MONROE - A group of residents eager to retain roots to Switzerland has enhanced their efforts with some holiday greetings spanning across the pond.
Bobbie Bernet is one of those people, and happily joined in with others at Turner Hall recently to send personalized Christmas cards to residents in Langnau, Switzerland.
Bernet said the idea for Christmas cards came as an extra incentive to retain an informal partnershipwith Langnau, a city of roughly 9,000 residents nestled among forests and farmland. The goal of the friendship between two different countries is for residents to gain enrichment and the benefit of knowing others from the Swiss culture.
"It is an effort to strengthen ties and forge new ties in Switzerland," Bernet said.
In 2013, Bernet and her husband Hans visited the city with Monroe mayor Bill Ross and his wife Marilyn; later that year, a group on a tour sponsored by Turner Hall also visited. Last year, Monroe Clinic CEO Mike Sanders and his wife Norah, along with Monroe residents Paul and Sue Barrett visited, and this September, another group from Turner Hall returned.
"One of the things that makes Monroe special is the tie to our Swiss heritage," Bernet said. "It's an effort to have opportunities for adults to meet other adults from the country."
In total, the group will send out 35 to 40 Christmas cards. They plan to also send a pack of decorated cards to a representative on the Langnau city council who will show display them at their city hall.
Bobbie Bernet is one of those people, and happily joined in with others at Turner Hall recently to send personalized Christmas cards to residents in Langnau, Switzerland.
Bernet said the idea for Christmas cards came as an extra incentive to retain an informal partnershipwith Langnau, a city of roughly 9,000 residents nestled among forests and farmland. The goal of the friendship between two different countries is for residents to gain enrichment and the benefit of knowing others from the Swiss culture.
"It is an effort to strengthen ties and forge new ties in Switzerland," Bernet said.
In 2013, Bernet and her husband Hans visited the city with Monroe mayor Bill Ross and his wife Marilyn; later that year, a group on a tour sponsored by Turner Hall also visited. Last year, Monroe Clinic CEO Mike Sanders and his wife Norah, along with Monroe residents Paul and Sue Barrett visited, and this September, another group from Turner Hall returned.
"One of the things that makes Monroe special is the tie to our Swiss heritage," Bernet said. "It's an effort to have opportunities for adults to meet other adults from the country."
In total, the group will send out 35 to 40 Christmas cards. They plan to also send a pack of decorated cards to a representative on the Langnau city council who will show display them at their city hall.