Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.02 – Once More Unto the Breach

Beta Pi:

IS  BETA PI BLOG without any redeeming social or artistic merit?  

YEA .   .   .   . Festus, or

NAY. . . . Chestus?

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

*      *      * 

 VANDERBILT CONSTRUCTION ZONE – CASTLE VON ZEPPO UPDATE

Breath taking!  Cranes everywhere.  No end in sight.  Two of the former Carmichael Towers remain standing, their days numbered.  Construction stopping traffic on West End.  Coeds standing around gawking.  Construction workers gawking at Coeds.  But the big scoop is this.

 

Rumor has it that the powers-that-be (the Ivory Tower set) have selected a name for the….well, you decide what-to-call-it Tower.  It is to be named after a little-known Vanderbilt Alum . . . .

HUGH G. RICHTSHUN who during his lifetime invented the very popular children’s toy, the “Erector Set” and became wealthy, and did many “uplifting” things. 

 

The Tower is to be unofficially named . . . wait for it . . .

 “The Hugh G. Richtshun Memorial Tower.”  The Tower stands far higher than any other building at Vanderbilt, and far higher than any other building in the West End area, and never mind that some have said it stands out, and up, like a “sore thumb”, never mind all that.  Before Chancellor Zeppo left, he was captured on video gleefully pushing the Demolition Plunger which ignited the explosives that felled Carmichael Towers, we now know – now that the in-your-face tower is complete- that he had a master plan to erect the biggest, sorest-thumb-tower ever, just because he could.  And isn’t it glorious, the new “Hugh G. Richtshun Memorial Tower?” 

TISON KEEL, BLOG CORRESPONDENT

One thing for sure about Tison, he always comes bearing gifts!  Tison sent me a text message about a recent meeting he arranged with two of our Notable Potentates……OLLIE GRACE and CHESTER BREWER!  Tison, thank you for setting an example for us with the COVID Masks, I sincerely appreciate it.

 

“Mini Tic Reunion in Palm Beach, COVID safe and holding our breath.  Ollie Grace, Too Tall and Chester Brewer, January 4, 2021.”

Awesome!  I had the honor of being Big Brother to OLLIE "Master Ollie" GRACE, back in the day, during which time I also acted as an interpreter-of-sorts for Ollie.  Why did Ollie need an interpreter?  When Ollie heard the various Tick-a-lor crudities, profanities, and indiscretions - of which there were many - he got a puzzled look on his face, as if to say, “what does that mean?”  Naturally, it is the duty of a Big Brother to translate such crudities into language suitable to the more refined taste … for which Ollie was appreciative.  A few years back, we got to share a meal with Ollie at a recent Reunion, and it was great!  Ollie, we love you Brother!!

Speaking of crudities . . . I had the honor of being the butt of many such Tick-a-lor crudities, profanities and indiscretions leveled at me by my friend CHESTER BREWER, who seemed to take a particular pleasure in his attempts to humiliate me.  Chester once accused me of being a “slack-jaw.” 

 

Explanation is in order.  All my life I have had allergies and nasal problems.  Back then, there were few medicines, Benadryl and a few others, all of which caused drowsiness.  So, I avoided it.  Essentially, I had to live with a chronic nasal congestion.  This meant that to breath, I had to breath through my mouth.  Today of course, they have many good medicines to clear up nasal congestion, but back then, you just lived with it, or drowsed out on Benadryl.  So, back then I had a bad – but medically understandable – habit of breathing through my mouth.  Chet did not realize any of that - and why should he? - what Chet saw was me with my mouth open.  A “slack-jaw.” In Chet’s rhetorical arsenal this was in the same category as a moron.  But this was how ATO was at that time, we all called each other names, nicknames, in fun.   Dr. Phibes set the example, we have documentary video evidence that Matt Hart nick-named a hometown friend of his "dogshit."  For short, Matt called him "the shit."  Yes, that is odd.  And odd, the way certain memories are more vivid than others.  Chester, we love you Brother!

The nasal congestion/benadryl thing also resulted in another nick name for me.  Frank “Buck” Biller nick named me   “DO-ZO” due to me frequently dozing off in class, probably due to Benadryl, and late-night partying.  This was a derivation of the nick name Phibes gave me:  "BOZO."  A later derivation was given me by Art Landry:  "RICARDO MONTAL-DOZO" . . . something to do with Ricardo Montalban.  Who understands that?

This rampant nicknaming of me pretty much continued until FIGHT NIGHT in 1973. 

On that occasion I gave a little gift to Frank Biller, from the heart . . .

after which ABER declared my new nick name “CHAMP”.  

After this, Chester seemed to back off his attempted humiliations, and after Buck’s bloody nose, and wounded pride healed, he made valiant efforts to reform his habit of constantly nick-naming me. And as you know, Buck is – along with Vinny- my closest and dearest friend.  Chester, I continue to work on your return… I have in the last years since made several efforts, by telephone to persuade you - Chester to return, and Chester, I hope you do my friend!

 

Tison also sent a picture of JACK “NICK-THE-NICK” NICHOLSON that appeared in a Vanderbilt publication.  

Go Nick-the-Nick! Hope to see you this Fall!

 

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THE HEME REPORTS

GEORGE “THE HEME” TOMLINSON also texted me a great picture entitled . . . . 

“JOCK-GREATS-OF-YORE” which included George Tomlinson, Mark Ilgenfritz, George “Aber” Abernathy, Greg Williams, and Mark “Cheeks” Reed. 

 

“VU jocks. Mark Reed, Mark Ilgenfritz, George Abernathy, Greg Williams, and me. Nice afternoon.”  The Heem

Thanks to HEME for keeping us in the loop.  Geez, Heme....I just turned 68, that means you guys must be 70 . . . wow, surreal.  You guys all look 10 years younger than I feel.

*      *      * 

 

FRANK COLLINS IS ON-THE-AIR!

“ATO proud. Here in Idledale, Colorado.”

Texting seems to be the wave of the future.  I got a fun text message from FRANK “MARTY” COLLINS, with a very nice picture of a sign he found in Idledale, Colorado.  I think maybe the humor is in the implication - notice the "Community Watch" sign beneath it - that this area needs to be "watched" due to Tik-a-lor infestation, or not.

 

And Frank also sent a great picture of himself and the great CHARLY “RALPH” McGIBONY on Graduation Day.  Charly and Frank are two of the All-Time-Greats.

 

Thanks Frank, looking forward to seeing you and Ralph both this Fall.

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REUNION 2021 UPDATE:

Everything looks like a “go” for Vanderbilt Reunion this Fall.  It will be October 22-23, 2021, a joint Reunion to make up for the lost Reunion of 2020.  So, for us, that will mean my Class of 1975 will join with the Class of 1976.  I have asked TISON KEEL to be Point Man for ATO Class of 75, and FRANK COLLINS to be Point Man for ATO Class of 76.  Guys, thank you SO much for your dedication and assistance!  Frank Biller recently said he believes this joint reunion will be “the biggest Reunion Party in the History of Mankind!”

The Agenda:

Vanderbilt Reunion this fall will be Friday, October 22-23.  I hope you can make it. 

• Friday afternoon, 1:30 p.m. we will visit Alex and Laura Wilson’s graves. 
• Friday night - Vanderbilt Class parties, and All Class Party in the Big Tent.
• Saturday VU Tailgate, Homecoming Game, TBA
• Our annual ATO Cocktail and Dinner Party at Cabana, after the Game Saturday evening, TBA.

 “. . . .it will be beautiful!”

*      *      *    

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

I have been worried, not just about myself and my family, but worried for you and your families.  It is so good that vaccinations have been increasing, and COVID-related deaths decreasing.  We have made it...so far.  Now is not the time to drop our guard.  The Nashville Tennessean recently reported that several Southern States, Tennessee included, are 33% below the National average for vaccinations.  That is concerning.  There are pockets of “Vaccination Hesitancy” and Tennessee is one of those pockets.  

At our ATO Party this fall, we will be observing CDC Guidelines.  I want to encourage everyone in our group to please get vaccinated.  I know people who have been infected with COVID-19, and I am sure you know someone who has either been infected, or who has died.  Two of our Brothers - that I know of - have been infected, and yet have survived.  Very, very thankful for that.  I continue praying that ALL of us survive.

*      *      *

KEEPING TABS: 

Here is a reminder of the Brothers and Sisters we have lost.

DAVID W. HAINES, JR., died January 17, 2021.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01

 

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.

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 June 27, 2021, there are 132 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 13 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals. 

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

 

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01 – Honoring David Haines

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

                                        Chuck and Karen Wharton with David

pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and 

                        David, with Dr. Phibes who looks like he ate a bad oyster, and Buck Biller.

                           I think maybe David was aware Phibes ate a bad oyster.

other timewasters.  

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

*      *      * 

R.I.P. DAVID W. HAINES, JR., ATO CLASS OF 1979

I was on the phone with Vinny Starr when I got the sad news, our ATO Brother David Haines died on January 17, 2021 of a heart attack.  Vinny got an email from Chip Heartfield.  I had talked to David a year ago about with a legal question, and he was very helpful.  David had worked for years with the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.  I met David in 1977 or 1978 – I had just moved back to Nashville after my stint in the Army, and Vinny Starr was still in Law School and at the House, so I hung out at the House on Vinny’s coat tails, and he introduced me to the fine group of guys there. It appeared to me David was a protege of Vinny.

I had the honor of sitting across the Tales Table from David, and you might see by the glossed over look in my eye, I was clearly out matched.  Sean Walsh was also intent on nailing me.

David was an extremely quick and acerbic wit and adept at wielding in-fun insults. I learned that David and Chuck were quite close, best of friends. 

So I asked Chuck Wharton to write a memorial.  Here is what Chuck sent, edited by Chip Heartfield.

“Larry,

Tough duty to be remembering my friend David Haines ATO Beta Pi 1979 - I do miss him. He passed away Saturday, January 16 in the morning, from a heart attack. As many folks know, David had been stricken with leukemia following his time at Vanderbilt and went through an at-the-time experimental series of radiation treatments and a bone marrow transplant from his younger brother. This was extremely debilitating and yet he dealt with it better than I ever could have, then and over the years that followed.

He is survived by two sons David and Matthew and his wife of 41 years and VU ATO little sister Kathy Grainger Haines, all of whom live in Nashville. David and Kathy were married in the summer of 1979 as part of a trio of TIC weddings: one the weekend before in Savannah (my wife Karen and I), then the Haines in Tallahassee, followed by Jeff Reeder and his wife Trish the weekend after in Texas (I think). The stories from the Tics that attended all three and made various stops along the way are legendary.

David and Kathy

David and I were friends from freshman hall - lord please put in that pic of the two of us leaning out the window of Dyer Hall watching all the coeds go to morning classes which we were happily skipping at that time.

After Rick Voss had been instrumental in getting me into the TIC house, David joined the next semester. David was an excellent athlete - loved the IM sports and played in both of the infamous games at the Nashville prison - basketball and softball. He could play cards with the best of us - bridge and gin rummy and he always had a good outlook and a story to tell you. When it came to Wales Tales - he was one of the best. He was a fine musician - learning and playing guitar and doing what might have been the best Mick Jagger imitation I've ever seen.

At that point in time - Vinnie was still around in law school and the upper classmen, Marlon, Scott Shephard, Ted Stephany and others were excellent at Tales. Over the course of the three years though David would become as good or better than all of them - he and I had more fun playing Tales then you could imagine. Perhaps his best moments were when the two of us would play with six in out ins - those calls were great fun, and we did like to put on a show when we could.

                                          David at a VU football game with Randy Martin

David at a Tales game at the Tic house (it is a blur, the photographer was looped apparently)

                                                     David and Mark McGann

Over the years many reunions would revolve around David's love of the St. Louis Cardinals and Tennessee Titans as folks would travel to games and see old friends along the way. There's an attached pic of a nice group with a big batch of crabs in Maryland – our departed brother Marlon can also be seen in the photo. You have more pics from this trip somewhere in the Blog I just can't remember/find it.

                                        Big batch of crabs in Maryland (I think).

                                                        David on the beach, posing as Tonto

                                                 Man the Fireworks!! All Hands on Deck!

Chuck

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COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Today in the United States there are 26.5 Million cases of COVID-19, and 447,000 people have died.  Someone recently remarked that the whole COVID-19 thing has been blown way out of proportion.  I disagree.  I know people who have been infected with COVID-19, and I would wager to say every one of us knows someone who has either been infected, or who has died.  Two of our Brothers, that I know of have been infected, and yet have survived.  As we make our way through this, I am praying that ALL of us survive.

*      *      *

POETRY CORNER

These days, since January 6^th, I have been deeply concerned.  And with the limitations I have placed on this Blog, i.e., no political discourse, I think one way I might share my hopes and concerns is with one of my poems.  This poem appeared in my first book “Water, Wind, Spirit, Stone” copyright 2014, Lawrence A. Simons.  If you like it, please buy my book, it is available on Amazon.  Or, next time you see me, ask me and I’ll give you a signed copy.  If you doubt this, ask my friend Claude Cody.

 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to

Yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

                                                          James 3:17, 18 

For Ann, on our third Anniversary             

 

PEACE

To the wildflower, the mountain said I apologize -

For the shadow I cast on you.

If I did not stand over you,

The sun would shine on you unceasingly.

 

To the mountain, the raincloud said I apologize -

For all of my leaning on your shoulder.

If I did not cling to you so, the beauty of your great peak

Would be visible for the sun to shine upon always.

 

To the mountain, the sun said I apologize -

For setting down on you every day, and leaving you to the darkness.

If I did not leave you, you would cast no shadow

And my warmth and light would freely bathe your wildflowers.

 

To the raincloud, the wildflower said I apologize -

For my selfishness.

For I have never ceased

In my craving of your rain water.

 

To the sun, the wildflower said I apologize -

For my greed.

For I have never felt satisfied enough,

I always need more of your warmth and light.

 

To the mountain, the wildflower said I apologize -

For my hatred.

For I have bitterly cursed you

With every shadow you cast upon me.

 

Then said the wildflower to the raincloud, the mountain, and the sun -

Of all of us, I have the heaviest heart.

How could I hope to be forgiven

After the wrongs I have done to you?

 

To the wildflower, the raincloud said –

My rain water is your water.

The sun said - my light is your light.

The mountain said - my love is your love. 

 

       Lawrence A. Simons

*      *      * 

KEEPING TABS: 

Here is a reminder of the Brothers and Sisters we have lost.

DAVID W. HAINES, JR., died January 17, 2021.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01

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.

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 February 3, 2021, there are 132 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 13 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals. 

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72