Official Shorewood High School Alumni Association of Shorewood, WI!

July 14, 2012

Thank you to all who shared this special time together yesterday and connected with Shorewood in so many ways. The picnic was sunny, music was great, the brats cooked up nicely - crispy on the outside, and the nostalgic patter of friends new and old mixed in the air with wonderful music. This year we are happy to report no one got locked in the underground tunnel on the tour, and the flashlights worked well (thank you Jane Earle for testing them and putting in fresh batteries). The tribute to Barbara Gensler which followed the picnic was a seamless, heartfelt and professional production to an eager and loving crowd that left not a dry eye in the house, and explored the depths of Gensler's legacy. I don't think I'm alone in feeling a sense of awe at the day, and then of the extremely honest and caring sentiments shared by former students and Barbara Gensler herself. It was a joy to have such a lovely reception afterward (thank you Geri Berg and friends). The Tribute got nice coverage on WTMJ: http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/162508196.html If you find it in the press, please forward a link. If you have pictures you'd like to share, send them in! Post also to the facebook page if you'd like, here:

I would like thank the other volunteers on the Alumni Board and all the volunteers who worked harder than they thought they were going to I'm sure. The bartending staff from Three Lions Pub deserves a round..of applause. If you stop by the pub, please say thanks.

I can't say enough good things about the highly skilled and talented crew and cast for the Gensler tribute. Thanks to Shorewood High School for supporting all of these events and allowing us to have technical director Patrick Spreadbury's time for the show, as well as four crew members. Thank you, Sue Knudten ('82), for stepping up and running the operation from Denver and then nonstop from Friday through Saturday that raised funds (working on the totals today) for the school - and to your posse that did it on a dime. President Barack Obama even knew about it and sent his best to Barbara in a personal letter.

Theatre named: There is a new plaque in the lobby honoring Barbara Gensler Theatre of the Dramatic Arts. John O'Hara, local photographer, took the picture that is on the plaque. His pictures of July 14, 2012 will be available in an online gallery tomorrow. Check out his show of photographs at Anaba Tea Room through September.

We hope to have a few ways to see this show again, to help you feel like you were there. Mark Augustine compiled the video tributes, videotaped the show in its entirety, and will be working with the team to produce it. The program will be online soon. If you would like a .pdf emailed to you, send a request to shorewoodalumni.org.

Next year's picnic will be Saturday, July 13, 2013! Thanks to all of you for helping to spread the word about both events this year - please let your friends and family know to save the date for next year. Some of you have let us know you'd like to jump in, too! That would be great - we could use more volunteers as the event grows. Just contact me at shorewoodalumni@gmail.com and we'll start a list for next year.

In the meantime, think about joining the Alumni Association. Your financial support helps our all-volunteer group send more mailings and find more classmates, host more events, and celebrate the education and connections we all got at Shorewood.

Best wishes and congratulations on a day full of memories,
Jenny Steinman Heyden, SHS Board President, and the Shorewood High School Alumni Board

SHS Alumni Board and Officers:
Vice President, Bill Trost Class of '53
Secretary, Jennifer Kringel, Class of '86
Treasurer, Christopher Trost, Class of '78
Desty Lorino, Class of '75
Doris Kitazaki, Class of '86
Reunion Liaison, Geri Berg, Class of '80
Merchandise Director, Rachel De Hartog, Class of '95
Newsletter Liaison, William Evans, Class of '75
Barbara Gensler Tribute Coordinator, Susan Knudten, Class of '82