Update 1-22-02


Okay,

Got lots of answers to our financial questions.  Let's see if I can fit them all in without much editing.  In no particular order:

From Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer:  Here is my suggestion about donations:  divide the cost by the number of people we know/think are coming and suggest a donation amount, encouraging people to send more if they can afford to, or less if they cannot.  One person should collect the money so you can respect confidentiality.  Also, I've been to many conferences with a hospitality suite and it is definitely a great idea. 

From Larry Rugen:  I do not know the number, but many people are from the area and will NOT be staying at the Hotel.  All will be at the Buffet Dinner, but the rest of the time?  I think that is up in the air.
  The teachers who really want to come will be there if they are paying or not.  I'm sure there will be plenty of offers to Òbuy a drinkÓ for them so I would not spend too much more time on this part.
  You should set a price of $50 or $60 dollars per person which includes the Buffet but NOT drinks.  Have us send in the checks now or payable on arrival, whatever you think.  Then use the $8 or $18 extra per person to cover what must be covered and go from there.  If there are the fortunate few who wish to be a ÒSecret Santa,Ó then by all means let them.
  I am not sure how you plan to do this, but I would shy away from anyone, except the hotel from collecting money ahead of time.  (You're just asking for an Excedrin headache).  As I've said, I am in charge of an October (Air Force) reunion in the Catskills and am having similar difficulties.  We have everyone paying for the hotel/resort direct, and then set an amount payable on arrival.  Our committee finally just stopped asking for Òwhat the attendees wantedÓ because either they did not answer of the answers were all different.  Bottom line:  just tell us what you need ($$$) to get this done.
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From Marc Fishman:  Money:  I think you should start by requesting donations.  How about sponsorships?  Also, any chance of inviting Mr. Stevens, the gym teacher from Forest Road School, if he's available.  Plus, are there any printers amongst us? Perhaps a "program" could be put together with short bios and some ad pages.  I was thinking of something like a cross between a playbill and a yearbook.  The ad pages could raise revenue, and I think people would like something to take home. Perhaps the programs could be sold for a few dollars.

From Allen Moss:  Janet Porter taught quite a few of us in English.  I think she married Don Van Tassel from the English department.  Why don't you ask if she would like to be there?  And, boy, was it terribly sobering to hear about SO many of our teachers who have died.
       About the money:  I think you have a legitimate concern that this may end up getting so pricey that only die-hards will make the effort.  Maybe you can start with asking for a minimum donation of a reasonable amount ($25.00+?) and see what happens.  If people want to send more...great!  But it would be nice to initially be sensitive to the varying economic backgrounds of the alumni.  If it looks like you are nowhere near your amount, then you can do a second request for a little more from
everyone.  Actually, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a two-step donation anyway...sort of spread it out so people won't feel they are plunking down a large amount all at once.  I could be way off-base on this, but when you start tallying up all the expenses, for a three day weekend, it can really start adding up, especially if people are already paying big airfares.
 0002000008CB00000E30 8C5,  One thing you might want to consider if you are going to open up the affair to children and pets:  who is going to be ultimately responsible?  What is the resort's policy on liability, damage etc.  Maybe you just want to make sure that everyone knows where the ultimate responsibility lies for their well-being.  It probably sounds ridiculously obvious, but sometimes the most obvious is overlooked!  Since I have worked with people all my life, I have learned some very hard lessons about these types of issues.

From Anonymous 1:  I support paying a minimum fee based on equal shares for the expenses you've itemized.  If there's a shortfall, you can ask for more funds.  I applaud thinking in advance about finances, and support an April 1st (but still flexible) "deadline."  I suggest including in the advance payment the cost of dinner (bar bill extra) for ourselves and a best-guess estimate of the teachers to be invited.  I agree that we should not expect to pay teachers' hotel bills.

From Peter Rosen:  I'll contribute whatever you all agree to -- and can help out with extra in an emergency.  Also, about the DJ:  I couldn't dance then, and still can't, so I don't care about a DJ.

From Barnet Kellman:  I'm ok with a minimum donation, and people can give more if they like.  Also, I want to add Miss Marcia Lawrence to the teacher list.  And what about Mr. Maggio?  Also Ed Schmidt and his wife Ginny Ressa?  Finally, for your information, Teresa Margolin's married name is Bargman.

From Jay Kinder:  Ask one fee for the dinner and hospitality suite, possibly $60.00.  If you receive more money than you need, rebate everyone with a free drink from the cash bar at the dinner.  If you come up short, charge a little more for the drinks at the hospitality suite -- but charge something for the wine or beer.  If you make the hospitality suite completely free, some people will definitely take advantage.  It is amazing how much beer and wine can be consumed if people think they do not have to pay for it.  Also, people understand that there are some expenses that will be shared by everyone concerning this reunion.  Most people just don't want to be taken advantage of.  But $10.00 or $20.00 is not going to make a difference.
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From Martha Morenstein:  Please add my name to the list of attendees.  And to whom do we send our checks for various and sundry events:  dinner, hospitality suite, and teachers (most important)?  I think asking for a donation is fine.  I'm sure people will be quite generous.

From Anonymous 2:  I would go for a voluntary contribution.  It is already costing me a lot to fly to New York, but I would still contribute something.  Also, I would rather not pay a DJ.  I never danced in high school and I still can't.  I rather liked the idea of the boom box brought up at the beginning, where we control the volume.

From Benette and Dennis Pizzamenti:  We'd be happy to send a donation, though if you get a good response, you won't have to set a minimum.  How do we sign up for the dinner and do we have to pay in advance?

From Ray Staley:  I think that quite a few of the reunion attendees are going to be laying out quite a few bucks for the weekend.  It could run as high as $500 for those that have air fare, hotel, car rental, other meals, etc.  So my feeling is just to have the teachers pay their own way for their dinners, and maybe up the dinner price for everyone else to like 60 bucks a head and use the money left over for whatever else you need. 
  Also, did you ever hear from Ken Nolan?  I put out my feelers and found someone through someone else that knows him.  That person told me that Ken was aware of the reunion, so I told that person to have him contact you through this e-mail address.  I also tried to find Mike Flomp, but as of yet I have heard nothing.
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From Carol Ewig Duran:  My recommendation is to suggest, rather than request, a donation of $50. No one needs to know who did or did not donate.  If we're fortunate enough to collect more money than is needed, we can use it for a DJ or reduce the cost of some other part of the week end.  Also, has anyone suggested an activity "off the hotel premises?"  I'm planning to spend time on Saturday in Valley Stream. Should we be in touch with South to be sure it won't be a problem to walk around the school?  And I also got a note back from Paulinda Schimmel who is now planning to attend the reunion.  I don't have an e-mail address for her, so I'll keep her posted on the details for now.

From Jane Wolff Katz:  Just wanted to let you know I am planning to attend (at least I've made my hotel reservation).  Will bring my husband too -- don't know about pets and kids (got plenty of each).  Also, I think you'll need to set some kind of minimum -- maybe $10-20 to be safe or you might be stuck if you don't get donations or comp.  I don't think that little would be unreasonable.  Sorry to hear about the deaths of some of the teachers.  I've had a few who were real mentors.  

From Alison Altman:  Add my name to the list of attendees for the reunion.  As for your myriad questions:  While I agree it would be better for us to stock the hospitality suite ourselves, that's a lot of work for someone -- or some people.  And it's not just a set-it-up-initially thing, as I expect it would have to be continually restocked.  Also the hotel may be more willing to comp the suite if you let them cater it.
 0002000006F10000236A 6EB,  As for teachers, I agree they should be our guests for Saturday night.  A few more to consider -- Ms. Arvantides, Mrs. Vincello, Ms. Weideman.  Funding -- obviously some people are going to be spending a lot more money to attend than others, and some might not have too much extra to spare.  But if there are, for the sake of argument, 100 people attending (and it seems there will be at least that) and you estimate you need $2000, then it's only $20/person, which isn't that much.  I realize that those who just come for Saturday night and/or don't use the hospitality suite might feel like they're getting screwed, but people who don't eat a lot always get screwed at buffets.  That's life.  Maybe you could round out the Saturday night amount to $50 and use the difference to fund the suite and pay for the teachers, and if anyone wants to make an additional donation, fine.  See you in April.

From Jerrie Clamp Rachoi:  A few thoughts:  I think there should be a set amount for the cost of the hospitality suite.  If enough people respond, it should not cost that much.  And I think that you have to set a definite commitment date, so that a set amount of money can be determined for the cost of the suite.  Also, I am confirming that my husband and I will be attending.  We probably will not stay at the hotel, but we will definitely be at the Saturday night buffet. 

From Diane Fruzzetti:  I am confused.  If the hospitality suite costs $350 a night, that would be $700, right?  How is it cheaper to stock it ourselves at a cost of $750?  You must mean Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning.  Or am I missing something?  We can save money by stocking it ourselves, but the burden will be on someone to take care of this.  You must have a volunteer.
 00020000072C00002A55 726,  Now, about the $2000:  is this the total estimate of costs for teachers, dinners, and the hospitality suite?  How many people do you anticipate contributing to the fund?  I think that you are going to have to come up with a figure and a date.  If anyone cannot afford it, I hope they will find a way to say so, and then maybe others can help pick up that slack. 
  Also, I have my plane ticket, and will be reserving my hotel room tomorrow.  However, I am still a little in the dark about the rest of the expenses.  I agree that if you have a fixed amount some people may not be able to afford to go.  So, love, you are going to divide $2000 by what number?
  Finally, I have not said very much up until now, but I am very excited about getting together and seeing everyone.  It is hard to believe so many years have gone by.  It is almost like a mini prom weekend.

From Judy Peters Sylvan:  Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.  I haven't been able to get on-line for the last two days.  I guess it has something to do with the switch from Excite.  I will be installing some new software in the next few days, which will require me to change my e-mail address, and I will let you know what the new one is.  I've given the financial puzzle some thought.  I think, basically, the total for the teacher dinners should be divided amongst all of us who attend the dinner.  Of course, you'd have to get people to say "Yes" or "No" to the dinner ahead of time, so you know you can cover the cost.  The hospitality suite costs are a little tricky, since some people may only attend part of the weekend and some will be there the whole time.  Maybe, you could ask for a donation  of $20 a person.  That seems like a reasonable amount.  I don't have a problem chipping in for whatever is necessary, so count me in for my fair share.
 000200000FCE0000317B FC8,  On to the AV report.  I called the hotel and spoke with their AV manager.  I explained what we want and he said he would e-mail me with a cost as soon as possible.  I haven't heard from him yet, but it's only been a few days.  I'll follow-up and let you know what's what.

RoseMarie Cassillo Digilio:  Just wanted to say that I am sorry I missed the pre-reunion in November, but with my Mom passing away, and the sickness, and my broken foot, it just wasn't possible.  I saw the pictures and really felt bad that I wasn't there, however, so I will not miss the February 9th event, and I will definitely be at the April reunion.  You can also count on Richard Duncan attending both events.  Even though we both live in Valley Stream, we will be staying at the hotel the two nights. Can't have a good time if we're worrying about driving home.  Looking forward to reuniting with all of you.  If I can be of help, please e-mail me.

From Grace Dibble Kincade:  You can now add my name to the list of those coming to the reunion.  I got a ticket to D.C. yesterday.  My daughter Christy and I will drive up to N.Y. on Friday.  I'm really looking forward to this event!  See you in April.

From Zelda White Nichols:  Just wanted to let you know I now have a new e-mail address.  It is now zelda.nichols@cox.net

From Hy Rosov:  Spent a lovely evening with some of my previous students:  Mitch and Ellen Epstein, Barbara Blitfield, and Gail Bershatsky.  Mitch is a dentist in Boca Raton.  Ellen was visiting from Texas.  Mitch's wife Linda made a sumptuous dinner, and we had a ball reminiscing about old times  (Note:  a group snapshot of this party is now on the home page.)

From Paul DeMartino:  I heard from Robin Feit and she's coming to the February 9th
"mini."  She also said Barbara Brill is coming, and had requested info on the April reunion, since she is computer challenged.  Robin offered to make copies of the updates and mail them to her, and this may be the way to go with some of the "phone only" people.  If we cannot get in touch by e-mail, and we have a good home address, perhaps we can do a mailing of one of the updates that has all the important data.  Since there are not many of these people (maybe 10?) it should not be a big deal.  I also heard from Dave Licht who had been in San Francisco attending a bar mitzvah and enjoying himself.  He will also be at the "mini" and is coming in April as well.  Carmine DeSanto just returned from a vacation in St.Martin and expects to be at the "mini" and the April reunion.  Finally, I heard from Steve Zuckerman who lives in Puerto Rico.  He cannot make the April reunion because his daughter is receiving a promotion in the Air Force that weekend.  But he sends his regrets, and best wishes to the class.

A fast note from Rich:  Terri, Paul, and I will read everything you just sent us, figure out some general proposal according to your guidelines, and get back to you next week.  Meanwhile, thanks for all the help.  Also, the lists of people coming to the parties on February 9th and in April will back next week, when there's space.
                              
Finally, Robert Fiveson strikes back:  Mayberry!!!  Mayberry!????  How about Valley Of The Dolls or Village Of The Damned!!??  Stepford Wives, perhaps?  Shall I address the darker side of that time and place?  The hidden pregnancies, the sordid sex, and covered-up scandals? The oceans of tears cried for unrequited love, or a complexion conspiring with fate to keep one single and a virgin forever?  How about the violence, both at home and on the playgrounds --  the many routes one could take to get home and avoid the guys looking to smash your face because you looked at a girl "the wrong way"?!  Didn't Omega Gamma Delta even have a skull and crossbones in their insignia!!!??  While I tend to idealize my feelings of nostalgia, there were still many, many dark and lurid aspects.  But my medication compels me to ignore -- and my sense of compassion prevents me from sharing -- them all.


Rich