2017 Pine Beach Reunion Survey results.
Have you attended a Pine Beach Reunion? (Select all that apply).
2010, Toms River Country Club
35%
2011, Holiday Inn Toms River
35%
2012, Holiday Inn Toms River
43%
2013, Ramada Toms River, 80th Anniversary
46%
2014, Sea Oaks Country Club, Harry Humphries Speaker
41%
2015, Sea Oaks Country Club, Charlie Duke Speaker
52%
2016, Sea Oaks Country Club, CAPT Geno Paluso Speaker
41%
2017, Sea Oaks Country Club, Slaby Field Dedication/Veterans Tribute
65%
Whether you attended a Reunion in the past or not, how likely are you to attend a Pine Beach Reunion in the future?
Extremely likely
51%
Very likely
27%
Somewhat likely
20%
Not so likely
2%
Not at all likely
0%
Overall, how would you rate the Pine Beach Reunion you attended?
Excellent
52%
Very good
37%
Good
11%
Fair
0%
Poor
0%
How did you hear about the Pine Beach Reunion? (Select all the apply)
Email
74%
Facebook
22%
Through the Mail
33%
Never heard about Reunion
0%
Other (please specify)
30%
Would you like to see the Pine Beach Reunion continue?
Yes; Hold it every year.
69%
Yes; Hold it every other year.
22%
Yes; hold it more infrequent (more than 2 years)
7%
No
2%
The current Pine Beach Reunion is held in late April. When would you like to see the reunion held?
Keep the current time in late April
87%
Fall; Sep-Oct
11%
Fall; Nov-Dec
2%
Winter: Feb-Mar
0%
Where should future reunions be held?
Keep it at its current location at Sea Oaks Country Club.
75%
Different location. Please suggest a location or area.
25%
Is it important to start the Reunion weekend at the site of the former campus on Friday evening with a ceremony? This may limit the locations for the Reunion
Yes; I like visiting the former campus site.
61%
Yes; But not every year.
20%
No; It's not important to visit the former campus.
19%
COMMENTS
Great job done by the committee!!!
(Thank you. We have a dedicated group of Alumni on the committee who want to keep the brotherhood strong.)
----------
Glad I finally was able to attend due to my work schedule. I plan to attend again and I hope I can get some of my classmates to come.
(Please pass the word and encourage your classmates to attend. We will see you next year!)
----------
These reunions are a great time for all. It keeps the brotherhood together and the traditions alive.
(That has been our mission statement from the start. Thanks!)
----------
Thanks for all that you and the Committee do, this is a great event. Getting to know other Alumni has been fantastic...the brotherhood is real.
(Thank you for your kind words. Our intent for the Pine Beach Reunion has always been to gather the brotherhood together to reconnect with old friends, meet new friends, tell tall tales, and to keep the Northern spirit alive. I think the past 8 years has shown that the brotherhood, spirit and fellowship of AFA North is still alive.)
----------
Might be worth considering an occasional reunion gathering at AFA--St. Pete as a means of stating in touch with how well the institution is doing in the current era. Though we graduated from the Pine Beach campus, St. Pete lives on and the good name "Farragut" will hopefully be carried on there for many years to come.
(AFA in St. Petersburg holds a homecoming celebration every year in late October. Many Northern Alumni attend this gathering. The Pine Beach gathering was organized to gather, reconnect and preserve the Northern School history, traditions and brotherhood. It also provides a sort of homecoming for the large population of Northern Alumni who still live within a radius of a few states from the former campus and who cannot make it to Florida for a reunion for whatever reason. The Pine Beach Alumni Weekend is planned, organized and conducted by the Pine Beach Reunion Committee for this purpose.)
----------
Our group has reached its peak size and will continue to shrink as time goes on. This must be understood as time goes on: it is very challenging to keep the remembrances "fresh" when it is the same people with the same stories. If we are to keep this interesting and fun, the goal should always be to find ways to harvest and present new content. This might be "new" old stories, or displays of artifacts or picture collections (to spur memories and conversation). Or it could be speakers with an outside perspective of what AFA brought out in graduates. It might help if we had some larger purpose to get behind. It is difficult to find motivation if there is not a goal. What are we trying to do as an alumni group? Preserve memories? Make connections? Help new students find new pathways to some of the formative things we enjoyed? Find and help our members in dire straits? Any of these (or others) would be OK, but some might encourage more active involvement than others. I think we need a stated mission and purpose (attractive to the vast majority of graduates) if we are to garner additional attendees out of a shrinking pool.
(Great comments. We are always looking for ways to keep the reunion fresh and interesting so folks want to come back each year. If anyone has specific suggestions for the reunions, please drop us a note on our website afapinebeachreunions.org. A lot of what you suggest also falls into the category of what an Alumni Association would do. As the Pine Beach Reunion Committee has sort of been operating as a defacto informal Alumni Association for the Northern Alumni, we are currently investigation if there is support to establish a formal Alumni Association. Stay tuned for more information.)
----------
Thought the field ceremony and the dinner ceremony were very good. During the USMC Birthday celebrations a cake cutting followed by the oldest and youngest Marines present sharing the first slice was always nice, maybe that as part of the dinner ceremony would also be nice. I usually go done for the Friday ceremony and then return for the dinner on Sat. night because I live in NJ but I see where you would need lodging for those who come from out of state and activities to fill the time. Why not a cruise past the old campus as something different? or maybe the school could put together a small traveling museum that you could set up in the hotel. The video and year books at the tables were very nice. Perhaps not just the year celebrated but year books for a year or two before the celebrated year as we all had friends behind us and we were probably in those year books as well even though we weren't first classmen. Just a few thoughts, hope they help.
(Great idea! I have also been to many USMC birthday celebrations and the Marines know how to do ceremonies right! We will look at including a cake cutting ceremony at next year’s reunion, especially as we will be celebrating the 85th anniversary of AFA. We can certainly have more yearbooks from adjoining years. I believe we have a complete set of all the yearbooks.)
----------
If the program wasn't to include a site visit, it could be held anywhere. However, if the objective is to expand the "brotherhood" bond, then inclusion of the hallowed ground "beneath the towering pines" is important. Would you be able to accomplish that at some regional alumni gathering conducted by the Academy staff? A huge Well Done to the organizers.
(We thank you! That’s why we asked the question. It looks like from the results that most folks like kicking off the Alumni Weekend by returning to the “Hallowed Grounds”. So for now we will continue to kick off the weekend at the former campus.)
----------
Later in the Spring since we don't return north as early in April.
(We are always looking for the best time to hold the reunion. The latter part of April or Early May seems to currently work out the best based on weather and other events. As we push later into the year we run into competition with weddings, graduations etc. Thank you for your comment.)
----------
Excellent Reunion 2017!! Class of 69; Plan on attending upcoming events-Soon to be 50th celebration!!
(Thank You!! Please contact all you classmates and we will see you next year.)
----------
KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK NORTHERN TEAM. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AGAIN. As a 59r I sincerely hope you keep the Class Agent Program alive as is. Harry
(Thanks Harry! The Northern Brotherhood is strong. We remain dedicated to keeping the Spirit alive. Take care out there on the Left Coast!!)
----------
Crazy idea- we seem like we're "in good" with the current regime at the Boro. I've been to some very nice "tent weddings" for +/-150... heated/ac, hardwood floor, good caterer, booze- maybe we could set up Sat at the waterfront for a moonlight view of the river? Parking an issue...
(Thanks for the comment. We actually looked into this option a few years ago as we were thinking along the same lines as you. What we found is the cost of the tent, caterer, the insurance, set-up and take down, clean-up etc. was cost prohibitive. As we put this event together each year, we try very hard to keep the cost as reasonable as possible. Also, the Borough of Pine Beach will not allow alcohol to be consumed in the park. So as I think it would be a lot of fun to have the event on the grounds of the former campus, it not a viable option at this time.)
----------
All involved should be complimented on the EXCELLENT job of putting the reunion together and running it!!!
(Thank you for your comment. The committee works hard each year to put on a great event.)
----------
Thanks for a wonderful weekend. You thought of everything and made it a weekend to remember. I met alumns from other classes and shared good stories.
(Thank you. That is exactly why we put these events together. Getting old friends together, meeting new ones, and exchanging the great stories and experiences we all had. Hope to see you next year.)
----------
Thanks for all of your hard work!!!
(Thank you! It’s a true “labor of love” by the committee!!)
----------
I think price (too high) and speaker are important items the to draw people
(The committee tries really hard to keep the price as low as possible while maintaining the class the event and the brotherhood deserves. We are always looking for great guest speakers. If you have any suggestions, please drop us a note on the website afapinebeachreunions.org. Thank you for your comment and opinion.)
----------
This was the best program yet! Kudos to all involved. Bravo Zulu! Yesterday's Pub was a significant improvement over the Lamp Post and Sea Oaks is a great gathering place.
(Thank you! This year’s Alumni Weekend was special and very moving. The committee tries to make each year special and rewarding for all who attend. Based on input from previous attendees, we moved the Friday gathering to Yesterdays. We also thought Yesterdays provide a better venue for our event. Next year we will be going back to Yesterdays.)
----------
I was apprehensive about attending the first one. I didn't know what to expect. I loved it, so did my wife! I really looked forward all year to 2017, and now can't wait for 2018. The fellowship is heartwarming. The innate connection to other alumni, even people I never knew is palpable and infectious. Thank you!
(We are so glad you made it out to this year’s gathering. We definitely find that once an Alumni attends the Pine Beach Alumni Weekend, they want to keep coming back for all the reasons you have pointed out. Thank You and we will see you and you lovely Bride again next year.)
----------
Friday night gathering could be done at the Pine Beach Yacht Club
(We looked into this option a few years ago also. Because they are not a turn-key event venue, we would have to contract out for all the catering, set-up and clean-up etc. which again made it cost prohibitive from our perspective. We try very hard to keep the cost as reasonable as possible while providing a great experience for the brotherhood.)
----------
Please do not stop the Reunions. Please try to find the addresses and locations of more AFA North alums
(We will continue to put on the Pine Beach Alumni Weekends as long as there is support from the brotherhood and volunteers to help plan and put on the event.)
----------
Keep up the good work thanks for asking George R "50"
(Thank you George and hope to see you again next year.)
----------
I guess this is convenient if you live up north. I live in Florida. The Florida campus is my new home. Makes me too sad to see Pine Beach gone.
(We were all sad to see the Pine Beach Campus close but that is history now. What we can do now is make sure we keep the brotherhood, history and traditions of the Northern School alive. The Pine Beach Alumni Weekend was started to provide a formal gathering in the North to allow the large number of Alumni who still live in the Northeast to get together each year and to keep the brotherhood and tradition alive. It is not meant to replace or compete with homecoming at the St Pete campus. We support that event and encourage all Alumni to attend.)
----------
Good questions but I am unsure this gives us all the answers we need. Grateful for all the effort that goes into it. Pine Beach is important because I believe more of the alums are closer to it. Why do we not visit the campus on a Saturday? YOHO
(Thanks YOHO. We try to answer more and more questions each year as we refine each event and more of the Northern Brotherhood gets involved. We are actually looking at the possibility of a visit or event on Saturday on or near the former campus and what an event like that would look like. If you have any ideas, please pass them along.)
----------
Every other year
(Thanks for the input. Based on the responses we received, we will continue to hold the Pine Beach Alumni Weekend every year.)
----------
Hold the reunion in NJ close to pine beach. Always nice to take a walk and think about the memories.
(Thank you!! We will continue to do just that!!)
----------
Truly Outstanding job every year
(Thank You. You kind words are most appreciated!)
Have you attended a Pine Beach Reunion? (Select all that apply).
2010, Toms River Country Club
35%
2011, Holiday Inn Toms River
35%
2012, Holiday Inn Toms River
43%
2013, Ramada Toms River, 80th Anniversary
46%
2014, Sea Oaks Country Club, Harry Humphries Speaker
41%
2015, Sea Oaks Country Club, Charlie Duke Speaker
52%
2016, Sea Oaks Country Club, CAPT Geno Paluso Speaker
41%
2017, Sea Oaks Country Club, Slaby Field Dedication/Veterans Tribute
65%
Whether you attended a Reunion in the past or not, how likely are you to attend a Pine Beach Reunion in the future?
Extremely likely
51%
Very likely
27%
Somewhat likely
20%
Not so likely
2%
Not at all likely
0%
Overall, how would you rate the Pine Beach Reunion you attended?
Excellent
52%
Very good
37%
Good
11%
Fair
0%
Poor
0%
How did you hear about the Pine Beach Reunion? (Select all the apply)
74%
22%
Through the Mail
33%
Never heard about Reunion
0%
Other (please specify)
30%
Would you like to see the Pine Beach Reunion continue?
Yes; Hold it every year.
69%
Yes; Hold it every other year.
22%
Yes; hold it more infrequent (more than 2 years)
7%
No
2%
The current Pine Beach Reunion is held in late April. When would you like to see the reunion held?
Keep the current time in late April
87%
Fall; Sep-Oct
11%
Fall; Nov-Dec
2%
Winter: Feb-Mar
0%
Where should future reunions be held?
Keep it at its current location at Sea Oaks Country Club.
75%
Different location. Please suggest a location or area.
25%
Is it important to start the Reunion weekend at the site of the former campus on Friday evening with a ceremony? This may limit the locations for the Reunion
Yes; I like visiting the former campus site.
61%
Yes; But not every year.
20%
No; It's not important to visit the former campus.
19%
COMMENTS
Great job done by the committee!!!
(Thank you. We have a dedicated group of Alumni on the committee who want to keep the brotherhood strong.)
----------
Glad I finally was able to attend due to my work schedule. I plan to attend again and I hope I can get some of my classmates to come.
(Please pass the word and encourage your classmates to attend. We will see you next year!)
----------
These reunions are a great time for all. It keeps the brotherhood together and the traditions alive.
(That has been our mission statement from the start. Thanks!)
----------
Thanks for all that you and the Committee do, this is a great event. Getting to know other Alumni has been fantastic...the brotherhood is real.
(Thank you for your kind words. Our intent for the Pine Beach Reunion has always been to gather the brotherhood together to reconnect with old friends, meet new friends, tell tall tales, and to keep the Northern spirit alive. I think the past 8 years has shown that the brotherhood, spirit and fellowship of AFA North is still alive.)
----------
Might be worth considering an occasional reunion gathering at AFA--St. Pete as a means of stating in touch with how well the institution is doing in the current era. Though we graduated from the Pine Beach campus, St. Pete lives on and the good name "Farragut" will hopefully be carried on there for many years to come.
(AFA in St. Petersburg holds a homecoming celebration every year in late October. Many Northern Alumni attend this gathering. The Pine Beach gathering was organized to gather, reconnect and preserve the Northern School history, traditions and brotherhood. It also provides a sort of homecoming for the large population of Northern Alumni who still live within a radius of a few states from the former campus and who cannot make it to Florida for a reunion for whatever reason. The Pine Beach Alumni Weekend is planned, organized and conducted by the Pine Beach Reunion Committee for this purpose.)
----------
Our group has reached its peak size and will continue to shrink as time goes on. This must be understood as time goes on: it is very challenging to keep the remembrances "fresh" when it is the same people with the same stories. If we are to keep this interesting and fun, the goal should always be to find ways to harvest and present new content. This might be "new" old stories, or displays of artifacts or picture collections (to spur memories and conversation). Or it could be speakers with an outside perspective of what AFA brought out in graduates. It might help if we had some larger purpose to get behind. It is difficult to find motivation if there is not a goal. What are we trying to do as an alumni group? Preserve memories? Make connections? Help new students find new pathways to some of the formative things we enjoyed? Find and help our members in dire straits? Any of these (or others) would be OK, but some might encourage more active involvement than others. I think we need a stated mission and purpose (attractive to the vast majority of graduates) if we are to garner additional attendees out of a shrinking pool.
(Great comments. We are always looking for ways to keep the reunion fresh and interesting so folks want to come back each year. If anyone has specific suggestions for the reunions, please drop us a note on our website afapinebeachreunions.org. A lot of what you suggest also falls into the category of what an Alumni Association would do. As the Pine Beach Reunion Committee has sort of been operating as a defacto informal Alumni Association for the Northern Alumni, we are currently investigation if there is support to establish a formal Alumni Association. Stay tuned for more information.)
----------
Thought the field ceremony and the dinner ceremony were very good. During the USMC Birthday celebrations a cake cutting followed by the oldest and youngest Marines present sharing the first slice was always nice, maybe that as part of the dinner ceremony would also be nice. I usually go done for the Friday ceremony and then return for the dinner on Sat. night because I live in NJ but I see where you would need lodging for those who come from out of state and activities to fill the time. Why not a cruise past the old campus as something different? or maybe the school could put together a small traveling museum that you could set up in the hotel. The video and year books at the tables were very nice. Perhaps not just the year celebrated but year books for a year or two before the celebrated year as we all had friends behind us and we were probably in those year books as well even though we weren't first classmen. Just a few thoughts, hope they help.
(Great idea! I have also been to many USMC birthday celebrations and the Marines know how to do ceremonies right! We will look at including a cake cutting ceremony at next year’s reunion, especially as we will be celebrating the 85th anniversary of AFA. We can certainly have more yearbooks from adjoining years. I believe we have a complete set of all the yearbooks.)
----------
If the program wasn't to include a site visit, it could be held anywhere. However, if the objective is to expand the "brotherhood" bond, then inclusion of the hallowed ground "beneath the towering pines" is important. Would you be able to accomplish that at some regional alumni gathering conducted by the Academy staff? A huge Well Done to the organizers.
(We thank you! That’s why we asked the question. It looks like from the results that most folks like kicking off the Alumni Weekend by returning to the “Hallowed Grounds”. So for now we will continue to kick off the weekend at the former campus.)
----------
Later in the Spring since we don't return north as early in April.
(We are always looking for the best time to hold the reunion. The latter part of April or Early May seems to currently work out the best based on weather and other events. As we push later into the year we run into competition with weddings, graduations etc. Thank you for your comment.)
----------
Excellent Reunion 2017!! Class of 69; Plan on attending upcoming events-Soon to be 50th celebration!!
(Thank You!! Please contact all you classmates and we will see you next year.)
----------
KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK NORTHERN TEAM. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AGAIN. As a 59r I sincerely hope you keep the Class Agent Program alive as is. Harry
(Thanks Harry! The Northern Brotherhood is strong. We remain dedicated to keeping the Spirit alive. Take care out there on the Left Coast!!)
----------
Crazy idea- we seem like we're "in good" with the current regime at the Boro. I've been to some very nice "tent weddings" for +/-150... heated/ac, hardwood floor, good caterer, booze- maybe we could set up Sat at the waterfront for a moonlight view of the river? Parking an issue...
(Thanks for the comment. We actually looked into this option a few years ago as we were thinking along the same lines as you. What we found is the cost of the tent, caterer, the insurance, set-up and take down, clean-up etc. was cost prohibitive. As we put this event together each year, we try very hard to keep the cost as reasonable as possible. Also, the Borough of Pine Beach will not allow alcohol to be consumed in the park. So as I think it would be a lot of fun to have the event on the grounds of the former campus, it not a viable option at this time.)
----------
All involved should be complimented on the EXCELLENT job of putting the reunion together and running it!!!
(Thank you for your comment. The committee works hard each year to put on a great event.)
----------
Thanks for a wonderful weekend. You thought of everything and made it a weekend to remember. I met alumns from other classes and shared good stories.
(Thank you. That is exactly why we put these events together. Getting old friends together, meeting new ones, and exchanging the great stories and experiences we all had. Hope to see you next year.)
----------
Thanks for all of your hard work!!!
(Thank you! It’s a true “labor of love” by the committee!!)
----------
I think price (too high) and speaker are important items the to draw people
(The committee tries really hard to keep the price as low as possible while maintaining the class the event and the brotherhood deserves. We are always looking for great guest speakers. If you have any suggestions, please drop us a note on the website afapinebeachreunions.org. Thank you for your comment and opinion.)
----------
This was the best program yet! Kudos to all involved. Bravo Zulu! Yesterday's Pub was a significant improvement over the Lamp Post and Sea Oaks is a great gathering place.
(Thank you! This year’s Alumni Weekend was special and very moving. The committee tries to make each year special and rewarding for all who attend. Based on input from previous attendees, we moved the Friday gathering to Yesterdays. We also thought Yesterdays provide a better venue for our event. Next year we will be going back to Yesterdays.)
----------
I was apprehensive about attending the first one. I didn't know what to expect. I loved it, so did my wife! I really looked forward all year to 2017, and now can't wait for 2018. The fellowship is heartwarming. The innate connection to other alumni, even people I never knew is palpable and infectious. Thank you!
(We are so glad you made it out to this year’s gathering. We definitely find that once an Alumni attends the Pine Beach Alumni Weekend, they want to keep coming back for all the reasons you have pointed out. Thank You and we will see you and you lovely Bride again next year.)
----------
Friday night gathering could be done at the Pine Beach Yacht Club
(We looked into this option a few years ago also. Because they are not a turn-key event venue, we would have to contract out for all the catering, set-up and clean-up etc. which again made it cost prohibitive from our perspective. We try very hard to keep the cost as reasonable as possible while providing a great experience for the brotherhood.)
----------
Please do not stop the Reunions. Please try to find the addresses and locations of more AFA North alums
(We will continue to put on the Pine Beach Alumni Weekends as long as there is support from the brotherhood and volunteers to help plan and put on the event.)
----------
Keep up the good work thanks for asking George R "50"
(Thank you George and hope to see you again next year.)
----------
I guess this is convenient if you live up north. I live in Florida. The Florida campus is my new home. Makes me too sad to see Pine Beach gone.
(We were all sad to see the Pine Beach Campus close but that is history now. What we can do now is make sure we keep the brotherhood, history and traditions of the Northern School alive. The Pine Beach Alumni Weekend was started to provide a formal gathering in the North to allow the large number of Alumni who still live in the Northeast to get together each year and to keep the brotherhood and tradition alive. It is not meant to replace or compete with homecoming at the St Pete campus. We support that event and encourage all Alumni to attend.)
----------
Good questions but I am unsure this gives us all the answers we need. Grateful for all the effort that goes into it. Pine Beach is important because I believe more of the alums are closer to it. Why do we not visit the campus on a Saturday? YOHO
(Thanks YOHO. We try to answer more and more questions each year as we refine each event and more of the Northern Brotherhood gets involved. We are actually looking at the possibility of a visit or event on Saturday on or near the former campus and what an event like that would look like. If you have any ideas, please pass them along.)
----------
Every other year
(Thanks for the input. Based on the responses we received, we will continue to hold the Pine Beach Alumni Weekend every year.)
----------
Hold the reunion in NJ close to pine beach. Always nice to take a walk and think about the memories.
(Thank you!! We will continue to do just that!!)
----------
Truly Outstanding job every year
(Thank You. You kind words are most appreciated!)