The Princeton Class of 1971's 35th Reunion: June 1-4, 2006

Has it really been almost 35 years?

Most of us 71ers are more or less settled, having long passed the move-often years of our 20s and pushing closer to retirement (or you may be out there on the beach or the links already!). The nests are emptying; our children are mostly grown and starting to find their way in the world. But what’s a little gray between friends? As we move resolutely through middle age, firmly believing that 55 is the new 45, it’s a terrific time to consider reconnecting with old friends and familiar haunts at the Best Damn Place of All.

When we gather next June for our 35th, we’ll be marching to a new theme, Savoring the Wild Life. We’ll be celebrating it with our classmates, wives, children and more than 60 other Princeton classes in a tradition that is like no other. As those of you who have been coming to Reunions in recent years know, it’s a time to relive the sights and sounds of the most beautiful campus in America – one that has been changing with the addition of striking new buildings that have been melded with the classic fieldstone Princeton is famous for. It will be a time to take our place in that unique spectacle, the P-rade, and enjoy spectacular food, drink and entertainment – and to reminisce with those guys you road-tripped with back in 1970 (the trips you neglected to tell your spouse about…).

They’ll be plenty of opportunity to meet, bond and, yes, party. A few high-lights of what’s already been planned: A Thursday evening coffeehouse, for relaxing and catching up; a Friday afternoon service of remembrance; a Friday evening cocktail reception at Fred Lepore’s home in Princeton; kicking back with the Party Dolls later that night; and dancing to Liquid Pleasure on Saturday night after the fireworks. All meals will be deliciously prepared by Culinary Creations.

If you attended the 25th, you don’t need another uniform – just pack your dandy striped blazer and hat and get ready to strut! (Golf shirts with the new class logo and t-shirts for children will likely complete the outfit.)

Committee Heads Chair – Ed Stanczak Assistant Chair - Gary Walsh Alumni Faculty Forum - Christine Stansell Artwork - Peter Charapko Associates liaison – Randy Snow Beverages - Jack Hittson Bring Back the Women of '71 - Tina Sung Children's Programs - N/A (only Tiger Camp will be offered) Community Service Project - Art and Annie Lowenstein Costumes - Ed and Myrna Stanczak Entertainment - Stu Rickerson Finances – Bill Lewis Food - Myrna Stanczak, Bern Walsh, and Ginger Pitney Headquarters - Gary Walsh (Peter Charapko - site design) Housing - Gary Walsh Memorial Service - Luther Munford P-rade – Doug Blair Publicity/promotion - Jeff Marshall Get out the Class Telethon - Ron and Kerry Riner Registration - Bill Stevens Satellites – Gary Walsh Student Crew - Gary Walsh Technology - Bill Lewis Transportation - Gary Walsh Yearbook – Don Mancini, Rich Hollingsworth, Debbie Tegarden

Fees: At this point, the costs are: $471 for classmate, $371 for spouse or adult guest, $100 for children. You can save through early registration -- $425 for classmate, $325 for spouse, and $71 for children (3/1/06 deadline). There will also be free registration drawings for those registered by Dec. 1, 2005 or March 1, 2006 (details to come!). Housing costs are not included, nor are supplemental uniform costs.

Take the time now to register online at the superb class Web site administered by Bill Lewis, www.princeton1971.org; the site will be updated regularly and will include the names of classmates who have registered for Reunions.

For those with financial concerns, please contact Class President Mike Phelps (president@pu71.org) to discuss those issues in complete confidence. We are intent on preventing cost from be-coming a deciding issue in keeping any classmate from attending.

We’ve shared so much already … The Brown Hall riots … BoGo … Commons meals … The Hickel Heckel Incident … coeducation and Sue Pyne … the first women freshmen … the faculty strike of May 1970 … the building of Jadwin … the single wing gives way to the T formation … Houseparties weekends… supply your own memories!

As you look ahead, consider:

• The women of ’71 have committed to a major attendance drive, led by Tina Sung. To date, 27 of the 37 women in the class have committed to come back and to have a special breakfast on the Reunion Saturday at Prospect House. Let’s transfer that kind of commitment to the men’s side!
• The Class of 1971 35th Reunion Yearbook effort -- Currently, Rich Hollingsworth, Don Mancini, and Debbie Tegarden are Tri-captain-Editors for our 35th Reunion Yearbook, which will use the Internet for on-line registration.

Ed Stanczak is asking classmates who don’t feel comfortable using the Web site to contact him at 908.317.8514 or send him a letter or postcard at 1397 Coles Ave., Mountainside, NJ 07092. To obtain a hard-copy form that can be filled out and mailed along w/ a check for your payment, please CLICK HERE .

Ed also has put out a call for volunteers to help the committee heads. If you’re interested in helping out in some way, please let him know.

A final thought: Princeton is an extended community that has touched most of our lives after graduation in a number of ways; many of us have been involved with Princeton events taking place many miles from Old Nassau. Reunions give us the opportunity to sense even more strongly the continuum of the Princeton community – the Old Guard, the classes just ahead of us, the younger classes with their eagerness and their wacky uniforms (luau, anyone?); the energy and inquisitiveness of the graduating seniors. It’s a great time to come back and take it all in.

Princeton '71 Women's Reunion Breakfast - Prospect House, Presidential Dining Room Saturday June 3, 2006 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM Join Princeton President Shirley Tilghman and the extraordinary women from the Class of '71 for this special event. It is our first concerted effort to get all 37 graduates back to campus for reunions. Tina Sung has contacted everyone personally, and so far, 27 women have said they will be there, but our goal is 100 percent attendance. We have stories to tell, memories to share, and a lot of catching up to do. Don't miss this historic occasion. Consider putting it on your calendar now; June 2006 is just around the corner. The cost is $15 for breakfast. Kids are welcome.