It may be the summer...

Moving froward...

... but there is still activity at Steds. Oh, residents may be gone, but there is a small army of workers making repairs AND improvements to the Hall. Over the summer, thanks to ND Day funds, there are  TWO special improvement projects underway- Project SoHo Chic and Project Burnt Offering. Project SoHo Chic is a complete upgrade to the first floor lounge while Project Burnt Offering is an improvement to Plaza St Edward (backyard patio), seeing the installation of a gas grill. On the projects, Fr. Ralph said, "We are grateful for all those who voted Steds this ND Day, and thanks to you, these two important improvement projects are moving forward. Once again, it is a tremendous win for the kids!

... and will be completed on time.

Best of...

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

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..."

Memorial Day.

Often thought of as the official start of summer, Memorial Day is much more than just that as it the 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.

Saturday squirrel.

Would you like a nibble?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... Yes, times at ND are a little lean right now. With students gone for the summer and summer campers not having arrived yet, there are very little handouts to be had. Still, a nibble can be found albeit an exotic one. This was certainly the case for this furry friend who was lounging in St. Edward's Park noshing on a baseball. Looking for a bit more fiber? Who knows. On chowing down on a baseball, this squirrel non-verbaled, "How nibbles does it take to get to the center of a baseball?"

WATCH: A MUST SEE VIDEO

Degrees, degrees, and...

Congratulations to Drs. Michelle and Joe!

... more degrees. Joe Scollan '15 and Michelle Mueller '15 didn't get enough of school, so they both continued on after Notre Dame. Joe went to medical school while Michelle went on to veterinary school, and both of them graduated this past weekend, Joe with a doctor of medicine from SUNY Downstate and Michelle a doctor of veterinary science from Tufts. If this wasn't enough, Michelle and Joe will be receiving their "Mrs." and "Mr." degrees this June at the Basilica. Best wishes and congratulations to them both. On his graduation from medical school, Joe said, "I get to call myself many new things this month, doctor, soon-husband, but amongst the best is St Ed’s alumnus.” 

Congratulations and best wishes to Michelle and Joe!

The Best of...

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

Lake Michigan Calling.

Yes, but can you bring the water a little closer?

Partly because of having no where else to lay my head, I decided to head up to the Lake Michigan. Yes, a little R & R is exactly what was needed, and you know what? It’s busy work. So, during the summer, I will blog a little less, but don’t worry, the blog will continue!

Graduation Day.

Stedsmen of the Class of 2019...

Today marked the 174th Commencement ceremonies at Notre Dame. While rain pushed ceremonies to an earlier time and from the stadium into Purcell Pavillon at the JACC, it couldn't push the smiles off the faces of the Stedsmen who were graduating. Early morning rain gave way to better weather, weather that allowed for some outside photos. Still, long lines and a lack of patience moved some Stedsmen to take photo near the Dome. When the festivities drew to a close, a Steds graduation dinner, organized by Pam Gayheart, was had held at the Sacred Heart Parish Center on the north side of campus. Many thanks to Pam and all those who helped organized this great event. Still, there was one last thing to do... gather at the Main Building. And from the looks of it, the University was ready for the late night crowds. On graduation, the above picture says it all!

Congratulations to our Stedsmen of the Class of 2019!

... enjoyed a graduation dinner...

... and one last trip to the Dome.

Cycling...

Roemer: Always wear a helmet

... for a cause. In one month, Stedman Kurt Roemer ’18 will be biking 100 miles as part of a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. When Roemer wasn’t on his bike, I was able to ask him a few questions.

St.Ed: If I remember correctly, you played soccer and had nothing to do with cycling. What happened?

Roemer:  A co-worker hosted several events to draw attention to leukemia and research efforts to beat it. l attended one of those events, and now, I am cycling! Amazing. Thanks to his initiative, there are 65+ persons participating in this cycling event this year. We our goal is to fundraise $150,000 as a team.

St.Ed: Who is your inspiration as a cyclist?

Roemer: I don't know about you, but I'm personally a big fan of Willy Van Den Berghen, renowned Belgian cyclist and bronze medalist at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

St.Ed: Okay, you have 65+ persons cycling for a great cause, but WHERE will you be cycling? 

Roemer: We will be biking around Lake Tahoe in California! The event itself is referred to as "America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride."  And if the beautiful scenery doesn’t help, I will draw assistance from Jens Voigt, a German cyclist, who said, "When my legs hurt, I say: 'Shut up legs! Do what I tell you to do!'" All support is truly appreciated, and no donation is too small!!

To learn more and support Roemer, click on the links below:

Leukemia and Lymphoma Cycling Video

HELP ROEMER!

Seniors...

A great day for a picnic... 

... being seniors. Yup, that's what Steds seniors are doing... being seniors. Enjoying the traditional senior week events of catching a Cubs' game, "dude and babe fests," Senior Ball, and much more, our busy seniors managed to schedule in some "Steds time." With Uncle Frank Spesia manning the grill, Steds seniors enjoyed a cookout at Plaza St. Edward, and later, they received their gifts. Finally, a picture was taken in the Park. On the cookout, Spesia said, "It was a great day for our seniors to enjoy a cookout and make more Steds memories!" 

... and photo in the Park.

Where is the...

Nothing going on here

... noise from Ed's? Where is the hum of washers and driers in the laundry room? Where has the lone watcher of a TV in the Flounge gone? Where are the books that dotted the tables in the Greg? Yes, where has all of this gone to? It's gone out the door to places all over the country and world as the Stedsmen have departed for the summer. On the silence of Steds, Fr. Ralph said, "I am enjoying the quiet, and it's true. I will miss our Stedsmen. Still, don't rush back... enjoy your summers and time away!"

With the Stedsmen leaving, it means summer has began, and so, the Gentlemen's Monthly enters into summer mode, bringing you all the happenings at Steds but at the same time enjoying summer time!

Your Sunday picture...

A colorful scene

... from Notre Dame. While it is cloudy and rainy, the charm and beauty of campus doesn't go away. Here's a view of Mary and Dome from the west side of God Quad. Enjoy the spring colors, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

It was...

A traffic jam in the Steds parking lot

... time to go. With finals over, it was now time to pack and leave. For some Stedsmen, it was easier than for others for both packing and taking finals. Thinking ahead and planning paid off while waiting to the last minute, well, saw different results. Regardless of what boat they were in, summer now awaits everyone, affording all a break and respite from a busy and fast paced year. On completing his fails and being a free man, Steds freshman, Alex Morrison, said, "Move out day was one big yard sale with all the upperclassmen selling their fridges and posters for cheap. Most of the guys living off campus senior year will be back for floating next year, so it’s not a goodbye. It’s a "see-ya" later. Roll Steds." 

Still, for Steds moms, like Sarah Chapple, from Virginia, who was collecting her son, Josh, gridlock was found not on the interstate but rather in the backyard of Steds! On the gridlock, Mrs. Chapple, said, "The traffic here is worse than Northern Virginia!"

We cannot say...

The picture says it all!

... it enough, and so, we'll say it again...THANK YOU! Even though ND Day 2019 has come and gone, St. Ed's and its Gentlemen cannot say thank you enough to all of you who helped propel it once again to being the number one residence hall at Notre Dame for the sixth straight year. Indeed, we are humbled by Steds performance on ND DAY. It really is amazing what this day has come to mean and symbolize for this small hall. It, like our Moms’ Weekend, is point of pride for us and for others, envy. On the performance of Steds on ND Day, Peter Nichols, Steds freshman, who just today completed his last final, said "Living in St. Edward’s Hall has made my first year all the more better. Whether it’s the tradition, people, or events, this Hall has provided an experience that no other hall could rival. Thanks to you that will 'carry on.'" Indeed, carry on Steds... carry on!

Best of...

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

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!"

Neither rain nor...

Hall paint balling: A Steds tradition

... nor sleet nor snow will keep the Gentlemen from paint balling! This year's annual Hall paintball outing had our Gentlemen paintballers enduring all types of weather not to mention a good shot every now and then from a fellow paintballer. With the largest crowd ever, the Gentlemen spilt up into various groups, playing several different game scenarios, but the most favorite game of the day was "everyone vs. freshmen." Suffice it to say, thanks to past outings, our upperclassmen were pretty good shots. On paint balling, Dillon Foy, Steds Assistant Rector and filling in for an absent Fr. Ralph, said, "It was a great time until the guys wanted to play shirts v. skins, at which point I began to seriously wonder what I had gotten myself into... the welts!" 

What's all that...

New Orleans? No, just Steds Sunday Mass

... jazz about? Spicing up the musical repetorie at the Steds Sunday Mass, Music Director, Patrick Sansone, Steds Sophomore, took on a passing challenge from Fr. Ralph to "jazz" things up. What Sansone delivered was something that Fr. Ralph and his fellow Stedsmen didn't think was possible... a Steds Jazz Mass. Gathering Stedsmen with musical talent, Sansone added a "jazz flare" to the Hall's favorite Mass songs, and what he and the "Sansontones" delivered was nothing short of jazz gold. The highlight of course was the closing song Wade in the Water where each player had solo. On Jazz Mass, Fr. Ralph said, "Jazz Mass was outta of this world! I never sang so loud in my life. I want to thank Patrick for his leadership as well as the determination and skill of John DiLella with his saxophone, Mark Giugliano on drums, Matt Herrmann on violin, Joey Simone on trombone, Joe Trzaska on guitar, and the one and only Bailey Hennes with vocals. And I have to be more careful of what I say in passing to Sansone!"

MUST SEE VIDEOS: 

JAZZ MASS I

JAZZ MASS II

Your Sunday picture...

Spring time flowers are here.

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of spring time flowers- tulips. This year's color of tulips for the Grotto are light pink and yellow, making for a great spring time view for the Grotto and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the background. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Wisdom from on high...

Barrett: One wise guy

... to live by. Yes, Jack Barrett, Steds out going Vice President and fourth floor resident, is much more than a former Hall Vice President. Oh, he's that, but he's also a wisdom figure for his fellow Gentlemen. Sitting in the 4th floor Sky Lounge, Barrett shares his "wisdom and life experience" with others whether they are seeking it or not. And right now, wisdom is in high demand as residents buckle down on the 3rd day of Reading Days, preparing for Finals Week on Monday. On preparing for Finals Week and its papers and exams, our in-Hall sage said, "Don’t stress! The best part about doing things last minute is that they get done in a minute.”

The day after the day after...

Corcoran, Rioux, Morella, Connolly, Haag, and Shelley 

... Yacht Dance saw the Stedsmen studying, yes, but doing others things too. At Plaza St. Edward's, the backyard patio, there was a cookout hosted by Hall Government and grilled by Steds grill master, Jared Walsh, along with assistant grill master and outdoor DJ, Henry Bergstrom. Afterwards, the Hall Photo was taken on the south side of the hall, and over the summer, it will be placed in the "Hallway of Class Photos." Still, the thoughts of many Stedsmen are still lingering on the recent Yacht Dance. On that magical night, Joe Corcoran, Steds junior, shared, "Some things are learned best in the calm. Some things are learned best in a storm. Still yet, the best things are learned on a yacht. Each year, the Yacht Dance teaches us the importance of a good old fashioned celebration. As long as there is a boat, we will bring a party. That's what gentlemen do."

CLICK HERE: LAST DANCE OF YACHT DANCE 2019

Three kings in row: Presidents Edwards, Gambardella, and Trzaska

Last night was a...

Experiencing some technical difficulties 

... late night and an early morning. Yes, the Yacht Dance has everyone running on auxiliary power. Returning to campus in the early hours of the morning, everyone is currently recharging their batteries, and let’s just say that the afternoon came a little too early today. Stay tuned. We'll return after this short break and get ourselves "ship shape" again.

The last day...

Looking sharp... and maritime too

... of classes means only one thing for the Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall- Yacht Dance! Regardless of the weather, it is always a great day to go yachting. Yes, campus' biggest dance with the most coveted invite, is shoving off tonight for a well deserved night of fun with friends in the Windy City. But before it's anchors aweigh, dance goers needed to do one thing and that was to collect their Yacht Dance shirts designed by Hall apparel commissioner, Devin Crudele, who like always out did himself with this design. On collecting his shirt, former Hall President, Cole Edwards, said, "On the Last Day of Classes, a Yacht Dance shirt is must have."