Your Sunday picture...

AT&T Stadium

... Notre Dame on the road. It’s really difficult to write anything more about the Cotton Bowl. But if I had to say something I would say, “The stadium was really nice.”

On assignment.

Haag: Always a listener, first time caller

Taking a break from Christmas Break, Fr. Ralph went to Dallas to oversee Cotton Bowl festivities. Gearing up for Friday’s show at the Dallas Convention Center, Fr. Ralph managed to make a visit to SMU’s campus and tour the presidential library of George W. Bush. While there, Fr. Ralph made a surprise phone call to an unnamed Stedsman, asking him if he still believed in an Irish win this Saturday. On the phone call, Haag said, “We had a really great call. It was the best phone call ever, really. It was beautiful. It reassured me in something that I have known for some time now... we’re going to see a great Irish win!”

Go Irish!

Merry Christmas

The Main Building's Christmas Tree

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

Twas the night before...

Somewhere then Steds

Christmas, when all through the Hall not a creature was stirring- not even a mouse on the third floor! That's really the case, and the mouse in the picture is from another residence hall which shall remain anonymous. Enjoy your Christmas Eve!

Saturday Squirrel

Stand down- we got security covered 

While students are off breaking here and there, campus has absolutely no activity. Should students worry? Is the vacant campus now a target for crime? Will rooms be pillaged and ransacked by bulgars? Perish the thought! While NDSP have things well in hand, there is an extra level of campus security- squirrel squad. Yes, our furry friends know their own, and if you are not one them, then they’ll ask you kindly to move on. On seeing a stranger, this squirrel non-verbaled, “Can I see your campus pass?”

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, four years ago today, here was today's posting. What are these three pouring these days? Enjoy this blast from the past.

That last push...

But did Frank really drink that egg nog?

...before the end of Finals Week. Vaishnav, Kevin, and Frank, Steds sophomores, take a break during the Hall's 10pm study break, the third of the week. Enjoying the oasis of the Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Christmas cookies, and egg nog, Stedsmen were all were smiles until the break was over, and it was back to studying. Good luck to all our Stedsmen!

And suddenly...

A sunny, but cold, view of the HomeSteds

...it was quiet. Today marks the first day of the Christmas Break. With residence halls and most other buildings now closed, an eerie silence has descended upon campus. But, don’t worry. All throughout the break, we will continue to bring you, every other day, the life and times of St. Edward’s Hall.

Your Sunday picture...

Do you see it?

... from Notre Dame. Here is a beautiful sunset, the University Christmas tree, and the second oldest residence hall in the background. BUT if you look closely, you will notice something else. What is it? It's a beautiful crescent moon. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be.

Saturday Squirrel.

Sad day...

What are they thinking? Who knows. Still, sometimes we can glean from their posture, language and empty stares what they are pondering. And from the body language of this furry friend sitting on a rock outside St. Ed's, we can understand much what is racing through the little mind of this squirrel. As students are scurrying about campus with suitcases and whatnot, this squirrel's body language non-verbaled, "Please don't leave us! Who's going to feed us while you are away?!"

What's going on...

Campus' new residence hall- Corby Hall

... next to the Basilica? It's a new residence hall, but it's not for matriculating students. It's the new residence hall for Holy Cross priests. The old Corby Hall, built in the early 1900's was demolished this past summer to make way for a completely new hall. While it will look very similar to previous building, the new Corby will have much more space as well as many improvements. How's construction going? On schedule, and if you're on campus you'll see the Hall's two new elevators rising from the construction site. On the construction of a new Corby Hall, an unnamed Steds resident said, "Now more than ever, I would hate to live in Sorin."

It's official...

Noel and Cole Patterson

They got married! Cole Patterson ’11 of St. Ed’s and Noel Bennett ’11 of Vanderbilt were married at the Onwentsia Club in Wilmette, IL, on a bright and sunny September day. Surrounded by family, friends, and members of Steds family, Noel and Cole exchanged their vows with great enthusiasm and excitement, making this special day only that much more memorable. On Noel and Cole wedding, Fritz Schoenhut ’11 said, “We are so happy to welcome Noel into the Steds family. Cole, previously Vice President of St Ed’s and known as “Veep,” really picked a winner. Being the shutdown cornerback on the Steds football team that he was, it comes as no surprise Cole made a great play by choosing Noel as his bride. Congrats to the Pattersons!”

Best wishes and congratulations to Noel and Cole!

Noel and Cole dancing...

...with Cole later lifted high by his excited Steds Family!

The war on Christmas...

Christmas will always win

... continues as the Hall is prevented from putting up its traditional Christmas decorations. In years past, the Hall placed its traditional wreaths and Christmas trees, in white lights, above its two porticos. It was a sight to behold. But, then, enter Risk Management, who brought everything to a halt. While Risk Management may currently have the upper hand in this war, the forces of Christmas cheer and tasteful decorating at St. Ed's will not give up without a fight. Leading the charge into the fray are the residents of room 209 who refuse to let defeat be the order of the day by placing a Christmas tree in their window, a window very close to the main portico. On the zeal, creativity, and cheer of the residents, Fr. Ralph said, "They are an inspiration for us all!"

Lost and found.

Something lost; something blue: a Steds hat

On a stroll around the Hesburgh Memorial Library, St. Ed's juniors, Jack Barrett and Matt Cyrs, found something. As the pair walked around the reflecting pool, now drained for the winter, something caught the eye of our Stedsmen. What did they see in the pool? A handsome, embroided   Steds bucket hat. Caked with sediment, the hat must have been lost during a game day float. On the find, Cyrs said, "We found only this hat. There was no sign of the owner."

Your Sunday picture...

A new day dawns...

... from Notre Dame. Here's a look at the Hesburgh Memorial Library and a view of the sunrise breaking over campus. Sunrises are not usually enjoyed, but nevertheless, they are just as beautiful as the sunsets that are more often viewed by those matriculating. Enjoy your sunrises and sunsets wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

Staying alive...

While it's cold outside, we can always come inside and warm up. Unfortunately, our furry friends cannot. To stay warm, they have bulked up, putting on some winter weight, but they need to keep eating to keep the weight up and stay warm. A hand out here, a trash can drive there go a long way to keep the weight on, but it's not enough. So, remembering where they buried their caches of nuts and what not goes a long way. On finding a winter treat, this squirrel non-verbaled, "It may not be roasted on an open fire, but this nut is delicious."

Christmas is a...

Frosty is looking more like a Christmas tree...

... go! Thanks to the generosity of the Gentlemen, Christmas is on! Sponsoring four South Bend families and ten children, the Gentlemen raised funds to not only fill the wish lists of the children but also to take care of the basic necessities of everyday living. With ample funds and volunteer shopper sat the ready, Friday’s Christmas shopping at Target was fun and memorable. Still yet, thanks to the generosity of the Gentlemen, not only is Christmas on but also the Hall’s Christmas tree has become decorated with many strands of lights and bulbs- many of which still have to be placed. On this achievement, Frankie Tran, Steds sophomore and organizer of Christmas charity efforts, said, “The Adopt-a-Family by St. Vincent de Paul is a great opportunity for Steds to give back because it puts Christmas gift-giving into perspective. It’s times like these when we can appreciate the little things in life that we often take for granted such as clothing, family, and friends.”

All we want for...

The war continues... 

... Christmas is a Christmas tree! The war continues on the Steds Christmas decorations. Yes, picking up from last year, the Hall continues to press to have its Christmas tree placed atop its main portico. Too tall an order? Tosh. But to our friends in Risk Management this is a portico too far... too far off the ground, making it dangerous for anyone to ascend. In the end, the casualty is our Hall Christmas tree. On the War of Christmas Decorations, Fr. Ralph said, "Our resolve and determination have never been stronger. We will continue to fight until we have our tree!" Echoing these sentiments, a parent of two former Stedsmen, added, "We shall fight them in the quads; we shall fight them in the traffic circles; we shall fight them in the snow drifts.... we will never surrender!”

Preparing for Finals...

A sight to see: Gentlemen bouncing about in pink socks

... the Gentlemen are. To combat that "Finals feeling" and energize themselves for studying during Reading Days, RAs Brook Meadowcroft and Jack Ryan Williams organized the Gentlemen for a trip to Sky Zone- the local trampoline park. There's no getting around, but there's going to be a lot of ups and downs during these upcoming days. So, there's nothing better than lifting the weight of looming tests with trampolines that let you touch the sky. But were our Gentlemen the only patrons of the trampoline park? Heavens no. There were plenty of other kids- elementary and junior high students- present too celebrating birthdays and special outings. On trampolining with others, Meadowcroft said, "Safe to say we had a few pounds on the rest of the kids there, but we did not let that deter them from challenging us in the dodgeball arena. Turns out, our size just made us big targets. All in all, we had a hoppin’ good time, but what I’ll cherish the most is my new pink sky socks. Till next time Sky Zone!“

Do you see what...

*The above picture does not reflect the belief and values of Ed's Eatry

... is wrong with this picture? Yes, what is wrong with this picture of Josh Chapple, Steds sophomore and Ed's culinary representative, in Ed's? The problem is that Josh has brought in food that is NOT from Ed's. For some reason, Josh thought it's okay to bring a bag of little powdered doughnuts and a can of ice tea from the Huddle into Ed's during his shift when he's serving up the wholesome goodness of Ed's pizza sticks, paninis, and smoothies. Shocking without a doubt; however, Chapple has no qualms about this in the least. On having non-Ed's food items in Ed's while working Ed's, Chapple said, "It's my rule never to eat the product that I am selling."

It's official...

Fr Ralph with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Margaret Crisman

They got married. Daniel Crisman ’12 of St. Ed’s and Margaret Leibold ’12 of St. Mary’s were married at St. Martha’s in Sarasota, Florida on a sunny and bright December day. With Fr. Ralph officiating and surrounded by family, friends, and his Steds family, Dan and Margaret exchanged their vows with much joy and enthusiasm. Suffice it to say, the couple was ready for this moment! On Margaret and Daniel’s wedding, Stedsman Matt Abeling ’12, former Stedsman, said, “The ceremony and reception were beautiful, and we couldn’t have picked a better match for Dan. Margaret must have been hooked after one of our room 420 parties. She makes a great addition to the Steds family, and we wish them all the best!”

Congratulations and best wishes to Margaret and Daniel!

The happy couple with their extended Steds Family

Your Sunday picture...

Pretty to look at...

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of God Quad's Jesus statue with a fresh coating of wet, heavy snow. It's the perfect snow for coating everything in white, and so, campus now looks like the interior of a giant snow globe. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Digging, digging, and more digging 

Digging. Digging. Digging all the way to China some would say, but did our furry friend find what he was looking for? Well, who knows? Maybe he did... maybe he didn't. All we know is that our squirrel was busy doing who knows what. We all hope that he found what he was looking for, but then again, maybe he wasn't looking for anything. On being pictured for the Steds blog, this squirrel non-verbaled, "I am not looking for anything. I saw a camera and wanted to look busy. Can you blame me?"