President Barry Bondurant called the September 28, 2023 meeting to order at approximately 12:10. Barry attempted to welcome the German-speaking visitors from Arlington's Bavarian sister-city in German. Barry’s German is atrocious, but he defended himself by noting that he learned it by watching "Hogan’s Heroes".
Stephanie Melchert gave the invocation. She then attempted to abscond prior to leading the club in the Pledge of Allegiance but was caught by the ever-vigilant President Barry. The Rotarians then lustily sang “God Bless America.”
Shannon Porter introduced the visiting Rotarians and guests. Barry wanted “Sharon” to make the introductions but no one could figure out who he meant by “Sharon”. There were dozens of guests as nearly the entire sister city delegation from Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld was present for the meeting. As Barry noted, we have not in recent memory had such a large showing of people at Rotary. The tables were arranged six across with an extra row of tables in the back. It was good to see such a large crowd for the meeting.
Announcements: Shockingly, there were no announcements. Is nothing going on in Rotary or in Arlington in October?
Walter Virden led the club in singing the “Beer Barrel Polka.” Walter picked the song in honor of our guests from Arlington's sister city. Kathleen Smith provided wonderful accompaniment as always. However, this reporter felt as though we needed an accordion to accompany us when we do a polka. Perhaps we can get Alex Meixner as a guest accompanist to play with Kathleen next time the Bad Königshofen citizens visit.
The microphone was lowered as Sally Hopper approached the lectern to announce birthdays and anniversaries. Birthdays and anniversaries are listed elsewhere in The Hubcap and will not be repeated here. Significantly, however, Long Pham, a member of the Arlington City Council, was present as a guest and the club acknowledged that it was his birthday.
President Barry introduced the program for the day, a conversation with the Bürgermeister (literally master of the town, a post roughly equivalent to mayor) of Bad Königshofen, Thomas Helbling. Sheri Capehart moderated the conversation. Barry noted that Sheri had asked that the club schedule this program for the visiting Bad Königshofenians and that Rotarians do not say “no.” Barry claimed that this inability to say “no” is in the club's bylaws. I don’t know whether that’s really in the bylaws but I am writing this article because I didn’t say “no” to Dan Blumberg… I know that disappoints everyone who is being forced to read this. On a side note, if you’re being forced to read this, who is it that is forcing you to read it? Answers on a postcard… I hear Dan rolling his eyes. (Yes, it makes a sound!)
Sheri started by sharing the activities in which the Bad Königshofenians had engaged over the preceding week: visiting UTA, a hospital, a fire station, a police station, AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park and Texas Live! as well as signing the official friendship and sister cities documents. Our visitors also proudly learned to speak Texan, including such expressions as "y’all" and "fixin’ to" as well as many other phrases from the local dialect.
Arlington formed its relationship with Bad Königshofen in 1951, five years prior to Eisenhower’s establishment of the sister city program in 1956. After 72 years of friendship, Arlington and Bad Königshofen finally signed their official sister city documents this week.
Bürgermeister Herr Helbling made his opening statement in English during which he praised Arlington and the sister cities' relationship. He then turned to an Arlington resident identified only as Hans, who served as a translator. Unfortunately, Hans was not always the most faithful interpreter. A few Rotarians who understand German noted that Hans frequently sharpened or softened his translations of both questions asked the Bürgermeister and his answers and statements. Further, Hans often provided his own commentary in addition to the translation without clarifying where the translation ended and the commentary began. At one point Bürgermeister Helbling – perhaps a bit tongue in cheek as he was referencing a joke Hans had added as commentary – requested that Hans limit his translation to only the words that the Bürgermeister actually spoke. As a result of this translation issue – unless you spoke fluent German – it is not possible to know for sure whether the answers given (or even the questions asked the Bürgermeister) were accurate translations.
The Bürgermeister informed us that Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld is first mentioned in local writings starting in 741 AD. There were certainly settlements in the area prior to this date but this is the first mentioned of the township. The city grew around a fortress and church which have since been destroyed. The city’s metropolitan area contains approximately 6,400 citizens. Bad Königshofen is located in Bavaria near the far northern edge of the state.
The Bürgermeister discussed how Bad Königshofen has benefited from its relationship with Arlington. He specifically noted the benefits and aid they received recently to assist with their refugee crisis created by a steady stream of citizens from Ukraine. Herr Helbling was inturupted when the Bad Königshofen volunteer fire chief arrived. Hans then added commentary to Herr Helbling’s comment. Herr Helbling made a comment regarding Hans’ commentary, which Hans rolled off his back stating “Prost, it’s Oktoberfest.” The Bürgermeister responded with a local saying – referencing the fire department – “duty is duty, schnapps is schnapps.” You might apply this saying elsewhere in your life.
Like many places in Europe, Bad Königshofen has experienced a significant influx of immigrants and refugees arriving since 2015. Most recently these refugees have come from eastern European countries such as Ukraine. Previously the refugees came from northern Africa and the Middle East. The Bürgermeister observed that the city was happy to help people in need and glad to have Arlington’s support, which allows the city to help the new arrivals.
The Bürgermeister noted that most of the refugees who have remained in Bad Königshofen are families with children. The unmarried military-aged males have mostly gone to the urban centers. After the program members of the Bad Königshofen delegation commented that Germany has seen a significant increase in crime, especially violent crimes and sexual assaults, since the mass migration and refugee crisis started around 2015. One member of the delegation noted that the instances of gang rape in Germany have risen to average more than two per day. The speaker seemed to infer that the increase in sexual assaults was due primarily to the unmarried military-aged male migrants. According to statistics recently released by the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, non-German perpetrators are suspected to commit roughly half of those two gang rapes per day. Such an inference would seem to align with the famous 2015 Cologne New Years assaults in which more than 500 complaints of sexual assault were filed with the police as gangs of migrants – numbering more than 1,000 military-aged males – assaulted, robbed, and sexually assaulted locals during a New Year’s celebration. Similar events have transpired elsewhere in Germany on a smaller scale.
The Bürgermeister noted that thanks to Arlington's generous support Bad Königshofen has been able to help refugees for free and has even been able to hire translators and teachers to support the Ukrainians. Herr Helbling also noted that the Russian immigrant community in Bad Königshofen has been extremely helpful in aiding the Ukrainians. Apparently these former victims of authoritarian collectivism can overcome their differences and aid each other through private charity in times of need.
Sheri opened the floor for questions. Unsurprisingly, and disappointingly for people of good taste, Dan Blumberg asked the first question. Dan inquired about the movement in Bavaria, and Germany as a whole, to leave the European Union as parties such as the AfD view the EU as “anti-democratic.” There appeared to be some difficulty with the translation of this question and Hans had to ask Dan to rephrase it. The Bürgermeister gave a highly polite and political answer,noting that there is no German movement to leave the EU, that Germany was one of its founding members and that he did not see it leaving the EU in the near future. However, after the program some members of the delegation noted that they believed that Germany is headed in the wrong direction and that leaving the EU may be a good move for the nation.
Doctor Richard Urso inquired as to the prevelance of English speakers in Bad Königshofen. The Bürgermeister responded that most of the city's residents learned English in school but that not all of them have had many opportunities to speak it. As result they are not all fluent.
Someone asked about beer. Asking a German about beer during Oktoberfest was an interesting choice. Sheri shared that they took the delegation to J. Gilligan’s, a local restaurant and bar, where many of the delegations’ younger members wanted to order Lone Star Beer because it sounded Texan. Apparently it took some convincing to get them to have Shiners instead.
The Bürgermeister suggested that if any Rotarian ever finds themselves in Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld, be sure to mention that you are from Arlington, Texas. They will raise the Arlington flag during your stay.
Barry presented the Bürgermeister with a book to be signed by the entire Bad Königshofen delegation. Rotary will donate the signed book to the Webb Elementary School library in honor of the presentation.
Tom Ware gave a Last Laugh. While most Rotarians gave Tom a polite chuckle, Bonnie Harris noted that she loved the joke. (There's no accounting for taste.)
Barry thanked our guests and everyone else for attending the meeting and for helping make the presentation possible. He then led the club in the Four Way Test and adjourned the meeting. Signigficantly, he was actually able to say “if there is nothing more for the good of Rotary” correctly for the first time!
Prost Y’all!
Barry's Bulletin
