The borough celebrated the 25th anniversary of its sister-city partnership with Stegersbach, Austria, at an afternoon ceremony at Municipal Park. 

More than 100 people, including borough officials and senior citizens of Austrian decent, gathered to rededicate the sister-city monument, listen to polka music and eat Austrian food. 
The black granite monument was dedicated in 1990 by former Mayor Paul Kutzler. It is in a small alcove of the park along Laubach Avenue, surrounded by flowers and benches. Mayor Thomas Reenock proclaimed Saturday "Sister Cities Day in Northampton", and state Rep. Julie Harhart. R-Lehigh and Northampton, presented a letter commemorating the anniversary from the state House of Representatives. 

"Across the ocean in a small Austrian town, there are families and friends doing the same thing." Harhart said.

Stegersbach, a town of 2.500 people in the state of Burgenland, is celebrating the anniversary with music, speeches and a Mass recognizing the people of Northampton this week, according to Reenock. 

Councilman Edward A. Pany, a retired history teacher, reflected on the history or immigration from central Europe to Northampton County. 

He spoke about the "massive influx" of immigrants from Austria to Northampton, Coplay and Nazareth before and after World War I. Many of the Austrian immigrants worked at cement, cigar and silk factories. 

"This is a day to reflect on the successes, trials and tribulations of our forefathers." Pany said. An accordion player led the crowd in a round of Austrian folk songs at the end of the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Josef Kroboth Orchestra and the Jonny Dee Polka Band performed, and the Northampton Fire Department served hamburgers, bratwurst and beer. Former Northampton Mayor Antony Pany met Stegersbach Mayor Alexander Pratl in Northampton 27 years ago. The two agreed that their cities should become "Sisters" in 1975.

Since then, Northampton residents have been visiting Stegersbach in exchange programs organized by Burgenländische Gemeinschaft, a worldwide Austrian organization, Reenok said. 
Most of the exchanges have been older residents going to Burgenland to see the towns from which their parents or grandparents emigrated. 

Jeff Meyer