Monday August 23,2021

Hello Classmates,

Yesterday I sent the following letter to the 50th Reunion Committee-

Dear Colerain Class of ‘71 50th Reunion Committee,

I want to thank all of you folks for stepping up and being willing to put on our Golden Reunion. Having put on a number of big events similar to this in my career, I know it takes a lot of effort and many hands to pull together to have a great function. Being a nostalgic, I am really really looking forward to our 50th reunion.

Who could have even dreamed that in our late 60’s we would be facing the world’s worst pandemic since 1918. We have been through a lot as a nation in the last 17 months and sadly the political landscape has certainly become quite toxic. Regardless of what one’s political beliefs are, this pandemic has not let go of us. And with the Delta variant, we are still in the middle of it, with more breakthrough infections each day. Given what has occurred in just the last two weeks, it would seem to be very prudent and the responsible thing to do to forgo any large gatherings, especially where attendees would be coming from many different parts of the country.

I am urging the Reunion Committee to consider postponing our reunion to either next spring or fall, when we will likely be on the other side of COVID. That way we can all relax more and have an enjoyable and memorable time. A Golden Reunion only comes once in a lifetime and it would be fair and best if we could all safely enjoy it.

I know that if an event is cancelled, or postponed, that there are often cancelation fees (even with a pandemic) and I will put my money where my mouth is- I will offer up my entire 3rd stimulus payment of $1,400 (Fourteen hundred dollars) towards any cancellation fees resulting from the postponement of our 50th reunion.

I do hope that you will take my comments under consideration. Thank you very much.

Sincerely, Bill Guenther, Colerain ‘71
Bensch Mountain Road
Newfane, Vermont

2011 Post-
Greetings from the Green Mountains. Looking forward to seeing everyone again!! After graduation, I was "borrowed" by Uncle Sam for 2 years then I came back home to Vermont. So this week it will be a trek out to the flatlands and the land of White Castles, Skyline and lots of good German beer. Have worked as a State Forester for the past 27 years and live up on a remote mountain with 23 acres of wood heat and beautiful forest. I long for lots of snow (we had only 109 inches last winter) and days of below zerotemps and glad that this reunion in in October as I don't think I'd survive July or August in Cincy. I see that Kat Smith planted herself in Vermont as well, but she lives "on the other side of the mountain."