Gary Herion's Clarion Call
October 7, 2011
Fellow Classmates and Friends,
It is my pleasure officially to invite you to attend the Fortieth Reunion Weekend of the Class of 1972. As time marches on, a Fortieth Reunion is a very special one that is not to be missed. And this particular get-together promises to be a one-of-a-kind celebration of our younger days together in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system.
Who are “we”? Most are probably like me: we entered first grade around 1960, and twelve years later we found ourselves receiving a diploma certifying us as members of the Chapel Hill High School Graduating Class of 1972. Some of us actually had enough credits to graduate a year earlier, while a few others needed one additional year to complete all those credits. Some of us were geographically uprooted during our junior-high or senior-high years, as families moved out of town or we suddenly found ourselves in a new and different school system altogether. Regardless, we all still think of ourselves as “Chapel Hill classmates” at heart. That is who “we” are.
So this is not going to be just another typical “class reunion.” Instead, we are planning a “re-union of classmates” a sort of “Super-Reunion” to celebrate the many ways we have been enriched and shaped not only by all our former classmates but also by our shared school-day experiences. All these things have contributed to defining who each of us is today, forty years later. It is important that we remember and celebrate those things.
Memories become richer the more opportunities we have to indulge them. For that reason, we have set aside three days (May 25-27, 2012) to provide multiple opportunities for us to reminisce, re-acquaint, and catch-up with one another.
The centerpiece of the weekend will be the Saturday night party where we can dance the night away to the music of Kenny Mann’s nationally renowned band, Liquid Pleasure. All of us involved in planning the reunion have been touched by Kenny’s overwhelming generosity in offering us his band for what will also be his fortieth reunion as a member of our class. Check them out at their Web-site: Liquid Pleasure.
Indeed, I have been amazed by the large number of classmates who, like Kenny, have already made generous donations to help ensure the success of this “Super Re-union.” I hope you will consider doing the same, perhaps registering as a Silver or Gold Reunion Sponsor. Such sponsorships will help us defray the cost of the reunion, including providing some financial assistance to classmates who are struggling financially during these difficult times. If you are one such classmate, or know of one who is struggling financially, please contact Mike Esau at (845) 298-8696, Michaeljesau@aol.com so we can explore confidentially some ways to provide assistance.
Please fill out and return the enclosed Registration Form and information sheet. The sooner you register and provide this information, the sooner we can begin planning for the very large number of classmates likely to show up ~ while at the same time helping us to accommodate any individual needs you may choose to share with us. So start making your Memorial Day plans now and register for the reunion as soon as possible. But the most important thing of all is this: we want you attend this festive weekend marking our 40th high school reunion.
In the months ahead you will be receiving some information about making a donation toward a Class Gift. At this time there is a committee exploring possible ideas. These will be shared later in the Fall.
Mark your calendar and start making your plans to join the festivities at the “Super Re-Union of Classmates” on Memorial Day weekend 2012. Please put the enclosed Save-The- Date magnet up and use it to remind you that this is truly going to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration:
a weekend we’ll always remember ~ with classmates we’ll never forget
Gary Herion
President of the Class of 1972