Fighting back...

In progress: Operation Cool Down

... the Stedsmen are. Every rector's nightmare is a heatwave in August, and unfortunately, that nightmare came to be with a heatwave rolling in on none other than Move In Day itself. This heatwave has had temps in the low nineties with high humidity levels, creating oppressive heat indexes ranging from 100 to 105F. And if that wasn't enough, it has now lasted for over a week. While the oldest and most storied Hall is not air conditioned, the Gentlemen are not completely defenseless  Alternative sleeping situations were devised and saw residents taking their rest in the various air conditioned lounges of the Hall. Still yet, in what had to be the most tastiest way to fight back, having an ice cream novelty was another popular way to beat the heat. And that's exactly what was had after Hall's Sunday Mass. After Mass in the air conditioned chapel, the Gentlemen were treated to more air conditioning in the Flounge as well as a variety of ice cream novelties. On the novelties, Isaiah Alvendia, Steds sophomore, resident Guamamian, and Mass cantor, shared, "What better way to end the first week of classes on a long and hot Sunday than with nice, cool ice cream treats following Mass for all of St. Ed's to enjoy? I and many others surely did. What heatwave?!"

He's no...

The Hall haberdasher: Rubin

... stranger. In a big, in your face way, this man is making waves, making the Stedsmen the talk of campus once again. To the delight of Stedsmen everywhere, Kyle Rubin is back for round two as Hall apparel commissioner! This fashion dark horse made a big splash on his debut, emerging as a design visionary and fashion genius. And he’s never looked back! Working his design magic, Rubin has delivered again a triumph… a lineup of couture apparel that will catch the eye as well as elicit a bit of envy… making others wish that they too could be a Stedsman and look sharp and sophisticated. On assuming the mantle of apparel, Rubin said, “ Going into my senior year, I wanted to give Steds the best apparel possible, so I really hope I can accomplish that this year. The designs so far I tried to keep clean and simple while staying true with the Steds brand we have tried to establish last year, but I also hope to provide some new and unique items throughout the year, as well. It’s an ongoing process.”

BUT THERE'S MORE...

You too can look sharp and sophisticated. To order your Steds apparel, click HERE. 

Your Sunday picture...

Turn down the heat please...

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with an isolated thundershower in the background. The terrible heat wave that has gripped camps since Move In Day has caused isolated thundershowers in the later afternoon and evening, some of which have been severe. Sadly, these showers don't bring relief. Thankfully, starting tomorrow, the cool down starts... and long may that be! Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

.

Saturday squirrel.

What are you looking at?

We are not alone. Wherever we are... wherever we go... we are not alone on campus. Always stirring about in the background are our neighbors, our furry friends, campus squirrels. Some times we don't see them, but rest assured, they see us. Other times they come up to us, wanting to say hello, but other times, they stay hidden away in their trees and shrubs. Most times they ignore us as they are busy about their day, and that was certainly the case with this squirrel on God Quad. On being seen eating upside down, this furry friend non-verbaled, "It's not polite to stare. Thank you."

Watch the video HERE.

What's the word...

Gallagher and the good word

... the Steds hallway? Yes, what is the word in the hallway on this Friday, the last day of first week of classes? Well, to be honest, there weren't many words because there were not many people about in the hallways. They’re all in the common spaces enjoying the AC. Well, save one Gentleman, John Gallagher, Steds freshman and resident Indianan. On being spotted and asked what the word was, Gallagher shared, “It was a good first week of classes and hanging out with friends - we’re looking forward to a great year together!”

Thank...

Our dear leaders: Lynch and McKenna

... you. Yes, thank you to our Welcome Week Committee. Thank you to our capable leaders, Michael Lynch and Greg McKenna, the leaders-in-training, Michael Jekot and Jack Kalicak, AND their dedicated and devoted Welcome Week Committee workers. Indeed, the Hall is in their debt for the running of the Steds Welcome Week. The hours sat in meetings in the spring, the time spent securing approvals over the summer, the working of schedules, and the last minute fixes on Move In Day that our leaders, leaders-in-training, and committee workers did is unknown and incalculable, but what is known is that we, especially the newest residents of the Hall, are better off for all of their sacrifices. Thanks to a generous benefaction the entire Welcome Week Committee was treated to an off campus dinner at Rocco's, the place for Italian food in South Bend. On the culmination of Welcome Week, Michael Lynch said, "Thanks to our phenomenal move-in team, all the new Freshmen are settled into the Hall. The heat and the extended move-in times were no match for our devotion to Hall and King. Windows were cleaned, futons were carried, and smiles were shared as we welcomed home our newest Stedsmen!"

In memoriam.

Lil' Smokey: 2020-2021

Amid all the hellos and welcomes, we have to say a good bye. Now, good byes can be difficult to say, and that's certainly the case here. Our good bye is a trying one because it's said to such a good friend of the Hall, Lil' Smokey. Sadly, this past weekend, Lil' Smokey smoked his last as his bottom fell out.

Again, it's tough to say good bye because last year, making your way on campus took everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure helped a lot. Sometimes you wanted to go where everybody knew your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanted be where you could see your troubles were all the same. You wanted be where everybody knows your name. So, what did you do? You went and saw Lil' Smokey. 

Always out back at the Steds patio, Lil' Smokey was a pandemic fixture, holding court and convening the conversations. And all of this was done while providing a gentle warmth, a gemütlikite really, for all who gathered. Oh, the conversations shared, laughs had, tears shed, spirits buoyed, smiles cracked by this unassuming, little friend. Gone, but certainly, never forgotten.

On the demise of our dear friend, Nicky Haskell, Steds sophomore and resident Floridan, shared, "As Lil' Smokey's chapter in Steds history comes to a close, many Stedsmen will share fond memories of joyous times spent around him."

Operation...

Foss: If it only needed batteries

... Refresh. After a refreshing of the gym space with new flooring, mirrors, and wall treatments, what's needed now in the Steds gym is a refreshing of the equipment. Relying on retired equipment from various campus gyms, the Stedsmen need reliable and dependable equipment to get them the "gainz" they desire. So, initiate Operation Refresh... a complete overhaul of Steds gym equipment. Tasked with overseeing Operation Refresh was Paddy Foss, the newest addition to the Steds staff. When taking a break from his MBA studies, this assistant rector is working overtime- thanks to Covid and supply chain breakdowns- to secure new equipment. It's not easy, really. Today, one of his purchases, a new exercise bike, arrived to delight of many.  But that delight quickly dissipated as Foss discovered the new bike needed assemble. After forty-five minutes or so, Foss declared victory and the bike was being used, delivering gainz. On the new bicycle, Foss said, "With all the required assembly, it was as if we purchased an exercise bike made by IKEA."

The first...

Avey and Onders: The learning has started...

... day of classes for the 2021-2022 academic year is TODAY! While the weather for move-in was anything but comfortable, the weather for the first day of classes was a bit more comfortable...hotter but less humid. Still, spirits are high and the zeal for learning palatable among the Stedsmen, especially for the forty-nine newest members of the Steds Family. One of those new members is Daniel Jung, who happened to celebrate his birthday on the first day of classes. Lucky him? On the first of day of classes, Jung said, “There’s truly, truly nothing more I could have wanted from my 19th birthday then spending my first waking hours learning about scarcity in microeconomics.” 

... on the most beautiful campus.

Your Sunday picture...

Looking brighter

... from Notre Dame. Here's a close up of Mary and the Dome after an isolated afternoon shower. With temps in the high eighties and humidity making everything sticky, isolated showers have been popping up, but sadly, they bring no relief from the heat. Still, after a shower, the Dome always looks a bit brighter. Now, that's finding the silver lining, or should I say gold lining, of the cloud. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Move in...

As the first Steds car arrives...

... Day 2021! Unlike last year, the Steds Welcome Week committee was front and center on Move In Day directing, washing windows, and of course, unloading the cars of some forty incoming freshmen. Yes, amid the heat and humidity, which made it feel like the low nineties, the Welcome Week crew discharged their duties with speed, precision, and a healthy amount of gusto. As the day went on and the day grew hotter, the crew did not wilt. No, the crew only honed their skills so that cars were unloaded BEFORE the new Stedsmen entered the Hall. Amazing! Yet, there is something else to note... the actions of the Steds standard bearer, Michael Mitchell. Waving the Steds Hall flag as if he was at the Olympics, Mitchell directed cars to Steds and the awaiting move in crew. On the day, Michael Mitchell, Steds sophomore, said, "As a Welcome Week Committee, it was our finest hour, and on Friday, August 21st, a flag was planted for the next great generation of Stedsmen to follow."

... Mitchell grabs the flag...

... and he and the crew take a breather after unloading.

They are...

Who's making all that noise?

... here! Even the wildlife at Notre Dame have taken note. Yes, students are returning, and while it may be a trickle right now, it soon will be a raging torrent. New students arrive on Friday and continuing students on Sunday. And while the wildlife will once again have to share campus, it's not a complete lost. Why? Simple... one word. Handouts!

Apples!

What is happening at...

Looking younger: Washington Hall

...Notre Dame during the summer? The answer... a lot, and they are using every last day to get work done before students return. Here's not a new building but rather an old one, one that’s one year older than St. Edward’s. Washington Hall, built in 1881 and located to the south of Steds, is the University’s first performance hall. Like all old buildings, it needed some tender, loving care. Concentrating on the south facade, workers closed a portion of God Quad and gave this handsome hall a much needed face lift. On the summer time nip and tuck, Fr. Ralph said, “It was overdue and much needed. Inconvenient when walking the quad? Sure. Still, in the end, it’s only going to add to Steds’ curb apparel!”

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. It's a lovely summer day at Notre Dame, and if you like the day, then you would love the morning. Peaking out of the foliage, here is a morning view of Mary, the Dome, and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart from the north side of St. Joseph's Lake. Enjoy the view, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

It's over...

Lis, Smith, Raus, Bergstrom and DiLella with McKeon and Foss  

... and now, it's back to work. Yes, the summer is over, and it's now back to Notre Dame to prepare for the start on the new academic year. Gone are the Californian sunsets, walks on the boardwalk of the Jersey shore, and long lunches with Elsie in Monowi. It was fun and rejuvenating for sure, but the fun continues with the start of the new year. And some of the people who are going to make the fun happen at Steds is the Hall Staff. Returning early for training, the Hall Staff composed of seniors, Peter Raus, Alec Lis, Henry Bergstrom, Jacob Smith, and John DiLella, and graduate students, Nate McKeon and Paddy Foss, are ready to make sure that more chapters at University's oldest and most storied residence hall are written. On seeing the new staff, former Steds Assistant Rector, Frank Spesia, said, "God, Country, Notre Dame, and Steds!"

But what a summer it was!

On assignment...

Schoenhut, Haag, and Meares: Representing

... at the Jersey Shore. No trip to the Shore would be complete without a stop at D'Arcy's. Located in Avon By The Sea, D'Arcy's is not just the local watering hole but also the place to be to watch soccer. Focusing on English Premier League, D'Arcy's is packed with fans as well as their team fan wear, namely scarfs. Adorning the ceiling are the scarfs every team that a soccer fan could cheer for. But if you're watching a game, chances are you'll be seeing the best scarf of all... the Steds Derby Scarf. Designed for the Steds Derby, where Steds A team and Steds Big Cats face off, this handsome scarf, donated by Steds Dad, Fred Schoenhut, now resides on the most prominent wall of D'Arcy's- the wall where the big screen TV is. So, you cannot help but see this handsome scarf! Joining Fr. Ralph, Fritz Schoenhut '11 and Joe Meares '10 posed with Fr. Ralph and the Steds scarf, making Haag's trip to Shore complete. On having the scarf at D'Arcy's, Haag said, "Like the Olive Garden, you're family here at D'Acry. But when your scarf goes here at D'Arcy's, then you know you have arrived in soccer and the world!"

What are they...

Gentlemen Golfers: Coffey and Meissner

... up to these days? Yes, what are our newly graduated seniors up to these days? Some may already be working. Others may be preparing to start their advanced studies. Still yet, others, well, be enjoying the waning days of their last summer. That is certainly what these two Stedsmen are doing... enjoying the last days of summer. Visiting Matt Coffey '21 in Nebraska, Chris Meissner '21 of Massachusetts trekked out west for adventure and fun. But needing a breather, they made a side trip to Okoboji, Iowa, for some rest, relaxation, and golf. On the seeing the two golfing, one cannot help but say, "Enjoy every day!"

Best of...

... the Gentlemen's Monthly. SIX years ago today, this was the posting. Enjoy this humorous blast from the distant past. 

Where are...

But who won the game?!

...they now? For Steds sophomore, Kevin McCarthy, it has been spent riding rollercoasters, playing Candy Land, and playing Candy Land WHILE riding a rollercoaster. Like going to the Moon, they said it couldn't be done...but Kevin showed them that it could. On playing Candy Land while riding a rollercoaster, Kevin said, "I held my excitement in at that moment as I saw that I got the King Candy card, giving me an automatic win!” Congratulations Kevin! 

On assignent...

At the corner of Asbury and the Ocean

... at the Jersey Shore. Taking a brief walk along the boardwalk, Fr. Ralph found himself in Asbury Park. While there, he not only took in the views of the ocean but also decided to search for Bruce Springsteen. Taking a look up the boardwalk, followed then by a look down the boardwalk, the search quickly came to an end. On failing to see the Boss, Fr. Ralph said, "It's okay. Really. It wasn't like I was expecting to see Billy Joel at ND only to have COVID the wreck it all. Forget about it!"