Brickstone

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UM: An Unconventional Experience Spelling Liberal Arts with a UM 8 Things You Should Know About Montevallo UM Stays True to Olmsted Plan An Eye-Opening Observatory

INDEX

Midnight with the Fiery Giant The Ghosts of Montevallo Main Great Dame

Spending a Day on the Bricks Montevallo Minutes: A Walk in My Shoes A Typical Monday Senioritis Magic in the Memory Live Casts Only One More Class...

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Montevallo Memories Home at the Vallo Move-In Day A Rock-Solid Friend Builds Memories A Dramatic Tale on a Stormy Night A Cat, or Four, to Call My Own Crab Rolls, Cheese-Its and a Crush Lake Night Hunting A Haunting Visit to King’s House Senior Year: Then and Now Top 5 Bands to see at Eclipse

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UM: An Unconventional Experience

UM: A Liberal Arts University 8 Things You Should Know About Montevallo UM Stays True to Olmsted Plan An Eye-Opening Observatory Midnight with the Fiery Giant The Ghosts of Montevallo Main Hall: The Great Dame of Residence Halls

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UM

y t i s r e v i n U s t r A l a r e b i L A “It is important for students to learn essential skills such as how to communicate, work in groups, think critically, and make on the job decisions, and that is the kind of education someone will get at a liberal arts university.�

STORY Margetta Thomas

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I

magine going to a class each

university that wants to provide its

students prepare for the real world.

day filled with so many people

students with the best liberal arts

“We’ve got to make sure that you’re

that if you decided to take a

education. First, the term “liberal arts”

knowledgeable about the world around

personal day, every day, no

must be defined. According to aacu.org

you, and what your role will be in that

one would even notice. Sounds great,

(Association of American Colleges and

world, and how your are going to make

right? What's better than skipping

Universities), the liberal arts are specific

changes,” she explained. Students should

class with no repercussions for being

disciplines such as the humanities,

leave a liberal arts university with the core

absent? As it turns out, this isn't the

sciences and social sciences. Liberal

knowledge that is needed to be prepared

ideal situation for a college student.

arts can also be described as subjects

for a workplace that is more demanding

The first step in being a successful in

and skills that one should know in

than ever.

college is just showing up. Fortunately,

order to be an active member of society.

Jenesis Hunter, says that UM has given

students at the University of Montevallo

don't

gave a better understanding of what it

her the experience that Dahle said each

they attend a liberal arts university.

means to be a liberal arts university.

student should have at a liberal arts

university. “At Montevallo, you will learn

have

this

problem

because

The mission statement of the

Dean of Students, Tammi Dahle

Mass Communication major

As an alumna of UM, and the

University of Montevallo is “to provide

Dean of Students for almost two years,

a lot of things that you wouldn’t normally

to students from throughout the state

Dahle says that a liberal arts university

get at another college. Here, it’s very hands

an affordable, geographically accessible,

gives students a well-rounded education

on, and you get a more in depth look into

'small college' public higher educational

inside and outside of the classroom.

your studies,” she said.

experience of high quality, with a

“We want students to get a breadth of

strong emphasis on undergraduate

knowledge in lots of different areas and a

Jenesis knows that her education at UM

liberal studies and with professional

depth of knowledge in their area of study,”

will benefit her in the future. “By the time

programs supported by a broad base

she said.

I graduate, I will be able to say that I have

of arts and sciences, designed for their

not regretted any time spent here, and am

intellectual and personal growth in the

low student teacher ratio at UM. “We

ready to move on to the next stage

pursuit of meaningful employment and

professors that are very engaged with

of my life.”

responsible, informed citizenship.”

students in the classroom and outside of

This seems like a lot of words for one

the classroom which is typical of a liberal

statement. So many words in fact, you

education.”

might get lost while reading them.

A less formal version of the mission

also said that a liberal arts university

statement is that UM is a liberal arts

should look to the future, and help

Dahle attributes this to the

Although only a sophomore,

In addition to small classes, she

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8

Things You Should Know About Montevallo

by Brianna Davis

heels, make sure that they are thick

from someone else. By the way,

he University of Montevallo

enough and not skinny. Another

the cafeteria is always packed

has an almost magical feel to

thing about tripping on the bricks:

around noon, so get there early or

it once you step on campus,

no one laughs at you because it’s

eat later.

T

but here are a few things to note about

such a common thing, don’t feel

our campus.

embarrassed if it happens to you.

1 You will trip on the bricks at

2

some point. The University of

is pretty small; therefore, as a

are unsure about what to get into,

Montevallo is famous for its

student, you will find that it is

you are always welcome to ask

brick streets, and although not all

much easier to walk everywhere

around or see for yourself if it’s

of campus has brick streets, the

you go within the surrounding area

the right fit for you. Your options

majority of it does. It is advised to

instead of taking a car. It saves

are the Writer’s Club, Math Club,

wear sensible shoes at all times.

gas, too! Explore Montevallo, find

Astronomy Club, or a sorority

Ladies, if you plan on wearing

different sites to travel to. And

or fraternity. Montevallo has

with the campus being so small,

something for everyone.

The city of Montevallo

you’ll never see an unfamiliar face. Everyone will eventually become recognizable. You will be able to tell a Montevallo student Page 8

3 Join a club. UM has a variety of organizations and groups that welcome all newcomers. If you

4

Students of Montevallo are

very supportive of our Athletics Department. When teams are

playing two games on the same

a major blessing on this campus. If

they can also help you with your

day, you will find students

you have no idea what is going on

career choices. If you come onto

attending both. We are all one big

in class and asking questions is too

campus with no idea what major you

supportive family. (Plus, it gives you

scary, tutoring is the way to go. You

want to partake in, the counseling

something to do on Saturdays.)

don’t have to feel shameful about it;

center will help you. They are

everyone needs helps at some point.

located one the west side of Main

Counseling services are free. If you

Hall.

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Beware of the campus

squirrels. They are everywhere.

These squirrels are not tame and will throw acorns at you if you get too close. You might even have a few stare downs on your way to class.

need someone to talk to, someone will be available. Counselors not only help with what’s going on in your personal life, or help you find constructive ways to relieve stress,

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Our Homecoming is celebrated

through College Night. Be a Purple or a Gold, or hey, you can even go Gre en. College Night is the

These squirrels do mean business.

most anticipated event of the school

We also have several cats strolling

year. The activities that everyone

around. Don’t worry; they are a lot

can be a part of are: volleyball,

friendlier than the squirrels.

cheerleading, basketball for men

6

and women, soccer and the musical The University of Montevallo’s

campus is relatively safe. With that being said, it is advised to always have someone walking with you at night. You can even get a police escort to your dorm if you call the police station.

Our officers are always willing to help. Another thing about our campus is the blue emergency stations set up all over campus.

If you feel scared, by all means use one of them.

7

productions. A lot of work goes into each event and each side shows a ton of support. College Night starts at the beginning of the spring semester and ends mid-February.

And remember it’s all about having school spirit and fun.

This list does not include everything, but it’s a good start.

Once you become a student you will realize that these are just a few of the things that make the University of Montevallo special.

Free tutoring and

counseling. Tutoring has been

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h

UM Stays True to Olmsted Plan

T

he students of the University of Montevallo are greeted everyday with the sun rising over the towering dogwood trees and squirrels chasing their tails on the brick streets. These uniquely physical attributes really make UM’s campus stand out from others across the country. This is all thanks to the landscaping plans produced by the Olmsted Brothers.

The Olmsted Brothers Company was founded in the 1800s by Frederick Olmsted and was later passed down to stepbrothers Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., and John Charles Olmsted. They are known for designing the University of Washington in Seattle, the Biltmore Estate and Central Park in New York City.

They came to UM, then Alabama College, in 1928 with the task of designing and expanding the campus. UM archivist Carey Heatherly said the Olmsted Brothers wanted to use natural and local resources in their plan.

“At one point we had some palm-type trees planted in front of buildings in the teens and twenties and they dug those up. Those are gone. They went back with more native or local type plants and trees,” said Heatherly.

On the plans, the brothers labeled each bush and flower bed with circled numbers and codes that matched the planning lists.These natural resources also include the material for the campus brick streets. The bricks were a cheaper resource and were made by the Montevallo Brick and Tile Company.

The plans were finished in 1930 and the bricking of the streets began five years later.

Around this time the Great Depression hit the country and many wealthier families were sending their daughters to smaller and cheaper schools, including Alabama College. This allowed the school to gain valuable contacts and to grow as a university.

A Change in the Plan

Even with new students, however, the construction for the Olmsted plan was slowed down. “For the most part, we adhered to the plan. Thank God that we did hit hard financial times because there are parts of the plan, if you look closely at it, that are vastly different than what you see the campus as today,” said Heatherly.

One of the differences is the Olmsted Brothers planned for the demolition of King House, which is one of the main buildings in the national historic district of UM. Heatherly said they also planned to uproot the King family and place them in the city cemetery.

But tradition reigns on in the present with the King Family in the campus cemetery with King House still standing at the center of the university.

Renovations Underway

To this day, plans to reovate the campus stay true to the original Olmsted design.

Currently, the physical plant is working on renovating the amphitheater that once stood on the side of Flower Hill. Anyone who walks around the area and digs into the grass a little can find the once prominent brick paths that lead to the stage.

Heatherly said there is no photographic evidence that shows the amphitheater being used, but there are plans now to have the theatre reborn and used in the future with campus organizations and student performances.

It is hard to say when amphitheater be ready for student use, but it is sure to be one of UM’s many direct links to its history and culture.

For more information on the Olmsted Brothers and their vast portfolio of projects visit olmsted.org. --Mandy Steadman

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An Eye-Opening Observatory By: Heather Buckner

T

hree miles from campus, down a winding dirt road, clusters of people stand in a clearing, surrounded by trees. The darkness sits so heavy around them it’s difficult, at first, to make out their shapes.

The first phase of the project cost about $300,000, half of which came through grants from the Alabama Department of Education, CAWACO Research Conservation and Development Council and Legacy Inc., an environmental group.

Far removed from the city lights, the ink-black sky offers the late visitors consolation for braving the cold, night air — straight above their heads is a bright, breathtaking view of the Milky Way.

Much of its funding came from Birmingham realtor Jim Shepherd Jr. and his family, in honor of his father’s love for astronomy.

What many don’t know is that stargazing is just the beginning of

The James Wylie Shepherd Ob- what the JWSO has to offer; it also servatory, built atop a former landfill, features a 90 mm Coronado Solar is the most advanced public astronom- Telescope with an integrated hydroical facility in Alabama. gen-alpha filter for exceptional views of the sun, solar flares and the solar

The telescope is housed in a fully corona. robotic 20.5-foot dome surrounded

Equipped for first-rate stargazing by outdoor solar-powered low-level lighting and boasts a 20-inch Planeand astrophotography, the JWSO is Wave CDK20 telescope on a Chronos one of few observatories in the counHD32 Harmonic Mount. try designed to be accessible to people of all disabilities.

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“Considering that the JWSO was, until this year, an Astronomy Club project, I think the progress over the last seven years is astounding,” said Michael Sterner, who teaches the astronomy course at the University of Montevallo with Michael Patton.

Sterner, Astronomy Club advisor, and Patton continue to lead ongoing projects at the observatory.

Their dream won’t be a reality until the complex offers an outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, a guide’s cabin, a planetarium, educational exhibits and a visitor center where groups can see photographs taken by the main telescope.

They welcome amateur astronomers to attend observing sessions and use the telescope or bring their own to set up on the University’s 150-acre Gentry Springs property.

“We still have no regular staffing, so the only time we can be open to the public is when Dr. Patton and I can fit it into our schedules,” he warned, but all Montevallo Astronomical Society meetings are free and open to the public.

Those interested can email sternerm@montevallo.edu to be included on the distribution list and kept informed of public events.

“Public awareness is growing that the University of Montevallo has a state-of-the-art observing facility, which is open to the public,” said Sterner.

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Midnight With the Fiery Giant By: Connor Bucy Page 14

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hen asked to stay out in the November cold from 10 p.m. until 2 in the morning most sane people would probably politely decline. But I was intrigued.

My girlfriend, an art major, invited me to join her in maintaining Montevallo’s anagama kiln for the night. I had never seen an anagama kiln before- all I knew was that it sounded Japanese- and while I understood in an elementary sense what a kiln did, I knew not the faintest thing about working one. I went along, partly out of boyfriend-obligation, but largely out of curiosity.

We walked through the brisk night up the road to the Student Retreat Center. It’s an eerie place at night, the streetlamps buzzing while their light barely reveals the surrounding woods. Although we were told there would be a crowd, we scarcely saw a pair of headlights as we walked to our destination.

As we drew closer, a faint light began to glow from within the woods, and the scent of a stoked fire drifted into the air. Off into the trees, a trail led downward to a warm glow and the sound of voices. We proceeded down through the woods to our destination.

The Sleeping Giant

When I heard we’d be tending a kiln, I expected something fairly small, the size of a refrigerator at best. What sat at the bottom of the hill was easily as large as a dorm room and resembled the rotund belly of a sleeping stone giant lying comfortably on a bed of earth. Students carried wood and paid tribute to the great earthen beast to keep the flames going.

Affectionately known as the “fat bastard” by students and faculty alike, the massive kiln was designed by UM art professor Scott Meyer. After securing a hefty donation of bricks and materials, Meyer along with his students built the anagama kiln and fired it for the first time in 2002.

The ceramic pieces birthed from the kiln’s inferno exhibit a sort of beautiful imperfection – as ash coats the pottery and merges with it, creating what looks like an organic growth on its surface.

Piece by Jamie Berry

Feeding the Flames

Our shift began. The cold numbed our hands, but the raging fire inside the kiln kept the ramshackle shelter warm. Our crew, consisting of art students and volunteers, took turns loading wood into the belly of the beast.

I stepped up to feed the flames and the extreme heat from the kiln licked my face. Instinctively, I squinted my eyes as the light within shone like a small sun. At max temperature, anagama kilns burn at 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, and standing next to one, I got a sense for what such an absurdly high temperature felt like.

When we weren’t loading wood into the kiln, we sat at a comfortable distance from it, keeping warm but not too warm. Despite the late hours and winter weather, the experience became what one might call “fun.”

Days later, an eclectic collection of pottery finally came out of the kiln. As my girlfriend collected her finished creations, it struck me how I played a part in these creations, albeit a small one. Although I spent my Saturday sitting outside in the cold hauling wood, I didn’t feel as though I had wasted my time.

It was a cultural experience - a hint of ancient Japan, yet altogether distinctly Montevallo.

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When you find yourself alone on campus, walking back to your dorm or even to class, take a second to feel the air around you.

You’ll know once it changes; it’sjust a friendly spirit enjoying a walk as well.

The Ghosts of Montevallo By: Jennifer Corona

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veryone has ghost stories, tales of the supernatural that will make your skin crawl, accounts of orbs and unexplainable phenomena. It usually is about an abandoned house or a long forgotten mental hospital. But what happens when the haunted aren’t abandoned at all? In fact, what happens when ghost stories take place in the middle of a busy college campus?

If you want to find out, the University of Montevallo can lend a helping hand.

Late one night before lights out, Condie and her roommate were using a hot plate to make cocoa or fudge or something of the sort (it’s never really been clarified). Regardless, using a hot plate in the dorm was not permitted.

In a rush, Condie accidentally spilled the alcohol used to light the hot plate. It splashed on the floor and all over her. Condie’s nightgown burst into flames as her roommate screamed and ran for help.

The school was built in October of 1896 as an all girls’ school, but the land it was built on has been around for much longer and was inhabited by the King family. Edmund King built what is known on campus as “King House.” It’s a small, out-ofplace house in the middle of campus that is still used for meetings or tours, but is locked up most of the time.

Unable to stop the flames from engulfing her, Condie ran down the hall screaming. A dorm assistant rushed Condie to the hospital, but she died two days later.

The house is not the concern, but instead the man who built it. The story goes Mr. King and his wife and 10 children lived on the land for years during the time of the Civil War. King made his money from the orchard he grew in the backyard (or as a better reference: where Flower Hill is located).

The next supernatural member of the Montevallo family is W.H. Trumbauer, or Trummy as he is better known. Trummy was a professor for the University and is one of the designers of Palmer Hall, which is still standing near Main Quad.

To this day, some say the King can be spotted walking through where his orchard once stood looking for the silver he buried long ago. In the dead of night, when the Montevallo fog begins to creep its way across Flower Hill, the faint light of King’s lantern will appear.

To this day, the girls of Main Hall report hearing Condie’s screams, and even some have seen her pale ghost, still on fire, running down the hall.

Those who spend time in Palmer Hall, especially College Night cast members and crews, know Trummy very well. Always a big fan of College Night, Trummy makes sure to cast his vote for the best performance by swinging the battens over his favorite side on dress rehearsal night.

He doesn’t just wait till the end of College Night though; he is always playing pranks on Palmer staff The King family gave the land for the university and the rest of the College Night crews throughout without ever really having to say goodbye. And almost 100 years later, a new member of our ghost the entire process. He’s also not afraid to do a few appearances behind stage if the cast is paying tales would enter the walls of Main Hall. attention.

Condie Cunningham started at the University of The University of Montevallo is unconventional Montevallo in the early 1900s. She lived on the fourth floor of Main Hall, an all girls dormitory to in many ways, but we love our supernatural ancestors that have been on campus longer than anyone this day. else.

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Main Hall: The Great Dame of Residence Halls

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pening its doors in 1896, the University of Montevallo, known then as the Alabama Girls Industrial School, welcomed 150 young women from all over the state ready to learn about becoming future teachers, bookkeepers and artists. Since then, much has changed with the University including integration of not only males but people of color, the University name and the disciplines offered. However, some things have remained true. Main Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus. It was the first home away from home for most of the women venturing on toward a higher education. It has seen thousands of women come and go at Montevallo.

It is the largest residence hall on campus, also known as the “Great Dame.”

It was once known as the largest women’s resident hall of the Deep South. According to Director of Housing and Residence Life John Denson, “Based on the current layout of West Main I would say approximately 100 students could live in Main when it was first built.” Though space was limited; room was made if necessary. “Back then they could have assigned three students to live in in a room,” said Denson.

One of the most famous stories about Main is the story of Condie Cunningham.

Condie was a resident in Main in 1904. She was up making fudge on a bunson burner when her night gown caught on fire. Condie died two days later at a local hospital. Since then her spirit is said to haunt Main Hall.

Her face has also been said to appear on her

door even after being removed and stored.

Andrea King lived in Main for three years before she started commuting. During her stay she claimed to have numerous encounters with Condie. “I could sometimes hear a faint shrill when showering, and sometimes my door would close on its own when left open. Condie is the reason girls travel in packs.”

Currently, Main Hall has expanded to three wings including East, Main and West to keep up with the times and the acceptance of more and more students. The West wing was completed in 1897, while Main and East were done in 1900 and 1907.

Main features single rooms while East and West have double occupancy.

Main Hall is also home to Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Delta Pi. It includes two large sitting rooms and a treadmill equipped with its own television for those days you just can’t make it to the gym. More recent renovations to the building include new windows, and furniture and the addition of thermostats in the rooms.

Main Hall is centrally located not just on campus but in the state. A star on the steps outside the hall that marks the geographic center of Alabama. Being over a hundred years old, Main Residence Hall has allowed many women to create memories and friendships. The building has truly evolved with the University and has played a big part in introducing students to life away from home. -- IRENE CARDENAS Page 19

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Spending a Day on the Bricks

Montevallo Minutes: A Walk in My Shoes A Typical Monday Senioritis Coming to You Live: Montevallo Sports Magic in the Memory Only One More Class...

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9:45 a.m.

A small alarm tone rattles into my brain. It’s familiar digitized ringing soundtracks the world slowly swirling into clarity as the white popcorn ceiling snaps into my vision. My sheets are wrapped tightly around my body as I lay comfortably and remember my surroundings. This is my dorm. I am in my bed. The world is a pleasant and agreeable place to be.

Montevallo Minutes: Page 22

A Walk In My Shoes

By Reed Strength

9:46 a.m.

The world is a frantic, unforgiving blur as I throw mismatched clothes on. My arms fly into my closet to grab my notebook. A glimpse in the mirror showcases an unkempt mane of hair tangled into unfollowable pathways.

9:55 a.m.

On my way to class, I trip over a proturding brick.

10:01 a.m.

After playing a confusing game of “where’s the open chair?,” I’m seated firmly in place, pen in hand, ready to absorb facts about world history.

10:07 a.m.

[Insert 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th century power hungry monarch] was a genuinely terrible guy.

10:11 a.m.

I glance over to the clock only to be severely disappointed and confused. Surely it’s broken. The batteries are dead. Something.

10:20 a.m.

The entire concept of time is an impossible lie.

10:55 a.m.

As I walk back to my dorm, I trip over the same raised brick. Literally. The same exact one.

12:09 p.m.

The burbling melting pot of the student body gathers in the tight cafeteria to eat, chat and savor those precious moments before the afternoon round of classes.

12:18 p.m.

A thick mound of vanilla ice cream slowly descends upon the bottom of a chocolate chip cookie.

Another cookie is smooshed on top, completing my sweet sandwich.

12:19 p.m.

I see several others rush to the soft serve machine with two cookies. A mental medal of dessert ingenuity is received.

1:54 p.m.

The Mass Comm Building hums with activity. It’s close quarter construction guarantees a smattering of nods, “Hey-how’re-you’s??” and other pleasantries from familiar passersby.

2:40 p.m.

Don’t be fooled by the official looking sign on the doorway. The computer lab is an incubator.

A comforting but deceptive warmth hangs over the entire space. A fine-tuned PowerPoint displays needed information, but the voice emanating from the instructor does not function as a bullhorn of knowledge as much as a lulling series of vibrations that further urge sleep.

2:43 p.m. “that’s not to say that editorials are all opinon”… ”for instance, claiming that”...”think of any other examples of this?”…”Someone pat him awake please..”

2:44 p.m.

What transpired was not and cannot be my fault. Chairs with back cushions? Dim lights? I’m on to your games.

3:30 p.m.

I’m back in my dorm with exactly two hours before dinner: textbooks are open, computer is booted, pens are at hand, emergency caffeine stands at the ready.

3:33 p.m.

Another page conquered, another obvious example of the scholar at hand.

5:31 p.m.

A knocking and gentle questioning at the door leads me to discover a puddle of drool pooled my still open textbook. Even scholars have to take naps, right?

6 p.m.

I sit with several friends gathered around a tiny table in Farmer. We hold in our hands bulging, lumpy Moe’s burritos layered like the floors of a skyscraper with meat, beans, veggies and queso. Within this act of communal chowing down comes a happy collective sigh: the day is done and the important but mind numbing influence of academia is saved for the next day.

7:15 p.m.-??.

We make loops around campus, complimenting the cool night air with jokes, jabs and jovial observations of our status (at that moment at least) as happy, carefree college kids. The surrounding trees are competitively hugged by purple and gold ribbons whose ends slowly rise and fall with gentle breaths of air.

2:00 p.m.

Class starts in the computer lab.

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A Typical Monday by Margetta Thomas

am 0 :3

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ause c e b this f my w o n I k t tone o . m . o the a t n a e 9 s s a m It i nple startles fall out u e h t t clock I almos over to m r ala here I reach a quick w t poin bed. As m, I do ay is d r e of th the ala head. To sses, y off la turn list in m ve two c . I go to k a chec day. I h ne at 12 .

Mon 10 and o 2 to 3:30 m at one work fro

After running back upstairs to my room because I grabbed the wrong notebook, I make the grueling walk up the bricks from New Res to the cafeteria. On the way, I see squirrels scurry across my path in a hurry, as if they have a schedule to follow as well. The sound of construction fills the air as old bricks are being replaced by either new ones or concrete. I think to myself, if anyone who lives in Tutwiler is not awake yet, they are now.

The Caf, then Class

The caf is filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and other sinful breakfast pastries to make anyone rethink going on a diet. Seeing as it’s a struggle for most to wake up in the morning, it is nice that the caf is mostly vacant in the mornings. Almost every table is empty, and the peace and quiet makes eating my usual breakfast of biscuit and gravy with a side of scrambled eggs much more enjoyable.

When breakfast is over, I head to Morgan Hall. On my way, I observe the number of commuters rushing to get a parking spot, or patiently waiting as one becomes free.

I have two accounting classes each week, both in the same classroom, Morgan 103. Today is Intermediate Accounting which is my favorite of the two, definitely not due to the subject matter, but because almost every seat in the classroom is full.

The professor loves to work problems in class, and by that I mean he loves for us to work the problems, which means randomly calling on people. Luckily, there are many students in the class, and the fact that he still hasn’t figured out

how to pronounce my name means I the cafe is like night and day: not usually get away with not being se- nearly as quiet, not as many empty lected. tables to choose from, and actually a line of people at each station.

Campus Comes Alive

After about an hour of adjusting entries and calculating depreciation, the campus becomes more alive at 11 a.m., and those who begin their day in the afternoon (which are most college students) are headed to class or the Starbucks in Farmer Hall to purchase their morning, or early afternoon, coffee.

Work Study

The last stop of the day is work at the student post office in Farmer Hall. It is Monday, which means all of the packages that have been sitting at the Montevallo Post Office over the weekend have now been delivered here.

I spend an hour and a half sorting through mail, giving out combinations to those who have either lost or forgotten it over the break, selling stamps and envelopes, and giving people their packages that mostly consist of textbooks or care packages from home. One girl opens a box from her boyfriend who goes to school in another state. It is

It’s amazing how a dish a plain black t-shirt. She looks at the that used to bring me so much joy shirt with confusion, and as she unas a kid is now a part of the list of folds it, the smell of his cologne fills foods that make my stomach turn. the air and brings tears to her eyes.

Not nearly as bad as chitterlings (a At the end of my shift, I vile dish, also known as pig intes- walk down the three steps to Moe’s tines, that should never be cooked and get in line with the other people in a kitchen with the presence of a who also seem to need to satisfy that human being) but definitely up there craving between lunch and dinner with cabbage.

I’m in the warmth of my room now, after battling the JanuIntro to PR and The Caf ary cold on my journey back down

When the clock strikes 11:50 the hill. After being comfortable for a.m., I head to Reynolds for Intro to a while and warming up, I start on Public Relations. We spend the pe- yet another homework assignment riod talking about historical figures that I put off over the weekend, and and ethics in the field of public rela- do another checklist in my head to tions. Thankfully I have classmates make sure the day is over.

I have about an hour until my next class so I head back to New Res to change out notebooks and finish an assignment for COMS 220 that I neglected to do over the weekend. Suite 214 also comes alive with sound of the showers running and the smell of Ramen noodles coming from the kitchen.

that always have an opinion and chime in on the lectures, so it adds some life to the classroom.

At 12:50 it’s time to hit the bricks again for my second meal of the day. Breakfast and lunchtime in

I just got off work. It is Monday, so no class at 3:30. I do not have a test tomorrow that I need to study for. This is the only homework I have to do today. My Monday is finished. Page 25

s i t i r io

n e S Page 26

Iren

s a n e d r a eC

s

I

finally sit up in bed. It is not the first time I woke up this morning. I have a variety of alarms set to my phone ringing from my seven a.m. alarm titled “you gotta sweat like a pig to look like a fox,” to my eleven a.m. alarm titled, “what are you even doing with your life?” I rub my eyes to get them to focus. My bed is right next to a window that I use to judge how cold it is outside. I peak through the blinds to look at what others are wearing to determine how heavy I should dress. I have a weather app on my phone, but I feel my methods are pretty accurate.

Now is the hard part. Getting out of bed.

I stretch and groan. I never feel like I have slept enough. I feel guilty about not getting up to workout.

I immediately start making lists. I have to finish this assignment, and I have to work on this project, and I have to call this person, and I need to email that professor. I get another good stretch and yawn in before I notice my breath. I can’t even talk to myself like this.

I brush my teeth at my mirror, all the while thinking about what to wear. It is Monday, so the chances of seeing someone I know are slim. I could really just throw on pants and call it a day. Senoritis is really getting me. Graduation is so close! I do not know how to feel about it. On one hand, it is great.

But the reality of being thrown out there into the real world is a scary thought. If I am asked what I do right now, I quickly reply that I am in school. That is an accepted and respected response generally. But what would I say after? I have nothing set in stone. Not that I am not looking. I don’t have time to “find myself.”

“Stop Irene.” I stress myself out often thinking like this.

I turn on Spotify to drown out the thoughts in my head. The Billboard Hot 100 starts playing. I hum along as I get ready. I’m so main stream it’s disgusting. You would think going to such a unique liberal arts college I would have unlocked or discovered a whole new world of different music. I am surrounded by people and situations that could open my playlist and actually give it some depth instead of playing

today’s hottest hits every morning.

After pulling my hair up I get dressed. “Ugh why can’t I look as cute as Heather! My hair never looks that great!” Eclipse sounds good for lunch after class. They have the best milkshakes. I find a clean pair of jeans and slip on some socks. They are usually always two different kinds. When I do laundry I never bother to pair them up. Thank goodness I do not have a roommate. I never bother to make my bed.

Unless I am expecting company, my bed always looks like it’s trying to lure me back in. I fight the temptation most days.

I check my email right before I leave, just to make sure I’m not surprised with a quiz or with some assignment that is due. I’m safe, so I begin to bundle up. It’s a pullover-and-boots kinda day, according to every sorority girl I’ve seen. You can never be sure with the weather around here. I pack up my things, grab my swipe card and check the time on my phone.

Oooh, a text message! I open it as I walk out the door and into my typical Monday morning.

Thanks to it being such a small campus, I am always usually greeted or giving a hello to someone on my way to class. Four years of an intimate class setting; I have met a good share of people.

Networking is one of the easiest things you can do here. Living on campus has its perks especially with wanting to sleep in or just taking forever to get out of bed. I always leave a few minutes before class starts.

Most buildings are in close proximity. When I hear the bells start ringing, I start to book it, carefully of course. These bricks are infamous for bringing you to a full stop.

On my way to class I usually cut between the buildings. No time for the scenic route today. The squirrels are out and about. Thing about the squirrels in Montevallo is that they are fearless. Walking toward them does not phase them in the least bit. They go on about their business just as you do. I smile at the thought as I make it to my building, walk in class and take my seat.

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he players storm down the court. With only a minute left in the game and a few points blocking Montevallo from a much-needed victory, tensions are high. Quickly, one of the Fighting Falcons swipes the ball, and runs toward the goal, his teammates and opponents running in all directions around him.

After three attempted layups and the clock needling down to single digits, the ball is passed to another Falcon. The player shoots, the ball circles the rim, and cameraman Devan Cooley captures the victorious moment for all to see. Every semester, a crew of volunteer Mass Comm students provide a live streaming service of various university sporting events, primarily basketball and volleyball.

The beginning

It all started in 2008, after a production company visited the UM campus. The company’s aim was to advertise live web streaming services to Division II schools. Jay Cofield, professor and coordinator of the Mass Communication Program, met with representatives from the company and then pitched the proposal to former UM president Phillip Williams.

Williams’ support made the idea a reality. Within the first year, the University purchased the necessary equipment.

Since kick-starting the service, Cofield said his role now is to “set the tone” for the crew and streaming. He makes sure that “good seniors are mentoring and training newer students” and offers support in the classroom, as well as during game broadcasts.

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Hands-on work Often, members of the volunteer crew perform whatever jobs are necessary. Devan Cooley, Amos Hollinhead and Marcus Sanders have all been in the bigger roles of producer and director, as well as served in the smaller jobs like cameramen and graphics creator.

“You show up, and you have to be willing to work wherever. You have to be willing to learn any of the positions that are there,” explained Cooley. “It’s a lot of learning on the fly, at least at the start, and then you’re still learning stuff all throughout.”

According to Cooley, most of the experience needed to work the games does not come from the classroom, but rather on the job itself. “When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing,” he admitted.

The setup

During basketball games, four cameras are set around the campus arena. Two cameras at the top of the bleachers show a wider shot perspective of the games. One follows the ball back and forth to show the action of the game, while another focuses on special actions: goals, free throws, timeouts and the talent at the booth.

Two floor cameras show a much closer, action to action perspective of the game. According to Cooley, these cameras are more fun to operate because of the up close and personal nature of the job.

Being closer to the action does at times come with a slight risk of being bowled over. Cooley remembers one of his first games on crew where a fellow cameraman was completely run over by a pumped

up player chasing the ball. The blow almost knocked the volunteer out cold.

In the control room, while there’s less of a chance of physical injury, the pressure is still high.

Hollinhead, a producer for many of the games, said he prefers the hot seat.

“You plan out everything,” said Hollinhead, a Mass Comm senior.

A producer is in charge of several needed tasks: from assigning crew positions to picking the commercials aired between breaks. Basically, they organize when, where and how things happen.

Sanders, another Mass Comm senior, prefers directing the live web streams. “You have full control of what camera goes where, what angle you want...everybody is under your command,” he explained.

A crew of about roughly five people is needed to ensure a successful stream.

According to the three students, crew size varies at different points during the semester.

A helpful factor that fills needed positions is required “production credit” in many broadcast classes that ultimately leads into students’ final grade.

Recognition and fun

While the players are the main celebrities of the games, the crew members say that working behind the scenes also awards them a bit of

Coming to You Live: Montevallo Sports Streaming

By Reed Strength recognition. Cooley said often the fans of visiting teams give them a warm reception for the quality service they offer. When the crew moves equipment to the UM soccer field, the overseas families of both the home and visiting teams make up most of the view count.

“We have 100 to 200 views per stream, which is way up from last year,” said Sanders, “so we’re pretty proud of that.”

A shared favorite memory for Sanders and Cooley was when UM hosted and won the Peach Belt Conference’s Regional Tournament in 2012, winning 70-57.

The students filmed as fans rushed the court in celebration. “To storm the court with everybody

with a big camera on your shoulder was fun,” grinned Cooley.

Valuable experience

Beyond the celebrations and good times had, being on the volunteer crew offers students a substantial addition to a resume.

“It’s hands on experience,” says Hollinhead. While there are many who may not be interested in reporting on sports, the senior Mass Comm Major says the “elements” of any broadcast are all the same.

“You’re working with a team. You’re working with people that are also learning at the same time. Everybody is here to gain knowledge, experience and enjoy themselves.”

Sanders says that the experience gained is a unique opportunity, as the mass com department does not have sports broadcasting in its curriculum.

Cooley had similar thoughts of the games offering a great training ground to young and hopeful media professionals. “There’s nothing that makes you think more on the fly than a live broadcast like that,” he reasoned.

To see the work of not only UM’s fabulous sports teams, but also the dedicated students of the Mass Comm program, visit www.ustream.tv/montevalloathletics.

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Magic in the Memory

by Heather Buckner

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8:02 a.m.

I hear the first eight beats of what used to be my favorite song start playing and immediately hit snooze. I roll over, and my kitten bites my cheek.

I toss and turn and try to gather enough motivation to get up, thinking to myself, “You can do this. One more semester. It’s almost over.”

I thank God. Graduation can’t come soon enough.

Where is the magic?

As a high school senior touring Montevallo, I was told the town was “magical.” I’m jealous I never found the “magic” everyone raved about.

They said there was nothing not to love about Montevallo. I would love to talk to those folks now.

To begin, Huddle House is the only place that serves food after midnight.

Yeah, there is something about a late afternoon picnic beside Shoal Creek, watching a group of beavers lazily float past as you steal the last of your friend’s ice cream cone. Or wandering down the sidewalk, taking in the carvings in the trees—the old men with wooden beards, the giant squirrel...the alligator eating a snake.

Orr Park, however, doesn’t make up for the fact there is absolutely nothing to do here on the weekends.

I remember going to Limestone Canoeing and Tubing on a whim two summers ago with three of my former sorority sisters. We drove down a winding dirt road

into the woods about 12 miles from campus. When we finally made it, we paid $10, signed an amateurly worded waiver on a sheet of crinkled notebook paper, clambered up into the remains of a rusty, old truck bed with about 10 other people and held on to our tubes as our 16-year-old driver sped down a rutted trail, bouncing me into some good ol’ boy’s shoulder.

There’s a swamp, the most advanced observatory in the Southeast and the longest running homecoming tradition of its kind in the U.S., and an art festival but no movie theatre.

Every summer they get busted for underage drinking, and I can’t believe no one’s been seriously injured on the rocks—I had a bruise on my butt for months. But when my friend went down the wrong side of the rapids and all I could see were her feet and one hand above the whitewater—triumphantly holding the beer she’d managed to spare—I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard.

There’s nothing “magical” about Montevallo, just a lot of everyday pieces that make up a strange hybrid between a college town and a sleepy one—but I guess that’s what I love about it even now.

What’s not here There’s no big-business outlet mall here, just a collection of eccentric thrift stores, art shops, restaurants. There was a record shop behind the Marathon, Jingle, where I managed to buy an old Beatles album for $2; Eclipse Coffee and Books, where I bought my first (legal) drink; and El Agave, where every night is margarita night.

It’s almost all locally owned, which means there’s no Target, no Starbucks, no Books-a-Million.

You buy your clothes from the thrift store, your coffee from your best friend across the street and your books from Serendipity, the dusty book store on Main.

The classes are so small that my professors know me by name, which makes slacking or skipping near impossible. I can’t walk anywhere without seeing someone I know.

The magic finds you There’s a special kind of beauty in the moments you don’t think you’ll remember—walking home from class in the pouring rain, studying Pablo Neruda’s unscrupulous poetry on the President’s lawn, tripping over the same jagged sidewalk bricks on your way to economics every morning for three months.

I guess you don’t really ever find the magic that makes Montevallo special, you just wake up four years later and realize you’re in it.

8:40 a.m.

My kitten bites my shoulder, and I realize that it’s well past time for me to wake up, but I still don’t want to start the day—not because I’m tired and ready for this semester to be over but because I realize that it will be soon. And the magic I’ve spent the last four years learning to appreciate will be just a memory.

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Only One More Class

By Alyse Hartdegen

I

’m awake, but I refuse to get up. I know that when I get up, a new day will begin, with new joy and new challenges, as well as whatever is left over from the day before. My roommate and I do what we do every morning, we whine about the cold and how distasteful we think it is. We talk about the room, and how hot it will get. We discuss our crazy dreams, and how they never make sense. She tells me what I tried to tell her in my sleep. We get ready for class, and leave too late to get there early. Our normal routine.

I get to class, and I’m fashionably on time. We start a group project today, another one I might say.

This University loves group projects, and I’ll never understand why. Montevallo is a community in itself, and it’s almost as if the professors are giving us team building exercises. The group project turns out better than I expected. What a nice surprise.

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As I make my way through the cold, I watch as people enter Comer, squinting against the wind.

What are they thinking? Are they as upset by the cold as I am? I live in Hanson Hall, across from the Caf, and one of my favorite hobbies is to listen to what the people have to say before they enter, or as they leave. They talk about the food, and how they hope it’s better than the day before. I hear them talk about professors; praising this one, dogging that one. I hear them talk about life, as they describe their event to their friend dramatically or more casual than I think they should.

Finally, I step into the warmth of Hanson. I see my R.A. as she rushes from the building, late for another class or maybe to meet a friend. My R.A. is always on the go, doing something, never still. She

brings this vibrant excitement to a hall full of people that otherwise would be strangers had it not been for being neighbors. Tonight she’ll perform at Open Mic Night at Eclipse. The girl who lives two doors down will as well. I sat with her as she picked her song, trying to decide if she would even play at all. Her roommate will tease her and distract her from practicing again, but only because she loves her.

I step into my dorm room, and I flick the still broken light switch, mentioning vaguely my disappointment that they have not fixed it by now. My roommate works to clean up our clutter, hoping she can get it done before maintenance arrives to judge us.

We can’t seem to keep our stuff together, constantly moving something to another temporary home. I keep telling her, “I have to get my homework done.” I continue to do my hair instead, because later on I want to look my best for the night-life.

We go into Moe’s, and I can’t help but think about who I may see. I always want to say there’s a specific group that hangs out in Moe’s, but really there isn’t. I think about all of the Greeks, and then we have the geeks and everyone who falls in between. At the back of the building, there is the Publication Office, or “Stud Pub,” where the visionaries and journalists will work hard to share their views and print some semblance of the truth. A floor above that are the offices of Student Life, where SGA and Greek Life come together to improve what is our campus, to make it a better version of itself.

After lunch I’ll walk to UM on Main, which since its start in August has two names: UMOM and The Wedge.

Only at Montevallo do we feel like everything has to have some hip label.

Instead of a quick, quiet walk to class, I’ll call my dad. I’ll ask him how his day was, and he’ll tell 10 stories. Then I’ll do the same. I feel like there isn’t enough time between campus and UMOM to tell him everything.

UMOM is the new Behavioral and Social Sciences building. The irony here is the newest

building on our historic campus houses our social sciences, namely our history majors. We gave to our studiers of the past worlds, a new world to explore; the ultimate paradox. Now I’ll sit in class to learn about a history of controversy, where they’ll ask me to discuss what’s already been. Instead I’ll dream about my plans for the future.

I have one more class, and then I can go eat with my friends. I have one more class, and then I can plan my evening. Will I stay in and do homework? Or is there something in the night for me? I have expectations, and I know some will be met, some not. There’s always a surprise - a twist in the day that could decide my evening. But the day won’t end with that twist - it will simply unwind into the night. When I sleep tonight, I won’t think about today, I’ll dream of a tomorrow in Montevallo.

“There’s always a surprise, a twist in the day that could decide my evening. But the day won’t end with that twist, it will simply unwind into the night. When I sleep tonight, I won’t think about today, I’ll dream of a tomorrow in Montevallo.”

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34

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Montevallo Memories

Home at the Vallo Move-In Day Only in Montevallo A Rock-Solid Friend Builds Memories A Cat, or Four, to Call My Own Crab Rolls, Cheese-Its and a Crush Lake Night Hunting A Haunting Visit to King’s House Senior Year: Then and Now Top 5 Bands to see at Eclipse

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Home at the

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vallo

T

here is this point, a life moment of sorts, when your parents’ home or the house you grew up in stops being the place you consider your “home.” Sure, it’s always going to be a special place, but at some point we stop associating the house we grew up in or the city where we were raised as our idea of “home.” When we reach that point, where some other house or city becomes our “home,” it resonates within us.

It’s a new beginning, wrapped up in nostalgia, topped with the slightest bit of comfort. For me, that “point” I keep referring to was when I moved to Montevallo. No, not the moment I moved here, it was roughly nine months in and I knew that this place was never going to leave my heart.

My journey at Montevallo, unfortunately, is swiftly coming to a close. In less than six months, this place that has been my home for four years, will become a memory – a place I reminisce about when I’m off becoming an adult…or something. But certain things I’ll never forget; Montevallo is and always will be the reason why I am the way I am.

When I started Montevallo, there was a promise of a new life completely separate from the horrible high school experience I had. I came in with high expectations and low self-esteem.

Montevallo answered with a roommate that called her mother every morning at eight and a biology teacher that single handedly was going to turn us all into environmentalists, with field trips that he’d purposely loose the class on. Needless to say, Montevallo was letting me down. But once I lost the homesick roommate and prayed my way through Bio 100, I found myself with three really amazing new roommates and a less environmentally obsessed school schedule.

It wasn’t home yet, but it was better than high school. The next three years were filled with multiple roommates, dorms, houses, friends, jobs, teachers and, most importantly, memories. I went to see my parents only on weekends and only if I absolutely had to, even though they were only 30 minutes away. My friends became my family and, to this day, still are.

I guess where I’m trying to go with this is that one day you wake up and you’re different. You wash your own clothes and make your own food. You have “family dinners” with your best friends instead

of your grandparents. You grew up and became an independent person...because Montevallo gave you the chance.

I could tell you about my life in Montevallo now. How I wake up and let my dog out and usually see an old professor and my current neighbor, Dr. Scott, getting ready to head to campus. Or how on my way to class I pass the house where I have spent over half of my drunken nights and can’t help but shake my head and laugh. Maybe I could tell you about how every morning my best friend’s Chug (Chihuahua and Pug mix) is sitting in the window of her house when I pass by on the way to English. And how I always get a text from her about one minute later saying, ‘Willis wanted to say hello.’ I could tell you about how I can’t pass Mr. King’s house without saying hello to his daughter because I saw the curtains move that one time, and now I’m convinced she watches me.

I could tell you that I have teachers that know me by my first name and buildings on campus with hiding places when I need a break from the world.

I could show you every brick that I trip over every day, and I guarantee from that day forward you’ll trip over them, too. I could tell you about the trees that are older than the bricks you’ll trip over, and I could tell you how many times a day I smile knowing that I couldn’t have picked a better place to go to school.

I could also tell you how many times a day I frown knowing it’s coming to an end.

Montevallo is never going to be as popular as the University of Alabama and it will never be as populated as UAB, but one thing I am sure of is that if you give it a chance, Montevallo will change your life. It might be in small ways or it might be bigger than you could ever expect. All I know is that from the day I arrived until the day I leave, Montevallo will be shaping me into a person that will be able to go out into the world and be somebody.

JENNIFER CORONA

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I

started my Montevallo Journey on Aug. 24, 2011. I woke up at 6:30 a.m., excited. I was ready to leave the nest and be on my own. I had everything packed the night before, and now I just needed to move it all into my car. It was move in day for freshmen.

It took about an hour for my dad, brother and me to pack everything into my car. I’m surprised that it all fit. I was bouncing around, checking and rechecking to make sure that I had everything I needed for school.

When we arrived at the University of Montevallo, we pulled up in front of Main Hall, The first residence hall built on campus.

I remember all of the RAs (Resident Assistants) wearing yellow and being friendly. Before getting my room assignment, I had to get an ID made. If you live on campus, you need your ID to get into the caf and your building. It is your life.

My room number was 183; how lucky I was to get a room on the first floor. No stairs for me.

My family and I dragged all of my bags to the room while following the RA.

I was the first to check into the room. My roommate showed up later that day. Her name was Simoné.

I decided to claim the closet first and the bed closest to the door. I don’t like sleeping by windows.

My room was pretty spacious; there was the closet, wardrobe, two beds, two desks and the vanity that is shared between my room and my neighbors’. My mom complained the room smelled of mold, as the building is pretty old.

After getting everything into my

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room, I tried to make up the bed. I had gotten the wrong bed cover and we had to go to Walmart to get the correct one. But once I made my bed, I was officially a resident.

The best thing about being in a new environment without parents is knowing that a best friend is going on the journey with you.

My best friend, Kelly, had moved into the same building but on the second floor. It was great knowing that I wouldn’t have to be completely alone on campus. I saw Kelly getting her room assignment; I stopped to talk to her, and my parents talked to her mom. Once Kelly left to find her room, it was time for my family to go. My dad was near tears, and my sister was ready to have our room to herself. My mom and brother and I laughed at them, and I sent them off after goodbye hugs.

I went back to my room and started setting things where I wanted them to go. Kelly texted me to see if I wanted to go eat in the caf; of course I wanted food. It had been a long day. Walking into the cafeteria was intimidating. Everyone was so comfortable and relaxed there.

You could see who clicked with who, this sorority sat there and the other across the way. The basketball team sat together and the baseball and soccer team sat opposite them.

But at the same time, everyone greeted each other.

Kelly and I got our food and went into the sun room. It would later become our favorite place to sit.

You are able to get a view of just about everyone coming into the cafe, even from outside.

Once we were finished eating, Kelly and I decided that it would be best to explore the campus. Though I remembered where all of the buildings were

from the tour, we both wanted to know where all of our classes were going to be come Monday. We found Comer and Harman, which are right beside each other, then we found Bloch and Wills next to Main. We spotted Carmichael Library behind Palmer and of course Mass Comm was across from Morgan and beside Farmer. We found every building we needed except for Jeter, which is across from Napier, we later found out.

Later that night, there was a guest speaker who was the author of a book that we were “supposed” to read over the summer. I attended the event with Kelly and we laughed at the speaker’s remarks most of the night. One thing that I remember from that night was him saying “You always have options.”

We went back to Main and our rooms. I took a shower in the community bathroom, which was a little weird at first but at least I was clean for the next day. I went to bed around 11 p.m. and that was just the beginning of the rest of my college life.

Move In Day

By Brianna Davis

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“Only in Montevallo.”

I

t was a dark and stormy night when I reached the backdoor of my residence hall. I swiped my card, and wrenched the door open, escaping from the onslaught of the torrent outside. I wiped rainwater from my eyes, taking in the familiar fluorescents of the buildings. In the groaning elevator, I realized what a story had befallen an otherwise innocent night of romantic cavorting. The night began clear and calm, the ink black sky hovering over the University like a silent observer. An hour or so before, I had successfully set up a late night walk with a girl of interest. She greeted me cheerfully in front of Main Hall, and we launched into a brisk walk with no real direction in mind.

We began roaming around campus. Though Montevallo by comparison to other schools borders on the small side, it seems nestled in the town as if it were its own independent village, the

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differing architecture and scope of the buildings its separating characteristics. My walking partner and I revolved slowly in a wide circle around the brick streets.

We began building our relationship that night with funny stories and personal quips about life and its strange trajectory. It wasn’t even a proper romance at that point, more the kind of fleet flirting that young adulthood is known for.

Every giggle or smile was a tiny point added to an electronic board in my head; by the end of the night, I was up by 50. Eventually, however, the sky decided to throw our rendezvous a curve ball and opened up. It wasn’t the sort of rain that one happily slopes around in until the intended destination is reached. Instead, rapid fire liquid bullets began pelting my friend and I, each splash causing clothes to darken and eyes to squint for vision.

It was a dark and stormy night when I reached the backdoor of my residence hall. I swiped my card, and wrenched the door open, escaping from the onslaught of the torrent outside. I wiped rainwater from my eyes, taking in the familiar fluorescents of the buildings. In the groaning elevator, I realized what a story had befallen an otherwise innocent night of romantic cavorting.The night began clear and calm, the ink black sky hovering over the University like a silent observer. An hour or so before, I had successfully set up a late night walk with a girl of interest. She greeted me cheerfully in front of Main Hall, and we launched into a brisk walk with no real direction in mind. We began roaming around campus. Though Montevallo by comparison to other schools Not wanting our midnight romp to end, we her lips. Out of the open doorway came a boy, her sought refuge on the backside porch of Reynolds to would-be murderer, who produced a hand to help her borders on theescape the watery torment. We chose a bench, and sat small up. The mysterious pair gave us a knowing glance, side, itdown, making sure our precious electronics functioned and disappeared back into what we thought was a seems nestledbefore properly checking the rest of us. As she rung in the crime scene. Chance Caruthers (better known as t o w nexcess water from her hair, she turned her head toward Brandon depending on the day), popped his head out as if it w e r eme smiling. She began telling a similar tale of an its own of the room to inform us that the whole terrifying adventure gone underwater. It wasn’t long before the ordeal was actually a dress rehearsal for an upcoming end of her story that a loud bang from a door about performance that we should definitely attend. As he 30 feet away sounded. We froze, sure that at this late closed the door to instruct murder once again, my hour no one was allowed in the university buildings. friend turned her head, our faces mirroring the same Our ears strained to hear above the still crashing rain mix of disbelief, confusion and hilarity. Needless to around us. say, I did attend the performance with the same girl,

Another bang sounded, this time identified as this time properly holding her hand as any brave man a definite force colliding against the door. She leaned does during a horror show. While our relationship did toward me slightly. While the act was surely out of not last much longer, our shared memory of that night instinct to provide more distance between her and can be properly expressed in a familiar phrase: “Only the mysterious crashes, I certainly didn’t mind the in Montevallo.” -- REED STRENGH motion’s result in placing closer proximity between us. Voices were heard inside the building. The raised shouting of an argument was identified. Just as my fellow witness to this for sure crime scene began to turn her head, the door was flung open to allow a girl in a plain lace dress to fall violently on the concrete floor. We stared at the tragedy that we had just become apart of and reached a few split second conclusions about circumstances. Obviously, Reynolds is the sort of place where miscreants and vagabonds break in to late at night to do their dirty work. Obviously, this poor girl was a pawn in some bad deal gone awry, and she was forced to pay the ultimate price. Obviously, I was witness to a very real murder and soon would most likely have to face very real murderers with very real murder weapons. Obviously, my date was over.

Before we could properly react, the corpse turned her head toward us. A goofy smile splayed across

independent village, the differing architecture and scope of the buildings its separating characteristics. My walking partner and I revolved slowly in a wide circle around the brick streets. We began building our relationship that night with funny stories and personal quips about life and its strange trajectory. It wasn’t even a proper romance at that point, more the kind of fleet flirting that young adulthood is known for. Every giggle or smile was a tiny point added to an electronic board in my head; by the end of the night, I was up by 50. Eventually, however, the sky decided to throw our rendezvous a curve ball and opened up. It wasn’t the sort of rain that one happily slopes around in until the intended destination is reached. Instead, rapid fire liquid bullets began pelting my friend and I, each splash causing clothes to darken and eyes to squint for vision. Not wanting our midnight romp to end, we sought refuge on the backside porch of Reynolds to escape the watery torment. We chose a bench, and sat down, making sure our precious electronics functioned before properly checking the rest of us. As she rung excess water from her hair, she turned her head toward me smiling. She began telling a similar tale of an adventure gone underwater. It wasn’t long before the end of her story that a loud bang from a door about 30 feet away sounded. We froze, sure that at this late hour no one was allowed Page 41 in the university buildings. Our ears strained to hear above the still crashing rain around us. Another bang sounded, this time

A Rock-Solid Friend Builds Memories By: Alyse Hartdegen

Page 42

W

e had just returned to campus after a routine adventure to the store. It was cold and windy that night. We were so ready to finish the trek from Bibb Graves Parking lot to Hanson Hall.

As we approached the stairs closest to the parking lot, one of the party yells: “It’s a brick with a face!”

As we got closer, we could see it clear as day: A Montevallo brick, with its very own smile. Sitting directly next to it was a Jack’s cup, and written on said cup were the words, “Brick Juice.”

Suffice it to say, we broke out into a fit of giggles. It made our night, and all we could say was, “Only in Montevallo. Nowhere else would this happen!”

That’s why I loved him. He was unique to my home. He was literally a piece of Montevallo, taken from its natural place and turned into something creative and ingenious.

In a way, I felt like it represented us, the students, my two friends and me.We were all taken from where we belonged, put somewhere new, and without warning we began to change.

We turned into people we didn’t remember becoming, some for the

better, like our friend Brick Juice.

This is how I feel it happened to me. I look back to my freshmen year, only two years ago, and think, “That was ages ago.” Does little Brick Juice think of the days when he lived in a place surrounded by his fellow bricks? Does he remember fondly his naïve beginnings as I dImmediately upon seeing him, my two friends and I decided to make Brick and his Juice into a game. We ran through the icy wind up the stairs, not caring much about the walk to the dorm any more.

We discussed where would be the best place for Brick.

“—How about this tree?” “No one will see him! What about behind—?”

It continued like this for a bit, until we all agreed…

The breezeway between Comer and Morgan would be Brick’s new home.

We left him on the stone bench outside of Comer, with his companion Juice close by, hoping that someone would find as much delight in him as we did.

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A C at or F our to C all M y O wn Jennifer Corona

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M

ontevallo has long passed the idea that there is a stray cat situation and full on launched into the knowledge that we have a stray cat problem.

It’s no secret; they are all over the place.

Some adopted by bored college students, others overlooked.

However, there are four very well known, very well loved cats that I have had the pleasure of taking care of for the last year. Willie, Fluffy, Silly and Doppelganger are the four cats that people around town know better as the “Eclipse Cats.”

meowing and running beneath my feet until I finally ask him, “Are you hungry?” And off he goes, running around the corner, stopping every so often to make sure I’m following, until I am pouring food into his bowl.

But even getting food in the bowl can be a challenge with these four, mostly because of Willie, the alpha male of the group, or so he likes to think. Willie is the most personable of the four. An orange tabby with matted fur and a lovely purr, Willie will be the first to jump in your lap for a rub and a sniff of your food.

These friendly porch cats, live at Eclipse Coffee and Books and are under the complete care of the owners and the employees. Three of the cats - Willie, Fluffy and Silly - are almost always catching sun rays on the porch or sleeping in the laps of some of the regulars.

The only girl of the group is Mama Fluffy, the fluffier (hence the name) version of Silly, the only kitten of Fluffy’s that stuck around. Fluffy is easily startled and isn’t much for rubbin’s, but, in the mornings especially, she’s happy to follow you around as you prep the porch. Fluffy, much like SilThe fourth, Doppelganger, is the ly, is vocal. She likes to let you know that shyest member of the family, but I have the she’s there, but that is about all she wants, pleasure of seeing him quite often. All black until of course, she’s hungry. with green eyes, he lurks in the brush behind the walk-in coolers. Doppelganger is These cats don’t belong to me - in named after Big Head, the first and longest fact, these cats do not necessarily belong to living Eclipse cat that passed away not too anyone - however, they are loved beyond long ago, but his personality is much more any other stray cats I have ever met. Perintroverted. haps one day I can be reincarnated into an Eclipse Cat. Lucky me, I distribute food, which means even Doppelganger has to emerge at some point to meow at me. But my favorite cat to feed is Silly.

Gray with white markings, Silly is lean and young. He’s one of my (promise not to tell the others) favorites. Unafraid to let you know what he is thinking, Silly follows me around the porch as I clean, Page 45

By Reed Strength

D

uring the Spring of my freshman year, I had one of the best 12 hour periods of my life ever. It was nearly perfect in every way and is often referenced by my friend group with nostalgic sighs. It all started with crab rolls. Gross, salty and wholly unpleasant crab rolls.

These rolls were being made by my then crush and current girlfriend Stephanie Howe. Only she could convince me that placing cold lumps of crab meat into dough was a worthy and fun addition to my afternoon.

Luckily, this was not all that was in store for the day. Rainy and overcast, the weather warned of a day spent indoors, studying for the upcoming finals week.

Instead, we took a road trip to Publix to buy strawberries. The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” soundtracked this journey, my friends loudly shouting the words to “Oh! Darlin” and “Here Comes the Sun” with reckless, throaty abandon.

I quietly sat in the seat, too embarrassed to add my voice to the out of tune, but spirited renditions around me. Instead, I quietly tied a straw wrapper to Stephanie’s wrist. She looked at me puzzled, but thanked me all the same for my bizarre gift.

A Spaghetti Dinner

Our quest for strawberries was interrupted by a sudden inspiration to cook spaghetti for dinner. We all pitched in for ingredients and smiled at the idea of supplanting less than stellar Caff food for a homemade meal.

After returning to campus, we all happily set to work cooking our meal together. In reality, my more cuisine inclined friend Jacob controlled the cooking while the rest of us proceeded to flit about the kitchen uselessly.

We poured sparkling white grape juice into borrowed wine glasses from the Hill House kitchen in an attempt to make our thrown together meal a fancy, sophisticated dinner. Laughter, jokes and stories were enjoyed as we sipped our drinks and twirled our spaghetti on forks.

Drifting from the dinner table, the unfortunate but needed duty of clean-up came about. I assigned myself to the stack of dirty dishes at the sink. Just as I dipped a plate into the soapy pool, Stephanie announced that she would dry the dishes I washed. I’ve washed plenty of dishes in my lifetime. Not to say that I have a particularly fool proof

Page 46

method at my disposal. I’m pretty sure anyone who announces in large groups that they are a fierce dishwasher must lead a painfully boring life.

The point is, I have enough confidence in my dishwashing skills to conclude they are clean when I’m done with them.

Stephanie, however, was not so keen on this fact. Every dish I handed to her was received with unimpressed glances and disapproving remarks. Her inspections yielded suspiciously invisible dirt spots. I answered her critiques with splashes of water.

An Unexpected Visitor

Our constructive cleaning was cut short by the unannounced arrival of a Montevallo police officer. She was clad in all black attire, her eyes casting cold, condescending glances at the scene. Her salt and pepper spiked hair was stiff as she accused us of various petty crimes.

In her mind, we had broken into Hill House after hours to destroy the kitchen and drain an entire bottle of wine.

We corrected her, assuring that our being there was completely legal and that the drinks consumed were non-alcoholic beverages poured into wine

glasses for no other excuse than to be silly.

After settling the matter, she muttered a quick apology and left. We were dumbstruck, our good time interrupted by a false alarm.

A Little Flirting

My group migrated to my dorm to discuss the event over coffee and Cheez-Its. As my friends played poker, I sat secluded in a different corner of the room. I was hammering out an article due the next day.

My penultimate paragraph was coming to fruition. A

Crab Rolls, Cheese-Its and a Crush “A pair of moving female legs breezed by my line of vision. The sagging sounds of the bean bag next to me signified that someone had plopped down to my near right. There sat Stephanie, a small smile on her lips, asking if she could sit with me.”

quote there, a clever turn of phrase there-YES, this was readable, it was entertaining, the information was spread in such a way that it would tantalize the minds of readers. What a great success, what aA pair of moving female legs breezed by my line of vision. The sagging sounds of the bean bag next to me signified that someone had plopped down to my near right.

There sat Stephanie, a small smile on her lips, asking if she could sit with me. The boring, terrible nondescriptive, throwaway article suddenly seemed like a pointless chore at this late hour.

I moved close beside her. Instead of a normal topic of conversation, we argued about the validity of CheezIts as a delicious snack food.

Our flirty cavorting caught notice of our friends in the room. Unbeknownst to us, our pals were drawing up a contract of sorts. They presented our romantic case, detailing why we should be together and what the implications of such a union would bring.

Meanwhile, Stephanie and I continued to bicker about Cheez-Its. Just as I was presenting an airtight argument about the cracker’s unique outer grooved edges and how they do wonders for texture, my room-

mate dropped a giant pile of warm laundry on me and my opponent.

For awhile we laughed at the surprise, our friends’ knowing giggles behind us fueling a flirty fire. On impulse, I dressed Stephanie’s head in my roommate’s clean and warm in my boxers. She followed suit, draping one of Chris’ shirts around my neck like an ascot.

That night, Stephanie and I were told by our friends that one liked the other and vice versa. We shook our heads at the notion, outwardly turning their confirmed facts into mere guesses or hypotheses. Our broad smiles betrayed the truth.

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Lake Night Hunting By: Brianna Davis

I was sitting with my friends Jalil and Kellenee in Lund Hall when we got the bright idea to go to the lake. I was not aware Montevallo had a lake but thought it could be a new place to hang. It was about 8 o’clock at night and we had nothing to do; we were freshmen and needed to explore our surroundings.

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J

alil claimed he knew the way and said it would not take long to get there. Believing Jalil knew the way was our first mistake of the night, and the second was actually going so late at night.

Jalil led the way from Lund to the main road but he seemed confused once we got to the intersection. I’m not used to letting people lead the way or being guided into something so I had to ask Jalil if he knew were he was going more than once. He eventually admitted to not knowing where exactly the lake was.

I was not happy but since we were out there, might as well try to find it anyway. Walking from campus to the lake on that busy road closest to New Res is dangerous, but we were: the Three Musketeers. We didn’t know the other way around, we walked across the street.

We had two options: follow the scary, creepy path to the right or follow the scary, creepy path straight ahead. We chose the

wrong path by keeping straight.

We walked until we saw the first house before deciding we were not going to find the lake any time soon.

This is right around the time that Kellenee decided to point out how much like a scary movie that night had become. Three people traveling on a dark road with no flashlight except for the cars passing by was not the safest thing for us to do.

There was an old, red, beat-up pick-up truck that passed us. An old man was driving it. Kelly said, “He’s

gonna turn around and kill us.”

I responded by saying, “This will be the time to run.”

Jalil started running first; what kind of guy leaves two women alone just so he can get away? It’s crazy.

Getting from the house back to the intersection that we came from took five minutes, but it felt like forever.

We headed back onto the busy road toward Lund and we actually found Montevallo’s organic garden on the opposite side of the road. Once we were back in the safety of Lund, we hung out there until curfew time and laughed at our failed adventure trip.

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A Haunting Visit to King House By: Jennifer Corona

W

e all know King House is haunted, super haunted, if you believe in that sort of thing.

And on that night (yes that’s right, at night) the school newspaper, The Alabamian, needed pictures of King House, and I was the one to be volunteered.

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In case I did not preface this

has been spotted by actual ‘ghost

the stairs and out the front door,

enough, I am EXTREMELY

busters’ resides.

Heather and Sammy close behind

terrified of King House, of any supernatural holding cell to be

I looked at the police officer with a pleading look, and

honest. However, I was surrounded he said, “The lights upstairs burn by friends and, fortunately, a

out every time we replace them.

police officer who had to let us

So, good luck.” I could’ve cried.

into the house.

Camera in hand and Heather Buckner at my side,

“Jenny, please! It’s so cool and creepy,” Heather begged.

I climbed the stairs and

me. I screamed at them and exclaimed, “Never again! I don’t care! Never again!”

They returned inside to finish what they needed and then came to where I was sitting in the front yard. The police officer locked the house back up and

we walked into the house I had

began setting my camera to flash

feared for three years. It was old

in the dark rooms. It was colder

and smelly, but intensely freaky. I

upstairs. It smelled worse. And the

House. It’s almost as if my brain

couldn’t help but shake.

portraits on the walls seemed to

has taken mental images of

be glowing in the bare light of my

everything inside the house. I look

had the same décor as when it

camera flash. I took two or three

back and laugh now, because the

was first built in the 1800’s. I took

pictures and began to walk back

chains were not as scary as I had

my pictures of the downstairs

downstairs.

made them out to be. But every

The house looked like it

returned to his normal shift.

I’ll never forget King

quickly while Heather and Sammy

“Wait! Take more!”

time I pass the house to this day, I

Schiffman explored the different

Oh God, just let me die. I

look in the window and expect to

rooms.

turned around and began to take From upstairs I heard,

more. I was in Mr. King’s room

“Jenny! You need to take pictures

when I looked toward a dark

of these room!”

corner. I couldn’t see anything,

My heart sank. I yelled back, “No way!”

It’s the bedrooms that are the most haunted, in my opinion, where King’s daughter’s soul is trapped, and where the demon that

see them, or something worse.

so I raised my camera and shot, causing the flash to do a crazy pulsing of light. Just enough for me to see…

The chains lying in the corner. That was it. I flew down Page 51

Senior Year: Then and Now By: Margetta Thomas

“This is the largest senior class that Austin High School has ever had. I’m sorry to say that number will be reduced by about a hundred come graduation day.” My high school senior counselor had a way of telling us the truth while crushing a few dreams in the process.

It was August 15, 2009. The beginning of senior year. A day filled with a series of lectures from various teachers about how this is the most important year of our lives and it’s time to start thinking about the future. A day when every class started out with students saying their names (as if we didn’t know each other yet after four years) and what colleges they planned to attend.

It was a day when I told everyone in class that my name is Margetta Thomas and I’m going to the University of Alabama. Now part of this statement was true: my name is in fact, Margetta Thomas, but I had no intention of going to the University of Alabama. In fact, I had no idea where I was going to college.

A College Fair

A few weeks later, a college fair took place at Calhoun Community College.

When I initially decided to go, I had the same intentions as most of my friends: get some extra credit and two college day passes (meaning I can skip two days of school without having a written excuse). But once I got there, I figured I might as well find out some information because, as I said earlier, I had no idea where I was going to school, or even where to start looking.

A number of schools had tables set up, some more popular than others. Alabama and Auburn were the most popular of course, followed by the University of Alabama in Birmingham (at the time everyone wanted to be a doctor or nurse, but one year of college quickly changed that). Not being one to wait in line or talk over everyone to ask a question, I looked for one of the less populated displays and spotted a purple and gold tri-fold with the heading “University of Montevallo.”

Not sure of what questions to ask or what to talk about, especially since I had

“But that moment when I place for me will be the Page 52

never heard of UM before, I started with something simple: “Hi my name is Margetta.”

Unfortunately I don’t remember the name of the university representative that I talked to, but I remember him telling me about their Mass Communication program, and it was at that

of my roommates went to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, and locked herself out of her room...wearing just her underwear.

Fortunately the only time our R.A.’s seemed to be available was in the middle of the night, so she was able to get back in.

I think about the time the fire alarm went moment I thought: Wow, this is where off at 5 a.m. on a Saturday because some genius doesn’t know how to cook eggs.

I need to be.

Since my time at Montevallo, I have gone through eight roommates, 111 credits, Senior Year Now over 40 classes, about 20 teachers, and a number of memories that I will hold on to

Now it is 2014 and my senior year of college. As I look back on these four years, forever. But that moment when I realized that UM was the place for me, will be the one that I think about moving into a dorm with three I hold most dear. It was the moment when roommates that had already been friends for all my doubts about my future began to fade two years and wondering how long this “new girl in school” feeling was going to last (which away and all my questions answered: “Am I choosing a good major? Is there even a school thankfully wasn’t very long). for this? Will I learn everything I need to know?

I think about the first round of extreme Will I walk away with the necessary skills to winter weather and one of my roommates and I sliding down a hill while standing up because succeed?”

The answer was yes and since then, the bricks were iced over. Luckily we were able to keep our balance long enough to make it I have not regretted my decision to join the purple and gold family. It is both exciting and seem intentional. unfortunate that my four-year journey is about

I think about the celebration before Founder’s Day on Flower Hill when my friends to come to an end, but I choose to look ahead and I turned the grass in front of the DJ into our and anticipate the moments waiting to happen. own dance floor, and kept the party going back to New Res. I think about the time another one

“

”

realized that UM was the one that I hold most dear.”

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Page 54

Top 5 BANDS TO SEE AT ECLIPSE Reed Strength

T

he dining room of Eclipse Coffee and Books does not imply the air of a venue. By day, older townies and clumps of students sit and munch on sandwiches, sip coffee and quietly swap stories and daily details. A lazy air of domesticity hangs around the place: the atmosphere calm, quaint and laid back.

At least one night a week however, the tables and chairs that line the back wall are cleared out and replaced with large speakers. The patrons are younger wearing worn Converse and ripped denim.

Soon, the opening pulse of a song begins to play from the speakers. Those in attendance will crowd to the back of the dining room in front of the act of the night, bobbing their heads politely to the beat.

At times, however, the performers are able to tap into that unknown magic that causes people to lose inhibition and move. Eventually, the entire crowd is enthralled in the scene before them. It’s these nights where some of the best memories possible in Montevallo are made.

Although most of the acts are relatively unknown nationally, consistently amazing shows eventually mark them as local legends.Without further ado, here are the essential Top 5 Bands to see at Eclipse Coffee and Books:

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1.1.GIANTS GIANTSAND ANDTOYS: TOYS: Easily Easilythe themost mostfamous famouslocal localband bandaround aroundcampus, campus, these thesefive fiveyoung youngalums alumsplay playa afrenetic, frenetic,soulful soulfulblend blend ofofclassic classicrock rocknostalgia nostalgiawith with90’s 90’salternative alternativestomp. stomp.

Show Showhighlights: highlights:Giants Giants&&Toys Toysalways alwayscome comepreprepared paredwith withone oneorortwo twoexcellent excellentcovers coversofofpopular popular alterna-rock alterna-rockhits, hits,perfect perfectfor forbelting beltingwith withthe theband bandand and your yourpals. pals.Giants Giants&&Toys Toystry trytheir theirhardest hardesttotobebea aproprofessional fessionalband, band,despite despitetheir theirsmall smalltown townstart. start.To Todrive drive this thisidea ideahome, home,their theirstage stagesetup setupisisdecked deckedout outinintheir their primary primarycolor colorpattern patternofofred, red,blue blueand andyellow. yellow.Lead Lead guitarist guitaristJack JackKish, Kish,a anatural naturalshowman showmanwith withhis hisinstruinstrument, ment,isisalso alsoknown knowntotoshoot shootoff offa ahomemade homemadeconfetti confetti cannon cannonatatthe theend endofofcertain certainshows. shows.They Theymay maynot nothave have made madetheir theirbig bigbreak breakyet, yet,but buttheir theircolossal colossaland andwell wellhoned honedsound soundexemplify exemplifyjust justhow howsuccessful successfulthis thisband band ofofpost-grads post-gradscould couldbe. be.

more moreviolent violentcousin, cousin,the thehead headbang. bang.It’s It’swhen whenSwinSwinford fordleans leansdown downlow lowand andlets letshis hisguitar guitarfreak freakout outthat that exemplifies exemplifieshow howessential essentialthis thisband’s band’slive liveshow showisis compared comparedtotothe thestudio studiomaterial. material.

Essential Essentialsongs: songs: “Fill “FillItItFaster”Faster”AAlive liveshow showstaple stapleofofthe theband, band,ititopens openswith withcartooncartoonish ishplodding ploddingbars barsthat thatquickly quicklyblast blastinto intoa agnashing gnashing guitar guitarriff. riff.The Thejarring jarringlouder louderpart partofofthe thesong songonly only increases increasesininferocity ferocityasasititprogresses. progresses.Go Goahead, ahead,bang bang your yourhead. head.

“The “TheFun”Fun”Swinford’s Swinford’smost mostaccomplished accomplishedtake takeononpsych psychmusic music sosofar, far,this thisSwinford’s Swinford’smost mostaccomplished accomplishedtake takeonon psych psychmusic musicsosofar, far,this thisdown-tempo down-temporocker rockerisisthe the sweet sweetsound soundofofthe theBeach BeachBoys Boysturned turnedbitter, bitter,crusty crusty and andpunishing. punishing.“I“Igot gotfuuunn” fuuunn”half halfmutters/half mutters/halfscathes scathes Swinford Swinfordduring duringthe thechorus, chorus,his hispummeling pummelingguitar guitarriff riff proving provinghis hispoint. point.

Essential EssentialSongs: Songs: “(Disco) “(Disco)Only OnlyLove”Love”Easily EasilyGiants Giantsand andToys’ Toys’smoothest smoothestsong, song,itsitsswing swing comes comesfrom froma agrooving groovingbass bassline linea alalaKish Kishand andlocklock3.3.20,000 20,000LEAGUES LEAGUESUNDER UNDER step stepstrut strutfrom fromdrummer drummerChris ChrisEstes.

Estes.As Asthe thelast lastchochoTHESEA SEA rus rusbegins beginstotowind winddown, down,the theboys boysquickly quicklyrev revback backupup THE Newly Newly reformed, reformed, these theseMobile Mobilemusicians musicianstemporarily temporarily with witha ashouted shoutedgroup groupvocal vocalasasa aglittering glitteringguitar guitarlead lead brokeupupafter afterthe thedissolution dissolutionofofananintra-band intra-bandrelationrelationends endsthe thesong songwith withananawe aweinspiring inspiringfinishing finishingflourish. flourish. broke ship. ship.Marrying Marryingthe thesalty saltysounds soundsofoftheir theirport portcity cityhome home with withpsychedelic psychedelicimagery, imagery,this thisband bandofofrag ragtags tagshas hasa a “The “TheClap”Clap”unique uniqueand andeclectic eclecticsound. sound.

An Anearly earlyfan fanfavorite favoritefound foundonontheir theirself-recorded self-recorded debut debutalbum. album.Just Justasasthe theband bandpropels propelsinto intothe thefirst first verse, verse,they theyraise raiseand andrapidly rapidlyclap claptheir theirhands handsininthe the air, air,egging eggingthe theaudience audiencetotojoin jointhem. them.While Whilehalf halfthe the fun funisisdoing doingititwith withthem, them,there thereare arelaughs laughstotobebehad hadatat missing missingororovershooting overshootingthe thequeue queueasaswell. well.

Show Showhighlights: highlights: Frontman FrontmanDavid DavidMaclay Maclayisisananuncanny uncannyshowman showmanand and unpredictable unpredictableperformer. performer.While Whilehis hisloose loosevocal vocalstyle style takes takesa abit bitofofgetting gettingused usedto, to,hehecertainly certainlyperforms performshis his songs songswith witheye-opening eye-openinggusto. gusto.Whether Whetherthrottling throttlinghis his guitar guitarfor forfeedback-drenched feedback-drenchedsolos solosororstanding standingprecarprecariously iously on on unbalanced unbalanced furniture furniture to to reach reach a a screeching screeching 2.2.PLAINS PLAINS highnote, highnote,Maclay’s Maclay’swhimsically whimsicallyweird weirdpersonality personality The Thesolo soloproject projectofoffrontman frontmanTravis TravisSwinford, Swinford,his his makes makesany any20K 20KUnder Underthe theSea Seaconcert concerta aperformance performance hazy hazypsych psychpop pophome homerecordings recordingsare areamplified amplifiedand and not not to to be be missed. missed. distortion distortionfried friedlive livewith witha astellar stellarbacking backingband. band.While While Plains Plainsplays playsEclipse Eclipsethree threeororfour fourtimes timesa ayear, year,the the Essentialsongs: songs: band’s band’ssynergy synergyand andSwinford’s Swinford’sshowmanship showmanshipincrease increase Essential “Dance, “Dance,Dance DanceClair”Clair”ininquality qualityevery everyperformance. performance.

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He He encourages encourages that that combine combineslugging sluggingpunk punkriffs riffswith withquirky quirkypsych psychchord chord ititreally reallyisisonly onlya a“dancing “dancingparty,” party,”but butthere’s there’sa asinister sinister changes, changes,making makingPlains Plainsone oneofofthe thefew fewbands bandswhere where tinge tingeininhis hisvoice voicethat thatspeaks speaksofofdeals dealsgone gonebad badand and the thehead headbob bobisisjust justasaswelcome welcomeand andrational rationalasasitsits Page 56

terrible things that can’t be unseen at these “parties.”

“Dandy Lines”A love song between a degenerate with some semblance of a heart and a girl who falls in love with his questionable character. While it’s hard to say if there’s a happy ending to look forward to by the tune’s end, the romping bridge at least provides fun reason to celebrate while there’s still time.

4. HOLLY WAXWING

Holly Waxwing’s electronic compositions are the sonic equivalent to looking at sunshine through a cloud in technicolor. The unlikely wizard behind this project is UM alum Garrett Crosby, co founder of new Montevallo record label Noumenal Loom. With just a computer and a sampler at hand, Crosby creates house music perfect for dancing, napping or whatever other pleasurable act one can think of.

Interesting Fact: Crosby’s first release as Holly Waxwing, 2013’s “Goldleaf Acrobatics,” was given plenty of love by music sites and local fans. However, Crosby’s biggest endorsement came when National Public Radio (NPR) dubbed his debut tape one of the “Best Cassettes of 2013.”

Essential songs: Due to the nature of Crosby’s music, recreating specific songs is a bit like attempting to light several fireworks and hoping they achieve specific shapes and colors. Instead, most of Crosby’s live shows are totally improvisational with maybe a few beats from “Goldleaf...” used for context. Don’t let this deter you from attendance: Crosby can create stunningly gorgeous, toe tapping sounds without the confines of a set list or tracks.

5. NIGHTMARE BOYZZZ

This band of Huntsville punks aren’t interested in wasting any of your sweet time. They’ll set up fast, play a barrage of minute long, white hot garage rock, and announce the set’s end before proper applause is received. Armed with drums, a bass and two guitars, this band is guaranteed to leave your ears ringing.

Show highlight: While you may never quite understand just what singer Chris Jordan is shouting about, his vocals should not be your main concern. As with any good punk band, Nightmare Boyzzz are able to pull off one musical trick incredibly well over and over again: fast, buzzsaw punk that features maybe two time changes.

It’s pummeling, and often chaotic enough to inspire what might be a controlled riot in Eclipse’s dining room.

Essential songs: “Go Away”An assured encore, this song serves as the absolute climax of a great Nightmare Boyzzz show. The buzzsawing pogo riff that serves as the song’s trademark also marks a queue for the entire crowd to jump. While one of the band’s absolute best songs, it should be noted that standing still while it’s played live may result in serious injury.

“Minnie Mouse”A fan favorite, this jam combines the band’s distortion slathered take on garage rock with an earworm of a vocal melody by Jordan. While it’s tame compared to the fury of some of their other numbers, it still packs a power pop edge with a razor sharp rock bite.

To find out info about upcoming Eclipse shows, look no further than the numerous posters found around campus. The coffee shop is also diligent about updating their Facebook and creating events pages to send out to students.

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Special thanks to

Dr. Sally Hardig Dr. Susan Thompson Dr. Bruce Finklea

Editor: Kayla Guillot & Lauren Gates Photo Editor: Tiffany Linden

Writers Heather Buckner Connor Bucy Brianna Davis Irene Cardenas Jennifer Corona Alyse Hartdegen Mandy Steadman Reed Strength Margetta Thomas

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Layout

Daniel Cummins Brianna Davis Thomas Davis Kaitlee Daw Kayla Guillot Amos Hollinhead Madison Imbusch Ondrea Lee Tiffany Linden Matthew Lord Umar Nadir Anleia Nance Rebecca Peeples Wilbert Scott Mandy Steadman Hayley Stewart