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

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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!

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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?

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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.

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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. 

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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:  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.  

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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 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