Crcwth cf a city irwclYes students

§eptember of 1980 was a long awaited time forthe people of Lynchburg. Excitement mounted as that time came closer and closer. The newspaper carried storiesabout it Everyone talked about it. Finally, ithappened River Ridge Mall opened for business

C. Arthur Middleton, executive director of the Greater Lynchburg Chamber ofCommerce, said thatthe mall hasproven tobe a definite economic plus for the city ofLynchburg.

"The mall makes Lynchburg more attractive as a place to live and asa place to shop," Middleton said. "We hope that River Ridge Mall willappeal tothe marginal shopper -for example,those who live inBedford and had previously gone to Roanoke to shop would nowcome to Lynchburg."

River Ridge Mall was nottheonly new business tospring up withinthe 1980-81 period The Hilton hotel was also built These areonly thebeginnings of developments constantly taking place and being planned.

According to Middleton, there are some plans on thedrawing board for the revitalization of the downtown area which consist of a hotel,office buildings and a meeting center Just how soon these plans will become a reality is anyone's guess.

"Business growth actually depends upon the national economy and the interest rate.There are no major developments taking place presently, and there will not be any until the interest rate islowered from itscurrent high standing and until we can feel more comfortable about ournation's economy," Middleton said

Construction seemed tooslow at timesas the structure took form. Thalhimers, which opened inJuly before theentire mall was completed, was thefirst store to open.

He said that there isa positive side to Lynchburg's business expansion, and that is that the city has such a diversified economy which includes many manufacturers, several colleges and some commercial travelingfacilities.

"The economic well-being of Lynchburg is directly related tothe dollars that come into the city," Middleton said "Manufacturing is the main source, while colleges are other important constituents."

Students who come tocollege from other states spend the money that they bring with them on food,clothing and tuition. Middleton said that this isan important measure inthe economic health of the city.

Another factorwhich contributes to the economic well-being of Lynchburg isthe high population growth, according to Middleton

"Most ofthepeople who are mov- ing toLynchburg are those whoare in some way affiliated with or have an interest in Liberty Baptist College or Thomas Road Baptist Church," he said. "As LBC continues to grow, Lynchburg will continue togrow."

Freegive-aways werepart ofopening-day festivities at the River Ridge Mall. Here, Lisa Wellnergives a balloon toaLynchburg youngster.

Soon after the school year had begun, River Ridge Mall opened with approximately 90 stores and shops.

David attempts to please a youngcustomerwho doesn't seem to beconcentrating on how comfortably the shoe fits. Camper worked atthe Kinney shoe store.

Tom gives his sales pitch to a potential buyer. Vigneulle worked at the Athlete's Foot shop which specializes inathletic clothes and equipment.

-Kathy Frey -Dean White

Off-campus students find advantages and disadvantages

The y experience different forms and ways of life, yet they all have onething incommon, they live off-campus

Each year, especially with the expansive growth of the college, more and more studentsareresorting to life away from thedorms

When one looks closely at those who have chosen this lifestyle while atcollege, he findsthatsome livewith parents and families, some are married and some just like the independent atmosphere and privacy that one's own apartment brings

There are two varied opinions in regard tothepros and cons ofliving off-campus.

Liz Maniscalco,an off-campus students,says shelikes tobe by herself, so shefindsthe solitudean advantage to herlifestyle. Shealso says she eats betterbecause she willeatthree meals a day, where whilelivinginthe dorms itwaseasy toskip meals.Inthelong run Lizalso feelsthat shespends less money

"I save $80 a month as long as I keep tomy budget," Lizsaid.

Liz's roommate, Janet Young, also sees off-campus life as being more conducive toher lifestyle

"It'smore private andmore normal of an atmosphere," Janet said "It's a good step toliving on your own and getting married."

Although both Janet and Liz see definite advantages totheir life away from thedorms,they experience some drawbacks

"Not having a car is a disadvantage," Lizsaid, "and thereisaproblem with eating lunch. When I bringit with me there isno place tokeepit cold and there isno place toeat it I usually end up eating inthe car."

Although she enjoys the privacy, Janet misses the company a dorm brings

"I miss being able tojust go down the hall and visit some friends," she said. "I miss seeing my friends as much asIwant. Ialso miss thecrazy things that go on in thedorm."

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Darrel Proctor, alsoa studentmanager for SAGA, must budgethistime while at school. Here, Daniel finds timetousethe library.

Front row: Paul Cole-Jr., BrendaPowell-Jr., Susan Cox-Jr., Vicki Freel-Sr., Daniel Proctor-Sr., Vicki Hedding-Jr., Lois Lowell-Jr., Gordon Merrill-Jr., Mark Shelton-So., Ricky Montgomery-Jr. (second row) Phebe Jack-So., DorisBaxter-Fr., Hannibal Keyes-Fr., Sharon Francis-So., Steven BriggsSr., Jane Novotny-Fr, Peggy Edgreen-So., Vicky Jones-Jr., Reginald Vickers-So., Tony Tucker-Fr. (third row) Kelli Friel-Sr., Gary Nail-So., Jim O'Neill-Sr., Janis Chayka-Sr., Rebecca Segrest-So., Larry Douglas-So., Leonard Smith-Sr., GeorgeEverson-Jr., Connie Allison-Jr., Richard AlienSo., Donna Smith-Jr., GypsieArnold-Sr. (fourth row)Dave McClanahan)r., Faith Welling-Jr., RichardScales-Fr., Arthur MacArthur-Jr., Fredrick Spearing-Jr., DavidSamples-Jr., Michael Pfaw-So., Carl Sealander-Jr., John Stickley, Jr.-Fr., DanielLester-Jr., Ernest Lynn-Jr., Steve Allen-Fr., Mark Powell-Jr., MartinSchultz-Jr. (fifth row)Kim Kanagy-So., Dale Stertz-Jr., Donny Hargett-Jr, James Glover-Jr., James Holliday-Fr., John Bost-Fr., MauriceNoirot-Fr., Craig Hamm-Jr., Larry Stone-Jr., Timothy Van Derwarker-So., Mark Braley-Fr., Robert Lindberg-So.