A FOURTH OPTION FOR OUT-OF-TOWN REUNION ATTENDEES

Lane 1953 Classmates,

       I must congratulate the organizers of the BBQ on the first of June. It was an absolute delight to see old friends and, especially, to visit the hallowed halls of F.K. Lane. For my wife, Maureen (Lewis) and for me, to see her name on the honor roll plaque for the first time was a moving experience.
       Making the most of our journey to NY, we also visited the World Trade Center, revisited some of our old haunts, went by the houses where we lived, visited some of our favorite stores (new owners) and even went by the other schools we attended. Boy, have things changed! While back in Brooklyn we also visited some cemeteries to insure our parents' graves were intact and pay our respects to our ancestors.  Time did not allow us to look up some neighborhood friends. But that was our fault because we didn’t plan enough time back at our old home.
       Which leads me to the real purpose for this letter. Having been away from NY as long as we have, our time in the city was valuable and not long enough for everything we wanted to relive. As I look at the program for the April 2003 reunion, there are three options. The first is “go to the Catskills”, the second “go to dinner” and the third is “do both”. I feel a fourth option is a necessity, particularly for the out of towners. Right now an out of towner has to make his own reservations for a hotel the nights before, of and perhaps after the banquet. This can be a difficult task for someone overseas or even out of town. Additionally, there seems to be no opportunity for reunion attendees to visit F K Lane, which I’m sure will disappoint them all. I talked to Principal Pedota and he thought something could be arranged for a tour of the school after classes on Friday. (Maybe that could be arranged for Thursday afternoon before the banquet if enough are interested).
       I outlined the above scenario we followed before the BBQ and my bet is most of the out of towners may prefer a similar schedule.  I also feel it is important for those needing reservations to have known accommodations available in one hotel.  This will allow them to reminisce with each other and perhaps combine their trips. As a group they, and any others desiring to, could visit the school. This fourth option does not interfere with the other choices but compliments them. One could choose any or all options, as he/she desires.
      My gut feel is that too many of the 72 out of towners will opt not to come in April because of the hassle of making hotel reservations and the lack of a school visit.  I, personally, will opt out of the Catskill portion because I didn’t get to do all I wanted in NY on my last trip to the city.
      If a fourth option is needed, I am volunteering to organize it. If you are interested in option four, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make arrangements for a hotel and with Mr. Pedota for a tour of the school.  You can reach me at –
                            Email – bobalhouse@aol.com
                            Tel     - 757-866-8853
                            Snail  - PO Box 327
                                      Claremont, VA 23899
       Thank you and hope to see y’all in April,
                                             Bob Alhouse