Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Saturday, December 02, 2006

Rollingstone feels like home to ambassador

By David Krotz / Winona Daily News

When Luxembourg’s ambassador to the U.S. Joseph Weyland saw the hills and valleys near Rollingstone, Minn., Friday, he thought of home. He understood why Luxembourg settlers chose this area to start a new life in the mid-19th century.

When he saw the Marnach house near Whitewater State Park, built in 1858 by one of those settlers, Weyland thought of his uncle’s farm where he used to visit when he was four years old. The old hand pump was the trigger that brought back memories, he said.

Weyland was appointed ambassador a year ago today and thinks it’s important for him to get away from Washington, D.C., to see other areas, to hear what people are thinking. He was especially pleased to accept the invitation of Rollingstone Luxembourg Heritage Museum director Jean Kalmes. Weyland also will visit Luxembourg communities in Iowa on his trip.

“It’s a discovery,” he said. “It’s very moving to see how they relate to where they are coming from.”

Since Kalmes and other volunteers formed the museum in 1987, they have established solid links to the home country. Rollingstone has established a sister city relationship with Bertrange, Luxembourg, and exchange visits have been going on for years.

This summer two busloads of Luxembourgers came.

Jean Kalmes, right, gives Luxembourg Ambassador Joseph Weyland a tour of the Rollingstone Luxembourg Heritage Museum Friday. It was Weyland's first visit to the area being appointed ambassador to the United States one year ago. (Photo by David Krotz of the Winona Daily News)

Kalmas has four pen pals, and one has sent about 1,000 items for the museum over the years.

Rollingstone Mayor Richard Gaffron helped welcome the ambassador and his entourage and was among those seated at the head table when they dined at Bonnie Rae’s café.

The visit and the museum are important in maintaining the heritage of the community into the future, he said.

“It’s really a treasure that we have something like this,” Councilman Fran Hengel said. “Most small towns don’t have a museum. So many things get lost if someone doesn’t preserve them.”

“Luxembourg is so small you’ve got to be proud you came from there,” said James Clemens of Eyota, who is president of the Luxembourg-American Society.

Being a small country surrounded by Germany, Belgium and France has created a special character in the Luxembourgers, Weyland said. That led his country to be one of six that began creating the European Union in 1957.

“After World War II, everyone realized something had to be done to stop all the fighting. We were always aware we had to find a solution,” Weyland said.

As a result of the European Union, Luxembourg has evolved from a rural area into a modernized partner with all Europe.

“We have been massively impacted,” he said.

Contact reporter David Krotz at dkrotz@winonadailynews.com or call (507) 453-3524.