Extreme Weather Day...

Brannan: Satiated genius on an extreme weather day

... part two. The extremely cold temperatures continue to have a firm grip on campus and much of the Midwest. And while the weather managed to close down the University for a day and a half, but something that was not shuttered was Ed's. Thanks to Devin Crudele and his Ed's staff, culinary services didn't stop or operate with reduced hours. It was just the opposite as they opened for lunch on Wednesday. It was at Ed's when I caught up with Michael Brannan, Steds sophomore, resident North Carolinian, and student trainer for ND Women's Basketball, and he shared with me the happenings and personal thoughts on the extreme weather day. 

St. Ed: Prior to coming to Notre Dame, have you ever had a snow day canceling your classes? 

Brannan: Yeah school got cancelled a couple times a year in North Carolina because when we would get an inch or two of snow everyone would freak out and the city would shut down

St. Ed: How would you describe the cold you experienced?

Brannan: The cold was absurd. The wind whipping in your face was a truly terrible feeling. 

St. Ed: With your classes cancelled, what did you do on your “Extreme Weather Day?”

Brannan: I hung out in the dorm all day with my friends, playing video games, cards, and watching movies. 

St. Ed: Should the University declare more extreme weather days?

Brannan: In my professional opinion, there are many days where the weather here requires no classes, hopefully they’ll consider that in the future. 

An Extreme Weather Day...

Lofton: Staying warm!

...was declared earlier this week on Monday, and the University was shut down as of 7PM the next day. Record low temperatures, with a bit of wind, made for dangerous conditions where it was possible to suffer frostbite after ten minutes of direct exposure to the elements. In the end, this declaration gave our matriculating students a free day. While this- canceling classes because of weather- may be nothing new for most residents, for some, it was. One such student for who this was totally new was Keenan Lofton, Steds resident Hawaiian. During a brief trip outside to experience the elements, Keenan was able to share his thoughts on the extreme weather.

St.Ed: Prior to coming to Notre Dame, what’s the coldest weather you have ever experienced?

Lofton: A brisk 60 degrees would bring out the blankets and sweaters back in the islands. 

St.Ed: It’s cold, but is it really that cold?

Lofton: It's really cold, but its not cold enough to prevent me from sporting a Mullet for our upcoming Mullets Against Malaria!

St.Ed: With your classes cancelled, what did you do on your “Extreme Weather Day?”

Lofton: I helped comfort my parents on the phone because they "felt chilly" today in Hawaii as well.  

St.Ed: That’s hurts Kennan, but still, knowing now it gets terribly cold here, would you still come to Notre Dame?

Lofton: With hindsight, I would still choose to come to Notre Dame, but I would leave my extra pairs of board shorts at home and invest in more appropriate gear such as the extremely popular Canada Goose jackets I see here.!

The days are short...

Smiling before the battle: Swift and Herlihy 

... and the hair is long. That can mean only one thing... Mullets Against Malaria! Yes, the Gentlemen have grown their hair out so that they might meet malaria on the battlefield once again. In command of Steds follicle forces are two sophomores, John Swift and Joe Herlihy. Joining in last year's fight, these two young Gentlemen have risen through the ranks and been promoted to lead our brave boys and their 80's coiffures in this noble fight. But don't let their smiles fool you because these two mean business and will stop at nothing to claim victory over the enemy. 

In a two part series, we will hear from both these commanders on their efforts to rally the forces and vanquish the enemy. Today, we hear from Joe Herlihy, a Steds Marylander and mechanical engineering student, who has taken some time away from Headquarters to give us this interview.

St. Ed: What’s Mullets Against Malaria all about?

Herlihy: Mullets against malaria, although a hair related fundraiser, is not about hair nets, rather it is about raising money for malaria nets. A $10 donation to Nothing But Nets correlates to one net. One net provides a child in Africa with a net to cover their bed and prevent the spread of malaria and protect them while they sleep

St. Ed: Are there any hidden challenges to growing a mullet?

Herlihy: When people describe hair, it is either short or long. When growing a mullet, one simply has to forgo a nice haircut for the 5 months it is between short and long. Oh, but what a great conversation starter it is to say “I know my hair is gross but let me tell you about malaria”

St. Ed: How long will Steds wage its campaign against malaria, moreover, we will win?

Herlihy: Steds is unrelenting in its fight against malaria. As long as hair grows on the heads of these men, we will throw it back to the times of ole and shave the sides of our heads for this great cause. One day this disease will be stopped and the world will have the Gentlemen of Steds to thank for their sacrifice

St. Ed: What would you say to encourage others to join the Gentlemen in this fight?

Herlihy: Last year I interviewed for my summer internship with a mullet, and if anything, it only increased the connection between me and my future employer. Should you feel encouraged to once again sport the mullet, either in your time as a Stedsman or as a throwback to your Glory Days, do so proudly and help the Men of St. Edwards Hall reach our goal. If your mullet days are behind you, consider donating and spreading the word. Any and all help is appreciated. This is for the kids!

To support our boys and do your part in stopping malaria, click HERE.

Your Sunday Picture...

What is that golden orb in the sky?

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the Jesus statute on God Quad with Walsh Hall in the background to mention the snow on the ground. With more snow on the way this week, it's nice to see the sun for change. Stay warm, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

Furry friends, please come down!

With the incredibly cold temperature turning everything into an ice box, an eerie silence has descended across campus. Gone are the sounds of life. There is only an eerie soundless stillness about quads of campus. Contributing to that silence and stillness are our furry friends. They are nowhere to be found. Gone are the squirrels begging for food outside LaFortune. Gone are their games of chasing one another on the quads. Gone are even their little footprints in the snow! Where are they? Probably staying in their leafy homes in the various trees of campus, huddling together to stay warm. With temperatures predicted to go only lower this week, we probably won't see much of our friends. Until then, stay warm and well fed!

Olympus has...

Peter Nichols and Jared Walsh (left) in the midst of their race...

... fallen! With great boom from the heavens, Steds crashed out of the last inter-hall Olympic game against Sorin. Gathering in the Flounge, the spirits of the Stedsmen were running high and a victory assured as the Hall's best players for the video game "Super Smash Bros." assembled. Steds players trained everyday, even taking on daily exercises to improve their hand eye coordination. When the games started, it looked very promising for Steds, but things slowed and then quickly went the other way taking the proverbial hard turn to the south. Suddenly, the Stedsmen found themselves swept by Sorin three games to zero. Still, there was controversy with this lost, and an official complaint has been lodged by Steds with the appropriate authorities. Apparently, Sorin did not play according to the official bracket, and after winning three games, their players immediately left the competition without their wins being certified. So, Sorin has not officially taken the title of "Oldest Hall" just yet, and even if they did, the numbers are on our side. Numbers don't lie... 1882 comes before 1888! On the apparent Super Smash Bros. loss, Matt Lupo, Steds senior and 2nd floor RA, said, "Can we get Brandon Ryan '18 to come back?" 

... while Alex Morrison and Westin Mulqueen (left) see trouble ahead and a loss...

... but the Olympic torch at Steds continues to burn bright!

The games...

 Kelly (seated, left): learning a new definition of hot

... continue! And no matter what the weather may be- be it rain, snow, or ice- will the Stedsmen never fail rise to the challenge. Making the trek to Sorin Hall amid a strong cold wind and a good amount ice on the sidewalks, the Stedsmen poured into the lobby of the second oldest hall for the third night of intra-hall Olympic Games. Tonight's feat of strength... hot wings eating. Like ascending Everest, many have underestimated this Olympic competition, but it's much more difficult than most think. 

Emerging from the Steds crowd to do his duty to King and Hall and to bring home Olympic gold, William Kelly, Steds junior, sat at at the table and took the proverbial hot seat for the wings challenge. While Kelly got off to a great start, something happened, causing his hot wing intake to slow and the competition overtake him and eventually win. Still, it was a great performance by our Steds junior. Chin up! On tonight's defeat, a Stedsman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "While studying in London semester, Britain’s tea and biscuits did little to prepare Kelly for the wholly American challenges posed by blazing buffalo wings.”

Let the games...

To the victors, go the spoils... sandwiches

... of the Second Olympiad begin! The inter-hall games, with Steds competing against Sorin for the title of "oldest hall," started on Sunday. Dispensing with the opening ceremonies, the two residence halls got right down to business and to the first game... ping pong. Unfortunately, an official bracket was not used for tourney play as President Edwards and other Steds participants requested, and so, Steds "technically" lost as the game became a simple string of seven games. President Edward's assures me that this was the cause. But fear not... there are more games. 

Tonight, the games returned to Steds where an "epic game" of Pictionary was arranged. While Steds was present and ready to go for gold, Sorin was not. Matter of fact, they failed to show up! Still, in the spirit of the games, an epic game of Pictionary was played and more than enough Jimmy John sandwiches were had. On the second day of the games, Vice President Jack Barrett said, "Intimidated by the lexicon and creativity of my fellow Stedsmen, Sorin decided it was best to forfeit tonight. But we say let the games begin. Nothing can stop Steds!"

Open once again...

A stoic Travis at his station

... is campus' favorite hall eatery- Ed's. Yes, Ed's is open, and the paninis, pizza sticks, and much more are now being served up, less the Gentlemen have to trek out to the Huddle and endure the snow and cold. But none of this would be possible if it weren't for a group of dedicated and professional residents- culinary service representatives. One such representative is Steds sophomore, Eli Travis. Despite having surgery on his arms, Travis' dedication would not allow him to miss a minute of his shift. On returning to his duties at Ed's, Travis said, "It's great to be back at Ed's and seeing all the faces of the Stedsmen. Seeing them and their smiles is almost- almost- payment enough."

Your Sunday picture...

It feels like January 

... from Notre Dame. Yup. It snowed here, and this picture of Mary and the Dome says it all. We're all  waiting for summer. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel...

Stay inside and enjoy from a window

...interrupted. With an epic snow storm slamming the Midwest and the Northeast, our normal posting is interrupted to bring to real time photo of Steds. While the bulk of the storm is hitting the Northeast, it did manage to dump six inches of fresh powder on campus, making it a winter playground of sorts. And yes, with the snow the temps have fallen to sub-zero levels. On the snowfall, Dillyn Foy, Steds AR and 3rd year law student, said, "I don’t have much good to say about snow after Christmas. It sure makes me grateful for the hall gym though!"

While it may not...

Frosty: You never looked better

... be Christmas anymore, we would be remiss if there was not an update on Frosty and the Hall's Christmas charity. Before Christmas, the Hall adopted ten kids in the South Bend for Christmas through St. Vincent de Paul Society. Thanks to the generosity of the Gentlemen and leadership of Frankie Tran, over $900 was raised for the kids, and Christmas was on! During Study Days, there was a shopping trip to Target, which went really well, and during Finals Week, there was a trip to deliver the gifts to the various families. On the Christmas charity, Tran said, "It was successful because not only did we hit our target for contributions but also this year we didn't wrap gifts. We used bags. Much easier."

Classes are...

Opening soon, really

... in session; however, there is something that is not. Yes, everyone's favorite and friendliest in-Hall eatery, Ed's, is not open just yet. So, while classes roll on and studying once again commences in some shape and form, the Gentlemen will have to go on without the culinary delights of Ed's. But fear not! Ed's will be opened soon. On the opening of Ed's, an unnamed culinary service representative said, "As Michelangelo said when the Pope asked about the completion of Sistine Chapel, it will be open when it is open!"

Neither snow nor...

Turk with von Hirschberg looking for a letter

... rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor afternoon naps stays this courier from the swift completion of his appointed rounds. With the start of the new academic semester, Steds has a new mailman, Matt Turk. With our previous mailman, Paul Youseff, matriculating off in Europe, Turk will have big shoes to fill. Why? Because under Youseff's tenure, mail delivery efficiency increased with small package delivery satisfaction reaching all time highs. Still, Turk is bright eyed and full of energy, hopes, and great exuberance, and the Hall wishes him all the best in his new duties. On ascending to the mailmanship of Steds, Turk said, "Although the government is shutdown, the mail will still be delivered!"

Winter has...

The Basilica with a coating of fresh snow 

... returned just in time for the return of students from their Christmas Break. A recent winter storm dropped a few inches of snow and brought significantly colder temps. If the predications for this week hold true, then there should be much more snow and even colder temps by the end of weekend.  On the winter weather, a Steds resident said, "Winter is always more bearable when there's snow on the ground. Still, there can be too much of a good thing."

Best of...

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

That's a wrap.

The Grotto's Nativity scene 

With the Magi now appearing in the Nativity scene, it means that the Christmas season is nearing an end. Something that is also at an end is the Christmas Break. Hope it was a blast, and like the Magi, travel safely to your home under Mary’s Dome!

Cotton Bowl...

Meissner, Viner, Lucciola, and Coffey

... reflections. With the Championship game now over, it's seems like the Cotton Bowl was not just a week and half ago but rather ages ago. Even though the outcome did not make Irish eyes smile, there were many smiles from other moments from the bowl game. Many Stedsmen, Steds parents and friends of Steds travel to Dallas for the fun, and for some them, like the Ryan Family, it was in their backyard. On the Cotton Bowl, Matt Coffey, Steds sophomore, said, "I’m not angry. I’m just disappointed in myself that I believed we could win." But making the proverbial lemonade out of the lemons of the bowl game, Debbie Ryan, Steds mom, said, “Although the North Texas CFP football caravan of ND students, parents, and alumni had more smiles before the game than after, we look forward to 2019, because after all, we are the Fighting Irish and it’s hockey season!”

The Ryan Family with friends...

... and Steds juniors

... and Steds alumni all enjoyed tailgating in a new and different parking lot...

...while Parker Mathes '18 with his brother Charlie, a Clemson grad, smile...

...but Father Ralph had a different watering hole.

Everyone was...

Ryan and Schelhorn: Back after a commercial break

... having a break. Yes, look like Stedsmen, current and past, were having fun during the Christmas Break. Well, that was certainly the case for Brandon Ryan '18 and Alex Schelhorn '18. With Ryan visiting and Schelhorn returning home, both Stedsmen stopped by the set of the Stephen Colbert in Manhattan to visit fellow Stedsman Jack Herrfeldt '18 who works there. Before the show, Herrfeldt was able to give the two visitors the "full tour." On the tour, Ryan said, "Schelly and I were treated to an afternoon of merriment and comedy on behalf of Stephen Colbert and his more important staff member, fellow Steds Alum Jackson Herrfeldt. To paraphrase a well said quote from the host himself, ‘It’s incredible where we've all found ourselves after school.’ Thanks again to Jackson for a great experience!” Indeed, Mr. Ryan... indeed it is!

Saturday Squirrel.

A squirrel from Lord of the Rings?

While we may all be away for Christmas Break, it does not mean that we cannot have yet another installment of "Saturday Squirrel." Here is a picture, submitted by Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C.,  theologian, botanist and general naturalist, of a furry friend that happen to come cross his desk. On what the squirrel non-verbaled, Fr. Ehrman said he thought it was, "You shall not pass!"

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, one year ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the not so distance past.

They were...

Bowlers: Trzaska, Gayheart, Youseff, Johnson, Turk, and Kelly

...there! Taking a break from Christmas Break, a group of Steds juniors and sophomores made the trek to Orlando to see the Citrus Bowl. Once getting there, instead of enjoying sun and mid temps, they endured rain and cool temps. Still, they made the best of it. They took the lemons that Mother Nature gave them and made lemonade out of them. As they did, they enjoyed their time together AND enjoyed something that most Irish fans have not enjoyed under Coach Kelly- a bowl game win! On the Irish Citrus Bowl win, Paul Youseff, Steds sophomore, said, "We came, we saw, and we conquered."

Still yet, there were even more Stedsmen at the Citrus Bowl. In the stands added to fan power of the Irish were Brendan McCarthy '09, M.Ed. '11 and his wife, Brenna, along with Tony Piskurich '09, M.Ed '11 and his wife, Stephanie, AND Nate Uzas '09. 

True fans: The McCarthys, the Piskurichs and Uzas

Happy...

Happy 2019!

... New Year to you, Stedsmen, and to your families! May the New Year, 2019, be filled with prosperity, generous love for all, and an ND Day victory in any sport! And if we win ND Day, a fireworks display like this will certainly be in the cards!