St. Cloud, Spalt Delegation Plant Apple Trees at City Hall

(KNSI) – St. Cloud planted three apple trees to commemorate the final day of the Spalt, Germany, delegation’s visit to the city.

The trees are located on the east side of city hall, facing 12th Avenue South. The delegation is being hosted by several families in the city. Former councilman Steve Laraway and his wife Peggy are one of them.

He talked with KNSI News about this year’s visit. “Alisa Schmidt, assistant to the mayor, and the mayor have really put together a great agenda, kind of revolving around Granite City Days. So, we did the block party, the parade, a lot of the events over at Lake George. I think they’ve had a real enjoyable time.”

Grant Dossetto KNSI News

For Laraway, it brings the connection between the sister cities full circle as they were part of a past group that made the trip over there. The Laraways hosted the same brothers who once welcomed them into their home. Laraway talks about his time in Germany.

“We went during their, I guess you’d call it a Beer Fest. And so there were parades and big tents with dancing and music and the people are so friendly. It’s just really terrific.”

Now both sides have seen the other city celebrating a festival. The groups get together every two years, except during the pandemic. They alternate between here in Minnesota and Germany. Spalt sits between Nuremburg and Munich in the country’s southern end.

Tuesday was the last full day for the delegation here, marked by the plantings. Honeycrisp apple trees were chosen as they were created by the University of Minnesota. Germany is known for its apple strudel dessert.

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