Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2025, No.03 – FINAL BLOG ISSUE!

Beta Pi: 

HEADS UP. . . this is the “final” issue of Beta-Pi-Blog . . . I am retiring. Thank the Greek Gods and Godesses! 

     *      *     *

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

*      *      *

So my dear friends, the Beta-Pi-Blog must end.  

Like everything else, it must end. It has been my privilege and honor to write it these past years.  I love to write, and love the Blog, but I am a full-time poet now, focusing on my poetry “book 3”.

ALL of the issues past will remain in “The Archives” on line, there will simply be no “new” issues... with a few exceptions.

I have agreed to help Frank Collins and Charly McGibbony promote next year’s ATO Reunion 2026, and fully intend on attending their ATO Events. 

To all of my dear friends who have given me fun and moral support, you have my love and my thanks. 

To the very few of the ATO’s whom I have pissed off (and there have been a few. . . I know how to make enemies, I have made more than my share of enemies after 37 years as a trial lawyer), you Tiks also have my love and my thanks.  

Being a lawyer was my “day job”… as you may know I quit my day job August 1^st of this year.  Now, the “Blog” is finished.

Be well all of you.

 *      *      *

 

TISON KEEL, STILL AT THE WHEEL, PART 3!

Tison has been, hands down, our best “Point Man”. 

Tison, thank you for all you did to make this year the best ever ATO Annual Dinner!

 

OUR ANNUAL TRIP TO ALEX & LAURA’S GRAVES - FRIDAY

First, we met at the House.  Very well attended, at the House we made a few pictures, met a few Actives.

Then we drove out to Nashville National Cemetery.  Alex was a Veteran.  An un-named “Blow-hard” spoke for way too long, therefore not everyone got to speak before it rained. 

And yet, we managed for almost all attendee’s to get to speak before a rain storm cut us short.

On the drive back to Campus, in my car were Frank & Mary Collins and Charley & Jan McGibbony, and we literally saw a beautiful RAINBOW.  . . . yeah.

Here are some pics:

 

THE VANDY TAILGATE – SATURDAY

It was a great Tailgate, we had Rotier's Burgers. 

VANDY vs. AUBURN HOMECOMING GAME

Great Game, I had to leave early to set up for the Dinner.  As you know, I am not a Sports Guy. . . so I make no attempt to bloviate on how great the Game was. . . but we heard it was "The Game to Beat All Games!" 

18^th ANNUAL ATO ANNUAL DINNER

We had the Dinner at Stoney River Steaks, it was the perfect venue.  I felt like the move from Amerigo to Stoney River was a complete miracle!

Some attended only the Cocktail Hour, including my lovely Ex-Girlfriend 

SALLY TUCKER JASPER. The above is a pic Sally sent me from back in the day.  Thanks Sally!

My son Andrew Simons, a very, very gifted guitarist, Bass Guitarist, String Bassist, and singer-songwriter entertained us during Cocktail Hour. Andrew played various 1970's era covers, including "Little Martha" by The Allman Brothers, a Chet Brewer favorite! Thanks to Andrew!

And my stepson William Hunt (a professional Sound Man) ran the Sound System, and his girl-friend Kelly McCarthy attended (sorry, I do not have a recent picture of William & Kelly).  Thanks to William for running Sound.

In attendance at THE 18^th ANNUAL ATO DINNER were the following (heads up): 

·       Tison Keel 

·        Frank & Mary Collins

·       Charley & Jan McGibbony

·       Frank “Buck” Biller

·       Steven “Vinny” Starr

·       Judge Earl Stover and Jan Stover

·       Chester “Chet” Brewer

·       Matt & Mimi Blankenship

·       Kenny “Harpo” Linden and Carol Linden

·       “Leapin” Gene Young

·       Jeff Perout & Katherine

·       Dr. Becky Denim

·       The Most Awesome Karen Degerberg

·       Doug & Kathy Martin

·       “GREEK-MAN” Chris Regas & Wendy Regas;  and

·       Larry & Ann Simons & Larry’s son Andrew Simons.

All totalled, we had 26 Dinner Guests, and the food was “outstanding.”  

AFTER OUR DINNER ORDERS WERE PLACED, and while we awaited FOOD . . . TISON READ A POEM, and while he read the poem there was a Slide Show.

The Slide Show cannot be reproduced here.  A video was made of the poem reading, but due to technical issues, that video cannot be reproduced here.  Try to read the Poem, and imagine the pictures - including "Fight Night" pics we used for the Show.

We were honored by George Joe's Wife Betsty Branscomb Joe, who sent me the Poem she composed, and I asked Tison to read it:

TO MEN AND TIMES OF BETA PI

Hip hip, hurray for days of old,

When fearsome events were rarely told

Of  now old men-but then young boys,

With no concern about safe toys.

 

That's right, the boys of Beta Pi

Would have Dean Potter come on by

For boxing matches long and scary

That damaged brains of Buck and Larry.

 

The guys were famed for booze and ales

And playing beer games of “Wales Tales.”

Alex and Laura Wilson did their best,

As innocence we all professed.

 

‘Twas clear when cash was running low,

As eggs and toast for supper’d flow.

Best of all was their advice

And initiating Alex was truly nice.

 

When food fights threatened to fill the air,

We'd call for Alex to say a prayer;

This served to quell the impending blitz

(And we'd drink more milk from " Iron Tits." )

 

Alex and Laura guided us most,

And helped dig holes for our Pig Roast.

Yet of  parties risking life and limb

Was Shipwreck -- oh what fun to swim !

 

We loved both jocks and bourgeoisie;

And who else dined with Heaven Lee?

With varied backgrounds in ATO Nation,

Our class STILL finished without probation!

 

So here's to ATO Beta Pi

Graduated in 1975...

Vanderbilt we here salute --

The greatest bunch one can't dispute. 

By Betsy Branscomb Joe A&S ‘74

      *       *       *

After Tison read the Poem - which got a "Standing Ovation" --  toasts were raised . . . I myself toasted with Iced Tea (myself clean & sober 34 years).  

A great event in "the Annals" as we used to say.

Alas, apparently no one took pictures at the Annual Dinner.  No matter, those who were there experienced a great time that cannot be expressed in photographs.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO CONTRIBUTORS . . .George Joe, Matt Hart, Herb Ladley and Gene Young who each sent money to cover any potential shortfall.

      *      *      *

SO . . . WHAT'S NEXT. . . FOR 2026?

Next year, FRANK COLLINS & CHARLEY McGIBBONY have agreed to be ATO CLASS OF 1976 REUNION COORDINATORS.  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. . .

This is our last “official” Beta-Pi-Blog issue, although there will be a few “random” blogs in 2026, to help Frank Collins and Charley McGibbony in 2026.

The following picture is my gag shot. . . "El Presidente" photo, in which I say a symbolic "Adios" to ATO Tik-a-lor Nation!

GOOD BYE YOU "MISERABLE MUGS!"

*      *      *

KEEPING TABS: 

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

GEORGE WEST CRAFTON, died June 18, 2025.  Obituary at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home..

Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home

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

MARK B. ROCKEY, died Sept. 27, 2020.

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

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.

*      *      *

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS:   As of November 12, 2025, there are 90 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 15 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 18 ATO Gal-Pals.

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

 

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2025, No.02 – ATO Class of 75 50th Reunion

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

*      *      *

You know something, there is an issue I want to set the record straight on. Two Brothers, over the years, Vinny Starr being one, and I will not name the other, have referred to the Reunion experience as being for “reliving the College experience."  Vinny once admitted to me and Buck that he never brings his wife to Reunions because he wants to “relive” his college days.  Each to his own.  He and Buck then proceed, every year, to drink each other under the table. Not me.  

As you may know, I am clean and sober now since June 1991, 34 years, the best years of my life. I am comfortable enough being around my friends who drink.  Drink all you want, just be who you are I say.

For the record, the Beta-Pi-Blog, that’s me, I am all about promoting the idea of "living in the here and now."  I write a lot in my poetry about “being in the moment.”  Yeah, I like to toss around memories as much as the next bastard, but I try very hard to balance that with living in the moment in my Blog.  

Hear that Buck, "Old Topper”.  

So, I like having women around.  When this Blog started 19 years ago, 

Matt Hart himself encouraged me to “invite the gal-pals.” So we do. And having the gals around makes life in the moment so much richer, Vinny.

Tison, thanks for inviting the Gal-Pals.

 *      *      *

POETRY CORNER

I don’t write about myself much in the blog. After this year I might continue Beta-Pi-Blog for a few years, there are guys in 76 and 77 that I want to write about. 

 After these years blogging about ATO, I thought I'd write about myself, here is a short history.  

I fell in love with poetry at CMA, Columbia Military Academy where I went to High School.  

The first poet who enchanted me was Walt Whitman.

At Vanderbilt I studied poetry and poetry writing.  (And played and sang and chased girls, using my songs to attract girls. Any guitar player who is honest will tell you the same.)  

Mr. James Seay, the Resident Poet who wore a patch over his eye, called my best poem “archetypal” and it was published in Versus. That was a very real moment of realization in my life. My poetry mattered. I was, as you might imagine, thrilled and more determined than ever to be a writer and Poet.  Writing. Doing what I loved, my passion.

I need to say, during my songwriting years, one of the greatest thrills I had was when my dear friend, Brother BEN PEDIGO, took me with him to John Hartford’s house (Gentle on My Mind). Ben was taking his music to John Hartford, I had the privilege of tagging along. I got to meet one of the greatest songwriters of our time, at his own house on the Cumberland River, thanks to my friend Ben.  Ben and I also co-wrote a song when I visited him in Atlanta. I will always remember your support and kindnesses Ben, and I will always treasure that you thought enough of my writing to co-write with me.  Also, thank you for turning me on to Emmy Lou Harris.

 

 

After college and my 2 years in the U.S. Army, in 1977 I moved to Nashville to write songs. 

I managed to get in with a great Songwriter, Mac Gayden who had a monster hit in the 60’s “Everlasting Love”. Yeah.  Mac liked my songs, and he mentored me, we co-wrote a lot of songs. Mac liked my own songs so much that one night I was in my studio recording my best song, Mac showed up uninvited and played on it, and we stayed up all night. I played piano, guitar, vocals, Mac played bass, dual slide guitars and goatskin drum. We mixed it, and next morning we drove straight to the Publisher, Mac said “Larry, I think this is the one to get you going.”  So, I had the thrill of writing and recording with Mac Gayden, one of the original “Nashville Cats.” 

 In 1982 when my son Andrew Taylor Simons (a very gifted Bassist and Guitarist) was born, I knew I had to get a real career. In 1983, I went to Night Law School, and in 1988 began my 37 year career as a Trial Lawyer.  This month on August 1^st, I stopped taking new clients and am winding my practice down. 

A Poetry hero of mine, the great Wallace Stevens also had a day job, he was an Insurance Agent, he woke up at 5:00 a.m. every morning to write poetry.  Yeah.

All this time, I wrote Poetry at night, I published 2 books, one in 2014, and the second in 2015. I have my manuscript for book 3 ready, my poems for the last 10 years, which I plan to publish later this year.  I have always followed my dreams.  My passion has always been writing, music and poetry.  No regrets, I have “lived my life” as they say. 

My closest and best friend STEVEN "VINNY" STARR surprised me by flying to Nashville to attend my first Book Release Event at Parnassus Book Store. Vinny, I will always treasure our friendship, and that you thought enough of my passion for poetry to make a special effort to be at my Book Event.

Here is a new poem, recently I put online that went “viral” – I got 1.7K views the first week, called 

“I Need to Cry.”  I guess folks must be interested in men “having feelings” -- who’d have ever imagined that? – HAAA!  I have learned a thing or two over the years, depression is worry over the past. Anxiety is worry over the future.  Think about it.

I fiddled with the video, couldn't get it to post here. If you are interested (I am guessing maybe 10% of you are interested in poetry, check out my poetry YouTube Channel @lawrencesimons2775, and do me a huge favor and subscribe (it's free).

Here is the poem, as it will appear in my 3^rd Book of poetry:

                                                    “Billy would cry when he thought of the future.”

    Sting, from “Island of Souls”

I NEED TO CRY

People expect men 

not to have feelings,

not to show feelings.

This was the way of things

in my childhood.

 

So I worked at that,

on having my feelings,

on naming my feelings. 

On letting it be alright for me

to have and express feelings. 

 

Along the way I learned

something strange. Some feelings

are just mysterious, and hard to name. 

And when I feel that way

I can’t shake the feeling. 

 

And I can’t name the feeling.

It is like being frozen stiff.

I feel like I need to cry. 

And yet I cannot cry. 

There are no tears.

 

Only the odd feeling that 

I need to cry.

 

Copyright 2025 Lawrence A. Simons

*      *      *

TISON KEEL, STILL AT THE WHEEL, PART 2!

Tison has been one of our greatest “Point Men”.  Tison deserves our thanks for working so hard to persuade our guys to come back.  Thank you Tison!

Here is the latest from Brother Too Tall Tison on who is expected to show, and who are the “wafflers” for our 1975 ATO Class Reunion.

 

“Sorry for the delay, brother, some minor s### came up last night.  

Confirmed:  Larry, Buck, Vinny, Me, Earl, Matt B, Pedigo, Harpo.

Likely, but unconfirmed:  Jeff Overby, Arthur Landry, Frank Collins, Gene Y, Barb Miller, Katie Herrington, Kell Toomay (my date Junior year).

 

Chet Brewer was the guy I offered to drive up with from South Florida; he's still unconfirmed.

Out, but out, but out (or no response);  Aylward, Noel, Yonge. 

Tison

tison.keel@hotmail.com
+1-845-664-2431 (cell)

THANK YOU MIGHTY BRO TISON! YOU ARE INDEED, A MAN AMONG MEN! WE ALL MISS CHESTER, I HOPE SINCERELY HE WILL CUT THE BULLSHIT AND SHOW.

 

*      *      *

 

KEEPING TABS: 

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

GEORGE WEST CRAFTON, died June 18, 2025.  Obituary at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home..

Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home

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

MARK B. ROCKEY, died Sept. 27, 2020.

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

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 August 4, 2025, 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