FLORIDA CLASS GATHERING

The 1961 gathering in Florida Feb. 14/15 was attended by twelve classmates, wives, and significant others. Left to right, bottom row:  Barker, Scasserra, Walker.  Top row: Tuffnell, Gruen, Atkiss, Prather, Swan, Lane, Krongard, and Geo. Morris. Torell was not in the photo. Although rain was a constant menace and limited us to inside events, the stalwart group braved the elements with rain gear, umbrellas, wet shoes and high spirits for both days.

Our initial and highlight event was a visit to the Palm Beach Zoo where we were royally hosted by the zoo president in a sheltered pavilion for introductions, cocktailsand comments. Zoo staff members wandered among us holding a baby alligator, a dwarf hedgehog and a multicolored parrot. During a short break in the rain, we were escorted to the Tiger Den (nighttime home) of three Malayan tiger cubs born at this zoo in 2011. Now almost 2 years old and weighing about 250 lbs., they are magnificent creatures, especially when viewed up close -- two feet away behind bars in their cage. We were all impressed by the worldwide preservation efforts to maintain this endangered species.

After a 30 minute drive south to Delray Beach, this group of 1961 "endangered " species dried out at Rob/Kathie’s club on the oceanfront. A nice group of 23 enjoyed renewing friendships, taking group photos under the 1961 banner and having a delicious meal together.

Friday brought more bad weather so our daytime activities were limited to indoor events in Palm Beach. Beginning with a lunch gathering of six couples in the Seafood Bar of the historic Breakers Hotel, we began to learn more about the gilded age of opulence 100 years ago which Henry Flagler and his development of Florida's east coast included hotels and a railroad. Our last stop was Flagler’s home (Whitehall) which has been beautifully restored as a museum and well worth a visit.

Our final evening began at the Walker's townhome in Delray Beach where cocktails and conversation were mingled with Kathie's famous hors d'oeuvres. The members of the Palm Beach tour group &ndash the Walkers, Tuffnells, Gruens, Lanes, Barkers and Don Swan/Brenda plus Krongard reflected on their time together. The evening ended at a seafood restaurant on Delray’s "Avenue” -- where the action is. Unfortunately, the rain deterred the 61ers from taking in the vibrant scene. As we waited for our cars and said our farewells, we all agreed we should DO IT AGAIN!

Scasserra & Penny Atkiss	Krongard, Tally & Stu Tuffnell
Brenda Harihan, Don Swan, Joni Lane	Geo. Morris, Rob Walker, and John Torell
George & Anne Barker, Geo. Morris	Tony Atkiss, Molly Morris (Henry Cook’s sister), George Barker
Lane, Swan & Harahan	Walker's dinner order?
Swan, Krongard, Gruens, Lanes	Stu & Tally Tuffnell, Walker
Stu Tuffnell, Ev & Joe Prather, Joni Lane

Florida’s Palm Beach &ndash the Delray Beach area will be the site of an extended Valentine's Day class gathering on Thursday, February 14, and Friday, February 15..

A unique feature of the gathering will be a brief lecture and then a behind-the-scenes tour of the extraordinary Malayan tiger habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo on Thursday afternoon. The Malayan tiger is an endangered species and Zoo representatives will tell us about the exhibit and its residents and what the Zoo is hoping to accomplish. To get more details about the Zoo and the tiger exhibit, please visit these websites:

Panthera.org