Fremont, Paraguay officials sign sister city accord

FREMONT - Trees in Spiegel Grove are named after presidents, justices and other historical Fremonters.

But Monday, Fremont welcomed Paraguayan constituents to Spiegel Grove on the grounds of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums as Fremont became a sister city to Villa Hayes, the Paraguayan city named after Hayes.

Hayes was the arbitrator who restored 60 percent of Paraguay's land in 1878 after the country was ravaged by a brutal six-year war in the 1860s.

Along with Paraguay's loss of land, 70 percent of the country's men were killed in the conflict with the alliance of Argentina, Uruguay Brazil.

"We thank all the women who stayed strong," Paraguay Ambassador Germán Rojas said during remarks at the museum.

Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez, Rojas and Villa Hayes Mayor Esteban Rios Ayala signed the sister city agreement, marking the first time Fremont has become a sister city.

Sanchez said he had to do some homework on the history of Hayes' hand in helping Paraguay.

"It's really a privilege to be here today," Sanchez said.

Tree No. 232 along the grounds of Spiegel Grove became immortalized Monday when Rios hammered a placard onto the tree to symbolize the two cities becoming sister cities.

Hayes Executive Director Christie Weininger said the bark hickory and oak trees were the perfect choice for the dedication because the two trees have grown together, weaving around the trunk to create a singular bond.

"We are very honored and happy to be here, that after 140 years, we are able to call Fremont our sister city," Rios said through translator Mary Figueredo, of Oak Harbor. "And we hope that relationship continues in the future."

Inside the Hayes museum, Sanchez, Weininger and Rios exchanged gifts as symbols of friendship.

Weininger gave Hayes silhouettes carved out of wood by former Fremont mayor Terry Overmyer that were set against a wood background taken from a stump from a tree on Spiegel Grove. 

Rios gave Sanchez a pen and photos of Villa Hayes, a city of 57,000. 

cshoup@gannett.com

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Twitter: @CraigShoupNH