The 24th annual Reel reunion was held on August 2 at the Strasburg Community Building with 71 in attendance.
The hosts for the day were the Eric Thomas family and Delbert and Doris Stremming.
There were five births recorded: Hailey Michelle Burt, Dec. 2, 2008; Zachary James Shelton, March 2, 2009; William Michael Klepzig, April 14, 2009; Leia Mercedes Klein, May 5, 2009; and Kolton Mitchell Sims, June 30, 2009.
Five marriages were recorded: Amy Sims Etmire and Robert Hensleyon, July 31, 2008; Bridget Reel and Steven Polk, September 6, 2008; Renea Reel and Brendon Bowers, January 1, 2009; Natasha Brandt and Steffen Harris, January 3, 2009; Brittany Klein and Jeremy Zumbahlen, May 30, 2009.
There was just one death recorded: Pearl Eyrse of Charleston, IL. She died April 9, 2009, at 90 years old.
Ruth Thomas was the oldest person attending and Zachary Shelton, the youngest at 5 months.
Those attending from Strasburg were: Ruth Thomas; Joyce and Brett Kull; Dorothy and Scott Stremming; Delbert and Doris Stremming; Evelyn Reel; Fawn and Angela Thomas; Deidra Weeden; Cassie Weeden; Josh Weeden; Brian, Lisa and Zachary Shelton; Eric and Sara Long; Rev. Michael Mohr; Pastor, Esther, and Jason Becker.
Those attending from Shelbyville were: Barbara Weeden; Dee Dee, Johanna, Bryson, Amelia Batson; Noah Prosser; Skyla, Dar, and Lesa Richardson.
Attending from Effingham were: Rev. Gary and Gloria Fortkamp; Russ and Jo Thomas; Don and Christa Tieffel; Austin Siemer, and Reagan Zumbahlen; Stephanie Leftivich; Hannah and Alexia Jones; and Taylor Torres.
Other attendees were: Brad and Deb Thomas of Neoga; Kathryn Thomas and Greg Zander of Caseyville; Steve Kull of Bloomington; Tim, Kim, Jane and Emily Stremming of Edwardsville; Valorie, Hannah, and Bekah Montgomery of Arcola; Mike and Sue Nichols of Bethany; Judy Sims of Charleston; Karen Blackful of Park Forest; Travis, Gina, Anyssa, Henry and Tyler Vonderheide of Shumway; John and Marsha Herrington of Shorewood; Eric and Jame Thomas, Paula Coker, and J.D. and Vicky Copsy, all of Mattoon.
The next Reel reunion will be held on August 1, 2010, with Gloria Fortkamp and Christa Tieffel as hosts.
