User:Wcblesi

The Berne,MN. Swissfest on TH.57 north of Rochester was started by a few people about 1953 of which Walter & Alice Agerter were part of the co-founders for the Swiss Bernefest. Berne,MN. was founded in 1854 and settled in 1855 of people who migrated from the New Glarus settlement of WI.The names of all these early settlers are not found in history documents.I was invited By Alice Agerter in 1976 to come and take part in their Swissfest celebration of which a presentation of all the telephone books of Switzerland could be examined for family & related names.For 11 years untill 1994 I celebrated with The books & Family Histories & Coats of Arms. In 1989 The manager put up a high fence around the Grounds & charged for entrance for the festival & charged the celebration for 3 days .In 1994 Alice Agerter was rejected from the board & a few yrs later all the Swiss were left out to serve. About 2006 a new manager or President for the Swissfest was elected so that there were more Swiss members to serve on the committee.I remember when Mrs.Lucy Beck did wonderfull sissor-cuttings of which She lost her eyesight and had to quit.She gave 10% of what She sold of Which I had no items to sell which is why I was removed in spite of the fact I had a great drawing card to attract people.So the Berne SWiss Fest thrives on to this day. Resctfully submitted. Wayne C. Blesi- Historian.