Viel los war beim Sommer-BBQ des Deutsch-Amerikanischen Klubs “The Bridge” im Kleintierpark in Fernwald
GIESSEN/FERNWALD (RG) – Zum Sommer-BBQ der Brücke waren wieder zahlreiche Gäste gekommen. Bei heißen Temperaturen bot der Kleintierpark in Fernwald mit seiner schönen Anlage genug Platz auch ein schattiges Plätzchen zu finden. Grillmeister war diesmal Vize-Präsident Günther Schmadel, der leckere Steaks und Würstchen servierte. Auch Gäste aus den USA waren dabei. Nick und Sabine Stollenmeyer aus Baltimore waren mit ihren Kindern dabei und auch die Brücke-Austauschstudentin Alison Haskins war mit der Studentenbeauftragten Kerstin Ruppel gekommen. So verbrachten die Brücke-Mitglieder einen schönen Sommertag inmitten der Tiere und der Natur.
Vietnam-Vortrag beim Brücke-Stammtisch im Hotel Köhler
Die Leiterin Beate Steinmüller (2.vl) und Angelika Ortmann (rechts daneben) vom Familienzentrum für krebskranke Kinder freuen sich über die Spende in Höhe von 300 Euro vom Deutsch-Amerikanischen Klub “The Bridge” Gießen-Wetzlar, die Präsident Roger Schmidt und Evelyn Schmadel beim Mai-Stammitsch im Hotel Köhler in Gießen übergeben konnten
CASTING-WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), Beim Stammtisch des Deutsch-Amerikanischen Klubs „Die Brücke“ Gießen-Wetzlar, der in diesem Jahr seinen 65. Gründungsgeburtstag feiern kann, gab es nicht nur einen interessanten Vortrag zum aktuellen Thema „Good morning, Vietnam! – 40 Jahre Frieden – Aufbruch mit Kultur“ sondern auch finanzielle Unterstützung in Form einer Spende in Höhe von 300 Euro für das Familienzentrum für krebskranke Kinder Gießen.
Im Hotel Köhler konnten dieser Tage deren Hausleiterin Beate Steinmüller und ihre Mitarbeiterin Angelika Ortmann die Spende von Brücke-Präsident Roger Schmidt und der für Social Events zuständigen Brücke-Aktiven, Evelyn Schmadel entgegennehmen. Die beiden im Familienzentrum engagierten Frauen warben vor den Brücke-Mitgliedern für ihre Hilfseinrichtung, die in einem Haus in der Friedrichstraße 30 beheimatet ist. Schon in der Vergangenheit hatte die Brücke das Familienzentrum finanziell unterstützt. Auch waren Mitglieder, wie die Familie Schulz, viele Jahre dort persönlich aktiv. 10 Familien werden dort derzeit beherbergt, während die erkrankten Kinder in der Kinderkrebsstation im Universitätsklinikum behandelt werden, wurde informiert. Die Anwesenheit von Mama und Papa hilft den Kindern beim Behandlungsprozess sehr, so die Leiterin. Drei Mitarbeiterinnen sorgen dann für die Familien, die nicht nur aus Deutschland sondern beispielsweise bis aus Neuseeland nach Gießen zur Behandlung ihrer Kinder anreisen. Sie dankten den Brücke-Mitgliedern für die Unterstützung. Bei dem sich an die Spendenübergabe anschließenden Stammtisch-Vortrag informierte Brücke-Präsident Roger Schmidt über Kultur und Leben in Vietnam. Dabei zog er einen geschichtlichen Bogen vom damaligen Kriegsende des Vietnam-Krieges am 30. April 1975 mit dem Abzug der letzten US-Truppen aus Saigon, der darauf folgenden nationalen Vereinigung von Vietnam, der Wiederaufnahme der diplomatischen Beziehungen mit den USA im Jahr 1995 und der darauf folgenden wirtschaftlichen und kulturellen Öffnung, die bis heute nicht abgeschlossen ist.
Bei der Jahreshauptversammlung im 65. Gründungsjahr des Deutsch-Amerikanischen Klubs konnten die Präsidenten Roger Schmidt und Günther Schmadel (on the right) im Hotel Köhler in Gießen für 30 Jahre Mitgliedschaft Ute Fabel (2. von links) sowie für 10 Jahre Vorstandstätigkeit Nicole Heppner Dank und Anerkennung mit Urkunde und Blumen aussprechen
Stolze 65 Jahre lang besteht der Deutsch-Amerikanische Klub „Die Brücke“ Gießen-Wetzlar in diesem Jahr. Das soll mit einem Gala-Abend im Herbst unter dem Titel „65 Jahre „Die Brücke“ – American Magic in Mittelhessen“ gefeiert werden, kündigte der an diesem Abend bei den Vorstandswahlen in seinem Amt bestätigte Präsident Roger Schmidt bei der Jahreshauptversammlung im Hotel Köhler in Gießen an. Dabei konnte er mit dem Vizepräsidenten Günther Schmadel auch Ehrungen vornehmen. So wurde für 30-jährige Treue zum Klub Ute Fabel mit Urkunde, Klubnadel und Blumen Dank und Anerkennung ausgesprochen, genau so wie Nicole Heppner, die für 10 Jahre ehrenamtliche Vorstandsarbeit gewürdigt wurde und aus dem Vorstand ausschied. In Abwesenheit wurde der in Frankfurt lebenden Christa Huth für 25 Jahre Mitgliedschaft gedankt. Erneut konnte die Brücke mit Carina Thomys eine deutsche Studentin zum Studentenaustausch an die amerikanische Universität nach Deleware entsenden. In Deutschland ist zur Zeit die US-Amerikanerin Allison Haskins in Gießen an der Justus-Liebig-Universität seit vergangenem Jahr bis in diesen Sommer Gaststudentin.
Schmidt konnte am Mittwochabend nach der Begrüßung von einer positiven Mitgliederentwicklung berichten. Inzwischen hat die Brücke 112 Mitglieder und damit deutlich mehr (+13) mehr als im Jahr 2008, in dem die US-Garnison in Gießen aufgelöst wurde. Eine positive Entwicklung, die das attraktive Klubleben widerspiegelt, Schmidt. Er betonte, dass die Brücke in ihren Zielen für die Mitmenschlichkeit und das Miteinander der Völker in Frieden eintritt. Es dürfe nicht vergessen werden, was Deutschland den Amerikanern zu verdanken habe. Demokratie und Freiheit gehörten dazu, die es zu schützen gelte. Der Klub veranstaltete im vergangenen Jahr einen viel beachteten Neujahrsempfang mit dem Direktor des Mathematikums Prof. DR. Beutelspacher und lud zu Stammtischen unter anderem zu den Themen „Sexuelle Gewalt“ mit Dr. Barbara Bojack, „Lincolns Rede“ mit dem Frankfurter Gast Renè Scholz, „Jugendaustausch mit Milwaukee“ mit Schülern der Theodor-Litt-Schule Gießen, „Vom Gegner zum Freund“ mit Elisabeth von Maltzahn, „Die Römer in Mittelhessen“ mit Norbert Kissel, „Minnesota Winter“ mit Elli Radinger und „Gießener Auswanderer im Amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitskrieg“ mit Prof. DR. Holger Gräf von der Philipps-Universität Marburg im Hotel Köhler ein. Die US-Studentin Shannon Wilson wurde verabschiedet. Man feierte gemeinsam ein BBQ in Steinbach und Thanksgiving in Linden, besuchte in Frankfurt das Weihnachtskonzert „The singing Christmastree“ in der Liebfrauenkirche und war im Keltenmuseum in Glauburg zu Gast. Vertreten war man ebenfalls beim Internationalen Weihnachtssingen der Partnerschaftsklubs in Wetzlar. Gewürdigt wurde Astrid Reinewald für ihr Engagement beim „American Table Talk“ (TO), dem rein englischsprachigen Stammtisch.
Für die verhinderte Studentenbeauftragte Kerstin Ruppel verlas die US-Studentin Alison Haskins den Bericht von den Aktivitäten im Studentenaustausch, dem man im Verband der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Klubs (VDAC) mit organisiert und finanziert. Insgesamt rund 10.000 Euro konnte der Klub in den letzten drei Jahren für die Jugend- und Studentenförderung bereitstellen, informierte Schatzmeister Fritz Hoßbach zur Kassenentwicklung. Dabei wurden auch mittelhessische Kinder- und Jugendprojekte von Diakonie und Kinderhospiz gefördert und das Deutsche und Internationale Rote Kreuz zur Hilfe von Opfern von Naturkatastrophen unterstützt. Kassenprüfer Klaus Leske und Martin Zimmermann bestätigten ihm eine einwandfreie Kassenführung, die mit der einmütigen Entlastung honoriert wurde.
Bei den Vorstandswahlen kam es zu folgenden einstimmigen Ergebnissen. Bestätigt in ihren Ämtern wurden Roger Schmidt (President), Günther Schmadel (Vice-President), Fritz Hoßbach (Treasurer), Petra Bröckmann (Schriftführerin) und Kerstin Ruppel (Student Representative). Neu als Beisitzerin wurde Stefanie Vera Müller gewählt. Ausschussmitglieder sind Evelyn Schmadel, Gabi and Volker Stephan (alle Social Events), Herbert Zimmermann (Stadt und Region Wetzlar) und Thomas Leiser (German-American-Affairs). Kassenprüfer neben Klaus Leske sind Hans Leyerer und Nicole Heppner (Ersatz).
In diesem Jahr stehen neben den regelmäßigen Stammtischen jeweils am ersten Mittwoch im Monat im Hotel Köhler in Gießen zudem Frauentreffen beim so genannten „Ladies Gathering“ , die traditionelle Brücke-BBQ-Grill-Party am 5. July, die „65 Jahre Brücke-Geburtstagsfeier“ am 2. Oktober sowie das Thanksgiving-Dinner im November auf dem Terminplan. Nähere Informationen findet man auf der Internetseite unter www.dac-bruecke.de.
Hinterländer mountain bikers were guests at the bridge-Stammtisch - on US tour
The bridge-chairman Roger Schmidt (links) and Günther Schmadel (on the right) welcomed to the meeting at the Hotel Köhler the hinterlands Mountain Bicker Harald Becker (Center, links) and Uli Weigel, who reported on their exciting journey with the wheels in the US. Always with the old Leica (on the table), already in the burning airship “Hindenburg” was in New York doing
CASTING-WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), They were with their bikes as far as China go, toured the cities and jungles of Brazil and crossed the wilderness of Namibia. We are talking about the back country mountain bikers Uli Weigel, Jörg pitcher, Harald Becker, Siegfried Pitzer and Matthias Schmidt. At the recent meeting of the Stammtisch German-American Club "The Bridge" at the Hotel Köhler reported two of them with Uli Weigel and Harald Becker from their recent trip, which had led to a new challenge in the wide open spaces of the West of the USA and in the east to New York. Before the numerous guests come they had brought beside her richly illustrated report and a film, the original Leica camera, which in the crash of the airship Hindenburg in Lakehurst on 6. May 1937 had been on board. A special experience for the bridge visitors, because they were the highly assured piece of history once camera in her hand. The bridge-chairman Roger Schmidt presented the well-traveled mountain biking from the Lahn-Dill-Kreis in the pouring more than 40 Hotel to Watch List.
In September 2014 they were 10 "History, he" driving in their current project days "" this time under the title "The New World in the footsteps of Moontainbike-Sports" on the road in America. Amazed they registered upon their arrival in the US, that cycling in the Amis is all the rage. Countless like-minded people met them on the tour. In the Wild West, they were welcome guests in the Leica Store in Los Angeles Consulate were in the local German received and then experienced the dangerous American rush with their wheels. A winery in the Napa Valey legendary was one of the stops, there on the hot Trail Napa, they had their first breakdown, they doused with a cold beer in the evening. Especially great they found, to the legends of the mountain bike sport with Joe Breeze, Got to know in Fairfax Gary Fisher and Otis Guy. The "Hall of fame" of cycling, they visited the "Museum of Bycycling". Toll their riding over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. From there it was but then with the Flyers in the east to New York, informed Weigel laughing. 4.800 Kilometers were then but for central Hesse cyclists, given the tight schedule too much. There in the "Big Apple" was then also that of ihne so christened "Hörler girl", the Statue of Liberty on their visit plan. They had researched, that the ancestors of the creator Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, came from the German home. His ancestor "Barthold" lived as a Huguenot in Oberhörlen (Steffensberg) and was there before 329 Married years. On Liberty Iceland you have already been informed of the arrival of the cyclists on their search for clues and waved them through friendly, as reported Harald Becker of his encounter with the local rangers. With the Leica camera in the luggage they visited the crash site of the Hindenburg in Lakehurst and met the museum director Don Adams. Finally, they also visited Bill Combs, in nephew of Bill Schaefer, whose father Maximilian Shepherd 1839 had emigrated from Central Hesse in the USA. Together with his brother Frederick,d he already 1838 Germany had left, they built from 1842 to 1968 a brewery empire with 4000 Employment under the brand "Schaefer Beer" on. 1976 set it as the last brewery in Brooklyn production a. The company was 1999 sold to the Pope brewery. There in the museum found the back country mountain bikers the front door of the family home from Wetzlar grain market, the Bill Schaefer in 1966 brought to the United States. In addition to many requests from the audience there was much applause for Uli Weigel and Harald Becker for their transatlantic travel report, The highlighted the historical and vibrant connections between people in the US and Germany by way of example.
The next bridge-Stammtisch on Wednesday, the 4. March 2015 one 19.30 Clock at the Hotel Köhler reported the student Dominik Jung of his six-month internship experiences in the USA with Ion Power in Delaware.
Guests are welcome.
CASTING-WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), Florida has the news of the death of former President of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar, Paul Henry Ratzel, reaches the members of the Central Hesse casting. To 1994 He was for many years active in the club and the Executive Board and returned to his retirement back in the US Army in the USA. But even after he stopped the club and has been associated for the last time on the occasion of 60. Bridge-founding anniversary year 2010 in the university town guests. During the ceremony at the new City Hall, he gave an impassioned speech, which was rewarded with much applause. He was in his lifetime, an ardent supporter of German-American friendship. In addition, he was an optimistic, fun-loving and helpful person, with which you closed like friendship, recalls bridge member Rolf Eisenmenger. This made it easy for him, To be a bridge builder between Germany and the US.
Ratzel wurde am 17. March 1931 born in Münster-Handorf, visited Colmar in the school where she learned English. As a porter in the Nassauer Hof in Wiesbaden, he met an American guest, the recruited him for the construction of the US Interstate-highway system. 1954 Ratzel was an American citizen, but never forgot his roots in Germany. He came over the US Army in Korea, Vietnam and Guam back to his old home. In Giessen Army Depot, he was transport officer, later Logistics Director and supported the bridge activities with its possibilities active. After his return to the US he was there with his family respected member of the community of Destin / Florida. Whenever possible, he visited his old home and celebrated with his friends in Giessen, will not forget him. On Thursday, the 26. February 2015 He was buried in the US.
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), January 2015; The German-American Club "The Bridge" Giessen-Wetzlar had invited the New Year reception and many prominent politicians, Diplomats and representatives from friendly associations and clubs were among the more than 100 Guests. The Hotel Köhler in Gießen bridge-President Roger Schmidt was the reception in addition to the guest of honor, the director of the Municipal Theatre Casting Catherine Miville, In addition, the US Consul General in Frankfurt, Kevin C. Milas with his wife Eileen, VDAC-President, Jacob shot, as well as the city council, the University of Giessen, Otto Fritz, welcome. Musically framed singers of the concert choir of choral society childhood friend Watzenborn-Steinberg led by choir director and conductor of the Municipal Theatre, Jan Hoffmann, the evening devoted entirely to the 65. Was founding year of the bridge. The award was given in all the speeches on the one hand the fine arts as a peaceful cultural ambassador, religious and ethnic boundaries, as well as the transatlantic partnership, from the VDAC with a lively youth- and student exchange is maintained. This year celebrates "The Bridge" his birthday with a gala evening under the title "American magic - Original Mittelhessen" on 2. October sorcery, Dance and Music.
Historian Prof. DR. Holger Thomas Graf informed the bridge-Stammtisch on the role of Giessen and Wetzlarern in the US War of Independence
CASTING / WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg),
The historian Prof. DR. Holger Thomas Graf reported in bridge-Stammtisch on the role of Hesse in the American War of Independence
In the historical memory of Americans who Hesse for the identity of their young nation to play a significant role, underlined the historian Prof. DR. Holger Thomas Graf from the Philipps University Marburg at the Stammtisch of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar. In his presentation at the Hotel Köhler he lit under the title “Die „Hessian Mercenaries“ –
Facts and Myths”, the role of the Hessian mercenaries in the American War of Independence against some 230 Years, under which men from the central Hessian cities Giessen and Wetzlar fought.
The role of the "Hessians" a wide audience in the German TV films were known as "The winter was a summer" (D 1976) and "The great adventure of Kaspar Taste" (GDR 1982), informed Graef. The "land sold children" but called as mercenaries was rather standard of warfare then rinsed and money in the coffers of the German principalities was one of the reasons, that many Hesse came to America. Another reason was the appeal of the soldiers profession with good and safe payment and career, many of the citizens left their signatures to make the "subsidy treaties", explained the historian. The minority was forced Recruited. However, the Hesse had a very bad reputation. Prejudices were supported by Americans, as in the well-known story in Washington Irwin's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow", in which a Hessian mercenaries as a headless horseman plays a mysterious role. Americans were a barbaric enemy inoculated in various publications. This had an impact even into the post-war period from, when it came to the back rearmament of Germany and Eisenhower 1951 said, he did not want a Hessian mercenary. 19 Volunteers from the free imperial city of Wetzlar and 25 Pour in the Principality of Hesse-Darmstadt dressed for the British in the American War of Independence, Graef determined from available sources. Of these, one third were over 30 Year old. They were in the units of Hesse-Hannover, Used Hesse-Cassel and Waldecker regiments. The fact that only one death in the immediate acts of war, but 12 died from diseases surprise the more, as the only four Mittelhessen after the war to their former homes Europe returned. Five were proven in the US, 11 deserted and further 11 Soldiers of the whereabouts unknown. He also recalled a different fate and that of the "soldier's" Christopher Ludwich, the son of a baker in Giessen. That was about all sorts of detours in the service of Austria and Prussia, then come as a British sailor to Philadelphia and had brought it there later to wealth. 1777 of Hesse was appointed from the city on the Lahn as an American patriot to the chief baker and chief of field bakery of US troops in the Revolutionary War, informed Dr. Graef final. The bridge-President Roger Schmidt and Günther Schmadel thanked the historian for this interesting transatlantic history lesson.
CASTING, The Giessen General is the most popular and highest-circulation newspaper in the city and county casting. This information received members of the bridge in September at the tour through the press house in the Marburger Straße. They were informed about the modern printing, in the very short time not only the local daily newspaper but also nationally important titles are printed. Previously they had learned in a lecture more about the editorial work and the products of the media house of the family business Rempel. Next we went to the restaurant Croatica.
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE, The author, Journalist and wilderness expert in the USA, Elli H. Radinger, on Wednesday evening, the 1. October 2014 one 19.30 Clock guest at the Stammtisch of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar. Over two decades, the wolf expert observed in Yellowstone National Park, the wild wolves. For a reading from her new novel "Minnesota Winter: Love in the Wild "Radinger comes in the Hotel Köhler (Westanlage 33-35) after casting. Who in the exciting story of romance, Wants to listen in love and adventure in the wilderness, is cordially invited. Admission is free.
The volunteers of the State Office for Archälogie, Norbert Kissel, lectured at the Stammtisch of German-American Clubs “The Bridge” Gießen-Wetzlar Hotel Köhler in pouring over Rome, the city, the Empire and their lives in our region to around 2.000 Years
CASTING-WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), At the recent Stammtisch of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Giessen-Wetzlar casting it went in at the Hotel Köhler at a past empire. The volunteers of the Hessian State Office of Historic Monuments and principals of Adolf Empire Wine School Pohl Home, Norbert Kissel, reported on Rome as an ancient city, as an empire and about their lives in our central Hesse region. He accused the guests to the question: "Are the United States a new Rome?“
Not only is the new sound knowledge of the sciences on life back then drew the audience in his entertaining presentation in its spell. He also finds, brought as coins and pottery shards and golden Mulsum. Enriched with honey and pepper wine he served at the outset his listeners. This Roman taste test he used to transition into life in the former ancient city. Approximately one million people counted Ancient Rome, which had originated from a small village on the Tiber. The streets were crowded. Stars were at the Emperor and people Gladiators, comparable to today's footballers. They were highly paid and trained expensive. Were killed in the circus arenas mostly prisoners and slaves, in this cruel spectacle. The majority of Romans lived in tenements, up to 10 Floors could include. The road was already traffic-calmed. Tags should be no carts on the roads be, so the findings of historians. An Essen, Pleasure, Money it was mostly in the life of the Romans. Technically the Romans were to a high standard, of in 9.000 Km long pan-European road network and sometimes still reflected in the water supply by means of aqueducts. And the legal system was groundbreaking. In the Empire there lived under the "Pax Romana" (Roman peace) quite well, as long as you assimilated and did not resist, Kissel led from. For the Romans were the people their religions. The Imperial Senate with management and administration was streamlined and efficient. The military fully trained and equipped, so Kissel. Nevertheless, there were, how to cope with Varus in the Teutoburg Forest in Germania also defeats. In the forest battle the Romans were inferior. Due to the Great Migration, the empire began around the 4. To crumble century. The pay could not be paid for the Legionaries. Earlier, the 550 Kilometer Limes no "iron curtain", Kissel admitted with prejudice on. Rather, it was a demarcation line. It was between Germania and the Roman occupied territories a great civilization- given and wealth gap. Brisk trade was getreiben with living in our region Germanic chat. Of which had some served in the Roman army and learned the art of war there. Also, Turks and Syrians were here at that time in the Roman order in use. The Limes in our region to Butzbach, Pohl Home and Lich served particularly to safeguard the granary Wetterau. Excavations, as the Villa Rustica at Gambach, have provided insights into the everyday life, especially about clothes and food.
Rome was not comparable to the USA, so Kissel. However, the two great powers of their time all were. Interestingly, however, should be given the current challenges in the world, what the Caesars, probably President Obama had come, so his closing remarks after a historically interesting and entertaining lecture.
