Dear Classmates and Ladies of the Class:

This goes to all who are planning to attend our 55th reunion to tell you in all current detail about the tours that will be offered for the Monday of our 55th reunion. You’ve been asked to state your preferences twice previously, but this will hopefully tell you everything you want to know before you make your final choice on a sign-up sheet, which you will receive in a month or so, that will require payment for a tour, meals, etc. The tour options we previously presented have been added to and enhanced. They are West Point, Kykuit, Ellis Island and the (newly added) 9/11 Memorial.  Additionally, and very important, some of the tour opportunities are limited in participation, as I’ll explain. Accordingly, we’ll take your preferences on a first to pay, first to go basis, so be nimble, be quick. Sorry, what you showed a preference for in earlier surveys won’t count. And, no early birds please, wait for the mail, and don’t send money prematurely. We’ll ask for second and maybe, even, third choices, and then we’ll sort things out as necessary. Carefully obey the instructions in the forthcoming paperwork.  Recognizing that we are neither as mobile nor as indefatigable as we used to be, I’ll try to give you an idea of the "degree of difficulty" (not high) for each of the excursions, and what your turnaround time will be for the evening’s event.  Be aware that while all the buses have storage space for wheelchairs, those with a lift capability are extremely limited, if available at all.  The costs shown are per person, and our best estimate at this time.

WEST POINT/FERRY TRIP ($50):   The buses will depart the hotel at 1100 and return before 1700.  You will travel to West Point and board the Supe’s ferry for a cruise with a catered lunch onboard. Upon disembarking, you’ll meet your tour guide.   She will treat you to visits to some of the new (to us) Academy construction of particular interest, such as the Arvin Gym, the Holleder and Kimsey Centers, the new Shea Stadium, etc.  Worthy of note: the library and other nearby sites will be visitable following the mess hall lunch on Tuesday.  This tour is limited to 125 (the capacity of the vessel).  The steps down to the only restrooms on the ferry, and the gangplank, are quite steep. Other than that, the stress level should be low; some "offs an ons" with the buses and strolling through buildings.

WEST POINT/SUPERINTENDENT'S BRIEFING ($43):  You will be incorporated with the ferry trip folks for the bus transportation.  You'll be dropped at Eisenhower Hall to have lunch in the Cafe with the Class of '62, then proceed to the briefing.  There is no limitation to this opportunity.  Depending upon its length, you may have time to stroll about before the bus recovers you at Ike.

KYKUIT ($50):  The buses will depart the hotel at 1100 and return about 1715.  This is the Rockefeller estate just north of Tarrytown. This tour was offered during our 45th reunion and thoroughly enjoyed by a limited number of the class. This time, it’s a two-part affair with interesting enhancements. We’ll do the customary tour of the main floor of the home with its fine furnishings and art, the subterranean galleries, the gardens with views of the river, and the coach barn with a collection of antique carriages and automobiles. And, there is this special treat: Our own Jim Hamilton is very knowledgeable of both the estate and the Rockefeller family. He will lead us through the The Playhouse, which was created for the family’s private use and not open to the public, with a bowling alley, gym, indoor/outdoor tennis courts and swimming pools, card room and squash court. Other areas contain medieval sculpture and portraits of the third generation of Rockefeller sons in their WWII uniforms.  Luncheon will be by courtesy of the family and while we eat, Jim Johnson ‘69, a former history "P", now at Marist, and a Hudson Valley history scholar, will discuss events of the Revolution in the area. This tour is limited to 53, mainly by the requirement of the docents to move groups of 17 or so in a timed sequence through the home.  This tour opportunity will be fairly easy on the legs. Transportation will be provided between buildings, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

ELLIS ISLAND ($54):  The buses for this tour will depart at 1030 and return about 1700.  We will proceed to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, about a one hour ride. This is the site of the long disused Jersey Central RR terminal (a Victorian structure and a point of interest in itself), the intermediate terminus for commuter trains from north Jersey.  A Panera box lunch will be provided.  We will board a round-robin shuttle boat (expect airport style security) that makes a 40 minute circuit between the island, the statue, and the park. On the island, you’ll be outfitted with the usual earphones to do your own follow-the-audio tour which will take about two hours. Catch the shuttle in time to allow the bus to return you to the hotel by around 1700, traffic permitting.  Ellis Island and the shuttle boats are wheelchair accessible. The building is large, but easy strolling.  This tour has been reserved for 53 people.

9/11 MEMORIAL ($38):  Also a 1030 departure and a 1700 or so return.  The buses will drop us near the site, in the financial district near Battery Park.  The tour includes a Panera box lunch and reserved tickets for a 1330 visit of the Memorial.   We will be free to stroll around the proximity, the shops, waterfront, take an adult beverage, etc., until 1315 for entry into the site, which is a park-like setting on a part of the footprint of the towers. It is unguided; stroll and contemplate at your leisure. The site is wheelchair accessible.  This tour is limited to 55.  The big tour companies book years in advance and May is a popular month, so medium sized blocks of tickets have been difficult to obtain.

I hope this has been helpful in your getting ready to making a good choice of what is offered. Again, please phone or write to me if you have any questions.

See You in May,

Paul Schwehm