The NEXT Reunion!!!!

[Frank LeRose ('80)]

Hi Everyone. I want to say right here and now that I want to be in on the planning for the next reunion. I actually have many ideas already and would love to discuss them with any and all interested parties.

My strongest thought is to have the reunion in Paramus, for the following reasons:

1) Most alumni still have relatives (if not parents) living in the area and will NOT have to pay for a hotel.
2) Many alumni (myself included) still live in Paramus, or the surrounding areas and will NOT have to pay for a hotel.
3) I still have contacts in the High School and feel very good about the possibility of using the auditorium, if not other rooms in the school for parts of the function!!!!

The way I see it, if everyone contributes about 5 dollars...we can bring the Allens up here all expenses paid. Obviously, this is still in the initial phase and I'm sure many of you will bring up things (sorry Mr. Boyce) about which I have not thought...but I like the idea very much and have gotten very positive feedback from others with whom I've discussed it!!!

Anyone who wants to contact me about this can do so at the email address I've given in the old message board. I will also be creating one soon for this task and will share that here as soon as it happens.

Yours in Song,

-Frank LeRose ('80)

[PHSBert]

Hi Frank!

That's great that you're willing to take on a next reunion!

Planning this one was a deeply fulfilling process. But as anyone on the Team will tell you it was a long period of hard work-- the more people you have helping you, the easier it will go.

Let me throw you some things to think about which would need to be addressed by you and whoever else is working on this.

* <b>Make sure Norm is on board</b> before you plan anything. Sounds obvious, but trust me, he fought the idea for a loooong time before he trusted us to handle it professionally. I think the next time would be easier since he sees how well this one went, but make sure he is comfortable with the idea.

* <b>Wherever you hold it, some people will indeed need housing</b> if you're planning to invite everyone who ever sang in the choir (well, the almost 600 people we found so far anyway). Remember that you happen to be on the young end of the database; there are 20 years of alumni before you, who may no longer have parents or property in Paramus or even in NJ. You will need to arrange somewhere for those people to stay if they choose to come. It's a lot like planning a wedding actually-- some people are local and some are not, but you want to be able to accomodate everyone.

* <b>Are you planning to continue searching for missing alumni?</b> Believe it or not, every week someone turns up who managed to find out about us, and whom we had no previous contact info for. Just yesterday a woman from the class of 1968 also expressed a desire to help plan another reunion. She didn't realize she was on our missing list-- she just never let us know she was out there paying attention. I guarantee there are lots of alums ike that-- how will you make efforts to find and include them?

* <b>Consider how you plan to communicate with other members of your team, and with other alums.</b>
The reunion last month was planned almost entirely online. (I mentioned that to everyone in Florida and there was a collective gasp of astonishment, so I guess a lot of people were unaware of this.) Most communication was done by email, and planning meetings were held in private chat rooms online (often with voice capability when it worked). And of course the website served as a central source of news and information. This allowed us to work in real time with a team of people who lived all over the country. It also allowed us to stay in contact with alumni all over the country without running up huge personal phone bills or postage.

Anyway there's some food for thought, and of course you're welcome to pick the brains (what's left of them haha!) of any of us who planned this one. If you want me to put you in touch with others who have also expressed a desire to plan another gathering, let me know-- you may as well all be working together. :-)

Glad to see you and others willing to do this!
_________________
[b][i]<font color="#0066ff"> -- Ragbert</font>[/i][/b]
[i]the webboffin[/i]

See the Reunion photos!
http://www.phschoir.org

[Marc Greene '76]

Frank-
Likewise, I'm so glad that you are willing to spearhead the next activity. It's apparent that this PHS Choir Alumni group is like a snowball rolling downhill - it just seems to keep going and get bigger and bigger!
I was "found" rather late in the planning process for this summer's reunion, so I was not able to be of much help in the planning process. However, I am more than willing to do anything I can to pitch in for a future event, particularly if it's in Paramus. I live on Long Island, which is not exactly Paramus, but close enough to be readily accessible.
Thanks for stepping up to the plate!
Marc

[HAFields]

Frank: I second Roberta's comments. As you start this effort you, and the rest of the team that is destined to form, should try to be all inclusive. By this I mean that you should plan a reunion that both people who have ties to Paramus and those who don't are equally anxious to attend. Please note that approximately half of the alumni population lives in the Maine to Florida corridor on the East Coast while the rest live all over the world. Folks from all over the world made the effort to come to Florida and they will want to again. But they will only be able to do so if you incorporate their needs into your planning.

There were many reasons why we chose to hold the reunion in Orlando. One was that we wanted to make it easy for Norm to participate. Another was that we determined that the total cost, including hotel, airfare, meals, etc. of an Orlando reunion was lower for anyone who had to travel to attend when compared to a NJ location. I suspect you will be hard pressed to come up with a lower cost for a similar North Jersey reunion for people who have to travel, even if you are permitted to utilize the high school. That said, it clearly will be less expensive for folks who still live near Paramus.

Our goal was to unite all of Norm's choirs and to get representation from as many graduating classes as possible. Your goal may be different, and if so, you must clearly articulate it. But please recognize that you run the risk of fracturing the alumni into different groups if you decide to not be all inclusive.

There are many potentially conflicting issues to think about and as Roberta said we'd be happy to act as advisers. If you want to discuss this before making any firm decisions, just let us know. Regardless, I wish you great success and look forward to Normfest II!
_________________
Musically yours,
Howard

"Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST." - Frank Zappa

[Frank M. LeRose ('80)]

Thanks for all your advice...it is well received. My statements were meant to be a starting point from which the next reunion may grow. I have not, nor will I EVER think of myself as all-knowing and appreciate any and all help from those who wish to contribute in a positive manner.

I do not mean to exclude ANYONE from a second reunion. If that decision ever gets made, I will no longer be part of the committee...I feel that anyone who ever sang with Uncle Norm should be included in the invitation, and in any work they may want to do to be part of the planning committee.

I am going to try and contact you guys on the phone...unless we can set up one of those online conferences Roberta mentioned...Do you have AIM? I can easily set up a private chat in that format.

I also have contacts in hospitality in this area, having worked with caterers, party planners and hotels for years. We may be able to work something out. I will throw all the BIG ideas out to Mr. Allen before we ever get together to make any decisions. It was suggested, for instance, that the conducting may have been a little more than he bargained for...if he wishes to NOT do that for the next reunion we will make other arrangements.

Lots of possibilities and nothing written in granite. I welcome all suggestions...and Marc...I will definitely be thankful for your input as well!!!
_________________
Yours In Song,


-Frank M. LeRose ('80)

[Dina Weishaupt '83]

Hi Frank

Count me in! I don't know how much I can do from here in Southern California (otherwise known as the "left coast" ) But will do my best.

Dina

[PHSBert]

Hi Frank!

Don't worry, I was just giving you stuff to consider before you begin-- didn't mean to scare you! :-)

Obviously we already made a big dent in the preparation for any future reunions: there's already a website, there's an email list of about 400 addresses, and there are street address/phone numbers for 200 more.

I can also set you up with a _______ at phschoir.org email address for this, if you'd like. It could forward to your AOL address (or to whomever will be handling the bulk of the correspondence-- and I do mean <i>bulk!</i> haha). People, and just as importantly, PHS, already know the phschoir.org name now and will remember it easily.

We also have tools for finding missing choir alums, some internet-based, some as traditional as form letters.

If you want to talk sometime about any of this, let me know. Anyone on these boards who has the little AIM button at the bottom of their posts has an AIM/AOL screen name (some of us have Yahoo Messenger too which allows voice in a multi-person chat room). Or I'd be happy to email you my phone number. I'd love to talk to another LeRose! :-)

Oh yes-- there are some alums in FL (including JoAnn who was on the Team for this one) who would like to organize another one there too. You should all probably collaborate, since one every 2 or 3 years is probably more than enough! LOL Can I give them your email address to talk to?

Roberta
_________________
[b][i]<font color="#0066ff"> -- Ragbert</font>[/i][/b]
[i]the webboffin[/i]

See the Reunion photos!
http://www.phschoir.org

[Sylvia Ahlberk]

Count me in Frank.........! Sylvia Ahlberk (Class of 78 )
One of the locals

[Frank M. LeRose ('80)]

Sounds great, Sylvia. I just got hired at Teaneck Board of Education!!!! Once I settle into the new job, I will contact Uncle Norm and get things moving. Talk with you soon.


_________________
Yours In Song,


-Frank M. LeRose ('80)

[Frank M. LeRose ('80)]

Hi...I don't know if anyone is out there....but I m so sad to see that this board has just about died....there hasn't been a single post in about a year and a half.

Anyone out there want to get this thing started again?

Let me know!!

FMGLR@aol.com

Yours in song,

-Frank
_________________
Yours In Song,


-Frank M. LeRose ('80)

[Valerie Marvin '78]

Hi Frank,

I try to check this website on somewhat of a bi-weekly basis.... I have noticed that there hasn't been anything new for quite awhile. I thought at first there was someething wrong with the way I was checking for new messages...

I always have found it interesting to read the posts on the website and have found it disappointing that there hasn't been anything new inquite awhile since yours.

I still check to see if there is anything regarding the video from the reunion........

Is there anyone out there still reading these messages????????

Let's here from you!!!!!!!!!!! Even if it is a quick hi or yes




Val - 1978

[Valerie Marvin '78]

Just thought a would post a reply to let you know someone is still reading these posts every once in awhile - I bet you were surprised to get the message that there wa an answer to your post via your email???

I sure do miss the posts on this website - I haven't seen any since our last comments.....



Val

[Valerie Marvin '78]

Hi Frank,

I would love another reunion... but I do not see much enthusiasm on the website as was before with the first reunion.

Choir Alumni.... are we still interested in another reunion?


Val (class of '7 - yes the class of '78 grad are hitting 50 this year!!!!1

[George]

Does anyone have contact information for Chuck Allen?