Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.03 - Vanderbilt Debutante Society

Beta Pi:
IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY: I was thinking about Valentine’s Day - as it relates to Tick-a-lors - and I began having memories (or flashbacks?) about . . .

THE VANDERBILT DEBUTANTE SOCIETY. Then, it hit me. Who better to interview about this phenomenon than that wacky guitar man, Joel Kadarauch, a.k.a. "Itchie" a.k.a., Jor-el.

INTERVIEW WITH JOEL KADARAUCH

BLOG: Do you have any recollection of the "Vanderbilt Debutante Society?"

JOEL: Totally clueless about that one, Larry. Maybe it's just my foggy memory. Ask away!

BLOG: I thought there was a Valentine's costume party at ATO Social Affiliate Miles Walsh's house - you came dressed as the "humanoid-penis" - am I mistaken? The twist was on "VD" - Vanderbilt Debutante - society.

JOEL: Ahh, Yes. I think I remember the Penis-Man costume. I made it out of a waste basket, plastic wrap, Paper Mache, paint and balloons (testicles), in my room in Carmichael Towers. I remember....I remember..."heavy", "scratchy", "pink", "hot".....not much else. The party was at a house next to the "round houses" on Vanderbilt Drive, right? Was that Miles' house? I also recall extricating myself from it after a time, and having it sit at the house as a prop afterward. Someone hooked up red lights in its eyes and a speaker inside, through which could be projected improper utterances to unsuspecting coeds passing by. Could all this be a dream? Quite possibly, but some of it has to be true.

BLOG: Yes, that was Miles' house on Vanderbilt Drive. Now, of course, after Vanderbilt gobbled up that neighborhood, its nothin'-but-nothin'-but-parking lots. As I recall, you also utilized a burlap bag, which hung around your neck, beneath the cylindrical head-piece. I remember seeing you surrounded by girls - admiring the head-piece and touching the burlap. Was it the burlap that was "scratchy?"

JOEL: "scratchy"

BLOG: I attended that party dressed as "The Sheik" - a costume I rented from Bittner’s. It was such an agonizing decision - which costume to wear - but when I got to the party and saw your home-made costume, I felt truly like a dork. Do you recall if "Gib-stone" attended?

JOEL: Guitar god Steve Gibson did inhabit one of the Round Houses - but it was a costume party, I didn’t see him.

BLOG: As to the origin of "VD Society" - I always thought that someone wanted to plan a Valentines Day party, but thought that concept too lame. I surmised they used the letters "VD" which sounded so, well, hip (Remember, this was the ‘70's, when the worst VD there was could be cured by a shot). Weren’t we so young, brash and clever?

JOEL: Jiambo!

BLOG: I recall a certain guest of honor arriving at the party, in a horse-driven carriage, complete with a Footman, wearing a "Southern Belle" gown. There was much pomp and ceremony attending. This lady was a friend to all Vandy Students, and operated an establishment on Church Street - "The Southerner" - can you sweep away some cobwebs and recall her name?

JOEL: Mrs. Mize?

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 13, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.02 - Tison Tours Cordner-Land

Beta Pi:
IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

FRANK BILLER PROMOTES FIRST-CLASS AIR TRAVEL: I got this from Past-Potentate Frank J. Biller fbiller1@msn.com , who - along with Vinny starr2456@comcast.net - was a very close friend of my Dad, George Simons. Thanks, Buck!

"This is why George Simons always flew "1-C Baby!".

* * * *

TISON TOURS CORDNER-LAND: Venerable Tison Keel tison.keel@hotmail.com sent me this e-mail the other day regarding his coincidental tour of Jim Cordner’s home in Houston.

"Larry, do you recall a Tic brother named Jim Cordner, class of '74 I think? I was looking at homes in the Houston area last weekend, (we're looking at moving down there in about a year - another story) and found a VU diploma on the wall in one bearing that name. I was pretty sure I remembered an active a year or two older than us named Jim Cordner, though I didn't remember him being around the house a lot.

Anyway, the owner was not at home, so I left a note with my name and phone, asking if he was a Beta Pi ATO, and the scumbag never called me back. So either he wasn't a Tic, or he was a typical Tic who keeps his head down and never calls, never writes....

Do you have his name on the Blog list?

Yes, Jim Cordner cordnerjp@hotmail.com is Class of 1974, and I confirmed the Houston address with Tison, who agreed to be interviewed by Beta Pi Blog:

INTERVIEW WITH TISON KEEL

BLOG: So Tison, what was Cordner-Land like? Any features in the home that "stood out?"

TISON: Well, the love swing and mirror ball in the master BR did catch my eye. If I were to make an offer, I would be sure to insist that stays, along with the window treatments, washer & drier.

BLOG: Cordner was known to be a "ladies man" - and an "Elvis fan." Rumor had it that Cordner had devoted a room in his house, which he modeled after the famous "Jungle Room" at Graceland. Tell us how thick the shag carpet was?

TISON: I guess that would be the daughter's bedroom. Definitely over the top, but no shag or jungle, except for the 4 or 5 large hydroponic potted plants bearing palmate, serrated leaves, under high intensity gro-lamps which also illuminated several colorful posters of Jimi and Cream! The daughter let me into the locked room only after I pledged not to discuss its interior with her parents.

Life sized wax model of the King (white jump suit & scarf years) was in the entrance hall.

BLOG: Jim was an incredibly loyal Tau, and was known to have an occasional drink. I had heard he built a bar, similar to the Zebra Room Bar. Any truth to that?

TISON: Now that you mention it, that explains the boy's bedroom - painted black, had astroturf carpet, and a long red vinyl sofa built into one wall. However, not fully authentic, because there was no zebra painted on the wall. The bar was well stocked, but also cleverly hidden for those Sundays when the preacher came for a visit. A large bookcase in the family room was hinged on one side, and swung open to reveal a keg tap, wine rack and enviable collection of 15+ year-old, single malt whiskeys.

BLOG: While at Vanderbilt, Cordner was known never to miss a meal prepared by Alex & Laura. Tell us about the Cordner kitchen?

TISON: Not remarkable. Lots of stainless steel and cooking vessels hanging on hooks. Living room made me feel at home, though. Couple of long, sagging sofas, marked with various stains, card table in the corner, Advent speakers hanging on the walls. Noted some repair was needed for a hole above the fireplace and several broken ceiling tiles. Also there was a yellow 1948 Buick parked in the side yard that would need to be towed. Overall a most pleasant abode!

BLOG: Thanks, Tison! Here’s hoping this lights a fire beneath Cordner, who is due in Nashville in October for his 35th - Reunion ‘09.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 3, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72