Kelheim Kids are Back in the Area

A group of 40 some high school students from the Kelheim, Germany area are visiting Effingham County, part of an exchange that has gone on for a number of years. The group arrived on September 8 and will be returning home on September 18.

The Kelheim/Effingham County Cultural Exchange was the brainchild of Ralph Ruppel, a Vincennes, Indiana man proud of his German heritage who developed exchange programs not only with Kelheim and Effingham County, but with a number of German and American communities. While Ruppel died in 2012 at age 77, the exchange program has continued. Students from Kelheim come to Effingham County and live with host families, and then Effingham County students travel to Kelheim the following year for a similar stay. Students say the exchanges work since they stay with host families, rather than in a hotel. In addition to St. Anthony, Effingham, Teutopolis and Dieterich high schools in Effingham County, Newton Community High School in Jasper County is also involved in the exchange.

(EFFINGHAM MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER PRESENTS ST. ANTHONY KELHEIM REPRESENTATIVE KENNY THIES A CHECK FOR $1,000 FROM THE CITY IN SUPPORT OF THE KELHEIM/EFFINGHAM COUNTY CULTURAL EXCHANGE)

The Kelheim kids were guests at the Effingham Noon Rotary Club on September 13, talking about their experiences and noting the kindness and friendliness of Effingham County residents. A new treat this year was a Bavarian song-and-dance number performed by the students for Rotarians.

(THE KELHEIM STUDENTS PERFORMED A SONG-AND-DANCE NUMBER AS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR NOON ROTARIANS)

Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker, a Noon Rotarian, issued a proclamation establishing 2017 Kelheim/Effingham County Cultural Exchange Day and presenting a check from the City for $1,000 toward the work of the exchange.