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"You
still owe me homework..."
--Tonnes Stave.
Update: Mr. Stave had thought he'd be
able to attend our reunion but was not able to make it after all. He did play a critical role in our reunion though. When
the storms hit, we were denied all access to the school due to "safety issues." I called Tonnes and he immediately initiated
calls to the his friends in the Board of Ed and coaxed the Building and Grounds department to approve the George Inniss Cafeteria
area for us. It worked out well because we did have more rain that day, plus it was air conditioned.
Recent
remarks From Tonnes: "Sorry I could not join the celebrations but from what I heard from friends, and what
I
have read it was a real blast. What really surprised me is the lengthy list of grads who are no longer with us. I read the
Montclair Times so I get some idea, but...."
"I did get quite a few bits of correspondence from grads. I
am still collecting "stories" so if there are others with tales to tell, I would love to have them."
"You
did a great job of pulling it all together and that included fighting the results of mother nature's wrath. Congrats."
To contact Tonnes He is requesting stories for his forthcoming memoir "Thirty Years to Graduate,"
and welcomes input from all who would like to contribute. Or you may just want to send him an email to say hi. He welcomes
hearing from MHS graduates, his Email is: Tonnes Stave
Frequently Asked Questions: "Why
2010?" The 2006 event grew from my having
to organize the 76 class year and evolved into an all-70s multiyear. Technically I'd not be on the hook to do another one
until 2016 but that's definitely too long to wait. Conversely some have suggested we do this every year. When I polled the distribution list for feedback several weeks ago, the consensus was positive that we should continue
to hold 70s multiyear reunions, but only every few years. These things are hard to plan. Plus there are financial reasons
for those who need to travel, and also the "yearning" to travel back in time to our childhood comes on strong for us 40 and
50-somethings every few years and then when we've had our fix it subsides a bit. So those who attended 2006 are less likely
to make the sacrifice again right away. Yet the years are flying by, it seems, and for those who attended the 2002 multiyear,
it was strange that 4 years had already passed. So 2010 extends that same 4 year progression and to many just "seems the right
time" to have another big one. BTW: The multiyear does not preclude other classes from holding individual class year reunions
between now and then.
"What happened with Reunions Unlimited?"
The company had different priorities that were different
from what we wanted to achieve. Costs and location were out of line and there were basic issues with communication and sharing
of information.
"Can other classes attend?"
Completely open door: These multiyear events are
open to all MHS graduates and spouses, primarily from all the 1970s Graduating classes. We also welcome your bringing the
kids to any events where alcohol is not being served. That would include the afternoon at MHS and Sunday in Edgemont Park.
We also have people attend who moved and didn't graduate. Extra good, because those are the ones we really lost touch with.
"Do I need to register to participate?"
Not really. These events are open door,
however we will begin instituting a discount if you pay for the Commonwealth Club ahead of time. The concensus is to keep
these events informal, open, and pay-as-you-go.
"Richard Burgi is class of 1976, will he be attending?"
Richard had hoped to attend the 2006 reunion but he was between shooting schedules for films in Canada and Italy.
He knows about 2010 has requested to be kept informed. I'll make sure of that.
"It's been so long,
why should I attend?"
For those who have never attended a reunion it may seem like it
will be foreign and strange to see people again after all this time. But those conceptions are false. When you finally do
see meet again, the feeling of friendship, that bond, is amazingly intact. I am telling you from experience, it can be amazing.
And we're all at an age where those common bonds are more appreciated.
And who knows how many more opportunities
there will be to solidly reconnect with an old friend, or maybe even a romantic interest?
That may sound a little
hokie, but reading various reunion blogs, the majority who attend have a blast. The cliques are gone, the need to impress,
and so are the fears of peer acceptance. Plus it serves as a signpost in our lives, giving the perspective of where we've
been and where we're going.
Plus it's fun to see old friends, particularly those with the common experience of
those early formative years, teachers, schools, activities. And then after reconnecting, it is easier than ever to stay in
touch now with the maturity of the Internet, email, instant messaging, cellphones and Blackberrys.
At this stage
everybody has stories to share. We've raised families, found new partners, moved several times, survived serious illnesses,
we've been through a lot. And with living our lives we sometimes look back and wonder where did the time go, and wouldn't
it be great to go back and find those we once cared deeply about yet somehow lost touch with. Well in my mind at least, this
is a chance to get some of them back.
-bd
"How Can I Locate Former Classmates?"
One great
tool is the AT&T Anywho website AT&T Anywho Phone Directory. A unique spelling and at
least the State and you can find people quickly.
Also the Classmates.com site has gotten better over the years, but
a little crowded now with pop up ads. Here's the link: Classmates The service requires
a fee, and some of the names you may see listed may not necessarily mean they are active members; slightly misleading.
The
300-page Montclair High School Alumni Directory that was published in 1999 and is still a good source of address and
phone data for many class graduates of all years. Was published by Bernard Harris Publishing and I believe copies may still
available for order: Bernard Harris Publishing 800-877-6554.
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