CLASS OF 1960
SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE,
FORT SCHUYLER
50TH REUNION
WEEKEND
FRIDAY, SEPT 24TH TO SUNDAY, SEPT 26th,
2010
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS &
INSTRUCTIONS
Hotel Park Central New York
870 Seventh Avenue between 55th and 56th
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
24th. 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 24th. 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 45th 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 24th.
“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 56th Street and 7th Avenue. Cross the street at the corner
(stay on the same side of the street) to the Redeye Restaurant at 890 7th
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 25th.
- 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 7th
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 50th 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 50th 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 25th.
Reception and Dinner-Dance (Coat & Tie) at the
“Manhattan Club at Rosie O’Grady’s”, 201 W 52nd Street. To get
there, just turn right as you leave the front entrance of the Hotel and walk
down 7th 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 52nd
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 26th .
Start with breakfast or brunch. Get a group together. The
Hotel restaurant is open for breakfast and brunch but for those more
adventurous, 7th Avenue and Broadway behind the Hotel is a
breakfast-brunch bonanza:
Carnegie Deli at W
55 Street
Stage Deli at W 53rd
Street
Star Diner at W 54th
Street
Starbuck’s on 7th
Avenue at W 55nd Street (outside front entrance of Hotel)
European Café at W
57th Street at 7th Avenue
There is so much to see and
do in New York City so if you intend to arrive early or stay after the 50th
Reunion weekend. Check with the Concierge for fun things to do or for some
ideas go to:
www.cityguidemagazine.com
Sunday, September 26th . 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 50th 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!
DO YOU NEED HELP - If you have any questions or need assistance during the weekend,
just contact the appropriate Member of the Reunion Committee listed below.
Please understand that the fun of New York is knowing that “things just happen”
and sometimes you just have to let them happen to have a good time.
|
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.