Veigl has long been considered a walking encyclopedia of Cullman history, particularly regarding the city ' s German heritage- a reputation he readily admits to having.
“ My dad had all of these German stories about the town and how everything is attached to everything else, so you just pick up on things," he said.
Veigl is a former chairman of Friends of Frankweiler, an organization that encourages cultural exchanges and relationships between Cullman and Frankweiler.
Veigl noted that a Friends of Cullman group exists in Frankweiler.
" In 1974, the Bürgermeister( mayor) of Frankweiler had heard that Cullman was about to celebrate the city ' s centennial,” said Veigl.“ From what I understand, he sent a congratulatory letter to the mayor of Cullman at that time, William ' Bill ' Nesmith. That eventually grew into the partnership of the sister cities.”
In 1987, Cullman Mayor Jack Sides traveled to Frankweiler, where he joined Bürgermeister Gunter Steiss in signing the official partnership document that formalized the sister-city relationship between the two communities.
Veigl was fortunate to visit Frankweiler in 2007 for the signing ' s 20th anniversary. For many years, Cullman and Frankweiler would alternate sending delegations every two years. Each host delegation would stay at the private homes of members in their respective cities.
“ The problem we have now is that the people who are participating in both cities are growing older, so we ' re in danger of losing that partnership," said Veigl.
In response, Veigl has been conferring with Ben Harrison, the current chairman of Friends of Frankweiler, to preserve the partnership.
“ One thing that Beth and I are honored to do," said Veigl, " is house visitors from Frankweiler in our short-term rental properties, just so they have a welcoming place to stay while they are here."
Veigl runs the family ' s 87-year-old rental properties business. It began as an idea to supplement his grandparents ' farm income: his grandmother, Wilhelmina, realized she had the land and the raw materials- timber- to build, and they started with a single house in 1940.
After World War II, the Veigls would build a house or two every year using timber from their nearby forest and family labor. From 1947 to 2002, they had at least one building under construction at any given time. Several of the houses still stand along U. S. 31 in the Phelan community.
“ We literally have had thousands of tenants over those 80-plus years,” said Veigl. " It was pretty much a forerunner of affordable housing businesses.”
Another business Beth and Edgar run is Edelweiss Developments. Through this venture, the Veigls look for " interesting old homes " in need of rescuing. Once a home has found them, the couple begins the process of saving its historic features while updating it for modern family lifestyles, all while keeping the original spirit and character.
The Veigls are looking forward to celebrating the 2026 Cullman Oktoberfest and Christkindlmarkt with the community. C
Previous Burgermeisters:
2025— Woody Jacobs 2024— Amy Wood 2023— Dale Greer 2022— Mike Mullaney 2021— Casey Harbin 2020— Steve Sides 2019— Steve Moore 2018— Ben Harrison 2017— John Dean 2016— Rev. John Richter 2015— Nicole Vance 2014— Vicki Karolewics 2013— Marsha Franks 2012— Nancy Moore 2011— Michael Sullins
2010— Angie Jochum 2009— Roy Drinkard 2008— Pat and Philip Clemmons 2007— Pete Misegades 2006— Ernest Hauk 2005— Judy Brown 2004— Donald Green 2003— Pat Kurtz 2002— Grady Griffin 2001— Larry Rowlette 2000— Al Grobe 1999— Herman Bergner 1998— Rev. Harold Hermetz 1997— Fred Abt 1996— Rev. Robert Kurtz
1995— Fred Hale 1994— Jane Mize 1993— Dean Misegades 1992— Otto Evers 1991— Greg Clark 1990— George Warnke 1989— Ralph Kreps 1988— Pat Clark 1987— Raymond Yost 1986— Jim Swofford 1985— Hubert Richter 1984— Ann Gregath 1983— Bob McGukin 1982— Carl Stiefelmeyer
Cullman magazine | HOLIDAY 2026
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