MONTHLY HIGHHOLDER
September 2004
Vol. 3 Issue 9
2004 Salnau and Schonau Reunion
Klaffer, Austria
REPORT BY FRED G. SCHROEDER
Thoughts about the Heimat Treffens – Re-union of the
former Citizens from the Parishes Salnau and Schönau.
The
reunion takes place every 2 years, (even number) end of July in Klaffer, am
Hochficht, Austria, the Sister City of Salnau, and in Salnau im Böhmerwald,
( Bohemian Forest ).
It is
always an emotional affair for the remaining citizens, which are fewer and fewer
every year.
They
shed a few tears, for the lost homeland, which they had to leave many years ago
For
most of them, including me, it was a very hard, rough beginning for years in the
new homeland. There was practically little food, jobs were difficult to find.
However,
if you look on the bright side now, for us, the younger generation it was a way
for a better future. Most of us have done well with hard work, and provided also
a better future for our children.
When
you look back over the years, back to 1800, how many people had to leave. There
was no work for them, no future, only one member of a family could establish a
family in a house, except one which remained single. How many went to America,
Wisconsin and Minnesota? At one time at the end of the 1800's, about half the people
of the village of Hirschbergen, including
15 of my family members left for America.
 |
Forester Haus in Hirschbergen, 2004 | Fred Schroeder |
I did
participate in the reunion this year. It was an excellent affair, the outdoor
mass in Klaffer was beautiful, with a wreath placement, as was the mass
in Salnau performed with 4 Priests, 2 Austrian, 2 Czechs, and the Music Corps
from Klaffer, and the singing group from Bietingheim- Bissingen from Baden Würtenberg,
performing at both masses.
 |
Mass in Salnau church, 2004 | Fred Schroeder |
A church yard service was made at the large cross after the Mass with a wreath placement. A problem that is occurring is that some pictures and other items are disappearing from the church.
 |
Franz Schäger placing a wreath in Salnau cemetery, 2004 | Fred Schroeder |
After
the church service in Salnau there was plenty refreshments available. It is
generally about 20- 30% cheaper in the Czech Republic including gasoline.
In the
afternoon the buses made trips to the adjoining former villages, many of them
leveled even, whole villages not visible anymore.
The
forest takes over, in years to come many of the areas will be forest again.
I took
a flight with Delta Airlines from Baltimore which is closer to me, (but the trip
takes 3 hrs. longer.)
To
Atlanta, Ga., and from there to Stuttgart, Germany. The air fare was expensive.
I
usually rent a car, but this time I went with the advertised Spillmann Bus Line
from Bietingheim, which is close to Stuttgart to Klaffer and back. ( 90 Euro ).
It’s
a good deal. It’s a lot cheaper than a Rental Car.
A
rental car for 5 days € 270,
Gasoline € 1.16 a Liter
It was
a 4 day trip. The hotel room was € .27
a day with breakfast, a dinner from € .5-8. The room was exceptionally clean, the breakfast selection was
great.
The landscape
is as beautiful in Austria as it could be, the flowers in the windows, the view
of the neatly villages.
Fred G.
Schroeder.
Next month a report on Fred's trip to the archives in Trebon
New pictures
 |
Lemberger's Tavern, Ninth and Knapp photo from Dan Radig |
 |
Lemberger's Tavern, Ninth and Knapp photo from Dan Radig |