Q.T.V. Brothers in front of the house, 1880

3/4/2023

As we prepare to celebrate Pig Dinner, our most tangible, historically rich fraternal tradition, it is nice to consider the photo of the Q. T. V. brothers below and the Ivy Day tradition at the University of Maine, where the brothers appear to be ready to participate in the planting of sprigs of ivy somewhere on the campus, generally next to a campus building of importance. The planting of the ivy honored and celebrated the time spent at the University of Maine. It celebrated friendships made, good memories that were created, as well as significant things learned, hope for the future, and that the time spent at the university would grow in appreciation throughout life. Clearly, it symbolized a great deal. This tradition, unfortunately, diminished in importance, and ended in the early 1900's. However, our time-honored Pig Dinner tradition is still alive, and it is seven weeks away.

Then, as now, collectively and individually, we all look forward to our continuing celebration of brotherhood when we come back to the Castle for Pig Dinner. It is the most visible, tangible celebration for every Phi Gamma Delta brother. It has been a Phi Gamma Delta tradition since 1893. It is a celebration; a time to reconnect, and a time to remember the joy of living with each other in the house. When we come back to the house for Pig Dinner, we are bearing witness to the tangible, life-long good of fraternal life. It is an expression of fraternal devotion; therefore, please come back to the Castle for Pig Dinner. Do not wait to think that Pig Dinner is important. It is important, and it is a great tradition. Simply put, every good fraternal ritual must be generationally enjoyed, cared for, and then passed on in good form. The Castle has been renovated, renewed, and beautified, so please come home to be with many generations of Omega Mu brothers. Do not worry about the passage of time, the long shadow of the past, we are all part of the rich, storied history of Omega Mu. So, please come back with unbound fraternal enthusiasm. Just like the Q. T. V. group photo below, Pig Dinner is all about our ongoing fraternal unity and brotherhood. Aesthetically and historically, we have the most beautiful fraternal home on College Avenue, and we have the richest fraternal history at the University of Maine. It will be wonderful to see Omega Mu brothers who have not seen each other for 15, 25, or 40 years to come back to the house. It is important. Moreover, it is all the more important because we simply grow older. Together, Pig Dinner will be a spirited, wonderful time. There will be lots of laughter and many happy hearts in the house, together, linked, just like our chain in the C room. Decade after decade, our co-operative effort has kept our brotherhood going, and we are going strong into our future with the same fraternal strength, confidence, energy, and endurance which began in 1874 with the establishment of our first fraternal link: the Q. T. V. link. Lastly, and I proudly say, all of our brotherly links are equally important, always, but no more so than at Pig Dinner. If you have been away for five or forty-five years, it does not matter, please come to Pig Dinner. The Castle is still here, and it remains the source of meaningful memories for every Omega Mu brother. Again, Pig Dinner is our oldest and most cherished fraternal tradition, so please walk through the front door of the Castle on April 21st. It will be a magnificent Omega Mu reunion. Dante's great line should be motivation enough: "the love that moves the sun and other star" should easily move every brother to be in attendance. Perge.