Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay—Reserve NOW, Even if You’re on the Fence
The last day to take advantage of our hotel block is February 2, 2022, a mere three weeks away. After that, our discounted rate of $199/night will go up—the regular rate is already $379/night, and will likely increase. The 75th anniversary committee is asking for two things, please. First, even if you’re not quite sure you can attend, please register now for the weekend and book a room now, before the rate expires—you have a 72-hour cancellation window for both. Second, if you find that you need to cancel after February 2, please tell us, and don’t cancel with the hotel (so we can reassign your room to other Chimes at the block rate, as needed). The hotel can be reserved here.
Thursday Golf
There will be a Thursday golf outing, organized by Paul Kelly, who can take questions. Participants will play at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club at 10 a.m. Meet at 8:15 in the hotel lobby for carpooling. $99/person. If you’re playing golf, make sure you arrive in Tampa on Wednesday night.
Chimes Apparel
Doni O’Connor is kindly providing Chimes memorial merchandise for the 75th (shirts, hats, tumblers, Kirk Moore prints, etc.). There are two windows for ordering: one small window (before 16 January) for merchandise that will be ready in time for the 75th, and another after the event. Please address any questions directly to Doni 410-458-9751. Please note that this is separate from the reunion registration and the alumni association; there are no minimum orders, so we are not incurring any expenses or risks (or profits). Thanks to Doni for these exciting designs. You can order here.
It’s been too long since last we met. And it’s been 75 years since first we met. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime three-day gathering of the Chime family to celebrate our first 75 years. We’ll gather Thursday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 6th at the gorgeous Grand Hyatt on Tampa Bay, and celebrate with new shows, twists on old shows, fine food, and pretty good singing. We are covering over half of the cost of this gala celebration through generous donations from fellow Chimes, to make it more affordable for all.
COVID Precautions
The 75th Anniversary Committee has spent the past several weeks seeking advice from the physicians in the group, and especially our favorite virologist, Dr. Bob Redfield. In order to protect ourselves and to protect each other, we are confirming the following COVID-19 policy for the 75th anniversary in Tampa.
I should note a few things: (1) this policy does not represent a consensus among the Chimes physicians, but our decision based on the advice we received; (2) Bob is available to take scientific questions; (3) please address all other questions or complaints to me (praise and donations also welcome). I also ask you, please, to exercise forbearance and prudence on Slack and in your conversations. The back cover of the 1966 album reminds us that we are all “a voice, yes, but a Chime first.” Likewise, our university motto, utraque unum, calls for chimely harmony over political disagreement—not a disagreement to be cast aside, but one to be addressed in a spirit of brotherly charity. Or, in the more prosaic words of Dave Fitzgerald, “Chimes blood runs thicker than political water.” I know these are difficult times and difficult questions. Thank you.
First, a few things of background:
1. John Broughan, Paul Kelly, and I all agree that singing through masks is impractical and undesirable.
2. Our greatest concern is protection, rather than the appearance of protection, so we are intentionally erring on the side of caution.
3. Bob explained that the probability of a vaccinated versus an unvaccinated person being an asymptomatic carrier of the virus (and thus a danger to others) is the same, as are the respective viral loads. Thus, vaccines are a matter of personal protection, but not a matter of protection of others at the gathering (public health is a different story, and beyond our remit).
4. We highly encourage everybody to receive the COVID vaccination, as well as a booster within four to six months. Those who are particularly vulnerable may wish to take additional precautions. Masks will not be required, but will be left to individual discretion.
Chimes 75th Anniversary COVID Policy
1. There will be a COVID test upon arrival at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, offered by an outside service, and paid for by the Georgetown Chimes Alumni Association. Anybody who tests positive cannot participate in any indoor Chimes activities.
1(b). In order to avoid any unpleasant surprises, we ask that all participants take a COVID test within 48 hours of travel. Those who test positive would then stay home and cancel travel; they would receive full reimbursement of reunion fees, and no hotel cancellation fee would be applied.
2. We are working on COVID protocols with all vendors who will come into close contact with Chimes (hotel staff, catering staff, AV staff, band, etc.); we will require either proof of negative test within 24 hours or a strict mask policy from vendors. We are also working with the hotel for increased ventilation in indoor areas, as an added precaution.
3. As the public health situation evolves, we will update this policy, as relevant.
The Schedule
Thursday, March 3
Morning golf outing (arrive Wednesday night if you plan to golf)
Sunset Dinner Party: on the terrace overlooking Tampa Bay
Late night singing in our private Afterglow room
Friday, March 4
Explore Tampa (tours and outings, jet skis, etc.)
Frank’s Saloon: evening cabaret in a beautiful outdoor venue, featuring a wide range of Chime family talent. (“They juggle! They do standup! It was better than ‘Cats!’ I’ve never felt more alive!”)
Late night singing in the Afterglow room
Saturday, March 5
Group rehearsals (!) for the evening show
Mass at which we will sing Don Colleton’s Mass of Adoration
Cocktails
75th Anniversary Banquet and Show featuring classic performances from the groups of yore, film tributes, and a rousing performance by the Actives
Late night singing in the Afterglow room
Sunday, March 6
Light Continental Breakfast and farewells on the top floor of the hotel
What are we celebrating?
In 1946, Frank Jones envisioned a brotherhood bonded of friendship and harmony. 75 years later, the experiences, stories and legends of the Chimes family reflect that brotherhood. In the words of the 1966 album notes, “For us who hold the Chimes in special affection, we see these past [75] years as only the beginning of something already complete.” (A noble if somewhat inscrutable sentiment.) Join your brother Chimes and the extended Chimes family to celebrate Jonesie’s vision and this remarkable undertaking.
Why will this year be different than a normal Chimes Reunion?
This milestone calls for a special celebration to commemorate 75 years of friendship, harmony, and mediocre grade point averages. This is perfect opportunity each of us to hang out and connect with our older or younger brothers, and for all to celebrate those who made it all possible, starting with Frank Jones and the quartet that first sang “Saloon” in 1946. With the extra activities planned for the weekend, we have expanded the celebration to a three-day format.
Why Tampa?
Our original plan was to celebrate the 75th in September 2021. Because of the lingering pandemic uncertainty and deadlines for financial commitments, we postponed the celebration so we could attend safely—and without masks! Not wanting to wait another full year until September 2022, we looked South, for warmer weather in March. And then we found the beautiful Grand Hyatt on Tampa Bay. Tampa is easy and affordable to fly to, and the hotel is minutes from the airport.
How much will the weekend cost?
The Anniversary Celebration will cost more to produce than a typical Reunion, because it will feature extra events, and we are taking things up a couple levels to make it more fun and memorable. That said, a group of Chimes is generously covering over half the cost of the celebration to make it more affordable for everyone. Thus, while the actual cost of the weekend activities (besides rooms) is about $800 per person, after subsidies the cost to you will be $299 per person for three nights. That includes all meals from Thursday night except breakfasts and Friday lunch.
As for the rooms, we have negotiated deep discounts to the room rates in this fine hotel in peak tourist season in Tampa: $199 per night for most rooms, with some fancier rooms and suites priced a little higher but at a similar discount. (There is a slight additional fee if three or four guys are sharing a room.)
Take the money you did not spend going to any Reunion in 2020, and what you would have spent going to a Reunion in 2021, and you will have more than enough to cover this Celebration. And if you need further help to make it possible for you to attend, reach out to Nikolai. We want every Chime to attend and will do whatever we can to make it possible for all to be there.
I am ready and I will be there! When and how do I sign up?
You can book the hotel room now by clicking the button above.
Your reservation will be held on your credit card, which will be charged only when you check out of the hotel). Should you need to change or cancel the booking at a later date, there will be no cancellation charge as long as you notify the hotel at least 72 hours in advance of your planned arrival.
You can register for the 75th Anniversary Celebration now by clicking the button above.
Once you have registered, we will debit your credit card for a $100.00 per person deposit. Final payment will be due by January 3rd.
Discounted hotel rooms in March in Florida!!?? Can I arrive early and stay late?
Yep. The hotel has agreed to give us the $199.00 group rate from Monday, February 28th, through Tuesday, March 7th! Enjoy a week-long vacation, using the Hyatt as your base to enjoy the beach, catch Yankees spring training, or Red Sox training in Fort Myers, or take the kids to Disney World, only an hour away. In the evenings, relax and enjoy the two acclaimed restaurants on the property.
Make your hotel reservation through our special booking link. You’ll note that the default dates are set for the three nights of our reunion, March 3–6. If you plan to play golf on Thursday, plan to arrive March 2nd. Should you wish to extend your stay and take advantage of our special group rate, simply revise your arrival and/or departure dates. Note however the extra days before and after our three night block can be confirmed only if rooms are available at the time of booking. As the hotel will sell out early during this high season, it would be wise to plan your trip and book those extra nights at the earliest possible date.
For anyone needing to book by phone, call 1-888-421-1442 and provide the reservationist our Chimes group code: G-CHIM to obtain our special rate.
Stay at the Hyatt, please. The room rates are reasonable. Staying “on campus” will mean you won’t waste precious time commuting and won’t have to worry about traveling after partying. And we were able to get these great room rates, common rooms for us to sing and meet in, and other accommodations by committing to take a certain number of rooms.
How do I get to Tampa?
The closest airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA) which features ample service on multiple airlines from major cities across the US. The hotel is a 10-minute ride from the airport.
It should be noted that Southwest Airlines is a major carrier to Tampa. They will commence reservations for the winter season on Sept 16th. If your plans are set, you may want to check their “Wanna Get Away” discounted fares vs. existing fares with the other carriers serving Tampa.
Should your plans change, SWA allows changes and if you need to cancel you will retain full value of your payment for future travel.
A full list of airlines serving TPA is available at tampaairport.com.
For those driving south, or renting a vehicle after arrival, the Grand Hyatt is offering free parking on the property for our guests.
We encourage you to book travel early.
When should I plan to arrive in Tampa?
You should arrive before dinner on Thursday, March 3rd. If you are golfing, you should come in Wednesday instead.
I can’t arrive until Friday night. Can I still attend?
Oh, come for the whole extravaganza! If you really cannot arrive until Friday (to a chorus of “nice interest”), there will be a reduced event fee of $224.00.
Who is invited?
All Chimes, plus spouses/partners, and other family members wanting to join the celebration. VIP guests will include our Chimes family of spouses and family members of those Chimes who have left us. Our goal is to gather all the Chimes!
I am a Neophyte. May I attend?
Why are you reading this? (I think we’ll leave the real answer to the Actives’ discretion).
After the Spring Break of 1959, are the Chimes allowed to return to Florida?
The management of the Maisonnette Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and the office of the Florida Attorney General have assured us that all charges have been dropped. However, Patty Joy Edgerton and the Ladies’ Auxiliary will be offering care packages to arrested Chimes.