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Full Lineup of Events Celebrates 1971's 50th Reunion Year!By Geoff Smith '71, Class Vice President
With the receipt of our incredibly interesting and thorough 50th reunion yearbook assembled by Chris Connell and Ray Ollwerther, and fresh off the immensely successful Fall Retreat created and executed by Jeff Hammond, Jack Hittson, Stu Rickerson and Alan Usas, we are still only half way through the continuing celebration of our 50th reunion. Please feast your eyes on the brief descriptions of the events still to come and try to fit these gems into your plans.
It has been my repeated experience that sharing time with a small group of interesting Princeton classmates at a venue that celebrates natural beauty, history and local traditions generates a friendship bond among the participants that is warm, humorous, strong and lasting. The tremendous reviews from the Fall Retreat attendees certainly confirms that. Such opportunities are not to be passed over lightly. We are in our 70’s now and our time to enjoy such gatherings has a finite shelf life. So shake off the inertia that seems to inexorably pull us inward and step into an adventure that you will share with classmates for many years to come.
A brief description of each of these events follows. For more event details, visit the class website at http://princeton71.org.
All the very best to all of you!
January 15 - 16, 2022
Over nearly a quarter century, the San Diego mini reunion has established a tradition as a well-attended gathering of local Classmates and an escape from winter weather for non-local Classmates, spouses and guests. We gather on Sunday in the noisy warmth of conversation, Mariachi’s, margaritas and authentic Mexican cuisine at Tony’s Jacal, a Solana Beach, CA landmark since 1946, making it one of the few institutions older than us! This year’s event has been expanded to include a second dinner party Saturday night for out-of-town attendees sprinkled with a few locals. Also planned is a personal guided tour on Sunday of the San Diego Safari Park, a natural-environment extension of the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Click on Safari Park at the top of the page that opens at this link.
With over 27 people already signed up to attend, we would like to hear from you by early December to plan space and food. Please email Geoff Smith at jefes2rs@gmail.com to be included.  The Second Voyage of the Whalers and Baja California Adventure February 24 - March 5, 2022 It doesn’t happen on every trip, but this is Julie Smith rubbing the barnacled head of a friendly 35-ton Gray Whale in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California. There are only 8 places still available for one of the most unique tours you will take in your life, including visits to two of the Gray Whale breeding lagoons on the Pacific Coast as well as desert fauna unique to Baja California and other water visits to several protected marine sanctuaries in the Sea of Cortez, described by Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.” Comfortable hotels in picturesque Mexican towns and the occasional margarita shared with Classmates make this voyage the one that Ahab would have made if he had a do-over.
Flights to Baja California are filling fast. If you want to join us, contact Geoff Smith right away, jefes2rs@gmail.com.  Alumni Day in Princeton February 19, 2022 The University has recently announced that planning is underway for an Alumni Day of celebration in February 2022. Details will be shared via Class email and our website. You can also learn more at the University page here. If the arrangements are similar to past events, please join us at the Class of ‘71 table for lunch during this event and participate in the other events of the day.  WILD LIFE in the Big Easy. New Orleans Locals Tour March 20-24, 2022 Hey 71! Where y’at?
(An old New Orleans expression by local musicians inquiring where other musicians were playing that night.) What better way to experience the unique, national treasure that is New Orleans than a four-day Class of 71 mini-reunion orchestrated by lifetime resident classmates who know the city like the back of their hand. The venerable Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter will be our headquarters and provide walking distance access to art galleries, music venues, the famed WWII museum and the Audubon Aquarium, as well as restaurants and shopping. A swamp tour, lunch and a visit to the a nearby plantation will be included as well as a tasting at the Sazerac Company of the world famous New Orleans cocktail and two Class dinners that will expose attendees to the fine parts of traditional New Orleans cuisine. The combination of free time and scheduled events are bound to make this visit to the Big Easy a memorable event.
Please email Geoff Smith at jefes2rs@gmail.com to receive a detailed itinerary and sign-up form. We hope to see y’all in March. Geaux Tigers!  The Class of 71’s Extended 51st Reunion May 19- 22, 2022 Incoming Reunions Chair Jeff Hammond is working hard to plan a special 51st Reunion as we enjoy the return to classic in-person Reunions. Stay tuned for details as the event draws near.
Please note that lodging will be very tight around Princeton in May 2022. You should consider reserving a hotel now with a good cancellation and change policy. There will be few or no beds available to 1971 on-Campus as a satellite reunion class. Many hotels will require a 3-day minimum stay and be sure to check their cancellation policies.  Mississippi River Cruise October 9 - 15, 2022 We have reserved a group discounted rate on an American Cruise Line ship for an 8 day / 7 night cruise on the Lower Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis. This is a popular time for Mississippi River cruising and cruises often fill up 6 to 8 months in advance, so I recommend that you book your stateroom by the end of December. There are a good number of classmates who have expressed interest in this event.
Please contact Geoff Smith for a brochure and pricing via email at jefes2rs@gmail.com.  And Hey! At any time just get together with a group of your local Classmates, or sign on to one of the many affinity group Zoom calls that started up before or during our Virtual Reunion and hoist a glass to our 50th. Send a picture of your group to Rob Slocum, our new Class Secretary, at secretary@princeton71.org. If you are interested in hosting a Zoom meeting with other members of '71, you can reserve a time on the Class Zoom account by contacting Technology Chair Alan Usas at zoom@princeton71.org. You can visit the class website for more details regarding these events: princeton71.org. |
Upcoming EventsClick on date for more infoConversation With President EisgruberDecember 5, 2023 Conversation With President EisgruberJanuary 10, 2024 San Diego Mini-ReunionFebruary 3-4, 2024 Alumni DayConversation With President EisgruberFebruary 12, 2024 Conversation With President EisgruberFebruary 14, 2024
53rd ReunionMay 23-26, 2024 Future Class Reunions54th Reunion, May 22-25, 2025 55th Reunion, May 21-24, 2026 Join this site!There are several features of this site only available to those who login. If you are a member of the Princeton Class of 1971 and don't have a login for the Class website, it's easy to sign up! Just click here for instructions. |
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