I didn't get my first choice - it gets better.

[SWTXBelle]

Here is the story as I was told:

During one of Gamma Phi's first initiations at Syracuse (sometimes reported to be THE first) a lovely after-initiation feast was laid out to be enjoyed by all the sisters. While they were performing the initiation, SOMEONE (Alpha Phi? Helen M. Dodge had been asked to become an Alpha Phi but declined, and then there is always friendly panhellenic rivalry. Fraternity boys playing a prank? We'll never know!) stole everything for the banquet - except, you guessed it, peanuts and olives. So now they are the traditional food served by Gamma Phis. We even have "The Peanuts and Olive Song".

"Then come my sisters true!
And crack your peanuts do!
For in Gamma Phi Beta
from Alpha to Eta
we eat peanuts and olives too!"

[carnation]

I like that song!

And who is it with the tomatoes story?

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I know.

Peanuts and olives just can't compete. Why couldn't those fraternity boys/Alpha Phis/fill in the blank according to chapter tradition have left desert? Sheesh.

And Zetas get strawberries!

FSUZeta, please share the back story on strawberries!

[Sciencewoman]

Really?! Ok, I'm going to tell her they need to have one for Parents Weekend this fall! She already told me her Cookie Shine technique...flop on the candy with your body and drag yourself backward, pulling the candy with you. Seems a bit greedy to me!

[SWTXBelle]

If the real story is the real story, I want to know why we didn't go with the chocolatetaire!

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

If the real story is the real story, I want to know why we didn't go with the chocolatetaire!

LOL!! Seriously!

Can't you just see a bunch of 20-year-olds laughing at the "chocolatetaire" name the alum came up with, though? Sounds a bit hoity-toity. And then mocking that with the "peanutetaire" name? It sounds to me like this was a private joke that's lasted through the ages.

[amIblue?]

Now that I've heard of this delightful Cookie Shine concept, I am almost retroactively reconsidering not having listed Pi Phi first on my bid card. I'm almost certain there was no cookie shine talk during rush.

[carnation]

The other Pi Phis and I should have a Greek Chat cookie shine in Atlanta for the rest of you!

And I found the tomato thread--it was making me crazy because I knew someone had tomatoes for mascots!

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...gt%3B+tomatoes

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by carnation

The other Pi Phis and I should have a Greek Chat cookie shine in Atlanta for the rest of you!

And I found the tomato thread--it was making me crazy because I knew someone had tomatoes for mascots!

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...gt%3B+tomatoes

I never would have guessed that it was a Gamma Phi chapter!

Our IH has been discouraging local mascots, colors, etc. I agree with this. A resolution was made at a recent Convention to look into making the old Gammie Bug a mascot. The resolution was voted down. The current philosophy is very much geared toward "back to basics and what the Founders did." So, I don't think peanuts and olives will go away!

[angels&angles]

Ahhhh... the Cookie Shine :-) And Sciencewoman, I think there may be a parents' Cookie Shine for Parents Weekend? Don't hold me to it, though.

[SWTXBelle]

I bought a "Red Hot Tomato" shirt at the '88 Convention. (!)

[generallygreek]

Angels and angles, if there isn't a cookie shine for parents' weekend, I'm making it happen!

The cookie shine has a song/chant that goes with the passing of the cookies, as well. We always have a lot of fun singing it and clapping along at my chapter while the tray gets passed.

"Here's to the Pi Phi cookie shine, here's to the friendships true
Nothing's as fine as a cookie shine under the wine and blue!"

And then we always do a few whoops before we launch into the next verse.

[AnchorAlumna]

How fun!

[nyapbp]

Originally Posted by generallygreek

"Here's to the Pi Phi cookie shine, here's to the friendships true
Nothing's as fine as a cookie shine under the wine and blue!"

And then we always do a few whoops before we launch into the next verse.

A few whoops! Not sure the whoops were a part of the first Cookie Shine in Lawrence, KS, but then again, no one is coming to it in a horse and buggy :-)

Yes, please have a Cookie Shine for Parents Weekend and then make sure to sing Ring Ching.

[carnation]

When I was touring Colorado State many moons ago, I went over to the Pi Phi house to visit. They invited me to eat lunch with them and we sang Ring Ching and they were clanging their forks loudly on the glasses during the chorus. I was because when our chapter sang it, we daintily tinkled our forks on the glasses.

Not that we were a dainty chapter! It was my first realization, though, that sororities' chapters vary.