“Laisser le bon temp rouler!” - Let the good times roll!

We are really looking forward to welcoming you at the Reunion. You will be attending one of the best Princeton Reunions ever. We think you will find “New Orleans Comes to Princeton" a wholly memorable event. It's the perfect occasion to meet old friends and make new ones, all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, accompanied by great music and wonderful meals brought to you from the Crescent City. It combines the Class's great celebration with a helping hand to some of the people from that devastated city, whose tales of survival you will hear.

Some of you have not been to the campus since 1958, and even for those who have visited, you will all be astounded at the changes and improvements that have gone on at the University. In this letter, I will try to answer many questions you might have.

1. Reunion Sign In

Sign in will begin 8:00 AM Thursday at our Headquarters. Upon signing in at the registration desk, each person who has paid the registration fee will receive an official wristband. This must be worn at all times to enter the Class of 1958 area. Wristbands will be checked by the Department of Public Safety, not the Class or the Reunion Committee. They are not transferable. There is a significant fee to replace them if lost, so please be careful.

2. Reunion Fees

All fees must be paid in advance, and will not be collected at the registration desk. Please send your checks in immediately for any outstanding fees.

3. Purchases

Items purchased at our Reunion headquarters, such as the new class tie, or reunion glasses or an extra hat, may be paid for in cash or by personal check. But note that items--like meals or snacks-- purchased at other sites around campus will require cash.

4. Wyndham Princeton Forrestal Hotel guests

Due to computer problems, the Wyndham lost the original list of those staying there, but they have assured us there should be no problems. To be on the safe side, it would be a good idea to call them at 1-609-936-4200 and confirm that your registration is in order.

5. Traffic and parking

It is necessary to allow extra travel time to the Reunion site as there will be a tremendous amount of traffic on Route One. If you are staying off campus, it is strongly recommended that you park your car at your hotel and ride the buses supplied by the University. You may also park at the Hyatt Regency on Route One and use the round-trip trolley that is provided by the Class. For those staying on campus, please park in the designated University lots and take the frequently running vans to our site.

6. Trolley and Bus service

The Class trolley will be going between the Hyatt Regency on Route One and our Reunion site at Blair all day and all night. It is exclusively for the use of the Class of ’58, but we will take other passengers if it is not full on any given run. The University also supplies bus service (mostly school buses) up and down Route One, and wewill post that schedule on the Class Website when it becomes available.

7. P-rade

a. For those with limited mobility, there will be another New Orleans style trolley/streetcar in the P-rade. This should replace the need for separate golf carts in the P-rade. The regular trolley and the P-rade trolley will bring people back from the end of the P-rade route to the Reunion site.

b. P-rade attire is the Class jacket, white pants, and white bucks. A knit shirt will suffice.

c. Additional instructions concerning the formation of the P-rade will be given to you in your registration packet when you sign in.

8. Meal tickets

Each registrant will receive meal tickets for each meal provided. This is the only way to be served.

9. Schedule of events

The final printed schedule will be given out as you sign in. The schedule on Class website: Princeton1958.com is preliminary, and is being updated constantly.

10. Dormitory housing

Please be tolerant of a certain level of noise and excitement outside (and possibly inside) the dorms during Reunions. (Earplugs are recommended if you wish to retire early!)

11. Thursday 10 PM

All classes are invited as guest of The Class of 1958 to dance to the great sounds of our New Orleans bands. Be prepared for a large crowd outside in Blair Courtyard, which will last until at least 12:30 AM.

12. Special ’58 Class events

There are three Class events not to be missed:

a. Jon Hlafter, who just retired as Princeton University Architect, will give a presentation and tour of the architectural achievements of Princeton past, present, and future. This will take place on Thursday beginning at 3:00 PM in East Pyne 010, and ending about 4:30 pm, including a half hour walking tour around the campus.

b. Jim Consolloy is the Princeton Grounds Manager who greatly admires the original campus designer Beatrix Farrand. He will give a tour of the campus highlighting the beautiful trees and plants of Princeton. Jim’s entourage will leave 1958 Headquarters at 8:45 AM on Friday.

c. The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra of New Orleans will present a spirited program of historical New Orleans music, interspersed with both witty and poignant commentary from survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the effect it had on their lives. This will take place on the Blair Courtyard Stage at 10:30 AM Saturday.

13. Additional fees

We assumed grandchildren would only be attending the Saturday lunch. When some people indicated they were bringing their grandchildren to dinners, we had to impose extra charges. We feel that most young children will not be especially happy at these dinner events, as they are geared to adult dining and dancing. See the Class Website: Princeton1958.com for the price addendums.

14. Class ties

These will sell out quickly. While supplies last, we will reserve ties for those who have sent in checks as directed on the Class website. Purchased ties will be in the totes presented to you when you sign in.

15. Special diets

Unfortunately, requests for special diets cannot be filled. There is a great health food store a short distance away, and some special food is available at Frist Academic Center. We will have a list of alternate places to eat at the welcome desk.

16. Alternate eating spots

There are many places on campus to enjoy meals with your family. In additions, there are a large number of simpler and smaller restaurants on Nassau Street.

17. Class jacket, etc.

The deadline to order new jackets has passed. There may be some from past years left in our inventory available for purchase at the Reunion. If you have ordered a new jacket, please bring your old one if you still have it, so that they can be used as loaners for others for the P-rade or Class functions.

18. Sunday Morning

Due to the large number of people staying off-campus, and those leaving early on Sunday, we have decided not to have a large formal brunch, but instead will have a petit dejeuner at Blair.

19. Maps

Maps of the entire Princeton area will be available at the registration desk, so you can travel off campus if you wish to enjoy some of the local attractions.

20. Class business

There will be a short period of class business conducted at the Thursday or Friday dinner. This will be kept as short as possible, and we ask that there be no impromptu speeches, cheering, etc.

21. Rain

It usually rains during Reunions. Each registrant will be given a fold-up umbrella in their tote, but this may inadequate for those with you. Please bring adequate rain gear for your group.

22. Music venues

There are three locations within our site. Each band has a different style and presentation, from original rock-n-roll to music of the present day, so try to get to all of them. A schedule of when and where each band is playing will be included in the material you pick up at the registration desk.

23. Quiet areas

We realize that with three music venues, two bars, and all the rest of the Reunion activities, some of you may want some down time for conversation, rest, or relaxation. There will be multiple designated (and lovely) “Quiet Areas” within our site.

Please contact any of our Reunion Committee with additional questions.

Very truly yours,
David A. Greenberg
Chair