Oct. 30, 2013: On Friday evening, October 18, the quiet hamlet of Bronxville felt a significant tremor. But, no, this was not an unexpected natural event; it was the first warning of the eruption that was the class of '63's 50th class reunion! Fogarty's, Pete's, and the Field Club will never be the same. 

Planning for this milestone event started way back in 2012 when a committee was formed to investigate how to carry off this reunion in the memorable, high-energy fashion that has always been the hallmark signature for this class.

No shrinking violets were the committee members, so a strong and wise leader was proposed and Jay Colmer was chosen as caesar by popular acclaim. Backing Jay up were Patsy Cecil Edwards, the tireless custodian of the class list and message board for decades, Lene Pedersen Watson, the media guru who created a world-class website for class information and use, and a cast of highly questionable but enthusiastic characters, including Ed Russell, Gretchen Renner, and Peter Barnett.

Over the next year, the BHS website created by Lene stirred the hearts of the class through an exhausting array of photos, '60s music, and an interactive forum where classmates shared their thoughts and opinions.

The excitement built, and responding to the siren call in the spring of this year from Jay, Patsy, and Lene, 49 classmates and their spouses or guests made the pilgrimage to Bronxville from near and far: from up and down the East Coast, from the Midwest and the prairie, and from Texas, California, and the Pacific Northwest.

The kickoff event was at Fogarty's, where a quiet start lasted about 1.5 seconds and then pandemonium reigned as finger-pointing was accompanied by excited shrieks of "I know you!" and "Oh my God!" as each classmate walked in the door. This was quickly followed by enveloping hugs, tears, huge smiles, and lots and lots of laughter. The excitement never abated over the whole evening, and at one point it was even suggested that someone go out for earplugs because the decibel level was approaching that of a major sports stadium.

Fogarty's was just the start of a memorable weekend. On Saturday morning, everyone dragged their weary but happy bodies and throats sore from talking (and shrieking) out of bed and assembled at the doors of BHS for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Meeting them in the school auditorium was Superintendent David Quattrone, who brought everyone up to date on the school and provided them with a tour of the building. Seeing some of the older sections brought back many memories, and at times at least one graduate came close to collapsing on the floor in a giggle fit as old pranks and adventurous misdeeds at the school were recounted.

After the tour the class then assembled at the corner of Pondfield and Midland for a more somber event.  Biff McKellip and Robert (Bobby) Burt paid the ultimate price in Vietnam, and early on it was decided to honor their sacrifice with a beautiful memorial tree and plaque, coordinated by Charlie Peake using funds donated by the class. It was a tearful and reflective occasion accented by moving recitations by Charlie, John Miller, Greg Fouch ('62), Jay, Ed Russell, and Bestor Cram. Other classmates also stepped up and offered their fond memories of Biff and Bobby to conclude the memorial service, which most of the class later agreed was the most significant and bonding event of the whole weekend. Everyone then retired to Pete's for lunch and more noisy reminiscing and catching up on each other's lives.

Later that evening, the class continued its celebration at the Bronxville Field Club for cocktails, a wonderful dinner, and dancing to a DJ playing '50s and '60s music. With no concession to time or common sense, many careened their bodies wildly around the dance floor with frequent refueling at the bar to keep their energy level up.

The stroll was a particularly good number as couples twisted and swirled their way gracefully between the two lines to the cheers and applause of the audience. During cocktails and after dinner, the '63 graduates there also had a chance to remember their 21 classmates who had passed on by quietly reflecting in front of a beautiful memorial display designed by Lene that honored their memory.

On Sunday, the class members (many who could not get out of bed without a liberal treatment of Bengay) assembled at the Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers for a farewell lunch and to offer firm denials of their behavior the night before. Fortunately, no "lampshade" award was bestowed on the most notorious.

Many thanks were extended to the committee, but particularly to Lene and Gretchen for the accommodations at the Royal Regency and the mementoes brought home from the reunion, which were superb and which will provide memories for many years to come.

To a person, all agreed that at this stage of their lives the gathering proved to be truly enriching and validating in that they could now see the connection between what they had been taught and how they had been formed as human beings at BHS and how that experience has affected and enriched their lives up to the present day.

Many farewell hugs were exchanged with tears and firm promises to continue the rekindled friendships and to all meet once again at the next reunion.

To see photos of the reunion, click this link: Bronxville Class of 1963 50th Reunion.

Pictured here: First row (L to R): Jill Richards Weed, Mary Daley Silleck, Mary Quinby Hunt, Leslie Formato Sobota, Patsy Cecil Edwards, Cathy Crandell Long, Cookie Meier Houge. Second row (L to R): Jean McVicar Mendelsohn, Sue Johnson Razor, June Alling Richey, Judy McNatt, Helen Mawicke Ashley, Mary Armstrong Spitzer, Peter Gregory, Bestor Cram. Third Row (L to R): Tony Irwin, Nancy Hodges, John Miller, Harry Tether, Gretchen Renner Devlin, Holly Huntley Mottram, Pat Harriss, Lene Pedersen Watson, Peter Barnett, Laurie Kantack Karlen, John Hufnagel, Suzanne Tedesco Affolter, Paul Friis-Mikkelsen, Kater Nicholson Pendergast (behind Bestor), Ed Russell. Forth row (L to R): John Hockenberry, Bill Heep, Jay Colmer, Denny Davis, Charlie (Jay) Peake, Leigh Stone. Top: Jon Lowe. Missing from photo but attending the reunion: Carolyn Brock Gilbert, Linda Lane Farmer, Connie Patrono, Trish Schramm Grant, Diane Ware Holzel.

Photo above by Peter Barnett; photos in link by Peter Barnett and Lene Watson