Two weeks have now gone by since the Hampton 57 reunion and I have returned home from a delightful visit with family and friends in Detroit and then Charlevoix. I believe it would now be appropriate to reflect upon this momentous event and to look forward a bit as well.

            To recap the events of the reunion weekend for the benefit of those who could not be there, let me start by telling you that the committee worked for 6 months to prepare for the reunion. I am profoundly grateful for the diligent work carried out by Liz Soss Fried, Linda Zitomer Grekin, Roger Grekin, Larry LaVanway, Richard Cavaler, and George Martin. The committee is most appreciative for the work done by Roger’s friend, John White, who has served as our webmaster (more about the future of the web site later). We began with a list of graduates numbering 102. Astonishingly, we managed to locate nearly everyone. Sadly, we learned of the passing of 5 classmates: Andrea Saxer, David Weisberg, Daniel Patt, Clifford Franzel, and Daniel Rosenshine. By our final count, fully 45 graduates were in attendance for some or all of the weekend events.

            Despite a thunderstorm of epic proportions, a good number of our classmates gathered at the Laurel Park Marriott Hotel in Livonia on Friday evening, August 24 at our Hospitality Room for appetizers, drinks, and general joyful schmoozing. As the storm abated, groups headed out to various restaurants for dinner.

            The following morning at 11:00 our chartered bus departed from the hotel on its way to Hampton School. Awaiting us was the school principal, Ms. Marcia Morrow, and a couple of other staff.  We gathered in the auditorium where we listened to Ms.  Morrow describe to us the monumental problems of running an elementary school under circumstances in which youngsters come to school undernourished, ill-clothed, and often with home environments offering minimal incentive to study and learn . We were all profoundly moved and taken with her commitment to her task. We were then treated to a guided tour of a school that has changed very little from our days there other than the addition of a few new wings housing, among other things, a middle school. Returning to the auditorium in preparation for lunch, those who sat up best were the first to be invited up onto the stage and permitted to file into the lunch room where they selected their meals which Richard and I had placed in the cooler the day before.

            Following lunch, we presented the group with a surprise “pop” quiz so as to make the school experience as realistic as possible. The quiz tested knowledge about Hampton, some of our classmates, and major events of 1957. The papers were collected and it was announced that prizes would be awarded for the highest scores at the evening’s banquet. You will find the exam attached to this message along with an answer sheet. Each question is worth 4 points and 2 extra credit points are awarded for knowing the name of your 8th grade homeroom teacher. You will need Microsoft Word to open the attachment. Please feel free to try your hand. Contact me if you are unable to access the quiz.

            We filed back onto the bus after bidding Ms. Morrow a fond farewell. George Martin then conducted a nostalgia tour through all of our old neighborhoods in which our homes looked as good as when we last saw them. At last, we returned to the hotel in time for a brief rest before dinner.

            The banquet was attended by 55 people including graduates and significant others. Posted in the room were blow-up photographs of the 3 class pictures which you have seen on the web site. Following the meal, we awarded the quiz prizes. Top honors were shared by Bonnie Woolf and Jay Langhammer with scores of 82%. Upon opening the floor for commentary, the desire was expressed by several classmates to seek a way to give back something to the school to which we all owe so much. A heartfelt discussion ensued as to the potential for the creation of a fund or foundation which would enable our class to impact the difficulties faced by the school. It is the reunion committee’s recommendation that those amongst us who feel motivated and/or qualified to take on this project should consider organizing a committee in order to pursue it, then, hopefully, keeping the rest of us advised. I can provide a comprehensive email list.

            A juke box filled with 500 or so songs from the 1957 era provided for music and dancing which next ensued. Somehow, we all sensed that our dancing skills were being observed and analyzed from above by Joe Cornell.

            Sunday morning saw farewells over brunch. There was an unmistakable sense in the air that we had experienced an unforgettable event. Autograph books last opened in 1957 were passed around and signed once again. We departed knowing that we have rekindled friendships a half century old. When some suggested that we gather again in 5 or 10 years, Richard agreed he would not start contacting people about the plans for another reunion for at least the next two weeks!

            At this point then, our plan is to keep the web site open indefinitely. We are hoping that all of you who were there will begin sorting your best photographs for uploading. Instructions will be provided to you in the near future. In addition, you will be kept advised as to plans for a gift for the school as well as how we will distribute funds left over.

            On behalf of the reunion committee, thanks to all of you who participated and/or offered support. If there was any downside to the weekend it was the fact that there were many of you unable to attend. We missed you and hope we have accomplished something of value by bringing the illustrious Hampton class of 1957 back to its roots. Until we meet again, our fondest best wishes for health and happiness to you and your loved ones.

David Priver for the 1957 Hampton School Reunion Committee.