Our 50th class reunion is coming up fast---October 6-8, 2006 (Columbus Day weekend). Here is up-to-date information on our plans and preparations for this gala event.

Place: The Hilton Alexandria, 1767 King Street, 22314. The hotel is located at the corner of King St. and Commonwealth Avenue, staring up at the Masonic Temple, across the street from the King St. Metro Station, and one block from the train station. The Metro can get you there from Reagan National Airport in just six minutes. Metro service in the D.C. area is excellent and may preclude the need for a car. The hotel garage is convenient, but $20 per day to park at the hotel, unlimited ins and outs.  MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

Registration: A desk will be set up in the lobby from 3-5pm on Friday, 8:30-10am, and again from 3-5 on Saturday. Your info packets will have schedules, area info and class information. (Bring an id card in case anyone doubts you are old enough to be in the class of ’56…….or old enough to drink!)

Hospitality Suite: We expect to have a suite on the upper floor which will be open from 5-11 on Friday, and from noon to 5:30 on Saturday, and after the dinner dance. Stop by and visit with friends before or after your unscheduled meals, tours, events, etc. Basic refreshments will be available.

Gala: Cocktails will start at 5:30 on the terrace, followed by dinner at 7 P.M. in the main ballroom, and dancing from 8:30-11:30.

Costs: The Gala will cost $95 per person, which includes a cocktail reception, dinner, including some wine, and a live band for dancing after dinner. Room costs at the hotel for 30 blocked rooms (until Sept. 6) are at a special rate of $155 per night (Friday and Saturday), and the rate should hold beyond our reserved block of 30 if you order early and specify the class affiliation. The hotel contact information: 703-837-0440 or 1-800-hiltons or -.

PAYMENT FOR THE GALA IS REQUESTED BY JULY 1ST. This will vastly enhance our planning and cost control. Payment should be made to GWHS Class of ’56 Reunion, and mailed to Mary Daniel Darr, 8200 Briar Creek Dr, Annandale, VA 22003.

Special Tour: We have arranged for a tour of the newly renovated GW on Saturday morning at 11am. This should be fun, and afterwards, there is an “Art on the Avenue” “happening” down Mt. Vernon Ave. in the currently ‘hot’ Delray area. We will also try to have information on other area events in your registration packages. In the meantime take a look at Alexandria’s website .

Sunday Brunch: Sunday morning there will be an informal gathering, for those who choose to attend, at Landini Brothers Restaurant, one of Alexandria’s finest restaurants, on lower King Street.

Information Sheet: Enclosed is an information sheet for you to complete for our new directory. Please complete and return it ASAP, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND. This will be our easiest way to know that you have actually received this correspondence without having to fund additional mailings. If you cannot attend, we can still make the directory available to you for an exorbitant price. (Well, maybe not exorbitant….that was just to encourage you to come and pick it up in person.) Instructions for return mail are on bottom of the sheet.

Lost Classmates: 250 classmates have been found and we are hoping for a large turnout, but, attached is a list of the folks that we have not found yet. If you have any information about any of them, please let us know. We would really like to get the word to as many classmates as we possibly can.

Memorabilia: We would love to have any mementos, pictures, programs, or other memorabilia which you may have, and would be willing to let us display. They would, of course, be returned upon conclusion of the event.

Summary: We, the planning group, believe we are going to have a really special weekend. The schedule will have some special events as noted above, and Alexandria……today’s Alexandria……has changed a lot and will put on its own interesting show. The schedule will leave time to wander around town, have lunch or dinner (Friday) with old friends, or, just do what we are all looking forward to the most…..meet old friends and acquaintances and share a few laughs and memories.

Three Requests: Please plan to join us. Please mark the calendar today, fill out the info sheet and make your hotel reservations. Please let any one of the committee members know if you have questions, comments or suggestions. We look forward to seeing everyone in October!