OUR "SAY IT AIN'T SO" 50th CLASS REUNION
Based on the number of attendees (the most ever), as well as direct attendee feedback both at and following the reunion (nothing but two thumbs up and high praise), the 50th class reunion was the best ever! It was a five event affair held over a 3-day weekend starting on Friday September 20, 2013 and continuing essentially non-stop (well, as defined by us old folks) for three full days through Sunday September 22nd, 2013.
While the events and schedule mirrored that of the 40th reunion, including a Golf Event, a Ladies Luncheon, an IceBreaker Social, a formal Dinner-Dance and Beach Barbecue, this reunion was the happiest and friendliest of them all. One guest said: "This reunion was, without a doubt, the best I have ever attended! My husband (a member of the NHS Class of 1961) says his class, looks as if it graduated in 1951; and your Class of 1963 looks like it graduated in 1973". We had energy !!!
We also received many (many) great compliments from the guests of classmates or near grads, who said they had a terrific time and it wasn't even their reunion. Nice to hear. It was a gorgeous weekend weather-wise. When we needed good weather (Golf on Friday and Beach Barbecue on Sunday), it was sunny and warm...... really a perfect fall weekend in New England.
Statistically, we had a total of 109 classmates and another 8 Near Grads who attended the reunion --- nearly 60% of those classmates responding to our mailings. That's a pretty impressive number given many folks have moved a long way from Nashua, NH. For comparison purposes, for the 40th reunion we had 75 Classmates and 6 Near Grads.
We also received many (many) great compliments from the guests of classmates or near grads, who said they had a terrific time and it wasn't even their reunion. Nice to hear. It was a gorgeous weekend weather-wise. When we needed good weather (Golf on Friday and Beach Barbecue on Sunday), it was sunny and warm...... really a perfect fall weekend in New England.
Statistically, we had a total of 109 classmates and another 8 Near Grads who attended the reunion --- nearly 60% of those classmates responding to our mailings. That's a pretty impressive number given many folks have moved a long way from Nashua, NH. For comparison purposes, for the 40th reunion we had 75 Classmates and 6 Near Grads.
GOLF EVENT - For Hackers and Whackers
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On Friday, September 20, 2013, twenty-three classmates, near grads and guests gathered at the Souhegan Golf Club in Amherst, NH for an 18 hole scramble golf "tournament".
Foursomes were formed with absolutely no regard for skill level, rather with full regard for playing with good friends or old friends, regardless of skill level. Six teams were entered, with odds off the tee as noted below. 
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The tournament was organized by John Noraig and Peter Chaloner. Coffee and doughnuts were provided on the practice green and we tee'd off in glorious early Fall weather --- sunny with just a bit of chill in the air. Each participant received a white Nike dry-fit souvenir golf shirt with a commemorative panther logo --- in NHS purple of course.
After golf (not sure which team won, but it didn't matter), lunch was provided and most everyone hung around for a couple of hours, having a great time reminiscing and looking ahead to the other reunion events.
All pictures are in the Slideshow below.
After golf (not sure which team won, but it didn't matter), lunch was provided and most everyone hung around for a couple of hours, having a great time reminiscing and looking ahead to the other reunion events.
All pictures are in the Slideshow below.
LADIES LUNCHEON
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Our invitation said.......
"Ladies and Gentlemen…..OK, scratch the “Gentlemen” (you are neither wanted nor are you invited). There will however be 47 lovely (mature) ladies attending. It all starts at 11:30am sharp and we’ll kick it off with a little “Find Your Classmate” game. The best advice we can give you gals is to study your yearbook. We have the Hunt Room at the Crowne Plaza until 3:00pm, so there will be plenty of time for chit-chat. A complimentary champagne cocktail will greet you as you arrive, and lunch will be a Mediterranean Buffet. There will also be a cash bar. After lunch, we are pleased to present the renowned floral designer Bill Graham who will bring his acclaimed “Little Black Dress” presentation to our function. In this unique program, Bill creates a variety of fashionable ensembles and floral arrangements from morning to evening, starting with the blank slate of a little black dress. Guests will leave with new ideas for accessorizing their own wardrobe. Arrangements will be given away by drawing at the end. A photographer will be present through the luncheon, so be thinking of who you might want to be memorialized with! A few more surprises are in store as well. We are looking forward to seeing you" While blantantly sexist, this event was a hugh success. Kudos to Noreen (Tappan) Doris, Bonnie (Merrill) McCann, and Linda (Raug) Zammer) who had the lead in organizing this very memorable event. Pictures are in the slideshow below. |
THE ICEBREAKER
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Our Invitation said........
"For those of you playing Golf or attending the Ladies Luncheon earlier in the day, we strongly urge you to take a nap before the Ice Breaker Social. The nap, while not a sanctioned reunion event, is a must for all senior citizens, as it could be disconcerting to fall asleep while playing “Guess Who I am” or “Who the Hell Are You” at the Ice Breaker Social on Friday evening. The Ice Breaker Social starts at 7:00pm and ends at midnight if you can last that long. It will be held at the same Boston Billiard Club venue as the 40th reunion --- the only difference being that appetizers and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the early evening. Like the Ice Breaker at the 40th reunion ten years ago, there will be no formal program of events per se, just an opportunity to touch base and socialize in a very informal setting. And this time around, we have 107 Classmates, Near Grads and Guests planning to attend – that’s twice as many as attended the same event for the 40th reunion. There will be a cash bar, and we’ll be taking pictures throughout the evening. Dress is casual – meaning truly casual. Wear whatever you are comfortable with (and look good in of course). There is plenty of parking on-site. Upon arrival, just ask the greeter where all the Blue Hairs are hanging out." The Ice Breaker was planned and organized by John Noraig, Alice (Neves) Jette, Bonnie (Merrill) McCann and Peter Chaloner. Good job everyone. Pictures from the Icebreaker are in the Slideshow below. |
DINNER DANCE
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Our invitation said.......
"The Dinner-Dance at the Nashua Country Club is the Main Event, and the one event that we truly wish everyone could attend. That said, we have a very excellent turnout. 98 Classmates and Near-Grads are registered to attend along with an additional 67 Guests ---that’s a full house at the NCC. The Dinner-Dance will begin with a cocktail hour (the 1st drink will be on us) and hors d’oeuvres served from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Dinner (Roast Prime Rib of Beef or Roast Chicken or Vegetarian) with wine will be served from 7:00 to 8:00pm. We have a short (as in very short) speaking program planned and then lots of time for dancing and socializing throughout the evening (until midnight if you can make it). Our special guest DJ for the evening is none other than Gerry Lawrence of St. John’s fame. He will be playing all of our favorites, and without any of the St. John’s clergy around, double-clutching will be permitted. We’ll have a couple of guest helpers who will serve as Photographers for the evening, so there will be no excuse not to have your picture taken with whomever you choose. Finally, every Classmate and Near Grad who attends the Dinner Dance will receive a very special reunion souvenir gift memento. Dress for the evening is…..jackets for the men (note we did not say “tie”, that’s up to you), and something real purty for the women. |
WELCOMING REMARKS
Donald Dion, our Senior Class President, spoke briefly following the meal, and had this to say in honor of our 50th anniversary.....
10K FOR 50 FUNDRAISER - Giving Back To NHS
As a special activity for the 50th, our Reunion Committee set a very aggressive goal; which was, to collect $10,000..... so that we could return something of real significance to Nashua High School South (the purple and white) in honor of the 50th anniversary of our graduation. The "10K for 50" fundraiser as we called it was announced in a letter to all Classmates and Near Grads several months prior to our 50th Reunion.
As a special activity for the 50th, our Reunion Committee set a very aggressive goal; which was, to collect $10,000..... so that we could return something of real significance to Nashua High School South (the purple and white) in honor of the 50th anniversary of our graduation. The "10K for 50" fundraiser as we called it was announced in a letter to all Classmates and Near Grads several months prior to our 50th Reunion.
10K FOR 50 FUNDRAISER - How Did We Do?
In a single word, absolutelyfantastic (that’s a new word). In our final letter to classmates just ahead of the 50th reunion, the Reunion Committee said:
"We are so pleased to tell you that we not only achieved the $10K goal, we doubled it, collecting just over $20,000 in gift contributions. Thanks to your over-the-top generosity and support, we were able to meet the top two wishes of the NHS South administration, who for years had wanted to reinstitute the Post Prom Party for seniors, and of course there’s always a need for scholarships for graduating seniors. We did both. NHS-1963 was the main reason that the Post Prom Party was resurrected on May 31st, 2013. It was a huge success. We also provided $1,000 scholarships to two deserving seniors".
For more details on our accomplishments giving back to NHS, including publicity in the Nashua Telegraph, and our more recent NHS-1963 Scholarship Endowment Fund program, please tap or click on the image icon below. It's a tremendous story that all members of NHS Class of 1963 who have contributed, and/or continue to contribute, can be extremely proud of.
"We are so pleased to tell you that we not only achieved the $10K goal, we doubled it, collecting just over $20,000 in gift contributions. Thanks to your over-the-top generosity and support, we were able to meet the top two wishes of the NHS South administration, who for years had wanted to reinstitute the Post Prom Party for seniors, and of course there’s always a need for scholarships for graduating seniors. We did both. NHS-1963 was the main reason that the Post Prom Party was resurrected on May 31st, 2013. It was a huge success. We also provided $1,000 scholarships to two deserving seniors".
For more details on our accomplishments giving back to NHS, including publicity in the Nashua Telegraph, and our more recent NHS-1963 Scholarship Endowment Fund program, please tap or click on the image icon below. It's a tremendous story that all members of NHS Class of 1963 who have contributed, and/or continue to contribute, can be extremely proud of.
50TH REUNION SOUVENIR
Each classmate attending the 50th reunion received a NHS Class of 1963 - 50th Reunion key ring as a keepsake souvenir.
In addition, and thanks to the generosity of one of our classmates, Peter Stylianos, all classmates attending the main Dinner-Dance event, were presented with a very special gift ---- a Google Nexus 7 tablet.
In addition, and thanks to the generosity of one of our classmates, Peter Stylianos, all classmates attending the main Dinner-Dance event, were presented with a very special gift ---- a Google Nexus 7 tablet.
In giving this gift to his fellow classmates, Peter's message was as follows:
FROM THE REUNION COMMITTEE
The Reunion Committee included the following message in the Dinner-Dance program....
front, L to R: Noreen (Tappan) Doris, Terry (Fariz) Huntley, Bea (Hatfield) Brougham, Alice (Neves) Jette, Maureen (Wywricz) Hall
back, L to R: Bonnie (Merrill) McCann, John Noraig, Jane (Ricard) Gilbert, Steve Doris, Pete Chaloner and Tom Osgood
not pictured: Linda (Raub) Zammer
back, L to R: Bonnie (Merrill) McCann, John Noraig, Jane (Ricard) Gilbert, Steve Doris, Pete Chaloner and Tom Osgood
not pictured: Linda (Raub) Zammer
All Dinner-Dance pictures (way too many for some, not enough for others) are viewable in the slideshow below.
Great, great memories.
Great, great memories.
BEACH BARBECUE
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Our invitation said.......
Time to chill out after a couple of busy days and nights. So, after you take your meds first thing on Sunday morning, come on up and join us for a casual and relaxing afternoon at Jane (Ricard) and Bruce Gilbert’s (NHS 1960) home on the beach in Rye, NH starting at high noon. We’ll have mimosa’s and bloody mary’s, wine, beer (and more healthier drinks too), a catered, barbeque lunch on the lawn by Liberty Lane Catering. If you missed seeing that special someone at the events on Friday or Saturday, you may be able to catch up with them on Sunday --- before we all return to our respective rest homes. As it turned out, the weather for the Beach Barbecue on Sunday was ideal. Actually, the weather for the entire weekend couldn't have been better --- warm, dry, and calm. We had wonderful food, plenty to drink and marvelous views. Lots of good conversation, hugs, laughter and memories. The Beach Barbecue was a fabulous finish to a truly extraordinary Reunion weekend. NHS-1963 Rocks !!! All pictures from the Beach Barbecue are in the slidehow below. |
OUR REUNION HELPERS
A special shout out to the three Doris kids (Jason, Amber and Micah) and Jane Ricard's bother-in-law (Gary Gilbert), who made themselves available to help at several of the reunion events. Amber Doris served as photographer at the Ladies Luncheon, while Jason Doris and his wife, Stephanie; and Micah Doris and his friend Kelly Greene, handled registration, badges, souvenir gift distribution and all photography at the Dinner-Dance. Finally, Micah Doris and Jane (Ricard) Gilbert's brother-in-law, Gary Gilbert (NHS-1962), helped to park cars, tend bar and took photographs at the Beach Party on Sunday.
You guys were a great help. A few photos of our helpers
A special shout out to the three Doris kids (Jason, Amber and Micah) and Jane Ricard's bother-in-law (Gary Gilbert), who made themselves available to help at several of the reunion events. Amber Doris served as photographer at the Ladies Luncheon, while Jason Doris and his wife, Stephanie; and Micah Doris and his friend Kelly Greene, handled registration, badges, souvenir gift distribution and all photography at the Dinner-Dance. Finally, Micah Doris and Jane (Ricard) Gilbert's brother-in-law, Gary Gilbert (NHS-1962), helped to park cars, tend bar and took photographs at the Beach Party on Sunday.
You guys were a great help. A few photos of our helpers
ALL REUNION PHOTOS ONLINE
If you would like to see any of the reunion photos and order selected prints, all photos from the 50th reunion have been uploaded to a photo sharing site (www.shutterfly.com). To access this site, click or tap on the icon below.
If you would like to see any of the reunion photos and order selected prints, all photos from the 50th reunion have been uploaded to a photo sharing site (www.shutterfly.com). To access this site, click or tap on the icon below.
