I would like to provide some background information from the Committee regarding the 50^th Anniversary Celebration.

Based on the survey we took at the conclusion of the May 2010 event – the response was overwhelming in support of moving the next SCHS event to a paid venue that could accommodate a potential very large crowd. The reunion committee met all winter long and after calling around and visiting numerous facilities, it was decided that The Aqua Turf would provide us with the best value and accommodations for this 50th Anniversary Celebration. The Aqua Turf was booked with a deposit back in January. With no funds, the deposit actually came from a committee member who was willing to step forward and put money down to secure this location.

Please recall that the first event we held last May relied exclusively on donations from local restaurants, establishments, and a handful of individuals who stepped up to support and pay for the evening. It was a tremendous undertaking and quite frankly we felt it would be difficult to again go back to these same individuals and ask them again for their generosity.

The 50th Anniversary is indeed a very special occasion and the SCHS celebration deserves a special venue to mark the occasion. Both East Catholic and Northwest Catholic are holding their own 50th Anniversary Celebrations this year as well, to be held at the Hartford Marriott Hotel and Aqua Turf respectively.

The event planned for the 7th is NOT a sit down dinner. It will consist of 2 hours of passed and stationary hor’dourves, carving, pasta, and salad stations and special coffee and desserts to follow. There will however be plenty of tables of 10 (arranged by Class) and numerous high-bar tables so we can meet up with friends and socialize. This is also a cash bar event – but the Aqua Turf will be keeping all drinks to a $3.00 - $4.00 range.

For attire, plan on business casual – but really, anything would work – dress up or down depending on your own personal preference.

The evening will consist of a live Band covering a variety of music throughout the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, & early 90’s. The band, booked in February, will serve as background music or dancing if you feel the urge. The band understands that our gathering will be more of a social gathering versus a “dance” and will accommodate our requests during the evening.

We will also be featuring a slide show throughout the evening (covering all of the years), along with a “tea cup” raffle, and a SCHS trivia contest ... Plus a few surprises!!!

Lastly, with regard to price, we felt that if we put the date and price out there in advance, it would allow everyone to save a little each week to pay for this special occasion.

 In addition to the event at the Aqua Turf on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, we would like to inform you of a special Mass being held at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 at 2:00.

Check back at the site often as we will be updating people on the events there. I have also started a 50th Anniversary forum on the ClassCreator site, where you will be able to find out more information over the coming months.  You can access it by clicking on the words "User Forum" on the left side of the page once you're logged in.

Help us spread the word about the Anniversary Celebration, Mass and ClassCreator, our virtual South Street on the web, where as of this morning, there are 1,171 Rebels registered.

Please feel free to contact me or any members on the committee if there are additional questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Maura Smith Cantwell- Class of 82

This message was sent out to all registered members on August 22, 2011-

Dear Fellow Rebels:

Now that summer is quickly coming to a close, it's time to start planning to join your fellow classmates, faculty and friends at the 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 7th at the Aqua Turf.  Believe it or not, it's only 46 days away! 

The committee has worked hard all summer planning for this special evening and so far we have received a tremendous response - it's going to be a huge event! There is SO much excitement surrounding this celebration - especially from the faculty! 

The Aqua Turf is a beautiful setting with great food, we have a dynamite band, an exciting variety of items for a Tea Cup Auction, SCHS memorabilia, and a few surprises as well.   Although this is not a sit down dinner, tables will be arranged by year of graduation - providing everyone with an opportunity to reacquaint with fellow classmates!

Friends, this is the 50th Anniversary Celebration and there will not be another event like this for another 5 - 10 years.  Contact your classmates, friends and family and plan to be part of a very special evening. Come join in the fun!

Please note that the deadline to purchase tickets is September 15th and tickets cannot be purchased at the door ... so don't wait any longer!  A PDF of the 50th Anniversary RSVP, which can be printed off and mailed in with your check, is located at the ClassCreator website homepage https://www.classcreator.com/Hartford-CT-South-Catholic-1965-1991/class_index.cfm or can send your email address to the Committee and request that a copy of the RSVP be emailed to you. The Reunion Committee’s email address is SouthCatholicReunion@gmail.com . Any questions can also be directed to the email address above.

A special MASS will also be celebrated by the Rev. Henry Frascadore, former principal of South Catholic at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 9 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Additional information about the weekend’s events will be posted on the Class Creator site using the User Forum feature, so check in at the site for updates. You can also check the User Forum for “CLASS CHATTER”, a special place for members of your class to be chatty and reconnect.

As of today, we have, 1,253 Rebels registered at the website. If you know someone who hasn’t registered, please spread the word about the website and the 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 7^th!

Something else you might want to consider attending is the 6^TH ANNUAL JOSEPH F. REILLY MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Visit the ClassCreator site and click on “Golf Tournament” for more information on this event, which is open to all members of the SCHS community.

SOUTH CATHOLIC REUNION COMMITTEE

For those attending the 50^th Celebration this Friday, Oct. 7 and the Mass on Sunday, Oct. 9 –

Answers to a few commonly asked questions and things you may want to know-

·      Dress for the evening is business casual.

·      Plan ahead and bring some extra cash for the evening's festivities.

·      Reminder that this event is cash bar.

·      The evening will also feature a Teacup Auction with over 40 outstanding prizes generously donated by Hartford area businesses, alumni and friends.  Tickets will be sold as:  10 /$10 or 25/$20.  Your support of this auction is greatly appreciated.

·      South Catholic Memorabilia will also be sold during the evening, so please plan to bring some extra cash for these items as well.  T-shirts, hoodies and blankets are expected to be sold.

·      The band for the evening is SHADED SOUL - One of Hartford's Hottest Bands featuring: Motown, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Rock, and Soul Music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.    http://www.shadedsoulband.com/

·      Link to Directions to the Aqua Turf- http://www.aquaturfclub.com/

·        Mass will be celebrated at Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at 2PM.  Father Frascedore will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist.  The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford will preside over Mass & the Concelebrants will include:  Rev. William O’Keefe, Rev. William L. Traxl, Rev. Arthur J. Murphy, Rev. Salvatore D. Altavista, Rev. James M. Moran, Rev. George M. Couturier, and Rev. Joseph G. Ryan. All faculty, family and friends are welcome to attend Mass. Please plan to join us for a very special afternoon.

·        As of this afternoon, we have 1,350 Rebels registered at our site and reconnecting with old friends. We started the site in March of 2010 and through word-of-mouth and social media we've located all of these former students and staff without an alumni office to provide us with contact info or to support us financially.  Please take a few minutes to and pass this info along to your friends. South is still a very special place for so many of us and we want to make sure we connect with as many people as we can.

https://www.classcreator.com/Hartford-CT-South-Catholic-1965-1991/class_index.cfm  

·        If you're on Facebook, we have a group page you should join- https://www.facebook.com/groups/297211457186/

The Reunion Committee