Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween Jokes

Q. What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween? A. Ghoul-aid!!!
Q. What is a Mummie's favorite type of music? A. Wrap!!!!!
Q. What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A. A sand-witch.
Q. Where does a ghost go on Saturday night? A. Anywhere where he can boo-gie.
Q. Why did the ghost go into the bar? A. For the Boos.
Q. How can you tell a vampire likes baseball? A. Every night he turns into a bat.
Q. What do they teach in witching school? A. Spelling.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

red, red wine

Most of the fun writing for a blog is having the ability to chose a topic, (do a little research) and discuss... although most of our posts are 'random entries', we try to cover a variety of topics, somewhat pertinent to Shippensburg and AOII... but every once in awhile it's fun to go in another direction and compile our ideas... so this series, (our "best of") we will critique anything and everything that might be of interest to US... chime in!!!

So let's take a look at RED WINE! We can all be self-proclaimed connoisseurs and it's fun to research and document which wines we have tried ... drinking wine can be somewhat of a "hobby"... I enjoy attending 'wine tastings' (or holding our own) and hosting 'wine dinners' where we try to pair different wines with each course of the meal. (see, it's somewhat - dare I say - educational! lol) On a side note: I do have a simple 'rule' about wines and limit them to $10 a bottle (although I shop at Total Wine in Delaware where the products are a little less expensive) but you should be able to find all of these at least under $15 at a regular liquor store. So if you are a wine drinker and haven't yet tried these, I encourage you to check out OUR TOP 5: and of course, please add...

AVALON Cabernet Savignon from Napa Valley - Blueberry and plum nuances from the Syrah complement the dark cherry and black raspberry characteristics of the Cabernet Sauvignon. We found this on vacation in Avalon, NJ... this is hands-down my favorite!

ROSSO Red wine from Francis Ford Coppola California region - Made from a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sirah. The supple texture and rich, juicy flavors of plum, cherries, mocha, and strawberry jam make this wine a perfect accompaniment to any meal. I have served this often and all of our guests agree that this is a good choice.

RED TRUCK Red wine blend from Cline Cellars winery in California - Blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc for a juicy berry base the added Grenache and Mourvedre round out with licorice and spice for a full-bodied finish. Pretty cool, down to earth website admitting each truck make and model that inspired each of their wines! This was a 'neat label' wine that I picked up and it has become a favorite.

NINE x NINE Zinfandel from Central Valley, California - Full, forward aromas of black fruit, red fruit and smoke brim from the glass. Flavors are similarly full and forward; a mouthfilling melange of jammy blueberry and loganberry, accented by subtle cinnamon and nutmeg nuances. Currently a "chairman's selection" and on sale in Pennsylvania Liquor Stores for $9.99! I happened upon this one just in time for September 9th 2009!!!

MENAGE A TROIS Red from California -Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio. Besides the name being a conversation piece (although it may be a little embarassing to ask for by name!), this is a great blend.

Yes, I see the trend; I apparently really like red blends from California!

Check out some of the great wine names I found: Happy Camper, 3 Blind Moose, Mad Housewife, Running with Scissors, Bitch, Little Black Dress and... (here's where it relates to sororities!): Four SISTERS!!!

Monday, October 26, 2009

around the water cooler

GREAT GAME:The Red Raiders football team in a thrilling game beat nationally-ranked Bloomsburg 28-27 this past Saturday. Bloomsburg was 8 and 0 and ranked number three in the nation before their loss to Ship. The Red Raiders scored with 46 seconds left in the game to take the lead.

Shippensburg, who was picked fifth in the preseason Eastern Division coaches poll, will play next week for the right to host the State Game when it travels to face Cheyney from O'Shields-Stevenson Stadium, kickoff 1 p.m.

Someone recently commented that they heard "SHIPPENSBURG" announced when watching Sunday Night Football... yes, it's true!
Shippensburg University Football program has had four alums compete as professional athletes in the National Football League. Shippensburg currently leads the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with two active players at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season.

John Kuhn (’04) finished up his second season as a member of the Green Bay Packers, seeing an increase in playing time at the fullback position. The 2008 season marked Kuhn’s fourth in the NFL and third on an active roster. After appearing in all 16 regular season games in 2007, Kuhn became a regular face in the Packers first-team offense, appearing in 16 regular season games while making three starts. Kuhn finished the 2008-09 season with the best offensive showing of his career, becoming the first Shippensburg alum to score a touchdown in the NFL.

Brent Grimes (’05) earned a starting position at cornerback for the NFC South champion Atlanta Falcons. Brent Grimes concluded his second season in the NFL as a key member of the Atlanta Falcons, the NFC South Champions. He was a starting cornerback through the first half of the season before being moved to a key part of the Falcons nickel and dime packages. On the season, he totaled 34 total tackles and six passes defended. Grimes also recorded a memorable interception and 25-yard return in an early season matchup with Kansas City.

Rob Davis ('92) announced his retirement on March 2008, ending a 12-year NFL career, the final 11 of which were with the Green Bay Packers. He currently serves the front office as the team’s director of player development. The first Red Raider to ever play in the NFL, Davis took over as the Packers’ long snapper in 1997 and played 167 games in a Green Bay uniform - the third-longest consecutive games streak in team history behind Brett Favre (255) and Forrest Gregg (187). Davis was also the first Red Raider to play in a Super Bowl as the Packers were defeated by the Denver Broncos 34-21 in Super Bowl XXXII on Jan. 25, 1998.

Ron Johnson ('03) was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 9, 2003 after spending the first four weeks of the season on the team’s practice squad. He appeared in three games that season for the NFC East champion Eagles who finished the year with a 12-4 record and lost to Carolina in the NFC Championship. He was released and signed by the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League on October 2006, but was released on February 2007 due to injury.

Pretty cool stuff, huh?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

SHIP Happens (ings)

Saturday November 24th - 12:30 pm: Tailgating at Bloomsburg
Wednesday Oct 28th - Mechanicsburg 6:30 pm: Pathways to Success
Tuesday November 3rd - 7 pm: Philadelphia 76er's
Wednesday November 4th - Camp Hill 6:30 pm: Pathways to Success
Thursday Nov 5th - Harrisburg 6pm: Brews & Chews @ Troegs
Saturday November 7th - Horsham 9am-12pm: Cradles to Crayons
Saturday November 7th - Home football game: 11 am Bring your Tailgate
Friday December 11th - Washington DC: Ship Night @Kennedy Center

Monday, October 19, 2009

"excuse me while I kiss the sky..."

HOMECOMING 2009 well, here's to another GREAT weekend... Friday night AOII took over Maxi's (Craig was so glad to see us!!)... ... we had a blast at Knutes... and of course, were well represented at Wib's... the rain didn't damper our spirits and although the parade was cancelled and attendance at the game was very low, SHIP beat West Chester 24-19... hangin' out with the Pi girls, visits to the CUB and bookstore... checking out the "new and improved campus"... back to Maxi's, party at Shippen Place, Wib's (take 2)... a great time for all... can't wait to see everyone again in April!!!

Mark your calendar, Shippen Place is taking reservations for next year: October 23, 2010! (trust us, you don't want to miss it!!!)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

25 Years and STILL Showing our Pride!

TOMORROW... (is only a day away!!)
Here's the "411":

FRIDAY NIGHT ~ Happy Hour at Maxie's If you ordered t-shirts, you can pick them up... Knute's Pub will be hosting an "Alumnae Party" at 8 pm... the girls will be at the Phi Delt house... then 'bar hopping' for the 21 year olds, hoping to meet up with alums...

SATURDAY ~ Eggs at AOII House at 9 am... parade begins at 10:15 and should arrive on campus around 10:45 (weather permitting)... 10:30 am - 1 pm tailgating at field with kick off at 1 pm... pizza and subs at Phi Delt around 4 pm with the girls(or Maxi's for us 'old timers')... and don't miss out on the "Greek Alum" party at Shippen Place starting at 6 pm ($5 for beer)!

IF YOU GO: The AOII house is located at 19 North Earl Street, it is the "brown" house on the corner... University Store will be open Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm and they are offering a 10% discount for all alums!... we have "AOII" buttons for alums, so look out for Coleen... and yes, there IS a Starbuck's in the library on campus! STILL IN TOWN: Tollgate, Wib's, Orky's (now a college bar), Maxie's... JUST SO YOU KNOW: Knute's is on King Street (almost across from Family Select) and is the closest thing to G-Man, since it's a 'sport's bar'... Market Cross Pub is further down King Street across from Subway but almost 'around the corner' from Maxie's... Black Horse Tavern is the bar at Shippen Place.

THIS JUST IN: Shippen Place had cancellations... and has extra rooms JUST for Friday night... if interested, call the hotel at 717-532-4141.
WEEKEND FORECAST - Friday rain with highs around 39 degrees, Saturday 36-38 degrees, rain and a chance of snow showers.

Monday, October 12, 2009

COLUMBUS DAY

He led four expeditions to the New World, but never accomplished his original goal--to find a western ocean route to Asia. Instead, Christopher Columbus ushered in a new era in world history by opening up the Americas to exploration.

How much do you really know about Christopher Columbus and his voyage?
Columbus Day Quiz
Happy Columbus Day!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

countdown to the three day

Again, we would like to take a minute to praise three of our own who have committed to take on an awesome challenge for a good cause. They will be participating in the Susan G. Koman for the Cure Breast Cancer 3-Day . We wish them all the best with their 3-Day!

Carla Geary Diprospero will be walking in Philadelphia October 16 to 18. If you're in the area, stop by and support Carla at one of the various CHEERING STATIONS along the way: create banners, hold up signs, bring some music and make some noise - anything to make them smile, get energized and keep walking.

Nikole Davis will spend October 23 to 25 in Atlanta for the cure. Surprise Nikole with postcard/letter, she will get while walking! MUST be postmarked by Oct 13. Breast Cancer 3-Day Post Office ATTN: NIKOLE DAVIS #370 880 Marietta Hwy. Suite 630 Roswell, GA 30075

Tara Pomponi Whisenant will participate in Tampa Bay October 30 to November 1st. To send Tara a postcard/letter, forward to: Breast Cancer 3-Day Post Office ATTN: TARA WHISENANT PO Box 40366 St. Petersburg, FL 33743, must be postmarked by Oct 20.

Friday, October 9, 2009

don't come empty handed

let us start with the "thought": it doesn't hurt to ask; the worst they can say is no. anyway, we throw a LOT of stuff out there to you... and we ask for a LOT of favors... maybe there's something that you agree with or are willing to help out with, and we really appreciate the support... but if you're not interested, that's fine... it was worth a try!

that being said, if you're planning on attending homecoming, feel free to bring something for the girls... you know: sweets, frozen dishes, snacks, even 'supplies'... hey; what college student doesn't love getting free goodies??!!! and if you haven't been back in awhile, it will give you more reason to be sure you stop by to see the house!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Lungstrong 2009

Taken from Charlotte Smarty Pants:
9 days and counting…next Saturday, October 17th Team Charlotte Smarty Pants will be participating in Lungstrong 2009, a 15K run and 5K run/walk in Cornelius (Lake Norman). As most of you have read previously, Lungstrong supports lung cancer awareness and benefits LUNGevity Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to funding lung cancer research. You Smarties are all fully aware of how near & dear Charlotte Smarty Pants is to us and many of you know the history and evolution of CSP. For most of us at CSP our involvement came at the expense of having lost co-chief founding mommy, Jennifer Lisman Bunich, to non-smoking lung cancer in February 2008. Jen was 36-years-old at the time and left behind a beautiful 2 1/2-yr-old daughter and husband of 4 years. Jen had never smoked a day in her life, and in fact, died without knowing her diagnosis or that she was even terminally ill.
TO DONATE: To help Team Charlotte Smarty Pants as we wage our fight against lung cancer and remember those affected, click here to donate and follow the steps. Select any team member to donate to, it all counts towards our team goal.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

become a "PAL"

We are starting a new program that we are excited about.
It's called "PAL", which stands for "PI & ALUM LINK.

We are VERY pleased to announce that this semester, AOII will have EIGHT (8) New Members!!! (they will be one of the largest classes on campus!) Through this program, we will pair each of these eight new sisters with an alumnae to act as their "special friend".

We are asking that you as the PAL alum to offer support... either send them a quick e-mail once in awhile, maybe even a care package or letter (does anyone even send mail anymore?!?) and help to guide them thru their experience as an AOII collegiate. For us as alumnae, it will give us a "LINK" back to Tau Lambda... , more of a reason to go back to SHIP (how cool would it be to witness your PAL's Initiation - or even Induction into Alumnae Status!?!?!?) and someone we can check in on when we're in town.

For the collegiate, it will show them that they ARE making a lifetime committment... that we stand true to the belief that we WEREN'T AOII's, we ARE AOII's!!! We prove that we have always been a strong group, we have over 400 of us and we are re-connected and stronger than ever!!! We can then help when the time comes to transition our PAL into a Tau Lambda Alumnae.

We will be going thru the list of New Members and try to match them up: an alum from their hometown, someone that may have had the same major or that has experience in their field. If you are interested in volunteering, e-mail us at taulambdaalum@gmail.com OR "add a comment". We will be sending out e-mails to a few to ask you to participate, and if you are interested, that's great; if not, maybe next time. And we will ask again next semester and hope this program will succeed and grow!

PLEASE consider being a PAL!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

on the road


show your SHIP spirit... these plates can be ordered in PA and MD.

Shippensburg Alumni Programs

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Stay Smart: Don't Get Burned!

OCTOBER 4th - 10th, 2009:
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871. According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow - belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary - kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn, then the whole city on fire. Chances are you've heard some version of this story yourself; people have been blaming the Great Chicago Fire on the cow and Mrs. O'Leary, for more than 130 years.

While the Great Chicago Fire was the best-known blaze, the most devastating forest fire in American history was the Peshtigo Fire. The fire, which also occurred on October 8th, 1871, and roared through Northeast Wisconsin, burning down 16 towns, killing 1,152 people, and scorching 1.2 million acres before it ended. Historical accounts of the fire say that the blaze began when several railroad workers clearing land for tracks unintentionally started a brush fire. Before long, the fast-moving flames were whipping through the area. Within an hour, the entire town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin had been destroyed.

Those who survived the Chicago and Peshtigo fires never forgot what they'd been through; both blazes produced countless tales of bravery and heroism. But the fires also changed the way that firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety. On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be observed in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.

What can YOU do???
replace the batteries in your smoke detectors... print out this Fire Inspection Checklist... be sure your home is fire-safe by hunting for hazards... and stop by your local fire company... we are always looking for volunteers... and not just those interested in fighting fires!!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Think Pink

October is the official Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with each year being pinker than the last. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is all about increasing the awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection.

Always the 4th Monday in October, this year Pink Ribbon Day is Monday, 26th October.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Founding SISTER PROFILE: Deborah Allen Wirth

DEBORAH ALLEN WIRTH
Please share a little about yourself: I live in Mechanicsburg PA with my husband, Bill, and two children, Chelsey and Mitch. My husband was a high school friend of my brother's whom I had secretly admired from afar. Ten years later, we "remet" each other in my brother's apartment. That evening, I joined my brother and Bill for a night out. A few years later, we were married. Our children are in high school now and are involved in many activities. Chelsey plays the mirimba in the marching band and indoor percussion. She sings in the choir of her church and also plays the bells. During the fall she enjoys playing soccer for our recreation league. She is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. Mitch, on the other hand, is a huge Pittsburgh Steeler supporter. (As you can imagine, football season is a very interesting time in our family.) Mitch also plays soccer and also enjoys playing golf, baseball and tennis. Recently, Mitch went on a missions trip to Honduras. It was a life-changing event for him. He enjoys singing and acting, and plays in the school's orchestra. Both kids have taken piano lessons since kindergarten. Speaking of kindergarten, I will be starting my 25th year of teaching (first through third grade) and feel truly blessed that teaching is one of God's callings for my life. Everyday has been filled with smiles, surprises, and celebrations. I am also an instructor for the Bureau of Education and Research (BER) and do independent consulting seminars. I have authored "35 Independent Math Learning Centers" - a teaching resource published by Scholastic.

What was SHIP like? What differences have you seen? SHIP is an amazing college. It offered so much diversity and choices for activities in which one could get involved. Of course, being an elementary education major, I absolutely loved the fact that the lab school was on campus. It made the coursework authentic. I believe SHIP is a top-notch university for education and recommend it highly. Obvious differences include the growth within the campus. It's amazing to see all the new buildings and all the state-of-the-art equipment. My daughter plans to become a special education teacher. Mitch has always wanted to be in the science field, but has recently talked about becoming a middle school life science teacher. If either or both decide to definitely major in the education field, I certainly hope they consider SHIP as an option for college.

What is your favorite AOII memory? My most favorite AOII memory is of Rosamond Bratton. Rosamond was the initiation sponsor for my (blood and AOII) sister Karen and me when Tau Lambda was first founded on the Shippensburg campus. Our relationship continued for many years, and the three of us developed such a deep bond of friendship and love. Karen and I, along with our (then) toddler children, would visit Rosamond frequently when she moved to a nursing care facility in Elizabethtown. The six of us would walk Rosamond around town in her wheelchair. She loved getting outdoors. She loved everything about life. I am reminded of her often as I view the tender flower in painting she gave to me so many years ago - her gentleness, her grace, her glow, her beauty. Rosamond was our angel on Earth and has inspired us both so very, very much. Rosamond was the epitome of AOTT's legacy.

What is your most meaningful AOII moment? My most meaningful AOII moment was being initiated with my (blood) sister, Karen Allen Anthony. It was fun being a legacy right off the bat! Karen and I have always shared a special bond. Having AOII be a part of that during our college and alum years was icing on the cake.

What were the challenges for AOII in the beginning? The biggest challenge for AOII was gaining acceptance from the other fraternities and sororities on campus. It didn't seem to take too long for the relationships to develop, however. Another challenge I remember is when we had to determine the offices and roles within the sorority.

What was your vision for this new sorority? The vision I had for this new sorority was to encourage a sisterhood that had its foundation in trust and friendship - something I felt could be hampered with hazing rituals. I truly appreciated the "fresh" perspective that AOII offered to college women.

What do you remember most about your SHIP days? When I think about my SHIP days, I smile. It is truly breathtaking to me to drive into campus and see the beauty that it holds. Although my memory continues to fade, thinking of SHIP blankets me with warmth and fondness. Being at SHIP was a wonderfully exciting time for me. It was the place where I truly spread my wings.

What funny story can you share with us? During my freshman year, there was another girl (I'll refer to her as Mary) who had the same exact schedule/classes I did. She, too, was in elementary education. Although Mary did extremely well academically, many times, she lacked common sense as evidenced by the following vignette: Mary and I were in the same dorm (Kieffer Hall), same wing, but different floors. Upon exiting out the same doorway as the fire alarm was sounding, she says to me, "Oh, did you have a fire drill too?" Scary to know she's a kindergarten teacher isn't it??????

What is your most proud accomplishment since college? My most proud accomplishment is one I share with my entire family. A little over three years ago, our entire family was baptized together at the Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church. It was truly a surreal moment that Easter Sunday morning when the four of us affirmed our love for Jesus Christ. We have become a much more spiritual family and enjoy the presence of God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit working within our lives.

What advice can you give our current sisters? Allow yourself to take some time to sit quietly, count your blessings, and relish the relationships you have developed.

Other comments? A fun tidbit ... this coming up school year, I will have a student from Shippensburg do her observations in my classroom for her profession semester. The following school year, she will student teach with me. This is nothing unusual as I have had several student teachers from Shippensburg and other colleges. However, this Shippensburg senior is a former second grade student of mine! How strange it feels to have come to this point in my career!