The 5th Schulstad Family Reunion (2003) was held at Fort Worden State Park in the state of Washington (north of Seattle). Dates were 27-30 July 2003. Approx 65 family members attended.

1987	1992
1997	2000

The FIRST Schulstad Family Reunion was held in the Fair Hills Resort during the period 14-15-16 August 1987. A synopsis of the program of that first reunion follows:

Fri - August 14th
12:00 to 4:00. Registration in the Pine Room (Marie Bowie and Ann Blodgett)
Memorabilia setup in the Pine Room (Joan Carey)
4:00 to 6:55. Visiting!!
6:55. First Schulstad gathering - Dinner in the Dining Room
7:35. Program

• Singing; Jamie Bowie, leader and Mary Weisser, accompanist
  
• Welcome; John L. Schulstad
  
• Invocation; Charles Schulstad
  
• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Introduction of VIPs - John L. Schulstad
  
  • Introduction of Kenty Schulstad
    
  • Introduction of Harry Schulstad
    
• Heritage; "Ludvig & Lina Schulstad" (by Mel Schulstad)
  
• Announcements; John L. Schulstad

Sat - August 15th
8:50. Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:30. Introductions. Ray McMicken, M.C.

• Heritage Information (Mabel McMicken - by Ray McMicken)
  

10:15. Assemble in Pine Room

• Heritage Information (Oscar Schulstad - by Donald Schulstad)
  
• Heritage Information (Melvin Schulstad - by Mel Schulstad, Jr.)
  
• Reading - by Ruth Huffman
  
• Taped music by Jamie Bowie
  

12:45. Lunch (Dining Room)
2:30. Assemble in Pine Room

• Heritage Information (Clarence Schulstad - by David Schulstad)
  
• Heritage Information (Mildred Taber - by Jim Taber)
  

6:55. Dinner (Dining Room)

• Norwegian National Anthem - Dave Kaldahl (from Fair Hills)
  
• "Hootenanny" - Fair Hills Staff

Sun - August 16th
8:50. Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:30. Devotional Service (led by Charles Schulstad)

• Invocation
  
• Hymns - Jamie and Mary
  
• Prayers and Rhymes - small children (led by Carol Kirvida)
  
• Song - God Bless America
  
• Announcements - John L. Schulstad
  

10:30. Group Photo (entire assembled family)
12:45. Lunch (In Dining Hall)

• Closing Remarks - by Mel Schulstad, Jr.
  
• Future Plans - Mel Schulstad, Jr.
  
• Announcements - by John L. Schulstad
  
• The End!!

The SECOND Schulstad Family Reunion was held during the period 15-16-17 August 1992, also at the Fair Hills Resort. About 55 members of the family attended, including representatives from the following branches of the family: Oscar Schulstad; Lewis Melvin Schulstad; Clarence Schulstad; and Mabel Schulstad McMicken.

The Reunion began Saturday afternoon with registration, coordinated by Lorie Schulstad, and included time for visits to the "memorabilia" room which was established by Betty McMicken. Many people made contributions to this room, including Eric Schulstad who provided a Family Tree and Family Directory. Also at this time Scott and George Schulstad sold T-shirts, sweatshirts and visors with a specially designed Schulstad Reunion design (see photo). After dinner, Ruth Mary and Howard Bowie hosted the Reunion's opening ceremonies. The program included a welcome, invocation, introductions of family members and a children's talent show (coordinated by carol Simmons).

The reunion continued again on Sunday morning with breakfast in the Fair Hills dining hall, followed by a devotional service which was led by Charles and Barbara Schulstad. Afterwards, all in attendance trooped outside for a photo session by the lake's edge. The photo session was coordinated by Ray McMicken and included both small groups (by branch) and an overall Family Photo.

After lunch, the entire assembled group enjoyed the beautiful weather by playing games which were organized by Jon Schulstad. All had a great time! After dinner, Mel Schulstad hosted the closing ceremonies. Patsy Bear helped hand out the many ribbons and assorted prizes, to the delight so everyone, but primarily the under-12 crowd! It was at this time that the discussion ensued on the timing and location of the follow-on reunion. Alternate sites to the Reunion at Fair Hills were discussed, such as Williamsburg Virginia and Estes Park Colorado.

The THIRD and most recent Schulstad Family Reunion was held at Estes Park, Colorado at the resort inn - Y.M.C.A. of the Rockies. The reunion consisted of ten events spaced over three days. The reunion lasted from 13-15 August 1997.

Friday Events

Registration. People "registered" for the reunion by checking in at the lodge we were allocated for our various meeting activities. This lodge quickly became known as the "Schulstad Lodge". People checked in at this lodge to let Tina and Scott know they had arrived!! They then got official name tags. The lodge was decoratively laid out with lots of "Memorabilia to include old photos, etc. There were T-shirts and ball caps for sale. Most people were also busy with their YMCA check-in and their specific room assignments.

Welcome. Lorie Schulstad officially welcomed everyone to the reunion. The five "senior cousins" (Donald Schulstad, Mel Schulstad, John Ludvig Schulstad, Betty McMicken and Jim Taber) introduced all the participating family members. We also reviewed the reunion brochure, outlining the weekend's events. We concluded with a few games and a few songs. Lorie then pointed everyone in the direction of the dining room!

Heritage Night Program. This two-hour program introduced the first two generations of the Schulstad Family in America. It relied on a quiz (multiple choice) and three 3-member teams who attempted to "ace" the quiz. The quizmaster was Jon Schulstad and he was assisted by Betty McMicken and Lynn Creecy. The quiz used overhead projections of different questions. There was also a wonderful display of old photos. We don't know which team won but the "old fogeys" team came in last!!

Saturday Events

Who's Who. Who's Who focused on the people at the Reunion - and how they are inter-related. This session consisted of a terrific display of projected vu-graphs of old photos- mainly of the 14 remaining 3rd generation cousins and their families -- during the era from 1940 to 1960. Lots of laughs as some of our seniors had to come to the fore and re-arrange themselves to depict their childhood photographs. A few stories got told!!

Genealogy. The genealogy session focused on tracing the genealogy of Ludvig and Lina Schulstad, and their descendants. Eric Schulstad, our official genealogist, explained how he has used special family tree software to build and maintain the family tree database. He also passed out copies of the Family Genealogy. The room included a large (48"x 60") map of the U.S. showing locations of the different family members. Eric had also posted a large display of the different branches of the Schulstad family.

Group photo. Mark and Ilene Schulstad made all arrangements for the photographers, who used the wonderful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to photograph the assembled family and the various family groups. Mark and Ilene did a fabulous job of arranging for the sittings - and also made required arrangement for sale and delivery (mailing) of the photos which were taken.

Saturday Games. Janet Cole, Rob Carey and Doey Patterson arranged the afternoon's games session. Although we prayed for good weather, we ended up with a tiny bit of rain! However, before the rains, we enjoyed lots of outdoor competitive action - highlighted by the watermelon seed spitting contest!! We then moved indoors and enjoyed wrapping up various uncles as "mummies" with toilet paper!! There was no lack of prizes either!!

Saturday Evening Program. The Saturday evening program was an evening of fun based on the variety show approach to entertainment (i.e., several short acts and talent displays). Mary Bowie and Patsy Bear organized the evening's events which were highlighted by interpretative dancing and a wonderful magic show by our resident magician, Ryan Hyde. A special surprise was the presentation, on behalf of the entire family, of a flying jacket to Mel Schulstad.

Sunday Events

Devotional Service. On Sunday morning , many family members assembled for a short family centered, inter-denominational, devotional service. Jon Schulstad gave a short homily on "honoring thy father and thy mother".

Closing Ceremony. John Ludvig Schulstad MC'd the closing ceremonies. First, we reviewed the activities and highlights of the weekend and thanked those people who did all the hard work of planning and organizing the events. All attendees acknowledged the efforts of all the planners who worked hard to plan the reunion. We then had a discussion of the next Schulstad Family Reunion (i.e., when and where), which would occur in 3 years. Jon Schulstad was asked to look into some candidate locations for the year 2000 reunion. Ann Blodgett took notes of these discussions. The Reunion officially wrapped up at 11:45 a.m.

Tina Schulstad - Co-chairman (Planning/Coordination)
Scott Schulstad - Co-chairman (Registration/Continuity)
Lorie Schulstad - Welcome
Jon Schulstad - Heritage Program
Betty McMicken - Who's Who
Eric Schulstad - Genealogy
Rob Carey - Saturday games
Janet Cole - Saturday games
Doey Patterson - Saturday games
Mary Bowie - Saturday Night Program
Patsy Bear - Saturday Night Program
Charles Schulstad - Devotional service
Mark/Ilene Schulstad - Group photo
John Ludvig Schulstad - Closing ceremony

The Schulstad Family Reunion for the year 2000 (SFR 2000) has just ended. A fabulous success enjoyed by all!! We gathered a small but elite band 50 strong to enjoy each other’s company for a long weekend from 19-22 August. The Fair Hills resort on Pelican Lake in Western Minnesota was the scene of the fun. The delightful Minnesota summer air washed over us and the refreshing lake gave us a chance to get an extremely large dose of the out-of-doors (along with golf, basketball, tennis, soccer, shuffleboard and hiking). A few indoor sports (pool, ping-pong, real chocolate milk-shakes!) kept us from getting sun-burned!

We celebrated two birthdays as Don Schulstad turned 85 and was greeted over the phone in his home in Tampa as the assembled group sang Happy birthday. And among the younger set, Taylor Cole celebrated his 11th Birthday. The formal program included two evening programs [Saturday night, and then again on Sunday (50 years each)] to celebrate the end of the century ! This year’s reunion theme: 20th Century 18 Cousins. The 2-part program was a photo essay of the past 100 years --a terrific walk through the 20th century highlighting photos of 18 of our 2nd generation Norwegian-American cousins, born during the period 1904-1940. This program was organized and presented by Jon Schulstad who kept us all alert with his periodic history quizzes!

Another highlight of the reunion was the appearance of Joan Schulstad Carey who made the long and arduous trip from Colorado Springs. She was accompanied by husband John, sons R.B. and John (with friend, Julia), and daughter Cathleen (with her entire family: husband Dennis, and twins Kevin and Diana). This was a special treat since Joan has been battling cancer for several years and was determined to enjoy this special reunion with her family. R.B. chartered a plane to bring his mom to Fair Hills and all enjoyed the special (and last) opportunity to enjoy her company and to remember days gone by.

Other highlights: a family photo, special SFR 2000 shirts and tee-shirts, mouse pads, and a very comprehensive Genealogy Report and Family Directory (courtesy of Eric Schulstad). We had an outstanding set of memorabilia on display in the main lodge’s Pine Room, owing mainly to Mel Schulstad’s photo collection and Betty McMicken’s presentation of Mabel Schulstad McMicken’s many and detailed scrapbooks! [shipped from California!]. Mark and Ilene Schulstad did a fabulous job of organizing the group photographs.

Who came farthest? Several candidates, including folks from California, Washington, New York and Florida but the winner was John Carey, Jr (Czech Republic!)

Thankyous to: Eric Schulstad (Genealogy and Family Directory); Scott Schulstad (Reunion Welcome), Tina Schulstad (Treasurer); Patsy Bear (roses) (with local assistance from John Ludvig/Glorine Schulstad); Charles Schulstad (projection equipment); Doey Patterson (Schulstad Family website visual display); and Jon Schulstad (Reunion Coordinator).

Next reunion? 2003.

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