The Family Reunions of the Eckart Family
The Family Reunions of the Eckart Family
1st family reunion 1957
The Eckart family's first family reunion took place in Munich and Emskirchen from June 7 to 10, 1957. Aunt Yette had come to Munich with two grandchildren, Kealoha and Deborah Giugni, in January 1957. They stayed in Germany for six months with the desire to get to know the country of their fathers, Emskirchen, the birthplace of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather. For Werner Eckart, this was the occasion to convene the first Family Day in memory of his father.[1][2]
Friday, June 7, 1957:
- Start of the family reunion, arrival of the first relatives and informal get-together in the evening at Röntgenstraße 2.
Saturday, June 8, 1957:
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Waldfriedhof cemetery, at the grave of Johannes Eckart and Otto Eckart.
- Visit to the Pfanni factory in Munich.
- Visit to the baroque St. Michael's Church in Berg am Laim, near the Pfanni factory.
- Dinner, main conference and subsequent get-together at Röntgenstr. 2.
Sunday, June 9, 1957:
- Joint trip by bus and private car to Emskirchen.
- Worship in Emskirchen church, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of Posthalter Johannes Eckart, Carl August Eckart and Pfarrer Wich.
- Lunch at the Rotes Herz, Auracher Löchle, Bahnhofwirtschaft and Gasthof zum Gasthof zum Goldenen Hirschen inns.
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Moritz and Johanna Stöcker in Langenfeld.
- Tour of Langenzenn with Gasthof zur Krone and cloister, and inspection of family files in the meeting room of the town hall.
- Cozy get-together with dinner together in the schwarzer Adler restaurant in Emskirchen. Overnight stay in Emskirchen and the surrounding area.
Monday, June 10, 1957:’
- Sightseeing tour of Nuremberg with special viewing of old Eckart files in the Germanic Museum. Return home in the evening.
2nd family reunion 1967
The second family reunion took place 10 years later, from July 28 to 31, 1967. The venues were again Munich and Emskirchen. The highlight of the second Family Day was certainly the historical spectacle, which recreated the visit of the future Empress Maria Theresia of Austria in 1745 to the“Goldener Hirsch” Inn nachstellte. 274 relatives traveled to witness this “Spectaculum”.[3]
Friday, July 28, 1967
- Separate meetings of the individual family branches from 7 pm.
Saturday, July 29, 1967
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Waldfriedhof, at the graves of Johannes Eckart and Otto Eckart.
- Dinner, main meeting and subsequent get-together at Röntgenstr. 2.
Sunday, July 30, 1967
- Joint journey by bus and private car to Emskirchen.
- Worship in Emskirchen church, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of postmaster Johannes Eckart, Carl August Eckart and Pastor Wich.
- Lunch at the "Goldener Hirsch".
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Moritz and Johanna Stöcker in Langenfeld.
- Tour of Langenzenn with Gasthof zur Krone and cloister, and inspection of family files in the meeting room of the town hall.
- Cozy get-together of all relatives with dinner together in the “Rotes Herz” hall in Emskirchen. Overnight stay in Emskirchen and the surrounding area.
Monday, July 31, 1967
- Some of the relatives return to Munich, while others visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber and spend another night in Emskirchen and the surrounding area.
Tuesday, August 1, 1967
- Return journey to Munich.
3rd family reunion 1977
The third family reunion was held at the usual ten-year interval from May 21 to 22, 1977. A total of 262 relatives from the various branches of the family took part in the usual program in Munich and Emskirchen. Once again, 37 family members from Hawaii made the long journey to Europe. However, the longest journey was certainly made by Joachim Hoppe, who traveled from Australia with his wife Elfriede.[4][5]
Saturday, May 21, 1977
- Social get-together at Röntgenstr. 2.
- Family meeting in the Pfanni factory canteen.
Sunday, May 22, 1977
- Joint trip by bus and private car to Emskirchen.
- Meeting at the Goldener Hirschen in Emskirchen followed by a church service.
- Laying of wreaths at the family graves.
- Lunch at the "Goldener Hirsch".
- Drive to Nuremberg and sightseeing tour of Nuremberg.
- Social gathering in the evening in the large hall of the Hotel Reichshof.
4th family reunion 1982
The first family day in Hawaii, on June 5, 1982. The idea for this came at the third family day, so that sufficient time could be planned. The occasion was Henriette “Aunt Yette” Austen's 80th birthday. Nearly 50 relatives from outside America made the long trip to Honolulu.[6][7]
Friday, June 4, 1982
- Kodak Show at the Waikiki Shell, a performance of Hawaiian dances.
- City tour.
Saturday, June 5, 1982
- Welcome breakfast for family and friends at the Moana Hotel.
- Afternoon informal get-together for coffee and cake at the Surfrider Hotel, followed by happy hour with cocktails.
- Evening family meeting at the Surfrider Hotel, Kamehameha Ballroom.
Sunday, June 6, 1982
- Bus tour of Mini City / Little Circle Island Tour accompanied by Hawaiian relatives.
Monday, June 7, 1982
- Flight to Maui.
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Maximilian Eckart.
5th family reunion 2004
After a break of 22 years, a family reunion of the Eckart family finally took place again in Munich and Emskirchen from June 24 to 28, 2004:[8]
Thursday, June 24, 2004:
- Visit to the family grave at the Waldfriedhof in Munich.
- Reception at the home of Heidi Killinger-Eckart.
- Reception with Otto and Inga Eckart.
Friday, June 25, 2004:'
- Reception at Munich City Hall.
- Lunch at Restaurant Spöckmeier, Munich.
- Reception at OTEC House.
- Event and dinner at the Kultfabrik.
Saturday, June 26, 2004:'
- Visit to the Theatinerkirche.
- Main event at the Hofbräuhaus.
Sunday, June 27, 2004:'
- Emskirchen, visit to the Goldener Hirschen, Emskirchen cemetery and graves of Johannes Eckart's family, St. Kilian's Church.
- Dinner at Bratwurst Röslein in Nuremberg.
Monday, June 28, 2004:
- Excursion of the Hawaiian relatives to Herrenchiemsee Castle.
- Visit to Otto and Inga on the Samerberg.
6th family reunion 2009
The second family day in Hawaii. The long journey should be worthwhile and so the german relatives had a whole 10 days, from August 12 to 23, to get to know the two Hawaiian islands of Honolulu and Maui, the Hawaiian culture and especially the relatives. This time, 41 relatives traveled from Germany. The main event, the Grand Reunion Dinner on August 15, was attended by a total of 227 family members.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009:
- Arrival in Honolulu.
Thursday, August 13, 2009:
- Welcome breakfast and informal get-together.
- Luau dinner and hula show in Paradise Cove.
Friday, August 14, 2009:
- Guided tours, including Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue, Mission House Museum, Old Town Honolulu and Chinatown. Picnic in between and afterwards.
Saturday, August 15, 2009:
- Free morning for informal meetings with German and Hawaiian relatives and various leisure activities.
- In the evening, the Grand Reunion Dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
Sunday, August 16, 2009:
- Departure for Maui.
Monday, August 17, 2009:
- Day free for various leisure activities.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009:
- Maximilian Memorial Tour: Visit to the house of Maximilian Eckart and the family graves.
- Teshima Picnic and hike to an old lo'i and a historic village.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009:
- Visit to Haleakala Volcano and Thompson Ranch.
Thursday, August 20, 2009:
- Visit to the north coast of Maui.
Friday, August 21, 2009:
- Free time at leisure.
Saturday, August 22, 2009:
- Visit to the town of Lahaina.
- Maui Beach Reunion: big family beach party.
Sunday, August 23, 2009:
- Departure or extended program.
7th family reunion 2015
June 18 to 22, 2015 in Munich and Emskirchen:[9]
Thursday, June 18, 2015:
- Reception at Heidi and Otto.
Friday, June 19, 2015:
- Visit to the family grave at the Waldfriedhof cemetery.
- Main event at the Hofbräukeller.
Saturday, June 20, 2015:
- Evening event at the Technikum in the Werksviertel.
Sunday, June 21, 2015:
- Excursion to Emskirchen and Langenfeld.
Monday, June 22, 2015:
- Excursion to Neuhaus, Schliersee.
References
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S1895_Familientag_1957.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S2112, Broschuere_1957.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S2112, Broschuere_1967.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S1900 Broschüre 1977.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S1897, 3. Familientag 1977.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S1901, 1_1982.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S1902, Familientag auf Hawaii 05.06.1982.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S2113.
- ↑ Familienarchiv Eckart, FA-S2114.