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. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com .Of late, 
Dick Stoner, WM, Class of 1978 dickst@aol.com has earned a reputation as 
"No-show Stoner" - for not showing up for Reunions (no-show in 2007) and other social functions, as documented by 
Chip Heartfield cheartfield@verizon.net . No doubt, the sheer weight of these transgressions has turned Stoner’s conscience into a virtual blimp.
Yesterday,
Dick sent me a piece - written about our beloved 
Alexander Wilson - which may be the best essay in Blog history. I was present at Alex’s Initiation, and love 
Alex, as I know you do. Well written Dick, this means a lot to ATO.
Dick Stoner, WM, Class of 1978 dickst@aol.com has earned a reputation as 
"No-show Stoner" - for not showing up for Reunions (no-show in 2007) and other social functions, as documented by 
Chip Heartfield cheartfield@verizon.net . No doubt, the sheer weight of these transgressions has turned Stoner’s conscience into a virtual blimp.Yesterday,
Dick sent me a piece - written about our beloved 
Alexander Wilson - which may be the best essay in Blog history. I was present at Alex’s Initiation, and love 
Alex, as I know you do. Well written Dick, this means a lot to ATO. Brethren, read it, as they say, and weep.
THE STONER REDEMPTION
"Larry,
Though I have been branded " no show" Stoner by Chip Heartfield this spring, I thought that, perhaps, I can redeem myself in front of my brothers by recounting the events surrounding Alex Wilson's death during April of 1977.
I offer this not only because I was in the kitchen when 
Laura told us "Well, he had been going in the back room and raising his arm above his head all during the afternoon" since 
he did not want to disrupt our Shipwreck weekend which had started on Thursday evening with Wales Tales if I remember correctly. I think he died late Friday or possibly Saturday evening, while we were each exercising our magic (or trying to) on our dates at the Hermitage Hotel. I offer this because it ended an important era at Beta Pi's 3722 Kensington Avenue house.
Laura told us "Well, he had been going in the back room and raising his arm above his head all during the afternoon" since 
he did not want to disrupt our Shipwreck weekend which had started on Thursday evening with Wales Tales if I remember correctly. I think he died late Friday or possibly Saturday evening, while we were each exercising our magic (or trying to) on our dates at the Hermitage Hotel. I offer this because it ended an important era at Beta Pi's 3722 Kensington Avenue house. Brothers were consumed with helping Laura at the hospital, and then in supporting her after Alex passed. She had their son and daughter, and other family members, but many Brothers will remember helping Laura with arrangements, and in hours spent on the phone locating alumni (with no text messages or e-mail blasts as would be done now).
When Alex's service was scheduled for Monday, my story begins. . .
The minister asked Laura to have "one of the boys speak for the fraternity" at the Service on Tuesday. I was selected, as I was Worthy Master for the calendar year 1977. A number of carloads of ATO's made it to the North Nashville Baptist Church in Alex and Laura's neighborhood, and we were seated in the front like family. When the Minister invited me to the pulpit, and I started to speak to the congregation, I said something like
"Alex was not the cook for ATO fraternity, he was a MEMBER, a BROTHER . . .
and someone yelled out (as I had never experienced in the Lutheran Church where I was raised)
"AMEN, BROTHER ! ! !
I was energized and my voice rose for the next line, after which another member of the congregation yelled
"TELL IT LIKE IT IS BROTHER" ! ! !
and my voice rose again . . . and we honored
Alex for his life's achievements; and we honored his family with stories from his ATO Brothers. The congregation was swaying back and forth before the service ended, and we were all invited somewhere for food and fellowship.
and my voice rose again . . . and we honored
Alex for his life's achievements; and we honored his family with stories from his ATO Brothers. The congregation was swaying back and forth before the service ended, and we were all invited somewhere for food and fellowship. Every ATO should be proud that Alex had been offered full membership privileges some years before. I hope that someone can share the story of how and when Alex became an ATO. It must have been one great Star Chamber, and those involved should be reminded how much of a difference it made in his life, and how we celebrated his life with his family and congregation at that service in 1977!
I call upon Arthur Landry to tell the story of Alex's Star Chamber, or Larry if you were there! 32 years ago this April ( not sure of the exact day) I had a truly unique experience, and one that gave me some " feet for speaking" when I stood in front of that Baptist Church in North Nashville to talk about Alex Wilson, as "one of the men from the fraternity." I'll never forget it, and between that and hosting General Omar Bradley during the following spring, there were some truly great ATO experiences to remember, which might even balance out all of the other ones that I don't (and should not) remember.
There was soul in that line we recited to "keep us pure in heart and mind". . . the ATO Prayer Alex led us in, every day:
Lord of Mankind,
Master Divine,
Keep us pure in heart and mind.
And so that we may know Thee
Thy presence show,
Guard and guide us, ATO.
Master Divine,
Keep us pure in heart and mind.
And so that we may know Thee
Thy presence show,
Guard and guide us, ATO.
Happy April and Shipwreck Season to all Beta Pi ATO Brothers,
Dick Stoner
301-613-5438
301-613-5438
* * * *
SPORTS EXTRA - THIS JUST IN -
FROM BLOG SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
GEORGE ABERNATHY: "Larry, tell all the Tics, and show them the lovely picture of the bowling team:"
Vanderbilt women head to NCAA Bowling Championship
Congratulations to the No. 1-ranked Vanderbilt women's bowling team for being tapped to participate in the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championships, April 9-11 in Canton, Mich. The Commodore bowlers won the university's first national championship in 2007. This is the Commodores' fourth consecutive appearance in the finals.
* * * *
DON’T FORGET - CHECK OUT THE "COMMENTS" - BETTER YET POST A COMMENT. (Click on "Comments" - just below "VTL, . .") Too lazy? Send me an e-mail and I’ll post your comment.
BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of April 1, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 7 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!
VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72
33 comments:
FROM FRANK BILLER, April 1, 2009:
"Bless you "No -Show".
I am moved to tears at this hour.
We are many fine men, us ATO's.
I am proud to know and be one of you.
Thank you for remembering the finest of us all, Brother Wilson.
I love all my ATO Brothers.
Buck"
FROM PENELOPE MALONE, April 1, 2009:
"Larry:
Is that truly THE General Omar Bradley (of WWII fame) that is mentioned in the latest blog? (And not a nickname for some ATO who was kicked out of ROTC for smoking weed)? --Penelope"
TO PENELOPE: The one and the same. While Dick Stoner can spin a yarn with the best of them, I do not think he would write a serious piece about Alex, and tell a whopper in the next breath. I'm saying its true (on the other hand, it could just be a Stoner April Fool's joke?). Would you contact Stoner and confirm?
Larry
NEWS EXTRA - TIM CUSACK SURFACES WITH FIRST EVER COMMENT, April 1, 2009:
"Larry: I remember when Alex was made a full member of ATO at Vanderbilt. Many of us were there from the class of 1973 and 1974. I don’t know the exact year but it was either 1972 or more likely 1973, when the idea was first discussed by the Brothers.
It was to honor Alex and all the years he spent with the ATO house and his dedication and loyalty to taking care and sobering many of us up. To many of us he was a father away from home who would not judge us or come down on us when we screwed up. The previous year I believe we had set up a college scholarship for Alex and Laura’s daughter. But we wanted to do something just for Alex.
In order to induct Alex into the fraternity, we had to contact National Office and get their approval and blessing as this was still the time when there was
discrimination, some segregation, etc. The National Office had no written anti-black prohibition but seemed to have an informal understanding that this was not to be done. We submitted our request and received a nice letter that said it would be better if we dedicated a plaque or picture or trophy, scholarship, etc. to him or made him an “Honorary Member” in lieu of full membership. That letter went over like the Pope’s position on birth control.
There was anger against National and the great and unanimous consensus was “ F--- National”. We were not as dignified and diplomatic as the ATO’s later became and still are.
The time came to initiate Alex and he was the proudest man I had ever seen at an ATO initiation. Of course he had prouder moments in life I suspect, ie. when he married Laura and his children were born. I had been through my initiation, of course, and several more before I graduated but he by far stood the tallest, as ATO was an integral part of his life, both in the past and in the future.
ATO to me was a part of college as was the Vanderbilt experience but it was not my whole life. To Alex, it was his whole life outside of Laura, family and perhaps church. We were his young men that he cooked for and took care of!
I remember we pooled money to buy him one of those fancy pins with the jewelry on it. We spent more money on that pin than we did on
engagement rings. He was so proud of it and coveted it.
As for National, they accepted it without comment, which would have looked bad if they gave us any garbage or crap. I know that word spread around to the other fraternities about what we had done. Some commended us and others were wondering what we were drinking. I do know that many of the cooks at the other fraternity and sororities were absolutely amazed and jealous of Alex and Laura. We didn’t care what anybody thought about us. We did the right thing! Screw all others!
Tim Cusack “73
TO BROTHER TIM: Well said, old friend. Guys like you, and Alex - men of honor and principle - are the reason I pledged. Be well,
Larry
POETIC COMMENT FROM JACK MUENCH, April 1, 2009:
"roll another one."
TO MUENCHIE: Circle of life, my dear friend.
FROM DAVID "MR. SARDONICUS" HAINES, April 1, 2009:
"I can't claim the privilege of knowing Alexander Wilson well. He passed as I was becoming an ATO. But I did get to have the good fortune to spend a good part of my time as a Tic as the guy in charge of getting everyone fed. "Kitchen Manager" I think was the title.
All that really meant is that you had to make sure that a bunch of guys got dinner every night. And if you played Wales Tales for a living (which I thought I could do), you ended up making a lot of 3-4 AM calls to food suppliers (Munn and Tillman for meat, Robert Orr-Sysco for everything else - right Jimmy Grissett?)
And so all of that meant that I spent a lot of time with Laura. And she she may be the reason that I managed to graduate in 4 years. Left to my own devices, I might still be trying to get out. Laura had no time for my laziness, but she never really gave me a hard time about it. However, if I ever actually came out and asked for her help in getting me up and getting me to a class, she took it very seriously (probably because she knew how much fun she could have if I didn't).
So, come a morning when I had, on the previous evening, asked Laura to make sure that I got out of bed at X o'clock so that I could go to class, there she was: "Mr. David, it's time to get up; put your feet on the floor Mr. David"...""Put your feet on the floor Mr. David"... and then, after Mr. David tried to ignore her - she just dumped a cup or so of ice water on me. I had asked for her help, she had tried to give it to me, and I got exactly what I deserved for ignoring her.
To this day, I talk myself into getting up to face the day by convincing myself that the first step is simply to put my feet on the floor. And it works, even for a slob like me.
We all called her Mom, and she was.
And I love her.
And all my ATO brothers."
TO DAVID: Great words from thy mighty pen! Alex used to call Laura "Chicken" - and we did love her. Thanks for your comment.
Larry
FROM DICK STONER, April 1, 2009:
"Larry and Ms. Malone:
I was trying to remember the name of the Speakers Program that Vanderbilt began in 1977 or early 78, but it was shortly after the South African Tennis Team visited and was given a special ceremony in the athletic center (which was great for the time though nothing compared to the facilities at your kids' colleges).
Our class was quite honored when the interfraternity council actually recommended ATO as a house that could host one of 5-10 dignitaries in May 1978.
General Omar Bradley, the only living 5 Star General from WWII was "assigned to ATO", and we cleaned up the house as best we could, with exam week coming and Shipwreck only recently past (the damp smell of the basement will still quite " alive").
We formed the tables into a large U and General Bradley was seated at the center, in his wheel chair. His first comment to me was that all the men wore ties to lunch when he was our age, and secondly that none of them wore their hair over their shirt collars. I wasn't sure how to respond, but I treated him like my grandfather who was born in 1902 and was there for graduation a few weeks later.
It was, indeed, THE General Omar Bradley!
Thanks for asking."
TO PENELOPE: Pen, it makes me feel old hearing Dick call you "Ms. Malone" - I am only 3 years older than Stoner, he was Class of 78. I hope you straighten him out, as I'm fairly sure you are younger than I am.
Larry
FROM FRANK BILLER, April 2, 2009"
"LAURA WILSON REMEMBERED - A CERTIFIED TRUE STORY
Johnston Iowa
3:07 AM
April 2, 2009
"Worthy Steward" is the title Brother Haines. I too held that noble post and had similar experiences with our surrogate Mom, Laura.
One afternoon we were working on something in the kitchen and she asked me what I was planning to do after graduation. I told her my action plan was to buy a trailer on the intercoastal waterway in FL, a pick up and a big ski boat. I intended to work construction during the day (so I could stay in shape, make a lot of money and get a good tan) and be a bar tender at night (so I could make more money and take home drunk chicks) and ski my brains out for as long as I could. Then I would settle down and get a real job.
Laura frowned and said
"Mr. Buck, I don't think your Momma would like it if you became a bartender. You might become your own best customer."
Laura Wilson was a sage and a saint. I miss her a lot.
Buck Biller
Insomniac"
TO BUCK: Great story. Sounds like the perfect job for a 22-year-old to me. Laura was trying to straighten you out, old timer. I miss her, too.
FROM PENELOPE MALONE, April 2, 2009:
"(TO DICK STONER) Ms. Malone! ...Ms. Malone! God almighty...I'm not your mother! I graduated in '75 and can still clearly remember getting completely trashed @ the ATO house, so no formal titles...pleeeeeze!
GREAT story about General Bradley--Larry--you should put it in the BP blog. Would have loved to meet General Bradley. Slightly unbelieveable that the VU bureaucracy would have entrusted him to ATO, but guess they decided if he survived Omaha Beach he could survive a meal with you guys.
I read his biography years ago and felt he did not get the attention he deserved for his role in WWII. You know he came from a very, very poor background and it was only due to multiple flukes that he was able to go to West Point...and then he reaches the highest possible rank in the Army and saves the free world in WWII. Yet another inspiring story of American courage and resolve...gives you hope during these extremely bleak times that maybe our country will emerge triumphant..eventually.
Thanks for the story,
Penelope
FROM ABER, April 2, 2009:
"Larry, I presume you are on the alumni email, but I wanted to send to you for the Sports articles about those good looking BB coeds. Where were they during our days on campus? Aber"
TO ABER: I'm not sure I'm on the same sports e-mail, so thanks for forwarding it to me. Yeah, times have certainly changed. Sports for women in college in our day was in its infancy. Society expected women and girls to be soft and curvy. Girls were respected for beauty. Now, sports for women are as exciting and vibrant as mens' sports. Society has come to accept and respect the pretty, yet buff, toned, athletic looking woman. In our day, those types were but a twinkle in their Daddy's eye. Thanks again for your input to the blog.
Larry
FROM CHESTER BREWER,April 2, 2009:
"(RESPONDING TO BUCK BILLER) As another "Worthy Stewart", I am also moved to tears. Brother Wilson's funeral was the last time I set foot in Nashville. There are so many wonderful memories of Alex and Laura that come flowing back as a result of this thread. Thank you Brothers Stoner and Simons.
ILAMAB,
Chester Brewer"
TO CHET: Great to hear from you! Alex and Laura were the best. I hope you can let go of your drama of "last setting foot in Nashville," - don't perpetuate your absence - and get your a_ _ back here to a Reunion!! We miss you, old friend, truly. It was so cool seeing Elizabeth at the last one she came to - I could see you in her face. No excuses next time, ok?
Larry
FROM JACK MUENCH, April 2, 2009:
"The time was April, I believe. I had chanced, if actively seeking mischief can be called "chancing", upon the round house, occupied by Herb and W (Pierce Hodnette or, as the poor person who had to decipher his best-man signature from my first wedding license, "Pierta Hodietti"). They were playing cards or guitars/banjos, or something, and someone (not me) produced some Wild Turkey. I had never had any of the stuff and, as was my wont, consumed too much, too quickly. Suddenly, the idea to get on bicycles and ride to campus, whence we would race around the old (round) computer center, became clear and irresistible.
This tale does not tell of Herb's running into that building during the race, or of the eventual and later truck accident whilst riding with Ann somebody (knocked down a phone pole and the lights of the neighborhood). However, it does tell that, barely a block from the roundhouse on the way to campus, I found myself headed at what seemed like a terrifying rate of speed directly for a parked car--and utterly without the ability to turn the handlebars a single inch! I hit it squarely amidships and from behind. W's orange Schwinn was toast. Can't recall where I got a bike to go on and race, but I did.
Morning found me on one of the Tic couches. How many of us, gentle readers, have awoken, badly hung over and barely able to recall how we got there, with our faces stuck to that fine Corinthian leatherette? And with dear Alex standing over us, making sure we were still alive, his face full of concern (and mirth)? That was neither the first time for me, nor the last, but it was the only time I could tell Alex the harrowing tale of the Great Bicycle Race. He was, as always, sympathetic (or at least not openly derogatory, which would have been richly deserved) and kind.
Forward two weeks, and we are up to a Tic formal, held way off campus. Blues were sung, and there was a champagne fountain. This tale does not tell that my date (I think it was Betsy) was later lost in a field or that Tyson allegedly nearly died at the hands of newly-drunken and quasi-maniacal George "Loooooooo" Joe. It does tell that Alex was manning the fountain (he and he alone had come up with a mixture of champagne and some type of Almaden wine--Sauterne, that's it).
Apparently, I had approached him too often, or too frequently, or was losing the ability to speak distinctly--or something. The fair Betsy had not yet turned fieldward and because she was at my side, Alex discreetly drew me away.
"Mr. Muench", quoth he, his open, handsome and honest visage filled with righteous concern, with, again, mirth pulling at the corners of his mouth,
"Mr. Muench--you didn't bring your bicycle along with you, did you, sir?"
Did any of us ever have a better friend than Alex Wilson?
ILAMAB,
Muenchy"
TO MUENCHIE: No indeed. Great memories, Muenchie. I remember such a party at Riverwood Riding Stables - not sure if its the same party. My guess is that since Alex was serving the alcohol, he felt more responsible than usual (which was way too responsible, God love him). We were so fortunate to have Alex and Laura.
Larry
FROM JACK NICHOLS, April 2, 2009:
"AMEN!!!
Jack Nichols
Home 770-434-2584
Cell 678-576-2343"
TO JACK: Nick-the-Nick, Son-of-Buck! Well put.
FROM FRANK COLLINS, April 2, 2009:
"Larry:
If you never write another blog, you can rest assured you have now recognized the best of us. Where would we all be without Alex and Laura?
Frank Collins"
TO FRANK: Absolutely, g_ _d_ _n right! It never ceases to amaze me the guys that come out of the woodwork at the mention of Alex and Laura. Be well, my dear friend.
Larry
FROM GENE YOUNG, April 3, 2009:
"Remember the all night pig roasts with Alex? Did anyone get to play golf with him? Legend has it that he was near scratch.
Gene Young"
TO LEAPIN' GENE: I do! Alex's bar-b-que was absolutely the best. I helped dig the pit once or twice.
Larry
FROM BOB SMOOT, April 3, 2009:
"Leaping Gene,
You are correct, I do remember that Alex was or close to scratch,
however, never had the pleasure of playing with him, learned to play
after college. A little foggy, but I do seem to remember stumbling over to the house in the wee hours and Alex be sitting there stoically making sure the coals maintain the appropriate temperature so as not to dry out the meat, always perfection in every endeavor. He was a
"father" type without the chastising demeanor, but always spot on, truthful and calm. And willing to listen to all kinds of insanity, even those who claimed to have witness "white light". A true ATO and gentleman, his influence has been burned into very heart.
Smoot"
TO BOB: Well said. Hope we will see you at a Reunion, soon.
Larry
FROM JIMMY GRISSETT, April 3, 2009:
"David, Dick, Buck, and All My ATO Brothers --
Worthy Steward? I wish I had known I had such a title, at least for my mother's sake. All I knew was that I had a key to the kitchen for after Tales games, which wasn't all bad -- and I guess that makes me the Lucky Pierre, sandwiched between Worthy Stewards Biller and Haines.
I will never forget the night that Alex died, a bit of a Big Chill event for us youngsters. After a spiffy dinner at the original (i.e., somewhat decrepit) Hermitage Hotel on Friday evening, Shipwreck was in full swing on Saturday night, scuba gear and all. Needing to dry off, I was feeling rather oatsy as I escorted my date to a jungle juice break in the Worthy Steward's private quarters in the rear of the Tic Mansion. To my knowledge, I was the only Tic in my era to have persuaded a Delta Delta Delta (sorority, not special ops) member to venture all the way to, much less past, the water fountain in the hallway of said Tic Mansion.
When I heard, at just the wrong time, an endless banging on my door, I assumed it was Sean Walsh of the "I'm-a-celibate-so-why-aren't-you?" club. A good Irish lad who should have been a priest as well as an FBI agent, he had been known to fire bottlerockets at those of us who sought private counsel with the fairer sex in the Zebra Room. But when I opened the door and walked out to the fireplace, I realized that something very serious had happened. Never had I seen a group of people go from such a high to such a low in such a short period of time.
Needless to say the next few days weeks were tough and numbing on all of us. I was glad Stoner was able to hold up and say what he did at the funeral (didn't we stop by Mary's for BBQ afterwards?) -- and was more amazed at how quickly Laura was back in the house and the saddle. (If there was a good note in here, Alex had bought the usurious credit insurance on their new car -- and she never had to make another payment.)
Just as Haines and Buck said, she would still be there in the morning after a Tales game with just the right mix of motivation and shame -- waking and calling me Mr. Jimmy when I didn't deserve to be called Mr. Anything (except perhaps "on a two who?") Nonetheless, she would promise me some cheese eggs if I got up and off to class -- and her crunchy cheese eggs and grits made me put Pavlov's dogs to shame.
As the day-to-day point of contact with Alex and Laura then, and knowing of the long tradition of great Tics before me, it was hard to feel worthy as the Worthy Steward in the weeks that followed -- but we somehow got everyone fed and everything done, more or less. And we got a lot of support from their son (Lee-Lee?) and the very kind fellow (Joe?), the friend of Alex and Laura's who ran the SAE house -- despite Dave McDonald pulling the E's jukebox out of the house (second floor window?) with his pickup truck and a rope.
Not that it was hard to do, but I and we made a point of "needing" Laura's help thereafter -- much like Andy and Opie did after Aunt Bea was out of town in one of my favorite Andy Griffith episodes. Like my grandmother when my granddad died, she really, really missed Alex -- but I like to think our needing and depending on her helped a bit.
I carry on, but it's good to take a minute and think about the good old days and things I had forgotten about -- like the Zebra Room with exploding objects flying overhead. But reading these notes about the feelings we had for Alex and Laura reminds me of someone I met who did well in the Internet boom who said: "I have gotten to know people who make $30 million a year and people who make $30,000 a year -- and I am pretty sure I like the people who make $30,000 better." It is quite interesting and amazing how true that is -- as is the impact that those humble and hardworking people had on many fine young men.
JAG III
PS -- David and Buck: the Worthy Stewards should get more credit than they do, since they often had to go to A&P the next morning to get lunch for the House after forgetting to call Sysco to order food after the Tales game -- assuming the Worthy Keeper of the Exchequer would give him money to do so."
TO GRISSETT. Excellent memories, thanks for sharing them. Alex and Laura were the best, and we were so very fortunate.
Larry
FROM FRANK BILLER, April 3, 2009:
"Good call by Leapin' Gene. I am a little fuzzy on this but I know we played with him at least once. Perhaps Arms or Chester can clarify.....
This is what I remember...
We played golf with Alex on a sunny Friday afternoon spring semester of our senior year (1975). I believe Arms talked Laura into letting Alex play hooky for an afternoon because it was our senior year and we had never had the chance to play golf with him. I recall the deal was that either Matt Young and/or the pledges were going to help her do dinner that afternoon.
I believe it was Alex, myself, Arms and either Chester or JD that made the trip to the links (mabe Art Landry?).
Alex played golf the same way he played pool (Senior year, he would occasionally sneak down to the Zebra room late in the afternoon and rack em up with whoever was around). He was erratic but occasionally would hit a brilliant shot. You could tell he knew what he was doing and had played the game at a high level. I have a remembrance of him hitting a short wedge shot with an ancient (possibly wooden shafted) sand iron. He was so strong, he took a divot about a foot long. When the ball hit the green, it was back-spinning so hard it ran backwards off the front.
I think we only played 9 holes that day. He had promised Laura he would be back in time to serve dinner. It was a treasure. I also recall Alex wearing some really wild red plaid pants with white shooes and matching belt. He smoked those long cigarettes and tossed them on the ground before he hit a shot, just like Arnie used to do.
Alex was the finest, most gracious and patient gentleman I have ever know. You can really tell a man's true nature and character on the golf course. Alex was very enthusiastic and strove to hit every shot with perfection. But, regardless of the outcome, he smiled on every shot, never commented on his own fate good or bad and complimented/encouraged us at every turn. He played the game the way he lived his entire life.
It is fun but painful to recall Alex and Laura (I believe you English majors call that melancholy). I miss them as I miss my own Mom and Dad. We were blessed to have them in our lives.
Buck"
FROM ART LANDRY, April 3, 2009:
"Jimmy--
Very nice and well done. In the interest of not overlooking any of the stewards, I think that the year after Buck the WS was none other than The Sweetheart of Gamma Phi, Matt Yonge. The sound of him belching through a napkin still rattles the head. He roomed with Qualls that year, so if I'm wrong, Greg can correct me.
As for Alex, somewhere in the anals of this site, thoroughly maintained by Larry, I wrote the tale-with M. McGann's input-- of how Alex, using a shovelful of hot coals from the pig roast, saved me and McGann from being at the least forcibly evicted (me) and killed (McGann) by a horde of drunken ruggers from WVa or thereabouts who invaded the house. There are of course many other things to say about that good man. Stoner has called upon me to describe Alex's Star Chamber, but I need a little more time to gather my scattered wits before I can take a shot at that.
Regards, Arthur"
TO ART: Well said. I recall your great tale - it is in the Archives, somewhere. Hope to see you at a Reunion, soon, old friend.
Larry
FROM ART LANDRY, April 3, 2009:
"Buck--
It was me. We played Harpeth Hills.
Wasn't it also the case that Alex had sparred with Sugar Ray Robinson?
Arthur"
FROM JOHN STEIN, April 3, 2009:
"I also believe he was fleet boxing champ in the Navy. Jfs
--------------------------
John Stein
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld"
FROM D.R. FLOWER, April 3, 2009:
"While I did not have the pleasure of living in the house and getting as close to Alex and Laura as some, I do remember their presence and what it meant.
One particular morning after a Tales game, Alex found me laying across the threshold of the front door, my torso propping the door open. After helping me to my feet, I bleary eyed looked around and said to him “I thought I was in my room”. Alex just patted me on the back and said “you will be soon son”.
God Bless them.
DR Flower
EXCELLENT COMMENT FROM STEVEN B. STARR, April 4, 2009:
"Hello to all my ATO Brothers!
Thought I would pass along some memories about Alex and Laura:
Well, the night Alex died, as you know, it was Shipwreck party at the Tic house. It was the night of the Shipwreck pool party and it was in full swing, with lots of water laden and liquor laden brothers, and gals. I myself was just out of the pool and sopping wet. I was upstairs near the front door, and either I heard the phone ring in the front phone room or someone else heard it and told me to answer it. Well, it was Laura and she told me that Alex was in trouble and that the ambulance had come and was taking him to Vanderbilt Hospital emergency room. I told her to hang in there and we would be right over. Of course the shipwreck party was in full swing, so not knowing what the situation was, I remember I spoke to two or three brothers about the phone call and the 3 or 4 of us piled into a car and went straight to VU Hospital emergency. Frankly, the only ATO I remember that was with me was Brother Kurt Wagner, but there were one or two others.
What I distinctly remember was that when we got to the emergency room you have to picture us walking (or running) into the emergency entrance, most or all of us with wet clothes and not 100% sober, and asking about the status of Alexander Wilson. I remember the nurse on duty checked her records and was very confused and thought we must have made a mistake, since we were 3 or 4 Vanderbilt frat brothers in there asking about someone that she knew was a black man from the poorer section of North Nashville. Anyway, we finally convinced her that we knew who we were asking about and she told us the doctors were still working on him. So we all sat in the waiting room for I really don't know how long, but at some point the doctors came out with Laura (I think) and basically said that while they had tried to revive Alex, he was pretty much gone when the ambulance had arrived at the hospital.
So with many heavy hearts we went back to the ATO house, and after much discussion amongst ourselves and maybe a few other ATO officers, we decided that Alex would not want to be the cause of bringing down the big Shipwreck party, so we decided to let the party continue until it started to wind down and then we told everyone, who needless to say, all sobered up in about 1 second, a feat Alex would no doubt have found ironic.
On a lighter note, Alex was initiated and made a Brother in ATO during the same year I was, and I remember that the whole of the fraternity (or most of it, anyway), road tripped Alex before his initiation. We blindfolded him and all drove out to some Nashville park where we gathered around and then took the blindfold off. What I distinctly remember about that evening in the park with Alex was the fantastic smile and pure delight on his face at what was happening. He was just so tickled that we were road tripping him and making him a part of our brotherhood. Anyway, we sat around in the dark (by moonlight) and Alex told story after story about events in his life, and about ATO's of yesteryear and their stunts, both nefarious and uplifting. It was as fine an ATO evening as I ever had. What a wonderful human being.
Last item: I don't know if it's been mentioned in this discussion yet, but do you remember Alex's pet name for Laura? It was "chicken"!!
Speaking of Laura, her name has come up in my conversations with so many people since I graduated, for one reason in particular. Broccoli and hollandaise sauce. Remember one particular dinner that was a big hit at the ATO dinners? It was sliced roast beef, rice with gravy, and broccoli with hollandaise sauce. Well, I never used to like or eat broccoli, but one dinner early in my career at ATO when that was the menu, I tried Laura's broccoli with hollandaise and was an instant convert. So I remember a couple of years later I was going home for a holiday vacation and I asked Laura if she would give me the recipe for the hollandaise sauce. "Well, Mr. Vinnie, I ain't got no recipe but I'll show you how to make it"! So she did and I watched diligently, and even though it was pretty much "a bunch of this, and a little of that, and add some salt" type of thing, I did my best at home, it was a big hit, and I've been making Laura's broccoli and hollandaise sauce for about 35 years. So when I get the usual compliment on the hollandaise sauce, I always tell the story of how our Laura taught me how to make it when I was at Vanderbilt. When I really want to treat myself with food AND memories, I go whole hog and make the sliced roast beef, the rice and gravy, and of course the broccoli with hollandaise! Can't be beat.
Sorry this was so long but the memories kept flowing. God bless Alex and Laura.
Vinnie"
FROM DICK STONER, April 4, 2009:
"Amen, Brother Buck
I nominate you as Worthy Keeper of Spirituality for the ATO Alums
Thanks for sharing the memories"
FROM JACK MUENCH, April 4, 2009:
"I second the motion. Vinnie, thanks so much for sharing that story. My eyes are moist but my spirit is uplifted at the memory of Alex's initiation."
FROM DICK STONER - Regarding General Bradley / Penelope:
"Penelope,
Please excuse the formalities; it is nice to meet you, and I'm sure you can understand that I was taught these formal skills at a good southern school. See, I did not want to go to a northeastern college as many people did, who came from my Maryland High School. There were lots of left wing hippies where I came from, and to think that I was a hippie when I got to Vanderbilt, with my hair and beard, is funny. I think we met when I was a lowly freshman pledge, but memories are a bit foggy after all these years.
I never received the photos that we taken of Gen Bradley with us at the Tic House, but they might be somewhere in the annals of the Interfraternity Council that organized the Speakers Program, which was geared toward peace and love, following the visit of the So. African Tennis team's first visit ever to the US
Looking forwarding to seeing you both at a reunion, or a special TICLOR gathering, should such a thing ever be attempted. hmm, a Ticlor Convention, what an idea....
Dick Stoner"
FROM TOM LOVINGGOOD, April 4, 2009:
"I will never forget one warm spring evening--it was a Friday, of my Junior year, as I recall. The evening meal that night was pancakes and scrambled eggs. Matt Hart had a particularly indelectible term for Laura's pancakes, but we usually ate them anyway. This one evening, some of the Tic brothers decided it would be better to throw the pancakes, rather than eat them. After Alex and Laura had served everyone, a food fight broke out. Pancakes and fistfuls of scrambled eggs became missles, and we hurled them at each other from across the dining room . Tables and chairs were over-turned and made into barricades. It was a fight to the finish!!! I will never forget the look on Alexs' face, as he and Laura peered out from the kitchen to see the meal that they had just spend two hours preparing was now being used in a "fight-to -the finish" Did we even bother to help them clean it up? Myself, not wanting to become part of the fracas, grabbed my plate of pancakes and scrambled eggs, and my glass of white milk and tried to beat a hasty retreat back to my room in the house. Matt Hart would not have any part of it and intercepted my escape route and dumped an entire bowl of scrambled eggs onto my back.
Alex--I know you are looking down on all of us. Peace be with you, Brother."
FROM JACK MUENCH, April 4, 2009:
"Musta missed that one, but how about when Wimp beaned Jim Cordner's honey with a tater tot? The ensuing fracas caused Laura to ban tater tots thereafter."
TO MUENCHIE: Pierce Hodnette wrote an essay about that "Tater Tot" incident, and won the Legends of Lowenstein Contest. It is at Archives, Vol.2006, No.54 - Honoring Jim Cordner.
FROM JOHN STEIN, April 4, 2009:
"Yes, the ire and vitriol was off the charts
--------------------------
John Stein
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld"
RARE COMMENT FROM MIKE McCARTY, April 4, 2009:
"In a particularly weak moment I agreed to handle the quickly failing financials of the ATO house my Junior year. The majority of my time was trying to figure out how we could get some food delivered since we had developed a bad habit of not paying any bills over many years.
Alex came to me and told me very directly I had to do something as milk could only be gotten to fill the cow if we paid cash in advance and Tillman was the only supplier still shipping to us and soon dinner at the Tic house would only be a fond memory.
Alex and Laura had a great idea and that was to try and use the fact that Tillman had been shorting us significantly for a long time. This was not surprising given we owed him over $15,000 and were falling deeper in the hole. With Alex's push to do something giving me more spine than usual I had Alex start weighing the delivery from Tillman and after two months of 25% short I told Alex I was going to confront Mr Tillman and get us back in shape. Alex told me Tillman was a really scary guy who was probably connected and I could not go alone.
So my body guard Alex accompanied me to their Front street warehouse but insisting I park four blocks away so they could not see my car. Alex was dressed to impress with his massive bicep guns showing from an all black tough guy outfit. The meeting was me confronting Tillman with his fraud and demanding he accept 50% on his past due bill and stop shorting us and we would pay it with a bank check I had cut from the first advance billing we had ever done (Alex's idea) and I would lose the evidence of his fraud.
The meeting room was filled with four of Tillman's rough dock hands who stood menacingly around me. As I launched into my speech I noticed Alex push his way past the dock hands and stand directly behind me and mutter to the thugs "don't mess with the boy".
We settled with Tillman, left and for almost two months I had a constant shadow of Alex looking after me just in case they decided to rough me up. Alex my body guard told me on the way home "you know Mr McCarty bad people can do bad things so you gotta watch out and not be so quick to take chances.".
I think about that phrase all the time particularly now as I do many things Alex and Laura taught me. We should all feel blessed that they entered our lives and are still in them today.
Mick"
TO MIKE: Great memories! Alex and Laura are family to us. Hey, we missed you at the 73 Reunion in 2008 (and cursed you - lovingly - for skipping out). I hope you'll make in 2013. Although I'm Class of 75, you and the guys in your small but mighty Class are my heros, so I plan to be there.
Larry
FROM JIMMY GRISSETT, April 4, 2009:
"Brother Arthur --
I remember Worthy Steward Matt Yonge well -- he was running the show when I was a pledge. However, since he was bigger than me, I didn't want to implicate him in any Lucky Pierre discussions. My recollection was that he could also sing Dixie while belching, something my 8 year old son would like to discuss with him if possible.
We are missing at least one more between him and me in reconstructing the Worthy Steward Hall of Fame -- 1976 I believe if someone would remind me who I followed?
As for Brother Hart's friend from DDD, she obviously had the good sense to recognize a young man with solid prospects. In my case, I had to rely only on the good impression I made on her when I met her in Eleuthera one night (at Sloppy's?) while drinking pineapple rum and Beck's. Speaking of which, it's Saturday afternoon and I've been working all day ...
JAG III"
FROM FRANK BILLER, April 4, 2009:
"I believe I took over from Dee Price. Possibly Tim cusack before him.
Dee, you out there?"
FROM DAVID HAINES, April 8, 2009:
"They took it; and we are all now being given the opportunity to understand what that meant.
Isn't it wonderful that those two everyday people could touch our lives as they did?
They made us better people, and what greater legacy could anyone hope to leave?"
TO DAVID: You are right - Alex and Laura were everyday people. We were just young turks, we were invincible, we had no regard for what it means to work for a living and devote your life to your work - which is what Alex and Laura did, they devoted their lives to helping us.
Larry
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