Preserving Our German Heritage and Culture through a Sister City partnership with
GROSS-BIEBERAU, GERMANY.
Mission
The mission of Sister Cities is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation-one individual, one community at a time.
History
Many older, current residents of Millstadt were born to German speaking families and only learned to speak English when they entered school. In doing their own personal genealogy research, local residents, Robert Schaefer and Robert Buecher, discovered that many current residents of Millstadt were descendants of immigrants from Gross-Bieberau, a small town in the State of Hessen, about 60 miles southeast of Frankfurt.
Correspondence and information was exchanged, and in 1998, ten Millstadt residents traveled to Groß-Bieberau. A 15-member delegation consisting of many of Groß-Bieberau’s town officials visited Millstadt in 1999, and the two communities committed to a sister city partnership. The formal signing ceremony was held in Gross-Bieberau on October 2, 2000 with a contingent of Millstadt residents in attendance.
Periodic “official” visits have occurred between the towns. The most recent adult delegation from Gross-Bieberau visited Millstadt during June 2023, Numerous lasting friendships have developed over the years, and there are frequent informal visits between residents and Gross-Bieberau.
Millstadt considers its relationship with Gross-Bieberau, as a very special opportunity for Millstadt and its youth to learn from peoples of other nations thereby growing and enhancing both our respective qualities of life and prospects of world peace.
Youth Ambassador Exchange
Each summer up to five Millstadt area high school students travel to Gross-Bieberau and spend 4 weeks with host families. In turn, the Millstadt students’ German exchange partners typically arrive in August for a month long visit. Millstadt Sister Cities Organization provides some financial assistance to participating youth and host families.
As a result of the generous support of local residents, businesses, and civic organizations, a total of 87, Millstadt students and 93 German students have participated so far in this Youth Ambassadors Exchange, and lasting friendships have developed between the Millstadt and German youth and their families.
Membership meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Millstadt Community Center. Alles Willkommen!
Adult and Youth Exchange Programs
Our organization sponsors both an annual Youth Ambassador Exchange as well as planned Adult Delegation groups.
Weihnachtsfest
The Millstadt Sister Cities Organization will sponsor the 29 Annual Weihnachtsfest (German Christmas Festival) On Sunday, December 3, 2023
St. Charles Oktoberfest
Come visit us in St. Charles for our famous Kartoffelpfankuchen (Potato pancakes), Schubert's Brat Burgers, (as we say; “All that German Bratwurst deliciousness without the Oompah!) and smokies. Great weekend to celebrate the German culture. September 22, 23, 24, 2023
We would love for you to help us. Please join our work crew.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS
September 20, 2023 (Wednesday) at Millstadt Community Center
7:30 pm; Membership meeting with presentation by Maxwell Juhas, 2023 Youth Ambassador Scholarship participant
October 18, 2023 (Wednesday) 7:30 PM Membership meeting + Weihnachtsfest planning.
November 6, 2023 (Monday) 7:30 pm; Board meeting at Millstadt Community Center
November 16, 2023 (Wednesday) 7:30 pm; Membership meeting at Millstadt Community Center
December 3, 2023 WEIHNACHTSFEST St. James Fr. Fruend Center, Millstadt