Update 4-19-05

Hi,

Ah, communication. After reading several dozen letters this week, it seemed that, yes, we could have hit a perfect storm in reunion planning: wrong time, too soon, too expensive. Then it turned out the bigger problem was something else: once people started discovering conflicts between their plans and the reunion date, they figured it was just them and didn't say anything because they didn't want to ruin the party for everyone else. But one-by-one we lost half the people from our initial base of 50, the base we were planning to build on to reach 100. It turns out there are at least three classmate-related weddings on August 6th, and people have travel plans, or vacation plans, or remodeling plans, or their kids are about to go to college, or their kids are about to have babies, or their parents are about to move in. Lots of reasons. All good.
   Unfortunately, the hotel will in no way let us even alter our contract. I spoke with my brother, a lawyer, about it, and he mentioned that his firm had a similar hotel contract for a party scheduled soon after September 11th. All his lawyers, even using that tragedy as unfortunate leverage, couldn't break the contract. So it looks like we're going to have to have a party, which is not the worst of things. And we're going to have fun, which ain't a bad idea, either. And we're going to dance. This is especially good because, after all, there won't be another reunion till 2015, when most of us will be 68.
   In addition to explanations and apologies, a lot of people sent in suggestions. Here are some of the best. Of course, to raise money, I could simply sell those X-rated photos of Mr. Bergen. Oops. Sorry. No. The Internet is not for porn.

From Paul DeMartino: I just spoke with my sister Elaine, class of '67, and she says that she is interested in attending and will call another of her classmates that she still sees and tell her. However, she thinks that we should limit it to a reunion of the classes from the 60's to early 70's. She thinks that we all will be more comfortable with those of our generation rather than with people from the classes of the mid-70's to present. She suggests that I phrase it to Newsday to be a Valley Stream South 60's Reunion. It’s a thought and the first feed back from another class, so it may be on target.

From Dennis Shapiro: Today, I received a check from Henry Gabbay. I hope this is a sign that other people will soon start sending in their money.

From Ira Mitzner: Why don't we ask everyone to contact at least one person who is not on the list and urge that person to come?

From Ellen Epstein Silver: Let us encourage our friends to sign up, and if we could combine our year with another, that would be a great help. I feel that once people starting getting enthusiastic about this and plan for a party weekend, it will all fall into place. I was really hoping that those who did not come to the last reunion would want to get on the bandwagon.

From Robin Feit Baker: While I was having lunch with Dennis today, a thought occurred to me. How do you feel about extending an invitation to other classes to join our reunion? Many of us had friends and siblings in these classes, so it might be worth some consideration. Perhaps doing this would alleviate our attendance problem and contribute to an even more successful reunion weekend.
Meanwhile, I also spoke to Joan Aries Cleven. She is going to begin making phone calls for that personal touch. Life is too short not to celebrate our milestones and accomplishments.

From Barbara Blitfield Pech: For business, I work with, and speak to, hundreds of people around the country each week, and many wait until the last minute before making the commitments needed. So do not hesitate to "motivate" people.
   Speaking for myself, I can't believe the timing of the reunion: the same weekend my office staff will be in New York for market week, and I'm supposed to be home in Miami babysitting the business. Now that's a neat trick. But I've made it to all our earlier reunions, and I'll be at this one, too, even if I have to sneak out of town in the dark of night. I wouldn't miss this party for anything, anyone, or any reason!

From Allen Moss: People need to realize that being thousands of dollars short is something serious.

From Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer: The idea of a raffle may be a realistic way to raise funds to cover the rest of the hotel cost. I’m sure we must have former classmates who have vacation homes; that would probably be appealing to a lot of people. Also, in hindsight, the only thing we might have done differently was ask people to send their money in before signing the contract.

From Larry Rugen: As you know, I've helped plan a number of Air Force reunions, and we always get the money first.

From Stu Kandel: I just filled my Jeep with gas, and the cost was $49, and that will last me four days. Surely, $100 to see old friends, along with dinner and drinks, doesn't seem unreasonable. I also think we put Dennis Shapiro in a very unenviable position, and we should all do something to help.

Finally, someone from another class asked: Would it be possible to open the Friday night party to people who aren't able to go on Saturday because of other conflicts? You could charge a small fee, say $25. I know you mentioned that the Friday party was a tiny part of the cost, because most of it was being comped by the hotel. But separating that party would mean that more people could come, and it might even make a little money toward the paying off your other expenses.

[Rich -- These are some comments and suggestions. Please write in with more. Thanks -- in advance.]

The list of people coming to the reunion, listed alphabetically by their last names in 1965 :
Joan Aries Cleven
Barbara Blitfield Pech
Peggy Cooper Schwartz
Paul DeMartino
Teresa Donahue Calamari
Rich Eisbrouch
Ellen Epstein Silver
Robin Feit Baker
Henry Gabbay
Art Halprin
Judith Hartstone
Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer
Stuart Kandel
Ralph Kramer
Ira Mitzner
Allen Moss
Lynn Nudelman Villagran
Judy Peters Sylvan
Dennis & Benette Pizzimenti
Rachel Robinson Rizzo
Peter Rosen
Irene Saunders Goldstein
Dennis Shapiro
Danny Stellabotte
Mark Yetman

The repeating reunion information:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65

Rich