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of the information. We also searched the web for any
missing or invalid addresses.
In the 12 months leading up to Reunion, we sent
four separate letters encouraging classmates to join
us on our 50th. The Alumni Office kindly supplied
the postage. The letters went out on a rotating basis
so each classmate would received a letter from a
different committee member each time. After the
letters were completed, we all gathered to address
the envelopes, write a personal note, and sign them.
The first letter was a tri-fold flyer, loaded with color
photos of the 15 classmates who attended the 2010
Reunion with our personal notes mentioning how
much we missed those who hadn’t attended.
The letters were printed in the Brewster colors
and included visuals of our era. They contained
information such as the reunion dates, missing
classmates, a request for permission for their e-mails
and telephone numbers to be published for all to
see, hoping that there would actually be groups of
classmates encouraging each other to attend. In
one letter we included “remember when” of people,
events, and sayings that we all could relate to from
our Brewster days. Classmate Debbie Davis Keniston
helped set up a Class of 1961 blog and website.
This, along with e-mails, helped us tremendously!
Enclosed in one letter were the “save the date”
Brewster magnets, supplied by the Alumni Office.
The purpose of the letters and e-mails were threefold:
to update the classmates on the progress
of the reunion; communicate who was attending
and encourage each to contact one another; and
to solicit ideas for a class gift and suggestions for
reunion souvenirs. Rather than have the committee
make all the decisions, we wanted it to be a class
effort. The committee members’ names, addresses,
and telephone numbers were all listed.
Of course, there are always those who would neither
respond nor give reasons as to why they could not
attend. Unfortunately, as well, there were some who
were not well enough to make the trip to Wolfeboro. If
anyone was “iffy,” we continued to keep them on our
call list with the hope that they would change their
mind. In some cases, it proved to be a positive effort.
Brewster graciously hosted a
private 50th Reunion dinner
in Hall of Fame at The Smith
Center where we had a great
time getting re-acquainted
with each other. Along with the
delicious sit-down dinner and
open bar, each classmate was
presented with a 50th class
pin and a coffee mug with the
50th Reunion and Brewster
logo. Upon arrival, we were
given a yearbook photo, which
hung from a necklace. We were The fabulous four from 1961: Linda (Stevens) Roeder, Mary-Ann “Posey”
(Leavitt) Funkhouser, Dotti (Johnson) Kay, and Noël (Wright) Cantwell.
entertained with and each
class member presented with
a video of our 1961 yearbook with interludes of the summer for those unable to attend in June,
memorabilia from our wonderful years at Brewster. extending our fun for two additional months.
It brought back many fun memories of our days
there!
Our 50th class reunion gift was dedicated to the
Burtis F. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund. All
We encouraged everyone to bring in memorabilia for donations, great or small, were greatly appreciated.
all to see. A table was set up for the display. At the Although the fund had about $6,000 as a base, and
reunion dinner, the committee had a memory board while we received some generous donations, we
of the 12 class members who are deceased. Their were still unable to meet our goal to fully endow
photos from the class yearbook, along with their this fund at the $25,000 level needed to generate
date of birth and death, were nicely displayed on a scholarship funds. Our hope is that next year we will
large poster board.
be able to complete it so that a deserving local day
student will reap the benefits.
Along with the event filled weekend planned
by Brewster, there were many class parties held The classmates were very much impressed with the
throughout the weekend. Some members traveled campus buildings and the whole campus atmosphere
from as far a way as Mississippi and Florida.
in general, finding Brewster and Wolfeboro just as
Classmates had such a good time, they promised to wonderful as the place they left 50 years ago!
recruit even more so that our 51st would be even
larger! And we also held several get-togethers over We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the
wonderful assistance from the Alumni Office.
They were very
receptive to any
and all of the ideas
we presented as
well as we were
theirs. It was great
teamwork and we
thank them, so
very much, for all
they did to help
make it the best
1960 Lakes Region Champs (l to r): Victor Elios, Rollie Rodrigues, Joe Hassett, Dom
Gentile, Bob Berry, and Dick Flaherty celebrate at their 50th Reunion.
reunion ever!
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