Starting Point for the Vision.

I have gone to various hotels in Montreal to price blocks of rooms (50-100), a reception area for the Friday late afternoon informal reception, Saturday late afternoon coctails, evening dinner, bar in that reception room for the post dinner festivites (I've asked John Saunders to consider being the host since that is one of his many talents on ABC TV).

The idea is to allow all to have a central point. Drive in, check in, refresh, have a Friday welcome reception after a nap.

Would you believe many of the major hotels are solidly booked up!? Fortunately I have one major that has committed to me - the Bonaventure- they are in quoting phase right now. But they are at least quite flxible on numbers as our group grows.
(To date we have 32 registered on the Alumni site.)

The Bonaventure has a reception area with a sizeable outdoor Terrace that backs onto a stream and waterfall! I can just see the pictures now. Given the "smoking law" that just went into effect in Quebec, this is good. Smokers -if there are any, can simply slip out from the reception area on to the Terrace. If it's raining, it has a covered area. I am still looking at all possibilities.

One thing is non negotiable as far as I am concerned: - I am not tending bar, cleaning up, soliciting volunteer cleaning crews, coordinating cleaning crews, applying to liquor boards for licences, cleaning up afterward, collecting bottles etc. I am one of you. I am going to enjoy linking up with old friends and meeting with people.

I will help whoever accepts hosting the festivities and coordinate this whole thing with others as we lead up to the event - but that is it. We are "grown up" now and can afford for once in our lives to spend a little money and have a good time.

I intend to take full advantage and leave Chateauguay Friday afternoon with Jane and get the heck out of the house. We'll check in to what ever Hotel we end up selecting. I will proceed to the Weclome area and be there to greet those who come in from out of town (or from Chateauguay like me).

People can go out to Chateaugauy to visit or meet up with firends at the Alibi Pub, or check out Montreal or get together with others from the past that they meet (visit to each others' rooms), and /or go out to dinner in Montreal with friends.

On Saturday, after breakfast at the hotel ( I am not staying in Chateauguay Friday night) the High School will be open for the old grand tour -"walk about". We can go out there visit the school, and visit family and old friends at their various homes.

If the musicians in our crowd wish (and express the will to do so), we can put some money into a pot and I'll rent some equpment (guitars, drums, p.a. whatever) and we/they can "jam" between Saturday between 1:00 - 4:00 PM at the school while others come and go during the "walk about".

After 4:00 PM, most people will probably be headed back to the hotel or homebase to get themselves ready for the Staurday "get-together" commencing with a 5:00 Cocktail in the recpetion area, (outside if sunny on the Terrace (with brook running through it) or inside the reception room.

At 6:30/7:00PM we'll have a plated dinner or depending on pricing, a buffet. I prefer the plated dinner - but that's me. You can give me your feed back by clicking the comments button (below).

Now remember - only so many people can fit at one table . I think I'm going to have to ask you all who you wish to sit with or simply be arbitrary and assign you a table. Still it would be good if you tell me inadvance who you would like to sit with.

Hey! We have a year, let's make good use of the time...but please ...communicate with me. My e-mail address is mcconnell.leslie@videotron.ca.

That evening we'll have entertainment -either a disk-jocky or live band -depending on budgets and availability.

But what is crucial is to not let the entertainment get in the way of the reunion.

Remember, we are there not to re-live past dances from the gym, but rather to be able to circulate, see people, remember, hear ourselves talk, laugh and enjoy.

We may create separate rooms down the hall from the recpetion area by class year. 70,71,72,73, 74 etc. Hence '72 and friends, with the music and dancing in the reception room.

Andrew Clark (one of the best photographers around) has even quoted on having cds available of the evening -full of pictures for you by end of evening!

Now if we have John Saunders MC'ing this thing I know we are going to have a good time. Of course he has to be able to circulate too! So we can't expect to be over coordinated and we can allow for looseness in the plan as well as imbed some surprises.

Sunday, we can hang out at the hotel, or check out Montreal downtown, visit with friends in Chateauguay -whatever - leave...But I think it might be nice to do what we did last time - have a brunch just outside the school in back or on the side.
I believe Jacquie Ross has someone in mind who can help put this on -maybe not. I'll check. Remember it is a year away, while close, still has some planning and detail work to be done!

Communications are essential.
If you have any alternative scenarios or suggestions, please put them in the comments section of this entry for all to see. If you agree with what you read above, please say so. If there is something you disagree with, please say and state the reason.

We have room to move, but decisions must be finalized and direction set and expectations based upon this.

I look forward to your comments. Obviously cost will be a factor but so too will the saving of time and labour. We do not wish to recreate a wheel that already exisits that can professionally give us what we need.