2009 Hineman Family Reunion a success!

78 Family members and guests had a great time on Saturday July 25th 2009 at Hopewell Park in Aliquippa PA. Some old reunion family meeting minutes were shared, from 1952 through 1962; many of us found ourselves named as winners of races or games or one of the oldest or youngest attending.
The day was a bit rainy at times, but the picnic carried on! Even Bocci was played in the rain and no-one complained!! Uncle Bill, {William Hineman}, the youngest of David and Alice Hall Hineman's 12 children attended and said, "It was great seeing everyone who came out. I like the reunion because it encourages good and constant relations in the family. I hope they [reunions]never end!" Now that is a challenge to all of us!
The family who were present at the reunion, voted to extend an invitation to all descendants of William J and Mary Jane Winkle Hineman to join us in the coming years on the last Saturday of July, in Hopewell Township, for our Hineman Family Reunion. {The 4 brothers included Charles, David M, John and James!} In 1952 that was the intention of the children of William and Mary Jane. So, as in all things, we have come full circle. Consider this post the first notice of invitation...with many more to come as we find our cousins!!
Did you attend on July 25th? What are your thoughts? Questions?

Hineman Family Reunion July 25th, 2009

Looks like the Hineman's of Western Pa and beyond will gather for the official 57th time on July 25, 2009 in Hopewell Park, Hopewell Twp, Beaver, Pa at 1:00 PM until dark! Bill, the youngest of the 12 children of David and Alice will be attending, and as we hope, will June, the last living sister of the 12. I hope to spread the word about this blog and look for more postings as time goes on.
I extend an invitation to all Hineman's descending from William J. and Mary Jane [Winkle] Hineman to join us from this time forward. How about even going a far back as David and Matilda [aka, Letilda, Lettie]?? Let's bring it all together!!

Time for the Hineman's to go online!

This Blog is dedicated to my Hineman relatives, where ever they may be! Perhaps through this medium we can capture the connection our ancestors hoped we would always have with each other. For over 50 years the children of David Martin and Alice Mae (Hall) Hineman have met for a family reunion in July. Even though my dad, William (Bill), the youngest of their 12 children, had moved to Florida from the family hometown of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, he made sure we traveled 'home' each summer. Those family reunions provide some of the happiest memories of my childhood. Unfortunatly, my son does not feel that same family connection and that saddens me. I did not make it a priority during his childhood that we attend the family reunion every summer. I regret that. Perhaps that is why I am so passionate about my family's history, now. (And everyone else whose family history I have helped find or encourage them to find!) It could be that my passion comes from those summer days playing with my cousins until way past dark and we ended the fun with a weiner roast in the hollow. Whatever the reason, I dedicate myself to preserve our family's past and provide a means for current and future generations to connect.