What Makes for Good Entertainment?
Posted Monday, June 24, 2013 10:05 PM

I suppose I'll get this started with providing some of the survey results from the e-mail responses I've received in May and early June.

With regards to ENTERTAINMENT and ACTIVITIES for our next Reunion, there were some great suggestions, and I'd like to pass along some of the highlights of those responses in hopes we can get some discussion going to determine which ideas will be most receptive to the likely class attendees.

When it comes to ENTERTAINMENT for a FORMAL reunion, some suggestions sent in included:

  • Live band
  • DJ
  • Comedian
  • Simply background music (70s music)
  • Dancing

When it comes to ACTIVITIES for a "reunion weekend", some suggestions sent in included:

  • Family-friendly entertainment (for those traveling with children)
  • Brunch event
  • Golf event
  • Picnic event (for family - or for adults only)
  • Dinner dance
  • Tour of high school
  • Tour of Good Hope Middle School
  • Invitations to former teachers and/or administrators

There were some more detailed suggestions which I will add below:

  • As some would be traveling, we would want to make it worth it.  I would like to do a couple (three) days of events and share different social settings with my friends and families.  Friday afternoon golf.  There could be a light and friendly casual get-together Friday night.  Saturday brunch with wine and “kid-friendly”.  There is a sweet B&B on Main Street in Mechanicsburg in an old Victorian-style home which has a great backyard for entertaining.  It holds 150 people and allows catering; it was divine.  They cooked and set up the food; great food, upscale and delicious.  Saturday mid-afternoon a trip.  Saturday dinner/dance would be nice.  The B&B could also accommodate this.  Sunday golf again (with brunch), or have it where we could be at a country club and have tennis, pool, hiking, et cetera…and big-screen TV for the sports-minded.  Bus trip to Hershey on Saturday with the kids.  This way, it would feel like a convention; the attendees could attend all or part of the weekend affair.  Maybe an outing with kids at the old park by Mechanicsburg Pool. 
  • Perhaps something outside of the area or state (i.e. Poconos, Baltimore).  When we were in the Poconos for a reunion, it was for three days over the weekend, including a golf tournament.  Friday was set up for “Family Day” (with children) for a picnic.  Saturday was the golf outing for the family.  Sunday was a brunch before everyone left.  The Baltimore reunion was in Inner Harbor with a sunset dinner cruise Saturday night.  There is lots of other things for families to do in that area over the weekend.  The Renaissance Harbor Place is usually where we stayed.  Or, another idea would be to go to Annapolis and stay at the Marriott there (it’s right on the dock – back of hotel is on stilts in the water at the dock).  They also offer cruises right from the back door of the hotel.
  • Picnics are nice.  My main interest in a reunion is visiting with classmates, so anywhere we can do that would be great.  Mini-golf would be fun in small groups.  Perhaps a bus trip with everyone on the same bus (or two).  School tours might be nice (not only the high school but, perhaps, even Good Hope, and maybe even some elementary schools).  Also, it would be nice to invite some former teachers to join us.

I'd like to generate some discussion among us to come up with ideas/suggestions on what type of activities everyone would be most receptive to during our reunion.  Of the suggestions above, which would be more critical, and which would be optional?  Certainly, add your own suggestions if not already addressed above.  With having attended various events over the years, you may have experienced great entertainment and activities which promoted a more memorable experience.  Your input is greatly important and appreciated.