The Elmira Brechtel Collection consists of correspondence from performers with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra sent to Ms. Brechtel in response to letters and cards that she sent to various members of the Lawrence Welk Show. Sending birthday cards has been a hobby of Mrs. Brechtel for over sixty years. The correspondence covers about twenty years, 1972-1992. The Lawrence Welk Show members who sent the most correspondence include: Ava Barber (Sullivan), Bobby Burgess, Johnny Zell, and Bob Smale. The collection consists of postcards, Christmas cards, letters, photographs, fan club and newsletters received from the performers. There are also two Welk programs and the Lawrence Welk's Champagne Music Makers Personal Data Guide (1970).
