — the 16 ethnic lodges, as opposed to the popular organizations in Punxsutawney and Quarryville.

Troxell (1893-1957), a Kutztown University graduate, promoted the groundhog as the symbol of Pennsylvania Germans, Donner said. Lodge meetings are centered on that animal.

Gatherings include singing, skits joke-telling, eating and drinking, Donner said. The heart of the meeting is a “simple, straightforward talk, but with meaning’’ by a noted Pennsylvania German speaker.

As with all Pennsylvania Dutch stuff, considerable humor is involved. “Many of the founders were Masons,’’ Donner noted. “The entire set up is kind of a satire of a fraternal lodge.’’

In addition to organizing the first groundhog lodge in 1934, Troxell started a folk festival in Allentown, as well as Labor Day Schnitzing Parties and Applebutter Boilings at Dorney Park.

Troxell was known as “Pumpernickle Bill,’’ his pen name as a Pennsylvania German dialect columnist for the Allentown Morning Call.

Brendle (1889-1966) was Troxell’s close friend and helped him initiate folk celebrations, Donner said. Brendle graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary and served as a Reformed minister.

Brendle’s books and notebooks of Pennsylvania German writings and songs are included in collections at F&M and Historic Schaefferstown.

Troxell’s writings also are included in F&M’s Brendle collection.

Rahn’s works are stored at Lancaster Theological Seminary, which he also attended prior to entering the ministry.

Rahn (1898-1977) was a noted speaker who often used humor to make a point and was known as “the Will Rogers of Pennsylvania German culture.’’

“He was the best speaker at groundhog lodges,’’ Donner said. “He told really earthy stories. He could relate to ordinary folks.’’

Troxell, Brendle, Rahn and other early proponents of the groundhog lodges predicted that they would die out by the 1950s or ‘60s.

That they remain alive in 2006 — albeit with an ever-aging membership — is a testament to the staying power of Pennsylvania German culture, Donner said.

Silver dollar, apple or Bible?

Professor Donner peppered his talk with several humorous stories, including one from Thomas Harter, writer of Pennsylvania Dutch dialect columns under the pen name “Boonastiel’’ a century ago.

A man wonders what will become of his young son when he grows up. So he goes to his pastor and asks him what profession he thinks his son might pursue.

The pastor tells the father to isolate his son in a room with a silver dollar, an apple and a Bible.

If the son chooses the silver dollar, he’ll be a banker, says the pastor.

If he chooses the apple, he’ll be a farmer.

If he picks the Bible, he’ll be a pastor.

So the two leave the kid in a room with these items for an hour and return to find that he has pocketed the silver dollar. He’s eating the apple and reading the Bible.

Now what?’’ asks the father.

And the pastor says, “He’s going to be a politician.’’

The Scribbler column is published on Tuesdays and Fridays.