Dear Class Rep(s),
Hope this Reunion Handbook will be of help in planning your next reunion. The Chagrin Falls Alumni Association wants you to have a reunion with as little effort as possible. Therefore, we present this booklet as a guide to help you produce a great reunion for everyone involved. Please feel free to contact Brian McKenna ‘88 or Connie Bridges Miralia ’83 with questions regarding this Planner and/or reunion questions. We can be reached at the Alumni Office at 440-247-4387 or by email at alumni@chagrinschools.org..
Good luck and happy planning!!
Jana Young
Brian McKenna
COMMITTEE
Start by selecting a committee. You can never start too early & I would recommend a year in advance. Although there is less to do at that point, a reservation & deposit for your big event would be wise to do. Your selection should include local classmates that are from many of the cliques. The more you bring in, the more welcome all will feel to come & your attendance will demonstrate that point. Having two or three chairpersons & a committee of 10 should suffice.
TIP – Try to get your class list from the CFAA out to your committee before the Blossom weekend the year before your reunion. You’ll run into so many classmates that you can get caught up with several lost classmates on your list.
By the Way - There is an all-class reunion held at Town Hall on Friday night that has a $5 cover charge. It includes beer, wine, soda, and chips. With many classmates getting in during the evening, this can be an excellent starting point. The party runs from 7:30 to 11:30 & most go off in smaller groups to local bars. It is typically a crowd that is in their 30s and older, but all alumni over 21 are welcome.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST MEETING
While obtaining the class address list, the Alumni Association will be able to inform you of any funds that they could be holding in your class’ name. When you graduated your class $ is placed in an umbrella CFAA account. It may help to have positions delegated like treasurer, overseer of address list, decorating, etc.
Send out an email to as many classmates as you can requesting current information, especially e-mails. Also, invite any classmate to be involved in the planning process. It is important that classmates feel that the decision process is open to all classmates. One can also use zabasearch.com for addresses.
Please try to consider the overall costs of those traveling from a distance when you finalize the plans. You certainly want a nice event, but with airfare and spouses the costs can be prohibitive to young families. You may want to join www.classmates.com to gain email addresses. You can join to get initial email addresses, although many may be old
FIRST MEETING
Hand out the revised address list & divide up who else they can locate. Don’t forget to call parents for young alum’s addresses. You should then proceed to show them the reunion letter for the Class of ’88 for their thoughts. For reunions up to the 30-year or 35-year and even later ones, it has been customary to be on Memorial Weekend. Make sure that the entire committee has each other’s pertinent information (phone & e-mail).
5 - Year Reunions
If you are planning your 5th year reunion, then I recommend a very informal one-event reunion at a local pub in the late afternoon or early evening on Saturday. With how big some class accounts are, appetizers & non-alcoholic drinks could easily be paid for with your money and just have a cash bar.
10 - Year Reunions
Since many of your classmates are just getting on their feet 10 years out, please be considerate of costs. It will help ensure the highest turn-out.
Things to Consider
Friday – If you are not heading to the All-Class reunion and want to have some type of gathering on Friday, then a good recommendation would be to meet up at a pub. People will be coming in from many places, so a full fledged event is not necessary. Also, this could be a time where you open up the event to alumni that may be close to your class, but graduated from another year.
Saturday
Morning - Two places to start in the morning, Gurney or Blossom. The playground at Gurney is terrific to take young children. Have some donuts and juice available and start up around 10:00 a.m. You also have the Chagrin Valley Jaycees doing special activities for children on Saturday morning. The activities occur under the Big Top Tent, which is where the bands play later in the evening. You’ll have to check times, but there’s no set-up work and afterwards the kids can do rides.
Alumni Sporting Events – Check with the CFAA for there may be alumni sporting events, that may include baseball, lacrosse and basketball.
Golf Outing – After seeing different classes try this, I feel the best thing to do is to set aside 3 or 4 tee times. Have two committee members make the commitment to go this event. Be open to calling in some fellow Chagrin grads from other classes that will fill-in your foursomes.
Evening - The big event will also bring about the greatest discussion within your committee.
Choose a location that is close, a price within reason for all to attend, and a format promoting quite a bit of interaction between classmates. While discussing this evening, your committee will need to deal with your financial situation. If your class has funds to cover deposits, then you have no worries. On the other hand, I assume that all members will have to put $50 to a $100 in an account to get the ball rolling.
Committee members should also see who has class mementos that would be great for the night. The senior slide show should be with the Class President. It would be helpful to have a committee member in charge of taking highlights from OABR, senior banquet, sporting events, concerts, & pictures that classmates will be sending in. About 2 hours into the event, once all the hellos had happened, would be a great time to show the videos. A committee member can also make Top Ten lists of funny classmates’ anecdotes.
Popular locations have been Pine Lake Trout Club, Hillbrook, Trifles, the Hickory (Newbury), CVAC, Winking Lizard (they now have a banquet room) and Country Club used effectively on this evening. A big help would be to have a sibling(s) of one of the committee members do check-in to free up the responsibilities of the committee.
You can scan in yearbook pictures to make name tags. You can either print them on labels or send them to http://www.reunionnametags.com/reunion.html I believe it is about $4 to $5/tag.
Sunday – This day is naturally dedicated to the parade. Some will want to still do things together, while others will want to watch the parade with family or other friends. An option could be to do a pre-parade picnic, which will give some a chance to see classmates’ children, but still go off to their respective spot for the parade.
FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
A successful fundraiser for Saturday night could be a silent auction or raffle on the Saturday evening with proceeds going to both their class fund and the CFAA. Typically, a member on the committee oversees it by gathering donations from classmates. You would be amazed at how many want to give to the auction and how much some will spend that evening for the items.
Besides Evite, keep emailing the class on the details of the weekend. You can also include a “missing classmates list” at the end of the emails.
You will want to decide if you would like to invite faculty to your event. Some classes will invite them to a cocktail hour. We have many addresses of the retirees at the CFAA Office. Naturally, we don’t ask them to pay and invite their spouses.
A reunion booklet is a great idea and can be handed out on the Saturday evening. At the end of the booklet is a sample of questions that classmates can fill out. This works out great through email. If the booklet does not include pics, then it can easily be emailed out to those that were unable to attend.
Besides a reunion booklet, a memento would be nice to give out on Saturday evening. An item with “Chagrin” &/or graduating year are nice to give out to each attendee.
INSURANCE LETTER
This is one thing you do not want to forget. Once your events are determined, send a letter or email to the CFAA, but address it to the Chagrin Falls Schools Treasurer informing them of your plans. The CFAA has a policy through the schools so you will be covered with liability insurance for all events. This is at no cost to you and is a tremendous safeguard.
DONATION
Don’t forget the help you got from your Alumni Association by telling your classmates to send in their annual dues or join as lifetime members. We appreciate any class donations, which have ranged from $100 to $2000. It can be given in the name of a classmate, teacher, or administrator.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND BANQUET/PARTY CENTERS
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Gamekeeper’s Tavern
87 West Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 247-7744 |
Geauga County Fairgrounds
Secretary’s Office – (440) 834-1846 |
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Rick’s Café
86 N. Main Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 247-7666 |
Trifles
516 E. Washington St. 247-8595 |
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Beantown Park
1566 Bell Road
South Russell, OH 44022
440-338-6619 www.beantownpark.com |
Fowlers’ Mills Restaurant & Tavern
10700 Mayfield Road
Chesterland, OH 44026
(440) 285-2240 |
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Raintree
25 Pleasant Drive
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 247-4800 |
Sun Valley Banquet and Party Center
9945 Edwards Lane
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-6277 |
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Washington Place Party Center
8575 E. Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 543-1776 |
Bass Lake Taverne
426 South Street
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 338-5550 or (440) 285-3100 |
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Quinn’s Restaurant
33175 Aurora Road
Solon, OH 44139
(440) 248-1133 |
Punderson Manor, Punderson State Park
11755 Kinsman Road
Newbury, OH 44065
(440) 564-9144 |
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Aurora Inn
State Rts. 82 & 306
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-6121 or 1-800-444-6121 |
Embassy Suites
3775 Park East Drive
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 765-8066 |
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Berkshire Hills Golf Club
9760 Mayfield Road
Chesterland, OH 44026
(440) 729-9516 or (440) 729-9511 |
Pleasant Hill Banquet Hall
13461 Aquilla Road
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 286-2428 |
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Pierre Radisson Inn-Orange/Beachwood
26300 Chagrin Boulevard
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-5150 |
Bertram Inn & Conference Center
600 N. Aurora Road
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 995-0200 |
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Aurora Woodlands
800 N. Aurora Road
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-9151 |
Quail Hollow
11080 Concord Hambden Road
Concord, OH
(440) 352-6201 |
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Pine Lake Trout Club
P.O. Box 23282
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 543-1331 |
Hunan by the Falls
508 E. Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 247-0808 |
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The Wembley Club
8345 Woodberry Boulevard
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 543-9784 |
Knights of Columbus
6340 Melbury Avenue
Solon, OH 44139
(440)248-4893 |
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Chagrin Valley Country Club
4700 SOM Center Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 248-4310 |
Chagrin Valley Athletic Club
17260 Snyder Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 543-5141 |
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Grandview Inn & Golf Club Restaurant
13404 Old State Road
Burton, OH 43451
(440) 834-4661 |
Wicked Woods Banquet Hall
14085 Ravenna Road
Newbury, OH 44065
(440) 564-7960 |
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Inn at Fowler’s Mill
10700 Mayfield Road
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 286-3111 |
Tanglewood Country Club
8745 Tanglewood Trail
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 543-7010 |
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Hillbrook Country Club
14800 Hillbrook Rd.
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 247-4940 |
Mustard Seed
6025 Kruse Drive
Solon, OH 44139
(440)519-3663 |
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Plazak’s Lake
1600 Bell Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Attn: Don Plzak ‘51
(440) 338-8735 |
Mooreland Mansion
Campus/Lakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH 44094
(440)953-7047; Fax: (440)525-7673
lpalmer@lakeland.cc.oh.us
www.moorelandmansion.com |
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Cleveland Metroparks – Reservations taken by phone no earlier than one year in advance of rental. 25 outdoor shelters costing $50 on weekdays and $100 on weekend days. Some enclosed shelters available. Canned or bottled beer and wine are allowed inside most reservable shelters. Some sites shown on Internet. www.clemetparks.com
(216) 351-6300 |
Geauga Park District – Registration by phone for Geauga County residents starts Nov. 1; for nonresidents starting Dec. 1. 12 reservable shelters, one of them enclosed. Free to Geauga County residents; $40 for nonresidents. Alcohol permitted in shelters. Internet:
www.geaugalink.com/gcpkdist
(440) 285-2222, Ext. 5420 |
Chuck’s does offer the ability to host events once they close at 7:00 p.m., so if you are having a smaller gathering, then you can use them. For example, if you want to get together for wine & beer and have some cheese platters (for example), then they could be a great option.
LOCAL HOTELS/MOTELS – CHAGRIN FALLS VICINITY
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Aurora Inn
30 East Garfield
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-6121 |
Cleveland Marriott East
3663 Park East Drive
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 464-5950 |
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Fairfield Inn & Suites Beachwood
3750 Orange Place
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-3300 www.marriott.com/clebh |
Embassy Suites
3775 Park East Driove
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 765-8066 |
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Radisson Inn Beachwood
26300 Chagrin Boulevard
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-5150 |
Mario’s International Hotel & Spa
35 E. Garfield Road
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-9171 |
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Aurora Woodlands
800 N. Aurora Road
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-9151 |
Courtyard by Marriott
3695 Orange Place
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 765-1900 |
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Days Inn
6110 SOM Center Road
Solon, OH 44139
(440) 248-3110 |
Ramada Inn – Rockside
24801 Rockside Road
Bedford Heights, OH 44146
(440) 439-2500 |
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Travelodge – Beachwood
3795 Orange Place
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-7200 |
Quail Hollow
11080 Concord Hambden Road
Concord, OH 44050
(440) 352-6201 |
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The Inn of Chagrin Falls
87 West Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 247-1200 |
Hampton Inn
6035 Enterprise Parkway
Solon, OH 44139
(440) 542-0400 |
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Residence Inn by Marriott
Interstate 271 and Chagrin Blvd.
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-3030 |
Bertram Inn & Conference Center
600 N. Aurora Rd.
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 995-0200 |
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Hilton Garden Inn
Interstate 480 and St. Rt. 82
8971 Wilcox Drive
Twinsburg, OH 44087
(330)405-4488 FAX: (330)405-4499
e-mail: rsvval@bigplanet.com |
Staybridge Suites
6103 Landerhaven Dr.
Mayfield Hts., OH 44124
440-442-9200
www.staybridgesuites.com/clevelandeast |
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ACTIVITIES
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Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 694-2000 |
Pro Football Hall of Fame
2121 George Halas Dr. NW
Canton, OH 44708
(330) 456-8207 |
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The Cleveland Cavaliers/Gund Arena
1 Center Court, 200 Huron Road
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 420-2200 |
The Avenue at Tower City Center
50 Public Square
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 771-0033 |
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Blossom Music Center
1145 Steels Corners Road
Akron, OH
(216) 566-9330 (tickets) |
Cleveland Indians
www.clevelandindians.com |
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum
1 Key Plaza
Cleveland, OH 44114
(1-800-493-ROLL) |
Geauga Lake
1060 North Aurora Road
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 562-7131 or 1-800-THE WAVE |
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Goodtime III (Boat Tour)
825 East Ninth St. Pier
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 861-5110 |
Nautica Queen (Sight-Seeing Boat)
1153 Main Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 696-8888 |
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The Cleveland Indians
Main Ticket Office – Jacobs Field
2401 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 420-4200 |
Cleveland MetroParks Zoo and Rain
Forest
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 661-6500 |
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The Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 421-7340 |
Trolley Tours of Cleveland
(216) 771-4484
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Playhouse Square Center
(216) 771-8403 |
Cleveland Browns
(888) 891-1999 |
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Ticketmaster
(216) 241-5555 |
Advantix
(216) 348-5323 |
INSURANCE LETTER
John Doe
123 Main St.
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
April 30, 2008
Ann Spano
Chagrin Falls High School
Office of Treasurer
400 E. Washington St.
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Dear Mrs. Spano,
I am sending the upcoming events for the Chagrin Falls Alumni Association’s Class of 19__ 10 Year Reunion for the purpose of being covered by the school’s district liability insurance policy. Here are our events:
May 22
Friday All-Class Reunion at Town Hall (7:00-11:00)
May 23
Saturday Golf Outing (Afternoon)
Auburn Springs from 1:00 - 5:00
Dinner & Dance (7:30 - 12:00)
Blazin’ Bills
May 24
Sunday Pre-Parade Picnic (12:00 - 2:00)
Jane Doe’s house at 123 East Washington
If you have any questions, then please feel free to call me at 247-****.
John Doe
CFHS Class of ’__ Representative
Reunion Book Questions
Name (Include maiden):
Spouse (Include where he/she is from):
Children (Include their birthdates & ages):
List anything we should know about them
Address (as of reunion weekend):
Phone: (home or best one to reach you at)
Email Address:
Occupation:
Place of employment:
College(s) & Degree(s):
Address you primarily grew up at:
Most interesting thing you have done since CFHS:
Most interesting/unusual story of running into a classmate since graduation:
What we hope to be doing by the 40th?
Best Places You’ve Been To
Greatest achievement/award since graduation:
Biggest regret since graduation:
Hobbies/Interests that you now enjoy:
Future plans of interest:
Most memorable events at CFHS:
Memorable stories of classmates:
Whatever happened to:
What’s on your Ipod from the 80s:
What stories to you tell your children about Chagrin?
Favorite Teachers:
Favorite high school car and driving story:
What’s up with your siblings:
Best scholastic, athletic or extracurricular achievement:
When you think about the actual high school building, what comes to mind?
Have you served in our military?
How long have you been married:
How many jugs (detentions) did you get & what was the most memorable offense
