News from the Planning Committee

Organizer: Michael (Mickey) Thomas

Members: Michael Aschkenas, Annice Bailey (Schuler), Susan Blanks (McBurney), Elizabeth Cherry (Oliver),  Becky Matthews (Fox), Henry McBurney, Diana Pangle (Quisenberry), Judy Ritter (Smith), Suzanne Shipp (Owens), Mickey Thomas, Jean Tignor (Hachey), Judy Van Dyke (Walter), Marilyn Wright, Pete Wright.

September 1, 2004

Present were: Suzanne Shipp Owens, Henry McBurney, Judy Ritter Smith, Diana Pangle Quisenberry, Elizabeth Cherry Oliver, Judy Van Dyke Walter, Marilyn Wright,  Pete Wright, Annice Bailey Schuler, Harvey Eluto.

Harvey Eluto passed out some old newspaper articles from 1959 on why the schools were closed. He is also trying to help us locate classmates.

SOCIAL HOUR: It was decided that we should hire a bar tender for 2 hours on Friday evening serving beer and wine. It will be a cash bar. The cost was quoted earlier as $35-$50 per hour. This should cost the committee about $100.00. Henry will check with Mike to make the reservations.

TREASURER REPORT: There are 161 paid reservations for a total of $9,499.00 received. There has been an extra $97 given in donations for a total received of $9,596.00.

TOUR: Diana Pangle-Quisenberry is questioning whether we need 3 buses. We are not exactly sure how many are planning to take the tour. We have spaces for 94 people. It will have to be a first come first service basis. Some of us may have to drive our cars to the school for that part of the tour if necessary. The buses will park at the back of the hotel to load between 8:30-8:45A.M. It was decided not to get a 3rd tour bus.

A question was raised, When is the deadline for letting the hotel know how many to plan to attend? We will check with Mike Aschkensas.

NAME TAGS: Judy Van Dyke Walter will bring the name tags when she comes. We may need to make additional ones at the hotel for people who come and pay late.

REGISTRATION: Susan Blanks-McBurney is in charge of setting up registration schedule and getting the workers. We will probably need to divide the alphabet into 3 or 4 sections so the registration lines will not be so long.

For classmates that are only coming on Friday night and would like a Memory Book, we can collect $5.00 from them at that time. They will also need to fill out a mailing label.

DECORATIONS: Elizabeth Cherry Oliver is getting 2 tanks of helium at a cost of $50.00. Annice Bailey-Schuler is making arrangements to have a banner made for a cost of $95.00. Annice is also getting the balloons and Sandra Garrard-Singletary is making the weights for the balloons using Ocean View sand. We will use an old cheering mega phone on the table as decorations.

WELCOME PACKETS: Marilyn and Pete gave us a preview of what will be in the welcome packets. Magnets, coupons from MacArthur Center, pens and pill boxes.

PROGRAM: MC’s will welcome everyone to the event

Bob Zierden, class president, will have a few words

Dickie Knowles will offer grace

Dinner will be from about 7:10 – 8:30 P.M. (MC’s will decide when to begin program).

Granby Quarter will sing 2 songs

Introduction of Reunion Committee

MC’s will ask class members to say their name over the microphone

We will read the list of deceased classmates and have a moment of silence

We will have some GHS Trivia questions and prizes, hopefully each table will be involved

Remarks by Mickey Thomas

The Granby Cheer – lead by Cheerleaders

During the DJ’s breaks we will give people a chance to speak if they choose. Jean Tignor Hachey suggested that we do some fun things, like contest, to get people to participate. Example, Hoola Hoop Contest.

It was suggested that we do the Bunny Hop and maybe "The Stroll".

Our next and final meeting before the Reunion Event will be held on September 8, 2004 at Suzanne’s home. Everyone is to bring their final schedule or examples that will be used on September 17 & 18th.

Being no further business, we adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

July 13, 2004

Reunion Minutes of July 13, 2004 Granby High School 'Lost Class of '59.'

In attendance: Diane Pangle Quisenberry, Jean Tignor Hachey, Elizabeth Cherry Oliver, Susan Blanks McBurney, Henry McBurney, Michael Aschkenas, Annice Bailey Schuler, Suzanne Shipp Owens, Judy Van Dyke Walter, Mickey Thomas.

Meeting called to some sort of order by Mickey Thomas!

Minutes of June 15th meeting read and approved.

TREASURER: Balance on Hand $4,431.33

REGISTRATION: 51 classmates and 34 guests have registered to date. The last mail out had Judy's incorrect house number as 7316 instead of the correct number 7318. We hope none of the registrations went astray as the neighbor is out to sea for a while. Please check the web site www.lib.msu.edu/foxre/granby.html to verify your registration or contact Judy at jsmith@odu.edu.

TOUR: Diana has collected and printed information on the points of interest for the tour guides. Reservation for two buses has been confirmed.

NAME TAGS: Judy R. Smith will send list of registered people to Judy V. Walter so that the process may begin in earnest.

HOSPITALITY: While the registration/hospitality rooms are reserved for the whole weekend, the primary social hour will be from 5-7:PM on Friday. We are encouraging classmates to band together in groups to dine in area restaurants.

Henry is leading the effort for refreshments for the social hour.

DECORATIONS: No banner as yet. Annice has volunteered to procure balloons and helium.

WELCOME PACKETS: Marilyn and Pete Wright have secured bags from MacArthur Mall. They are also working on obtaining refrigerator magnets of Granby High School as well as pens.

PRIZES: We are still looking for donations or the purchase of appropriate prize items. Mickey will check with school store to see what is available. Classmates are invited to send in trivia questions about our high school era to Mickey. All committee members are asked to bring trivia questions to the next meeting on August 3rd.

COMMEMORATIVE BOOK: A printing company has been secured and also a photographer -Vic Frailing.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Michael submitted a tentative outline for input. We are looking for cheerleaders to lead us in the Granby cheer.

PROGRAM BOOKLET: Marilyn and Pete will compile information and Michael Aschkenas will print.

NEW BUSINESS: We divided the 269 names on our mailing list to attempt to contact those who have not committed to attend the reunion, especially local classmates.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August 3rd at Suzanne's at 7 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM

A GHS 59 Lost Class Reunion Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the home of Suzanne Shipp Owens. Members Present were: Mickey Thomas, Suzanne Shipp Owens, Judy Ritter Smith, Michael Aschkenas, Susan Blanks McBurney, Henry McBurney, Elizabeth Cherry Oliver.

Judy Ritter Smith gave the Treasurer's Report. We have $556.00 on hand and all expenses have been paid to date. We have 26 classmates that have made reservations to date.

TOUR REPORT: Diana will continue to keep track of tour and buses. Our tour guides will be Susan Blanks McBurney and Suzanne Shipp Owens.

NAME TAGS: Ed Owens cannot get the name tags with magnets. Judy Van Dyke Walter will need to make other arrangements.

HOSPITALITY: It has been decided that we will order trays of food and purchase drinks to have in the Hospitality Room on Friday afternoon. Henry McBurney will get the drinks, bottled water and ice. This way we can provide what we want at a more economical cost.

BANNER: We are willing to pay no more than $50.00 for a welcome banner to be used at the Reunion Events.

DECORATIONS: We would like to use balloons but will decide later for sure. Transporting them could be a problem.

WELCOME PACKETS: Marilyn & Pete Wright are working on them. We suggest that they buy Granby items from the Granby store.

PRIZES: We are deciding on prizes and will firm up at the next meeting.

COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET: Fleet Printing will print 100 booklets for $250.00. We will provide the photographer for an additional cost and this person will take pictures of classmates and their guests as they arrive. We will decide on the size and have envelopes so classmates can fill out with their address when they pay for the booklet. We will have casual pictures and group shots taken with disposable cameras but will not identify each person in the picture. These will be included in the booklet. We willask attendees to bring digital cameras and take pictures to send us on a disc. We will try to compile all pictures on a CD for all attendees to be mailed at a later date.

MASTER/MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES: Mike Aschkenas and Judy Van Dyke Walter will serve in this capacity. April Brockmeyer Rivers has volunteered to participate. We will ask our Class President to offer a few words. If any classmate would like to share something they will also be given an opportunity. Mike will decide the timing of the presentation.

ENTERTAINMENT: The Granby Quartet will sing.

We will have a Calling Campaign to seek reservations if we do not get our quota by July 1, 2004 so we can make all the preparations.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

The minutes from our May 11, 2004 were read and approved as corrected. Our Friday registration will be from 1 - 7 P.M. with Susan Blanks McBurney and Suzanne Shipp Owens. Saturday registration will be from 10 - 2 and Elizabeth Cherry Oliver, Marilyn and Pete Wright as registrars.

There being no further business, our meeting closed at 8:35 P.M. Our next meeting will be July 13, 2004 at Suzanne Shipp Owens.

A GHS 59 Lost Class Reunion committee meeting was held on May 11, 2004 at the home of Suzanne Shipp Owens.

Members present were:  Mickey Thomas,  Judy Ritter Smith,  Suzanne Shipp Owens, Diana Pangle Quisenberry,  Susan Blanks McBurney,  Henry McBurney, Judy Van Dyke Walter,  Jean Tignor Hachey,  Michael Ashkensas, Pete Wright,  Marilyn Wright,  Elizabeth Cherry Oliver

The meeting was called to order by Mickey Thomas.

Judy Ritter Smith gave the treasurer's report. We now have $553.00 on hand after paying the deposit of $200.00 for the buses.

TOUR: Diana Pangle Quisenberry presented the proposed itinerary for the tour and asked for volunteers to be narrators on the buses. We could use 2 teams of 2 people. Anyone interested?

NAME TAGS: Judy Van Dyke Walter showed us samples of name tags she has designed. We liked the 3X4 size with a pin or magnet that can be attached to our clothes. The plastic covers cost about $15.00 per 100. A magnetic style would be ideal and Ed Owens will check on the price for us. We approved an expenditure not to exceed $100.00 so Judy could proceed.

HOSPITALITY, FOOD & ROOM: Henry McBurney volunteered to bring in ice and food. Elizabeth Cherry Oliver will check at Costco and get prices and check on what they have available. We will need vegetables and dip, Tex-Mex mix & dip, cheese and crackers, napkins, plates and toothpicks. We will make final decisions on the Hospitality Room food at the next meeting. Cost of this event not to exceed $250.00 per 100 people.

DECORATIONS: No other decorations are necessary. The hotel is furnishing mirrors, globes and candles for each table. We are considering using some helium filled balloons with curled ribbons at a cost of $0.80 each for 50 or more. Weights will be needed to tie at the end of the ribbons to hold balloons down. We will use blue, gold and gray. Total cost $40.00.

We will need a Welcome Banner to hang and signs showing directions will be needed.

WELCOME PACKET: Pete and Marilyn Wright are putting the Welcome Packets together. Packets will be filled with some information on Norfolk, like where to eat and what to see, from the Norfolk Convention Bureau and a few items will be purchased to add. Something like post-it notes, pens, drink can cozies, and stadium cups. Maybe something from Granby's school store as well.

PRIZES: Please think about prizes and what we can give away. What we can use as a mixer to get the crowd going. Maybe we can solicit prizes from some businesses.

COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET: If we go with a company to do a Commemorative Booklet for our class it will cost us up front $180.00 non-refundable. Fleet Printing in Norfolk will put the book together but we would need to hire a professional photographer to take the pictures and keep a list of who everyone was. Our committee is checking into this further. We will keep you posted.

PRINTED PROGRAMS: A volunteer is needed to plan this task.

REGISTRATION: Persons will be needed to man the Registration Table on Friday for check in and on Saturday while the bus tour is taking place. Pete and Marilyn Wright, Elizabeth Cherry Oliver, Susan Blanks McBurney and Suzanne Shipp Owens volunteered to take turns. Registration will be open on Friday from 1-7P.M. Saturday 10:AM-2:PM.

Master of Ceremonies : Judy Van Dyke and Mike Aschkenas will co-host this.There is room for help here. Volunteers?

There are no new Lost Class updates to the search list at this time.

Suzanne and Mickey are preparing for the next mailing. This will be the final written invitation to the Reunion weekend. It will be mailed by the end of May.

We will need Bulletin Boards for the hospitality room to hold pictures and a people locator list.

Our next meeting will be held on June 15, 2004 at Suzanne Shipp Owens.

April 13, 2004

A GHS 59 Lost Class Reunion committee meeting was held on April 13, 2004 at the home of Suzanne Shipp Owens.

Member present were: Mickey Thomas, Suzanne Shipp Owens, Judy Ritter Smith, Michael Aschkenas,  Elizabeth Cherry Oliver, Diana Pangle Quisenberry, Marilyn Wright,  Pete Wright.

Judy Ritter Smith gave the Treasurer’s Report. We have collected $885.00 and had expenses of $250.00 to date. This leaves a balance of $635.00 on hand.

We discussed who to send letters to with information on making reservations for the reunion. It was decided to use e-mail addresses of those classmates that we have. Information packets will be mailed or e-mailed by July 1st. We will have a rough draft by our next meeting.

Bus Tour: Diana Pangle Quisenberry reported on the information she received about chartering buses for the tour. Cost will be $300 per bus with a deposit $100.00 required. The tour will be on Saturday, September 18, 2004. The bus will load at the Raddison Hotel beginning at 8:30 A.M. and will return to hotel no later than 12:00 – 12:30 P.M. It was decided to secure 2 buses noting that we could cancel within 2 weeks of event if needed.

Name Tags: Judy Van Dyke Walter sent a sample of nametags that she designed. The cost is estimated at $15.00 per 100, for a total of 200 are $30.00. The committee decided that the nametags should be at least 3X4 ¼ inches on nice card stock.

Snack Food Items: We discussed what type of snacks we will serve on Friday in the Hospitality Room. Suzanne will get prices and list of foods to serve and we can decide at next meeting. We can ask attendees for contributions for amenities and to help cover cost of goodies.

Table Decorations: The Hotel is providing mirrors, candles and globes and blue and gold napkins for each table. No other decorations are needed at this time. We will review again at a later date.

Commemorative Booklet: We are still receiving information from companies wishing to sell us booklets of our event. Life Touch will cost $25.00 at the event, $20.00 if ordered in advance. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to receive the finished copy and there is $180.00 set up fee. Mickey will check with Olan Mills to see what they have to offer.

Our next meeting will be held on May 11, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. at Suzanne Shipp Owens home.

February 23, 2004

A GHS 59 Lost Class Reunion committee meeting was held on February 23, 2004 at the home of Suzanne Shipp Owens.

Present were: Mickey Thomas, Suzanne Shipp Owens, Judy Ritter Smith, Elizabeth Cherry, Michael Aschkensas, Henry McBurney, Diana Pangle Quisenberry,  Bill (Willie) Williams.

Judy Ritter Smith gave the treasurer's report. We have paid a $250.00 deposit to the Radisson Hotel where our Reunion event will be taking place. Our account was opened at the Bank of the Commonwealth with $472.00. We now have $222.00 on hand.

A photographer with the Virginian Pilot was present to take pictures to go with an article that was being printed in the newspaper on February 24, 2004 about the diploma request.

Michael Ashkensas gave a report on our contract with the Radisson Hotel. Mickey, Suzanne, Judy and Mike attended the meeting with the hotel coordinator. Mike signed the contract to secure the hotel.

The committee reviewed the members on the Lost Classmates list who have not been located. We discussed the "Return Letters" from classmates that did not have deliverable addresses. The list of classmates that have responded was read.

Suzanne Shipp Owens is checking on the Tour Bus. It will be needed for 3 hours on Saturday, September 18, 2004 from 9:00A - 12:00P for a tour of Norfolk. We will need a touring bus not a school bus. We may need 2 buses. Diana Pangle Quisenberry volunteered to reserve the bus and make all the necessary arrangements.

Judy Van Dyke Walter is designing name tags or badges for us to wear.

Mrs. Debi Newton volunteered to have the Granby High Chorale sing the alma mater for us either Saturday morning while at Granby for the tour or Saturday evening at the Radisson. We will further investigate this option. The "Granby Quartet" (members of our class) have offered to sing also.

Mickey is receiving information from a number of companies who would like to take pictures or make memory books for our reunion. There would be a cost to each person that was interested. We will discuss this option further at a later time.

Our next meeting will be held April 13, 2004 at Suzanne Shipp Owens home beginning at 7:PM.

January 2004

A GHS 59 Lost Class Reunion committee meeting was held on January 13, 2004 at the home of Suzanne Shipp Owens.

Present were: Mickey Thomas, Judy Ritter Smith, Suzanne Shipp Owens, Jean Tignor Hachey, Elizabeth Cherry Oliver, Judy Van Dyke Walter,Diana Pangle Quisenberry,  Michael Aschkenas, Carolee Keeter Beckham (Class of 58)

We discussed the classmates that still need to be located.

Finances were discussed and the price of $59.00 per person was set as the cost for the Reunion event to be held September 17 & 18, 2004 at the Radisson Hotel in Norfolk, VA. We need to come up with $250.00 deposit to secure the Radisson Hotel for this event. Several committee members paid up front for the Reunion event and this will become the seed money we need. The following people paid:

Mickey Thomas $118.00 (2) Diana Pangle Quisenberry $ 59.00 (1)

Judy Walter $118.00 (2) Michael Aschkenas $118.00 (2)

Suzanne Owens $ 59.00 (1)

Total funds of $472.00 will be used to open our bank account at the Bank of the Commonwealth. Judy Smith, treasurer, and Mickey Thomas will be the signatures on the account.

Mike Aschkenas agreed to make arrangements for a meeting with the hotel to formalize details and sign a contract ASAP.

A questionnaire will be sent to all members to find out who is interested. Mickey and Suzanne will get together and decide on the questions to be used. A list of all people that have not been located will be attached. Mike will print them off. The questionnaire needs to be mailed by February 1, 2004 and returned by March 15, 2004. Becky Matthews Fox is willing to set up a web site for our class. The web address is: www.lib.msu.edu/foxre/granby/html. Classmates that return the questionnaires will then be mailed a registration form. Registration forms should be mailed by April 1, 2004 and received back by July 15, 2004. At this time all monies must be paid.

Frank Johnson has been engaged as the DJ for the evening at a cost of $250.00.

Someone raised the question about having a photographer available for the evening. Also having some disposable cameras on the tables. We will pursue this issue.

Our tentative schedule will be:

Friday, 3-9 Registration and check in

Friday evening - Social Hour (?)

Saturday morning - Bus tour of Norfolk & Granby

Saturday afternoon - free time

Saturday evening - Dinner & reminiscing

Judy Van Dyke Walter discussed making name tags for the event.

Mickey reports that he is still waiting for the School Board's decision on issuing diplomas to classmates that never received one due to the school closings in 1959.

Our next meeting will be held on January 27, 2004 for the purpose of mailing out the questionnaire. It will be held at Suzanne Shipp Owens home.

November 11, 2003

I was appointed contact person and moderator of the committee for planning the 45th anniversary of the Lost Class of 1959 of Granby High School.

I am retired from teaching and remain in close contact with the alma mater and the alumni association. The more input we have from our classmates the better of reunion is likely to be.

We are a special class that survived a unique time in history. Did you get a Granby diploma? I didn't. Would you like to get one if we can work out the details? Please help us find people. I have compiled a list of names.

Contact me at mthomas@pen.k12.va.us or through Granby High School.

October 14, 2003

Those present: Suzanne Shipp Owens, Henry and Susan McBurney, and Mickey Thomas

Topics discussed:

'58 Reunion and its successes: Well executed reunion marred only by the storm Isabel and its aftermath, which affected the expected attendance

Date and location of our reunion: September 17-18, 2004 at Radisson Hotel in Norfolk

Activities we would like to have: Hospitality room for Friday and Saturday, Social Hour(s) at special place for Friday night, followed by dinner option on your own. Saturday bus tour of city and Granby. Dinner (buffet) Saturday evening. Possibly the Granby Alumni Barbecue may be that same weekend.??

Dress: Casual

Favors or give a ways: Lanyards with Granby Lost Class imprinted on it. T-shirts with special logo or other info. Other? Old fashion fan with a classmate's picture on it for each attendee to find.

Fees that might be required: It would be nice if we could keep the fees at $59.00 per person.

Combining our reunion with other years: Not a great deal of interest in doing it officially this year, but no objection to inviting all who cared to attend to ours.

Diplomas for those who missed out: Mickey Thomas and Dr. Warren Stewart'64 (GHSAlumni Association president elect) met with Dr. Simpson, the current superintendent, and presented the proposal to award all qualified class of 1959 Granby students who did not receive a Granby diploma a Granby diploma. He agreed to present it to the school board.

Desirable: Website garu to perhaps provide us with the means of building a website?

Finance: we are approaching the time where we will need some seed money and/or some sort of financial backing to secure deposits and establish a bank account. These funds can come from an individual, a company, as a loan or as a gift. We can solicit attendee's fees payable now with all intentions of refunding said fees up to 30 days prior to the event if they are unable to attend.

Next meeting: January 13, 2004, at Suzanne's home. 7:PM

Note: These discussions will become decisions if we don't get objections. Please voice your opinions even if you can't make the meeting. We care what you think. We want you to be a part of this adventure. And an adventure is what we want it to be, full of fun and good memories.

On a personal note. Hubert (Stony) Jackson is in Va.Beach General Hospital and not doing well at all. A card would be nice.