Beta Pi:
IS BETA PI BLOG WITHOUT ANY REDEEMING SOCIAL OR ARTISTIC MERIT?:
YEA . . . . or 
NAY? Beta Pi Blog exists for one reason: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together. The blog does not take itself very seriously - it is meant for fun, and therefore is non-political. 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/ .
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Calling Mr. Lee, MR. HEAVEN LEE!: There were some dare-devils amongst us - eager to be recognized, eager to do something no one had done before, eager for GLORY! There were some who dared spectacular feats . . .
Matt Abominable Dr. Phibes Hart did the famous Human Torch.
Frank Buck Biller led a group of Pledges in painting the SAE Actives, their dates and SAE front porch instead of the Lions.
J.D. Suckling Strickland went on to live with his Mother, forever.
BUT, ONE GIANT AMONG MEN stood out, and staged the greatest feat of all. This true story bears retelling.
Jeff Locksmith Overby, a/k/a Mr. Heaven Lee!
As retold by Bozino:
Nashville night life had been opened to us by the recently changed Tennessee law lowering the drinking age to 18. It was not long before we discovered Printers’ Alley - the Nashville equivalent of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Ok, it’s nowhere near as great as French Quarter.
At the time, there were several strip clubs in Printers’ Alley - and by strip club we are not talking Deja Vu or total nudes. No sir, probably the most skin you’d see in Printers’ Alley is if you got drunk, fell and skinned your own elbow. The strippers were more like vaudeville performers. They actually put on a real show, complete with music, lights, lavish costumes, flashy g-strings, tassels, and colorful scarves.
There was one exotic dancer who was far and above the rest, called
Heaven Lee, who danced at the Black Poodle, a joint in Printers Alley.
Buck and I (this was before Vinny's time - he pledged as a Sophomore), who had together investigated many of the establishments on Lower Broad (at that time mostly honkey tonks, peep shows, and other seedy establishments) and Printers Alley, led a contingent of Ticks to
The Black Poodle to see the Heaven Lee Show.
That is where the story would have ended, were it not for Jeff Locksmith Overby.
One evening back on campus, a rumor started that Locksmith was going to bring Heaven Lee to the ATO House for dinner. Who knew, it could happen?
That evening, there was a full house lining up to eat. As I recall,
Alex and Laura fixed their famous Lasagna with salad and garlic bread.
Sure enough, someone yells, She’s here!
And there is Jeff Overby, neatly dressed in a sportcoat and tie, entering the ATO House, escorting none other than Heaven Lee (and I think Heaven’s body guard as well). Only one rule, no photographs.
In our dreams, we thought Heaven Lee would show up in one of her costumes, but she was dressed casually in a party dress, she looked dazzling.
Overby had a look of accomplishment on his face - a top this kind of look.
Overby introduced Heaven Lee to Alex and Laura, and after Alex said the customary ATO Dinner Prayer, we all sat down to dinner.
All of the boys behaved like gentlemen
(although I had fully expected Muenchie to come running out of the shower-room, clad only in a bath towel, with his famous tongue sticking out, crowing Heaven . . . oh, Heaven!)
No, there were no stunts, fireworks or indecent exposures, the only drama was the mystifying effect Heaven Lee had on the ATO House that evening, transforming all of us into gentlemen on our best behavior.
Thanks to Locksmith for that great memory.
* * *
Jeff Locksmith Overby also sent me an e-mail last week:
Hi Brother Bozo, I hope you are well . . . . I might be able to make it to homecoming, would you know if I could purchase two football tickets for saturday's game? and if so, can you direct me? Thanks, and I hope to see you and the other Brothers from another mother . . . jeff
Great news - we’ll take might as a yes. Looking forward to seeing you Jeff!
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1984: George Orwell, or Charles Anderson ? I received a random e-mail from a Tick-a-lor from 1984, Charles Anderson:
Larry,
Great blog!!! I check it out every month. It is good to see names of people I heard of and some I know from my time in the TIC house (79-84 yeah I loved it so much I stayed an extra year) . . Jimmy Grisset, Hoover Noonan, Steve Boyd, Tom Soudan all great guys. Taught me to play tales the hard way!! Any way great site All the best
Charles M. Anderson (Big C) class of 84 cmandersonjr@bellsouth.net
WITHOUT FURTHER TOO-DOO, BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES CHARLES ANDERSON!
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REUNION / HOMECOMING UPDATE: This is the last Blog before Reunion. So far, it looks like we’ll have 35 people attend the Dinner Saturday evening. As I told you, we have to do a head count, because last year we had a cramped space, the head count was inaccurate. The dinner will be better if we have an accurate head count. If I have you listed incorrectly (or left you out, or have the number in your party wrong) please let me know.
THE ATO CLASSY BOYS OF 1975 - YES - LIST:
BUCK BILLER fbiller1@msn.com : YES 1
MATT BLANKENSHIP mattsb@texas.net : YES 1
TISON KEEL tison.keel@hotmail.com : YES 1
JEFF OVERBY JeffOverby@aol.com : YES 1
BEN PEDIGO banjoworks@sbcglobal.net : YES 1
LARRY SIMONS Lasimons4law@aol.com : YES 1
CLARK THOMAS clark@macusers.com : YES 1
GENE YOUNG gyoung@westernwireprod.com : YES 1
OTHER HONORED TROLLS-OF-YES:
ABE BENAVIDES abraham.a.benavides@vanderbilt.edu : YES 2
FRANK COLLINS collinzes@gmail.com : YES 5
DAVID HAINES haines.david08@comcast.net : YES 2
MARK McGANN: markmcgann@prodigy.net : YES 1
JACK MUENCH trujac@sc.rr.com : YES 1
ART LANDRY awl@awlandry.net : YES 1
TOM LOVINGGOOD tlovinggood@comcast.net : YES 2
BILL WHALEN wawhalen@gmail.com : YES 1
GEORGE WELBORN gwelborn@mindspring.com : YES 1
ATO GAL-PALS - SLATED TO ATTEND:
ANN POLK SIMONS annpolksimons@gmail.com : YES 1
BETTY INGLE BACH e.bach@comcast.net : YES 1
KAREN DEGERBERG karen.degerberg@gmail.com : YES 1
BECKY DENHAM bejasy@comcast.net : YES 1
BECKY BRUNING MANYAK rmanyak@yahoo.com : YES 1
KATIE HERRINGTON nurseless1@att.net : YES 1
MARILEE JACOBS mljacobs25@hotmail.com : YES 1
ATO CLASS OF 1980 TROGLODYTES -OF-YES LIST:
MARTY HEFLIN m@m2hgroup.com : YES 1
KEITH SCHNEIDER kps428@hotmail.com : YES 3
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HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Get off the freakin’ sofa, Potato-head, click the button - Comments - just below VTL, . . If you’re having trouble, send me an e-mail and I’ll post your comment.
BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of October 5, 2010, the Blog roster stands at 104 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 14 ATO Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail addresses, please share!
VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72
27 comments:
FROM DEBRA PAYNE, October 6, 2010:
"Larry,
Did you receive my RSVP several weeks ago ? Yes I will be there, one person. Thank you very much.
Debbie
Debra Sue Payne
214-532-3118 cell"
TO DEBBIE: I must have missed it - I'll post this! Great to hear you are coming! Sorry I missed your RSVP, I'll look forward to seeing you.
Larry
FRANK BILLER UPDATE, October 6, 2010:
Buck called, and said he ran into Barbara Miller, VU Class of 75, and he invited her to the ATO Dinner. Excellent, the more the merrier! Be sure to get me Barbara's e-mail. Thanks Buck.
FROM JEFF OVERBY, October 9, 2010:
"Thanks, Bozo... sorry I can't make it...say hi to all the brothers for me...and thanks for continuing to put out the blog...jeff"
PEDIGO NEWS: Ben sends regrets, unable to make it to Reunion, sends his best regards to all the boys!
Larry-
My plans have changed and I have to be in NYC on the reunion week end. Sadly, I will not be able to attend the ATO dinner. I'm sure it'll be great fun!
Katie Herrington
NEWS FLASH - GAME AT 6:00 - ATO DINNER AT 9:15:
THANKS TO MUENCHIE! Jack called me yesterday, told me that VU announced Homecoming Game Time, 6:00 p.m., and alerted me to the conflict with the ATO Dinner (which we booked for 7:30). Timing is everything. Had it not been for Muenchie tipping me off, any chance of changing the reservation might have been lost.
THANKS TO YOUNG ANN SIMONS! I presented this dilema to my better half, the Mighty Young Ann, who promptly came to the rescue, called her friends at Cabana, and got our reservation changed to 9:15 p.m.. Ann, you're the best!
WHERE & WHEN:
Cabana Restaurant
1910 Belcourt Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
9:15 p.m. - 4th Annual ATO Dinner & Bingo Tournament
(Cabana is in Hillsboro Village, within walking distance of campus).
THANKS AGAIN TO SUPER-HERO's, MAGNIFICENT MUENCHIE and THE MIGHTY YOUNG ANN!
MARTY HEFLIN REPORTS BAD NEWS FROM ATO NATIONAL:
Marty sent this letter, which he got from ATO National:
"October 12, 2010
Dear Beta Pi alumnus,
Greetings from Alpha Tau Omega National Headquarters. Unfortunately, I come bearing less than positive news about the undergraduate chapter. This fall has not been a particularly good one for Beta Pi. The chapter remains on University probation for a risk management problem earlier in the semester and most recently, campus police discovered and reported to the University kegs in the back of a pickup truck at the house. This was apparently after a “float” party by seniors, other assorted members, including young alumni, guests and girlfriends earlier in the day. It was also in clear violation of the provisions of the University imposed probation placed on the chapter earlier.
In addition, the chapter has become ineffective in its recruitment efforts and has stalled on other key chapter functions. In short, Beta Pi is facing some serious difficulties, mostly of its own making.
The National Fraternity is concerned and the University is expecting action to be taken. To that end, with the support of the National Fraternity, the University has prohibited alcohol at any tailgating events at the house or with the chapter during football weekends and most notably during Homecoming weekend.
I understand that for many alumni Homecoming is the only weekend of the year that you have an opportunity to spend time with chapter mates. I also understand that having a beer or two with them is a reasonable and enjoyable part of fellowship. However, this year, for the sake of the chapter’s future please make plans to gather with your alumni brothers at locations other than the house if alcohol is included in those plans.
Right now, given its recent risk management history this semester, the future of the chapter is in some jeopardy. The University will likely take a dim view of another risk management incident or disregard for current chapter probation restrictions. Given the National Fraternity’s desire to encourage healthy, viable chapters, we will also be less than pleased if the chapter cannot abide by the current restrictions and quickly turn itself around.
To the extent that you would like to help the chapter move forward, please feel free to contact me by replying to this e-mail.
Beta Pi has a rich and long history at Vanderbilt. The goal is to better ensure that the chapter continues in the best of ATO traditions.
Sincerely,
Wynn R. Smiley
Chief Executive Officer"
THANKS TO MARTY! I SUPPOSE NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING SOMBER TO TALK ABOUT. QUERY: Should VU come down so hard on the actives of today, for something we did virtually free of interference from VU?
FROM JACK MUENCH, October 12, 2010:
"Larry, just saw this, and thanks for the kind words. Do you know that the all class dance is Saturday night at 9? I was really counting on tripping the light fantastic with Dawn, Beckies, Karen, et. al. Do you think you need to do another letter asking people to choose? Don't know why in the hell "they" changed the schedule around from last year, but they have. Also note Tic reception Friday night at 10.
TO JACK: Yea, I expect that the dance will start late too, therefore we will all have time to eat after the game. See you!
FROM MARK REED, October 12, 2010 (refering to the Wynn Smiley letter)
"Larry,
You probably received this but in case you did not… Sorry I will miss homecoming but will be at a wedding of Nashville friends in New York, NY. Go figure… I will be with you in spirit.
Best regards,
Mark Reed"
TO CHEEKS: Yes, strange news from the present, I suspect the Actives feel very oppressed by the current VU politically correct scrutiny of every normal college kid behavior. Makes me want to puke (which I did alot at our keg parties). We'll miss you, O Mighty Cheek-Un!
Larry
ED ALERT - FRIENDS OF ED:
Every now and then, the blog is faced with a tough decision. I got this today from Brother Ed Oppenhiemer:
"Larry:
My email address has crept back into your address book for ATO. Please remove it.
Thanks
Ed Oppenheimer"
TO ALL FRIENDS OF ED OPPENHEIMER:
The blog needs your assistance - in the spirit of "I love all my ATO Brothers" ILAMATOB - the blog calls on all . . .
FRIENDS OF ED OPPENHEIMER, SUBMIT AN ED TESTIMONIAL. Write a very short note/essay on Brother Ed, ILAMATOB, and post it or forward it to the blog.
Here is my entry:
Ed: Our issue (whatever it is) aside, hat's off to you for being so honest. My memory of you is your razor sharp wit, and watching you and Vinny square off. Hope to see you sometime while I'm still above ground.
Larry Bozino
FROM PENELOPE MALONE, October 12, 2010:
"Very sorry to hear about the Vandy ATO chapter. Perhaps some tough love from you alumni will help them. Good luck.. --Penelope
http://www.entertonement.com/clips/jkprstkqfj--Double-Secret-ProbationAnimal-House-John-Vernon-Dean-Wormer-
FROM TED STEPHANY / THE ED ROAST, Chapt. 1:
"maybe he didn't like being the bicential jew"
TO STUFF: BeHAVE!
FROM FRANK COLLINS:
"what up with 6pm? also, we can probably start dinner at 8. we'll be down a few TDs by then..."
TO FRANK: Yeah, I thought of the tradition when we were there (and football was so lousy) - simply leave at - or before - the half. But then I thought, what if they get lucky and its a nail biter?
FRANK COLLINS ANSWERS QUERY:
"answer to query: it wasn't the law in 1976. it is now."
TO FRANK: Yes, and I recall that all of us were devout citizens of the VU Community, Nashville, and Tennessee - we obeyed all laws, and we stood as model citizens whose example was to be followed . . . NOT!
FRANK COLLINS - ED ALERT:
"maybe it's a corporate email address issue??"
TO FRANK: In every positive sense of the word "corporate" - Ed is truly a corporate kind of guy.
FROM MIGHTY D.R. FLOWER / ED TRIBUTE:
"Larry,
I am afraid that my voice will be of no use to you in your quest to keep Ed in the fold.
I believe that I eternally offended Ed when I showed up at his “Millionaire’s Repose” in what he deemed as less than appropriate attire. The invitation stated “coat and tie”, but said nothing about a shirt. It could have been worse – I wore pants.
Love you like a brother, Ed."
TO D.R.: Yes, that was one of the great things about Ed - he was consistent - - consistently pissed-off pretty much all the time. Gotta love that!
FROM TISON KEEL, October 13, 2010:
"You may want to ask Ed if he wants to be taken off the ATO Blog list or the BPAC (Bozo Political Action Committee) list...
Tison Keel"
TO TISON: You are correct, there are 2 lists. I am fairly comfortable now being hated for the former. Somehow, I hope our ILAMATOB principle will help us love and respect the person, regardless of the person's political beliefs - hopefully!
FROM CLAUDE CODY, October 13, 2010:
"FYI
Kegs were not allowed per University policy back in the 70’s but it was selectively enforced. ATO was on probation back then as well for a selective enforcement.
Claude Cody"
TO CLAUDE: Yes, drugs were not allowed either, and I seem to remember rather selective enforcement the year that Grateful Dead played - Metro and Campus cops surrounded Neely Lawn, and just stood there gaping at everyone having the PARTY OF THE CENTURY! And somebody tell me that K.C. Potter didn't know what the Yellow Car was for?
ED CHIMES IN!
Larry
1.Not a corporate email problem
2. Nor Randy Flowers lack of sartorial splendor (DR you have quite a good memory). If I still had a good memory I could remember all the peculiar things Randy (aka Alicia) did at the Tic house - happily for him I cannot.
3. [EDITED FOR POLITICAL CONTENT - BETA PI BLOG IS NOT POLITICAL]to look at on the beach), and thus do not have time read the blog.
4. Not a tough choice, just remove my email address. [EDITED FOR POLITICAL CONTENT], I will appoint Vinnie as liaison to keep me informed of important events as he sees fit. He has been unemployed since about 1980 when he deserted Gordon, Glickson & Schlack, so he has time to carry this burden.
I love ALL my ATO brothers very much, but do not love blogs
Ed"
TO ED: Respectfully, no. ILAMATOB, Larry
FROM JIMMY GRISSET:
"Larry --
Perhaps Ed would consent to staying on the list if there were some fair and balanced responses to your occasional political diatribes.
Toward that end, here are some thoughts [EDITED FOR POLITICAL CONTENT].
TO JIMMY: Thanks - as you know, the Beta Pi Blog works very hard to be non-political, dispite your best efforts to corrupt it.
MORE FROM GRISSETT:
"PS -- While I am on a roll is this the part in the script where we say "Seven years of college down the drain!" or "Toga, Toga, Toga!"?"
FROM CORY CLARK, October 13, 2010:
"TO whom this might concern--> There is a good possibility STUBBS could show up in Nashville on the 23 , that could be a rumor"
TO STUBBY: Awesome, we'll order an extra keg and 3 more ralph buckets.
BETA PI / HOCKEY BONUS: For any of you who will be arriving early (Thursday): my wife Ann can get us tickets to PREDATORS HOCKEY ACTION. 7:00 pm, Predators vs Pittsburg Penguins, HOCKEY FIGHTS CHILDHOOD CANCER NIGHT. Ann is a Pediatric Oncology Nurse at VUMC Childrens'. Hockey Action!! Just let me know, if ya wanna go . . .
Needless to say, time is of the essence.
Larry Simons
615-512-1448
FROM STEVE CUMMINGS:
"Larry-
I was encouraged to see the note from Abe and sent him a decline, along with some encouraging words. Sorry I won’t be there for Homecoming. Please remind Marlon about the time he was so drunk his freshman year in Curry Hall, that he walked into my room in the middle of the night and pissed in my closet, thinking it was the bathroom.
Short"
STEVE: I didn't know Marlon made mistakes. How can the Perfect One have a character flaw?
Larry
FROM JACK MUENCH, October 25, 2010:
"Thanks again so much. Only regret was not "dancing" with the Lady in Red. I had forgotten ...
Will you send me email addresses of both Becky's? I'd like to send them a note while its still fresh.
God bless Larry Simons ... Guard us and guide us ..."
FROM FRANK COLLINS, October 25, 2010:
"Larry:
On behalf of all the Tics who adorned campus this weekend, thank you. It was great fun to see so many not-so-old brothers and sisters. You and Ann are the perfect host and hostess. The Collins family had a wonderful time.
Frank, Mary, Hannah, Clare and Frankie"
FROM TISON:
"Larry:
Thanks for the organizational efforts - that was a very fun weekend! Getting the Pi Phis to attend was a coup, and made the events feel a lot like a Shipwreck weekend, albeit with a lot less hair and and a few more smile-lines.
Tison"
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