REUNION 2026
Stouffville, ON, Canada
July 24 & 25, 2026
The Code H44 Casper Sherick/Shirk Story
As our present and our future are entwined with our past we look forward to exploring our roots at the July reunion.
The Markham Whitchurch-Stouffville area is where Casper Sherick/Shirk, H44, an older brother of Joseph H46, settled in 1804, along with 13 other families and individuals from Pennsylvania. This is their story. Stouffville is 45 minutes north of Toronto.
A Schürch reunion was held in Markham in 1996. The town has grown significantly since then. Whitchurch-Stouffville is a small town north of Markham up Highway 48 and is surrounded by farms.
The local legion is the site of the 2026 reunion. The Stouffville Legion supports veterans in many ways. For one, they provide a space for veterans to gather and socialize. They also offer their building for public use. Rick Evans, the reunion co-chair, has used this facility a number of times for local hockey events. We have hired the Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary to provide lunches and snacks for our reunion.
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REGISTRATION
Registration fee includes the following during the reunion: snacks and beverages throughout, lunch (Friday & Saturday), concert, pizza supper, and bus tour. The Gourmet Barbecue Banquet is a separate fee.
During our time together we are only able to accommodate vegetarians and those with a gluten intolerance.
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There are two versions of the registration form: one is fillable on line - click here; and the other can be printed from this link. Payment is by cheque/check.
Everything, including meals, is on site except for the bus tour.​​
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS​​​​
OUR SPEAKERS
Stephen Shirk: Stephen is our president, an avid historian, who did a great deal of legwork to find his own roots, and a descendant of Code H44.
Fred Robbins: Fred is a local historian who knows a great deal about the history of this area.
Larry Hogg: Larry is a retired CA, has anabaptist roots and oversees the Heise Hill Cemetery where Casper, H44, and several family members are buried.
Ruth Burkholder: Ruth married into an anabaptist family coming from an English home. She became very involved in this area and has a wealth of knowledge. She and Fred Robbins established the Stouffville Historical Society and ran it for twenty years until interest faded.
Isobel Fishley and Ann Barnsley: Isobel and Ann are sisters whose grandfather moved from Ontario to Saskatchewan to farm in 1904. They are descendants of H44.
Ken Sherk: Ken, Code N13D462 and his wife Erli experienced their first Heritage Tour and are pleased to show some highlights.
Catherine Hooker: Catherine grew up on a farm just east of this area. Her family had a mill
that was changed to a cider mill. It is a fascinating story of grit and determination.
GOOD TO KNOW REUNION TIDBITS
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Historians will be available in the Legion’s Board Room to assist with root research. Bonus: The Legion has great wifi.
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Coffee, tea, water and muffins will be available throughout out the reunion.
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Books and memorabilia will be on sale.
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At every reunion we hold a live auction. The funds raised go towards family research in North America and Europe. Please hand in your auction items at the registration desk upon arrival. Auction items will be displayed until Saturday at 4pm.
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Your old family photos are welcomed. We will scan them and add them to our photo gallery.
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For the purpose of identification in group photos, we will take photos of you with your name tag. We’ll have a waiver form at the registration desk.
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Should you have any questions about your registration contact Zulema Evans at routestoroots2026@gmail.com
If you have any questions about the reunion please contact Betty Sherk at
esherk18@gmail.com or telephone 647-225-0650.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE REUNION
1) Consider the Lilies B & B 16571 Ninth Line, Stouffville,
416-456-7167. https://considertheliliesbnb.ca/page-2/ e-mail:considertheliliesbnb@gmail.com $175 to $250 per night with a full breakfast. Five rooms. About 20 minute drive to the reunion site
2) Days Inn by Wyndham Stouffville - 35 minutes from Toronto Pearson Airport - 38 Ringwood Dr., Stouffville. 905-642-2929. stouffvilledaysinn@gmail.com. - five minutes from the reunion site - free continental breakfast, parking and wi-fi. Starting at $139. Ten rooms with two queens are reserved at the group rate of $139 until June 20, 2026. Hotel Website: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/en-ca/days-inn
3) Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Northeast/Markham - 7095 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON, L3R 1A3 - On-site Bistro Restaurant - rooms and suites - parking for a fee - 30 minutes from the reunion site- from $220 CAD per night - Website: https://marriott.com
4) Monte Carlo Inn - Toronto Markham - 8900 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON, L3R 5K6 - 30 minutes from the reunion site from $195 CAD per night - Visit https://www.montecarloinns.com/downtown-markham-suites
5) Hampton Inn and Suites By Hilton Toronto Markham. - 52 Bodrington Court, Markham, ON, L6G 0A9. - free hot breakfast and wi-fi - from $342 CAD per room - 30 minutes from the reunion site - Website: hilton.com
Campgrounds:
1) Cedar Beach Park on Musselman’s Lake, 15014 Ninth Line, Stouffville, Ontario - twenty minutes from the reunion site - 1-866-588-8828 -Email: info@cedarbeach.ca. Web Site: https://www.cedarbeach.ca/
2) Grangeways RV Park &N Family Campground - 9700 Concession 3 Rd. Sandford ON L0C 1E0 grangeways.com - 25 minutes from Stoufffville
3) Ponderosa Campground and Trailer Park - 19332 Hwy 48, Mount Albert, ON L0G 1M0 - 25 minutes from the reunion site - Call: 905-473-260 - 21 km from Stouffville
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EXPLORE THE AREA
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Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area: Treetop Trekking + Disc Golf + Geocaching + Hiking + Zip lining + Mountain biking with Sheltered Picnic Areas - This is located on Casper Sherick’s original lot.
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Markham Village Heritage Tour - https://www.markham.ca/about-city-markham/markham-heritage/tours/markham-village-heritage-tour