CHS CLASS OF '59
70TH BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
From the July 22, 2010 meeting
This meeting was held at Vicki Daniel White's home and was chaired by Anne Johnson. Also attending were Linda Rhoden McKinney, Susie Turner Crouch, Kenneth Peterson, Nathan Pearlman, Gloria Hudson Sutton, Carolyn Thomas Presswood, Linda Rogers Chambers, Carolyn Tuley Darr, Nancy Poole Klein, Sharon Barker Tunnell, Gaynell Hixson Smith, Ann Tyer and Lew Waddey, Kent Smith, Barbara Dalton Warner, and guests Jim McKinney and David Weidner.
Anne discussed themes in terms of a 70th birthday party and mentioned that depending on the venue other themes were possible. The general consensus is that we want to have a place where we can go, relax, and have fun visiting. Our primary focus at this meeting is to select a venue and date to be advertised to all classmates ASAP.
As treasurer, Susie Turner Crouch stressed that we have money to plan a really nice party.
Several places were discussed briefly including The Mill, Loose Cannon, the Methodist Episcopal Church at the corner of MLK and Lindsey, Camp Dixie, and Manker Patten. We discussed the Island Cove Marina (old Loret) in more detail because as a resort it has many advantages including motel rooms and cottages, a pavilion, restaurant, meeting rooms and boat docks all in one place. Despite many attractive features, however, it is out on the lake away from other attractions, and the weather might not cooperate.
Our discussion then focused on downtown venues because of the many attractions, restaurants, and hotels. The Bessie Smith venue emerged as our first choice. The rental fee is $700. Susie will book the facility in early summer probably in June.
By using Bessie Smith we can hire our own caterer and supply our own liquor. We will hire a bartender and cleanup crews to supplement the caterer's staff as needed. Also we plan to have a DJ and dance, but decorations will be minimal and inexpensive.
Other activities will probably emerge as planning goes forward, and hosts/hostesses will be needed for any "official" activities. Also there may be " informal" meal plans; for example, some may want to meet and visit in small groups. We did stress that communications need to go to all classmates, and some information should go by "snail" mail for any who may not have access to the Internet. These activities will depend on people arriving on Friday and staying on Sunday.
Included in communications needs to be a registration form with a small charge to encourage classmates to commit to this birthday bash. We will need a classmate to prepare this form; possibly someone who does not live in Chattanooga could be responsible for this. Dru Smith Fuller is covered up with the blog, so we need a volunteer. Sharon Barker Tunnell will update the directory as needed; she mentioned that printing really needs to be done locally. Another very important component of communication among classmates is the email address list! Carolyn Thomas Presswood is in charge of this list, so please inform her on any changes at Carolyn.presswood@coldwellbanker.com.
The "Lunch Bunch" will meet August 26, the fourth Thursday, and Gaynell Hixson Smith invited us back on their boat for October 28.
Anne stressed that we all had such a wonderful reunion last year and we need to make our birthday party just as appealing and inviting to everybody. Our goal is for all to have fun and to visit with old friends.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara D. Warner
ADDENDUM
Susie Turner Crouch has booked the Bessie Smith Hall for June 4, 2011.
Charley Wheeler has volunteered to assist in the PR for the party by designing the flyer and postcard. We still need to work out the mailing procedures.
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