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Weprowatz Association (HOG) and Weprowatz Association Executive Committee (HOA)
After “the Day of Refuge” (the day that most of the German residents decided to flee their homes in Weprowatz), there was a need to form an
association for the people whose heritage originated in Weprowatz. The goal of the Weprowatz Association (HOG) is:
a) to provide a mechanism to allow the former residents of Weprowatz and their descendents to interact and remain in contact with each
other.
b) to solicit and document the memories of the history, cultural traditions, customs, economics and the dialects of the former residents of
Weprowatz and their descendents and integrate this information into the German culture.
c) to create and maintain a museum containing information and artifacts from the Village of Weprowatz and the Batscha.
d) to issue the “Weprowatz Home News,” (the “Weprowatzer Heimatblätter” is published every year end containing articles and information
that is of interest to the former residents of Weprowatz and their descendents).
e) to work with other similar associations to achieve the above goals.
The association executive is called the Weprowatz Association Executive Committee (HOA). The Weprowatz Association Executive
Committee’s (HOA) goal is to be the central contact point for the former residents of Weprowatz and their descendents who are now dispersed all over the world.
The preceding chairmen of the Weprowatz Association Executive Committee were:
1. Krämer, Florian, teacher, *1897; 2. Schmidt, Stefan, Dr., lawyer, *1906; 3. Krämer, Adam, book seller, *1912; 4. Schmidt, Georg, bank-clerk,
*1933
It was an unhappy existence for the former residents of Weprowatz in Germany after their expulsion and forced relocation. The Weprowatz
Association’s former chairmen tried to attend to the needs and suggestions of the former residents as their main responsibility. Florian Krämer
, the first chairman, provided a great deal of the information documented in the first “Weprowatz Home Book.” Dr. Stefan Schmidt helped the
former residents after WWII make application to the German Government to receive financial compensation for the loss of their homes in Yugoslavia.
In 1972, the former residents of Weprowatz contributed DEM 10 000, to support the “House of the Donau Swabians” in Sindelfingen near
Stuttgart. The house is used by Donau Swabians to hold regular meetings and events. It also contains a library and archives and serves as a genealogical family history center.
In 1986, the Executive Committee published the “Weprowatz Home Book.” The Executive Committee Chairman at the time was Dr. Stefan
Schmidt. Klaus Straub was responsible for publishing the book.
In 1990, Georg Schmidt inaugurated the “Weprowatz Commemorative Plaque” in the honor yard at the House of Donau Swabians (Haus der
Donauschwaben). There is a small yard where memorial plaques are dedicated and displayed to the Donau Swabians and their villages of origin.
The “Weprowatz Photo Album” (text by Dr. Adam Krämer, photography reproduction by Rosi May-Rentz, publication coordination by Gerda
Ditz-Krämer) was published for sale by a small group of publishers, at their own financial risk in 1989.
In 1991, the present Weprowatz Association Executive Committee (HOA) was elected out of necessity after the dissolution of the old
Executive Committee. The former executive committee was dissolved as a result of death, illness and members personal reasons. The
remaining members and other interested association members assisted the new executive committee at the start of their term.
The following people were elected into the new Weprowatz Association Executive Committee by written ballot at the Weprowatz meeting in
Gerlingen on 4 May 1991:
Rosi Rentz-May, Andreas Rentz, Anton Weißbarth, Paul Scherer, Andreas Krämer, Anton Pollich, Konrad Schweißguth, Josef Keßler, Eva Rentz, Johann Marth and. Wendelin Pollich.
The Executive Committee was increased with the election of Gerda and Kurt Ditz. Gerda Ditz is responsible for protocol issues and Kurt Ditz
is the treasurer. Rosi May-Rentz was elected president, speaker and leader of the Weprowatz Association (HOG), but she declined the
position due to health reasons. Andreas Rentz was appointed to this position.
Some of the projected goals were achieved:
a) The Weprowatz Home Newspapers were delivered the 20th time during 2011
b) The Hometown Room was dedicated during 1995 in Zirndorf
c) The Family Book Weprowatz was published in 1998
d) This homepage was established in 2001 with the assistance of some writers
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