We remember...

The Founder

... the Founder, especially today, the anniversary of his death, October 31st. Buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, the community cemetery for the Congregation of Holy Cross, located on the north side of St. Mary's Lake, Fr. Sorin's grave is front and center of all others. Even though Fr. Sorin did not want this, it is only fitting, for without him, none of this would be! Fr. Sorin, we are always in your debt. Requiescat in pace!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE 

Zoom Meeting Link: Click HERE 

Passcode is  444257

Saturday squirrel.

Passing the buck

Again, our squirrels are on hiatus, allowing another campus friend to take center stage. While we don't always see them, they are here. Yes, we're talking about deers. Normally spotted on the north side of campus in the woods and walnut grove, they can be spotted further south, even running through the quads. This buck was spotted on the abandon Douglas road at dusk. As it is rutting season, more and more bucks can be spotted, and a word to wise, don't get too close to them! Keep a healthy distant. On being spotted, this buck non-verbaled, "Mind your own business." 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

Is that edible...

Sour grapes?

... or not? Campus is surrounded by many plants and trees, some of which have edible fruits and nuts. Today's focus is on these grapes. Are they edible? Yes, yes they are! These wild grapes are edible and are best eaten AFTER a frost. Extremely tangy, these grapes can be made into wine, juice, and jams. Still yet, they can be eaten raw. But be careful! These small grapes have large seeds and leave a terrible stain. On eating these grapes, Fr. Ralph shared, "They are indeed tangy, but after you have a couple them, they're not that bad. Really!"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

On a mission...

Nate McKeon does the heavy lifting...

... he was. Nate McKeon, Steds AR and co-host of the podcast, In the Red Room, was on a mission of extreme importance this past Game Day Saturday. It was arguably the biggest game of the year, USC, and just as Notre Dame players needed the support and encouragement of the crowd so too the the crowd! Yes. The crowd of fans needed support and encouragement as well. After all, nemo dat quod non habit. Enter the Family McKeon. Doing their part for loyal ND fans, the McKeons hosted a tailgate, an Italian feast rivaling the Olive Garden, to ensure there would be well fed fans in the stands cheering for old Notre Dame. Still, the helpers had helpers. Yes, Steds helped and did its duty to the McKeons and ND fans by offering its refrigerators to store the feast. In the end, thanks to many hands and great families like the McKeons, victory was achieved as ND fans cheered their team onto victory over their rivals, USC. On serving up a Game Day tailgate feast, McKeon said, "We all know the saying about teaching a man to fish, but when it comes to ND tailgating, everyone finds the giving route to be much more fun!" 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

... and younger brother, Pete, approves.

What better way...

Steds golf pros, semi-pros, and duffers...

... to prepare for midterms exams than playing golf? Well, that was the thinking of the Stedsmen the weekend before the traditional week for midterms exams. What better way to prepare, to clear the mind and rid the stress of the week than hitting the links with your fellow Gentlemen. Thanks to ND Day funds, the Hall rented out the Burke, the on campus golf course, for the Hall, and anyone, regardless your skill level or if you had clubs or not, could play this par 3 course. But these wouldn't be Notre Dame students if there wasn't a winner, and so, participants were divided into foursomes, playing against each other. In the end, there was one wining foursome, but in reality, everyone was a winner... after all everyone was able Steds home! On being on the winning team, Cameron Stornetta, Steds sophomore, engineering major, and golf neophyte, shared, "“I really appreciate all the effort everyone went through to ensure all our particular strengths could help the team succeed, and I did my part for the team. I was able to give them a good idea of how the green was sloped near the hole.” 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

...only!

Things were...

Playing games again

... going so well. It seemed like we were finally back on track. We had turned the proverbial corner. A rocky relationship, that had its fare share of fists and starts, was now sailing along smoothly. But then, out of the blue, we were right back to square one. There was no sign things were taking a turn south. Only the cryptic message of "F29*" was given which said it all. It's was over. Yes, washer number four was on the blink again. Repaired last week and working throughout the week, it decided to go on hiatus again, leaving the Hall with only four working washers. Suffice it say, the laundry room once again became like the Jersey Turnpike on a Friday in summer, or, if you are from the West Coast, like, well, choose any highway in LA. One person who has been particularly hit hard by this sad turn of events is Jacob Smith. Only last week Smith praised the washer, proclaimed a new day for clean clothes and hygiene at Steds. Click HERE. On washer number four not working, a visibly disturbed Smith said, in a weak and cracking voice, "I feel betrayed." 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

Moving on up...

Things just got better!

... to another platform! Everyone's favorite weekly found on everyone's favorite monthly that's delivered daily, is now on Spotify. That's right! Your favorite weekly Notre Dame podcast, In the Red Room, bringing you the amazing stories from Steds, can be found on BOTH Soundcloud and Spotify. Why? Because we can... and you're going to love it. Now, easier to access than ever before and easier to spot thanks to a new, eye catching graphic, designed by the one, the only, Jim Gosz, In the Red Room will continue to bring you the cheap jokes, laughs, good news, and weather from Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall, St. Ed's. So, tune in and listen as new chapters are added weekly. On the Steds podcast now being found on Spotify, Fr. Ralph said, "We have arrived!"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Take a stroll

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the path around St. Joseph's Lake. Whether to see the colors of fall or clear one's head, a walk around the lakes is always time well spent. And while the colors of fall are not so evident just yet, walking around the lakes at Notre Dame is still pretty. Enjoy, and enjoy Sunday wherever you may be!

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE 

Zoom Meeting Link: Click HERE 

Passcode is  444257

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's this week's installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Saturday squirrel.

On his perch...

As our furry friends continue to take a break, we have an opportunity to focus our attention on other campus friends. Seen at either St. Mary's or St. Joseph's Lake, the blue heron can usually be found perched on fallen tree limbs along the lake's edge. At other times, it can be found standing still, in the water, waiting for a passing fish to swim its way. This blue heron was spotted on a newly fallen tree on the north side of St. Joseph's Lake on an early fall morning. On being spotted, the blue heron non-verbaled, "Enjoying a great view."

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's this week's installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

... or under it, our blue heron on the go

Is that edible...

Pretty to look at but eating is a different story

 ... or not? Campus is surrounded by many plants and trees, some of which have edible fruits and nuts. Today's focus is not on fruits or nuts, but these mushrooms growing a decaying tree stump in the wooded area north of St. Joseph's Lake. Are they edible? Well, some are, but be careful, mushrooms are funny things... and can be very dangerous, even deadly. These mushrooms, stump puffball or Lycoperdon pyriforme, are edible with completely white, but when they mature, turning a shade of brown, there are not. Still, you can know stump puffball mushrooms from their distinctive smell. The genus name Lycoperdon literally means "wolf's flatulence" and just begs the question who got close enough to a wolf and stayed there long enough to become an expert on such matters. But that's for another day... and another blog posting. On eating mushrooms, Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, botanist and theologian, said, "Identifying mushrooms is so difficult. The safest course of action is to eat the mushrooms bought at the grocery store." 

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's this week's installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

They gave it...

Steds Baseball: Swinging for the fences

... their all. Yes, the Stedsmen internal baseball team gave it their all, and then, when that wasn't enough, Mother Nature stepped in and helped. That's right. The Steds advanced to playoffs not because of their record but rather because it rained. Due to rain and some games being rained out, the Steds team, to surprise of all, was catapulted into the playoffs, and with that, drooping shoulder and sagging spirits of the players were suddenly raised. With Mother Nature having done her part, it was up the players. In their playoff game against Stanford Hall, Mike Jekot, Steds sophomore and pitcher, threw a no hitter, but despite that, Steds was down six nothing after the first inning. Coach Joe Sweilem rallied the boys, even stepping in as a relief pitcher. Still, Stephen Heritage, Steds freshman and catcher, stepped up his game and disguised himself as a raising star. Still yet, John DiLella, Steds senior and outfielder, even caught a ball. But in the end, it wasn't enough, and Mother Nature, sadly, could do no more as she had played all her cards for the boys in gold and green. Steds lost to Stanford. On the game and season, Coach Sweilem stated, "Although it wasn’t the result we all wanted, the opportunity to play under the lights with the guys made it all worth it. I’m very proud of our team, especially of the folks who haven’t played in a while. We will back better than ever in the future! Count on it."

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

You can count...

Smith: doing his part for hygiene and Hall

... on a tie up on the Jersey Turnpike on a Friday afternoon in summertime just like you can count on a backup in the Steds laundry room on the weekend. Well, you could count on that at Steds up until last week, but recently, something just short of a miracle occurred in that small and frequently used laundry room. What was it? Washing machine number four is now working! On the blink since the day it arrived, the washer was finally repaired, increasing the number of available washers from four to five. Indeed, it's a banner day for all Stedsmen as convenience AND hygiene levels have taken a big up tick. Still, some would say that washer number four is the washer that everyone wants to now use.  On washer number four working, Jacob Smith, Steds senior and frequent clothes washer, shared, “With the newly working washer number four, the men of St. Edward’s Hall will no longer have to bear the pain of long laundry lines on Sundays. Truly, this is a victory for all!”

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

A four alarm fire...

Seen only here: The fire outside of the Main Building

… it was not. Nevertheless, there was an alarm. Who set it off? Well, that’s under investigation, but the one who set off the alarm that something was awry was none other than Stedsman and Californian, Peter Raus. Noticing something was smoking in a trash can outside the Main Building (near St. Ed’s too) Raus called NDPD and NDFD. Given our own in the 80’s, fires are always in the minds of Stedsman, past and present, but thanks to the cool and collected response of this Californian, the Main Building, Mary and Gold Dome… AND Steds… were taken out of harm’s ways as professionals handled the trash can fire. On making a call to NDPD, Raus said, “Some are calling me a hero, but I was simply doing my duty to Hall and King.”

To hear more about Raus and the trash can fire, listen to the latest podcast taping of In the Red Room by clicking HERE.

Fall...

 Looking a lot like fall

... has fallen. While the temperatures continue to run warmer than normal, the shorter days are causing the trees to change colors. One of the first trees to do so was this maple by the Eck Alumni Center. Soon, all the trees on campus will be displaying a myriad of colors that will capture the eye as well as the focus of many iPhone cameras. Someone who got a taste of ND fall is Steds mother, Rozz Paxson, mother of Kolton Paxson. On the changing colors, Paxson said, "As a Floridian, I love to experience the colors of fall which are sprinkled through campus in hues of oranges, yellows, and red. It's magnificent beauty at our Lady’s University."

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. Here is an autumn sunrise over God Quad. With Washington Hall in one corner and a waning crescent in the opposite corner, the rays of the rising sun caught the overnight clouds, making them look like cotton candy. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you are!

It's Fall Break... so Hall Mass will be back next week.

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Saturday squirrel.

Busy bees...

As our squirrels continue to a break, we have time to focus on others. Just outside the main door of Steds, and towards the Main Building, there is a very unique plant, a butterfly bush. Actually, there are three different butterfly bushes, each with its own color of flowers, and while there are three bushes, they actually look like one. But that's not the point. The point is the bushes attract, yes, butterflies, but also other insects, like bumblebees. Recently, not one but two bumblebees were spotted in one of the flowers collecting autumnal pollen. If you look closely, you can see the grains of pollen on the bees. On collecting pollen, the bee non-verbaled, "It's all mine."

... in three different bushes.

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Stedsmen deserve...

Don't rush back

... a break. We're half way through the Fall Semester? Where has the time gone? Indeed we are, and who knows? It's time for a break, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than with Fall Break! So, put down the books, shut down the laptops, stop waiting in the lines at the dining hall, and take a break from your academic and non-academic labors.  As Fr. Sorin said to the residents of St. Edward's in his day, and I continue to say today, "To all Stedsmen, break well!"

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Is that edible...

... or not? Campus is surrounded by many plants and trees, some of which have edible fruits and nuts. And so, we give you "Is this edible or not?" that you might be able to safely taste the goodness of nature while avoiding all those things that, well, should be avoided. Today's focus is on these walnut sized fruits growing on a tree behind the Grotto. Are they edible? Well, yes, but be careful. Identified, by Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, botanist and theologian, as Chinese horse chestnuts, these nuts picture above are edible and often used by Chinese herbalist for circulatory problems. BUT American chestnuts, or buckeyes, are NOT. How can you tell the two apart? Edible chestnuts belong to the genus Castanea and are enclosed in sharp, spine-covered burs. The toxic, inedible horse chestnuts have a fleshy, bumpy husk with a wart-covered appearance. On eating these Chinese horse chestnuts, Fr. Ralph said, "Are they edible? I think Nancy Reagan said it best when she said, 'Just say NO!'" 

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Happy...

It's my day!

... St. Edward's Day! Today, October 13th, is the Feast of St. Edward the Confessor, King of England and patron saint of the Founder... Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC. Since its inception, the University has celebrated  this day as "Founder's Day." Back in the day, students had the day off from classes, "iced cream" was served, games were played, and St. Edward's residents sent "congratulatory" cards to Fr. Sorin. Matter of fact, one lucky resident was selected to recite a poem, especially penned for this auspicious day, to Fr. Sorin! All of these poems and well wishes can still be seen today at ND Archives at the Hesburgh Memorial Library. On this special day, Fr. Ralph, Rector of St. Edward's Hall, said, “May St. Edward and the Founder smile on us always!”

ON THIS SPECIAL DAY...

It was announced today that Josh Gambardella ’21 is the 2020-2021 inductee into the Order of Gentlemen, an award given for service to Hall and King.

On learning of his induction, Gambardella said, “Thank you to every single Stedsman who I’ve met along my journey. And of course, I owe a huge thank you to my great friend Father Ralph.”

Congratulations Josh! 

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Autumn fun...

Building bridges: Lis and Fay

... the Park. Taking a break from studying during the never ending midterms weeks, Alec Lis (L) and Eoghan Fay (R) retired to St. Edward's Park for some respite. Taking their clubs, Lis and Fay hitting some practice golf balls. While Lis billed the time in Park as "rest and relaxation," the time was really for something else. Immediately following the American blow out of Europe at the Ryder Cup, Lis took Fay, Steds junior and resident Irishman, and gave him a lesson or two in how to win at playing golf. What a gentleman that Lis is! On helping our European golfer, Lis downplayed the event saying,  “We are working on hitting the ball straight while trying to limit digging holes.” 

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

It's now...

Always classy: Steds and these Stedsmen

... time to party. MacKenzie Woods and Andrew Nester ’10 got married at the Log Chapel on June 27th, 2020. Originally, the wedding was to take place at the Chapel of Holy Spirit at St. Mary’s, Mackenzie’s Alma Mater, but because of Covid, it was moved to the Log Chapel with only immediate family attending. But now, it was time to fete and celebrate the happily married couple! At Notre Dame, a wedding reception was held for family and friends, and while it was delayed, it was well worth the wait as a fun time was only made more fun by the radiant couple. On being joined by his fellow Stedsmen, Nester said, "Fifteen years after moving in to St. Edward’s Hall as freshmen, these guys as still my best friends and I will always feel so lucky and blessed to have them in my life. The St. Ed’s brotherhood never ceases to amaze me."

Continued best wishes and congratulations and best wishes to MacKenzie and Andrew!

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Always a sight

... from Notre Dame. With temperatures running ten degrees above normal, it is unseasonably warm. On top of that, it has been very dry. While we wait for more fall-like weather, we are enjoying the time that we have. Here's a beautiful sunset on St. Mary's Lake. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE 

Zoom Meeting Link: Click HERE 

Passcode is  444257

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Saturday squirrel.

But are they fresh?

We take a break from our furry friends and throw the light on other campus neighbors. Today, the light is thrown on the deers, and oh dear, there are deers here. Around the walnut grove, the lakes, even in St. Edward's Park, deers can be seen. Some times alone and at other times with their friends in a herd, deers are all about. This deer was spotted north of campus, along the abandoned Douglas Road, enjoying a pile of fall apples. On nibbling on some apples, this deer non-verbaled, "I think they're a little too bruised for my liking, but okay, I'll nibble just a bit."  

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

It's Farley...

A smiling Schichtel?

... and St. Ed's Week! After a very, very long hiatus, Farley & St. Ed's Week, the quinseesential sister, brother hall event, is back. With Farley taking the lead in planning and executing, the Stedsmen were all to happy to oblige the Farley's Finest with their presence as well as their willingness to wear a specially created t-shirts marking this special week. With events planned every day, a cookout at Plaza St Edward kicked off festivities. But don't think the Gentlemen are contributing nothing to the celebration. Perish the thought! The Gentlemen hosted and cooked the brats, hamburgers, AND bean burgers. Yes, bean burgers! On grilling up some bean burgers, Jack Schichtel, Steds junior and resident Grand Rapidian, shared, ""I'm not smiling because Ben Theis thought we needed veggie burgers for the cookout. I'm smiling because it's the start of Steds/Farley Week."

Hall presidents unveil the shirt...

... while VPs manage the grill...

... and the masses are happy!

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Is that edible or...

Thanks, but no thanks

... not? We continue a new series that raises a simple question. Is that edible or not? Campus is surrounded by many plants and trees, some of which have edible fruits and nuts. And so, we give you "Is this edible or not?" that you might be able to safely taste the goodness of nature while avoiding all those things that, well, should be avoided. Today's focus is on these berries found on a vine on a tree on the way to St. Mary's. Can we use them to make a pie? If not, then maybe some preserves? Well, are they edible? No. They are not. Identified, by Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, botanist and theologian, as the fruit of the poison ivy plant, these berries should be not touched let alone consumed. On these fruit of the forest, Fr. Ehrman said, "Berry not touch nor eat these berries!"

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Boom, break...

The Confessors: Playing for keeps

...and bump. Yes, you guessed it. Steds is fielding a sand volleyball team. Composed of all freshmen and called The Confessors, the Hall's team have had a successful season of booming, breaking, and bumping in the sand courts of Ricci Fields. What's their secret? They're not telling, but whatever it is, it's working. On where the team is going next, PJ Carrol, Steds freshmen and resident Michigander, said, "The Confessors had a big win against Siegfried last week to propel us into the number two seed in the beach volleyball playoffs. We are looking to make a deep run led by our fearless head coach Rhett Bianchi."

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

It's official...

Mr. and Mrs. JP & Stephanie Sullivan

...they're married! With fellow Stedsmen present, and Fr. Ralph witnessing, Stephanie Lazar and JP Sulivan ’13 of Steds were married at St. Alphonsus in Chicago, Illinois. It was a cloudy day, but this couple, with their contagious energy, smiles, excitement, made the sun shine for all. The only thing they couldn’t deliver was a ND victory. Still, the happily couple was celebrated well into the night and the next morning. On the wedding, Dr. James Yurkovich ’13, Stedsman and now resident Californian, shared, “The 2009-2010 second floor of St Ed’s made a strong showing to support its brother from 221, contributing TWO groomsmen, an usher, and several additional guests — our presence was felt on the dance floor and at the bar.”

Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. JP & Stephanie Sullivan!

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

More Steds...

Captain Gallagher (in red shorts) and the Steds Flag Football Boys 

... intramural sports. Again, if it is being offered by RecSports, Steds is fielding a team or two, sometimes, even three. Yesterday, we heard from our freshmen tennis stars, but today, it's time to direct the light on another rising stars, or stars, of the intramural scene. The Steds' intramural flag football team has once again taken to Ricci Fields, and they're giving it their all, showing no mercy. Captained by Tommy Gallagher, Steds junior and resident Indianian, marshaled the team's talent to take down their opponent, Baumer Hall, much like the ND football team did with Wisconsin this past weekend. Indeed, no mercy, no fear here. On winning, an exuberant Captain Gallagher said, “Getting a 'W' was fully expected and a great way to start the season. This team has one goal in mind: getting to the Stadium and winning the championship!”

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. After an expected thunderstorm passed, a sign was given... a rainbow! Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE 

Zoom Meeting Link: Click HERE 

Passcode is  444257

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.