Dear Classmates,
As Reunion Co Chairs, we are very pleased to remind and inform you that our Class IS planning to celebrate an in-person 55th Reunion on May 13 and 14, 2022, at the Harvard Club of Boston on Commonwealth Avenue. Due to venue and resource limitations on campus, Harvard is not able to host rescheduled reunions. The venues available at Harvard for reunions are given to classes celebrating their milestone reunions on a five-year cycle. For example, in 2022, the facilities at Harvard are available for the 55th reunion of Class of 1967. Accordingly, rescheduled reunions must be held off campus. We believe the Harvard Club of Boston is the best, most accessible, and attractive site for us.
Our reunion will begin Friday, May 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. with a Cocktail Reception followed by a New England Clam Bake Buffet featuring, NE Clam Chowder, NE Steamers, Salad, boiled 1 1/2 lb. Maine Lobster, Barbeque Roasted Chicken Breast, Roast Sirloin of Beef, Boston Baked Beans, Smokey Red Bliss Potatoes and Grilled Corn, a suitable Vegetarian Entrée, and Boston Cream Pie. After dinner we plan to have entertainment such as a performance by a Harvard A Capella Group and/or a Classmate Performances Program with Poetry and Music.
On Saturday, May 14, 2022 we will start at 9:30 a.m. with a Memorial Service, followed by a Symposium. We will then have a leisurely lunch consisting of Caesar Salad, Assorted Sandwiches, Chips, Cookies and Brownies. In the afternoon, we will have another Symposium, 10-Minute Talks by classmates and a period for small Discussion Groups focusing on looking back and looking forward over our lives. The Symposia under consideration are entitled: “The Environmental Future of Humankind” and “Articulating and Negotiating the Challenges of Age”. Because of the tumultuous events that have occurred in America over the last 15 months, the issues arising from them and the effect of these events on Harvard, and the United States as a whole, the Committee may change one of
the symposia topics. The Symposium will be in addition to the 10-minute talks we have come to enjoy which will be reflections by classmates about personal or societal issues of interest. It will be a very rich day.
Following the afternoon program, we will have a Cocktail Reception and a Gala Class Dinner. The menu will include, Salad, an Entrée (Planked Salmon or Chicken Française), Potato, Vegetable and Dessert. At dinner we will have an Invocation, Class Toast, and brief remarks by the Reunion Co-Chairs. Following dinner, we will have dancing with a DJ, chatting and toward the end of the evening sing a medley of Harvard and Radcliffe songs as has been our custom. Classmates will receive two (2) drink tickets for each evening.
This is an enticing and full program incorporating most of the elements from our original 55th Reunion Plan. Perhaps Shakespeare describes it best, “short time, but greatly lived.”
Events will be held in the epic, but intimate, Harvard Hall on the first floor, the adjoining Foyer, and the President’s Room off the Foyer. We will have the use of the Massachusetts Room and the Aesculapian Room on the second floor for cocktails on Saturday. This will provide us with substantially more seating for our comfort and convenience. When not used for the Cocktail Receptions, the Foyer and President’s Room will be available throughout the Reunion program for classmate visits and quiet conversation. Overall, the reunion will be concise and convenient. Since all activities will take place in or near Harvard Hall almost no walking will be required, a help to classmates with mobility issues. (There is an elevator to the second-floor cocktail area). Local classmates
still employed can work most of Friday and participate in the full reunion. Classmates coming from afar might consider coming early to enjoy the many tourist attractions in Boston, Cambridge and Cape Cod or perhaps attend the Boston Pops or a Red Sox game. We are considering organizing some optional activities for Thursday or Friday during the day such as a golf outing, a day trip to Provincetown, a Boston or Harvard museum tour or a tour of the Houghton Rare Book Library. However, these are just thoughts at this time. We are also investigating the feasibility of doing parts of the reunion program remotely. Your Committee is ready to explore these or other options you might suggest.
The cost of the reunion is expected to be approximately $550 per person, which includes a special commemorative Reunion baseball hat and pin. The price per person is increased because we do not have the benefit of Harvard venues and facilities, and the cost of suitable and attractive venues off campus is extremely high in the Boston area. We will do our best to keep the cost as reasonable as possible while still having a quality reunion. If attendance is less than anticipated the price could increase. We do not expect that to happen.
We have reserved blocks of rooms at the Harvard Club of Boston, the adjoining Eliot Hotel, and at La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham, in Somerville. There are 15 rooms reserved at the Harvard Club of Boston. The cost is $345.00 and $370.00 per night, including taxes. In addition, there is a parking fee of $38.00 per night. To reserve these rooms, you may call Maureen Greene at the HCB at 617-450-8461 or email her at mgreene@harvardclub.com
. Some classmates have already reserved rooms at the HCB. Classmates who are HCB members can reserve rooms under their individual memberships thereby freeing up our reserved rooms for non-HCB member classmates. The rooms at the HCB must be reserved by April 12, 2022.
The Eliot Hotel is a five-star hotel which adjoins the Harvard Club of Boston (they share a common wall). It is a 30-second walk to the HCB, making it extremely convenient and accessible. There are 20 rooms reserved (the maximum amount). They are all suites and can accommodate two persons, each with a separate room. These are luxury rooms. The cost for the rooms are $436.50 per night, plus a 14.95% local tax rate. The parking cost is approximately $40.00 per day. Rooms can be reserved by contacting The Eliot Hotel at 617-267-1607 and refer to the “Harvard-Radcliffe Reunion” to get the discounted rate. The rooms at the Eliot Hotel must be reserved by March 16, 2022. Since these rooms are suites with 2 separate rooms, 2 classmates can share the suite cutting the per night cost
in half, a good value.
We have reserved 25 rooms (the maximum amount) at the La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham, in Somerville. 20 of the rooms are regular rooms with either one king sized bed or two queen sized beds. They can comfortably accommodate two people. 5 of the rooms are suites, which can be occupied by two people, each having his or her own separate sleeping room. The cost for the regular room is $179.00 per night and the cost for the suite is $229.00 per night. To the cost of these prices must be added the 14.95% tax. The La Quinta is 5.3 miles from the HCB, is on a public transportation line that connects near the HCB and is a 14-minute drive, or a modest cab fare from the HCB. La Quinta provides free parking and a free breakfast. The nature of the breakfast is to be determined by the COVID
situation in May 2022. There are numerous quality restaurants in walking distance to La Quinta. Rooms can be reserved by calling La Quinta at 617-625-5300 x5 and referring to the “Harvard-Radcliffe Reunion Block” and the group rate code of CGHRUI. The rooms at La Quinta must be reserved by April 1, 2022. The La Quinta is an excellent lower cost option for classmates. All the rooms can be shared by 2 classmates, which again cuts the cost per night in half. While La Quinta is not a luxury hotel it is quite acceptable and perfectly adequate. Many families coming to Boston for graduations patronize La Quinta as do families of patients treating at the nearby Massachusetts General Hospital.
The Reunion Committee will resume its work in September with our monthly meetings, via Zoom or in person. As soon as possible we will give you the final cost of the reunion and additional details on the program.
Please note: The entire 2022 Reunion is contingent upon what the COVID restrictions will be in May 2022. If masks and/or social distancing are required, it is likely that the in-person reunion will be postponed again. We do not feel that a reunion with masks and social distancing will provide the kind of meaningful and enjoyable experience we have enjoyed in previous reunions.
Your Reunion Committee is very excited about our May 2022 55th Reunion. It will be an interesting and engaging program. As always, we treasure the opportunity to see one another again, share windows on our lives, renew old friendships and create new ones. We think that May, a joyous season of hope, expectation, and blossoming, is a perfect time to celebrate this very special occasion.
If you have any questions about this Reunion, do not hesitate to contact either Linda Dewing at (401-727-4700 or linda@placesandspacesrealtyri.com) or Gene Skowronski at, (203-734-3315-office, 203-305-5754-cell or eugene.a.skowronski@gmail.com).
We hope that you are enjoying the summer, are staying safe and healthy and we look forward to seeing all of you in May 2022.
With warmest regards,
Linda Dewing
Gene Skowronski
55th Reunion Co-Chairs |
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