As the organizers of our 25^th class reunion (Norman Payne, Patti Laterra, Erin Moore and Carolyn Ellegate) as well as two others who are joining in this communication effort (Joe Campbell and Mary Bertuzzi), we wanted to say "thank you" to those who were able to attend the reunion and how much we missed those who could not make it. We had such a great time seeing everyone and hope you did too. John Wertam (Class President), who was unable to attend the reunion, would also like to extend his best wishes to everyone.

We had three main events: the mixer at the Depot, the Wilbur Park picnic and the Elks Club dinner. We were so pleased by the efforts made by the likes of Bob Mansbach, Mike Spence and Penny Slack, who came from Florida, Charlie Drago, who came from Texas, and Donna Fioravanti, who came from Oregon. We even had a guest appearance from John Colozza, who we haven’t seen since 10^th grade!!!

Next Reunion: During the dinner at the Elks Club, everyone agreed that the next reunion should be held in 5 (not 10!) years.

Alumni Weekend: In the meantime, we’d like to remind everyone about another great venue for us to meet again this year, the first annual OHS alumni weekend. It will be held the weekend of Friday, September 29. Saturday activities will include a tour of the newly renovated high school and a tailgate party prior to the OHS vs. Chenango Forks football game (with half-time ceremonies in the beautiful new football field). Following this, a Brooks BBQ chicken/ribs dinner will be held at the 6^th Ward Athletic Field. It will wrap up with the annual run in memory of Rick Parisian, brother of our classmate Steve Parisian, on Sunday, October 1. Attendance at the annual run in prior years has been great, so this first alumni weekend should be a wonderful event, held at a lovely time of year in Oneonta. Please refer to the OHS Alumni Weekend on the Alumni website (http://www.oneonta.k12.ny.us/hs/alumni/) for more information.

Communication: Our classmates have been working hard on streamlining modes of communication between OHS alumni:

In order to ensure that all of the databases listed above are correct, please complete the attached form and return it within 2 weeks of receipt of this letter. (Note: Even if we sent this letter to the correct address, please confirm this by completing the attached). In addition, we encourage you to join the mailing groups by e-mailing:

Note: If you received this letter by e-mail, you are already subscribed to the OHS75 mailing group.

To ensure streamlined communication in the future, please immediately notify one of the following if you later change your regular mailing address or e-mail address:

Note: Please contact Joe Campbell (410)461-5716 if you’d like free Internet service!!

Survey: While we know you don’t know where you’ll be in 5 years, please fill out the attached survey about the next reunion, for general planning purposes. It will also ensure we have your correct addresses. PLEASE RETURN IT WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER.

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In late October, we will share the survey results with you in an e-mail communication through OHS75@egroups.com and by posting the results on and  websites. (Note: Don’t worry – No names used!)

If you received this correspondence via e-mail, please return it by simply hitting the "Reply to Author" key. If replying by regular mail, send to:

Class of ’75 – c/o Mary (Bertuzzi) MacGuffie

144 Mayweed Road

Fairfield, CT 06430

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Name:________________________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail address:________________________________________Phone number:_____________________________________

Mailing address:________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

(Note: Please continue any comments on the back side of this sheet).

1. During which months of the year would it generally be more convenient for you to attend the reunion? Should it coincide with the annual alumni weekend, which we anticipate will continue to be held in September? __________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. For the Saturday night event, please advise which of the following venues would be the best option (indicating priority order with 1=highest):

1. __ Family event such as a barbecue catered by Brooks BBQ.
2. __ An informal adult dinner, like the one we had at the Elks Club this year, with background music but no dancing.
3. __ A formal adult dinner with dancing, like the Country Club event in ’95.
4. __ Other _______________________________________________________________________________________

1. Presumably, in addition to the Saturday night event, we would continue to have the Friday night get-together at the Depot. What other kinds of activities do you suggest?

1. Saturday day time:_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Sunday morning:________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you!

Sincerely, The Committee Members

P.S. (Note from John and Mary, who are inserting this at the end without the others knowing it: Many thanks to Norm, Patti, Erin and Carolyn, who put together the successful 25^th reunion with very limited help and resources. We would not have had the reunion if it had not been for their dedication. Also, we are so lucky to have Joe Campbell, who has worked so hard on the OHS database, as a classmate, as he is working very hard to ensure that our class has the latest technological capability to easily communicate with one another. He also did a yeoman’s job in organizing Bugbee class members and ensuring that we had an excellent representation from that group at the reunion).