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Farewell after 35 years: Landlord's son hands over Elias Youth Center to Hiemer!
Wolfgang Wirtensohn says goodbye after 35 years as head of the Elias youth center; Hans Hiemer will take over from November 2025.
Farewell after 35 years: Landlord's son hands over Elias Youth Center to Hiemer!
A new chapter is opening in the Elias youth center in Seifriedsberg. After more than 35 years, Wolfgang Wirtensohn is saying goodbye to his role as house manager and entering retirement. He hands over responsibility to Hans Hiemer, who will take over management from November 1, 2025. The celebratory farewell on October 30, 2025 was marked by gratitude and some melancholy. Wirtensohn, 63 years old, was positive about the support he had received from employees and companions over the years. Mercury reports that he celebrated his farewell with a symbolic gift - apples - which he compared to Thanksgiving.
Wirtensohn looks back on a successful time in which, among other things, he was responsible for the content design of around 75 orientation days for school classes. The Elias youth center has space for 120 guests and records around 22,500 overnight stays annually, mainly from school groups. After his retirement, two new positions will be created in the youth center: the position of education officer is still open, while Hans Hiemer will be taken over as the new house manager.
A change into the future
Hans Hiemer brings with him a wide range of experiences. Before his new job, he managed the St. Franziskus house in Balderschwang and worked in a printing company for 24 years. Hiemer, married and father of two adult children, is also involved in the mountain rescue service. His main tasks will include household and service planning as well as guest relations, so he will be busy right from the start.
The challenges that have arisen for the youth center in recent years as a result of the corona pandemic seem to have been overcome: Wirtensohn reported increased administrative costs, while at the same time the personnel situation is now more stable than before. This positive development gives the new leader a good feeling. The youth center has a lot to offer, especially in educational work, and Hiemer will be able to build on this.
The name Wolfgang, which is made up of the Old High German words for “wolf” and “path”, has a long history in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The first mention comes from the 8th century. The Elias youth center and its leaders fit well with this tradition of the name. Wolfgang Wirtensohn will retire as a kind of boy scout, while Hans Hiemer will continue on the path. Wikipedia has recorded a lot about the most famous bearers of the name, including the well-known Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Ultimately, it is to be hoped that the work in the Elias youth center will continue to be very popular in the coming years. Ultimately, the valuable experiences and traditions that have grown over decades always attract new and enthusiastic guests.