BHHS CLASS OF '74

Carol here, sharing my letter in today's NYT. Imagine if we'd had A.I. back in our B.H.H.S. days. Less time doing homework... but would we be as literate?
Happy Spring to all!! Bobcats forever!!

I've never seen so much fluffy snow in Armonk! If you're planning a getaway, this October, I'll be teaching in Provence and I'd love for you to join me! Lots of fun -- and no grades!! Maybe the perfect way to celebrate a big birthday??? The writing is in English; the wine is French! Spread the word. Merci.

A good thing their parole officers were accompanying Jim, T-Bone, and Gator -- or they wouldn't normally be allowed out in public

Are you good at staying in touch with old friends? =unfortunately not I😒Few days ago I received FB invite from James Boyle, and noticed the 50th reunion (June 2024, several prev.) posts and passing of a friend (Ned) last year. Flashback: imagine Jan 1970 - Jun 1971, a 14 year old communist Czechoslovakia escapee, heading to USA to live (my choice) with relatives in suburbs of Pleasantville, Westchester county, New York. I did not know English, they knew no Czech - and both parents worried I could get spoiled (did for a while) - as it was night & day experience vs. my siblings in Parkdale. Wow, school bus pick-up (8 mi. ride) to Byram Hills High School (BHHS) nearby Armonk (IBM world headquarters) - I repeated grade 8 to learn English, before continuing with grade 9. Grades 8 & 9 can be difficult - but for this only recent immigrant at the school, I do not recall 1 bad experience with anyone. Just the opposite - befriending many at BHHS, parties, soccer team, ski team & other activities, my relatives & friends helped me with English & American living. The experience in Pleasantville & Armonk region was not just great, it was awesome, leaving me with a lifetime of memories - before joining our family in Toronto. Summer 1972, after completing grade 10 at Parkdale C.I. - BHHS friends Jim, Peter, Ned hitchhiked to Toronto (482 miles), slept over in our 2 bedroom apartment (12 of us), before we hitchhiked to Algonquin Park (189 miles north) for 2 weeks of canoeing. Tired of portaging, lack of food due to mamma bear & her cubs waking us up & getting to the food in the tree, we returned to the camp 3 days early, asking some campers if they want to use the canoes & return them on our behalf. We hitched back to Toronto, and next day my friends continued home to Pleasantville area. Well done boys, 1342 miles of hitchhiking in total, impressive for three 14-15 year old's - easier done at the time & not recommended now. Hopefully I can attend the next reunion (my 1st), 55th BHHS CLASS OF '74 and re-connect with some old friends😊
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/.../peter/index.html...

Dear Classmates--
I'm hijacking the page to say that if you have fond memories of high school English, consider joining me in France next May 11 to 17. Eight students will share this castle (!!) with me, and we'll write every morning. I'll help you jumpstart your memoir or finish your novel or polish essays. Remember slumber parties? Maybe we can raid the château refrigerator. Or hold a séance?? The workshop is in English but I'll offer conversational French si vous voulez. Winery visit, UNESCO field trip.... Come be a student again! Deadline to sign up is Oct 12.
Carol Weston
https://www.forewordretreats.com/retreats/writing-retreat-with-carol-weston/

Want to see more reunion pix? And a mini movie? Frank's wife Marla just shared these, so here you go! If you don't recognize someone, he or she may be somebody's partner... --Carol

It's a wrap! What an amazing weekend, from Thursday on the roof with Alan, to Friday at Frank's, Saturday at Windmill Club, afterparty at my place, and brunch today at Tammy's. GIANT thanks to Jim, Frank, Karen, Serina, Marla, Steve, Cassie, Bobby and so many others! I'm popping up a city photo --that's Fred Green on the left-- and screen shots from Alan Struth. Someone more tech-savvy can figure out how to share more from Alan's stash. Hugs to all and safe travels!!!! -- Carol (Kudos to Tom Elbling for flying in from Brazil.)

Party On!

Final preparations are being made to pull off a weekend that will be one for the books.

Here's a reminder of what we have planned for all of us on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Get comfy and read on.

First a BIG update for Friday night

Frank & Marla Shechtman have opened their home for our Friday night kick-off party.

Place 7 Seymour Place West, Armonk, NY 10504 (914-391-5730)

Time 7:30pm - 10:30pm. Firm times

Food Wings flew the coupe so we are having:

A variety of chips & dips, Pizzas, Tossed Salad, Fresh Fruit Platters, Assortment of deserts, soft drinks, water, beer, wine & mixed drinks.

Good to know There is plenty of parking on the road. Please be considerate of our neighbors and their driveways. We've set up the party in the gardens behind the house. The easiest way to get there is to walk up the driveway, past the portable comfort station, stay to the left and just follow the lighted path and flowers. Your first greeter just might be our dog Layni. Please do not feed her anything. She will love you no matter what.

Being the weather is going to be great and there are plenty of places on the property to explore, relax and chat it up with friends, we are keeping the party outside. Marla and I do have houseguests so we are limiting the inside of the house to them and the reunion committee. party staff.

If you are on a special diet please feel free to bring whatever you like to eat. Also, feel free to bring a bottle of whatever you like to drink but it is not necessary to bring something for Marla and I. We are mostly teetotalers and just glad to be having you at our home.

As this is an outside party please dress appropriately. If mosquitoes find your tasty in spite of the citronella candles you might want to bring your own spray.

The Legion is open after 10:30pm as are the other establishments in town. The key to enjoying the evening is to be responsible and if anyone needs assistance or alternate transportation please don't hesitate to ask.

Saturday night

Place Windmill Club 10 Maple Way, Armonk

Time 7:30 starts our night when you check in

8:45ish buffet dinner will be available

9:45ish deserts with Coffee/tea

11:00 party moves to Carol & Rob Weston's home at 17 Upland Lane.

Good to know When you enter the Club driveway, every car needs to make a right and go around the lake. You will end up in the parking lot and club building. In other words, it's a one way road around the lake. Upon arrival every one needs to stop at the registration table which will be planted right at the entrance to the club deck.

Once you have registered you can mosey on over to the bar for soft drinks, beer or wine, grab some light appetizers of chips & dip and enjoy catching up with everyone. If you are curious as to what we are serving, the full menu is copied below.

While everyone is finishing the main course we will take that time to hear from a couple of our fellow classmates. Not too be concerned, there isn't a timeshare or condo to purchase.

Then as we are finishing up with our deserts we're in for a little Jeopardy style trivia complete with prizes.

Club kicks us out at 11pm but the fun doesn't have to stop then. Leave your car in the windmill parking lot and walk over to Carol's. The club will leave their driveway open so we can drive out later. You can drive to Carol's as well. Up to you and your abilities.

Sunday Brunch

Place Tamar Podell & Cynthia's home 23 Usonia Rd, Pleasantville

Time 10:30am - 2:30

Brunch of Bagels and smears, Egg Salad, OJ, Prosecco, sliced tomatoes with onions, Fresh Fruit, coffee cake as well as coffee & tea.

Good to know Parking is on the road. Please keep in mind this is a community with narrow roads so try to park as close to the edge as possible and of course not too close to someone's driveway.

BHHS committee for 50th

Dear BHHS Class of 1974,

We hope you are excited and ready for our 50th Weekend Reunion because June 27th is closing in on us and you won't want to miss out. Curious about the weekend events? Wait no more.

Thursday Rooftop Soirée in NYC June 27th
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Alan & Lily Frishman's home Upper West Side address will be provided

Friday Night Intro Party June 28th
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Shechtman's home, 7 Seymour Place West, Armonk

Saturday Night Buffet Dinner Party June 29th
7:30 pm - 11:00 pm Windmill Club 10 Maple Way, Armonk
Saturday Night After Party June 29th

11:00 pm - 1:00 am Carol Weston and Rob's home 17 Upland Lane, Armonk

Sunday Brunch in Usonia June 30th
10:30 am - 2:30 pm Tamar's & Cynthia's home 23 Usonia Road, Pleasantville

Pay by June 22nd and the price is just $40 per person for all the events. Pay after June 22nd, and it's $50 per person.

Just dust off your checkbook, make one out to Robert Schweitzer for the appropriate amount and mail it to him at 18 Bayberry Lane, Redding, CT 06896

OR Use Zelle. If you don't already have the Zelle app downloaded you'll need to do that first. Here is the information you will need. Robert Schweitzer (914) 582-7976

How we are able to offer a full weekend for less than what you could pay for a lunch? Some members of our class have again, anonymously, shown tremendous generosity by donating sizable amounts to offset the actual costs. We are fortunate for their kindness but really it's not a surprise as the class of '74 was taught and raised well by many.

Please keep the RSVPs coming! How?

Reply to [email protected] indicating which events you plan to attend and if you are bringing anyone. It's going to be a spectacular weekend!

BHHS CLASS OF 1974 REUNION COMMITTEE - THE 50th

Our 50th Reunion weekend is coming up!! We have 120+ attendees plus a few teachers, e.g. Wayne Stout and Sandra Abt.

Events:
Friday June 28, 7:30 Dinner at Legion Hall in Armonk.
Saturday June 29, 7:30 Dinner at Windmill Club; post-party nearby at Carol's.
Sunday June 30, 10:30 brunch in Usonia at Tamar's.

Tickets are ridiculously modest thanks to generous donors. Send your check NOW for $40 per person for all the weekend events before June 22nd; $50 after June 22nd. Make the check to Robert Schweitzer at 18 Bayberry Lane, Redding, CT 06896.
We can't wait to see you all!

REMEMBER the 50th Reunion weekend is the LAST WEEKEND in JUNE. That is J-U-N-E.

120+ attendees pledged so far plus 3-4 teachers.

Events begin Friday intro gathering at Shechtman's (JUNE 28th), Saturday the 50th REUNION (JUNE 29th) is at Windmill Club with post-party at Carol's nearby, and the catered brunch in Usonia is at Tamar's on Sunday (JUNE 30th).

Ticket price will be $40 per person for all events before June 22nd and $50 afterward. Send check to Robert Schweitzer at 18 BayberryL5ane, Redding, CT 06896.

A big reminder the Reunion is not in late July like often before, but it's being held in LAST WEEKEND in JUNE!