2007 page 3

El Campo Reunion

By Shirley Burk

If you weren’t in El Campo, Texas on June 10 and 11, 2006, you missed out on a great time. The 27th biennial Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family reunion was attended by an estimated 715 family members and guest. The activities started on Saturday with registration, domino tournament, silent auction, which contained a wide variety of items, and visiting, along with polka music. The children were entertained by clowns, moon walk play structures and games. Reba Ott, Custodian of Records for the family, brought all the family scrapbooks for everyone to enjoy. Other family members brought various family pictures and mementos to share. A game of family bingo was fun for young and old alike as everyone tried to get their cards signed in various categories. A large variety of souvenirs were available on Saturday and Sunday. Some family members are now wearing Hoelscher-Buxkemper aprons while they cook and Grill!

Approximately 200 family members arrived on Friday and toured some the area churches and cemeteries where many of our ancestors are buried. We also had an opportunity to tour the Henry Hoelscher property and some went to LaGrange to see one of the original houses from his family farm, which has been donated to the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum (PLCTM) and is now known as the Hoelscher Haus. The Board of Directors had provided funds for a plaque, placed near the site of Anton Hoelscher Sr.’s grave, and this was dedicated on a sunny but windy day. The County Judge was there too and reminded us all of the importance of passing on family histories. Thanks to the committee of Leonard Buxkemper, Henry Hoelscher, Doris Voltin, and Carolyn Meiners Heinsohn for a job well done.

New Family Representative

Keeping track of the descendants of the Joe Hoelscher family is a monumental task that has been handled by Theresa Gold in the past. This responsibility is being passed on to Linda Binns who is a member of the Joe Family and who has accepted the challenge. Linda is accepting family information so the Joe Hoelscher Family Tree can be brought up to date and kept current. Please notify her of any births, weddings, deaths, etc. either by phone xxxx or USPS at 3617 Old Post Court, San Angelo, TX 76904.

Other Family Representatives:

Elizabeth — Doris Voltin, 653 State Highway 53, Rosebud, TX 76570 or Dee Evans – 2910 Wacos Dr, San Antonio ,TX 78238

Anton — Dottie Frerich –, 1811 Forest Park, San Angelo, TX 76901

William — Shirley Burk – 4090 Mountain Laurel Loop, Temple, TX 76502 or Margie Baumbach – 426 Spence, Crosby, TX 77532

Ben — O.A. Bernsen — 6540 FM 2676, Hondo, TX 78861