Hello BHS Class of 1986!

First, I must apologize for my lapse in communication. Since I got back from my vacation out of the country, I've been working 50-70 hours a week. I've also been on three trips and have another one coming up. I've been seriously overloaded, but it should slow down by the end of the month. Whew!

REUNION DATES
The dates are set!

June 30 (Friday) - July 1 (Saturday) - July 2, 2006 (Sunday)

Extra activities are scheduled for July 3 - July 8 if you want to participate. More details to come in my very next email.

TICKET PRICE
I can't set the ticket price until all of the elements of the reunion have has been priced out. Some advice I've received over and over again is to have one ticket price for the entire weekend. Kids will have a separate price just for them. More on all of this will come at a later date.

TRAVEL TO ALASKA
If you live in the Lower 48, I wouldn't delay in getting your airline tickets and car rental. As you may be well aware, summer is the most popular time to visit Alaska. Because of the location of the venues, you're going to need a car rental -- unless you buddy up with an Alaskan alum with a car. If you figure out any good travel deals some where, please let me know and I'll post the info on the web site to share with everyone. So book early and don't delay!

LODGING
Pam Gifford has graciously volunteered to call around and set up group rates at hotels. We have two figured out already -- please click on the "LODGING" link on the web site to see if these two interest you. I hope to have the lodging finalized by the end of next week.

ALUMNI HOSTED LODGING
I've designed a program to match any Anchorage alumni who has an extra room in their home to an out-of-state alumni who needs a place to stay. It's expensive to come up to Alaska. Please help someone out. Look at the web site under "LODGING" to learn more about how to participate. Again, thanks to Pam Gifford for volunteering to coordinate this program!

THANKS YOUS
I flew up to Alaska the week before Christmas (what was I thinking?) and scouted venues. Pam and I looked at many places and narrowed it down to the ones that I feel in love with. My very next email will give you all the details.

I want to formally thank Pam Gifford for all her work. Everyone owes her a HUGE THANK YOU as she's the one who kicked started this reunion by doing the research on venues. Thanks Pam -- you rock! I also want to thank Kelley Cizek (Butler) for housing and feeding me. And Laurie Johnson (Wiles) for taking me back to the airport. Finally, Dawn Slaten (Reed) looked over all the contracts before I signed them. You guys are the best!

One odd note that I thought I would add here. In my mind I knew how short the winter days are in Alaska, I was born and raised up there. I ended up being up in Alaska on the shortest day of the year -- daylight hours 10am - 3pm. Only five hours -- it's just weird to me -- especially since I'm a warm, sunny California girl now!

UPDATES -- WORKING ON THE REUNION
Don't fear, in my "spare" time I've been working on the reunion.
-- An alumni database program was bought and every bit of info I have on you has been inputted.
-- I've also created an email database and budget spreadsheets.
-- I created databases for Dawn Deren (Moe) to take over finding missing alumni and email addresses. A separate email on this subject will be coming soon.
-- Since November everyone has sent me tons of updates which took me two days to catch up.
-- I finished the last bit of Pam's venue research, flew up to Alaska, checked out all the places, signed contracts, and paid deposits.
-- I've been in touch with EVERY high school in the Anchorage School District and solicited advice from every Reunion Chair going back to the Class of 1953. I've obtained some great tips and ideas!
-- I've created a master to-do-list and organized all my reunion ideas that I've collected over the last 10 years.
-- A postcard mailing went out today.
-- And finally, I've updated the 20 Year Reunion section of the web site. If you haven't seen it in awhile -- check it out!

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU - #1
I need to get a good idea what my RSVP number is going to be. It will help me tremendously in figuring out the ticket price. Please hit the return button, and let me know if you will or will not be attending -- and who else: # adults, # kids & ages, etc. Thanks!

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU - #2
First, thank you to Eric Burton for recently sending in a donation. I really appreciate it!! However, I need more donations. I have personally put down every deposit -- out of my own savings. I also really want to do some very cool stuff but at the same time keep the ticket price down. Please donate. And do it soon so I can crunch the numbers. Any amount is greatly appreciated it. Help me make this the BEST reunion ever!

Please make out a check to "Dawn Dalton" and email me for my address. Thanks!

COMMUNICATION
You'll be hearing from me on a regular basis now. There will a bunch of emails you will be getting back to back after this one. Please be aware that I'm leaving for Texas on Saturday on business and will be gone for a week, so I won't be doing any web site updates until next weekend.

Are you excited?!
Got the fever?!

Planning the coolest reunion EVER,
Dawn Dalton (Houghtaling)
BHS Class of 1986 Chair