A Joyous Weekend

 

Scudders Celebrate Their Legacy

The autumn weather was perfect, the fall foliage spectacular, and the tours fascinating at the Scudder Association Foundation’s annual meeting and reunion in the Bucks County, PA-Trenton, NJ, area October 18-20, 2024.  Reunion co-chair Megan Coleman reflects on both past and present in her report.

Reunion chair Megan Coleman filed this report.

Thirty Scudders, including cousins, family, and friends from as far away as Honolulu, Seattle, and Colorado gathered for the occasion.  Renee Scudder and I, as reunion committee co-chairs, wanted to have a gathering reminiscent of the Scudder reunions of our youth, and I feel we succeeded.

Knowing that many folks wouldn’t know each other, we kicked off the weekend with a casual “Meet & Greet” on Friday night at our home base, The Hampton Inn & Suites in Yardley, PA. Throughout the evening, we got to hug old friends and meet new ones while enjoying a light buffet supper. Everyone received a little swag bag to show our Scudder pride!

Saturday morning our group boarded a bus for an historic tour starting at Washington Crossing State Park. President Sue Swanson, former Westchester County, NY, County Historian, conducted an informative explanation of the significant contribution our Scudder relatives made to the victory of George Washington at the Battle of Trenton, a major turning point of the Revolution. She presented everyone with a booklet she’d written summarizing the Revolutionary War events of December 1776, which forced General George Washington to order his army to cross the ice-choked Delaware River on Christmas night. The boats which carried the men, cannon and horses were gathered and hidden by our Scudder relatives. The soldiers, many barefoot and freezing in summer clothes, were sheltered in Scudder farms in New Jersey, and Scudders were among the guides that led the American troops along back trails to surprise and defeat the Hessian troops in Trenton.

Crossing the Scudder Falls Bridge, the bus tour proceeded to the Olde Barracks Museum in Trenton where re-enactors shot muskets and dished up 1776 food that was cooked by stewing over a fire in the barracks courtyard. If you ever find yourself in the area, please check out either or both museums – they are worth a visit!

Our Reunion Dinner and Annual Meeting took place in New Hope at the stunning River House at Odette’s. After enjoying cocktails and appetizers, we sat down for our annual meeting and were joined by many members of the Foundation on Zoom. Business included electing two new directors, Claudia Orchanian and Ken Scudder and reelecting Clive Connor as Secretary. Committee Chairmen read summary reports to update the membership on the year’s activities.

Rev. Jim Scudder from Chicago offered the invocation, kicking off a delicious seasonal dinner. 

Rekha Menon from the Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation presented a program on CMC Hospital which was founded by Dr. Ida Scudder in 1899.  Director Jack Gillmar offered a powerful and emotional presentation about his last visit to our four Scudder institutions in India, CMC Hospital, Scudder Memorial Hospital, Arni Secondary School and Walter Scudder School. This was yet another description of how the ongoing work supported by the SAF is impactful and inspirational! The full moon glistening over the calm waters of the Delaware River seemed to give her blessing to our good works.

Sunday morning, a group of cousins gathered for a continental breakfast at the Hilton to say farewell to new-found friends. When we scattered again, we returned to our homes across the country with warm memories of family and kinship. 

It truly was a wonderful weekend, and as a result plans are in motion to bring regional gatherings to Scudders across the country. Stay tuned for details in the new year!