First Event Recap

Matt Ellis wrote the following recap of the first event at the Schlafly Bottleworks. Sadly no known photos are available. If someone has one, even a camera phone picture of low quality, send it to the email below.

I wish that I could have attended the event I helped coordinate, but a catastrophe erupted at my office at about 2pm, and I wound up working until midnight that night, and fifteen hours or so on each of Saturday and Sunday, as a result. I really wanted to go, but it would have been tough to explain to the client that I managed to squeeze in an evening of alcoholic revelry, and that was the reason her appeal was not filed on time. (It was filed on time, and all is well.)

The next event looks like a Blues game at Scottrade. Bowling was making a late push, but I don't think that it will overtake the hockey game.

Matt's narrative:

Well, a big thank you to everyone who made the first event of the KE Alumni Division a success!

If you are one of those who did not attend the event at Schlafly‘s Bottleworks, then you missed out on fun and drinks with some of Kappa Epsilon’s finest gentlemen; in particular, Adam Muehl, Matt Asikainen, Josh Nast, Tom Schmidt, Steve Stull, myself and even a brief appearance of the elusive Michael Kupermann. Daniel Simpson, unfortunately, had a work crisis at the last minute and could not attend the event he, himself, planned. We had a drink for you Dan, and thanks for setting up what is hopefully the first of many great Alumni events!

Many of us have not seen each other in quite a while, even though we live in the same city, so these events are a good opportunity to reconnect with area brothers. I highly recommend to everyone that when an event comes up, to try and make an effort to attend. I promise you won’t be sorry.

Dan and myself will be letting you guys know soon of our next Alumni event (most likely a Blues game) so keep checking the blog. Also, if anyone is in contact with actives in the area, please urge them to attend these events as well, so that the area alumni can keep up with what’s going on back in the KC

Thanks to all who attended and hope to see more of all the Alumni at future events.

In the bonds,
Matt Ellis

First Event: Part 2

The votes are in, and a sizeable majority of the group has selected:

Friday, December 14th, 2007 at the Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood.

Arrive sometime between 7pm and 8pm or shortly thereafter. I will get there around 7pm or so and get a couple tables in the bar together. A few of you should feel free to get there at 7pm to help me out.

I hope those of you that voted for other dates can make it. I also hope at least one member of the active chapter can swing by. Women are welcome if they don't mind sitting around with a bunch of guys. I suggest bringing cash so that splitting the tab is easier. Adam Muehl: the first one is on me.

I am looking forward to this and I hope you are as well.

Call me at 314-630-3966 with any questions or for directions.

First Event: Part 1.5

Friday, December 14th is winning in the poll for the date of the event. I will give it some more time before declaring a winner. The time is up in the air. Some people may just get there at 7 and others at 8. Not a big deal.

It has been asked if women are invited. I didn't think that far ahead. Feel free to bring any significant other you like. My wife will be at home with babies during the happy hour.

Adam Muehl is the free beer winner. Although other people noted that the Bottleworks building was once a grocery store, Adam was the first to answer that it was a Shop n Save.

First Event: Part 1

Though not unanimous, the voters have widely (and wisely) chosen the fabulous Schlafly Bottleworks as the site of the first event of the St. Louis KE Pike Alumni. The event will be a happy hour(s), sometime in the early evening.

Located in redeveloping Maplewood, MO, this place serves all kinds of tasty vittles and even tastier beers. In fact, you can buy a Schlafly cider beer here and nowhere else. Rumor has it that serving a cider beer entitles Schlafly to some kind of winery state tax abatement. I have no idea how true that is, but the cider is excellent. As are the many stouts.

A free beer on me to the first person who can tell me what that place used to be before it became the Bottleworks. (Though technically correct, "empty old building" is not the answer I am looking for. I want specifics.)

Part 2 of the First Event post will be the finalized date of the get-together. The holiday season is fast approaching and people's schedules are filling rapidly. Vote for the date and time and hopefully we can get excellent attendance.

Perhaps even some chapter members on break can attend if we pick a date between Rockhurst semesters. Exams end December 8th and resume January 22nd? Can that be right? It is off of the RU online calendar...

If the event progresses rowdily, we can adjourn to the nearby White Castle, followed by Cusimano's.

Chapter News: Fall Intiation

[via Cory Atkins ('01): cla348@umkc.edu]

Brothers,

On Friday, November 9th, Kappa Epsilon will initiate the largest fall pledge class in its history.

Alumni are invited to return to campus and enjoy a reception as well as the opportunity to help initiate the newest class of Pikes.

The reception will begin at 8:00 PM in Massman Hall in the President's Room, across the hall from room 248 where initiation will be held.

Initiation should start around 9:00.

ppka,
Cory Atkins

Questions?
Chapter President Kyle Buelke can be reached at: 402-968-2007
Cory Atkins can be reached at: 816-835-3553

Josh Nast ('03) Update

I'm currently working at St. John's hospital and trying to get into medical school, with KCUMB being my first choice.

Joshua Nast
'03 Pi Class
Cell 314-348-4172
Email joshua.nast@yahoo.com

Alumni Survey

While getting the information abuot this site to St. Louis area alumni, Matt Ellis and I ran into a problem. The contact sheet for chapter alums is out of date, despite the best efforts of dedicated people like Andy Axsom.

Matt created a means to acquire up to date, accurate information, in the form of a survey located here. Fill it out at your leisure, and pass it on to other local alums.

By the way, speaking of surveys, it seems that we are reaching a unanimous agreement that the first get together should be at a centrally-located bar. Options for that bar to be posted soon in the form of another poll.

- Dan

Call for Information

As you may know, Matt Ellis and I are working on getting a comprehensive list together of KE alumni living in the St. Louis area. Besides the people on the member list (on the right) as of the date of this post, the people below are believed to currently live in the region:

Breed, Tyler

Enright, Eric
Gilyon, Chris
Meyer, Jon
Nelson, James
Schoelch, Craig
Towers, Jason
Washburn, Brandon

What we need from you:

(1) Names not on this list who should be

(2) Email addresses of people on this list

(3) Pass this web site on to them or other area KE alums

Send that information to stlpikes@gmail.com

Active Chapter members who call St. Louis home three months of the year are of course invited to join. Matt plans to get that list from the Chapter Secretary, as well as inform the Chapter of the existence of this blog site, so that they might occassionally send Chapter updates for our review.

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Additionally, anyone who does not live in St. Louis, but still wants to feel included, may be listed as an out-of-town member and get emails as well.

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This site is quickly showing promise, and I have enjoyed getting updates and photos to post. Keep sending them along! Email any suggestions, news, photos, etc. to stlpikes@gmail.com

- Dan

Justin Coomes ('01) Update

Hey guys,

I recently married the girl we all know I didn't deserve and we're doing wonderful.

I'm currently taking a year off of school and doing clinical research on carpal tunnel syndrome at Washington University. At the same time, Christa's going through her third year of medical school at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, MO. In order to live together during our first year of marriage, we moved to Sullivan, MO, about an hour out of St. Louis and 40-45 minutes from Rolla. Its a long drive, but its definitely worth it for the both of us. After she finishes her third year, we'll move back to Saint Louis, complete our final years of medical school, then match out to residency where ever God takes us.

Children probably aren't in our near future as the only other being we seem to have the time or money to take care of right now is our cat, Tamba.

You guys can reach me at or e-mail me at pikemedjdc@yahoo.com, or my phone, which is 314-479-0498.

Thomas Schmidt ('02) Update

Hey everyone,

A lot is new for me over the past few months. I was able to take a huge first step towards reaching my career goal by landing a job with the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club. I do season and partial season ticket sales...send me an email if you want to hear any ticket specials (packages or otherwise) thomasschmidt83@yahoo.com...

I also recently graduated with my MBA from SIUE in August. I'm still living with my cousin in a house in Chesterfield, however, I'm looking at moving downtown in the near future in case anyone is looking for a roommate and wants to live in a loft.

I can be reached on my cell at 636-236-3875.

Adam Muehl ('01) Update

I recently celebrated 1 year anniversary with my wife Jessica. We had graduated from Rockhurst PT school in May, '06. We have two dogs 1+ year old mut named Wrigley and a 2 month old Jack Russel/Rat Terrier named Ivy. We live in the wonderful metropolis of Belleville, IL. No human kids at the moment but someday. I'm working at PRORehab in Fairview Heights, out-patient orthopedics/sports rehab.

Dan Simpson ('98) Update

Here is the Simpson update:

I married Katie Gloriod (also of RockU) in June 2004 and we live in Webster Groves. We have two kids - Thomas, who is one and a half, and Cecilia who was... born this morning! A photo is attached.

I am a patent attorney at Gallop Johnson & Neuman in Clayton. My office number is 314.615.6214, my cell phone is 314.630.3966, and my email is danielsimpson@hotmail.com.

By the way, thanks to all who are responding positively to this website/organization.

(Kyle started it out so well, and I am happy to follow)

Kyle Huelsing ('99) Update

Greetings, Brothers! I hope everyone is doing well.

For those of you who are unaware, Kimberly, the kids, and I moved back to St. Louis this past January and are living in Sunset Hills. I am currently working as a sales associate for a division of Swank Motion Pictures called Residence Life Cinema. I also still do music ministry at various catholic churches throughout the diocese. Kimberly and I have three children. Peter just turned 4, Ava will be 3 in January, and Samuel is 1 ½.

Our home address is 149 Deane Ct. St. Louis, MO 63127. My home phone is 314-966-5651. My email address is kylephuelsing@yahoo.com

Welcome!

This is the website for the St. Louis Division of the Kappa Epsilon Alumni Association of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, or Stlpikes for short.

Stlpikes is not recognized by the Pike Headquarters, or by the Chapter at Rockhurst University, or even by the official Kappa Epsilon Alumni Association. This is a wholly informal group of people from the St. Louis area who choose to continue locally associating with their chapter brethren after graduation.

Stlpikes arose out of the concern by several St. Louis area alumni who found it difficult to make it back to Rockhurst as often as they liked, for a variety of reasons. Those same alumni, many of whom have demanding jobs and/or growing families, still wanted to enjoy the benefits of Pike camaraderie throughout the year. As the ranks of the alumni base grows each year, those new initiates into the real world may not know the existing network base awaiting them in St. Louis. All of these issues, among others, resulted in Stlpikes.

The structure is simple: No officers. No dues. No meetings.

The only aim of the group is to provide a streamlined means for organizing occasional social events, and notifying members of those events. Ideally, events will be quarterly, and will be informal and inexpensive. At least one event annually should include active members of the Chapter who are on a break from their rigorous Rockhurst curriculum.

This blog website will serve as a destination for news about those events, as well as updates about things happening with people in the St. Louis area. If someone has a child, gets a new job, moves here, leaves town, gets married, finds a life partner, sets a new score on an arcade video game, changes contact information, wins the lottery, buys a dog, gets acquitted of criminal charges, or has any other good news to share, then this is the place to share that news. You can have as much contact info posted as you want, and as little contact info posted as you want. You can send photos to post, from Stlpikes events or any other event.

The active Chapter may also take advantage of this audience to let us know about events in the Kansas City or St. Louis area, or just pass on any news that they would like to share.

All information you want posted should be sent to Stlpikes@gmail.com. This email address will also be the one that sends out reminders about the events, and will be the primary method of communication. Any suggestions for the group, and any suggestions for events, should be sent to that email address.

Hopefully this turns into a fruitful endeavor. I look forward to its success.

In the bonds,

Phi Phi Kappa Alpha

- Dan Simpson, '98 (Theta)