Hello Cousins,Do you have your suitcases packed? Have you chosen what you're going to wear? Memorial weekend is just around the corner. I know what I'm going to wear but I guess I'll wait a while before packing the suitcase. I live out here in MD so I have to do some traveling like the rest of you. But it's worth it. I'm so looking forward to seeing all my cousins I met last year & meeting a big bunch of new ones this year. I thought I would start this message with a quick run down on my lineage. Some of you know it already but the rest of you have no idea who I am so here goes. Killian Plankenbuhler 1585-1639 *** Mathias Blankenbuhler 1621-1691*** Johann Thomas Blankenbuhler 1655-1691*** Hans Nicholas Blankenbuhler 1681-1743*** Zachariah Blankenbuhler 1715-1794*** Zachariah Blankenbeckler 1752-1824*** Jessee Blankenbeckler 1781-1867*** Calvin Blankenbeckler 1822-1887*** George Washington Blankenbeckler 1849-1931*** Archibald Calvin Blankenbeckler 1877-1968 [my grandfather]. Then Archibald had a son & a grandson, Harold Richard Blankenbeckler 1903-1931*** Harold Richard Blankenbeckler Jr. 1931-1933. Both passing on before my grandfather resulted in the death of my grandfather, Archibald, being the end of this Blankenbeckler line. Archibald's first born was my mother, Bernice Virginia Blankenbeckler 1900-1970. His second child being Harold & third child named Irene Coleen Blankenbeckler 1911-1990. Our plans for the reunion are beginning to take shape. Saturday, which is not officially part of the reunion I feel would be such a waste if we fail to utilize it in some way. We have made arrangements for our choice of a tour of local cemeteries or a trip to the West Plains Library for research. I've been there & it is a great library full of history.Sunday may not start off with the breakfast we had planned. It would be impossible to prepare enough food for everyone if we have the attendance we expect. I don't imagine you would mind having doughnut's & sticky buns with a hot cup of coffee or cold milk. What ever we have it will be tasty. The following is a message from Thomas Faircloth who will be our guest speaker. Last year we had John & Eleanor Blankenbaker also Hallie & Glen Garner as guest speakers. These are wonderful people who are at the very tops in their field. Not only do they take time from their busy schedules to attend our reunion but they pay for their own transportation, meals, rooms etc. These are very dedicated people in the research of our German ancestry and we owe them a great debt of gratitude. Dear Helen, Although the timing of your reunion is at the peak of my preparations for the annual Germanna Reunion held the third weekend in July, I feel this is a great opportunity for The Foundation to present itself to a large group of people who may not know of our existence. So I have set the Memorial Day weekend aside for travel to Missouri to attend your reunion. It may be that your speaker schedule is already set, and if so I understand, however, I would be happy to speak to the group about the Germanna Story and to tell about The Germanna Foundation if you need me to. I have prepared a 45-60 minute presentation that tells about the exciting adventure that our ancestors undertook nearly 300 years ago. It talks of the trip to the Colonies, and the Colonial experience, then tells the story of the migration west by our ancestors. I also would like to bring along copies of our books for sale to the attendees, along with membership forms. Of course part of my job with the Foundation is to increase the membership. We would like to have all of your family members belong to the Foundation. We will be happy to publicize the event in our bulletin, and if possible on our website. Thomas Faircloth, President Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc. At 11:20 AM 02/09/2002 -0500, I sent this message to Paula Speraneo of West Plains, Missouri and her response follows; Hi Paula, Our "Blankenbeckler/Germanna Colonies 2nd Reunion" will be held in Willow Springs on the 26th &27th of May this year. That is on a Sun & Mon. I have suggested to all who are thinking of attending that since most will be there on Sat. it would be a shame to waste that day & if there is enough interest we could meet & spend a couple of hours doing some research at the West Plains Library. Before doing that I called to make sure the library will be open that day & of course it will be. I would like to ask your permission to insert your response below into the next updated information that I send out to all our cousins that are attending the 2002 reunion. Paula's Response; As for your proposed "meet" on that Saturday, I'd bet if you had enough people coming and phoned Mrs. Wheeler, she might be able to have a Society volunteer there that day, as they used to open the old offices on occasion with prior arrangements. The volunteers, especially the older members, just have so much to offer in the way of personal memories.... not to mention their familiarity with the materials. All the Society's materials have been placed in the genealogy room at the West Plains Public Library, 750 Broadway, West Plains, MO 65775 phone 417-256-4775, email ctiques@townsqr.com <mailto:ctiques@townsqr.com> Hours for the library are 9-5 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9-6 on Tuesday and Saturday. I spoke with library personnel in late January, and there are Society volunteers there every Monday and Wednesday. Library personnel are there every day if you need help. All the materials have been logged into the library computer system, and materials seem to be expanding every month according to the SCMGS newsletters. Mrs. M. E. Wheeler 1043 W 5th St. West Plains, MO Ph. 417 256-3966 Hope your reunion goes well. Paula Read about our reunion on the Germanna Colonies Reunion Web Page. Sgt George W. Durman has been kind enough to add all our reunion information on the Germanna Colonies History Page. Click on the following link & enjoy. http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~george/reunionpage.html Visit the Willow Springs, Missouri web site.It's a beautiful large park with plenty of space for children to play so bring your toys.http://wwwmissourichamber.com/willowsprings/index.htm Bobbie Hedrick will open her camp grounds in Willow Springs again this year specifically for our Blankenbeckler / Germanna Reunion. Electricity only. Bobbies phone # is: 1-417-469-2121 Don't forget to bring your photographs, family history, bibles, Xerox copies if possible for handouts, anything of ancestral importance you might have to share. We would enjoy hearing stories about the past. We are family getting together & we want to know about each other & our history. This is a wonderful opportunity that will not happen often so we should enjoy it to the fullest & be prepared. "WE NEED A HEAD COUNT". WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR SHARE OF THE DOUGHNUTS, STICKY BUNS, HOT COFFEE, MILK etc? YOUR SHARE OF FREE HANDOUTS, MEMORABELIA? THEN LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE REUNION OR NOT. Please don't make me beg. [grin] If you need help or questions answered contact me. That's what I'm here for. I will do everything in my power to make this a pleasant trip for you. Helen Cast hcast@dmv.com 310 Park Row Snow Hill, Md. 21863