Apel-træf 2010
Once more under the theme "Looking at Vordingborg with Apel eyes" the descendants of Georg Andreas Apel were gathered.
Thus on Saturday 7th August 2010 the 5th Apel reunion began in front of the Goose Tower in Vordingborg.
As the theme discloses the subject of the day was the Apel descendants who had a particular connection to Vordingborg. Anne-Marie welcomed everybody and told us about the thoughts behind the programme. Of particular interest this year was Bolette Apel (1813-1901).
We already heard the beating of the powerful wings of history when we stood at the foot of the Goose Tower. The Tower was also there when Bolette Apel lived in and around Vordingborg.
Then the start signal was given to a wandering around the castle ruin. The weather was once more in our favour as the picture clearly shows with the red and white Dannebrog against a nearly blue sky.
The first stop was Strandgade where Bolette lived in a couple of places and in her last years she stayed there with her son Jørgen Olsen and daughter in law Ane Marie Pedersdatter. The ageing Bolette died in 1901 and was buried by the church of Vordingborg. The son Jørgen died in 1908, but the daughter in law continued to live in Strandgade until her death in 1939.
Almost in a procession the gathering continued round below the moat that will soon again be filled with water. As several of the participants could remember there was a halt for the local railway below the moat.
On the way back to the top of the castle ruin a competition began. The most able chose the path without steps. The lengths of the legs made the difference.
Artistically it looked good with the beautiful red wall in the background and the Apel descendants threading their way up.
But with the high and lopsided steps it was difficult to enjoy the view and it was wise to look down.
And once everybody was up it was time to enjoy the view over land and sea.
As in previous years also in 2010 new faces turned up at the Apel reunion. It is very gratifying to see that there are still curious people who want to take part. It does not take long to break the ice and get chatting.
A number of the participants also ventured up to the top of the Goose Tower. From the top it is possible to see Vordingborg church where a great part of the family has been christened, confirmed, married, and buried.
Then it was time to head for the Beværterhus, where once again Anni Rasmussen had put on her apron and with her helpers had arranged both coffee and cake. We sat down and enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Coffee and cake were consumed and of course the Apel song was sung with the accompaniment of the forest birds.
At all the tables we were updated on what had happened during the year in all the small families.
‘How was it with ..?’ Yes, you know ..’ The memory was thoroughly challenged.
Then it was time for the almost compulsory walk in the forest. This year a little group found the bleaching ground, where Anne-Marie willingly told the exciting story.
Others chose to head for the Dehn cabin to relax a little before the festive barbecue dinner.
There was also time to a little more updating with more family members.
At the 2010 Apel-reunion there were more children than ever which gave particular life and energy to the whole party. The lawn in front of the Dehn cabin was used for playing.
As always the big family tree was indoors ready for viewing and studying.
Finally eating time was approaching and the barbecues had reached a good heat and immediately people gathered around them with their meat.
There they were, the nice Apel folk standing in smoke and steam.
Everybody looked happy when they had filled their plates – and there was more than enough.
For the second year in succession it was time for the Apel speech, which was nicely but insisting passed on to Marianne Halliley by last year’s speaker Carsten Warming. In the light of the summer night she tied us together with all our differences, starting with the creative and being good at something. She really was a good speaker.
Read: The Apel speech 2010. (Only in Danish)
Another quite unique moment was when Merete Metzlaff read a poem that was written by her grandfather Valdemar Georg Andreas Apel (1860-1945), who was a grandchild of Georg Andreas Apel, who came to Denmark from Germany.
As darkness fell the indoor entertainment began. Cards, paper, and crayons came out.
An Apel-reunion was about to end. Before leaving everybody said good-bye and see you next year. Also this year about 10 people had decided to stay the night and do the last cleaning the next morning.
A successful Apel-reunion had come to a close. Again this year new descendants had found their way to the reunion, which would not be possible without the volunteers. This year’s volunteers were: the Hemmingsen, Lylloff, Rasmussen, and Jacobsen families who were in charge of the food, the cabin, making it all ready, and the cleaning. Anni and Knud Erik Rasmussen for the arrangement at the Beværterhus. Also Marianne Halliley for the 2010 Apel speech.
We look forward to seeing both new and old family members in 2011.
Material from 2010
Pictures 2010 - above pictures are by Lillian Emma Apel Hansen, Camilla Metzlaff, and Kasper Beck Hemmingsen.
Apel-reunion 2010 - folder
- by Anne-Marie Jacobsen.
Contents: Programme, Theme: Vordingborg with Apel eyes. Bolette Apel 1813-1901, information and literature.
The Apel speech 2010 - speech
- by Marianne Halliley.