Saturday's squirrel.

Making ends meet

They may have run of campus, having no worries about pedestrians, skateboards, and motorized scooters, but our furry friends are discovering there is a price for these carefree days. They are hard times because with no one around there are no hand outs. How hard are the times? Well, this squirrel was spotted on God Quad enjoying the dregs of salad dressing cup after a bit of trash diving. Without doubt, these hard times are fraying the nerves and patience of our campus squirrels. On the trying times, this squirrel non-verbaled, "I'll give you a non-verbal if you for a couple of nuts. We got a deal?"

Watch this video: Click HERE.

It's official...

Fr. Ralph with Mr. & Mrs. VandenBosch...

... they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and the Steds family present, Abbie Spica ’16 of St. Mary’s and Jacob VandenBosch ’16 were married at St. Mary’s Church in Spring Lake, Michigan. It was a beautiful and very warm day, but nothing could put a damper on this special day nor the radiance of the bride and the beaming pride of the groom. O the special day and Abbie joining the Steds family, Vashinav Murthy stated, "I think I can speak for everyone that we couldn't be happier for Abbie and Jacob and are thrilled for Abbie to be added to our family. Huge congratulations to the new bride and groom and wishing them a lifetime of happiness!"

Best wishes and Congratulations to Abbie and Jacob!

... and later, his and her beverages named after pets...

... with the Stedsmens...

... a very happy bride!

Ireland...

Fagan and Bass in Derry...

... part two. Steds junior Kyle Bass has been touring about Ireland with his fellow Stedsmen and other ND students, taking in all that the Emerald Isle has to offer. But just when you think there is nothing more to be had, hang on because Conal Fagan '20 can always find more. Stedsman and Irishman, Fagan always knows more sights, smells, places, and experiences to share while in Ireland, especially in his hometown of Derry, and that's certainly what Bass discovered. Making the trek to Derry and having Fagan as his guide, Bass enjoyed unique Irish treats, making his experience of Ireland all the more. Fagan shared, “It was an absolute delight having Kyle join me at home! It’s always special getting to show people about Derry and I’m so thankful of the way in which Steds has pulled us together as one large family. I think it’s safe to say that after Kyle’s experience in the North, the Notre Dame footprint is well and truly established on the Emerald Isle.With the Notre Dame v Navy game in Dublin next August, maybe we could take the Big Cats v Steds A game on tour!” 

... and at the coast...

... to see Giant's Causeway.

Your Sunday picture...

A quiet Sunday

... from Notre Dame. Here is a view of Stonehenge and Hesburgh Memorial Library from the old Field House plaza just north of the LaFortune Student Center. With no one around, there is no one studying at the library or jumping into Stonehenge's fountain nor anyone in this photo! Enjoying the silence. Enjoy and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

It's official...

Stedsmen with Ruggles in between Isabel (in white) and Patrick (in blue) Fauch 

...they're married! With fellow Stedsmen present, Isabel Piechowicz ’17 of Welsh Fam and Patrick Fouch ’17 of Steds  were married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. It was a beautiful day made only more so by the radiance of the bride and the beaming pride of the groom. On the marriage, fellow Stedsman, Brandon Ruggles ’17, shared, “They say opposites attract, but it would be hard to find two more similarly loyal and dependable friends. And she even tolerates his unmatched nerdiness. Perfect matches may indeed exist, after all.”

Best wishes and congratulations to Isabel and Patrick!

But what is...

Here's looking at you NYC...

... Father Ralph up to? Many think that rectors stay on campus all summer. Maybe some do, but Fr. Ralph would not be one of them. After a stint on the West Coast, Fr. Ralph moved operations to the East Coast, particularly the Jersey Shore. While at the Shore, Fr. Ralph assists parishes in Avon by the Sea and Bradley Beach, and in his free time, he visits Stedsmen, their families, the shore. On his time out East, Fr. Ralph shared, "The Jersey Shore is just what the Holy Spirit ordered. You know, the summer just wouldn't be summer if there wasn't stop here. A big thank you to my hosts and friends of Steds, Laurie and Fred!"

... the Jersey Shore...

... his side hustle...

... and his favorite watering hole, D'Arcy's!

Your Sunday picture...

A big mirror: St. Joseph's Lake

... from Notre Dame. Here's the sunset over St. Joseph's Lake. It is as if the lake did not want the sky to get all the attention, so it mirrored what the sky was doing. It's a most beautiful reflection. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

What are they...

An Illinoisan Stedsman in a Floridan Venice

... doing? Yes, what are our Stedsmen doing now that they no longer have classes to attend, papers to procrastinate writing, nor any thing else for that matter? Indeed, what are they doing this summer?! Well, some are enjoying the life of leisure in America's playground, the Sunshine State, Florida. Steds rising sophomore and Illinoisan, Louis Rauch, recently visited Disney World in Florida, and while there he made a side visit to Venice, Italy, conveniently located at Epcot.

Besides enjoying the sights of Venice, Rauch also represented Steds, sporting a Steds UnderArmor dry fit shirt. On enjoying sun and surf of Florida as well as that of Venice, Rauch shared, “It was amore."

What are they doing...

A new front door of sorts

... at the Main Entrance? We know there's construction going on at La Fortune and other places across campus, but what is all the construction about at the main entrance of campus? Well, it appears that another lane has been added so that at the main gate there will be a lane for visitors and a lane for campus regulars. Without doubt, this will help with the extra long lines in the Fall when everyone thinks they should be let onto campus. Construction better be on schedule and everything completed before the start of the new school because if not, it's going to be a mess. On the new ingress, the an unnamed University official stated, "This is going to be a game changer."

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. Here is the closing of beautiful Sunday at Notre Dame, the setting sun behind the steeple of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

What are they doing...

Coming soon: New steps

... at La Fortune? We know there's construction going on in the inside of La Fortune, but what is all the outside construction about? Well, it appears that the east and west entrances of La Fortune has been demolished to make way for both new ingresses AND new egresses. It's like the old saying... when it rains, it pours! Currently, the building is only accessible through the north and south entrances, but construction is on schedule with everything slated to be completed before the start of the new school. On the new ingresses and egresses, the an unnamed University official stated, "The students are going to love them... I guarantee it!"

What are they...

Stedsmen in Florida...

... doing? Yes, what are our Stedsmen doing now that they no longer have classes to attend, papers to procrastinate writing, nor any thing else for that matter? Indeed, what are they doing this summer?! Well, some are enjoying the life of leisure before summer internships begin, and what better place to do that then spend some time in the sunshine state, Florida. Steds rising seniors, David Hale, Vince DiFilippo, and Nick Haggestad visited Florida and made a stop to see fellow Stedsman and Floridian, Jack O'Leary. On soaking up sun and surf, Hale shared, “As O’Leary put it, memories at the beach last a lifetime. There is nothing like swimming in the Atlantic and soaking up all Florida has to offer with my fellow Stedsmen. Indeed, Pitbull thought he was 'Mr. 305'… until we came to Miami Dade County.”

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Taking a breaking, our Steds traveling trio made a stop at none other than Notre Dame. The trio stopped by Steds and campus to take in the recent Billy Joel concert. Oh, the life of students! On the summer of our Stedsmen, Fr. Ralph said, "I am sure the internships started next Monday." 

... and then back at ND.

Happy Birthday America!

God bless America!

For being 246 years old, you're looking great. Wherever you are, whatever you do, enjoy family and friends, fireworks, and freedom! 

Saturday Squirrel.

Do you see him?

Most of the time our furry friends are out running about here and there. We see them hanging in trees, scurrying on the sidewalks, and frolicking about the grassy quads. But some time our furry friends are a bit incognito. That was certainly the case with this squirrel spotted on God Quad. Many didn't notice him, but there he was, watching all of us passing by, going here and there. On being spotted people watching on God Quad, this squirrel non-verbaled, "It's the best show in town!"