Travel Report by Georg von der Gablentz
Dear Friends,
A few days ago I returned from my trip to Nashville. I would now like to use this opportunity to inform you of some of the most important events. On my trip I had the chance, along with Max Berrens and Doug Berry, the president of Sister Cities of Nashville, to personally meet with the new Mayor of Nashville, Karl Dean. Our meeting, which took place in City Hall, was exceedingly warm and friendly. Furthermore, I was impressed with the Mayor’s knowledge of Magdeburg and our city partnership. The Mayor himself already looks forward to many encounters with us and definitely wants to visit Magdeburg. I am certain that our future work with Mayor Dean will be very sucessful.
While we are still on the topic of Nashville Mayors, I would like to mention that I had the great pleasure of seeing Bill Purcell again. Bill gives his warmest regards to all his friends in Magdeburg. He is very satisfied with his new occupation, serving as Dean of the College of Public Service and Urban Affairs at Tennessee State University. Despite his new responsibilities he is still very interested in the city and the people of Magdeburg.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of visiting our fourth civil service volunteer of the “Andere Dienst” Program, Max Berrens, at the Martha O’Bryan Center in East Nashville. The Center is absolutely satisfied with Max’s work and is already looking forward to our new, fifth young Magdeburger, Jonas Tonn, who will take up his position there in August 2008. I would like to thank Marsha Edwards, the President of the Martha O’Bryan Center, who has continuously supported and helped develop this project.
I am especially glad to inform you that we have been able to launch a new project. In August we will send a young Magdeburger Abiturentin, Lea Gruppe, to Nashville for a gap year. Together with the PTM (Preston Taylor Ministries), a social organization, we were able to offer Lea this possibility. A big thank you to Burkley Allen and all those who have supported this project and will surely continue to support it.
Furthermore, I had the pleasure of meeting the Choirmaster and Director of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Adult and Youth Choirs. This 80-member strong-voiced choir will soon embark on a European tour. Especially exciting is that they will, on the 21st of June, 2008, visit Magdeburg and perform together with the Domchor in the Magdeburger Dom.
Finally, I would like to make you aware of a certain web site. Although Christmas is still a ways off, there is already a website up for the Nashville German Weihnachtsmarkt. At www.nashvillechristmasmarket.com, you can fetch a few Christmas impressions.
I would like to once more extend my heartfelt gratitude to Bob and Marion Bogen, whose great hospitality I was privileged to enjoy.
Yours,
Georg
Author: Georg von der Gablentz
