Class of 1963 Celebrates 40 Year Reunion
July 25 - 26
What a time we had! After months of planning, Hyde
Park’s Class of 1963 (+/-) 40th reunion went off without a hitch.
But more than that, it was a grand celebration, enjoyed by all who attended.
About 70 alums were there, accompanied by assorted spouses, significant others,
and children.
The
festivities began Friday evening, July 25th, at Ada’s Deli on
Wabash. We had an informal get-together where people could get acquainted and
reacquainted over dinner and/or drinks. Many of us had seen each other at the
reunion three years ago, but there were quite a number of new faces as well (go
to the photo section to see who attended, and how young and wonderful we all
look).
.jpg)
From
Ada’s we went to a hospitality suite at the Hilton to continue our catching-up.
Embedded within this was a mini-reunion of O’Keeffe alums, as well as a number
of Hyde Parkers from years surrounding 1963.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The next morning we collected at Hyde Park Academy (its
current name) for a nostalgic tour of the school led by its principal, Dr.
Sandra Smith. Funny how so many of us had trouble remembering where specific
classrooms were. Part of it wasn’t our fault: The room numbers had been
changed, a new two-storey library had taken the place of the old girl’s gym
which is now where the boy's gym was, and the lunchroom had been shortened,
among other things. And sadly, the swimming pool was without water, as it has
been for a decade. On the other hand, the media center rocks!
.jpg)
.jpg)
We had lunch at the school, followed by a presentation of
the Class of 1963's $2,000.00 scholarship to Harold Chapman, who graduated in
June. Many of us took advantage of the rest of the afternoon to tour the Hyde
Park and South Shore neighborhoods and to catch up with old times and old
friends (that word “old” is just cropping up too often these days).
.jpg)
.jpg)
Evening was the gala dinner at the Hilton, with period
music provided by Herb Kent, “The Cool Gent” (class of 1960). Also in
attendance were Tim Black, Frances Morris, and Barak Rosenshine, three of our
favorite teachers, who each got up and said warm, affectionate words to us which
were definitely heartfelt and had nothing to do with the fact that they got free
dinners. We then boogied the night away and said fond farewells to each other
amidst promises to keep in touch and do this again, sooner rather than later.
There are so many people to thank for making this the
wonderful event it was: Al Frankenburger for making the arrangements at Ada's
and contributing to the memorabilia wall at the dance; Jan Caille who made all
the arrangements with the Hilton Hotel, signs, our bus, and hospitality suite;
Barbara Cronin for heading up the Scholarship Committee; Willie Morris for doing
all the legwork and being the Keeper of the Exchequer (the man with the money);
Diane Johnson who really put her heart and soul into this project by providing
the memorabilia, picture frames, programs, table decorations, name tags, address
books, and much more; and Bill Multack for coordinating the reunion and taking
care of the registrations. In addition, Peggie Holt, Eleanor Greenberg,
Mery Selk, Diane Moy, Iris Mitlin, Walter Roberts, Joel Neuberg, Carey Horwitz,
Erwin Janush, and Debbie Rubenstein supplied us with ideas and support that were
instrumental in making our reunion so memorable. Mostly, though, thanks to all of you who came and brought
your joy and good feeling with you. To those who couldn’t make it: You missed
a great time; but not to worry. That 45th is sneaking up on us; and
can (gasp!) 50 be far behind?
MORE
REUNION PHOTOS
