45th Reunion
John Jay High School Class of 1981
The weekend of October 23-25, 2026
Heritage Hotel (Southbury, CT)
Countdown to the Reunion!
DETAILS
Saturday Night Reunion Dinner Party
DATE: October 24, 2026
TIME: 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Gather for food, connection, and fun.
Dinner will be a lovely buffet and include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
Non-alcoholic beverages included.
Cash bar.
Dress code: casual to fancy – dress as you wish! Be comfortable, be yourself.
Optional early bird meet-n-greet from 6:00 – 7:00 PM at The Tavern, an on-site pub. Also open late after the reunion for any night owls.
Sunday Lunch and Hang Out
DATE: October 25, 2026
TIME: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
A casual get-together for lunch on day 2 in a different space in the Heritage Hotel. Depending on weather, we may be able to go outside to enjoy the fall weather.
Food will be stations for burgers, fancy fries, and other goodies. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free options. Non-alcoholic beverages included. Alcoholic beverages available from The Tavern, right next door.
Ticket Prices and Options
There are 3 price options for each event: a standard price, a discounted price, and a “extra” price if you can afford to donate to help others attend.
This allows a simple way to contribute a bit more and also means that those who need financial assistance do not need to contact me.
If you are able to donate more and would like to do so, that is welcome as well. Generous donors in the past have enabled many to attend and also provided extras like decorations, music, flowers, and better food. Just contact Katie.
Saturday Dinner
- Give a little extra: $100
- Ticket Price: $85
- Discounted for financial need: $50 (If you need a greater discount, please pay what you can.)
Sunday Lunch Hang Out
- Give a little extra: $60
- Ticket Price: $45
- Discounted for financial need: $25 (If you need a greater discount, please pay what you can.)
Hotel Rooms
The Heritage Hotel has a block of rooms for us at an event rate of $189/night for Friday and Saturday nights.
Please make sure to book your rooms by 45 days prior (September 8th , 2026). After that date you will not be able to get the special rate.
Contact The Heritage Hotel directly at 203-264-8200 (press 6 for front desk) and mention that you are with the JJHS 45th Reunion.
IMPORTANT: When you call, choose option 6 to get the front desk of the hotel.
DO NOT PRESS 1 because that will take you to central reservations for Best Western and they will not know what you are talking about.
Additional Information
- If anyone wants to organize any side events to happen earlier on Saturday or on Friday, go for it. Just let me know and I’ll get the word out.
- I’m going to reach out to JJHS in the spring to see if we might be able to get a school tour on Friday or Saturday. I’ll keep you posted.
- There is an adjacent golf course that you can book, and the hotel has information on that, or I’m happy to help if needed.
- Also, the hotel has an indoor pool and very nice large gym.
- The area has some wineries and lots of apple orchards. October is apple season!
Stay Connected via Email
I will send periodic emails over the next year with updates and reminders. If you are not receiving the emails, please sign up here:
Facebook Group
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Your Host: Katie (Uma) Bode
This will be the 5th reunion I'm organizing. I started with the 20th because i was living in California, and I had heard that there was a 10th reunion but no one contacted me about it. I can't remember how it came together exactly, but through Classmates.com, I found some of us. Karla Eisen agreed to help find people, and I organized the details.
That reunion was SO MUCH FUN, and so many people came, that I sort of got addicted. At the 30th, people started talking about having them every 5 years, and so, we did!
For the 40th, I asked if anyone wanted to help organize it, and a bunch of people did. We had a committee. But, honestly, it's just easier for me to do it alone. I hope no one minds!
In complete transparency, I want you all to know that there's often a bit of money left over, and I keep it. When I lived out of state, I used that money to help me travel to the reunion. I feel that it is a fair exchange, since I do put a lot of time and energy into organizing everything. Believe me, it's not like I'm making a huge profit or anything!
And, finally, about my name. Call me Katie, or call me Uma. Or call me both. Just come to the reunion!
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