ZAP Reunion Committee Update
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The Zurich Association of Parents (ZAP), the group planning the Zurich Elementary School All-Class Reunion scheduled for June 13, met on February 5 to firm-up their reunion plans. They discussed issues related to getting the word out, developing a registration form, executing a pie-making plan, finding a new Master of Ceremonies, designing t-shirts, and designating other event-related tasks. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 24.
As a result of their fundraising efforts and the generosity of the community, ZAP has $2,400 in the bank. The main expense the group will face will be postage for mailings, and the group has sufficient funds for contacting and inviting the large number of school graduates.
One event organizer, Betty Billmayer explained: “Because of the influx of funds, we were able to lower the registration cost. In addition to the mailings, we will have costs for the tent, renting tables and chairs, water bottles and beverages served during registration, and probably a few other things as we go along.”
The group is in the process of creating the mass mailing and sharing the word with everyone whose addresses they could find with any association to the school. Deanna Gilmore has been the point of contact for gathering addresses. ZAP hopes to get the mailings out in the next couple of weeks. The group agreed upon a deadline of April 10 for return responses.
Another aspect of preparations that has the group’s focus is developing a registration form. Once developed, this process will be made available on Facebook as well, so that it can be distributed to a larger readership and circulate the word about saving the date, Saturday June 13, 2020.
Registration cost will be $35 for those ages 16 and up, $17 for ages 7-15, and free for anyone six years old or younger. This fee would include refreshments during registration, the program, a catered pitchfork fondue meal, and ZAP pies for dessert. Zurich Park will be open Friday evening for anyone interested in planning an event and using the Park as a venue.
ZAP had planned to make and sell cinnamon rolls to raise money, but given their current funding situation, they will likely forego this labor-intensive task. With any extra funds, the group will consider several options:
Using the money to help pay for the meal and defray the costs attendees would be asked to individually pay; starting a scholarship; or constructing a display case at the school to permanently preserve some of the memorabilia-related items they have collected.
The group also discussed making pies for the reunion meal’s dessert and whether this would be a group effort completed ahead of time, then freezing the pies; whether they would just ask people to make and donate pies; or whether to gather at the school on the morning of the reunion and bake pies for the evening’s dessert.
ZAP determined that it would make more sense to break the reunion event into more manageable tasks and for those working in each subset of the reunion to hold their own meetings if necessary, rather than scheduling one meeting to try and deal with everything. Some of those groups include the following, and anyone still interested in assisting in a particular area should contact one of the people on the smaller subcommittees or volunteer to lead:
• Mailing—Deanna Gilmore and Colleen Overcast are working on this. There might be a meeting to print labels and to stuff envelopes.
• Food—Vicki Snider is in charge of all things to do with food. She has worked with Shaina Hofeldt, owner of Andy’s Supper Club, who will cater the meal. Snider and her team will organize refreshments for during registration and will also determine the best route for pie making. Once the group knows how many people have registered, Snider and her food crew will decide how to progress with pies.
• Afternoon Youth Games—Registration will begin at 2:00. The program is scheduled for 4:00 followed by the meal. While adults tour the school and socialize, organized activities for the younger set will likely keep them occupied.
• Memorabilia—The group has collected some items for display. These will require both organizational and labelling systems.
• Program— Rob Buhmann, who was slated to serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies (MC), recently learned that he will need to fly to Omaha for a business conference on June 13. So, the group is looking for an MC for the program. This individual will not only welcome those gathered but relate some of the school’s history and backstory. ZAP also has plans to honor some individuals who played instrumental roles in the school. The group is also in need of a sound system.
• Slide Show—Shannon Van Voast and Stephanie Silva have agreed to work on a slide show, but the large number of available photographs, with the promise of more, will need to be organized. Additional hands will facilitate this process. Furthermore, if anyone has pictures, please get them to the Slide Show Team as soon as possible.
• T-shirts—Melisa Drugge volunteered to do some checking on the price of t-shirts and declared she would be happy to work on a design for the t-shirt. Once that cost is determined, it will be included on the registration form so that people can order t-shirts when they register.
• Set-Up—ZAP needs a crew willing to secure a big tent, tables and chairs, and portable toilets. This crew would also be in charge of setting up for the event.
Billmayer, who can be contacted at 357-4100, extended the invitation to others for assistance: “Please help spread the word about the reunion and our need for assistance. If someone wants to help but doesn’t live here, they can still take charge of things like games, program, set-up, or at least commit to helping the day of the event. If you know of others who want to be part of the event, please just send me their addresses or contact information”
ZAP has scheduled their next meeting for February 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chinook Alliance Church Annex building. Located at the corner of Indiana and 2nd Street, the Annex occupies the old L & L Pizza building.
