Category Archives: Chapter News

House Update January 2019

Brothers,
 
It’s been a while since our last House Corporation update, other than Seth’s monthly letters so I will attempt to give you all the complete picture all in one document.
 
As most of you know we,  actually mostly Tom, have devised a five-year plan for the renovation of 520 S. We are well into year 3 and doing well. Here is a list of what we have accomplished so far. 
 
1. New roof. 
As many of you know this was a huge undertaking, we had significant structural damage from rot and termites that was not visible until the old roof was removed. We planned on some damage but not as much as we found. Now that it is complete we have a 35 year roof, very solid structure underneath and properly flashed, so we should be good for a long time. 
2. New bathrooms. 
All the upstairs bathrooms are completely renovated with solid surface showers,  Toto toilets (well built, high efficiency,  virtually clog free) new vanities, new vent fans, tile floors, new PEX plumbing, PVC drains. These should last for a long,  long time and be virtually maintenance free.
3. Drains, vents.
All the cast iron drains and vent stacks above the slab have been replaced with PVC pipe. Roof vents were combined where possible to reduce the number of holes in the new roof. 
4. Supply lines.
All the supply lines in the main house are now either copper or Pex, reducing the possibility of leaks and corrosion down the road. This will be done in the wings when they are renovated. 
5. Security system.
The house has multiple cameras,  motion activated recording etc. We have already used it to recover some ladders and tools stolen last year. The entire exterior of the house and rear parking lot is now lit with LED (to reduce electricity) security lighting.
6. Underground utilities. 
This paid dividends almost immediately. When the hurricane came through several limbs in the back parking lot came down which would have taken out the overhead power line. Instead, we were one of the first to get power back after the storm. Thanks to Vince Parrinello for funding this project. 
7. High-speed WiFi.
The house now has super fast WiFi throughout. Thanks to techno wizards John Banta and Jeremiah Poff for their help in procuring and installing the system. 
8. Insulation. 
All exterior walls have been filled with expanding foam insulation. Cinder Blocks walls are not the best at keeping heat/cold in or out but this was an inexpensive way to keeps walls from sweating and losing cool air in the summer. Attic insulation will be added to the main house and wings at a later stage in the renovation.
 
All this has been done with NO DEBT. I’m sure quite a few of you can remember how much fun we had burning the mortgage. This is of major importance to us. Most of you know Delta Chi, amid much fanfare, finally has a house “on campus” It is actually located on ERAU property about a mile south of campus on Clyde Morris Blvd among other apartments ERAU owns. The problem is they took on a huge debt to build the place and now, unfortunately, they are having problems meeting that obligation. We, of course, wish absolutely no ill will on our greek brothers but we could have been in the same place if we built new instead of renovating 520 S. This was mostly due to the expert guidance from our HC President Tom McSwiggan.
 
Tom has also spent time meeting with city fathers, ERAU brass and others to “reshape” our part of “Old Daytona” This has resulted in two nearby crack houses being closed down by DBPD, reduction in nearby prostitution, Segrave Ave being cleaned up, less vagrant traffic and other improvements.
 
Now for the next phase…….
1. Downlighting front exterior.
Before we close in the soffits from the roof job we will be adding downlighting on the entire front of the house. This will allow the house to be “bathed in light” of several different colors, green for St Patty’s day, red for Christmas, blue for Sigma Chi etc.
2. Soffits.
The underside of the roof overhang will be closed in with aluminum soffit material
3. New Hurricane windows.
These will be much better for multiple reasons, reduced energy costs because they reflect heat out and keep cool in. Much heavier frame so it will hold up to extended use. Allow screens to be installed on all windows, no storm windows needed either. More aesthetically pleasing.
4. Wing air conditioning.
The wings will be fitted with Mitsubishi splits. These are the small single room units. They are more efficient, up to eight units can be run off one compressor so we only need one compressor for each wing. This also allows for the A/C to be turned off if a room is vacant without having to shut down the whole house. This will also place a much smaller load on the A/C units in the main house attic.
5. Fencing.
We will be fencing in the back yard with a more private (style to be determined) fence. The poolside fence will be moved several feet south toward the Raintree Hotel. We own the property and Tom has already informed the owners of our plan and they are fine with the idea. We will also be putting up a fence beside room 1 south to the Raintree. This will keep unwanted folks from traversing the property between the two buildings. 
6. The Pool.
Last but not least the pool, the money pit that has been there forever. First a little history. The actives, in an effort to save money wanted to take care of the pool themselves. Tom took the appropriate pool maintenance class, and got certified, showed the actives how to maintain the pool and they took over. After a few weeks Tom went home, the pool turned green, a new inspector for the county wanted to make a name for herself and RED FLAGGED the pool. This means closed, no swimming until further notice. After several meetings with the county, the county pool engineer and Cal, the fellow who took care of the pool for decades and is now maintaining the pool for HC again.
 
We have two choices:
1. Put a band-aid fix on it that will have to be mostly thrown away when we do the real fix to comply with 2018 code.
2. Do it right the first time to comply with 2018 code.
 
Volunteers Needed
This is where the 800+ alumni of Eta Iota come in. We usually do very well at 5 year Bday parties, everyone comes back, gets re-acquainted with old buddies and they open up their wallets. Make no mistake here Brothers we are VERY MUCH appreciative of your generous donations. We would, however, like to have all this finished by the big 50!! One option would be to get a loan and finish it up, and hope we can pay it off after the 50th. We would like to do this debt free though. 
 
ERAU has just enacted a new policy forcing every new student to stay in ERAU provided housing for their first two years in school. Only exceptions are if you are 21 years of age or transfer in about 28 credit hours. This is a two-pronged sword for us. It means we will have a smaller pool of actives to draw from to fill the house, but the actives who do live in the house will be a little older and more mature.
 
Here is my idea for fundraising. I would like a non-HC member for every 2 year bracket that Eta Iota has been around. This person would presumably know most everyone in his 2 year bracket so they could personally contact each Brother in his group. Using a personal touch will hopefully stimulate some donations. Let me stres one thing here, ANY donation is needed and appreciated, $10/month, $20/month. Of course, those of us older, more established alumni may be able to make larger donations. This would require about 24 volunteers, out of almost 900 alumni how hard could this be? 
If you would be willing to be one of these folks please contact me.
 
If you would prefer to donate through 1855 or make a recurring or one-time donation please see the HI web site under 1855 Club.
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
IHSV
 
Mike  Wyble

EtaIota.org Seeks New Webmaster/Developer

Eta Iota is seeking a new Webmaster/Web Developer to take over the reigns from Bill Palmer (’79) who has held the position since its beginning (with gracious help from several others).

The etaiota.org website is not only our web presence but also hosts our chapter’s membership database. This database has been critical in our chapter’s success in maintaining a close connection with out alumni. Therefore, the new webmaster becomes the de-facto database manager as well, and must monitor activity to ensure against misuse, and provide database functions to meet the needs of the chapter and House Corporation. These functions make this position of critical importance.  The membership database also provides integrated content throughout the website, from birthday and anniversary greetings, lost alumni and officer lists contact forms & biography profiles to brother website listings, and  the Eta Iota Family Tree project.

The interested brother should be familiar with modern web architecture, have a working knowledge of a scripting language (e.g., PHP, Python, PERL) and be able to adapt the website to a mobile friendly platform with tools such as Bootstrap, JQueryMobile, or a content management system (CMS). He should also be familiar with the WordPress CMS as our News and virtual scrapbook sections use WordPress.  As webmaster, he will be responsible for the website hosting and domain name accounts. As a developer , he should also be able to execute a transition of the chapter database from its current flat-file format (using PERL scripts) to an SQL based database, and provide the needed functionality to extract data from the database both for display on the website (i.e., through server-side includes), member record addition and updating via web form, and as needed for email and mass communications. A long-term commitment should be expected.

The interested brother should be able to provide for future enhancements including connection to a mass-email platform (e.g., mailchimp), upgrading the password scheme, expansion of database information, and to provide for updated security measures for the website and database.

This opportunity provides the successful candidate the chance to make a long-term positive impact on the future success of the chapter, become a prominent stakeholder in the future success of the chapter, expand the site’s functions with his own creativity, and remain well connected with both the undergraduate and House Corporation ends of the chapter’s operation. Technical assistance in making the transition can be expected.

The position is not an elected one, and therefore does not appear on the officer nominations form. Interested brothers should contact House Corp President John Banta or Webmaster Bill Palmer.

 

Brother Sid Barling Enters Chapter Eternal

Sid BarlingSid Shelby Barling, Jr., 72, a founding member of Eta Iota (class of ’71) passed away January 21, 2016. He was born in Oakland, California and resided in Orange Park, Florida. Fellow founding brother Terry Owens remarked that Sid was “instrumental in the founding of the chapter”.

In his early years, Mr. Barling lived in Arkansas, and graduated from Cutter-Morning Star. He served four years in the Navy, and then worked at the Tampa Fire Department. He graduated from Embry Riddle University in 1971 with a bachelors’degree in Aeronautical Science. He was one of the founding brothers of the Sigma Chi, Eta Iota chapter. After college, he flew with Shawnee Airlines in Orlando. He obtained his General Contractor’s license in 1976, and he specialized in commercial construction.

After returning to Orange Park, Mr. Barling, an avid fisherman, became a member of The North Florida Bassmasters where he served as president for many years. Many people knew him as the announcer for the Working Man’s Tournament on Thursday night at Whitey’s Fishcamp. For a year, he served as Worshipful Master at Cabul Lodge in Green Cove Springs.

Mr. Barling is survived by his wife of 44 years Carole Barling, son; James Shelby Barling, daughter; Jessica Jewell (Justin), brother; John Barling, sisters; Becky West, Barbara Heiner and Liz Griffin, 2 grandchildren; Sydney Jewell and Summer Jewell, sister-in-law; Donna Drake (Ed), and mother-in-law; Kathryn Blalock.

A graveside service will be held privately for the family 11 AM Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Holly Hill Memorial Park, 3601 Old Jennings Road Middleburg, FL. All are invited to attend the celebration of his life on Thursday from 4 to 7 at Whitey’s Fishcamp 2032 County Road 220, Fleming Island, Fl In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to Haven Hospice Custead Care Center, 745 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32065. Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME. Please leave words of comfort at www.hollyhillfunerals.com.

Obituary source: http://holly-hill.tributes.com

Bill Palmer Releases New Book on Air France 447 Accident

Eta Iota alumnus  Bill Palmer ’79, has just released a new book “Understanding Air France 447.”

The book provides the insightful details behind the 2009 crash of Air France 447, an Airbus A330 lost in the Atlantic Ocean north of Brazil.

What you want to know.
What you need to know.

Weather, human factors, and lots interesting of airplane detail are covered in this “must read” narrative. The factors behind the crash, the errors made, and how the crew may have been powerless to avoid them are covered in detail, along with what has been done and needs to be done in the future to prevent this accident from happening again.

Bill is currently an A330 captain and has instructed and written many materials for his A330 fleet.

Understanding Air France 447 is currently available as an ebook from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and through the iTunes store.

See the book’s companion website understandingAF447.com for details.

The book is receiving excellent reviews and retails for $9.99.

Brother Ron “Crash” Moore ’73 Enters Chapter Eternal

I am sorry to inform you of the passing of one of our Eta Iota alumni into the Chapter Eternal.

Brother Ron “Crash” Moore ’73, was initiated in September 1972 as roll number 99, just 18 months after the chapter’s founding. He died at the age of 65 on July 31st, 2013 just two weeks shy of he and his wife Diana’s  45th wedding anniversary. They lived at 6925 Worth Ave E,  Benton, AR 72015

Ron had last listed his job title as USAF retired “world’s greatest fighter pilot.”

An obituary is found on line at: http://bentoncourier.com/content/ronald-gerald-moore which reads:

Ronald Gerald Moore, 65 of Benton met our Lord on July 31, 2013. He was born May 27, 1948, in Pontiac, Mich., to Lloyd Gerald Moore and Joyce M. McKendry Moore.
Ron was an intelligent, energetic, outgoing person, and the kind of friend we’d all hope to have and to be. He enjoyed flying, golf, auto sports and traveling.  He served in the U.S. Navy as a weatherman in the early 1970s. After completing college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was trained as a navigator, then qualified as weapon system officer. He was then selected to attend Air Force pilot training. He continued to serve as a fighter pilot, holding many commands until he retired in 1997. He continued his aviation career as a private corporate pilot until late 2012.
Of all his many accomplishments during his distinguished military career of almost 30 years, his treasure and his love are his two wonderful daughters.
Col. Moore was preceded in death by his father and by his sister, Victoria Moore Hunt.
He is survived by his wife of one year, Diana; two daughters, Victoria and McKenzie of Benton; his mother, Joyce Moore of Metamora, Mich.; his siblings, Thomas Ivan Moore of Orlando, Fla., Winfield Clyde Moore and wife Colleen of Metamora, Mich., Christine Moore Sierakowski and husband Walter of Metamora, Mich., and Michel Moore of Flint, Mich.; eight nephews and four nieces; and several great-nephews and great-nieces.
In addition to family, Col. Moore leaves many friends to cherish his memory.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at Dial & Dudley Funeral Home, with Brother Carl Wright officiating.
Visitation is planned one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity or to Saline Memorial Hospice House.
Online guest book: www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.

 

All honor to his name.

 

Deck Fundraising Standings

$14,148 Total Funds raised  – Updated 10/17/13

By Pledge Class Total $$$

$2,866 Alpha Tau
$2,316 Alpha Phi
$1,250 Beta Gamma
$794 Psi
$644 Alpha Omicron
$500 Beta Iota
$500 Epsilon
$500 Alpha
$383 Rho
$350 Alpha Chi
$350 Beta Alpha
$250 Beta Nu
$250 Beta Zeta
$250 Beta Omicron
$222 Alpha Iota
$222 Xi
$212 Alpha Upislon
$200 Beta Eta
$200 Nu
$200 Alpha Sigma
$200 Theta
$200 Zeta
$111 Alpha Rho
$111 Eta
$111 Mu
$100 Alpha Xi
$100 Alpha Gamma
$100 Beta Tau
$100 Nu
$100 Founder’s
$100 Beta Xi
$100 Alpha Alpha
$100

$100

 Beta Rho

Delta
$50 Alpha Gamma

By % of pledge brother participation

Beta Zeta 100%
Alpha Phi 63%
Alpha Xi 38%
Psi 36%
Xi 33%
Rho 33%
Beta Gamma 29%
Alpha Upislon 29%
Alpha Chi 29%
Alpha Tau 24%
Beta Xi 20%
Alpha Sigma 20%
Theta 18%
Beta Alpha 18%
Alpha Omicron 18%
Beta Eta 15%
Zeta 13%
Nu 13%
Beta Nu 13%
Alpha Rho 11%
Alpha Alpha 10%
Eta 9%
Nu 8%
Beta Tau 8%
Alpha Iota 8%
Epsilon 7%
Beta Iota 7%
Mu 7%
Alpha Gamma 6%
Alpha Gamma 6%
Beta Omicron 5%

 

By total# of pledge brothers

5 – Alpha Phi

4 – Psi, Alpha Tau

3 – Alpha Omicron, Psi, Rho, Beta Eta, Alpha Xi

 

The Chalenges:

Todd Weeber got the challenges started off in a big way…

“I challenge any pledge class to beat the amount donated so far by Alpha Tau($1,966). If you can, we will kick in another $500. Good luck. Seth Downs, care to put numbers up by class? It is on, no?”

That challenge was quickly meet by the Alpha Phi pledge class when Ryan Steffey made a large donation and the longest standing 1855 club monthly member Chris Edmudson completed the challenge!  Since then Ryan put out his own challenge to his pledge class:

Ryan Steffey To all of my Alpha Phi pledge class, if we get up to Alpha Tau’s total($2,766) or within $100. I will put in another $500. Come on Brothers, we were taught to always strive to be the best. 3 other pledge brothers (John Spilotro, Mark Pfister, and Doug Sherwood)  have donated since then, putting them within $350 of meeting Ryan’s challenge

John Banta Lets make this happen. I’m matching the next 4 alumni who commit to putting up $250. This challenge has been meet by Ramano Sprueil, Allen Cassino, Anthony Hammond and George Yurcic.

Seth Downs I’ll throw in $100 for each fellow Alpha Upsilon pledge brother of mine that joins in at the base 1855 club level of $112 or higher. Michael Tomlin is the first to accept that challenge.

 

Donors to date: 59

Allen Cassino
Anthony Hamond
Bill Barsin
Bill Dlhosh
Bill Ulm
Chad Bright
Chad Brisbane
Chris Edmudson
Chris Nevins
Chuck Bonini
Dan Bush
Dave Spaller
Dave Wilkinson
David Campbell
David Marino
Doug Sherwood
Drew Jones
Gary Marville
Gary Wolf
George Pence
George Yurcic
Gerard Filippone
Glenn White
James Ahrens
James Bull
Jere Anderson
Joby Titus
Joe Adkins
John Banta
John Spilotro
John Willaims
John Wrightington
Keith Harrison
Kevan Mackenzie
Kurt Kieast
Mario Scalzo
Mark Pfister
Michael Tomlin
Mike Gehman
Mike Pelosi
Neil Campbell
Nick Cornwell
Phillip Reinfeldt
Ramano Sprueil
Rich Schooley
Rich Winter
Rob Pacheo
Rob Paulus

Roger Moody
Ryan Carson
Ryan Steffey
Scott Ekey
Seth Downs
Shawn Lowe
Steve Schmidt
Steve Whitlock
Terry Owens
Thomas Henion
Todd Weeber
Tom Reynolds

 

H. Bruce Harrison Enters Chapter Eternal

I am sorry to report that Eta Iota brother Hubert Bruce Harrison ’74 passed away in his home on March 2, 2012, after a brief but tenacious battle with cancer.

Here is a link to his obituary:http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=h-bruce-harrison&pid=156253053&fhid=10177

His daugher, Julia Harrison Hayes, reports that he  stayed in contact with brother Gary Michael Dyer, who was also her godfather.
There will not be a funeral, as he found them depressing.  Instead, there will be a celebration of his life in April.