A Letter from the Editor: Fall Alumni Weekend â04
Dear Old Farts...OopsâŚOld Guards,
Fall Alumni Weekend â04 was another great success. Despite job responsibilities and conventions, Florida hurricanes, visits by children and grandchildren, prostate surgery recoveries, and elderly parents we had a good turn out. When I (Chuck Curatalo â67) walked into the Big Tree I was greeted by Walt Peek â65 who was waiting patiently at the bar. No sooner had we filled our beer glasses when Al Tolsma â67, Bob Veltz â68 and Dave Mead â68 joined us.
| Al brought along great Xerox copies of the 1966 and 1967 Sig Tau composites. As we looked over the pictures we talked about the old days and wondered whatever happened to some of our bros. We talked about the Regattas, White Rose Balls and the time the college stopped us |
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from building our birth control theme float for the Homecoming â66 Parade. What a sight it would have been to have the pope floating down Main Street in a sea of tissue paper pink carnations with the Greek symbols of male and female by his side and with condom balloons streaming into the Geneseo blue sky. All this accompanied by the tune of âIâve Got Rhythmâ blaring out of the built-in speakers. We would have surely taken first place that year if President MacVittie |
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and his cohorts hadnât screwed us!
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We also discussed the reports of erectile dysfunction in some of our Old Guard bros. However, Al, Walt, Bob, Dave and I boasted of the wonders of Viagra and Cialis. None of us reported the four hour erections as annoying and did not âseek immediate medical attentionâ as the makers advertise. We all agreed True Old Guards must not seek medical attentionâŚ.. When we get âwoodâ we flaunt it everywhere!
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After an hour or two of beer guzzling and several choruses of âWe are the Sig Tausâ we decided we better head over the Vital Spot to raise our glasses with our younger bro. Before venturing out Bob presented us with copies of the original Sig Tau sweatshirts which he kindly had made for us. Sad to say all of us required the Extra Large size. After putting on our new shirts, Al Tolsma substituting for our absent dance leader Gordy Bruce led our happy Conga line down Main Street to the Vital Spot. He did a very fine job on such short notice. Even though he was without maracas, the empty beer bottles stuffed with beer nuts proved a fine substitute.
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As our conga line huffed and puffed through the door of the Vital Spot we were applauded by our younger bro and alumni. We were amazed and proud at how quickly they pulled up chairs for us. Tears filled our eyes as they spiked our beer glasses with generous helpings of Metamucil and challenged us to down shots with them. Unfortunately they filled our shot glasses with Geritol while they downed the vodka. Nevertheless their hearts were in the right place. After more beer and fun conversation, the present ETs John Brugno, Aaron Strahl and Sean Coughlin among others led us to Ago House for more drink, food and fun.
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The Ago House was filled with bodacious lovelies when we arrived. After several lap dances by our very accommodating sorority sisters, we were offered cheese and crackers along with the beer and wine. With nothing else on the menu we stuffed our lactose intolerant stomachs with the quarter inch squares of cheddar cheese. Thank God the house was filled with music and chatter which drowned out the flatulent effects of the cheese, not to mention the Metamucil.
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 | Bidding our young hostesses good by we headed off to the Big Tree for the Cocktail Hour where we were joined by Tom Welch â68 and his lovely fiancĂŠe Maureen. The evening was filled with conversation about the present. Everyone thought Pat Pallendâs (â67) Bio in the recent newsletter was a helluva read! And we agreed heâs certainly led an unusual and adventurous life. We talked about Bruce Jordan â66 and his fantastic success with Shear Madness and wondered why we havenât heard from such Old Guards as Roy Howard â67, Mike Luczak â68 and others.
During the great dinner our conversations involved the present as well as the past. As our waiter swished about our table we talked about our families and Old Guard plans for the future such as a Day at the Races for next summer. We decided some of us have to give a personal call to encourage those bros who donât want to get off their asses to get involved. After finishing our food, wine and coffee, we gave each other a big hug and vowed to meet again at Spring Alumni Weekend in April. (Pictures of the weekend can be viewed at Daveâs website: http://www.lilbytesoftstuff.com/etog.html)
Fraternally yours,
Chuck Curatalo â67
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Spring Alumni Weekend â05: Saturday, April 30th 2005 |
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Once plans are finalized plans for Spring Alumni Weekend. they will be sent out via Sig Tau Old Guard Special Bulletins and Newsletters. Plans will also be announced on their Sig Tau website at http://www.geneseo.edu/~SIGTAU/brothers.html
If you think youâll need a room make a reservation on the Days Inn website or call directly at 1-585-243-0500 NOW and save yourself a headache later! Reservations can always be cancelled before 6 pm date of arrival.
Get a Replica of the Original Sig Tau Sweatshirt
Bob Veltz â68 has had exact copies made of the original Sig Tau sweatshirts for Old Guard members. He is offering these Fruit of the Loom brand shirts to members for $25 each (below cost). You can order them in sizes Large and Extra Large. Other sizes could be ordered. You can see what the shirts look like if you go to Dave Meadâs (â67) company website at http://www.lilbytesoftstuff.com/etog.html and go to the pictures link for Fall Alumni Weekend â04. Contact Bob at for information on how to purchase and receive your sweatshirt at rveltz@rochester.rr.com.
MIN-BIO: Dale E. Metz (The Dark-Haired One!)
Circa May, 1970: I was captain of the âA Teamâ with respect to the 1969 draft lottery (#70); my fate was sealed. My graduate school admission at Purdue was put on hold and with extraordinary luck I landed a slot in the National Guard. I left Geneseo almost a month prior to graduation to attend basic training at Fort Polk, LA (a lovely place) where they taught me to march, shoot a 50-caliber machine gun, become culturally aware, and other useful behaviors designed to sustain life in combat. Only one dickhead professor at Geneseo insisted that I take the final exam a month before the course was finished (a statistics course). Even though I did poorly on his final (duh!), I graduated in absentia with honors.
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| Circa September, 1970: I was released from basic and advanced training to come home. During my time away from home, Jackie Palladine and I became engaged. Some of you may remember herâshe was a Home-coming Queen in â68 or â69. {This is a Jackie diversion for a momentâJackie and I were married for 14 years and had one son, Sean. Sean is 26 years old now, teaching earth science at Brighton High School, a suburb of Rochester. Sean is getting married in November this year. Jackie retired this past year from an elementary principalship at Marcus Whitman Central School District}. Sheâs doing well. |
| Circa September 1971: Went to Purdue, got a masters degree; loved the school, but hated Indiana. Left and went to Syracuse University and Upstate Medical Center to pursue a degree in communication sciences with an emphasis in physiology. Received my Ph. D. in 1976. |
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Circa September 1976: I was offered a position back at Geneseo. I took it, but it wasnât for me at the time. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology, coincidentally, was looking for Ph.D. level people to establish a research department. I jumped at the chance and was hired. After 15 years there, a new wife (Wendy) the light of my life, about 90 publications, and two text books, I accepted a position back at the home turf. It is truly a pleasure to be back. I have a corner office in Sturges and I have every intention of staying home until retirement (hopefully soon). |
| Wendy and I spend our summers on our boat in Sodus Bay exchanging sailor stories with the people at the yacht club. Life is good. Take care my friends. |
Whatever Happened to Wayne Crawford?
| Do you remember Wayne Crawford a Sig Tau Old Guard who transferred out of Geneseo at the end of 1966? Wayne went on to graduate from the Florida Atlantic University and became an actor, writer, director and motion picture producer. |
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His most famous accomplishment was as a writer and producer of Valley Girl (1983) starring Nick Cage. He also went on to become an action hero in such movies as Night of the Comet, Jake Speed and Snake Island. He has written, directed and produced many of the movies in which he has starred. Uâbejani (1997) a family film in which he directed and starred in won the National Education Media Networkâs Apple Award and the Breckenridge Festival of Film Award. |
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| His TV credits include Okanvango and On the Loose in Wildest Africa a documentary series in which he starred on the Travel Channel. He is also a lecturer on directing in various colleges and will soon be soon seen in Forget About It costarring Burt Reynolds and Racquel Welch. (Still from picture on the left.) |
| âŚ..Jack Sheehan â66 has recovered from successful prostate surgery and is back running his company The Costumer. You can visit Jackâs company website at http://www.thecostumer.com/ . |
| âŚ..Tom DeBello â65 reports that he is recovering from successful prostate cancer surgery. He will shortly return to work teaching courses in exotic locations such as Tegucigalpa, Honduras for the State University at Buffalo. |
.....Tommy Welch â68 and his girlfriend Maureen have become engaged to be married. Tommy reports that this marriage will be his last.
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| âŚ..Bruce Jordan â66 writes that his hit comedy play Shear Madness continues to set longevity records each time it plays in Boston. The Boston company will celebrate its 25th anniversary this January 31st. The show is also in its 17th year at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Plans are underway for licensed productions in Miami, Atlanta, Palm Beach, Milwaukee, Las Vegas and Vancouver. âItâs one of the busiest years ever for Shear Madness,â according to Bruce. Meanwhile he is watching over his production of Steve Martinâs The Underpants which he directed at the Lake George Theatre this year. Find out more about Bruce and his hit play at the company website http://www.shearmadness.com/ The Study Guide Link gives a good history of the production. |
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| âŚ..Tim Lyons â69 reports that he has retired from teaching. |
| âŚ..Jim Restal â70 reports that he is still married to Patricia Adamski the White Rose Queen of 1969. |
| âŚ..Pat Pallend â67 reports that his son USCM has returned to Iraq for his second tour and is currently involved in operations in the Sunni Triangle and it would be great if the Old Guards would hold a good thought for him and all the others with him. |
Our membership keeps on growing! Our active member list is now 29 and hopefully will continue to grow. If youâve got a little or big brother on the Inactive List give them a call. Ask them to send in their email address ccuratal@rochester.rr.com so they can receive our newsletters and join in on the fun!
UPDATED MEMBER DIRECTORY
Active Old Guard Member Directory*
| * Members whose email addresses are known. Receive Newsletter via email. |
B=Business
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| New to list. |
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Inactive Old Guard Members*
| Name |
Address |
City/State |
Phone |
| Leroy Clinton |
675 Hammond St. 1 |
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167-2117 |
617-879-9824 |
| Tom Crowley |
240 West Cornwall Road |
W. Cornwall, CT 06796 |
860-672-0103 |
| Jeff Gosch |
4307 Cinnamon Path |
Liverpool, NY 13090-1927 |
315-652-4492 |
| Chuck Hall |
6480 Reservoir Rd. |
Hamilton, NY 13346-9559 |
315-824-1674 |
| John Hoffman |
6 Terry Ave. |
Schenectady, NY 12303-4812 |
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| Roy Howard |
3438 Valley Ranch |
Dr. Lutz, FL 33548-4758 |
813-908-0817 |
| Mike Luczak |
68 Brookridge Dr. |
Exeter, RI 02822-3619 |
401-294-9766 |
| Robert Kochman |
301 E. 21st St., Apt 7E |
New York, NY 10010-6534 |
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| Howard Kranz |
70 Manton St. |
Sayville, NY 11782-1326 |
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| Chet Kuhn |
4219 E. Main St. |
Williamson, NY 14589-9212 |
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| Larry Horgan |
1 Cline Rd. |
Victor, NY 14564 |
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| Larry Patzwald |
122 Miner St. |
Canton, NY 13617-1349 |
315-379-9597 |
*Have not responded to invitations and/or requests for email addresses.
Lost Old Guard Members*
| Wayne Crawford |
Henry Harvey |
Jack Piedmont |
Erik Wilson |
| John Duncan |
Ron Leffler |
Peter Schonleber |
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| Ed Garrison |
Sal Marchese |
Greg Sutherland |
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| Jim Goldseth |
Bob Meyers |
Jim Vidocy |
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*Members whose addresses are not known. Unfortunately, the Alumni Office does not usually keep track of those who drop out or transfer before graduating. Many on this list apparently did not graduate from Geneseo. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE ADDRESSES OF ANY OF THESE BROS PLEASE CONTACT CHUCK AT ccuratal@rochester.rr.com SO HE CAN SEND OUT OLD GUARD CONTACT INFO.
Progress Report on Recruitment of Inactive Old Guards:
In an effort to increase our ranks the following letter has been mailed to each brother on the list of Inactive Old Guards. To date only Tim Lyons â69 and Jim Restall â69 have returned the requested information.
Hi _______________,
How in the hell have you been? Remember the fun we had some 40 years ago when we formed Sigma Tau Psi at Geneseo. Remember the good times at the Follies, Snow Sculptures, the Regattas and the White Rose Balls? And of course who can forget the infamous Jenny Awards and parties under the âbridgeâ? Guess what? Some of us âOld Guardâ are having just as much fun as we did in those âhappy-go-lucky, bare-assed and freeâ years.
In 2003 we formed a group called âThe Sig Tau Old Guardsâ that meet twice a year in Geneseo for Fall Alumni Weekend (Homecoming) and Spring Alumni Weekend. We have located over 25 active members who keep in touch via The Sig Tau Old Guard Newsletter which is published via email periodically throughout the year. All our members pledged in the formative years of ETY 1963-1967. We also have a website, thanks to Dave Mead â68 which archives all our newsletters and photographs of our events. Go there and read the âTales of Alumni Weekendâ article in Issue 6 to see how much fun we had at our Spring Alumni event at Geneseo. The website address is http://www.lilbytesoftstuff.com/etog.html Surely you will run across many names of brothers you would enjoy spending time with again. (The website address is not linked to anything so only Old Guards who know the address can log in. This protects all information such as email addresses from being viewed by outsiders.)
Would you like to get in touch or get together with a lost âBigâ or âLittle Brotherâ or just a good old bro whom you have not seen in over thirty-five years? Well here is your chance. Our newsletters are filled with contact information for all Old Guards. We have phone numbers, home and email address for all of the Sig Taus we have contacted. We also feature a biography of an Old Guard in every issue and also an Old Guard Notes section that highlights noteworthy events in our membersâ lives.
The current Sig Taus work closely with us providing us fun-filled activities at the various Alumni events. At Homecoming â03 they celebrated the Fortieth Year of the founding of Sig Tau with food drink, and a souvenir tee shirt. At all events we manage to meet by ourselves for drinks and dinner at the Big Tree Inn, our old stomping ground. There is also talk of having a cruise together or meeting in some other fun places.
The current Sigma Tau Psi Fraternity website is at http://www.geneseo.edu/~SIGTAU/brothers.html . The current Sig Taus would like each alumni member to fill out a data sheet which you can access at their website so they can contact each member with their own newsletters. There is also a history section with an article by Bruce Jordan â66 one of the founders that will bring back old memories.
So send Chuck Curatalo â67 your email address at ccuratal@rochester.com or fill out the enclosed form and return it to us in the enclosed stamped envelope. We are looking forward to keeping in contact with you and hope you join us at our events. Donât hesitateâwe wonât live forever! Remember one of our old sayings âLife is a banquet and most of us poor SOBs are starving!!â So get to it!!
Fraternally yours,
Chuck âCharlesâ Curatalo â67
SIG TAU OLD GUARD NEWSLETTER EDITOR
PS: REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS otherwise you will not receive future newsletters. The issues are delivered via email only.
Next Sig Tau Old Guard Newsletter Issue: January 2005
Stay tuned for Special Bulletins until then. |
Link to archives and pictures below:
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