Beta-Pi-Blog: 2024

Monday, December 9, 2024

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2024, No.04 – Reunion 2024 Recap

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

* * *

REUNION 2024 RECAP!

We had a great turnout!

Round of applause for 1974 Point Man

JEFF PEROUT!

Thank you Jeff, it was great reconnecting with you, and thanks for your efforts in herding the cats.

YOU WON’T F'IN BELIEVE THIS ONE!

This will be hard to believe, but I swear it’s true, and CHRIS “THE GREEK” REGAS and JEFF PEROUT were there and can attest. This crazy antic literally tops any of the legendary antics of FRANK BILLER or MATT HART.

A little background. The day before, I had received an email from ATO National President Wynne Smiley, announcing that Beta Pi Chapter was in serious trouble, and the House would be locked during Homecoming Weekend, and all it said was “Alcohol Infringement.”

So, I go to the House at 1:30 on Friday as planned, expecting the ATO House to be locked. CHRIS REGAS and JEFF PEROUT were there. We tried the door, and IT OPENED!

Inside the House there were 3 or 4 Actives. We all shook hands. So I said

“We heard the ATO’s are in trouble, what happened? What did you guys do to get in so much trouble?”

This one Active (name withheld to protect the not-so-innocent) said proudly:

“We had an off-campus party, we were playing a Drinking Game called

“JOHNNY-HOT-ASS” … I have a video of it!”

He proudly pulled out his phone and played the video. I viewed this video, along with Greek and Perout.

The game involves two guys, standing 4 yards apart. Each guy lowers his pants slightly revealing his “plumber’s crack” – the players standing facing away from each other, each with a Beer in hand…. Innocent so far, yeah or nay?

The Referee then takes 4 yards of Toilet Paper, and tucks the Toilet paper into the Plumber’s Crack of each player, so the 4 yards of Toilet Paper is stretched between them.

Are you ready for this? The video shows the Referee lighting the Toilet Paper – right in the middle of the Toilet Paper, at the 2 yard point. The Toilet Paper burns and the flame races toward each player.

THE OBJECT: each Player has to finish downing his Beer in time enough to put out the FIRE! He who gets burned loses. THE CROWD GOES WILD!!

As you can imagine these 2 guys reaching, flailing behind themselves SWATTING out the flames. The room was full of partiers, all cheering this FIRE HAZARD on! It was, in some ways, like "a happening", a work of art.

NOW, tell me! Am I right? This antic makes the infringements we were a party to PALE by comparison.

I said “What will happen to you, to the Chapter?” He said he was being suspended from Vanderbilt, and ATO National had permanently revoked his Brother status.

NATIONAL DE-BROTHERED HIM! He said the Chapter would be on probation.

I asked him how he felt about it. He said “No big deal.” And smiled. “If the University lets me back in, I’ll just hang out as a “Social Affiliate”.”

For a split second, I wondered if this young man was the illegitimate son of

the notorious FRANK BILLER or ….

the Abominable Doctor Phibes?

Buck, and Matt, I wish you guys could have been here to see that guy and his video. I told PEROUT, that guy is EXACTLY the kind of guy we would have Pledged.

* * *

ANNUAL TRIP TO VISIT ALEX & LAURA’S GRAVES

This year, it was just me and JEFF PEROUT. Greek had family obligations, but sent his love.

After our Reading of the Names, and sharing fondest memories of Alex and Laura, we went to the nearby Memorial to the 20,133 Who Served as United States Colored Troops in the Union Army, dedicated in 2003.

I think Alex would have really liked this Memorial.

FRIDAY EVENING DINNER AT BRICKTOPS

Actually, Buck had picked this spot, and at the last minute Buck had to cancel because of a complication with eye surgery, his Doctor advised him not to travel. I thought… that might be the only time Buck ever followed sensible advise! We missed you Buck.

Vinny couldn't make it this year because of travel plans. Vinny planned a "once-in-a-lifetime trip" to the Arctic- one of eight such trips he takes every year. Vinny's motto: "Once is never enough!"

We missed you Vin! This year was the first Reunion in memory where both Buck and Vinny couldn't make it.

Jeff & Katherine Perout

Katherine Perout, and Kenny Linden

My wife ANN and I had a nice dinner with JEFF PEROUT and his lovely wife KATHERINE, and that All-Time-Great KEN “HARPO” LINDEN!

TAILGATE

The Vanderbilt Tailgate was great, mainly because ROTIER'S had a Booth selling Cheeseburgers on French Bread. DE-LISH!

I ran into JIM CORDNER at the Tailgate, but somehow the picture we took didn't turn out. Always great to see you Jim!

Same thing with ABER, the picture didn't turn out! I did manage to heavily lobby ABER to attend our Dinner.

HOMECOMING GAME

We had the honor of having KEN “HARPO” LINDEN sit with us. The game was hard fought… and I wish Buck had been here to join us. Buck is our Sports Guy, and I would not pretend to be qualified to write about the Game. I will say, we went in with very high hopes. . . and kept hoping during the first Quarter . . . and then . . . well.

Kenny Linden and Larry Simons

ANNUAL ATO DINNER & COCKTAIL PARTY

This year was a much better turnout than last year, and the fellowship was outstanding! So we are calling it a success.

Here is a shot of JOHN “BOSS” STEIN and CHRIS “THE GREEK” REGAS

Gene Young, Larry Simons, John Stein, Chris Regas.

“LEAPIN” GENE YOUNG surprised us, he called me day before and said he’s coming. Gene, you made my day, great to see you Bro’.

Jeff Perout, Katherine Perout, Wendy Regas and Ann Polk Simons

Jim Cordner and Kenny Linden

Kenny Linden and Chris Regas

John Stein and Jim Cordner

Jim Cordner and Travis Parr

Jim Cordner, Kenny Linden and John Stein

Chris and Wendy Regas; Travis and Peggy Parr; (back), Gene Young, Jeff Perout, Ann Simons

John Stein and George Abernathy

Something Aber said must have gotten John agitated? Aber surprised us and showed up, after much lobbying.

Travis Parr and Rena Dabne Sartain. An historic reunion of two of the All-Time-Greats.

JEANNE “CRAZY LEGGS” URICH was with us, and somehow we failed to get a picture of her, my bad. This is from 2019.

FRANK COLLINS was all set to travel, but Frank called me day-of, his Flight got rescheduled, making it impossible to attend any events. Frank, we missed you Bro! It means a lot that you made the effort!

JACK MUENCH couldn’t make it due to serious medical problems with his back. I tried to arrange a Face-Time Video Call with Jack, so the Gang could all talk to him, but our attempts failed. Jack, we missed you Bro!

DOUG "FOTCH" CAMPBELL had planned to attend, but had to cancel due to family obligations. Doug, we all missed you! Next year I hope you'll attend. We'd love to reconnect with you.

HERB LADLEY had planned to attend, and tried to make it happen, but work obligations for Reunion Weekend forced him to cancel. Herb, I hope you'll plan on joining us next year, it will be my 50th, I know all of the guys in my Class want to see you. Be there! Aloha!

AMERIGO! Our venue for the Dinner was at Amerigo, very close to Campus, great food, and they did an excellent job and took good care of us. We’ll be having our Annual Dinner at Amerigo next year!

* * *

KEEPING TABS:

Here is a reminder of the brothers and sisters we have lost.

CLAUDE CARR CODY, IV, died February 8, 2022.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol. 2022, No. 01

Obituary:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/claude-cody-obituary?id=32988710

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

Obituary: https://www.nashvillefuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/james-blankenhorn

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 9, 2024, there are 136 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 15 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals.

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2024, No.03 – New Stooge Feature!

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

photo by Clark Thomas

pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other timewasters.

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

* * *

REUNION 2024 UPDATE!

That old Song comes to mind “When the Saints Come Marching In” . . .

except I am changing the lyric . . .

When the Greats! come - mar-ching in!

Jeff Perout at Wags Wagner's Party

We are looking good! With the help of JEFF PEROUT, we can look forward to a fine core group.

Slated to attend are the following Greats:

Rena, with her dog Winky!

RENA DABNE “THE STEAK” SARTAIN. I texted Rena yesterday, and rather than text back she called me! Rena is 100% YES to our ATO Dinner! And she tells me she and Jeanne volunteered to call other 1974 grads to encourage attendance at the VU Reunion. Rena, great to hear your voice, looking forward to being with you! Thank you so much for sending us these great pictures!

JEANNE “CRAZY LEGGS” URICH. Jeanne came to our event in 2019, and we had lots of fun. See you there Jeanne!

JEFF PEROUT. Jeff is our Point Man 74. Jeff is pumped, manning the phones, pounding the pavement, following the leads, solving the mysteries (and it is no exaggeration to say ATO 1974 has a lot of mystery men) – Jeff thank you for all of your help in rounding up the stray slackers.

CHRIS “THE GREEK” REGAS. Chris texted me he is on this, and – this made my day- almost certainly Greek will attend. Chris, you simply must attend, we love you bro!

TRAVIS “T” PARR. T Parr was the first to swiftly and decisively commit to our annual ATO Dinner. The MIGHTY T! I think I can say this, T Parr is the very spirit of our Brotherhood! So great that you are attending bro!

JIM CORDNER. Jim came to our event in 2019, and we had a great time. Jim, I am so glad you are onboard, looking forward to it!

HERB LADLEY. I got a text from Herb, he wants to attend and is trying to rearrange his schedule to make it happen. A “maybe” from Herb made my day! Someone tell me how great it will be to see Herb again, after all these years??

JOHN “BOSS” & BETH STEIN. Over the years, Boss has dropped in on our annual ATO Dinner, he has been very supportive of the Blog! Last year he was Point Man 73 and we had a great time! Boss, glad you and Beth are committed to this, it will be one of our best!

KEN “HARPO” LINDEN. Two weeks ago I talked to Kenny, aka Harpo, he said “I am 90%.” Yesterday I got a text from Kenny . . . he is 100% committed! YES!! Kenny, your pal Frank Biller will be ecstatic, and me too!

FRANK “BUCK” BILLER. Buck has been a rock, always ready with support and ideas. Buck, I love you bro, you are my closest and dearest friend!

STEVEN “VINNY” STARR. Vinny . . . you are the Third Stooge, and it is safe to say you are the glue that keeps the Stooges together. Just one favor . . . answer your frickin’ phone! I like this picture of Vinny . . . it reminds me of Norman Bates.

LARRY “BOZO” & ANN SIMONS. Ann is such a good sport to attend these things. Ann and I are looking forward to being with you all.

J.D. STRICKLAND. J.D., I love you bro, but I can never get you on the phone, so I never know if you will show. Did Vinny’s bad habit rub off on you? J.D. we won’t take no for an answer.

So . . .we have a solid core group attending, and hoping for more!

AGENDA! These are our 2 events. Be there, Aloha:

Visit Alex & Laura’s Graves at National Cemetery. On Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., we meet at the House and caravan to the National Cemetery to visit Alex & Laura’s graves. We say words about Alex & Laura, but also words about every Brother who is deceased. This event has been moving for guys, and proved to be most popular.

The Annual ATO Dinner & Cocktail Party. This happens Saturday evening, after the Homecoming Game, usually 7:30 p.m.

* * *

NEW STOOGE FEATURE

So, as it happened . . . last year at Reunion, Buck and I and Vinny were driving on our way to visit Alex & Laura’s Graves. As usual, Buck rambles on, and on, and frickin’ on . . . to get a rise out of Vinny. Vinny, as you know, has never let any single thing get under his tight-ass skin. (Vinny’s self image is that of James Bond, cool and collected). To me, all this was, just as it has always been, quite amusing.

So, I told them “Cut the Bullshit! I want to brainstorm about ways to get more guys to come back.”

Vinny said, in his typically vague and aloof manner - “Larry, I think you need to widen the scope on the blog, try to get guys from other Classes, not just the reuning classes.” I said “Vinny, we already do that, you a-hole.”

Buck chimed in with an idea. . . “Do a feature to get guys to say who they wish would come back.”

As I have said many times, Buck is an idea man, he has great ideas. But while Buck has lots of great ideas, he leaves it up to someone else to execute on them, to put it politely.

So, Buck, I was thinking about you, and your idea, 10 months later, and morphed it into a Three Stooges Feature. It is now our idea. The idea is that each of the Stooges will write up to 200 words about a Brother (or Sister) from Class of 74, or other Class, who he wishes would come back to Reunion.

I promptly Texted Buck and Vinny about this, and they are on board. So, without further “to-do” . . . Beta Pi Blog presents a new Feature . . . entitled

THE STOOGES REUNION WISH LIST

VINNY’S WISH LIST

FOTCH!

For the Class of '74 Reunion (the ATO Quinq Reunion!) I wish that the great DOUG CAMPBELL (Fotch) would show up. One of the few guys who could be silly at the Tales table and yet radiate seriousness on most other occasions, it would be great to see him again, if only to see what size (if any) beard he has. I remember once at the Tales table he gave a mini-lecture on his favorite authors. The only one I remember is Ford Maddox Ford. Maybe if he shows up I could give him the name of one of my favorite authors!

Photo courtesy of Rena

STIMPIE

You know who I would really like to see at the Class of '74 (ATO Quinq) Reunion? ANN SIMPSON, better known as Stimpie, or even better known as Matt (don't call me Hart) Hart's squeeze. Mostly I remember her as a very unwilling Wales Tales Wench, but hey, seeing as how in our recent Reunion Tales events, we have relaxed some of the rules and let women play, maybe she could join the table. I would volunteer to wench for her!

T. McCOWN

For the Class of '74 Reunion (the ATO Quinq Reunion!) I would love to see the honorable T. (THOMAS) McCOWN. He was president of the fraternity and always had some sage advice given with a little bit of sarcasm. He was a fun guy and led us through some epic times at the fraternity. I have no idea where he is or what he is doing (was/is he a doctor?), but it would be great so see him and find out!

Respectfully submitted,

Vinnie Starr '75 ILAMATOB

BUCK’S WISH LIST

Pierce at "The Crossroads" at our "BYOG" Bash in Clarksdale

PIERCE HODNETTE

One of my favorite guys from ‘74 was PIERCE HODNETTE. As I recall Pierce was a bit of a wordsmith. I read a couple of Mark Twain books during my school days and heard some cool words in his writing like nefarious, scallywag and rapscallion. To my delight I recall Pierce (after copious amounts of beverages) occasionally going on a rant in which he spoke in rather formal stilted 1800’s style language and used the same words as Mr. Clemens to describe various unsavory gentlemen who were no friends to the ATO’s. I distinctly recall someone called “Nefarious Wilson” that I always thought was a Mark Twain character. After 45 seconds of intense research on Google I found a character called Puddin’ Head Wilson but no one known as “Nefarious”. I am wondering if I mixed up Twain with one of Pierce’s rants. Perhaps we were discussing D.W. Wilson?

Now if Pierce were to show up at Reunion this year we could clear this all up….

CHET BREWER

I miss my friend CHET BREWER. We all learned many things from the people we knew at Vandy. I was a naive Midwesterner when I came to Nashville. I had never met anyone like Chet and I feel fortunate to have known him. I have often wondered how his life turned out and would love to hear his story and share mine.

BOZO’S WISH LIST

HERB LADLEY

The number one on my Reunion Wish List is HERB LADLEY. Something I really admired about Herb was his reserve, he was a man of few words. He commanded great respect because he was a true gentleman, and he was a kind, respectful man. Of course, he was also respected for his Wales Tales abilities, he was always Prince at every game he played. But that wasn't the only reason why guys respected him.

I got to know Herb more closely when he volunteered to act as my Trainer for “The Fight.” We all knew the whole thing was more “for show” and for fun. But I told Herb that Buck said he thought we’d just drink the beers and swing at each other several rounds. I told Herb I actually wanted to train, because I wanted to win. And Herb took me seriously, and was a great help. Being taken seriously was important to me then, because I was the Fraternity “Bozo” and no one took me seriously.

Herb, I miss you my friend. I hope you will come back this Reunion, I would love to see you. And I know there are many of our Brothers who also want to see you. Love you bro.

* * *

KEEPING TABS:

Here is a reminder of the brothers and sisters we have lost.

CLAUDE CARR CODY, IV, died February 8, 2022.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol. 2022, No. 01

Obituary:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/claude-cody-obituary?id=32988710

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

* * *

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

* * *

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of September 21, 2024, there are 136 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 15 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals.

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72