GAYLORD -- Gaylord residents Trisha and David Chandler’s November visit to Pontresina, Switzerland has spurred interest among city officials in Gaylord and its European counterpart of more engagement between the sister cities.

New relations between Gaylord and Pontresina could include a chef exchange program during Alpenfest and assistance to Pontresina with developing its growing golf industry, all aided by liaison Trisha Chandler, a Switzerland native.

Bearing a bag of gifts -- which included a stuffed ibex mountain goat, Pontresina golf balls and spa supplies -- from Pontresina mayor Martin Aebli to Gaylord mayor Gladys Solokis and city council, Chandler shared Monday the wishes of Pontresina officials to reopen the lines of communication originally established in 1965 when the two cities declared themselves sisters.

“Basically the message from Pontresina is we can build up the relations between the communities,” she said, relaying the message from Mayor Aebli and Thomas Kirchhofer, managing director of Pontresina’s tourist board, whom she was introduced to through a surprise from her brother during her visit. “We (Pontresina and Gaylord) are not big cities, we are in the shadows of other major cities. We don’t have to become glamorous, just strengthen our own relationships with one another.”

Chandler also said, while Gaylord has the Pontresina stone on the courthouse lawn, there is nothing in Pontresina to represent its sister city.

“We have to look at what we can bring to Pontresina and how we can represent Gaylord there,” she said.

Councilman Pat Mankowski suggested the city appoint Chandler as liaison between the two cities, a title which, she said, she would gladly accept.

“I don’t know what to say, but I’d be very, very willing,” she said. City Manager Joe Duff said he’d follow up on that suggestion.

“I think we’re starting an exciting time in the city,” Duff said.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had that close relationship,” Mayor Solokis added. “I think we owe it to the chamber and the city to do something to renew what Harold Elgas did so many years ago.” The late Elgas was the former president of Gaylord State Bank and was a major force behind Gaylord’s adoption of the Alpine motif.

Chandler was born and raised in Canton (state) of Aargau in northern Switzerland. Pontresina is located in Canton of Grison, the largest and easternmost part of the country.

Pontresina's Web site can be viewed here.

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