EBT Dec 2014 - Sigma Phi Epsilon

BEARTRACKS
Brothers,
I am confident your review of this newsletter will communicate to you the excellence
Dedicated to the
of our MO Gamma Chapter. If you are signed up for the E Beartracks, you have seen
Men & Women of
information on outstanding scholarship performance (#1 among fraternities, 9 members
the Sigma Phi
Epsilon Missouri with 4.0, Spring, 2014); excellent recruiting results (27 top men); acceleration program
Gamma Chapter
focused on new members getting “A’s” on their first chemistry and math tests; strong
and Named in
representation on the football team; service projects in the Rolla community; and the
Memory of Our
list goes on. Of course the key to all of this is good men focused on the SigEp goals of
Enthusiastic
Brother Wilbur Sound Body, Sound Mind.
Included with this mailing you will find a request for your support of our Ducal Crown
“Beartracks”
Burton and his
Raise. Our goal is to have our annual alumni support at $20,000. We had an excellent
wife Daisy
start in 2013 with $4,000, we ask for your support by contributing to this fund to support
the chapter officer scholarship program. Please help us get to $8,000 for this year’s donadec 2014
tions. You can get tax deductibility for your gift.
Alumni support of our mentoring program has increased thanks to Brothers Brian Bakala
Northside
‘13, Dan Bax ‘08, John Belshe ‘11, Virgil Jordan Idaho Gamma, Chet Parry ‘08, Mike
Graphics
Smith ’65, David Steele ‘10, Steve Thies ‘72, Gerry Wappelhorst ‘73 and Josh Wilmes
’11. These Brothers are all serving as mentors for our current chapter officers, all being
Sigma Class
done long distance. Thanks to each of them for their commitment to helping our chapter
of 2014
excel.
When we started the house renovation project the Alumni Corporation had enough savAlex
ings on hand to invest approximately $400,000 in the renovation project. Coincidentally
Pawlowski’s
that is just a little more than the $370,000 that the original house cost in 1970. As we
Photos
completed the house renovation in 2011 the Board started talking about what we needed
to do to insure that the Alumni Corporation has funds to invest in the house renovaFootball
tion/reconstruction in 2036 (or whatever year it happens). We decided our goal should
SigEps
be what the house cost today, approximately $3.5 M. We have started, included in the
calculation of the chapter rent is an amount for depreciation. We started at $20,000 per
“A” First!!
year, increasing by 5% each year. When the loan is paid off in 2026, the plan is that what
was being paid for the loan will go in to the savings program also. If all that works, we
BBBS
should have an appropriate amount to invest in the project in 2036.
I hope you all appreciate the extraordinary job Mike Kearney does in creating the E
“Like New”
This has been
another exceptional
year for the Balanced
Man Scholarship of
the Missouri Gamma
chapter. This year a
total of $5,000 was
awarded to the incoming freshmen that
best exemplified the
qualities of a balanced
man. Not only were
this year’s recipients
the brightest of their
class, but they also
had a strong presence
on their high-school
L to R: Cody Mayse, Lucas Swindell, Matt Everding, Ethan Bond,
sports
teams, and were
Seth Carter, Kyle Anders
very active in the community. There is no
doubt that those that have received this year’s scholarship will have a positive impact on the Missouri S&T
campus.
Ethan Bond, the recipient of the largest of the scholarships, $1500, had a very impressive academic record,
receiving an All-Academic award in all of the sports that he played. He was involved in Volleyball, Baseball,
and Football, and was able to balance all this with a full time job. Ethan is a member of the Sigma 2014 class of
the MO Gamma chapter.
The recipient of the $1000 scholarship was Cody Mayse. He was very involved in the Student Council of
his high school, and was elected Senior Class President. Cody played both Football and Baseball, and received
Scholar Athlete awards in both of them. Alongside all of these activities he also qualified for the All-State Choir
Auditions two years in a row. Cody is also a member of the Sigma 2014 class of the MO Gamma chapter.
There were two scholarships of $750 awarded. One of which was given to Lucas Swindle who was heavily
involved in baseball, being the 1st team all-state catcher, and the varsity baseball captain on his baseball team.
He has received various baseball and academic awards.
The other recipient of the $750 scholarship was Kyle Anders. Throughout high school Kyle was able to shine
on the Varsity Football, Basketball, and Varsity Baseball teams. He was both the 1st team all-conference quarterback and outfielder, while also having very strong academic records. Kyle, whose father was a SigEp in the
70’s, is another member of the Sigma 2014 class of the MO Gamma chapter.
Matt Everding was one of the two $500 recipients. While being on the Honor Roll he was also a part of the
varsity football team. Matt also received a Scholar Athlete award, and served as a Special Olympics Buddy.
Seth Carter, the other $500 recipient was the STUCO class president. Along with his impressive academic
records he was also an all-state linebacker and running back.
The Sigma Phi Epsilon Missouri Gamma chapter continues to strive towards building better men. For the next
school year this chapter hopes to reward another exceptional crop of individuals for their rounded personalities.
The Balanced Man Scholarship gives chapters the ability to convey the qualities of a Balanced Man to the community, and portrays the ideals towards which every SigEp strives.
Thanks, Mike. Looks like they have a fairly
big freshman class.
I always read the Beartracks. I’m glad you’re
doing this.
I am impressed with the academic, athletic
and organizational performance of the current
group at Mo Gamma. In my day I don’t think
we had any varsity athletes and the scholarship and leadership level was not what it is
today. I hope there is a diversity of personalities and a feeling of brotherly love we had in
my time. I’d have to say that the ability to get
along with such a diversity of personalities
that I learned at Sig Ep helped me tremendously in my professional career.
I am planning on attending the Sept 24
Alumni Board Meeting.
Mike Smith
Mike, congratulations on editing an outstanding Beartracks. And, thank you for
allowing me to peek into the new year Sig
Eps. What a great bunch of brainiacks...
Very smart crew, as Sig Eps are always.
Judy Swank Polys
By the way, I’m a Dad now. Baby Ian is 6
months old, and healthy as can be.
Jeff Wegener
Mike:
As always I enjoy the continuing formula of success that
your chapter has installed, particularly mandating an “A” on
the first math and science quiz. It’s evident someone with a
Six Sigma background has been inputing. Rewind to 55 years
ago when we (Sigma Nu) bullied our pledges to keep the
toilets and grills prepared for military-style inspection.
Commander Krieger should redirect his airborne missions to
the Mideast where he could strafe ISIS or something more
strategic.
Ken Pohlig
Mom’s Day
L to R: Back row: Tiradej Bunyarattaphantu, Daniel Fling, Casey Zimmerman, Tyler Sherman,
Paul Brune, Brandon Baber, Bret Hagler, Scott Tanner, Brad Collins, Kegan Higgerson. Front
Row: Bonnie Bunyarattaphantu, Diane Fling, Tammy Zimmerman, Marietta Brune, Valerie
Baber, Elaine Hagler, Cynthia Tanner, Karen Collins, Sue Higgerson, Alex Miles, Julie Miles
L to R: Tiradej Bunyarattaphantu, Daniel Fling, Scott Tanner, Tyler Sherman, Casey Zim-
merman, Kegan Higgerson, Paul Brune, Brandon Baber, Brad Collins, Bret Hagler, Alex
Miles
Picture 3: (L to R): Marietta Brune, Tammy Zimmerman, Bonnie Bunyarattaphantu, Diane Fling, Karen Col-
Just a couple observations/comments:
General: My comment at the end of the meeting well summarizes how I felt. Mo Gamma life is
much more complex than it was in the sixties. I was very impressed with the general and specific
knowledge of the officers present. They appeared to be mature also.
I wish I could know more chapter members because I have some unanswered questions about
current chapter life. Do they have as much fun as we did? Do they have the same feeling of
brotherly love we had? Is the membership as diverse as our was? I know how the chapter is doing
in scholarship, intramurals, recruiting and financially but the answers to my three questions are
subjective but a yes to each question really helps define the overall quality of fraternity life. I suppose it is only possible to answer those question by living in the chapter so I may never know the
answers. But you, as Alumni Board members can encourage the active chapter to strive for these
softer aspects of fraternity life. I think the diversity of personalities is the most important factor
of the three. We had a wide range of personalities from the “lunatic fringe” to the nerd and as I
look back the lessons learned about how to get along with the diversity of personalities was the
best lesson I learned in the halls of Sigma Phi Epsilon. So I hope the chapter does not focus on a
narrow range of characteristics when recruiting but opens the scope widely.
No pays: I was Comptroller and I don’t remember any instance where members did not pay their
bills. A sign of the times? Maybe more reason to dispute bills since there are more components
now. We only had dues, room and board. No security deposits etc.
Who lives in the house? We had about 50 members and about 35 spaces in the house so everyone would likely live out of the house at some time or another. Some chose to live elsewhere but
the normal was: pledges live in the house unless recruited from outside, first semester new initiates normally lived in the house, the rest was determined by sig number and many first semester
sophomores lived out of the house. We had dinner every weeknight and all members ate at the
same time so there was no issue of “absentee membership.”
Time capsule: I like the idea of a time capsule but I would not bury it. I would put it in a glass
enclosure and use it as a conversation piece.
I enjoyed attending the meeting and I will investigate Google Drive for future attendance.
Thank you all for the continued devotion to the brotherhood of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Fraternally,
Mike Smith, ‘63
1961 and Now . .
The article on the left shows Don”Slick” Ostman, 61,
SiEp’s IFC representative accepting the first IFC Scholarship trophy for SigEp’s top finish with an overall gpa
of 2.57!
Some things have changed but to lead all fraternities,
SigEp now must post a 3.263 overall gpa
as in Spring
2014! and Technology
Missouri University
of Science
Spring 201
GPA comparison by semester (Fall 2013 and Spring 2014)
Chapter
FS2013
SP2014
Difference
Chi Omega
3.217
3.319
0.102
Sigma Phi Epsilon
3.197
3.263
0.066
Zeta Tau Alpha
3.194
3.255
0.061
Delta Sigma Phi
3.039
3.168
0.129
Phi Kappa Theta
3.199
3.121
-0.078
Lambda Chi Alpha
2.865
3.079
0.214
Beta Sigma Psi
3.128
3.076
-0.052
Pi Kappa Phi
2.688
3.068
0.380
Pi Kappa Alpha
2.875
3.059
0.184
Delta Tau Delta
2.975
3.050
0.075
Kappa Sigma
3.136
3.047
-0.089
Sigma Pi
2.878
3.023
0.145
Kappa Delta
2.978
2.998
0.020
Sigma Chi
2.816
2.990
0.174
Sigma Nu
2.855
2.983
0.128
Kappa Alpha
3.041
2.967
-0.074
Theta Xi
2.872
2.843
-0.029
Tau Kappa Epsilon
2.256
2.797
0.541
Phi Beta Sigma
2.421
2.768
0.347
Alpha Phi Alpha
2.410
2.729
0.319
Phi Sigma Rho
2.865
2.701
-0.164
Alpha Epsilon Pi
2.938
2.694
-0.244
Sigma Tau Gamma
2.572
2.651
0.079
Delta Lambda Phi
2.759
2.581
-0.178
Kappa Alpha Psi
1.989
2.296
0.307
t was bound
to happen sooner or later.
‘em), four-0.094
Triangle
2.374Four (count
2.280
comely lasses,
Ft. Leonard Wood #grace SigEp’s
Omegafrom
Psi Phi
# “Patio
N/A
O’Hara”.Delta
It was
3:00
PM
on
a
Wednesday
and
they
had
come
to
Sigma Theta
#
#
N/A
“study” (Note the pink laptop), drink some beer and wine and comGPA Keener
decrease(House
from Fall
2013center)
to Spring
2014 the lawn
pliment Mike
Man)(
on keeping
almost mowed this fall.
I
#
Question:
Answer:
Why consider going Greek while at MS&T?
So you will be invited to be in this photo
years after graduating.
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
14 Grade Statistics
Data comparison by semester (Fall 2013 and Spring 2014)
All Greek GPA
All Student
All Male
All Fraternity
All Female
All Sorority
FS2013*
2.977(1187)
2.993(5793)
2.957(4466)
2.936(941)
3.114(1327)
3.13(246)
SP2014*
3.055(1136)
3.054(5360)
3.025(4106)
3.022(888)
3.151(1254)
3.168(248)
GPA Dif.
0.078
0.061
0.068
0.086
0.037
0.038
# |Dif.|
51
433
360
53
73
2
Not just invited but you will find yourself yearning to come and will
* Number after GPA is the number of students accounted for in that category
of Spring
Semester
GPA
come. Come from yourBreakdown
new home
and2014
job
in Chicago,
St. Louis,
# of Chapters
Sorority (5)
Fraternity (23)
Kansas(GPA)
City
and places unknown.
Take
Increase
18
3 a look at the
15 faces on these
(GPA)who
Decrease
1 on Homecoming
7
brothers
showed up 8to be together
2014. Are
they happy to be together . . You Bet! Did they have an average un3.00 or above
12
2
10
2.99 - 2.75
dergraduate
experience? 7Heck NO . . 1they had an 6extraordinary
2.74 - 2.6
4
3
college experience
and it shows
. . and it1 will show for
the rest of their
Below 2.6
2
1
1
lives! Get the picture? Go Greek at MS&T and get in the picture.
Above All Student
Above All Greek
9
9
2
2
7
7
L to R BackAbove
Row: All
Josh
Wilmes, ‘11, 11
“?”, Travis Pitts, ‘11, David Steele, ‘11, Malcolm Booth,
Male
‘11, Emitt
Witt,
and Tyler Sherman,
‘13. Front Row: Brad Cassmeyer, ‘12, Brian Bakala,
Above
All‘11,
Fraternity
12
‘12, Micah Johnston, ‘11, Spencer Mainous,’13, Ryan Morse, ‘12.
Above All Female
Above All Sorority
4
3
# - Chapter has less than 3 members; therefore it would be a violation of FERPA to report this data
Michael Hutchcraft
New Sigma Member
J. R. Wyatt
Per the red spot on the fall Beartracks, I wanted to check if
you indeed had our current email address. It is”
p.jr.wyatt@gmail.com
We had to change the email address because our trusty telephone bundler, Charter Inc., does not operate in this area
and would not let us keep our email address at any cost. So
I think with Charter it is a matter of “have foot - will shoot
same.”
I am from Sullivan, Indiana and come
from a family of 4. I have a younger sister.
Both of my parents attended Missouri
S&T. I played football, basketball, and ran
track in highschool. I was 1st Team AllConferece, 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team
All-Wabash Valley, and 1st Team All-State
Class 2A for football. I was a member of
National Honor Society and graduated in
the top 10% of my class. I was in Beta
Club and participated in the Group Talent
that got 5th at Nationals. I play slot reciever for the football team here at S and T and
am looking forward to a great four seasons,
and great four years at SigEp.
The update alluded to in the subject line is that we have
become full fledged, card carrying, license transferred,
Arizonans. The story is that last April on the way back to
Missouri from being snow birds, we decided it would be prudent to put our house on the market and see if it would sell.
We had a few lookers then the last of July we received an
offer and low thought it was it was, it was a cash, no strings
attached offer. The kicker was that we had to close and give
possession on August 29. Then we had to divest ourselves
of a house full of furniture, a shop full of power tools, 5th
wheel trailer and diesel truck, boat & trailer, John Deere
“Gator”, riding lawnmower (affectionately named Mowesus) and its trailer and heaven knows what else we had accumulated in two lifetimes! Well, we had a four day estate
sale and the use of Craigslist and got it all sold and given
away. So, we arrived in Quail Creek Arizona on September
2nd pulling a 3/4 full 4X5 U-Haul looking like a modern
day reincarnation of the Clamppets!
After diligently looking for resale houses in this area we
decide to build here in Quail Creek. This means an every
day expedition to the job site to check on people that already
know exactly what they are doing! The under slab pluming
is in and the foundtion pours next week. Move in is targeted for the first part of April.
Good old Missouri and the mid west also sent along a little
welcoming gift for me, histoplasmosis. I had scheduled my
four year post chemo check up with the cancer center at the
University of Arizona. The CT/PET scans bloomed a bright
yellow in several spots and the radiologist diagnosed it as
a recurrence of large B-cell lymphoma. Oh great! I really
needed that. However, after many tests at the UofA, my
wonderful oncologist / hematologist said things just didn’t
add up. After a brief stay in the hospital, I was diagnosed
with a fungal disease, histoplasmosis. It had the same glucose uptake rate as those hungry little cancer sells so with
Accelerator Program Results
So how did our Sigma Class do???
H
Goal:
is Scholarship Report took 30 minutes, and in a 2 Hour meeting that’s a long
report, but nobody was complaining. Conner McCurley did a fabulous job as
Scholarship chair and set us up for even better results next year.
To have every New Member obtain an A on their first math
and chemistry exam.
Methods:
Practice Exams
Group Review Sessions
Utilization of Campus Resources
23* New Members took a Math Exam:
A’s: 5
B’s: 13
C’s: 3
Sigma Mentors
Brother Support System
D’s: 1
F’s: 0
Conner McCurley
15* New Members took the Chemistry Exam:
A’s: 3 B’s: 5
C’s: 4
D’s: 1
F’s: 2
* Not all Sigma members had a Math or Chemestry class.
OK,
fairly normal distribution and the majority are A’s and B’s. Good but not
earth shattering . . but look what we learned for our efforts going forward.
Intangible Results:
-New Members grew closer due to the responsibility of holding each other accountable for grades, as ing on each other for academic support when needed
-New Members were able to get a better sense of brotherhood and support from the upperclassmen
-Upperclassmen were also able to join together with each other to solve problems
-Upperclassmen were ‘forced’ to review past material when aiding a New Member
-Campus tutors appreciated the advertisement and promotion of their programs
well as, rely-
Feedback:
-Overwhelmingly positive feedback, no one said they did not benefit from the program
-“The review sessions helped the most”
-New Members felt prepared for the exam by recognizing structure, content, and difficulty
-It put a lot of pressure on the first exam which drove New Members to keep studying.
-“The environment could have been better. Too many New Members were disruptive and did not take the
reviews seriously.”
-“The tests could have been made harder, so the actual test would seem easier.”
-From New Members that did not do well: “I should have taken the reviews more seriously. I just thought I didn’t need to
study like in high school.” “I just made algebra mistakes, however, I knew the content from the review sessions.”
Suggestions for Next Time:
-Make new College Algebra practice exams
-Find a way to convince new members who don’t think they need to study, to take the program seriously
-Monitor the utilization of campus resources more closely
-Find a way to ‘jump the gap’ between a B and A
-Pay more attention to aiding New Members with chemistry
Beef up the Scholarship from Chair to a real committee.
OK,
Sigma members . . the ball is in your court to get even better results in 2015!!
Brother Bill Conners Passes
Nov. 11, 2014
As news of the passing of this beloved brother circulated it generated email exchanges of rememberances.
These included references to the “SPEAK” which now only a few brothers remember. Even in passing, a donation to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation was made this week from The Estate of Bill Connors.
I have heard from Bill's wife Mary. Bill was diagosed with
lung cancer on 19 Sep and went to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix
for treatment. He and Mary have a winter home in Scottsdale.
The cancer was aggressive. Bill was hospitalized on 15 Oct,
hospice started 31 Oct and he passed 11 Nov. He will be buried
in the National Cemetery in Arizona. Mary is going to have a
memorial for Bill in the spring in Rockford, ILL.
Bill and Rookie and I spent some quality time together after we
all "grew up". He always brought his latest guitar and the jamming would take over. Just like the nights in the speak 50 years
ago. He was a tremendously generous man, thoughtful and
kind. He really was a brother and will be missed. Bill Logel
If I recall correctly, and that is a sometimes thing, I was Bill’s
big brother. He was a genuinely good guy, gentle and kind.
I’m sure he will be missed by his love ones; but also by us , who
knew him so long ago.
William C. Connors
1966
6830 Millbrook Dr.
Rockford
IL
61108-4313
(815) 398-2035
aaelawC@aol.com Mary Connors
1966 Senior Class
photo
in the Rollamo
David Kester
Damned if I can remember my #
What day is it anyway?
Mike
Also, thanks for letting us know. Of course, I remember Bill as
“one of those clever pledges who needed to know the names of
the 12 founders.”
John Parks #224
Anyone who remembers Bill also remembers the “speak”. I
remember many hours down there with him and others when I
should have been studying while he was teaching himself to play
the banjo. He will certainly be missed.
Roland (Rookie) Albrecht #261 (or was it 263?)
I remember being down in the Speak as Roland does. Bill wearing his SigEp sweatshirt with the sleeves cutoff playing music and us trying to sing along. Wasn’t there a TV down there? I seem to remember watching
“Combat” while trying not to think about physics, math22, et al. Bill was a kind soul and I’m sure he had a
fulfilling life with many friends. I feel fortunate to have been his brother.
Jim Boaz
Brother Jim Nolfo Passes
Dec. 13, 2014
Thanks for the information about Jim. It must be a good 30
years since I saw Jim and Anne. As I remember, you and I were
down in Huntsville when Jim’s daughter got married. Please
keep me informed on the service for Jim in Saint Louis next
spring. I will try to attend. Fraternally Ps. He could have
waited til today, my 82th birthday.
Michael Cullen
Makes me sad. Roomed with Nolf
couple of years in 5 man room…Also
had some business relationship in later
years… R. C. Hayden
I know you were very close to Nolf so I send special condolences.
I heard that the Pope said recently that dogs do go to heaven so he
is with his beloved Flash.
Mike Smith
Lewis James Nolfo and Anne
in their frame shop in Huntsville Alabama
Oh Michael - This is sad. Jim Nolfo was a big part of my life
for about 10 years when I was with Swank...And, Annie, was
a doll baby. I adored her.
Unfortunately Swank got ‘custody’ of all the Sig Eps and I
have not talked to any (cept’ you) since then.
Thank you for letting me know. Judy Swank Polys
A great loss, thank you for letting me
know about Jim. He will be missed by us
all. Just never know who will be next. We
are all on the down hill run. Guess I can
be thankful!! I have a slow Sled.
By the way how are you doing?
Jerry & Joyce Loughrige
So sorry to hear. He was the last of my turret room actives. Was he in a terminal care situation?
John Parks
Thank you for the info. It’s tough. I have amazing memories of Jim, in the
midst of everything, full of life and ideas and excited to be with his brothers.
That’s the picture I’ll keep in my mind. Val Root
So sorry to hear that. His wonderful sense of humor always brought a smile
or chuckle. I guess my esp had kicked in because while I hadn’t thought
of him for a very long time, he came to mind just this week! (I’m a scary
person.)
Connie Byrne
Ah.h.h.h...man! Tell me it isn’t so! One knows this will
happen to us all....but the Lord must have a need for him
early. We will say a prayer for Drew!
Al & Jean McCullough
Nolfo
In the Turret Room, 1960-61 . . some days, . . most nights:
M-
N-
M-
N-
M-
N-
Nolfo
Grumble
Nolfo
silence
Nolfo
”Shaddup you big pain in the ass!”
(That’s how I knew he loved me)
M-
N-
M-
N-
M-
N-
Nolfo
silence
Nolfo
“Wadda you want!”
It’s time for a beer Nolfo
silence
M-
N-
M-
N-
M-
Nolfo
On Norm Frossard’s deck: Front: Jerry Chatham,
“What?”
It’s time for a beer Nolfo
Jim Nolfo. Back: Mary Chatham, Norm Frossard,
“I don’t have any money”
Mike & Jo Kearney
I’ll buy you one beer Nolfo
Then off we’d go to Bear’s for just one . . sometimes more.
Nolfo had a tougher time than most getting through Rolla. Math, English, nothing came
easy to him. But he and his mom were detirmined that he should graduate. Luna Nolfo
made and sold her ceramics to get Jim through school. Nolfo worked harder than any of us.
Rich Kapfer was particularly annoying. Nolfo and I would dutifully spend the evening
researching the files and studying for a quiz. Then we’d go for a beer and come home for bed.
Often as we were just settling down, Kapfer would come in from attending some meeting on
campus and ask what was to be on the quiz. “Don’t tell him Nolf . .” says I. But good old
Nolf would get up and go over what we thought we had learned. Quiz results . . Kapfer “A”,
Kearney “B”, Nolfo “C”, Kapfer could really piss you off.
One Christmas season, Nolfo invited me to come to his house. He lived near Fairgrounds park up in north
St. Louis, a nice place until the Italians moved out. I went to their house about 2 in the afternoon and knocked
on the door. Mrs. Nolfo answered the door with a quizzical expression. I explained to her that Jim had invited
me over. “Well, they’re not here.”, She said in a tone that suggested “Why would you think that they would be
here?” “They are at the Topper . . do you know where that is?” I explained that I thought I did. It was a small
shotgun tavern nearby on Natural Bridge. Bar on the left as you walk in and 3 or 4 booths on the right. You
know the type of place if you live in St. Louis.
I walked into the Topper . . there was one guy at the bar, a bartender but no Nolfo. I asked the bartender if Jim
Nolfo was around. “Oh yes! They’re in back “. . with a nod of his head towards the door in the back. (Note the
use of the term THEY again)
I went to the back and walked through the kitchen door, there to find Jim and his dad, clad in aprons and laboring over a huge pot of Salsiccia in tomato sauce. Others were there and more began to arrive. By the time the
Nolfos began serving their salsiccias and tomato sauce on French bread buns, the bar was packed. Thus began
my experience with salsiccia sausage. No two Italians make it the same and nobody knows how to spell it.
Years later, when I lived in Nashville TN, Nolfo came up from Huntsville to visit. We were to make salsiccia
and I had done all that I was told. Pork shoulders were refrigerated but not frozen, meat grinder at the ready and
pork casings in stock soaking. My wife Nancy, wisely, found something else to do, leaving the kitchen to the
two of us. We cut and ground the meat making a big pile on the kitchen table. We scorched the fennel seeds
and scattered them over the meat. Nolf then held out his hand and I filled it with salt and pepper several times
and he scattered this over the meat. I kneaded it into the meat by hand.
Nolfo stood back . . surveyed the heap and pronounced, “It doesn’t look right. It needs something red. waddaya got that’s red? I looked through the pantry . . ketchup? Nope. Can of tomatoes? Yep, Gimme them. In they
went to be distributed by hand again. Soon we were into filling the casings using the meat grinder and a special
nozzle fitting for this purpose. Mind you, that we both had been taking advantage of any pause in the action, to
fortify ourselves with beer. It’s salty work.
About this time, Mary Ella Gilbert, our backyard neighbor and a very proper southern church lady, came down
asking for my wife, Nancy. Though warmly greeted, when she saw the state of the kitchen and sensed the condition of the culprits, she left in a huff. This despite entreaties to stay.
Early the next morning, Nancy informed both Nolfo and myself, that we had been rude and insulting to her
friend, Mary Ella. Being in no condition to refute the allegations, Nolfo and I immediately traipsed up the hill
to Mary Ella’s house and apologized, saying that we were sorry for being rude.
As the day progressed, nolfo and I began to feel better. As we talked, neither of us could remember being at all
“rude and insulting”. In fact, quite the opposite. We remembered only courtesy and fine wit. Enough so that
we decided that it was not us that wronged, but indeed, it was ourselves that had been disadvantaged. Sooo . .
we again traipsed up to Mary Ella’s house . . this time finding her entertaining her church ladies group on her
screened in porch. We announced to all that, as far as we could remember, we were the very model of propriety
during Mary Ella’s visit of the day before and thus were formally withdrawing our apology from earlier in the
day.
Ed:
Mary Ella Gilbert is the mother-in-law of the writer’s son, Michael Jr.
Every 4th of July at the writer’s home, Italian salsiccia from the Hill is served.
Rock Bridge Reunion 2015
September 21 - 22 - 23rd
Al & Jean
McCullough,
John &
Bonnie Hardy
Back in 2004,
“Whisper”
Chatham and
John Hardy
we staged our first reunion NOT located in
Rolla. Many of us feel that it was the best
reunion ever, as we all got closer insights into
one another. Rock Bridge is a trout fishing
vacation lodge (You will catch a trout) with
humble accomodations, fine food, room to fish,
hike, roam and converse. Each alum was given
a time to address the group and talk about his
life experiences an career. There was also time
for rebuttal.
Come join us there again on Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday in gorgeous September by calling Jennifer at 417-679-3619 and booking
one of the rooms in the Kearney, Sigma Phi
Epsilon block
Jean getting a fishing
lesson from Frossard
John & Mary Parks
John Hardy listening
and Alan McCullough
embellishing.
Even Kearney caught
a fish. Frossard
showed me how.