NEWEST Possible 55th Reunion Activity

Time to Write: Join classmates for an hour of quiet writing time with coffee or wine at your elbow, followed by sharing part or all of what you've written. Your writing could be memoirs, poems, short stories, travel journals, or editorial opinions, etc. Or bring a sketchbook or easel and paint. Bring your own laptop, tablet, journal, or simply paper & pen/pencil.  

If you can’t decide where to start, below are some suggestions from Storyworth:

* Major news story from your childhood.

* Favorite holiday tradition.

* Childhood music memories.

* What are you proud of?

* Describe something you've created.

* Do you have a family member you wished you'd known better?

* What was your mom (or dad or grandparent) like when you were a child?

* What fun or crazy event happened during a travel adventure?

SECOND Addition to the List of Potential Reunion Activities

1.      Book Share/Swap:  Bring a book you have read and recommend to others (or the name & author of a book if you do not have room in your luggage to bring a book to swap). Have a table for “take one/ leave one.” Perhaps determine if there are groups who are interested in talking about types of books such as:

Biographies

Cookbooks

Fiction, General

Fiction, Historical

Gardening

Murder Mysteries

Non-fiction, General

Travel

2.      Old Cars:  Are the college’s old cars available for “tours or rides” around campus? Or only for the oldest classes in the parade?

Draft List of Potential Reunion Class 1971 Activities:

3.      Saturday night dance party

4.      College's geo-thermal project update

5.      Travel

6.      Master gardener and/or private tour of the MHC Greenhouse

7.      Archives Event to view materials from the 60's and 70's with an effort prior to reunion to have classmates bring items to share with classmates or give to the college archives (or send to Carol Cramer Mills ahead of time and I'll give them to archives).

8.      More history from Prof. Marian Strobel (follow-up from Sphinx Salon).

9.      Invite the President or specific faculty to join us for Friday breakfast.

10. A discussion about the book Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray, an historical novel about Frances Perkins.

Comments on Dormitory Assignment:

1.      Prefer to be in the center of campus near the central facility for meals.

2.      Class pays for a room in the dorm with a separate, private bathroom. This room would be reserved as men-only shower. Other shower facilities would remain as co-ed but the expectation is the male guests will be more comfortable attending if there is a private space for them.

3.      Better signage in the dormitory regarding the schedule.

4.      Rent a refrigerator for the weekend, starting on Thursday afternoon, to allow for reception beverages throughout the weekend. Ask student workers for ice upon arrival on Thurs. Find appropriate locked room to meet the college’s requirements with respect to student access to alcoholic beverages.

Comments on Food:

Better quality vegan and vegetarian options. Decide if special plates are better than adding vegetarian options as part of a buffet.

Comments on Arrival Time, Class-Only Events Timing:

1.      Encourage classmates to arrive on Thurs afternoon or evening. Everyone who arrived on Thurs for our 2022 in-person reunion loved the informal on-going reception as classmates arrived as well as the informal buffet dinner.

2.      With the college’s scheduled back-to-classes on Friday afternoon, it would be good to schedule class-only panels or speakers for Fri breakfast, Fri morning, and Fri lunch.

3.      Walks or tours should be limited to an hour or less (or with appropriate places for classmates to only take part of a tour).

 EARLIEST List of Potential Reunion Class 1971 Activities
– Saturday night dance party.
– College’s geo-thermal project update.
– Travel topics.
– Master gardener and/or private tour of the MHC Greenhouse.
– Archives Event to view materials from the 60’s and 70’s with an effort prior to reunion to have classmates bring items to share with classmates or give to the college archives (or send to Carol Cramer Mills ahead of time and I’ll give them to archives).
– More history from Prof. Marian Strobel (follow-up from Sphinx Salon).
– Invite the President or specific faculty to join us for Friday breakfast.

Dormitory Assignment:
– Prefer to be in the center of campus near the central facility for meals.
– Class pays for a room in the dorm with a separate, private bathroom. This room would be reserved as men-only shower. Other shower facilities would remain as co-ed but the expectation is the male guests will be more comfortable attending if there is a private space for them.
– Better signage in the dormitory regarding the schedule.
– Rent a refrigerator for the weekend, starting on Thursday afternoon, to allow for reception beverages throughout the weekend. Ask student workers for ice upon arrival on Thurs. Find an appropriate locked room to meet the college’s requirements with respect to student access to alcoholic beverages.

Comments on Food:  Better quality vegan and vegetarian options. Decide if special plates are better than adding vegetarian options as part of a buffet.

Comments on Arrival Time, Class-Only Events, Timing:
– Encourage classmates to arrive on Thurs afternoon or evening. Everyone who arrived on Thurs for our 2023 in-person reunion loved the informal on-going reception as classmates arrived as well as the informal buffet dinner.
– With the college’s scheduled back-to-classes on Friday afternoon, it would be good to schedule class-only panels or speakers for Fri breakfast, Fri morning, and Fri lunch.
– Walks or tours should be limited to an hour or less (or with appropriate places for classmates to only take part of a tour).