Reunion

What did you think? I just want to thank everyone who attended the 20th reunion. I hope everyone had a great time. It was nice to see everyone again. It always amazes me that you can walked into a place see someone you haven’t seen in 20 years and it seems like it was just a few months. I believe that example speaks the most for what we had at Latin Academy. The building might have not been ideal, but the people inside that building certainly were special.

Thanks to all that donated to the event without your contributions the reunion could not have been a success. A special thanks to Tom Roche who picked up the tab for all the non-alcoholic drinks and John Maroun whose donation covered the cost of the Red Sox security, which made it possible for the two World Series Trophies to appear at our reunion. Richard Shulman who assisted in tracking down addresses for classmates and Pauline Byrne, Nancy Bilodeau, Ronna Weaver and Kim Farren for assisting with the planning process and last minute assistance. I would also like to thank the classmates who have missed prior reunions for finding the time to show up to the 20th reunion and making it the successful event it turned out to be, because without our classmates’ participation there is no reunion.

I will continue to use this page as a means of communicating with classmates and planning for the 25th reunion.

Take care and Happy Holidays
Izzy

Reunion Committments: Saturday, November 24th, 7:00pm: 6B Lounge, 6 Beacon Street, Downtown Boston

Current View of the Old Boston Latin Academy

Below is an updated list of Classmates who plan on attending. If you are not on the list please comment or email me and I will add your name. I will not assume anyone is going unless you comment or email me, Thanks. (Friends and Spouses are invited)

David Isberg Chris Nikolopoulos

Keith Jacob Rich Romero

Richard Shulman Jon Crawford

Pauline Byrne Karen Chin

Kim Farren David Holness

Steve Amato Marion O’Malley

Gail Grady Debbie Riordan

Nancy Bilodeau Claire McCarthy

Diane Kelly John Maroun

Beth Laurino Lorella Todesco

Mark Foley Patrick Gamble

Sharon Lee Roshine Ruddy

Ralph Conte Karen McMahon

Deirdre Lydon Ellen Flynn

Michelle Termine Larry Campobasso

Lisa Wong Julie Yee

Nadege Volcy (?) Marlea Regan

Susan LaBelle Maria Costa

Stephanie Crawford Ronna Weaver

Monica Pomare Shirley Woo

Donna Woodward Denise Flaherty (?)

Andrina Buffong Donna Payne

Beatrice Zaharian Sonnya Yong

Michael Curry Banita Burgess

Thomas Roche Letitia Rice

Cynthia Simmons Ben Cain

Thomas Bennett Wendy Wong

Gayle Stubblefield (?) Tina Ng (?)

Brent Joseph

Diana Soble Elaine Soohoo

George Downey

UPDATED 11/23/07: A request was made to add photos I will continue to update. (?) means they are aware of reunion are not 100% yet if they can attend.

One Last Search for Classmates!

I would love to see everyone at the 20th reunion. However, I realize there are those who just don’t care. That is fine. I just want to give everyone the opportunity to make that decision.

I am sending one last mailing to new addresses I have gathered over the past few weeks. Please just drop me a simple email “sorry”, “no”, F off, as long as I know you had the info to make the decision.

Email Izzy2173@comcast.net or call Dave Isberg 617-438-0603.

Thanks, here is a list of classmates I know I don’t have addresses: Keitrice Drake, Michael Ilteris, Matthew Marston, Amy Norton, Deana Iarrobino, Nelson Jaramillo, Melissa Coleman.

Here is a list am not sure I have contacted but am sending a new piece of mail: Marie Abouzeid, Michael Banatt, Rhonda Bentley, Leonardo Casciato, Rickie Chaffold, David Chan, Keith Chan, Chi Hing Chau, Jenva Chien, So Fan Chiu, Dave Cumberbatch, Cecile Dennehy, Mylinh Domai, David Edwards, Willie Epps, Theresa Farrow, Philip Fixler, Michelle Fuller, Ronald Galvin, Stacy Gomes, Stephanie Haroules, Bryna Harris, Sharon Howell, Kimberly Jones, Laurie Kamara, Paulette Kelly, Wissam Khoory, Nicole King, Thomas Lee, Lien Lin, Dawn Marie McQuade, Stephanie Marson, Mary Mayo, Sean McGough, Tara Mendez, Steven Mok, Catarina Monteiro, Paul Moy, Susan Norville, Nadine Owens, Bernard Patnett, Joanne Paul, Tracy Payton, Nancy Perkins, Carline Sauvignon, Greg Scarborough, Keith Taylor, Mary Te, Raia Thompson, Joey Tse, Steven Ubowski, Kathleen Whalen, Neil Williams, Terry Wong, Pyongjin Yim, Harvey Yuen.

Either I have no idea where they are or they choose not to respond.

UPDATED 11/23/2007

Reunion Food and Drinks

Here is a list of the type of food I ordered for the reunion. If you see something on the function menu that you wish me to order please just drop me an email. Also I received a generous donation with a request to make sure all non-alcoholic beverages are free for the evening, so they now are free. I am sure I will have some money to put toward a tab at the bar. Not sure how much so don’t arrive too late!

Stuffed Mushrooms, Scallops wrapped in Bacon, Maryland Style Crab Cakes, Coconut Shrimp, Beef Teriyaki, Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Italian Meatballs, Potato Skins, Raw Vegetable and Dip Platter, and House Tossed Salad.

6B Lounge

After visiting more than 20 sites and playing the price is right with manager after manager. I believe we have found the right fit for our 20th reunion, the 6B Lounge is located at 6B Beacon Street in downtown Boston. Over the next couple of days I will post good places nearby to park or stay the night.

My search for a reunion location was not as easy as I thought. Were there better locations/venues, absolutely, however the prices were crazy. Most places wanted a rental fee for space and a guarantee of a minimum of $1,000 an hour on food and drinks. Now, I love my classmates but without getting a fixed cost up front I didn’t want to risk losing my Superbowl trip money (because we are going to win the Superbowl). I also don’t want cost to keep anyone from attending. This reunion is free, but we are asking for donations to make it the best!

Please if you plan on attending send me a note and if you chose to donate, all donations to the reunion will be used to upgrade everything we put into the evening. Send checks to David Isberg, 6 Baker Place, West Roxbury, MA 02132. Thank you to those who have already sent me a donation.

I will be looking for old BLA items to place in a section for classmates to view. All items will be returned. If you bring something please attach your name to your item(s). I am also looking for all photos, please email new and old photos of you and old classmates or family.

We will have a DJ playing all of our 1980’s favorites. Send me any request and I will make sure the DJ has what you wish to hear.

This is a social lounge and based on feedback, that is what most classmates requested. If you see something on the menu you wish to order for the evening, please let me know.

Hope to see everyone on the 24th, 7:00pm to whenever we can get the last person out. (My guess, Gail Grady!!!)

Fenway Photo

I have been in contact with the Red Sox organization. We are schedule to shoot a photo in the box seats in the afternoon of the 24th of November, the day of the reunion. Here is the deal. The Red Sox are adding new suites, therefore construction will be ongoing. So the location of the photo depends on the construction schedule. Also, if the World Series Trophy is in the park it will be available for us to take photos.

I will remain in contact with the Red Sox as the reunion draws near. Please comment to this post yes or no if you plan to attend the Fenway photo. I will hire a photographer from the money collected for the reunion. You may also bring your own cameras.

Reunion location: Final Decision will be posted on November 1st

Sorry for the delay, however attempting to find a location that works best for the reunion while keeping cost at a minimum is not easy.  I don’t want someone not attending due to the location and/or cost.  I have been driving around looking at possible sites and pricing.  I hope what I finally decide on based on your feedback is a perfect site.

I have already decided that cost is optional.  I ask that you send what you what to contribute, $0, $25, $50, etc…  On donations received will be put into the reunion….the more donations the better the food the cheaper the drinks, the better this and that blah..blah..blah.  Send checks to Dave Isberg, 6 Baker Place, West Roxbury, MA 02132.

When thinking about the reunion and what is a reunion?  A reunion is about catching up on 20 years of being apart, socializing.  Remembering the days over six years together in a old brick garage turned into a school, our school.  The only school in history with a 8 foot drop ceiling in the gym!

Quick story of why I can’t wait for Saturday night Novemeber 24th.  I went to the Sox Game last night game six.  Parked down in the medical area walked to Fenway and as I was attempting to walk across Park Drive I was assisted by a State Trooper who has been on the job 15 years, his name Romere Antoine.  Although we talked for less than 2 minutes and we haven’t seen each other in maybe 15 years, I swear it felt like yesterday.

If the Sox win the World Series, there is a very good chance I will get the trophy to the reunion.  Either that or if we get enough commitments to take a photo in the seats of the park, maybe we will get the trophy at the photo shoot instead.  Go Sox! See everyone on the 24th.

-Dave

Reunion Location

I will hopefully lock down a location by Friday. The small amount of feedback has made this decision very difficult. I am going to keep cost at a minimum. I checked Fenway Park, however the cost of drinks was too pricey, similar to that of game day prices. It is my belief most want to socialize and catch up with former classmates, therefore the venue will cater to a more socialized event with appetizer style food and reasonable priced drinks.

Reunion Ideas and Feedback

 

 

 

Most of our classmates that plan on attending and have provided feedback are looking for a light buffet/social setting for our reunion. The location is to be central in the Boston area at a reasonable cost per person. I will begin to look at possible venues. One location suggested by a few classmates is the EMC Club at Fenway Park. I have also arranged for us to have a photo taken in the Fenway Park box seats on Saturday (the day of the reunion), if we have enough commitments I will lock down a time.

Early Feedback for the reunion

So far most classmates are looking for a socializing atmosphere, not a sit down dinner. I would ask again that you email or post a comment if you are interested in attending the reunion. Let me know what you would like to see at the reunion, some suggested an 80’s theme, dress etc… A lot of people are viewing the blog but not commenting. I would like to finalize details shortly after labor day.