REUNION

October 22, 23, and 24, 1999


Sally Oswald Tilson (JC'49) was one of the lucky ones to attend this year's reunion. She has contributed the following account and the photos. (Click on the pictures to see them larger and read the captions.)

Janie (Janie Taylor, my roommate) and I had a great time at Penn Hall last weekend. We were disappointed that there were only three of us from the J.C. '49 class, plus Nancy Noah Succop, who was a P.'47 and spent one year with us in the J.C. There were only a total of about 35 present, including several husbands.

Coco did a nice job planning the weekend. The only thing that was not well-planned was the flag-raising ceremony on Sat.! First, we couldn't find the flag. Finally, Tom Jackson found it in a closet in the manor. Then, it was decided the J.C. '49ers should raise the thing. Pity we didn't have a video tape. Pretty funny with us three old gals fighting this huge, heavy, wool flag in a stiff wind that had sprung up! Finally, a couple of men helped us get the rope on the flagpole undone and the flag hooked up. After heaving as much as I thought I could, I quit and said it was a job for the younger gals!

Janie and I were pleased with how the old school has been renovated and added to. We were invited to see about four apartments and one of the "cottages". All are beautiful. And the new swimming pool! Complete with electric lifts and a whirlpool. The Equestrian Center is also pretty elegant. The Arts Building has not had anything done to it inside, but the outside has been fixed up to conform to the other buildings. The renovations of the other two buildings, and the building joining the two, apparently cost more than the Mennonite Foundation (Menno Haven) had to spend at the time. They are hoping to get the money to fix up the other building. According to the man who was taking us on the tour, the inside of the Arts Building has gone to rack and ruin....the stage has collapsed, and floors are rotting. I really hope they'll be able to complete the job sometime.

At the Alumnae meeting on Sat. morning, Judy VanRanst Willcox, p.47, was elected president. It was also voted to try having the reunions every three years, instead of every two. There was a good deal of discussion and argument about that issue. I just realized I don't have the names of the new board members.....there were only about three.

We were lucky with the weather. Rain had been predicted for Saturday, but the front came through on Friday night, and Saturday was blustery but pretty. Our drive back to Virginia Sunday afternoon was beautiful.

THE SCHEDULE

Friday
12 Noon to 5PM - Registration
6PM - Reception with Cash Bar
7PM - Welcoming Dinner

Saturday
9AM - Registration (Penn Hall)
10AM - Alumnae Meeting (Penn Hall Chapel)
1PM - Alumnae Luncheon at Penn Hall with Speaker - Tom Jackson & Awards
3PM - Pictures
6:30PM - Dinner - The Orchards Restaurant

Sunday
9AM - Archives Open
10AM - Champagne Brunch (Laird Hall, Wilson Campus)

 All 5-Year Reunion Classes Honored

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