~~~~~~~Thank you~~~~~~~

For everyone that was able to attend, thank you for coming to our 20^th High School reunion!  If you were not able to make it, perhaps you’ll be able to make it next time (we have enclosed your nametag for you to enjoy).  Everyone seemed to have a good time catching up and meeting each other’s families.  There were 44 alumni in attendance on Saturday, that’s more than a third of our class!  Pretty impressive!  We were also honored with the presence of one TA – Barb (Kane) Cioffi!  The seed for this reunion was planted last fall when we began collecting contact information, and then Shannon Haggett sent us an e-mail early in the year to ask, “Hey, has anyone thought about a reunion?”  This was the push that we needed to get things rolling.  This reunion could not have happened without the help of some key people.  We would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their efforts and would also like to take this opportunity to pass along some information.

 

We wish to thank Shannon Haggett for all of his assistance with planning and trying to track people down.  Shannon also donated the charcoal for the grill and was one of our fabulous grill chefs.  Thanks for bearing the heat!  Trying to track people down was not an easy task.  On that note, there are still some people that we have not heard from and some that we do not have any information for at all.  We will not remove someone from the “Lost Classmates” list on the website until we can confirm his or her contact information.  Please take a moment to try and locate them for us, or have them contact us directly.  Please use the website (www.u32classof84.com) or send an e-mail to Shannon at haggetts@sover.net

 

Ben Miller deserves huge kudos for setting up our wonderful website and for helping with the planning.  Ben also donated the paper goods.  Thank you, Ben!  About the website… we have received donations from several individuals to help keep it going (Thank you Lester Felch, Shaun Fielder, Karen Foote, Renato Gomez, Mark Gosselin, Shannon Haggett, Paul Jerome, John Krupa, Jeff Larkin, Ford Marden, Andre Montour, Joanne (Ouimet) Ducas, Ellery Packard, Lisa (Seaman) Wright, Heidi (Sherman) Tucci and Deborah (Tomasello) Emmons).  We plan to use the website to allow people to update their contact information and to post information periodically.  Check out the photos from all three events!  It will also be used to help plan the next reunion – please go to the link on our website and complete the BRIEF survey by November 18, 2004 while the event is still fairly fresh in your mind.  Any suggestions for the next one – 25^th or 30^th?  Formal or family-oriented?  Time of year – late summer, spring, Thanksgiving weekend or other holiday?  If you would like a paper copy of the survey mailed to you, let us know and we will get it to you.  If you would like to make a donation to assist with website hosting and upkeep, please pay on-line through the website or send it to Amy Brown, 16 Ira Rd., Worcester, VT 05682.

 

We need to thank Karla Galfetti Smith for volunteering to make nametags and for proving planning suggestions.  She did a wonderful job of embarrassing everyone with their photos!  Karla also collected memorabilia and organized the table, decorated and provided assistance in getting the hamburgers and hot dogs.  Thank you, Karla! 

 

We would not have been able to have such a great tour of U-32 had it not been for Karen Foote.  She contacted the school and her friend, Dan Greene - the head librarian, volunteered to run the tour.  It was a great event and we are grateful for everyone who attended.  We were sad to see the Ultimate Frisbee field paved over and we all agreed that the school has changed to barely recognizable, but it is nice!  Karen also donated the balloons and helped to set up with Sue Day on Saturday.  Thank you, Karen and Sue!

 

Keith and Amy Brown were indispensable in helping to set up and clean up on Saturday.  Keith got up early and picked up the tent, hamburgers and hotdogs, and ice.  He recruited Ford Marden to help set up as well.  Keith did a stupendous job grilling the tasty burgers and dogs.  Amy also manages our class bank account and will continue to maintain records for future events and the website.  Thank you Keith, Amy and Ford!

Karen’s niece, Jessica Lamberton, was kind enough to lead the activities for the day.  She selected games to appeal to a wide range of ages and we put together a fun itinerary.  Jessica was able to borrow some activities from relatives and from her work at a daycare and Steve Towne also lent us some items from the East Montpelier Elementary School.  Unfortunately it was too hot to have tremendous participation, but those who participated seemed to enjoy it.  Thank you, Jessica and Steve!

 

We received an unexpected surprise from Mike Walker on Friday night at Jack’s Backyard.  He bought drinks for everyone and it was most appreciated!  Mike lives in Florida and did try to make it up for the reunion.  Thank you, Mike!!  Perhaps we’ll see you at the next event.

 

Corinne (Cooper) Stridsberg (Class of ’82) deserves a huge round of applause for her tireless efforts in attempting to keep a list of contact information for all of U-32’s alumni.  Not an easy task!  She has been helping us to locate people and has been proactive in getting people involved in alumni activities.  If you have not done so, please send her a note to update your information and you should consider sending a donation to thank her for her efforts.  You can also send an update about what you have been doing - it will appear in an upcoming newsletter.  The e-mail address is: u32alum@adelphia.net.  Corinne also let us borrow The Shadow newspapers.  Thank you, Corinne, for all of your hard work!  With some of the remaining reunion funds, we have decided to make a small contribution from our class.

 

Thank you to all of the alumni that have helped to get us contact information.  It does help to receive a message that tells us where someone works or where their parents live, but it is especially appreciated if you take it a step further and contact him or her directly.  Since we no longer live in the area, this will save us time and money.

 

We learned at the reunion that Jeff Dickinson had passed away.  We were saddened by this news and wish his family well.  We recently received an e-mail from Corinne with a list of people who had passed away and Jeff was not included on that list.  If anyone has information about any other alumni who are no longer with us, please let her know.

 

It was great to see everyone that could make it.  Perhaps more people could become involved in planning the next event.  It is difficult to make decisions for 100+ people, when only a few are involved in the planning.  Please think about participating in planning the next reunion and let us know if you would like to help.

 

Keep checking the website for updates and we’ll do our best to contact people.  Sometimes classmates ask us for someone else’s contact information.  Please let us know if you do not want us to share your information with them.  Be sure keep us updated with any address changes, including e-mail addresses.

 

Thank you again, and please keep in touch!

 

Karen (Fisk) and Stuart Ormsbee

twobees@gis.net

 

~~~~~~~~~Thank you~~~~~~~~~