Updated: November 15, 2001
Your Online Class Coordinator is Gale Senseman Privette

Dates to Remember and Mark your Calendar
August 17 - 19^th 2001

Dear Classmates,

Hey kids , what time is it? Yes indeedy, it’s that time again and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone at the 35^th class reunion. " THIS WILL BE THE ONLY NOTICE" that you will receive on this reunion so please put this in a safe place or better yet, fill out the questionnaire and send it back asap with your check to attend. Or for some reason if you can’t attend PLEASE still fill out the questionnaire and send it back to me as we’d like to hear from you and include your information in our reunion books. The last reunion our 30^th in’96 was just the best and we continue to have more people showing up with each reunion. All the other Peary classes have told me with each one of their reunions less and less show up over the years but that "certainly" isn’t the case with the class of ‘66. Each reunion has brought 30 plus more of you back to your home town and to see your friends and some of your favorite teachers and staff that attend "our" reunions. We had 183 attend the 30^th reunion and I fully expect there to be at least 200 at this one.

Since our last reunion in ‘96 many of you attended the celebration birthday bash of us turning "50" in June of ‘98 to assure each other how young we still are and some of us also enjoyed a wonderful cruise together to Bermuda for a week in May of ‘99. A great time was had by all. New and closer friendships have been made and continued over the years that have become so valuable to us all. If you have never joined us before PLEASE try and make a point of attending this upcoming reunion in August. You won’t be sorry and I assure you, you’ll feel very welcomed. So leave any fears you have (if this is your first time) behind you and come join us. ;-)

We have planned a TERRIFIC weekend and are really excited about the great responses we have gotten from the ones who have already been given the dates through our class of ‘66 email list and look forward to seeing everyone. We have now found many more of the people that were on our misplaced persons list that will be joining us for the first time. We are trying to take into account everyone’s needs, especially those of you who will be traveling by air , or driving long distances. All activities will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel in Rockville and we have secured a group rate of $64.00 /night for a double room. You MUST make your own hotel room reservations by calling (1-800-222-Tree or call the hotel Direct at 301-468-1100) and tell them you are attending the "Peary reunion" to receive their group rate on rooms. Their address is 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md. 20852 The DoubleTree Hotel is located one block south (towards Bethesda) across the street from Congressional Shopping Center. The Hotel will accept reservations at the group rate up until July 25th , so if you snooze you lose and you won’t be snoozing there. BTW-they will also be having a large wedding at the hotel that night so I suggest that you make your room reservations early. They can always be canceled if something should come up ...but do make sure you don’t lose out on a room if you’re going to be needing one. Many local classmates will also be staying at the Hotel (as they usually do) so they won’t miss anything......their rooms are really nice. This hotel is within walking distance to many shops , restaurants and things to do during your stay. If you are flying in to one of the airports you could take a shuttle right from the airport to the hotel without needing a rental car or if you fly into Reagan National Airport you could take the METRO from the airport straight to the hotel since the METRO stops directly across the street from the hotel. ** see enclosed cards for hotel reservations , directions and for those traveling to the hotel by Metro...

I have wheeled and dealed my best to put on a classy , three day affair worth coming back for, while trying to keep costs to a minimum. There are many expenses that go into putting

together a reunion such as paper supplies, printing, postage, phone calls, locating people, address labels, computer name tags with your senior picture on them, hors d’oeuvres for our warm up party Friday night , hotel minimums for their banquet room, appetizers during the cocktail hour Saturday night, dinners, bar set up charges, reunion books, D.J., decorations, banking charges , class photo (which will be included in the price and mailed to you after the reunion) and some surprises, etc just to name a few so you’ll know how your money is being used. It is going to be another wonderful weekend for sharing old friendships and making new ones.

For those of you who send in your questionnaire and check by May 20 ^th , the early bird special price is just $90.00 per person. As things go up every year I’m pleased to say that , that is just a $5.00 increase of what was charged for the 30^th reunion 5 yrs. Ago. So I’ve done my best to keep the expensive as low as possible and still put on a first class affair worth coming back too. I also was able to wheel and deal to get the hotel rooms for $64.00 a night instead of their reg. $79.00 a night charge which by the way $64.00 was the same cost of the rooms 5 yrs. ago.

In the past I have tried to write many funny reasons to help take away your excuses for not attending but this time I decided to let you hear from some other classmates that came to their very first get together and what they had to say about it.

Dennis Sponholtz wrote--Of course I was nervous going in to the 50^th Birthday party bash for the usual reasons. .

My wife was also uncertain , as she was sure she wouldn’t know anyone. We both ended up having a GREAT time and we are looking forward to the reunion this summer. ( side note from Gale--Dennis hadn’t been to any of the reunions MAINLY because I had him on the deceased list --- Whoops ! Again sorry my friend--so GLAD you rose for this occasion ! :-) Great seeing you DENNIS -you were certainly looking VERY well.

Pat Hunter -Carl Hunter’s wife told me Carl is a man of few words, and never talks while they are in the car ,but she told me he talked and laughed with such excitement all the way home on a four hour trip after they left the reunion last time. This was his first reunion that they attended. Pat said she also had a great time and got such a kick out of his excitement.

They’re a Neat couple. Looking forward to seeing them both !!

Jim Thompson--side note from Gale --(I ask for a couple of lines and he sent me a three page typed letter so I have to try and condense it.. He was so open and honest about this)..As I recall , I was scared to death! After I graduated from Peary -it was college, I moved, married, kids , etc. and lost touch with most of my Rockville friends. I never made it to any of the reunions. Gale called me about the 50^th class birthday party and was very persuasive and twisted my arm to come. I told my wife I decided to go and she decided to come with me. The morning of the big party I started going through my senior year book getting excited at the fun memories and trying to figure out how to match the NOW faces of those back then. That’s when (Fear #1 set in)

Getting directions from my parents to find the hotel location as everything in the area had changed and looked so different was (scare #2) Arriving in the parking lot of the hotel we saw many people entering the building and figured they were going to another party since I recognized NO ONE...my knees knocking I did see one guy carrying a Peary Year Book. Being a basically friendly guy, I pried myself from the car and went up to these people who I didn’t recognize and introduced myself and my wife. It turned out to be Dennis Sponholtz! Now I felt really bad since I was in scouts with him and sat in front of him for 4 yrs. In homeroom. (Scare #3) As we entered the hotel I had very sweaty hands, nervous blotches on my face and a serious desire to find a men’s room fast. I still recognized NO ONE...then out of nowhere, Patty McNeal Yelled "There’s Jimmy Thompson!" She was a old friend and I was REALLY glad to see her. She introduced me to other people and things were getting lots better. I walked in the ballroom as my wife had now deserted me, she was off talking to her new found friend Patty..Then a booming voice came from a tall bald headed man who wasn’t in my memory bank and definitely "Not" in my year book..."JIM THOMPSON, Where you bin"? Now I felt comfortable. We talked and laughed and had a good time. THEN after a while I finally got up the nerve and ask him, "Who are You?" He said I’m Vinny Herbert..Then we laughed even harder ....

Yes, it was a Good time ! What I learned was.. 1. Some people never change, 2. I had more hair than some and less than others. 3. I met people I never met in high school and I really liked them. 4. People were really nice to my wife and the other "spouses" were having fun too!

5. There were some people that I really enjoyed at the party but I never wanted to be around them when I was younger. That was a mistake on my part and my loss. 6. Maturity and age are the great equalizer 7. We are now older and maybe a little wiser but we haven’t changed that much 8.Don’t rely on the year book...It’s 35 years later. 9. Just Have fun and NO FEAR !

Now lets hear if from some of the spouses that have attended:

Dayle Duffy - Cavaliere’s husband Michael--"I have thoroughly enjoyed every ‘66 Peary reunion that I have attended with my wife. It seems that Peary HS was a very special school with a diverse group of talented and colorful personalities. That’s what makes the reunion fun and interesting for me, it’s the people.

Beth Leimbach-Swanson’s husband Bill — I totally enjoy myself and the people are very friendly. They just don’t talk about old times we talk about all kinds of things and interest.

Diane Hughes -Ivan’s husband Mike — I want to say that the class of ‘66 is the BOMB. Although I’m a spouse I have really had a wonderful time at the several functions I’ve attended with Diane. I’d highly recommend to the class of ‘66 to bring their spouse, friend or whatever and you’ll have a really great time. The spouses are really made to feel apart of everything they do.

Homer "Denny" Dennewitz’s wife Donna --I enjoy attending the class reunions, particularly the more recent ones because as I have seen at my own reunions, classmates seemed to have matured more and seem to enjoy "shooting the breeze" and maybe doing some "comparing of notes." The cliques are gone and it’s more of a "class/camaraderie/stick-togetherness" atmosphere. It’s fun meeting Denny’s friends from high school years. It’s interesting for me, coming from a completely different area of the US and a much smaller school, to hear the difference in classes, traditions, experiences, etc. I’m looking forward to this coming one.

Angie Amato -Bonaccorsy’s husband Nick ---I’ve attended all the reunion every 5 yrs. And even the 50^th birthday bash. That’s more than I’ve attended of my own school of St. John’s.

I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed everyone of them. At first I only knew Eddie and Carroll Smith-Mazurowski and just hung out with them. But over the years I’ve met so many more of Angie’s friends which have now become my friends. She doesn’t even have to drag me I really look forward to attending. It’s amazing how close everyone seems to have remained through the years when some only get to see each other at the reunions. The spouses are included in all the activities (even helping to dress the stuffed bears like Peary cheerleaders that were given out at the last reunion). That is something I’ll have to admit I never thought I’d see myself doing. But it was for Angies classmates and the people that were helping at Gale and Jim’s house had a great time and lots of laughs. LAST but not least...to the male spouses--just in case you forget to pack your dress socks...no problem--just go and knock on Jim and Gale’s hotel room door....Jim will come to your aid like he did mine. So see how accomodating this class of ‘66 is...it doesn’t get any better than that !!

Larry Rubins wife Ruth Ann " Missie" Ridgway Rubin --Not only am I a spouse of a ‘66 classmate , I’m also Art Ridgways (class of ‘66') younger sister and a ‘68 Peary graduate--I have had the privilege of attending many of the reunions with this class of ‘66 and without a doubt have always thoroughly enjoyed myself and have always felt included in all the conversations and activities. I have found everyone to be very personable , welcoming , kind and fun to be with. The reunions have always been so organized with lots of fun things to do.

It’s nice not only seeing old friends but Larry and I have both met people that we didn’t know before with each reunion and have developed some wonderful and lasting friendships. There seems to be a special bond with this group of classmates that you will not find anywhere else. We (Larry, Art and I ) really appreciate all the condolences from the class of ‘66 in the lost of our sister last year and recent lost of our mother and all the kind words of sympathy.

From Gale:
Without sounding repetitious Jim and I have formed so many wonderful friendships with people at the reunions and while working on them that neither one of us knew in high school and that have become very near and dear to our hearts and very special people in our lives. From the 30^th reunion the ‘66 ladies lunch bunch was formed. Any ladies that would like to join us just contact me, everyone is welcomed. Sorry guys you’ll have to form your own group. ;-). We’ve had lunches , dinner and sports outings , (which some included the spouses or male friends) and a girls weekend away that was truly unforgettable filled with Tons of laughs.....Also through the wonderful invention of EMAIL I have been able to keep in contact with so many of you that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. As we get older and more mature we find that we all have more in common with our peers than we think.. A lot of us have faced some pretty difficult times over the years and some in more recent years with medical situations and or a loss of a loved one. It’s so extremely important to have people and friends in our lives to hold our hands and to be there for us during these times. Many of you have lost children, spouses, siblings, friends and more recently so very many of us have lost one or both of our parents. No one ever prepared us for this part of life. Most of my friends we now have came from these reunions and the class of ‘66. I have been blessed with being able to share spiritual beliefs with several of you and have gained much strength from several of you when you have shared with me at times when I needed to hear just those right words to help me through those times. A reunion letter may not be the best time to express what's in my heart for you that have played such an important roll in my life BUT THEN again just maybe it will help you realize that these gatherings go far beyond just a once in 5 yr. Gathering.. I just can’t express the gratitude and appreciation I felt from the tremendous out pouring of condolences when I lost my mom two years ago. It was unbelievable and I was truly touched and feel so blessed to have you all in my life. There are so many of you that are so special in my life that , that’s the reason I continue to do these reunions. I feel even tho, you are my peers, during these reunions like a mom having all of her kids home for the holidays. Thank you all for all your friendships that I hold so dear over the years. And we look forward to getting to know more of you with this coming reunion. Please DON’T worry about the weight, lack of hair, wrinkles, maybe being not as successful as you thought you’d be, because just remember without a doubt it’s what’s on the inside and not the OUT !

**SURPRISE so Please DON’T tell** Mr. Warrick Hill will be celebrating his 75^th birthday in June. I’ve been honored by his wife in asking to help plan this event. I will be making a memory book for him so any of you that would like to include a card or Note to him ,telling him what he’s meant or means to you, PLEASE send these to ME --addressed to Mr. Hill c/o Gale Privette at my address NO LATER than May 20^th to be included in his book.. Also please include the year you graduated . FYI, The Hill’s will also be celebrating their 45^th anniversary while joining us the night of our reunion so cards are welcomed then too. ;-)

All Activities will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel --August 17-19th , 2001

Friday Night, Aug. 17^th Ice Breaker / Weekend Warm up Party

7:30 p.m. - 12:00 midnight In the Gazebo located in the center of the hotel

Dress : Spiffy casual. Hors d’oeuvres/ name tags provided.

Cash bar available.

Saturday Morning, August 18^th Breakfast Buffet

6:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. $9.95

Saturday during the day Has been left free for visiting with friends, swimming in the hotel pool, Taking the Metro to D.C. and touring, or a NAP to save your energy for that night, whatever you decide to do.

Saturday Evening August 18^th

6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Several of you mentioned that you would like to have a group prayer time again. All are welcomed. This will be

held in Jim and Gale Privette’s room.

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration, Reunion books, Name tags, Surprises, appetizers and cash Bar.

Dress--Business attire to cocktail dress -your choice Lots of good, warm , fuzzy feelings of sharing with old and new friends.

8:00 p.m- 9:30 p.m. Dinner (speciality Stations) LOTS & LOTS OF FOOD !!!!

9:30 p.m.- 1:00 a.m. Class Photo taken (the cost is included in the reunion price and will be mailed out after the reunion).

Dancing, Socializing, reunion program and surprises!!

And for all you night owls that don’t want to quit yet --the Privette’s suite will be open to continue visiting . Snacks and soda’s provided.

Sunday Morning , August 19^th Breakfast Buffet

6:30 a.m. - 12 noon $10.95

12 noon After check out-we will meet in the lobby at 12 noon to leave and caravan over to the old Peary High school for a tour of the school Which is now reopened as The Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy. Rides will be provided for those traveling Without cars.

Tickler Sheet of Important dates and Information

DID YOU KNOW ?? --Peary High School has their own web Page- MSO -Midnight sun online at WWW.pearyhs.org It’s wonderful ! Bob Lau from the class of ‘76 has done a fabulous job in maintaining this site for the last 4 ½ yrs. Check it out and register your email address with them . Find old high school friends and teachers and read all the latest that’s going on with the alumni association. Your contributions are also greatly appreciated in helping to maintain this sight. Can you believe the sight even plays our school song !

Reservations and Monies due date: Make checks payable to "PEARY REUNION class of ‘66"

Reunion weekend AUGUST 17-19th , 2001

Payments

Now thru May 20^th -----Early Bird Special ................................$90.00 Per person - DEADLINE PAST

May 21^st- ^t -June 30^th ----- Discount Price ..............................$100.00 Per person

June 30th ------ ( also deadline for all reunion book information to be submitted)

Please send in information for the reunion books even if you can’t attend

July 1st -Aug. 10^th ------- Price of reunion increases to ...............$110.00 Per Person

(Anyone who plans on attending after this date MUST call me to check on Availability--or if you have sent in your money and you decide to bring your spouse or guest)

We are highly recommending PLEASE - NO WALK -INS or JUST SHOWING UP AT THE DOOR

July 27 ^th -----cut off date for hotel reservations. So make them now by calling (1-800-222-TREE ) The sooner the better. You can always cancel them later.

Remember to mention that you’re with the Peary reunion to get the group rate of $64.00

-For those of you who CAN’T make the reunion and would like a reunion book SENT to you Please fill out the questionaire and return it with a payment of $10.00— If you would also like the class photo that will be taken the night of the reunion sent to you please enclose $11.00 for the photo .

NOW being that’s out of the way ---On to the FUN STUFF

I know that this is a repeat --But wanted it all on one sheet for you to have easy access too.

Friday Night- August 17^th -7:30 p.m.-12 midnight - dress spiffy casual. Ice breaker party in The gazebo ..name tags , hors d ‘oeuvres provided , Cash bar available.

Saturday morning Aug. 18^th --6:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. -breakfast buffet $ 9.95 at the hotel.

Saturday during the day- Visiting, or what ever you like. Tour D.C. by Metro or NAP.

Saturday Evening-

7:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. - Dress - Business attire to Cocktail Dress -registration reunion books, Name tags, surprises, appetizers and cash bar.

8:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. --Dinner (speciality stations) with LOTS OF FOOD

9:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m.-- group class photo’s , reunion program, dancing , socializing, FUN

Sunday Morning- 6:30 a.m. -12 noon - Breakfast -and meet in lobby for tour of the school

CLICK HERE for the printable Questionnaire and R.S.V.P. form

April 26, 1998: FYI-- This web site. http://www.Pearyhs.org. Check it out - it's really fantastic. It was created by '76 graduate Bob Lau. A REALLY BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO HIM. _Check out the class of '66 missing persons list... if you know the whereabouts of any of our classmates PLEASE let me know. My email address is listed below. Also send in an update of what you're doing and check out other classmates email addresses. Great way to keep in touch and keeping informed on things.

Some Wonderful News---For those who aren't on my class of '66 email list and haven't heard--DENNIS SPONHOLTZ who had been on our deceased list since about '68 is ALIVE and doing well and living in Virginia. He located us through the Peary Web page. It's been great hearing from him and he plans on attending the 50th party. We're certainly looking forward to seeing him (IN PERSON)... He was gracious about excepting my apology of this ever happening. Since the rumors came to us through many different sources back then we had believed it to be true. SO glad to hear from you Dennis and look forward to seeing you.

Darla Hughes and Dan Alterescu got married after being reunited at the 30th reunion. Jim and I were honored to have attended their lovely wedding with Richard Brandenburg as their best man. Our Big CONGRATULATIONS to them both for 50 years of happiness to come.

On a Sad note-Scott Campbell was taken home to the Lord in Dec. Of '96 after many, many years of giving a really good and long hard fight to cancer. He was so happy to have been able to attend the 30th reunion. We lost a wonderful man and friend. We love you and miss you, our friend.

Thank you all so very much again for making the 30th reunion such a wonderful time and great success. Lots of old and new friendships have continued from that time. There are 7 of us ladies from the class that try and get together once a month for lunch. We've had a ball and even once in a while do something with our husbands and significant others. It's been a wonderful friendship. We even managed to get away for a weekend last May. Oh, what fun we had and the STORIES we could tell. I feel really blessed for their friendships and them being in my life. Hope that the friendships you made and will make at the 50th B'day party will continue and will be as rewarding for you also. Through email we've also been able to keep in contact will many new friends from the class as far away as Mitch Leopard in London to many of you across the United States. I'm also thankful for that. Who would have ever thought in 1966 this would have been possible?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND BE BLESSED --GALE (Jim sends his best wishes also)