It would be great to share a post-reunion breakfast, particularly since some of us cannot attend the reunion.  Let's hope it happens.

This sounds like a good idea if there would be enough interest in it, now the question is just where and when.

I heartily agree with Nona.  What this Reunion Brunch could accomplish:

• A chance to casually get to meet alumni who cannot afford the package at the Marriott in this precarious period of a "rotten economy".
• The excitement of bringing our spouses to our old high school for a tour and maybe even recycling sweet memories.
• Using subway or bus in Queens rather than being forced to rent an auto for those of us coming from out-of-state...I'd be curious of breakdown stats.
• Probably less competition from a high-amp band if recent weddings are a fair means of prediction.  As we older folks age, added noise poses an impediment.
• I'd love to hear from others.  Pls email me at: notcoy@netzero.net.

Your Queens-Prone Peer,

Barry-Lee - Class of '59

PS: We all appreciate Larry and Stan for their efforts to be flexible and receptive.

 i also agree with nona.  a brunch/breakfast at jhs would be great fun and complete the reunion 'memory lane' mission. if it works out, let's do it!

Let us act upon this hunch

And now begin the prep for brunch,

Stan and Larry, now's the time

To bring fruition (sans this rhyme)!

Waiting to Help,

BLC

Nona Bon Ventry wrote:

PRE REUNION BRUNCH A POSSIBILITY!

Great News for Brunch lovers who want to gather on the morning of Sept. 25th in Queens to have a social brunch get-together and then visit Jamaica HS to reminisce!

1. An alumna from the SW and myself are exploring restaurants and diners in the Queens Blvd. area between Kew Gardens and Elmhurst, near subway stops.
2. We are especially concerned about out-of-towners whose vision is so-so and prefer NOT TO DRIVE to Melville at 7:30 p.m. in the evening and then return back after midnight, risking drunk drivers at that hour.
3. Many of us believe that delaying our supper till 8:30 p.m. makes no sense. Older folks often take meds with their meals and that delay is unwarranted.

WE SHOULD KNOW THE PARTICULARS BY AUGUST 1st.  INTERESTED IN PROVIDING YOUR OPINIONS?

PLEASE CALL 503-365-7533.

--BLC for the Jamaica HS Brunch Bunch Coordinating Council

While this is a great idea, it should not be promoted as an alternative to the Main Event at the Marriott.  This web site was set up to foster and encourage people to come to a Reunion Gala Party.  While we realize that economy might be a factor for people as to attending the reunion, we tried to make it as cost effective as possible to make it possible for the majority to attend.

We think that having these adjunct get togethers adds to the Reunion Weekend and encourage it.

If it continues to be promoted as an alternative to the purpose of the website, we will be forced to delete these entries as counter productive.

Larry Schnitt '60

Stan Shapiro '59

The current Reunion as planned has practical roadblocks that need to be addressed as to time being held and distance from NYC.  Raising these issues is certainly part of the American Tradition of freely discussing any issue. 

I plan to attend the Reunion myself but my wife declines due to the extra expense on us and not wanting to stay up past 10 pm, our usual bedtime.  A number of other people from upstate NY and elsewhere have been brave enough to speak out and share their misgivings. 

Is it right in our society to suppress their opinions?

Some important points worth mentioning:

• MEAL FACTOR: I appealed to Larry to see if the time for our dinner meal can begin somewhat earlier.  Those with medicine regimens find eating late disruptive and misguided.  Larry reported that it's up to Reunions Unlimited to decide--not him.  Thus some of us feel frankly helpless and ignored.
• DRIVING LATE: Please note that many of us transplants have not driven on LI for over two decades and we're considerably older now.  If this unfamiliarity with getting to Melville leads to a highway accident, is that the kind of cherished memory we want to take away from our JHS Reunion?  Have a heart!
• INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTION: Nothing is the proposed Reunion Brunch promotes that as an alternative event to the Reunion Party itself.  Some will choose to attend both, some just one event, and some neither.  That is their decision and theirs alone.  It is simply an option.  One can never please everyone.

America was built on diverse opinions, and my Jamaica High days with Bernie Edinger and Jeff Halley and others with Mr. Warren Kahn's Problems of Democracy Club helped set the stage for my appreciation that our country encourages free speech including dissent.  If we can be critical of our President and Congress if they aren't FULLY meeting our needs, why should a reunion be different?  

Let openminded prevail in word and deed.

--Barry-Lee

Fran from Tappan and others including myself would love to have you join us for a pre-reunion brunch planned for Forest Hills Diner.  Date: Saturday--9/25--at 10:30 a.m.

Follow-up will include site visit to Jamaica HS on Gothic Drive, allowing for sentimental photos and swapping stories from days of yore--your yore and mine.

That gives us lots of Free Time (12:30 - 7 pm) to prepare for the Mega Party in Melville.

We estimate a decent brunch goes for $8-10 but check the FH Diner website to determine your personal preferences.  Any questions?  Call us at 503 - 365 - 7533.

~~The Reunion Brunch Bunch -- Beaver Fever UNLIMITED

Barry,

Shouldn't that be a PRE-REUNION Brunch? if it is scheduled for Saturday.

Post Reunion Brunch and School Visit on Sunday at Jamaica High School is what Larry is working on with the Principal at Jamaica...

Stan,

You stand correct.  It should have said Pre-Reunion but yours truly kept the original title of the first writer.  The text does say Sept. 25th at 10:30 am as that turns out to be the best time by group consensus.

My wife will be staying with her sister in Lynbrook who has cancer in remission; I'll join them the day following our evening gala in Melville.  A fellow alum and I shall be renting a car and splitting the costs.

I probably know over 30 alumni who will be attending and hope we can catch up with each--a mini challenge.

Thanks again for paving the way together with Larry. We sense the road has some speed bumps and we admire the perseverence not to "throw in the towel".  These last 40 years I've gone by Barry-Lee (no longer "Barry").

Warm regards,

Barry-Lee and Carmi