Your Sunday...

Will it rain?

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a view from yesterday's football game. Warm and muggy, with some showers, but in the end, it was a great day for a football game!

Game Day!

The future leprechaun?

The pageantry that is Notre Dame football started on Thursday afternoon and reached its climax on Saturday with trumpets, bagpipes, tailgates, and.... colorfully dressed fans. Brandon Ryan, Sted's freshmen, went to today's game against Rice decked out in his game day finest. On his colorful treads, Ryan said, "I'm keeping tradition alive." Indeed, your are Brandon...indeed you are. 

Let there be music!

They don't make them like this anymore.

Thanks to generous gifts, our Hall’s new piano, or rather “refurbished,” piano has arrived. Our piano, a 1936, mahogany Baldwin, with its original ivory and ebony keys, was refurbished in Chicago this summer and arrived with impeccable timing- the day before the freshmen did. On the new piano’s arrival, Ned Vogel, Sted’s sophomore and Director of Music, said, “I believe that this new piano will not only enhance our Hall’s Masses but will also confirm St. Edward’s reputation as the Hall with the most discerning taste in all things.” Indeed, Mr. Vogel… indeed…

…and all our love and thanks to our generous benefactors!

For the very first...

But who's really in charge?

...time, Daniel Wrapp, 3rd floor Resident Assistant (RA), places his duty tag on the Duty Board in the lobby of St. Edward's Hall. As he places his tag on the board, Wrapp shares in a long line of of RAs taking on duty for King and Hall. On placing his duty tag, Daniel said, "It feels good to be both the Master of the House and the Keeper of the Inn."

Look...

Don't forget to clean the lint trap!

....Kurt, Sted's freshman from Chicagoland, learned how laundry is done. Without any help, Kurt was able to load, wash, and dry his laundry. Whether he separated his whites from his colors, we don't know, BUT what we do know is that there were no major mishaps in the 1st floor laundry room. On learning how to do laundry, Kurt said, "My mother would be proud that my Notre Dame education is teaching me lessons above and beyond those in the classroom. Here's to my first load of laundry!"

Indeed, Kurt, and congratulations!

Fair catch...

"Fair Catch (Fr.) Corby" outside Corby Hall

...but certainly not fair weather. The excitement and enthusiasm of the first day of classes was a bit extinguished as campus experienced a good amount of rain and lightning during the morning class commute. Still, that didn't stop students from heading off to class umbrellas-less and in flip flops. On the early morning weather, Fr. Ralph said, "Since the University cut the fireworks at tonight's picnic a few years ago, a little lightning in the morning sky is a great way to make up for it...but just don't go around running with metal poles or anything else that could attract a lightning strike."

VIDEO: A rainy day for St. Ed's.

He DID start...

Daara: keeping warm on an already warm night

...the fire. With the freshmen move in complete, it was time to kick off freshmen orientation with a visit to Holy Cross Cemetery. Following the visit, the Gentlemen retired to Holy Cross Hill for a bonfire. Conversations were facilitated by cigars and lollipops and of course, by the bonfire. Of the evening, Daara, Sted's sophomore, said, "It was an excellent opportunity to get to know the new Gentlemen of the Hall and to appreciate the privilege of living in such a uniquely fraternal Hall." 

VIDEO: Freshman Welcome Video

Your Sunday...

                                                                       *Photo by Neil Sielski

photo from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the Grotto at night. Believe me. It's hot, but it's even hotter standing next to all candles and prayers!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Move-In for Squirrels: Paradise Lost 

Our furry friends' "run of campus" came to a screeching halt yesterday. The peaceful, lazy atmosphere of campus, with its "cross the street as you like," evaporated like a puddle in the Sahara as cars, truck, and people invaded campus. When asked about the sudden rush of people and cars, an unnamed squirrel nonverbal, "This is nuts!"

They're.....

We need more Stedsmen out there!

...here! Yes, today marked the arrival of the new freshmen to campus. Thirty-one new Stedsmen arrived at St. Edward's between 9am and 1pm with light showers in the morning, giving way to midmorning sun and 92% humidity. Still, it was 100% fun. On move-in and the Frosh O crew's performance, Dan Meehan, Frosh O commissioner, said, "Smooth, clean, and efficient. We expect nothing less. From the pit crew to the greeting squad, everyone gave a 110%. Perfect way to set the tone for the weekend and year." Indeed, indeed Mr. Meehan...well said.

Taking a break.

Hall Staff: Ready to spring into action...maybe not

After completing the University's Hall Staff training week, where some clause of the Geneva Convention had to be violated, St. Ed's Hall staff were evacuated to Lake Michigan for some much deserved R&R. On the decompression at the Lake, Andrew Borchert, Sted's 4th floor Main RA, far left, said, "It was Michigan at it's purest." Indeed, it was...indeed, it was.

They Got Married!

Bryan and Stephani Keve

It's official. Bryan and Stephani were married this past Saturday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. With Fr. Ralph officiating and surrounded by family, friends, and their Sted's family, Bryan and Stephani tied the proverbial knot with much emotion and joy. Indeed, there were smiles all around. On hearing that Bryan and Stephani get married, an unnamed Stedsman said, "They're got married? I thought that they got married a couple of years ago!" Congratulations and best wishes to the Keves!

Your Sunday...

...picture from Notre Dame. A nice reminder that Mary, Notre Dame, has is always watching over us.

Saturday's Squirrel.

Sneaky squirrel...

Today's furry friend tried to sneak up on where I was lunching. In the end, the stealth and camouflage, was all for not as our friend broke down and resorted to begging. 

Up, up, and...

All smiles, but what about his co-pliot?

...Stedsman away! When he's not trying to convert wayward FSU sisters, see January 26th's posting, Brendan McCarthy '09 is flying high. On his recent flight, Brendan shared some thoughts:

St. Ed: How was the flight?

McCarthy: It was like a "Weary Traveler's" Mass with Fr Ralph - a blur!  I'm proud to still be able to say the only thing I've ever been ejected from is a St Ed's hockey game. It was almost as exciting as going to the UCLA or Michigan State game in 2006...or Oklahoma and USC in 2012.  This one is up there though, slightly ahead of blocking a punt in interhall football."

St. Ed: Is there anyone you'd like to thank?

McCarthy: I'd like to thank the taxpayers and the IRS.  You guys bought a heck of an airplane!  The real hero at the end of the flight was the law of gravity.  She's alive and well.  Couldn't have done it without her, she deserves a great deal of the credit.  Also the wings.

Brendan, congratulations and good luck! Many happy landings!

(Northern) Ireland Calling.

Looking for puffins in all the wrong places.

Ben Fouch, Sted's sophomore, was recently in (Northern) Ireland. During his visit, Ben went to see the "puffins" of Rathlin Island. On his quest to capture pictures of puffins, Fouch said, "The whole point of the visit was to find some absolutely top notch puffins, but in bad weather, the puffins keep to themselves. Yes, we had bad weather that day." Better luck next time Ben... better luck next time.

Good bye...

The sun setting on Lake Michigan and the halcyon days of summer 

...summer. Summer feels as if it never happened, but I guess it did. Yes, summer has come and gone because today I start "work" once again. Speaking of that, work feels as if it never stopped. What is a king to do? Sir, my kingdom for a summer!

Your Sunday...

...picture of Notre Dame. Here's a Sunday view of God Quad from LaFortune. Enjoy!

Saturday's Squirrel.

 

Keeping the doctor away

Today's furry friend is enjoying an apple in the parking lot of Corby Hall. He's keeping it healthy.

I aaaaammmmm......

Looking better than ever

...back. Yes, with work a week AHEAD of schedule, I took up residence in the Hall once again. Let me tell you... if you like what you see on the outside, then you're going to LOVE what you see on the inside!

Dome, we have...

... a problem. We have no internets in the Hall. Workers kept pulling on the internets, and now, we have a mess and no internets. Lesson? Don't pull on the internets!

Your Sunday...

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a nice view of Mary and the Main Building from South Quad.

Saturday's Squirrel.

Are you going to run me over too?

Being a little hungry, today's Saturday's Squirrel was more than happy to take a granola bar for lunchtime snack. Finishing the entire bar in less than three minutes, our furry neighbor non-verbaled, "Got anything else?"

Thank you...

Damaged not done by the USPS

...Counselor! Back in April, I recounted how Jon Heintz, Sted's AR and now graduate of the NDLS, defended Arthur Jackson in a mock trial where Jackson was charged with arson. Recently, Arthur Jackson sent Heintz a thank you, and I think that the card speaks for itself. On receiving a charred thank you card in the mail, Heintz said, "I can't comment. You know, attorney-client privilege."