Reunion 96--Class of 1971
Our 25th reunion was a four-day event that seemed to go much too quickly! Our weekend began Thursday evening at the Portland Country Club, with a wonderful dinner that was arranged by Terry Wyman. The food was outstanding, and judging from the conversation level in the room, it took no time for classmates to begin where they had left off years before!
The next morning we gathered at the docks for a short boat trip to Peak's Island, where we enjoyed a Down East lobster bake. It was reported that Jerome Layman was anxiously soliciting votes to ensure his election as class president the next evening.
Friday evening found us all at Colby, in the Foss-Woodman dorms, which we must report do not look substantially different than they did when we arrived as freshmen just a few years ago. We gathered in the lounge and traded stories and pictures. Special thanks go to Nancy Austin and Macy DeLong, who gathered many bits of memorabilia for the displays, and to all who added their pictures and mementos. Linda Wallace deserves special mention for bringing (all the way from California) a tape of our graduation ceremony.
Jim Hawkins and Pat Montgomery manned the reception desk and the Polaroid camera Friday evening and Saturday morning, and the "Rogues Gallery" of snapshots was a help to those of us who needed a bit of prodding to put names with faces. Background music was provided by tapes compiled by Bill Glennon and Nancy Austin. Keep those for the next reunion, Bill and Nancy.
Saturday morning's panel discussion, "Colby Then and Now," brought back lots of memories and laughs, as well as some serious insights into how tumultuous our years at Colby were. Bob Gordon ably organized the event and invited Charlie Bassett (no introduction needed), professor of sociology Tom Morrione '65 and Ken Eisen '73, owner of the Railroad Square Cinema. Tom shared a video he compiled of the changing scene at Colby from the Sixties to today. The discussion could have continued for hours longer, but we needed to don our t-shirts and march in the Parade of Classes. The logo on the t-shirts and on the Reunion Handbook was the work of Leslie Anderson, to whom we owe a sincere thank you. The parade was great fun, and our class's donations to the Alumni Fund and the Campaign for Colby were certainly noteworthy.
Our class barbecue had been moved into the field house due to the prediction of rain, but because it didn't rain, we exercised our right as rebellious Colby students and ate outside anyway. Chefs Paul Speiss, Ron Lupton, Dennis Cameron and Ken Bigelow outdid themselves at the grills. Jon Stone organized the second Reunion Softball Game, which produced some good plays and even better stories. There were many classmates who brought their families, and the age of our children ranged from 1 to 21--quite a spread! Thanks to Peggy Gilfoy for coordinating child care arrangements with the College.
Rested and dressed after the day, we arrived at the Cotter's home for cocktails Saturday evening, then headed over to the Student Union for our dinner. The highlight of the dinner was a slide show, presented by Jerome Layman and Leslie Anderson, titled "Colby A-Z." Whatever memories hadn't been resurrected were brought forth with their show. Dean Earl Smith gave us some insights into our years at Colby from his perspective. The class officers for 1996-2001 (oh my, that's a scary thought) were elected, and congratulations and thanks go to President Jerome Layman, Vice President and Alumni Council Representative Debbie Messer Zlatin and Secretary Jim Hawkins. Bill Glennon also deserves our applause for securing the band, the Night Lifes, for the evening's entertainment.
There were so many classmates at the reunion that I hesitate to mention names for fear of forgetting someone, but there were two "cameo" appearances that can't go by without notice--Barry Kelley and Mike Smith, it was great to see you both. Next time stay a little longer!
Thanks to all who helped to make the reunion so enjoyable. It was successful only because so many people helped, and so many people came, relaxed and had a good time. It's amazing that after 25 years we can still have such a good time together, and we can connect with classmates whom we never had the chance to know years ago. For those who couldn't make it, we missed you, and we hope to see you next time on Mayflower Hill.