A blast...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame's past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of the Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week's installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 23:

"Seeking recreation in town is discouraged but is permitted with restrictions:..."

Room Picks Night...

Maps, maps, and more maps for plans, plans, and more plans

...is over. Yes, the plan, the plan within plans, and the plans within plans within yet more plans have come to an end. Starting at 9pm, the Stedsmen gathered in the Flounge to decide where they would live for the 2017-2018 academic year. Perhaps not everyone got the room they wanted, but you know what? Everyone got a room at Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall, St. Edward's! It's just like the ancient Greek philosopher said, "You can't always get what you want, but some times you get what you need!" Indeed, indeed, indeed. Still yet, on his first Room Picks Night, Eddie Johnson, Steds freshman, said, "It went well, and it's over. My copious note taking really helped."

Where are...

Better one: Uzas and Oh making a statement

...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 "touring" Asia, David Oh '16 decided to check in with H.Q. and report on meeting another of his fellow Stedsman, Nathan Uzas '09. On meeting Uzas aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan in Japan, Oh said, "Situation normal." Later, Oh toured Japan with his girlfriend while Uzas planned his own Asia tour... a tour that will take him to every country in Asian! Get the steamer trunks and porters!

Better Two: Uzas and Oh continuing to make a statement

It's official...

Mr. & Mrs. Dufour

...they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and with fellow Stedsmen present, Maria Velasquez and Joseph Dufour ’11, former Steds resident and RA, were married at St. Michael’s Church in Galena, Illinois. Even though it was a rainy day, the bride and groom brought out the sunshine. On becoming a part of the Steds family, Maria, said, ”It’s a honor and privilege.” Well said… well said indeed!

Best wishes and congratulations Maria and Joe!

Fr. Ralph, Joe, and David Oh

Your Sunday picture...

Nothing more inviting than the front door of Steds

...from Notre Dame. Here's a Sunday evening look at St. Edward's Hall. After a rainy day, the sun finally came out. Still, a little rain is better than snow! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel

Feed me...

Mother of Steds freshman Brendan O’Donnell and a Notre Dame alumna herself, Eizabeth O’Donnell (née Mirko, EE ’88), an avid Gentlemen’s Monthly Blog reader, recently donated a bag of peanuts for Saturday’s Squirrel, saying she’s always been fond of these campus critters.

While an undergrad here, she admitted to a professor that the reason she was late to his class was because she stopped and fed a squirrel that was blocking the path.

Of course her professor believed her, since students of Our Lady’s University always tell the truth. He then launched into a long discourse listing the numerous characteristics of the Notre Dame squirrel population.

Elizabeth recalled and said, “For the rest of the semester, my classmates would often whisper, ‘Get him talking about the squirrels again.’ ”

A blast...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame's past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of the Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week's installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 23:

"No young man of gentlemanly instinct and aspiration ever finds the regulations irksome - and no other kind of young man is desired or tolerated at Notre Dame."

Moms' Weekend will be...

A visionary: Commissioner Gayheart

...the best one yet! At least that's what Moms' Weekend Commissioner, Corey Gayheart, is telling his fellow Gentlemen. Yes, every Stedsmen favorite weekend, Moms' Weekend, is just a week away. Suffice it to say, preparations are in full swing. On the preparations that are underway, Gayheart said, "Everything is proceeding as I had foreseen."

It's back...

Restic, with his girlfriend on Face Time, and Crudele seeing their fate

...to go. Unfortunately, Spring Break was a bit too relaxing. Now, this is never a bad thing, but, when you have to finally go back to the grind, it is. Despite a lack of new updates these past two days, it doesn't mean that life at St. Edward's has come to grinding halt. Perish the thought! 

Yesterday saw the posting of the Room Picks Lottery List and the maps of available rooms for next semester. Yes, that's right, Room Picks Night is right around the corner, happening next Wednesday at 9pm. As you can imagine, the Hall is filled with excitement, anticipation, nerves, and much more. The posting of lottery numbers and maps was such a big deal that freshman, Eric Restic, felt compelled to Face Time his girlfriend so she too could experience the moment. Without doubt, this was a first at St. Ed's. On his lottery number, Restic, "Well, my friends have better numbers." Indeed they do Eric... indeed they do!

Your Sunday picture...

Brighter than ever!

...from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the Mary and the Main Building from St. Liam's Hall, home to the University Health Center. The blue sky always makes the gold of Mary and the dome stand out all the more... so much so... you need to wear sunglasses! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

The male...

With the students on break, so are our furry friends. We'll hear more from our friends later, but for now, we're going to take a look at other campus wildlife. It truly is amazing the amount of "biodiversity" here on campus, particularly around the lakes. Many would think that the lakes are filled with ducks and swans only, but surprise! There's other fowl floating around St. Mary and Joseph's Lakes. On the finding of Gadwalls, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., biologist and part-time botanist, said, "Gadwalls on the lake this morning. Always a nice surprise. The male has subtle but beautiful plumage while the female has a fascinating pattern."

...and the female.

A unique view...

A unique view

... from a unique place. Here's the view of campus from the top patio of the new Duncan Student Center. Set to open for the fall football season, the Duncan Student Center will become the hub of student life on campus as well as offer tremendous views of campus... and it should since it is nine stories tall! On the view, Fr. Ralph said, "It's really nice, but if you don't like heights, well, there are other vantage points to take advantage of!" 

A blast from...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame's past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of the Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week's installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 17, #22:

"Most of the failures in college result not from lack of intelligence but from lack of application."

The best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, THREE years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the past!

The same old...

                                      

Nice, but some sun would be even nicer

...same old at Notre Dame. It's been cold and snowy during Spring Break. Oh the humanity...when will it stop!

The best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, TWO years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the past!

It may not be Spring Break...

                         

Smiling Stedsmen in NYC

...but it sure looks like it. As other Stedsmen are galavanting around the globe, these Stedsmen, recent graduates, didn't want to miss out on the fun and gathered together, taking advantage of the recent "spring like" weather in New York City. Of their gathering, Bobby Weltner '14, said, "It was great to be going out again with the guys. It was just like college...except a lot more expensive."

The best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, ONE year ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the past!

Still waiting for Spring

...from Notre Dame. Here's the view of Washington Hall and the Basilica from the La Fortune Student Center. With the increasing amount of daylight and blue skies means that Spring is right around the corner. Its arrival will be most welcomed! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Your Sunday picture...

Very, very quiet... outside and inside!

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the Hesburgh Library and the Word of Life mural. Since it is the first weekend of Spring Break, hopefully, the library is completely empty! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday's Squirrel.

Witch Hazel: Early bloomer

With the students on break, so are our furry friends. We'll hear more from our friends later, but for now, we're going to take a look at campus flora. With the mild winter, spring flowers are already making an appearance. Still yet, some of the trees, like this Witch Hazel pictured above, are already blooming. But are they? And if they are, is it due to the warmer than normal temps? On these questions, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., biologist and part-time botanist, said, "Yes, and no. Witch Hazel are among the earliest plants to bloom--usually in February, without any warm ups."

It's time for...

Break well

... a break, Spring Break to be exact. Yes, time to take a break from the books, classes and lectures, routines and schedules... and well, do whatever is needed in order to come back refreshed and ready for the final push to the end of Spring Semester and the academic year. What are the Stedsmen doing? Going here and there and everywhere. On his plans for Spring Break, Fr. Ralph said, "I love you all, but I hope I don't see you at all... Break well."

I believe that...

Spesia and Fr. Nate

... the children are the future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way. Yes, Whitney Houston said it best when she sang that song... about kids, teaching, and the future. Someone who believes the same is Fr. Nate Wills, C.S.C., in-resident priest at St. Edward's. Fr. Nate works with the Alliance for Catholic Education Program, and he recently paid a visit to an ACE school in Los Angeles where he ran into none other than former Stedsman, Frank Spesia '16. On his recent visit, Fr. Nate said, "I got to spend some time with Frank and his housemates when I was out in LA last week. Frank's doing great teaching his 5th graders and sends his best to the men of St. Eds." I am glad to hear that Frank is doing well, but what about his students??!!

A blast...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame's past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of the Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week's installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 23:

"The ideal of the University is not necessarily a large school but rather a college home in which young men who value clean character even more than a well-stored mind associate with their fellows under the influence of gentlemen." 

What's cooking at...

Congratulations Paul!

… Ed’s? Good question. I think that the question shouldn't be “What’s cooking?” but rather “What’s burning?” Tonight, from the picture, it really looks like nothing is burning…a first! On this achievement, Paul Youssef, channeling his inner- Guy Fieri, said, “Tonight, we’re riding the bus to flavor town!”

They're getting married!

Jess, Welcome to the family!

It’s official. They're getting married! Stedsman Patrick Krauss '16 and Jess Gubanich '16 of Farley Hall are getting married after Patrick proposed this past weekend. Everyone, and I mean everyone, knew, but thankfully, it was a surprise for Jess. Congratulations and best wishes to Patrick and Jess respectively! 

On Jess’ marrying into the Sted's Family, Krauss said, “After FOUR yacht dances and FOUR years of dealing with the shenanigans of the group of guys pictured above, Jess has had a long tryout to become a part of the Sted's Family. It's safe to say that she knows what she is getting herself into… but we're still not sure how she hasn't been scared off. I couldn't be happier to make her a part of this wonderful, insanely good looking group. Go Irish!”

Your Sunday picture...

Always a pretty sight

...from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart from the southeast end of God Quad. The mild winter has been enjoyable, but don't let the clear blue sky make you think that it is warm... because it is not! Still, it's better than having to deal with sub zero weather and snow! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Wo there stranger...

Bold and brash is how I would I describe this furry friend who I encountered in the backyard of Steds. As I approached, the squirrel came running down from his perch, and for a moment, I thought that he was running down so as to jump. But at the very last moment, he stopped. The furry friend non-verbaled, "Sorry, but I thought that you were somebody else."

Oh, the things...

But is it?

...that the Gentlemen write on their dry erase boards. The sage of room 311 is reminding his devotees,  that truth, purely and simply, is, well, not so pure and simple. Ghee, is this like using the very word you're trying to define in the definition?

A mullet throwback...

Dougie smiling while Roman is doing something...

...is the order of the day. It's been about a month weeks since victory was declared in the battle against malaria, but there many lingering memories and pictures left from that heroic struggle that brought the best out of so many Gentlemen and their scalps. Two Gentlemen who stepped forward and lead the charge were Assistant Rectors, Douglas Barnard and Tom Roman. Yes, they too offered their heads of hair for the cause. Did it matter? On getting mullets, Ethan LoCicero, Steds sophomore, offered, "The Mullet isn't merely an incredible hairstyle; it's a statement of who you are. I believe it was the late great philosopher-poet Winston Churchill who first said, 'You have a Mullet? Good. It means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life' (Summer, 1989). And in the fight against malaria, it was none other than the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu who declared 'As this world is plagued by the mosquito-borne parasitic protozoan commonly known as Malaria, our best weapon is the mighty mullet, before which all foes tremble' (Circa 496 bc)."

They brought their...

Looking sharp and playing no street ball.

... A game to the playoffs, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to upset the number one seed in the inter-hall basketball tourney. Still, making an appearance in the tourney was a real achievement considering that the season was in question from the very start. But playing one game, improving communication, and remembering fundamentals, the team gelled together and catapulted themselves into the playoffs. Well done. On the game, John "Poz" Pozluszny, Steds freshman and baller, said, "We played a great against the top seed of the playoffs. It was a tough loss, but we proved we could hang with any other hall."

Still, good bye and farewell to these our senior players...Ian Weber, Brandon Ruggles and Ben Cote. May your game play always be an inspiration!

 

Gone soon but always remembered!