December 1931 Omegaphone
Merry Christmas to All
Looking forward to a turkey dinner with all its “fixing” is no small anticipation; and with “when good fellows get together” ringing in our ears, the inevitable effect is one of Christmas spirit and cheer. To effect this spirit and cheer, we have always held some sort of X-man affair, generally in the form of a dinner followed by a party; and this year we are looking forward to a similar entertaining celebration.
The special dinner and party will be on Thursday evening, December 17, before vacation. We intend to decorate the inside of the house with holly, evergreen, and wreaths, and of course a Christmas tree. The party will be enliven by the distribution of gifts which cost from naught to ten cents - not the depression - and the reading of the attached bits of verse, with some more or less, portray a characteristic of the recipient. The selection of a Santa Claus has not yes been made, but we have several promising candidates who have deep voices, and are fond of children. The pledges will proclaim their Christmas “jeer” with an “enlighten” one-act play, and we know that some of our alumni would enjoy reviewing the dramatic talents of our understudies.
This is the general procedure every year - more accurately, a tradition; of the boys of Omega Chapter. Some of our alumni perhaps remember this celebration certainly when we have graduated we will carry with us a picture of a christmas tree with lights and tinsel in one corner; a whisper and the subsequent trick, but all in good fun; those gifts; “old Santa”; but most important, those tow letters above the fire-place which bind it all - “Theta Chi.”
A.A.F.
President’s Message
Last year, a little later than the present time, Omega started a chapter library. We had book shelves built into our card room which completely changed its appearance, making it look more homelike. Then we sent out our plea to alumni and parents to send us books of any kind of which an ordinary library should be composed.
About two weeks later packages started to roll in from all over the country. Our call has been answered to rather a surprising extent. The shelves started to fill and soon we had 415 volumes. These included histories, biographies, technical books, fiction, mystery, and books on other diverse subjects. So you can see that in less than six months our library expanded remarkably and became very extensive as to the different scopes of reading matter. We offer our sincere thanks to our alumni and friends who donated books in order to make our library as complete as it now is. At present we have the sixth largest library of any of Theta Chi chapters, and we will not be satisfied until we, Omega chapter, have the largest library. It’s only a matter of 500 volumes between is and first place, so let’s all work together and serif we can’t collect the necessary books to put us in that position.
Edgar Newcomer, President
Alumni Notes
We certainly were glad to see such a large group of alumni back for house-party. They said it was the best house-party Omega has ever had. We actives rather thought so ourselves. We wish that more of ourselves. We wish that more of our alumni would come back and visit us. How about it? We know you will enjoy yourselves, IN the meantime, have any of you changed your address, gotten married or divorced, etc? Anything at all that is news, we will be glad to receive from you. Oh yes, do not forget we will have a library and some more volumes would not do any harm,
Omega - Alpha and Beta
I think that the active members, the alumni, and our many friends would be interested to know that Omega Chapter has expanded to such an extent that it was necessary to sub-divide. This came about as a result of our effort to make the work of pledging easier next fall after our fifteen mighty seniors leave our stately portals. At the beginning of this year, we needed only six pledges to fill our quote of forty men but instead we raised it to twelve, thus requiring six - half of the sophomore class - to live out for the first semester, thereby permitting the parties of the first part to occupy the quarters now used nu the parties of the second part. it was early in October when the first group now know as Alpha, moved out, and about a week or so later the Beta house was formed. There exists keen rivalry between these two houses, each of which claims to be better than the other in more ways than one.
The Alpha group consists of Brothers Heutchy, Fay, Decker, and Saunders who bonded together and selected a domicile far enough away so that the would not be annoyed by the new combination radio and vic that the mother house just installed. Upon forming this new house, elections for president were held and each member received one vote who proves there were no stuffed ballot boxes. At the present time they still are without a president as the results are the same whenever they try it. Brother Decker showed signs of originality when he bought several gold fish, thereby putting Alpha ahead of Beta, which, at the present time, has neither per nor mascot.
The “Beta Boys”, costing of Brothers Coates and OSgood decided they too would like a brisk walk before breakfast, hence their slogan “100% attendance at Breakfast” and how they live up to it. They have a tricky guest book over there which you are permitted to autograph, and you are invited to spend the night in their luxuriously furnished guest room (tier clothes closet) provided of course you are not tossed out bodily by their landlady, as were 50% of the Alphas one afternoon.
All six of them realize that they are doing it for there own benefit and, with only a month and a half to go, feel sorry for those who will have to move out during a cold, cold winter just to make room for them.
Intra-Mural Athletics
At the beginning of the intra-mural football season Theta Chi suddenly found themselves represented on the gridiron by a football team that was incomparable. The backfield of this team would have made the “Four Horsemen” look like a delegation from the “Old Men’s Home: and the line- to compare it with the “Rock of Gibraltar” for stability would be both insulting and absurd. Our first opponents of, I should say, victims were the Blue and White Club”, a group of non-fraternity men, We took them like Grant tool Richmond only much quicker. The final score was 7-0. The next victims who were foolish enough to risk life and limb against the “Ox Club’s” stupendous mass of bone and muscle were the Beta Kappas. The Theta Chis relented somewhat in their onslaught and finally overcame their opponents. The game was won on first downs, 8-5. We next played Phi Kappa Sigma. It must have been our off night because after being trampled on fro thirty-two minutes we were deafened, vanquished, annihilated or what have you? Although we lost, it was, without a doubt, a moral victory because our defeat made our opponents so over-confident that they lost their next game.
We were also represented in the intra-mural cross country race. Although we did not win the race, one of our freshmen, Joe Alexander, took fourth place. Joe attributes his success to the fact that he frequently has to run to first house.
We also are organizing a basketball team and, judging from the turnout, things look very promising. We have all of last year;s team except one man, and the freshman class has provided some very good material.
There are also several Culbertsons and Lenzs around the house who will no doubt reports us in the intra-mural bridge tournament. Don’t forget, bridge is a tough game; its very hard on the shins.
“Oxie,” The New Cat
Two early Theta Chi travelers returning from a non-stop flight from far-off Philadelphia were aroused by a cry, apparently coming from the general direction of Pittsburgh. Acting upon the intuition of loyal Theta Chi’s, these two wanderers made their way thru the blinding storm to render aid to the endangered wayfarer. The darkness and the mist enveloped them, but peering through the angry elements, they caught a glimpse of two staring eyes. Immediately their thoughts wandered back to a similar incident they had encountered in the heart of the Azalian Jungles.
A another! No it couldn’t be a panther, for they had not been seen in State College since Pittsburgh marked with the “Lion’s” hide. After much deliberation they abandoned the idea or rescut, but, upon further thought, they finally decided that it would be much safer for their fell even if this creature was reduced. At once they drew their tear gas guns and flashlights and followed the sound which was becoming weaker. Within the feet of the sirocco of the sound they flashed their lights on the object.
Look out! here it comes! But much to our heroes’ chagrin, they found it to be just a little, hungry kitten crying for its paternal ancestors. The poor creature was taken in by these bible Theta Chi’s and is happily resting neath the portals of Omega Chapter. IN less than not time it became acclimated to its new surroundings and now during the long nights it makes its way through the vast halls visiting its master’s rooms. Thus ends the epic of the acquisition of Oxie (OX’ie) our new cat.
New Radio - Victrola
Omega takes great pleasure in announcing to its alumni and friends the acquisition of a beautiful R.C.A. Radio-Victrola. This machine, as the name implies, is a radio and victrola rolled into one. One of its outstanding characteristics is the fact that it will play ten records automatically, one after another. It will also play the new style long records on which the larger,part of an opera or a deadly of there numbers of popular music may be recorded.
And then we have the ten tube radio which will bring in the best broadcasts in this section of the country. We have music with all meals. breakfast, luncheon and dinner and its the evenings we are entertained by “Amos and Andy”, “Phil” Cook, and other noted performers. Many a midnight hour we while away before our cherry fireplace, listening to the weird strains produced by Duke Ellington and his band. We look forward with great pleasure to many more pleasant hours spent in this manner.
E.D.W.
Upland Down the Halls of Theta Chi
Mme. X was at the keyhole again, What did she see?
The Phantom of Theta Chi at work and play. Into your room it steals, takes your bedclothes, gently heaves your mattress on the cold, cold ground and departs in a mystic way; and then the mice begin to play. “A mouse in each and every waste paper basket” is their motto and Oh! how they live up to it!
Theta Chi’d go hunting! “Deerslayer” Gilmer plays the part of Natty Bumpo and shoots overgrown rabbits. Bob Faries mistakes Al Frey’s beef steak for deer meat from the buck Dale Kaufman shot at and missed. Dale says it wasn’t his fault that he didn’t hit the deer; he only had to shots at it when it was standing still and three while it was running. Take a bow and arrow with you next time, Dale.
Three Theta Chi’s honored! Bob Faries, Paul Fugate and Sam Sinclair appointed to positions on the Committee on Investigating in the New Custom of Midnight-Bed-Tearing-Apart.” The “Committee” reports progress. They have several suspects but not enough evidence to covets them.
The madam advises you all to be good children as Christmas is coming and if you misbehave Santa Claus won’t put anything in your stocking. Some Thea Chis wear pretty large socks, too.
The madam is sorry to leave you now but she has to hunt up the rat-killer of Theta Chi and sic him on Oscar, the house pet - now he’s in my wastebasket!
William Hazzard
William Hazard ’33, one of Omega’s favorite sons, has left school to take a position on a boat bound for - where, Bill? Bill was one of our strongest supporters and always had the good of the fraternity at hear. We are very sorry to see him leave. Well, here’s luck to you, Bill, old boy!
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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