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(11/10/13 2:03am)
Amanda Pugsley
apugsley@mercercluster.com
I never thought I'd have one of those "back in my day" moments at age 20, but after talking with my high school aged sisters over the weekend, I found myself saying just that. I picked them up at the local high school Saturday afternoon when they had finished their ACT test. After catching me up on the types of information and questions they had on the test, they told me about verifying their contact information and reading through the honor code prior to taking the test. To my surprise, my sister mentioned that the line on which students are to sign their name to signify their acceptance of the honor code no longer has to be strictly signed. The proctor told my sister that printing one's name on the line was acceptable, too, since many students did not know how to produce their own signatures. My initial thought was, "So, you're expecting a kid who can't even sign their own name on a line to complete a standardized test to determine where they are going to college?" More power to you, incompetent writer.
Writing in cursive has been taught in schools for generations. I can remember my grandpa talking about how he used to have to draw tiny circles close together and squiggly lines because the teachers wanted him to become comfortable with writing without picking up his pencil in order to prepare him to learn cursive. I remember my days of practicing night after night with homework on the enlarged, three-line paper, erasing and rewriting until my work was sufficient. As I learned cursive, it never appeared to be a weird form or lost art that I was being forced to learn. It was simply the "adult writing" I had seen my parents do when they wrote notes to my teachers or signed checks.
These days, I feel like younger kids see cursive as an ancient art form. Knowing how to write in cursive is still a needed skill, however. What are these kids going to do when they sign their first check or medical release form? How will they be able to read family heirlooms written by Grandma So-and-So in a cramped, cursive handwriting? Is it really such an inconvenience for grade school teachers to have to work on cursive writing for a few weeks in the lesson plans? I would argue that it is not.
Kids may not be benefitting from skipping a few lessons on cursive writing, but there may be one person who is benefitted by the move from cursive signatures to printing: identity thieves. If you think that someone who spends their time attempting to replicate your signatures in order to make purchases under your name will have a harder time trying to copy a printed name instead of a signature, think again. A person's signature is unique and a special product of one's handiwork. A name written in print, that's about as basic as it comes.
Would the phrase, "Can I have your John Hancock?" still have the same meaning if the man had simply printed his name on the Declaration? Could paraphernalia signed by famous singers, athletes, or politicians still sell for exorbitant amounts of money if the name looked like it could have been forfeited by any person who knew how to print? The fact that my proposed solution to this problem is simply to teach young children how to write in cursive after they have learned to print makes me wonder why the failure to carry out this simple action became a problem in the first place! Cursive writing is an essential skill and continuing tradition. Learn how to write in cursive, and don't let cursive become a lost art.
(10/26/13 3:20am)
It is a story of growing up in a less-than-perfect world. It is a story of courage, learning right from wrong, and accepting others. Harper Lee's “To Kill A Mockingbird” paints the picture of life in Maycomb, Alabama in 1935 during a time of racial tension.
A cast of talented performers enacted Lee's work at Theatre Macon for their opening show on Oct. 18. Patrons scrambled to buy tickets for the opening night performance, and the sold out theater and waiting list attested to the overwhelming interest people had in seeing the show. Accompanying the performance was an "Opening Night Champagne Dessert Reception" that was sponsored by Jackson Automotive Group and other theatre supporters. One volunteer, named Margaret, said she liked serving the refreshments at the reception because it was her way of demonstrating her love for theater without actually stepping onstage. Coffee, champagne, fruits, and a cake decorated with the play's title were offered to audience members following the play in celebration of the actors' work.
The actors in "To Kill A Mockingbird" did a brilliant job. The cast was comprised of children as young as age nine to adults who have built up a reputation by participating in past performances at the theatre. They successfully portrayed the emotions of the characters, drawing the audience into the scene to better understand the struggle between justice and bravery presented in Lee's book. The Total Praise choral group also enhanced the production with both their singing and acting talents. The African-American choir acted as a courtroom audience in between singing such songs as “Amazing Grace” and “I'll Fly Away.” Their music served to further set the tone of the play, and the resounding "amens" that could be heard throughout the audience as the choir sang were proof of the choir’s' impact.
The play was narrated through the eyes of Jean Louis Finch, known to Maycomb as "Scout" in her younger years. Act I opened with the choir's rendition of Amazing Grace and continued with Jean Louis's initial descriptions of herself, her brother, Jem, her neighbors, her father, Atticus and the mysterious Boo Radley. She tells the audience of a time when Atticus once told her, "Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Confused by her father's words, Scout went to speak to Miss Maudie, a neighbor, who replied, “Your father’s right. . .Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . [and] sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” The entire performance was filled with life lessons and words of wisdom expertly portrayed by the actors.
Jean Louise Finch, played by Gail Johnson, and Dill, played by nine-year-old Dane, were two particularly notable performances. Johnson's enthusiasm as she narrated the story accurately illustrated how one would feel if they were given the opportunity to observe their childhood self through their adult eyes. As a storyteller, she kept her audience engaged. Dane was natural on stage, despite his young age. He fit the part of Dill perfectly. His character's personality of a scheming, fun-loving boy was competently executed as he acted out the part of Dill.
This notable production only took five weeks to rehearse, according to Sarah Mullens who played Mayella Ewell in the production. The high school senior said that she loved playing the part of Mayella because it gave her the chance to act completely dramatic during the courtroom scene. Mullens plans to continue her theater involvement following her graduation. When asked why she had chosen to be a part of "To Kill A Mockingbird,” the actress said, "I fit the age description of Mayella, and I wanted to be with some of my other friends who performed in the show. We always have fun together."
Additional performances will take place Oct. 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. Calling in advance for ticket reservations is highly suggested. With a valid student ID, tickets are $15. Regular adult tickets are $20. Theatre Macon is located on Cherry Street in downtown Macon.
(10/13/13 11:45pm)
The government shutdown has constricted the access to many historical sites. However, thanks to their non-profit distinction, Macon's Hay House is still open for tours and events. Located on 934 Georgia Avenue, the Hay House is a popular destination for tourists both in the Macon area and abroad. Many European visitors tour the house in search of American Civil War history, and Georgia residents like to tour the home to reminisce about the days when the Ocmulgee River could be seen from the house's balcony. The Hay House is recognized for its beauty and rich history.
William Butler Johnston began his life as a farm boy in the south. Mr. Johnston apprenticed in New York as a jeweler, and founded his company in Macon. Johnston began investing in industries such as railroads, real estate, and banking. His investments, though not in the typical cotton industry, proved to be quite profitable and allowed Johnston to build the mansion and retire at age forty. Anne Clark Tracy became Johnston's wife in 1851 and the couple honeymooned in Europe for the next three years. Anne and William would draw many of their ideas for their future home and its furnishings from the Italian architectural styles which they observed during their vacation. The Johnstons completed the house in 1859, lived with their daughters in the home. During the war, Johnston held one of the offices of Treasurer for the Confederacy.
Sometimes called the "Palace of the South," the mansion during the Johnstons' ownership was known for having design element ahead of its time. Indoor plumbing, hot and cold water, and a French lift system were a display of wealth and progressiveness in the home. A speaker tube system was used throughout the house to call for the servants' assistance. One could simply blow into the tube in their bedroom and a flag on the other end of the tube would signal to the servant which room to go to in order to help. The ventilation system helped to lessen the intensity of the blistering summer heat. Beginning in the wine cellar located below the mansion's front stairs, the rooms were designed to vent the heat from the floors below by expelling the hot air to the next floor above to eventually be released at the top of the home. The ownership of Johnston's home was exchanged to William H. Felton in 1888 when he married one of the Johnston's daughters, Mary Ellen.
Electricity was also added to the home during the Felton period, as well as various remodelings to the rooms. The Felton period at the Hay House was known for its extravagant parties. William Felton was a Law professor at Mercer, and both he and Mrs. Mary Ellen Felton stressed the importance of education to their daughter. Miss Felton chose to not stay in the house after the death of her parents in 1926, and decided to sell the house to Mr. Parks Lee Hay.
Hay was the founder of an insurance company and was also a man of great wealth. Substantial changes were made to update the rooms to a more modern style during his ownership of the home. Following the passing of Mr. and Mrs. Hay, their daughters sought to create the P.L. Hays Foundation in 1962. The women ran the home as a private museum until 1977 when the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation gained ownership of the Hay House. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation still owns and manages the home as a museum today.
The Hay House has unique architectural features, artwork, and furniture that speak to the wealth of its owners. A notable piece taken as a souvenir from the Johnston's honeymoon is the "Ruth Gleaning" sculpture housed in the room called the "Art Gallery." Ruth was a source of great pride for the Johnstons and the family even placed the statue her own viewing room. While the statue has been removed from the viewing room to make it easier for guests to observe, the Macon Ruth is known to be the second of Randolph Rogers's collection of fourteen "Ruth Gleaning" statues located in the United States. Mrs. Hay's circular bridge table, found on the main floor of the house, is decorated with portraits of the ladies of Louis 16th's court presented in the shape of a guillotine. A single touch of the Civil War era is apparent in the home's decor, too. Barred windows to the food pantry on the first floor sought to keep out foraging, hungry soldiers.
Symmetry was an important concept in the construction of the Hay House. While only three of the house's chimneys actually have a functional purpose, a fourth chimney was added in order to make an even number and keep a balanced look. In the dining room, curved pocket doors on the far end of the room emulate the curved shape of windows on the opposite end of the room. Windows in the music room are all created to look identical, even though some of the windows are actually interior windows, called clerestory windows. Geometric shapes are prominent throughout the house.
In order to uncover and preserve the original floorings and paint colors of the Hay House, renovations and architectural analyses have been performed throughout the house. Renovations to the third floor are expected to take place in November. The dining room was restored in 2011 to reflect the Johnston family period. The most recent restoration took place in the Green Parlor. Johnathan Poston, the Georgia Trust Sr. Director of Properties and Hay House Director, said that it takes a year or longer for researchers to perform architectural and paint analyses.
Poston and Brittany Crosby, Curator of Education at the Hay House, were excited about the upcoming Christmas season at the Hay House. This year's theme is "A Century of Christmas 1860-1962." Luncheons will be held during December that will be open to the public and featuring local, middle school musicians as entertainment. A Christmas gala on December 18 is a formal event at which Theatre Macon will perform. Christmas Express hopes to draw children and families to the Hay House for kid-friendly holiday activities.
Mercer students are encouraged to volunteer or work at the Hay House, assisting with weddings and special events or giving daily tours. The tours of the lower levels of the Hay House are offered Monday-Saturday from 10am until 4pm and Sunday from 1pm until 4pm. Student ticket discounts are available with a valid school ID. The special, Behind the Scenes Tours to see all seven levels of the house are offered this month on October 20 and again in November and December.
Crosby, a Mercer graduate, says that the Hay House is an important piece of Macon because the families who lived in the house contributed to the Macon community. For Mercer students, the Hay House, believes Crosby, is a way to be more involved in academic life by physically observing the worlds of history and non-profits. The more we research history, the more we can piece together stories about the people and places of the past. "There is always something new to discover, " states Crosby.
(09/13/13 3:59am)
Mercer is in the middle of changing the requirements that outline the number of years that students are required to live on campus. However, when a student has served their time in on campus housing, the question arises: should I move off campus or stay on campus? For me, the decision dealt with factors like the cost of rent or dorm fees, the distance of available housing from the school, the safety of the location, and features of the on campus apartments verses housing elsewhere. I had the benefit of living and working in Macon this summer to try out off campus housing, and decided to continue living in this house for the semester. My findings? I determined that, even though commuting to campus requires you to plan your schedule for the day to avoid being stuck in a thunderstorm or walking back home in the dark, walking or biking to campus gives me time to grab a little exercise and save some gas money. Having a kitchen has been the biggest benefit to living in a house instead of a dorm. Not only can I cook foods the way I like them fixed, I also save money by not having to purchase one of the larger meal plan options through the cafeteria. Off campus housing gives you more of a sense of privacy than do dorms or campus apartments. I only have to ask my roommates to be quiet while I study, instead of having to worry about the rowdy apartment next to me or the people who live above my dorm room that seem to be pounding through my ceiling. Plus, after two years of dorm fire drills and countless times of standing outside in my pajamas because someone’s hair dryer had set off the fire alarm again, I never have to worry about when the next frustrating, loud, and inconvenient fire alarm will go off. I can simply relax and know that if my alarm were to sound at my off campus house, it is probably for a legitimate fire and I need to get myself out as soon as possible! Living off campus encourages you to explore the Macon community more, to eat downtown, exercise at the park, shop at a local store, and interact with other students who live off campus. It has shown me that while Mercer’s campus is a pleasant and remarkable place, there are other places in Macon that are worth checking out. Yes, the chores that come with living in a house instead of a dorm are an added responsibility. Nobody mows the grass for us or fixes our washing machine when it is broken, but I believe that learning to keep up with these chores and responsibilities is an important part of any young person’s life. Therefore, if you are a student who doesn’t mind living in close quarters with numerous other students, appreciates the convenience of simply walking to the cafeteria for lunch, or frequently wakes up late and sprints to class just in time, off campus housing may not be for you. However, if you like the independence and privacy that comes with having a house or nearby apartment, enjoy cooking meals in a kitchen, and don’t mind planning a few extra minutes to walk or drive to campus each day, then my suggestion would be to try off campus housing. I enjoyed my summer in my off campus home and am looking forward to prolonging my stay there throughout this semester. Being off campus gives me the ability to be an involved Mercer student while allowing me to explore the Macon community.
(02/20/13 3:28pm)
The Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity and the Student Government Association are preparing to host Business Week, a free event for students who are interested in learning more about the business world and the businesses here in Macon, from February 18-21.
Through an initiative called Paint the Town Orange, Mercer students can learn how to support local businesses and benefit from real world experiences through jobs and internships with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, College Hill Corridor, and Main Street Macon.
“The purpose of Business Week,” SGA President Mollie Davis said, “is to increase students’ awareness of business opportunities they can take advantage of during their undergraduate college years.”
The goal is that Mercer students will make the most of their time in Macon by interacting with the community through work, commerce, and leisure activities. Connor Cosenza, Co-Chair of Business Week for Delta Sigma Pi, said, “I have always thought that Macon was a beautiful town. It is one that has a lot of potential to really flourish, and regain much of its old charm. When I go downtown, I see a lot of failing businesses, but I also see the remains of a vibrant, metropolitan area.”
During the week of Feb. 18-21, guest speakers will seek to show Mercer students the beauty of Macon and the potential of business endeavors locally and worldwide.
“This is also a great opportunity to network with people in the business world,” commented Alena Tyson, the second member of the Delta Sigma Business Week team.
One of the individuals with whom students can network is Mr. Tim Augustine. He will be presenting on the topic “The Impact of a University on a Community.” Augustine has not only worked in marketing and human relations departments in his past, but has also been an entrepreneur.
Currently, Augustine is the owner of Atwell LLC, a consulting and construction management company. He has written the book How Hard are You Knocking? The Job Seekers Guide to Opening Career Doors. “I’m really excited about our keynote speaker, Tim Augustine,” Cosenza admitted enthusiastically. Cosenza then mentioned Augustine’s impressive work background and said that he expected an engaging speech from Augustine because the guest speaker “has given many speeches to organizations all over the country.”
The week began on Monday with a session called “Managing Your Money” at 10 a.m. Tuesday evening’s event had an added bonus of food to accompany the “College Hill Story ‘Then and Now’“ discussion, which will took place at 7 p.m. in Stetson 241.
Three events were on Wednesday: the Spring Career Fair in the University Center from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., “Questions of Economic Prosperity” and refreshments at 10 a.m., and the key event with Tim Augustine at 7 p.m.
Free giveaways were awarded during Wednesday evening’s session. The week will conclude with a session titled “Continuous Innovation” on Thursday at 6 p.m. All events will take place in Stetson 233, unless otherwise stated. Students are encouraged to attend the events dressed in professional, business casual attire.
Mollie Davis urges students attend as many events during the week as possible. Davis “hope[s] that this year’s Business Week event, the Paint the Town Orange Conference, will help students rethink Macon, and encourage them to get involved in the community socially and economically.”