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PHOTO ALBUM
OUR 45th REUNION
June, 2007
Reported by Ned Groth

Twenty-one of us made it back to the Mountainside for a celebration that coincided with the kick-off of Darrow’s diamond jubilee year. Most of us stayed at the Inn at the Shaker Mill Farm, in the valley, where we reminisced until the wee hours, both nights. The weatherman cooperated with sunny, dry days on Saturday and Sunday. We passed up our traditional Friday night class banquet at Mario’s and participated in the school’s banquet honoring former teachers. Those of us who stayed over until Sunday met at Peter Deri’s house in Lenox for a brunch, hosted by Peter and his partner, Lisa Kaufman, and Jay and Margaret Tanner. Unlike last time (when I forgot my camera) I took lots of pictures, and I’m also indebted to Howdy Davis and Frank Rosenberg for shots they contributed, and to Anson Perina and Margau Manchester for taking a few with my camera that had me in them, so I can prove I was there. The photos mostly tell the story, so let’s get to them….

This “unofficial” version of the class photo shows 20 of us on Saturday afternoon. Left to right, Back Row: Bill Anthony, Huib Soutendijk, Frank Rosenberg, Joe Coffee, Pete Loomis, Peter Deri, Tom Bird, and former teacher Des McCracken. Second Row: Bob Lang, Anson Perina, Carl Braun, Carl Sharpe, Towner Lapp, Dave Griswold, Gib Manchester, Michael Terry. Front Row: Peter Golden, Ned Groth, Jay Tanner, Howdy Davis, John Ho.  Not visible but present in spirit: Kip Smith (on cell phone with Tanner). Missed photo: Duane Lehmann.

Among the high points this year was seeing three classmates who were attending their first reunion ever: Peter Golden, Huib Soutendijk, and Michael Terry. Huib had been in touch the whole time but he hadn’t been able to make it to our past reunions. Both Peter and Mike were recovered from the “lost list” within the past year and were catching up with old friends after decades. Peter, who was with us at Darrow just for our sophomore year, was amazed at how we were all both the same people he had known then, and grown up and wiser.

Far left, Mike Terry and Peter Golden catching up with Dave Griswold at the Friday evening reception in the Dairy Barn. Left, Huib Soutendijk and Anson Perina at the Inn later the same evening.

Another highlight for ’62 was the number of spouses and spouse-equivalents who joined us this time (11, which I believe is an all time high). Some, such as Laurie Coffee, Jerrie Davis and Ellie Rosenberg, are veterans of many past reunions, while others were experiencing our class for the first time.

Top left: Ellie Rosenberg, Laurie Coffee and Bev Perina at Friday’s reception Top center, Howdy and Jerrie Davis at dinner Friday. Top right, Gib and Margau Manchester failing to pretend the guy with the camera isn’t there. Center right, Joan Anthony and Ellie relaxing at the Inn with some indigenous wildlife (not to worry, the bear is fake and stuffed, a footstool). Center left, John Ho and his wife, Xiao-Yung Li, who goes by Yang-Yang, at Friday’s reception. Bottom left, Huib and Kathy (Markel) telling us about their trip to the Galapagos last year, over breakfast at the Inn. Bottom right, Carl rubs Patricia (Hogan)’s neck during dinner Saturday.

The Shaker Mill Inn, where most of us stayed, is a restored Shaker building, down at the foot of Cherry Lane. Decades ago, the lane ran through the woods from the old Shaker post next to Coach Mahnken’s house down to the mill, in the valley. The inn has about 20 rooms, Spartan but comfortable, and a two-room common area with a wood-burning fireplace, doors out to the patio in the rear, and lots of places to sit and chat. When we weren’t on campus, we congregated there. For those who’ve never stayed there, here are a few views of the Inn and its environs:

Because of the 75-year celebration, this reunion included many more scheduled events than our past ones did. Among the innovations that might become traditions were a group photo of all alumni present (close to 150), on the Library steps; a “parade” in which we lined up by decades and walked from the Library steps around to the Chapel; an art show in the Joline building featuring alumni, faculty and student works; and some pretty spectacular fireworks on Saturday night. There were also more workshops than you could even think of attending, guided nature walks, and unguided strolls around campus to stimulate our memories and see what shape the school is in. Overall, the campus looked well groomed and reasonably well kept up, although some of the dorms were showing the wear and tear of another year’s hard use. For us, of course, the best part was hanging around, nursing a beer or a glass of wine, and reconnecting with old friends, whether we’d last seen them one, five or 47 years ago.

Friday Afternoon and Evening

We arrived at the Inn, checked in, greeted others who were there, got into our Darrow ’62 shirts (courtesy of Carl Braun), then went up to campus to register, went back down to the Inn for a while, and back to campus for the reception and banquet in the Dairy barn.

Left, Carl Sharpe greets Pierre Loomis as Wop arrives at the Inn, while Pat (Carl’s partner) waits to be introduced. Right, Peter Golden and Carl Braun chat with Nick Heyniger about his father.

Above left, Braun, Sharpe and Davis reminisce with Des McCracken at the reception. Above center, Frank Rosenberg and Huib Soutendijk reconnect with Chuck Currie ’61. Above right, Perina, Lang and Loomis at the reception. Below left,  one of the all-’62 tables at the banquet. Below center, Peter Golden learns more about Raoul Wallenberg than he ever imagined possible. Below right, two short guys named Carl; who let them sit together?

Kip Smith had planned to be here and wanted badly to come, but he couldn’t travel, for medical reasons. (He’s on the mend, down in Houston.) Above left, we  called Kipper on Howdy’s cell phone (thanks, Howdy!) during Friday’s dinner, and passed it around. Here, Peter speaks with Kip while Tom awaits his turn. Above center and right, beer and wine flowed freely…in and out again. (Towner asked for some X-rated shots; sorry, best I could do.)  Four of us spoke at the open mike during the tribute to the teachers: Peter Golden, Dave Griswold, Pete Loomis and I. Below left, Pierre remembers The Boss while, below right, Michael Terry and Frank Rosenberg listen appreciatively.

Later Friday, Back at the Inn

Above left, Towner and Howdy. Above center, Frank, Joe and Gris. Above right, Howdy and Carl chatting, (not singing this time). Left: When Grendel says “Smile,” we all  smile. Right, Peter and John. Below left, Pete and Huib. Below center, E-Rock and Anson. Below right, Carl Braun, a man after my own heart, helps himself to another drink.

Saturday, At Darrow

Above left, Carl Braun, Tom Bird and John Ho, in front of Wickersham; Above center, ’62 fills up several benches in the Chapel at the alumni meeting. Above right, Peter Deri and Jay Tanner came over from Lenox on Saturday, and pose here with a bunch of rowdy guys they ran into by the Dairy Barn. Below left, Peter and Jay with Peter. Below center, Bill and Joan Anthony, wearing proper sun attire, chat with Frank Rosenberg, going bareheaded, as it were, by the swimming pool, where the picnic lunch was held this year; Below right, Huib, Pierre and Towner pass by the Chapel as we explored the campus, after lunch.

Ron Richardello ‘61, left, who was there our freshman year, chats with Towner outside the Dairy Barn. With Ron is his grandson, who wants to go to Darrow and will be their third generation there; Ron’s son is class of ’93. Ron left Darrow after one year to become a professional musician; Darrow awarded him an honorary diploma at this reunion.

Left, Towner and Dave looking preppy at dinner; Below left, Lang is absorbed in conversation with Laurie Coffee, so Loomis swipes Lang’s dessert. Below, right, Ned gets (another) prize, giving ’62 another excuse to cheer.

Later Saturday, Back At The Inn

Above left, Gib Manchester and Bob Lang. Above center, Lang, Margau Manchester, Joe Coffee (behind Gris) and Griswold, toasting Lang’s birthday (64th, June 24, and yes, we still need him & feed him). Above right, Bill Anthony built a kayak; Huib holds a photo of it as Frank looks on.

Below left, Towner and Gib listening to Loomis’s stories. Below center, Pete Loomis shares a funny story about a summer he worked at the Irondequoit Inn on Piseco Lake in the Adirondacks, with John Prentiss, and the girls they pursued (and vice versa) there. Below right, John Ho, Peter Golden and Tom Bird discussing the current state of the school.

Sunday

I didn’t take many pictures on Sunday, especially at the brunch at Peter’s house; I guess I was too busy enjoying conversations. Frank Rosenberg took a bunch of pictures there; look for a supplemental album with Frank’s photos to be posted below, when it’s available.

Left, Towner, Carl, Pat, Mike and Anson behind the Inn on Sunday morning; Below, Pete Loomis, Mike, Bev, Jay and Anson at Peter Deri’s house in Lenox.

More Pictures Worth a Thousand Words (Each):

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