The fiftieth anniversary of our graduation from Coral Gables Sr. High School will soon be upon us. Over the last couple of months, a group of us have been discussing options for our 50th reunion. Those involved in the discussions are Lon Dowlen, Bill Kotys, Maxine Master Long, Bob Yanno, Mac Russell, Liz Morrison Dunaj, Louis Stinson, Annette DeMaria Richard, and Caleb Estes. We have gathered extensive information on hotel options and pricing. After much discussion a date (May 20th - 22nd, 2011) and place (Westin Colonnade Hotel, Coral Gables, FL) were chosen. We picked the date because it is before hurricane season, and still relatively cool. We picked the Colonnade because of its location in the heart of downtown Coral Gables; it's first class accommodations, and the very reasonable room rate they have offered us.

We will have an informal gathering on Friday evening at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, with buffet and cash bar. ($50.00 Per Person) (Menu) Saturday night will be a dinner dance at the Colonnade with buffet dinner, cash bar and DJ, ($80.00 per person) (Menu) and a Sunday brunch at La Palma Ristorante. ($35.00 per person) (Menu) Both the Coral Reef and Colonnade will prepare special meal requests as long as they are received one week prior to our events. This is for those with special dietary needs, such as low sodium or food allergies, you can't order Lobster. Please note your request on the registration form.

On Saturday there will be a Historical Bus Tour of Coral Gables, led by renowned Miami Historian Dr. Paul George of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. ($30.00 per person) The tour is limited to the first 52 people to sign up. (52 is the number of seats on the bus so sign up early)

Every attempt has been made to keep the prices reasonable. There will be a registration fee of $25.00 per person to help cover additional expenses, i.e. printing and mailing invitation letter, name tags, memory book, tote bag, Hospitability room, etc. Additional donations to help offset these costs will be graciously accepted.

There will be a memory book for each classmate. It will contain our senior photos from the Cavaleon, and all the information included by your name. It will also have your contact information, unless you expressly ask us to not include it. We are also asking each of you to send us a short biography of your life since graduation from Gables. Please include your best memory of Gables High, schools attended, significant events in your life, carrier path taken, and what you are doing now. Your bio will be included in the memory book, but must be received no later than 1 April 2011 to make the printing deadline. You can E-mail your bio to: gables61@hotmail.com or mail it to: Gables '61 Reunion Committee, P.O. Box 220650, Hollywood, FL. 33022-0650

There is a Special Group Room Rate of $129.00 per night + Tax (Present tax rate is 13%) You must call the Westin toll free number 1-866-837-4251 to make your reservation, and say that you are with the "Coral Gables High School Class of 1961 Reunion" to receive the group rate. You can not make your reservation through the Colonnade website. (* be sure they understand that it is the "1961" reunion May 20th - 22nd 2011) This rate will be available 3 days prior and 3 days after the reunion. Reservations may be canceled up to 6 pm the day prior to checkin with no penalty.

There is a cut off date of 20 April 2011 to receive the special group rate. Reservations made after this date will be at the regular rate.

We have guaranteed 50 rooms at this special rate. Additional rooms are available at this rate on an as available basis. (first come first served) That means that it is available now, but once the 20 rooms are filled, we have no guarantee that it will remain available. If another large group where to schedule an event on the same weekend, and the hotel becomes booked, the special rate would no longer be offered. So if you plan to attend the reunion, and stay at the Colonnade, book your room now!!! You can always cancel the reservation later.

In addition, Deluxe Suites are available for $159.00; Executive and Bi-Level Suites for $179.00.

If you should run into any problems making a reservation, please contact the committee contact. Contact information is at the bottom of this page.