Newsletter -- Fall 1999

PLEASE JOIN US!

Room Dedication Ceremony and Holiday Party
Monday December 6, 1999 at 7 p.m.
BHS Alumni Office
115 Greenough Street, Brookline

*Light refreshments
*Tours of the newly renovated high school building

All BHS alums, their spouses and family members are invited Questions? Call us at: 617-713-5110 or fax us at 617-713-5111 Email: info@brooklinehighalumni.org

Annual Golf Tournament Proves Successful

Sure, there was a lot of hoopla about the Ryder Cup being in Brookline this fall. But back at the beginning of summer, the tournament that really deserved attention was held at Putterham Meadows Golf Course. Under sunny skies, the eighth annual BHS Alumni Golf Tournament held on June 7th once again attracted record numbers of players.

The 120 players enjoyed a round of golf, a tasty lunch and then bid on a number of donated items. Proceeds help support the continuing efforts of the Alumni Association.

Winning teams included: First-place gross: Leo Conrad '66, Joe Grady '66, Roger Phillips '68, and Joe Gulley Jr., '99. Second-place gross went to the team of Tom McCarthy '50, Bill McCarthy '44, Bob Murphy '50, Jack Kirrane '46, and Ed Reddish '50. Third-place gross went to the team of Mike Stacy '64, Buddy Fox '64, Ed Burns '63 and Rex Baird '64. First-place net went to the team of Lenny McCarthy '77, Dan Cullen '83, Jim Boyd '79, Rich Kirby '75, and Gannon Hastings '81. Second-place net went to the team of Beth Hennessey '82, Jane Hennessey Bender '83, Jim Hennessey III '85, Jack Heavey '69, and former BHS teacher and coach Ed Schluntz. Third-place net was won by the team of Harold Shankle '47, Ed Himml '47, Charlie Tateosian '45, and Ken Schlossberg '57. The first-place women's team included Sandy McNeilly '65, Vangie McNeilly Patey '67, Bette Ann Libby '65 and Harriet Gurwitz Suvalle '36.

A number of other contests were held at the event. Joe Gulley Jr., '99, won the longest drive for men, while Vangie McNeilly Patey '67, won the longest drive for women. Closest to the pin was won by Gannon Hastings '81, Tom Ferguson '48, Ken Moore '44, and Harold Shankle '47, while the women's winners were Bette Ann Libby '65 (twice!), Mary Logue Duggan '59, and Shirley Grennon Denehy '53. Top-class participation went to Class of 1968, with ten people. Our oldest participant was Harriet Gurwitz Suvalle '36, and our youngest was Joe Gulley Jr., '99, who had just graduated from BHS the day before the tournament!

We especially want to thank Ray Blue '43, who again generously donated silver bowls for the winners and sponsored the winners' plaque, in memory of his brother James J. Blue '42.

Once again, our many thanks to Jerry Varnum '59, and his crew of volunteers, including almost all of his family members, who pitched in to make this event a success. Jerry spends a great deal of time organizing, planning and wheeling and dealing to make sure this event is always professional and well-attended.

We'll see you next year on the links! If you're interested in getting your name on our mailing list, just call our office at (617) 713-5110 or visit our Web site at www.brooklinehighalumni.org

Title Mix-up

Calling all doctors, military types and anyone else who isn't a "Mr." or "Mrs. or "Ms." Your last Newsletter may have neglected to include your proper title. A slight glitch in our printer's computer caused the problem, which has now been fixed. So you'll notice that this season's Newsletter is now calling you by your correct and proper title. Our apologies!

Alumni Association Sponsors Series of Receptions and Events

This past spring, the BHS Alumni Association kept a busy schedule. First, we honored BHS teachers at a teachers' appreciation breakfast held at the high school. Dozens of teachers attended the event, which was held before school started on a warm, spring day. Our thanks to all the alumni volunteers who arrived in the wee hours of the morning to slice bagels and coffee cake and serve beverages to the teachers. Headmaster Dr. Robert Weintraub was on hand for this event.

On June 6th, the BHS Alumni Association awarded a scholarship to Patricia Singleton '99, at the school's annual Scholarship Breakfast awards ceremony. In addition, we also joined forces with the Rotary Club of Brookline and provided a scholarship to Alisha Scruggs, '99.

Later that day, we hosted a reception for the 50th reunion class. Members of BHS '49 enjoyed the get-together and tours of the school offered by students. Many of the BHS '49ers stayed to lead the '99 graduates into the graduation ceremony later that afternoon.

Great Gift Ideas

It's almost that time again...gift-giving season. If you have some people on your list who fall into the "have just about everything" or the "I have no idea what to get them" categories, we hope you'll consider purchasing a BHS Alumni logo item. To view our catalogue, please be sure to check out our Web site at www.brooklinehighalumni.org

We've got customized jackets, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and books, as well as donation/acknowledgment cards. We even have a specially priced hat and mug pack for just NEED PRICE. Treat a sibling, spouse, parent, friend...or yourself to a special BHS Alumni Association logo item. You'll be helping us to continue all of the programs that support alums and BHS students.

To place your order, proceed to our Web site (www.brooklinehighalumni.org) or use the order form included in this issue.

Reunion Information

Please go to the Reunions Page.

The Numbers Speak For Themselves!

The numbers in the top right-hand corner of your mailing label indicate whether or not you have paid your dues, and until what date. For example, if it says D-99 on your label, this indicates that you have paid your dues for this year, but it's time to send in your dues for 2000!

If your label says D-98...or says nothing at all, we hope you'll send us in payment!! As you know, the Brookline High School Alumni Association is a non-profit organization run completely by volunteers. Your yearly dues (a very reasonable and tax deductible $15 per year!) help us fund scholarship programs, teacher events and assist reunion classes, among many other activities.

Please use the enclosed form and pay your dues TODAY! Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Donation Cards Now Available

Just a reminder about a great way to honor a birthday, celebrate a special occasion or remember a friend, colleague or family member.

The BHS Alumni Association is again offering donation/acknowledgment cards to all BHS alums. Priced at $18 for 6 cards, these lovely cards are a fitting way to mark any occasion you choose.

To order the cards, just use the order form in this issue, or call us at (617) 713-5110.

Cheer on our Team

If you're planning to attend this year's Thanksgiving Day game between Brookline High and Newton (at Northeastern University's Parsons Field on Kent Street this year), be sure to stop by the BHS Alumni tent and say hello! We'll be offering lots of great items for sale so you can help cheer the team on! The game starts at 10 a.m.--we look forward to seeing you there.

High School Renovation Project Completed

On October 17th, more than 100 alums, students, teachers, faculty, staff, townspeople and elected officials gathered together to celebrate the completion of the high-school renovation project.

We urge you to stop by for our open house and holiday party on December 6 at 7 p.m. to take a tour of the school, which is truly a blend of the old, the new and the future!

If you live out of town and are planning a visit back to our area, call our office to schedule a tour at 617-713-5110 or email us at info@brooklinehighalumni.org.

Raising Funds for BHS

Mike Wallace '35, renowned television journalist and BHS grad has agreed to serve as the honorary chair and director of The Brookline High School 21st Century Fund, Inc. The tax-deductible fund, which is designed to raise money for BHS students and programs, has an ambitious fundraising challenge. A series of informational sessions and events is now in the planning stages; stay tuned for further details!

Newly appointed officers and directors include: Ira Jackson, '66, president; Lawrence Berenson '59, treasurer; Marcy Clebnik Kornreich '74, clerk; Michael Dukakis, '51, Tom Hennessey, '59; James Segel, '63; and Steven J. Comen '59 and directors and campaign chairmen Robert I. Lurie, Arthur I. Segel, '69, and Marjorie Paley '46. Ex-officio members are Dr. James Walsh, BHS School Superintendant; Dr. Robert Weintraub, BHS Headmaster, and Harriet J. Winer, development director and counsel.

For more information about the 21st Century Fund or to get involved, call Harriet J. Winer at (617) 713-5201.

Running in the Marathon?

We're trying to put together a BHS Alumni team. We'll provide the BHS shirt; you provide the leg power! Call our office at 617-713-5110 or email us at info@brooklinehighalumni.org.

Class Scholarships

From our alumni suggestion box comes this excellent idea: Since many BHS classes have created scholarships to honor a teacher, fellow classmate or staff member, why not get the word out via the Alumni Newsletter, so other alums know what's been established and can donate if interested.

So, all you class reunion organizers or fund administrators, please let us know what scholarship or other funds you have established. Call our office at 617-713-5110 or email us at info@brooklinehighalumni.org no later than January 1, 2000 so we can include it in our spring Newsletter. Thanks in advance!!