Alumni Update - Eric Bailey

Since my last letter to update my life was written about seven years ago, I thought it was time to update my story a little. The last seven years of my life has been very eventful. First off, I separated from the Air Force in November of 2002. My last duty station was Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. So I had to leave Europe behind and became a civilian again. Transition wasn’t too difficult, although getting use to the American way of life again was trying.

Secondly, I enrolled in college again. With a little help from the GI Bill, state grants, and a credit card, I went two more years and finally graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Forensic Chemistry from Edinboro University.

I took about 6 months finding a job. Needless to say, chemist positions around the Erie area are few and far between, so I picked-up and moved my wife to Chicago in hopes of finding better prospects. Then a break, just as soon as I settled into a cramped house with my mother-in-law, I received a call to come back to PA for an interview with the Department of Environmental Protection for a civil service chemist position. Next thing I knew, I got the job. One day after hearing that, I learned that I was going to be a daddy.

Yes, a legacy is upon us by the name of Jared Jason Bailey. He was born March 25, 2006 at 12:20 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 8.5 oz. He is a monster now at 21 months, weighing over 30 lbs and 36 inches long, and he has a shoe size of 8 double E wide (Big guy like dad). He is a humongous joy, even though he keeps us up all the time. He definitely keeps us busy. He loves Bob the Builder, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and the Count and goes completely bananas for Baby Einstein videos. Plays with any kind of cars, Weeble-Woobles and Little People, blocks of all sorts and heaven forbid you get him anywhere near one of those Thomas the train railroads. Get this; he is a duck lover. If he sees a duck or you say duck he goes, “quack-quack”, so Skin the duck would be proud.

My wife, Tammy, is doing well. She works for Linens-and-Things at night to supplement the income. It works out great for parental supervision; at least one of us is always around, since I work days. This keeps him out of day care. Although the extra pay is helpful, it is not enough for us to even consider having another kid. However, someday we would like to have another, or as many as it takes to get one of each.

I have been with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Laboratories for two years now. My primary duty is to test mine drainage water samples for the presence of sulfate contamination primarily for the Bureau of Mine Reclamation. Just trying to keep the lakes and streams of this great state of ours free of acidic run off from the vast number of old mines that dot the landscape. I also test for nitrite and nitrate, total nitrogen, and will be learning a ferrous (iron) test. It’s an easy job to pick-up. For now, it’s paying the bills, but it affords me the time to keep looking for a better, more relevant position in a forensic setting.

Well got to go, happy holidays and see-y’all at the reunion.

Sincerely,

Eric “Bro Cuck” Bailey (Fall 1992)

X-1

Not a Christmas card, but I did recently hear from Jeff Wilson (Fall 1987). He is now living in Bedford, PA and has a 6 month old daughter Elle.

Wombat

Kirk Rexford (Fall 1986) sent his Christmas photos as well with Monet (9) and Camden (8).

Tango

Here's one from Tracey Tango (Spring 1990):

Another Card

Here is another card from Dave (Fall 1985) and Jenny (Mack (Spring 1984)) Wirth, with their boys Mack (4) and Liam (3).



The envelope also had this pic:

Christmas Cards

The Christmas card season is winding down, and I thought it would be cool to share some of the cards I got this year. First, here is the card that we sent out:


Chloe (almost 5), Susan, Olivia (3) and me, on Pawleys Island, SC.

The Tunneys (Jon, Fall 1987) sent out their card, featuring the lovely Erin (1):


I also got a non-photo card from Kurt Runkle (Spring 1989), but he did include a picture with Tyler (3):


I'll post more as I get them. If you have any, please feel free to post them. Send me an email at scoli@sigmakappanu.com and I will give you permission to post on here, or just email them to me and I will post.

Scoli

Skanky Christmas Fest Extraordinaire

"one of the most successful semesters we've had in a very long time"

Party cost $400, made $305 on door. Loss of $95, but it was small due to the weather and finals.
- We found out our CO2 tank and line were stolen somehow, with the remaining line being burned at the tip.

Obviously the same people who took the tap last year and fought us last week. As discussed at the meeting/in the minutes, precautions are being taken to prevent things like this from happening anymore.

- The duties were all an hour and a half for this party (9:30-11, 11-12:30, 12:30-2) so we could have 2 people on every door duty and lot duty, to be more ready in case of another event like last week. Paddles were within close reach in case of a gang jump on unsuspecting brothers. They, thankfully, were not needed.
- A girl had an asthma attack outside and we saved her.
- The Red Light District was broken in. Number one was the Godfather with his passed out fiancee. I'll let you have one guess as to who was next.

- There was a black kid from an out of town school and he had the sickest, funniest dance moves. I was talking to him, and some other kid asked me for a hit of my cigarette and I gave him one. I took it back and it was wet so I told him he nigger-lipped it, and then I realized I was by a black kid. I said "no offense" and he said "shit, I'm caramel man, I hate niggaz!"
- Good party, we all had fun it seemed. We all wore the red Skanky Christmas Fest Extraordinaire shirts.
And that's the last party of the Fall 2007 semester.

I would like to thank all the active brothers for working with me and for all of us contributing to one of the most successful semesters we've had in a very long time. Next semester is going to be a lot of fun, and again, a very pivotal point for our fraternity. We will only have 11 active brothers, along with Forte, Baptiste, and Trombetta. We need to have a successful Spring 2008 semester and get as many good guys in here as possible. On the fun subject, there is a lot going on next semester.

We have

• Formal on Friday March 28th (tentatively)


• Induction Night


• Football Game on Saturday April 19th (tentatively)


• Easter Beer Hunt


• Steve-O's wedding on Saturday April 26th
  
  Bobby
  Pledge Master
  Social Director

It's a small Sigma Kappa Nu World...

This past Saturday I went to Monaghan's which is the TIP where the PSU’ers in the SF go to keep it real.

I saw this woman wearing a shirt that said something about PSU Behrend. Turns out she knew (in the good book sense) some of the Brothers and kept it real.

Penn State lost the game and I found a place that had $1 drafts until 8 PM on Saturday in the Marina. One of the best neighborhoods and you are not going to get junkies asking you for stuff which is boots.

Parkinsons Research

This is the time of year when quite a few people are raising money for
different causes.

Due to the impact of Parkinsons on someone close to me, I wanted to
raise money and awareness but I could not find an existing
organization that had something set up like Team in Training so I
found about First Giving which allows individuals to set up web pages
to donate directly to a wide range of causes, including Parkinsons.

So on November 4th, 2007 I will be running my first half marathon, and
I wanted to raise $2000

To donate simply go to this website http://www.firstgiving.com/hydra1970

Any amount is greatly appreciated,

Marcus Ronaldi

PSU v Iowa

Here is a picture of the Outback Steakhouse Blimp from last week's game at Wisconsin. I was disappointed that it was only the blimp, because there was supposed to be a B-2 Stealth Bomber flyover before the game but the flight was scrubbed due to lightning in Missouri where the Bomber was coming from.

Here are a few pictures of our weekend in State College a few weeks back, courtesy of our man that wanders the land, Jeff Schenker. It was good to see Jeff as I haven't seen him since he left in early 2004. Be sure to check out his travelpod website again as he will be off soon for other parts unknown. It was a fantastic weekend of hanging out at Krauth's restaurant, tailgaiting, and football. Send me an email if you are coming for OSU.

Vegas Baby

I'm pleased to report that T. Gregg Davis was married to Jackie Cooper this past weekend in Sunny Las Vegas. The happy couple is vacationing right now but please be sure to congratulate them.

On another note, I wanted to keep you posted that plans are progressing on the 25th anniversary SKN Reunion. Looks like we are shooting for an event in State College either the weekend of June 27or July 25 of 2008. Even though this will be the official SKN reunion, we are also looking to plan an Alumni/Active event during the spring in Erie.

Active Alumni?

I remember a few years ago, when I was a struggling bohemian artist living on the margins of society we had a way for someone to be an “active alumni”.

Do we still have that? If so how much is it annually? Do we have an option for a lifetime membership? Is it tax write off?

Also of much more importance this needs to be EASY! I have not written a check in years. Either do PayPal or something.

If they still have an address post it, and people with Internet Banking can set them up with an eCheck.

Lost Brother Project

When reading the post about finding the lost brother it gave me an idea for a good pledge project.

Take a list of all “lost” brothers and divide them up among the pledges.

Have them search for them and send an outreach e-mail letter/e-mail whatever.

I think most of the brothers that are lost may have not been on that new fangled Internet or they changed their e-mail list.

This would make Scoli so “O Happy Day”…

Pooh Bear!

A long lost Skin has been back in touch. I kept in touch with Steve Winney, aka Pooh Bear (Fall 1986) for about a year after he graduated, and it was a very sad day when an email I sent to him got bounced back because his email address was no longer valid. That was back in the 90s. Finally, over a decade later, Pooh is back!

Here is what Pooh has been up to: "I’ve been living in Portland, Oregon for 15 years now. I’ve been married for 12 to Debi. I have 3 kids (7, 8 + 10). The youngest is a boy and two girls. I am actually a Blacksmith and run a decorative metal shop."

His blacksmithing and metalwork web page is very cool. Check out his website www.yardleyforge.com, and be sure to look at the galleries... he is pretty good!

I will update his contact info on the SKN web site, in the alumni directory.

Actives' Social Events Fall 2007

All alumni are most welcome!!
Sept. 15 Sat.

SKN ROCK SHOW!!!
7:00 P.M. doors open, 7:30 band starts
Sept. 22 Sat. 80's Party
Oct. 12-14 Cedar Point Fund Raiser

Oct. 26 Fri. Halloween Hotel
Nov. 3 Sat. Casino Night

Chad & Trish Zediker Have a New Girl

Hi Skins,

I just wanted to write a quick message to let everyone know about the birth of my baby! Both Mom and baby are home from the hospital and doing great. This is our first child and we are very excited to finally become parents! If any of you long time parents have any good parenting tips we would love to hear them.

My wife Trish and I currently live in Greensburg, PA which is about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. We bought a house there in late March and really love the area. If anyone lives nearby please feel free to contact me and we can meet up sometime. I currently work as a Plastics Engineer for Respironics, Inc. in Murrysville, PA and my wife is a nurse (RN) at Shadyside Hospital. We have been married for 5 years now. It seems like the time has flown by since leaving school.

We are looking forward to the 25th anniversary celebration. It would be great to see everyone. Hope everyone is doing well.

If anyone would like to get a hold of me I can be reached by e-mail at chad.zediker@respironics.com.

Fraternally yours,

Chad & Trish Zediker
Bro Dazed – SP 98

Building a Shed

I have not been blogging much lately. All of my extra time is spent building a shed. I am almost done, so I should spend a little more time on the blog. My goal was to be done with the shed before football season. I am about a week late.

We should have more content on the blog in the coming weeks. Students are back in school, and the actives are going to post here as well. Plus with football season, many alumni will return to tailgate and catch up. I know at least a few are heading there this weekend. I am hoping to make it up for a game this year, but no plans so far. It will likely be a last minute trip.

I have seen a couple alumni since the last time I wrote. The whole family took a vacation to stay with my Mom in Massachusetts. We drove and stopped in Washington DC on the way up there. On the way back we stopped in Chester Springs, PA to visit the Tunneys. Great to see Jon and Kelly, and to meet baby Erin. We also picked up a surfboard that had been taking up space in their garage. This board has a long Skin lineage. Jon and Mike Bailey have had this board for over 10 years, taking it to the Jersey Shore in the summer. Before Jon and Beetle, the board was owned by Jerry Dyke. I am happy to say that it will get lots of use on Pawleys Island.

In July I met up with Steve Dittmer. He and his wife, and a bunch of their family spent two weeks on vacation in Myrtle Beach. I met Ditt after work (about midnight) at the bar in his condo complex. The picture is a great contrast between someone fresh out of work, and drunk vacation boy. We tried to get together again, but I live over an hour from his vacation spot. Next time we will plan better and have you guys down to Pawleys.

Football fans, remember to post pictures and stories to the blog!

Networking and Brotherhood

Almost every day I get requests/invites to join networks (I am a recruiter) but today I got one from Jeff Wilson, my Big Brother.
It got me thinking we could all make our links to the various networking sites so we can help each other out.

So I am going to include links to the two sites I use the most, LinkedIn and Facebook. I am not using MySpace as much due to the amount of crap on it.
I would be open to connecting to anyone on either site
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/67/264
(I am looking for sales people with a software background in 1) Sacramento 2) Boston 3) Jacksonville 4) Laguna Hills 5) Santa Clara

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=705175300

Feel free to include your information in the comments to this post.

Penn State vs Notre Dame Bus Trip (Pittsburgh)

With the 2007 Penn State Football season rapidly approaching, it's time to start thinking about what you are going to do for the most anticipated NCAA football game of 2007 and the most anticipated game in at least ten years for Penn State football: the September 8, 2007 battle with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!

If you live in or around Pittsburgh (Actives included), we have the answer for you.

Once again, Chuck Behanna (Bro Spaz) and Dan Behanna (Bro Liberty)are organizing a chartered bus trip to this historic event. For a minimal $50.00, you get the following:

1. Beer (all you can drink for the ride to State College)


2. Bus (departing Pittsburgh at 10:00 AM and leaving State College after the game)


3. Beer (all you can drink at the tailgate)


4. Munchies (for the ride up and back) and Food (at the tailgate)


5. Beer (all you can drink for the ride back to Pittsburgh)

Everyone is on their own for tickets. However, in a worst case scenario,you might not be able to scalp tickets and have to watch the game in a bar at State College, which would be the next best thing to actually being at the game.

If you are interested in joining your other Pittsburgh SKN Alumni on this trip, let either Chuck or Dan Behanna know.

Notre Dame fans and significant others are welcome.

GO STATE!

Timmy Gets Married

Last weekend (8/11/07) ago, Tim "Cess" Gilboy got married to Lori Sondenheimer at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Given the hellish weather we have had all summer they could not have picked a more beautiful day. As we speak they are honeymooning, I think in Hawaii. It was cool being in a stadium that holds tens of thousands of people, when there were less than a hundred people there.

A Three Hour Tour

It has been a while since I blogged. I have been busy at work, we have had a constant stream of visitors, and we spend any extra time at the beach. Plus, summers are usually slow in terms of Skin news. We are still trying to get a crew together that will organize the 25th reunion next year. A few alumni have volunteered, but I do not think anything has been done just yet. A few of the actives are eager to help out, and I think that once school starts next month, things may get moving along.

Last week I got to throw out the first pitch at the local minor league baseball game (The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Single-A team for the Atlanta Braves). Also there to throw the first pitch was Dawn Wells, aka MaryAnne from Gilligans Island.

How do you like that Jeff Grant?

The next Sistine Chapel?

I recently spoke with Kate (Byars) Buogo, and found out that she is now a mama. Kate gave birth to a baby boy in late April. Michaelangelo Buogo Jr. came about a month early and was about 5.5 pounds. Mama and her baby boy are doing just fine now.

Tom Lippert Speaks at Memorial Day Celebration

I was watching the Erie news after memorial day and they had this Army Lt. Col. speaking to a large crowd in Meadville, Pa. south of Erie. I kept looking at him thinking "I know him". I watched the news later to get his name, and it turned out to be Tom Lippert, a SKN brother! He was being driven around in this expensive convertable, waving to the crowds. Having just returned from Iraq, he was quite the celebrity. If I had known, I would have driven down to talk to him. Here's a little info about him:

Tom Edward Lippert
Brother Duke, Fall 1985
Us Army
Helicopter Test Pilot

Doc

Job in San Francisco

If you are thinking, I will not be able to find toil in San Francisco,
do not fret.

Alumni Update - Pat Armstrong

I have decided to bring back an old newsletter staple.... the alumni update. Please send me an email and let me know what you have been up to since graduating. Sending a picture gets extra credit!

First up, Pat Armstrong (Fall 1987)

Amy and I own (with a third partner) aj MOSS, inc., a bedding and furniture
store, which is located in North Conway, NH. We have a Main Street store, but we
do 99% of our business online (http://www.ajmoss.com/). Amy and I are
expecting our first kid (a boy) at the end of September.

Birthday Ideas

I did get some response and ideas for Sigma Kappa Nu's 25th birthday which is fast approaching in 2008. Dave Krauth and Sean Spudich both volunteered to be on a planning committee. Plus Tony Parker said he would help out if there was interest in planning something at Hershey Park.

Here are a few of the ideas tossed around so far:

* A reunion in Erie to co-incide with Behrend's 60th birthday which will be held late July/early August, 2008.

* The birthplace of SKN in Erie, but Erie has less choices for people that want to bring their families. Pittsburgh is a good choice because of the number of alumni there and options for things to do. The last reunion on the boat went over very well. Getting a picnic grove at an amusement park would be a good choice (although this may be a non-alcoholic choice). There are certainly other options such as St College, but the options available and fewer alumni that live there don't make these real contenders.

* Anything in State College, but not Arts Fest or a football weekend.

* Stone Valley - There was a lot to do -- hiking, volleyball, horseshoes, canoeing, visiting the wild life sanctuary, a close golf course, etc. The campfire at night when we would tell SKIN stories & cook stuff over the fire was great fun.
Plus those with families could rent cabins and be separated from the wilder young guys at night [they were across the lake], another huge plus. The boat trip, our last reunion, in Pittsburgh was fine but far too short. Several hours so there was too little time to talk to each other.

* A family friendly blow-out at Hershey Park. Couple the park outting with a rental of a ball room or the Cubs Den at the Hershey Lodge for the evening.

* Wherever it is, plan an entire weekend of events, instead of one single party.

Any other ideas? Once we get several possible choices, we can create a poll for the web site, and hand it over to the committee to get it done. We will probably need more volunteers, but I'm sure Spudich and Krauth can recruit more people when the time comes.

Last but not least... Doc has volunteered his slides and videos. He has all 25 years of Sigma Kappa Nu documented!

Keep the ideas coming!

Scoli

25 Years

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Sigma Kappa Nu. A few people have already asked if there is going to be anything planned, and most would probably agree that something should be planned. The question is who is going to plan it, and what are we going to do.

Our alumni board has been defunct for over a year, and there is no interest in getting it going again. I propose that we get a committee together whose only purpose is planning a blowout party (family friendly, of course) for the big 25.

If you are interested, or have ideas, please let me know, or leave a message on this blog. Now is the time to start planning.

Scoli

In Memoriam *RIP JB Scott, Fall 2001*

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(Click on image for larger view)

One of our fraternity brothers was killed in an accident on Saturday, May 5th. This makes two deceased brothers out of 360 in nearly 25 years. An amazingly low mortality rate. The details of the accident, from the Erie Times News are followed by the obituary from the St. Marys Daily Press.

St. Mary's man killed in rollover

RIDGWAY A one-vehicle crash Saturday night left a St. Marys man dead.

James Robert Scott, 25, died after he was partially ejected from the truck he was riding in when it rolled over, according to state police at Ridgway. The crash took place on Saturday at 9:45 p.m. on Ketner Road in Jones Township, Elk County, police said. The 2001 Ford F-250 was westbound on Ketner when the driver, Christopher Aaron Krieg, 23, of St. Marys, lost control of the truck, according to police. The vehicle went off the road and into a ditch along the north berm before traveling back across the road and hitting a group of large stones, which caused it to roll, police said.

James R. "JB" Scott

James R. "JB" Scott, 25, of 1192 E. Eschbach Road, St. Marys, died Saturday evening as the result of a motor vehicle accident in Jones Township. He was born April 20, 1982, in St. Marys, son of David J. and Mary Jo Scott of St. Marys, who survive.

He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Elk County Catholic High School, class of 2000. In 2004, he graduated from Penn State Behrend with a degree in plastics engineering.

He was employed by SGL Corp. in St. Marys.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, the CMF, and the St. Marys Sportsmen's.
He is survived by his parents; two sisters, Jacquelyn Scott of St. Marys and Laura Scott at home, and his girlfriend Julie Hoffman.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Loretta Skok, and by his paternal grandparents, Gail and Jean Scott.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday at 10 a.m., with Rev. Eric Vogt OSB as celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Cemetery.

Doc

Spring SKIN Graduation Party

This was the 7th consecutive clear sunny day in Erie! (must be a record). The location is the SKN Party Palace, The first photo is from the back of the party house. As you hopefully can see from the photos, there was plenty of food and beer.
Our graduates (in approximate alphabetical order) are:

• Jason Benkert who scored a great job as a Siemens Engineer in Atlanta [the best job obtained by any graduating engineer, according to the engineering faculty]. An amazing step up from the days Doc was called into the Dean's office because the fraternity as a whole had an average that began with 0. E.g. 0.72!! The Dean was not happy.
  

• Charlie Gaglione, graduating in Plastics Engineering. Quite an accomplishment, considering he is a former film major -- a most difficult change of majors. Here the Graduates Gaglione and Benkert are explaining how to run the fraternity to the New Brothers, Mike Trombetta and Nick Kohley.
  


• Andy "Booger" Grace, professional dog handler aka the "Dog Whisperer of Behrend". Look out Cesar Chavez! :) (Cesar is a dog expert on the National Geographic Channel).
  

• Mark Walczak, who will be working as an Oracle/Microsoft consultant
  




• JD Zwiggart

Photos by Doc

Two grills, here manned by Andy Mook and Glenn Palmer, kept a steady supply of food.

Constant excitement was provided by the crazed Skin Dogs, Oakley and Jake.

It's Cinquo de Mayo >> CELEBRATE! Doc