2001

Welcome to the trimmer news page, articles that appeared in the Rho-Kappan Senior in 2001 are found on the Rho-Kappa Senior (click here) section of the website. Announcements are removed after their usefulness has passed.

Actives help Alumnus with Barn Cleaning

A large column of vehicles arrived at the Völcker Farm on the Saturday Morning of November 10, 2001. It was an awesome sight, fifteen guys stepping out into the open field, they looked like a mighty army. With boundless energy the fraters took to the task of moving tons of scrap metal, scores of shutters, doors, mantels, boxes of nails, a v8 engine, tractor fenders, paint, air conditioners and other items accumulated over the years in the old reb barn (A curious breed, farmers, they keep EVERYTHING).

At the end of the day the guys pitched their tents and came over for a Spaghetti dinner at the house. Because of the drought Virginia is experiencing, the gigantic pile of scrap wood was not set ablaze. A smaller controlled fire provided the light for the week's business meeting. The fraters stayed up horsing around into the wee hours of the night (we won't mention the trip to good ole Suicide Hospital, no loss of life).

It was fantastic having a whirlwind of Tekes tackling in a day what would have taken weeks by myself. I highly recommend the brothers for any projects anyone might have. Thank you fraters you made me look good, my friend Greg who helped with the cleaning said that it was worth going to College just for the fraternity (I agree), my good neighbor Spanky was impressed too (his son is only an AXP, t'is very sad, t'is ;-). The fraters left on Sunday morning after a sausage gravy breakfeast and the means to throw the "Pig Roast" as an early Rush event.

Ahh, it is good to be a PK Teke.

Sebastian, PK15

America's Fraternity mourns for America Often we know what professions our fraters are in but rarely do we know exactly where they work. I am extremely grateful to hear that John Pastino (US Army Major) and his brother (Marines Major) were not at the Pentagon, that Ricky Stanfield (Rocket scentist working with the military) was not there either, that Grant Hayes's Dad was not in his office at the Pentagon, that Paul Dembowski's wife (Navy) was safe, that Frater Hicks and his Girlfriend are okay as well. That Chris Ozard who lives on 14th Avenue was not in harms way of the World Trade Center. The most Amazing and Fantastic news is that Coach escaped the World Trade Center five minutes before the second air attack. For a while it seemed that the worse news was that Neil Riddock had to travel many miles by car with a cranky baby after being stranded in Colorado. A friend of James Boston, David Charlebois, the First Officer on American Flight 77 was not so lucky, he died in the Pentagon crash. Our thoughts are with all who lost and with the brave men and women who brave danger from the mail rooms to the slope of the Hindu Kush mountain range of Afghanistan. Hurray for the USA.

Teke Summer Fling 2001. Thank you Brothers

This year the host did not attempt any major landscape project such as putting inground yard lights before the party, and thus the host was much more relaxed and actually able to enjoy the party and the elite brotherly company of Tekes. Big "D" brought an enormous grill built by his (blood) brother which leads to the unavoidable conclusion that Big "B" belongs to a tribe of Giants which live in Goochland County. Firing up the metal beast was also titans work and yes Gazoline was eventually used to start up the grill. Kids, do not do that at home, such dangerous stunts -- you guess it -- can only be performed by Giants from Goochland county. Big "D" was assisted by two other super beings Jabba and Titanium-Rebuilt-Russ. Eventually burgers -- real ones, hand and home made from a 100% slab of beef -- were served with the fine and exotic yankee brew, Samuel Adams. Ah yes we have come quite some ways from the days of Beast Light, I mean we even had Bruschetta!

Picture by Carla

Picture by Carla

A big thank you to Rick Stanfield who showed up bright and early on Saturday for the painting of the volley-ball court, it looked (and still looks) great. John and Doug were a real help with mowing, putting up the volley-ball net and making the wagon ready for the hay-ride. And of course Steve the ill nicknamed "Less" for his weed-wacking, mowing, porch washing, banner hanging, in addition to teaming up with big bro Rick for court painting and wasp eradicating.

The "old guys" Doug the Hug and Special "K" emerged the victors of the Horse Shoe Tournament this years, beating out last year's returning champion Titanium-Russ and his new partner Big "D" (bronze trophee) and the dream team Jabba-Stefan which captured the silver -- Stefan's magnificent performance could only do so much to balance out Jabba's radical experiments in ballistics. The victors, turned over the cash prize -- put up by Steve Wertz -- to the Association with mission to put it towards the David Buchanan Scholarship fund. As the sun was setting the guests were treated to Big John-I-still-have-a-gear's blood curdling hay ride. Thank you all for coming, will do it again next year, fortune permitting.

Red Carnation Ball 2001, A success!

The Red Carnation Ball 2001 could easily have been derailed by this weeks events -- the funeral of Colonel Pastino and the destruction of the Rotunda followed by the early closing of Longwood -- but that would not account for the Teke spirit which is strong with the Chapter. All went very smoothly and I am sure you can read more about it on the Actives Website. Kappa-Delta Chapter of Old Dominion University joined Rho-Kappa in this celebration. A big Thank you for Brian Wilson (PK 144) for organizing the event.

Rho-Kappa and Kappa-Delta at RCB 2001

Fire Ravages Rotunda

Picture from LC Website

Tonight, April 25, 2001 a fire started around 9:20 p.m. in the Rotunda which is (was) being renovated. Apparently the Rotunda is a total loss, as Channel 6 news signing off they reported that the fire was not under control (11:30 p.m.). NO REPORTED INJURIES at this time, Tabb has been evacuated. Seven fire companies and over a hundred fireman are battling the blaze. Students are being housed in the Gym. Jabba will be extremely busy with this housing problem.

On the scene Alan Carrier, PK 175 reports: "The fire is nuts!!!!!!!! Grainger is gone... the renovated Ruffner building and the rotunda is completely gone South Ruffner burned down.. Tabb is burning. French is flooded from the sprinklers... its crazy here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Pictures (thanks for the link Big D)

http://www.farmville.net/2001/20010425/index.html

Read more about it:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/vametro/MGB9ZXOMYLC.html
http://www.timesdispatch.com/MGB856ZHYLC.html
http://www.lwc.edu/

Colonel Carmen Pastino's Funeral, A moving ceremony.

The Marine Corps Memorial Chapel was packed for the service for Colonel Carmen Pastino. Chaplain MacCall, a friend of the family and a retired Marine himself, gave a very personal and uplifting homily. John (PK 2) and his brother Philip shared their memories of their father (very moving). And then we all went to the Quantico National Cemetery for the always impressive Marine send off. I took a quick picture of some of the Marines and the Chaplain as they were waiting for the family (see below). Bag pipes, 21 gun salute, presentation of the flag from a grateful nation and Taps playing in the distance, it was a beautiful and moving ceremony. The Alumni Association sent flowers.

"Colonel Pastino played an instrumental role in the development of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Colony at Longwood College that would become Rho Kappa Chapter. With fond recollections of his experiences as a Frater at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, Colonel Pastino influenced his son,
John Carmen Pastino, who in turn influenced the Alpha Class to pursue TKE. Major John Pastino (PK#2) and his father had a uniquely strong father/son relationship. With Colonel Pastino's support and John's initiative they were also able to enjoy the bond of fraternity." (Jabba)

May 2, 2001

Dear TKE brothers,

My family and I truly appreciated your support following the death of my husband, Carmen.
Thank you for the large beautiful spray of gladioli, carnations, roses and chrysanthemums, that you sent to the house.
It was heartwarming to see Ellery Bradley, Scott Koenigsberg and Sebastian Völcker at the funeral. Their presence helped us.
The tribute to Carmen on your website was so nice. You TKE's do things right.
Thank you all for such compassion and support. It really helps our healing process.

Sincerely,

Marjorie T. Pastino

P.S. We are deeply saddened about the tragic fire and huge loss to Longwood.

Ellery Bradley, Scott Koenigsberg and Sebastian Völcker took the opportunity to pay their respects to David "Buck" Buchanan.