Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.03 - Vanderbilt Debutante Society

Beta Pi:
IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY: I was thinking about Valentine’s Day - as it relates to Tick-a-lors - and I began having memories (or flashbacks?) about . . .

THE VANDERBILT DEBUTANTE SOCIETY. Then, it hit me. Who better to interview about this phenomenon than that wacky guitar man, Joel Kadarauch, a.k.a. "Itchie" a.k.a., Jor-el.

INTERVIEW WITH JOEL KADARAUCH

BLOG: Do you have any recollection of the "Vanderbilt Debutante Society?"

JOEL: Totally clueless about that one, Larry. Maybe it's just my foggy memory. Ask away!

BLOG: I thought there was a Valentine's costume party at ATO Social Affiliate Miles Walsh's house - you came dressed as the "humanoid-penis" - am I mistaken? The twist was on "VD" - Vanderbilt Debutante - society.

JOEL: Ahh, Yes. I think I remember the Penis-Man costume. I made it out of a waste basket, plastic wrap, Paper Mache, paint and balloons (testicles), in my room in Carmichael Towers. I remember....I remember..."heavy", "scratchy", "pink", "hot".....not much else. The party was at a house next to the "round houses" on Vanderbilt Drive, right? Was that Miles' house? I also recall extricating myself from it after a time, and having it sit at the house as a prop afterward. Someone hooked up red lights in its eyes and a speaker inside, through which could be projected improper utterances to unsuspecting coeds passing by. Could all this be a dream? Quite possibly, but some of it has to be true.

BLOG: Yes, that was Miles' house on Vanderbilt Drive. Now, of course, after Vanderbilt gobbled up that neighborhood, its nothin'-but-nothin'-but-parking lots. As I recall, you also utilized a burlap bag, which hung around your neck, beneath the cylindrical head-piece. I remember seeing you surrounded by girls - admiring the head-piece and touching the burlap. Was it the burlap that was "scratchy?"

JOEL: "scratchy"

BLOG: I attended that party dressed as "The Sheik" - a costume I rented from Bittner’s. It was such an agonizing decision - which costume to wear - but when I got to the party and saw your home-made costume, I felt truly like a dork. Do you recall if "Gib-stone" attended?

JOEL: Guitar god Steve Gibson did inhabit one of the Round Houses - but it was a costume party, I didn’t see him.

BLOG: As to the origin of "VD Society" - I always thought that someone wanted to plan a Valentines Day party, but thought that concept too lame. I surmised they used the letters "VD" which sounded so, well, hip (Remember, this was the ‘70's, when the worst VD there was could be cured by a shot). Weren’t we so young, brash and clever?

JOEL: Jiambo!

BLOG: I recall a certain guest of honor arriving at the party, in a horse-driven carriage, complete with a Footman, wearing a "Southern Belle" gown. There was much pomp and ceremony attending. This lady was a friend to all Vandy Students, and operated an establishment on Church Street - "The Southerner" - can you sweep away some cobwebs and recall her name?

JOEL: Mrs. Mize?

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 13, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.02 - Tison Tours Cordner-Land

Beta Pi:
IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

FRANK BILLER PROMOTES FIRST-CLASS AIR TRAVEL: I got this from Past-Potentate Frank J. Biller fbiller1@msn.com , who - along with Vinny starr2456@comcast.net - was a very close friend of my Dad, George Simons. Thanks, Buck!

"This is why George Simons always flew "1-C Baby!".

* * * *

TISON TOURS CORDNER-LAND: Venerable Tison Keel tison.keel@hotmail.com sent me this e-mail the other day regarding his coincidental tour of Jim Cordner’s home in Houston.

"Larry, do you recall a Tic brother named Jim Cordner, class of '74 I think? I was looking at homes in the Houston area last weekend, (we're looking at moving down there in about a year - another story) and found a VU diploma on the wall in one bearing that name. I was pretty sure I remembered an active a year or two older than us named Jim Cordner, though I didn't remember him being around the house a lot.

Anyway, the owner was not at home, so I left a note with my name and phone, asking if he was a Beta Pi ATO, and the scumbag never called me back. So either he wasn't a Tic, or he was a typical Tic who keeps his head down and never calls, never writes....

Do you have his name on the Blog list?

Yes, Jim Cordner cordnerjp@hotmail.com is Class of 1974, and I confirmed the Houston address with Tison, who agreed to be interviewed by Beta Pi Blog:

INTERVIEW WITH TISON KEEL

BLOG: So Tison, what was Cordner-Land like? Any features in the home that "stood out?"

TISON: Well, the love swing and mirror ball in the master BR did catch my eye. If I were to make an offer, I would be sure to insist that stays, along with the window treatments, washer & drier.

BLOG: Cordner was known to be a "ladies man" - and an "Elvis fan." Rumor had it that Cordner had devoted a room in his house, which he modeled after the famous "Jungle Room" at Graceland. Tell us how thick the shag carpet was?

TISON: I guess that would be the daughter's bedroom. Definitely over the top, but no shag or jungle, except for the 4 or 5 large hydroponic potted plants bearing palmate, serrated leaves, under high intensity gro-lamps which also illuminated several colorful posters of Jimi and Cream! The daughter let me into the locked room only after I pledged not to discuss its interior with her parents.

Life sized wax model of the King (white jump suit & scarf years) was in the entrance hall.

BLOG: Jim was an incredibly loyal Tau, and was known to have an occasional drink. I had heard he built a bar, similar to the Zebra Room Bar. Any truth to that?

TISON: Now that you mention it, that explains the boy's bedroom - painted black, had astroturf carpet, and a long red vinyl sofa built into one wall. However, not fully authentic, because there was no zebra painted on the wall. The bar was well stocked, but also cleverly hidden for those Sundays when the preacher came for a visit. A large bookcase in the family room was hinged on one side, and swung open to reveal a keg tap, wine rack and enviable collection of 15+ year-old, single malt whiskeys.

BLOG: While at Vanderbilt, Cordner was known never to miss a meal prepared by Alex & Laura. Tell us about the Cordner kitchen?

TISON: Not remarkable. Lots of stainless steel and cooking vessels hanging on hooks. Living room made me feel at home, though. Couple of long, sagging sofas, marked with various stains, card table in the corner, Advent speakers hanging on the walls. Noted some repair was needed for a hole above the fireplace and several broken ceiling tiles. Also there was a yellow 1948 Buick parked in the side yard that would need to be towed. Overall a most pleasant abode!

BLOG: Thanks, Tison! Here’s hoping this lights a fire beneath Cordner, who is due in Nashville in October for his 35th - Reunion ‘09.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 3, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.01 - The Heartfield Report

Beta Pi:

IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com .

WIFE-O-BOSS SITING. I walked into Starbucks a few days ago, and ran into the lovely and charming Beth Stein, Wife of John "Boss" Stein. Beth was still excited about the Commodores’ victory over Boston College in the Music City Bowl (as we all are!). Beth and John went to the game, and Ann and I would have been there, but we were out of town, and watched it on TV. GO DORES!

THE HEARTFIELD REPORT: I got this from Blog Correspondent Chip Heartfield:

"Larry,

Had dinner with Marlon and Randy Martin last night and we wondered if you had fallen off a cliff, been arrested, or just were shirking your duties lately.

Randy was in DC for a couple of nights. Dick "I’ll Be Right There" Stoner was supposed to join us for dinner, but did not show at the appointed time (this is normal). He then called to say he would try to make it to the restaurant before we left (also normal). He did not (normal). But never fear, he showed up at the house at 11:45 pm last night ‘‘cuz he knew we would still be up." This is life in proximity to Stoner.

On other news fronts, Ed proudly reported that he had already thrown out his Christmas Tree by noon on Dec 26. If that is not the true spirit of the season, what is?

Marlon is getting ready to jet off to TX for some blasting and casting.

David and Kathy Haines have moved from Clarksville to an historic old home in Nashville, so another free place to stay for reunions.

Speaking of which, Ken Mansfield has offered to host a Wales Tales convention at his place on Lake Gaston, NC this summer...the date is TBD.

I realize this is all lame stuff, but maybe it will motivate you into getting a report out for the New Year.

Best,

Chip"

Chip, Steven Starr had his Christmas Tree down by noon on December 25th! He didn’t realize it was a problem until he got a call from his wife that evening, asking if they could have a nice picture taken in front of the tree? Ebenezer Starr!

As for me, I tackle inspiration as it comes, and the last few months of 2008 were seriously uninspiring. Thanks for your bountiful installment!

LOVE-MAN DOES VEGAS!: A few weeks ago, I got several pictures from Tom Lovinggood. Apparently, Love-Man developed quite a relationship with one-armed-bandits! I picture Tom with a patient, doing a root-canal on the guy, thinking to himself "7-7-7, cha-ching . . . got to get back to Harrah’s . . . cha-ching!" Congratulations on your winnings, Tom.

You know, Vinny (and sometimes Buck) makes an annual trip to Vegas.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of January 16, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No.54 - East Tennessee Tick-a-lo Onslaught

Beta Pi:

IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

EAST TENNESSEE TICK-A-LO ONSLAUGHT. The annual ritual of fulfilling my CLE requirement forced me back to school a few weeks ago. My favorite seat was (just as it was at Vanderbilt) in the very back row. So I’m sitting there nursing a cup-o-java, trying to wake up, when I see this old bearded codger with a stack of books pushing a chair with one foot. I thought to myself - "what is that dude doing" - when he comes over to me and shakes my hand - IT WAS FOTCH a.k.a. DOUG CAMPBELL, Esq., dougcampbellsr@comcast.net Class of 1974 of Chattanooga.

Doug was in Nashville to get his CLE and catch the Vanderbilt football game. So he tells me there is another Mighty Tick, a football player - BILL YOUNG, of Knoxville, ATO Class of 1972, a.k.a. "Bad Bill Bluemoon" byoung@opw.com here to get his CLE and go to the Vandy Game.


So the three of us are having lunch, talking about ATO, and Bill recalls a tradition that the Actives used to invite the Pledges to participate in . . . THE BUN OF DEATH! This involved taking several packages of hamburger buns, and drenching them with Tabasco Sauce. The willing Pledge was then quizzed, and as a reward for correctly answering questions, was entitled to feast upon THE BUN OF DEATH! Yum!


Bill’s law partner HOWIE VOGEL, ATO Class of 1971, hvogel@opw.com was not present, but Bill gave me his e-mail address. And, Doug gave me his older brother MIKE R. CAMPBELL, ATO Class of 1972 e-mail address mikercampbell@comcast.net . Thanks to Doug and Bill for linking us up with these Brothers. Accordingly,


BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES Bill Young, Mike Campbell and Howie Vogel.


MARTY PARTY! A few days after that, I had the honor of linking up with FRANK a.k.a. "MARTY" COLLINS, ATO Class of 1976, who was in Nashville for a few days to show his daughter Hannah, a high school sophomore, around Vanderbilt. Hannah is interested in Drama and Theatre, and is a lovely young lady. Frank’s business associate also joined us, and we had a boat ride on Old Hickory Lake. As always, great to see the Mighty Frank!


BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of December 5, 2008, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 8 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!


VTL,


Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72