50 years of Hiking Friends Edelweiss: A celebration of community in Lichtenau!

50 years of Hiking Friends Edelweiss: A celebration of community in Lichtenau!

The hiking friends “Edelweiß” Lichtenau celebrated an important chapter in their club’s history last Saturday: their 50th anniversary. The festive event took place at the Gasthaus Hammer in Lichtenau, with around 100 guests gathering to celebrate this milestone. Among those present were well-known guests of honor, including the mayor of Weichering, Thomas Mack, and Horst Volkmer, honorary president of the German People's Sports Association. The atmosphere was characterized by a party mood and musical entertainment by the band “D’Wuidsaureiter”.

A highlight of the celebrations was the recognition of the club members, who were surprised with a special consumption bonus of 25 euros. Franz Königer, who has been at the head of the club for almost four decades, looked back on the history and achievements of the hiking enthusiasts in his speech. He particularly emphasized the extensive support that the association has provided to various social projects over the years. In total, more than 4,000 euros were donated to institutions such as the social station in Karlshuld or the local kindergarten.

History and crescendo of hiking enthusiasts

The founding of the association in October 1974 was a visionary step. At an annual general meeting of the “Edelweiß” Lichtenau shooting club, it was decided to set up a hiking department. The first two department heads, Martin Eichlinger and Ludwig Glöckl, were elected a few months later and thus laid the foundation for what the hiking friends are today. The enthusiasm for hiking caused the club to grow quickly, and at its best it had up to 150 members. There are currently 102 active members in the club, including the oldest member, 92-year-old Rudolf Greiner, who was honored by those present for his loyalty to the club.

The “Edelweiß” hiking enthusiasts have undertaken many impressive hikes in their history. From the shores of Lake Constance to Altötting, from vibrant Nuremberg to charming Dillingen, the club has explored numerous paths. Even multi-day hiking trips to major European cities such as Paris, Budapest and Monaco were organized until interest in these waned in recent years. Nevertheless, hiking remains a central part of club life.

Another milestone in the history of the Hiking Friends was the founding of this independent hiking group, which had to wait two years for approval for the first official hiking days. The district chairman at the time, Horst Volkmer, finally announced the longed-for date for the first hiking days in Lichtenau in October 1975. This event took place on October 2nd and 3rd, 1976, and 45 clubs registered, despite the rainy weather. This successful debut event led to the establishment of the hiking days, which are still popular today and have been held annually since then.

In its anniversary year, the club can look back on a proud record of 46 hiking days and 25 cycling days that they have organized. This tradition is an integral part of the club and a sign of the solidarity and sense of community among the members. The hiking friends “Edelweiß” Lichtenau are not only a hiking club, but also make a significant contribution to social life in the region. The members are connected by their love of nature and their sociability and look forward to many more years of shared experiences.

For a detailed look at the anniversary and the history of the club, see the current reporting on www.donaukurier.de.