Apel reunion 2008
The 2008 Apel reunion took place on Saturday August 9. This year’s theme was Hans Peder Apel (1846-1932) and his two siblings, who emigrated to New Zealand in 1872.
Hans Peder Apel, 1846-1932
Beværterhuset was bathed in sunshine and ready to receive the crowd of Apel descendants who flocked along the paths and gravel roads through the Vintersbølle forest. Once more the weather was great and tables and benches had been taken out in the sunshine. Thus the old Beværterhus returned to its former role and could give pleasure to the visitors to the forest.
At 3 p.m. it was buzzing inside and outside. Everybody was greeting one another, names tried to be remembered and people already set to recall how it all hangs together in the context of the family. The new faces were warmly received and shown their way around. Finally Anne-Marie Jacobsen was able to welcome everybody to the 2008 Apel reunion and briefly outline the course of the day.
In keeping with tradition the Apel song was sung and afterwards an Apel wearing an apron, Anni Rasmussen, was again serving coffee and cake. It was also time to pay for the whole day and a couple of the younger generation came to realize that the Beværterhus did not and probably never will take credit cards. So it was lucky that their mothers could step in and pay for their share of the party, which came to under 200 kroner.
Pictures showing the atmosphere outside the Beværterhus where everybody talked away.
All age groups were represented at this year’s Apel reunion. The youngest participants are the 9th generation of this Apel family in Denmark.
It is easy to spot the idyll at the little house when one casts a glimpse at the surroundings in the Vintersbølle forest.
In the course of the afternoon there was also time for a walk for those who wished to do that.
The bleaching ground lies there as it has done for almost one hundred years. It is not difficult to imagine linen put out to bleach there.
The bleaching ground lies in a beautiful spot with a view over the water. As you can see the strong wind and the beautiful view did not stop the conversation from continuing.
Well back at the Beværterhus it was time to head for Tolstruphus where the rest of the day was to be spent. The village hall had been decorated, tables set and dinner arranged.
Before dinner Anne-Marie Jacobsen told us about Hans Peder Apel and his brothers and sisters. Particularly the story about those who emigrated to New Zealand caught people’s attention. Anne-Marie talked about the contacts which had been established when she and her family visited New Zealand, but also when relations from New Zealand have visited Denmark.
In the adjoining rooms the big Apel family tree was put out and it was carefully studied and new names were added. At the tables the sound level and the hunger began to make themselves felt.
Anne-Lise Apel Rasmussen welcomed everybody to the party, introduced the food, and mixed us well at the tables. Then the party could begin.
It became a wonderful evening for both big and small. What was special for this year’s Apel reunion was that even more people had taken part in the arrangements. Thus, a thank you from the promoters to the gang at the Beværterhus led by Anni Rasmussen and Peter Apel, to the team who arranged dinner and the party at Tolstruphus coordinated by Anne-Lise Apel Rasmussen.
See you next year in 2009.
Material from 2008
Pictures 2008 - The above pictures are taken by Kasper Beck Hemmingsen.
Apel reunion 2008 - folder
- by Anne-Marie Jacobsen.
Indhold: Programme, "The Road to New Zealand" by Alice Apel Hartvig, the Apel song 2006, Information and Litteratur.