The big 40 was a resounding success

Well, many of you "stop by" but not many leave comments. That is OK but would be better if you would leave a note or two. I will "push on" in any event. Speaking of events, the Reunion was great. It was so wonderful to see everyone again. Joyce will upload the pictures from the disposable cameras on "snapfish" and then send out invitations for everyone to see them. I'll try to get the invitation posted here too for those of you who miss her invitation. John Thompson mentioned that a central location for pictures would be ideal. If any of you have pictures let everyone know where to go to see them, K?

There is talk already for the 50th. And a rumor brewing it may be a cruise. I'm "in" and looking forward to it whatever it is.

Stay in touch, keep your contact information up to date so you aren't "lost". Linda Schaefer is the keeper of the master list so remember to update with her if your information changes. Her email is: Lootx50@aol.com

Your friend,
Dorothy LaGrandeur

We welcome your photos

If you'd like to post your own photos or news about your family, please write me at dodie@zanybooks.com and I'll invite you to join our official list of contributors.

A special thanks to Phil

I want to thank my husband, Phil, for his patience and guidance and most of all his encouragement in teaching me how to add pictures. I want to encourage all of you to don't give up, it is possible! Also I found that you can add 5 pictures at a time and this saves much work so go ahead and try. New pictures are the first seen so mine are in the last to first order but I'm not changing them. Enjoy and please add your own also-

Your friend,
Dorothy

40th reunion pics

I will post the pictures soon

I'm barely computer literate so bear with me. I'm trying to "lighten" the photos and then I will get them posted, I promise. I invite everyone to post their images here, comments too!

Dorothy

Can anyone help?

Does anyone have a computer that will write DVDs? We want to copy a reunion DVD to share with those who wish to have a copy.

Does anyone have a combination TV/DVD player they can bring to the reunion. We want to play the 20 year reunion DVD.

Please let me know asap- thanks-
Dorothy

The Time is Almost Here!

No more group meetings, we are rolling up our sleeves and have broken into sub committees for the fine tuning of our plans. See you there!
Dorothy

Next Meeting This Tuesday

I've heard from many classmates and we are all excited about the reunion. The time is flying by and will be here sooner than you know it. I so look forwrd to seeing everyone again and that has been the ongoing theme of emails and conversations I have had with all of you. See you soon-

Dorothy

Reunion Committee Meeting

We met again last night at Ardie and D's and tried to get as much done as possible, adding some finishing touches to the reunion plans and adding a few more plans, it is "never ending" but a lot of fun. From left to right in the picture:
Mike, Linda (all the way from Texas, bless her heart!), Ardie (she and her husband D. have opened their home for our meetings), Randy, Nan, Joyce, and me- Dorothy

I just received my first Reunion invitation!

I'm very excited. And they are including a photo CD with tickets purchased by July 7th, that is a good deal. Well the reunion is just around the corner. We are meeting Monday evening to go over some of the plans and try to get some finishing touches finished. It has been very rewarding to be involved in the planning of this very important event. It has also been a lot of work and worries. Overall I would do it again and hopefully will be able to do just that in ten more years. See you all soon-

Dorothy M. LaGrandeur

Next Reunion Meeting

We are meeting again on June 18th to finalize menu plans and hopefully some other ideas. Linda (Shaefer) will be there. She has been a driving force in gathering names and has actually taken the time to speak personally with nearly every person, so far. This has been a very exciting endevor, bringing back many memories, mostly happy. I have found out that a few of my friends have passed away. That is the sad part. Nancy Chandler (she hated me in 7th grade and when we ran into each other in 8th grade she liked me and we became great friends- go figure), Ron Danet (oh the heardthrob- I had such a crush on him for three weeks!). Lynn's idea for a memory board of those no longer with us is a good one.

Ron death was war related (Vietnam). He was exposed to Agent Orange and died of brain stem cancer. Seems war never ends and then another one starts but the previous will be there to haunt us.

It is important to get in touch with everyone we can, but also if you know of those no longer with us, please send this information to Mike or Linda also. (or any of us, myself included if this is more convenient)

Looking forward to seeing you all on October 20th, 2007 at the 'BIG 40'-

Dorothy M. LaGrandeur

We are now listed on the Creative Reunions Website

Hi all,
We can now go to the Creative Reunions website

http://creativereunions.com/schools2007/gardengrove67.html

for more information on our reunion, including ticket purchase and Hotel information.



See you all soon- Dorothy M. LaGrandeur

It is Official, Reunion Plans are Finalized!

Hi All,

After much work and visiting many places we have finalized the reunion plans. We are going with Creative Reunions. They offered the best choices all around for this very special event. We wanted a better menu and they said "No problem". The places they contract with were far superb to the offerings of G.R.

The reunion will be at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine on October 20, 2007. There will be dinner (the prefered by most) buffet, DJ and dancing, a no host bar, and the best part of all- gathering and reconnecting with old friends.

The Hotel if offering a 50% discount on blocks (10) of rooms, Mike Hoffert is following up on what we need to do to get the rooms and how many blocks we will need. I suggest dropping Mike a note if you are interested in this so he will have a better idea on how many rooms to try and secure. More to follow on this.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Your friend,

Dorothy M. LaGrandeur

Thanks to Dorothy and rest for reunion plans!

For those of us out of state (Michigan here) your planning for October is really appreciated.
Looking forward to seeing you all! Carol

Welcome to Newcomers to the Blog

Hello and welcome,
My hopes for this blog are that we stay in touch. The reunion is just around the corner and firm plans are "almost" ready. We have had several meetings, visited several Hotels, looked at several possibilities. In trying to please everyone involved (we are trying) we have met with planners from another reunion organization- Creative Reunions- who now have surpassed Great Reunions in their offerings. Great Reunions had their venue carved in stone and wouldn't give us what we thought we deserved (not one thing more, not even with an additional charge- their ticket prices were printed and not changeable??????). So Creative Reunions will up the price for $3.00pp more with each additional entree (meat). And they will give us everything else we need for a great time: Awesome buffet, dance floor and DJ, great location and set up, etc. So this is where we are at with that. Sounds much better to me.

Please feel free to start new topics or comment on the ones already started, post pictures, etc.

At first I will monitor the blog at least twice a week until it takes on a life of its own. Then I will apoint others to co-monitor. Like any internet site we need to keep this for ourselves and not for someone to post adds or inappropriate material. Complaints on material posted will be addressed asap.

Looking forward to not only this "Big 40", but to the 50th also.

Your friend,

Dorothy M. LaGrandeur
GGHS '67

Proposed Agenda: Sunday Meeting, 22 April

1. Prices with Breakdown (Ardie & Nan)

2. Financial Liability
a: Great Reunions
b: Direct Contact with Hotel

3. Should we do it ourselves or give to Great Reunions?

Additional agenda items are welcome. Please post below as comments.

Reunion stuff

Hi all, in answer to Mike's most recent email:

This is my perception of what we need to do.


Reunion Tasks;

1. Find out the cost/place and when they must have their first payment. When are subsequent payments due.
2. Agree on the place we want.
3. How do we get the money and what price/ticket? (Phil uses 2CO, see blog link of my previous email to each of you)
4. Realistically decide if we are able to front the money, if need be.
5. If it is a go, then we will agree upon tasks and define them (Patti's list is a great start)and divide them amongst those willing and able to help.

I feel like we are in limbo as we don't really know if we can do this ourselves yet without even knowing what place and cost.

Most Sincerely,

Dorothy


Subject: Re: Reunion Tasks & Jobs that you want to do.
>Hi Ladies: We need to all think of what we are up to. Meaning what each of us is really good at and willing to do. Define a list of tasks and milestones and who is responsible for which ones. Think of a meeting date and the roles you want to play. Let's Rolllllllll! Mike>>>-----Subject: Re: Reunion ideas

Patti........all terrific ideas. Great that we could us them and don't have to use our moldy old brains. Be sure to thank your daughter......sounds like we need to get a move on!! Nan ----- Original Message -----

From: Patti Cash >Hi all, >Here is the list of suggestions from my one daughter who was on the committee that planned her 10 year reunion. If you could read over it and print it if possible we could go over it at the next meeting. I am sending it as an attachment so if you don't get it let me know and I will just copy and paste it to an email.>>> >Patti >

2nd Reunion meeting

From left to right: D. & Ardie (Lisner), Mike Hoffert, Dorothy LaGrandeur, Nancy (Krow),

Patti Cash. We have since had one more meeting but I didn't have my camera. Tom Arnold, Joyce (Mittani) & her husband joined us at Ardie & D's. lovely home.

Poll: How should we handle the money?

Assuming we go it alone, we need some way of handling the money (and getting it together quickly and conveniently). My husband, also know as http://zanybooks.com, makes use of http://www.2checkout.com/rates.htm, also known as 2CO, to collect for him. They charge as described on their web site but they accept bank cards, pay pal, and direct deposit in a dozen different currencies. The monies they collect go directly into a bank account (which we need to set up) and leave an audit trail (no hankie pankie). One less task for us.

What do you think? Please leave your comment below.

Poll: Great Reunions

Do you think we should let Great Reunions host our 40th reunion?
Good: They do the work (tracking down addresses, etc.)
Bad: They won't tell us what it will cost till we've chosen the conference site and signed the contract.
Please add you vote as a comment below. Note that your choice in votes is one of the following:
Yes. Great Reunions.
No, and I volunteer to take on some of the work.