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November 7, 2007
Dear  Class of 1953,
It doesn't seem possible, but we will celebrate our 55th Reunion on the weekend of May 29 - June 1, 2008.  I’m hoping you’ll join me in marking these dates on your calendar ... it is to be a gathering that you’ll not want to miss!
 
A small group of our classmates met at Skidmore in early August to formulate some preliminary plans for Reunion, which was followed by a September gathering in Boston to make more detailed arrangements.  We fine-tuned our plans in a subsequent conference call and what follows is a summary of what we have arranged to date.  For those of you who choose to stay on campus, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ll be housed in Wiecking Hall, which as you may recall, was named in honor of our classmate Kathryn Wiecking at our 50th Reunion.

On Thursday evening, we’ll gather as a class for dinner on the second floor of the newly renovated Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, a space which will surely impress you!  Our dinner will be followed by a special gathering for returning alumni who will be celebrating their post 50th Reunions … where we will be greeted by distinguished guests, President Philip A. Glotzbach and Marie B. Glotzbach.  At that time, we will be inducted into the Scribner Society, a special honor reserved for graduates celebrating post 50th Reunions.

On Friday, we’ll be able to attend mini-college classes led by members of the Skidmore faculty, participate in the Reunion Golf Tournament, and/or just enjoy some time to reconnect with each other.  That evening we’ll enjoy cocktails and dinner at the Gideon Putnam Hotel, a famed location in Saratoga Springs that we all remember. 

On Saturday we’ll gather together for the Parade of Classes and the traditional Awards Ceremony and Class Gift Presentations, enjoy a picnic lunch, and have our class photos taken.  That afternoon we hope to organize another panel discussion for everyone.  As you may recall from our 50th Reunion, we had a panel of classmates who spoke on their work experiences.  Since we are more removed from the workplace these days, we thought about having a panel who would speak about unusual volunteer jobs, hobbies, or new vocations.  If any of you would like to participate in such a panel, or have any suggestions for programs or activities, please let me know.  We welcome your participation!

On Saturday evening we’ll have cocktails and dinner together on campus at the Surrey Williamson Inn, which will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display.  We’ll pay tribute to classmates who are no longer with us after breakfast on Sunday morning by gathering for a memorial service at the beautiful and recently restored Alumni Memorial Garden.  This special place has “bloomed” in recent years through the special care and generosity of four Skidmore alumnae from the Class of 1957.

Of course we can't forget about fundraising for our Reunion class gift.  We have set a class goal of $100,000 for our Reunion year, and if you are interested in learning more about a range of gift planning options, please contact Don Blunk, Skidmore’s Director of Gift Planning, who would be happy to discuss these options with you.  Don can be reached by calling (518) 580-5659.  We hope you will give as much as possible -- but most important, please give something.  Our class goal is 80% participation, but it would be wonderful if we could reach 100% through everyone’s efforts.
 
I look forward to hearing from you with your ideas and suggestions to make our 55th a great Reunion.
 
Let's go '53!

Carol Claflin Kurtz
Class President
kurtce@verizon.net
(603) 772-6505

 P.S.   If you are interested in assisting with efforts to help raise the funds for our class gift, please feel free to contact Judy Wolfe at Skidmore by calling (518) 580-5624, or by sending email to jwolfe1@skidmore.edu.

Who are our Class Agents?

BarbSylvia Shaw Brandhorst, Elinor Reponen Cronin, Janice Roth Dorfman, Norma Fisher, Janet Tinsley Fiske, Elizabeth Singer Gluck, Doris Janitschek Hall, Grace Ackerknecht Harrigan, Carol Claflin Kurtz, Jacqueline Bailey Martin, Barbara Holden Moulton, Natalie Jones Neri, Phyllis Thorp Pennington, Deborah Phillips, Elizabeth Howe Shannon, Priscilla Greene Taylor, Lois Kite VanWagner, Ann Trainer Williams.

What's on Tap for Reunion?

 May 29- June 1, 2008

Highlights

Mini-College seminars and interactive experiences with favorite Skidmore faculty

The 9th Annual Alumni Speaker Series

The 14th Alumni Reunion Art Exhibition

Guided tours of campus, Saratoga Springs, and the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery

Alumni Awards and Recognition Ceremony and Class Gift Presentations

Traditional All-Reunion Classes Picnic

Individual Class Reunion Celebrations, including roundtable discussions, cocktail gatherings and dinners

15th Annual Fireworks Display

Live music & dancing on Saturday evening