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!