Kelheim Group Bids Farewell to Effingham County
By Phil Lewis
May 29, 2007
The German exchange group from Kelheim, Germany arrived in the United States on March 21 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Upon arrival, they checked into a youth hostel near Chicago. Ray Lotter, a native of Kelheim and an official with the International Chamber of Commerce, gave the group a tour of Chicago. The group arrived at Effingham City Hall on March 23, where they were picked up by host families from Effingham, St. Anthony’s, Dieterich and Teutopolis High Schools. The host families showed them sights in the area on their first weekend in Effingham County. A welcome breakfast was held on the first Sunday in the cafeteria at Teutopolis High School for the students and their host families. This was the tenth anniversary of the exchange, which was organized by Ralph Ruppel of Vincennes, Indiana. It is in cooperation with the Sister Cities International program.
On Monday, the exchange students then went to the respective high schools to attend the same classes as their host students. The group then took bus tours to St. Louis and Springfield on two separate days. They attended a Rotary luncheon at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall. The group was then treated to a wiener roast at Lake Sarah on the Friday of the first full week in the county.
The second week was filled with field trips to the Gene Brummer swine farm near Dieterich and the Henry Hoene dairy farm near Sigel. Dieterich High School hosted a sports outing in its gym. Students played volleyball, table tennis, basketball, football, etc. They were treated to pizza, ice cream, and soda. The group also toured Effingham City Hall, the new Government Center, and other points of interest in the city. Effingham High School hosted the farewell dinner in its cafetorium. The Germans thanked their host families and others who helped make their stay in Effingham County memorable. The group also demonstrated the polka and the waltz for the group. They also sang the German national anthem in German. Good Friday was the last chance for the host families to spend with their German guests. On Saturday morning April 7, the group assembled for one last time at City Hall and bid emotional farewells to their host families. The group arrived in Munich on Easter morning to be greeted by their own families.
This year’s exchange members were: Luisa Beck, Christina Holstein, Franz Hackl, Rose Mansieva-Irnstetter, Xenia Priebe, Sebastian Eichinger, Lena Stange, Markus Brautigam, Alice Buchner, Lukas Burggraf, Melina Fischer, Sebastian Fischer, Irene Fuhrmann, Manuel Gammel, Julia Geretshauser, Karl Grunbeck, Bernd Huber, Jane Perfoll, Simon Pernpeintner, Susanne Peter, Fabian Porkorny, Julia Roithmeier, Damir Rusiti, Christian Schlagbauer, Marcel Steiger, Daniel Suss, Alexandra Ziegltrum, Julia Zinner, Markus Blaimer, and chaperones Gabi Fruth, Maria Gradl, and Matthias Staller.
Members of this year’s steering committee from Effingham County included: Charlie and Pat Brumleve, Tom and Rita Thoele, Tom Mette, Ralph Ruppel, Bruce Owen, Kip Johnson, Phil and Jeri Lewis, Cheryl Stolz, and Mayor Bob Utz. Altamont and Newton have expressed interest in participating in 2009. Everyone agreed the exchange was a great event for the county. Host students now have the opportunity to go to Kelheim next summer to be hosted by the students who stayed with them.
Phil Lewis
342-6280
