Simon has just learnt that he has been neglecting one of his many duties as Mesner; that of 'Wetterläuten', ringing the church bells long and loud when bad weather is on the way. These days insurance companies protect themselves against hefty claims by sending text messages to their insured when bad weather is on the way, anyone else looks out the window and ringing bells just seemed unnecessary. But we were mistaken in thinking that Wetterlaüten is just an early warning system. Wetterlaüten, apparently, prevents storms. When storm clouds gather, the noise of the bells shakes up the atmosphere and dispels the clouds,(a more scientific explanation was not available). If Simon had done his duty, Maria Alm would not have suffered quite so terribly in the recent floods, storms and hailstorms, and he could have expected 'Laütergarben' a gift of wheat and oats from the farmers as thanks for protecting their harvests. This tradition fell out of favour somewhat in 1709 when the Messner of Bergheim rang the bells whenever a cloud appeared in the sky, day or night, the farmers withheld the Laütergarben, even though he had worked so hard for it, and it all ended in a big fight.
