Hoffpauir Family Association plan 50th reunion on Labor Day, Sept. 7
The Hoffpauir Family Association will celebrate its 50th Reunion on Labor Day, Sept. 7. In the event that a hurricane should force a cancellation, an alternate date of Saturday, Sept. 19, has been chosen.
Technically, this would have been the 52nd year anniversary since the reunion began, but two events were cancelled due to hurricanes, explained Vice president Elaine Simon.
The Board of Directors of the Hoffpauir Family Association met in May to finalize plans for this momentous occasion. The reunion will continue to be held as it has traditionally been held at the Indian Bayou United Methodist Church.
As the first matter of business, President Charlie Hoffpauir reminded the group that this is election year since officers serve two-year terms.
The board voted unanimously to re-elect the present officers: Charlie Hoffpauir, president/genealogist; Elaine Simon, vice-president; Gerald Perry, secretary-treasurer; Bonnie Gaspard, historian. Other committee chairmen include: Elaine Simon, publicity; Sharon Richard, souvenirs; Wanda Faulk, notification card.
Board members shared ideas on things to do to make the 50th anniversary a very special occasion. The first decision was to give each family a Hoffpauir Family History CD as a remembrance gift. However, it is stipulated that only 1 CD will be given per family, and they must be present at the meeting in the church’s sanctuary.
A second special effort to commemorate the 50th anniversary will be the sale of the Hoffpauir family t-shirts at half price. After this year, the t-shirts will be phased out. Other memorabilia –– mugs, aprons, flags, baby bibs –– will continue to be for sale.
After 50 years, the Association wans to make an effort to get better acquainted with its family members. The board suggest families sit together in the church and a microphone will be passed around, and one person in each family will be given the opportunity to introduce other family members. Also, don’t forget to sign in and get a name tag.
The president/genealogist is still accepting pictures for the new CD. Pictures may be sent to him digitally at crhoffpauir@gmail.com until Aug. 15 for the 2015 CD. Later pictures will be in next year’s CD. Pictures to be scanned may be brought to the reunion. There will be a scanner provided, and scanning will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Traditional awards for oldest, youngest, person who traveled farthest will be presented.
Persons who are 90 or older and who have not been previously honored will be recognized.
Veterans of WWII and Korean War who have not been previously honored, as well as veterans of the Vietnam War will be honored for the first time this year.
Please send the names of those veterans or 90-year-olds to Elaine Simon by e-mail at musiclady1935@yahoo.com or call her at (337)783-7268. Send them by Aug. 15 since it takes time to get the certificates printed.
Another reminder: send names of deceased family members for the memorial service to Charlie Hoffpauir at (281)581-915l of charlieh@wt.net. This is for family members who died since the 2014 reunion.
Our president/genealogist has also been researching another avenue to bring our family association into the age of technology and learn more about our ancestors. The Hoffpauir Family Association is considering the technology of DNA testing to help identify our ancestors. Selected individuals will be asked to have a DNA test run (cost to be paid for by the association). Our president will explain briefly about his research at the reunion.
Again, members of Indian Bayou Methodist Church will provide a potluck lunch for which voluntary donations will be accepted. In addition, there will be the traditional sweet sale to benefit the church. Serving will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Shirley Henry Hall.
The use of the postcard notification for the reunion last year instead of the letter proved to be very successful, and it will be continued. Those who have received a letter in the past will continue to receive a postcard. If you would like to receive notification, and have not before, please call Wanda Faulk at(337)334-4047.
Activities begin at 9:00 a.m. If you would like help tracking your family on the computer, this can be done from 9-10 a.m. The main event begins at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.