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Cranford High School Women's Retreat/Reunion
Messages
In celebration of our 39th Reunion Year from Cranford High School,
Cranford, New Jersey,
we are holding a WOMEN'S RETREAT/REUNION here at the
Bold Colorful Life Inn and Gallery.
Ruth Apgar Peterson has been our Guardian Angel,
doing all of the communicating and organizing for this Grand Event!
Thanks SO much, Ruth!!!
Here are the messages
to date--in case you
missed some important detail:
Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 12:37 AM
CHS '70 Great Girls Gathering!
Hello, friends!
Ruth here. It’s time to make the final arrangements for what
promises to be our fabulous weekend together in Maine. I’ve made my
flight reservations—have you? Just in case you’re receiving this
news for the first time, details of our CHS ’70 girls reunion
(August 14-16 in Boothbay, Maine, at Melissa Thornton’s beautiful
Retreat Center) can be found at www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/packages.htm.
For your amusement, I’ve sent some old photos that can be viewed on
Melissa’s website. See how many faces you can identify in the 10th
grade communicants’ class at the Presbyterian Church. See some
(dateless) girls dancing at Cougar’s Den (yours truly included).
Spot some of us front and center at the very wet 1967 Thanksgiving
Day football game. And guess who’s hiding under camouflage in crepe
paper at my Sweet 16 party!
You will find attached a list of the women to whom this e-mail is
being sent--along with their internet addresses. Some of you have
sent me your phone numbers, street addresses, etc., and I would love
to share them on a master contact list so that we can resume sending
birthday cards, calling each other out of the blue, or wherever else
your heart leads you. However, I won’t do so without your express
permission. So, please send me the contact info you wish to share. I
know that some of us have already made plans to see one another
prior to meeting in August, and others have had long-winded
telephone conversations—just like old times. Doesn’t it seem as
though we can just pick up where we left off?
Melissa has done an INCREDIBLE job of making plans for us to spend a
really special weekend together. As I write this, there is only one
room available at the Bold Colorful Life Inn, and our reunion now
numbers 18 old friends. Some of us will be with the group for
Saturday activities only, others are coming with a husband (who will
no doubt find something more interesting to do) while most of us
will spend 48 hours together, rekindling our old friendships. I am
so thrilled that we can be together again this summer.
There are some important questions to answer in Melissa’s portion of
this e-mail, such as what do you want to eat and drink? What do you
want to do? Talk about pressure! Before we get to that, however, I
just want to make sure that anyone who has been sitting on the fence
realized that WE WANT YOU TO COME TO MAINE! Although I think that
the last room at Melissa’s will soon be taken, our expectations were
that we would spill over into neighboring Bed & Breakfast Inns—see
the link on Melissa’s website (at the bottom of the special
events/packages page) to find accommodations nearby, need be. Some
of us have obligations that preclude a vacation in August—we
understand. However, just because your old best friend isn’t able to
come, doesn’t excuse you from seeing the rest of us! We REALLY want
to see you, so pick up the phone, start typing or send snail mail if
all else fails! Seriously, I hope this is the first of many
get-togethers we’ll have. If it doesn’t work for you this time, so
be it. But I promise you that this will be a really special
gathering, so please throw caution to the wind and join us. The
connections we had still exist—there was a reason we all “clicked”
so many years ago.
To see who’s staying at Melissa’s, go to www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/packages.htm
and then scroll down to the link “who’s staying where?” You’ll see
the names of the 13 women who have reservations at Melissa’s. Add to
that Carol Younghouse, Cindy Sheriff, Joan Backinoff and Deborah
Sabalot who will join us over the course of the weekend (and of
course our hostess, Melissa!). As you can see, these 18 are among
the most fascinating, clever, charming, etc., etc., women who have
ever graced the halls of our dear high school! If your name isn’t on
the list, I hope you’re doing something SUPER important come August
14th, that’s all I can say!
In one of my prior e-mails I mentioned a rumor of a combined Class
of ‘69/’70 reunion. Such an event is now official. If you have not
received an e-mail with details of that gathering (set for Labor Day
weekend 2009), please contact Charlie Obranowitz at charlieoconnects@aol.com
and he will add your name to the contact list.
And now I shall turn this e-mail over to our incomparable hostess!
_____________________________________
Dear Class of 1970 Cranford High School Reuning Women,
I am SO delighted to be hosting this gathering at the new Bold
Colorful Life Inn and Retreat Center in Boothbay, Maine!! When Ruth
first emailed me months ago, I was immediately psyched, and it's
been a wonderful experience working with her to pull this together.
(As you know, she's a phenomenal and inspirational organizer!!)
This is going to be such a great revival of the friendship circles
we started back in the late 60's. Phew--that was tough to type.
Grins. And maybe we can do this every couple of years!
I'm thinking about you all the time and wondering what will bring
you the most pleasure in experiencing the area--knowing that the
real reason we're all journeying is to spend time together,
getting caught up on each others' lives.
So, Ruth and I have some questions for you.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
All but one room are taken at my place, but I have local B&B friends
who will also offer their rooms to us that weekend. The full list is
here: http://www.boothbayharbor.com/lodging.aspx
MEALS/DRINKS:
COCKTAILS: I'll source all sorts of drinks for our cocktail
hours--both days. Please let me know what you like to
drink--alcoholic and non.
FRIDAY NIGHT: What would you like to have for Friday night
dinner? The dinner plans we've made are to have an informal, buffet
setup, (laid out on the dining room table) and just waiting for each
of you as you arrive from all over the place. Something comforting
and Italian? Something light and easy, like a big salad? Both?
Something light and local, like seafood? Something else? Just let us
know soon so we can make the decision soon.
BUFFET BREAKFAST: The buffet breakfast that awaits you in the
morning, both Saturday and Sunday, is outlined here:http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/breakfast.htm.
The kitchens are available to you if you'd like to make something
else/special. Please let us know if you have dietary requirements
beyond this.
SATURDAY NIGHT: And Ruth and I were thinking that a traditional
lobster bake for Saturday night--lobster, corn, potato, steamed
clams, blueberry cake, etc--with chicken or steak as alternatives
would bring the quintessential 'Maine' experience to our festive
activities. Will you let us know if that DOES NOT sit well with you?
I've found a local caterer who will supply the whole dinner for
about $20 per person. Amazing!
BOTANICAL GARDENS: The Gardens are truly gorgeous, and will be a
wonderful, nearby outing for those who are interested. We also have
all these other activities: http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/attract.htm
Let us know if you'd like to get a group together to pursue any of
these.
SURVEY: We thought we'd all like to know the basics about our
reuning 'sisters' before we meet, and so I'll build you each a page
to tell the story of what you've been up to since we all attended
CHS. Here's a blank sample page, as an example, though you can do
anything with the page you'd like--and I'll build it for you.
http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/chsreunion/surveytrudy.htm
Here's a more complete one: http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/chsreunion/surveymelissa.htm
I just scanned the pictures from my two yearbooks. You can send
pictures, by email, from anywhere. Just please be sure they are in
jpg or gif format so I can publish them on the site.
FINANCE: I think I've received room deposits from all of you who
have confirmed your attendance to date. If not, please take the
off-season price, add 7% and send half of it now--half is due when
you arrive. Ruth and I will work out the numbers for the meals,
drinks, tickets, etc., based on your responses to the above
questions and let you know in advance of your arrival.
THE SITE: My builders and I are crazily working, dawn to dusk, to
finish the new buildings to be open by the middle of June. The story
of the building adventure is here: http://boothbayadventure.com/
I'll update it with new pictures this weekend. We are closing in on
it!! By August, all will be finished and settled and perfect for
your arrival.
Please be in touch with me if you have any questions about the Inn
or activities in Maine, and with Ruth if you have any questions
about the Weekend, in general.
CAN'T WAIT to see you all!!
Sending love and laughter, Melissa
PS If you call me Missy I might have to scream. More grins.
PPS As you all know, it's RUTH who is doing an incomparable job of
planning and communicating and pulling this all together. Let's have
a hand for her people skills!
--
Melissa L. Thornton
Bold Colorful Life
203-268-5437 207-633-6566
April 5, 2009
Hello, girlfriends! I don't know how you feel when someone uses that
greeting, but I'm always a little bemused. Frankly, it would be a
rarity if that person really knew me as a girl. So finally, I can
say it and mean it. Hello, girlfriends!
As you can see from the e-mail addresses, the list is growing. I am
thrilled to report that presently about 15-20 of us plan to meet at
Melissa's Bold Colorful Life Inn in Boothbay, Maine from August
14-16, with another 10 or so still deciding.
ACCOMMODATIONS: It's time to book a room with Melissa if you haven't
already--go on line to
http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/accomm.htm to choose your
accommodations and
www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/packages.htm to see the preliminary
schedule (and tell us if there’s something else you’d like us to add
to it) for the weekend.
Melissa is so excited to be hosting the event that she has very
generously offered us her "off season" rate, which is a 20 percent
discount, although August is peak season in Maine. Your deposit for
half of the room rate can be sent by check (US Mail) to Melissa
Thornton at Bold Colorful Life Inn, 802 Back River Road, Boothbay,
Maine, 04537. If cash is tight, you can also hold the room by credit
card (through Paypal) but please add 3% to cover the merchant
charges (the Inn is not presently set up to accept credit cards).
The balance can be paid at the end of your stay by cash or check.
Follow this link for more information about reservations:
http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/accomm.htm
Follow this link to see the story of the Inn and to get a sense of
the environment, before you arrive.
http://boothbayadventure.com/
FOOD: One of the best things about going away is eating wonderfully,
and this weekend will live up to that expectation. Melissa is
interviewing caterers for our Friday night buffet and Saturday night
dinner. Although the menu has not been finalized, it is anticipated
that the Friday night dinner buffet (which will be set up at the Inn
so that we can all eat whenever we arrive) will not cost more than
$20 per person and the Saturday night extravaganza
lobster-bake/dinner will run about $25-30 each, including lobster
(if you choose) on Saturday night. Within the next month we
anticipate the dinner menus will be finalized—please give us your
thoughts now. And, of course, your room comes with a fabulous
breakfast each morning.
BOTANICAL GARDENS: The Saturday morning walk at the Botanical Garden
is optional. This link will take you there:
http://www.mainegardens.org/
Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance as soon as it is
determined how many of us wish to go, so please let me know if
you're interested.
TELL US ABOUT YOU: Our incomparable hostess has also put together a
"bring us up to date" survey page at this link:
http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/chssurveyoverview.htm
so that we can get the history out of the way and move on to the
really important topics of conversation (!), so check that out on
the Bold Colorful Life Inn webpage and send her your information so
that we know where you’ve been and what you’ve been up to!! Here’s a
sample page.
http://www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/surveymelissa.htm
She’ll make you your own page when you send her your info and
pictures. I’m working on mine right now!
HELP US FIND OUR CLASSMATES: Listed below in the order of the e-mail
addresses shown above are the women to whom this message is being
sent. I know there were more in our extended circle of friends, but
they are incredibly hard to find (even with my creatively persistent
internet sleuthing!). Does anyone know how to find Janice Roman,
Ruth Agostino or Helen Piasecki? There are more among the
missing--these are just a few of the names that have popped up
repeatedly. If you are passing along this e-mail to someone else,
please have let me know so that I can include her contact
information on the main list.
Lastly, let me say that it is such a joy to have reconnected with
all of you. I have already had a few long-winded telephone
conversations, and that was just to discuss the basics of the
reunion--at this rate, we're not going to be doing much sleeping in
Maine! Over the years I've frequently heard the comment that we were
so privileged to have lived in Cranford--what a great place that was
to be a kid. Well, the best part was having such good friends, and
even better, to be able to continue those friendships so many years
later and across so many miles. August will be here before we know
it--can't wait to see everyone in Boothbay! Happy spring! --Ruth
LIST OF POSSIBLE ATTENDEES: In order of addresses, this e-mail was
sent to: Gail Bagley, Jeanne Barchard MacDougall, Susan Goodwin
Jacobs, Melissa Thornton, Joan Backinoff Dill, Lynda Beacken
Hopkins, Cindy Sheriff, Judy Silverman Goodman, Debbie Ray Wilkes,
Sue Yost, Trudy Waugh Carr, Carol Younghouse Berns, Lynn Wellet
Roeser, BJ Kowalski, Carolyn Krone Ferolito, Debbie Stirrat Burke,
Carolyn Shier Beard, Diane Farrell Kennedy, Cindi Anderer Courter,
Terri Mineur Andrews, Jackie Mollineaux Gallagher, Sandy Selby, and
Sally Petrick.
Ruth Apgar Peterson
PS I want to share with you the latest information I have regarding
a planned combined reunion for the Classes of 1969 and 1970. Charlie
Obranowitz and others are leading a group that is hoping to gather
both classes together, possibly over Labor Day weekend 2009 in the
Cranford area. At present there is nothing being planned for 2010
for our class specifically. When I receive more definitive
information, I will pass it along.
March 11, 2009
Hello,
friends! Over the past few months many of us have corresponded
regarding a gathering this August of CHS '70 women. For those of
you who are hearing this for the first time, welcome aboard! We
hope you will join us for what promises to be a really special
weekend at Melissa (Missy) Thornton's Bold Color Life Inn and
Retreat Center in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
Although we're
keeping this on a casual, no pretenses, just-us-girls basis, there
needs to be some planning involved, so here are the details. The
dates are Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th. Boothbay
Harbor is close to Portland, Maine, which is serviced by all of the
major airlines and (I'm told) is a comfortable drive from the Boston
area. Melissa has created a page for us on her website--go to
www.boldcolorlifeinn.com/packages.htm
to read about the weekend's schedule! She is also very generously
offering us off-season rates at the Inn although August is probably
the best time of year to be in beautiful Boothbay Harbor. Check out
her website to choose a room, some of which are suitable for
sharing--boldcolorlifeinn.com/accomm.htm. Breakfast is included.
We'll need a
good estimate of head count to arrange the catering, purchase
discounted tickets to the Botanical Gardens, etc., so please let me
know as you make your plans. And, of course, our inc redible
hostess needs to reserve you a bed, so please communicate your
preference with Melissa. All of the rooms at the Inn are being held
aside for us that weekend, but if more space is needed, there are
other lovely B&Bs closely located. I have volunteered to
coordinate, so please e-mail me at the address above with any
specific questions/suggestions/etc. Room requests should be made
directly to Melissa. As we have a good idea of the number of
participants, we should be able to come up with an accurate cost
estimate, although this is not a fancy affair! Our focus is on
reconnecting.
Lastly, the
list of addressees is pitifully small, but we have very few e-mails
for the many girls with whom we were all friends. Please pass this
invitation along to anyone else with whom you are in communication.
Everyone (of the female persuasion!) is welcome. In the order of
the addressees listed above, this e-mail is being sent to: Gail
Bagley, Jeanne Barchard McDougall, Susan Goodwin Jacobs, Melissa
Thornton, Joan Backinoff Dill, Lynda Beacken Hopkins, Susan Yost,
Carol Younghouse Berns, Lynn Wellet Roeser, BJ Kowalski, Carolyn
Krone Ferolito, Carolyn Shier Beard, Judy Schartenberg Goodman,
Karin McComb Tinnes, Terri Mineur Andrews, Debbie Stirrat Burke and
Susie Kiley Sullivan. Hope we can add lots of other names to this
list!
It's said that
old friends are the best friends. And the really neat thing is that
we're all still girls in each other's eyes! Hope you'll come to
Maine and be "forever young" this August. See you soon, Ruth
SURVEY:
We want to know about you--what have you been up
to since graduating from CHS in 1970???
Here's an example of a
page-in-progress.
Here's the list of pages
available (by alphy order of maiden names):
Cindi
Anderer Courter
Ruth Apgar Peterson
Joan
Backinoff Dill
Gail
Bagley
Jeanne Barchard MacDougall
Lynda Beacken Hopkins
Diane Farrell Kennedy
Susan Goodwin Jacobs
Barbara Kalinowski
BJ Kowalski
Carolyn Krone Ferolito
Terry Mineur Andrews
Debbie Ray Wilkes
Cindy Sheriff
Carolyn Shier Beard
Judy Silverman Goodman
Debbie Stirrat Burke
Melissa Thornton
Trudy Waugh Carr
Lynn Wellet Roeser
Sue Yost
Carol Younghouse Berns
Please answer the question, add
pictures and email it all to Melissa at
boldcolorlife@gmail.com
and she will build your page and add it to the site!
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