SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

Above Left: Revelers take over Village Hall Saturday night

Above R: First ever Goddard Trophy Winner Edie Whitney Watts with first mate.

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENALRGE
Left: "SON OF A PREACHER MAN" ROBIN TORREY SERENADES MRS. CUNNINGHAM AND REUNION CO-CHAIR OLIVER CHIP HULL .

Right: DOUG WRIGHT AND DAN WEINLANDT

Left: Tony Dwyer wins Cup in 1956 -

(That is one of the reasons he returned in 2008) Eugene Piper win the Cup in 1959
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Saturday morning I woke up at 4:00 AM and thanks to a suggestion from Patsy O'Shea I woke up Rebecca and we headed for Bay Shore. Shortly after midnight I was standing on Bay Prom with Kathleen O'Shea Alexander, her husband Doug, and her lovely daughter Genevieve. The winds of Hannah were howling at 40-50 mph and the bay was beautiful. Amazing to be in Saltaire for a tropical storm, with so many friends and personal icons and mentors! THANK YOU JIM, CHIP, PATSY and Derf. Many questions went unanswered, many connections only partially made, but the effort and the spectacular result on Sunday was just amazing. Seeing all of you again, and talking with as many as possible made the late night, the driving and the not-very-happy 12 year old all worthwhile. Perhaps we need a forum with this blog? THANKS to the O'Shea family for taking Diane, Rebecca and I in, and to Charlie for filling up his house on Marine Walk with Pete, Steve and Liz. Great job, marvelous experience!
-----Richard McManus


Jim - I'm sure you'll hear from my siblings, some more eloquently than I, but you did nostalgia proud. Today was great.Thanks for putting so much energy into creating the trip.

Peace
Denny Dwyer



I Must second Denny Dwyer's applause--this was an amazing weekend!Big thank you's to Jim, Patsy, and Chip, as well as all the committee who made this wonderful gathering possible!Special thanks also to the O'Sheas who hosted my brother Rich, his daughter Becca, and me! We go way back with the O'Sheas, and they've been unfailingly generous and kind to our family so many times, including this weekend!And equally, thanks also to my cousin Charlie, who made the McManus house available to three more McManus sibs, Liz, Steve, and Pete... so we could be there in force!It was a fantastic party and great to see so many people I haven't seen for years!Thanks again,

Diane McManus

TO JIM, PATSY AND CHIP:

I'm not sure how to adequately express my appreciation for your having orchestrated such a memorable event.
My expections were high and hopeful yet a bit confused. They became so very clear as I approached the Maple Ave. dock and more and more lucid on the ride accross the Bay. The scene, the aromas and the incredible sensation of a conversation or an embrace taken up after 40 or 50 years without having skipped a beat.

Absolutely outstanding!

One more box for the attics of my life.

Bravo,

TONY DWYER