Ellen Zeller formed this group in 1989. Its goal is to encourage communication between the expatriate community and Germans. Meeting every Wednesday during the school year, EMT is a fun and informative club, open to all.
There also are visits to museums, trips to historical towns and other events. See, for example, a description of baking in the Bäckhaus in Dachtel. There are shopping trips to Neustadt, Christmas markets, and Staffelstein. Also cooking lessons and luncheons.
EMT
meets in Aidlingen, at the VHS Aidlingen (Volkshochschule), about 20 km south of Stuttgart. The
meetings convene at 9:30 a.m. and last until about noon. They're mostly social.
New members are introduced to the group and everyone is encouraged to report
news and interesting findings. Bring your own coffee cup. If you like, bring
snacks and drinks to share. You make a small donation at each meeting (1 or 2
DM) which is used for special occasions. Dress ranges from jeans to suits.
The
ten-year anniversary was celebrated in April, 1999. Ellen prepared world maps on
large posters where stickpins represented the homes of current and former EMT
members. 
Throughout
the room were displays with pictures, photo albums and e-mails and letters from
former members. Some of the ladies made a quilt that was presented to Ellen in
appreciation of her leadership and inspiration.
Here is the special "English Morning Tea Song", words by Lynne Boortz now living in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Music by Louis Silvers, "April Showers":
On April fourteenth in eighty
nine,
a group of women wanted to entwine.
To do activities, new friends to meet --
with shopping trips, parties or having tea, it always was a treat.
So ten years later, we've watched us grow.
Even though some women, must come and go.
So let's say congratulations to ourselves on this special tenth year.
The English Morning Tea Group is still here!
To give an idea of the cultural make-up of the group, here is a breakdown of membership as of April, 1999:
United
States... 25
Germany... 16
Great Britain... 10
Japan... 2
Africa... 1
Mexico... 1
Spain... 1
Israel... 1
Netherlands... 1
Finally, here is an excerpt from a speech made by Becky Cheney at the 10th anniversary lunch:
"My name is Becky Cheney and I am an American. I came to Germany in June of 1997 from Austin, Texas. I'd like to share with you some of my favorite memories of this group.
"I was introduced to English Morning Tea by a former member, Ann Carey. I had only been in Germany for a few days and was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the new customs, language, and other adjustments that go along with moving to a foreign country. I met Ann because she was moving back to Minnesota and was selling some household things we needed. Ann invited me to go shopping in France the next day, and on the way she declared, 'Oh, I need to drive you by the English Morning Tea meeting place so you can find out where it is!!!'. She then raved about all the ladies in the group and the fun activities and conversation they shared. I soon learned that Ann's helpful behavior was typical of the ladies in the EMT group. All of these ladies have since become my friends and they would do nearly anything to help me, as I would also do for them."
If you live or are traveling near Stuttgart, give Ellen a call and attend the next meeting of EMT!
Comments to Steve and Barbara Hall
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