Saturday's Squirrel.

A mad, winter dash

What's a squirrel to do when it's cold and snowy? Apparently, they're just like us. Squirrels don't like winter so much so that this furry friend didn't want to stop and give a non-verbal. C'mon squirrel...it's for the kids!

Californians in Winter.

Mentally, he could be anywhere in California right now.

Native Californians are always caught off guard by their first winter. At first, the snow is pretty, but they soon learn that is a the harbinger of much misery and pain. Still, for those who are enduring “round two” of winter, coping techniques are in place so that when winter storm Linus dumped a substantial amount of snow on campus, this native Californian and Steds sophomore, Steven Mike, said, "My favorite activity to do in the snow is pretend that I'm actually someplace warm."

Sometimes things...

Frozen: Let it go...

happen. Yes, sometimes things, like your bike being frozen in place outside of Sted's, can and does happen. Don't worry. We're going to have warmer temps that are above freezing next week. On seeing  another resident's bicycle a frozen mess, an unidentified Stedsman said, "Dude..."

Some people have...

But did they play a pick up basketball game?

...all the luck. On a recent trip to Hawaii, Dom Fanelli '11, former RA, ACE teacher, and NBC consultant, ran into a Notre Dame celebrity, Manti Te'o. When asked how this happened, moreover, what he, Fanelli, was doing at a Hawaiian high school while on vacation, Fanelli responded, "I wanted to see Punahou High School where Obama- and Te'o- went to school. I spoke with some teachers, and while walking through the gym, I suddenly ran into Te'o himself!" What are the chances?

Rising stars.

Freshmen squad: pointing to next year's season

Last week we heard a lot about the senior and junior basketball squads, but let's not forget the rising stars of the Sted's franchise. Here's the Sted's freshmen basketball squad, Team Fresh Meat. Playing in the Division A and composed entirely of freshmen, the team has not only a 0 and 3 record but also TWO losses of MORE THAN 40 points. When asked about the team's season, Alex Schelhorn, Sted's freshmen and team inspiration, said, "Most teams are either on or off; we are always off."  

What's cooking at...

Mathes: All smiles as a panini burns

...Ed's? Good question. I think that the question wasn't "What's cooking?" but rather "What's burning?" When asked what he was burning at Ed's, Parker Mathes, Sted's freshman and Ed's food tech, said, "Everything." Well done... well done indeed!

Your Sunday...

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart with yet another helping of snow

picture from Notre Dame. Here's yet another snow covered picture of campus. Get the drift? It's snowy here...but hopefully not wherever you are. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

How could you say no?

Sometimes are furry friends aren't looking for a quick hand out. This squirrel's non-verbals said, "Can we be friends?" Of course.

Californians in Winter.

Surf's, er, snow's up!

Winter isn't slowing this Stedsman down. Sam Bush, Steds freshman and ND football player, is attacking winter head on and taking no prisoners. On winter storm Linus dumping a substantial amount of snow on campus, Bush, a native Californian, said, "Coming from the beautiful Golden Coast, I don't see too much snow except for on the occasional ski trip. But so far, I've realized 3 things about snow: It's white, cold, and there's a lot of it!"

The sting of...

Meehan: Chin up buttercup!

...defeat was painfully indeed. Yesterday, you heard from the winners, but today, you hear the other side, the losers. Thankfully, there were no broken bones, but spirits...well, that's a different story. On losing to the other Sted's team on the basketball court, Daniel Meehan, Sted's junior and B2 team member, said, "After the loss, I'll admit it, I was dejected. But I found comfort in a quote from the late, great, and fictional Thomas Wayne. 'Why do we fall?' he would ask rhetorically. 'So we can learn to pick ourselves back up.'" 

It was a game...

Senior Citizens: J. Haley, M. Scott, J. Schultz, and J. Kolb

...that pitted Stedsmen against Stedsmen; roommate against roommate; brother against brother. It was a showdown between the two St Ed's "B Team" basketball teams. Yes, St. Ed's B2 team took on St. Ed's Senior Citizens team. An eye witness to the battle reported:

The game was a defensive struggle from the get go.  The first half ended with a score of 13-8. Shot after shot soared through the open air; only to find more open air. The second half opened with a flurry of scoring by the Senior Citizens,  ballooning their lead to a comfortable 16-8. The highlight of the night was a punishing coast to coast drive by Zach Daniel, who played with unmatched intensity.  When the dust and fireworks settled,  the Seniors, bouyed by the experience of their seasoned veterans, emerged victorious. The final score was 30-26, a real barn-burner. 

On the epic win, Josh Schultz, Sted's senior and member of the Senior Citizens squad, said, "The young bucks were gunning for us, but we wore them down with tough D, and an unheard of 10% shooting percentage from the 3. It was truly a triumph of the human spirit."

Relief from the winter...

Girl Scout Cookies: just in time for Lent?

...has finally come! Even though there's still snow on the ground and temps are hovering in the low 20's, we have Girl Scout cookies! Yes, thanks to Katie of Girl Scout Troop 30770, helped by her brother Chance, the Gentlemen are finding comfort and solace from the winter weather through tasty cookies...Carmel Delights, Peanut Butter Patties, and of course, perennial favorites, Thin Mints. On NOT ordering cookies, Frank Spesia, Sted's junior, said, "I feel like I missed out on a great financial investment; an investment that would have had a great return in the short term." Indeed you did Frank...indeed you did!

A blast from...

A 1917 view of God Quad 

...the past. That's exactly what it was for Jack Kill, Sted's freshman, when visiting relatives in the Chicago, when he was presented with a Notre Dame scrapbook. The scrapbook belonged to his great grandfather, Leo O'Donnell, a resident of Sorin Hall and member of Notre Dame's graduating class of 1917. So, thanks to Jack's great grandfather, we will be having periodic "ND flashbacks."

On having such an artifact and a family history at Notre Dame, Kill said, "It's truly remarkable to be in possession of such a wonderful piece of history. Not only does it shed light on some of the history of this University, but it does so in the context of my family history. It is so wonderful to be a part of this institution, carrying the legacy of those who came before us, especially when those include your own familial ties. I'm a big proponent of knowing where you came from in order to understand where you are going. This piece of history adds a very special significant to that idea."

Your Sunday...

                                        *Photo by AJ Tablada

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a winter view of Mary and the Dome with a setting sun... and yes, it's cold. Enjoy your Sunday, and may it be warmer wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Busting a move, but...

Our furry friends do many silly things, but this is a first... a breakdancing squirrel! Yes, with one paw on the ground, our friend attempted to do a spin; however, an opening door at SDH distracted him. The unexpected distraction made him lose all concentration as well as restraint as he made a mad dash to take advantage of the open dining hall door. A squirrel stuck in the 80's or just one hip squirrel? You make the call.

...an open door brings an end to the show.

Californians In Winter.

Snow: Making the most of it

It's Jackson Herrfeldt's first year at Notre Dame and his first winter with snow. Don't worry, he's making the most of it, giving it the old college go. On winter storm Linus dumping a substantial amount of snow on campus, this native Californian, said, "I never seen this much snow in my life!" 

On Assignment.

Yes: orange and purple

Coming off a loss at Duke, the ND Men's Basketball team headed to Clemson, South Carolina to take on the Clemson Tigers. If you didn't see the game on ESPN2, then you missed quite a game! The Tigers showed their claws throughout the game, but in the end, the Irish pulled out a much needed road win. It's important to note that like Brian Williams the Irish DID NOT take any enemy flak except for the occasional "you Yankee" and "you Northerners" from the student section. On hearing these comments throughout the game, Fr. Ralph, team chaplain for the game, said, "Technically, I am Midwesterner so it didn't bother me. I was more focused on the game since another road loss might have meant the end of the road for this team chaplain!"

Making the most of...

No broken bones

..the snow and warm temps by going cross country skiing. Yes, that's exactly what the 4th floor of St Ed's did this past Saturday at the on campus golf course. Organized by the 4th floor RAs, Andrew Borchert and Spencer Edman, skiers from first timers to veterans took to the gentle, rolling hills of campus. On the event, Edman said, "After trying for ten minutes to put ON the skis, we took off on our cross country skiing expedition. Half of us were laying on the ground at all times, but of us all ended the day covered in snow. It was great exercise, and we all had a blast.  Still, we are confused as to where the chairlift was."

Don't forget to block.

Don't mess with these Gentlemen

St. Edward's boxers for the 85th annual Bengal Bouts have been training since last semester, and it's now time to take it to the ring. As they do, the Gentlemen are supporting their Gentlemen boxers with this ad as well as their presence their matches that start this weekend. On participating in the Bengal Bouts, Alex "The Aztec" Cervantez, Sted's freshmen, said, "It's been a hard four months both physically and mentally, but completely worth it. I'm extremely proud to be a part of this legacy and to help the children of Bangladesh. They have nothing and being able to help them motivates me to continue. I look forward to stepping into the ring, representing St. Edwards Hall and continuing the legacy of Sted's House of Pain." 

On Assignment.

Before the game: Coach K with Coach Brey, K's former assistant coach

The game may not have gone the way that we wanted it to, but in the end, the ND Men's Basketball team gave it their all. No doubt, it was a tough game with the Duke Devils playing an excellent game and the crowd giving a deafening roar. On being the team chaplain for the game, Fr. Ralph said, "I was rather underwhelmed by the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Also, it was so loud that I had a headache after the game." Fr. Ralph, I think that we all did after that game....

Your Sunday...

This photo could be a Christmas card

...picture from Notre Dame. Last week's snow storm, that dumped 15.5 inches of snow, has afforded campus photographers with numerous photo opportunities. Here's a picture taken from Bond Hall. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Mad dash for a dropped pretzel

The recent snow storm really did a number on campus. It not only covered campus in a beautiful white blanket, but it also dashed many residents hope for pizza during the Super Bowl as roads became impassable. Still yet, it prevented our furry friends from finding their buried edibles. On the recent snow storm, a campus squirrel non-verbaled, "I am HUNGRY!"

Californians in Winter.

It's just a different form of rain.

Today, we start a brief series entitled "Californians in Winter" that explores the thoughts and feelings of those whose constitutions for winter weather is, well, less than that of other residents. On winter storm Linus dumping a substantial amount of snow on campus, Daara Jalili, Steds sophomore and native Californian, said, "It's a little balmy out for my taste." 

Wrapping It Up.

Wrapp or Wrape, I am calling it a wrap.

On assignment at "University's Attic," University Archives on the 6th floor of the Hesburgh Library, Daniel Wrapp, Steds Senior, 3rd floor RA and the Hall's resident Arizonan, was looking for past photos of the Hall and campus when he made a surprising discovery.

St. Ed: I hear that you recently made a surprising discovery at University Archives? What did you discover?

Wrapp: While I was hunting through the stacks searching for old relics, my fedora and bullwhip got stuck on a dusty old tome that revealed a number of Wrapp ancestors that attended the University of Notre Dame without my knowledge!

St. Ed: Wow. You were looking for Archives photos of St. Ed's, and in the process, you made this discovery. So, how many generations have gone to Notre Dame?

Wrapp: Well I was aware that my paternal grandfather graduated from ND in the late 1930’s, but what I didn’t know was that his father and his father’s father were also ND grads! It turns out that there has been a Wrapp under the Dome since 1869, meaning that ND Wrapps actually pre-date St. Edward’s Hall itself!

St. Ed: Really? Wait. This guy’s name is spelled differently than yours… is he really a relation?

Wrapp: Indeed he is. It turns out that the Wrapp moniker has undergone a number of revisions and improvements since we floated over from the Emerald Isle. Needless to say, despite my bias, I think the current iteration takes the cake.

St. Ed: What other secrets do you think University Archives are holding?

Wrapp: I’m playing this one close to the vest, but the next time I head back up to the sixth floor of the library, let’s just say that I’ll be asking some hard-hitting questions about the death of Jimmy Hoffa.

A word from our...

Last year's celebration of Sted's moms with smiles all around 

... Moms' Weekend Commissioner, Mark Grasberger. Yes, let's hear from the gentleman who is at the helm of this celebration of moms. When I caught up with him, here's what Mark had to say.

St.Ed: What moved you to take on the mantle of Moms’ Weekend Commissioner?

Grasberger: Moms’ Weekend Commissioner was generously passed down to me from a fellow gentleman, Pat Krauss. I found myself unable to turn down such an opportunity. 

St.Ed: What can moms expect during the weekend?

Grasberger: Moms can expect plenty of disorganization on my part, but a wonderful weekend with their sons nonetheless! 

St.Ed: Is it too late to register?

Grasberger: Is this even a question? We are always accepting registrations! 

St.Ed: Of course, silly me. Still, how would you describe the Stedsmen’s excitement for Moms’ Weekend?

Grasberger: Exhilaration is an understatement. It's been said that this weekend rivals Yacht Dance! 

Wow! That's a powerful statement folks, but you know, Mark's 100 percent right! It's true!

It was a...

                                               RUDY!         *Photo by Gavin Ryan

...complete surprise for Fr. Ralph this past Saturday at the Compton Ice Arena. In addition to seeing the Notre Dame Men's Hockey team take down UNH, 4 to 3, Fr. Ralph got to meet Rudy. On meeting Rudy, Fr. Ralph said, "It was like meeting Notre Dame royalty, and I shan't wash my hand for some time!"

He was in...

Always worth pointing out 

...the neighborhood, and so, he stopped by. Yes, Mark Bellatoni '04, Hall Spirit Award winner and accountant at PwC, was on campus recently recruiting Notre Dame students at the Winter Career Fair sponsored by the Career Center. Hopefully, Mark recruited a few budding accountants from Sted's! On stopping by and seeing his name on the Hall Spirit Award plaque, Bellatoni said, "Always nice to see that the Hall knew me for something other than running Hall apparel sales and at the 'pawnshop.''

Your Sunday...

Looking good thanks to that renovation.

...picture from Notre Dame. As you can tell from the picture, it's cold here...not to mention snowy. Still, each passing day means that spring is one day closer! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!