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(02/06/13 3:13pm)
Charles Weston graduated from Mercer University’s undergraduate school in 1968 with a degree in history and in 1971, he graduated from Mercer’s law school. His wife, Gwen Weston graduated from Mercer in 1969. They have two children and four grandchildren and are currently residing in Macon. Charles, who is a senior lecturer at Mercer, sat down with the Cluster to share some of his fondest college memories:
Cluster: What made you choose Mercer?
Weston: Mercer offered me a full-ride basketball scholarship, so naturally I chose to come here.
C: Were you involved in any organizations or clubs?
W: I did join a fraternity, but that wasn’t really significant. I mostly joined because that was the best way to meet girls, but I didn’t drink and I hated parties so being in a fraternity was not all that fulfilling to me. I did join the ROTC my senior year after I stopped playing basketball due to knee and achilles tendon injuries. It was an unusual situation because I joined my senior year. They allowed me into the program on the condition that I be accepted into law school, so I could finish the last three years of ROTC requirements. I was the last cadet in America allowed to join that late.
C: What is it like teaching in the same halls that you previously walked as a student?
W: It’s interesting because the law school used to be located on the main campus, and Langdale Hall where my office is now, used to be the law library. I remember sitting in the same general area of my office, looking out the same window, studying for exams and doing homework.
C: You’ve been teaching at Mercer for over a decade. What did you do between graduation and teaching?
W: After fulfilling my ROTC commitments at Fort Gordon in Augusta, I worked in the local District Attorney Office of the Macon Judicial circuit, as a state prosecuting attorney. I was very blessed to have had the opportunity to try nearly 300 major felony crimes. I loved working cases in the court. It was important to me to bring energy and hard work to every case. Macon is a high crime district and it was fulfilling to bring many of those criminals to justice. While I have a JD (Juris Doctor) instead of a PhD, I believe that 31 years of basically living in the courtroom is extremely valuable for teaching criminal justice. Teaching utilizes court tactics such as closing arguments which I’ve spent my whole career practicing. I am very blessed to be teaching at Mercer.
C: You and your wife met at Mercer, can you share a bit of your story?
W: Ours was a classic college romance. I knew of this girl Gwen Johnston because her father taught in the Christianity department. At the time, chapel was mandatory for all students, and we had assigned seating. My seat was directly behind where she sat. After I asked her out April of my junior year, we went on our first date and we never looked back. We were married 23 months later. We both knew it was right from the start. Within four weeks of dating we had already taken part in the Greek tradition of lavaliering, which was sort of an engagement to be engaged.
I am a very sentimental man. When I first started teaching I would point out to my students the bench where I first kissed Gwen. It’s been moved now, but the memories are still there. This March, we will have been married for 44 years and my family is my life.
C: With Valentine’s Day around the corner, do you have any advice for the romantic college student?
W: A guy is a fool who does not treat his woman like a princess. And a girl is a fool for not expecting to be treated as such. Girls need to look for someone who not only makes their bells ring, but would also be proud to call him the father of their children. If a boy is not treating her right, she needs to drop him fast and run. Young boys need to learn how to treat girls, and young ladies should not settle for less.
(02/06/13 3:12pm)
Mercer hosts a variety of clubs and organizations that span a broad spectrum of interests. For students trying to get plugged into extracurricular activities, it’s easy to find one that suits individual preferences. There are some clubs, however, that are not high on the radar.
Mercer Equestrian Club is one such organization that lacks participation only because it is not well known. Erica O’Neal, a sophomore Journalism major and active member of the club said, “I had heard about it my freshman year and wanted to join, but it was very difficult to find and get involved.”
The Equestrian Club is a great way for students to get involved in the local horse community, regardless of experience, and meet other horse fanatics. Members can participate in various horse-related events including lessons, volunteer opportunities, pony rides at University special events and day trips to shows.
Club President and senior Technical Communications student Alesa Webber said, “If we could get more members to participate, we would like to go on more trail rides and help out with LEAP service weekends.”
Currently there are only four members, and they are looking to recruit more students to increase participation.
With more members, there would be a larger selection of opportunities for on and off-campus activities. There is also an Intercollegiate Hunt Seat Association team connected to the club that competes with other colleges in the region.
According to O’Neal, “We now have enough people to continue the team, which is really exciting. This semester we are just taking lessons and practicing show etiquette.” The team is currently in the development stages, but they are hoping to compete regularly around the southeast this coming fall.
Being part of the team involves paying dues, having at least one riding lesson a week and competing at high-level shows. Previous events for club riders range from trips to watch rodeos to jumping and dressage events.
Among other opportunities, the club offers a chance to become a leader on campus by being an officer on the board. Members range from students with no prior horse experience to riders who are accomplished competitors or horse owners.
The club strives to bring together people who love horses, like to work hard and appreciate the art of equestrian shows. “My favorite part of being involved with the Equestrian Club is the fact that the people who do volunteer their time really care about the well-being of horses and promoting an amazing sport that is not yet well known to Mercer,” said Webber.
For interested horse aficionados, the club meets in Duncan’s Lounge three to four times a semester, usually at 10 a.m. The date is scheduled according to the most convenient day for current members. To be placed on the email list, email the club advisor, Carole Burrowbridge, at BURROWBRID_C@mercer.edu.
(01/23/13 4:26pm)
Wendy Wood is originally from Macon and graduated from Mercer in 2001 with a degree in Chemistry. She is now married to Greg Wood, who she met at Mercer during her freshman year. They have two young boys, Elijah and Asa, and they still live in the Macon area.
Cluster: Why did you choose Mercer?
Wood: I knew some Mercer students and enjoyed being on the Mercer campus. The main reason I chose Mercer, though, was that I was offered more financial aid to attend Mercer than any other college.
C: What led you to choose biology as a course of study? What have you done with your degree since then?
W: I enjoyed chemistry more than any other subject and thought that it may eventually lead to a career in the medical profession. After graduation, I worked as an analytical chemist at Brown and Williamson for three years.
C: Where do you work now?
W: I homeschool Elijah and Asa, which is a full time job for me.
C: Were you involved in any extra curricular activities or clubs?
W: I didn’t participate in any intramural sports but I was involved in the Baptist Student Union and the American Chemical Society.
C: What was your favorite class and why?
W: My favorite classes were probably the physical chemistry classes taught by Andy Pounds and Dale Moore. Those classes were so difficult that the few of us who took them became like family as we tried to help each other survive the class. I enjoyed the long hours that I spent with those folks.
C: Which dorm did you like the best? Why?
W: I really enjoyed my freshman year in Dowell. I liked the freedom that I had from my parents and living so close to so many young ladies like me. We had a lot of fun together. I also enjoyed living in a safe place that was so close to my meals and classes.
C: Did you have a favorite hang out spot on campus?
W: I loved walking under the huge trees in the quad.
C: Can you think of any funny memories from your time at Mercer?
W: There is one funny story about Papa Joe (Hendricks). He was a legend in the Christianity department. Once when he was teaching our Old Testament class, a guy kept asking him the same question repeatedly. Papa Joe got so frustrated with him, he threw the board’s eraser across the room and walked out. We waited a while for him to return, and he didn’t. So we assumed that class was over and everyone left.
C: Can you share any special stories about you and Greg and your time together at Mercer?
W: Well in May 2001 we skipped out on graduation and got married instead. It was a great day!
C: Any words of advice for the busy college student?
W: Take time to develop relationships with people and try to enjoy, not just endure, what you are learning.
(01/23/13 4:24pm)
Our generation often falls prey to the impulse of judging a book by its cover. The same judgment could also be passed on to bookstores themselves. Many people stick with the familiar chain companies, such as Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million, out of convenience and notoriety. An avid reader, however, might jump at the opportunity to browse new shelves. Perhaps they are just unaware of locally-owned businesses, selling quality books for less.
There are two such literary treasures in the Macon area, not far from Mercer’s campus. The first is Golden Bough Bookstore, an independently-owned business in the heart of downtown Macon. The store first opened in 1989 but was purchased in February 2007 by Eric Wakefield, an employee in the business for a decade as well as a Mercer graduate with a degree in art.
This diamond in the rough provides a rugged atmosphere that makes the avid reader feel as if they have stepped into a story of their own.
Upon entering the store, customers will often be greeted by Titan, a friendly orange tabby cat. The interior decorations don’t cater to any crowd in particular. Its intimate size and mismatched shelves, combined with the musky smell of old books, are just a few things that separate it from the modern atmosphere of many chain bookstores.
While browsing the books, you might find a few more feline friends lounging around for their seventh nap of the day.
Adorning the walls are various works of art, some of which were painted by Wakefield himself. Golden Bough carries a broad stock of books, new and used, covering a variety of subjects and genres for affordable prices. “Buy low, sell low. That’s my philosophy,” said Wakefield.
Wakefield buys most of his books used, but customers can order a book that isn’t in stock. Wakefield admitted that he normally avoids textbook sales, but if a student needs to order a textbook, that service is also available. Golden Bough is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 and is well worth the visit.
A little farther off campus is Gottwals Books at 3780 Northside Drive. Founded in 2007 by Shane and Abbey Gottwals, this bookstore creates a completely different ambience and carries a wide range of genres for all age groups.
The store promotes a clean, family friendly environment. The original location is in Warner Robins, but it quickly grew into a franchise and now there are three other locations across middle Georgia.
Shane Gottwal shared his goal for starting the bookstore: “I had recently received an English degree and my wife had gotten a business degree back in 2006 from Mercer. There are few options for combining those two skill sets. A bookstore seemed to be the best fit. There was a great need for a secondhand bookstore in middle Georgia. Our goal was to create a family-friendly environment with books for all ages. We’ve been very successful with that.”
Their prices are incredibly fair, and they have a handy trading system for store credit. If a customer brings in books to evaluate and trade in, they can receive up to 50% off a purchase. This includes buying textbooks for cash. “We are very competitive with buyback amounts, and we often purchase books that the campus bookstores do not accept,” says Gottwal. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you are looking to appease your inner bookworm with a new adventure, a visit to these local gems is well worth your while.
(01/23/13 4:21pm)
Today in Cluster history, an article entitled “United States Foreign Policy in Current Review” appeared on page two of the January 23, 1968 issue of the Cluster. The article covered the State Department Foreign Policy Conference held at Florida State University on January 18, 1968.
In attendance at the conference were Mercer delegates Tom Cauthorn, Wright Davs and Becky Sims. Each of the students represented the Cluster at the conference.
The conference was the joint effort of Department of State, the Florida State University Union Forum Committee and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. The conference held discussions on issues such as China, Latin America, the U.S. political developments in Vietnam, the Middle East, and trade and aide.
One of the keynote speakers featured at the conference was the current U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic John Hugh Crimmins. Ambassador Crimmins’ topic of discussion was, “Latin America Today and Tomorrow.”
According to the original article, Crimmins summed up his views by saying, “been for the better part of a generation in the process of revolution, a revolution whose goal is the establishment and enthronement of the principle that every man has the right to develop his talents to the limit of his capacity and without artificial barriers.” Ambassador Crimmins had spent the 10 previous years before the conference working in Mexican, Brazilian and Cuban diplomatic affairs.
Other important speakers featured at the conference included: Stuart W. Rockwell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; John Holdridge, Deputy of the Office of Research Analysis for East Asia and Pacific; Frank R. Ellis, director of the AID Food for Freedom Service; and Richard I. Phillips, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State for Public Affairs
Each speaker at the conference had many years of diplomatic experience, and the seminars they gave featured their experiences.
Rockwell’s topic in the discussion was “Basic Problems in the Middle East.” Rockwell had worked with the State Department for years, and according to the original article, he had worked in countries such as Iran, Turkey and Spain.
Holdridge’s topic of discussion was “Recent Developments, Mainland China.” Holdridge worked in areas such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore and focused on cultural issues.
Ellis’s topic of discussion was “Foreign Aid in Relation to the Food and Population Problem.” Ellis worked for 24 years in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The final speaker mentioned in the article was Phillip C. Habib, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific. His talk focused on issues in Vietnam that were current at the time.
Richard I. Phillips, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State for Public Affairs also attended the conference and served as moderator for the discussions held there. The article mentioned that Phillips had served the state department since 1946 and been a representative for the U.S. in several conferences.
The conference lasted an entire day, beginning with individual seminars. When seminars concluded, State Department officials held a panel discussion, and then a question and answer panel.
The total number of people reported attending the conference was about 500. The majority of the group attending was composed of educators, students and prominent figures from the southeastern United States. The original articles featuring this story and others like it are available in the Cluster’s online archives.
(01/23/13 3:32pm)
History is in the making this spring semester, as Mercer University welcomes a women’s track and field team.
A group of 16 girls expressed interest in being on the team.
Mercer’s head coach Ryan Bailey has been coaching Mercer’s cross country team for 11 years and will now coach women’s track and field in addition to cross country.
Tryouts have been ongoing and Bailey said, “It looks like we have some talent.”
Senior Winifred Kennebrew ran track throughout high school and will be a part of the Mercer team this spring. The sprinter is hoping to participate in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and sprinting relays including the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.
“I just thought that it would be a great opportunity to get back into it, and also we will be the first women’s track team at Mercer so it’s just mind-blowing to be pioneers of the sport,” Kennebrew said.
The new team members, combined with the current eight cross country runners will compete in track and field events.
A team must have at least 14 participants in each meet.
They also must attend at least six competitions to certify as an official NCAA track team.
With the number of interested athletes, plus the original cross country team, Mercer will have the appropriate number to compete by NCAA standards.
A complete roster is estimated to be finalized in about two and a half weeks.
“In all honesty, if these people can become eligible, pass their physicals and show me they can contribute in a positive way, we will keep them,” Bailey said.
Mercer’s cross country team has been running a full track season for the past few years, every spring, but they have not been sponsored as an NCAA team. As a result, they were unable to compete in the national championships. However, last month Mercer made the commitment to sponsor women’s track and field as an official NCAA sport.
The goal is to show participation as a team in 2013.
Mercer does not provide an outdoor track facility for athletes, so the team is set to practice at any local high school track that they can use.
Bailey anticipates that the biggest challenge that the new team will face is inexperience at the collegiate level of competition.
“Division I competition is pretty fierce and the standards are high depending on the meet you are attending,” Bailey said. “Finding people who have done it is not the issue, it’s finding people who have done it at that level or recently. Some of these girls are juniors and seniors. The issue is they haven’t [ran competitively] in awhile and are probably out of shape.”
The first meet that the Bears are set to compete in is at Savannah State on Feb. 23, followed by a meet in Charleston two weeks later. Those meets are appropriate to the level of experience that they will have.
The meets will be low key and generally attended by smaller schools.
“What I don’t want is to take people in their reformative stages only to get destroyed by an experienced champion. So I’m trying to walk a fine line with these meets,” Bailey said.
“I’m excited to get back into competition and see if I’ve still got it,” Kennebrew said.
According to Bailey, the very first recorded track meet was held on campus in the mid-1900s and included male and female participants. After that there are no records of women’s track participation until 1984. There was a women’s cross country team, but they could not get enough women to field a full team. Today, this is the first official women’s track team.
“It hasn’t been relatively long since we have had female runners on the campus. Women’s sports are just out of their infancy. American women didn’t compete in any distance above 800 meters in the Olympics until 1984,” Bailey said.
Now track and field is the highest participated sport in the country. Half a million girls competed in track and field last year at the high school level alone.
“This will be the very first [official] women’s track and field team we have ever had. It is a pretty exciting thing to start a program from whole cloth and be the foundation of a new athletic program,” Bailey said.
(11/28/12 11:00pm)
Precious Bridges is a sophomore from West Palm Beach, Fla. Bridges is majoring in communication with a minor in criminal justice. Bridges is a point guard and shooting guard on the Mercer Women’s Basketball team. Coming straight from practice, she sat down with the Cluster to talk about her life as an athlete.
Cluster: How old were you when you started playing sports?
Bridges: When I was eight and someone saw me play basketball.
C: So you have always played basketball?
B: Yes. I ran track but really didn’t like it, so I stuck with basketball.
C: How have you grown since freshman year?
B: Freshman year I was homesick so I was more focused on myself and not willing to be a teammate. Now I am trying to be a better teammate and communicate more.
C: What do you consider to be your strength as an athlete?
B: My strength is my speed.
C: And weakness?
B: My weakness is consistency with my shot.
C: Do you or your team have any goals to work towards this season?
B: Yes we have a lot of goals. Our short-term goals are to be there for each other, learn how to be a teammate, and learn how to communicate more. Long term, win the A-Sun championship and go to the NCA.
C: Do you feel good about this season?
B: Yes. Pretty confident.
C: What game are you looking forward to most this season and why?
B: Stetson. First of all, they wanted me. Second of all, since I’ve been here they’ve beaten us both times. And it’s a conference game.
C: Do you hope to pursue anything in basketball after you graduate?
B: Yes, I want to play overseas.
C: Where?
B: I’m not sure yet. I’m thinking Spain but I really don’t know. I’m going to look more into it.
C: Who is your favorite player?
B: Skylar Diggins, we play her on Tuesday. That’s my favorite player. She plays for Notre Dame.
C: What do you do to get psyched before a game?
B: I sit in the corner and listen to music. Because I can’t touch the floor until there is 60 minutes left to shoot. It will be 90 minutes and then 60 minutes everyone has to be on the floor. That’s what I do before a game.
C: What do you like to listen to?
B: It depends on what I’m thinking about for that game, what I am trying to accomplish. I listen to Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne, stuff like that. Mostly Lil Wayne.
Precious and the Mercer Women’s team played against Notre Dame and Furman over Thanksgiving break. Be sure to come and cheer on Precious and the team at their next home game against Davidson on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7:00 p.m.
(11/28/12 11:00pm)
The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer has been given an incredible opportunity to expand their facilities off campus.
During the first week of November, trustees of the Atlanta-based Robert W. Woodruff Foundation approved a $1.5 million grant to renovate the historic Bell House into a new home for the Center.
Amy Schwartz Moretti, the director of the Center, described the mansion as “a landmark, a historic gem in Macon. It has the magical ambience for a wonderful musical home.”
The current on-campus facility for the Center, McCorkle Music Building, also houses the entire Townsend School of Music.
“With over 125 students competing for the use of 16 practice rooms within McCorkle, it will create the much needed improvement of space for practice, lessons, and coachings,” explained Moretti.
The Center was established six years ago, with the dream in mind to eventually house the school in a beautiful historic building.
The Bell House, located at 315 College St., originally served as a private residence, then later served as a commercial building. It is an ideal location, not only for its majestic charm, but also because of its tall ceilings and large parlor, perfect for small concerts and master classes.
There will be plenty of teaching space for the 10 distinguished faculty members, as well as plenty of practice rooms for the students. The Center only holds 26 positions for students currently.
When the renovations are completed for the 2013 fall semester, the Center will be at full capacity with 12 violins, six violas, six celli and two bass players. Mattias Palm, a freshman music major from Lund, Sweden and one of the two bass players in the Center, shared his feelings about the new facility: “It brings me great pleasure that the Center is moving to the Bell House. McCorkle was already a full school, and the Center takes up a lot of space,” Palm said. “The new house is so beautiful and rustic that simply being in the house is enough to inspire the creative mind. My only thought of discomfort is that of the daily travel to and from the house, but the reward of being in the Bell House will outweigh the troubles that getting there will bring.”
The students will spend equal amounts of time at the house and on campus, as lessons, rehearsals and practices will take place at the new facility, and other classes will be at McCorkle and buildings on campus.
Mercer has received much support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation in the form of the new University Center, as well as the new Science and Engineering Building. These new facilities for the athletic and science departments have opened up great opportunities for the university. The Bell House will create further opportunities, as this financial support is extended to the artistic branch of the university.
Moretti shared further excitement about the growth of the Center: “The McDuffie Center is all about developing the full musician, giving the student the opportunity to hone their talents and find their entrepreneurial spirit. I cannot be more grateful to the Woodruff Foundation for recognizing our passion and helping us achieve this dream!”
(11/07/12 11:00pm)
Dr. Stanley Roberts is a Mercer alumnus who graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a double major in Christianity. After graduating he studied to receive his Masters and later his Doctorate, then returned to Macon in 1992 to be the full time Minister of Music at First Baptist of Macon. He is now the Professor of Choral Conducting and Associate Dean in Mercer’s Townsend School of Music. His wife, Marie Roberts, is also a Mercer alumna and teaches voice in the school of music.
Cluster: Did you know what you wanted to do after graduating?
SR: I didn’t know on the front end. When I came in, like so many folks, I thought I would pursue a solo career. I had done a lot of gospel singing and was fairly successful. I thought I would possibly land in that kind of world. Even up through my sophomore year I was working with some guys on campus, writing music and cutting demos. Right before Christmas break my sophomore year, I had gotten a call from a little church outside of town here. They had gotten my name about possibly being a minister of music and it was one of those things I never ever saw myself doing. I went out there and found I really liked it. During that period I came to realize that’s where my gifts lie.
Cluster: With homecoming weekend right around the corner, do you have any fond memories of that time?
SR: You know, homecoming is something that developed after I was here. When I was here, it used to be in February, during basketball season. We didn’t have any great celebration, maybe a little parade or something. It has evolved over the last 10 years to what it is now, really because of President Underwood.
Cluster: Did you like to go to many games?
SR: I did. Games used to be in the Porter Gym, which was where Porter Patch is right now. It was old and historic, I hate that they tore it down after the University Center was built. The gym was real snug. You had a walking space of about 15 feet around the court and that’s where the bleachers were. You could pack 500 people at most. At some of the ball games, people would literally be packed up against the edges of the court three or four people deep. You would be standing there and have players or basketballs flying at you.
Cluster: Were you involved in any extracurricular activities or intramurals?
SR: At that time we had a music fraternity called Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, which was a guys group. There was a similar group for women, Delta Omicron, which Marie was involved with. I was also active in the BSU; it’s called something else now, BCM. For the first couple years, I was fairly active. I was part of the ministry revival teams and did that until I got my church job. BSU was very involved in intramurals so I played softball mostly, a little flag football and basketball. I was very involved in orientation and was actually the student director of orientation my senior year. I actually played trumpet so for my first two years I played in the wind ensemble and the pep band. Between church and school and trying to do a little concertizing on the weekends, that’s about all I could handle.
Cluster: College students like to get into mischief. Are there any shenanigans you and your friends took part in?
SR: Let me see… Which ones can I tell? Phi Mu and Delta Omicron always had a love-hate relationship. I was vice president of Phi Mu at the time and Marie was president of Delta Omicron. One night we found out where their initiation was being held, so we decided to kidnap Marie. We threw her into my big old Ford LTD II and drove down to Perry where I think we went to the Waffle House. Some of the girls were all upset that she had been “kidnapped” so they called the Dean of Students at the time. I had a great relationship with the Dean, so when they called he said, “Who took her?” They said, “Stanely Roberts.” “She’ll be okay.”
Cluster: Does it feel different to walk through campus as a professor?
SR: It was different at first to be a colleague as opposed to a student. I held these people in such high esteem as my teachers; it was very surreal and gratifying. Not everything has changed. The old Ware music building is now the math building but it still smells the same. The administration building still has the same creaks and squeaks. It seems like it was yesterday, hanging out in dorms, eating pizza and going out for donuts at 10:00 at night.
Cluster: As an alumnus, do you have any advice for current students?
SR: There was something sweet and simple about when everyone didn’t have a phone. There was a way to escape. I feel sorry for this generation because there is no way to escape, always having to be tied to something. It’s important to unhook from the rest of the world. It’s also important not to worry so much about the grade, rather enjoy the friends and memories you make. You won’t remember cramming for tests or making disappointing grades. I remember studying and funny things that happened around that, but college is about the fun times, laughs, hanging with friends and learning about life more so than fear of not making an A.
(11/07/12 11:00pm)
One of Warner Brothers’ newest feature films, “Trouble with the Curve,” came to theaters in September with mixed reviews. Starring Hollywood favorites such as Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake, this drama proved to be predictable yet charming in its simplicity. Director Robert Lorenz, a fellow producer with Eastwood, commented that the story is fairly simple and straightforward, but it is the simplicity that makes it successful.
The story centers on the career of Gus Lobel (Eastwood), the most respected baseball scout for the Atlanta Braves. His abilities are questioned as coworkers consider him past his prime. Despite various physical ailments hindering his daily life, Gus refuses to let anything slow him down.
The story progresses to uncover his dysfunctional relationship with his daughter Mickey, played by Adams. Eastwood’s awkward and gruff persona combined with Adams’ sharp and charming character made for easy chemistry while portraying, with genuine humanity and feeling, an often clichéd relationship between a distant father and an unloved daughter.
The story would not be complete without the baseball scout love interest, Johnny (Timberlake), adding much-needed comedic relief to contrast the drama. There was an emphasis on family sacrifice and ultimate victory of the underdog, which gave the audience satisfaction at the story’s conclusion.
The production began in March of this year and was filmed in various parts of Georgia, including Macon. Casting agents began looking for local extras in February. The production team filmed one of the ballpark scenes at Luther Williams Field and a bar scene at Northside Cheers on Northside Drive.
“Trouble with the Curve” is not the only movie to have come to the Macon baseball field. The Hollywood feature “42”, about baseball legend Jackie Robinson, is set to premiere in April. Scenes from “42” were shot not only at Luther Williams Field, but also around downtown and other parts of middle Georgia.
Georgia has become a hotspot for moviemakers because of the tax incentive, which is one of the most generous film incentives worldwide. The bill keeps a 20 percent tax credit for qualified production companies and an additional 10 percent if there is anything in the film encouraging Georgia tourism. The other Georgia locations for “Trouble with the Curve” include Atlanta (Virginia-Highlands), Turner Field, Dawsonville, Young Harris College and Athens.
With a failed attempt to avoid overused baseball metaphors, the movie was neither a grand slam nor a strikeout. It was an easygoing and unsurprising film that is more suited for an older audience than college students, despite its youthful athletic setting. While it is not a standout sports drama, it does provide successful entertainment and a well-told story.
(10/24/12 9:00pm)
October for many people, is a month marked by the celebration of Halloween, a holiday most often associated with the paranormal. From ghosts to grave settings, festivities range from dressing up for trick-or-treating to seeking out a spooky thrill.
Local residents looking for a new Halloween experience may enjoy a festive jaunt through one of Macon’s 33 cemeteries. The oldest and largest of these is Rose Hill Cemetery, which serves as a historic landmark for the city of Macon.
Beyond initial Halloween excitement, it has extensive history to offer. This city-owned cemetery opened in 1840 and holds 16,000 graves, of which only 7,000 are marked.
Phil Comer, a Mercer graduate in math and chemistry, has dedicated much of his time researching the history of Macon, specifically facts concerning Rose Hill. He shared that, “while we tell people not to walk on graves, you can guarantee that almost anywhere you step is a grave. The cemetery is largely unmarked.”
There are over 1,000 Confederate soldiers buried in Rose Hill, 600 of which are in a section of the cemetery called Soldiers Square, overlooking the Ocmulgee River.
One of these graves belongs to John Burch who was a Mercer graduate. Burch’s death is noted to have been the first fatality of the cold war after he was killed by communists in China.
One of the most popular military graves visited is that of Lieutenant Bobby, a military dog who died after falling down an elevator shaft at the Dempsey Hotel. He was buried with full military honors.
There is another section of the cemetery, called Strangers Row, which was a result of racial and social segregation.
Among the most recognized graves are those of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers Band. Allman, the band’s slide guitarist and Oakley, the bassist, both died during separate motorcycle accidents almost a year apart. The two are buried side by side in Rose Hill.
The cemetery was a favored hangout spot for the band and served as inspiration for their music. The rear cover picture for their first album was taken at the Bond Tomb located in Rose Hill.
Among other popular graves are the oldest marked graves, one of the young wife of a Wesleyan professor and the other of a Wesleyan student who died at 17 years old.
Comer said that by “walking around the tombstones and learning the stories behind them, they tell the whole history of Macon.”
One of the best ways to begin to appreciate the importance and history of the cemetery is to go on a ramble. Rambles are a southern tradition that involve wandering around and exploring a particular area in order to gain a sense of the setting.
The first ramble in Rose Hill to be recorded was led by a man named Richard Clark in the 19th century, who credited a Madison Jones for taking him on a previous ramble. Jones’s grave can be found in Rose Hill.
There are two rambles at Rose Hill each year, one on the Sunday after Easter, and the other on the Sunday before Halloween. The fall ramble is coming up this Sunday, Oct. 28 and will be lead by Phil Comer.
A visit to this historic resting ground is highly encouraged around Halloween time. Even so, Comer reminds visitors to “explore it respectfully, because it is sacred ground.”
(10/10/12 4:00pm)
The Mercer Players kicked off this year’s season with their production of Shakespeare’s comedic romance, “The Merchant of Venice”.
Directed by Scot Mann, the cast and crew pieced together this work of theatrical art in a span of four weeks. The performances were held in Mercer’s Back Door Theatre, which made for an intimate setting. This was a new Macon thespian experience for me. I had never seen a Mercer Players’ performance in their black box space.
I was immediately won over by the ambiance. Walking into the theatre, audience members were greeted by Renaissance music to set the mood. The visual effect of the set also helped to create a Shakespearean atmosphere.
The set, designed by Marian Zielinski, a professor of theatre at Mercer, utilized the small stage space to its maximum potential. There were varying dimensions created by the design of the set, from the angles of the walls to the levels of the floor. The lighting design also created visual depth. While the set was not elaborate in detail, it was extremely effective, as the show did not call for anything more extensive. It was a calm set, easy to look at due to the simplicity of the props. This also made for quick and efficient scene changes.
The costumes, designed by Shelley Kuhen, Mercer’s Theatre Costume Director, were beautifully detailed and complemented the neutral colors of the set with their own vibrant colors. There were a few cases of unnaturally bright makeup, but these did not sway the success of the show.
For the unfamiliar theatre-goer, Mann gave a brief summary of the show’s plot in the program and commented on Shakespeare’s “genius” use of language to create this comedy, cleverly intertwined with troubling character issues.
It was evident that the cast had an impressive understanding of the story. The majority of actors had fantastic delivery. In some cases, lines would be directed upstage, but this was only at the sacrifice of facial expressions, as the lines could still be heard due to the small space. It was evident that there were varying levels of acting abilities, and as a whole, the cast put together an impressive performance.
Notable performances were those of relationships between characters, specifically of the three sets of lovers. Each performer had something commendable about his or her performance. Lindsey Mouchet stood out with her portrayal of the Jew, Shylock. She gave an incredible performance of a complex character, with a consistent and engaging stage presence, using both impressive comedic timing as well as honest moments of humanity. Mouchet used numerous character gestures, from stroking her beard to her hunched posture, to create a convincing and entertaining performance.
Antonio the merchant, portrayed by Patrick Hamilton, and Bassanio, Antonio’s friend portrayed by Liam McDermott, both spoke well and utilized natural gestures, making their delivery and presentations easy to understand.
Overall, the cast demonstrated obvious hard work and gave a consistently entertaining performance, a sign of a successful Shakespeare production.
Mann also explained in the program that they were “attempting to tell the comic love story that makes it a comedy without masking the spiritual and mortal warts that blemish the heroes.” The Mercer Players can be proud that they achieved their goal and more, successfully kicking off their theatre season.
(09/26/12 9:43pm)
This year marked the 22nd Annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration hosted at the Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon.
Every year the park puts together the festival to educate people on Native American traditions and cultures.
Many nations ranging from the Muscogee Creek to the Cherokee were represented at the celebration.
They shared a glimpse of their culture and history through dance, music, storytelling, crafts, cuisine and more.
The colorful costumes and entertainment provided a way for kids and adults alike to take the history out of the textbook, giving attendees a hands-on experience.
Diamond, a Cherokee counsel man, explained, “That’s why we do these things, to educate people.”
Before becoming a counsel man, Diamond traveled to schools to teach the history and traditions of his people.
He said that in his experience he often had to address false stereotypes and “undo what had been taught in the schools”.
One of the most common misunderstandings is their name. “We are called Indians or Native Americans but that is not what we are. We are called tribes and yet we have our own languages, cultures, and governments.”
He continued to explain that it is more respectful to address them as native or indigenous people from different nations.
The Ocmulgee Celebration serves as another way to share these truths and more with whoever is willing to learn.
Clay Mote, a freshman music major at Mercer University, attended the festival. Mote said, “The festival was very enlightening to the severity of the native stereotypes. It was neat to get a glimpse into the reality of their cultures and traditions.”
The various nations that were represented each had their own traditions to share. The Muscogee Creek dancers started off the program in the arena by demonstrating ceremonial dancing.
While the men sang, the women shook shells in rhythm. It was explained during the presentation that the separate routines show the equality of gender; the dance needs both man and woman to proceed.
Other dancers included the Chahta Himittowa Dancers representing the Choctaw nation, as well as the Touch the Earth Dancers from the Cherokee nation.
While there are over 500 different native languages spoken across America, there are some similarities between most nations.
One common tradition is the importance of the Earth and how it is living and should be taken care of and treated with respect.
The “heartbeat” of the earth is represented in many ceremonial dances through the rhythm of drums, which could be heard all throughout the weekend’s festivities.
A number of other performances included storytelling, flute music, a stickball demonstration, and a lesson on the Muscogee Creek language.
Surrounding the performance arena was a variety of arts and craft tables selling handmade jewelry, dream catchers, and more.
On the outskirts of the festival were encampment replicas, and for the hungry celebration goer there were plenty of food stands advertising anything from buffalo tacos to roasted corn.
The celebration has proven to be a cherished tradition by the Macon area and continues to educate and entertain people of all ages.
Chloe Stewart, a local resident new to the Macon area, shared about her first experience at the celebration.
Stewart said, “The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was exciting. It was a great introduction to Macon and I will definitely be back next year.”
(09/26/12 9:25pm)
“Becky’s New Car”, written by Steven Dietz and directed by Jim Crisp, Jr., opened Theatre Macon’s 27th season. As I had never attended aTheatre Macon show, I was not sure what to expect. I was walking into an unfamiliar atmosphere to see a show of which I had never heard. When the performance was over, however, I walked out of the theatre thoroughly impressed and entertained.
The atmosphere was friendly and inviting. The set added to the ambiance, as everything was already in place. There were a number of detailed props strewn across the stage, yet the set had a clear visual effect and felt very spacious. The stage design cleverly represented four different settings at the same time: Becky’s living room, her office, her car and a terrace. This eliminated the need for scene changes and, aside from one minor unclear transition, made for smooth and quick scene progressions. The set was easy on the eyes with its delightful furnishings.
The show opened with Becky’s entrance. Becky (Rebecca) Foster, a middle-aged wife, mother and car dealership employee, proved to be an eccentric character within the first five minutes, relating with the audience instantly. She went into the details of a typical day in the life of Becky and how she dreamed about something new and exciting. Her wish came true when life took an unexpected turn and she had to make some decisions which ultimately lead to a tangled mess of lies. Intertwined with hilarious irony, the pleasantly predictable plot kept the audience engaged while confronting serious life issues. As the plot unraveled and the story came full circle, the resolution made for an entertaining feel-good experience.
The cast of seven was well-selected group, and each portrayed their characters with engaging consistency. Everyone had fantastic comedic timing, and any line slips were covered professionally and almost unnoticeably. Portraying Becky was Martha Malone, a professor at Mercer’s Townsend School of Music. Malone played her character with engaging wit and likeability. Her lively expressions, coupled with charming audience interaction, made for a spotlight performance. Each actor is to be commended for his or her performance, but the chemistry between the family characters was especially natural. Michael Jared Carson (Joe Foster, Becky’s husband) and Phillip Hebert (Becky’s college-age son, Chris Foster) both gave humorous and relatable performances.
Another notable performance was that of Matt Roche as Becky’s coworker, Steve Singletary. Roche played every detail of the quirky character down to his walk, in addition to his adequately disheveled appearance.
The run time of 2.5 hours was longer than I expected or planned for. Even so, the show was humorous and entertaining. I left the theatre feeling as if I had been part of the story, riding shotgun in Becky’s new car.
(09/12/12 4:00pm)
When preparing to venture out into college, one of many essentials on a student’s packing list is a microwave oven. An appliance fated for the use of popcorn during late night study sessions, or heating up a bowl of Kraft in place of dinner at the cafeteria. While those are yummy picks, it’s fun to use your microwave to its maximum potential and spice up your day with a clever homemade snack.
One of the current baking fads is “Microwave Brownie in a Mug.” Gentlemen, this recipe is most likely already on your girlfriend’s Pinterest board. (I admit…it is on mine.) So in an attempt at originality, I searched the web for a new treat to create on study breaks or in between classes. A recipe found its way to the top of my search engine that made my mouth water: Coffee Pecan Mug Cake.
I tried my hand at this sweet confection and, as it turns out, my cooking skills are not suited for such tasty treats. A 10 minute recipe turned into 45 minutes of frustration and failure. However, don’t let this discourage you. Such things may come naturally to you. If so, I would encourage you to look up the recipe on www.everylunchtime.wordpress.com and try it out for yourself. The ingredients are easy to get ahold of; in fact, you can find most of the ingredients at Bear Necessities.
After my failed attempt, my microwave seemed forlorn and I was determined to create a scrumptious treat by the end of the day. In my determination, I continued to look through the web page for another recipe, and found out that this blog was created by a college student, for college students, with easy recipes to make in a dorm room. The “Gourmet Dormet”, as she calls herself, shares how to make a variety of foods. To my excitement, I found another recipe that seemed to be a potential candidate: Homemade Hummus. This microwave-cooking attempt ended with great success. I would highly recommend that other hummus aficionados try it out as well:
The process was very simple and took about 5 minutes to prepare.
The ingredients were not as readily available on campus, but now you have an excuse to make another late night Walmart run with your friends - or sneak some extra garbanzo beans from the cafeteria if you are feeling frugal. To make this you will need the following ingredients:
3/4 cup of canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/8 teaspoon of paprika
1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
Extra virgin olive oil (amount varies)
1 to 2 tablespoons of water
Your choice of mashing instrument.
In a microwavable bowl, put your garbanzo beans, spices, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil together and mix (do not mash.) Cover the bowl and microwave your ingredients for 2 minutes. Next, take your chosen mashing instrument. Mash the garbanzo beans until they reach your preferred texture. The mixture will be dry so add a drizzle of olive oil. Mash and stir. When it dries out again, mix it with water and continue to stir. You may need to add more olive oil. Taste your mixture, decide if it needs more spices, grab your favorite dipping food and enjoy your snack!
(09/08/11 1:36am)
A Ribbon Cutting ceremony, to officially celebrate the opening of the Village Lofts, kicked off the Back to School Bash hosted by College Hill Corridor at the Mercer Village last Wednesday evening. Despite the persistent heat, Mercer students, Macon adults, and young families came out to take part in the festivities. President Underwood, Mercer cheerleaders and everyone’s favorite mascot, Toby, made their appearances during the event.
The section of Montpelier Ave. that runs through Mercer Village was blocked off to keep vehicles from entering the area. Several businesses set up tents along the block. Apparel Authority, a company that creates personalized shirts and accessories, including Mercer apparel, was one of the companies represented along the block.
Other local businesses, such as Fountain of Juice and Margaritas, had their doors propped open invitingly. The streets were filled with a comfortable number of people, not too crowded, but enough participants to keep a buzz of excitement in the air. Retail discounts were offered by several local businesses, including Rodeo Beach.
The Mike Kinnebrew Band set the mood for the rest of the night, providing the entertainment on the outdoor stage. The band, an acoustic pop rock group, is a regular headliner at the renowned Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta. Many participants sat on restaurants’ patios with a slice of pizza from Ingleside or a drink from Jittery Joe’s while enjoying the evening and the music.
The younger participants also seemed to be enjoying themselves. Toddlers were running back and forth across the street. The older children attempted to play a game of Corn Hole, which only resulted in an entertaining beanbag fight.
To top off the night, in Tattnall Square Park, students and families could experience a big screen showing of the movie The Social Network, a movie about the beginnings of Facebook that came to theaters last fall.
David Barwick, representing Apparel Authority, commented, “The event went very well despite the heat.”
“The most exciting part for me was watching the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; I’ve never seen one in person. Not to mention, I look forward to the day I can move into one of the new lofts,” says Alexis Messinger, a freshman studying speech therapy at Mercer.
For students and adults of all ages, the Back to School Bash was a pleasant distraction from classes and a great start of the 2011-2012 academic school year.