Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2011, No.04 - Marlon Resurfaces

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

FROM THE MIND OF MARLON : For several years, Mark a/k/a Marlon McGann has been a contributor to Beta Pi Blog. In fact, Marlon was among the first honorees back in 2006 (see Archives, Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.11, July 2006).

For those of you who did not know Mark - he got his nick name because his face had uncanny resemblance to Brando.

Marlon was a face-man, our face-man. Marlon was the inspiration for the series of articles honoring

George a/k/a M-Link Ford, and Marlon helped us find that old-time great Tick,

Jerry a/k/a

Jerry Skids Neuburg (which is difficult because Jerry’s name has a spelling from East Uzbekistan).

So - that little bit of worthless history aside - today I get this cryptic note and picture from Marlon.

　

From the Way Back Machine; Marlon, Jeraldene and M. Link next to The Phoenix.

Marlon, we deduce - after all of your excellent contributions - that YOU are The Way Back Machine, which is richly deserved. The only thing lacking in the photo is an organ grinder for Link. But nothing is perfect.

　
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CLASS OF 1976 NEWS: FRANK COLLINS, the 5th Annual ATO Dinner Class of 76 Point man has notified me that plans are being made for the ATO Dinner. After deliberations, Frank’s Committee decided the Dinner should again be at Cabana, because of it’s proximity to campus, and because they have so successfully accommodated our group before, including impromptu Wales Tales.

Cabana is both Smoke-Free and Tales-Friendly.
　

The Dinner will be Saturday evening, after the Homecoming Game. October __, at Cabana, time to be announced. The Dinner will not interfere with any of Vanderbilt’s Homecoming festivities. If you are an ATO, and anywhere near campus at Homecoming, you must attend. Let Frank collinzes@gmail.com know so we can get a rough head-count.

　
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NEW INDUCTEE: Few things have made the blog more gratifying than being contacted by an old Tick-a-lor Brother. Every now and then, an Active ATO Brother contacts the blog, and this is a high honor.

Imaginary Ruffles and Flourishes sound, cymbals crash!

A few days ago, I received this e-mail today from Stephen Magli, a Beta Pi, Class of 2012:

Dear Mr. Simons,
My name is Stephen Magli. I am a fellow commodore (class of 2012) and Beta
Pi (Spring Pledge Class 09). Recently, one of my brothers sent a link to your
blog throughout the fraternity email list serv. While I am by no means a very
active brother, I just wanted to extend an invite of sorts and open a line of
communication with you. Being a Beta Pi clearly left its mark on you, and it
would be nice if you were to stop by the house next year and retell stories of
the fraternity back in the days. Hope you enjoy your summer.
Yours, Stephen Magli

TO STEPHEN: I am honored to receive your note, and kind invitation to the House. I am adding you to the blog e-list - and if you'll send me a picture (or cartoon image) that we can use to depict you, I'll write it up next blog. Looking forward to meeting you, and telling you many tales, falsehoods and slander regarding the infamous Steven Floose Starr, and Frank Buck Biller, my best friends to this very day. VTL, Larry Simons Beta Pi, Pledged Spring 1972
　

BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES ATO ACTIVE STEPHEN MAGLI, CLASS OF 2012!

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HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments - below.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of July 5, 2011, the Blog roster stands at 109 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 14 ATO Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail addresses, please share!

VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2011, No.03 - The Bucko Sports Page

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

NEW FEATURE : Frank Biller finally took me up on my request that he write a Sports Page Column.

Buck’s famous ATO experience with boxing . . .

And his sharp wit, combine for a real treat for Blog readers. That he chooses to cover a premier boxing event is a b-b-b-bonus.

WITHOUT FURTHER TOO-DO . . . Beta Pi Blog proudly presents the debut of . . .

THE BUCKO SPORTS PAGE
By Frank J. Biller

Buck on Sports and wine spode-e-o-de.

All apologies to JL Lewis. So I blew $64.95 last Saturday and watched the Manny Pacquiao v. Sugar Shane Mosley tilt. Joined by a smooth dark wrapper Macanudo and a spirited yet inexpensive
Pinot Noir (screw-off top of course- I am very Green. The cork trees are dying in Portugal!), I was reminded that the pugilistic arts act as metaphor for the struggle in Man's eternal soul. I have long been a SS Mosley fan. I so admired his cunning ring savvy and phosphoric flurries in his heyday. But, I loved a tragic hero. I have always known this. SSM has never had the heart of a Champion. Mad boxing skills, but no heart. Senator Pacquiao floored SSM in round 3.
Ali, Frazier, Irish Mickey, Kosta Tzu, a score of great Mexican fighters and countless others too many to mention would have risen and died in their boots on the very next punch, be carried out on their shields to the wails and cries of their loved ones ascending into the lore of their people in countless future tribal fires. My guy, Sugar Shane Mosley, spent the next 9 rounds just trying not to get knocked out.

I cannot help but see the irony in my guy and the way my life is playing out. I was a local hero in Davenport Iowa, I boozed and brawled with you guys at Vandy, lived in Paradise with Miles and Harpo, made and raised 3 wonderful babies, built a great career, crushing enemies, celebrating great victories enjoying the fruits of my blood sweat and tears.

Now, I am 57. Like Sugar Shane in the ring, I still know my way around a bar room and a board room. Every once in a while I can still throw leather with the white hot heat of a phosphorus flare. Every once in a while I can still make a heart flutter on the distaff side. I can still power slam a martini or two. But, a couple of years ago, I got knocked down in the third. I lost a big job, then my marriage blew up, then my folks died. Like SS Mosley, I can still look the part, play the big shot, wink at the girls and make them smile. But, I just don't have the heart of a champion. I won't fight to the death. I won't go out on my shield. I won't be the stuff of legends. I am 57 and I am just trying not to get knocked out...

On a lighter note- The Cubs still suck and I refuse to go see them even though I love the chicken wings in that one bar up by Wrigleyville.

Your faithful sports Correspondent to the ATO blog,

Frank J. Buck Biller

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CLASS OF 1976 NEWS: A worthy Tick has stepped forward to be 1976 TICK-A-LOR POINT MAN. His name . . . Jose Jiminez! (Kidding) FRANK COLLINS.

If you want to attend the 5th Annual ATO Dinner, let Frank know. Check out the Archives - October for each of the last 4 years to look at pics.

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NEW INDUCTEE:

Following the last Blog, W. TRAVIS BURCH, wtburch@bellsouth.net , a Tick-a-lor from the Class of 71 surfaced, thanks to Lance Reising. Travis provided some info:

Larry:

W. Travis Burch, 8680 The 5th Green, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. BA-1971.
Big Brother was Al Armstrong. Presiding at my initiation was Paul Thayer. The
other e-mail addresses I sent Lance are all members of the class of '71: Steve
Johnson, Bob Vogelei and Jim Burgess, all in that famous Last Supper Picture,
Burgess was on the cross behind Dennis Fite.

Travis Burch

Travis, we are working on borrowing a copy of the 1971 Commodore, to scan that famous religious relic. Welcome aboard the Ship of Fools. Nice coincidence that this fall will be the Reunion year for Class of 71! Looking forward to meeting you face-to-face.

BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES TRAVIS BURCH!

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THANKS TO CLARK THOMAS: Clark (Class of 74) is a professional photographer here in Nashville. Clark tells me that during his time at Vandy, Chancellor Heard hired Clark to be a roving photographer. Clark recently donated several great pictures from days-o-yore.

Check out his website at web address http://www.simplephotographs.com/oldFun2.html

HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments - below.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of May 24, 2011, the Blog roster stands at 108 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 14 ATO Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail addresses, please share!

VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2011, No.02 - Young Frankenstein Revival

L-R: Bozino, Chris Regas, D.W. Wilson, Matt Hart, Rob Anderson, Smooty, Frank Biller (in the hat), 1971. Photo Courtesy of Clark Thomas. This is the only known picture of D.W. Wilson.

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

.

LINK UPDATE : McClatchy Newspapers reported that the U.S. Government wants to resume research on chimpanzees again.

They had stopped experimenting on chimps, but before they did,
they sent chimps into space, injected chimps with HIV - you name it, they did it to chimps.

These are the same chimps who starred in Tarzan movies as Cheetah. The Blog brings this up as a public service, to warn our own

GEORGE a/k/a M-LINK FORD that he might consider going into hiding, until this government plot against chimps blows over, or at least until the ASPCA can come to the rescue of the


endangered simians. HAAA!

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YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN REVIVAL? As you may know, the fabulous film by Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein, has been made into a Broadway play, with some success.

Get this! There is actually a touring company coming to Nashville, and Young Ann and I will be getting tickets.

All this made me think of that Immortal Tick-a-lor, that GIANT AMONG HUMANOIDS . . .

FRANK a/k/a MARTY COLLINS, and the Class of 1976, whose Reunion is fast upon us.
　
The Blog wishes to commemorate the Class of 1976 . . .

ART LANDRY

CHARLIE McGIBBONY

CHRIS a/k/a BIRDMAN PAGE

CONRAD a/k/a CONAN THE BARBARIAN PETERSON

DOUG a/k/a NUB MARTIN (and his brother RANDY a/k/a BUM-JAM MARTIN)

. . . which brings to mind . . . A STORY! Once upon a time . . .

Siamese Twins were born, conjoined at the groin!

The Doctor said

We can separate them - but we’ll have to cut, and it won’t be equal - one may
end up very short.

As fate had it, after the operation, one twin was very, very long and the other very, very short.

The Blog will not say which Martin Twin got shorted, but you can surmise it from their nick-names.

They don’t call him NUB for nothin’.

And, there can be only one MIGHTY BUM-JAM!

FRANK a/k/a MARTY COLLINS

JACK a/k/a NICK THE NICK NICHOLSON

JOE a/k/a who? GARVEY

LEE a/k/a SCHWIMBAG HALL

OLIVER a/k/a OLLIE GRACE

STEVE a/k/a THIN MAN QUATTROCHI

BILL a/k/a LUNCH-MEAT a/k/a SCHMEAT WHALEN

　 The stories about Marty and Schmeat and Nick alone could land the Blog in hot water. Perhaps some brave soul from Class of 76 will emerge as Tick Point Man for Reunion. Landry and Marty attended last year, and we hope to see them again! LET THE FLOODGATES OPEN!

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STUBBY UPDATE: Apparently, Stubby was asleep at the wheel when the last Blog posted, but he redeemed himself with this excellent communique:

　I would like to order 2 doz. Stubby- bobble head dolls Should be a fast seller
will need more very soon.

TO STUBBY: Sorry, the dolls sold out - there was a Pit Bull Terrier Breeder who bought the entire lot (at twice retail), as dog toys for his attack pups. He said the likeness of Stubby’s face made his dogs drool.

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HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments - below.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of May 9, 2011, the Blog roster stands at 107 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 14 ATO Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail addresses, please share

VTL,
Larzino
Beta Pi, 72