Were you there when they...

ND Tiger bait? Tosh!

...beat LSU? In keeping with my moratorium on traveling to away football games, I was not there, BUT Stedsmen were in attendance. Sted's seniors, Andrew Borchert and Jacob Haley, were in the stands cheering their Irish on to victory in what has to be one of the best endings to a game this Bowl Season.  On the Irish win in the Music City Bowl, Borchert said, "Good win to end the season on a 'high note.'"

Word in the hallway...

Trewitt: We're on a mission from God. We're getting the band back together!

...is that Zach Trewitt is headed to Nashville for the Music City Bowl. Yes, this Stedsman and trombone player in the Notre Dame Marching Band is headed to Nashville for Tuesday's matchup against LSU. On going to Nashville, Trewitt said, "The Band is very excited to be going to Nashville. The "City of Music" is welcoming the "greatest band in the land," and we are looking to make it bigger than Taylor Swift. Geaux Irish, beat Tigers!" 

Your Sunday...

But where's the snow?

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a look at the University's Christmas tree in God Quad. While it may not look like much, I say it give the Christmas tree a few years. I am sure it will lose its "Charlie Brown" look...really.

Merry Christmas!

To you, Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall, and your families, Merry Christmas! May the Christ Child guide you all to happiness and peace this Christmastide and throughout the New Year!

VIDEO: Fr. John Jenkin's Christmas Greeting

And then...

Nothing going on here, really.

...there was none. Yes, with everyone away, it's a little slow at St. Edward's, but fear not, the blog will continue on, bringing you the life and times of Notre Dame's oldest residence hall!

Your Sunday...

A December view of God Quad

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a view of God Quad from the La Fortune Student Center. A dreary day, indeed, but at least there is no snow! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

It's time...

But what's in your big, red bag?

...to go home. With finals over, everything on campus closed, and the Hall closing at 2PM, it was time for everyone to say goodbye and head home for the Christmas Break. On leaving for Christmas Break, Chris Torres, Sted's senior, said, well, the picture says it all....goodbye!

Who knew...

Marcos: Those skates aren't for you.

...that Santa's sleigh was a purple PT Cruiser? Well, sort of.  This year the Gentlemen adopted a local family of six, with children ranging from 13 yrs to 1yr old, for Christmas.  Filling the kids' wish list that had roller stakes to Barbie dolls, the Gentlemen made Christmas happen for this family. On making Christmas a reality, Marcos Esquivel, Sted's junior, said, "Finals were cold and unkind, yet the hearts of Stedsmen were warm and charitable." Indeed Marcos....indeed!

Let's take a break...

Don't be shy, have another helping.

...from studying! On Wednesday evening, the Gentlemen took a break from their studying with a soiree of sorts in the first floor lounge where there was Christmas music playing (even some karaoke), decorating of the Hall Christmas tree, and of course, food. From Famous Dave to Domino's, from Taco Bell to egg nog and ginger bread cookies, there was some thing for every discerning palate. On the study break, Joe Scollan, Sted's RA and aspiring doctor, said, "Jovial, community building, and filling... the three aspects of being a gentlemen."

Oh, the things...

Resident of 331: a budding dentist, a wise sage, or both?

...the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. Yes, when a part of a regular routine with brushing, flossing can help protect tooth enamel from decay and prevent bad breath. I now know what I am asking Santa for. Thanks for the tip Room 331!

Closing is such...

Whhhhhhhy?????!!!!

...sweet sorrow. Yes, that's exactly what one Stedsman experienced when he discovered that Ed's, the in-Hall eatery, was closed for the semester. While it was just short of a wailing and a gnashing of teeth, the sorrow was clearly visible. Of Ed's closing, Spencer Edman, Steds senior and RA, said, "Missing Ed's during such a crucial week in the semester is a hole in my heart... mostly because that hole was normally filled with greasy pizza sticks and delightful (and healthy) paninis... BUT THAT'S THE POINT. Ed's completed me."

Rancher Larry says...

Don't question Rancher Larry

...it's Finals time! Indeed, it is, and good luck to all Stedsmen! Remember, if it's Calculus, then the answer is either 7 or empty set. If it's Bio, then the answer is dihydrogen monoxide. If it's anything else, well, you're on your own! Good luck!

Your Sunday...

At least it's not cold.

...picture from Notre Dame. A unique view of the Dome and the Basilica from Holy Cross Hill. Enjoy your Sunday where every you may be!

Sweet Revenge.

FSU: Broken spirits and busted hoop dreams

Sweet revenge indeed! In a crowded Purcell Pavillon, the Notre Dame Men's Basketball team demolished Florida State. Having the lead at the half, the Irish continued to build on their lead in the second half  ultimately burying their opponent. On Fr. Ralph sitting on the ND bench as team chaplain, Jon Heintz '09, J.D. '14 said, "I can only imagine how the football game would have been different if Fr Ralph had been on the sideline."

Word in the hallway...

Stoker: All smiles on the eve of Finals' Week

...is the question "What are you doing with your Study Days? With all classes now over and Finals' Week on the near horizon, yes, what exactly are the men of St. Ed's doing with their Study Days? When asked this question, Andrew Stoker, Sted's junior and resident man in the hallway, said, "Sorry mom." DON'T WORRY... everything will come up roses Mrs. Stoker!

Commence studying!

Murphy's Study Days: Catching up on laundry 

Yes, today was the final day of classes, and now, students are in "reading days," days devoted to studying for finals and other "things." On classes now over and done with, Michael Murphy said, "To all those who used to say 'Well I'll just do really well on the final' to justify your performance throughout the semester, well, now is our time to deliver! Happy studying." Indeed, happy studying! 

The tree is...

Welcome back Christmas tree!

...back! After a brief hiatus, our Christmas tree has returned to its usual perch above the main entrance of the Hall. Where it went, who cares? The important thing is that it's back, shining in the darkness, reminding us of the coming light of Christmas.  On the Christmas tree's return, a Stedsman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "My nights just got a whole lot brighter!"

Then and Now.

I think that Oh was a general...

Having left the University in 2009 to join the US Air Force, David Oh, Stedsman and now US citizen, has returned to Steds with stories to tell. Having been deployed in South Korea, David not only served as a translator but also performed many covert operations. It’s true! Have you seen Kim Jong Un’s limp? Ask David how he really got it. For more about David’s time away and return, click HERE. Still, on his departure and return to the University, Oh said, “I am definitely older, but it would be a mistake to equate that with more wisdom on my part. I'm still just an undergrad!” Indeed, you are David, indeed you are.

Are you there...

Electronic Ed's: Making your Ed's night easier

...caller? No, you're not because we don't have an Ed's phone anymore! Why? Tough times? Cut backs? No, not at all. Rather, Ed's has taken a giant step forward thanks to Spencer King, Vasihanv Murty and Kevin Boyd. Thanks these Stedsmen's computer skills and ingenuity, it's now possible not only to place orders at Ed's electronically but also to tell when orders are done and ready for pickup through real time updates. Take a gander. It's simply amazing.  It's SO EASY to use, you HAVE to place an order. On the electronic breakthrough at Ed's, King said, "The taste of success is sweet, but not quite as sweet as Ed's' strawberry smoothies," while Murthy said, "the website is going to usher Ed's in to the 21st century."

Your Sunday...

...picture from Notre Dame. An afternoon sun setting on the Basilica and the last Sunday of the Fall Semester. Happy Sunday wherever you may be!

A sad day...

Sted's Christmas: the magic is gone

...at St. Edward's as our Hall's exterior Christmas tree was stolen in the early hours of Saturday morning. Alert the police, CIA, FBI, DEA, ATF, Coast Guard, Postal Police, Homeland Security, TSA, air marshalls, the local mall cops, and the appropriate branch of the Salvation Army, and seal the borders! Dennis Rankin '09, former Stedsman, and his fiancée, Courtney Marek '09 of Cavanaugh Hall, came all the way from Atlanta to see the lights of Steds but were disappointed. On someone stealing the Hall's Christmas tree, Rankin said, "Really?" Well said, indeed, Mr. Rankin. Really?

Home! Sweet Home!

But did the gingerbread house find a home?

Chris Rho (L), Will Minor (C) and Sam Bradley (R) took a break from their academic labors to dabble in the culinary arts and gave gingerbread house making the old college go. Surprisingly, their creation, a replica of the Hall, was not only accurate but also painfully sublime. Of Sted's in gingerbread and graham cracker, Bradley said, "The only thing greater than our love of candy and frosting is our love of the one and only St Edwards Hall." Oh, how sweet...

On the 3rd day of...

Jake Miler caught completely off guard

...Advent, our University gave to us... a T.V.! Scheduled to be delivered and installed in August as a part of "Renovation 2014", the T.V. finally arrived yesterday to the surprise and shock of residents. The new 4th floor lounge, SkyLounge, has a new 48" T.V. for residents to watch as they "lounge". Of the new T.V. in SkyLounge, Jacob VandenBosch, Sted's Junior and SkyLounge fixture, said, "I think the T.V. will bring camaraderie and spirits to an all time high, but it will bring productivity to an all time low." Indeed, Mr. VandenBosch...you can't have it both ways! 

Decorating the Hall...

But do they know what they're doing?

...for Christmas has started. With University groundskeepers coming tomorrow to place the Hall's exterior Christmas decorations, Ned Vogel (L) and Andrew Borchert (R) as well as Joe Scollan (not pictured) took it upon themselves to assemble and string the Hall's exterior Christmas tree with lights. Surprisingly, stringing Christmas lights is an art and a science. On decorating the tree, Borchert said, "Took time out of their studies to make sure that the tree was decorated with the love and dedication it deserved." Good on you Borchert...good on you indeed!

It's back...

Occupied scholars in the Gregorian Room

...to go at St. Edward's. With Thanksgiving Break in the rear view mirror and classes ending next week, residents are gearing up for the semester's last round of tests and papers before the fun of Finals' Week. Of the upcoming Finals' Week, Fr. Ralph said, "Since I have NO tests or papers coming up and with NO finals on the near horizon, I'm coasting in on cruise control."

They're up to something.

Can it be that good?

Yes, Steds juniors and computer science majors, Spencer King (above with computer), Vaishnav Murthy and Kevin Boyd, are up to something, but what is it? Whatever it is, with all the smiles, it has to be good. On what's happening, Boyd said, "This is going to continue the magic." Suffice it to say, more to come.

Remembered...

Resquiat in pacem

...not forgotten. During the month of November, when we remember All Souls, the University's Book of Remembrance was placed in the Hall's chapel. The Book of Remembrance contained the names, submitted by the Notre Dame family as well as the Hall, of those who had died, and throughout the month, those named were remembered at every Hall mass. Wrapped in the golden mantle of Notre Dame, may they enjoy the peace of Christ!

Guess who's in....

Enjoy the sun while you can!

L.A.? Not me, but Joe Scollan, Steds Senior and RA, is. Spending time in the Golden State with his family and girlfriend, Michelle of PW, Joe is a brave soul who will cheer on the Irish at the Colosseum today. Of his visit, Joe said, "Enjoying the sun at Santa Monica beach, bottling the heat for the return trip, and waiting, of course, for an Irish win."

Steds loves its...

It's true... We do!

...moms! Sorry dads, but Steds is once again hosting its Moms' Weekend, March 20th to March 22nd, 2015. While the exact schedule of events is still being worked out, Mark Grasberger, the Moms' Weekend Commissioner, is gauging interest and taking registrations, and if you haven't received an email from him, it means that your son didn't give Mark your email address! 

If you came last year, come again. If you're new or haven't in the past, make sure to come. The weekend is a great time with your son, his friends, and other Steds moms, and expresses what we Gentlemen never say enough, "We love our moms!"

To request more information or to receive a registration form, click on Mark's name and send him an email.

Rancher Larry says...

Rustle up some turkeys too 

...it's time to say thanks. Yes, the Gentlemen, as I am too, are thankful for all the laughs, Yacht Dances, and memorable times associated with this special place, St. Edward's Hall. Thank you to all who help make the traditions and high jinxes carry on. God's blessing upon you all!

VIDEO: A THANKSGIVING DAY MESSAGE

Oh, the things...

Room 120: University spokesmen or "wisdom people" in disguise?

..the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. When you quote the Basilica door, you can't go wrong. Well said…well said indeed Gentlemen!

More News From the Front…

Leading the charge and winners: Team Peshtigo River State Park Correctional Facility

The battle against malaria has taken a decisive turn in the favor of the Gentlemen who on Sunday rallied forces to open yet another front. Taking to the ice of the Compton Arena, the Gentlemen caught the enemy off guard as they stormed the rinks, holding an University wide broomball tourney, Suffice it say, it was just what the campaign needed. On hearing the news from the front, St. Ed said, “It was their finest hour. Gentlemen everywhere have risen to the occasion and done their duty for King and Hall.” On returning from the front, Patrick Krauss said, “The men push through enemy lines and delivered punch after punch to send the enemy home…mullet-less and defeated.” Huzzah!

LAST DAY to join the Gentlemen and deliver one LAST punch against malaria, click HERE.

They got married!

Tony (in the center) with the Sted's wedding delegation

Anthony Piskurich '09, M.Ed '12, and Stephanie Frketic were married this past Saturday at Sacred Heart Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Fellow Stedsmen were attendance as well as Fr. Ralph who was the celebrant and received the couple's vows. The weather was great, but the couple was even better! On Stephanie joining the Sted's family, Nate Uzas '09, Stedsman and Best Man, said, "Just when you think that things can't get better... they get better!"

Your Sunday...

Snow: What's it good for?

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of North Quad, looking at Stone hedge, just after the snow stopped. Enjoy.

Oh, the things...

Patience is a virtue, possess if you can...

...the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. Witty and insightful, and in this case, so true! Still, as we patiently wait for break, let’s not forgot those who are patiently waiting for the brave and courageous Gentlemen to strike a blow against malaria. To join the Gentlemen in their fight, click HERE.

News from the Front.

There is no stopping them.

First Floor Lounge. 20:00hrs.

Mullets Against Malaria continued as it opened up a new front against the enemy. In a surprise move, the Gentlemen cut their hair, revealing their secret weapon, the mullet. The breakout was reminiscent of Pickett’s charge at the Battle of Gettysburg… but this time, it was successful. On the use of shock and awe tactics, Michael Murphy, Sted’s President, said, “My grandfather contracted malaria in the South Pacific during WWII. I just found this out. Suffice it to say, this thing just got personal. Malaria is going down.”

To join the Gentlemen in the fight, click HERE.

Gentlemen Muses.

 "A must see"... and "the feel good campus musical of the semester"

Braeden Fallet and Ned Vogel, Steds junior and sophomore respectively, were co-directors of PEMCo’s (ND’s student-run musical theater group) recent performance of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. To bring this classic to life, Fallet and Vogel stayed behind the curtain with Fallet directing vocals and Vogel directing the overall performance. On co-directing this production, Vogel said, “It was one of the best experiences I have ever been a part of; from the fantastic production team to the amazing and talented cast.” Still, an unnamed Stedsman and patron of the arts said, “What a triumph for such young directors!”

VIDEO: PEMCo's Into the Woods

Target: Malaria.

Release the mullets!

At the direction of the Hall President, Michael Murphy, the Vice Presidents, Patrick Krauss and Christian Verhamme, have mobilized the Gentlemen to undertake one the administration’s many campaign pledges: a campaign against malaria. Yes, the Murphy Administration has targeted malaria, a disease transmitted by mosquitos, afflicting 207 million people worldwide.  What’s the plan of attack? Mullets. Yes, mullets.

Since August, the Gentlemen, some of them at least, have been growing their hair out in this not so popular, but not forgotten, 80’s hairstyle all in an effort to raise awareness and funds for mosquito nets in malaria prone areas.

The campaign will commence this Friday with t-shirts and mullet wigs sales and end with a broomball tourney on Sunday evening at the Compton Ice Arena. All proceeds will go to "Nothing But Nets."

If you would like to join the Gentlemen in this campaign, click HERE.

On Mullets Against Malaria, Jacob VandenBosch, Sted’s Junior and mullet wearer, said, “I’ve never met a mullet that I didn’t like.” 

Egg rolls with Maem...

Cooking Class 101 now in session

...took place in the 1st floor lounge's new kitchen last week. Maem Detaksone, Sted's beloved and hard working housekeeper, taught the Gentlemen how to make egg rolls with a Thai flare. Nothing burned, and great tasting egg rolls were had by all. Christian Verhamme, Sted's Junior and Vice President, said, "We all had a blast making egg rolls with Master Chef Maem. It was a great medium for everyone to hangout and share some laughs and  Sted's loves Maem!" Indeed, we do...yes, indeed!

A picture is worth...

I was right there with you...

... a million words, and this one is no different. NBC Sports caught these three Stedsmen, Wen Zhong, Will Minor, and Kevin McCarthy, on camera during the recent game against Northwestern. Suffice it to say, their faces say it all. Still, on the game, McCarthy managed to say, "It was just so... disheartening to watch. I knew at some point that all of our mistakes would lead to our downfall but not like this!"

Your Sunday...

...picture from Notre Dame. A beautiful view of the Basilica taken from St. Edward's Park. Enjoy.

Flashback Friday...

Kempf, Krauss, and Quast: A law firm?

...on Saturday.

Graduation - May 20, 1984

After spending freshman year in Flanner Hall, Rob Kempf ’84, Greg Krauss ’84, and Pete Quast ’84 were privileged to answer the call to come higher and become Gentlemen of St. Edward’s.  This trio roomed in rooms 215, 405, and 411.  On the recent remodeling of the 2nd floor, Kempf, Krauss and Quast said collectively,

"Too bad about the demise of Room 215. Now it’s up to us to keep the stories 
alive; the leather chair, the aviator helmet phone, the devil poker, the triple-high 
bunks, turning the Dome spotlight onto St. Ed's during a power outage, 
sneaking into the main building during an away football game, and of course the 
trumpet pre-rally that left the room smelling for decades. Just the greatest..."

Just the greatest, indeed, and I am sure that Sted's junior, Patrick Krauss '16, and sophomore, Max Kempf '17, would agree!

Oh the things...

It's like watching the WeatherChannel.

...the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. While they are not certified AMS meteorologists, the residents of 321 St. Edward's nevertheless seem to have a jet stream of truth flowing from their dry erase board because on Thursday morning...

Classes cancelled?

...it snowed. Why can't room 321 be like other meteorologists and be wrong?

Word in the hallway...

Stoker's secret: caffeine and sugar

... is that Andrew Stoker, Sted's Junior, had FIVE classes this Wednesday. On having sat through five classes, Stoker said, "I learned a lot." Keep it up Stoker...keep it up!

Mission Accomplished.

Almost all smiles

Tuesday night saw the Sted’s broomball team finish their regular season with a 2-0 victory. Captained by Chris "Sick Lats" Lattimer (R), the team went 4-0, allowing not a single goal to scored all season. But, it hasn’t always been a bowl of cherries for Lattimer and fellow team members, Josh Schultz (L), Joel Kolb (C) and Andrew Borchert (not pictured). In their first season, the team went 0-4, but since then, in true military form, they have made an "about face.” On playing broomball, Lattimer said, "Broomball is love; broomball is life."

To find out why the team’s name was “Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared,” click HERE.

Congratulations all around for a job well done!

Houston, we got...

Yerkes: What Interstellar?

... a Stedsman working at NASA! That's right. Daniel Yerkes '14 is working for NASA in L.A. on the successor to the Hubble Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. I have been told that it is basically a much bigger, meaner, and better version of its predecessor   Among other things, it will be able to look at the first galaxies formed in the universe, see how stars form, and determine the physical/chemical properties of planetary systems, possibly finding life in some far flung place. On that prospect, Yerkes, circled in red above, said, “Let's hope they don't find any ebola in other galaxies!” Indeed, Yerkes…indeed!

Rancher Larry says...

Rancher Larry: He calls it as he sees it, and he's calls it right.

...it's time to round up moms for Moms' Weekend! That's right. We've been planning a weekend to honor our moms, and you'll be hearing more about the fun filled weekend next week! Thanks Rancher Larry!

Yes, I was...

All smiles before a disaster 

...there when the Irish played the Sun Devils of Arizona State. With the sun unobstructed, the temps unseasonably above normal, and ASU fans rabid and out of control, it was inhospitable venue to say the least, and after the game started, I had flashbacks to our game with Alabama. The only silver lining to my journey to the "Valley of the Sun" was running into two former Stedsmen and now Californians, James Yurkovich '13 and Daniel Yerkes, '14. Of the game, Yurkovich said, "We almost had the biggest comeback win in Notre Dame history. As it was, I enjoyed the comeback of Fr. Ralph to his desert roots."

Throwback Saturday.

Parker and Amy Mathes: The Faltos got to them

Three weeks ago, the Notre Dame Marching Band, en route to Tallahassee, stopped in Atlanta, staying with various ND alumni in the area. Six faltos players- fancy way of saying French horn players- had the luck of staying with the Mathes family, a Sted’s family, where they encountered not only Southern but also “Edwardian” hospitality.

Donning band helmets and surrounded by falto players, Parker and his mother become quick believers that the falto, a.k.a. mellophone, a.k.a. french horn, a.k.a. marching French horn, was the greatest of all marching band instruments. Right. But what about the clarinets?