Due to heavy rains and the fear of vehicles getting stuck in the Appelt’s Hill Hall parking lot, the 57th annual Appelt Family Reunion was moved to the American Legion Hall in Hallettsville on Sunday, June 6.
Around 100 Appelt relatives attended the event and enjoyed a prepared meal along with desserts brought by family members.
Reunion president Kevin Bright expressed his thanks for members’ flexibility with the location change from Appelt’s Hill Hall to the American Legion Hall. He added that after canceling last year’s reunion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was good to be together with everyone this year.
Thanks was given to those who helped make the reunion a success including: Tommy Macha and family for preparing and serving the meal; Hilmer and Margaret Appelt for organizing the prizes; Mary Bright for managing the kitchen; Kevin and Mary Bright for the photos; Theresa Voelkel for coordinating the memorials and Gary Rektorik for maintaining the Appelt family tree.
Gary asked that family updates be sent to him at grektorik@aol.com. His goal is to have an updated version on CD at the 2022 reunion.
Appelt family members who passed away since the 2019 reunion were remembered with a moment of silence and included: Milton J. Haas Jr. of Hallettsville; Justin Lee Muesse of La Grange; Gladys Strauss of Shiner; Allen Bratton of Monroe, La.; Lillian Appelt Hrncir of Moulton; Ricky Joe Appelt of Victoria; Kenneth Wayne Orsak of Goliad; Robert Louis Svetlik Jr. of Liberty Hill; and Lorre Rother Knebel of Houston.
Special recognition was given to health care workers, and veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Armed forces.
Jillian Strauss, daughter of Pat and Lori Strauss, was congratulated for receiving her master’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of Houston at Victoria.
The traditional recognition of the youngest member present went to Peyton Atwood, age 3, daughter of Bret and Allyce Atwood, granddaughter of Rodney Rother, and great-granddaughter of James and Mae Rother. The oldest member present was James Rother of Hallettsville, age 95.
Jim and Brenna Gregory of Sugar Land, who were present at the reunion, were recognized as the shortest married couple at six years, while James and Mae Rother of Hallettsville were recognized as the longest married couple at 68 years.
The largest family present was a tie between the James and Mae Rother family and the Hilmer and Margaret Appelt family, both had eight members present.
Dan and Karen Donovan from Orange Park, Fla., traveled the longest distance.
First time attendees were recognized. They were Mike and Jackie Impson of Denton, Dan and Karen Donovan of Orange Park, Fla., Ralph and Nan Hartman of Cuero, Bob and Julie McCan of McFaddin and Jim Gregory of Sugar Land.
Officers for the next two years were elected and include: Kevin Bright (president), Ron Appelt (vice-president), Barbara Appelt (secretary), Bettye Appelt (treasurer), Gary Rektorik and Theresa Voelkel (historian).
Door prizes were won by Paul Campos, Charles “Snow” Matula, Garrie Moore and Sandi Appelt.
The 2022 reunion was set for June 5, 2022, and will be held at Appelt’s Hill Hall in Hallettsville.
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