April 23, 2016

On April 23 2016 I spent an amazing day in Bittkau in honour of the 150th anniversary of the birth of my grandfather, Theodore Wilhelm Vetter.

My visit to Bittkau had come about with the help of Aileen Gruß of Bittkau, who on hearing of my plan visit had organised a day full of history, walks and meeting the people who live in Bittkau.

It started off with a visit to the home of Florian Sajontz, who has gathered an amazing collection of equipment at the old blacksmith's (schmiede) in Bittkau.

There, Floirian's mother presented me with a print of Bittkau showing the Windmuhls - yes I got a tad emotional.

We started the day with a glass of champagne, a great way to celebrate a great day.

We moved on from the Blacksmith's heading towards the church where my grandfather was baptised on May 10, 1866

Here Florian informed us, myself, Aileen Gruß and Thomas Lemme, about the history of the kirche.

 It was amazing to stand beside the font, where my Urgroßeltern (great grandparents), Louis and Mathilde Vetter, had stood 150 years before.
(and yes again I got a tad emotional)

It was while we were at the Kirche that I was interviewed by Birgit Schulze, of the Stendaler Volkstimme newspaper.

Birgit also spoke with Aileen and Florian, and wrote a great article, not only telling a bit about my connection, but also about the history of Bittkau.

We then proceeded to walk around Bittkau, with Aileen and Florian, telling me about the different parts of Bittkau.

Aileen then led us out along the Rudolf-Breitscheid-Straße on the edge of Bittkau, and there we entered a paddock.  Aileen told me that this is where the windmuhl had stood that my Urgroßvater Louis had owned and worked.

I stood there and felt, and confirmed, that I had an amazing connection with Bittkau.

I had felt it all day as we walked around, but standing there confirmed why I had spent over 30 years looking for my paternal grandfather.

We then headed back to the centre of Bittkau, and went into the Gemeinde (the community hall), where Herr Bornemann and Herr Lemme, told me of the history of Bittkau, and my family's connection with Bittkau.

It was also while we were there that "Benno", the artist Benno Zollner, dropped in and within 10 minutes I had my portrait done!!!

The Gemeibde Bittkau is full of history of the village, and I could spend may hours there going through all the items and books.

The day ended with a fabulous Altmark Abendessen which was  held at the home of Astrid Triebe, and so many new friends were there too.

The day was so perfect, so unique, and meant so much to me.

A big thank you to Thomas Lemme, Ines Funke, Astrid Triebe, Florian Sajontz who helped make the day perfect, but A HUGE THANKYOU to

Aileen Gruß

who from the very beginning of first hearing of my plan to visit Bittkau made it a superb adventure.