Editor's News
!mea culpa, mea culpa!
For those who don't know Latin, that translates to "my fault, my fault!" I've been quite remiss in my newsletter duties because of my move from Florida BACK to the Seattle area. Yes, Michael and I decided we had enough of the heat (the crime, the traffic, the taxes....shall I go on???) We were fortunate to get our house on the market and sold in quick order, and drove across the country in the space of about a week. We were fortunate to avoid all floods, hurricanes, and politicians and arrived safely. We then spent a month with very good friends before finding a house across Puget Sound from Seattle, in a sleepy hamlet called Bremerton. It's a 1-hour ferry ride to Seattle (we can see the city from the end of our street) or a 1-1/2 hour drive around. Check it out on http://maps.google.com. We bought a nice 4-bedroom home on 1/3 of an acre with apple and cherry trees and wonderful neighbors. It took us a while to get our bearings, and I just started a new job a couple of weeks ago. We spend most of our weekends working on the house (we're putting in nice floors and repainting), and we're quite happy with it. We were fortunate to arrive for the best summer the area had seen in years, and it's been a mild fall so far. If you've never seen the leaves change, you MUST get out of Florida next fall and see them. Amazing!
Almost Time for Another Class Reunion
This issue will be devoted to one thing: whether we should have a class reunion for the 30th anniversary of our class, in 2009. Though I've lost a number of email addresses (due to the inevitable computer virus or crash), I did send out an email to a number of you and the results were amazing! I don't think one of you was against the idea. Below are just some of your comments:
From Nancy Abeya: It would be great to reconnect with old friends. Hopefully, the reunion will take place during the summer months or over a long holiday weekend so that families living out of state are able to attend.
From Peter Ramirez: I think a 30th year reunion would be great. Maybe a cocktail hour somewhere. I am looking forward to seeing you all.
From Susan
Lamanna: It would be great to do a 30th. Laid back and as easy as
possible would be the best. I liked what we did last time! Best of luck in your
new (old) location!
From Bernadette Bartels: Hi Everyone! I too think we should have another reunion. With the economy the way it is, how about something simple (and cost effective). Would the school allow us to have a buffet dinner served in the gym with a DJ for some dancing? We could make it an 'all-age, not-too-fancy' affair so everyone could bring their kids and/or grandkids if they want. That way we can show our families where we went to school. Of course, we would have to have the standard reunion slideshow of old photos. Just a thought...anyone else have any ideas?
From Helen
McGrath: Can not believe 30 years could actually go by that fast!
Happy to provide the music if we have a Mass..Father Bob, Can we count you in?
Leave it to Lenny Burgess to get inventive: I love this
idea/concept--"70's old school dance/jam"
It's obvious from the responses that everyone is thrilled about the concept of a reunion...but one that keeps in mind the difficult economic times in which we find ourselves. Now, much as I am reluctant to give up my "REUNION ORGANIZER" crown, I can't see how I can realistically pull together the specifics of the event. I will, however, conduct email surveys and assist with ideas, etc...
In my estimation, we need to do the following in short order:
1. Get a committee together. Several of you have offered to be involved and help in any way you can (Ahem....not using names, but DA and ED are two examples). So I think a small committee would be good. This really doesn't require a whole lot of work. Last time, we had just a handful of us pull it all together (my thanks, again, to Susan Lamanna, Tricia Schwab and others who helped). We are fortunate to have the WONDERFUL Melinda Knox (Miel) in the alumni office at Pace and I'm sure we could count on her again for resources.
2. Determine a date/dates on which to have this. For the 25th reunion, we tied it to Homecoming. I frankly thought this was good for a few reasons: (a) it allowed us to mix with students from all years, including at the traditional after game party; (b) it allowed us to use the library, which was a nice space, for a private and relatively inexpensive to-do before the game; and (c) we didn't have to go off-site to enjoy ourselves. So, we could tie it to Homecoming again. [Melinda---do you know the dates for 2009?]
3. Determine a budget. This is the biggie. We have to assume the economy will still be in the toilet, so to speak, by next summer, or that people will just be "coming up for air." I, myself, would love to attend and will try to, but I'd have to pay to fly across the country. Others have a number of children, etc... And if we keep the cost down, it allows people to bring those children and (egad!) grandchildren. My memory could be fuzzy, but I think we only charged about $70 per person for the last reunion, while other classes were charging over $300. I'm all for budget-conscious.
Here's my two cents: the 25th reunion worked, for the most part. The beach party, however, did not. The gathering at the bar was great, but considering finances, and since we just did a reunion five years ago, I think we should keep the event based entirely at the school this time. I would vote as follows:
A. First Night (Friday): keep it exactly the same as the last one: a pre-party wine & appetizer party, followed by the Homecoming game and the post-party gathering. However, I'd change it in one respect: I think it would be great if the class of '79 could actually have a FLOAT at half-time. I'm sure a number of you still live in the area. We don't need anything fancy--remember the toga party? A simple flat bed truck and some 70's attire? Just an idea...
B. Second Night (Saturday): No event during the day, though it might be nice to do something for a local charity, if possible. But for the night, a pizza party in the school gym with a DJ, with a 70's theme (dress the part!) (thank you Lenny). Do we know any DJs? Anyone know where Rene Lopez went? Maybe even one of the students....I'm sure Pace has a very talented class of students and with the right equipment, we could have a ball! I bet we could even get them involved in decorating.
C. Third Day (Sunday): keep it like the last one, with a Sunday Mass (Fr. Vallee if possible) and a catered lunch at the school, and intramural volleyball. I would like to see if we could set out tables for memorabilia and have people (not just me) bring their stuff to share. Possible additional entertainment: the school has several extracurricular activities. I checked out the school's website: there's a band class, dance troupe, drama group, chorus...the list goes on. Why not make the kids part of the event? (this could also be moved to Saturday day)
Okay....I'm out of ideas for now. I'd like to keep the overall cost below $100 again, if possible. Melinda and her husband did a great job last time hooking us up with a lunch caterer--maybe we can ask for her wonderful assistance again (hint, hint!). I don't know about you, but I had plenty to eat.
At this point, I'll be glad to helm the ship as long as I can. Who wants to row with me? Email me and let me know what your thoughts and ideas are, and let's get this party started!
Jeffrey Bassett