Company seeks volunteers; uncertain future of windmills in Büttgen.
Revamped and Refreshed:
Hear ye, Hear ye! The Brauns Mill Support Association is in a tight spot, ya hear? Over the past 25 years, this historic windmill has been our pride and joy, a landmark that draws folks from far and wide. From April to October, our cozy café's a hit amongst cyclists, and visitors dig a good dose of mill tech info from our knowledgeable guides. But, with the wind 'a-changin', we're facing some major hurdles.
Membership's droppin', helpers are graying, and the costs for maintenance ain't cheap. The real kicker? Key board members, some of 'em originals from day one, are callin' it quits. Dieter, Anne, Heinrich, and our chairman Ansgar—they're marchin' towards retirement. And Ansgar, only 56 and one of the young guns, is worried. "We've tried to rally support, but so far, no luck," he says.
Volunteering's flexible, alright? Whether you got a hankerin' for baking up treats for the café, serving behind the counter, or tending the garden, there's a spot for you. "Doesn't matter if you can only spare a day or two a month, or you show up just for events," Ansgar explains. "Buddy, even a shooting club or an association could man the counter or grill stand at an event. That'd be a huge help!"
Running the windmill itself is a bit more demanding, but we've got folks like Patrick and Peter, who've kept her spinnin' for years. With their departures just around the corner, we'reNeedin' some newbies trainin' as windmill guides to show visitors the ropes, literally. On a good day, we get 200 curious cat visitors, and for events, even 1,000 or more!
But what we're after are supporters willing to join our board of directors, to help keep the Brauns Mill dream a reality.
If we don't find fresh blood, the association might need to weigh the pros and cons of continue its operation. And that'd be a real shame, says board member Birgit Toepel. "Imagine the windmill's sails, a symbol of our journey, ceasing to flutter? Our motto, 'Brauns Mill – a path worth treading,' might as well be a dead end!"
Our board team urges, "Don't hesitate to drop one of us a line! We're all ears and eager to discuss how you can lend a hand in keepin' the Brauns Mill dream alive."
Give Ansgar a ring at 0172/7 09 99 39, Birgit at 0176/34 94 34 94, or Frank at 0171/2 99 67 45. Together, we'll ride this wind, and keep those sails turnin'!
- To maintain the operational continuity of the Brauns Mill, the Association strongly encourages individuals to adopt a voluntary lifestyle by joining the board of directors and offering their time for various home-and-garden responsibilities, such as baking, serving, or tending the garden, as well as training to become windmill guides.
- Additionally, for those with a passion for community preservation, their involvement in Board-level decision-making can be a pivotal stepping stone in ensuring the long-term lifestyle commitment to keeping the historic Brauns Mill thriving, thereby eternally waving the symbolic sails of relentless progress embraced by the mill's motto, "Brauns Mill – a path worth treading."
