I would like to propose in order to get more people at the reunion, to not have all of the little extras that bring the prices up.  No name cards, no catering at the picnic.  Last time we all brought our own lunch and I think chips and pop were provided?  I am all for a fun, cheap event that we can relax at.  I see no reason for a DJ at the pcnic either.  One more question, the picnic goes for 7 hours?  At least those like me with kids feel that this is a really long time.  Can we save money be having maybe a 4-5 hour time frame?  Less food would be needed, etc?  I know that the leaders have done a lot of work, but when money is an issue, it is time to see what truly matters, and that is simply hanging out with each other.  I could care less whether I have a card to tell me where to sit.  I would also now like to ask that my husband stay home instead of come to the dinner.  If the picnic is free, he can just come to the picnic.  What do you all think?  Do the extras really matter to you?

Melinda,

Here are my concerns with your recent comments.  One, you had a chance to be involved, help, create and have input earlier, but you quit the committee early in the process, because you were overwhelmed.  Now, you have done nothing but criticize and bring conflict to what will be an otherwise, joyous event. 

To answer your questions:

1.  There are no frilly extras.  The dinner is a three course meal, with a cash bar, and DJ for dancing.  Monies will also go toward the decorations for both days, and they are minimal at that.

2.  We do need the "silly" cards, for the dinner, being that it is a plated dinner and the matrons need to know what you and your guest order is for that night.  They are called - place cards, and they do not indicate where you will be seated.

3. There is no DJ at the picnic.

4.  In the early process of this event planning we had polls available to vote on the length and type of event.  IT was decided by the classmates and not me what we wanted for an event.  Contrary to your opinion, it was voted for a 3 day event.  We even discussed the price of that event.  Our reunion is no different than the others being provided. Wilson, Stadium, Lincoln etc.  They all have three day events, and between $96 - $100. 

5.  The only extras are the souvenirs being offered, and those are not included in the ticket price.  They are an additional cost, at the classmates discretion. 

6.  The spouse is not free.  Kids are free.

7. There is no catering at the picnic.  Catering means someone else will be setting up, serving, etc for a fee.  We are not doing that.  Food will be purchased by the committee members and brought to the site.

8.  The ticket price includes, the cost of dinner and venue of the Marriott, paypal fees, decorations, picnic food, taxes, insurance, printing, foss venue, and items for misc. etc.  All increments of the tickets are accounted in each individual alumni ticket, which proceeds go towards the success of the reunion.  That is why a certain number of tickets will be needed and no frillies. 

9. Some of items have been donated to the event because of my leveraged business relationships.

10.  If you have any efforts you would like to contribute to your class reunion, please do so by being a constructive positive force and tell others about our reunion.  And add to that by asking if there is anything you can help the committe with, so that we all can have a great reunion. 

Thank you,

Teresa Bayly

The Committee

Teresa Bayly, Kristen Jepsen, George Saprito and Shannon Farley

I was asked by many people to offer these suggestions, including those working with you.  These requests have come from many people, through me.  I am sorry that I have been such a thorn in your side.  I was trying to get the ideas across of the others, and I have even been called a liar and other nasty things by the lawyer.  I quit the committee way back after the first meeting because regardless of what the committee said before, you were determined to do this your way.  We had no say.  I knew that we would be in this crisis mode when we first started.  That is why I quit.  I said nicely though that I was overwhelmed.  I do not need you to tell me to be positive anymore.  You should see the e-mails that people are sending, complaining.  I thought I would be a voice.  That was my own fault.  I love how positive Kristen, Shannon, and George are though.  their e-mails are kind and fair to all.  Not accusatory and rude.  Did you ever thank those who put up their money early likeyou asked? No, you just criticized them for asking for money back, which is totally logical.

OKAY!  Now that we have everyone's attention (nothing like a little simulated cat fight to get people to sit up and take notice! That's all it was people, just for fun!) let's get back to the productive business of encouraging people to come!  Thanks Melinda and Teresa for that demonstration.

I can happily report that between the fear of having the reunion canceled and the constant facebook attention to recruiting new attendees, multiple people have emailed us or posted on this site.  Hopefully the payments will soon start to reflect the renewed interest in attending. The details have changed slightly over the past few weeks, but we seem to have reached a final plan that will include BOTH a fun Saturday night event and the Sunday day picnic.  As Melinda points out, the window for the picnic is quite large, and certainly people won't be expected to stay!  Many people have travel plans and other engagements, thus a large window is necessary. But please feel free to discuss with people you'd really like to see when they might be there. And let's all try to focus on the positive-we were a great class and lacked many of the pretentious airs of other schools in the 80's.  C'mon-we're the Foss Family!  And I still love seeing those Foss letters we carried out the the hill when I am visiting home.  

Fight on for Henry Foss!

Fight team fight on, for Victory!

For colors bright and bold,

Green, white and Gold!

Fight on and win for Henry Foss!

Fight on for Victory!

Fight on!

Your cheerleaders are busy practicing the fight song routine-I don't miss event!  See you there!

Kristen 

Kristen thanks for your positiveness.  It is refereshing for sure!  Love ya!

I can't believe I keep posting on here and brining my horrible picture up!!

There. Now people can look at my ugly mug..

Oh my god-you were so cute and new wave.  C'mon Shannon-post yours here too.

I love it! 

OMG Teresa-you are totally a cheater and have someone changed your 1989 photo for your current FB profile pic!!  I am so on to you! I have to figure out how to do that....

Okay, I changed my master photo let's see if this works. 

hahahahaha...it totally worked!  Now in case you are wondering it is totally not me (like I would put a picture of my ass on this website!).  But, wait for it...it is my son's former kindergarten teacher's FB profile pic.  Isn't SoCal awesome?  She's not teaching anymore, FYI.  But not because of this picture or anything.  I just realized that this pic is going to be by all my posts, not just the one explaining how it is not me...oh well.  Maybe it will get the number of men at the reunion to increase. 

I agree with Melinda in that to me, time with one another is the most important thing.  What worries me the most is that the events of late will cause some of our fellow alumni not to attend out of frustration.  I hope we can all turn the corner into positive thinking and solutions. 

Please, fellow Falcons, look past this bump in the road and PLAN TO COME!  I, for one, will be opening an office pool on the Farley vs. Jepsen smackdown.  Place your bets.  And, maybe Theresa and Mrs. Burke could be round two. Commence the ranking!

Maybe Mrs. Burke and I will be round three. Hopefully Mrs. Burke has forgiven me by now for stranding her Alfa Romeo in the Fred Meyer parking lot.  Please Mrs Burke, I just didn't understand the European gearing!

Sorry, Teresa, I misspelled your name there. It's the night brain talking...

Hi Everyone...

Wow, here we are coming up on our 20th.  I don't know about you, but I have waited, procrastinated and watched.  I waited to see who else was going to the event, I procrastinated due to the cost and whether I could make all the reunion due to other commitments, and watched way too much drama unfold.

Now, I see all that has unraveled and wonder...do I really want to go period?

I support Melinda entirely.  She ws given a forum to state her opinion and YIKES.  How unfortunate this is all happening!

Does anyone else feel this way? 

Of course you still want to go!  The drama is only a very isolated part of the event.  And think of it this way-it is getting everyone together online before the event, which will make it way more fun to walk in and see everyone.  Without this, what would we even have to talk about?  But seriously, I find that connecting with all of you online makes me way more excited to see everyone for a night than if I hadn't so much as communicated with anyone in 20 years.  It's the hidden benefit of the Facebook era....

Kristen you know you are one of my besties but you suck that you keep changing your picture. For the love of God just suck it up and put your old one back. If I can look like Lippy the Lion with a really bad perm job I don't see where your picture is all that awful.

You too Teresa - I loved that red sweater. In fact you gave that sweater to me and I gave it to my sister and I am pretty sure she is wearing it in her senior picture too.

So if Kristen and I decide to have a three legged race or egg toss against Don and Ethelda can we STILL have the jello? I think Cindy was right on with the jello shot suggestion.

And P.S. Thank GOD we didn't have Facebook in high school.

Let me just say that I agree with Lisa, I feel the same way. This thing has slid off the rails just a bit in the last week. I hope those that do attend have a great time, I truly mean that. But the response to some of those that have dared to criticize the reunion comes as a little bit of a surprise to me. I mean even the lawyer is telling people to keep their opinions to themselves! Give me a break. This is an open forum, people have a right to express themselves.

Teresa, I think you owe Melinda an apology. She voiced her opinion and you stomped on her. She didn't deserve that. In your position I think you need to take the high road, because there will certainly be critics. Thats just my opinion so go ahead and stomp away if you think it is necessary.

Now if you will excuse me, Jim and I have some Grey Goose to drink.

STOMP! STOMP!

  Where's Rodney King when you need him?