CLASS OF 1960

 SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE, FORT SCHUYLER

50^TH REUNION WEEKEND

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

 

Hotel Park Central New York

870 Seventh Avenue between 55^th and 56^th Streets

New York, NY 10019-4038

Reservations (800) 346-1359, press Option #2 (See Instructions below)

General Telephone (212) 247-8000

Fax (212) 707-5557

www.parkcentralny.com

 

DISCOUNTED HOTEL RESERVATIONS - The Park Central Hotel, New York is the “Official Reunion Hotel”. It is your responsibility to make your own reservations before August 1, 2010 in order to receive our Discounted Group Rate of $279.00 per night plus tax, single or double – 2 night minimum. Call the Reservations Department before August 1, 2010 at (800) 346-1359, press Option  #2;

·        Trouble - The Hotel Contact is Jason Rivera, Reservations (212) 707-5509.

·        A “Non-refundable” Deposit has been guaranteed to hold a block of rooms at the Hotel at reduced Group Rates as well as for each event or bus reservation. Also each event has been priced based on estimated minimum class participation. If for some reason, you must cancel, you are obligated to pay anyway – there are no cancellation refunds available since there would be no way to make up any short-fall. After August 1, 2010 we cannot guarantee that you will be able to obtain a room at the Hotel at the Discounted Group Rate, or a room at any rate for that matter.

·        Also, your personal check for the Homecoming Events that you wish to attend must be received by the Treasurer by not later than August 1, 2010. We cannot guarantee availability at any particular event function or bus reservation beyond that date and we must then guarantee final numbers to block the space in the restaurants and to reserve the buses. No refunds are available for cancellations.

 

Early Arrival New York, Friday September 24^th.  If you arrive in New York before or early on Friday 24 September, VADM Craine, our College President has invited us to visit the Maritime College and attend the regular weekly REGIMENTAL REVIEW at 1515 in the Quad on Friday 24 September. You must, however, provide your own transportation to the Fort, and make it back to the Hotel in time for the “Meet and Greet” Arrival Reception at 1830 – Regrettably, this feat is almost impossible in Friday New York City Night traffic. If you do not plan on attending the “Meet and Greet”, however, this may be an option for you. Please contact Wally Sansone sansonew@verizon.net for any questions regarding the “Homecoming College POD” if you plan to attend the Friday 24 Sept Regimental Review. You will, however, get to see the “Mug Pass-in-Review” at Homecoming on Saturday –the Mugs probably march better.

 

Arrival New York, Friday September 24^th. This is a very busy weekend in New York City which will add to the excitement of your visit. The hotels are booked solid. It is the Sixty-Fifth Meeting of the UN General Assembly. Ironically, the same events were taking place at our 45^th Reunion and posed no problem for us – everyone enjoyed it. Also the Hotel is located in the Carnegie Hall-Theater District so you can really enjoy the scene by strolling up or down 7th Avenue or Broadway especially in the evening.

 

If you’ve come by plane, take an airport taxi to the Hotel. Individual Check-In is at the Hotel Reception Desk in the Lobby. Your reservations that you made are in your name. You must present the Hotel with your personal credit card at check-in and you are responsible for all room and other charges billed to your account, including any incidental Hotel charges during your stay. The cost of the Hotel and charges are not included in the Weekend Package Rates for all other Homecoming Events. If you’ve come by car, the Hotel has valet parking, but consider alternate parking, at a lesser cost, at the many parking garages located within a 3 block radius of the Hotel. It’s worth a drive around the block or two, to check out the parking prices. The further west you go, the lower the cost. It also may be less expensive to take the train and a taxi or an airport limo and a taxi to the Hotel than to drive and park if you live in the NYC-NJ area. Taxi fares vary by airport and time and distance so if you are interested, all of this information is available on “Google” just type in “Taxi fares NYC”. From LaGuardia to the Hotel, the taxi fare is generally $35.00 up.

 

If you become befuddled at Hotel check-in contact: Jason Rivera, Hotel Reservations (212) 707-5168, Option #2; Our Group No. is 1009MARTI or contact a member of the Reunion Steering Committee listed below or located in the Hotel Lobby.

 

1830 – 2030 Friday, September 24^th.

“Meet and Greet” Arrival Reception (“Dressy Casual”- but no ties) at Redeye Grill Restaurant (Pacific and Santa Barbara Rooms) where we will enjoy an Open Bar with superb Heavy Hors d’oeuvres. To get there, just turn left as you leave the front entrance of the Hotel and walk to the corner of 56^th Street and 7^th Avenue. Cross the street at the corner (stay on the same side of the street) to the Redeye Restaurant at 890 7^th Avenue. More information about the restaurant can be found at:

www.redeyegrill.com

Take off early if you have made other dinner or theater plans.. Don’t stay out too late though - remember our early morning bus trip.

 

0730  ^{“PROMPT DEPARTURE”}, Saturday, September 25^th.

 

• UNIFORM OF THE DAY: BLUE BLAZER, KHAKI PANTS,

      WHITE DRESS SHIRT AND TIE

 

Grab a cup of coffee in the Hotel Restaurant or at any of the many fast food breakfast joints that surround the Hotel before the bus trip. Please be sure that you are not late for the Chartered Bus trip to Fort Schuyler. We will be boarding the Bus in the front of Hotel on 7^th Avenue and depart smartly at 7:30 a.m. Bring your camera and your old memories. If you miss the Bus, you will have to take a cab to 6  Pennyfield Avenue, Throggs Neck, Fort Schuyler, The Bronx (“take the last exit just before the toll booths of the Throggs Neck Bridge as you leave The Bronx heading to Queens” and follow the signs to the Maritime College (Pennyfield Ave. is to the LEFT over a bridge), or hitch a ride with a Classmate, if possible. For those who drive themselves, there will be Special Parking for the Class of 1960 cars and buses.

 

·        Arrangements for Special Assistance. If you are concerned about walking at the Fort, we can arrange for a golf cart with a cadet driver to transport you to the various campus events. Please contact Wally Sansone beforehand, if you require special assistance.

 

0815 Upon arrival at the Fort, we will proceed via the Outer Gorge through the Sallyport to the Library or the Hall of Fame. Remember, when going through the Sallyport, stop, salute the flag and then recite the Sallyport saying.

0830 Upon arrival at the Library or Hall of Honor, you will be welcomed by VADM  John W. Craine, USN (Ret.), our College President and enjoy a Continental Breakfast.

 

0930 Class of 1960 Muster in Outer Gorge for our Formal Class Photograph to be taken by the College Photographer. This is probably a “chance in a lifetime” opportunity to capture our 50^th Reunion so don’t wander afar. Wives and guests will enter St Mary’s Pentagon separately. Special seating will be provided for wives and guests. Tent seating will be provided depending on weather.

 

1000 50^th Reunion Class March from Inner Gorge into St Mary’s Pentagon to the Special Reserved seating. Music by Maritime Bagpipers who will be posted at the entrance to the Pentagon.               

·        “Pass in Review Mug Class” followed by Welcoming Address by VADM Craine.

·        Dr. George Maul PhD, former Battalion Commander will address the Mug Class and present the Class Gift to the College.

            

1100 Free Time to stroll to Vanderclute Hall for Reunion Luncheon.

 

1200 Assemble in Vanderclute Hall for Reunion Luncheon.

·        Reunion Memorial Prayer by Master of Ceremonies, Capt. Wallace Sansone.

·        Remarks by Captain J.R. Hoffmann, former Battalion Commander.

·        VADM Craine will briefly attend and make a few remarks.

 

1300 Wander on your own. Various Optional Events include:

·         Regimental Parade to Football Field and ‘Mug Pass in Review” prior to Football Game.

 

1330 The Football Game,

or

1400 ^{“PROMPT DEPARTURE”}   Early Departure for first bus (the “Early Bus”) from Special Class of 1960 Parking Area to return to Hotel for those who would like a rest before our Reunion Dinner-Dance or just would like to shop or tour the City. Please let us know on the morning bus if you want to reserve a seat on the Early Bus.

 

1400 Alumni Sailing Regatta Trophy in McMurray Hall, or

·        Cadet Guided Walking Tours of the campus grounds, classrooms, labs, dorms and the TS Empire State VI or tour on your own if you like.

·        Don’t miss the ship! Keep a weather eye on the time and head for the Pier to see the Training Ship EMPIRE STATE VI. For those of you who haven’t been around for a while, you won’t find it if you are looking for a “white” ship because it is now painted “blue”. “Different ships, Different Long Splices” as they say. A “White” ship was too hard to keep clean, we’re told, as if we didn’t know –we once painted it white.

·        See the wonderful Museum in the Fort, it is something special. More information about the Museum can be found at:

www.maritimeindustrymuseum.org

·        Visit the Library on the old Messdeck. Then head for the new Messdeck, the new Dorms, the “Ship’s Store”, the “Tiv”, the Engineering Bldg, the Gym, and whatever. Feel free to get lost and wander, if you wish, but remember the 1530 departure time and the departure location of the Bus that will be pointed out to you when we arrive on campus.

 

1530 ^{“PROMPT DEPARTURE”}  “Last Bus” departs from the designated Class of 1960 Parking Area for a scenic trip across the Bronx to return to our Hotel in Manhattan. Change seats or change buses if you would like to talk to different classmates or just settle in and take an afternoon nap in our bus and rest up for a fun evening together.

 

1630  Estimated time of arrival back at the hotel.

 

1900-2200 Saturday, September 25^th.

Reception and Dinner-Dance (Coat & Tie) at the “Manhattan Club at Rosie O’Grady’s”, 201 W 52^nd Street. To get there, just turn right as you leave the front entrance of the Hotel and walk down 7^th Avenue to W 52nd Street and make an immediate right turn around the corner to the private entrance of the “Manhattan Club at Rosie O’Grady’s”, just above Rosie O’Gradys Restaurant at 201 W 52^nd Street.

 

Enjoy the open bar cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres, choice of steak, fish, chicken, or pasta entrees, and the wonderful 50s-‘60s music for dancing. The music is provided by an alumnus, Al Song’59 and his wife Mary (known on the DJ circuit as “The Songs” – Elegant Dance Parties).  The Dinner will give us all opportunity to really get together and tell sea stories.

Rosie O’Grady’s basement pub lounge is a secret cozy bar and great for after dinner drinks when we close down upstairs. More information can be found at:

www.rosieogradys.com

 

All Day Sunday, September 26^th .

Start with breakfast or brunch. Get a group together. The Hotel restaurant is open for breakfast and brunch but for those more adventurous, 7^th Avenue and Broadway behind the Hotel is a breakfast-brunch bonanza:

Carnegie Deli at W 55 Street

Stage Deli at W 53^rd Street

Star Diner at W 54^th Street

Starbuck’s on 7^th Avenue at W 55^nd Street (outside front entrance of Hotel)

European Café at W 57^th Street at 7^th Avenue

 

There is so much to see and do in New York City so if you intend to arrive early or stay after the 50^th Reunion weekend. Check with the Concierge for fun things to do or for some ideas go to:

www.cityguidemagazine.com

 

Sunday, September 26^th . BON VOYAGE !

·        There is still a limited amount of time to book a dream voyage from New York City to Bermuda on Holland America Lines’ M/S VEENDAM from New York. Contact our Reunion Cruise Coordinator Ken Bishop or his back-up Gary Raffaele at the numbers and emails listed below. You will have a wonderful time and can recall the memories of your time aboard the EMPIRE STATE III.

·        For all of you who chose to attend our 50^th Reunion to renew old friendships, we hope you will have a good time and leave with fond memories – Until we meet again – Farewell and Smooth Sailing!

 

Name		Telephone	Email
Ken Bishop / Gary Raffaele	Homecoming Cruise Coordinators	(360) 678-3829 / ((423) 503-7712	bishopk@whidbey.net   ggraffaele@juno.com
Jack Ferrara	Treasurer, “Help-a-Classmate Fund”	(732) 671-6936	midjak@aol.com
Ray Hayden	Class Gift Coordinator- “College”	(212) 669-0600	RHAYDEN@HillRivkins.com
Herm Molzahn	Reunion Steering Committee, Class Gift Advisory Cmte; Class Communications & Roster	(703) 435-3587	hmolzahn@aol.com
Gary Raffaele &	Class Biographies Coordinator	(423) 503-7712	ggraffaele@juno.com
Ron Rasmus	Reunion Steering Committee; Off-Campus Homecoming Events, Transportation, Hotel & Restaurant Coordinator; Class Gift Advisory Cmte; MC Off-Campus Events, Class Gift Coordinator-“FSMAA”	(216) 401-0327	rcr@thegreatlakesgroup.com
Wally Sansone	Reunion Steering Committee, Class Gift Advisory Cmte; On-Campus & College- Homecoming Day & POD Events; MC On-Campus Events	(703) 241-7951	sansonew@verizon.net
John Zerbo	Reunion Steering Committee; Engineers’ Liaison; Class Gift Advisory Cmte	(201) 261-5909	ZZERBO@aol.com

 

WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP – Do not leave us on the hook until the last minute – organizing this event is more difficult then you can imagine. The Reunion Steering Committee asks you to immediately phone and make your reservations at the Hotel Park Central. Then please complete the attached “Response Form and Invoice” and send a check promptly to our Treasurer, Jack Ferrara for the events that you plan to attend. And please, use this same form to inform Jack even if you cannot make the Reunion, in order that we are sure we have made contact with all our classmates. Instructions are included in the “Response Form and Invoice”. Thanks for helping us wrap up these Reunion arrangements.

 

For all those who choose to attend our 50th Reunion, we look forward to seeing you and hope you have a great time and leave with fond memories – PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND – I can assure you that this is once in a lifetime event! For those of you who cannot make it, even though the Bells of Saint Mary's are calling, we will miss you. Until we meet again, Farewell and smooth sailing.