A look at Christmas past in Counsel Hall

by Lee Mirenda

Memory lane is a trail often taken during the Christmas season. Let's take it back to Christmas 1984. The setting is Cabrini College. The place is Counsel Hall. This year's seniors were freshmen back then, and it was the last year Counsel Hall was a male residence.

A challenge existed among those men of Counsel to be the best decorated dorm. "There was a challenge between person to person to show everyone up even before the (dorm decorating) contest," John Doyle, former Counsel resident assistant, said. "Counsel was alwaysthe dorm to beat, so the guys had pretty big egos,'' Doyle added.

the judges went in."

"We dropped cut up pieces of white paper out the window above the door the judges were coming in to look like it was snowing," Gary Firestine, senior, said.

Chris Francis, senior, described some of the decorations in the hallway. "Joe Dodds put up a four foot Christmas tree, inacorner ofthehallwaybyroom28, with a record player playing Christmas music 24 hours a day."

Francis added, "There was a mounted deer in the hallway with a red nose to look like Rudolph. John Doyle had a Doctor Who Christmas, andMarkMurray had a Garfield Christmas."

senior, said.

John Doyle challenged 12 Counsel men to togas and go to dinner and go carolling. "I got ripped off for rubbing the 'belly of the Bud~ Corcoran.

Francis said, "We went caroling to the "At the end of the hallway by room 33, there was a Library, Woodcrest, and all the houses." fireplace with stockings that had everyone's name on it," Time moves on to 1987 now, and the former Some former Counsel men remember the night of judging of the dorms. "Burt Siwak made a bunch of us put branches on our backs to give us antlers and sing 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' as the judges approached the dorm," Mike Edmondson, senior, said. KevinCorcoran added, "We got a barrel with an orange light in it to make it look like fire. We stood around it, rubbing our hands together as if it was cold, and sang Christmas carols as

Firestine said. "Pat McKenna designed a little town in Counsel" recall why Christmas 1984is memorah-.c. the lobby and outside Dan Kane's room, Pat designed a Donahue, senior, said, "There was a lot of spirit. storefront that said 'Bead's Bar and Tikki Lounge proud of our dorm, and it was fun to do." Cacino,"' Corcoran said. Firestine said, "Everyone got into it. The R..:.

The decorations in the dorm aren't the only memories lot to <lowith it." of Counsel Christmas 1984. A dinner with faculty and "Everyone participated," Edmondson said caroling is also remembered. ''We had a big Christmas added, "We all got together and there was a s::::s dinner with the faculty in the blue room," Willie Pau~ unity." ,_ __________ ___;:.__ ________________

Friendships: sharing time with special people

by Rachel Athelia Anderson

Friends since first grade, they played many childhood games together: Hopscotch, Double-Dutch, and the more sophisticated 1-2-3 Capture with the boys.

Monique Walker and Susan Strickland are two best friends in their mid-20's. They have shared many experiences: pulling pranks together, choosing boys for each other and running away together, off school grounds, across the street.

"No matter where I went, she was there. No matter where she was, I was there," Walker explained.

They knew each other well, well enough to share the most intimate secrets, the most confidential promises and include each in the other's future. ''We knew each other to the point that she could pick out a guy for me better than I could." Well enough to know what each was thinking sometime.

Their promises were serious and mostly about boys. They promised each other that no matter what guy came in and out of their lives,no guy would ever break their friendship.

They promised that they would know each other forever. They planned their future years ago. Of course they would each marry a well-to-do man and be neighbors forever. Of course it would be a double wedding. Later in their marriages, they would bear children, around the same time so that their kids could be the same ages.

Walker and Strickland never grew apart, even during the peak of their early dating years. Walker met a boy and introduced her best friend to his best friend. According to them, that worked out rather nicely, quite convenient. Walker and Strickland participated in many escapades while involved with their new friends. Sneaking in their homes past curfew and helping each other create undeniable fabrications are memories these two girls will never forget.

Walker's boyfriend's best friend eventually became Strickland's fiance. "I was happy that I was a part of that." Walker explained.

Soon the wedding plans began. Then the day arrived. Susan Strickland became Susan Lockley.

"Seeing your best friend get married ," Walker began. "Seeing them with those gold bands on their fingers was different," she said, shaking her head. The couple was married at Strickland's and the bridal shower was held at the Walker residence. The Lockley's later moved far away.

After the excitement of the wedding died down, Walker realized something very important. Although she was welcomed at the Lockley residence, "I was sort of jealous of Kendall because it was like Kendall took something away from me," Walker said. "Hopefully he (Kendall Lockley)won'tgetshipped over seas,becausel'lljustdie," she said.

Keeping a friendship strong over such a long distance is difficult. "She's there and I'm here and you can't really say everything over the phone," Walker said. They don't talk to each other like they used to because of the long-distance telephone bill.

Although Walker and Lockley are still best friends, they don't share as many secrets or make as many promises. Their futures didn't work out exactly as planned. Walker is a working girl and Strickland is now Lockley. "I wish she had stayed and we would have kept on chit chatting."

Dorm Decorating

Cold air has settled in. Trees are decorated in garland, lights: and bows. Lights are attached to the windows and the walls of dorm Fake snow is put on the windows. Dorm room doors are decorated as presents in wrapping paper and bows. Nativity scenes appear under=-='" and on fireplaces.

Yes, it's that time again. "Tis the season to be jolly,• Mike Carz:... freshman, said with a smile. It's Christmas time!

The Christmas spirit is felt as you walk in Woodcrest Dormitory. Fres:-~ men women decorate their doors with creativity.

The Christmas tree with lights and decorations on it, (above) lights x the first floor hallway. The one thing that is unique about this tree is the: homemade. Dana Lepis, Pam Stemples.k.iand Lisa Majka display the.: creative talents for decorating as they decorated their own Cristmas =:-a:: their door. (photo by Sue Hill)