Daryl Capuano

Thanks Stacey.  Help needed!  After we decide on the place and the date, the next challenges will be informing classmates and figuring out catering.

Robert Hicks

Hey all, 

my brother in law is a certified chef who caters on the side if you want I'll get a quote from him once the venue is set. He is local to the Morris County area.

hope all are well!!!

Daryl Capuano

That's great Rob. It will depend on the venue.  But, if we are self-catering, the more options the better.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Robin Coe (Hanna)

Sigal - I was wondering if you might be able to take some photos of the inside of the Elks Club and post them to the message forum.  You should be able to do that using the "image" button found second from the left on the top row of the menu bar above when you are posting a message to the forum.  This way it would provide everyone some insight into what the Elks Club looks like inside since most of us probably remember what the Embassy looks like.  Thanks!

Lee Gootblatt

Wow, such great ideas.  I like the Towne Tavern, food's good, and Lara & I can stumble, er, walk home from there.  The Embassy Suites is a fine choice also.  And even though it's a hotel venue, I think we can still be casual.  The Elks Club sounds good too.  I assume it is the one on Parsippany Blvd., which appears to be of good size and reasonable price.  I guess we eliminated the outdoor venue of Volunteer's Park?  

I dig the idea of Pandora attached to a mondo Marshall speaker stack.  Motley Crue is retiring after the current tour, maybe we can use theirs!

Hey Yak!  Thanks for the shout out.  Back at ya big guy! 

Chris Martell

Just to muddy the waters a bit more...I own property in Mt Tabor (near the Rattlesnake) which allows me to rent their Country Club.  I've been to quite a few events there and it's a pretty nice place.  I assume the set-up would be on par with the Elks.  Any thoughts?

James Giercyk

Regarding music, there's something to bear in mind when making a choice of venue; some venues have their own PA/Sound System.  An in-house PA will be set up and tweaked for the room.  It will also free people from lugging equipment on the night of the reunion.  If you can find a place in-budget that offers use of a house PA, it is worth considering.  

Karen DuBois (Maxwell)

Hi Everyone!!

I know you were asking for one more option for a venue, and I just spoke to the girl who was in charge of this years 30th Reunion (Class of 1984). They had it at the Hanover Manor, and she said it was awesome! He charged them $50 per person for food, beer, wine and soda (all included).  The venue charged them $50, but the reunion committee charged $60 so they could cover the DJ and other costs.

 Figured I would through this out there as an option since it's a great deal, very nice venue, and only 5 minutes from Parsippany.

Let me know if I can help with anything.

~ Karen ~

Here's the menu/invitation below that they sent out.

Robin Coe (Hanna)

That's another great option.  Thanks Karen! 

Daryl Capuano

Thank you Karen.  I appreciate you gathering the information.

Robin Coe (Hanna)

Just to continue this thread, I called the Hanover Manor today to check on their availability (if we decide to choose that location as a venue).   I used an estimate of 130 people.  I asked about potentially May 9 and May 19, as well as October 10th and 17th.  Al of these dates are available for a party of that size.  Most likely other dates are available as well (since they can hold multiple events at one time) but we would need to narrow in on specific days and call back.

There are four buffet options:

Buffet with unlimited soda @ $37.95 per person

Buffet with beer, wine and soda @  $44.95 per person

Buffet with Four hours open bar @ $54.95 per person

Buffet with cocktail hour and four hours open bar @ $62.95 per person

Do need to add that a Saturday event would add $5 per person (sorry - just saw that on the menu provided to me by the Hanover Marriott).

Robin

Daryl Capuano

Now that summer is over and the start of school has commenced for our children, perhaps we should finalize venue discussions.

Sigal Cohen (Rice)

I'll be at the Elks tomorrow night... I will take photos and post by the end of the week.  However, if we can get a venue that does everything like the Embassy Suites or Town Tavern, I think that might be the easiest way to go and less stress for all. 

Sherry Schreiner (Beckwith)

Hi All..

Due to my location in CT I am a bit far removed to be helpful in the foot traffic of setting up or helping in a local capacity however, if there is a list of contacts that we are "dividing and conquering" to reach out to Alumni, I will gladly help with that.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Sherry

Robin Coe (Hanna)

Sherry (as well as others) -

When we get to dividing and conquering the class roster we will surely let you know.  I have already put together an Excel spreadsheet with all of the 1985 graduates names along with if they are on FB or class creator, a town where they are located currently (to the best of my ability through FB and class creator) and who they may be friends with on FB.  This way through 6 degrees of separation we hopefully will connect with the whole class.

Right now if everyone could start giving input on which venue they would prefer.  We have a few to choose from. In summary they are:

Embassy Suites - see Mike Hornyak's post

Hanover Manor - see Robin and Karen's post

Parsippany Elks Club - Sigal will be posting photos later this week 

Country Club (associated with Chris Martell's property) - Chris could you maybe provide a little more information pertaining to such

Although I provided information regarding the Towne Tavern in Lake Hiawatha the potential pitfall would be not having the venue exclusive to our event.  I presume that most people would like it to be an exclusive venue/room but if this is not the case then by all means include it in your options.

Michael Hurta

Hi Robin...  While I can't be of much help from Florida, my opinion input would be for the Hanover Manor based on what's been communciated so far.  Thanks to everyone "in town" for doing the leg work - Mike Hurta 

Chris Martell

Hey all.  Sorry I've been off the grid lately...getting married and starting a new job all in the span of 1 week will do that to you.

Robin, the country club I mentioned was the Mount Tabor Country Club.  As a property owner in Tabor, I can rent the space for events.  Although I am unsure of the exact rental cost, I know it's minimal.  The venue has a dedicated bar area, a dining room, another dining room with a dance floor and a full, commercial kitchen, as well as a large wrap-around porch which overlooks the golf course.  I have attended several events there and all have been very nice.  I will call to see what the hall rental cost would be and will get back to you. Keep in mind, an event here would function much like one at the Elks, meaning we would have to have it catered. Check out the link:  http://www.mounttaborcc.com/dining.html

Michael Hornyak

There really isn't a lot of difference between the Hanover Manor and the Embassy Suites as far as pricing goes and you can stay over at the Embassy Suites.

Remember how people wanted to save money and be more casuual.  It seems that isn't that simple for people who are coming from out of town.

If you pick the Hanover Manor and I don't think they have hotels rooms that you will have to make that accomodation as well.

Personally, my choice is the same pricing as the Hanover Marriott and has rooms for family and out of towners.

Again, whatever you choose is fine with me,

I'm excited for everybody, but we lets make sure 80 to 90 people show up at this thing or the theory of an expensive reunion will be shot down in absudity.

Thanks,

Michael

Michael Hurta

Michael Hornyak makes a good point. We had expected to stay with relatives while in town, however, the Embassy would provide for a more convenient option. That said, I'm now swayed towards the Embassy in consideration of the out of towners. 

Thanks again to all involved, 

Mike Hurta 

Robin Coe (Hanna)

Since we are still in the deciding stage:

Chris - were you able to get any further information on pricing from the Mount Tabor Country Club? Cost to rent the facility?  Cost of bringing in a bartendar?  Do they use any particular caterers?

I believe this would be the link to see some photos of the venue.

http://www.mounttaborcc.com/

Sigal - any luck getting photos of the Elks Club for people to be able to see?

-Robin

Sigal Cohen (Rice)

Sigal Cohen (Rice)

The area where there are no tables right now, usually has tables set up with room for dancing.  We can do whatever we want should we rent it.  I think it would be a great place to have it, really easy for me to get to, but I'm sure that if we got a place where we didnt have to worry about catering and such... would be easiest for all.  And for those out of towners, I'd think a place with rooms would benefit them.

Anyway, those are the pictures of the Elks.  Let me know. I can get the member rate and they are planning on raising the fee next year not by a lot.

Oh, and the big ugly Elks sign, wont be on the stage, lol.  It's supposed to be mounted on the exterior of the building soon.

Daryl Capuano

Thanks Sigal!

Chris Martell

Yep...that's where I was inducted!  Love that Bomb Job (Pete) is bartending.  lol

Anyway, the ELKS does a nice job.  Mt Tabor CC is similar in it's set-up but it is less 'bar like'...take that as you will.  Tabor charges @ $300 to rent the facility.  They have a 2 tap beer set-up which can be used but PHS '85 would have to supply the kegs.  Catering can be contracted by whomever we choose.

The biggest difference between the 2 places is the decor and setting.  Both are convenient and relatively local. In fact, they're only 5 minutes away from each other. The Elks is on Parsippany Rd and Tabor CC is located on the golf course with a nice view.  So...that's what we have.

Daryl Capuano

Does anyone have anything else they would like to add?