I hope this finds you well. You're being asked to complete this survey because you're part of the Dover Catholic School (St. Mary Academy, now) Class of 1985. On behalf of our Class President, Erin Mone, I'm letting you know that we're planning a class reunion for summer 2010. That'll be 25 years for those of you keeping track!
Why have a reunion for our 8th grade class especially when our high school class of 1989 reunions just occurred this past summer? Well, I'll tell you why!
First, most of our class went to Dover High School. The DHS Class of 1989 just held a reunion this past summer, but most of YOU weren't there! Lee Ann Ashley, Tony Dumas, Jeff LeBlanc, Sam Oliver and myself were the only ones from our DCS class to show up. Why is this significant? Because YOU were the people I was most interested in seeing and catching up with! Our class was much smaller (42) and closer-knit. We all grew up together and I think we all share a much closer bond. My brother wasn't born until I was a junior in high school, so basically, I grew up an only child. You guys are my brothers and sisters. We laughed, we cried, we loved, we lost, we fought, and we made up. We'll always have the bond of that little school. At least that's how I feel, so much so that some of you on this list didn't actually graduate with us, but you were still part of our class and you're in old photos so as far as I'm concerned, you're part of the gang too and you're welcome and encouraged to participate. Those in that category will see that I've already added you as guest members of our class.
Second, not all of us went to DHS, so for those of you who went to STA, Spaulding, Oyster River, Somersworth, or somewhere else, we haven't seen you in 25 years! It's high time we did something about it.
So, with that in mind, I'd like to tell you what I'm thinking about for this event and get your feedback to see if you like the idea.
The last two DHS reunions were held at the New England Center in Durham. They were organized by Christine Morrison and she did a fabulous job! She spent years working diligently to put those together and deserves a lot of credit.
Those reunions were held in the evening, were semi-formal, had a DJ or a band, and went by WAY too fast! I couldn't believe how fast this last one went by! It was a lot of fun, but it went by so quickly that there were a lot of people I didn't get a chance to talk to. Also, being at night, they weren't kids events. Based on experience from those events, here's the idea:
The Dover Elks Lodge has a large picnic grove and large field on their property. They put up a large function tent next to the picnic grove for the summer. They offer a package deal where the picnic grove can be rented, including the tent AND the hall (in the event of a monsoon). If our function is outdoors, it's BYOB. If it's indoors due to rain, they'll make the bar available to us. If it's outdoors, we have access to large grills. If it's indoors, we have access to the kitchen. So, we can't lose either way due to weather.
I'm thinking of renting the Elks facility for a Saturday next summer. As of now, every Saturday in July and August of 2010 is available. We can have an All-Day Family-Friendly picnic at the Elks. Kids and spouses/significant others would be included. For the really wild ones (that means you Denoncourt!), we might even be able to have a campfire that night if we're still partying! So, now comes the feedback part of this. Please send your responses as soon as possible so we can begin making plans.
You must be a member to submit this survey. If you are a member please log in first. You can't submit this form until you've logged in.
1)
Do you like this idea?
Yes
No
2)
If yes, will you attend?
Yes
No
Maybe
3)
If no, do you have a different suggestion?
4)
What would be the best Saturday in July or August of 2010 for you to attend (excluding July 4th weekend)?
5)
Would you want to bring your own meat to grill and pot luck side dishes and desserts or would you want the event catered?
6)
Would you bring your spouse, family, or just come solo?
Spouse
Family
Solo
7)
Do you have experience with video production? I'd like to put together a video of still shots of all of us put to music. You'll probably have to raid your parents' photo albums.
Yes, and I'd love to help!
No, I'm still learning how to use a digital camera!
8)
Would you be interested in having our still-living teachers participate somehow (maybe at a pre-party event)?
Yeah, that would be a trip!
No way! I'm still in therapy from the mental scars!
Maybe, as long as they check their rulers at the door!
9)
Would you be interested in having your parents attend also (assuming they're still living, obviously, also maybe at a pre-party event)?
Yeah, that would be fun and it would give them all a chance to catch up with each other!
No, it would be too much for one weekend. Besides, who wants to party with their parents?
Maybe, as long as we can send them home before the real party begins!
10)
Would you be interested in taking a tour of the school as part of the weekend festivities?
Yeah, I haven't seen the old girl in a long time!
No, I'm good. It's just a building. It's the people in it that make the memories.
Maybe
11)
Would you be interested in attending a special Mass for our class on that Sunday?
Yes, I'm still a good Catholic, I have to go to Mass on Sunday anyway, and it would be neat for us to be together for that.
No, me and the Lord, we have an understanding...
Maybe, I suppose a little churchin' up can't hurt...
12)
Erin is interested in doing some type of service project as part of the weekend either for the school or something else. Would you be interested in participating in something like that?
Yes, we live by faith and good works!
No, I gave at the office, I just want to party!
Maybe, depending on what she has in mind...
13)
Would you want to have a DJ or just have lots of 80's music from about 1981 to 1985 playing on a sound system?
DJ
Sound System
14)
Would you be willing to pay up to, say, between $40 - $50 per adult to cover costs of putting this together?
Yes, these things cost money
No, keep the price as low as you can
15)
Would you be willing to pay, say, between $5 - $10 per kid to cover food costs?
Yes
No
16)
Is there anything I'm forgetting?
17)
Do you have any other ideas?
18)
Do any of you know how to contact the following missing classmates? Pat Clay, Mike Curran, Ed Downey, Colleen Flaherty, Amy McNair, Christine Shaw, and Paula Smith?
19)
Would any of you be willing to assist with this event? Particularly Dover people. I live in Peterborough now so I'm about an hour and a half away, making local detail work somewhat more difficult. Thanks.
