Dear PHS Reunioneers,
September 1, 2002
Two weeks have passed and I am still glowing whenever I think about all the amazing people that came through Pacific's doors (wherever those doors were), and how wonderful it is, getting to know so many of you! Pacific was a unique environment in a very unique time in American history, and after this last event I'm even more convinced that we ALL have much in common, including many of the same values. I know that this is NOT the fact with most reunions, even one class.
There being only one person at this event who got involved after 1971' (when it wasn't even pretending to be a school anymore), I see the real history of Pacific as being from 1961" through about 1972'. Alot happened to us in the space of those short 11 years! And as Bruce Hobson and others pointed out at the amphitheater discussion, much of it has had a lasting effect on our lives. When the question was raised, How have things you experienced at Pacific created the person you are today?, I had not thought much about it. Afterwards, I realize that there are at least 4 major parts of my life that directly reflect those years. My activist drive was stimulated by the "Hobson" and Weather Underground stories that I heard, even in 1969, while living in Miggle's and John's cabin and hanging out with the cabin folks. Vince Mow took me to Jafu's place, down Skyline, and I experienced my first massage, from about 20 people, and have been worshipping at that alter ever since. Being involved in the domes and bath dome building experiment stimulated my love of alternative technologies. And I am still looking to find a community that I can fit into.
I now feel like I am part of a family that gets bigger with each reunion. I have never had much family, so I really like this! 100 alumni, friends of PHS, teachers and staff, plus another 100 guests, came in 1997'. 46 came this time, plus another 21 guests. Of those, approximately 30 alumni, and 1 staff (we knew Peter Calthorpe as staff) had been at the 1997' reunion. I'm thinking, and others agree, that we now have a pretty solid core group of folks (from all years), and the general consensus on Sunday was that we should do this more often than every 5 years. It's just too much fun to have to wait that long! I have suggested that we try to have the next one at Hidden Villa, on the Duvenek family property in Los Altos Hills. As this was the 2nd of
4(?) locations for the school, I think it might get some of the very original students to join us next time.
Melanie Peck showed up right after the group photos on Sunday with a treasure trove of old photos and literary newsletters, which got some of us thinking about some other projects. One is creating a dedicated website with an easy to find address for the PHS site. Dean thinks this is a good idea, as his daughter is now growing up and his life is busier than ever. Perhaps having 3-5 folks that handle different aspects of it so nobody has too much to do to maintain it? Thoughts? Volunteers? Another project is to create a simple book of old photos from across the years, with a bit of prose (lots of it on Dean's old site), sprinkled around for good measure. I will try to pull this off with the help of Melanie, Rachael Harris, Lloyd Kahn, Nan Biers, and anyone else who will trust me with their treasured photos while I copy them. We would probably sell them at cost plus postage, to anyone who speaks up when the offer is made. It would be a one time thing, due to the need to return originals in a timely manner. I wish to especially thank Jane Rake for helping me make this all happen (I could not have pulled it off without her), Drew Detsch for bringing all the firewood up for us, and Robin & Lester Grimm for supplying it, again! Bruce Hobson, and also Lynn Rogers, for putting together the 2 afternoon programs in the amphitheater; Mako Haggerty (who couldn't make it), for sending all the fabulous salmon from Alaska; Jan Gilbrecht for bringing it and getting it cooked for us; Tony Granatowski for his "heroic" trip to the store Sat morning; Greg Johnson for handling everything that needed handling (he knows what I mean); and Vince Mow, for starting us off on the right foot Friday afternoon with those "Dark & Stormy Nights". Great stuff! Jane and I want to thank everybody for coming, and bringing all that great food, ice, coolers and drinks, and we hope that you all had as much fun as we did!
Hi, Jane here. Just a brief additional note from Harry and me. I had so much fun seeing those of you I knew, meeting the rest of you, and hearing all the stories. I especially enjoyed learning what everyone is doing currently; I don't think any other high school in the country has ever produced a higher percentage of graduates who are involved in such conscientious or interesting pursuits. Other than the "situation" with the raccoons, Harry had a great time and still talks about how cool he thinks you all are. Thanks for making it such a memorable experience, I hope we'll be able to do this again within the next few years.
Sincerely, Robin Bloomgarden and Jane Rake
August 16-18, 2002 PHS Reunion Committee