Malynda Pavlock McQueen, class of '75, writes to share news of another "Little Valley."

"Mark: There is a Little Valley in Poulsbo, Wash., just 10 miles from me here in Bremerton. ... Also, the next road down from me there is a house whose number is 14755!! How's that?!"

A little Googling turns up this note at a Poulsbo Realtor's website:

Little Valley and Big Valley Roads are the beginning of a scenic backdoor route to the Hood Canal Floating Bridge, and along the route you will pass the Manor Farm Inn, Molly Ward Gardens and the Llama Rose Farm.

If only they had called it "Great Valley Road," then we'd really be looking at a parallel universe.

A Message Of Thanks From The President

Alumni President Kevin Andrew sends along this message:

"A great big thank you for all the donations to the general fund and to all those who have paid their dues. We will be in much better shape financially to begin next year."

Kevin also says there were 224 dinners served this year, 92 more than in 2008.

Another Good Year

A quick note to all to say that another Alumni Dinner has come and gone -- and once again a good time seems to have been had by all.

In case you couldn't be there, or just want to hear it again, you should be able to click on the link below and hear Dr. Charles (Charlie) Keenen's keynote address. Just click and a new box will open up and it should start automatically, although it may take 10 or 20 seconds to get going:

Download Charlie Keenen - Lvcs Alumni Dinner 2009

The Class of '59 indeed did shine. Attendance was up sharply from the year before. There were more than 200 reservations.

As has been the pattern in recent years, President Kevin Andrew and other members of the board agreed to stay on. We shouldn't count on them being able to do this forever, though. So if you're interested in getting involved, speak up.

Oh, and anyone reading this who wants to shoot me an e-mail with your own thoughts about the dinner or a picture or two, please do. I'll be glad to add them.

The photo above is courtesy of John Memmott, '68.

Ground broken on CLVCS addition

A little news from the Olean Times-Herald to bring you up to speed if you're coming to the alumni dinner from afar and want a social-hour conversation starter:

CATTARAUGUS -- More than 1,200 Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School District students, staff, administrators and community members attended groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase 2 of the $59 million addition and renovation project here Wednesday afternoon.

District Superintendent Jon Peterson welcomed students, teachers, staff, school board members and guests gathered behind the school, telling them they were sitting right about where the new 800-seat auditorium will soon be built.

In addition, new and renovated middle and high school classrooms, a new middle school gymnasium and library/media center, as well as expanded cafeterias should be ready when the 2011 school year starts, Mr. Peterson said.

Dinner update: Stay after for talk and tunes

Though there won't be a dance after this year's dinner, President Kevin Andrew writes to say that:

"We want people to stay after and visit!

"We are going to be playing our own CDs and hopefully people will stay and talk. We would like to go until 11:00, Also, snacks and drinks will still be available."

Invitations are in the mail; aim to reserve your seat by June 20

This year's dinner invitations are arriving in mailboxes.

In case you haven't gotten one yet, or if the Alumni Association doesn't have your address, here are the important details:

Date: June 27
Time: Social hour at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.
Place: The Corporate Building at the County Fairgrounds.
Of note: There isn't a dance this year.

The reservation form looks something like this (feel free to print out this post, fill in the blanks and mail it in; print two or more if you're bringing guests):

Name ________________________
Class of _______________________

Meal # ___ (see below for choices and prices) $ ____
Annual dues ($3)    $ ____
Donation to LVCS Alumni General Fund $ ____
Donation to Memmott-Langhans
 Scholarship Fund     $ ____
In memory of _________________

I'd like a reserved seat to be with my
class, which is having a reunion:
Class of _____
Number of seats needed _____

Total amount          $ ____
(Make check payable to LVCS Alumni Association)

Meals
#1. Stuffed chicken breast. $16
#2. Swiss steak. $16
#3. Ham steak. $14
$4. Vegetable lasagna. $14

As we've previously reported, this year's guest speaker is Dr. Charles (Charlie) Keenen, class of '77. According to the association's letter, the caterer this year is 3 C's of Falconer.

Mail your reservation form and check to:

Little Valley Alumni Association
P.O. Box 162
Little Valley, N.Y. 14755-0162

The association would appreciate receiving your response by June 20.

See you all soon.

Update at 1:15 p.m. ET, May 16: Though there won't be a dance this year, President Kevin Andrew tells us that folks are welcome to stay around after the dinner to talk, have a drink and listen to CDs. He says the association hopes the after-dinner social time goes until at least 11 p.m.

This year's keynote speaker will be ...

... Dr. Charles Keenen, better known as Charlie.

Class of '77. Son of the legendary Tom and the wonderful Juanita. Brother of Ann, Matt, Bernie, Laurie and Kevin (hope I didn't forget anyone! I'm sure I'll hear if I did).

The dinner is set for June 27, President Andrew confirms.

L.V. Library expansion complete

We can remember back to when the Little Valley Library was on Main Street, next to the bank. So it's nice to know, thanks to the Salamanca Press, that the "new'" (to us) library's expansion project is done.

And it's also good to see that the first meeting in the new community room was held by the LVCS Alumni.

Librarian Gretchen Taft tells the Press that there will be an official open house in June. Perhaps on graduation/alumni weekend?