Message from the President August 2023

2023 Lenox School Reunion Is Upon Us!

October 13 and 14, 2023

If you’re going to live, leave a legacy, make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” - Maya Angelou

The Legacy Fund.

I know that the Masters who taught English and English composition would admonish me for this cryptic non-sentence. I’ve been writing these president’s messages for years now and I always find inspiration on what to write by thinking about our shared Lenox experience and what is ahead of us for reunion time. Yet as we approach this next reunion (and what looks like a finish line of sorts in 2026) I must admit to hitting a bit of a writer’s block.

I recently had a conversation with Randy Harris regarding this dilemma and he reminded me of something that Rev Curry Wrote in 1967 titled “The Case for Lenox School” (which was an appeal by him for support for the school) as well as what David Wood wrote to the Berkshire Eagle in 1988 titled “Lenox School Never Died”. Here are excerpts of those writings: David Wood in the letter to the Berkshire Eagle - “… by admitting “all sorts of conditions of men” an interesting and often exiting community was created, and even today when alumni get together, there is a feeling that Lenox School was as much a cause as a school. Its motto still seems the noblest of them all: “Non ministrari sed ministrare” or “Not to be served but to serve”... “But in a very real sense for me, Lenox School never died.” …”Over time, however, I came to believe that in a very real sense the school lived as long as its alumni served to exemplify its ideals in their lives.”….” Its sons were always out there: lobstering off the Maine coast, doing missionary work in Haiti, pumping gas in the Bronx, teaching in schools, ministering in a thousand ways and, yes, even confined, in one case, to state prison. I well remember my first interview with Headmaster Robert L. Curry. … “I don’t really have much to offer you,” he said, “except hard work and maybe a chance to be
part of building something really worthwhile.” Rev Curry in his letter to parents titled “The Case for Lenox School”. In this, he provided four responses to the question of “Why should people contribute to Lenox School?” Here is a distillation of his four answers from that writing:

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 “First, Lenox is a simple school. This is not an age of simplicity and yet our nation has been built be simple people” . … “We live simply”. … “

“The second answer is that we are a solid school. Our national heritage has been built on solid people --- men and women who unsung and without fanfare stuck to their last and built a great inheritance which is ours but which is a trust which we are called upon to hand on better than we received it; and much of education today does not tech this.

“The third answer is that ours is a school of sweat” … There is nothing in this fund drive or anything out beyond it in our projected needs of the future which asks that you and other give us something so we can have it easier… no we are only asking enough help so that we can do more effectively for more boys what we are now doing…”

“The fourth answer is soul…” “This is Lenox School. It is simple. It is solid. It is a place where men and boys sweat to find the answers to life and it is a community with a soul.”

Writers block over. It descended on me that with the Legacy Fund, we’re really carrying on what Mr. Wood and rev Curry wrote about. It is creating another starting point for everything that has been done since 1926. What we’re doing will serve to prevent the Lenox School story of simplicity, hard work, sweat, outreach, etc. from erasure. Let me explain. That starting point is represented by the Legacy Fund that gives new life to the story of our little school and the new website that captures for posterity the magic that the dedicated Masters, faculty, staff and families created for us. Aside from the reconnecting, fellowship and joy we get from embracing our classmates
and the faculty and family that attend, this coming reunion and the few that follow are all focused on making good on the mission we have accepted to secure the funds necessary to share the much-needed lessons, history and legacy of what the Lenox School masters, faculty, staff and families selflessly provided for us. Some have asked why we’re doing
this and to what end.

If ever there was a time when the example and lessons from what a truly a dedicated and selfless faculty can do with meager resources and a flinty determination to serve and succeed (such as we were privileged to experience at Lenox School), that time is glaringly now. The preponderance of the reporting on the status of education in the US today seems more like an urgent alarm bell that has yet to be responded to; and in my mind, what Lenox School achieved serves as a lesson learned for today’s academic problems.

So, what does the legacy fund have to do with this?

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The fund will continue to provide scholarships grants and donations to deserving students and organizations in the name of Lenox School, while concurrently retelling the recipients the Lenox School story, such that perhaps they can carry this forward as an example and lesson of what can be achieved. Every fire starts with a spark.

2023 Miss Hall's Pickett Scholarship

In addition, the fund supports in perpetuity a new website that will contain the history of the school, access to all the yearbooks (and thus the story all of you) and the lessons of how this little school managed for decades to produce so much with so little. Perhaps, having access to this website and learning about the Lenox School lessons and model, it may influence others in the future to re-look at and adopt the lessons from what Lenox School achieved.

Our board members are right now looking at expanding the impact of our donations and scholarships to organizations that have a national reach. We’re looking at outreach to the native American organizations to support their efforts to further the academic achievements on behalf of their population. We’re also looking at supporting students in trade schools that currently provide the absolutely essential craft that makes our country run. through our scholarships and donations in Lenox School’s name.

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“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
- Benjamin Franklin

We’re not going to let the incredible story and lessons of Lenox School for future posterity (nor each of you) be forgotten. Think about that one Master that made a significant difference in helping to shape or influence your life. For some, it might be Nol Putnam who recently passed; for others it might be Jim Fawcett, Jim Paterson, David Wood or Mansfield Pickett. Perhaps Rev Curry or Doc Blanchard. Whomever the individual or event was, Lenox School was the foundation and launching pad for all of us. We owe them and the school the recognition of what they provided; and their lessons are relevant for future generations. Thus, the Legacy Fund has everything to do with carrying on past our time and sharing the lessons, legacy, history and activities that Lenox School provided. We’re going to do something through the Legacy Fund that future generations will find not only worth reading about, but perhaps learning from and writing about.

Yes, we’re going to have another memorabilia  auction!

In homage (and a nod) to David Wood:

 Everyone knows that auctions speak louder than words - that's because of
the auction-ears.
 Auctions are the one place where you can get something for nodding.
 Though, of course, you do have to stay ‘til the bidder end.

As we did last year, we’ll hold an auction of memorabilia, yearbooks, ephemera, etc. so
bring your checkbook! And, if you have memorabilia hanging around, bring it and
well auction it off as well! Proceeds will go to the Legacy Fund and to help defray
LSAA operating costs.

5- This year we have exciting news and a surprise regarding the LSAA Hall of Fame
Inductees

From 1961 through 1963 there was a sitcom on TV called “Car 54 Where are you?”

As this is the 55th reunion for the class of ’68, I have to ask:
Class of 1968 … Where are you!??!?!

And once again, we have arranged for a terrific catering operation to supply all of the meals right at the S&Co’s Bernstein Theatre.
We remain deeply grateful to Shakespeare & Co for affording us the opportunity to hold our reunions right at the campus as well as for all of the incredible support they have provided through the years.

13-14 October 2023 - Save the Date.

Don’t miss this one; or we’ll put you on work squad for

the rest!

President's Message April 2023

Presidents Message from Bob Sansone, LSAA President:

Next Date for 2023 Reunion

(Weekend after Columbus Day)

October 13 & 14, 2023

“Begin with the end in mind.” —

Stephen Covey

There are 4 more reunions to go before we reach the legacy funding goal and the 100^th anniversary of Lenox School in 2026. This is an all class call for reunion!

That said …. rumors from certain classes abound!

The class of 1970 is making sounds as if they’re going to flood the zone this year. If that’s the case, they’ll have competition from two other classes with legacy ambitions for their own 55th and 60th milestones:

At the same time the class of ‘63 marks its 60th year since walking between the masters. There are times when art imitates life, and perhaps this was so for the class of ’63 as the #1 song in the nation was “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys.

Then there’s the venerable class of 1968 and their 55^th legacy year (validated by TIME magazine as the class that shaped a generation … or at least that’s how I interpret what they really meant …..)

Once again, we’re going old Lenox School style this year. Thanks to the ever-gracious hosts and friends at Shakespeare & Co. we’re 100% back on campus in what is the Bernstein Theatre (and what was the Sports Center).

That means Fri after golf, Sat luncheon after the business meeting and Sat night dinner will all be held in the Bernstein Theatre with incredible catered meals.

As I write this it is the first day of Spring and this morning it was 25F. If the saying holds true, March certainly needs to go out as a lamb, as despite the absence of snow here, we’re tired of the March lion that came in.

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we deeply love becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

The relentless march of time brought us some very sad news recently – Jim Paterson, long standing Lenox School Master, passed away recently. Mr. Paterson was emblematic of the selfless, dedicated role model that the Lenox School experience provided. He embodied the mission of service that is within the ethos of the school, and through his life, became part of us.

We owe him and all others a debt that in reality can’t be repaid for what they provided. And yet, we have landed upon a way to honor Jim and the rest of the faculty, staff and families that served Lenox School and all of us:

“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Albert Schweitzer

There are many things that each of us think about when reflecting on our Lenox School experience. And while these may vary, there is one constant that prevails: service. And thus we embarked upon an effort some years ago to capture this and share it in perpetuity with the world:

2023 – The Legacy Fund ….Validating the Motto - Advancing toward the 2026 School Centennial

Aside from this year’s reunion, there are only 3 more LSAA reunions left before the 100^th anniversary final reunion in 2026 coinciding with the founding the school in 1926. Our focus and drive for the next few years is two-fold:

1. Keep alive our shared history, legacy and spirit of Lenox School by rekindling friendships and joining together for the next few years to honor the school, and the masters and staff that dedicated themselves to the school’s mission of service and to us.

1. Ensure that we reach the Lenox School Centennial fund goal of $600K (we’re currently at 55% of goal, with 73% in gifts and 27% in pledges yet to come.)!

This fund ensures that the donations, grants and scholarships we currently provide in the name and honor of Lenox School and Masters will endure past our time through the written instructions we provided to Berkshire Taconic Community Fund.

Perhaps most importantly, the fund supports the creation and maintenance of our new website in perpetuity. The website will display the digitized history of the school, all the yearbooks, images, important papers, memorabilia, etc. for posterity to learn about this special school, and what it was able to create and accomplish in consonance with its motto of service in its too-brief existence.

In short, the website will provide a history of Lenox School, the Masters, faculty and families that were the living role models who subordinated their lives in service of those of us who attended. It captures for all time its impact and as a captured history of all of us that were fortunate enough to have been part of the Lenox School experience. And it serves as a lesson of what a dedicated faculty and school can do despite the lack of an endowment.

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”

-Dalai Lama, spiritual leader

In many ways, Lenox was a mosquito of a school when compared with the prep school leviathans that occupied the east coast. Yet Lenox School prevailed for years; punching way above its weight class in both academics and sports, matriculating Lenox Boys into the prestigious colleges and universities of the time.

A while back, in a distant Pen & Scroll, I made a reference to my sense that Lenox School served us not as “lost boys” they saved, but as “found boys” they nurtured in the spirit of Rev Curry’s “Growability of Boys” style. It was not an exclusive school, but it was exceptional in ways that sometimes defy explanation.

Headmasters and Masters immersed us in an ethos of “Sed Ministrare”. It wasn’t easy for us, just worthwhile in the end. The rose that was Lenox School also had its thorns. But in the end, it provided the launching pad for us and set us on the path we find ourselves today.

We owe something back in return for the selfless dedication of the Headmasters, Masters, staff and families who were Lenox School and dedicated themselves to our education and to the school’s mission. And we owe it to posterity to show that there is a way to educate that requires true dedication and selflessness, not just an endowment.

So how do we achieve this “Sed Ministrare” effort? We need to reach and even exceed the funding goal. Pitch in for whatever you can provide. Every donation or commitment is gratefully received. And the party we’ll have celebrating our school’s legacy and the shared achievement of reaching our goal for it will be phenomenal.

The Great LSAA Memorabilia Auction: Part Deux

Last reunion we had an incredibly fun filled time auctioning the collected memorabilia and the proceeds were distributed equally to the LSAA operating fund and the Legacy Fund.

It was so much fun, that we plan to do this at this upcoming reunion. Bidders and onlookers are cautioned: do not scratch your nose or make any other gesticulation while in conversation with others … these will be considered as binding bids!!

We also have a very special Hall of Fame ceremony planned, so …..

13-14 October 2023 - Save the Date!

Be there or …

(we just might come and get you)!

President's Message July 2022

2022 Lenox School Reunion

October 14 and 15, 2022

A milestone reunion for ’67, ’62,’57 and frankly… all other classes, masters and staff are called.

(and we’re going to start auctioning the memorabilia!)

We have also arranged for a terrific catering operation to supply all of the meals right at the S&Co’s Bernstein Theatre this year. Every meal will be accompanied by an auction of the memorabilia, so bring your checkbook and don’t miss out on the Lenox School item you’ve had your eyes on all these years!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t recount how fortunate we are to have S&Co as stewards of the property and our gracious and warm hosts again. I count our blessings that they ended up with the campus.

“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”

Maya Angelou

Well that about sums up what the Lenox School Centennial Legacy Fund is all about. We’re are raising the funds necessary to keep the history and legacy of Lenox School alive thorough ongoing scholarships and donations in honor of Lenox School, along with a website that tells the history and has all the memorabilia, year books, and important documents digitized and maintained in perpetuity. And this 2022 all school reunion is positioned to drive us toward that centennial of the school in 2026.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

Pericles

What we are going to accomplish by having this fund operate will serve as an ongoing message to others beyond our time, reflecting not just what Lenox did for all that were fortunate to attend; but to provide the larger message of what can be done when selflessness and dedication to service becomes woven into ones life. The world is in need of this now more than ever.

“There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone the light remains”

Unattributed

I recognize that we have obituaries elsewhere in the Pen & Scroll, however, having attended the memorial for a classmate; the funeral of a friend and staff member; and suffering the loss of a cherished master recently; I am including the following:

Mr. Fawcett passed away on June 30^th. His contributions were not only to Lenox School and those of us fortunate enough to know him; but to all that he interacted with throughout his life. His light remains and shines through us. We shall carry on the scholarship we founded in his honor.

 

Several members of the class of ’68 had the opportunity to attend the memorial service for our classmate Tim Cole. Tim’s impact on the lives of others truly reflected “Sed Ministrare”.

Part of the obituary for Beryl Wells read:

“In 1962 Beryl and her family moved to Lenox, MA where she worked in the office at Lenox School for Boys and ran the snack shop until the school closed…”

The truth is, she was much more - loco parentis to the “Boys” (as she referred to us until her passing) and her service to the “Boys” was 24/7 365. We were enhanced to know Beryl, and diminished in her passing. She and Bud remain in our hearts. 

“Do your little bit of good where you are, it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”

Desmond Tutu

I’d be remiss if I didn’t recount how wonderful it was to do LSAA’s little bits of good by bestowing two Pickett Scholarships at Miss Hall’s in person this year. The sense of service inculcated at Miss Hall’s emulates very much the “Sed Ministrare” philosophy we were exposed to at Lenox.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

Albert Einstein

The board truly had to get creative in thinking about how do we place LSAA on the glide path to 2026 while making sure we had fun in the process Well, thankfully we are blessed with good bit of brain power and intelligence on our board.

We’re continuing to have the reunions of course as part of having fun. But the fun part is not only reconnecting this year and the years to follow, but we’re venturing into a creative way to transition the memorabilia to a new home, by of all things… an LSAA series of auctions.

While we concurrently are seeing if some of the items can go to the Episcopalian Diocese of Western MA or the Berkshire Athenaeum, we’re giving the opportunity for alums and guests at the reunion to capture that long sought Lenox School item!

We plan to have both silent and active auctions at each meal. Proceeds of course will be divided between the Centennial Legacy Fund and the LSAA operating account. This should be a hoot!

I’ll bring the gavel, you bring your sense of humor (and your checkbook!).

14-15 October 2022 - Save the Date.

Be there or … we’ll come find you!

President's Message May 2022

Next Date for 2022 Reunion
(back to our traditional date of the weekend after
Columbus Day!!)
October 14 and 15, 2022
Can you believe it!?!
The class of 1967 and the class of 1962 have a 55th
and 60th Legacy Commemoration!!!
Here’s the class of ’67 from our 2017 reunion –

comon’ back boys, we miss you!!! I think ‘62 may give you a run for your money! And ’57…
surprise us!

Also, we’re going old Lenox School style this year. Thanks to the ever-gracious hosts and friends at Shakespeare & Co. we’re going to have all of our meals on campus. That means Fri after golf, Sat luncheon after the business meeting and Sat night dinner will all be held in the Bernstein Theatre. We’re working with the
caterers now to get a fabulous spread arranged.

2022 – Preparing for the 2026 School Centennial
“Your life is made of two dates and a dash. Make the most of the dash.”  Linda Ellis

The Lenox School Centennial Legacy Fund & working on our dash:
I am always drawn back to the words that Mr. Southworth left us regarding his reminiscences of Lenox School (“What Dreams May Come”): “… I am willing to offer them as a reflection of that Lenox mystique which eludes
specific words, but has existed as an experienced entity, and which touched everyone in one way or another.”

That mystique leads us to this 2022 reunion and the ones that will follow until our 100th anniversary of the founding of the school (1926 - 2026). These all will be devoted to fellowship, reconnecting, and cementing the legacy and lessons of Lenox School and disseminating these through the new website we’re building and through the scholarships and donations that will be sustained in perpetuity through the Lenox School Centennial
Legacy Fund we established – This is Our Enduring Dash!

Speaking of this fund, we have established a goal of $600K to be raised by the 2026 centennial date; and as of the writing of this with donations and pledges, we’re already ~50% there!

“Every man, however wise, needs the advice of some sagacious friend in the
affairs of life.” Plautus

One of the major efforts that the board will undertake is to review and refine the guidance we provided to the Berkshire Taconic Community Fund (BTCF) to ensure that once we are no longer actively engaged, the funds generated there continue to remain true to our intent and don’t end up wandering off into supporting organizations, initiatives, or entities we would never have desired. We are going to be scrupulously careful in this overall endeavor to make sure we get it right. We are actively discussing some fundamental questions and issues to review and refine such as:

• Do we wish these funds to continue benefitting the somewhat geographically local recipients we have supported in the recent past (S&Co, Trinity Church, Miss Hall’s, etc.); or,

• Do we expand our service outreach by directing BTCF to include a broader group of financial recipients, while rigorously remaining consistent with what Lenox stood for while active? Examples would be extending our scholarship and donation initiatives to entities that Lenox School supported as an active school: i.e. Native American entities, KEEP, etc.

• If we’re successful with the legacy campaign, we may be able to supportv recipients from both of the groups above! In any event, if you have some thoughts regarding this you can send them directly to me; and of course we’re going to reach out to get the thoughts and input from masters as well.

(In homage to Mr. Wood):

“Everyone knows that auctions speak louder than words - that's because of the auction-ears.” & “Auctions are the one place where you can get something for nodding.”

Drum roll please: We’re going to start auctioning off the memorabilia at this reunion!!! So bring your checkbook! Always had your eye on a set of Lenox School China? Perhaps desiring to have a
yearbook, a Lenox pennant, an athletic jacket or letter, or that 33 1/3 record of the choir? We’ll provide more details of this in the next Pen & Scroll!

President's Message Christmas 2021

President’s Message from Bob Sansone, LSAA President:

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and ….Wow!

Amazing what a year of forced separation yields! What a terrific reunion, but more importantly what a consequential effort we have embarked upon!

As I write this, we’re about to have the Thanksgiving holiday in a week, in which I hope in retrospect (with the distribution of this P&S in DEC) was enjoyable for all. 

Where to start when writing about the indescribable (nearly irresistible) pull that finds us back each year in the Berkshires to celebrate the shared experience of a school that has now been closed much longer than it was open!?!?! 

It is the “….mystique that eludes specific words….” that Mr. Southworth wrote of, that finds us in great numbers still connected (and reconnected) inexorably back to the campus and grounds of our youth because … well, as I indicate, whatever it is, it exists, but as Mr. Southworth wrote, it indeed eludes specific words.    

Let me start by thanking Shakespeare & Co for again being gracious hosts and affording us the use of their facilities. I can’t tell you how fortunate we are that they ended up with the majority of the campus. The location for the Friday night optional after golf dinner, the Sat morning business meeting and the Sat luncheon were all held at Shakespeare & Co’s Bernstein Theatre.  

It was a joy to welcome members and friends back and to see some alums that have not been back in a quite a while (or in some cases, back for the first time). To name just a few: Bob Kline ’48 alumnus and Master, Oliver “Cookie” Kempton ‘70 (who has been the rock we have relied upon to keep the master lists for contacting and connecting alums); Kimball Packard ‘70 who for years has been indispensible in maintaining the current LSAA website and posting our P&S and other documents/photos as they occur; Conrad Wiezbicki ’57, Mr. Rieffel (Master), Mr. Fawcett (Master), After the hymn sing (big thanks to Steve Lowry ’66 our organist!!), we assembled again for the evening dinner at the Lenox Club.

“When your dreams include service to others - accomplishing something that contributes to others - it also accelerates the accomplishment of that goal. People want to be part of something that contributes and makes a difference.” Jack Canfield

Perhaps most importantly, we took a monumental next step forward, having already established a fund repository with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation {BTCF}, by launching the following:

 “The Lenox School Centennial Legacy Campaign” with a goal of raising $600,000 over the next five years and culminating with the centennial celebration of the School in 2026. 

I very strongly urge that you see the detailed articles in this P&S that describe the campaign, its purpose and the steps to take in supporting it. 

However, let me provide some distilled context as to why we established the BTCF fund; the objectives of the fund; and why we refer to this as the ‘centennial’ campaign.

    • Here’s the deal: we recognized some years ago that we wanted an enduring flow of funds to support our service efforts when we were no longer an active organization. To accomplish this, we established the fund with BTCF with the objective of allowing accumulated growth in the account to spin off the funds necessary to carry on our donation, scholarship, and grant efforts, while not depleting the principal. So how much did the principal need to be?

        ◦ A number of Lenox brothers from a variety of classes stepped forward and formed a committee to reach out to other alums to get their thoughts, perspective and support for how we could succeed at ensuring the history, legacy, lessons and story of Lenox School could be shared with others and sustained beyond the time when we’re no longer an active organization. Our belief is that what Lenox School stood for has enduring lessons that will inure to the benefit of others; and its story and legacy needs to be shared to a wider audience.   Of immediate importance - how much would be required to accomplish this? 

        ◦ In addition to sharing the history of Lenox School, its legacy and the lessons to be learned from its motto of service and the examples provided by the headmasters, masters and staff, the committee wanted to figure out how to also sustain and even grow our Lenox School donations, grants and scholarships to cement Lenox School’s enduring impact. 

        ◦ In short, how much did we need the fund to be to sustain this activity ad infinitum; and what platform was required to showcase this?

        ◦ After countless interactions, zoom calls, etc. the LSAA board fully endorsed the recommendations of the committee: raise $600K in the BTCF legacy by 2026 to support this initiative. We were a school of modest means at best, with alums and families of typically modest means as well. As such, we committed that we would do this the Lenox School way. No mass solicitations, no pressure, etc. Lenox Brothers reaching out to other Lenox Brothers with a belief in the goal to support the lessons and  mission that the school inculcated in us for a broader world that can benefit from this. 

    • This initiative includes not only support for continuing the donations, scholarships and grants, but just as critically, the establishment of a website that will tell the Lenox School story, capture the important documents, yearbooks, images, memorabilia, etc. via digitization; and be able to virtually share the history and lessons of Lenox School. 

    • The response thus far is nothing short of incredible: to date, we have reached ~50% of this $600K goal through donations and pledges. To those that have donated or pledged to date irrespective of amount, please accept our profound and deep gratitude for your generosity and faith in what this campaign represents.  

 

    • In 2026, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lenox School. Ergo, the “Lenox School Centennial Legacy Campaign”. By the way, for those that thought the reunions were going to stop with this latest one in 2021, we’re pleased to announce that we’ll be holding reunions every year until the 2026 centennial. 

The folks that were instrumental in bringing about this bold “Lenox School Centennial Legacy Campaign” initiative and the astounding surge of donations that we have received need to be acknowledged for their selfless service:

Ed Miller ’66, Ira Colby ’67, John Risley’67, Jeff Smith ’70, David Curry ’65, David Nathans ’68.

I also have to stipulate that without the sustained and incredible labor and contributions of Randy Harris through the past decade, we likely would not have been able to draw upon the necessary information and history to arrive at such a bold venture. 

I want to acknowledge something that was electrifyingly evident to everyone in the business meeting as Miss Hall’s School representatives Merritt Colaizzi (MHS’s Director of Advancement) and Matt Rutledge (Miss Halls history teacher and Master Rutledge’s son) provided their remarks about the impact of the support received from LSAA, and the similarities of our motto/mission of service with the outreach program of Miss Hall’s.

Matt spoke of the impression and impact that Lenox School made on him as a young boy growing up as a faculty family member at Lenox School. Suffice it to say, his from-the-heart comments emotionally connected with everyone in the room and served as an authentic reminder of how Lenox School’s enduring “mystique” positively resonates even to this day. 

“The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation.” Anonymous

I have in the past referred to “working on our dash” which is in reference to what we do while on this earth, with the dash representing the interlude between our dates of birth and death. We now have a clear opportunity to establish something larger than ourselves with this campaign; something more meaningful and more enduring; recognizing that the dash we are all working on can carry forward in an impactful way we can be proud of. I urge you to join all of us in helping to achieve the 2026 Lenox School Centennial Legacy Campaign goal. 

The Past is where you learned the lesson, the Future is where you apply the lesson, don’t give up in the Middle.” Unknown

The middle: We still have to maintain an operating fund until 2026!!

While we drive toward 2026, we have to maintain our ability to function as an active organization through the next 5 years. That means we will still be funding scholarships, grants, donations and LSAA expenses (printing the P&S, mailing costs, running and subsidizing reunion costs, etc.) all out of operating funds. Our plans are to have the accumulated growth from the Lenox School Centennial Legacy Campaign Fund reinvested, thus allowing the fund to grow faster, along with the future contributions we will be receiving as we go forward to attain the $600K goal in 2026.

But perhaps the most elegant way for the LSAA operating fund to be maintained while the centennial legacy fund campaign is ongoing, is for the active alumni who either receive the P&S via the mail or receive an email notification that it has been posted on the LSAA website to all submit their yearly membership dues of $30. 

My estimate is that if all active alums would provide these dues, this alone would result in a yearly amount of ~$12,000 – $15,000; allowing us to carry on the donations, scholarships, reunions, P&S and other activities until 2026 without interruption or appeal for additional LSAA operating expense donations. This affords the focus to properly be on the Lenox School Centennial Legacy Fund campaign at BTCF, while we bridge the next 5 years as a still active organization. 

Ed  Miller’s treasurers report in this P&S helps advise as to you how you can continue to support our ongoing obligations in the LSAA administrative fund.

Speaking of which….

The future is always beginning now. Mark Strand

We are planning the next reunion for our traditional weekend following Columbus Day (OCT 15 2022). This will be an all class call, with legacies for 1967 (55th), 1962 (60th), 1957 (65th), 1952 (70th) and 1947 (75th). We are working with the Lenox Club to secure that date (10/15/2022), but we’ll advise as we move forward. Hold the date in the interim so you can be there and not be square!!

President's Message April 202

New Date for 2021 Reunion - October 22 and 23 - Be there!

Classes of 1970 and 1971 storm back for their 50^th Legacy Commemoration

(not to mention the classes of ‘65/’66, ‘60/’61, ‘55/56’, ‘50/’51, ‘45/’46 …. and all other classes in between, along with staff, faculty, family and friends!!)

“Delayed” is preferable to “Never” Danish Proverb

As with everything, there’s a bit of a back-story as to why we had to delay this year’s reunion one week further into Oct rather than our usual slot of one week after the Columbus Day weekend.

After postponing the 2020 Lenox School Reunion until 2021, the Lenox Club had slotted a wedding on the 2021 date of 16 OCT.

We looked at engaging other venues for our traditional dinner, but frankly found that the cost and other factors would likely be prohibitive. We even looked at engaging with Shakespeare and Company to use one of their large spaces to have a caterer come in and hold the dinner right there. However, finding a suitable caterer still in business that could pull off a sit down dinner (with S&Co having no kitchen to utilize) also became a triumph of hope over reason.

Thus, we opted to accept holding the reunion on one week later than usual. Our apologies for any scheduling/booking problems that this change may have created, but as you can see, there really was no other choice but to move the date. Heck after a year’s delay, what’s one more week!?!?!

“One day you’ll tell your story of how you’ve overcome whatever you went through. And your story will become part of someone’s survival guide.” Unattributed

All Lenox alums should be of an age that we have received or are about to receive the vaccine. Terrific! The days of reaching for whatever that sketchy looking thing is in the fridge for dinner, rather than chancing a trip to a grocery store, are ending. Anxiety over toilet paper - cancelled.

Thanks to this insidious virus, we have had to endure some grotesque hybrid form of suspended social animation/hibernation; and not without withering and heart wrenching losses. We have lost cherished members, friends and family while having been relegated to connecting only virtually, starved of the physical. As survivors, we shall remember those we lost. But as survivors, we’re also hopefully stronger for the gauntlet we went through. 

One feels the shift back to something better. As the country emerges from this annus horribilis, it is clear that there exists a significant pent up desire and demand to start emulating the more normal times of the past. This reunion represents just that. It not only brings together the last two classes to matriculate from Lenox School, it also heralds our ability to survive and carry on. So now, we shall meet again!

“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave” Native American Proverb

The tracks we will leave to posterity regarding Lenox School, its legacy and history will be found largely through the Lenox School Website project. The Lenox Website project has been marching forward and I am pleased to report that through the efforts of Randy Harris and the consent of the LSAA board, we have engaged Keith Simpson ’70 to start the digitization process of Pen & Scrolls as well as the remaining year books that have not already been done.

Once the Pen & Scrolls and yearbooks are completed, we’ll move onto digitizing the balance of what represents the school over the years: the Lenox School Story video, images of the school memorabilia, important documents, white papers, etc.

This will be a giant accomplishment as the website when finished will carry the unique story of a most unique school, its history, the story of the founders, the faculty, and of course, the story of all of you.

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving”

Warren Buffet

As you’ll see in the Treasurer’s Report, missing a reunion has put a bit of a strain on our operating expenses, but I am very proud to say that we have managed to remain true to our motto of service and maintained our donations and scholarships throughout this past challenging year. We also are continuing our engagement with the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to raise the funds that will support the website and donations/scholarships to all live on into the future. We’ll have a detailed report regarding this at the reunion, along with what I believe will be a very exciting related announcement.

“Sometimes you have to accept the fact that certain things will never go back to how they used to be.” Unattributed

Well, if there is anything that more glaringly reinforces this quote, it surely must be the fact that the Cork & Hearth restaurant is converting from our yearly Friday night après golf tournament dinner spot, to a recreational marijuana store. In unrelated news, the future orders for Cheetos, Doritos, Oreos, Pop Tarts, potato chips and brownies in the Berkshires appear to be increasing.

Nevertheless, this compels us to seek a new Friday night spot for our post golf get together (although for those of you who look to the Roman, Greek or Norse gods - we’re going to have to appeal to Odin to take a break so that Aestas might produce an “Indian Summer” this late in Oct for golf). But hey, it’s the Berkshires, so the chances for snow, rain or warm sunny days are all possible!

And in other more close-to-the-heart, relevant “things never being what they used to be” news - Monks Hall and the Coop were razed at the end of December and the beginning of January in order to make way for S&Co outdoor performance venues. Both were in fairly advanced disrepair, and their removal doubled the square footage per acre available for outdoor performances that S&Co desired to utilize.

The removal allowed S&Co to successfully appeal to the town for utilization of the newly liberated space for these types of performances (which Town ordnances would otherwise not have allowed).  In fact, the LSAA assisted S&Co by providing them with a Letter of Support for the project along with historical information on each building that was used in the Town-approval process.  An article about the buildings and another on how they were a manifestation of Rev. Monks’ ‘Element of Unostentatious Surroundings’, a key principle of the Lenox School experience, are provided in this edition. 

Stay tuned - in the Reunion Pen & Scroll following this one, we’ll need a good count from the reunion response form this year to give not only to the caterer for the luncheon at S&CO and dinner at the Lenox Club Saturday 23 OCT; but also to whichever establishment is lucky enough to have us descend upon them for the evening of Friday the 22^nd of OCT after golf (or skiing or whatever the Berkshires serves up that day).

Speaking of which, did I mention that the new date for the 2021 Lenox School Reunion is 23 October?!?!

23 October 2021 - Save the Date!  Be there or … (you know the rest)….

President's Message December 2020

Message from Bob Sansone, LSAA President:

“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.”

Henry Kissinger

It would be an understatement to say we have all had to adapt, exercise incredible flexibility and innovate while being under pressure ever since this insanity started about 1 year ago. Who would have guessed a year ago that we’d be wearing masks and wiping off all manner of items with disinfectant? Yet here we are, hardened into diamonds by this viral crucible. 

That said, what other option did we have once this emerged but to hang tough, survive this and prevail? 

Normally, I’d be writing to you about yet another successful and joyful Lenox School reunion. Instead, I am marveling at the successful LSAA annual business meeting we conducted … via ZOOM! For those of you that missed it, we were the beneficiaries of a review of the alumni fund we established with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF), along with financial perspectives/comments by BTCF’s Joe Baker.

This was followed by Allyn Burrows and Steve Ball from Shakespeare & Co providing an update on how things are going for them (turns out quite, well despite all the turmoil) and some of their near term objectives. 

This was followed by a review of the LSAA’s plans for our website initiative, which will carry the history and legacy of Lenox School beyond our time, and a preview of our plans regarding the memorabilia. 

Our treasurer Ed Miller gave us an overview of our finances, and we finished with a vote for the board and officers to see us through 2021. In fact, a video of the entire ZOOM meeting is on the Lenox School website (http://www.lenoxschool.org/).

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.’ 

Jim Rohn

So what is it that is really important for the LSAA to do? Well for starters, we need to keep fulfilling our mission in the spirit of our motto. I am very proud to report that this year, despite the turmoil and uncertainty swirling around, we still managed to award 4 scholarships (two in honor of Mr. Fawcett at BCD and two in honor of Mr. Pickett at Miss Hall’s). In addition we made two donations each to Trinity Church and Shakespeare and Co. 

 

What suffered somewhat were donations to the alumni fund we established at BTCF; and frankly, a bit of a cash drain on our LSAA finances that would normally be replenished by dues and donations that typically are associated with our annual reunion (which as you know, didn’t happen this year!).

This is all understandable given what occurred; however, we think (hope) we have turned the corner on this.

Thus, as you’ll see in this edition of the Pen & Scroll, we’re making an appeal for two things:

    • If you have not done so already, please send in your dues ($30), which will help us with the normal expenses of the LSAA Inc. (donations scholarships, etc.) until things get back to normal (you do remember normal?!?!).

    • If you can, please consider making a donation to the Lenox School Alumni fund at BTCF

You will find more information regarding where to send your checks and donations for both in an article we have featured in this edition. Having said all of this, we remain mindful of and deeply grateful for all the generous financial support you have provided through the years. 

You will also see articles by Randy Harris detailing the incredible work he has done to regarding the disposition of memorabilia and the website initiative and design. Frankly, without the efforts of Randy, much of what we have been able to do would not be possible. 

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” 

Cicero

So, as I am writing this just short of Thanksgiving, let me also recognize and give thanks for the sustained and continuous support and efforts of:

Cookie Kempton, who keeps our membership rolls and fires off our email blasts; Don Foster, who has been indispensible as our dauntless editor in ensuring we get our Pen & Scrolls out to all of you; Ed Miller, who has been one of the rocks upon which the LSAA Inc was founded and serves as our keen-eyed treasurer; Paul Denzel, who has also been one of the founding members of the LSAA Inc. and serves now as our VP (and by virtue of his proximity to Lenox, always ends up scurrying here and there to make sure we are ready for the reunions); John Schneiter, who has emerged as our ZOOM tech wizard among other things; Kimball Packard, who keeps the current website running; and the rest of the board members who quietly but effectively ensure we maintain our eye on the mission of service. Of course, all of our thanks to all of you, for whom we are grateful and humbled by your enduring support in keeping the memory and legacy of Lenox School alive. Without you, there is no LSAA. 

I’ll conclude by wishing everyoMessage from Bob Sansone, LSAA President:

“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.”

Henry Kissinger

It would be an understatement to say we have all had to adapt, exercise incredible flexibility and innovate while being under pressure ever since this insanity started about 1 year ago. Who would have guessed a year ago that we’d be wearing masks and wiping off all manner of items with disinfectant? Yet here we are, hardened into diamonds by this viral crucible. 

That said, what other option did we have once this emerged but to hang tough, survive this and prevail? 

Normally, I’d be writing to you about yet another successful and joyful Lenox School reunion. Instead, I am marveling at the successful LSAA annual business meeting we conducted … via ZOOM! For those of you that missed it, we were the beneficiaries of a review of the alumni fund we established with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF), along with financial perspectives/comments by BTCF’s Joe Baker.

This was followed by Allyn Burrows and Steve Ball from Shakespeare & Co providing an update on how things are going for them (turns out quite, well despite all the turmoil) and some of their near term objectives. 

This was followed by a review of the LSAA’s plans for our website initiative, which will carry the history and legacy of Lenox School beyond our time, and a preview of our plans regarding the memorabilia. 

Our treasurer Ed Miller gave us an overview of our finances, and we finished with a vote for the board and officers to see us through 2021. In fact, a video of the entire ZOOM meeting is on the Lenox School website (http://www.lenoxschool.org/).

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.’ 

Jim Rohn

So what is it that is really important for the LSAA to do? Well for starters, we need to keep fulfilling our mission in the spirit of our motto. I am very proud to report that this year, despite the turmoil and uncertainty swirling around, we still managed to award 4 scholarships (two in honor of Mr. Fawcett at BCD and two in honor of Mr. Pickett at Miss Hall’s). In addition we made two donations each to Trinity Church and Shakespeare and Co.   

What suffered somewhat were donations to the alumni fund we established at BTCF; and frankly, a bit of a cash drain on our LSAA finances that would normally be replenished by dues and donations that typically are associated with our annual reunion (which as you know, didn’t happen this year!).

This is all understandable given what occurred; however, we think (hope) we have turned the corner on this. Thus, as you’ll see in this edition of the Pen & Scroll, we’re making an appeal for two things:

    • If you have not done so already, please send in your dues ($30), which will help us with the normal expenses of the LSAA Inc. (donations scholarships, etc.) until things get back to normal (you do remember normal?!?!).

    • If you can, please consider making a donation to the Lenox School Alumni fund at BTCF

You will find more information regarding where to send your checks and donations for both in an article we have featured in this edition. Having said all of this, we remain mindful of and deeply grateful for all the generous financial support you have provided through the years. 

You will also see articles by Randy Harris detailing the incredible work he has done to regarding the disposition of memorabilia and the website initiative and design. Frankly, without the efforts of Randy, much of what we have been able to do would not be possible. 

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” 

Cicero

So, as I am writing this just short of Thanksgiving, let me also recognize and give thanks for the sustained and continuous support and efforts of:

Cookie Kempton, who keeps our membership rolls and fires off our email blasts; Don Foster, who has been indispensible as our dauntless editor in ensuring we get our Pen & Scrolls out to all of you; Ed Miller, who has been one of the rocks upon which the LSAA Inc was founded and serves as our keen-eyed treasurer; Paul Denzel, who has also been one of the founding members of the LSAA Inc. and serves now as our VP (and by virtue of his proximity to Lenox, always ends up scurrying here and there to make sure we are ready for the reunions); John Schneiter, who has emerged as our ZOOM tech wizard among other things; Kimball Packard, who keeps the current website running; and the rest of the board members who quietly but effectively ensure we maintain our eye on the mission of service. 

Of course, all of our thanks to all of you, for whom we are grateful and humbled by your enduring support in keeping the memory and legacy of Lenox School alive. Without you, there is no LSAA. 

I’ll conclude by wishing everyone a joyful, peaceful Christmas and Hanukkah, and look ahead to a resumption of normalcy as we plan for our next reunion, which will honor the legacy classes of 1970 (interrupted by the virus this year) along with 1971, 1966, 1961, 1956, 1951 and all other alums, families masters and friends that muster back at school.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’…” 

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Next Reunion - October 15 and 16, 2021 –Be there!

President's Message August 2020

“Was that a pivotal historical moment

We just went stumbling past?
Here we are
Dancing in the rumbling dark
So come a little closer
Give me something to grasp
Give me your beautiful, crumbling heart

Another disaster
Catharsis
Another half-discarded mirage
Another mask slips

Now I don't have the answers
But there are still things to say

I stare out at my city on another difficult day
And I scream inwardly
When will this change

I'm beginning to fade
But my sanity's saved, 'cause I can see your faces
My sanity's saved
'Cause I can see your faces”

 Excerpts from Kate Tempest – “People's Faces” 

 
Yes, we are living through a pivotal, unprecedented historical moment for all of us. Hopefully we’re not stumbling. Based on all the information we have and with the full concurrence of the LSAA board of Directors, we have to postpone the 2020 reunion until 2021. How’s that for a pivotal, historical moment ?!?! Still, I can’t wait to see your faces!

Thus, the next reunion is –

15 & 16 OCT 2021 and … we’ll have both the class of 1970 and 1971 celebrating their 50^th legacy reunion.

 The reasons for postponing are numerous and compelling, but the obvious ones are – the LSAA attendees represent the most vulnerable class of individuals by virtue of age, and an assembly such as ours would be reckless unless and until a vaccine is available and widely administered; it is at best uncertain as to whether Shakespeare & Co, the Lenox Club, or Trinity Church would even be in a position to support or even allow a reunion gathering; the flare ups that seem to occur may result in restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for self quarantine upon entering the state, etc. Planning a reunion in 2020 would be a triumph of hope over reason.

Which brings me to the other points I need to share:

• We’re still an active organization!

• We have made 4 scholarship donations this year (two to Miss Hall’s and two to BCD).

• We have made two separate donations to Shakespeare and Co during this trying time to help them weather the storm; along with two separate donations to Trinity Church.

• In parallel, we will still need funding (via tax deductible contributions to LSAA) for the next few years to support our administrative costs (printing the P&S, making donations, awarding scholarships, etc.).

• PLEASE! -- We need your membership dues ($30).

• We still seek nominations for the LSAA Hall of fame for the 2021 reunion.

• The memorabilia chronicling and disposition plan is nearly complete. We have a number of options regarding what we will do with the items, and these include but are not limited to: finding a permanent display or storage location via historical societies, etc.; returning items to donors who want them; offering them for sale to alums; general sale of items to the public.

• The website effort to inventory, and prepare for digitizing the important papers and images of other memorabilia has progressed under the incredible efforts of Randy Harris.

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”–

Robert Schuller

 It bears saying again – Lenox Strong - refusing to be victims; we’re survivors. 

Next Reunion –

15 & 16 OCT 2021!!

- “Be There!!”

Class of 1970, 1965, 1960, 1955, 1950 and 1945 … stay strong! We’ll see you in a year!

President's Message April 2020

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

There is no doubt that it may be difficult to find anything good or positive as we navigate through these fundamentally unchartered waters. At times like this, and acknowledging that hope is not a strategy, one needs to nevertheless maintain a positive attitude. Recognize that fear rides well ahead of facts in situations like this; and it fills a void where facts are absent.

I have no doubt that we will prevail and come out the other side of this difficult time just fine. Patrick Henry said it best: “Fear is the passion of slaves.” We are not slaves; we will conquer this and prevail.

That said, we find a wanting in regards to some measure of adequate medical response and capabilities. This is temporary and will get fixed. We just need to recognize that the news is going to be like a roller coaster for a while.

I revert to something drummed into me during my time in the service (variously attributed to John Wooden or Heywood Hale Broun):

“Adversity does not build character at this point in your life, it reveals it.” So we all have a chance to reveal our character now, when it really counts.

“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”

Attributed to various individuals (notably - Ben Franklin, Reverend H. K. Williams, E. B. Gregory the U.S. Quartermaster General).

I’ve also thought about this quote quite a bit as this current pandemic descended upon us.

Where does one start? Let’s start here –

• Fact - the median age of our alums puts us in the most susceptible group/class for adverse impact from this current pandemic. Even more true for the masters.

• What to do - stay in contact by phone or email with fellow alums, friends and family. David Curry has done an admirable job of this with his classmates. We all need to do the same. I have started by emailing and calling those I could in my class.

• Follow the guidelines to keep yourself protected from exposure; and immediately communicate and act if you feel symptoms.

• Do what Lenox School grads do best – maintain perspective – find ways to serve others while being mindful of the restrictions of contact. Sed Ministrare.

• Maintain a flinty determination to prevail over this; we are not victims, we’re survivors.

• Stay vigilant, stay prepared; help others where possible, seek help when needed.

The challenges to our friends are daunting, as this has turned everything we accepted as routine and normal upside down:

• S&Co. has posted a message on their website from Allyn Burrows, essentially indicating the following:

“Under normal circumstances we celebrate gatherings. They are our lifeblood and the very means through which we can tell extraordinary stories in the way that makes theatre unique and valuable.

For now the gatherings will have to wait. We have to put the health and safety of our patrons and artists at the priority that is required to eradicate the Coronavirus, and that means following the advice of the experts who have the knowledge to guide us through this to the other side of it.”

We hope the very best for our wonderful friends at S&CO. We will come out the other side of this along with you Allyn, and everyone else at S&Co.

• We were copied on a message from another of LSAA’s friends, Julia Heaton, Head of School at Miss Halls. I extracted the following as it captures that flinty and persistent determination to prevail:

“Miss Hall’s School has seen much during its history — the 1918 influenza pandemic, a devastating fire, the sudden death of its founder, two world wars, and the September 11 attacks. But, from its very beginning, the School has persisted with a singular mission of educating young women to the highest of academic standards and for lives of purpose. Through the years, the School has adapted and evolved as the world around it has changed. No doubt, the Miss Hall’s School of 2050 will look quite different from MHS in 2020, much as School today is vastly different from how it was a hundred years ago. Nevertheless, we will continue to pursue Mira Hall’s mission and live by our core values of respect, honor, growth, and authenticity.”

Julia’s message reminded me of the quote from Emily Dickinson:

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”

LSAA is gripping hands with you Miss Hall’s, we will all get through this and you will prevail and carry on your noble mission.

Personally, I look forward to 16 & 17 OCT in the belief that this will be behind us and we’ll be able to celebrate another reunion where the Lenox School class of 1970 marks their 50^th year since walking between the Masters. Of course we’ll have to keep an eye on developments, but it will be a welcome relief to see old friends and celebrate.

Thus, save the date! OCT 16 & 17 where Lenox School and all the alums, friends and family will be back and active in the Berkshires. It will be an especially sweet event having come through and prevailed as friends, family, organizations and a country.

We have chosen: We are going to face everything and rise. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school!

OCT 16 – OCT 17

Be there!

Stay well and stay strong in the interim.

President's Message Dec. 2019

The Lenox School Class of '69 Thunders Back!

Message from Bob Sansone, LSAA President:

 

What a tremendous turnout we had this year! The Lenox School Class of 1969 arrived in tremendous numbers with the same enthusiasm they displayed back in the day.

To top it off, it was a historical event for the LSAA as we accomplished some major initiatives with the help of the voting members at the business meeting. As usual, we owe a great debt to our friends at S&Co who were again warm and inviting hosts.

We had the great benefit of having the following masters in attendance:

Mr. Paterson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Fawcett, Mr. Dostourian, Mr. Kline.

The business meeting was in my opinion the most consequential one we have conducted due to the far reaching implications of the path forward we have defined. More details about this later in my message.

The luncheon and dinner served as a wonderful opportunity for classmates and alums to review the assembled memorabilia, get reacquainted, and reminisce about their Lenox School days. Perhaps most touching was Mr. Paterson’s reading of Howard Prestwich’s Lenox School Reunion Prayer.

Nol Putnam ’51 and Master Confers with Bob Kline ’48 & Master and Charlie Daniell ’48 While Zoe and Elizabeth Maintain Order!

Following the business meeting, we were again treated to Allyn Burroughs recitation of the St. Crispin’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V as a prelude to the raising of our flag. Every year, Allyn’s presentation and the words strike me as profoundly appropriate for our Lenox School band of brothers (“…But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”)

With Thanksgiving approaching as I write this, we have much to be thankful for as an organization. The response to our appeal for fundraising to meet the challenge grant was beyond expectations! As of this writing, our target was to raise $12,500; and members responded with >$19,000!!! We are humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” —Seneca

As I alluded in the first paragraph, history was made at the reunion this year; and more specifically this history was created at the business meeting.

We have been discussing for several years the future course that we need to take to fulfill our mission to the memory, history and legacy of the school as the relentless march of time reminds us we only get so many trips around the sun.

“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

It is not unusual during the reunion for some of the talk about Lenox School to reflect on why it was successful; and then why it failed. The interesting and positive aspect at this reunion, is that members demonstrated the courage and flinty determination to create a path forward to share the essence and legacy of Lenox School with countless future generations.

Determined to write a new chapter for Lenox School, the LSAA members. in a sense, rectified the closing of the school by supporting the establishment of a trust that will keep the history and legacy of Lenox School vibrant and ongoing in perpetuity.

We did this with the unanimous support of the voting members present; and as a result we were able to initiate and fund The Lenox School Alumni Association Fund with Berkshire Taconic Trust.

And so, we are now able to reopen the school (albeit virtually) to others through the future donations and scholarships that will be made in our name from this trust; and from the website that will tell the Lenox School story, contain digitized information and images on the school’s history, yearbooks, Pen & Scrolls, and other memorabilia, etc.

 Perhaps we’ll need a new flag and make an addendum to the historical plaque! Maybe we just tell folks we took a 48 year hiatus!

Berkshire Taconic specializes in supporting exactly the type of activity we desire after we are no longer an active entity. The members voted to invest $30,000 (thanks again in large measure to the incredible generosity of one alum who provided a $12,500 challenge grant along with the humbling generosity of other alums who donated well beyond our target challenge goal).

Our plan is to leave this fund to grow through the years ahead (while we’re still active) by affording alums and others the opportunity to make tax deductible donations or establish bequeaths in their wills to The Lenox School Alumni Association Fund. Berkshire Taconic will be guided by the fund mission statement we provided them and input from the LSAA board members (who will be advisers to provide additional input and guidance). The Fund Mission Statement that we provided to the Berkshire Taconic is listed elsewhere in this Pen & Scroll.

Once The Lenox School Alumni Association Fund reaches a critical mass, the trust will then be able to fund scholarships in our name with the investment gains (rather than eroding the principal). They will make donations in our name consistent with those we have made in the past; and provide financial support for maintaining a website that will portray all the important school documents, digitized year books, Pen & Scrolls, images of other memorabilia, etc.

Let me be very clear here on what has been accomplished and what it means:

• We have created the means by which we can reflect the tenets of our motto and honor our debt to the men who founded the school and to those headmasters, masters, faculty, staff, family, trustees and friends who selflessly sacrificed and dedicated themselves to Lenox School and to those of us fortunate enough to have attended.

• Establishing the trust ultimately allows the story and legacy of Lenox School to endure beyond our time.

Which brings me to the other point I need to make:

• We’re still an active organization! We plan to be active for several years into the future while the fund is concurrently allowed to grow through investment gains and donations from members.

• As such, we will still need funding (via tax deductible contributions to the LSAA) for the next few years to support our administrative costs (printing the P&S, making donations, awarding scholarships, etc.).

• Thanks to the incredible generosity of members, the LSAA is on good financial footing for this (see Treasurer’s Report) but we will still need to rely on the generous support of members to allow us to carry on.

Here is the way to continue donating to the LSAA for the above stated purposes:

Donations should be made out to the LSAA and sent to either Ed Miller or Bob Sansone at the following address:

Bob Sansone

69 Mount Sumner Drive

Bolton, CT 06043

Ed Miller

6130 N Via del Tecaco

Tucson, AZ 85718

Donations to the Lenox School Alumni Association Fund are also tax deductible and should be sent to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation made out to The Lenox School Alumni Association Fund at the address provided below. Donations made to the Lenox School Alumni Association Fund will be added to the fund as they arrive; but will be allowed to accumulate until we authorize disbursements in a couple of years when the fund will have grown to the point where it is self sustaining. 

Rather than try to spell out the specifics of how, where, why, etc. to donate to the fund as well as the potential beneficial tax considerations for supporting the fund (especially if you happen to be in a position of having required minimum distributions from any of your IRAs or 401Ks; or wish to bequeath to the fund in your will) we encourage you to contact Berkshire Taconic directly to discuss donations and tax benefits for such actions. Our point of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation contact is Kara Mikulich:

Kara K. Mikulich | Chief Philanthropy Officer

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

800 N Main Street  | Sheffield, MA 01257- 9503  | o: 413.229.0370 x124 | d: 413.429.8404|

f: 413.229.0329

Please see the related article that Kara has been kind enough to write for this P&S as well. It explains the various ways in which you can help keep the history and legacy of the school alive through your donations.

We wish everyone a joyful and peaceful Christmas and Hanukkah; and a prosperous New Year.

Next Reunion – 16 & 17 October 2020 - “Be There!!”

Class of 1970, 1965, 1960, 1955, 1950 and 1945 … where are you?!?!?!