WOSA-NA Reunion

Charming Silver Bay, on the shores of beautiful Lake George, NY, was a marvelous site for the 2005 WOSA/NA annual reunion. Little wonder that several hundred alumni and families, former staff, and friends of Woodstock spent a delightful and memorable weekend over 23-25 June 2005 doing what people do at reunions - reminiscing, catching up, renewing friendships, making new ones, and just generally having a good time. There were the usual and popular current affairs and craft workshops, as well as Woodstock/India memorabilia for sale. Two beautiful Woodstock quilts, created and donated for auction by Harvella Bauman Stutzman '49, were the focus of much eager attention. A couple of innovative events - an afternoon cricket fixture and a night dance party with a real live DJ -- added variety and enthusiasm to the participatory options of this year's reunion. These are expected to become regular features of future reunions.

Of course, we all wanted to hear recent news of the school community - what has been going on and what is planned for the future. This David Jeffrey provided in his inimitably engaging manner. Most significant are the plans for a new Woodstock presence in North America - nothing akin to a New England rock music event or the tiny yellow bird in the Peanuts comic strip gang. I'm sure you will have heard or read about the new foundation and program office that will be established in North America to service the school's ongoing activities when KWI is disbanded in June 2006. It was only fitting that Jane Cummings' 25 years of exemplary service in and through KWI should have been fêted at this her last annual WOSA/NA reunion before she leaves her North America realm. After Jane's thought provoking talk one evening, Glenn Conrad shared a delightful "this is your life" power point presentation. Jane will be moving to head the school's Development Office in June 2006 when Sharon Seto and her family return to the US. It was also a real joy to have Ashoke Chatterjee '51, representing WOSA India, with us. Ashoke was the featured speaker after the traditional khana. By all accounts, this year's reunion was a marvelous experience, leaving people looking forward to the 2006 reunion in Black Mountain, NC.