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Mitgliederversammlung 2023: THE BRIDGE looks back – Ehrungen

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DIE BRÜCKE blickt auf erfolgreiche LEGO LEAGUE Challenge – Ehrungen in Linden

Honors the German American Klub THE BRIDGE:

LINDEN/MITTELHESSEN (rge/ger) – Einen Rückblick auf die erfolgreiche mittelhessische Premiere des Roboter- und Forschungswettbewerbs der LEGO LEAGUE Challenge in Pohlheim gab es bei der Jahresmitgliederversammlung des Deutsch-Amerikanischen Klubs DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar. Im Landgasthof Zum Löwen beim Philipp in Linden informierte die bei den Vorstandswahlen im Amt bestätigte Präsidentin Petra Bröckmann vor 40 Mitgliedern über diese und andere durch den Klub organisierte Veranstaltungen. Neben den Berichten gab es zudem Ehrungen. So wurde Heidi Battenberg für 40 Jahre Treue zum Brücke-Klub geehrt. Gabi Stephan und Evi Schmadel konnten zudem für über 30 Jahre als Ausschussmitglieder in der Organisation von Veranstaltungen (Social Events) gedankt werden. Sie wurden auf eigenen Wunsch aus dem Vorstand verabschiedet und in Worten und einem Geschenk gewürdigt.

Zuvor war unter der Versammlungsleitung von Gabi Stephan noch einmal an die Schwierigkeiten in Corona-Zeiten erinnert worden, die im vergangenen Jahr einige geplante Veranstaltungen nicht möglich gemacht hatten. So konnte der geplante Empfang zu Jahresbeginn nicht stattfinden, dafür wurde unter anderem wieder beim Brücke-BBQ ein Sommerfest im Kleintierpark Steinbach mit zahlreichen Gästen gefeiert erinnerte Bröckmann. Der Studentenaustausch beleuchtete Kerstin Pal als Studentenbeauftragte. Durch Corona konnte kein Student in Gießen begrüßt werden, dafür in diesem Jahr der US-Amerikaner Price Watson aus Alabama. Als ehemaliger Brücke-Austauschstudent ist er nach dem Studium in Musik und Gesang wieder nach Gießen zurückgekehrt freuten sich die Mitglieder. Ein schönes Kompliment an die Gastgeberregion und die BRÜCKE, wie bei seiner Begrüßung an diesem Abend gewürdigt wurde. Er hat bereits eine erste Anstellung gefunden und ist bei einem Brücke-Mitglied aufgenommen worden. Helmut Ott berichte vom Praktika-Programm, dass jetzt nach den Pandemie-Zeiten wieder mit neuen Ideen und Projekten belebt werden soll. Interesse und Potential bei heimischen Unternehmen seien trotz einiger Herausforderungen in Zeiten des Wandels vorhanden, so seine Einschätzung. Roger Schmidt dankte im Rückblick auf die erfolgreich veranstaltete FIRST LEGO League Challenge dem Schirmherrn Prof. DR. Albrecht Beutelspacher, dem Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen, der Stadt Pohlheim, den Landkreisen Lahn-Dill und Gießen, den Universitäten und Schulen sowie weiteren Sponsoren für die Unterstützung bei dem Wissenschaftswettbewerb, an dem 12 Teams aus mittelhessischen Schulen in der Volkshalle in Pohlheim teilgenommen haben. Ein wichtiger Impuls für den Wissensstandort Mittelhessen sei es gewesen. Der Klub habe die Aufgabe mit einer einzigartigen Team-Leistung aller Mitglieder gemeistert zog Schmidt Bilanz. Zudem konnte danach Schatzmeister Klaus Müller positive Nachrichten bei den Finanzen vermelden. Entsprechend gab es auf Vorschlag der Prüfer Klaus Leske und Daniel Pal eine einstimmige Entlastung.

Für dieses Jahr plant der BRÜCKE-Klub unter anderem noch für den 4. Oktober einen Stammtisch im Hotel Steingarten in Gießen mit einem Vortrag vom Gießener Wissenschaftler Prof. DR. Joachim Breckow zum Thema „Röntgenstrahlen“, eine Wanderung mit Besuch im Römerforum in Lahnau am 15. October, das Goose-Dinner zu Thanksgiving am 25. November beim Philipp und die Teilnahme am Internationalen Weihnachtsliedersingen der Partnerschaftsvereine in Wetzlar am 2. December.

Bei den Vorstandswahlen wurden allesamt einstimmig gewählt: Präsidentin Petra Bröckmann, Vize-Präsidentin Anja Gelitzer, Schatzmeister Klaus Müller, Schriftführerin Gabriele Heidrich, Beisitzerin Stefanie Vera Müller, Studentenbeauftragte Kerstin Pal sowie die Ausschussmitglieder Lilli Breithaupt, Anna Dönges und Cathrine Friebel-Müller (alle Social Events), Heinrich Becker (Wetzlar), Helmut Ott (German-American Affairs), Jürgen Gemmer und Roger Schmidt (Consultants). 

THE BRIDGE successful with research- and robot competition

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Premiere of the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Challenge in Central Hesse

POHLHEIM (rge/ger) – For the German-American Club DIE BRÜCKE Giessen-Wetzlar was the organization of the research- and robot competition FIRST LEGO League Challenge was the biggest task in recent years and was also a first. In the people's hall of the Limes town of Pohlheim near Gießen 100 Young researchers in 12 Teams aged between 9 and 16 years her results on the topic “Superpowered – The energy of tomorrow.”. In addition, the young people steered their self-built and programmed Lego robots through a task course. All this in front of a jury of personalities from universities, schools, politics and society. The patron was the director of the mathematics department in Gießen, Prof. DR. Albrecht Beutelspacher.

“In view of the highly motivated young people, I am no longer worried about the future of our business location.” District Administrator Anita Schneider

The district administrator of the Gießen district made it to the final of the research, which was held for the first time in Central Hesse in the Limes town of Pohlheim- and robot competition FIRST LEGO League Challenge in a nutshell. “In view of the highly motivated young people, I'm no longer worried about the future of our business location," she said, especially with a hopeful look at domestic companies, who are desperately looking for skilled workers. She especially praised the courageous organizers from the German-American Club DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar, who had brought this competition to the region and that in partnership with the association Hands on Technology based in Leipzig, which operates nationwide with educational programs.

After the final, Brücke President Petra Bröckmann and the officials presented gold medals and certificates to all participants and the winners their trophies in the research areas (Lucky Lego Group Giessen), core values (Roboldtianer Aßlar), Roboterdesign (Lords of the Stones Hadamar), Robot-Game (Lords of the Stones Hadamar) and coaching (Prometheus Herborn) present. The champion of the day was the Masch Misch High Voltage team from Friedberg. Thanks went from Bröckmann to all the bridge helpers around the organizers Henri Becker and Roger Schmidt, who had successfully mastered this challenging joint task of the club after the pandemic.

"We were able to establish a network from the US High School in Wiesbaden via the Technical University of Central Hesse, the Justus Liebig University, the media centers and schools, the Hessian Ministry of Education and companies, that helped us, to organize the FIRST LEGO League Challenge in Pohlheim.”

DIE BRÜCKE donates to the aid organization GAIN for Ukraine

News, Stammtisch,

Our German-American Club DIE BRÜCKE Giessen-Wetzlar donated these days 500 euros for Ukraine to the international aid organization Global Aid Network (GAIN) based in Giessen. Anne-Katrin Loßnitzer, the employee responsible for public relations, came to the Rustico restaurant in Heuchelheim for the spring get-together. She informed the members present about the work of GAIN, whose 35 Employees plus many volunteers are currently intensive, thanks to a long-established logistics network, donated food and hygiene items to the border regions of Poland, Transport Romania and Moldova to Ukraine. 64 Aid transports with 80 Tons of relief supplies have left Gießen since the beginning of the war, all of which bring hope to the people of Ukraine, she reported, quoting from a letter of thanks from there. President Petra Bröckmann was delighted, a donation of € 500,- to be able to hand over. This donation was matched by members, so € 1000,- came together, to further promote the relief efforts of GAIN. Some members of the bridge also support the flood victims in the Ahr Valley with regular donations, reported Bröckmann at the handover. This help is still necessary and a matter of course.

Handover at DIE BRÜCKE – Petra Bröckmann new president

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To 18 years in the presidency, from that 6 years as Vice President and 12 years President, Roger Schmidt handed over the baton to the new President Petra Bröckmann at the German-American club DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar. During his time there were new Brücke events such as the successful benefit concert "We are the world" and the New Year's receptions with international personalities as well as the establishment of an internship- and robotics program for young people to future-proof the transatlantic club. At Bröckmann's side is Anja Gelitzer as the new Vice-President. Schmidt himself will continue to oversee new projects in a managerial capacity. At the general meeting in Rustico Heuchelheim, there were reports and honors for long-standing members in addition to these changes in the board of directors.

Honors at the Brücke general meeting

In his annual report, Schmidt went back to the past year 2020 an. At the New Year's reception for the 70th Brücke anniversary in January, Frankfurt's Mayor Uwe Becker was welcomed as a guest of honour, before all other festive events had to be canceled due to the Corona lockdown. Despite everything, a joint hike to the Arnsburg monastery forest and the general meeting were carried out in the course of the summer relaxation. The pandemic also led to this, that the US intern at Schunk had to travel home, informed internship manager Helmut Ott. Student exchanges also suffered as a result, because no student could arrive or go to the USA, as student representative Kerstin Pal reported. Students can apply for a possible VDAC scholarship for the coming year until April 2022 inform her. The network for the robotics program was further expanded with the support of the Justus Liebig University, could be gathered from Henri Becker's STEM report. Here's the start for the FIRST LEGO League in our region for the season 2022/23 planned from April. Schools from all over Central Hesse can take part in the competition. The outgoing treasurer Fritz Hoßbach was able to report that the cash position was good, followed by unanimous discharge.

The new Bridge board 2021/23

At the awards were for 30 years Heinz-D. and Meden Rink, Evelyn and Günther Schmadel as well as Volker and Gabriele Stephan should be personally thanked and acknowledged. Stephan Breithaupt was for 25 Years of Brücke loyalty honored. In their absence, Rüdiger Schmidt (30 Years) as well as Regina Adam as well as Adelheid and Wolfgang Glaser (25 Years) appreciated.

The newly elected board and committee are composed as follows: President - new - Petra Bröckmann, Vice-President -new-Anja Gelitzer, Treasurer - new- Klaus Müller, Student Representative Kerstin Pal, Owner - new- Marion Balser, Secretary Stefanie Vera Müller, Social Affairs -neu- Lilly Breithaupt, Evelyn Schmadel, Gabriele Stephan, Wetzlar/MINT Henri Becker, German-American Affairs/Intership Helmut Ott, Consultants Jürgen Gemmer and Fritz Hoßbach, Special Project Manager Roger Schmidt. Thanks to all the new ones, changing and retiring board members for their voluntary work.

This year, the bridge is still planning an autumn hike 17. October and a Thanksgiving celebration on 27. November, as far as the pandemic measures allow. Regulars' tables will also take place again in the Rustico Heuchelheim. Info online atwww.dac-bruecke.de.    

Brücke celebrated in the Fernwald small animal park

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In the small animal park in Fernwald, the members of the German-American club DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar finally met in person again this summer for the traditional BBQ family celebration. According to the 3 rules, all guests were vaccinated, recovered or tested, so that nothing stood in the way of a few enjoyable hours in the zoo of the Steinbach Small Animal Breeding Association. A special guest was also welcomed with District Administrator Anita Schneider.

She informed herself first-hand about the developments in the student- and internship program during the pandemic times as well as about the planned robotics program to establish the FIRST LEGO League for 2022 in central Hesse. Helmut Ott, Roger Schmidt and Henri Becker reported on the positive preparatory talks with universities, Schools and businesses in the region. The BBQ was organized by Petra Bröckmann, Evi Schmadel and Gabi Stephan with other helpers. At the grill, Stephan Breithaupt provided the numerous guests with grilled sausages under the special BBQ hygiene conditions. Thanks to all the helpers and the small animal friends for the hospitality.

70 Years DIE BRÜCKE - Corona prevents celebration - internship program successful

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This year, the German-American Club DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar 70 years old and looks back on eventful years. This founding birthday should actually be celebrated big. Unfortunately, the corona pandemic made the transatlantic club with its over 100 Members for the planned celebrations in April in the mathematics center Giessen a spanner in the works. Bridge President Roger Schmidt reported on this at the general meeting taking place these days, which was delayed due to the current situation and had to take place not in the club house in the Hotel Köhler in Gießen but in the Restaurant Rustico in Heuchelheim.

Honors at the German-American Club DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar: from left to right. Brücke President Roger Schmidt, together with Vice President Petra Bröckmann, honored the members Klaus and Marlene Leske (25 Years) and Helga and Fritz Hossbach (40 Years) 
 

In his report, he highlighted the successful start of the new Brücke internship program, where two young Americans worked in German companies here last year. On the one hand, the student Andrew Price Watson from Alabama was doing an internship at the cultural organization Interkultur and on the other hand Joshua Pietz from Hesse's US partner state Wisconsin at the AI ​​company ESE Germany. This was positively received by both sides, informed Helmut Ott, who was responsible for the successful planning. The third intern with Emily Sun from Pennsylvania, who had received a commitment from Schunk in Heuchelheim for this spring, had to break off the internship prematurely due to the pandemic situation and was sorry to return to her home country. Overall, there is great potential for the future, to promote understanding between the people in the USA and Germany on this way, since mutual interest of universities, companies and young people on both sides of the Atlantic. In general, the interpersonal climate with all partners, very different from big politics, very pleasant and friendly.

2019 were also interesting guests at social events at the bridge, such as District Administrator Anita Schneider, Sven Ringsdorf from the Europa Union, the member of parliament Frank-Tilo Becher (Pour) and Frank Stein Raths (Wetzlar) and students of the Robotics project at the US High School in Wiesbaden with their teachers. New Year's Reception, Stammtische, Meet women (Ladies Gathering), Hiking, BBQ, the singing of Christmas carols with the Wetzlar partnership associations and the Thanksgiving dinner in the Rustico were both highlights of social club life.

Small fly in the ointment was 2019, that after the farewell of the exchange student Andrew Price Watson no new US student through the association (VDAC) was sent to Gießen informed the student report by Kerstin Pal. Also, after Julia Horst, no new German student could be won. "An exchange in the USA isn't that interesting anymore." The modularised studies and the associated pressure to finish the studies quickly are often cited as reasons. Furthermore, there are now interesting offers for studying abroad in competition worldwide.

Treasurer Fritz Hoßbach described the financial situation of the club as good, thanks also to the support of companies and individuals. At the end, Schmidt said thank you to all supporters and loyal members. So he could personally Helga and Fritz Hossbach (Pour) For 40 Years of membership Express thanks and appreciation with a gift, just like for Marlene and Klaus Leske (Lich), die 25 years are members.

How to proceed in the coming months, in the end the bridge president could not predict exactly. Another hike in Wetzlar is on the agenda 18. October and Thanksgiving Dinner on 28. November. The pandemic situation is reassessed month by month. The 70 One would like to make up for the year bridge celebration next April, then under the title "70+1". The projects for young people, to those from autumn 2021 next to student, youth- and internship program should also include a robotics program for young people, we want to continue to push ahead as far as the situation allows.

Appeal for democracy and peaceful coexistence

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Frankfurt's Mayor and Treasurer Uwe Becker was guest of honor at the bridge's New Year reception 2020

A passionate appeal to publicly stand up for democracy and peaceful coexistence, said Frankfurt's mayor Uwe Becker in his address at the New Year's reception of the German-American Club Gießen-Wetzlar DIE BRÜCKE to the audience. In doing so, he looked at current developments, those with fear, Hatred and violence against minorities, Dissenters and strangers are sown. The treasurer of the neighboring Main metropolis was on Wednesday evening, who is also the anti-Semitism officer of the state of Hesse, this year's Brücke guest of honor. His remarkable speech heralded the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the Brücke this year. In addition to Becker, there were also other top-class guests with Giessen's mayor Dietlind Grabe-Bolz, the head of the city council, Frank Walter Schmidt, Wetzlar City Councilor Barbara Keiner and the US Consulate General in Frankfurt with Plamen Mavrov as the representative of the United States and the world's largest foreign representation. Musically, the choir of the Liederblüte Garbenteich under the direction of Philipp Langstroff got in the mood for the New Year.

The guests were welcomed in the wedding hall, which was filled to the last seat, by Brücke President Roger Schmidt. He reminded of the American and German women, who had founded the club seven decades ago and in doing so had crossed the bridge of understanding after the years of war. Mayor Grabe-Bolz found the founding of the bridge “a small miracle” in her greetings. For the Germans, integration with the West was like a “warming fire”. For many people from Giessen, the Alpine formed- and Woodland Club and the PX on the premises in and around the US depot first personal encounters with the Americans and their culture. She herself connects the USA with her first experience of the sweet taste of peanut butter from the PX store in her youth. That the exhibits of the former Care Museum in the city archive could currently be saved, they are especially happy, because the Americans were part of the history of Giessen.

from left to right. Brücke Vice-President Petra Bröckmann, Giessen's Lord Mayor Dietlind Grabe-Bolz, Frankfurt's Mayor Uwe Becker, Gießen's city councilor Frank Schmidt, City Councilor from Wetzlar Babara None, Representatives of the US Consulate General in Frankfurt Plamen Lavrov and Brücke President Roger Schmidt at the New Years reception 2020

“We have to stand up for it, that understanding, Community and social coexistence will continue, ”said Becker, also with a view to the upcoming 27. January in memory of 75. Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Anti-Semitism as the “poison of society” is growing again, therefore it is important to stand up against it together. Unfortunately, many are on the way, who have nothing else in mind than to drive society apart with hatred and fear. Their goal: “Another Germany.” Commitment from the citizens to stand up for this society is all the more in demand. Today's democracy is more solid than it was back in the Weimar Republic. He would like people to demonstrate for the future of our planet on “Friday for future”, as with the youth, to also take to the streets once a week for democratic values ​​and for togetherness and diversity.

The bridge as a transatlantic friendship initiative has lived this since its foundation 1950. It was one of the first clubs to be involved in the umbrella organization of the VDAC, collected money in the “March of Dimes” for sick children in the 1950s, acknowledged Becker. The USA shaped us as our most important partner, the region that has lived in peace since then, so Becker. To freedom, Stability and security were also part of this, that people turn their heads for democracy and freedom, he looked at the soldiers from the German Armed Forces and the US Army.

Further dates in the anniversary year "70 years of DIE BRÜCKE": Academic evening on 8. Thanksgiving evening on May and on 28. November.

THE BRIDGE is expanding friendly transatlantic contacts

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Farewell Price!

In late summer, two young Americans said goodbye with a friendly “farewell” at the German-American club DIE BRÜCKE Gießen-Wetzlar. On the one hand, VDAC exchange student Price Watson left the university town in Central Hesse for his home state of Alabama after an eventful year. In addition to his studies at the Justus Liebig University, he was able to gain professional experience in the organization of choir festival events. On the other hand, Joshua Pietz from Wisconsin was said goodbye, who worked as an intern at ESE Engineering and Software Development for three months in the field of artificial intelligence.

Both were the first participants in the newly initiated transatlantic bridge internship program. The project manager Helmut Ott also thanked the two companies involved with the cultural organization Interkultur and the company ESE Engineering and Software Development. In particular, Interkultur President Günter Titsch and ESE Business Manager Daniel Pal were thanked for their generous support. In the last few months, numerous talks have been held with other Central Hessian companies, the Hessian State Chancellery, Hesse Trade & Invest, the local chambers of commerce and partners in the USA. The good contacts are to be expanded to benefit friendly relations between people on both sides of the Atlantic.

THE BRIDGE is 70 - celebrations in 2020

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The German-American Klub THE BRIDGE Gießen-Wetzlar celebrates 2020 its 70. Geburtstag. Of the 1950 Founded club in central Hesse starts with the New Year's reception at 15. January 2020 in the celebrations. The guest of honor this evening the Frankfurt mayor and anti-Semitism Representative of the State of Hesse Uwe Becker.

Six years ago, the bridge celebrated with a grand finale “We are the World”

On the historic date of 8. May, in a ceremony at the bridge foundation 1950 remind. is then thought of the end of the 2. World War II and the liberation from National Socialism 1945th

Completion of the bridge celebrations the Thanksgiving celebration is on 28. November 2020 with music and entertainment in a festive setting.

Patron of the club-anniversary year is prime minister of Hesse Volker Bouffier.