The word in the hallway...

Isakson: Ready to play!

...is that we’re in for an Irish win. Yes, freshman Nick Isakson, standing in the Steds 1st floor hallway, prognosticated that the Irish will clip the wings of the visiting Owls of Temple this Saturday. This freshman from Texas is particularly excited for Saturday’s game because it will be his first not only as a student but also as a member of the Notre Dame Marching Band. Congratulations Nick! On playing his trombone this Saturday, Isakson said, "I can't believe 80,000 people will be watching me perform with the Band in the new stadium.  It's gonna be so hyped!  Go Irish!"

ND funds...

Steds TV Stand: Craftmanship of some sort

...funds at work! As funds continue to be dispersed, improvements are being seen around the Hall. Another improvement thanks to Notre Dame Day funds raised this past spring is a new TV stand in the Flounge, 1st floor lounge. The previous one was so decrepit that it was too embarrassing to show on this blog; however, what you need to know is that thanks to you and your generosity a glaring and embarrassing problem at St. Ed’s was solved. And yes… it was fixed just the day before the new freshmen arrived. Thank God! On the new TV stand, Devin Crudele, Steds sophomore said, “I came into the Flounge in the middle of everyone trying to figure out why they had so many extra pieces that didn't fit. After we realized it was all put together backwards, we decided to continue anyway. It's still standing today... so I guess it's good enough.”

They got married!

Michael and Ilse Johnson

It's official. Stedsman Michael Johnson ’14 and Ilse Zenteno ’14 were married this past Saturday in Maine. Surrounded by family, friends, and their Sted's family, Ilse and Michael tied the proverbial knot with much emotion and joy. Indeed, there were smiles all around. On witnessing the vows of Ilse and Michael,  Stedsman Frank Soler ’14 said, "This weekend St. Ed's proved that there is no distance too great nor any cocktail hour too long when it comes to celebrating the marriage of one of our Steds brothers!”

Best wishes and congratulations to Ilse and Michael... and here's the Steds contingent below...

...Always looking sharp!

Nothing brings the Hall together...

Yerkes (seated, in the red shirt) enjoying the fruits of his labors

...like a fight. That's certainly what happened this past Saturday as the Stedsmen gathered in the Flounge, the first floor lounge, to watch the Mayweather McGregor fight at 11pm. Suffice it to say, seats were on a first come, first serve basis, and it was the same for the food provided by the McDonald Wellness Center. But if you came late... if you didn't have a seat or enjoy any of the free food, you STILL got to take in a great fight. On the fight, Patrick Yerkes, Steds senior and organizer of the event, said, "The kids came, the pizza was eaten, and the men of St. Edward's Hall enjoyed the fight. But, at the end of the day,  it should be remembered that Mayweather won." Indeed, he did Patrick... indeed, he did!

Your Sunday picture...

Always a beautiful view

...from Notre Dame. Here is a beautiful view of the Dome from the south portico of St. Edward's. I must admit that I never grow tired of the view from the Steds front door. With views like this and temps that are most agreeable, what else could you ask for on a Sunday? Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Celebrating 175 years...

Oye! Make way...

...finally came to campus! Yes, the celebrations for the University's 175th anniversary finally made it to Notre Dame today as walkers, bikers, and hikers who retraced Fr. Edward Sorin's trek, a 250 mile trek, from Vincennes to Notre Dame arrived on campus. As they did, a large number from the South Bend area joined them in the last three miles to campus... and so did the residents of the University's oldest residence hall, St. Edward's. Yes, the Gentlemen, donning a special commemorative hall t-shirt, were there, and even though they may have done an abbreviated, abbreviated walk, they were there! And not surprisingly, they were the largest residence hall contingent present. On the abbreviated St. Ed's trail, Matt Lupo, Seeds junior and Hall Vice President, said, "We joined the trail at its end and only made it as far as the lakes, St. Mary’s to be exact. But Fr. Sorin didn't have any photography equipment, so who can say if he really ever made it farther than the lakes either? Lucky for us, we had cameras, so we were able to memorialize our voyage on the Steds abbreviated trail."

...for the one and only, Gentlemen of St. Ed's!

Again... what's happening at...

Making the best, better...

...Notre Dame during the summer? The answer... a lot. Here's yet ANOTHER building that is being refurbished on campus- North Dining Hall. The remake of North Dining Hall, commonly referred to as NDH, will only make the best dining hall better. "South Dinning Hall tonight???… Yuck! I am going to North!" Construction is all but finished, but if you are curious as to what the refurbished building will look like, take a gander by clicking HERE. On the improvements and refurbishments for NDH, Fr. Ralph said, “With the refurbishments at North Dining now complete, I don't think that I shall ever step foot on South Quad again."

Either you love them…

You love them...

…or hate them. Yes, either you love Lime Bikes or hate them. Either you love the convenience these bipedal machines provide, or you hate them as they become colorful eye sores as riders dropped them off wherever they so choose. Indeed, there is no in-between in this matter. What are Lime Bikes? It is a city of South Bend scheme to increase bicycle ridership, and it’s all aimed at increasing usage of the city’s new bicycle lanes. Right before students returned, a large number of Lime Bikes were distributed around campus for student use. So, how much does it cost to take a ride? Fifty cents… well, for the time being. On the appearance of Lime Bikes on campus, Eddie Johnson, Steds sophomore and resident "Southern Gentlemen," said, "Lime Bike is the best thing to happen to Notre Dame since we got electricity. You never know where you may find one." A compliment or sarcasm... you tell me.

...or hate them.

The first day...

The sun sets on the first day of fun...

...of classes draws to a close. Today was the start of matriculation for all students at Notre Dame, and what a day it was! It was a beautiful day. It was a day where most students started by going to the dining hall for breakfast... we'll see how long that lasts. It was a day of finding building and classrooms. It was a day of changing class schedules. It was a day for many things.  Without doubt, the beauty of the day and the desire of learning, all mixed with the newness of everything, made the day a day to remember. On the first day of classes for Stedsmen, Joe Trzaska, Steds Hall President, said, "Even the coldest heart would have been thawed by the happiness exuded from our reunited Gentlemen." Indeed, they would have Mr. President... indeed, they would have! 

Solar Eclipse 2017...

A total eclipse of the sun and most likely the heart

...was not missed at St. Edward's. Taking to St. Edward's Park, the Stedsmen took in the eclipse with special viewers. Thanks to the work of Connor Bagwell, Steds Assistant Rector, the viewers were certified by NASA, and suffice it to say, they were safe! Everything came to a head at 2:22pm on Tuesday with totality at or about an eight-five percent.  On the eclipse, Jackson Howell, Steds 1st floor RA and organizer of the event, said, "We had a splendid opportunity to witness the historic eclipse in the company of brothers and friends in St. Edward’s Park and the shadow of the Dome. All one hundred of the eclipse-viewing slides were given out. However, no eclipse viewing would be complete without Fr. Kevin standing to make an announcement for the Center for Social Concerns roughly 30 seconds before maximal eclipse. The event allowed for a pleasant afternoon in park which few Stedsmen are likely to forget."

They're getting married!

Kathleen and Luke: A great selfie!

It’s official. They’re getting married! Stedsman Luke Stavole ’11 and Kathleen Kelley ’10 of McGlinn are getting married. Luke proposed to Kathleen in a park in Chicago on Sunday, August 13th. After the proposal, they went to Mass at their parish to pray for their marriage, and then, they delighted in calling family and friends with the news. They look forward to their wedding in the summer or fall of 2018. On their engagement and wedding, St. Ed said, “When is the wedding? Not soon enough! Congratulations and best wishes to Kathleen and Luke!”

Move in day...

Command Central for Move In: Plaza St. Edward's

...at St. Ed's was organized and efficient. Thanks to the direction of Corey Gayheart and Will Connolly, the St. Ed's Welcome Week Staff mobilized, deployed, and assisted the 47 freshmen will now call St. Edward's their "home under the Dome." The old saying of "many hands make light work" rang true as the Welcome Week Crew unloaded cars in roughly two and half minutes. On top of that, they even washed every car's windshield! Suffice it to say, parents had it easy... and they should. On the success of the day, Will Connolly, Steds sophomore and Assistant Captain of Welcome Week, said, "The move in process went smoother then 'I can't believe it's not butter'. I was thrilled with the enthusiasm from both the first years and the Welcome Weekend Staff. I would also like to congratulate the RAs and ARs on handling the entire process with grace and aplomb."

Some of the Welcome Week Crew with Erin Harding and Brian Coughlin...

What's going on in...

Even if they have feathers, the more, the merrier!" 

...room 310. Indeed, what's going on since we last discovered an unofficial guest making the room its home? Well, I am happy to report that our newest resident of room 310 is doing well. Yes, baby Mourning Dove hatched last week, and it appears to be well- doing whatever baby Mourning Doves do. As you can imagine, mom doesn't like all the attention, and so, she and baby have been afforded a wide berth. The question on everyone's mind is when will baby dove start flying? On the arrival of baby dove, Dan Riley, Seeds senior and 4th floor RA, said, "It was nice to see St. Edwards Hall returning to it's roots and sheltering the young children for the summer."

Taking a break...

Bagwell, Rutherford, Howell, Yerkes, Riley, and Kill

...hall staff training, the Steds Hall Staff did. Yes, after a full day of training, probably more like a half day, the Seeds staff joined other hall staffs at the Four Winds Baseball Field to see the South Bend Cubs take on Dayton Dragons. While the concessions at the stadium were not "enhanced," the game was entertaining, making up for any and all missing "concession enhancement." In the end, with a score of 5 to 2, the Cubs snuffed out any fire the Dragons might have had. On the game, Jack Kill, Steds senior and 3rd floor RA, said, "Amidst the trial of a long and onerous training week, it was a pleasure for us staff members to enjoy the happy marriage of the pastoral and the modern in the game of baseball, cheering on our Cubs, and jeering the dreary Dragons, who were vanquished not only by the play of our team, but also by our heckling and antics. Go Cubs Go!"  

Your Sunday picture...

A perfect 10!

...from Notre Dame. Here's a morning view of God Quad looking South. It's a perfect Sunday morning- cool, low humidity, and puffy white clouds. The only thing that would make it better would be to have students present. Careful what you wish for... you just might get it! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Another summer that...

Mathes: Keeping it classy, American style

...is in full swing is that of Steds senior Parker Mathes. Working in London this summer, Parker got a taste of international finance and a good dose of long hours. But before you shed a tear for this gentleman, know that he also had the opportunity to take a break, or the locals would say "holiday," every now and then. On one such holiday, Parker, along with his mother Amy, took a break and visited Dover Castle. On the visit Amy said, "Despite the cloudiness, it was a beautiful day. Enjoy the last days of summer wherever you may be!"

Mathes biking around London and keeping it to the left...

Some summers...

Connolly has a bite...

... are not over just yet. While the rector and his staff must be at training, Stedsmen continue to frolic here and there, enjoying the summer days wherever they may be. That's certainly the case for rising Steds sophomores Will Connolly, Eddie Johnson, and Paul Youseff who joined Connolly, the one and only Delwarean at Steds since God knows when, at the beach in Delaware. Without doubt, fun was had as well as some fishing. On the fishing, Connolly said, "It's interesting to gain the perspective of the fisherman when it is usually the Gentlemen of Steds having to dodge the hooks of those interested in the great allure of a Stedsman," while Youseff went on to say, "I really like crabs. They taste good."

Thank God Youseff is there to help Connolly...

...but Johnson takes credit for the assist.

Still, Johnson and Youseff catch something...

 

...but everyone enjoys a great time!

Farewell to...

All good things must come to an end...

...the summer. With University hall training starting tomorrow, the summer is officially over. Yes, like the wind, the summer came and went, but what a summer it was!  It was a summer where many places were visited, afternoon naps had, and friends visited... but it's all over. It's back to the proverbial grind. On the summer, Fr. Ralph said, "Many thanks to all those who made this summer filled with fun, laughs, and memorable moments. It was a summer to remember. It truly was the 'Summer of Ralph'."

A pilgrim in...

Living on the edge...

... a foreign land Will Kelly was this summer. This Stedsman living in Duncan Hall, with its cinderblock walls and low ceilings, was truly a foreign place for this rising sophomore. Still, leaving the walls and ceiling aside, living in Duncan was a foreign experience as Kelly had to "commute" from the far west side of campus to "downtown" campus. On living in Duncan, Kelly said, "I swear... I only came for the air condition! Steds forever!"

A new resident...

In a cozy corner...

...has just moved in to St. Edward's. Actually, some time ago, in room 310, a lone morning dove has taken up residence in the window frame. And yes... there are eggs, two to be exact. Will this dove be evicted?  Rest assured, this summer resident will NOT be kicked from her nest, and hopefully, we'll soon see the hatchings. More to come...