Letter from the Managing Edtior
Dear Patriots,
Weâve made it pass mid-term. If you feel anything like me, it was not an easy feat this year. Coming from being mostly online for the last year to in-seat hasnât been easy. The transition from bright, hot sunny days to overcast rainy days is something I usually welcome with open arms. I worry though as leaves change and die it will be harder to pull myself out of my warm bed every day. It is harder to look forward to a day when its rainy and dreary.
The fall season brings forth sweater weather, Halloween and beautiful leaves. Also comes shorter days, cold and the dreaded seasonal depression. Remember as we enter fall season self-care, Patriots. It is easy to let work or school take the priority. You have to remember to take breaks and time for yourself. If thatâs going for a drive, watching an old comfort movie or just calling up a friend, make time for it. You are not your most productive self when you arenât taking care of you.
As we enter a seasonal change, remember as the trees do that, we have to let things die away to fully blossom later. If there is something burdening you that is not good for you, try to let it go. Do whatâs best for you. We only get one life and one body, so make that phone call or go on that spontaneous drive. Always take breaks and mostly importantly,
Be kind to yourself,
Abigial Fletcher
Abigail Fletcher, Managing Editor
Editor-In-Chief
Haley Bullock
Managing Editor
Abigail Fletcher
Faculty Adviser
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Nathan Evans
Cassidy Howard
Josephine Knight
Kristin Mitchell
Alyssa Morningstar
Elizabeth Spires
Maranda Young
Guest Contributor
Joshua Hash
Front cover by Elizabeth Spires
Back cover by Abigail Fletcher
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The Patriot is the student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.
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Layers and Flares
The incoming fashion of fall â21
BY
To those of us who frequent the paths of the internet, itâs no secret: the 1970s are resurging in all their groovy glory. From bell sleeves to Farah Fawcett hair, everyone and their mother is channeling the trends of the past. Whether itâs thrifted or a throwback piece of modern garb, here are the outfits and articles you can expect to see out and about in the fall months.
Neutrals, Neutrals, Neutrals
Keep the harsh reds and oranges on their hangers this fall. Though Summer may have seen waves of vibrant colors, weâre moving into muted territory for autumn. This doesnât mean you should ditch color completely, Neutrals and soft pigments are sure to be in full swing throughout October and early November, so keep an eye out for turtlenecks, button ups and even pants in that territory!
Hand-Me-Downs ân Lost & Founds
The more it resembles the contents of your grandpaâs closet, the better! Thrifting and vintage fashion have consumed our style for a few good years, but classics are classic for a reason. Chunky sweaters, vests, and outerwear thatâs slightly worn a size above your norm will undoubtedly earn you some sizable compliments and even a few envious stares. Donât shy away from comfortable or casual vibes; theyâre all the rage.
Shortstack
Dress it up, dress it down, but donât get caught without⌠layers. One of the best ways to ensure a thoroughly stylish look is the art of clothes stacking. Layering adds diversity of pattern, color, and texture to tie your outfit up into a perfect package. Plus, youâll be able to adjust your on-body thermostat as you venture in and out of the cool air. Whether itâs a turtleneck under a distressed tee or a cardigan with a dress and some tights, if you want to stand out, youâll need the help of some layers.
Forget-Me-Not!
Here are few more things to keep an eye out for as the leaves are changing: gold jewelry, miniskirts, plaid and other unique patterns, corduroy, flared pants and sleeves, Chelsea boots (Blundstones and Doc Martens), canvas or denim jackets and, as always, flannels!
Something to note about this yearâs fashion is that the spectrum for whatâs âinâ is as wide as Cher Horowitzâs influence at Bronson Alcott High School. So, the important thing is to express yourself through your clothing. Lines are being blurred in clique-ish trends and confidence is the key to a fashion-shaped lock. Donât be intimidated by experimenting.
CASSIDY HOWARD Staff Writer
Photos by Cassidy Howard
Films for Fall
Best movies to watch during the autumn season
BY ABIGAIL FLETCHER Managing Editor
As days get longer and temperature drops, thereâs nothing like curling up in the evenings and watching a good movie. If youâre a movie fanatic like me, then you have certain movies you interchange with seasons. These few movies about to be listed, in my opinion, are great for the sweater weather season. If youâve never seen these movies, they are also just really great firsttime watches.
The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)
An absolute given. These movies are amazing fall-time movies. The mystical world of âHarry Potterâ has all the nostalgic vibes of the season. From the characters, creatures and the iconic soundtrack, these movies easily settle me into a relaxing season. I suggest the best results to get with your friends and have a movie marathon.
Knives Out (2019)
If you want to watch a murder mystery with a stacked cast, this is the film for you. From Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis and Daniel Craig, this movie is on the edge of your seat watch. Easily comparable to the classic board game âClue,â but this movie tells a wonderful story full of twists and turns of a rich family. See if you can figure out the killer with this Rian Johnson film.
Little Women (2019)
A heart-felt classic novel brought to life not first but second time on the big screen. âLittle Womenâ gives anyone who watches a character to relate to. This movie will make you laugh, cry and cherish your loved ones. It is a great movie to curl up and watch when you need a good cry. It is one of my favorite comfort films. It has an amazing range of actors and actresses like Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan. A story of feminism, love and being grateful even when we donât want to.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Any movie with Robin Williams is a phenomenal movie, no matter the season. âDead Poets Societyâ is the perfect inspiration movie for the dying season. It urges you to follow your passions and not to smother them out. If you do, you are smothering yourself and only hurting yourself. It is about speaking up and finding your voice. Carpe Diem, âseize the day,â is a motto perfect for everyone.
Dan in Real Life (2007)
I am usually not a person for rom-coms, however this movie is the exception. A story of the right person at the wrong time all wrapped up in an amazing story for all. We can all learn something from Dan when we feel like life is just out to get us. There are so many characters to love and to hate but in the end, itâs about doing what is best for yourself.
Super Dark Times (2017)
This movie is not for the faint hearted. If you do not like graphic movies, this is not the movie for you. A telling story of two friends when a girl comes into the picture and how their friendship turns with a tragedy. There is more than what meets the eye with this indie film. I will never forget this movie. It was chilling, thrilling and perfect for the spooky season of fall.
Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures
Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures
Photo courtesy of Lila 9th Productions
No...Just, No...
Top 5 worst costumes at Spirit Halloween
BY HALEY BULLOCK Editor-in-Chief
Halloween is one of those times of the year that you can really express yourself. You can pay homage to one of your favorite characters by dressing up as them for Halloween, you can show off your special effects makeup skills or maybe even your sewing abilities if you create your own costumes. However, not every Halloween costume is created equal. Some look great but are super expensive. Some look like they belong in the dumpster, but, hey, it was only $10 from AliExpress. Spirit Halloween is one of those go-to places to find your Halloween costumes, especially since thereâs a location right next to Williamsburg in Corbin. While they have some great costumes, these five in particular have me wondering who on Earth would ever spend good money on these costumes:
1. âAdult Inflatable Horton Hears a Who Costume - Dr. Seussâ
As I was scrolling to find terrible costumes, I couldnât believe my eyes when I saw it. What I couldnât believe more than the fact that this even exists is the price. If youâd like to make the mistake of putting on an inflatable costume of Horton the Elephant, itâll cost you a whopping $79.99 plus tax. This costume is at least a million times worse than the inflatable dinosaur costume that you still see at least one person wearing each Halloween since 2015. I donât know whatâs worse, the tail or the nose. This is an absolute ânoâ and should not be worn by anyone ever, and I mean ever.
2. âAdult Goku Costume - Dragon Ball Superâ
While the actual outfit portion of this costume doesnât look that bad, itâs the wig that really ruins it for me. The hair from the wig is supposed to stand straight up, like Goku in the anime, but I donât know how this defying gravity hairstyle would be possible unless it was made from sturdy plastic or if all the hair would fall down by the end of the Halloween party. I donât expect the wig to look like real blue hair but based on the online pictures alone (the pictures that are supposed to show you what it looks like and convince you to buy it) are so horrible that it really makes it one of the worst costumes. Not only does the wig not look great at all, but youâd more than likely have to use a whole can of hairspray to keep it sticking up to mimic the character.
3. âAdult Red Dress - Cruellaâ
Not all Spirit Halloween costumes modeled after characters are bad, but the red dress costume from Cruella is definitely one of the bad ones. The dress itself looks like itâs made of a waxy, plastic tablecloth. The bottom half of the dress looks like it was added as an afterthought and doesnât look like it fits with the dress. $59.99 plus tax for the dress is absolutely way too much when a red tablecloth can easily cost less than $3. The idea of âItâs the thought that countsâ should not apply to your Halloween costume, especially if itâs over $50.
4. âFreddy Krueger Sweater - A Nightmare on Elm Streetâ
This item genuinely does seem to be of good quality, both the men and womenâs versions. It looks to be thick, actual sweater-like material instead of a long-sleeve shirt claiming to be a sweater. However, this may be because I tend to be sort of a cheapskate when it comes to clothes but paying $34.99 for a sweater seems like a lot. A red and green striped sweater shouldnât cost almost $35. I get that since itâs an officially licensed product that itâs going to cost more, but that amount still seems too much. This isnât terribly ugly or poorly made like the rest of the items on this list, itâs just highly overpriced.
5. âAdult Flaminâ Hot Cheetos Costumeâ
I donât know whose idea these costumes were, but these are an abomination to my eyes. Spirit Halloweenâs âFlaminâ Hot Cheetosâ and âFlaminâ Hot Cheetos Bagâ costumes are something Iâd never thought Iâd see made into a costume. You could buy one of these for just you or double them up as a couplesâ or a best friendsâ costume, either way, theyâre both terrible ideas. The idea of spending $39.99 to look like a Cheeto or wear a giant Cheetos bag as a costume sounds like Iâm basically throwing two twenties down the drain. A pair of sunglasses does come with each costume, which seems to be the only âproâ of getting either of these costumes.
Photos courtesy of Spirit Halloween
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
Three dorm-friendly and fall-themed recipes
BY ELIZABETH SPIRES Staff Writer
Caramel popcorn, apple crisp in a mug, and pumpkin spice trail mix âthese three dorm-friendly, microwavable recipes are unbe-leaf-ably easy and are sure to have your taste buds falling in love with some of the most popular flavors of the season! First on the menu is the caramel popcorn!
1. Caramel popcorn
For this recipe, you will need four ingredients: 1 microwavable bag of popcorn, ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup (this can be found with the regular pancake syrup), and Ÿ cup of butter. First, pop your popcorn as directed on the bag or box that it comes in. While this is popping and cooling, you can begin mixing the rest of the ingredients in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Then microwave the mixture for 1 minute. Remove to stir, then microwave for an additional minute. Pour this mixture over the popcorn in a large bowl and mix to distribute evenly. Let it cool then enjoy!
2. Apple crisp in a mug
Next is apple crisp in a mug. This recipe does require a few more ingredients than the prior one. For the apple filling, you will need 1 apple, ½ tablespoon of melted butter, Ÿ teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of flour. Peel and thinly slice the apple, then combine all of these ingredients in a small bowl. For the crisp topping, you will need 2 tablespoons of softened butter (not melted), 1 tablespoon of flour, 3 tablespoons of old-fashioned oats, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and Ÿ teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix these ingredients in their own small bowl. Once you have both mixtures ready, put half of the apple filling in the bottom of a
microwave-safe mug. Then layer half of the crisp topping. Add another layer of apples and finish with another layer of the topping. (I chose to top it all with a few shakes of cinnamon as well!) Microwave all of this for 3 minutes. Once it is finished and cooled, enjoy as is or kick it up a notch with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
3. Pumpkin spice trail mix
I saved my favorite for last: pumpkin spice trail mix. This recipe will require 2 small microwave-safe bowls and 1 large microwave-safe bowl. Ingredients include: Âź cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, Âź cup of melted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, 2 cups of granola, 2 cups of Cinnamon Cheerios & Oats cereal, 2 cups of Honey Nut Chex cereal, and 8 ounces/1 cup of pecans. Feel free to change up the cereals and granola to your own favorites! To begin, mix the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice in one of the small bowls. In the other small bowl, stir the vanilla and melted butter together. In the large bowl, mix all of the granola, cereal, and pecans. Pour the butter and vanilla mixture over the cereal and stir. Add the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice mixture, stirring again until everything is evenly coated. Microwave your trail mix for 4-5 minutes, stopping to stir once every minute. Let it cool and voila! â fall in a bowl!
Be sure to check that you and your dormmates do not have allergies to any of the ingredients before you give these a try. Also, make sure that all of your bowls and mugs are microwave-safe to ensure that everything is truly dorm-friendly as they are meant to be
Photo by Elizabeth Spires
A Season for Growth
Faith through hardships
BY JOSHUA HASH
Guest Contruibutor
Think about the last time you went through a hardship. Now this could be a long time ago or maybe you are just coming out of a time such as this. Hopefully as you recall this time period, it is not all bad but rather you can remember a lesson that you learned through it. Although none of us particularly enjoy these times of hardships out of our own pleasure, the Bible actually tells us that we should. In James 1:2-4 (ESV), the Scripture says, âCount it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.â
Lots of times we run into these hard times because of our sin but sometimes it seems as if it is unavoidable. This is very well because it is the Lord presenting us with an opportunity for us to grow in our faith in Him. These times of trials give us the privilege of testing our faith so that we can become more steadfast. What does it mean to be steadfast? To be steadfast means to be completely unwavering in what we believe in. It is impossible
for us to be unwavering in our faith if we never experience adversity along the way. See it is a complete switch of mindset when we begin to think this way. We begin to be grateful for our trials because if we are obedient to God through them, He will use them to grow us. Instead of getting discouraged with ourselves or our circumstances during these trials, the Lord shows us that it is actually a good thing for us to experience this. Next time we are met with persecution because of our faith, or encounter a time that tests our faith, be sure to recall this Scripture. Not only are we to act in obedience to God through these times, but we also see that we are to consider it a joy for us. Focus on the areas that God may be growing you in and the things He may be teaching you through it.
Falling for Fall
A playlist to welcome autumn back to the Burg. all the songs that remind you of sweaters and crisp autumn leaves.
Photo courtesy of Ben White
