Planning Meeting - May 18, 2008
On Sunday, May 18, nine former classmates and three spouses met at the home of Bruce & Kit Rogers to consider several questions in preparation for the class’s upcoming 50th reunion in October. Present were Jim Boericke, Bob & Kay Caldwell, Emily Jane Lemole, George & Lois McCurdy, Justin Reuter, Bruce & Kit Rogers, Larkin & Alix Smith, and Lynne Smith.
The affair began with a luncheon featuring a hearty black bean soup and individual salads with various optional fixings, all personally prepared by our hostess Kit. All agreed that she laid a most excellent table, and the soup especially earned accolades.
Following the luncheon, while still at the table, the group considered first an attendance sheet listing the names of classmates who planned to attend this or that reunion event. Bruce explained that question marks indicated responses learned from personal exchanges rather than from returned questionnaires, and that blanks indicated no responses received in any form. Janie said that of course Chris would be attending the dinner at the Country Club, as he would be one of the hosts.
Bruce then distributed a docket he had prepared (without authorization, he noted, but in the absence of either class president, both of whom live out-of-state). Among the decisions reached were the following:
Lynne will arrange for a photographer to take an updated class picture at the Country Club dinner. Most of those attending the reunion will be present then.
Lynne will also take charge of preparing another yearbook. Anything people send in to Bruce for the Class of ’58 Update or to Alfie for the website (anc-58.org) will be saved also for the yearbook.
Bruce argued for the presence of someone to video-record the event at the Country Club. He had done it himself at the 40th reunion, and because of it had not been able to fully participate in the reunion. After some discussion, Justin Reuter and Jim Boericke nobly volunteered to arrange for the recording, and also to bear the cost between them.
Bruce then turned the attention of the group to consideration of a class gift. It is customary, he said, for classes to make special gifts to the Academy at their reunions, but he knew of at least four members who were sufficiently disaffected with the Academy that they would not contribute to such a gift.
However, he said, Bea Tolson had made an interesting suggestion that might be worth considering. Miss Morna Hyatt (now 90 years of age) first became principal during our senior year. Would it be appropriate to recognize her in some manner?
Bruce added that Miss Morna was probably the longest serving member of the Academy Faculty of all time.
If the class was to honor her instead of making a class gift to the ANC, what form would the honor take?
After a brief discussion, the group enthusiastically endorsed the idea of planting a tree on the campus somewhere between the Girls School and Glenn Hall, and placing a bench beneath it with a suitable legend in recognition of Miss Morna’s length of service. Janie said she would arrange for a tree, and she and Lynne would arrange for the bench.
Would the disaffected members of the class contribute to a tree and bench, some wondered. Bruce opined that he was sure they would. He himself would, he said.
During consideration of several other minor matters, it was noted that Charter Day Banquet tickets are to be priced at $25 per person, and that the “Mix & Mingle” affair at Cairnwood afterward would also cost $25 per person.
Bruce also spoke to the future of the Class of ’58 Update. Members who have not yet contributed to it, please do so. Members who have contributed once, please do so again.
Before and after the luncheon and meeting, Alex Smith took a number of interior and exterior photographs of the venue. These photos have been forwarded to Alf Sandstrom for posting on the class website that he has set up (anc-58.org). Access the website to see them.
