Thank you to everyone who helped PDS celebrate its 75th anniversary year by attending our many special events.
75th ANNIVERSARY MUSIC JAM AND BARBECUE
The final party of the year took place on Friday, June 4th on the PDS campus near Kenyon House. Families enjoyed an informal outdoor concert featuring PDS musicians from the past and present and an old-fashioned barbecue. Main Course Catering providede burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and sides, watermelon and lots of goodies for the kids, and a raffle featuring a "A Basket of Apple" (including an iPod, iPhone and iTunes cards, topped off the event.
75th ANNIVERSARY GALA
PDS celebrated 75 years in fine style on Thursday, June 3 with dinner and dancing at historic Locust Grove (the Samuel F.B. Morse estate, Poughkeepsie). The estate's elegant gardens provided the lovely backdrop for cocktails and classical string music performed by Gwen Laster and PDS junior Sophie Wallach. Catered by the Artist's Palate, the event featured remarks and reminiscences led by PDS parent and SUNY professor Tom Meyer and PDS faculty member Susan Phillips and concluded with music performed by Ken McGloin, Paul Beretta, Damon Banks, Akie Bermiss and Gwen Laster. View gallery of photos from this event below.
BENEFIT AUCTION
This year's special fundraiser was held at the Vassar College Alumnae House. PDS parents, alumni, faculty and friends enjoyed a memorable evening featuring excitingly-diverse and creatively-packaged auction items and delicious food and drink.
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!
On Saturday, November 14th a great time was had by all during cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction in support of the 2009 Diversity Challenge.
FOUNDERS' DAY
Three long-standing members of the PDS community were honored at the recent 75th anniversary kick-off event on Founders Day, Saturday, October 17. More than 100 current and former parents, trustees, alumni, faculty and staff attended the event, held in the school's Elizabeth C. Gilkeson Center.
The honorees were: Allelu Beal Kurten, daughter of founder Mrs. Thaddeus R. Beal and lower school student in the school’s original building, Spaulding House, in the city of Poughkeepsie; Leonard Opdycke, inspirational head of the school during the tumultuous 60s and 70s; and master teacher Josephine Spencer, a PDS faculty member for 25 years whose influence can still be found in our interdisciplinary curriculum and interactive approach to learning. Head of school Josie Holford, paid tribute to the honorees. PDS parent Chris Roellke, Ph.D., Dean of the College and Professor of Education at Vassar, gave the keynote address.
The school's a cappella group, Sidereal, sang, and PDS instrumental students performed original compositions along with faculty member Damon Banks and friends. The evening ended with the showing of a film by PDS teacher Laurie Giardino, incorporating still photos from the PDS archives with historical footage, followed by champagne and cake.