as they become available so check back oftenUPDATED: 6/1/01 7:55:34 PM
Updates will be posted in Red or marked as they become available so check back often
INTRODUCTION LETTER THINGS TO DO PLACES TO STAY & EAT WANT TO JOIN IN AND HELP? SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - - - SATURDAY -
Aug 4 - - - SUNDAY -
Aug5 - - - DONATIONS SATURDAY DINNER RESERVATION FORM DIRECTIONS AND MAP TO PITMAN
On behalf of the Reunion Association, I would like to extend an invitation to you and your family to attend the Hepler Family Reunion on August 4th and 5th in Pitman, Pennsylvania. There are many activities that may be of interest to you. We hope that you can attend both days but it is structured such that you will be able to benefit from either day. For years it was a Sunday-only event. However, many out-of-area people would arrive a day early and gravitate to the home of the late Avice Morgan, author of the Hepler Family History, published in 1984. From the interest displayed by those travelers, the Reunion Association began to host an informal Saturday affair at the Hepler Grove. That informal meeting began to take on a life of its own to such an extent tha t when the reunion was moved to the Mahantongo Fire Company facilities it was resolved that Saturday would become an 'official' aspect of the meeting.
We are sad to report that Avice Morgan passed away on May 21, 2001. She will be missed by us all.
We hope to see you in August. There are many things to do in the area if you are visiting Pennsylvania and some are included on this page. Of particular interest, is the Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County. A special exhibit from now until December is devoted to "The Pennsylvania Germans". The exhibition will offer visitors an introduction to the depth and diversity of Pennsylvania German cultural history as it has developed over the last 300 years.
From the Hepler Reunion Association...
Sincerely,
Thomas E. Hepler
Membership Director
Here are some ideas of what to do while you're visiting Central Pennsylvania.
Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce 570-
622-1942 -you can order a very nice detailed map of the county
Tour Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine- (570)
875-3850 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Yuengling, America's oldest Brewery- (800) 765-7282 Knoebels Grove Amusement Park- (800) ITS-4-FUN Harrisburg-Hershey-Carlisle Tourism Bureau
(800)995-0969 Pa. Dutch Visitors Bureau in Lancaster (717)291-8901
Pennsylvania Tourism Home Page1-800-VISIT PA for
state maps, calendars of events, etc Visit Pennsylvania Information on all counties
Things to do in Northumberland County
Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster
County
Things to do in Schuylkill County-
Great page, check it out. Lots of "Where to..." searches. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm,
Stroudsburg, Pa.- An 18th century farm depicting life as it would have been in the days of
Casper & his family. This would be a good day trip for either Thursday or Tuesday The Goschenhoppen Historians Folk
Festival is a renown Pennsylvania German festival featuring authentic trade and
homeskills of the Goschenhoppen region depicting life in the 18th-19th century. All
demonstrations have been researched to be authentically correct and include ropemaking,
metalsmith, cooking, gardening, broom & fence making, candlemaking, quilting, sheep
shearing, horsedrawn hayrides and more. The festival is held in East Greenville, in nearby
Montgomery County, Pa about two hours from Pitman, SW of Allentown. Information can be
obtained by calling the Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc: 215-679-4737 or 215-234-8953. The
festival generally runs noon-8pm Friday the first weekend in August.
Want to do some genealogy research while in Pennsylvania? Check out these sites:
The Pottsville Free Public Library
Schuylkill County Ties
Useful Schuylkill County Addresses
Historical Society of Schuylkill County 570-622-7540
Pine Grove (Exit 31 off I-81) approx. 25 minutes from Pitman:
Econo
Lodge (570)345-4099
Comfort
Inn (570)345-8031) Colony
Park Motel (570) 345-8095 Twin
Grove Park Campground, RD #1, Box 395, Pine Grove, PA 17963, 570-865-4602Frackville (Exit 36 off I-81) approx. 25 minutes from Pitman:
Econo
Lodge (570) 874-3838 Granny's Motel (570) 874-0408
Motel 6 #4043 (570) 874-1223 or 1-800-466-8356 Central
Motel (570) 874-3176
Holiday Inn- Express
1-570-8741700
Hegins (Exit 34 off I-81)
Camp-A-While Campground
(570)
682-8696.Pottsville (Exit 36 off I-81) approx. 30 minutes from Pitman
Pottsville Motor Inn (570) 622-4917 Fairlane Motor Inn (570) 429-1696 Quality Hotel (570) 622-4600 or
1-800-777-8007 The River Inn (570) 385-2407 Schuylkill Haven
Country
Squire Motel & Restaurant Rt 61. Phone: 570-385-3559The Stone House Bed & Breakfast , 16
Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven PA 17972. Phone: (570) 385-2115.Other area campgrounds
Knoebel's Campground
- Elysburg, Pa.
570-672-9555
Red Ridge Lake CG- Zion's
Grove, Pa. 717-384-4760
PA CampgroundsOther places to stay & eat
I-81 Lodging Vistors Guide for Schuylkill County Dining
& Lodging Rooms Plus Travel Guide- Guide to Motels,
Hotels, B&B, and Campgrounds throughout the US and Canada
Our group always welcomes a helping hand or two. And there are so many ways to contribute, both during reunion weekend and while we prepare. Share your ideas with our committee or, during that weekend, can you help us: clean up the grove, staff the registration table and greet cousins, supervise children's games, put up signs around Pitman, provide entertainment, take part in a genealogical discussion, be a reader at Sunday's service? There's lots to do!
You will receive this same information in a U.S.Postal mailing. Due to financial constraints, we won't be able to afford another "reminder" mailing this summer so hang onto that mailing and/or bookmark this page with your browser. If you really can't make it to the celebration, please consider contributing financially - this is a volunteer, non-profit organization, with a treasury that exists solely to pay for costs like grove rental, food, and a huge mailing list of over 2,000 people!! Because we want to do as much as we can to make this occasion memorable, we can really use your donation. Checks may be made payable to "The Hepler Reunion Association" and sent to "The Hepler Reunion Association. RD1 Box 57, Pitman, Pa. 17964. THANKS!! Click Here for donation form.
August 4, 2001
Moderately priced lunches and refreshments will be available.
Sign-in and genealogy sessions will begin at 11:00am. Members of various branches of the family will be at hand to help in your research. And new family information will certainly be welcomed. Jack Paul, our webmaster, will be on hand during this time to demonstrate the Hepler website & answer questions about on-line genealogy research. It will also be a time to get acquainted with out of town visitors.
At noon, Wecome Remarks by President William Paul
There will be activities throughout the afternoon with Gene Gizzi from Florida, serving as 'MC' and music director. We are planning on a caning demonstration but at this moment all has not been finalized.
People who will not be available for Sunday's Call of States will be invited to offer their comments, views, and family tie-in information. Between the structured events and the evening dinner there will be an informal social where you can meet cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews that you never knew you had.
The Saturday Night Catered Dinner will begin at 5:30pm. An entertaining and informative evening will feature Alice Spayd who will do a living history on the Journey of Juliana, a Palatine German immigrant from the time of Caspar Hepler's migration to the Americas. This presentation is based on facts of her 6th Great Grandmother. Reservations are required. Please use the appropriate form. The deadline for reservations is July 23.
August 5, 2001
A memorial observance will begin at 10am at the
Zion Cemetery (just outside the town of Pitman) commemorating our ancestral Revolutionary War Soldiers Jacob, Christopher, Casper Jr. and George as well as all of our forefathers especially those who answered the 'call to colors'. A Color Guard from Post 29, Vietnam Veterans in Port Carbon, PA will participate. Taps, wreath laying and other solemn ceremonies are part of this tradition. Nevin Maurer will speak on "Our Patriots in Previous Wars".. Lawn chairs are suggested as a comfort in contemplating and enjoying the serenity of this most beautiful valley.The day continues with lunch served at 11:30AM. During this time, moderately priced lunches and refreshments will be available..
A formal meeting will begin at 1:00PM. The keynote speaker will address the organization. We will follow with the Call of the States where people are asked to step forward to add their history to the body of knowledge that we wish to share with Heplers and their friends.
Commemorative merchandise will be available for sale both days. Proceeds are for the benefit of the Hepler Family Reunion Association. You might want to get in some early Christmas shopping.
Area
MapFor a
clickable image map of Pitman with photos Click Here
From I-81 take exit 34, Go west on 25 to Hegins, turn right on 125 and go over the mountain to Pitman. From Millersburg take Rte 25 East to Hegins & follow above directions. From Shamokin take Rt. 125 South to Pitman. The Mahantongo Fire Company is on Main Road in Pitman.
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Nature
Store
Owned by Jack Paul
Host and Sponsor of the Hepler
Family Website
Your support is appreciated! Thank you
Web page designed, created and maintained by: Jack Paul
Last maintained: 5/1/2001
Copyright © 1998-2001 Hepler Family Reunion Association. All rights reserved.
