Sister Cities Commission to honor New Ulm Park and Rec
By Ron Larsen Staff WriterNEW ULM - The New Ulm Sister Cities Commission Monday picked the New Ulm Parks and Recreation Department to honor for its help in making this fall's Hermann Victory Celebration a successful one.
The department will receive the award during a combined meeting and ceremony at the Kegel Klub on Monday, Jan. 4.
The department will be honored not only for its help with the Victory celebration but also for providing jobs for two incoming Hans Joohs exchange participants from Ulm-Neu Ulm, Germany, the commission's sister cities.
In response to a presentation by Denis Warta, on behalf of the Hermann Monument Society, the commission agreed to purchase a $500 double paver for placement inside the Hermann Monument fence.
Warta told the commission that, with its work on the victory celebration and its Hans Joohs exchange program, he "couldn't think of a group more deserving to be represented at the monument with a bench or a paver."
When commissioners learned that a bench with engraving on both sides would run $5,150, they quickly opted for the double paver.
Commissioners were alerted to the arrival of a German orchestra in 2011.
"This is an entirely new group, and they seem to be enthralled with the idea of visiting our Hermann [Monument]," Mayor Joel Albrecht said. "They will be coming from Hermann, Mo., which is their [sister] city."
The panel chosen officers for 2010. Rodney Zimmer was elected chairman, and Ron Schmitz was elected secretary. Sue Kimmel, who has served as long as she can on the commission, was given a certificate of appreciation by the mayor.
"You're the only international affairs group of the city. It's vitally important that you continue your good work," Albrecht told the commission members.
Ron Larsen can be reached at rlarsen@nujournal.com
