May 1, 2012
Dear classmates,
Fourteen enthusiastic Reunion Committee members met in Claflin on April 19, and
continued to embellish plans for our Reunion Weekend. The
55th promises to be memorable!Registration will close on May 17, so we
hope you're all signed up. As of May 1st, 87 of our class have registered to attend.
If you want to read more about Reunion plans, Martha Stanton has scripted detailed
minutes of the April 19th meeting, and they are available by clicking here
Betsy Rauch Rainoff is posting up-to-date listings of returning classmates on
the website too. Just go to the 55 th Reunion Tab and click on Reunion Attendance
List.
What's new??
Our Reunion HQ will be in sunny Claflin,where the high-ceilinged
living room is ringed on three sides by tall, expansive windows overlooking the
lake. A cozy den is nearby for husbands and guests to have coffee or tea and read
the newspaper. Marilyn Peterson, our unfailing Social Hours Chair, will have refreshments
and snacks on tap. A large Dorm Arrangements Committee has been organized by Anne
Morgan to provide a warm welcome.
We'll be able to register and pick up our Reunion materials in Claflin, when we
arrive on campus.
Claflin is very handicap-accessible, with an elevator conveniently located by
the rear entrance of the dorm.There is handicap parking on a limited
basis near the entrance to Claflin.
You are encouraged to bring one item (one of your publications or example of
your artwork) to be displayed over the weekend in the reception area of Claflin
and picked up by you to take home on Sunday.There will be file cards
for you to write your name, a short blurb about your work, and if relevant, where
copies can be purchased.
We'll have musical entertainment in the Davis Museum courtyard, after our traditional
clambake by the Ipswich Clam Co.Vitty O'Toole has arranged for an electric
keyboard and is cooking up some fun! The museum will stay open for us part of the
evening.
Ellen Polaner and Pat Bartels have set aside time in the Memorial Service for
those who wish to say a few words about classmates we have lost in the past five
years.If you wish to do so, please contact Ellen (epolaner@verizon.net
) or Pat (patmcmbartels@nyc.rr.com
) prior to Reunion.
President Ann O'Sullivan will introduce a new honorary member of our class, Beth
DeSombre, who has been a campus champion of the '57 Green Fund.
A Saturday morning panel of classmates will address the topic of "Creative Transitions,"
as an add-on to our brief class meeting.Panelists include Jan Reddig
Coggeshall, Bj Long Eisenpreis, Mary Rosenthal Lefkowitz, Betsy Rauch Rainoff, Donna
Grant Reilly, and Nicki Newman Tanner.
Photos will be taken inside during our box lunch on Saturday.Carrying
on the tradition of our 50th Reunion, we'll be seated by dorm groups.
The all-College event Saturday afternoon in Alumnae Hall will feature "Preserving
Wellesley's Future" The greening of Wellesley is a topic dear to our Class of '57
hearts.
The '57 Roundtables organized by Sally Swayne Jennings and Kate Burke Wood,
will frame four timely discussions:"Adventures after 70" led by Linda
Lee Reiss Freeman, "Book Club Wisdom" led by Margery Wesp Montgomery, "Spirituality"
led by Ellie Commo McLaughlin, and "Digital Connections" led by Sally.
EACH RETURNING '57 CLASSMATE WILL BE HOSTED FOR THE SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER IN
THE COLLEGE CLUB,honoring the occasion of our 55th Reunion. A special
book talk by Marvin and Deborah Kalb will be featured after dinner. Their book,
Haunting Legacy, will be available for purchase and signing that evening.
What's continuing??
There will be student hostesses in Claflin to assist with luggage and heavy
items.
There will be a "changing room" available for alums not staying in Claflin.
Handicap accessibility is ubiquitous all weekend.The college will
provide intra-College transportation, using handicap accessible vans (on call) and
kneeling buses.
A special husbands/guests lecture is scheduled in the Science Center, while
we have our class meeting and panel Saturday morning.Wendy Bauer will
speak on our expanding universe.
Computer services will be available in the Knapp Center at the Clapp Library.
Early morning lake walks and yoga sessions are scheduled. Golf and tennis facilities
are available.
Faculty lectures, garden walks, open houses, and tours are scheduled throughout
the weekend.
THE PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE – RAIN OR SHINE – AND WE'LL LOOK AS GREEN AS POSSIBLE
WITH OUR BRIGHT GREEN UMBRELLAS AND EARTHWISE TOTE BAGS.
Cape Cod hospitality abounds, once again, and provides a lovely "extension"
for our reunion gathering. There will be a list of those planning to go to Cape
Cod available at registration so that plans and car pools can be organized.
We would especially like to thank all of our classmates who have made contributions
toward the Record Book expenses. If you haven't had a chance as yet, you can send
a check to our Treasurer, Peg Norwood at 59 Three Ponds Road, Wayland, MA 01778.
While you are on the website, don't forget to check out the Green Matters Tab.
Current reports on the class Green Fund and the College's Sustainability Report
are available.
We're looking forward to seeing many of you soon, and send our warm regards,
Toni and Jan
55th Reunion Co-Chairs