Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2013, No.09 – HOLIDAY EDITION

 Beta Pi:

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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

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HOLIDAY EDITION

I am writing this Holiday Edition as I sit by a natural wood fire in our fireplace,

Ann is in the kitchen in her prettiest holiday dress and apron,

filling the kitchen with the wondrous aromas of cinnamon and cranberry,

a turkey in the oven,

my dogs are sleeping at my feet as the roaring fire crackles,

and I can’t help but admire my original edition Norman Rockwell print “An American Christmas” – and give thanks to God Almighty for our troops and our freedoms, and the bountiful blessings he has bestowed . . .  BULL!

Seriously, there is no fire, it was 60 degrees here in Nashville, and my dogs are too busy pissing to give a shit about nestling at my feet.  Ann is an awesome cook, and every evening the kitchen smells great, I am so thankful for Ann.  I do have a few Norman Rockwell prints somewhere, but not hanging.  I am very thankful to God for our troops and our Country.

I write this for two reasons:  to wish all you a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.  And secondly, because I know if I do not get off my ass and do this now, it won’t get done.  NORMAN ROCKWEL BE DAMNED!   I love all of my ATO Brothers, I am thankful to be connected to you, especially to my closest friends 

Frank Biller, Steven Starr,

Frank Collins,

Matt Blankenship and

Pierce Hodnette.  




I love you guys and miss you.

VANDY BOWL BOUND

I must say, Vanderbilt Football has been a roller coaster ride this season.  With the shocking sex scandal, and the disappointing Homecoming Game, it was surprising that the Dores rallied to beat Georgia and Florida!  Ann and I went to the Kentucky game last weekend, and I’ve got to say it – the Dores seemed slow early in the game, and both teams pretty evenly matched.  Very close game until things picked up in the 4^th quarter, and the Dores widened their lead to 22 to 6!  It still seemed squeaky, but a win is a win.  CONQUER AND PREVAIL!

That day, my step daughter Maggie texted Ann (she and Ann are WAY bigger football fans than I am) that Vandy is now Bowl Eligible!  Ann loves to go the games, we went to Music City Bowl last year, and Liberty Bowl before that.  And of course, now that the Dores are Bowl Eligible, and add to that the maxim “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t NOBODY happy” – I assure you, we WILL be going to the Bowl, wherever it is.  I hope to see some of you there!

ADIOS, mother f*****s!

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VACATION UPDATE

As you know, it is my tradition to share vacation pictures. 

This fall, Ann and I went to a favorite place, Dominican Republic.

We visited Santo Domingo and toured Christopher Columbus’ Brother’s Home.

Here is the courtroom where they convicted people for heresy.

Here is me bribing the Guard . . . to let me ride the Horse . . .

I couldn’t resist trying on the Armor and mounting the Horse!

A festive luncheon . . .

We had our picture made with the Dancers, I think they misunderstood the translation . . .

In your face FACE SHOT . . . these are always fun . . .

My best friend and the love of my life, ANN

We enjoyed sea side meals

We did SPEED BOATS, that was big fun!

Ann and I spent lots of time on the beach.

The food was great.

As you know, one of our hobbies is horses, so I couldn’t resist . . .

RIDING THE MECHANICAL BULL!

A good time, some much needed R & R!  The people are very friendly, they smile a lot, and there is no law against women going topless on the beaches (which is why the people smile alot)  HA!

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BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS:   As of November 21, 2013, there are 36 Blog Website Members;  there are 115 ATO’s on the blog e-mail list, plus 16 ATO Gal-Pals.  And, there are 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail, led by J.D. Strickland who refuses to get a computer. 

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2013, No.08 – REUNION RECAP EPIC EDITION

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 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. (Photo by Clark Thomas) 

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

*      *      *

REUNION 73 RECAP

 

FRIDAY NIGHT:  Buck and Vinny and I were due for our Stooges 60^th Birthday Celebration.  That’s right, the three of us turned 60 this year.  We decided to celebrate by going to Jimmy Kelly’s Restaurant.

A toast to the ATO’s!

After dinner, we ambled over to campus, where the Big Tent Party was happening.  It was late, but we managed to run into THE HEME and former professional kick boxer MIKE KIRK.

We knew KIRK, because as freshmen Buck and I saw him wandering around, and KIRK always had a twinkle in his eye, a look that said “don’t even make a false move, don’t look at me funny, or I’ll freak on you.”  Amazingly, KIRK still has that same twinkle in his eyes.

 

MEANWHILE, THE CLASS PARTY OF 73:  we were unable to make this bash, but CLAUDE CODY sent me some excellent pictures.

The group picture above - the one where Aber has his hand in mysterious places, was taken by ATO Alum Clark Thomas,  professional photographer, and the only known ATO with two first-names, who had set up his mobile studio at the event.

 

 The Heme and Barrett Sutton (unknown friends) - these pics provided by Claude Cody

ABER

Claude Cody, George Joe, John Stein

Mark Reed & Kimey Reed

 

 

John . . . need a breath mint?

 John and Beth Stein

 

Aber sent me this.  Check out the eyes on George Joe and Aber - these guys look like the cast party from "Children of the Damned", no?   See what having a "professional" studio backdrop does to enhance this photo?

SATURDAY, LUNCH AT ROTIERS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Buck and I had lunch with FRANK COLLINS and daughter CLAIRE.  Great to have fellowship over a Rotier’s burger.

 

VANDY TAILGATE:  as you might imagine, it was frustrating, because the Class of 73 is small, and a majority of the guys were Football Players.  The Football Players have their own “exclusive – sniff – sniff” Tailgate.  The Football Players go there, and the ordinary mortals go to Vandy Tailgate. 

 

Frank Biller, my best friend on the planet

 

 

Ann and I were there with Buck and Vinny. 

 

 

 

 

Steve Starr, my other best friend on the planet.

"The Skipper" (Gilligan's Island) and George Tomlinson

 George Abernathy, "The Skipper" and George Tomlinson

 Corey Clark, Vin Starr, Buck Biller George Abernathy, Lorenzo Andreas Simonez

 Buck gets an ass-chewing from Aber

 Same line-up, add The Heme

this picture captured some moment?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also ran into ABER and Kimie on the way to the Game.  As we neared the Entrance Gate,

I asked Aber “Are we gonna win?” 

- Aber was stone-cold serious: “yes.”  Little did we know...

  

HOMECOMING - VANDY vs. MIZZOU

Buck and Vinny sat with me and Ann, it was a perfect evening for football.

 

Within the first 90 seconds of play, Mizzou’s Offense rolled right over our Defense and scored.  And unfortunately, Vandy Defense never figured out how to stop them.  Our Offense managed to score a few times, but we got CREAMED.  It was very disheartening.

 

ANNUAL ATO DINNER AT CABANA RESTAURANT

People enjoy coming to Reunion for a variety of reasons, to see campus, see old professors, hear the Chancellor, hob-nob with contributors, the Homecoming Game . . . and to see old friends.  It is my belief that it is seeing old friends which is the big draw.  No matter what else happens, ATO’s love to get together – it was that way back in the day, it is that way now.  That is why our Annual ATO Dinner has been such a success. After all these years, who shows up but . . .

 

THE GREEK! 

 

This year we had a big crowd, thanks in part to a large contingent of Actives who joined us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLAUDE CODY led us in The ATO Prayer.

 

 

 

 

Claude told the story of how the ATO Prayer tradition started, how ALEXANDER WILSON said the ATO Prayer before meals:

“ . . . Alex and Laura would prepare the meals, and we would help put the food out.  But there was no order, guys would be reaching for the food like wolves.   So I said to MIKE McCARTY, how about if someone says a prayer before we eat.  Mike said “Who is gonna say it that anyone will listen to?”  Mike had a good point.  

I suggested that Alex say the prayer, and Alex agreed to do it.  Of course, we all loved Alex, everyone listened.  From that day on, we knew we should wait, and when Alex came out of the kitchen, the dining room fell silent.  No one had to ring a bell or anything.  I can hear Alex saying the ATO Prayer, as if it were yesterday.  Alex was like a father to us – and Laura like a mother.  They gave us so much love, so much spirituality.”

 

Fellowship was great, a good time was had by all:
 

Frank Collins, Buck, Greek, Vinnie

 

The Heme to Frank Collins: "Remember not to wear that hat indoors!"

 

Greek, Vinnie, Claude

 

Frank:  "So I keep telling the guy, I am NOT that actor Marty Feldman who played Igor in "Young Frankenstein"

 
 

Vinny:  "Claude, get a picture of Buck, he's embarrassing himself again."

 

 

Greek:  "I'm telling you guys, the world is FLAT . . ."

 

 

 Austin Brown & company

Cory "Stubby" Clark

 

 

John Stein, singing: "Every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dress-man . . ."

 

 

Frank Biller, Mrs. Stubby, Stubby & Mini-Stubby

Frank Collins and daughter Claire

Claude & Ann Cody

Larry & Ann Simons

Greek, to Buck & Vinny:  "I frick'n LOVE that joke more everytime I tell it!"

Heme, Stubby, Buck

Chris "The Greek" Regas and Steve "Vinny" Starr

The Heme to Regas:  "you don't mind if I just . . . put my hand here, do you?"

Contingent of Actives!  This year was their best showing yet.

Frank Collins, Frank Biller, Beth & John Stein

 

We continued our tradition of AROUND THE TABLE VIDEO, here it is:

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HERE'S HOW to “JOIN THIS SITE”: go to the blog page at web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com  - and click on "JOIN THIS SITE."

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

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS:   As of October 8, 2013, there are 35 Blog Website Members;  there are 115 ATO’s on the blog e-mail list;  there are 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail; and there are 16 ATO Gal-Pals. 

 

VTL,

Lorenzo

Beta Pi, 72