70th Birthday Party!

'64 Generals, get your party hats on!

Our 70th birthday party is set for Saturday, April 2, 2016, with a smaller Friday get-together on April 1.

The venue committee and the reunion committee have put a lot of work into the selection of the Saturday night venue.  Starting with a slate of some 19 possible party locations, the venue committee met and whittled the list down to the five that satisfied the most criteria:  The University Club, The Fantasy Farm, Orange Park Kennel Club, River City Brewery and Club Continental.   All five of these were visited by members of the venue committee and executive committee, who further reduced the list to just two on August 14:  The University Club and The Orange Park Kennel Club.  These two were voted on by the entire reunion committee the week of August 17, who selected The Orange Park Kennel Club.

Inspecting the OPKC was a happy surprise for all of us.  When we arrived, we were shown to a spotless mezzanine reminiscent of a large skybox at an NFL stadium.  There is plenty of roomy seating at large round tables,  with huge glass walls giving a full view of the entire race track.  The dinner buffer will be along one wall, with the cash bar next to it.  As an additional treat, the OPKC staff will give us all a lesson in dog racing and betting, then we can bet on the races if we want -- at the betting window right there in our party mezzanine.  There will be 15 races throughout the evening, one about every 15 minutes.  They will dedicate one of the races to us, and will take a group picture outside after the race.  Because loud noises frighten the dogs (they are real!), bands aren't allowed; but our Activities and Entertainment Team will keep us hopping with the best recorded music of all time -- the Magic 60's Rock n' Roll.  From what we have heard from other groups who have had functions here, this place is highly recommended.  And, at $40 a head, a real bargain.

This will be a blast!  So start getting into a party mood!

_______________________________________________

 

More details (As of February 24, 2016):

Friday evening, April 1:  Mix and Mingle at The Mellow Mushroom, Avondale.

Saturday, April 2:  Birthday party!
 

The Orange Park Kennel Club opens at 6:15pm

Guests may begin arriving at 6:30pm. (cash bar open, appetizers and mingling of guests)

7:15 pm  Wagering Class instruction (15 minutes of instructions)

7:30 pm  Buffet open

7:45 pm  First Race of the evening begins

Marriott Courtyard of Orange Park is the hotel of choice for this venue. We have booked a block of rooms for this weekend; information is below.  There is no shuttle service from hotel to the track.  There is ample parking at the Kennel Club, and it is patrolled by security.
 

Dress code for both events:  Be comfortable!  Wear whatever fits your mood:  Jeans to Tuxedos!
 
Print and submit the form below to reserve your place:

 

 

__________________________________________________

Reservation Form

ROBERT E. LEE CLASS OF 1964
70th Birthday Party
April 2, 2016
 

Include check for $40 per person, payable to "Robert E. Lee Class of 64". 
Admission price includes buffet dinner and parking.
Cash bar is available.

 

PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
 
NAME(AT LEE)_________________________________________________

NEW LAST NAME (IF ANY)________________________________________

GUEST NAME__________________________________________________

STREET ADDRESS______________________________________________

CITY_____________________________ STATE________ ZIP___________

EMAIL________________________________________________________

 

Print This Form, Complete Requested Info and Mail Form with check to:

Gene Hagan
3932 Sarah Brooke Ct
Jacksonville, FL  32277

Please make things a little easier for our volunteers by ordering your tickets as soon as possible; Deadline is March 18, 2016.

__________________________________

 
 

Hotel Reservation Information

Mary Frances O’Leary has reserved a block of rooms at the Courtyard Jacksonville Orange Park, at 610 Wells Road, at the discounted rates of $89-$129, depending on the room you select.  The hotel is about as close as you can get to the Kennel Club.

To secure your reservation, click on the link below (begins with “book your group rate”) and a web page will come up.  Follow the directions on that web page to get your room.  I did find that the process isn’t flawless; I tried to change my selection midway through the booking process, and I got a message saying that there weren’t any rooms left.  So I started over and everything worked fine.  This probably won’t happen to you, but if it does, the message is to persevere; their computer, after all, is only human.

Be sure to reserve your room by March 11, 2016, to get the discounted rate.

Here is the reservation link your guests can use to make online reservations, verbatim from Marriott. 

Book your group rate for LEE HIGH SCHOOL

You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
LEE HIGH SCHOOL
Start date: 4/1/16
End date: 4/3/16
Last day to book: 3/11/16
Marriott hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
Courtyard Jacksonville Orange Park  for 89 USD  - 129 USD  per night

Book your group rate for LEE HIGH SCHOOL
 

Interior of mezzanine at Orange Park Kennel Club. Tables will have table cloths and birthday decorations. Buffet table is on the right rear.

View from Mezzanine party room. Not shown are the large screen TVs around the room to better see the races.