Reunion Recap
July 31 opened an exciting weekend full of reminiscing, celebrating, dancing and toasting both friendships rekindled and newly founded ones.
Interested in purchasing the full-blown version of this slide show? Click here.
We had about 150 people attend the Friday night “Bonus Party” at Casa Marina and the cries of “Oh My God!!!” and “Look Who It Is!!!!” could be heard throughout the bar. The party closed out at midnight, but unsatisfied with a few hours of initial chit-chat, many alumni chose to continue the party at the Radisson Hotel pool.
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Saturday morning, the halls of the Radisson were empty, and by the afternoon only a few hardy souls were at the pool sipping on the hair of the dog that bit them. At Ponte Vedra Beach, however, the party raged on from noon until about four PM, when the crowd realized they needed to make themselves beautiful.
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As they drove in their cars, taxis and limos, guests were surprised to find a small teepee by the road, guiding them towards the much bigger teepee at the entrance of the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club.
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The first guests arrived at 6:45 and by 7:00 PM there was a line to enter. By 7:15 PM, the thundering crowd was deafening and the air conditioners started to buckle. Everyone took inventory of who’d they seen the previous night and who was just beginning their reunion experience, and the hugs and photographs started once again.
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Guests noshed on the cascading cheese, fruit and vegetable display adorned with flowers and ordered their first drinks to take off the edge. As the crowd grew bigger and bigger the committee realized that they’d have to open the doors to the additional rooms sooner than originally expected. Mulligans’ bar was opened and only half an hour later, the door to the ballroom opened and the band started to play, fifteen minutes early.
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Waiters passed through the crowd with plates of Mini-Cuban sandwiches, Ahi Tuna Tartar on Sesame Crisps, and Cheese Puff Tarts. Soon thereafter, the Flank Steak carving station and the Pasta buffet were opened.
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Initially, alumni ignored the music and the waiting casino tables, while they chatted and ate, but eventually, the crowd cranked into full party mode and the first brave souls took to the dance floor or asked for a hand of cards. The drinks flowed, the photo poses became daring and comical, everyone laughed, hugged, laughed some more and cheered Barbara Antolik Driscolls modeling of Class of ‘79 memorabilia.
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In between the band breaks, Ralph thanked the sponsors and all those who’d helped make the evening a success, including each committee member and those unofficial members who’d been instrumental in the evening’s success, Greg gave away several prizes, and Donna Merritt recovered a lost credit card from Ralph (who ironically left his behind that evening).
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Mdnight came too quickly, though, and the alumns began to bid their goodbyes. Some headed back to the Radisson pool to wait and greet the sunrise. As alumni left, the committee received many thanks for a wonderful evening as well as requests to do it all again in five years. And, although many of us wont see each other again for a while, it was nice to know that for a moment we’d all become 17 again with the people with whom we’d originally experienced our teens. But, most of all, it was especially nice to know that the committee has reenlisted and is pumped for 2014 to arrive.
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See you at the 35 year reunion!
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HOW ABOUT HAVING THE REUNION OUT OF TOWN,LIKE DAYTONA OR ST.AUGUSTINE,ORLANDO LIKE OTHER SCHOOL REUNIONS DO.PAYING HUNDREDS JUST TO STAY IN JAX IS STUPID.A LOT OF GRADS I TALKED TO SAID THATS THE REASON THEY DIDN’T GO LAST TIME
Thanks for your input Tim.
Since many of our classmates still live in Jacksonville or have family there, we thought it would help keep costs down to have it IN Jacksonville. Otherwise, everyone would have to pay for a hotel.
Additionally, all of the reunions I’ve found online are having their events in the city where the high school is located.
Sounds like you’ve got ideas, though…why not join us for a reunion meeting? There’s one coming up on the 21st.
The 20 Year reunion was a blast! I liked having it at a hotel so anyone that enjoyed a cocktail or two didn’t have to drive.
I did wish we had more than one night for the reunion. Perhaps a family day activity as well as the BIG night. Has anyone gotten Glenda Holland or Nicole Sabourin on the list? If not, I think I know where to find them.
I will attend the reunion no matter what, but here are some thoughts: has anyone considered that August is our hottest month, and that we’re a little deeper into hurricane season in August?
Regarding the registration fees, what if someone is not interested in having casino chips? I think there should be registration options for people that don’t want to play, but the ability to buy chips inside if you change your mind.
Last, but not least, why not a DJ rather than a band? The DJ(s) we’ve had at the last couple reunions have been GREAT! I would imagine they cost less than a band too.
Thanks for all of the planning!
Beth…
I am not a fan of August in Florida (which is why I live in Boston), but it’s been an assumption we’ve used to pick a venue. July is not much cooler, September the kids are back in school, June we’d be competing with brides for a venue and it would severely shorten the time we have to prepare. Also, we’d preannounced August for those that have to travel (about 33% of the class), so I’m not sure how that would impact people’s plans.
Yes, you’ll be able to buy casino chips inside. The “Bronze Pass” allows you to get the minimum and then “pay as you go”….you’ll pay more in the long run that way, because we get a price break for prepaying for things like drinks. Also, we can’t contract a set of casino tables and people on the promise that we’ll pay them if people buy chips.
DJ vs Band…the cost difference per individual is about $8 (not much) and a number of reunion committee members think a band is better value. Personally, I didn’t like the dj at the 20 year reunion.
I’ll email and elaborate on all this, but I appreciate the chance to explain our decisions.
Ralph
I like the location, since I’ll be spending the night at mom’s in Ponte Vedra, so I won’t have too far to go.
[...] Our reunion is: in 5 months, 26 days, 18 hours, 0 minutes [...]
Thanks for all you have been doing Ralph. You are a true leader! We apreciate you! Rebecca Gold
I have my room reserved! Even though I live in Jax. I thought I might as well, make a weekened out of it! Looking forward to seeing everyone.
The band sounds excellant! I am so ready to dance the night away. Anyone want to dance?
[...] Regular registration ends : in 2 months, 11 days, 15 hours, 25 minutesOur reunion is: in 3 months, 11 days, 14 hours, 25 minutes [...]
Job well done guys and girls! Everything was perfect! I had a BLAST! Thank you for a night I will always remember.
I like the recap music and photos! Thanks Ralph!
I am interested in the cd that is for sale. Can someone contact me with who to send the money to ans how much? Thanks, Rebecca
Wes Brown, Where are you now?
Our TP girls still looking HOT. class 79