R E P O R T   N U M E R O   U L T I M O

-OR-

P O S T C A R D   F R O M   T H E   C AE S I U M  C H A M B E R




Bon jour, dear friends,

First off, we'd like to thank you all for the hundreds of calls, emails and telegrams we got from you expressing your concern about our health, welfare and recent capacity for holding the planning sessions on July 29-30 as scheduled. We are glad to report that we survived the recent rebel attack on Planners by members of a group calling itself OOO-AA (Oxymoronic Organization Of Alumni Anarchists) and were able to make arrangements for an alternative meeting venue . . . to ensure our being able to work without further disturbance. And although we were required to summon up considerable inner fortitude to accept the necessity, we ultimately did make the first class reservations, and are thrilled today to send you our best greetings and this Report that the meetings DID take place and, in fact, began less than an hour after our arrival here.

Ahhhh, if we could only convey to you HOW well we are working here . . .

But we can't . . .

So we won't . . .

Yours trulys, in photogenic order:
front, l to r : Marilinne Cooper, Judy Wallace, Richard Mellor, Melanie Hamilton, Howie Lyhte, Alan Strell
back, l to r : Mark Chain, Natalie Woodroofe, Holly Finlay, Beth Simon, Nancy Wallace, Ned Depew
Wayne Turiansky is out getting fresh croissants for all of us, and Brad Whipple is over at the Highways & Byways Department talking with local authorities about our putting up Reunion signs around the countryside.

Anyway . . . it seemed only fitting, so the first item of business we took up was

REGISTRATIONS & BUDGET:
So far, 262 former Franconia people have registered. If we had full payment for all these registration, we'd be in good shape with the budget. But we don't . . . yet.

So,
IF YOU WANT TO BE GUARANTEED A FULL REUNION-PACKET AND THE MEALS YOU ORDERED,
YOUR FULL PAYMENT NEEDS TO BE IN OUR HANDS BY YESTERDAY.
>> NO GUARANTEES AFTER FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 <<

IF WE DON'T GET THIS MONEY,WE'RE GOING TO BE SHORT COVERING THE BUDGET.
SO HAVE A HEART & GET YOUR BUCKS TO US NOW!

THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SURPRISE ITEM IN THE PACKET
FOR THE FIRST 300 FULLY PAID REGISTREES

AND FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SHOW UP WITHOUT HAVING REGISTERED,
BUT STILL WANT TO GET YER YA YAS OUT . . .
HERE'S ANOTHER SPECIAL OFFER:

Any former Franconia-person can a get a Day Pass to the reunion at Peabody for $10.00.
Of course, you don't get any meals or any of the Reunion items for this (Book, Video, Photo, Diploma, ID, etc.), but you do get to revel in any and all events going on THAT day.
It's only F.C. people who have to pay; spouses, companions, the kids, etc. come in on your pass.


Oh . . . did we forget to mention that we had to take our escape-from-the-anarchists-tickets as a complete tour-package?. . .

So this guy is out in the middle of the desert, close to dying of thirst. He thinks it's a mirage he sees, but slowly, another man approaches. "Water . . .water . . ." the desperate one says. "Sorry," says the man, "I don't have any. But I can give you a tie." "Don't need a tie. Need water. . ." He blacks out. The other man shrugs and walks off. Night falls, the man regains consciousness and begins crawling, ever so slowly. He crawls all night and all the next morning, and is just about to expire when he realizes he's arrived at an upscale oasis-tent. The crisp and colorfully dressed doorman appears, the thirsting man sighs in relief. "Water . . . water . . . Let me in!", he pleads. "Sorry, sir, but you must be wearing a tie to get in here."

So here's the question: What is ageless, yearless, and filled with the riddles of antiquity?

It's THE BOOK: Ned is awaiting the galleys. The mock-up looks GREAT! It's included in the Registration Packet, or is $9.95 (including s&h) if you order it a la carte.

And then there's:
The VIDEO: also included in the Registration Packet, or $11.05 (including s&h) if you order it a la carte.

and

The BAG LUNCH: FOR SATURDAY'S ROAD RALLY AWARDS AND PICNIC. $7.00 ea (includes non-alcoholic drink).
You have to ORDER THEM AT PEABODY BY FRIDAY, 6:00 PM.
You can PICK THEM UP SAT. 10 AM - NOON AT PEABODY.
DON'T FORGET - THE BAG LUCH IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION PACKET.


IMPORTANT
There will probably be a LOT of cars at the College site for the picnic Saturday afternoon.
The site is now privately owned, so whenever you're there
PLEASE HEED THE PARKING SIGNS

Meanwhile, as evening settles in over the sands, we move on . . . so as to get our buck's worth out of the tickets. Modest as we are, we eschewed the limousine service and hiked the local shortcut to the hotel.



Apropos walking the walk . . .

The WALKING TOUR(s) OF THE COLLEGE SITE: We haven't found anyone to be Tour Guide on Friday yet, but we're still working on it. We're all pretty sure it will happen, though.

The OPEN MIKE: Friday & Saturday from 10 AM on. Alan's figuring individuals can have about 20 minutes, groups about 45 minutes each. A sign-up sheet will be posted at Peabody. Daytime will be mostly for acoustic music, nights electric.

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC: The following homegrown bands - in one configuration or another - will almost certainly be playing Friday night: Con Fullam, Suns, Pan, Sarah Brooks. Sarah will also be singing during the HornBand breaks Saturday night.

WOMB MUSIC: Background ambience during meals; orchestrated and presented by Roger Gucci.

. . . And in support of the ongoing quality control commitment by our Sartorial Excellence Department, we did not neglect the opportunity to get someplace where it was sunny and warm enough to test out some T-shirts:



Armani Wayne Versace-Turiansky reports on the new line:
T-SHIRTS: 2 versions for sale. Expected price range is $5 - $7. Ca 300 of each in sizes SM - XL.


Then, for our study of the documentary video on Reunion Planning, called "How to be Successful, Rich and Happy Without Anyone Finding Out About It", we adjourned from the beach and headed into the Media Lounge.

As you also will be able to do:

We'll have ONE TV/VCR AT PEABODY for showing/viewing college & era related videos, including the legendary documentary, "Water Snake in Coney Valley". Bring your Franconia or otherwise-related, family-rated videos if you want to show them. DON'T bring originals, people. Nonetheless: DO attain in advance to that magnanimity of spirit required in transcending eventual involuntary donations to potentially nameless members of the attending public. Capisce?

and not to forget:
TIME CAPSULE: Bring your things which will transcend the persistence of memory. We don't know where the capsule's going to end up yet, but that's right in keeping . . . don't you think? Stay tuned.

INTERNET LIVE-FEED / CHAT-ROOM: Keep an eye open for a Forum-posting from Ned inquiring about interest in having a live Internet video-feed or Chat-Room hook-up at certain times on Friday and Saturday.

TIME LINE: The Interactive Wall Documentation of Our Yet-To-Be-Determined Franconia College
History.

POETRY READING: Adelina reports that we have 8 confirmed and about 5 other possible readers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Adelina's compilation of "Franconians in Print, Broadcast and Film/Video", some 37 pages, will be available at the Reunion for a $3.00-4.00 donation to cover production costs.

ARTICLES about the reunion have been sent out to the AP New York and New Hampshire, to UPI, USA Today, the Boston Globe, the Boston Phoenix, and the Village Voice. Keep an eye out . . . maybe something will really get printed. Rumors that they are already being translated and distributed in 32 countries could not be confirmed at press time.

and now:
A ROAD RALLY TEASER: Marilinne says: "A sample of what the Road Rally will be like":
...Continue on past the Littleton Opera house in the direction of Whitefield. After 1/2 mile you will come to a red and white building on the left:
     1. What store in Littleton calls itself the "oldest ski shop in America"?
     2. What was the name of the infamous female sales clerk who worked there?

And while you're driving, don't forget (we sure didn't) Douglas Fairbanks' motto for success: "Keep smiling and moving".

. . . Well, when the bar ran out of umbrella drinks, we decided we might as well pack our bags, head for home, and finish putting this thing together.

So here they are, the final facts and repetitions:


FINAL EVENT-SCHEDULE
Transport to the schedule by clicking HERE.



NEW & FINAL WELCOME/REGISTRATION TABLE (aka FRONT DESK) HOURS
Area maps, lists of excursion sites, and other info relevant to the genius loci will be at the Registration Table which will be staffed by, well, our highly trained Staff Registrars on:
THURSDAY: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
FRIDAY: NOON - 7:00 PM
SATURDAY: 10:00 AM - NOON and 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Should you find yourself arriving at Peabody after the above hours, you can still register, but it will be a wee bit more cumbersome. Simply ask one of the friendly hospitality professionals at the door how to get registered and follow their directions.


Which brings us nicely to the matter of:

SET-UP & CLEAN-UP:
If you're going to be here early and want to help set things up with us, contact Judy in advance . . . like today. And come Reunion Sunday-afternoon, there's going to be stuff all over the walls that has to get taken down, equipment (not too big or heavy) that will have to be moved, and suchlike. We'll need people to lend a hand. (Bill Walsh and his Peabody crew will be doing the cleaning, trash, structural rehabilitation, etc.)


LAST LAST CALLS & ANNOUNCEMENTS


- GET YOUR REGISTRATIONS & MONIES IN MUY PRONTO

- IF YOU WANT TO HELP WITH SET-UP and/or CLEAN-UP, please contact JUDY in advance

- ANY EARLY ARRIVEE INTERESTED IN BEING TOUR-GUIDE ON FRIDAY? Contact HOWIE

- NO CREDIT CARDS FOR ANYTHING AT PEABODY (except for the bar)



Whew . . . Well, here we are back in the North Country, folks. And since we're not taking credit cards at the door, and there will be a lot of horse-and-buggies to park, we thought you'd appreciate seeing the cutting-edge ATMs and hitching posts we've installed at Peabody for your convenience.

. . .And as the sun sets on 18 months of monolithic planning mania
(and as the wine has temporarily run out, and we wait for fresh deposits in our Swiss
account to cover our Post Reunion Traumatic Therapy and Reorientation Cruise),
we here in the Report Department, on behalf of the entire Planners Coup, er, Group,
bid you fond Adieu and leave you with these words of inspiration


DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD BE DONE BY,
WORK AS WELL AS YOU CAN, AND BE KIND.

and remember

D O N ' T   T A K E   A N Y   W O O D E N   M E A L   T I C K E T S


Mark, Judy, Howie
for the Planners

It's a wrap.