University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 5, No. 2/1996
An Ice way to Celebrate

     John B. Davis, a sous-chef at the UD's Blue and Gold Club,
likes to crank up his gas-powered chainsaw once in a while, but
the kind of carving Davis does will never be
         featured on a horror flick like Friday the 13th.
     "I do ice sculptures," says Davis. "It's been a hobby of
mine for about seven years."
     Davis, who competes in ice carving contests locally, also
brings his hobby to his full-time occupation, carving sculptures
for many of the Blue and Gold Club's special events. His chiseled
work, which starts as 300-pound blocks of ice, includes the UD
coat of arms and logo for football brunches and Homecoming events
and a heart for Valentine's Day.
     Club manager Carl Georigi, who oversees all daily operations
of the club, is preparing for a special occasion in September-the
Blue and Gold Club's 25th year anniversary. Plans are not yet
finalized, Georigi says, but the month-long celebration may
include such special events as a return to 1971 prices, 25
percent-off meals, an open house presentation and, of course, an
extra-special display of silver anniversary ice sculptures by
chef Davis.
     Located on the Newark campus, the Blue and Gold Club offers
alumni, faculty, professionals and staff the opportunity to
gather socially and professionally for luncheons and dinner
meetings. Members enjoy theme nights such as "Italian Night
Buffet" or "Senior Citizens Night" and such special opportunities
as cooking lessons with chef Dan Beggs.
     Georigi says a sense of tradition exists at the club because
of its close ties with the University. "We have a lot of members
who really feel this is their club," he says, "and it is."
     Members like Blaine Schmidt and Albert Dunn, retired UD
faculty, are part of a group of five retired faculty and staff
members who have lunched at the club each week for the past 17
years. Affectionately referred to as "The Regulars" by Georigi
and his staff, they have met at the same corner table at noon
every Wednesday since 1979.
     Dunn, who was a professor of business administration, says
the atmosphere is what he enjoys more than anything else, adding
that he feels "right at home" when he frequents the club.
     "But, I don't put my feet up on the table," he says, with a
laugh.
     Schmidt, the first chairperson of the Department of Business
Administration, also shares Dunn's appreciation of the club's
ambiance.
     "It's a nice place to go," Schmidt says. "The club adds a
positive benefit, not only to the current faculty, but to the
alumni as well."
     Although the club boasts more than 1,800 members, of which
822 are alumni, there is still plenty of leg room left for more
members. In hopes of increasing student awareness of the club,
Georigi has implemented two new programs. He is offering all
undergraduates five visits to the club, and he has created a low
membership fee for second-semester seniors who wish to join.
Through programs like these, Georigi says he hopes to strengthen
alumni membership.
     Competition is the least of Georigi's worries in boosting
membership numbers. "We are in constant competition with
ourselves," he says. "We have made an internal commitment to
exceed expectations as far as food, service and presentation. As
long as we can continue to improve upon that, we don't need to
worry about other competition."
     In 1969, the house located at 44 Kent Way was donated to the
University by the E. Brinton Wright family. It subsequently
served as a temporary administrative headquarters, a women's
residence hall and an infirmary. The house also served for a time
as home of then University President E.A. Trabant. In 1971, the
house officially became known as the Blue and Gold Club.
     For questions, reservations or a membership application,
call the Blue and Gold Club at (302) UD1-CLUB (831-2582). Dues
are $50 a year.
                                   -Jaret M. Lyons, Delaware '96