Best of...

... the Gentlemen's Monthly. Well, four years ago and one day ago this was the posting. Enjoy this humorous blast from the not so distant past. 

Western Steds Continued.

Haag: Practicing his Nixon wave

In the Orange County / L.A. area there is much to do and see, but one thing people often overlook is the fact that you can go to not one BUT two presidential libraries! Of course, everyone remembers the library for the 40th president in Simi Vally, Ronald Reagan, but many forget about the library for the 37th president in Yorba Linda, Richard Nixon! Having gone to the Reagan Library last year, Fr. Ralph went to the Nixon's Library with Stedsman, Mike Flynn '12, and suffice it to say, they learned much from their visit to the library in "Beautiful Yorba." On this unique summer learning opportunity, Fr. Ralph said, "One thing that I walked away with from the library was a greater appreciation of something called 'executive privilege.' This year, I aiming to wrap up a lot of things at Steds in it."

Mission accomplished...

Haag: Doing his part for King and Hall

... at Notre Dame! With over ninety percent of the student being vaccinated, the University announced the fall semester would have a normal start as well as a football season with fans in the stadium. This news was most welcomed by students and the Notre Dame football fans everywhere. Still yet, this announcement kicked something else into gear right now over the summer... Operation Clean Up. Yes, it's time to take down and clean up all things Covid, especially the wall and floor signs, from every building and office at Notre Dame! And there's a lot of signage! Even though he was not ask to participate in this operation, Fr. Ralph gave a helping hand. On pulling up a Covid carpet sign, Fr. Ralph said, "It's not easy as they have so much heavy duty glue on these signs, but you what know? Tearing it up feels great!"

Saturday Squirrel.

That squirrel is...

Some times you just get out of the way and let them do their thing... whatever that might be. And that's what happened on the patio of Corby Hall. Get out of the way, and let our furry friend do his thing. And what was that? Well, watch the video. On doing his thing, this squirrel non-verbaled, "And you thought I was nuts?!"

Watch the video here...

...getting his nut!

What's happening at...

Opening soon: Raclin Murphy Museum of Art

...Notre Dame during the summer? The answer... a lot. Here's a new building that is going up on campus- the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Wait, isn't there already an art museum? Indeed there is, but it will moving to this new building. Located between the Walsh School of Architecture and Eddy Street Commons, the new museum will house the Snite collection. The building will be finished in 2023. On the new building, Fr. Ralph said, "It's going to be great, and maybe, we'll even host our Moms' Weekend there. More to come!" 

For more information on the new art museum, click HERE.

Can anything good...

At O'Brien's commissioning...

... come out of Philadelphia? Many have asked this, and the answer is a resounding yes! Last week, in America's first capital, surrounded by family, his girlfriend, and Stedsmen, Dan O'Brien '21 was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Marine Corp. So may be wondering, why Philly? Yes, why was O'Brien, a native Texan, commissioned in Philly? Great question. Simple. Philadelphia is the birth place of the US Marine Corp. Remember that for Jeopardy. In the end, it was a momentous day for the O'Brien Family, with America being the big winner.  On this big day, Cyndi O'Brien shared, "It meant the world to us to see the presence and support from Steds!"

Congratulations and good luck to 2nd Lt. Daniel O'Brien!

...parents, Cyndi and Kevin, and

... sister and girlfriend helped...

... with his Steds family standing by!

Your Sunday...

Goodbye... it was fun while it lasted!

... from Western Steds. Here's a picture of the sun setting over Balbo Island, California. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Still, as the sun sets, bringing the day to a close, it marks the ends of Western Steds. It is always a treat to not only bring Steds out west, soaking up the sand and surf, but also to see all the Alumni and friends of St. Ed's in the area. It was a most memorable time, and if I wasn't able to see you, I apologize. And don't worry... it won't happen again. Why? Because I am staying longer next time! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

And to all our Steds dads out there, Happy Father's Day!

On assignment...

Living life

... Saturday squirrel. While not as numerous as they are on campus, squirrels are about in the O.C. Lighter in color, more timid, and certainly thinner, our furry friends in California are out and about, exuding a distinctly relaxed, Californian vibe. Not asking for handouts nor burying items for later, these squirrels are soaking up and enjoying life. That's certainly what this squirrel was doing in the Back Bay at Newport Beach. When approached, this squirrel non-verbaled, "I'm loving it and the view too."

On assignment...

O SEA...

... in Southern California. Spending time in Southern California, one must soak up all here is to soak up... sun, surf, and of course, Californian cuisine. So, this meant having dinner at Orange County's hottest new restaurant, O SEA. Designed, owned, and operated by Mike Flynn '11, Stedsman and native Californian, O SEA is a restaurant serving seafood with an eye as to where seafood is headed, drawing on the dynamic flavors of places like East Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean. With dynamic flavors like that, how could one not stop by and sample the fare? As they say, "When in California..." So, Fr. Ralph, joined by Alec Lis and Peter Raus, Steds seniors and locals, enjoyed a relaxed dinner that was truly a Californian culinary experience. On the dinner, Fr. Ralph said, "I cannot find the words to express my experience at O SEA. You're just going to have to come HERE and experience it yourself. Really. It's that's good. Say, can we open another O SEA at Eddy Street Commons?"

TO SEE more about O SEA, click HERE.

... with happy owner (R) and customer (L) and...

... even more happy customers, Lis (L) and Raus (R) who will come back for more.

On assignment...

Golden lemons from the golden tree: Haag and Lis

... in Southern California. Many would think that a lemon is a lemon. Interestingly enough, that is not the case. And after traveling to Southern California and spending time with native Alec Lis this truth was not only discovered but also tasted. Under the Lis' tutelage, Fr. Ralph Haag, CSC, discovered that all lemons are not the same as they were added to his summer beverage of choice. What's that? Well, a gentleman doesn't tell everything. Anyway, the Meyer lemons, picked in Lis' backyard, right off the tree, provided for a most refreshing splash. On picking lemons off the tree, Haag said, "Can I get one of these trees at Steds? I'll never have to worry about scurvy again. Really."

Best of...

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

Your Sunday picture...

A quiet and beautiful campus scene

...from Notre Dame. Here's a look the Clarke Memorial Fountain, remembering all Notre Dame graduates who died in foreign wars. Usually the meeting place for students for away football wins, suffice it to say, today is is quiet and peaceful. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Western Steds...

Enjoying the view

...is preferable to the real Steds right now. Why? The heat and humidity of Northern Indiana have become insufferable, but it all has given way to the sun and surf of Orange County California. On moving Steds out west, Fr. Ralph said, "I am enjoying the change of scenery, and as always, I wish we ALL could be Californian."

Your Sunday picture...

Roaming about

… from Notre Dame. Here’s a picture from the Charles Hayes Sculpture Garden on the south side of campus. Formally the campus dump, this small piece of land has been transformed into a small park. And while there are several pieces of sculpture in the garden, one of the most unique and stand out piece is one of a horse. Made entirely from various pieces of tree branches woven together, this horse never fails to captures one’s attention or in this case, phone camera. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Best of...

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

Flashback Thursday...

Kolb making a fashion statement

...on Friday. Something that many have never heard about on campus is the “World Heavyweight Championship Belt.” What is it? Well, after a series of year long events, testing participants’s knowledge and mental fortitude, the championship belt is awarded to the person who has garnered the most points. Yes, I know what you are thinking…it sounds just like NASCAR.

A few days before graduation and to the chagrin of his fellow competitors, Josh Schultz, Steds senior, was crowned the official belt champion for the 2014-2015 academic year. Following only by a few points, Joel Kolb, another Steds senior, finished in second place.

On his second place finish, Kolb said, ”With his indomitable spirit, enviable gullet size, and formerly curly-haired head, I knew he would be a tough competitor. Looking back on it, it seems inevitable that the biggest WWE fan in the group would bring home the belt."

But is anyone going to Disney World?

Summer...

Summer has arrived

... starts today! Well, meteorological summer that is. Yes, June 1st marks the start meteorological summer, and now, you might be wondering what is meteorological summer? Meteorologists didn't invent this summer for fun. I have been told that meteorologists prefer to deal with data from whole rather than fractions of months and align calendar dates more closely with the temperatures felt during that period. All of this allows them to more easily compare weather patterns from one season to another -- something the astronomical convention makes cumbersome due to seasonal lag. On the start of meteorological summer, Fr. Ralph said, "Meteorological or astronomical, I don't care... so long as there is plenty of sunshine so I can work on my base tan."