Beta-Pi-Blog: 2021

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.04 – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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 & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This Santa Ornament was needle-pointed by my mom, who we lost to pancreatic cancer in 2000. She put so much love into this gift, and I miss her dearly.

It seems like every year I hear someone complain that Christmas has become too commercialized (it has, and I say it myself), and that we have forgotten “the true meaning of Christmas” (yeah…commercialization sort of drowns that out, yes?) – but this is not a sermon. There are reasons why we “give” at Christmas, reasons why we decorate our Christmas trees, reasons why we go to be with family and friends. We give love and receive love. The friends I have made in ATO are my closest and dearest friends in the world, and so to all my ATO Brothers and Gal-pals, I love you and wish you the happiest and safest of Christmases.

Merry Christmas from Beta Pi Blog!

* * *

NEWLY DISCOVERED PICTURES OF ALEX

One of my wife Ann's best friends, Judy Burger, knew Alexander Wilson, but not through Vanderbilt. During summers, Alex served as Cook for Easter Seal Camp, and Judy gave us these group pictures of Alex's participation 1971, 1972 and 1973:

Judy is second row seated, far right. Alex's daughter Laura is in back row, 5th from left

Judy said Alex's food was great...we certainly knew that. So great to see others who benefited from Alex's cooking and his love. Thanks to our friend Judy Burger for sharing these pictures with us.

* * *

THE RETURN OF THE THREE STOOGES

Recently, Vinny had a great idea – a “Stooge Reunion!” And since all three of us had been fully vaccinated, we decided to do it. So, Vinny and Buck flew in on November 12th, and we had a great weekend. Here are some highlights:

Here we are in Vinny's Presidential Suite at Lowe's Vanderbilt. As George Simons used to say "1-C." Later that evening I drove Buck to Motel 6 to check him in (kidding - Buck stayed at my house where he has a permanent guest room reservation).

Saturday we walked on Campus

Vinny wanted to actually kiss the Chancellor's foot, but couldn't make the climb.

This is the rear entrance of Kirkland, where Buck led us in "The Kirkland Breakin" -freshman antics - there used to be a overhang landing, Buck convinced me to follow him, we climbed up the downspout, onto the overhang and through an open window. Why? To ring the Bell of course. True story. You can see on the brick where they removed the overhang. DOH!

The ATO's had a party in their new "mini back-yard." Check out all the beverage stains on the new concrete patio!

With Castle Von Zeppo just feet away.

Walk out the door of Castle Von Zeppo to a HIP-HOP EXTRAVAGANZA, what could be better?

This guy was not an ATO, but he loved to be photographed, with us - as it turned out.

You know . . . there was (and is) this pandemic thing still happening, so I wore my mask (do I look like Dr. F**king-Jeckyl, or what?

Buck busy making new friends.

Vinny met this guy, an ATO Active, I forget his name, but a great guy. Vinny said hurry up, I'm tired, then proceeded to doze off, right as I snapped the picture.

Saturday night Dinner at Jimmy Kelly's, a Stooge tradition.

My lovely wife Ann Polk Simons joined us!

Sunday we visited Alex & Laura's grave. In the Union Cemetary, there is a custom . . .

. . . the wife's name appears on the back side of the soldier's headstone. . .

. . . husband and wife are buried together. I really like that tradition.

We talked about Alex and Laura, how much they loved us, how much we loved them . . .

. . . and about our favorite foods Alex and Laura made for us . . .

. . . Buck's was Vienna Sausage a/k/a "Pony Peckers". . .

. . .Vinny's was Hollandaise Sauce (Laura gave him the recipe). . .

. . . mine was Beef Tips. . .

Alex and Laura made a huge impression on our lives, it was so great to visit. . .

It was such a beautiful Autumn day, check out the beautiful Autumn colors.

A good time was had by all! Vinny and Buck, thank you so much for making the trip! I love my ATO Brothers!

* * *

FROM CLAUDE CODY

Claude sent me this picture . . . of a recent visit he had with JOHN “BOSS” STEIN, to celebrate John’s 70^th birthday. (Claude did not give me the names of the other fellows.) Thanks Claude, great to hear from you!

Happy Birthday John…you don’t look a day over….70, and you guys both look great! What I'd like to know is how come Boss has a thick healthy-looking crop of hair on his head, and Buck is nearly bald? A mystery.

* * *

OOO-KLA-HOMA WHERE THE WIND WILL BITE YOU IN THE ASS!

I got a nice text message from my old guitar-pal MATT BLANKENSHIP. . .

"Hey I'm thinking of you buddy. Just fueled up outside of Fort Sill."

Yeah, Fort Sill, for those who may not know, I was stationed at Fort Sill in the Artillery School during my U.S. Army stint 1975 - 1977. It is true, every word, the wind actually does come "ripping across the plains" - it is the coldest-ass wind I ever experienced. Matt, thanks for the memory, I hope you don't run out of gas in Oklahoma again!

* * *

POETRY CORNER:

I want to share a poem with you. So many Christmas-themed poems are full of syrup and sweetness, and we get deluged with all that, everywhere we turn, as if we need reminding. So a winter-themed poem seemed right.

So, I found a Wallace Stevens poem that suits the way I feel today, and as you might guess it is not sweetness and syrup. These days, it feels very much like we are in survival mode, which I think is akin to what is being discussed in this poem, what Stevens calls the “mind of winter.”

It is said that Wallace Stevens worked by day as an Insurance Agent and got up early at 4:30 a.m. each day to write, before he went to work. Determination.

The Snow Man

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

Wallace Stevens – 1879-1955

* * *

KEEPING TABS:

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

DAVID W. HAINES, JR., died January 17, 2021.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01

ROBERT LOUIS CROSSLEY, JR., died October 24, 2019.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.03.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/knoxnews/name/robert-crossley-obituary?pid=194272149

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 22, 2021, 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, August 14, 2021

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.03 – Tison Keel & Frank Collins Update

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

* * *

ZEPPO-CALYPSE NOW!

A heap of rubble, where our Carmichael Towers used to be.

“The horror….the horror.”

Here is a view - from the heap of rubble- of the “The Hugh G. Rection Memorial Tower.”

I have made no secret of my disdain for the massive building campaign (and corresponding massive demolition campaign) which is the repulsive legacy of Von Zeppo. I am recalling the Chancellor’s address several years back, when Von Zeppo casually told us that - in his opinion, Carmichael Towers looked like “Soviet-era tenement buildings”, and his tone was so arrogant and condescending. As I sat there, I tried to imagine how our time living in Carmichael Towers had any resemblance to living in a Soviet Era Tenement building whatsoever.

I have a very different memory of the Towers, I shared a Suite with my best friend Frank Biller, and other friends J.D. Strickland and Chuck Rapp. The Towers were very cool, many students wanted to live there. Our suite was nice, much nicer than the spartan quarters in Kissam Quad. I have wonderful memories of Carmichael Towers, in the basement level was The Good Woman Pub, I had many good times there. Ann Polk Simons, whom I dated at the time, and am now married to - used to work there. Unrelated to Ann, there is another story, a true story which has never been told, until now.

My Good Woman Story…..

THE GOOD WOMAN, THE BAD TICK-A-LOR,

AND THE UGLY NO-NECK BETA.

I was thirsty, I walked into The Good Woman Pub, drank a few beers. An ATO buddy was at the Foosball Table, the game had not begun, and I started talking to him. On the other side of the table was a rather squatty Beta, pudgy with no neck and an obvious chip on his shoulder. He was not that short - just a few inches shorter than my 5' 10" - but he looked short, because he had no neck. He was "twirling" the Foosball handles, anxious to start. (Don’t get me wrong, I like Beta’s, my grandfather was a Beta, I was a Beta legacy and they offered me a Bid, but I turned it down in favor of ATO).

I am standing there talking with my friend, and this Beta guy makes a “Flick-away-shoo-fly” motion at me with his hand, he was clearly telling me to “beat it.” A provocation! And, he had an arrogant smirk on his face.

Well, this was post Fight Night, and I was also a student of Tae Kwon Do, safe to say I could not simply bow to him and say “Namaste”.

So, I said to my buddy “Who is this Beta Troll?” (I had to edit the actual slanderous name I called him, but “Troll” gives you the idea.”)

The no-neck Beta angrily threw up his hands and yelled “What did you say?”

I said “I just called you a Beta Troll.”

So, he said “Ok, you and me…OUTSIDE!”

So, I calmly walked up to him (and positioned myself) and said

“We don’t need to go outside, lets settle this right here.”

He looked at me, hesitating, not knowing what to do. There was a favorite punch I had learned in Tae Kwon Do. You start with fist at your waist, and the punch vector goes straight up to head height. Your target is 3 inches behind the face. Call it "The Face-Lift." So, I gave him that as a little gift, and he landed square on his arrogant no-neck ass.

Immediately, the Good Woman Bouncer abducted me, and ushered me out, saying “YOU ARE BANNED FROM THE GOOD WOMAN FOREVER.” I told him that I had been provoked, that the Beta started it, but he did not care to hear my side.

The story is not over. I went up to the Suite and told Buck what I had done. I was worried.

“Buck, what am I going to do. Once this Beta Troll tells his brothers, I will be a marked man.”

Buck said “Larry, we have to go down there right now, and face the guy, you have to apologize. I’ll be right by your side.” The word “apology” did not sound good, but I agreed. Buck and I went to The Good Woman, I opened the door and asked to speak to the Manager. Manager comes out, still pissed at me.

“I want to talk to the Beta guy I hit, I want to apologize.” So, Beta guy comes out, looking a little sheepish.

“I am sorry I hit you, I shouldn’t have done that.”

He said “That’s ok”” (as if it didn’t hurt) – “I heard you are into Boxing. I’d like to meet you in The Gym, with Gloves.”

I said “Ok, you name the time.” We shook hands and left. After that, I saw no-neck on Campus many times, but never once did he name a time.

TO MY FRIEND BUCK: Thank you for being there for me and encouraging me to face the guy and apologize.

BONUS FANTASY ENDING: I have a fantasy version of the ending, here is how my fantasy version goes:

Buck and I go down to The Good Woman, I knock, and the Beta Troll comes out, but this time he is not sheepish, and says,

“What do YOU want, D**K-HEAD?”

and I say “So…you wanted to meet outside, well…here I AM, YOU NO-NECK BETA TROLL B**TARD!”

and I dish up the DOUBLE FACE LIFT on the no-neck Troll’s miserable face… BOOM, BOOM! There, that feels better.

I have great memories, and the demolition cannot take those away. But the demolition still sucks, and I am not at all fond of Castle Von Zeppo and the phallic tower that is the Von Zeppo legacy.

* * *

J.D. STRICKLAND CHECKS IN

I called J.D., we talked for an hour, because J.D., as you know, always has a lot to say, and I love it. J.D. is well, and very concerned about COVID, he is taking all precautions, and then some. He is practicing social distancing, masking and encourages everyone to get vaccinated. J.D., like me, is not pleased with all the construction at VU. J.D. is retired, in Cullman, and is an active cyclist. J.D., as always looking forward to seeing you.

* * *

THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS “FUR”

I called and had a very nice talk with Fur Wheeler. Fur and I reminisced about old times, and various Ticks.

Fur brought up Louis Crossley, with whom he had been very close over the years. I told him of a recent text message I got from Jack Muench several months back, telling me he had heard Louis died. This was news to Fur, and he looked up Louis’ Obituary and sent it to me that very day, here is the link.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/knoxnews/name/robert-crossley-obituary?pid=194272149

Thanks to Johnny Wheeler for finding Louis’ Obituary. And thanks to Jack Muench for the info.

* * *

FRANK “BUCK” BILLER REPORTS

For those that are contemplating coming back for Homecoming.

“My Dear Friends,

I came across this Walt Whitman quote that applies to all remembrances that matter in our lives:

“We were together. I forget the rest.”

I am sobbing like a School Girl right now thinking about my time at Vandy and my lovely friends who were there with me.

Please join us this Fall that we might again be together.

VTL,

Buck”

Being a Walt Whitman fan, I responded to Buck:

“Thanks Buck, will do. That quote sounded nothing like Whitman (of whom I am a huge fan) - so I took the liberty of fact checking it. Here is the actual quote:

“Day by day and night by night we were together,

all else has long been forgotten by me.”

From “Once I Pass’ d Through a Populous City.”

"So apparently the quote you found was a “modern translation”…..yeah. And if you don’t mind, I much prefer the actual quote. Funny though, how even a modern version of it is very powerful. If you were moved by that, check out the poems he wrote during the Civil War. He volunteered to tend to the wounded in field hospitals.”

* * *

REUNION 2021 UPDATE:

Our esteemed Reunion Chairs Tison Keel and Frank Collins sent me this:

“ATO Reunion Chairs for the Classes of 1975 and 1976, T. Keel & F. Collins met for an intense 2-day planning session at a secret mystic location in the northeast U.S. Expect an unmatched reunion experience; a splendid time is guaranteed for all attendees. Get the shots and show up in October! VTL! ILAMATOB!”

Despite the Delta Variant, and increased fears, I have heard no change in Vanderbilt’s plans for Homecoming 2021. As far as I know, it will still be October 22-23, 2021, a joint Reunion to make up for the lost Reunion of 2020, a joint reunion of our Class of 1975 and 1976, and 1970 and 1971 (we have only a few guys from 71 on radar); and Class of 1980 (the year of infamous Rod Yanker) and 1981 (we have no one from 81 on radar).

I am following the lead of Tison Keel and Frank Collins, and I encourage everyone to mask up and get vaccinated. We can do our part, and at Reunion this might contribute a little bit to some sense of safety.

The Agenda:

Vanderbilt Reunion this fall will be Friday, October 22-23. I hope you can make it.

Friday afternoon, 1:30 p.m. we will visit Alex and Laura Wilson’s graves.

Friday night - Vanderbilt Class parties, and All Class Party in the Big Tent.

Saturday VU Tailgate, Homecoming Game, TBA

Our annual ATO Cocktail and Dinner Party at Cabana, after the Game Saturday evening, TBA.

“. . . .it will be beautiful!”

At our ATO Party this fall, and all of our ATO events, we will be observing CDC Guidelines.

* * *

KEEPING TABS:

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

DAVID W. HAINES, JR., died January 17, 2021.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01

ROBERT LOUIS CROSSLEY, JR., died October 24, 2019.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.03.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/knoxnews/name/robert-crossley-obituary?pid=194272149

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.

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 August 14, 2021, 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