Your Sunday...

Always looking good.

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of Mary and the Hall taken from the east end of St. Edward's Park. No matter which way you look at it, it's a beautiful view from the most beautiful campus in the world. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Where are...

Westminster Abbey: started by St. (King) Edward

...they now? Good question. Where are the Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall? Indeed, you never know where they are until they drop you a note. While "summering" in London, Parker Mathes, Steds rising sophomore, decided to check in with H.Q. Of his time in London, Mathes said, "My time in London has been incredible! With two full weeks already in the books, I have made great friends in the program, seen stunning historical sites, and experienced the ‘amazing’ British culture. I would say that despite our fear of pigeons, rowdy USA apparel, and fiery and patriotic attitudes on Memorial Day, or ‘Bank Holiday’ as the locals call it, the locals LOVE us! I hope this trip doesn’t fly by!” On Mathes' quote, St. Ed responded, "Oh, to be a student..."

Oh, the things

But can it be fixed?

...the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. Here’s something that I saw this last semester and saved it knowing one day it would come in handy. Yes, like breaking news that is broken, the cat is out of the bag with the Gentlemen Monthly… we’re in summer schedule, meaning we’re posting every other day. Why? Because everyone needs a summer!

Memorial Day.

While we often think of this day as the official start of summer, Memorial Day is a day for remembering those men and women who died while serving our country's armed forces. So, while we go about our holiday, let us pause, remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and giving our thanks.

To read Fr. Ted Hesburgh's words at Notre Dame's Clarke War Memorial, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Yes, there's plenty of pollen

...from Notre Dame. Here's a photo of the Sorin statue on the south end of God Quad with beautiful spring tulips and the Dome in the background. Once again, a gorgeous day at Notre Dame. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

A special view...

Always worth a look...

...twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Now, regardless of where you are and whatever the time may be, you have the ability to take in an unique view of campus from the Main Building. To take a gander, click HERE. On the Dome camera, St. Ed said, "I wonder when St. Ed's camera will be installed." Great question.

An architectural history...

A true Sted's scholar...

...of St. Edward's Hall. Chris Lattimer, Steds senior and architecture major, has been busy studying the architectural history of Notre Dame's oldest residence hall. Spending time at both University Archives and Bond Hall, Lattimer conducted research that culminated in not only an informative presentation but also a beautiful watercolor picture of St. Ed's over the years. On his research, Lattimer said, "Over the past semester, I have looked into the architectural history of St. Edward's Hall. This watercolor painting shows St. Ed's at four different stages throughout it's history. Also, in my research, I ran across this quote from a trusted scholarly source: 'Those boys who came from St. Edward's Hall were easily superior to the young men who had prepared themselves in other schools.' Some things never change..." Indeed, trusted scholarly source...indeed.

In the near future, Lattimer's watercolor will be framed and placed in the Gregorian Mural Room.

Exit...

Good bye, good luck, and Godspeed

...Seniors. With Graduation and the "Gathering" on the steps of the Main Building now over, Steds seniors departed one by one until there were none. Yet, before we all get teary-eyed saying good byes, just remember, we'll all be saying "hello" again come football season. Still, leaving campus is a sad day. On the departure of the Steds seniors, Fr. Ralph said, "Their departure reminds me of a Fr. Sorin quote. Fr. Sorin said, 'When you leave Notre Dame, your first thought is "when will I return."' I am sure that this was in the minds of many Steds seniors today."

Missing and now...

Missed but not forgotten...

...missed even more. Grant Schertzing, Steds' AR and now graduate of the Notre Dame Law School as of today, missed the Hall's recent photo. Claiming he forgot the time, Schertzing failed to be present and so failed to be immortalized on the Sted's class photo wall. Yet, thanks to the computer skills of Steds' senior Neil Sielski, Grant was made present. On Schertzing's departure, Jon Heintz, fellow Steds AR and lawyer, who successfully defended Arthur Jackson from bogus arson charges, said, "A proud day for Grant and his family is but a bittersweet moment in the long and storied history of St. Ed's, a history which Grant undoubtedly helped to shape in his two years in the Hall. Godspeed to a jolly good fellow who knows not yet how much the Hall will miss him, nor how much he will miss it."

A senior...

What was frozen in winter is thawed out and freed in spring

...miracle! This is what greeted Matt Kowalski, Sted's senior, this past February. Matt's bicycle, parked outside St. Ed's, was firmly in the grasp of Old Man Winter frozen in ice. When discouraged from using a sledge hammer, Matt waited, and by waiting, what was frozen in become......unfrozen, with the help of spring! On getting his bicycle back, Kowalski said, "My bike weathered a rough winter-- the chain was first frozen in ice and then solid rust-- but some WD-40 and lubricant can work wonders."

The secret to a great...

Enjoying the surf and sand of Lake Michigan

...residence hall at Notre Dame is the hall staff. Without doubt, St. Edward's Hall is what it is because of its staff. The staff makes up for the failings and foibles of its rector, gives attention to the smallest concern or problem of residents, does what everyone enjoys but no one wants to do, imparts wisdom to the ignorant, and in the process, draws everyone up as they rise to the occasion to serve to King and Hall. This year's staff, Grant Schertzing (AR), Andrew Borchert (RA), Daniel Wrapp (RA), Neil Sielski (RA), Spencer Edman (RA), Joe Scollan (RA), and A.J. Tablada (AR), have indeed done just that and more. On enjoying the final staff outting to Lake Michigan, Grant Schertzing, soon-to-be lawyer and rarely quoted AR, said, "It was just a perfect day on the Lake. Sure, the overcast sky obscured our views of Milwaukee and Chicago, but that just helped us to focus purely on Michigan," while Neil Sielski, architect of St. Edward's e-communication systems, said, "Despite the less than summer weather, it was 'fun in the sun'. My people were made for the cold, but it doesn't stop us from enjoying the beach and surf." Oh yes, Neil took a plunge in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan!

Of the outgoing staff, Fr. Ralph said, "I thank them for all that is, all that has been, and all that is yet to come!"

Oh, the things...

Wisdom from "The "Sage of Room 331"

...the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. Here’s a good, down to earth tip from room 331. Indeed, it's something for the Gentlemen to remember when they're on the boat, er, the yacht next year.

Saying goodbye and more...

Without the seniors, the choir just isn't going to be the same.

With the undergraduates now gone, the Seniors have Sted's all to themselves. While they have various "last" visits to the Grotto, dining hall, St. Michael's laundry, etc. scheduled during this Senior Week, Steds seniors enjoyed a "last" Mass in their hall chapel, the Chapel of Saints Edward and John. On attending his last Steds Mass, Alex Caton said, "I'm not sure I've processed all of it yet. It was everything that has kept me coming back to Steds Mass each week--small, intimate, centered. In the Gospel reading Jesus said 'It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.' That's the kind of belonging I've come to feel here."

Still yet... this same week, 127 years ago, something else happen in this chapel...

The history that is St. Edward's continues on...

Rancher Larry says...

But will Rancher Larry be there for the 7th ending stretch?

..."Go on now, and get!" Yes, go on now and get, you undergraduates because the Hall is closed... and you seniors... you get too. Yes, get going to your Senior Week event at Wrigley Field, watching the Cubs take on the Mets. Even though there's a good chance for rain at today's game, there's an even better chance for a Cub's loss! Just saying...

Your Sunday picture...

More tulips

...from Notre Dame. Once again, here's a view of some of the 30,000 tulips planted on campus. These tulips are by Corby Hall and the Basilica. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Sted's Hall Government working...

Sted's Hall Gov: of, by, and for the people!

...hard for their constituents! Taking a break from their studying for Finals Week, the Gentlemen gathered in the first floor lounge to the watch the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight. Suffice it to say, EVERYONE and his girlfriend managed to pull themselves away from their studying and "take" a study break to watch, with pizza- standard study break food, the fight that everyone wanted to see. On being able to provide the fight for the Sted's masses, the Hall President, Griffin Hilly, said, "Sted's was the envy of every hall on campus when we successfully broadcasted the MayPac fight. We had better attendance than most college lectures!"

Get him out...

Hang on John...

...of there! If Monday of Finals' Week didn't have enough drama, the meltdown of the Sted's elevator provided plenty. At roughly 3:18pm, John Rutkowski was trapped in the elevator as he attempted to go to the 4th floor. Within minutes, NDFD was on the scene and immediately went to work freeing the Sted's sophomore. Instead of writing more, watch it unfold from BOTH the outside AND inside the elevator.

We see the problem...

Smiles and relief...

And now from John's view....

On being freed from his elevator incarceration, John said, "Minutes turned into hours, hours to days, and days to weeks. I forgot the sweet touch of the sun and the even sweeter embrace of my dear Stedsmen. But finally, when I was in my darkest hour, a blinding light came in and the faces of several of Notre Dame's finest burst in wielding sledgehammers and blowtorches. I was free at last!" 

There you have it folks... the drama that was Monday of Finals' Week at Sted's!

Derby Day.

Bringing some class to the in-field 

While many St. Ed's Gentlemen take their Study Days at a beach on Lake Michigan or in the City- Chicago, many Sted's seniors take a jaunt down to Churchill Downs. Yes, to find their motivation for Finals Week, Sted's seniors take in the pageantry and the Southern hospitality that is the Kentucky Derby. On the outcome of the Kentucky Derby, St. Ed said, "Well, it's not the first time that I called the Derby wrong. Guess I'll be doing a lot of concession stands this fall."

Fishnets vet...

They played as "ball'rs" and as gentlemen

...a threat. Yes, it was Sted's verses Sted's during the Bookstore basketball tourney. "Nothing but (fish)Nets IV," a team composed of Sted's seniors, played against "Savage Patch Kids," a squad of Sted's freshmen upstarts. In the end, the prowess and athleticism of the seniors prevailed over the freshmen with a score of 21 to 12. On the game, freshman Eddie Brady said, "It was a hard fought battle, and we were a bit outmatched in terms of size. Everyone had a great time, and it was a fantastic experience to play some Bookstore Basketball with such a fine group of fellow Gentlemen."

THANK YOU...

All our love...

...for making us the #1 residence hall this ND Day! Yes, thanks to you, St. Edward's saw all other halls in the rear view mirror in cloud of rubber smoke as St. Ed's took an early lead and never looked back. On St. Ed's ND Day finish, a Gentleman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "Never underestimate Steds...never." Well said Gentleman speaking on the condition of anonymity...well said indeed!

On this past Friday, we gathered to express our gratitude to all the fans of Steds. Click on the picture to see our special message for you.

Your Sunday picture...

Tulips outside the Main Building

...from Notre Dame. Here's another picture of the tulips that are in full bloom on campus. Thanks to having no rain or severe storms, the tulips are having a terrific run, making ND's spring spectacular. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Living on the edge. 

Perhaps it was a run in with a hawk or tussle with a campus raccoon, but today's furry friend was a bit timid coming forward to have his picture taken. Whether it was, we'll never know, but we hope he knows that we're glad he's our furry friend!

A sad day...

Is Will smiling or fighting back tears?

It was a sad day as Ed's closed its door for the semester. So, no more paninis, no more pizza sticks or smoothies, and yes, no more smells of caramelized onions emanating from the first floor hallway. Without question, it was an incredibly great year for Ed's and its customers, but sadly, all good things must come to an end. On Ed's closing, Will Minor, Ed's server, said, "It's the end of an era. Ed's was the lifeblood of this fine Hall's night time cuisine, and without it, I'm sure many will be left in disarray for finals week.  For without pizza sticks who really are we?"  Indeed, Will... who are we without pizza sticks?