Researching a topic as vague as seltzer has proven challenging enough. But needing to research a town in a foreign country, in a language I don’t speak, could have been impossible… if not for these amazing people.

Drew offered me the first prove that Niederselters – the source of the word “seltzer” – even existed. He showed me photos online of his visit. He also turned me to remarkable resources that existed about the town and pointed me in the direction of those there who could help me.
Most significantly, those two people have been, so far, Dr. Norbert Zabel, the town’s mayor, and his son Frank Zabel. The two have gone above and beyond the call of duty, not only answering any question I could think up but going so far as to translate documentation for me and, after doing their own research, send me a giant care package straight from heaven!
This package included a 900-page town history in German. If not for the remarkable generosity of Bill in D.C. and Angel in Germany, I would have no idea what any of it said about the hisotry of seltzer production, or the history of Jews, in Niederselters, Germany.
Finally, I needed help getting it translated… for free! Without Tamara, in Germany, and Bill, in D.C. (Courtesy of Goethe-Institut Washington) it would never have happened.
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