2011 HEIDKAMP FAMILY PICNIC: POST-GAME ANALYSIS

[Shamey Cramer]

Greetings:

Thank you all once again for making this past weekend's events so special and amazing. It was wonderful to introduce a new generation of Heidkamps to our family history and our Heidkamp Family Picnic.  Our best guesstimates is that we had between 225 - 250 in attendance.

As I said in our introductions, no man is an island unto himself. Those who deserve the greatest amount of our gratitude include:

Bernie Heidkamp - Dude, this picnic would never have happened without you and the heidkamp.com website. Like so many other progeny of Adolph Heidkamp, your skills as an educator and your commitment to family have been the threads that not only kept this care-worn tapestry called the Heidkamp Family together these past few years, but allowed us to understand the full power of staying connected through prayer and the Internet. The 2011 Heidkamp Family Reunion was produced without the cost of printing and postage (but it does cost him to run the website, so we are including the cost of that operation into our expenses). THANK YOU!!!

MJ Lohan - WOW! I already had respect for your laser-sharp critical thinking skills based on our virtual conversations, and just fell in love with the live-action 3-D version of you. You are one serious force of Nature, my dear, and Registration would not have worked without your dedication and commitment. And yes - the Emil Heidkamps really know how to organise and GET THINGS DONE! Thank you.

Kevin Wester - Without your passion and drive to make the Luxembourg American Culture Society the preeminent culture center it is, our family would nenver have found the information you shared with us on Friday. Thank you for making that day such a wonderful investment of time and resources - and let us know when the article is published!!! We look forward to keeping the Heidkamp Family actively involved with the LACS in the coming years (he alread put me in touch wiht the Gengler Family member who has conducted all their research)

Judy Weber (AKA Grandma Judy) - Thank you for making the memorial Mass the most poignant and beautiful memory for all 45-50 of us in attendance. The way you reached out across the generations to include the various branches of our family into the service was awesome. My only regret is that Helmut and I couldn't stay longer @ Piggery - heard it only got better after we left! Thank you.

Dawn McCarthy - Thank goodness you have followed in the footsteps of Adolph Heidkamp to become an extraordinary educator and human being. You were the first "Permanent" member of our team, and as soon as you got on board, with all your organizational skills, everything else started falling in place. Your outer beauty is only surpassed by your amazing inner beauty. I could go on rhapsodizing eloquent about you, but needless to say, you are forever my #1 Girl Crush. Thank you.

Sarah Heidkamp (daughter of Gene) - Wild horses couldn't have kept you away from being such an integral part of making sure this series of events were a success. Your passion for preserving our family history is one of the deepest in this tribe, and future generations will be grateful for all you continue to do in that regard. Your ability to get Registration up and running, then immediately segue into keeping the young people active and engaged was remarkable, and allowed me to relax once everything got into swing.

Gene Heidkamp (pere) - Grandpa Adolph would be most proud of you, which is why it is so appropriate that you will portray him this Fall when Port Washington re-enacts the Luxembourg Uprising (stay tuned for details on that, fiolks, but you better start growing that beard now, pal). I couldn't have a better mentor when it comes to preserving our family history or how to be a historian (or how to bellow at the top of your lungs to get everyone to quiet down without losing your voice). You are one of the most decent and giving human beings I have met, and it is an honour to call you family, as well as friend. Thank You Thank You THANK YOU!!!

Oma Gertrud Lichtenberg - I am honoured that I was the Catherina Steinbach Heidkamp progeny destined to fulfil her grand-daughter's (your Grandmother Gerfer) wish to "bring the family back together" as a result of your care and stewardship of the 100 year-old letters from Senator Adolph Heidkamp to his German Gerfer cousins in Edelrath. You deserve the most credit for 'completing' the circle between our two sides of the family. Danke Schoen, and I hope to see you again Summer 2012 (and hopefully, learn enough German this year at school to have a direct conversation this time). Alle mein liebe, Oma. xoxoxo

Helmut Gerfer (AKA Opa Muti) - I am typing this - literally at 11:25am - as your plane is taking off from O'Hare (just dropped him off 2-1/2 hours ago for his return flight). Little did I know when you drove to meet me on 29 July 2010 in Koln that I would be meeting my twin soul, and my best and closest friend in life. You arrived a stranger and have won the hearts of all your American cousins. You also arrived a guest and ended up busting your butt more than anyone doing the physical labour setting up and tearing down the Sunday Picnic. I look forward to rejoin you, Martina, (Tina G Superstar), Vanessa, Matthias, Greta, Sarah, Thomas, Na Dja and all the quadrapeds at Casa Muti next year. Schusse and safe passage home. Enjoy the Wisonsin brats and remember: it's shi-KAW-go!!! AW AW AW  ;-)

Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer - Life can seem a little daunting when the most extraordinary human being you have ever met is also your Mother. Like all Heidkamps, you demand the best from yourself and others at all times. Your enthusiasm for life and ensuring others feel at home and welcomed is a beautiful and rare gift - thank you for continuing to share that with us at all times. Regardless of the challenges in life, you have taught all of us how to hold our head high in the face of adversity and to never lose faith in oneself, family or God. As a result of this demonstration of God's will, you reap the richest rewards of all. I am humbled and can never thank you enough for giving me life and teaching me how to make sure every moment counts. It was an honour to produce this event for you - I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart to the bottom of your sacred heart.

To so may others, such as Barb Biegaj, Janet Heidkamp, Wally & Pat, Jim, Dick & Ann, Don & Marcia, Pat & Fred Carson, Nancy Tanney, Ellen Foglia, Lynn Cohn, Karen & Rudy Altergott, Phil Heidkamp (son of Fran), Betty Pozzi, Mary C. Linari, Mary (Scooter) Heidkamp (congrats on the successful surgery), musicians Tom Bones Cramer, Fran Heidkamp, AJH, Luke Pigott and Elli Dapier, Mary T, Marsh, Ann Marie Heidkamp, Norbert "First Hour Man" Dahlem, Johanna Dahlem: THANK YOU for everything, large and small (and several others who may get a follow-up thank you when we send out the Finance Report later this month).

And lastly - to all who participated in or attended any of our events this past week: A party is only as good as those who attend. THANK YOU!!! This wouldn't have been an unqualified success without your joining in at some point or another.  Herding Heidkamps extraordinaire! You peeps outdid yoself!

When I drove Helmut to the airport this morning, he was adamant in his commitment to follow through on his invitation for our family to travel to the Koln area and provide stronger connections between our international families. We will keep you updated on that (Dusseldorf is the closest airport with direct flights from the USA).

The committee will meet this week (at the Piggery, of course!) to process all the information we received, but one thing is for certain: we will have another gathering of the American Heidkamp tribe in either 2013 or 2014, depending on the feedback we receive. Until then, keep doing what you can to pray for each other and support each other any way you can - that's the power of our family, which is a rare and beautiful gift unto itself.

Much love to all, with peace and blessings.

Namaste - Aroha Nui

Shamey /

James McCall Cramer

(AKA Cousin Jimmy)

BABIES RULE!!!!!!!

[Elizabeth McAleer]

Dear Shamey and the rest of the wonderful Heidkamp cousins,

Other then the beastly hot weather on Sunday everything was absolutely fabulous!!!  It was great how all

of the cousins went out of their way to meet and greet members from all of the clans. The only sad part

for me is that I did not see any of the Uncle George and Aunt Virginia Heidkamps!  God bless you and

all of the Heidkamps where ever you are today!

Love,

Elizabeth Heidkamp McAleer a.k.a. Betty

 

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[rhe...@comcast.net]

Shamey,

You da Man!!!!!!!!   Great work!!!

Thank you very, very much.

Ann & Dick Heidkamp

---

From: "Shamey Cramer" <sham...@gmail.com>
To: "Nancy Tanney" <njta...@aol.com>, "Ellen" <ellen...@gmail.com>, "kpigott572" <kpigo...@aol.com>, "M Heidkamp" <mhei...@gmail.com>, "Janet Heidkamp (GE, Corporate)" <janet.h...@ge.com>, "Mary Heidkamp" <ma...@dynamic-insights.com>, "Mary Ann Heidkamp" <mahei...@hotmail.com>, "Aunt Margie" <marjhe...@ameritech.net>, "Andrew J. Heidkamp" <aj.he...@tufts.edu>, "Philip Heidkamp" <phei...@fbr.com>, "rfc23" <rfcr...@yahoo.com>, "Tony & Deanne MILLKAMP" <mill...@msn.com>, "Mary Kay" <mli...@sbcglobal.net>, "Marisa Dapier" <mada...@sbcglobal.net>, "Brennan Brinck" <gm.b...@gmail.com>, "Betty Pozzi" <bcp...@att.net>, "Fran Heidkamp" <franhe...@yahoo.com>, "Mary Marsh" <mtm...@yahoo.com>, "Christian McCall" <oqt...@yahoo.com>, "tommy" <to...@440music.com>, "heidkamp" <heid...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: "Sally McCarthy" <sala...@sbcglobal.net>, "Gene Heidkamp" <gah...@sbcglobal.net>, "Mike Heidkamp" <miki-z...@comcast.net>, "Pat Heidkamp" <peabo...@comcast.net>, "Pat Casey" <pca...@nmff.org>, "Ryan Weber" <web...@gmail.com>, "Mary Jettner" <jet...@sbcglobal.net>, "Mike Weber" <mike...@cityofchicago.org>, "Jeanne Carson" <jca...@prime-electric.net>, "Billy and Lucy Weber" <web...@aol.com>, "Maureen Weber" <mow...@sbcglobal.net>, "Kathie Schultz" <kathie...@yahoo.com>, "Lynn Weber" <lcw...@cps.edu>, "Paul and Shannon Heidkamp" <thehei...@comcast.net>, "Maria Heidkamp-Scully" <mhe...@gmail.com>, "Tracey Joya" <trace...@yahoo.com>, "Aileen Heidkamp" <ahei...@gmail.com>, "Gina Heidkamp" <gina.h...@yahoo.com>, "Gerard Heidkamp" <gerard....@gmail.com>, "Patti Godfrey" <jpg...@aol.com>, "Tom Heidkamp" <ts...@comcast.net>, "Matt and Donna Heidkamp" <dhei...@rjobrien.com>, "Julie & Ricky Ramirez" <Heid...@att.net>, "Kristina & Felipe Reyes" <freye...@sbcglobal.net>, "Gene Heidkamp" <ghei...@hotmail.com>, "Bridget Heidkamp" <bheid...@yahoo.com>, "Sarah Heidkamp" <sarahkh...@yahoo.com>, "Dawn McCarthy" <dawnmc...@sbcglobal.net>, "Kelly Milito" <kelly...@sbcglobal.net>, "Colleen Mc Carthy" <collee...@hotmail.com>, "Patti Slojokowski" <psl...@aol.com>, "Sarah Heidkamp" <skhei...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 12:35:36 PM
Subject: 2011 HEIDKAMP FAMILY PICNIC: POST-GAME ANALYSIS

--

[Judy Weber]

Shaney and all the Heidkamp Family,

It sure was a great weekend with the tours, Mass and picnic.  There were around 60 Paul/Cele family members and I'm sure a lot more of the Herb/Mary family.  George and Alice's son Mark was having a surprise birthday party for his wife, Marcie, on Sunday, one of the reasons the George/Virginia families couldn't come.  To get so many together, especially from out of town, was fantastic!  Wish I could have gotten to talk with and meet so many other cousins, but it was so hot I think we all wanted to stay under the pavilion or trees. 

 

Thank You to you and Gene, Sarah, Dawn and so many others who helped on Sunday.  Thanks to Sarah for the Mars candy donations, Dawn for many of the game and prizes, and her mom, Sally for all the prizes for the kids.  Sally had those Heidkamp Family Picnic bracelets made but was so disappointed when they came mis-spelled.  The printer  probably was thinking "i" before "e" except after "c", the english rule - probably never heard of the great Heidkamp name!

 

God Bless Us All!

 

Judy

---

From: Elizabeth McAleer <betty.m...@gmail.com>
To: heid...@googlegroups.com
Cc: Nancy Tanney <njta...@aol.com>; Ellen <ellen...@gmail.com>; kpigott572 <kpigo...@aol.com>; M Heidkamp <mhei...@gmail.com>; "Heidkamp, Janet (GE, Corporate)" <janet.h...@ge.com>; Mary Heidkamp <ma...@dynamic-insights.com>; Mary Ann Heidkamp <mahei...@hotmail.com>; Aunt Margie <marjhe...@ameritech.net>; "Heidkamp, Andrew J." <aj.he...@tufts.edu>; Philip Heidkamp <phei...@fbr.com>; rfc23 <rfcr...@yahoo.com>; Tony & Deanne MILLKAMP <mill...@msn.com>; Mary Kay <mli...@sbcglobal.net>; Marisa Dapier <mada...@sbcglobal.net>; Brennan Brinck <gm.b...@gmail.com>; Betty Pozzi <bcp...@att.net>; Fran Heidkamp <franhe...@yahoo.com>; Mary Marsh <mtm...@yahoo.com>; Christian McCall <oqt...@yahoo.com>; tommy <to...@440music.com>; Sally McCarthy <sala...@sbcglobal.net>; Gene Heidkamp <gah...@sbcglobal.net>; Mike Heidkamp <miki-z...@comcast.net>; Pat Heidkamp <peabo...@comcast.net>; Pat Casey <pca...@nmff.org>; Ryan Weber <web...@gmail.com>; Mary Jettner <jet...@sbcglobal.net>; Mike Weber <mike...@cityofchicago.org>; Jeanne Carson <jca...@prime-electric.net>; Billy and Lucy Weber <web...@aol.com>; Maureen Weber <mow...@sbcglobal.net>; Kathie Schultz <kathie...@yahoo.com>; Lynn Weber <lcw...@cps.edu>; Paul and Shannon Heidkamp <thehei...@comcast.net>; Maria Heidkamp-Scully <mhe...@gmail.com>; Tracey Joya <trace...@yahoo.com>; Aileen Heidkamp <ahei...@gmail.com>; Gina Heidkamp <gina.h...@yahoo.com>; Gerard Heidkamp <gerard....@gmail.com>; Patti Godfrey <jpg...@aol.com>; Tom Heidkamp <ts...@comcast.net>; Matt and Donna Heidkamp <dhei...@rjobrien.com>; Julie & Ricky Ramirez <Heid...@att.net>; Kristina & Felipe Reyes <freye...@sbcglobal.net>; Gene Heidkamp <ghei...@hotmail.com>; Bridget Heidkamp <bheid...@yahoo.com>; Sarah Heidkamp <sarahkh...@yahoo.com>; Dawn McCarthy <dawnmc...@sbcglobal.net>; Kelly Milito <kelly...@sbcglobal.net>; Colleen Mc Carthy <collee...@hotmail.com>; Patti Slojokowski <psl...@aol.com>; Sarah Heidkamp <skhei...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tue, July 19, 2011 1:30:27 PM
Subject: Re: 2011 HEIDKAMP FAMILY PICNIC: POST-GAME ANALYSIS

[Shamey Cramer]

There were 76 of the 226 descendants of Herb/Mary (Toner) Heidkamp at
the Sunday picnic, and an additional three individuals at other
weekend events - exactly one-third of our clan.

Thanks to Kevin Wester, I have just received correspondence from Jim
Beck, whose Great Aunt was Aurelia Gengler Malherbe (Glenview, IL),
older half-sister of Emil Heidkamp (son of Adolph, and brother of
Louise Watry and Senator Adolph F.). We will be getting together first
week of August to combine our information.

And so the circle grows........much love, Shamey

>>Bernie Heidkamp- Dude, this picnic would never have happened without you

>> and the
>>heidkamp.com website. Like so many other progeny of Adolph Heidkamp, your
>> skills
>>as an educator and your commitment to family have been the threads that not
>> only
>>kept this care-worn tapestry called the Heidkamp Family together these past
>> few
>>years, but allowed us to understand the full power of staying connected
>> through
>>prayer and the Internet. The 2011 Heidkamp Family Reunion was produced
>> without
>>the cost of printing and postage (but it does cost him to run the website,
>> so we
>>are including the cost of that operation into our expenses). THANK YOU!!!
>>
>>

>>MJ Lohan- WOW! I already had respect for your laser-sharp critical thinking

>>
>>skills based on our virtual conversations, and just fell in love with the
>>live-action 3-D version of you. You are one serious force of Nature, my
>> dear,
>>and Registration would not have worked without your dedication and
>> commitment.
>>And yes - the Emil Heidkamps really know how to organise and GET THINGS
>> DONE!
>>Thank you.
>>
>>
>>Kevin Wester - Without your passion and drive to make the Luxembourg
>> American
>>Culture Society the preeminent culture center it is, our family would
>> nenver
>>have found the information you shared with us on Friday. Thank you for
>> making
>>that day such a wonderful investment of time and resources - and let us
>> know
>>when the article is published!!! We look forward to keeping the Heidkamp
>> Family
>>actively involved with the LACS in the coming years (he alread put me in
>> touch
>>wiht the Gengler Family member who has conducted all their research)
>>
>>

>>Judy Weber (AKA Grandma Judy)- Thank you for making the memorial Mass the

>> most
>>poignant and beautiful memory for all 45-50 of us in attendance. The way
>> you
>>reached out across the generations to include the various branches of our
>> family
>>into the service was awesome. My only regret is that Helmut and I couldn't
>> stay
>>longer @ Piggery - heard it only got better after we left! Thank you.
>>
>>
>>Dawn McCarthy - Thank goodness you have followed in the footsteps of Adolph
>>
>>Heidkamp to become an extraordinary educator and human being. You were the
>> first
>>"Permanent" member of our team, and as soon as you got on board, with all
>> your
>>organizational skills, everything else started falling in place. Your outer
>>
>>beauty is only surpassed by your amazing inner beauty. I could go on
>>rhapsodizing eloquent about you, but needless to say, you are forever my #1
>> Girl
>>Crush. Thank you.
>>
>>

>>Sarah Heidkamp (daughter of Gene)- Wild horses couldn't have kept you away

>> from
>>being such an integral part of making sure this series of events were a
>> success.
>>Your passion for preserving our family history is one of the deepest in
>> this
>>tribe, and future generations will be grateful for all you continue to do
>> in
>>that regard. Your ability to get Registration up and running, then
>> immediately
>>segue into keeping the young people active and engaged was remarkable, and
>>allowed me to relax once everything got into swing.
>>
>>

>>Gene Heidkamp (pere)- Grandpa Adolph would be most proud of you, which is

>> why it
>>is so appropriate that you will portray him this Fall when Port Washington
>>re-enacts the Luxembourg Uprising (stay tuned for details on that, fiolks,
>> but
>>you better start growing that beard now, pal). I couldn't have a better
>> mentor
>>when it comes to preserving our family history or how to be a historian (or
>> how
>>to bellow at the top of your lungs to get everyone to quiet down without
>> losing
>>your voice). You are one of the most decent and giving human beings I have
>> met,
>>and it is an honour to call you family, as well as friend. Thank You Thank
>> You
>>THANK YOU!!!
>>
>>

>>Oma Gertrud Lichtenberg- I am honoured that I was the Catherina Steinbach

>>Heidkamp progeny destined to fulfil her grand-daughter's (your Grandmother
>>Gerfer) wish to "bring the family back together" as a result of your care
>> and
>>stewardship of the 100 year-old letters from Senator Adolph Heidkamp to his
>>
>>German Gerfer cousins in Edelrath. You deserve the most credit for
>> 'completing'
>>the circle between our two sides of the family. Danke Schoen, and I hope to
>> see
>>you again Summer 2012 (and hopefully, learn enough German this year at
>> school to
>>have a direct conversation this time). Alle mein liebe, Oma. xoxoxo
>>
>>

>>Helmut Gerfer (AKA Opa Muti)- I am typing this - literally at 11:25am - as

>> your
>>plane is taking off from O'Hare (just dropped him off 2-1/2 hours ago for
>> his
>>return flight). Little did I know when you drove to meet me on 29 July 2010
>> in
>>Koln that I would be meeting my twin soul, and my best and closest friend
>> in
>>life. You arrived a stranger and have won the hearts of all your American
>>cousins. You also arrived a guest and ended up busting your butt more than
>>anyone doing the physical labour setting up and tearing down the Sunday
>> Picnic.
>>I look forward to rejoin you, Martina, (Tina G Superstar), Vanessa,
>> Matthias,

>>Greta, Sarah, Thomas, Na Djaand all the quadrapeds at Casa Muti next year.

[Jim]

Well done. Jim. HEIDAMP. Writing from London England Sorry to have missed the shindig Hopefully next time.

[Pat and Fred Carson]

Fred and I had a wonderful time - so glad we came out from Maryland.
It was just wonderful to see all these different members of the
Heidkamp family and I hope we can do it again someday.

I would like Helmut's mailing address - if I find a good picture, I'd
like to send him a copy.

Let's hope we are "Never to busy to say hello!".

Pat Heidkamp Carson
Emil and Pat's daughter

On Jul 19, 1:35 pm, Shamey Cramer <shame...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Greetings:
>
> Thank you all once again for making this past weekend's events so special
> and amazing. It was wonderful to introduce a new generation of Heidkamps to
> our family history and our Heidkamp Family Picnic.  Our best guesstimates is
> that we had between 225 - 250 in attendance.
>
> As I said in our introductions, no man is an island unto himself. Those who
> deserve the greatest amount of our gratitude include:
>

> *Bernie Heidkamp* - Dude, this picnic would never have happened without you

> and the heidkamp.com website. Like so many other progeny of Adolph Heidkamp,
> your skills as an educator and your commitment to family have been the
> threads that not only kept this care-worn tapestry called the Heidkamp
> Family together these past few years, but allowed us to understand the full
> power of staying connected through prayer and the Internet. The 2011
> Heidkamp Family Reunion was produced without the cost of printing and
> postage (but it does cost him to run the website, so we are including the
> cost of that operation into our expenses). THANK YOU!!!
>

> *MJ Lohan* - WOW! I already had respect for your laser-sharp critical

> thinking skills based on our virtual conversations, and just fell in love
> with the live-action 3-D version of you. You are one serious force of
> Nature, my dear, and Registration would not have worked without your
> dedication and commitment. And yes - the Emil Heidkamps really know how to
> organise and GET THINGS DONE! Thank you.
>

> *Kevin Wester* - Without your passion and drive to make the Luxembourg

> American Culture Society the preeminent culture center it is, our family
> would nenver have found the information you shared with us on Friday. Thank
> you for making that day such a wonderful investment of time and resources -
> and let us know when the article is published!!! We look forward to keeping
> the Heidkamp Family actively involved with the LACS in the coming years (he
> alread put me in touch wiht the Gengler Family member who has conducted all
> their research)
>

> *Judy Weber (AKA Grandma Judy)* - Thank you for making the memorial Mass the

> most poignant and beautiful memory for all 45-50 of us in attendance. The
> way you reached out across the generations to include the various branches
> of our family into the service was awesome. My only regret is that Helmut
> and I couldn't stay longer @ Piggery - heard it only got better after we
> left! Thank you.
>

> *Dawn McCarthy *- Thank goodness you have followed in the footsteps of

> Adolph Heidkamp to become an extraordinary educator and human being. You
> were the first "Permanent" member of our team, and as soon as you got on
> board, with all your organizational skills, everything else started falling
> in place. Your outer beauty is only surpassed by your amazing inner beauty.
> I could go on rhapsodizing eloquent about you, but needless to say, you are
> forever my #1 Girl Crush. Thank you.
>

> *Sarah Heidkamp (daughter of Gene)* - Wild horses couldn't have kept you

> away from being such an integral part of making sure this series of events
> were a success. Your passion for preserving our family history is one of the
> deepest in this tribe, and future generations will be grateful for all you
> continue to do in that regard. Your ability to get Registration up and
> running, then immediately segue into keeping the young people active and
> engaged was remarkable, and allowed me to relax once everything got into
> swing.
>

> *Gene Heidkamp (pere)* - Grandpa Adolph would be most proud of you, which is

> why it is so appropriate that you will portray him this Fall when Port
> Washington re-enacts the Luxembourg Uprising (stay tuned for details on
> that, fiolks, but you better start growing that beard now, pal). I couldn't
> have a better mentor when it comes to preserving our family history or how
> to be a historian (or how to bellow at the top of your lungs to get everyone
> to quiet down without losing your voice). You are one of the most decent and
> giving human beings I have met, and it is an honour to call you family, as
> well as friend. Thank You Thank You THANK YOU!!!
>

> *Oma Gertrud Lichtenberg* - I am honoured that I was the Catherina Steinbach

> Heidkamp progeny destined to fulfil her grand-daughter's (your Grandmother
> Gerfer) wish to "bring the family back together" as a result of your care
> and stewardship of the 100 year-old letters from Senator Adolph Heidkamp to
> his German Gerfer cousins in Edelrath. You deserve the most credit for
> 'completing' the circle between our two sides of the family. Danke Schoen,
> and I hope to see you again Summer 2012 (and hopefully, learn enough German
> this year at school to have a direct conversation this time). Alle mein
> liebe, Oma. xoxoxo
>

> *Helmut Gerfer (AKA Opa Muti)* - I am typing this - literally at 11:25am -

> as your plane is taking off from O'Hare (just dropped him off 2-1/2 hours
> ago for his return flight). Little did I know when you drove to meet me on
> 29 July 2010 in Koln that I would be meeting my twin soul, and my best and
> closest friend in life. You arrived a stranger and have won the hearts of
> all your American cousins. You also arrived a guest and ended up busting
> your butt more than anyone doing the physical labour setting up and tearing

> down the Sunday Picnic. I look forward to rejoin you, *Martina, (Tina G
> Superstar), Vanessa, Matthias, Greta, Sarah, Thomas, Na Dja* and all the

> quadrapeds at Casa Muti next year. Schusse and safe passage home. Enjoy the
> Wisonsin brats and remember: it's shi-KAW-go!!! AW AW AW  ;-)
>

> *Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer* - Life can seem a little daunting when the most

> extraordinary human being you have ever met is also your Mother. Like all
> Heidkamps, you demand the best from yourself and others at all times. Your
> enthusiasm for life and ensuring others feel at home and welcomed is a
> beautiful and rare gift - thank you for continuing to share that with us at
> all times. Regardless of the challenges in life, you have taught all of us
> how to hold our head high in the face of adversity and to never lose faith
> in oneself, family or God. As a result of this demonstration of God's will,
> you reap the richest rewards of all. I am humbled and can never thank you
> enough for giving me life and teaching me how to make sure every moment
> counts. It was an honour to produce this event for you - I love you and
> thank you from the bottom of my heart to the bottom of your sacred heart.
>

> To so may others, such as *Barb Biegaj, Janet Heidkamp, Wally & Pat, Jim,

> Dick & Ann, Don & Marcia, Pat & Fred Carson, Nancy Tanney, Ellen Foglia,
> Lynn Cohn, Karen & Rudy Altergott, Phil Heidkamp (son of Fran), Betty Pozzi,
> Mary C. Linari, Mary (Scooter) Heidkamp (congrats on the successful
> surgery), musicians Tom Bones Cramer, Fran Heidkamp, AJH, Luke Pigott and
> Elli Dapier, Mary T, Marsh, Ann Marie Heidkamp, Norbert "First Hour Man"

> Dahlem, Johanna Dahlem*: *THANK YOU *for everything, large and small (and

> several others who may get a follow-up thank you when we send out the
> Finance Report later this month).
>
> And lastly - to all who participated in or attended any of our events this

> past week: *A party is only as good as those who attend. **THANK YOU!!! This

> wouldn't have been an unqualified success without your joining in at some
> point or another.  Herding Heidkamps extraordinaire! You peeps outdid

> yoself!*

>
> When I drove Helmut to the airport this morning, he was adamant in his
> commitment to follow through on his invitation for our family to travel to
> the Koln area and provide stronger connections between our international
> families. We will keep you updated on that (Dusseldorf is the closest
> airport with direct flights from the USA).
>
> The committee will meet this week (at the Piggery, of course!) to process
> all the information we received, but one thing is for certain: we will have
> another gathering of the American Heidkamp tribe in either 2013 or 2014,
> depending on the feedback we receive. Until then, keep doing what you can to
> pray for each other and support each other any way you can - that's the
> power of our family, which is a rare and beautiful gift unto itself.
>
> Much love to all, with peace and blessings.
>
> Namaste - Aroha Nui
>
> Shamey /
> James McCall Cramer
> (AKA Cousin Jimmy)
>

> *BABIES RULE!!!!!!!*