The Stolberger Buwe playing at Grant's Farm

Posing on the steps of the Old Captiol Building in Springfield

Contest at the CVFD

The Stolberger Buwe band from Gedern played for our dance.

Ingrid Soraghan, Debbie Straub, Barbara Gundlach, Diane Hanna, Joe Bassy, and Homer Stemler

Visitors enjoying the evening at the Stemler Farm

Wide selection of food at the Stemler farm

Klaus & Irene Neunert dance at Rosie's

Members of the Gedern fire department and the Seementaler Musikanten came to celebrate the CVFD anniversary

Firefighters

Playing at the CVFD

Horse drawn wagons take the group through the countryside

View of a street in Gedern

A group gathers at Udo's in Gedern

The Gedern Verschwisterungsverein food stand

The group toured Wuerzburg

The group poses in Wuerzburg

Klaus Neunert, fire chief of Gedern, supervises the barbecue

Ingrid, Jorg, and Barbara are joined by Janice, Hanna, and Thomas Raeber

Ingrid Soraghan makes a presentation to Barbara Gundlach, Hilde Bock-Schubert, Uwe Bergheimer, Klaus Neunert and Joerg Trost on the accordian

A group of friends at the Stemler gathering

Tables on the back lawn overlooking the lake

The band poses at the Columbia Fire House

Klaus Neunert & Mike Roediger at an official firehouse presentation

Listening to the Seementaler Musikanten at the extremely hot July 4 gathering at Legion Park

Dancing the ever-popular line dance

Some of the guests and hosts at Legion Hall

A street view of Gedern

Don Sutter makes a presentation to the Gedern fire department

On the train in the iron mine.

Sebastian Stroh, Tom Korte, Sandy, Delbert, & Cindy Straub enjoying the evening at Udo's.

A view of Gedern, Germany

Ingrid Soraghan and Barbara Gundlach tap a ceremonial keg

Waiting for the ceremonial keg to be tapped

Dancing to the Zydego Crawdaddies at the Farewell Party at The Falls.

A gathering in the bar area at Legion Hall

Guests enjoy a lunch of fried chicken at the Pere Marquette Lodge.

Our German guests pose for a group photo

Enjoying the western night at the CVFD.

The Gedern visitors pose for a group photo at the Oktoberfest celebration. This gathering was an official welcome as well as a part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration in Columbia.

A group poses at the trailhead for the walking trail at the Stemler Nature Preserve.

A meeting of the Columbia and Gedern sister city boards at Turner Hall.

A committee of members decorate for the Tropical -themed farewell.

Guests and hosts gather in front of the Schloss for a group photo.

Joerg Trost plays his accordion for the guests.

Uwe Bergheimer, President, and Kevin Strerath, Vice-President, present official greetings to the Columbia Sister Cities guests.

A view of a Gedern street with distant fields and forests.

admiring a garden in full bloom

Mini-reception at the Trout Fountain with homemade spirits from Friedgard & Hansi Lenger.

Mini-reception at the Trout Fountain.

Helen Stanley with Friedgard & Hansi Lenger.

Pastor Kurt Johann welcomes the Columbia guests to his Protestant Church.

Tom & Ingrid Soraghan find their "Welcome" sign inside a local store.

Dennis Gruchala visits with Irene and Klaus Neunert.

A delicious buffet dinner was served.

Official greetings by Gedern Mayor Stefan Betz and Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm, along with Uwe Bergheimer and Andreas Heuser.

Official greetings by Columbia Councilman Mark Roessler, along with Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm, and Andreas Heuser.

The Children's Choir sings.

The altar.

The Trombone Band plays.

Guenter and Margit Birx with their guests Terry and Brenda Schramm.

Charles and Sue Kutterer with their hosts Beate and Klaus Doell.

Helen Stanley and her daughter Katie with Katie's hosts Birgit and Bernd Vonalt.

Boarding the bus to begin the trip.

The tour guide gives us a historical overview of Kulmbach.

The town square of Kulmbach.

A distant view of Plassenburg Castle in Kulmbach.

Overlooking the roof tops of homes in Kulmbach.

Lunch at an outdoor café in the town square of Kulmbach.

Beer tasting at the Kulmbach Brewery.

The Night Watchman tells tales of long-ago Bamberg.

Charming homes along the Regnitz River in Bamberg.

The muraled walls of the Old Town Hall of Bamberg.

Classic view of the Ploenlein or Little Square of Rothenburg.

City tour of Rothenburg.

An aerial view of Rothenburg with the city wall in the distance.

English teacher Maria Krahl-Mogk welcomes Columbia guests to Gesamtschule Gedern.

A teacher's work area at Gesamtschule Gedern.

The Gedern-Columbia student exchange bulletin board at Gesamtschule Gedern.

A classroom visit.

The back of Gesamtschule Gedern.

The tour guide tells us the history of the castle.

Entering the Schloss building.

Seeing the grounds of the castle.

Seeing the Russian Orthodox Church in Wiesbaden.

Overlooking the city of Wiesbaden.

Columbia and Gedern friends enjoying this outdoor excursion.

The Rhine River.

Enjoying a beautiful fall day while cruising on the Rhine River.

Medieval castles dot the landscape along the Rhine River.

A town along the Rhine.

A river cruise ship.

There's so much to see along the Rhine River.

The vineyards along the Rhine River.

Enjoying a delicious meal at the Drosselhof Restaurant in Ruedesheim along the Rhine River.

Kevin Strerath - our driver and tour guide.

Getting on our protective gear.

Pausing for a group photo at the underground Kristallbar.

Traveling the underground paths in the tram.

The underground salt mines have been the venue for concerts, performances and races.

Members of both Boards toast to a successful visit and continued partnership!

Diane Hanna takes minutes while Uwe Bergheimer conducts the meeting.

Members of both boards gather for a group photo.

Everyone enjoys the delicious buffet dinner.

A salute to the American guests.

Time to come back for seconds.

Guests and hosts gather for a group photo to cap off a wonderful 10-day visit to Gedern.

Two presidents - Ingrid Soraghan and Uwe Bergheimer - of Sister Cities of Columbia, IL and Verschwisterungsverein Gedern/Columbia e.V. respectively.

Guests and hosts gather in front of the Schloss for a group photo.

Joerg Trost plays his accordion for the guests.

Uwe Bergheimer, President, and Kevin Strerath, Vice-President, present official greetings to the Columbia Sister Cities guests.

A view of a Gedern street with distant fields and forests.

admiring a garden in full bloom

Mini-reception at the Trout Fountain with homemade spirits from Friedgard & Hansi Lenger.

Mini-reception at the Trout Fountain.

Helen Stanley with Friedgard & Hansi Lenger.

Pastor Kurt Johann welcomes the Columbia guests to his Protestant Church.

Tom & Ingrid Soraghan find their "Welcome" sign inside a local store.

Dennis Gruchala visits with Irene and Klaus Neunert.

A delicious buffet dinner was served.

Official greetings by Gedern Mayor Stefan Betz and Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm, along with Uwe Bergheimer and Andreas Heuser.

Official greetings by Columbia Councilman Mark Roessler, along with Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm, and Andreas Heuser.

The Children's Choir sings.

The altar.

The Trombone Band plays.

Guenter and Margit Birx with their guests Terry and Brenda Schramm.

Charles and Sue Kutterer with their hosts Beate and Klaus Doell.

Helen Stanley and her daughter Katie with Katie's hosts Birgit and Bernd Vonalt.

Boarding the bus to begin the trip.

The tour guide gives us a historical overview of Kulmbach.

The town square of Kulmbach.

A distant view of Plassenburg Castle in Kulmbach.

Overlooking the roof tops of homes in Kulmbach.

Lunch at an outdoor café in the town square of Kulmbach.

Beer tasting at the Kulmbach Brewery.

The Night Watchman tells tales of long-ago Bamberg.

Charming homes along the Regnitz River in Bamberg.

The muraled walls of the Old Town Hall of Bamberg.

Classic view of the Ploenlein or Little Square of Rothenburg.

City tour of Rothenburg.

An aerial view of Rothenburg with the city wall in the distance.

English teacher Maria Krahl-Mogk welcomes Columbia guests to Gesamtschule Gedern.

A teacher's work area at Gesamtschule Gedern.

The Gedern-Columbia student exchange bulletin board at Gesamtschule Gedern.

A classroom visit.

The back of Gesamtschule Gedern.

The tour guide tells us the history of the castle.

Entering the Schloss building.

Seeing the grounds of the castle.

Seeing the Russian Orthodox Church in Wiesbaden.

Overlooking the city of Wiesbaden.

Columbia and Gedern friends enjoying this outdoor excursion.

The Rhine River.

Enjoying a beautiful fall day while cruising on the Rhine River.

Medieval castles dot the landscape along the Rhine River.

A town along the Rhine.

A river cruise ship.

There's so much to see along the Rhine River.

The vineyards along the Rhine River.

Enjoying a delicious meal at the Drosselhof Restaurant in Ruedesheim along the Rhine River.

Kevin Strerath - our driver and tour guide.

Getting on our protective gear.

Pausing for a group photo at the underground Kristallbar.

Traveling the underground paths in the tram.

The underground salt mines have been the venue for concerts, performances and races.

Members of both Boards toast to a successful visit and continued partnership!

Diane Hanna takes minutes while Uwe Bergheimer conducts the meeting.

Members of both boards gather for a group photo.

Everyone enjoys the delicious buffet dinner.

A salute to the American guests.

Time to come back for seconds.

Guests and hosts gather for a group photo to cap off a wonderful 10-day visit to Gedern.

Two presidents - Ingrid Soraghan and Uwe Bergheimer - of Sister Cities of Columbia, IL and Verschwisterungsverein Gedern/Columbia e.V. respectively.

A stop at the Columbia Public Library and Metter Park.

A stop at the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department with a tour by Don Sutter.

A group photo at the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department.

Welcome greeting by Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson.

A group photo of the Gedern guests.

The whole group together!

First stop: Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY.

Downtown Louisville: a paddlewheeler on the Ohio River.

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory: "I won't miss the ball with this glove!" says Beate.

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

Churchill Downs: "Hmm, which horse shall I bet on?" wonders Jochen Bergheimer.

Churchill Downs - the racetrack.

Churchill Downs: and the race is on!

Churchill Downs: a group photo.

20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Dance

President Ingrid Soraghan congratulates both Sister City organizations on their 20-year relationship, as President Uwe Bergheimer, Gedern Mayor Klaus Bechtold and Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson look on.

President Uwe Bergheimer and Gedern Mayor Klaus Bechtold admire the Proclamations presented to them by Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson, President Uwe Bergheimer, Gedern Mayor Klaus Bechtold and former Columbia Mayor Lester Schneider with official City Proclamations.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson hold high the banner - a gift from Gedern to Columbia.

Dancing to the sounds of the Smash Band.

Dancing to the sounds of the Smash Band.

Enjoying the music of the Sofa Kings.

A group photo of the Gedern guests.

Enjoying a friendly game of washers.

"I'm getting the hang of this washers game," says Wilfried Diehl.

Welcome greetings by Miss Monroe County Fair Queen Jana Steibel, Little Miss Emma Day and Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm.

A group photo of the Gedern guests.

The game booths.

Buffalo Trace Distillery

A guided tour of the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Buffalo Trace Distillery: touring the packing plant.

Buffalo Trace Distillery: seeing the small batch processing plant.

Buffalo Trace Distillery: Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon with collector's horse and jockey stopper.

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery: Bourbon aging in oak barrels.

Downtown Louisville along the banks of the Ohio River.

Downtown Louisville: 4th Street Live!

Downtown Louisville: 4th Street Live!

Downtown Louisville: 4th Street Live!

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory: "This is my kind of bat!" says Bernd to his brother Andreas.

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.

Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs racetrack.

Barb Miller and Faye Williams collecting tickets.

Tree Planting at Columbia City Hall

Planting of the new redbud tree in 2013 to commemorate the 20-year friendship between Gedern and Columbia.

Whole group gathering near the newly-planted redbud tree.

"I have come on every official visit to Columbia!" says Gederner Norbert Greb with pride.

Guests and hosts gather to get ready for the trip home to Gedern.

Farewell to our friends in Columbia. See you in 2015!

Farewell to all our friends! What a grand time we had in Columbia!

Welcome greetings by owner Joe Koppeis.

"Ganz toll!" says Maic Neunert.

Owner Joe Koppeis explains the refrigeration process of the underground caves.

Carol Womack and Sue Patton enjoy the tour.

Gedern Mayor Klaus Bechtold visiting with Barbara Gundlach.

Brothers Andreas and Bernd Kroell are enjoying the tour.

Dave Silva enjoys visiting with his guests Renate and Heiko Bergheimer.

Lucia Ryan rests her feet as Klaus and Beate Doell look on.

Laurie Grubb enjoys visiting with her guests Heinz and Astrid Grundl.

"I didn't need this jacket after all," says Diane Silva to Karola and Ted Mayer.

Guests and hosts gather in front of the Schloss for a group photo.

Joerg Trost plays his accordion for the guests.

Uwe Bergheimer, President, and Kevin Strerath, Vice-President, present official greetings to the Columbia Sister Cities guests.

A view of a Gedern street with distant fields and forests.

admiring a garden in full bloom

Mini-reception at the Trout Fountain with homemade spirits from Friedgard & Hansi Lenger.

Mini-reception at the Trout Fountain.

Helen Stanley with Friedgard & Hansi Lenger.

Pastor Kurt Johann welcomes the Columbia guests to his Protestant Church.

Tom & Ingrid Soraghan find their "Welcome" sign inside a local store.

Dennis Gruchala visits with Irene and Klaus Neunert.

A delicious buffet dinner was served.

Official greetings by Gedern Mayor Stefan Betz and Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm, along with Uwe Bergheimer and Andreas Heuser.

Official greetings by Columbia Councilman Mark Roessler, along with Miss Vulcania, Jennifer Klehm, and Andreas Heuser.

The Children's Choir sings.

The altar.

The Trombone Band plays.

Guenter and Margit Birx with their guests Terry and Brenda Schramm.

Charles and Sue Kutterer with their hosts Beate and Klaus Doell.

Helen Stanley and her daughter Katie with Katie's hosts Birgit and Bernd Vonalt.

Boarding the bus to begin the trip.

The tour guide gives us a historical overview of Kulmbach.

The town square of Kulmbach.

A distant view of Plassenburg Castle in Kulmbach.

Overlooking the roof tops of homes in Kulmbach.

Lunch at an outdoor café in the town square of Kulmbach.

Beer tasting at the Kulmbach Brewery.

The Night Watchman tells tales of long-ago Bamberg.

Charming homes along the Regnitz River in Bamberg.

The muraled walls of the Old Town Hall of Bamberg.

Classic view of the Ploenlein or Little Square of Rothenburg.

City tour of Rothenburg.

An aerial view of Rothenburg with the city wall in the distance.

English teacher Maria Krahl-Mogk welcomes Columbia guests to Gesamtschule Gedern.

A teacher's work area at Gesamtschule Gedern.

The Gedern-Columbia student exchange bulletin board at Gesamtschule Gedern.

A classroom visit.

The back of Gesamtschule Gedern.

The tour guide tells us the history of the castle.

Entering the Schloss building.

Seeing the grounds of the castle.

Seeing the Russian Orthodox Church in Wiesbaden.

Overlooking the city of Wiesbaden.

Columbia and Gedern friends enjoying this outdoor excursion.

The Rhine River.

Enjoying a beautiful fall day while cruising on the Rhine River.

Medieval castles dot the landscape along the Rhine River.

A town along the Rhine.

A river cruise ship.

There's so much to see along the Rhine River.

The vineyards along the Rhine River.

Enjoying a delicious meal at the Drosselhof Restaurant in Ruedesheim along the Rhine River.

Kevin Strerath - our driver and tour guide.

Getting on our protective gear.

Pausing for a group photo at the underground Kristallbar.

Traveling the underground paths in the tram.

The underground salt mines have been the venue for concerts, performances and races.

Members of both Boards toast to a successful visit and continued partnership!

Diane Hanna takes minutes while Uwe Bergheimer conducts the meeting.

Members of both boards gather for a group photo.

Everyone enjoys the delicious buffet dinner.

A salute to the American guests.

Time to come back for seconds.

Guests and hosts gather for a group photo to cap off a wonderful 10-day visit to Gedern.

Two presidents - Ingrid Soraghan and Uwe Bergheimer - of Sister Cities of Columbia, IL and Verschwisterungsverein Gedern/Columbia e.V. respectively.

A stop at the Columbia Public Library and Metter Park.

A stop at the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department with a tour by Don Sutter.

A group photo at the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department.

Welcome greeting by Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson.

A group photo of the Gedern guests.

The whole group together!