Dear Burgenländers & Friends,

It is such a nice feeling at this time of year to reflect on the past year and think with anticipation about the New Year just beginning. This year, as „Miss Brüderschaft der Burgenländer“, these feelings are particularly strong. What an exciting year I had – so much to be thankful for!
I am so happy to have the opportunity to be „Miss Brüderschaft der Burgenländer“, and to directly connect with my Burgenland heritage and family roots. By visiting and touring Burgenland over this past summer, I learned so much and gained a deep appreciation for the history, culture and warmness of the people. Many thanks again to the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft for being so supportive! Everyone I met was so friendly and made me feel “at home”.

I truly appreciate everything that was done for me by Dr. Walter Dujmovits and the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft to make me feel so welcome in Burgenland. It began with a tour of the Auswanderermuseum in Güssing. It was very interesting to see the collection of photos and artifacts, especially those showing the life of Burgenländers in America. Then my experiences continued with a wonderful acknowledgement and beautiful bouquet of flowers at the Auslandsburgenländertreffen - Picnic in the Weinmuseum in Moschendorf. The day was most enjoyable, and I met so many fellow Burgenländers from all over the world, and so many relatives and family friends (picture page 10)!

The special festivities continued with a most memorable bus trip through the Burgenland country-side. Many thanks to Erwin Weinhofer, Walter Dujmovits Jr., and Eduard Nicka for taking the time to give us a personal guided tour. First was our visit to the Edelserpentinmuseum in Bernstein. I learned that Bernstein is the world’s only place to find the precious green serpentine gem stone, similar to Chinese jade, but rarer. The Bernstein mine tour, with depictions of the extraction and shaping of the green stone, was quite appropriate for me as it just so happens that I took a course in Geology in my studies at the University of Connecticut. Also very interesting in Tatzmannsdorf was our tour of the lavish new Burgenland spa, the Avita Thermen Wellness Hotel. Burgenland’s new five star resorts served to show a distinct contrast to the historical structures we saw in the Freilichtmuseum. My walk through the open-air museum made me feel displaced in time, as if I were suddenly back in a bygone period of Burgenland history. I felt connected to a past I never knew. These were my roots, and as I entered an old thatched farmhouse, I could picture myself living among my ancestors in the simplicity of the 1800’s.

The culmination of the day was the Weintaufe at the Buschenschank Magaditsch in Deutsch-Ehrensdorf. The “Miss Leora” wine and the beautiful necklace truly made me feel like a queen. What an honor! Everyone’s kindness, time, generosity, and good wishes made my visit such a wonderful memory.

I am so happy that I finally had the chance to visit Burgenland. Now, the stories I so often heard about the beauty and rich culture of Austria have become a reality for me. Visiting the country-side and attractions of Burgenland made me appreciate such a wonderful land, the land of my heritage. Although I was born in New York, second generation, I appreciate the importance of remaining close to our Burgenland tradition for future generations to come. I am thankful that these feelings were always encouraged by my grandmother, Rosalia (Stoicsits) Zach, born in Reinersdorf, and my grandfather, Alois Zach, born in Gerersdorf.

Thank you again to the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft for making my visit to Burgenland one of the most memorable experiences in my lifetime. I am so honored to be Miss Brüderschaft der Burgenländer because this title means so much to me. I am very proud of my heritage, and because of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft, I have learned so much more about Burgenland. I will never forget it! Hopefully, I will be able to visit Burgenland again soon in the coming years, and as promised, speak more German next time!

I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings, along with my wish for a happy and healthy New Year 2006 to all the readers of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft Zeitung, members of the Brüderschaft der Burgenländer, and all my relatives in the U.S.A. and in Austria. Ich wünsche allen Lesern der Burgenländische Gemeinschaft Zeitung, Brüderschaft der Burgenländer Mitglieder, und meine Verwandten in U.S.A. und Österrreich, ein glückliches und gesundes Neues Jahr 2006!
 

Mit lieben Grüssen, Leora Zach