2009 85th Anniversary Gathering of Schutz Alumni And George and MaryLou Meloy Memorial Celebration

Carolyn Pollock (For the Schutz Alumni Association)

“Name a mission family from each of these stations: Asyut, Minya, Aswan, Zagazig, Tanta, Cairo.” “List the names of as many Schutz dogs as you can.” “Write the names of teachers for each of the letters of the alphabet.” “List as many tram stops as you can remember…and movie theaters.” Such were some of the questions from a rollicking team memory game prepared by the Meloy family for our entertainment at the Stultz Farm, Butler, PA during the July 17-19th weekend. If you weren’t there, YOU MISSED A GRAND TIME! It’s hard to describe the connectedness and joviality that takes place as we relax and share both the past and present in our too-busy lives!

Jean Stultz continues to be the “glue” that keeps us bonded in her quiet behind the scenes way. After the deaths of both George and MaryLou Meloy in 2008, she proposed a reunion time to honor their memories, and their children, Ann, Jane, Sara and John. We can never thank her, and Al and Gloria Stultz enough for continuing to embrace the Schutz family as their own each July when we “crash” at the farm. The festivities began Friday night with a dinner at the Slippery Rock Country Club, as the Meloy/Lash/Jubinski/Elgendy/Johnson family gathered to celebrate their own family reunion with us – 38 in all. The visiting continued well on into the night at the farm, although the breakfast crew had to be up early the next morning to prepare a traditional Egyptian breakfast of ful madammas and hard boiled eggs.

After the morning board meeting on Saturday, the day was left open for more visiting and eating. A fantastic picnic lunch was served to over 50 of us, and in spite of the rain and chill, our spirits were not dampened. From catching a bull frog, and making a bug collection, to playing an adaptation of BINGO “called SCHUTZ”, laughter and Arabic words could be heard sprinkled amongst the conversations. The “SCHUTZ” game cards were unique creations – you could choose the normal one with regular numbers, but other choices were numbers in Arabic, Roman numerals, mathematical equations, or the symbols of the periodic table. Uh, John…remember, it’s been a l-o-n-g while since we were in school? Al kept a few hearty men busy cutting firewood for the traditional barrel of corn, steamed in the husks. Some tried out the boat on the pond, some fed the fish at the dock, some “chilled” at the house, others prepared yet another meal, a couple pitched tents to stay over night, stragglers arrived and a few left early, photos and books were perused, and finally, the magic glow of the camp fire that always has a way of drawing folks around.

Sunday afternoon was the traditional gathering in the basement of the New Wilmington, PA church after the choice of attending the service there, or in the amphitheatre on the campus of Westminster College. By now our numbers were down to about 3 dozen, but there were a few new faces, and conversation never lulled around another delicious meal. The highlights of the previous day’s board meeting were given and the group voted unanimously to affirm the candidates for the board, some staying on and some new recruits. A few of us went across the street to visit Willis McGill in the Shenango Home, probably the oldest living Schutzite in his late 90s. And HE was the one who knew the answer to the question of which mission families lived in Zagazig, when the rest of us were stumped!

Although most of us do not yet have calendars for 2011, it is proposed that another Grand Reunion take place during that summer, most probably in the Washington, DC area. We are not an exclusive group, and would love to have younger alumni, particularly those who were at Schutz in the 1980s, the 1990s and 2000s, make an effort to attend. We would love to share your stories!

This letter will be the last of the printed alumni newsletters. Circulation of the first group communication began in the 1960s as a round robin letter to about 12 friends. Later this format changed and Jean Stultz began compiling and mailing letters twice a year to a list that at one point had over 800 recipients. Most recently – the past 9 years, Ron and Janie Walters have compiled and mailed them out to around 600 alumni and friends. With the popularity of Facebook and its ability to connect us easily with old and new friends, and access to computers and web sites, it was decided that future news will be shared through these means. The Schutz American School website is: www.schutzschool.org which takes you to information relating to what is happening in Egypt. If you simply “Google” Schutz American School, there are about 65,000 entries, so you will be entertained for a long time!

Memorial contributions are still being received for George and Mary Lou Meloy and may be sent to Ron Walters at 4708 Silverleaf Rd., Dugspur, VA 24325-3693. Also yearly dues of $10 may be sent to Ron. Mark your calendars for next year’s reunion. The board meeting will be on July 17th and the full reunion will be Sunday the 18th in New Wilmington, PA. Check the web site for details.

Schutz Grand Reunion 2007

Marina Moraitis, Schutz Reunion 2007 Coordinator

July 30, 2007 

Dear Schutzites, 

The 2007 Grand Reunion took place July 12-15 in Ottawa and what a reunion it was!

Shukran, Thank you, Merci, Gracias, Efgharisto!

To those of you who participated….Thank you so much to each and every one of you for helping make the reunion such a special one. You were awesome!!

First and foremost, to Gloria Holcomb, Ann Meloy, Larry and Lavina Pattee and Ann Turnbull, my endearing Reunion Committee members without whom the reunion would not have been such a success, my heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks for all your hard work, exceptional contribution, expertise and support throughout the two years.

To Ed Nicholas and the members of the SASAF board who supported the Reunion Committee throughout the two years of planning, thank you. And last but not least, to all the helpers, participants and supporters of the reunion, who gave their time and/or made a financial contribution to support this reunion, shukran. Among them are Jean Stultz, Ron and Janie Walters, Bill Pollock, Steve Brooks, my sister Agnes and my son Karim. What a privilege it was to coordinate this event with, and for, each and every one of you!

To those of you who couldn't make it, I speak for everyone when I say, Wish you had been there!

View reunion photos!

Thanks to Ernie Baca, we have our first set of reunion photos on our web site. Click here to view a subset of them or go to the Photos Library to view all of them. We would love to have you send us more. Please email Ed Nicholas if you have some to share.

Here's what we did...

Upon arrival on Thursday, after registration, get-togethers and dinner in the cafeteria, we were treated to a fun evening of finding out our colour (not color, we were in Canada after all) in a workshop led by Ann Turnbull and Coleen Carder. Did you know that we each have a colour or combination of colours ? By knowing our colour and that of our friends, colleagues and loved ones, it helps us better understand each other …and it definitely “coloured” our vocabulary for the rest of the week-end!

On Friday, we explored Ottawa. First, we headed to Parliament Hill to see the popular Changing of the Guard ceremony. Then we were off on a bus tour with our guide, Lori Thornton, from the National Capital Commission, to the colourful ByWard Market, the official residences of the Prime Minister and that of the Governor General. We then crossed over to the city of Gatineau in the Province of Quebec to admire the Museum of Civilization and had lunch in the ByWard market. The afternoon was free to wander around the fresh fruits and vegetables stalls, visit the Art Gallery, ride on the Rideau canal or shop in the area boutiques. In the evening, Lahela and Kyle Isaacson talked to us about Third Culture Kids (TCKs). That’s us! Their presentation was based on David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken’s “Third Culture Kids: the Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds”. It was thought-provoking and interesting.

On Saturday, Lahela and Kyle resumed the session on TCKs by leading a discussion with panelists and participants Glen Jamison, Dot Turnbull, Bill Pollock, Steve Brooks and Debbie Martin. More genuine sharing, more reflections, made it a memorable time.

After lunch, the SASAF Board met, led by Ed Nicholas. Ann Akers then led a non-denominational worship service during which Carolyn Pollock performed a lovely worship dance. We then had group photos taken with a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Corporal Brault. We did not shy away from the rain! Then, off we went to the Egyptian Dinner and talent show, where we enjoyed delicious food with Egyptian music and were most impressed by the talent displayed by the participating Schutzites! Debbie Bacon also gave us an interesting overview of Schutz as it is today, gifts and prizes were awarded and the reunion was over, all too soon for many of us.

Here’s what you said about the reunion…

Twenty-seven (27) of you completed the evaluation form on the reunion. Here are the main points:

• On the overall opinion of the reunion : Excellent (17/27); very good (6/27); good (2/27); (2 left blank)
• On whether you will attend the next reunion: Definitely (14/27); most likely (7/27)
• On your favourite reunion activities : Personal time with family and friends (10/27); The Egyptian dinner (10/27)

Some highlights of the reunion...

• Glen Jamison and Lee Lafont reunite after 40 years
• We speak of colours throughout the week-end
• The Pattees celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary
• We realize how much we have in common and how unique we are as Third Culture Kids
• After a rainy bus trip to Parliament Hill, we are treated to a magically sunny ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. We get first-class view of the mounties!
• At the amazing talent show, Ron Walters and George Reed make great Masters of Ceremonies
• The Quick sisters display their talent in singing Arabic fellahi songs
• Ed displays his hidden yoga – and contortionist - talent. Oh, my!
• The Pollocks, and Glen Jamison impress us with their diverse talent.
• Lavina recites an Arabic-English poem. What fun!
• In our tour of Ottawa, we discover the best kept secret of the city – a beautiful restroom, but there’s no time to stop! (We did end up stopping at the Museum of Civilization – whew!)
• Debbie Bacon gives us an interesting snapshot of Schutz as it is today

What next?

So what happens next? Where would you like the next reunion to be held and how frequently? Would you like to help coordinate it? Please email the Reunion Committee or any SASAF board member with your thoughts and comments. We would love to hear from you.

See you at the next reunion, insha’allah!

Marina Moraitis
Schutz Reunion 2007 Coordinator

A Schutz History is Being Written Charlotte Weaver-Gelzer and Alice Meloy are pulling together YEARS of research on the history of Schutz. The book is taking shape, but it is never too late for individual stories to be sent in. The authors would love to hear from former students, staff members, parents and friends of Schutz who have something to say about their experiences.

Yearly Dues Can Now be Paid Online! Thank you to all of you that officially join the alumni association by paying your yearly dues. You are the ones that make it possible for us to mail the newsletter twice a year, plan reunions, and pay the expenses of maintaining the alumni association. Now, it is easier than ever to pay these dues. Simply click here, enter your name, address, and credit card information and it's done! The transaction is securely handled by PayPal and even we won't see your credit card information.