^-e^ 'if ill® - .^ - t -^ibiic^tion ©f th© Om^g-s PA^ Chapter ©f PHI Gotoevi© £5^5?C3' WORK ON THE CASTLE PAYS OFE The Fiji "Castle" is the best looking house cn ccmpus! Everybody knows Through the years since the house was built in 1924 it has attracted many because of its beauty. But this past February when "The New Fiji" was just getting started, we (the then pledges) were not so sure that it in fact could possibly be the best looking. The "Castle" needed help and lots of it that. as man}' will attest to, and we planned to do just that — help. We organized a plan of attack. The kitchen was the prime target, espe cially the stove. Also on the agenda was the ram, which was cluttered with debris, and the main bathroom needed a good cleaning. During the.first couple of weeks when wa did start to work we concentrated on these areas alone. The rara was picked up and was swept clean, and the I: athroom sparkled after a good scrubbing. There were other areas that needed ixttention too (we always had plenty to do). The upstairs hall carried numerous battle scars. Lee Allen set out vjith his box (boxes?) of patching compound to fix the walls. It be came apparent that we needed to paint the hall, and many other-parts of the house as well. Dean Rand saw to it that we could buy paint from the University supply center at discount prices. Thanks to the understanding of the House Corporation and the generosity of several graduate brothers we were able to purchase the paint, as well as sand paper, rollers, etc. Jon Oakes for some hot brushes.) (Thanks also to The hall was worked cn dilllgently by any one who could handle a brush, and A^'hen the job was finished we all agreed it was a great improvement. Incidentally the new colors are yellow-gold, with gold and brown trim. Jon Oakes and Bob Haynes proposed that the game room downstairs in the basement should he redecorated. They said they thought a combination of brick on the lower half of the walls and barnboard on the upper would be good. We all agreed. Bob found a source of free used bricks in Orono and spent one Saturday hauling them. Jon and Bob gave up part of their spi'ing vacation to stay at the house and brick. Wliile the job is not yet finished it is a giant step in restoring the basenient, not to mention an excellent bricking job. After noticing what a difference there was when the hall -was finished, the entranceway and front stairxv'ell were then slated to be painted. Along with much help from our prospective pledges that job was completed in less than two days of working time. It is probably the most striking repainting job in the house. The walls and^ceiling are white with deep brown trim, and the railing is black. Because we discovered we could do a good job painting, it v?as decided to do the same for the dining and living rooms, although they were in much better shape thnn the entrancevjay. The dining room is new fin ished, and the living room is almost completed. Again the results vjere ac tually Ghocking. The place looks great! With all this work going on the kitchen vjas almost neglected (remeriber the kitchen, our prime target?), but thanks to the persistence of Jim ICauvC iTTiOng others we began work anew. A fresh coat of paint and much cleaning and patching up have improved the kitchen tremendously, but unfortunately much of the x^^oodwork and cupboards are in terrible chape, and hopefully can be rep]aced in a few years. Many of the thirty brothers and pledges will be coming back early next fall to work on their rooms and finish the work that was started this spring. Before closing I would like to thank, on the behalf of all my brothers, all those who have helped us get our feet back on the ground, especially Dave Rand and Field Secretary Steve Area. Most especially we are forever indebted to Dave Sposato for his valuable help, time, and efforts. (This includes a fine job on the oven door!) Speaking for myself and fiveryoae else as well, I must say that we have enjoyed working together resforing the "Castle." We all hope (we know!) that our efforts vjill pay off and that one day soon Oraega Mu will again be number one here at Maine. \r\n-2- Coniicent from the Purple Legionnaire for those of us that have been privileged to be in Orono and observe "the new beginning" we regret that the entire brotherhood of Omega Mu couldn't be here to witness the transition# What has occurred at Fiji is a fine example of the collective spirit. Th® energy and motivation is now at a point where it is contagious and we find ourselves in the enviable situation where everyone is asking themselves the question of "what can I do for the fraternity?" This attitute is responsible for so much being accomplished• Giving of one's energy in service to the fraternity seems to be uni versal within the University community. Arthur Kaplan, Vice President for Student Affairs, has been completely supportive as has Dwight Rideout our Dean of Students. Bill Lucy, Assistant Dean of Student Activities and the University's man for fraternity affairs has worked actively to help with "the new beginning." We are also indebted to the Registrar, Physical Plant Department and the University Police. The local Fiji alirmni have stood up* and been counted. That grand man of Omega Hu, Ted Curtis, has been with the fraternity one hundred per cent. Perhaps our greatest debt is to William Zerman, Executive Secretary of Phi Gamma Delta, and the professional staff of the national headquarters. A substantial portion of Mr. Zerman's professional staff have been totally involved in "the new beginning." The point is simply this — what is being accomplished at Fiji is a combined effort of many people who(are about the fraternity and its destiny. Yes, people are asking, "what can I do for the fraternity" and every undergraduate brother extends an invitation to you to consider this question and to actively involve yourself in making Phi Gamma Delta a respected in stitution at the University of Maine. There is so much that needs to be done and we all have an opportunity to make our contributions. Please write and give us your suggestions — we'd really appreciate hearing from you. At no time in the recent history of Fiji has there been greater need for alumni support. Will you please ask yourself "what can I do for my fraternity, what can I do for Phi Gamma Delta?" David M. Rand '58 Pergel Dave Sposato Best Senior Award Established VJe. couldn't have made it this far without Dave. From the beginning Dave Sposato was alv7ays there working, encouraging, and showing us the Fiji way of running that complicated business known as a fraternity house. In thanks to Dave and his vital role in Omega Mu's "new begituiing", we presented an engraved Maine stein to Dave and established the "Dave Sposato Best Senior Award" (plaque to be coming soon) to be awarded yearly to the best senior, Dave, a graduating senior business major (class of '74) com mented, "As I've already told some of you, I'd give anything to ba in your shoes." The Pine Tree Fiji ^ -k -k Omega Mu The newsletter of the Omega Mu chapter of the fraternity Preston Brlstcw '75 of Phi Gamma Delta. Mike Wissenbach '77 Published this time during Bruce. Verrill '77 flnaib waeki a bit rushed but all thereI Bob Harrington '75 Fourteen Brothers Initiated Fourteen brothers were initiated at the Castle April 3.9 by graduating seniors Dave Sposato and John Butler, graduate brothers Dave Rand and Ted Curtis, and field secretary Steve Area. The ceremony, blessed with Steve's ritual expertise, was a meaningful experience for us all and we are certainly proud to be Fijisl Initiated were: \r\nJaaies Rittenburg '75 '75 '76 '76 '76 '76 '76 '76 '76 Peter Wilkinson '76 Charles "Buddy" Burnstein '77 '77 Preston Bristow Janes Schoonover Howard "Lee" Allen Mark "Chad" Chadbourne Robert Haynes James Kane I I I Michael Milner Robert Rand Jonathan Oaks Bruce Verrill Michael Wissenbach '77 '77 President Jim Kane, sophomore business' major from Glen Cove, New York, has moved up from pledge class President to fraternity President. Jim has been active in organizing the Lacrosse Club here at UHO this spring. Treasurer Lee Allen, a sophomore forestry major from Neecham, Mass., is Treasurer of the Maine Outing Club so he should do a great job for us. Recording Secretary Mike Wissenbach is a freshman forestry major from Valencia, Venezuela. In addition to his secretarial duties, Mike will be renting mini-cool refrigerators all over campus for Fraternity Buyers Aosociation. Corresponding Secretary is Preston Bristow, a junior botany major from Dayville, Conn. Preston is also President of the Maine Outing Club and editor of this alumni letter. Historian Bob Haynes is a sophomore forestry major from Winthrop, Maine. Bob'^ put a lot of work into the house and, after forestry summer camp is over, will be our first delegate to the Ekklesia. Sixteen Men Pledged Sixteen men were pledged to Phi Gamma Delta at the Castle Wednesday, Ma}' 15, setting the total number of men "living'in" next year at 30. Taking part in the ceremony was Jim Kane, our new President, and Lae Allen our Trea surer, V7ith Purple Legionnaire Dave Rand and graduate brother Ted Curtis looking on. The nevj pledges are listed below: Allen "Ra^er" Graffam '75 Major: Music Education Home: 18 Lawn Ave., Portland, Ma. Milt Radley '75 Major: Biology Home: 140 Franklin St., Westfield, Ma. Bob Harrington '75 Major: Zoology Home: 42 Mildred Rd., Brockton, Ma. Dave Laude '75 Home: 30 Graves St., South Deerfield, Ma, Leigh Morrovj '75 Home: Rt. 62, Van Buren. Me. Brian "Buz" Daly Major: English Home: 18 Ludlow St,, Portland, Me, \r\n-irald LaFlanme '76 ^ ajor: Political Science Hoiae: . .. ^ 1 Janet Rd., Haverhill, Ma. Rob Leatherboe '76 Major: Engineering Physics Home: 22 Acorn St., Marshfield, Ma, Louis Roy '76^ 'Maj or: •Zoology Home: 10 Market St., Fort Kent, Me. BrianSpears '76 Home: 22 Abbot St., Portland, Me. Cliff Abbot '77 Home: 102 Lincoln St., Portland, Me. Steve Hodsdon '77 Major: Civil Engineering Home: R.F.D. #3, Box 169, Bangor, Me. Mike Llnscott Home: '77 1435 Forest Ave., Portland, Me. Mat Madeira '77 Major: Home: International Affairs 259 Foreside Rd., Falmouth, Me. Bruce Surgenor Major: Geology Home; Bulkley St., Williarostown, Ma. Mike Wnek '77 ' Major: Forestry Home: 42 Franklin Rd., Cromwell, Ct. Graduate News 1903 Guy B. Fritz was unable to make it to Pig Dinner but sent his $6 anyway with the quip, "Don't use this for feed, but give some long haired bastard * a hair cut!" 1923 Theodore S, "Ted" Curtis, former State Senator 103rd Maine Legislature lists as his past accomplishments; President of the New England Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Faculty Manager of Athletics at Ul'IO for 36 years. President of the state YMCA,^ and many years as Omega Mu's Purple Legionnaire. Ted still lives at 123 Main Street, Orono and is a state YI'ICA Executive Member, President of the Board of Trustees of Lee Academy, and a member of the Board of Chapter Advisors for Omega Mu. Ted's been by many times to give us a much-needed helping hand, both morally and financially. 1924 Philip H. Taylor sent us a contribution ($10) and wished us good luck in reopening the Chapter House. He presently lives at 501 Slaters Ln. *309, Alexandria, Va, 22314. 1925 C'icil J. Cutts of 21 Mountain View Av'e., Bangor regretted he was unable to attend Pig Dinner. . R.N. Haekell was unable to make it to Pig Dinner, but sent us $10 anyway. ThanksI 19^3 Herbert P. Preble V7rites he was for many years a supervisor with a chain of department stores and is now reitred and living on his tree, farm in Jefferson, reachable at Box 134, RFD 1, Newcastle, Me. 04553. Brother Preble joined us at Pig Dinner. 1929 Keniieth W. Downing couldn't make it to Pig Dinner this year. Ken presently lives at 96 Otis Street, Bangor. Robert Parks is retired now after being Executive Vice President of Oper- ations for Howard Johnson's and President of the National Restaurant Assoc iation, Bob writes that this is the class of 1929's ASth Reunion and he and several Phi Gams hope to visit the house this year I Bob lives on 4"S Allen Farm Lane, Concord, Ha. \r\n1930 • ' ' Kennath S. Luddan of^mC Box 31, Bangor was unable to make 1932 ^ , to Pig Dinner, 'i ^ James W. Fuller, of Rt., Ilallowell, Me, also Informed us he couldn't make It to Pig Dinner, 1934 J, M, Jackson, of 62 Chenary St,, Portland, Me. 04103, Is retired after 27 years as adjuster with the General Adjustment Bureau, 1935 ' Elmore L. Wood came down with the flu and couldn't attend Pig Dinner but sent us $6 to help out. Brother Wood lives at 143 Scwall St., Augusta, Me. 04330. 1938 . . Raymond McGinley Is living at 18 High St., Old Town, Me, after 33 years with the paper industry. He is presently with James E. Sewall, Engineering, in Old Town. 1939 Merrill R. "Pappy" Bradford, an attorney in Bangor, couldn't make it to Pig Dinner but was at our cocktail hoiir at the Castle and showed us the very spot whora he had his first sexy kiss I Brother Bradford also gave Gisega Mu a much appreciated $100. Robert Cjlllnan was unable to attend Pig Dinner. m_q William J. Nest, Jr. of Box 118, Middle Island, N.Y. 11953, is currently in his 24th year of public school teaching — now a fifth grade teacher at the Bicycle Park Elementary School in Seldon, N.Y. • 1945(48) Bruce S, Billings, Esquire, of 199 Maine Street, Limestone, He 04750 couldn't make it to Pig Dinner. 1949 Norman W. Curtis is Vice President of Engineering and Construction for the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company and kindly offers to welcome overtures from any engineers interested in employment in the Pennsylvania area. Brother Curtis of 2985 Fairfield Dr., North Allentown, Pa, 18103, also wished us good luck with the reorganization. i^5_0 Hugh W, Hunter's daughter is married and teaching Kindergarten and one of . bis four boys is a Junior at Univ, of Mass, at Amherst, Hugh has been on the Gardner City Councjl for 6 years and has been teaching for 7, The Hunter family lives at 48 Chapel St., Gardner, Ma; 01440. Richard Lawson of 20 Green Acre Dr., Waterbury, Ct. is a Process Engineer t^ith USM Corporation in Sheldon, Ct., and hopes we all have a good time at Pig Dinner. We sure did! 1932 Hugo H. Cross writes he almost made it to Pig Dinner I Brother Cross has been in Connecticut for 16 years and is teaching Fiarth Science in Darlen, Ct, as well as coaching football and tennis summers. Hugo lives at 95 Old Rd., Wastport, Ct. 06880 which, he says, is near Gerald Vigue '52. 1960 Charles J. "Bud" Ochmanski of 8 Brentwood Hd., Augusta, Me. 04330, notified us he would be at Pig Dinner. 1961 Richard M. Schade of 35 Brentxwod Rd., Augusta also let us know he would be at Pig Dinner. 1964 Lowell "Ted" Sherwood, Jr. of 141 Thorton Rd., Bangor let us know he too vjould be at Pig Dinner. 1965 "Winfred A, Stevens of 251 Novell Road, Bangor, made it to Pig Dinner, also. 19J^6 (?) K. Arlen Johnson wrote that he was both delighted and dismayed — delighted tViat the house was reorganizing and re-opening and dismayed that it has reached such an advanced state of deterioration in such a few short years. Brother Arlen vlphnson, an attorney at 102 Congress Street, Mllford, Ma, 01737, also sent his best regards to Brothers John Johnson and Winn Stevens. _1 % 8 Mike Mclnnis of 6 Bayview St., Yarmouth, Me. 04096 joined our happy crowd at Pig Dinner. ; \r\nL. Gorhoir «ent n CiJ^ck fcr v23 (thar.ksl) ami Icnieats' .if \.i ':^ulu fi t make it to rig Ir' -51 Lhlf ycf^r. Brother Gcrham 1 Lnc I In the mlr:;:;!' ;ay ^.roc:k