Mayor Accepts Gift From Coburg, Germany

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the partnership between the village of Garden City and the town of Coburg, Germany, Coburg mayor Norbert Kastner sent Garden City mayor Don Brudie the following letter just before the Christmas holiday:

In the name of the town of Coburg, I would like to cordially thank you for your gift for the 60th anniversary of the partnership between our towns of Garden City and Coburg. I enclose a photograph and the press report of the Coburg daily newspaper on the subject with this letter. Unfortunately, you were unable to visit Coburg. Let me assure you that you will be welcome here at any time. We would gladly receive you in Coburg.

We watched the pictures of hurricane Sandy on the news with horror. We are glad that there were no deaths or injuries in Garden City. The damage to houses and property is surely bad, but at least it can be repaired.

I hope that the next days will give you and the Garden City residents a chance to find some rest after these last weeks, which were surely not easy, and to end the year peacefully.

We had an aquarelle painted for you as a gift for the 60th anniversary of our towns' partnership. It shows a selection of Coburg sights. The front shows the palace courtyard with the Ehrenburg to the right, the palace garden and the Coburg "Veste," a castle reaching back to the 10th century. The Veste is one of the largest and best-maintained castles in Germany today. I am certain that you will find a good place to put it up.

I would be happy to hear from you soon or to welcome you personally to Coburg. Until then, I wish you and all residents of Garden City a calm and peaceful Christmas holidays and a successful and peaceful year of 2013.