Visit from Tallwichita

The Visit from Tallawitchita

Bröckedde is located in the heart of Germany - where the Rhine and Danube flow into the beautiful Bröckeddesee. This is where RC Bröckedde meets in the Bröckedder Hof - every Wednesday at 1 pm in the Salon Hindenburg.

Alexander Hoffmann                                                                                                    01.07.2022

RC Bröckedde’s newest and youngest member, Friend Wurmnickel, was intrigued when he heard about the Club’s well-heeled investment banker, Friend Münzinger, maintaining his excellent attendance record by going to the Wall Street Rotary Club whilst doing business in New York; something the older members would no doubt be regaled with (yet again) on his return.

“Do you have to pay extra membership fees?” Wurmnickel asked good old President Pröpke, “What do the New Yorkers think about it?”

“Of course not,” replied the President, “everyone should visit other clubs, Rotary is a worldwide network.”

Friend Wurmnickel really took this on board and made some discreet enquiries. It seemed, however, that the globetrotting banker was something of an exception. Most Club members seemed happy to stay within the county and very much within their comfort zones. “Why bother travelling, when it’s so very pleasant here in the Bröckedder Hof?” said Friend Klüngelpütz in response.

Not so very long afterwards, the new member went on a business trip of his own to Tallawitchita in Kansas and duly called in on the local Rotary Club. “It was an amazing visit” he reported back to President Pröpke.

“How many members were there?” asked Pröpke.

“About 500” came the response.

“Rather different from our average of eight”, sighed the President, “How many in the club?”

“I was told 2517”, replied Friend Wurmnickel “and they are very interested in visiting us, they said.”

A few months later Pröpke was making his way to the Bröckedder Hof for the Wednesday meeting and was surprised to find himself in a huge crowd. There were young people everywhere, all with Rotary badges, some playing music, many with balloons and a few even dancing. In their midst, President Pröpke spotted his youngest member, Friend Wurmnickel.

“RC Tallawitchita is on a European tour and decided to drop in” said Wurmnickel cheerfully.

“What, all 2517?” asked the President.

“Since I was there, membership has increased to 3322”, replied Wurmnickel.

The weather was fine and the Bröckedder Hof gardens took on a real carnival look. Wurmnickel had been busy on his phone and every Bratwurst, kebab and beer stall the town could muster had made their way there. It was an extraordinary afternoon, a great success and President Pröpke even gave an excellent welcome speech in his very best US English. What a visit.

The following Wednesday, as Pröpke looked round the Salon Hindenburg at the normal attendance of less than a dozen, he sighed to himself, “A bit more of RC Tallawitchita would also do us all good."