Henderson Gang Birthday Banquet
“Henderson Gang” — and you know who you are —
Join us for the 2008 “Henderson Gang” Reunion
Wednesday, October 22nd: Hugh and Georgia Henderson will be arriving at Washington National (now Reagan) Airport around 8AM. They, as well as many of us, will be staying at the Marriott on campus. It is known as The Inn and Conference Center and it was the location of our last reunion in 2005. If any of you need to contact one of us at the Marriott during that weekend, the hotel phone number is (301) 985-7311. Additionally, if any of you need a room there, please contact Mike Board for information for our special rate of $135.
Traditionally, many of us at the hotel, as well as many of you who reside in the local area, get together to chat, drink, eat sandwiches or dinner, etc. the night before our reunion. This year that get together will begin around 6:00 at the Calvert House Restaurant on Rt. 1 in Hyattsville. Some of you may recall that we had a reunion there in 2003.
Thursday, October 23rd: Dr. Richmond Sparks, the University of Maryland Band Director, and his wife Ruth, as well as John and Sara Wakefield, attended our last reunion in 2005. Rich has requested that we have our reunion in the Band Room this year since that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be dedicated to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Band, and all of the festivities will be on campus as well. By combining everything into one weekend, it should make it easier, most especially for those traveling from afar. Our reunion this year is special in that, in addition to celebrating the 100th anniversary the entire weekend, we’re celebrating Hugh Henderson’s 90th birthday as well.
Our reunion will officially start with a reception on Thursday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm in the band room, but many of us will be there from 4:30 on. The band room is in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (get directions). The University Catering Service has guaranteed that we will enjoy a fine meal. The buffet dinner will begin at 7:30. Rich Sparks has graciously agreed to be our guest speaker for the evening.
The cost for the evening is $45 per person. There will be a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, the meal, and a very large, decorated birthday cake. I want to thank Rich Sparks for providing the band room, and for picking up the tab for the chairs and tables for our occasion. Additionally, Rich is providing two shuttle vans for the entire weekend for those needing assistance. This reunion is a very special one folks and I think each of us want it to be memorable, so I hope everyone will go along with this and enjoy our time together.
To register for this reunion (separate from the Band's Homecoming registration), please contact Mike Board as soon as possible at 1-800-594-3367 or mbuckboard@yahoo.com.
As mentioned, Rich Sparks, Hugh Henderson, Marianne Kassabian (the long time UMBAO President), all of the other UMBAO officers, and I are doing whatever it takes to make this weekend celebration one that you’ll remember till the end, so please come… none of us will be around for the 200th celebration!