DISCUSSION FORUMS

Below are some of the comments sent to us regarding the 50th Reunion Weekend which we thought you'd all be interested in. We will be adding more as we receive them. Thanks to all of you who have written and who came up to us during the Reunion. This also is a way for us to share the experience and euphoria with those who could not make it.

Ed, Laurel & Stacy

Jeff Haslett and John Sutton were both impressed how warm and accessible everyone was. Seems like most folks left their egos somewhere else and embraced their fellow classmates with authentic joy. It probably had a lot to do with those who organized the event!! Congrats on helping lots of folks feel accepted, Stacy. - Love, Rich Scheck

Viewed the pix posted from the Swan Club. they look great. Congrats. – Judy Evans Olender

Still feeling high from the reunion. You guys did a wonderful job. I know what you and the others did was very time consuming and you're continuing to work hard on the website. It is greatly appreciated. – Dave Abroff

Ed, Laurel and Stacy -Your core group did a smashing job with the reunion. – David Kaplan

Thanks, Laurel and Ed, for what must've been hours of work compiling and captioning this mountain of photos. This is just to let you know that it's very much appreciated. - Bobby Steinberg

Laurel, I took the time to look at the pictures on the site, I saw all the joy and happiness that you helped to bring to 174 classmates. It was a great weekend trip down memory lane for all, even myself as briefly as it was. - Waters

Laurel, Had a great time at the reunion. It was an incredible job on your part and I don't think it could have been improved upon. Time to start planning the 60th!!! Keep us in the loop. - Steve Polansky

Dear Laurel, Ed and committee. Thank you for a memorable 50th! I experienced joy, surprise and poignancy. - Jane Pfann Maske

Laurel, The photos are great, they capture the spirit of the event very well. It is something I will always remember. Once again my thanks go out to you, Ed, and Stacy the most, for all the hard work, and to all the others who helped make this great event come true. My hat is off to all you guys. - Lewis Hartstein

Thank you Laurel and Ed for all your work posting messages and photos and for the lovely sentiments about staying together. - Paula Sauberman Weisshaar

Ed and Laurel, The pictures are great. You're troopers (or dyed in the wool Martyrs!) to take on this latest task of editing! - Meri Henriques Vahl

Ed, In case no one told you, YOU ROCK! - Peter Tenenbaum

HI Laurel, Ed and Stacy, I'm back home and still reveling in all the joys of the reunion and then the 9 of us who went up to The Cape for a few days! I haven't posted a formal 'thank you' on the website, but I will send each of you a personal note of thanks. You have all changed a lot of lives with all of your hard work and it is appreciated SO much by all of us in the class. So sorry for those who chose not to come........ they missed an epic event that will never be forgotten!!! Thank you for all that you did to change our lives forever!!! Love, Rhoda Gaber Sherman

Ed, The thanks really go to you! - Alan Dattelbaum

Ed, I went to the website today -- great photos--Betsy Kogan Tucker

Last night was great and so much fun. I know you have put your heart and soul and lots of sweat into making us so comfortable. Thank you million plus times. –Gail Heuman Spiegel

A week has passed and we have had time to reflect on the wonderful weekend that was shared by all. Of course, this never would have happened without the time and effort of the few who made it happen for the many. So, I thank those of you that were continually there to see our incredible reunion become a reality, as well as those behind the scenes who did their part. We will all have wonderful memories and photos to cherish. -Love, Elyse Etra

Dear Laurel and Ed, What an incredible event! I want to thank you both for working and all the energy you poured into the reunion along with Stacy, Caryn, Ram and everyone else who contributed their efforts. I have fond memories of our classmates which were only confirmed by the spirit last weekend. -Best, Marilyn Mandel Lender

What a wonderful weekend. We all looked so Happy and Healthy, 50 Years Absolutely not!!!! We could have passed for 18!! Thanks to all those hard working members of our class, you did a wonderful job. -Sharon Donshik Grossman

Hi folks! I wanted to send you my thanks for all the hard work and attention to detail that went into creating such a perfect reunion event! Everyone who came was very happy to be there and appreciative of your efforts! And I'm sure that some who didn't come now regret it. Of course, I'm looking forward to seeing the photos when they're on the website. -Sally Bernstein Germain

Ed, Stacy, Laurel, Caryn, Ram, Andrea, Mike Siris and all the others who tirelessly and selflessly worked to find us all, persuade us to come, find sites and figure out their components for the Reunion (and the other activities), create google groups and websites and teach us how to use them, organize and manage the finances for the Reunion, keep track of it all and perform all the many time consuming, often difficult and sometimes unappreciated and boring tasks that made this all possible, thank you so much! The Reunion was truly lovely and it all turned out so well! -Nancy Bloomgarden

Ed - What a great time, so many of our classmates worked so hard to bring it together and they made it a success.. I was talking to a few people and they want another get together. I wish there were some classmates in Ohio. Thank you for finding me. -Rich Fiore

Thank you thank you thank you to Ed, Stacey, Laurel, Ram et al for making the 50th happen and happen most excellently. The cocktail hour, Swan dinner, school tour and brunch went off soooo smoothly. I just wish each of the events had gone on for hours more -- they were so much fun. Long forgotten memories were reanimated, old friends were seen after so long with twinkles brighter then ever in their eyes, and new friendships began as well. We were all so lucky to grow up in a special place and go to a school like no other I've ever seen.

Thank you all for making my wife Lita feel at home among friends.

Wishing each of my classmates a long, healthy and happy rest of your life which we call Life 2.0.It's all good, —Alan Gevins

Great note, Stacy. It was great to see everyone. I especially want to thank the group that worked so hard to make it happen. — Andy Sabin

Congratulations to our fabulous reunion coordinators for making our reunion so very special. All your love and hard work was most evident and what a wonderful time was had by all. I loved every moment and treasure the many "old" and "new" friendships that are forming now. How much fun it was to see and chat with so many fellow classmates of "63." I loved viewing the wonderful photo boards and thanks to those who sent in the terrific pictures. The venues were just perfect as was the company! I look forward to our "mini" get togethers and do hope we continue our class reunions for many years to follow. Thanks for the memories! —Beth Warshavsky Sachs

Hi Fabulous ‘Kids’!!!

Now I’m home in Florida but still flying high on the most wonderful, loving, sweet 3 days I’ve spent in a long time!!! Stacy....all your choices where just great! I only wish we could have had a week of it!!! What an amazing group of human beings who grew up together in a most beautiful and special place. Better yet, how sensational it is that we’ve come back together after 50 years better than ever......grown into the most remarkable bunch of adults! Teenage baggage gone! The past two years have been a wonderful journey only to culminate into a new beginning of budding friendships, renewed old friendships and warm and loving feelings for all. There’s no doubt that our journey will continue on. Our new website will make our connections and interactions easy and fun...Thanks Ed and Laurel! I think that there’s no other class like ours...we are truly blessed! You are all a joy to know! Let the minis begin! With Lots of Love and of course big HUGS! –Ellen Abramson Monchick

I want to extend my appreciation to Roberta Zucker for her role as informal photographer at the Saturday reunion. Roberta captured many posed and candid moments that will be made available to all once i download them from my camera (which she borrowed for her role) and forward them to Ed for distribution. We looked fabulous!! thanks, Roberta. —Herb Glazeroff

Thanks to the group of fabulous classmates that organized this fabulous event, and thank you to all the grads that made time to share this experience! —Harriet Ackerman Breest

Laurel, You are 100% correct. Even the weather cooperated, sans humidity! I personally won't let the experience wane, I enjoy waking around with my feet firmly planted 5 feet off the ground and a sh*t eating grin. I'm in love with our class. — Jill Brookman

I hope everybody had a wonderful weekend re-living the past and catching up with old friends. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you. Health issues with my wife prevented me from going. I'm looking forward to all the pictures you will be posting. Have a safe trip home. Wishing you all the best! – Jimmy Copen

Ed, HUGE thanks to you, Stacey, Laurel, and everyone else who worked so hard, for so long, to create such an amazing reunion. It was awesome reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. My (once inscrutable) yearbook quote, "Joys are our wings" resonated in such a powerful way. We've all come so far, become so much "lighter," -"free-er" and we sure were flying on Saturday night. – Joanne Friedland Roberts

I just want to add my thanks to all the organizers who worked so hard to make our reunion such a fantastic time. You all deserve a much needed rest now that it is behind us. It was a great time and the weather cooperated to make it even more spectacular. It was fun reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones. I especially never wanted to go back but I am very glad I did. Thank you, thank you, thank you! — Laurie Bauer Wikiera

Big kudos should go to Ed, Laurel, Stacy, Ram, Caryn, Andrea, Ellen and Nancy (among many others)who put so much work and effort into making the reunion a big hit. — Mike Siris

I woke up Friday morning filled with excitement and nerves about seeing so many old/new faces. I thought, who would remember me? I left high school with no connections to almost anyone from Great Neck. 48 years later, my phone rang one evening and the voice on the other end said "Hi Olga, this is Nancy Malkin"...The rest is history. This week end was so special!! Thanks to Stacy, Ed, Laurel, Caryn and all of you who made this possible. It could not have been more perfect; not one stone left un-turned. I love my re-connections and I know that they are here to stay. It is true, this is only the beginning of friendships long past. I send you the warmest regards and big hugs. – Olga Galland Cohen

I also had a fabulous time reconnecting with old friends and connecting with new ones. It was more than I ever imagined it would be. My heart was filled with warmth and love to see so many people I had known when we were children. To have a chance to chat and renew relationships as adults was wonderful. With others, when there was no time to talk, a hug was enough (for now). Thank you Laurel, Ed, Caryn, Stacy, Mike Siris, Ram, Andrea Kaplan and all the others who worked behind the scenes, for making this possible. Best wishes to all. – Paula Sauberman Weisshaar

Hi Ed, You were so right about coming to the reunion. It was very special and will have a lasting impact. Thanks for all your work!! Best, – Ricky Hellman


Dear Laurel, While we are sure that you are exhausted, we are equally sure that you are enjoying the ongoing thanks of our classmates for all the hard work you put into this amazing weekend. From the first moment we came into the Inn on Friday night, it was clear that everyone was delighted to be there, that connecting with friends, old and new, had become a priority even for those of us who for so long hadn't made the effort. Laurel, we wish you health and happiness, your photos gave us an insight into you as a child, but your postings and your presence have shown us what an amazing woman you are right now. So thank you again. Rest up and revel in your accomplishments, Love, – Betsy and Henry Tucker

Laurel: Just wanted to say thank you for all of the incredible hard work that you and your committee did to make the Reunion so very special. It was a great evening, and I am confident so many feel the same way. The reconnections meant a great deal, and the pervasive sense of an important shared part of our lives, so many years ago, remain so important to us today. Thanks again, and all the best. –Howard Sharfstein

WOW! what a fantastic reunion!!!! Great to see you and so many other high school classmates. You three did an amazing job! THANKS FOR MAKING IT SUCH A FUN, JOYOUS, EXTRAORDINARY, MEMORABLE, GALA REUNION!!!! Safe travels home everyone. Until we meet again…Hugs, – Edie Back Weinstein

Laurel, The reunion was amazing. Thank you for all you did. There would have been no reunion without your hard work and dedication. – Fran Liebowitz Sacks

I had a spectacular time and I still feel the warmth of the weekend....it was awesome!! The website is wonderful! Thank you Laurel and Ed for keeping us together electronically.....Love to you all, Ciao' bella ti abbraccio forte –Angela Lauria Bauman

Laurel, Nancy & I had a fantastic weekend and we owe it all to you and Ed and the rest. Thanks much. Paul Kline and Peter Tenenbaum and I were hysterical over some of the crazy things we did. Planning to get together with Paul soon and down the road with Peter when he’s in town or I am in Vermont. Two very funny guys. Laurel, you have touched my heart, I pray for your health as well as Ed’s. Love, – Lewis Hartstein

Sincere thanks to all who put in the effort necessary to make the reunion such a success. friday night was a great prelude and saturday topped it off. attention was paid to detail and the party was a grand event. we could have danced all night. Kudos are in order and should be harvested with open arms by those who earned them. An enjoyable and memorable weekend. thanks to all classmates in attendance for contributing their spirit to the party. –Herb Glazeroff

Laurel, Thank you for all you have done to make this past weekend really memorable, and even more importantly for helping to make this event the catalyst for re-igniting old friendships that somehow got interrupted by life. –Mike Brown

I can't thank the group who put the reunion together enough. Stacy, your warmth and generous spirit put the spin on our reunion. Ed, the Website and leadership was amazing and so much hard work went into the planning. Laurel, it was great reconnecting and your smile welcomed us all. I know I'm not mentioning so many others, but I don't want to ramble--you know I appreciate all the hard work and commitment. I had a blast! Thank you so very much, –Wendy Lache Freund

Dear Laurel, Ed and Stacy, Thank you all for your amazing job on the reunion. It was truly a once in a lifetime event, enjoyed by all. You gave everyone an event to remember.With every best wish, –Georgia Green Weinstein

Laurel, I wanted to thank you for planning our 50th reunion. It was truly a wonderful evening and your hard work was appreciated by all. You have a whole new career! I enjoyed seeing all our classmates and sharing our life’s journey over the past 50 years. Best regards, –Dale Sudy Feldman

Thank you all so much. What a wonderful and memorable event! Thank you Ram for finding me. Thank you Eddy and Laurel for not letting me go. Warm Regards, –John "Jules" Sutton

Ed, Great job. You should be proud. My wife and I enjoyed it. The class as a whole looked a lot better than I expected. – Robbie Morris

Stacy, Thank you for all your efforts in creating a very special 50th reunion for our class. It was great to see you and all the classmates from those wonderful years. Best regards, –Dale Sudy Feldman

Dear Stacy, What a wonderful reunion, planned by a gorgeous lady! I am so glad I was there. It was a gift I will always remember. Love, – Marilyn Mandel Lender

Hey Stacy, I just wanted to thank you for putting together such an amazing night. There was plenty of love evident amongst our classmates. Regardless of what went on in 1959-1963, everyone seemed to come together for a really joyous night of "peace and love" and without you it would never have happened. I know for a fact that old differences and clique-i-ness did a good job of fading during the party. So take a bow! Oh, and by the way, who was the cutest couple there? Stacy and Steve! You guys are just the greatest! So many great people in one spot. It was amazing. Classmates with health issues all rallied above their medical conditions to have a great time. Before the affair, several of them told me that they wanted to leave around 7:30....they just wanted to make an appearance. And they lasted until 10:30 and enjoyed every minute. Since you and I didn't get to dance, you owe me a fast, slinky dance at our 55th! Thanks again. You'sa doll. –Philip Gelber

Hi Stacy, it was great seeing that easily recognizable smiling face of yours. Thanks so much for putting in all the time and effort to make the reunion so special. If i was a party guy, you'd be my only choice to make it happen. It was a weekend none of us will ever forget...or, at least not until Alzheimer's kicks in. Best, –Bobby Steinberg

Stacy, Of course you have been getting reams of praise for your amazing efforts in mounting this reunion, but still, Henry and I wanted to add our voices. The events were spectacular, and we are only sorry that our grandkids got in the way of our having dinner Friday night and brunch on Sunday. Still, what we found most impressive was you. Your spirit and joie de vivre are contagious, and it is easy to see why you are such a successful woman beyond your obvious ability to run such a huge affair. So thank you so much for all your work, you made a lot of old folks very happy and the smile on your face made it clear that you were happy too. Thanks again, –Betsy and Henry Tucker

Laurel, thanks so much for sending the pix. I didn’t take any myself, and I’m particularly happy to have shots with you and Ed, my heroes along with Stacy. Endless thanks to you and Ed and Stacy and everyone else who worked on the reunion. You climbed Mt. Everest to yank your classmates out of their high school trauma and into the present. What a mitzvah! And what a mind-boggling, heart-warming, deeply resonant weekend we all had together. Love, –Alice Krakauer

Hi Laurel, Thank you for the awesome job you did making our reunion such a powerful, wonderful, welcoming evening for all of us.....and for your ongoing postings updating everyone post-reunion. –Joanne Friedland Roberts

Thank you, Laurel. The work and time you put into the reunion was and is appreciated by all. I can't thank you enough for making this happen. It was terrific seeing you and I hope we can make the minis happen often. Take care. Always, –Elyse Etra