Post News & Events

Those attending: Ken Hershey, Rosemary Jung, Bert Rosen, Jack Vail, Chick Trayford, Les Reed, Robert Martin, Jan Kunz, Jim Settel and Mitzi Russekoff.   

The meeting was called to order and last year’s minutes were read and approved. Bert read the treasurer’s report and said there was now $40,834 in our class funds. There were 463 dues payers as of June 2008, 40% of our class contributed.             

Jack showed us the shirt and hat that will be our class uniform.  The shirt is a red and white floral design to fit in with our “island” theme and class year plus 55th will be shown on the hatband.  Food and entertainment will complement this theme at our Friday night dinner at Moakley House.

Ken has pictures, jackets and past reunion gear to sell at reunion. There are taped interviews from our 25th that would be fun to hear again.  The reunion plans are that we will be located at the Mews again. Thursday morning an optional winery tour is planned, an 18-seat bus, and the cost will be $40 per person with lunch at Sheldrake winery extra.  Registration starts at noon on Thurs. with dinner in tent adjacent to Mews.

There will be a barbeque and guitar music that night.  Friday morning there will be breakfast in tent catered by Hope. No Cornell dining this year, only Hope. University functions all day but there is an optional box lunch for those who do not want to go to Barton at a cost of $13.00. A list will be created for those of us who forget what they pre-ordered.  Dinner that night will be at Moakley with a steel band and trivia contest. A Sing-a-long after dinner, and a pianist will be hired.

On Saturday a.m. we’ll have breakfast at the tent, and lunch at Duffield Hall. This is a class function and it was suggested that our class meeting be held at this time rather than Sunday morning. Our list of deceased classmates will be available at this time and we will observe a moment of silence.  There is a service at Sage that will be mentioned for all departed Alumni for those interested in attending. Olin lecture is at 3 p.m. and there are other university functions. 

Sat. night there is a reception outside of Statler while dinner is inside. Entertainment is still uncertain as of this time due to budget issues. We have only $3,000 total budgeted for entertainment.  We agreed to subsidize about $50/person for reunion from our class fund, not to exceed $10,000.  Sunday ends with a brunch. Cash bar for hard liquor but wine and beer are free.

Robert Martin received about a dozen responses to his appeal for memories of Cornell, including a long one from Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Kiki). He is thinking of asking for photos with commentaries and putting an exhibit together. We all committed ourselves to sending in our pictures, 317 W 89th St., 1FE, NY, NY 10024-2137.          

Jan updated committees needed for reunion and added nominating committee to those already listed. The Calls are working on nominations. She suggested that pictures of reunion attire be displayed on our website. Rosemary will write the president’s letter for March communiqué when next mailing is scheduled.  So far 23 people volunteered to help out at reunion.  Ken and Rosemary are looking for people to take over their job and for new reunion chairs. Suggestions should be sent to Mary and David Call.

Les wants different information from us…what are we doing in our retired lives. She will make a pitch for this at reunion, what are we doing in the community or what interesting hobbies have been found.

Emaiings have been a problem, some of us get them, some not. Cornell will do blast emails but need a week’s notice. 5-year students will be included.

It was suggested that an enlarged map of campus should be displayed at Mews. Jan volunteered to have it made. Regular size maps will be sent in registration packet.  She also suggested labels be made with important phone numbers of our clerks and police that could stick on back of our ’54 pin in case of emergency.

“55 reunion shadows (2 people) will pay regular reunion fees to us. Their class will repay them.

Jim reported that for the Affinity list he’s using, he’s concentrating on fraternity and sorority affiliations. If you know of other clubs and groups that should be included, let him know. He will then send a letter to a contact you suggest for that affiliation.

Lauren Ryder, reunion campaign officer, reported that we have already reached our dollar goal. However, but our goal of 55 Tower Club members has not been attained.  Nor have we attained our goal for total classmate participation. The previous record for class giving is 529. We are hoping for at least 530.

-- CACO meeting (2/08)--

CACO (Cornell Association of Class Officers) is held yearly and allows classes to get together and talk about activities and goals. This year Ken Hershey, Rosemary Jung, Bert Rosen, Mitzi Russekoff, Jim Settel, Chick Trayford, Robert Martin, and Jack Vail attended the two-day session in Philadelphia in early February.

Reunion dates are June 4 - 7, 2009, and co-chairs Jack Vail and Chick Trayford are already working on finding volunteers for the various committees and discussing options for events and activities. Rosemary and Les Reed will do decorations. Jim Settel will work on affinity networking.

Robert Martin introduced a project in which classmates would be asked to write about their memories of Cornell. A .pdf copy of the letter being sent to all classmates can be printed or downloaded by clicking HERE.

Jack and Chick will attend the 1953 Reunion this June to assess the lay of the reunion landscape. It was also decided that at reunion we would pare down the class council list to those who are able to contribute time and energy to the class, that there would be no class picture, and that the class will again participate in the freshmen book selection and send the books to classmates who are dues payers.

Treasurer Bert Rosen reported that our obligation to the university scholarship fund has been paid, and we are in good shape to be able to fund our reunion.

It was also reported that our class giving to Cornell totaled a very respectful $7,375,297.00.

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Check the Reunion News page for updates on plans!