The best of 2021
The rebellious owner, a fitness center problem and a love affair of three: these are the ten most emotional stories of the past year
Our reporters discovered surprising, curious and intimate things in eastern Switzerland last year. We present ten stories that were particularly touching.
circumvent the child
Lina, 34, wanted children more than anything else in the world. But this desire did not come true for years. So I tried expensive and sometimes adventurous treatments. Martin Oswald tells the touching story of a St. Gallen mother who sacrificed everything for her desire to have children.
Rebellious hotel owner from Arbon
Gionatan Capuano has been at odds with the authorities for years. Reason: The owner of the “Red Cross” in Arbonne built two legs of his restaurant garden without a building permit. Now he is going to federal court. In a meeting with Annina Flaig, Capuano gets an insight into his inner life – and his path from bad student to successful property owner, who is also involved in a cigar factory in Costa Rica.
Ex-Swiss Airlines pilot looks back
October 2, 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of Swissair. Fritz Wirz of Torgau has been a pilot for the airline for 32 years. “You gave everything to the company, sacrificed yourself, and contributed to the good reputation of Swissair. Suddenly it was nothing anymore,” says Wirz, looking at those dramatic hours and days. He was supposed to complete his last flight in December 2001 – after which he has stored his uniform downstairs and has taken care of his family ever since. Photo of Alan Roteschueser:
caring for relatives
Urs Diener is one of 170,000 interested relatives in Switzerland. Niederteufner takes care of his Parkinson’s wife, Els, around the clock, and is supported by Spitex, but there is also help from other agencies.
Ménage à trois: the love trio of Teufen
“I think there are many who want to live in an open relationship, but don’t dare,” says a 26-year-old woman from Teufen. She shares a man with another woman and openly says that the monogamous lifestyle is not for her. The high pressure of expectations in relationships and traditional needs that one person has to fulfill – they don’t want that in their love life. Jolanda Ridner and Martin Oswald Met The Love Trio From Teofen:
Goodbye to the kebab shop
Mahmut Özdemir has run the Limon kebab shop in Linsebühl in St. Gallen for 21 years. Now finished: After health problems and a second shutdown, he decided to give up his work because: “When I was sick, I realized that it was no longer worthwhile to continue working.” When he met Sandro Buchler, he said that he now wanted to enjoy life with his family. What comes next, he does not know.
Wheelchair user condemns harassment in Romanshorn
After a brain hemorrhage, Romanschourner Sylvain Momenthaler was in a coma for three days. He’s been in a wheelchair for 13 years. Almost every day he is disturbed by the inconveniences that people with disabilities face in daily life. Stuck in train station door, bus driver scolded, slammed in shopping mall for his dog: a tour of his residence with a wheelchair user.
Reminder instead of training fitness center customers
‘I don’t know how this person can sleep in peace’: this is what a single mother of two said of the owner of the Hotshape gym chain. The company closed all branches in Switzerland, including those in St. Gallen. But clients were unable to terminate their contracts – they were bombarded with warnings and debt execution.
Globe player scandal in the Swiss provinces
The media in his native Sweden accused him of being part of a drug smuggling gang, and he was convicted of drunk driving and minor drug offenses: world champion Alexander Rudd. In August, it became known that the player of the scandal and the spectator is moving to Switzerland: to the tail club Ad Astra Sarnen. What’s behind this story and headlines about Rod? David Grob met the guy – his photo:
trader resignation record
“Music has become worthless. You can download or stream it, but many people don’t want to do that. They want to own something and hold it in their hands.” Thomas Spirig says so. However, his record store closed, yesterday, Yesterday’s music in St. Gallen in the fall – 30 years later. Now he wants to slow down a little – and spend more time with his bandmates one more time.