Celebration banner
 

Dear 1961 Class Members,
 

Wow! Last Thursday and Friday, we had the most exciting and fulfilling 48 hours that we ever remember. Actually, it was 65 hours.

Celebration attendees share their experiences

Here are some of the comments. Keep in mind that Joan Hutchins attended only via Live Streaming, and Marion Dry’s participation was only as the Memorial Service soloist.
 

  • Joan Hutchins: Loved it! What a great success!!! The fact that everyone was having so much fun came through clearly, even on the Live-Stream which worked surprisingly well. The Memorial Church Service with our 3 chaplains was stunning, especially the choir of which my daughter Georgia ‘92 felt so privileged to be a part. She has sent glowing reports, also of the beautiful concert Thursday night. Friday’s table topics offered a thoughtful change, reminding us we are Harvard grads for sure! Then, ending with a terrifically eclectic band that got everyone out dancing – including your historic version of Maybelline – was pure delight. Many happy memories were clearly made. With much gratitude for this effort by so many, and with thanks, especially for your leadership!! Here’s to next time!!!! Joan

  • Georgia Bush: What a wonderful experience! Jim Marvin and Justin Blackwell were fantastic in action. I am still singing the music in my head, thank you so much for organizing this and herding cats. It was such a pleasure to meet new people of all ages and so satisfying to make music together. With much gratitude, Georgia

  • Bill Gallagher: As you must know, everyone extolled the excellence of the musical performances. But I gotta be honest….there were moments when I thought, “this is never going to be pulled off.”

  • Marion Dry: I hope you are pleased with what you accomplished. I know it was a Herculean multi-faceted and sometimes strenuous endeavor! I hope last night was really fun for all! I am sure it was. You have done a huge service not only to your class, but to all those singers (me included) who had the pleasure and fun of coming together. Several of us remarked at how healthy and vibrant so many of your classmates looked to us. Gives me hope for the future. When I marveled at your youthfulness, Lucy said; "Yes, I expect he is one of those guys who climbs Monadnock every day before breakfast!" Amazing!

  • Mark DeVoto: Once again congratulation on a brilliantly successful occasion that you quarterbacked so adroitly and so completely. I wish I could have stayed for the dancing; I might even have got out on the floor mineself.

  • Laura Belman: We are all on a cloud of good feelings! Thank you for a glorious week, crammed with old memories and new pleasures. Don’t see how you pulled it together, miracles every one. Multi-million thanks, from your fan. Laura

  • Hank Zoob: Wonderful Reunion experience. It was a real upper. Scheduled perfectly, so that we did not feel constrained. Congratulations on organizing a wonderful Reunion. There were many great things about it, but a small measure which I really appreciated was the assigned seating at the dinners. It really helped expand our interaction with our classmates. Brilliant idea! Hank

Crystal vase winners

Here are the winners Crystal Vase Gifts awarded for significant accomplishments.
 

  1. Our Celebration Directors for comprehensive oversight and extraordinary leadership: Josh Young, Joan Hutchins, Bill Gallagher, Doug Lind, Peter Strauss, Mark DeVoto, Patricia Miller, and Sam Hopkins (who deserves extra gold stars for his hybrid design)

  2. Our Inspiring Clerical Team: Judith Semple Green and Hank Zoob, in combination with Doug Lind.

  3. Our Intrepid Hand on the Tiller: Lindsay Otis for her Event Management

  4. Our Full Package Registrants after April 28th
    • Chizuko & Tatsu Carleton
    • Barney Frank
    • Alan and Barbara Gardner
    • Todd Lee and K.C. Dalton

  5. Our Charming, Loyal, Garden Party Hosts: Jeannette and Charlie Atkinson who made sure singers from other Classes know who we are, at heart.
     

All of these individuals have been awarded the Waterford Marquise Crystal Vase.

Would you like a recording of the livestreaming?

Especially for those who could not participate with either attendance or Live Streaming, we want you to have the entire experience at your fingertips.
 

Please Choose from the Three Following Options: Each of these requires you to email Sara McGee (semcghee@yahoo.com). Please order for your library and share with family members who did not attend in person:
 

  1. Option A: Video of Memorial Service with prayers, reading of names, two choral anthems, and the closing hymns of Radcliffe and Harvard. Free upon Request

  2. Option B: Video Live Stream Recording of All the 2022 Celebration Events, upon request, for the low, low price of $148.00. This Option is also available to Partial Package Attendees. The Recording is free to Full Package Attendees, and to Live Stream Subscribers, upon request.
     
    • Thursday, June 9, 2022.
      9:45 – 11:15 a: Memorial service at Memorial Church: Prelude and Postlude played by Mark DeVoto. The Alumni Choir sings. The names of all Class Members deceased since 2016 are read.

      12:00 – 12:30 pm: Diorama Premier: Watch the entire documentary video of the Pitman Dioramas

      8:00 – 9:15 pm Concert: by the Alumni Chorus, composed of alumni from the Classes of 1959 to 2019. These singer alumni from the Harvard Glee Club, the Radcliffe Choral Society, and the Harvard-Radcliff Collegium Musicum, will delight you with a challenging and afar-ranging classical repertoire.
       
    • Friday, June 10, 2022
      9:30 – 10 am: Panel Presentation by six presenters for each of six topics, discussed thereafter at the “Table Talks.”

      11 – 11:30 am: Spokespersons for each table present a summary of conclusions reached by his or her table

      11:30 – 11:40 am: Presentation of the Newell Flather Memorial Gift, by Tom Blodgett to Newell Flather’s family

      11:40 – 12 noon: Presentation of the Class of 1961 Permanent Class Gift to the President and Fellows of Harvard College encompassing All Rights to the Diorama Restoration, the Diorama Video, and the Calendar of Harvard Events. Phil Lovejoy accepted the Gift.

      12:30 – 1:30 pm: After an introduction (via Zoom) by Tim Wirth, Harvard Vice Provost James Stock spoke on the new Harvard initiative on Climate and Sustainability, followed by Q & A.

      5:30 – 6:15 pm. Reception in Hyatt outdoor patio with piano background music by the Winiker Band pianist.

      6:30 – 8:00 pm. Dinner in the Amesbury Ballroom with soft music by the Winiker Band through the first course. After Dinner, the video i ncludes a Class Speech and the Celebration Closing Announcements. Tom Blodgett led the Dinner guests in singing Chuck Berry’s Mabellene.
       
  3. Option C: Purchase a Choral Video Recording of just the two Church Anthems and the entire Choral Concert Performance, available for $75.00, upon request.
     

The permanent Live Stream recordings will begin to be available to purchasers through an iCloud link which we will send you after July 1.
 

Please contact Sara McGee (semcghee@yahoo.com) today, to register your choices of the above. Then, please send your check to Ms. Joan M. Hutchins, 145 Green Acres Road, Elizaville, NY 12523.
 

We are sure you will enjoy the Live Stream Recordings. We especially wish to thank the 120 Classmates and Guests who attended the Celebration for sharing this extraordinary Class experience. We sincerely hope all other Class Members will purchase the Videos to share that experience.
 

With best regards,