Notes from first reunion planning meeting
The first planning meeting for our 25th class reunion took place last Thursday night (6/12). People attending included Arline Grant , Breta Dahlstrom Palmer, Lisa Mansourian Worden, Norman Cook, Chris Denault, Caroline MacDonald Fowler, Maureen Casey Sunnerberg, Darrin King, and Steve Sanborn.
The first question discussed was when to have the reunion. The concensus was to have it sometime in September or October. Sooner than September might conflict with people's summer vacation plans and after October is a time when things start to get busy for people as the holidays approach. All of the proposed dates are Saturdays to allow for people to travel if needed. We decided to offer class members three different dates from which to choose - a survey is on the web site and people can let us know a preference (if there is one). The dates being offered are September 13, September 27, and October 11. Two notes regarding these dates: Mark LaPointe wrote from Indiana to tell me that he and his "old" band from Amesbury are playing a CD release party for Mark's new CD at the Amesbury Playhouse on Friday night, Sept 12. Also, note that the October 11 date is on Columbus Day weekend.
The second question discussed was where to have the reunion. This question led to a discussion about how to handle food for the event. The consensus of the group was that we should seek to minimize the cost of the event by offering appetizers and hors d'oeuvres instead of a full sit down meal. Going this route also would allow us to seek venues that are less expensive than country clubs, hotels, and restaurant function halls. By staying local, classmates could have a meal with friends in one of Amesbury's numerous restaurants prior to the reunion if they wanted. Between now and the next meeting, information will be gathered about the costs involved in hiring various local function halls. To check with you to see if this line of thinking is accurate, we have a survey question on the web site to see what you think.
It was agreed that the most important task right now is to continue gathering contact info for as many classmates as possible. About 25% of the class has registered on the web site. You are all strongly urged to contact by Email or phone any other classmates you can reach and urge them to register on the web site as soon as possible. For those class members who do not use the internet, we will need their addresses so we can inform them by mail or phone.
There was some discussion at our meeting about programing ideas for the reunion but it was agreed that discussion about what to do at the reunion can wait until we have a better handle on the "when, where, and who" part of the planning. A couple of ideas for reunion related activites included offering a tour of the newly renovated Amesbury High School and perhaps organizing a golf outing for interested class members. There will be more opportunities to discuss ideas like these in the near future.
The date for the next planning meeting is tentatively set for Thursday evening, July 10 - I'll cofirm a specific time and place soon. All class members are welcome to attend the next planing meeting but if you want to get involved immediately, make an extra effort to contact our unregistered classmates. There is a link to a list of "missing classmates" on the left side of our site's home page. Let's shrink that list!
That's the lastest - thanks for your interest. Feel welcome to send me your questions or suggestions if you have any.
Steve Sanborn, on behalf of the reunion planning committee
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