Hello Classmates!
Our 80th Birthday Party
July 20-21, 2024
It was wonderful to spend time with all the classmates that were able to attend our 80th Birthday Party on July 20th or 21st.
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BELOW SUMS UP OUR WEEKEND
Our classmate, Sharon Leonardo Johnson, was concerned that as we continue to age, we will have fewer opportunities to get together. The five years between reunions seems longer as we grow older. She suggested that maybe we think about getting together in Ithaca for a joint 80th birthday celebration. She related this to her cousin and our President Tom McCarthy who got together with the reunion committee and the project was launched. Darlene Klein and Dick Dropkin were co-chairs that developed the event with the help, input and support of the committee.
It was going to be a relatively small get together with a Saturday dinner at a local restaurant, Dutch Treat, followed by the traditional Sunday event at Stewart Park using a catering service. It was all arranged, invitations were sent out, replies and deposits sent in and everything going very smooth. Then it happened… the sudden and truly unexpected death of our Ithaca leader, Darlene. How could she do this to us?
First, we needed to recognize the long, tireless efforts of Darlene, whose contribution to our class over the years was monumental. As the class had recognized Rita Nichols with a memorial bench at Stewart Park, it was decided by the committee to do the same for Darlene. There was a fund-raising effort with our generous class donors and the bench and plaque were ordered. It was decided to have the memorial bench unveiling ceremony with Darlene’s immediate family and local friends present, as part of the Sunday Bench celebration at Stewart Park. A message from our class president Tom McCarthy was read by Dick Dropkin, our class chairman, as Tom was unable to attend.
Meanwhile, the count for the birthday celebration in Ithaca had ballooned to over 80 attendees, far exceeding the capacity and abilities of the chosen restaurant. What to do. No plan. No money. No Darlene! In an informal meeting in Florida, it was determined we needed to act quickly. It was decided to find another venue and self-cater the Saturday night meal. It started as pizza and wings but evolved into much more. First, we needed a place that had quality, location, accessibility and a bargain price of free. Tim Rogers to the rescue. Tim has lots of relatives and friends still in Ithaca and got us the use of the recreation hall at Nate’s Floral Estates directly behind Wegman’s. We knew it would be tight, but had all the right qualities; Availability, Accessibility, Parking, Location, Kitchen and Banquet Equipment, AND it was free. Thanks Tim!
What to do for food? First, we need a modest budget as did not want to ask all the attendees to put in more money. Next, successful classmate donors were quickly found and the event was on.
With modest kitchen facilities and a restriction of space, menus were conceived and the process began. Two, self-confessed foodies (Hap & Tim) that currently live in Asheville, NC both friends and IHS Classmates agreed to take on the responsibility and effort to prepare and serve a celebratory feast for their fellow Eighty-year-olds. Tim Rogers and Hap Gray put on their kitchen apron, grabbed their chef’s knives and went to work.
The facility was decorated with appropriate red and gold accessories. Fresh roses, table clothes, napkins, plates and cups, as well as an oversized “80” display. Tables were arranged inside and outside as it was a perfect day. A registration table was set up with official lanyard and name tags which included their high school picture.
A self-service appetizer table was set with chilled large shrimp and cocktail sauce, a four cheese and cured meats board, tasty dips, crackers and chips all were available plus special pinwheel and stacked cheese and meat hors d’oeuvres were served on plates. Mixed nuts were placed on all the tables.
A table was set for the BYOB activity. Glasses, napkins, lemonade and ice were furnished and a bonus of white and red box wines as well as a bottle of vodka were set up to make evening fun.
A buffet line was created for obtaining the main food. It included cut fresh fruit with honey, a multi bean and vegetable salad, marinated hot mixed vegetable, fried rice with chicken, BBQ pulled pork, petite meatballs with a savory sauce, seasoned salmon filets on a stick, tortellini pasta with red sauce and vegetables with shrimp, BBQ chicken wings, chilled glazed ham with tasty sauces, ciabatta bread and butter. Tables were selected one at a time, reducing the time in line. There was plenty of food for seconds and everyone was happy!
A 1962 trivia contest was held with question about high school, the nation and world. It was fun and maybe a little educational.
Finally, it is time to sing Happy Birthday blow out the candles and eat. We had two large appropriately decorated cakes, one chocolate and one vanilla, both had a cream filling. The cake was light, flavorful and delicious. Sharon Johnson, who started this whole thing was very happy and ate four pieces, rumors say.
The evening was concluded with many, many classmates who volunteered to help clean and straighten up. A great effort by all! Thank you!
Special thanks to Hap Gray, Tim and Marne Rogers, Charlie Wilson, Bill Hickson, Dick and Joni Dropkin and our extra hard-working Diana Buckingham.
