NEWSLETTER JULY 2024
NEWSLETTER JULY 2024 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 SUMMER SHENANIGANS!
Summer is definitely here! Across the country, all schools are out on summer break. Some kids will travel, some will work or go to camp and yes, some will get into trouble. It was summer in Commack and look what I found in an old photo album from back in the day ( and I did not get into trouble but I did have an accomplice! )
Jamie Blackwood at Jack-in-the-Box on Jericho Turnpike, Commack , N.Y. Photo Credit: Barbara FicaloraA few observations... First, check out the sneakers! They are still cool and I know because I ran into a teen recently wearing a pair and I made sure to compliment her on her footwear.
Second, how about the price of a burger! And how about the diverse menu? I can tell you for certain I never ordered a taco until I moved to Florida and I can't believe they served shrimp, which I also never even tasted until after 30! I was a serious peanut butter and jelly sandwich girl all through school but cheese burgers are still my favorite meal. Also, how about the small print so they can offer "French Fried Potatoes" ! Today, everyone knows a French Fry is made from a potato but were we really that new to the concept then?
Finally, who knows what TV commercial we were mocking at the time? Email me your answers and the first correct response will win a prize!
On a personal note, this series of pictures elicited a surprise compliment from my Father all these years later. During our conversations to record his life memories during a Covid Storyworth project (this is a whole story in itself) he recalled seeing them and had this to say;
"Jamie and Barbara did a prank at the Jack in Box in Commack. They were in high school then. They took pictures of themselves imitating cars at the Jack In The Box drive-thru. They were sitting on their asses like they were in a car driving up to the pick-up window. I still have an image of that. I really enjoyed that one because it’s my kind of humor. It’s something I would have done, something I would do. I was very proud of that prank and I had nothing to do with it."
He had another memory I'll share for all my Mayfair classmates, about when we were attending Green Meadows Junior High; "Bonnie and Jamie were in Junior High where they had Friday Night Recreation and I'd drop them off and pick them up in the Volkswagen Beetle. I get there one night and a bunch of Mayfair kids were looking for a ride home. I don’t know how many kids got in the car but I was worried about the springs on the Volkswagen. I think two kids were in the well behind the back seat and two were on laps in the front passenger seat and a whole bunch more on top of each other in the back seat. The car was packed and everyone is laughing and yelling and, once we got back to Mayfair, trying to tell me where they lived so I could drop them off." Anyone remember this night?
REUNION
We are full steam ahead for the reunion with just THREE MONTHS TO GO!A big shout out to everyone who purchased their tickets ahead of our second deposit due on the event space. We couldn't have done it without you! We are super excited you are all coming and we are committed to helping everyone make the most of their time at the reunion and in Florida.
If you are still undecided or have not purchased a ticket yet, you still can. Everything you need is on our website and I encourage you to use it and let me know if you have any questions I haven't covered.
REUNION ACTIVITIES
TRANSPORTATION
AIR – If you are flying in, we recommend West Palm Beach (PBI) over Fort Lauderdale (FFL) for ease of travel.
GROUND – Here follows ground transportation suggestions for airport to hotel as well as during your stay.
Our hotel has a lot to do within walking distance. You may not want to rent a car!
A1A Transportation – Michelle 561-702-9710 (Hotel Front Desk suggestion)
Servicing both Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Airports
Jiffy Jeff Transportation 305-588-6143
Boca Lux Limo - WEBSITE: https://bocaluxlimo.
Lyft is the most popular Ride App in the area
ACTIVITIES
TUESDAY
Hospitality Suite (Poinciana Room opposite Lobby Desk) 9:00am –5:00pm
Check-in Tuesday and then collect your Welcome Packet and Name Badges
MEET & GREET 6pm – 10pm (included with your Reunion Ticket) Join us for Appetizers and a Cash Bar at the Hotel Lobby’s Private Pub Room.
BEACH TIME/ Pool Time all day, every day
Grab a lounge chair and an umbrella and chill out on the beach! Volleyball anyone?
WEDNESDAY
GROUND – Here follows ground transportation suggestions for airport to hotel as well as during your stay.
Our hotel has a lot to do within walking distance. You may not want to rent a car!
A1A Transportation – Michelle 561-702-9710 (Hotel Front Desk suggestion)
Servicing both Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Airports
Jiffy Jeff Transportation 305-588-6143
Boca Lux Limo - WEBSITE: https://bocaluxlimo.
Lyft is the most popular Ride App in the area
TUESDAY
Hospitality Suite (Poinciana Room opposite Lobby Desk) 9:00am –5:00pm
Check-in Tuesday and then collect your Welcome Packet and Name Badges
MEET & GREET 6pm – 10pm (included with your Reunion Ticket) Join us for Appetizers and a Cash Bar at the Hotel Lobby’s Private Pub Room.
BEACH TIME/ Pool Time all day, every day
Grab a lounge chair and an umbrella and chill out on the beach! Volleyball anyone?
WEDNESDAY
GOLF (Sign Up Required)
Frank Gaccione is your contact for golf. Contact him to get on the list. Tee Time TDB on Wednesday morning, Oct. 16th at the Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course. Call or text Frank at 631-258-3431
TRIVA AT FLANAGANS 2:00pm (Sign Up To Follow via Email - Required for a head count)
Walk over to Flanagan’s for a game of 70’s Nostalgia Trivia hosted by Charlie Deitch.
REUNION DINNER DANCE! 6pm - 10pm Casual Dress & Dancing Shoes!
THURSDAY
PUB CRAWL - (Sign Up To Follow via Email - Required for a head count)
Skip lunch and let's do a food & drink Pub Crawl with Happy Hour drinks and Bar Bites at every stop! We'll have some special fun along the way and I guarantee you won't get lost! Hosted by Jamie
EVENING BEACH PARTY – Meet us on the beach! You can't miss us!
~ EXTEND YOUR REUNION VACATION WITH A QUICK CRUISE ~
Check out of our hotel on Friday & Check in aboard Celebrity Cruises, CELEBRITY REFLECTION - 3 NIGHT BAHAMAS & PERFECT DAY CRUISE OCT 18 - 21 2024
NEARBY - ON YOUR OWN - OPTIONS ;
*If we have enough expressions of interest to any 'on your own' activity, we'll be happy to coordinate a group outing. Email Jamie to start a list at; CommackSouth1970@gmail.com
ESCAPE ROOM (Deerfield Beach) –292 SW 12th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 -Get your team together and Escape from the Adventure Vault Escape Room. Two Themed Private rooms up to 8 people, $30/pp
*(Group reservations recommended in advance)
Rent a surfboard or paddleboard! Shop the latest beach wear and gear. A short walk from the hotel.
Captain George and experienced crew aboard BOLO, a 48 Foot Sport Fishing Boat with an Air Conditioned Interior and a Restroom below deck.
*(Group reservations recommended in advance)
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432 – A Preserve with a boardwalk leading to a lookout, plus a butterfly garden & tanks with sea turtles. 10 minute drive north of the hotel. Very popular, go early! FREE (5 stars)
Five Elements Spa
1680 SE 3rd Court, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 (five minute drive from hotel)
Recharge & rejuvenate (Reservations Recommended)
EVEN MORE OPTIONS NOT THAT FAR AWAY ;
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314 Visit and tour the hotel and casino, shop and bar hop. Book a spa treatment and enjoy their top notch spa facilities for the day. 40 minute drive from hotel – Like a day in Las Vegas ! FREE (5 stars)
4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446
A museum, 16 acres of beautiful walkable gardens, woodlands, koi ponds and extensive bonsai collection for the horticulturally inclined.
EVERGLADES SWAMP TOURS - One Hour Group Tour $60/pp
Journey through Florida's vibrant wetlands, “The River of Grass”, and experience an exhilarating airboat ride and see wildlife in their natural habitat; alligators, rare wildlife & exotic birds. Private, Group, Night and Pontoon cruises
There are many airboat Everglades Tours in South Florida. This is a suggestion for one with competitive pricing and options.
*(Group reservations recommended in advance)
3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 $32.50/
Walk through tropical, flowering gardens in six giant screened aviaries filled with twenty thousand LIVE exotic butterflies and the world's most amazing birds. Hand feed the small parrots in the Lorikeet Encounter! Botanical Gardens, Macaw Landing, Butterfly Museum, Live Bug Zoo, outdoor cafes, gift shop and garden center.
Frank Gaccione is your contact for golf. Contact him to get on the list. Tee Time TDB on Wednesday morning, Oct. 16th at the Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course. Call or text Frank at 631-258-3431
TRIVA AT FLANAGANS 2:00pm (Sign Up To Follow via Email - Required for a head count)
Walk over to Flanagan’s for a game of 70’s Nostalgia Trivia hosted by Charlie Deitch.
REUNION DINNER DANCE! 6pm - 10pm Casual Dress & Dancing Shoes!
THURSDAY
PUB CRAWL - (Sign Up To Follow via Email - Required for a head count)
Skip lunch and let's do a food & drink Pub Crawl with Happy Hour drinks and Bar Bites at every stop! We'll have some special fun along the way and I guarantee you won't get lost! Hosted by Jamie
EVENING BEACH PARTY – Meet us on the beach! You can't miss us!
~ EXTEND YOUR REUNION VACATION WITH A QUICK CRUISE ~
Check out of our hotel on Friday & Check in aboard Celebrity Cruises, CELEBRITY REFLECTION - 3 NIGHT BAHAMAS & PERFECT DAY CRUISE OCT 18 - 21 2024
This cruise leaves from nearby Fort Lauderdale on Friday and returns Monday. Full day at Coco Cay Private Island and full day in Nassau (Atlantis!).
No group rate available on this affordable cruise but there will be group fun! We have three cabins already booked on Deck 7.
https://www.celebritycruises.
No group rate available on this affordable cruise but there will be group fun! We have three cabins already booked on Deck 7.
https://www.celebritycruises.
NEARBY - ON YOUR OWN - OPTIONS ;
*If we have enough expressions of interest to any 'on your own' activity, we'll be happy to coordinate a group outing. Email Jamie to start a list at; CommackSouth1970@gmail.com
RENT A BIKE!
Bicycle rentals (first come first served) are available at the hotel with a 25% discount to guests.
ESCAPE ROOM (Deerfield Beach) –292 SW 12th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 -Get your team together and Escape from the Adventure Vault Escape Room. Two Themed Private rooms up to 8 people, $30/pp
*(Group reservations recommended in advance)
Island Water Sports RENTALS & Shopping (5 stars on Tripadvisor)
Rent a surfboard or paddleboard! Shop the latest beach wear and gear. A short walk from the hotel.
BOLO Sportfishing Charters https://fishbolo.
Shared Charters (2x/day) $175/pp (minimum 4 people) Other options available.
COVE MARINA 1754 SE 3rd Ct , Deerfield Beach, FLCaptain George and experienced crew aboard BOLO, a 48 Foot Sport Fishing Boat with an Air Conditioned Interior and a Restroom below deck.
*(Group reservations recommended in advance)
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432 – A Preserve with a boardwalk leading to a lookout, plus a butterfly garden & tanks with sea turtles. 10 minute drive north of the hotel. Very popular, go early! FREE (5 stars)
Five Elements Spa
1680 SE 3rd Court, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 (five minute drive from hotel)
Recharge & rejuvenate (Reservations Recommended)
EVEN MORE OPTIONS NOT THAT FAR AWAY ;
Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum Senior Admission $14 (5 stars)
4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446
A museum, 16 acres of beautiful walkable gardens, woodlands, koi ponds and extensive bonsai collection for the horticulturally inclined.
EVERGLADES SWAMP TOURS - One Hour Group Tour $60/pp
Journey through Florida's vibrant wetlands, “The River of Grass”, and experience an exhilarating airboat ride and see wildlife in their natural habitat; alligators, rare wildlife & exotic birds. Private, Group, Night and Pontoon cruises
There are many airboat Everglades Tours in South Florida. This is a suggestion for one with competitive pricing and options.
*(Group reservations recommended in advance)
3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 $32.50/
Walk through tropical, flowering gardens in six giant screened aviaries filled with twenty thousand LIVE exotic butterflies and the world's most amazing birds. Hand feed the small parrots in the Lorikeet Encounter! Botanical Gardens, Macaw Landing, Butterfly Museum, Live Bug Zoo, outdoor cafes, gift shop and garden center.
Visit Our Website
Our website is the go to for Reunion information. Past newsletters and more can be found there. Make sure to save it to your favorite bookmarks.
Also, if you are receiving this newsletter and have not yet provided your current phone and address, please send that via email or just fill out the Contact form on our website.
Email us directly;
Don't Forget Our Facebook Page!
