Discussion of Dinner on the 9th

After contemplating the details of planning a more formal dinner, complete with either reservations somewhere or catering, I'm thinking it might be more fun, easier, and more relaxed to plan on a fun bar to meet up in (that also has yummy finger food/appetizers) and we can all come and go throughout the night, and then get dinner on our own (or others, but it can be more playing it by ear).

How does this idea sound?  We have drinks and finger food on Saturday night (maybe plan to rally between 630-10), and then Sunday we have the picnic in the park with our kids and whomever else.


I'm also thinking about the picnic we can do something simple like ordering a bunch of pastas, pizzas and salads to be delivered and all split the cost.  And people can bring their own drinks, or maybe a few extras to share around.  I can also bring some activities to set up for the kids (balls, frisbees, maybe twister?  races?  i don't know...).  There are some great places around here that do family style pasta and salad and have great pizza - which i think is more family picnic style than everyone just bringing what they want to eat for themselves. 
Thoughts?

Reunion Update

Alright, y'all, I'm getting the park permit for Oct 10, for Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City.  I'm going to plan it for late morning into the afternoon.  If the weather is bad, I'll make sure to reserve my Residents' Room in my building, which will house a lot of us (there's also a game room with billiards and pingpong tables).
What do you all think about food?  Should we get it catered and then all chip in cash?  Or do we want to try a pot luck?
And about dinner the night before, would you all like to go out for dinner and drinks somewhere?  Should I try to book a private room somewhere and get a menu together?
Or just a reservation for the definite comers?
Feedback would be awesome...  Put it in the comments.
Helen

Columbus Day Weekend Reunion!

I think it's official - Oct 9-10 will be our awesome Astor Reunion!  I'm thinking Saturday night all of us go out for dinner or drinks (or both), and then Sunday afternoon we have a Family Picnic, like in the old days - bring your kids, parents, partners, friends, etc!

I live in beautiful downtown NYC near a great park (Rockefeller Park) in Battery Park City, and I'll work on getting a permit for us to gather.  Since it will be mid-October, with unreliable weather for outdoor gatherings, I can also reserve the lounge in my building in case we need to move things indoors. 

Once I get a little feedback on this, we can decide if we want to get things catered and everyone contribute a little for food, or if we want to all bring something (which may be difficult since many of you aren't in the area anymore).  And what kind of drinks or dinner experience we want to have.  Again, I'm happy to reserve the lounge in my building and we can just get it catered from any number of places, or if we want to get a private room in a restaurant or bar, or just make a reservation at a fun place.

My contact information is:
Helen Darby 
50 Murray St, #518, NYC
212-204-9843
hellibel@gmail.com

Please pass it along to other Astor folks...

Picking a Date...

What do you all think about August 14-15?  Put it in the comments and let's see how many of us we can corral.

Let the planning commence!

I'm setting this blog up as a forum to discuss planning for a reunion of the PS 279 Astor classes of the early 80's.

Please put all thoughts and discussion in the commentary section and let's try to all get together some 25-30 years after the fact. Wow.

Students, teachers, parents and siblings (and of course, our spouses, partners and kids) are all invited to help in the figuring out of this momentous event.

I keep envisioning a family picnic "old-school" style - just like we used to have them annually when we were kids... complete with barbecue and volleyball.

There are lots of us, so hopefully we can coordinate as many as possible for a weekend this coming summer.

I'm excited to start thinking about this and hopefully making this an event to remember.