Beta Pi:
IS BETA PI BLOG without any redeeming social or
artistic merit?:
YEA . . . . or
The
Beta Pi Blog is non-political. It
includes
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THE
ROMANS INVENTED CONCRETE…
The Romans first invented what today we call hydraulic cement-based concrete. They built numerous concrete structures, including the Pantheon in Rome, one of the finest examples of Roman architecture that survives to this day, which has a 42-meter-diameter dome made of poured concrete. The name concrete comes from the Latin "concretus", which means to grow together. (from Wikipedia)
So, the Romans literally invented concrete…but
ZEPPO...should be dubbed "Chancellor Ready-mix." ... he has made a
fine art of it’s usage. His mission is to “beautify Greek Row” and he is leaving
"no space left un-concreted" - he is leaving a concrete legacy…at the ATO House, and perhaps on Greek Row and literally everywhere else on campus. Here is an update on the “Greek Row
Beautification” project…
So I
was over on West End, at the Bookstore looking for a new book, when I looked
across 25th Avenue…wow, this is so frick’n exciting…CRANES
everywhere. Aren’t they beautiful?
And look, see that Dumpster? That's where our ATO Backyard used to be – space which had “actual grass” - until ZEPPO commandeered it.
I
notice ZEPPO built a beautified new FENCE surrounding what will be “the beautiful
new ATO backyard.” My curiosity is piqued… I
can’t wait to open the gate and behold the “beauty” within….
…So I went exploring, to look inside the fence, to see what “beautification” ZEPPO gave to the ATO’s … in their backyard space, “beautification” in the classic sense, you know… in the way of landscaping, shrubbery, grass. And let’s not forget, ZEPPO put up a sign in front of the excavation that literally inferred Vanderbilt is commited to “everything from the blades of grass to our tallest buildings…” yeah...right.
…Wow…I
am awestruck at the sheer concretus…the
“beautification.” Very nice…inside the
beautified Fence is beautiful SOLID CONCRETE SLAB. And remember, the size of the new SLAB area is
but a small fraction of the size our ATO back yard used to be.
Looks like the boys have placed a beautiful Sofa, to match the Slab “beautification”….
Basketball...in fairness, that is a nice touch...
Looks like the boys have placed a beautiful Sofa, to match the Slab “beautification”….
Basketball...in fairness, that is a nice touch...
…Wow, what a huge, CONCRETE space…lots of good-times to be had here…hey, here is a swell idea – the Boys could set up a “Corn-Hole” Game here…and what do you know, a LITTLE TINY DECK…
…And
remember the old Porch, where LAURA WILSON used to stand and smoke cigarettes –
and where we used to receive food deliveries for our Kitchen?....
….ZEPPO.......DOH!
.... ZEPPO demolished that porch, and did a lovely job bricking it up…
…Remember
where “The Yellow Car” used to be parked?...
...Yeah...ZEPPO fenced it in, with a lovely “green area” - if you call mulch "green"- and a swell “garden hose”...to water the green mulch.
There is a sign, on the construction safety fence on West End Avenue, with a ZEPPO quote on it (or perhaps this was penned by a poet on his staff), you know...for the sake of history and all...talking about Vanderbilt's commitment... "to everything from the blades of grass to our tallest building..." - you'd almost think ZEPPO (or his poetic ghost writer) is a Walt Whitman fan.
But ... take a look at our ATO backyard...we used to have
a real back yard, with grass... where we built a fence with our own hands (that is Funky Engleman and me, painting creosote on our fence)...and had good times.
Now, there is no more yard, no more grass, and it is one-third of the size it used to be.
ZEPPO stole our beautiful, green back yard, and did not leave us with one...single...blade...of...grass. KISS MY . . . .! (I couldn't resist the rhyme.)
I suppose we should be grateful he didn't rip off the House, yes?
...Yeah...ZEPPO fenced it in, with a lovely “green area” - if you call mulch "green"- and a swell “garden hose”...to water the green mulch.
There is a sign, on the construction safety fence on West End Avenue, with a ZEPPO quote on it (or perhaps this was penned by a poet on his staff), you know...for the sake of history and all...talking about Vanderbilt's commitment... "to everything from the blades of grass to our tallest building..." - you'd almost think ZEPPO (or his poetic ghost writer) is a Walt Whitman fan.
But ... take a look at our ATO backyard...we used to have
a real back yard, with grass... where we built a fence with our own hands (that is Funky Engleman and me, painting creosote on our fence)...and had good times.
Now, there is no more yard, no more grass, and it is one-third of the size it used to be.
ZEPPO stole our beautiful, green back yard, and did not leave us with one...single...blade...of...grass. KISS MY . . . .! (I couldn't resist the rhyme.)
I suppose we should be grateful he didn't rip off the House, yes?
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VISIT
TO ALEX and LAURA WILSON’S GRAVE
Claude Cody had the idea to have a group of us visit Alex and Laura’s
grave. And last year, a small group of us did so. It was really meaningful to
all involved. We are planning to do it again this year, perhaps it will grow
into a tradition.
WHAT: Visit
to Alex and Laura Wilson’s grave
WHERE: Meet
at the ATO House (we will caravan together from there)
WHEN: Friday,
Oct. 12, 2018, approx.. 1:30 p.m.
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12th
ANNUAL ATO DINNER and COCKTAIL PARTY
2018 Vanderbilt Homecoming Reunion is coming up, October
12-13. As always, the Annual ATO
Dinner and Cocktail Party will be immediately following the Game, at
Cabana.
WHAT: Annual
ATO Dinner and Cocktail Party
WHERE: Cabana,
1910 Belcourt Ave., Nashville, TN
WHEN: Saturday,
Oct. 13, 2018, approx.. 8:00 p.m., or immediately after the Game.
It
is never too late to show up.
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Claude Cody, George "The Heme" Tomlinson and George "Aber" Abernathy
2018
REUNION UPDATE
CLASS OF 1973
Class of 73 is looking good! CLAUDE CODY tells me the following greats are “in-but-in-but-in” …
and GEORGE
“THE HEME” TOMLINSON – are all slated to show! Claude, thanks for your efforts, already we have
an outstanding lineup.
OTHERS JOINING IN…
TOM “LOVEMAN” LOVINGGOOD, FRANK J. BILLER, LAWRENCE A. SIMONS, STEVEN B. STARR, CLARK THOMAS and J.D. STRICKLAND are "in-but-in-but-in!
CLASS OF 1978
DICK STONER has agreed to be “point man” for Class of 1978, and Class of 78 is primed to make a showing. Dick tells me he might not make it because his daughter in Flagstaff, Arizona is expecting a baby the third week in October. Congratulations Dick, very happy for you and your family, that is great news! Dick said he has talked with Sean Walsh and Greg Qualls, and there is a possibility they will attend Reunion. Dick thanks for your help.
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Here is
a reminder of the Brothers and Sisters we have lost.
BECKY
BRUNING MANYAK, died October 19, 2017.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.07. Archive: Sept. 2017
Obituary:
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, (See Comment by Dick
Stoner). Archive: Sept. 2017
EDWARD G. “TED”
STEPHANY, died January 20, 2016.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.01, Archive: Jan. 2016
J. NEAL CRENSHAW, died November 12, 2014.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.08, Archive: Nov. 2014
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.10, Archive: Dec. 2014
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.08, Archive: Nov. 2014
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.10, Archive: Dec. 2014
MILES WALSH, died in
July, 2013.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2013, No.05, Comments Section
(over 50 comments), Archive: Aug.2013
DAVID HOWE, died
November 30, 2006.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.68, Archive: Dec.
2006.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.30, Archive: May. 2007
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.30, Archive: May. 2007
KURT WAGNER, died in July, 2002.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.02, Archive: Jan. 2016
ALEXANDER WILSON, died April 9, 1977.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.25, Lowenstein Essay
Contest. Archive: Aug. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.33, Honoring Alex and Laura. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.45, Tale-o-Pig-Roast. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.50, Winner Essay Contest. Archive: Oct. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, Alexander Wilson. Archive: Sept. 2017
Alex
and Laura are buried at the Nashville National Cemetery. The cemetery at
1420 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, TN 37115.
Alex and Laura are at Section KK,
Site 794. Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.33, Honoring Alex and Laura. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.45, Tale-o-Pig-Roast. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.50, Winner Essay Contest. Archive: Oct. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, Alexander Wilson. Archive: Sept. 2017
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THE
ARCHIVES
To explore
the “Archives” in this Blog – go to the top of the latest “blog issue”, on the
right. You access it by clicking on
the Month and Year, and it will drop down with choices. For example, if you click on December, 2006,
a list will drop down listing all issues that were published that month. Click on an issue, and you can then post a
comment to that issue. It’s never too
late to post a comment, right?
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HOW TO
POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Just
click the button - Comments – below my signature block.
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BETA PI
BLOG ROSTER STATS:
As of August 31, 2018, there are 37 Blog Website Members; there
are 131 ATO’s on the blog list, plus 21 ATO Gal-Pals. And, there are 12 Brothers whose e-mail
address is unknown.
VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta
Pi, 72
