Löhne, Germany

In 1994 Löhne, Germany became a sister city of Columbus, Indiana. This relationship was established to foster ties between the two similarly sized cities. Perhaps the major interest was due to a large percentage of the population and surrounding areas having ancestors who emigrated from this same region in Northern Germany.

Bryan C. Bailey presenting the Columbus City Flag he designed to Bürgermeister Werner Hamel. Also pictured are Donna and John Sasse.

Christina Albani, Friedel Buenz, & Donna Sasse at sister-city dinner honoring 10-year relationship between Loehne and Columbus October 2003

Bjoern Mueller, Thomas Tacke, Julian Becker, and Jan-Eike Ussling of Loehne were exchange students at Columbus East and Columbus North High Schools in April 2003

This secret was unlocked in April 1989 when Hans-Günter Lichte and his wife Edith came to Columbus in search of descendants from her great-grandfather Scheidt. Family members were found buried in the cemetery of St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clifty.

Bryan C. Bailey, Bürgermeister Werner Hamel, and Lori Bailey

Once the connection was made, groups led by Hans-Günter Lichte of Löhne and Arthur Schwenk of Columbus began to visit back and forth. Also, a student exchange program was developed by Columbus North High School with the high school in Löhne.

John and Donna Sasse greeting Karl and Anneliese Meier who have stayed in Columbus homes on two occasions

The two cities were united in a partnership that bonded cultural and religious similarities.

John and Donna Sasse with student exchange son Eiki Ussling

John Sasse, Edith Lichte, Donna Sasse, Eiki Ussling , and Pastor Reinhart & Jutta Meyer at St. Simeon Church, mother church of St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clifty outside Columbus

John Sasse, Peter Kortemeyer, Martin Lichte, and Joerg Krueger at Nolte Kitchen Factory Display in Loehne (Peter, Martin, Joerg, and Donna Sasse are all members of the same Scheidt Family Tree)

Miyoshi, Japan

Miyoshi, Japan is the second sister city of Columbus, Indiana. Our relationship began July 5, 1994 with the signing of a cultural partnership agreement by Mayor Bob Stewart and Mayor Michio Tsukamoto. The formal resolution for the twinning is Number 30, 1994.

Back Row: Laura Moses-CAPCO, Dick Yamamoto-CAPCO, Hisatoshi Tsugu-Director of Miyoshi Intnl Association. Front Row Seated: Tomohide Kuno-Mayor of the town of Miyoshi, Fred Armstrong-Mayor of the city of Columbus.

Kathi Armstrong at a cooking class in Miyoshi

Neighboring Miyoshi is Toyota, home of Toyota Motor Company. Aside from having similar industries, Columbus and Miyoshi are the same size.

Michelle Critzer and Lori Bailey visiting with school principals.

Miyoshi's introduction to the Columbus community began with business introductions of Gerry Seim and Dick Yamamoto. Family exchanges formalized into community, student, teacher, and friendship programs at both locations. Additionally, Rotary Clubs played a part in the early years. Exchanges have developed at many levels- not just economic. In recent years an all female exchange occurred between the two cities.

Lori Bailey with schoolgirls exchanging words and letters.

Hundreds of cherry trees growing in Columbus and the sidewalk bricks of the downtown Friendship Alley have been donated to Columbus from our sister city.

Cherry blooms are the most popular flower in Japan.

Lori Bailey works with school children in a Miyoshi elementary school.

Columbus Mayor Fred Armstrong and Miyoshi Mayor Tomohide Kuno continue the bond of friendship and business.

Mayor Kuno

Mayor Kuno with a family who's baby is the 50,000th citizen of Miyoshi.

Group from Columbus visiting Mioshi during a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.