Beta-Pi-Blog: 2020

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2020, No.03 – Merry Christmas Tik-a-lors!

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 timewasters.

To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com

* * *

MERRY CHRISTMAS TIK-A-LORS!

The other night, out of the blue, I got a call from FRANK J. “BUCK” BILLER. Always great to hear from Buck, who – as you know, along with STEVEN “VINNY” STARR –

are my two closest and best friends. The purpose of Buck’s call? It was a lot like the Stevie Wonder song… “I just called to say I love you.” Buck my friend, I love you too! Buck and I first became friends as Freshmen on Mimms Hall, and later Pledged ATO together, and have been best friends ever since. Although, while we shared the middle room at the ATO House, things became a little strained….

to this day I believe the great CHESTER BREWER might have influenced Buck to antagonize me….which culminated in “The Fight” - all in good sporting fun, of course. Make no mistake, I love Chet Brewer, and have lobbied him hard to return, but Chet is….as you know… “Chet.”

After arranging a slight attitude adjustment for Buck, my friendship with him became strong again. Anyway, in my book there are no two greater guys on the planet than Buck and Vinny. And guys, I want to wish both of you, and ....

TO ALL MY ATO BROTHERS, whom I love, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

* * *

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This topic has been heavily on my mind, and I called Buck to tell him I have been struggling with how to write about it, being as how the issue has been so politicized, and our Blog is non-political. My personal belief is that COVID-19 is a public health issue which should not be politicized. Buck told me not to worry, just to write as I always do, with love.

Let’s see, I remember that from somewhere….VTL…

Virtue, Truth and Love.

I hope all of you are safe and well. Ann and I are well and safe. We observe social distancing, wear masks, and frequently wash hands and use hand sanitizer.

Today, I learned that more Americans died yesterday, in one day, than died on 9/11….. pretty f**king scary!

I know of only two of our Brothers who have told me they got infected, and both survived, thank God for that. One has very graciously consented to me using his name in this story and sent me a blurb to post….

so, without further “too-do”…

Beta Pi Blog gives you….that Greatest-of-All-Time-Greats……

GEORGE “THE HEME” TOMLINSON!

This is what Heme sent me:

"The Great Bozzino!!

Great to hear from you!!. Honestly, my Covid experience was "nothing". Felt like I had a mild case of the flu, stuffiness, sore muscles, headache, and the biggest....loss of taste and smell. Just got the taste and smell thing back recently, about 4-5 weeks later. Never had a fever and the flu symptoms lasted about 2 days, and then I was fine. Probably got exposed in a restaurant/bar or the health club (interacting with an unknown Asian female in the hot tub), really the only places I have been going (guessing where I probably acquired the "vid"). It is all in the interest of "therapy" for the pandemic shutdown that has, and still is, driving me nuts. But, it's cheaper than a shrink and certainly more fun.

The good news is that I probably have the antibodies now (at least for a while), and will not be in a hurry for the vaccine, but sure I will be required to get it, due to upcoming airline demands.

You boys stay healthy! Thanks to somebody for firing Derek Mason; maybe he'll get the job at UT!!

Hugs,

The Heme

Heme, thanks for sharing your COVID-19 ordeal, so glad yours was a mild case. Let me say a prayer right here and now, for the safety and wellbeing of all our Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals, that we all survive this very scary and deadly pandemic. The two words “be well” have an entirely different meaning now, yes?

* * *

VANDERBILT REUNION 2021

As you know by now, because of COVID-19, the 2020 Reunion (which would have been the 45^th for my Class of 1975) got postponed, and there will be a Joint Reunion in 2021, for all the reuning folks who got bumped in 2020, and those reuning in 2021. For us, that means the Classes of 70 and 71, and the Classes of 75 and 76, and the Classes of 80 and 81.

On the Blog list, we have guys from 71, 75, 76, and 80. So this Reunion could be big.

As reported in the previous Blog issue, TISON KEEL has agreed to be Point Man for ATO Class of 1975. Tison, again thank you for agreeing to rally our guys.

And, that All-Time-Great Irishman, FRANK “MARTY” COLLINS has graciously agreed to be Point Man for ATO Class of 1976. Frank, thank you my dear friend.

This Joint Reunion event will be happening either October or November, 2021, and ordinarily I would not be planning 11 months in advance, but for this whole COVID-19 thing, which has scared the S**T out of all of us. I do so now because we need every little bit of hope we can muster.

I mean, literally, who knows how many of us will still be on the planet 11 months from now, I AM HOPING AND PRAYING FOR EVERY LAST ONE OF US.

* * *

CONSTRUCTION AT VANDERBILT

Beside the CASTLE VON ZEPPO, so named for the Ghost of Vanderbilt Past, Vanderbilt is building a huge, cylindrical Tower. It is only partially completed in the above photo. It is already far taller than Charmichael Towers were, and when finished is expected to dwarf the stately and beautiful Kirkland Tower....and it is expected to stand out like a SORE. . . . well, THUMB. There have already been phallic jokes sent, I will not repeat names.

And I have an idea for the name of this soon to be completed Tower.

They should name it after a great Vanderbilt Alumnus, a bony-looking man named ...

ERIC SHUN, who is deceased.

During his life, Eric Shun was an UPSTANDING citizen, and he had a HARD life. He was an architect whose work was never widely known, but all his buildings were tall, cylindrical towers.

I hereby propose that the new Tower be named for this Alum ....

THE ERIC SHUN MEMORIAL TOWER.

* * *

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: http://www.brinsfieldfuneral.com/obituary/anthony-guy-miranda

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: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=rebecca-manyak&pid=187110606

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.

* * *

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?

* * *

HOW TO POST OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments – below my signature block.

* * *

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of December 12, 2020, there are 132 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 13 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals.

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2020, No.02 – Lurch Speaks!

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 timewasters.

To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com

* * *

LURCH SPEAKS!

So . . . . query:

How does THIS…

Become THIS…

And THIS…

And yet… evolve into THIS???

One of the great, great, great ATO Brothers is MARK “LURCH” HEKTNER. I have tried many times over the years to reach him, or “awaken the beast” as they say– but every email attempt yielded only an “automated reply”…sort of like:

“Mr. Hektner is out of the office (peon), but Mr. Hektner will return on (some future date, if you are lucky enough to warrant his attention)…”

Mark, I am not a fan of automated replies, but a big Lurch fan nevertheless.

Well - spank the Rain Man - Lurch actually sent me a reply:

“So, I never have any meaningful communication with you? Here you go--me (edited), swaging and styling at Bill's daughter's beachside wedding at the Breakers hotel a few years ago. The following year was a close repeat when Bill got married to Terry at the Sailfish Club. Who is that self-important man?

Respectfully,
Mark W. Hektner, Esquire

Mark, great to hear from you, we love you and many of our guys want to see you in person, looks like 2021 could be the year.

* * *

ATO REUNION CHAIR TISON KEEL - REPORT 2020

By Tison Keel

In case word has not reached one and all, your worthy reunion chairman is sad to report that the 45th reunion of Vandy class of 1975 has been "postponed" by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the usual campus-wide festivities are now delayed until some yet undetermined date in the fall of 2021, the football season is doubtful, and the plague probably unrelenting, I am recommending that we do NOT attempt a foolhardy and reckless ATO-only gathering of the kind recently held in Tulsa. On the bright side, if in fact things get more under control by Q4 2021 we will have an opportunity for a dual reunion, classes of 1975 and 1976, with a potentially record-breaking turnout.

While I had just gotten started on corralling our classmates for the 2020 event, I was happy to report that there was high interest in participating from a Brother not seen on campus by his peers since 1985, when he was accompanied by his father and VU class of 1950, Smokey Stover; furthermore, he was potentially to be accompanied by mom Juanita, Ward Belmont College alumna famed for Tic House revelry when she visited us in 1974. Hopefully, His Honor EARL STOVER will still feel like participating in 2021 and that Juanita will be as spry as ever and will join us too.

I had so far failed to get a commitment from CHET BREWER, but I had not surrendered on that front.

Otherwise, I was counting on attendance by BUCK BILLER, VINNY STARR and LARRY BOZINO SIMONS,

and a cameo appearance by J.D. STRICKLAND, as usual.

JACK MUENCH, being a class-straddling alum graduating in the fall of 1974, was also invited and a hoped-for participant,

and MATT "Quien Sabe" BLANKENSHIP was on my hit list,

as was CLYDE DONUTS NOEL.

Recent reunion appearances gave some hope for seeing LEAPIN' GENE YOUNG,

as well as JEFF OVERBY. Attempts to locate Bob "Mole" Lichtenstein were unfruitful.

A combined 75-76 gathering offers the potentials for gathering in 1976 greats like STARVIN' ART LANDRY, DR Flower, Jimmy Grissett,

FRANK COLLINS and who knows what other luminaries might show?

So, we will reboot, go back into isolation, and hope that all of the ATO Brotherhood (based upon eternal and immutable principles) remain healthy through the next, trying phase of the Plague of 2020.

VTL!

Tison

* * *

“MICKEY-D” TELLS THE SORDID TALE OF . . .

TICK-A-LORS AT WOMEN’S PRISON

When the mass “Check-in” email went around back in March, to check in with everyone in the wake of COVID-19 crisis, a few of the guys used the opportunity to share old memories. A few such fellows were CRAIG WEBER, aka “Little Droop” ATO Class of 79, DAVID McDONALD, aka “Mickey-D” ATO Class of 79, and MARTY HEFLIN, ATO Class of 80, who shared this:

CRAIG "LITTLE DROOP" WEBER: “…. On another somewhat lighter note, does anyone have any photos from the infamous (and well-attended) ATO dance at the TN State Women's prison?? (circa 1978).

Little Droop

DAVID McDONALD: “I can elaborate regarding the 1978 Tic dance at the Tennessee Women’s Prison. I was having a brew at the Overcup Oak in Fall 1978 and in conversation with the student sitting next to me, well those guys are pretty crazy at the ATO house, would you guys want to have a dance at the TN Women’s prison? As Worthy Chaplain, I saw the opportunity to continue our compassionate outreach ministry and said, “yeah, why not?” We took about 50 guys there with huge speakers and they only allowed about 30 into a large cafeteria. Then maybe 100 women came in, the music started, and the boogying began. I recall conversation with an attractive young woman whose boyfriend had shot someone in a convenience store as they were driving south towards FL. She got to spend several years in TN as an accomplice to murder. This was way before phone cameras, and I do not recall seeing a camera there or any photos of the event.

As I said goodbye to the young woman and walked with her out of the cafeteria, I realized I was suddenly beyond the guards and in a grassy courtyard headed toward the lockdown cells. I turned back toward the free world.”

David McDonald

MARTY HEFLIN: “David - I remember it well! Held on to the Hustler because NO ONE would believe we actually did this!”

(And Marty had the picture to prove it, and has shared it with the Blog, BIG, BIG THANKS TO MARTY, MICKEY-D and LITTLE DROOP!)

* * *

THE EMAIL THREAD TO END ALL THREADS!

There were SO many great comments that came from that COVID check-in email, a few brothers have requested the entire thread be IMMORTALIZED on the Blog. There were simply too many responses to include, but here are a few of the interesting responses regarding the Women’s Prison Adventure: