ELONThe pendulum | Wednesday, sepTemBeR 29, 2010 | Volume 1, ediTion 2
Banding together
check it out... ... what is this anyway?
25 PA
GE
7 PAG
E
Silly Bandz craze reaches college campuses
The Elon Edge is a new, magazine-
style insert associated with The
Pendulum that will be printed twice
each semester in the fall of 2010.
Each insert will features writing and
photography to fit different themes
that apply to the Elon University
community. Look for future editions
coming later in the semester.
kyra.gemberling
The popularity of Silly Bandz bracelets has defined it as the hottest new fad to don
the wrists of today’s youth, but the underlying reasons fueling the fad may prove to be
even more intriguing.
The brightly colored rubber bracelets, a product of BCP Imports LLC, are seen
as being original to the toy market because of their unique assortment of shapes.
Children can collect everything from princesses to dinosaurs to amoebas. Silly Bandz
are so popular that it is common to see children, or even college-age students, walking
around with an arm covered in Silly Bandz and comparing with friends.
The more popularity an item receives, the more its perceived as valuable, said
Steven Bednar, economic instructor.
“Fads serve to increase the demand for certain products, especially for children who
don’t want to be left out,” Bednar said. “The amount they value the product increases
due to the popularity of the product among their friends.”
This trend has been observed with the hit toys of previous decades, from Tickle Me
Elmo to Pokémon cards.
“Also, if it is known that a limited quantity of a good will be sold, individuals who
value the good at less than the price might still purchase it, knowing that they can
make a profit on the secondary market,” Bednar said.
Toy company executives are taking notice including Gene Murtha, the former head
of Main Street Toy Co.
“A smart business plan is to take a product and develop it into a brand,” he said in a
recent Wall Street Journal article.
Silly Bandz seems to be doing just that by constantly developing new ways to
promote its product, such as releasing “Save the Gulf Silly Bandz” in the shape of
popular sea creatures. The company’s online blog credits the new bands as a way to
raise money for wildlife and communities affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. BCP
Imports LLC will donate to both the National Wildlife Federation and the Greater New
Elon University sophomore Kacey Stark named Miss Tennessee in National American Miss Pageant
Local farm has been in family for over 200 years
Photo illustration by Will anderson
continued on page 3
2
Be an uneducated voterOr worse yet, be a nonvoter. Make sure that you stay current with the
news and understand the Tea Party, don’t ask don’t tell and the impact
that candidates’ standpoints will have on your future. With midterm
elections right around the corner it is important that students, as one of
demographics that is least likely to vote, register, get an absentee ballot
and vote in November.
do’s&don’ts
Visit dearblankpleaseblank.comIt’s the new TFLN or Fmylife. User uploaded entries are added on a
continuous basis to the site. Other users can comment on and categorize
the statements by clicking on the buttons under each post. Share the
best of dearblankpleaseblank.com with your friends via Facebook and
Twitter by using the “share” buttons at the bottom of each post.
Make your own Halloween costumeWhy spend outrageous amounts of money when a great disguise is
right inside your closet. You will be surprised to find how many great
costumes you can make out of things you already own. Say you want to
be Batman, you will need black Spandex, a black top and a yellow belt.
All you have to purchase is a cape and some face paint and you will be
prepared to take on Gotham City, or the best Elon Halloween party.
Visit a local concert venueNorth Carolina has been hosting a number of great concerts during the
past couple of weeks. While Lady Gaga will not be in town again (at least
for a while) locations like Cat’s Cradle, the Greensboro Coliseum and The
Fat Frogg host live music all of the time. Also, stay tuned into upcoming
SUB events, you never know when a great musical guest is coming your
way.
Take a weekend road tripGrab your suitemates and get in the car.
It is only three hours to the beach in
Wilmington and if your more of a nature
nut, head west to the mountains to go
camping or rafting.
DO: DON’T:
wednesday september 29, 2010
Use paper cups in the dining hallMake use of Elon’s continued initiative to go green. If you haven’t
received the reusable cups or take-out trays take the time to get one.
Not only will you be saving the planet and reducing your footprint,
you will have a new cup to use in your dorm room.
Spend your entire first semester Skyping Your friends from high school are great, but if you stay cooped up in
your room video chatting with them,
you’ll miss out on all of the great things
Elon has to offer. As cliché as it sounds,
there are so many people to meet so get
out there and meet them.
Speak loudly in the study rooms in Belk Library The walls are not soundproof. Others are trying to learn. Enough said.
Photo by Will AndersonFreshman student Addie Haney enjoys an occasional Skype session in the hallway of Sloan.
3wednesday september 29, 2010
A “Silly” craze...... or not?
Editor: Sam Parker
Designers: Kristen Case, Gabriela Szewcow, Kristen Wrenn
Photographer: Stephanie Alvarez, Will Anderson
Copy Editors: Christina Edwards, Ashley Fahey, Eva Hill, Lindsay Kimble
This issue’s contributing writers: Brett Batchelder, Erin Bucksbaum, Sarah Dodge, Kyra Gemberling, Melissa Kansky, Megan
Murray, Katie O’Brien, Caitlin O’Donnell, Katy Steele, Laura Van Drie
erin.bucksbaum
By the middle of sophomore year in college, many
students have a good idea about what direction they
want to take their education. Despite their instincts,
some are still hesitant to officially declare a major.
It is often hard to decide whether it is more
important to have a passion for your work or if that
line of business is better suited as a hobby. Considering
whether it would be more beneficial to receive a
degree in something that will allow you to bring home
a good paycheck and be financially stable causes us to
question our motivations.
A lot of the time, students have trouble because
they do not know what options are available to them.
Senior finance major Matthew Gillette has changed
his major three times since coming to Elon because
he was not originally aware of the options available
to him.
“I wish I had planned my classes better,” he
said, “There have been times when I really had to
overload.”
One way to avoid academic stress and still graduate
within four years is to meet with academic advising or
visit the academic advising page on Elon’s website.
According to Troy Martin, who has had eight
years of experience in the academic advising office at
Elon, picking a major should be more about studying
something that has value to you now than doing
something that may end up somewhere down the
road.
Martin has taught the exploring majors class at
Elon for several semesters and said he believes in the
importance of self-evaluation. He said a good fit and
an academic home are important things to have.
“I can’t come up with a list of the best majors and
say everyone needs to be doing this,” he said.
For students who already have an idea of what they
want to pursue, there are other resources to help them
better plan out their course schedules and make the
most of their Elon experience. Links on Elon’s website
can provide students with a complete overview of the
expectations and courses for each major and minor,
simplifying the process of figuring out which ones will
coordinate well with each other.
“Many people are finding about majors in other
ways besides academic advising,” Martin said. “They
often hear about things through friends.”
When trying to decide on a major, it is important
to ask questions not only of yourself but of others
because you can get valuable information from people
with the same interests.
Since Elon has a requirement of 58 general study
credits, students also have the opportunity to take
classes and figure things out before officially declaring
their majors.
“I haven’t declared my major yet because I wanted
to take an intro class and make sure that it was
something I actually liked,” said sophomore Bari
Sisson.
Elon has many opportunities for students to
consider something they are passionate about as
well as something they find will be beneficial in the
business world. Once you are finally ready to declare,
visit the academic advising office in Duke 108 to fill
out a form and make it official.
Things to consider when choosing a majorIs it more important to have a paycheck or passion?
Photo illustration by Will anderson
Orleans Foundation with a portion of sales from every
pack of sea-themed Silly Bandz.
Also, Wall Street Journal writes that Silly Bandz
owner Robert Croak is selling Silly Necklaces and
Silly Buttons, further increasing the range of products
available to catch the attention of consumers.
Elon’s associate professor of entrepreneurship,
Richard “Barth” Strempek said, “Sometimes these
[fads] just happen, and companies go along for the
ride by gearing up production to meet the demand.”
Silly Bandz’ continued elongation of their fad through
making new products perfectly exemplifies this.
Elon students credit the phenomenon to more
psychological reasons.
“The mix of a commonly known object with bright
colors and groovy shapes attracts a child’s attention,”
said first-year student Matthew Barger.
First-year student Kelly Brand agreed, saying,
“It’s a collection-type of thing; kids tend to get really
obsessed with it. Plus, [Silly Bandz] are brightly
colored and shaped really cool. It’s like a competition
basically.”
There have been numerous studies on the
psychology associated with the connections between
children and bright colors. Munir Moosa Sewani on
articlebase.com writes that toy companies use this
connection to their advantage.
“They are quite aware of children’s color
preferences and use color to attract children’s
attention and sell their products,” said Sewani.
According to Sewani, even companies working
for the interests of adults use the same strategies
by using “color characteristics of the trade mark
and emphasizing certain features with the help of
colors.”
Still, Wall Street Journal writes that skeptics say
the Silly Bandz brand isn’t strong enough to last.
Murtha, now serving as chief executive of the toy
company Gund, compares the bracelets to Slap Wraps,
a fad Main Street Toy Co. developed in 1990 that
served as “both a fashion accessory and a bartering
chip on the playground.” Unfortunately, the popularity
of Slap Wraps plunged a year later, so Murtha advises
Silly Bandz to continue making “Silly” products to keep
the brand from becoming a one-hit wonder.
The question remains about whether Silly Bandz
will continue to stand at the top of the toy food
chain within the next few months or even years. But,
whether the brand grows strong and establishes
itself as a permanent product or if it becomes just
another one-time fad, the economic and psychological
precedents will continue to fuel many other future toy
phenomena.
Have the perfect tailgatemelissa.kansky
For most sports fans, the party starts before the first game whistle. In the parking lot, laughter and cheering fill the air, the grill sizzles, kids throw footballs and rivalries have yet to emerge.
“My motto is everyone is on the same team in the parking lot,” said Russ Stevenson, professional tailgater who is commonly called Tailgate Russ.
After organizing high school gatherings, block parties and Oktoberfest celebrations for 15 years, he realized he could transform his hobby into a business.
“I went to a Philadelphia Eagles game with 40 friends,” he said. “As we were tailgating, I noticed what fun everyone was having. Right then I thought I could take this to another level.”
Since that first gathering in 1999, Stevenson has organized
tailgates across the nation with anywhere from eight people to 2,000 people.
In 2003, he traveled to Miami to host a tailgate before the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins game. He filled the parking lot with a full buffet, a live band, masseuses, an Elvis unpersonator, a clown, a performer from Cirque du Soleil, trophies and prizes.
“This was my second road trip tailgate and my biggest and most successful tailgate to date,” he said.
He titled the event the “World’s Largest Tailgater” and added the name to his website, which landed him on the “Sharon Osborne Show” a year later.
The theme of the show was to persuade Sharon Osborne to watch the Super Bowl, Stevenson said.
The producer wanted to include tailgating, so the assistant producer typed “World’s Largest Tailgater” into Google and
found Tailgating Russ. “I had about four minutes in front of the camera where
they were asking me about tailgating, what makes for a good tailgate and some of my favorite recipes,” he said.
Although Elon students most likely do not have the same bank account as Sharon Osborne, students can still apply Stevenson’s advice to their own parking lot festivities.
Organization is key
Stevenson recalled a tailgate he organized for his brother’s high school friends. The individual assigned to bring the
paper products forgot, leaving the group without any plates and cups.
“Take the time to plan out your tailgate at least one week in advance,” he said. “This gives you time to delegate to your friends what to bring.”
Even if your plans include a low-key gathering, organization prevents conflicts and mishaps.
“With anything, it makes sense to have a checklist of the essentials,” Stevenson said.
1
4
Pick a number
After tailgating with a wide range of people, Stevenson found there are perks to having a small group as well as a large gathering.
“Some of the best tailgates are on the smaller side,” he said. “You get to spend time with all your friends and enjoy the tailgate.”
According to Stevenson, events with 40 to 100 people are still fun, and he considers tailgates with 500 to 2,000 people “just one big party.”
Arrive earlyLeave yourself time to set up the grill and
entertainment. Entertainment can include anything from portable iPod speakers to satellite TV dishes.
“You have your regulars that live for the tailgate and the game,” Stevenson said. “They will arrive as
early as the parking lots open, which is anywhere from four to six hours prior to kickoff.”
Cornhole, ladder ball or a simple ball toss typically keeps the atmosphere lively and does not require much preparation. More elaborate tailgates may include a bounce house, limbo contest or live entertainment.
Either way, arriving early maintains a relaxed atmosphere because there will be no rush between grilling and the game, he said.
Don’t leave out any ingredients
According to Stevenson, a successful tailgate has five necessary ingredients: good weather, lots of people, a variety of food, cold
beverages and entertainment.Even a college student on a tight budget can
include the basics Food, beverages, music and fold-up chairs are
relatively inexpensive, he said. Food can include pre-made sandwiches, store-bought cookies and chips. Make sure to have a lot of drinking water on hand too.
“If you have a decent day, your friends, food and a beverage you have a great tailgate,” Stevenson said.
4 5
Be prepared
If only it were possible to control the weather. In order to solve any weather related issues, you need to “bring a pop-up tent,” he said. “The tent will keep the food dry and the grill going.”According to Stevenson, all tailgating related problems are solvable.
6
wednesday september 29, 2010
laura.van drie
A certain degree of stress is healthy.
We learn and grow by immersing ourselves in our
passions and accepting challenges. But when you try to
take on too much, the consequences take a toll on your
work ethic, social life and health.
So between piles of homework and endless
extracurricular and social opportunities, how can you
make sure you make time to take care of yourself?
Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep.
Rich Landesberg, Associate professor of
communications, said he’s constantly reminding his
students to eat, sleep and breathe.
“You’ll see students falling asleep in class or not
engaging, and you know something else is going on,” he
said. “They’re up late because they’re so involved and
trying to study and grades are slipping.”
Only you know how much sleep you need each night,
but make sure to get it.
Sleep increases memory retention and staying up all
night cramming for a test isn’t going to get you a good
grade.
Stress affects your physical well-being.
“Stress presents itself in the body before it does in
your emotions,” said Bruce Nelson, head of counseling
services at Ellington Health Center. Nelson said it
weakens our immune systems and increases irritability
and anxiety.
What’s the point of over-committing yourself when
you don’t even feel up to doing your favorite activities?
Landesberg’s main advice to students who struggle with
balance: “Listen to your body.”
Take time to stop and smell the flowers.
“If you try to run up a mountain, you won’t get to the
top,” Nelson said. “Pace yourself. You need nurturing
along the way to get to the top.”
Find activities that you enjoy that don’t involve
excessive striving or achieving. Simply stopping for
coffee with a friend or just taking a walk around campus
can help you regroup.
Some of the best creative moments happen when you
aren’t pushing yourself at all.
Participate in community service.
It feels good to help other people. Nelson recommends
community service since it lets you experience a different
role and take a break from your everyday life.
Know yourself.
Know how much you can realistically handle. With all
the opportunities Elon offers, it can be tempting to take
all of them.
“Be in the power to say no,” Nelson said. “Don’t say
yes to everything, and don’t think you have to. Pause to
self-reflect; say, ‘I’ll get back to you.’ Trust your capacity
to set limits.”
Committing yourself to a few things that you love will
feel better than trying to cram every available activity
into your schedule.
Landesberg said the main health advice he gives his
Elon 101 students is simple: You can’t do everything, and
you certainly can’t do everything during your first week.
“Nature tells you when to pull back because you’re
tired or overpromised,” he said.
Get support.
It’s important to have supportive, nurturing
relationships, not emotionally draining ones. And be easy
and kind to yourself — respecting your own personal
needs will get you further than pushing yourself past
your limit.
How slow can you go?Steps to take to calm down your life and de-stress
6 tips for a successful tailgate
Dress for successTailgate attire typically
consists of casual clothing. Sandals, shorts and a team jersey are appropriate for any
pre-game event. When he attends tailgates at
Southern schools, he said he finds it comical when the girls wear sundresses and the boys dress in ties.
“You don’t really see that before NFL games, but anything is acceptable as long as you’re comfortable,” he said.
To spice things up, you can organize a t h e m e d tailgate and have a best c o s t u m e contest.
“Let your i m a g i n a t i o n run wild,” he said.
For great tailgate recipes, visit http://www.tailgateruss.com/
5wednesday september 29, 2010
katy.steele
While traditonally students spend Labor Day weekend
cooking out and hanging out, Elon University sophomore
Kacey Stark was crowned Miss Tennessee for the National
American Miss Pageant. The weekend long event was held
in Franklin, Tenn., right outside her hometown.
Although modest about her success, Stark has won 19
awards and titles since entering her first pageant, which
she won, at the age of 12. Introverted as a little girl, she
said pageants helped to bring her out of her shell. After
years of competing, she’s gained valuable public speaking
skills, confidence and close friendships that kept her
coming back year after year she said. After high school,
Stark wasn’t expecting to do any more pageants, but when
her mom suggested the 2010 American Miss competition,
she thought, “Why not?”
“I keep saying I’m done, I’m not going to do any more
pageants…and then I do,” Stark said.
When she really became interested in pageantry, she was
looking for more than just an excuse to dress up. Instead,
she wanted to find an outlet for her true passion — music.
A Nashville, Tenn. native, Stark is a die-hard fan of both
Titan’s football and country music. She started singing
and playing the guitar her freshman year of high school.
Although the talent portion is usually optional, she said
that she enjoys performing at competitions. Her rendition
of Julianne Hough’s “My Hallelujah” helped her become the
Miss Tennessee Talent winner of 2008.
Yet Stark said it isn’t all about winning. Noting that her
pageant experience has been “nothing like what you see
on Toddlers in Tiaras,” she’s thankful for the support of
her mom, dad and little brother who always remind her to
simply do her best and be herself.
Shows like TLC’s “Toddlers in Tiaras” have led to major
misconceptions about the pageant world, she said. Many
people associate pageants with glamour and vanity, but
Stark said she feels that isn’t the case.
“It’s not about dressing up like Barbie for the day, or
seeing who has the prettiest fact,” she said.
Stark describes the pageant girls she’s met as
brilliant leaders dedicated to serving their schools and
communities. At Elon, Stark is producing a new ESTV show
called “Playlist” that will cover the local music scene and
this past summer she interned for iTrip Luxury Vacation
Rentals, a company that now sponsors her. Overall, Stark
said she hopes to change the stereotype of conceited and
ditsy pageant girls.
This Thanksgiving when many students are driving
home, Stark will be flying to Anaheim, Calif. for the
American Miss National Pageant. Competing against at
least 40 other contestants, this will be her second trip out
to the California competition. She moved on to nationals
in 2003, but ended up with laryngitis. Pending Stark stays
healthy this year; the final night of the pageant, Nov. 28,
is also her birthday. While a crown would be the ultimate
present for any girl’s 20th birthday celebration, Stark said
she treasures the friends she’s made and the ways she’s
grown more than a crown and sash.
Elon student wins Miss Tennessee in National American Miss Pageant
Stephanie alvarez | Staff photographer
Right: Photo by Stephanie Alvarez
Below: Photos Submitted Sophomore Kacey Stark was crowned Miss Tennessee in the National American MIss Pageant over Labor Day weekend. Stark will travel to Anaheim, Calif. to compete for the American Miss National Pageant in Nov.
it could be worse6wednesday september 29, 2010
Than wondering why chocolate companies don’t label the different chocolates in the box …
no, you don’t want the disgusting strawberry filled chocolate for dessert.
Than putting that disgusting strawberry filled chocolate back in the box after you figure out what it is ... it was just a little nibble.
THAN WONDERING WHY HOLLYWOOD ALWAYS SHOOTS SEQUELS. NOTHING’S AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL … HELLO: “GREASE 2,” “LAND BEFORE TIME” AND “FRIDAY THE 13TH: PART VIII.”
Than considering hours of XBOX Live your daily dose of human interaction.
Than having a savings account to pay for the fine you will get when you finally decide to jump into an on-campus fountain.
Than being the only student wearing pajamas in your 8 a.m. … At least you’re comfortable.
Than calling all celebrities by their first names as if you were lifelong best friends.
Than never watching “GLEE” until the Britney Spears episode this week.
Than never really making your bed, especially if you never get out of it.
THAN NOT KNOWING
ANY OF ELON’S FIGHT
SONG … AT LEAST
YOU CAN CHANT
“GO ELON!”
Than eating at Sunset Strips five days in a row … it’s the fastest.
{ {
Your favorite person suggests a plan to test your excitement level. Handle responsibilities first, then devote yourself to private time later.
You question the group’s mindset. Clarify your reservations with visual aids. Then see if you can connect the dots. If so, then move forward.
Finalize one more question before you present your ideas to the group. Consider the feelings of others as you add the finishing touch.
Time gets away from you as you’re having fun. Everyone wants to share ideas and stir things up. Don’t plan on finalizing anything just yet.
You want everything to be perfect. You get more done if you relax a bit and accept excellence. Very little is lost in the process.
Find out what delights your partner. Then adapt today’s plan to accomplish as much of that as possible. You will make stunning progress.
Your need for recognition can wait until you’ve completed the project. There’s still plenty to do to make this the wonderful piece you envisioned.
You need personal attention today. Others recognize this and contribute, but possibly not how you imagined. Clarify your needs to get them met.
You need to express your views concerning core values. Associates may see things quite differently and could suggest viable new solutions.
What would you really want, if you could have anything, be anything or do anything? Imagine that this is all accomplished. Then what would you create for others?
An outsider raises questions concerning your goals. A creative plan goes on hold while you sort out the implications. Family members provide key information.
A problem could arise if you become overly anxious about tomorrow’s business. Stick to tasks that must be completed today and use your talents.
The universe challenges you this year to fulfill your mission at work and to develop your inspirational capacity. Make stress your internal barom-eter that measures how close you come to the mark with every activity you deem worthy of attention. Romance may pick up for you now. You need the warmth of contact with others, and you have plenty of imaginative ideas about how to spice up relationships. Don’t forget coziness in the mix. Your significant other will respond to tender little acts of love.
(c) 2010, Tribune Media Services Inc. horoscopes oct. 4 - oct. 10
7wednesday september 29, 2010
caitlin.o’donnell
For Jane Iseley, working a 500-acre
farm in Burlington is more than just a
profession — it’s a family tradition.
Since 1790, the “home farm” has been
in continuous production by the Iseley
family. Iseley said the farm was originally
a land grant that a couple bought. A
decade later, her family member bought it
and it’s been in the family ever since, only
getting as distant as a second cousin.
“In today’s society, most people, if they
live in the same community that their
parents were raised in, it’s very unusual,”
Iseley said. “So there is a bond there with
the land, and you feel the responsibility
and stewardship of your generation.”
Iseley hasn’t always been a farmer.
She first worked as an architectural
photographer and has published at least
35 books during her lifetime.
“All of that is important because it’s
given me people who are familiar with
the books and the name, so they would
come buy the vegetables,” she said.
Because Iseley doesn’t have any
children or family members who will
likely leave their professions to work
the farm, she put the land into an
agriculture conservation easement, so
the development rights are down.
“The price of the land is down to an
agriculture price where someone young
can afford to buy it if they wanted to farm
it,” she said.
Because some of the land borders
the Haw River, Iseley said the farm feels
it’s responsible to make sure the runoff
is clean. About two-thirds of the land is
forest.
“We’re growing your clean air and
water,” Iseley said.
The three main crops sold on the
farm are beef herd, organic tobacco and
fruits and vegetables, which include
strawberries, tomatoes and apples.
Besides the commercial cow-calf
operation, the farm has been growing
organic tobacco for 14 years under
contract with the Santa Fe Natural
Tobacco Company.
“We decided the handwriting was on
the wall for the tobacco program and if
we were going to diversify, we needed to
start,” Iseley said.
Iseley said the farm also works with
neighbors who grow crops not always
available on the Iseley farm.
“We had over 30 people this year and
in recent years bring things in,” she said.
“People bring it in and we sell it for them.
It helps them and it helps us.”
Though Iseley has no family members
of her own, she said she relies on help
from local high school students and
retirees to run the farm on a day-to-day
basis. She also hires workers from Mexico
through a federal program.
“They’re hard-working folks,” she said.
“The guys have left their families, come
3,000 miles for six months to work and
they’re excellent.”
According to their wesbite, Iseley
Farms welcome community groups
to pick strawberries in the spring and
visit the pumpkin patch and hayride in
October, but Iseley said the farm is not
focused on agro-tourism.
“We invite kids to take tours, but we
don’t do anything to entertain anybody
while they’re here,” she said. “We just
try to educate them about what we’re
doing.”
Iseley said she most enjoys the contact
and interactions with customers who
visit the farm and market.
“Over the last three years, we’ve
learned how important it is to know
where your food is coming from,” she said.
“The last two years, ‘know your farmer’
has become very important to people.”
Sandy Russell, produce manager at
the farm, said she has fond memories
of a young student from Elon University
who, a few years ago, came to the farm
and asked for help cooking with different
crops.
A few years later, he called her
and wanted to talk about life after
graduation.
“He said he was working outside of
Washington, D.C. in a chain of whole-
food markets and I was his inspiration,”
Russell said. “You always hope that some
grown-up will come and say ‘you meant
the world to me and changed my life.’”
Though Iseley said the flow of
customers is slow this time of year,
and she expects it will pick up after the
pumpkins are cut and the mums begin to
blossom in the coming weeks.
“It’s not as if you own the land,” Iseley
said. “I think the land owns us, really.”
Local farm carries on family tradition
Photos by Will Anderson
Above: The Iseley family grows vegetables, fruits, organic tobacco and raises cattle at their local farm.
Welcomes locals for pumpkin picking this fall
8 wednesday september 29, 2010
megan.murray
Elon University’s fall semester schedule
implements three breaks for students. This
leaves individuals to plan for time away from
class. Traveling can be stressful, regardless
of distance, because of packing, arrival times
and budgets. Some students visit family while
others decide to participate in alternative fall
breaks. In order to avoid traveling pressures,
here are some tips on how to make this fall
break, Oct. 15 through Oct. 19, a successful
break away from Elon.
Sleep is one thing college students need
more of, so if you aren’t driving, knock out a
few hours of your trip by snoozing. You not
only gain much needed rest, but the hours of
the trip pass more quickly. For those who are
driving, make sure to rest up before the long
trip.
As college students, we often read a
textbook’s worth of material in a week, but
reading books or magazines for leisure is a
great way to pass the time while waiting in the
airport. Catch up on the summer reading you
never were able to, or get a magazine that you
haven’t been able to read since homework and
clubs have taken over your life. For those who
will be in the car, because no one has mastered
the art of driving and reading yet, listening to
a book on tape is a good alternative.
Out of state students may struggle to find
good radio stations when driving or may
grow bored listening to white noise in plane
terminals or train stations, so be sure to
create a long play list of your favorite tunes on
an MP3 player or CD before leaving.
Before you leave for break, make sure you
have everything you need. If your professors
assigned homework over break that’s due
a day or two after you return, look over it in
order to prepare your belongings and finish
up assignments to avoid writing a paper or
reading last minute. Remember to bring some
warm clothes and a rain jacket for unexpected
weather implications as well.
Check your travel plans. Leave campus two
to three hours before your flight or train time
so you have plenty of time to check in. Prepare
for a cold plane or train ride by bringing a
sweatshirt or sweater as a carry-on.
If you aren’t traveling home, consider
the alternative fall break options provided
through the university. Melissa Patrick, the
international alternative break trips director
of the Kernodle Center, said there are two
options for fall break this semester. One
available choice is the Appalachian Mountain
service trip. Students attending will this trip
travel to the Mountain Retreat and Learning
Center in western North Carolina.
The second trip will visit the Turtle Island
Preserve, a sustainable community in the
middle of the Carolina mountains. Patrick said
both trips are outdoors and sustainability
related, and if you are interested in going,
pick up an application in Moseley 230 or
download from the Kernodle Center website.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 1. For
more information, e-mail [email protected],
and if you are unable to attend these during
fall break, keep in mind that they are also
available at the end of Winter Term during
Fake Break
For alternative break trips, avoid packing
formal clothes. Instead, bring clothes you would
wear if you were going camping. Bugspray,
cameras, towels, toiletries, waterproof jackets
and other items would also be useful.
Advice from “Mom”What to do when you’re sick
Falling into fall
Ways to stay healthy:
* Wash your hands and don’t be afraid to use hand sanitizer.
* Stay away from touching your nose and face.
* Avoid touching people who are sick.
* Sanitize the surfaces everyone touches in your room: doorknobs, the sink faucet, the refrigerator handle.
* Get some sleep. Don’t pull multiple all-nighters.
* Keep yourself hydrated.
* Get a flu shot. This year’s shot covers not only seasonal flu but swine flu as well. You can get one at most pharmacies and doctors offices.
Simple rule in my house: If you
don’t go to class, you don’t do
anything fun until you’re healthy. At
college you decide if you are well
enough to go to classes or not,
but students have to walk the fine
line between missing too many
classes or spreading their illness.
People with cold and flu viruses
are contagious from before they
show symptoms to up to five days
after they get sick, according to
The Center for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Symptoms of a common cold
are a cough, runny or stuffy nose
and fatigue. If these symptoms
seem unusually severe, then
you could have the flu. Some
other symptoms you may have
include headache, sore throat,
body aches and a high fever. Only
a doctor’s test can determine
whether you have a cold or the flu.
If you suspect you have the
flu, be sure to go to the health
center to get tested. The flu virus
spreads by contact, so in most
cases going to class could make
other people sick. If you are
going to miss classes, remember
to get diagnosed at the health
center first, and to notify your
professors of your absence before
class so they won’t mark you as
unexcused.
While you feel ill, stay at home
and rest. Sleep as much as you
can and drink lots of clear fluids
such as water, tea and sports
drinks to prevent dehydration. Ice
chips are also an alternative if your
throat hurts too much to swallow.
Throw a few cans of soup in your
pantry now, so that if you get sick,
you have saved yourself a trip to
the grocery store.
If you experience shortness
of breath, chest pains, severe
vomiting or sudden dizziness,
see a doctor immediately. These
symptoms can mean that you
have more than the flu and need
serious medical attention.
After your fever subsides,
it’s recommended that you stay
home for another 24 hours. Even
when you feel better it is best to
slowly get back into your normal
routine. Don’t push it.
Your body is good at healing
itself, but sometimes we need a
little help.
Remember, mom always wants you safe and healthy.
Love, Mom
bret.batchelder
North Carolina’s geographic diversity of mountains, beaches and bustling
cities lends itself to individuals of all interests.
For those specifically attracted to the colors of autumn, ‘The Great North
State’ provides several outlets for foliage viewing several weeks each year. A
particular point of interest is the fall scenery in western North Carolina, so look
to the trees this fall if you are interested in experiencing a seasonal aspect of
North Carolinian culture.
North Carolina’s Piedmont and mountainous regions are covered in an
assortment of maples, oaks, ashes, poplars and dogwoods. To experience
the full potential of what North Carolina has to offer, it is important to keep
in mind the foliage season of each geographical area. According to Sheridan
Alexander of the Southeast U.S. Travel Guide, higher elevations in western
North Carolina have their peak between late September and early October.
Remaining elevations in western North Carolina are at their best and brightest
between the early and middle parts of October. In the lower west to central
North Carolina, trees begin to flourish in mid October, later ending in early
November. Keep in mind that western areas foliate earlier, so depending on the
availability of your traveling agenda, be sure to check for appropriate dates for
particular destinations in order to capture the best colors.
VisitNC.com produces a program that highlights the strength of foliage in
viewing locations for tourists, called the Weekly Fall Color Reports. VisitNC
also provides visitors with a list of hotspots for the fall foliage season. Hotspots
include: Grandfather Mountain, Hanging Rock National Park, Pisgah National
Forest, Asheville and “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maps
are provided on how to reach each location as well as a “What to do” tab that
lists local attractions at each site. While visiting these destinations, be sure to
pursue local vendors and farmers markets. The complexity of each location
differs, so remember that sites can compensate anyone from the weekend
adventurist to the professional photographer.
If time isn’t on your side, look to the NCDOT website for an interactive
map of the Piedmont’s scenic byways. According to the website, “The N.C.
Department of Transportation has designated 54 scenic byways to give visitors
and residents a chance to experience a bit of North Carolina history, geography
and culture while raising awareness for the protection and preservation of
these treasures.” Through this virtual outlet, byways offer an alternative that
allows individuals to take in the best foliage in a practical manner. Visiting local,
more western university campuses, such as Wake Forest University, also offers
scenic routes for students who can also enjoy socializing with friends.
Tips for traveling this season Catch them in the fall