those of you planning to take the trip into NY City on Saturday, the 17th of
May, it's time to start planning your day.
sign-up list for Reunion activities will be out in early February, so be
prepared. In order not to overwhelm you with info, I'll be sending out a number
of info messages on the Reunion over the next few days. They'll be in no
specific order, but I hope to set the stage for everything before you start
signing up. For the latest on the Reunion Agenda see: http://www.westpointaog.org/document.doc?id=5559 . For
hotel info see: http://www.westpointaog.org/1964reunion?chid=229
Our
buses will leave the Crowne Plaza in Suffern at about 8AM on Saturday, the 17th
of May and go directly to southern Manhattan in the general area of the World
Trade Center. We should arrive by 9:30, and
most of us are planning to spend two hours or so in the area. Basically, you are
on your own until pick-up later in the evening in the Times Square area.
Depending upon the number of folks going to NY City and your desires for
returning to the Crowne Plaza, we will have
one or two returning groups – one at about 5PM and another about 9:00PM –
leaving from the Bryant Park area (5&6th Avenues/40&42nd Street). John
Farnsworth has volunteered to do the "one step forward" inspection before
boarding the buses – he has extensive experience with this
maneuver.
I would
highly recommend forming small groups of Classmates/Roommates, etc. and
start your planning process. NY City has some unbelievable web sites covering
just about anything you might want to do. Just spend a few minutes googling NYC
tours, walking tours, etc., etc and you'll see. Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island,
Boat Tour of Manhattan, Broadway Shows, Lincoln Center, Art and Historical
Museums, the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, the "Art Kelly" Pizza Walking Tour
of Arthur Avenue, etc., etc. In other words, there is something for everyone.
Here's a site to get you started (from Betsy Lonsberry): http://www.cityguideny.com/activityplanner.cfm.
Here's
an example of what I am doing – My old roomie (I-1 Yearling Year) Hal Winton
proposed a "roommate day" in NY to me and Al Fulco. Hal, a great organizer has
us going to see Les Miserables in the afternoon (2PM) and then off to dinner at
a local French Restaurant at 5PM. Hal is willing to share his ideas and to give
recommendations – just drop him a note at bayonet@knology.net.
Most of the Broadway shows have 2PM matinees.
The
French restaurant where Hal, Al and I are eating is Pergola des Artistes (252
West 46th Street, 212-302-7500). It is offering a special menu to those who make
advance reservations and identify themselves as "West Point Class of 1964". The
menu includes a 4-course meal with several choices of appetizers, mid-courses,
entrees, and desserts w/coffee or tea for $55/person, tax and tip included (wine
and cocktails extra). The restaurant only seats 70, so book early if you want to
take advantage of this offer. Recommend small groups (4-6 people).
From
folks who go into NY frequently, one thing they all tell me is to make
reservations, especially at restaurants. Bud Henry, who frequently visits his
daughter in NY, is also available to offer advice and recommendations; he's at
bud.henry@cox.net .
A
suggestion – use the USMA 1964 class forum or info central to let all know of
your plans and to give other folks ideas of what to do.
For any
questions on the trip or Reunion, drop me a note at devans1964@aol.com. Should be a great day in NY
City!
Dan
Evans