Category Archives: Event

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.”

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 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.

Robot showed at BRIDGE BBQ in the small animal park he can

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Come together at the bridge-BBQ in remote forest with US high school students

FERN FOREST / CASTING / WETZLAR (rg / guardian / ger), This year was the German-American Klub THE BRIDGE Gießen-Wetzlar young American guests from the Wiesbaden US high school at the traditional BBQ guest. The group of students who came with their teacher Brian Barns in the small zoo in Steinbach and presented it one of them developed and built robots. Thus they demonstrated their work from the 25-member task force "RoboWarriors FIRST Team # 3011" with pupils aged 10 to 17 Years in which they had participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The international program is to introduce young people to science and technology, so this time the project was to build a robot for a space station "Destination: Deep Space“. The complex model had to be solved tasks of transportation. One of the FIRST programs for young people is to be established in central Hesse soon, announced bridge-President Roger Schmidt, together with the responsible bridge board member Henri Becker plans for 2020 an. Initial discussions with the central German organizers in Leipzig have already been held. Support from politics, Education and the economy were already signals for the new bridge projects in Central Hesse, so presentation robots were in the Fern Forest during the BBQ, among other things, the two Hessian state parliament Frank Tilo cup (Pour) and Frank Stein Raths (Lahn-Dill) interested and amazed guests American US about the complex project work of young people. They had just six weeks needed in their work after the regular classes. For the class fund there were ever a bridge-donation 200 Euro for the high school students and baseball club caps as a reminder of their visit. Success of the internship program was already on the bridge of the start this year. Project Manager Helmut Ott was here together welcome Joshua Pietz from the Univerity Wisconsin with the bridge members, the three months in the company ESE engineering and software development in the field of artificial inteligence (Of), thanks to the mediation of the member Daniel Pal working there, is working. Another intern is with Price Andrew Watson from Alabama currently at the cultural organization INTERKULTUR in Fernwald operates.

BRIDGE Board request confirm - Honors – New transatlantic projects before start

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CASTING / WETZLAR (rg / guardian / ger), Ehrungen, Elections and the forthcoming launch of new promising projects for young people this and were the focus of the annual meeting across the Atlantic the German-American clubs THE BRIDGE Gießen-Wetzlar. So an internship were- successfully implemented and school program. The members had met at the Hotel Köhler in Gießen. As a long-time members were for 40 Years, the US-American Sallie Neubrand and Ingrid Kreiling, Birgit and Martin Zimmermann 30 Years and 25 Michaela years Breithaupt and Ute and Matheus Brinks-Rothärmel honored by the bridge-President Roger Schmidt and Petra Bröckmann. In the absence Heidi Battenberg and Gerhard Adam were for 30 Years and Margitta Ludwig and Herbert Schmitt for 25 Years Club loyalty thanks and appreciation expressed.

Previously bridge-President Roger Schmidt had looked back on numerous highlights in the past year in its annual report. Friendly host one was in the 71. Convention of the Federation of German-American clubs around 100 Delegates from all over Germany in Wetzlar. Here the great support of the city government was recognized. In addition to the New Year's Reception with the astronaut Thomas Reiter, were able to bridge transatlantic events, among others, Chancellery Minister Dr. Helge Braun, are the Frankfurt SPD politician Marlies van der Malsburg and Simone Hofmann of B`nai B`rith Loge Frankfurt welcomes presentations and discussions. Good contacts with an information evening was usually with the Anglo-German Society casting. The exchange student Janina Böcher inform about their study experience in the US at a Stammtisch. the first time was celebrated "4th of July" in the summer with a garden party, was pleased with many guests at a BBQ in the small zoo Steinbach and festive Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, Raffle and Co. Rustico Heuchelheim. Together with the Wetzlar partnership associations were organized there, the International carol singing. On the way they were, among others, on the Erzwanderweg in Vogelsberg and the Gruenberger Gallusmarkt. Student Representative Kerstin Pal rejoiced, that the current US student Andrew Price Watson has settled in well at JLU. In the coming academic year, no German student goes to the USA, because the candidate these days has canceled his participation and no replacement can be found at short notice, informed Pal. Helmut Ott was able to report an impending launch of the new bridge Internship Project. Two young students will be engaged for three months under this bridge program in German companies. Ott told of previous numerous positive discussions with the Hessian State Chancellery, the two central Hesse IHKs, Companies and universities, and gave thanks for the support. wants to advancing transatlantic partnerships with regional schools in the STEM fields, informed the person in charge Henri Becker. Here meetings were held with the Robotics project group of US high school in the state capital Wiesbaden. There is great interest with central Hessian schools in the project development of robots exchange at the level of young people. Treasurer Fritz Hoßbach was able to report a positive cash situation, Jürgen Gemmer and Ingrid Kreiling examiner confirmed. The relief was unanimous.

In the elections, there was unanimous following results: President Roger Schmidt, Vice-President Petra Bröckmann, Treasurer Fritz Hoßbach, Student Representative Kerstin Pal, Assessor Klaus Müller (New) and Secretary Stefanie Vera Müller. For the committees Evelyne Schmadel and Gabriele Stephan were (Social Events), Cathrine Friebel and Helmut Ott (German American Affairs), Henri Becker (Wetzlar) and Jürgen Gemmer (Berater) appointed. Thanks with gifts went to Volker Stephan and Günther Schmadel, the after 26 Years of volunteer work were no longer for election to the Executive Board and committees.

An amendment necessary because of the new data protection regulation was approved unanimously.

In view stands for the coming year 2020 the great jubilee "70 years THE BRIDGE" announced Schmidt plans. In addition to the pub at the Hotel Köhler the summer BBQ in this year on 7. July and Thanksgiving Dinner 23. November already been terminated. All BRIDGE-dates can be found onwww.dac-bruecke.de.

Chancellery chief Helge Braun acknowledged human bridge builder in remote forest

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Chancellery chief Helge Braun acknowledged human bridge builder in remote forest

BRIDGE talk with head of the chancellery Prof. DR. Helge Braun at INTERKULTUR in Fernwald

Chancellery Minister Prof. DR. Helge Braun met on Monday (22.10.2018) with members of the German-American clubs THE BRIDGE Gießen-Wetzlar in remote forest to transatlantic exchange. In the German headquarters of the internationally active cultural organization INTERKULTUR in Steinbacher industrial estate "Ruhberg" welcomed bridge-President Roger Schmidt together with inter-cultural President Günter Titsch the guest from the capital Berlin ago 30 interested listeners. "Times have changed dramatically." Turned brown clear right at the beginning. Ties to the West and NATO are no longer a matter of course, as in previous years. Politicians change, people stay, he pointed out and appreciated the importance of international interpersonal exchanges, as by THE BRIDGE in the youth- and student exchanges. to survive difficult periods, is an important task of politics and diplomacy. Easy judgments about others, are not attached. Democratic decisions in other countries, it was necessary to respect. The German government must currently set daily on new unforeseen events, Brown reported from his daily work at the Chancellery. Solutions are not always, hope as many citizens, to quickly find underlined Braun and reminded of the upcoming United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum, threatened protectionism, the refugees from Africa and the Arab countries because of war, poverty and military missions. A special form of peace policy with the help of culture in the choir music conveys INERKULTUR was recognized in the course. The internationally established host to Titsch presented at the Bridge talk to the minister their international choral festival before, including in the US. The Olympics of choirs with the World Choir Games were so 2012 in Cincinnati/Ohio statt, Brown learned. Titsch mediated the challenges in the visa policy and other obstacles in the political tension, to these festivals to organize successfully. Brown could experience, that not only America but among other things, China, Russia and South Africa are among the countries event of INTERKULTUR. Building bridges between people, connects the two organizations such as THE BRIDGE and INTERKULTUR, said Günter Titsch at the end of talks. Schmidt thanked end at Brown for coming and talking openly and Titsch for hospitality.

Group photo after BRIDGE-TALK with Chancellor Amtschef Prof. DR. Helge Braun at the peace bell of the World Choir Games