FB: Empire 8

[sjfcards]

How about some good news?

Pep has just learned that Julio Fuentes, the Alfred tailback who suffered a severe neck injury in the Saxons 2006 opener against Thiel, has returned to his home in Olean following an extended stay at the Shepherd Clinic in Atlanta, GA. He is now zipping around in his power wheelchair and, word is, he now is getting some feeling in his toes!

Julio, a criminal justice studies major, will be returning to the Alfred campus in the fall with plans to serve as a student assistant football coach. Hurrah for Julio!

Pep...Glad to hear the good news about Julio...Hopefully he will continue to make a full recovery and be back to as normal a life as possible soon. I was actually getting on the board today to ask if anyone had heard about his progress. I am happy to hear he is doing well, and that he will be returning to school soon.

[AUPepBand]

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the pool ...
http://www.alfred.edu/virtual_tour/webcam.html

Pep had his "pool time" in Florida. Twice we had outdoor evening (heated) pool parties at a posh retirement community during our stay in DeLand (of the Hatters). Just some more wintry March weather to make the warmth of April and its showers all the more appreciated. Hot Dog Day is coming.....April 21, an Alfred Tradition!

[AUPepBand]

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

For decades, this was a major holiday in the Town of Alfred where St. Pat is known as the "patron saint of the Ceramic Engineers." Ceramic St. Pat's favors were crafted each year by members of the St. Pat's Board, who each year selected one of its own to play the role of "St. Pat," and who made an original entry to the festivities each year....once on stilts, once by horse, another time by helicopter, etc. A fabulous parade with floats from the Greeks and other organizations drew a decent crowd along Alfred's Main Street where in the mid-70s sneaker-clad streakers swept through the crowd  and, of course, were caught on film by Pep's Pops. A St. Pat's Queen was crowned at the St. Pat's Ball. But too much green beer and unbecoming behavior led administrators to put an end to the festival some time ago. In the spirit of the day, +karma to the E8Nation!

[Sir Spiedie]

Likewise in Bartow, Florida, there was a parade featuring a green pig. But it too is, alas, no more.

[fisheralum91]

way off topic- but are anybody's brackets as big a mess as mine?

[theicdubbz]

Is it too early to be excited about St. John Fisher vs Ithaca '07 edition?

[fisheralum91]

its never too early!

[JQV]

Is it too early to be excited about St. John Fisher vs Ithaca '07 edition?

Too early?  The Chairman has already been looking at places to land E8Force 1 in Ithaca for the inaugural E8Nation Tailgate Party.

[AUPepBand]

So the bus has stopped for a lunch break somewhere in South Carolina. Pep snubs the Burger King and crosses four lanes to a Huddle House, taking three Habitatters with him. Like Pep is apt to do, he sits at the counter, where he contends he gets quicker service and he can watch the food being prepared, which in some places can be very entertaining.

"So, Scott, have you ever been to Florida?" Pep inquires of one of the Habitatters.

"Yeah, when I was young, my parents took me to DisneyWorld," he replies.

"But that was a long time ago. Actually, my father lives somewhere in Florida and works in a department store but I haven't had any meaningful interaction with him since my sophomore year in high school," Scott adds.

"Really, whereabouts does your father live?" Pep inquires, wondering if it's anywhere near our destination of Deland.

"He lives in Tampon Springs--or something like that," Scott replies.

With a wide grin sweeping over Pep's face, Pep says, "Did you say Tampon Springs? I think you mean Tarpon Springs, right? Wow, we could have a lot of fun with this. But I don't want to touch it."

After a few more chuckles, Pep stuffs his face with the rest of the pulled pork BBQ sandwich, thinking to himself, "I'm having way too much fun."

[JQV]

"He lives in Tampon Springs--or something like that," Scott replies.

With a wide grin sweeping over Pep's face, Pep says, "Did you say Tampon Springs? I think you mean Tarpon Springs, right? Wow, we could have a lot of fun with this. But I don't want to touch it."

During my four years at IC, the yankees all seemed to laugh when they discovered that I was a native of Tampa.  Better known, of course, as a native Tampan.

P.S. Tarpon Springs is home to one of the world's largest sponge fisheries and, an odd concentration of Greeks.  Awesome food over there.

[Sir Spiedie]

Not to mention the annual dive for the cross at Epiphany. Whoever retrieves the silver cross from the murky depths will have good luck.
http://www.pbase.com/gmckenna/image/54691630

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Excellent Greek Food down at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.  My new home in New Port Richey is about 20 minutes away.  Also great fish-house called "Ballyhoo's".

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Not to mention the annual dive for the cross at Epiphany. Whoever retrieves the silver cross from the murky depths will have good luck.
http://www.pbase.com/gmckenna/image/54691630

That water is cold in January when they do the Epiphany.

[JQV]

Excellent Greek Food down at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.  My new home in New Port Richey is about 20 minutes away.  Also great fish-house called "Ballyhoo's".

Not as good as a particular pizza place in Chicago...right kirasdad?

P.S. Just randomly checked the front page to kill some time and noticed 'Port to the NJAC.  Not sure how long that story is up there but that is pretty big news I think.  PG04, you out there?  JT?  Knightstalker?  Other NJACers with thoughts?

[Pat Coleman]

Just randomly checked the front page to kill some time and noticed 'Port to the NJAC.  Not sure how long that story is up there but that is pretty big news I think. 

Couple hours.