Friday, December 6, 2019

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2019, No.07 – The Aber Archive





Beta Pi:

IS  BETA PI BLOG without any redeeming social or artistic merit?:  










YEA .   .   .   . or







NAY?
 
Beta Pi Blog’s purpose: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together.  The blog is not to be taken seriously - it is meant for fun. 

The Beta Pi Blog 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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One of our most appreciated – yet unappreciated – brothers is brother GEORGE ABERNATHY . . . Appreciated for his unrivaled athletic abilities . . . 








. . . yet unappreciated for his abilities as a photography enthusiast and archivist.  
Exactly. . .who knew?  



















Let me give you a prime example.  Years back, even before the Blog began, Aber sent me, by U.S. Mail, a packet of pictures he took of the infamous “ATO FIGHT NIGHT” starring virtually all of us.  I post one picture as an example.

Dean K.C. Potter being shown to a front row seat by Referee Doug Campbell, T. Parr and The Boss

Aber had - and has - a real sense of "capturing the moment."  To be a chronicler, you must love and appreciate others, which is a virtue.  Most of us back then, myself included - were so busy soaking in the revelry that we had little interest in being the observer, the chronicler . . . except for Aber.   Were it not for Aber, the event would have gone un-chronicled.  I featured Aber's ATO FIGHT NIGHT  photos in a few blogs over the years, you will find them in Blog Archives, Vol. 2008, No.09 (February 2008).

So let me take this opportunity to say thank you, Aber, for taking pictures of us, and sharing them.  We love you, bro!

Aber is at it again!  A few weeks ago he sent me an email, with seven of his pictures attached, and he has entitled this Aber installment . . . drum roll, if you please . . .

BETA PI STUDS & DATES
By George Abernathy

“Larry, look what I found in Aber’s archives taken by my trusty Kodak box camera. More to come!  . . . and you probably remember the years of theses ‘pretty’ pictures. I’m looking for more! Your comments are acceptable for these lucky tics and dates. Aber.”

Man with Ascot . . . Pierce Hodnette.

“Wimp’s all alone. Can’t remember whether he was lucky that night- she probably ran away when she saw the outfit!”

Cory “Stubbs” Clark, dressed as Gen. George Patton...telling his date 
The Nazis are the enemy. Wade into them. Spill their blood. Shoot them in the belly.”

“That’s Melissa Brown Paty with Stubbs”

George “The Heme” Tomlinson & mystery date.  
Heme, perhaps she was turning away from that awful cigar?


Travis Parr & Rena “The Steak” Dabne.  
We are guessing that Rena made Travis put on that hat BEFORE she kissed him!  What a hoot!


Jeff Perout & mystery date; with Chad “Wazz” Weiss & mystery date . . .
bring you "Cuddle-Fest" . . . and why not?


Bob “Smooty” Smoot & Ellen Cobb . . .
It was Ellen's beautiful dress and platinum blonde hair . . .
that inspired the song "Blinded by the Light."


Frank “Buck” Biller & mystery date; with Larry Simons & Sally Tucker . . . I was having a ton of fun, with my best friend Buck, and beautiful Sally!


Finally, Aber sent me this picture of . . .

















IGOR (as portrayed by Marty Feldman, as portrayed by Frank Collins)













and his date The Bride of Frankenstein









Editorial Note to Heme, Jeff, Chad and Buck:  please help us out with the names of your dates, if you please.

Aber, thanks again for sharing these outstanding pics with us!  "We who are about to die Salute you!"

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HOMETOWN GIRL RETURNS TO NASHVILLE






Some of you may know, my friend SALLY TUCKER JASPER is a Nashville native, who moved away and is now living in Salem, Oregon.  Well, Sally sent me a text several weeks ago, indicating she and a few of her girlfriends were planning a Nashville Trip to visit with her sister, and would I and my wife ANN POLK SIMONS join them for whatever.  



















Ann was unable to attend, but she was very gracious to allow me to go.







 
Sally decided spur of the moment for the group of us to go to Station Inn, where the Tim O’Brien Band was playing.  I congratulated Sally on this choice of live music, because – for those of you unfamiliar, Tim O’Brien is renowned as one of the best Bluegrass and Roots musicians on the planet.  He is an awesome mandolinist, and plays everything else amazingly, and his songwriting abilities are legendary.  We had a great time, the music was so good, and it was so great to be with my dear friend Sally and her nice friends. . . somehow we forgot to take pictures.  Suffice to say, Sally is as lovely as ever!  She tells me that she is planning to come to our Class of 75 Reunion next year, which will be our 45th!  Thanks to Sally for the fun visit, and looking forward to seeing you next October!  And thanks to my beautiful wife Ann for being so gracious to let me participate.  I am blessed to have such wonderful women in my life.

  
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KEEPING TABS: 

Here is a reminder of the Brothers and Sisters we have lost.

ANTHONY GUY MIRANDA, died June 18, 2019.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2019, No.04. Archive: 2019
Obituary:

MARK McGANN, died December 10, 2018.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2018, No.07. Archive: Dec. 2018

BECKY BRUNING MANYAK, died October 19, 2017.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.07. Archive: Sept. 2017
Obituary:

ROB BLANKENHORN, died December, 2016.
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

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

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 is at 1420 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, TN 37115.  Alex and Laura are at Section KK, Site 794. 

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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 December 6, 2019, there are 132 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 13 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 18 ATO Gal-Pals. 

VTL,










Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

8 comments:

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM FRANK BILLER:
"I can’t remember what I had for lunch or where my keys are but I think that is Linda Wright with Heme. I believe the young lady with me is Val aka BeeBop. She was a friend of Matt’s. He set me up with her for Shipwreck which is where (I believe) Aber shot these pics. I had a lovely chat with Val and her hubby (who is a Beta) at reunion a few years ago. Lucky him and stupid me for letting her slip away. She was a really nice and pretty lady then and now.
Sent from my iPhone
Frank Biller
Anchor Hocking Foodservice Glass
National Sales Manager
651-402-5787

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM CHAD WEISS:
"Larry,
I have no idea who my date was. Sorry.
Chad

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM PIERCE HODNETTE:
"Thanks Larry, that was a lot of fun! I did not realize that Aber was responsible for the pictures of the fight. Pierce

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM MARK REED:
"Now that Aber is retired, no telling….!!! He has been the responsible party for gathering a group of us ex-jocks in the Atlanta Metro area at a convenient watering hole to have a few brews and enjoy catching up with each other. We get together every 6 weeks or so and it is a blast. Thanks Aber!! Did you realize how good a football team we had during ‘69-’72 seasons? I didn’t, but do now!! Aber, You da Man!!
Best regards,
Mark

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM ABER:
"Tics and Ladies,

I have found more Beta Pi historical pics! Be on the lookout for future blogs from Honorable LAS. Aber

PS: all things are possible in retirement"

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM GEORGE FORD:
"Don’t forget the football team of 73. Fifth ranked Florida rolled into town and we beat them. Chesney put Sammy Green their star running back out of the game. We went to the Peach Bowl that year. I think we won."

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM BILL PRICE:
"Doug Dickey quit or got fired after that game also-He wouldn't let me into Florida locker room after game to see Fl kicker Posey(whom we knew from high school) b/c he was so pissed BILL PRICE

Beta-Pi-Blog said...

FROM MATT BLANKENSHIP:
"Vandy played Texas Tech to a 6-6 tie in the ’74 Peach Bowl. Best season for Vandy in years. Just after the game, Head Coach Steve Sloan assured everyone he was staying at Vandy. The next week he was at Texas Tech."