Classmates,

It’s been just over a month since the ‘65Reunion and we started receiving emails about the Holiday Inn refund from Classmates a week later. A surprising number of Classmates have asked us to donate their refund to a charity, others would like us to donate to a specific charity, several have told us (the organizers) to have dinner on them, while others suggested that we use the money to cover "out-of-pocket expenses”. But recently it’s been “where’s my refund?”  

We would like to thank those benevolent Classmates for their generosity and kindness however, we don’t have the cycles to send checks to charities – the refund will come directly to you and you can direct it to your charity of choice. While the dinner offer is tempting, we thank you for your thoughtfulness but will have to pass on the offer – we were happy to organize the '65Reunion. Finally, we have no out-of-pocket expenses - everything was covered by the ticket fund. 

So where’s my refund? We received the check from the Holiday Inn as promised. As many of you know, Jackie and I put our house on the market in August and went to contract in early September. On October 18th the morning after the reunion we left for North Carolina to look for a new house. Since our return we have been busy moving out of our home of 37 years and, on November 19th, we closed on our house in Yorktown. Busy with more important things is not an excuse for not getting your refund money orders out, but it will have to do.

We will not be comingling the refund with our personal checking account, then writing 90+/- checks. We will be sending postal money orders to those folks that purchased full priced tickets, either singles or doubles, as soon as we move into our new place and we garner the courage to spend a few hours at the post office followed by an envelope stuffing and licking marathon. All very exciting!

In sum, the refund is not a priority for us and since you trusted us enough to send the money in the first place, trust that we will send the refund to you as soon as we can.

We appreciate your understanding.

Regards,

Gene & Jackie

Thanks so much for a memorable 50th. You all did a fantastic job in organizing the event despite the complication.  I am so glad I made the choice to come. Gene (Butch) would have loved being there. I know he was there in spirit. We still have the best class ever! I think we all looked pretty great for our age. Hope we can all stay healthy to gather once again soon. Five years would be great. Again thanks! 

Sincerely,  Carol Criniti DuBay

Thank you so much Gene, Jackie, Jack, Ken & Ellen.If it hadn't been for Ellen Engelson,I might not have been on your list. I know she did alot in the pass to gather names and e-mail and phone #. So sorry she couldn't be there.Praying her husband is getting better.It's just amazing to me that 50 years have passed,and so many times I have wonder how my friends from High School were doing. It was and evening of complete,JOY,Happiness, and Laughter.Didn't have much time to talk about the past,which we all have 50 years worth of(SMILE)We only had time to make new memory's. Seeing our old friends we Loved so dearly still happy and healthy and full of Joy.Even ,my cousin Vera, could feel the love in that room,and had a great time.Thanks a million to all who helped.God Bless. Sincerely, Althea May "Puff" Formel

Thank you Gene, Jack and Jackie.  What a great time we had.  So much time has gone between "dancin' in the gym" and "steppin' out at the Holiday Inn.". We all have lived a myriad of journeys.... but we are still standing!!  Who would have thought life would hand us so much?  Some so blessed...some with scars....yet we could look back through laughter.  Such a trip!!!!  We are good people.  Thank you all for being there.  God bless.

Nancy (Engel) Farrey

Gene, Jackie and Jack

had a fantastic time at the reunion! Thank you for all your hard work involved in the planning, it was truly appreciated!!

Thank You Gene, Jackie and Jack for all your work to bring us all back together after 50 years. It was a wonderful night and great to be with our classmates and their spouses. It would be special if our next reunion could be out west so we could get together with our classmates who live out there. I think 3 years would be a target as time is flying by for all of us. Stay happy and healthy.

                                                                      Bob and Nancy Guyon

Thanks Gene, Jackie and Jack for creating one of the most memorable evenings ever. It was absolutely wonderful to see so many dear friends from our great times in high school. I say let's got for 55 or 60! Love you all....

It was so good to get together and my warmest thanks to the organizers. Many of you had to look at the yearbook photos in the lobby to correlate to the name tags of some folks as I did (LOL) but it's not that often that people reunite after 50 years. 

My best wishes & best of health to all. 

Mike Rosenblatt

A few folks have tried to post on this message board (Paul, Arlene, Pam) but there was no content.  If anyone needs help please posting just let me know.

Gene

We would like to thank you for all your efforts putting together our reunion. Great job with many fond memories. Perhaps we can get Ken Herst to send out a new email list, he has done a great job name collecting.

Frank & Andrea Deak

I would gladly donate some or all of my refund to keep the website going long enough to contact those we reconnected with. It was a wonderful reunion thanks to Gene and his wife and to Jack great job.

Matt Miller (DJ) posted the following videos on YouTube, thanks Matt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd9H85kFAl8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T13UWZ07B-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD35A091_Rk

 Classmates

I hope you enjoyed our 50^th reunion.

Thanks to Gene, Jackie and Jack for all the work you put into getting us all together.

 I mentioned this to Jack Saturday night, and would request you consider donating some or all of our refund to a local charity. Perhaps one that deals with one of the causes that took some of our classmates. I missed seeing them and reliving our High School memories. I was also saddened to learn of the loss of some spouses and children.  My heart goes out to you! 

Lastly, I like to remember (it’s that age thing) who spoke of snow-I drove in snow showers from Ellenville to Rochester!

John

Classmates,

I have created an account in Flickr where you will be able to post pictures and videos to share with classmates.  I will post the login information next week after you have time to recover from the reunion.  It should be any easy process since you can login, post and view with my login/password and will not have to create an account with your info.  Should be easy. Should. Yeah.

Thx

Gene

Since there were only a few classmates that wanted to go to the football game I think we would enjoy more time discussing memories at Applebee's. Lets all plan to meet at 6:30 at Applebee's and let the fun begin. 

                                                      Bob

Many thanks to Gene and Jackie for thier work in attempting to correct the issues with the hotel.  Organizing an event like these is a major undertaking and something unexpected like this adds increased pressure. We should all make a special effort to recognize and Thank them.  Vinnie Delaney

 MUST READ

Classmates,

Jackie and I collaborated on a professional, but nevertheless aggressive letter and sent it via fax and FedEx to the senior executives and board members of The Roedel Companies, they own the Holiday Inn along with 400 other hotels – the letter also went to all of the senior executives of the Roedel Hospitality Group, the operating subsidiary of The Roedel Companies.  Additionally, the letter went FedEx to the CEO of IHG, InterContinental Hotel Group, with global headquarters in London.  IHG owns 6,000 hotels worldwide and they franchise and own the Holiday Inn brand. 

There was a near immediate response, the net: The Holiday Inn will host the reunion as contracted plus some improvements (e.g. valet parking) and Classmates will be receiving a FULL REFUND of the $8,209.94 we paid to the Holiday Inn.  The terms of our agreement were confirmed by email this afternoon from the Holiday Inn’s General Manager.  Their accounting department has to go through a bit of a process so I should probably see the check the week of the 26^th.  I anticipate the refund will be between $65 – 70 per ticket, the balance going to other costs such as the DJ, flowers, website, mailings, decorations, gratuities for the servers and DJ.  I will provide a high level accounting after we receive the check.  

I will explain what happened to everyone during the ‘65Reunion.  You will each have a card/note with your place setting expressing sincere apologies from the General Manager of the Holiday Inn.  I will not get to see the card/note in advance but the apology and REFUND suffice as far as I’m concerned. Trust you agree.

Final Note: the LHS Football outing has been cancelled for Friday16th so those interested can join the Wachowski party at Applebee's in Mt. Kisco.

Looking forward to a good time!

Gene

Classmates, Steve's plan for Applebee's sounds great. Lets all meet there and enjoy the time together. Those of us that go to the game will be there later. Thanks Steve for your planning.                                              Bob Guyon 

Among others who can't make it, I want to wish you a wonderful 50th gathering.  My regrets for not being there are profound, but my husband David has not been well, having seen his cancer into remission, but developing an unexplained mobility problem that impacts every area of our life.  For years, Ken Herst and I emailed, trying to encourage a reunion, so I am thrilled it is finally taking place.  Never would I have thought not to be there.  I have wanted to reconnect with several of you for years, some of whom are planning to be in attendance.  I can only say that I am with you in spirit and trust this weekend will be a meaningful, fulfilling, fun time for all. 

Sending warmest wishes to each of you for many blessings,

Ellen [Engelson] Ruggles

P.S. If old friends are ever in the Boston area, please get in touch.  We are only 15 minutes south of the city, moments from the beginning of Rte.3 South toward Cape Cod. 

Classmates,

It looks like there will be two events to choose from on Friday night October 16^th The Lakeland vs. Mt. Vernon football game at the LHS campus in Shrub Oak.  Game time is at 7:00 pm.  Please look at the message board on the ’65Reunion website for details. Bob Guyon’s email: BobPACT@aol.com and phone number: 860-666-0777.  Please contact Bob by Thursday evening if you are planning to attend.

The second event is drinks and apps + more at Applebee’s in Mt. Kisco organized by Steve Wachowski.  The reservation is for 6:30 pm Applebee’s, 185 North Bedford Road, Mt. Kisco.  Please contact Steve at (570) 430.4938 or by email: sj911@ptd.net

Gene

Hello Classmates,

      Just a few days until we"re back together. Lakeland will be playing a football game on friday night.It will be at their field at 7:00. If you want to attend please contact me at bobpact@aol.com orcall me at 860-666-0777 by Thursday.They want to recognize us during the game.

      If you don't want to go to the game there are many restaurants near the hotel for dinner. There are high priced to moderate price restaurants in the area. i would suggest that we meet at the Wetchester Burger Restaurant for drinks and good memories at about 8:00 PM. The bars in the area close at 11:00 so we can make plans for getting together Saturday for lunch also. 

       Please let me know your plans for Friday night as soon as plssible.

                                                            Bob Guyon

I just wanted to wish everyone a "happy reunuion".  Regretably I won't be able to make it.  All is well with the Abele family.  Timing & distance just doesn't fit for us.  Have a great time, remember those no longer with us & somebody please have cold one for me!

Don

Hello Classmates. I can't wait to see everyone again. I've contacted LHS about a football game. They will not know if they are in the playoffs until next week. If they do have a game they will do something to honor us. I'll let everyone know as soon as possible if it would be Friday night or Saturday afternoon.

Friday night would be a good time for as many of us as possible could get together for dinner and time to catch up on "50 years of life".Iif there is a football game Friday night we"ll catch up with everyone after the game.

Please let me know if you're interested in either get together. My e-mail address is bobpact@aol.com or call me at 860-666-0777. Talk to you soon.

                                                              Bob Guyon

Another big thank you to the organizers for their hard work in organizing this reunion ...... no small feat ! Looking forward to seeing everyone after 50 years ..... holy smokes !!

Mike (Rosenblatt)

The booking code for the group rate is LLR.  It is available now and as discussed earlier I will post the details (cancellation policy etc.) tomorrow. They are standard terms, nothing unusual, but I want everyone to have them anyway.

There is a cut-off date after which any unbooked rooms will be released, I don't have the details in front of me but at the earliest its mid-August. So there's time.

Gene

Is the option to book with the group rate available yet?

I had made my reservations already at the higher rate as well...but just called and they changed it to the group rate.  Thanks for the savings guys!!!  ...Mary

Frank,

We have continued to negotiate with the Holiday Inn - as you may recall they were offering a $16 discount off of their regular rate but to receive the discount we had to contract for a block of rooms (25) per night and would have to pay for them whether they were booked or not. Clearly that was unacceptable to us. Earlier this week we reached an agreement on $139 per night for the 16th and 17th, with 20 rooms being held per night. They will add additional rooms if we need them. We do not have to pay if the rooms go unbooked. We also have a small block of 5 rooms from 10/15-10/20 at the same rate, which was requested by another classmate.  If you booked directly with the HI you should be able to cancel and receive a refund. If you have any issues with them send me your reservation details and I'll take it up with the manager.

Gene

Classmates,

We have made great progress with registration/deposits but still need a few more classmates to register before the April 30th target date. We are very close.

A group rate has been negotiated with the Holiday Inn for the nights of October 16th and 17th, and we have a small block being held from 15-20th at the request of several classmates. The group rate is $139 per night. The details will be posted under a new tab "HOTEL INFORMATION" later this week.  I will also include the details for other hotels in the area.

Gene

I thought there was no group rate. I have booked for the Sat pm only and my fee is much more. Is this rate only for 2 nights and not 1? Please advise.

Thanks,

Frank Deak

A Big Thanks to Ken for helping so much with "communications & information".  My hat is off to you, Gene, and crew,  Gary P

My yearbook is gone, too but Ken Herst sent me copies of the pictures of our class. Thanks, Ken

We will have a copy at the reunion. 

Is anyone bringing our '65 year book to the reunion? Mine was accidentlly lost.

I picked local as I haven't been back in many years- interested in seening the changes

THANKS TO ALL WHO ARE WORING TO MAKE THIS REUNION HAPPEN! Best wishes,  Gary S. Pruyn

I was hoping the reunion would be in Vegas in Sept. We can't make it in Oct. to NY due to the fact it's our 50th wedding anniversary and we will be in Europe. Wishing everyon a fun time.

Hi All Classmates of LHS 65. I hope you select Las Vegas either September or in October.It is an Easy drive from New York to the west. We drive 4000 miles back and forth to Alaska twice a year. So coming from NY or FLA. It's a piece of cake. If you've never been to Vegas. it's awesome not just gambling like the old days. It's really family orientated.

 Gas prices at the lowest is years just in time for our 50th.

                      Hope to see you all.

                     Larry and Annette Nudson