Apr30

high spirits and devilment.

Posted on April 30, 2017 by beth

april, 1953 in ann arbor

‘Trees in the 700 block of Oxford Rd. blossomed – with bicycles, not with nature’s spring handiwork. About 25 bicycles were lifted into the branches by high-spirited pledges from the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at 707 Oxford Rd. The pledges also piled fraternity furniture on the house lawn, disconnected electricity and water and generally disrupted the life of the fraternity house. Fraternity spokesmen said there was no special reason for the devilment. Shown here removing one of the bicycles from its arboreal resting place is Frank E. Cornwell of Ashtabula, O., a university sophomore.’ – ann arbor news

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“a little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.”

-allen klein

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credits: ann arbor news, april, 1953, ann arbor district library/old news archive, mlive,com

33 responses »

David Kanigan on April 30, 2017 at 5:10 am said:

Hmmmmmmm

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 8:09 am said:
  
  ummmm hmmmmm, dk?
  
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Norah on April 30, 2017 at 5:25 am said:

Hmm, yes. I think some humour would be required.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 8:09 am said:
  
  indeed, norah –
  
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Heide on April 30, 2017 at 7:15 am said:

“Fraternity spokesmen said there was no special reason for the devilment.” I love the word “devilment,” and the idea that in some universe there could be a rational reason to put 25 bikes in a tree, and the fact that the fraternity has spokesmen to address this matter with the press. Wonderful.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 8:10 am said:
  
  i so agree with all of this. there are so many little gems in here –
  
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markbialczak on April 30, 2017 at 8:39 am said:

UM Greek Life hijinks has a long history, obviously. It’s fine as long as the devilment remains contained to their own frat house property and is cleaned up by the brothers, Beth. That’s my take and I’m sticking to it.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 9:35 am said:
  
  )
  
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dianasschwenk on April 30, 2017 at 9:44 am said:

It’s fun to be a little mischievous sometimes! ❤
Diana xo

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 10:56 am said:
  
  absolutely!
  
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Roy Sexton (Reel Roy Reviews) on April 30, 2017 at 11:00 am said:

Wow!

>

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 11:16 am said:
  
  you would have been the perfect frat spokesman –
  
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Hannah (BitterSweet) on April 30, 2017 at 11:37 am said:

Hilarious, and what a wonderful piece of “history” to unearth! I wish more of the news we read today was so light-hearted.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 12:06 pm said:
  
  yes, it would certainly be easier to watch/read –
  
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smilecalm on April 30, 2017 at 12:01 pm said:

now i understanding
the need for anti
bikes in trees
laws 🙂

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 12:06 pm said:
  
  exactly )
  
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mlblogsredsoxlady35/lighthousekat on April 30, 2017 at 2:13 pm said:

that puts a whole new spin on bike in the tree. LOL love the humor Beth thanks for sharing!!!!

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  My pleasure
  
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Chatter Master on April 30, 2017 at 4:13 pm said:

If I saw a tree growing bicycles, I would think I had died and gone to heaven.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  Your dream come true
  
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  - Chatter Master on April 30, 2017 at 8:21 pm said:
    
    And that’s the truth!
    
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renegade4god on April 30, 2017 at 7:20 pm said:

The trees grew pedals as well as leaves. I too like the term ‘devilment’.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 7:53 pm said:
  
  an affliction of some sort – like ‘bewitched.’ )
  
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reocochran on April 30, 2017 at 7:50 pm said:

This wasike a bike fling activity!! Fun and not too disastrous for the community. Hopefully all became right where it belonged! 🙂 😀

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 7:54 pm said:
  
  )))
  
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  - reocochran on May 1, 2017 at 7:23 pm said:
    
    “bike fling” just came out of my sleepy brain, Beth. 🙂 Loved your three smiles sent my way.
    
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russtowne on April 30, 2017 at 10:11 pm said:

Balancing acts: Tree climbing and bicycle riding.

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- ksbeth on April 30, 2017 at 10:33 pm said:
  
  yes, like the best circus performers
  
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murphysmission on April 30, 2017 at 11:47 pm said:

ah, takes me back…at some point a fraternity fellow invited me to visit him in ann arbor…it was nixed because I was only 14? maybe my folks were pretty smart after all?

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- ksbeth on May 1, 2017 at 4:58 am said:
  
  probably a very good call –
  
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Brenda Davis Harsham on May 6, 2017 at 7:40 am said:

College kids are a bit crazy sometimes.

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- ksbeth on May 6, 2017 at 8:18 am said:
  
  Training for adulthood)
  
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  - Brenda Davis Harsham on May 6, 2017 at 2:37 pm said:
    
    Yes, I suppose so. We take our crazy with us into parenting, don’t we?
    
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