It's good to see Jefferson City's continued connection to its German heritage.
In 2004, a sister city partnership was forged between Jefferson City and Mnchberg, Germany. Since then, both cities have welcomed visitors from the other on a regular basis. Sometimes it is through formal group visits, while other times the visits are smaller and more informal.
This year, although no official group journey has taken place, Mnchberg Mayor Thomas Schnurrer recently welcomed two couples from Jefferson City: David and Stephanie Williams and Brett and Rhonda Roberts.
David Williams is a lieutenant in the Jefferson City Police Department and Brett Roberts is a deputy U.S. marshal.
Mnchberg police inspector Horst Hr invited Brett Roberts to see the Bayreuth deployment center, while the Williamses attended the wedding of Martina and René Konrad of Mnchberg. The couples met in Mnchberg in 2014, when the Jefferson City residents were hosted by the groom's grandparents. They've remained friends since.
Meanwhile, Alfred Schlegel, from Stockenroth, a small village near Mnchberg, traveled with his son, Matthias, and his family to Jefferson City recently to see the Aug. 21 solar eclipse. Former Mayor John Landwehr, who has long supported the Jefferson City-Mnchberg partnership, hosted a welcoming party to celebrate their arrival, as well as the friendship between the two towns.
Current Mayor Carrie Tergin has voiced support for the partnership as well, saying she hopes to visit Mnchberg soon.
As a side note, the reporter who chronicled this latest visit of local residents to our partner city in Sunday's News Tribune is Vanessa Schweinshaupt, a German newspaper reporter who has lived in Jefferson City for parts of the last two years.
Jefferson City has strong German roots. Our city was incorporated in 1825, and it saw an influx of German immigrants - mostly farmers - in the 1830s.
Visits such as the ones this year are important ways to connect to our heritage. We hope efforts continue to keep the partnership strong.