Dear Classmates & Milne Alumni,

Several news items for this newsletter:

1) The Saturday, June 2nd, Reunion Luncheon Report
2) The Library Mural Update
3) The Milne Alumni Demographics Project

The Reunion Luncheon Report

I was not able to attend the Reunion Luncheon, but Judy Koblintz Madnick, 1961, a dual Milne and UAlbany graduate, called me afterwards and told me about it. Judy reported that there were about 30 Milne Alumni in attendance with about 100 in total there, which included University Alumni and Staff. Judy said it was a nice afternoon. She enjoyed seeing her old classmates, alumni from the different class years, and those who had left Milne to attend Shaker High School in Latham when it first opened. There were several tables reserved for Milne Alumni and the buffet- style luncheon with dessert was very pleasant.

Judy told me that Geoff Williams, the University Archivist, took interested alumni on a tour of the Milne Campus. She says the Husted Building (where the basement cafeteria was located and, later upstairs, the Science Department) was locked, but all the other buildings were open to see. Unlike the April 2005 All-Milne Reunion, Judy says, they were able to go down to the old Milne Gym. She says it is still being used for storage and it was disappointing to see it in such condition. I am sure, like me, you have many memories of basketball games, pep rallys, gym classes, and dances that once took place there.

This was the last University sponsored reunion of its type to be held at Page Hall Courtyard. Next year the event will be incorporated into the uptown campus Homecoming Weekend held in the fall. I am glad Judy made the extra effort to let Milne alumni know about it and that some of us were able to attend. Judy has posted a link to photos of the event on our home page: www.albany.edu/~milne/.

My thanks to Judy for organizing this and her update on it.

The Library Mural Update

Judy also recently checked on the status of the Milne Library Mural Restoration Project. The University started this several years ago with a fundraising letter to the Milne alumni that were already on its mailing list. Enough money was raised to complete all but two murals, those on the immediate right as you enter the room. Our former Milne Library is called The Milne Room and is now used for small events and receptions. The open space in the room can be set up with table and chairs, or chairs alone, to hear a speaker or to make a presentation. It is actively being used by people and organizations within the University.

The murals above where the bookcases once lined the rooms are illustrations of NYS history and were in significant need of being restored. The difference between those completed and the remaining two that have not been is quite apparent. The colors are brighter and more distinct in the restored, and muddled in the unrestored. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please go to the website and ask Judy for information. Both Judy and I believe this room would be a good place to display Milne memorabilia that has been archived at the University. Display cases would hold photos and yearbooks, sports trophies, and other items. This is a proposed project. Please let Judy know if you are interested in this. (Update: It appears that there are enough funds to complete this project. Additional information will be shared as it is received.)

The Milne Alumni Demographics Project

I am working on a demographic listing of Milne Alumni, more specifically, where alumni live in this country and around the world. A majority live in the Albany area, with a second majority in NYS. However, there are large numbers of Milne Alumni in Florida, California, Massachussetts, New Jersey, and other states, and at my count, there are six of us here in Maine. Now that Judy has completed her first draft of the Milne database, I would like to do a state-by-state listing of where people live, included in the next newsletter. I would not include actual addresses, but Judy would have the ability to sort this information out, if requested. For instance, all the Milne alumni in Florida might want to get together for a reunion dinner, and arrangements could be made. I would also like to know where outside of the U.S. there are alumni living. I know of one living in Italy and one living in Japan, but if you can contribute information to this project, I would appreciate your help.

Here is how my class demographics break down:

Class of 1971 Graduate Information: Of 70 remaining

29 total live in Albany, NYC, or NYS (15 women, 14 men)
6 live in Massachusetts
6 live in Florida
5 live in Pennsylvania
4 live in North Carolina
3 live in California
2 live in Maine
2 live in Maryland
2 live in Michigan
2 live in Texas
2 live in Tennessee
2 live in Virginia
1 lives in Illinois
1 lives in New Hampshire
1 lives in Ohio
1 lives in Italy

I will include more information on this in next month's newsletter. Also, Judy will be posting the Milne Family List that I have been working on with the help of many of you on the Milne Website soon so it will be available for you to view. Judy will be able to make any additions to the list if you notice any omissions.

Thank you for all your contributions and continuing interest in this newsletter and the Milne projects.

I am still dealing with my health troubles, which limit my time on the computer, but I have appreciated hearing from you. Thank you for your best wishes.

I hope you are all well, and you are enjoying the start of this Summer of 2007.

Sincerely,

Mary Welch, 1971