July 28, 2012 is the 60th Anniversary of the Hineman Reunion for those related to William J and Mary Jane Winkle Hineman. The family picnic will be at 12 Noon in the Hopewell Community Park, on Laird Drive, in Hopewell Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Letters were mailed in May with more details and if you are reading this, related to this branch of the Hineman's and did not get a notice, PLEASE contact me!!
Our family tree is ever changing and growing in new directions all over the world! I must share a wonderful story that is unfolding as I write. We have an 2012 Olympian in our family!! Christa Harmotto, was chosen for the the USA Olympic Volleyball Team and will be competing in London, beginning on July 28th. You can follow Christa, #13, and the team at http://www.usavolleyball.org . Yes, did you notice that date is the same day the family is gathering in Pennsylvania? In support of Christa and her efforts, everyone attending the reunion has been asked to wear the USA colors: Red, White and Blue!! In addition to that, at the 60th Anniversary Reunion, there will be a photographer taking a group picture. I can only hope one (or several) of our technically smart teenagers will make a video and post it here and/or on YouTube!! Can you hear that challenge?? The following photo was taken in 1971, in the old picnic hollow on the farm! Cousin Bob Hineman, Paul's son, called me the day after I first posted this a few weeks ago (it was a practice post to see how to do it!!). We tried to identify everyone and had so much fun, trying!!!!
And other wonderful branches are budding on that family tree: I just heard from Deanna, daughter of Selma Adele, one of the four daughters of John Oliver and Stella Belle Calhoon Hineman. Deanna and her husband, Steven, live near London, England. They are thrilled to hear that extended family will be in their area for the Olympics and now we have another cheering section! Thanks to her for filling me in on their family information.
Here's more! Lynn Hineman Rumbaugh called me last week to say that she and a few of her nieces are going to Aliquippa for the Reunion this year. Lynn is the daughter of Raymond, only son of James Stewart and Eva Claire Maratta. Lynn and I had the best telephone conversation, followed by an e-mail filled with names, dates and places!!! Oh, be still my genealogical heart!!!
Much to my dismay, I find that my father and I are not able to attend this year's reunion. Dad's advancing age, he is now 88, prevents him from wanting to travel to far from home. We will be there in spirit and look forward to the stories and photographs!!
