2006
Dear Family Members,
We cordially invite all of you to join us on Saturday and Sunday, June 10th and June 11th, 2006 in El Campo, Texas, for the 26th Biennial Reunion of the Hoelscher – Buxkemper Family.
It is a great honor to belong to such a large and unique family. We all need to be involved in helping to make this and keep this the “Biggest Family Reunion in Texas”.
This year, for the first time, our reunion will be held in El Campo, Texas at the El Campo Civic Center, 2350 North Mechanic Street, El Campo, Texas 77437. Parking is free. We will have an area across the street form the Civic Center where self-contained campers can park. It is NOT an RV park, (no hook ups) just a friend with plenty of room.
A Schedule of activities and the registration form are enclosed. In order to plan and prepare for the best reunion possible, we truly need your help, by PRE-REGISTRATION and PRE_PAYMENT which we need by or before May 10, 2006. Changes may be made until May 15, 2006 by telephone or e-mail. Lodging accommodations must be made directly by you and your family. We do stress the importance of pre-registration but we want everyone to join us for the reunion, so please know that if for some reason you do not pre-register and decide you want to come, please come. You can call or e-mail us to let us know.
The 2006 activities will include the usual, visiting, meals, dancing, etc. We will also have the following:
DISPLAY AREA will be open except during the dance and the Mass. We encourage you to bring your old family photos and other mementos to share with the family. Please make sure your items are clearly marked with your name and phone number so we can be sure it is returned to you. Also, please note on the item(s) the family they pertain to and a little history. Our family historian will be bringing the family scrapbooks.
COMINO TOURNAMENT Saturday @3 p.m. A special area will be set up for you to play 42 and straight dominoes. Prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
CHILDREN’S AREA Saturday The Civic Center has a wonderful fenced and gated area for the children to play safely. The area will be supervised at all times. There will be several clowns available to entertain them. We will also have two “Bouncy” moon walk type play structures available. There will also be coloring books and card games.
El Campo Museum of Natural History is inside the Civic Center and it will be open on Saturday. Admission is free.
SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT A surprise for your enjoyment is being planned. If anyone in the family sings or plays an instrument and would like to share your talents with the family, please contact Delores Priesmeyer and she will schedule a time for you.
SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.
SILENT AUCTION Saturday from opening until dance begins. High bidders will be announced during the dance. We already have some great items coming in. You are welcome to bring an item for the silent auction if you would like.
RAFFLE Our beautiful quilt has been hand made by family members, Mrs. Hattie Mahalitc form Eagle Lake. She is 93 years old. We also have a beautiful mahogany door, a handmade western mirror and a “Crown of Thorns” picture. You do not want to miss out on these great prizes. The winners will be drawn during the family meeting on Sunday.
DOOR PRIZES We will be giving out door prizes throughout the reunion, both days. They are going to be unique gifts for you to enjoy. You must be present to win a door prize.
SOUVENIRS We will be selling souvenirs as usual. This year you will have a chance to buy the usual items as in previous years as well as the new things we have picked out. We know that you will be please.
SNACK BAR The eight grade class form St. Philips Catholic School along with their parents will have a concession stand available through out the weekend. They will be selling snacks and drinks. They will have beer and wine available for purchase all day on Saturday. They plan on having a large variety of snack items for your pleasure. For Saturday early birds, those arriving before 1 p.m. we will try to have some sandwiches available for lunch. We will be helping to support our local Catholic School.
MISCELLANEOUS We are trying to find someone to video for us, especially at the Mass on Sunday.
FAMILY TOUR Planned for Friday, June 9th, 2006. Details are enclosed.
SUNDAY MASS This year our Mass will be a Polka Mass. Music will be provided by the Dujka Brothers. As in the past, all clergy and religious from the family have been invited to participate in the Mass. It is going to be a wonderful experience. We know you will enjoy it.
If you have any questions or need further information about anything pertaining to the reunion, please contact one of us and we will glad to help you. Larry and Pat Hoelscher, 979-543-6831 lphoelshcer@ykc.com or larry.Hoelscher@valent.com; Reneau Gold, 979-543-6593, rrgold14k@sbcglobal.net
Relatively yours,
Larry and Pat Hoelscher
Reneau Gold
Chairment of the 2006 Hoelscher – Buxkemper Family Reunion
Family Tours June 9th, 2006
Arrangements have been made for anyone attending the Hoelscher-Buxkemper Reunion to tour the area where the Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family first landed. Someone will be present from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the gravesite of Anton Hoelscher, Sr., the original log house of Anton, Jr., the homestead of Theodore & Elizabeth Hoelscher Buxkemper and others, as well as the graves of Anton, Jr., and William Hoelscher. You may also wish to visit graves of third and fourth generation family. A map of the area together with driving directions can be obtained from any of the Board of Directors. All areas will be clearly marked. You will also be able to view the new marker that tells about the families coming to the United States. The marker was the idea of Leonard Buxkemper and will be erected through the generosity of the Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family.
Two driving tours have been arranged for Friday June 9th at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. from Hruskas’ Store in Ellinger. Their phone number is (979) 378-2333. They are located on State Hwy 71. You may make the tour on your own also. You will need to pick up the map and the directions from Hruskas’ Store. Just a note: Hruskas’ has a wonderful bakery with kolaches, cinnamon rolls, noodles, etc. It is a great place to pick up a snack.
Painted Churches
Information can be obtained from the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce. Their number is (832) 743-4514. They can mail you the information so you can plan your day in advance. You can also pick it up at Hruskas’ Store in Ellinger. The tour includes 7 churches.