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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2019

135th YEAR ISSUE 18

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Trump’s rally in Tupelo sparks appreciation, disappointment MIA RODRIGUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Thousands of Mississippians gathered at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo this past Friday for a political rally held by President Donald Trump.

Although the arena itself reached max capacity, many of Trump’s supporters stood outside of the arena, clad with MAGA attire underneath the glow of a screen that live-streamed the

events inside.

Those in search of Trump memorabilia needed only to scan the area within a six-foot radius, as many vendors gathered outside the arena to sell Trumpthemed items from cowboy hats to flags depicting Trump raising a beer to his constituents.

David Perez, a flag vendor from Albuquerque, New Mexico, travels around the country with his family following the president and said Trump is the No. 1

selling flag. It was Perez’s first time in Tupelo, and he said it was one of the smaller rallies he had experienced on the road.

Waving a flag portraying Trump offering a thumbsup with the words, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”, Perez circled the crowd looking for lastminute customers and waited for the president to begin his speech. Perez praised Trump’s current handling of the United States’ affairs and anticipates reelection.

“Well, the reason I like him a lot is because everybody is working,” Perez said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. If you want to be a business owner, if you want to be an employee, everybody has room to work with. Everybody is getting a piece of the pie, and that’s just pretty cool. That’s the beauty of this country is that if you want to be a business owner, then you have to work hard for it and if you want to be an employee, then you still have to work hard

for it. Our rights come from God, so he’s about that and that’s the beauty of it. That’s what I like about him. I don’t like politicians a lot, but our rights come from God and he appreciates that.”

Also in support of Trump’s current actions and reelection were Starkville residents Chris and Natalia Sears. Chris Sears expressed his gratitude at Trump’s decision to visit Tupelo and believes Trump is doing everything that a president should do.

TRUMP, 2

President Donald Trump

The Mississippi Court of Annual T.K. Martin Center Fun Run is a spooky success Appeals to visit MSU Mississippi State

EMMA DRAY BRASWELL STAFF WRITER

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will convene at the Hunter Henry Center on Mississippi State University’s campus on Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to give students the opportunity to witness the Joshua Charles Miller v. State of Mississippi case as well as the appeal of William Ervin Edwards v.

State of Mississippi.

The court of appeals is an intermediate appellate court that assists in the workload of the Mississippi Supreme Court and it is bringing two criminal appeals cases to MSU’s campus.

According to the State of Mississippi Judiciary’s

website, Miller was convicted of murder due to a shooting that killed Kristin Aultman on Aug. 18, 1996 at the Oloh Baptist Church parking lot in Lamar County. His appeal is focused on whether or not his life sentence includes the possibility of parole.

Edwards was sentenced to five years in prison on June 12, 2018 after being convicted of posting messages through media with the goal of harming another.

Donna Barnes, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals in the state of Mississippi, said that several aspects go into choosing the court cases that are going to be heard at universities.

University’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability hosted their annual Fun Run on Friday. This year’s theme was Trick or Trot.

Pictured is Silas Nygard, a T.K. Martin Center student.

COURT, 2

Bri Laverty | The Reflector

Rosalind Hutton

Students stitch in style in Mitchell Memorial Library’s makerspace

JUNE HUNT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library hosts technical skills workshops throughout the year inside the Digital Media Center’s makerspace, one of which is a knitting workshop.

The last workshop was taught by Teri Robinson, an assistant professor in the Office of Thesis and Dissertation Formatting, and Caree Sisson, Technology Specialist for the Digital Media Center.

Attendees were instructed in basic knitting skills, such as how to make a garter stitch, and practiced using skeins

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of yarn and 3D-printed knitting needles. Attendees got to take home their yarn and needles at the end of the workshop.

Sisson acknowledged the 3D-printed practice needles were not high quality, but she added that their lower cost, compared to metal needles, is beneficial for the library and the students.

“It allows people to have something to take home and practice with. We want to provide patrons with materials instead of having to keep them here,” Sisson said.

Robinson, who has been knitting for over 10 years, said she hoped those who attended the workshop gained an appreciation for

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the art.

“Knitting is considered an old lady hobby, but there’s a lot more to it than most people expect,” Robinson said.

This is the first workshop Robinson has taught on knitting, but she said she would teach more if asked.

Robinson noted the positive benefits community members could find in knitting.

“If you can learn some of the basic techniques, then it opens up a whole new world of creativity for you,” Robinson said.

Sisson said she has been crocheting for almost 10 years, but she has only been knitting for three weeks.

KNITTING, 2

Kaylee Ricchetti | The Reflector

Mississippi State University students, faculty and staff participate in a knitting workshop in the Digital Media Centerʼs makerspace.

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COURT

These include both the interest that young adults will have with the particular case as well as an opportunity for a stimulating oral argument.

“We have to make sure the case justifies oral argument since we are asking lawyers to travel,” Barnes said.

According to Beverly Kraft, the Court of Appeal’s Public Information Officer, the Court of Appeals has been hearing cases at universities since 2005, and she said, based on the times she has attended the hearings herself, that the

CONTINUED FROM 1

court is always pleased with the number of students who attend.

“They’re taking advantage of a learning opportunity. It’s delightful to see the room full,” Kraft said.

Kraft said this program is a valuable educational opportunity for students because it exposes students to an experience outside of their normal lives.

“It’s an opportunity to see something you wouldn’t ordinarily get. You don’t get it in the classroom, and you don’t get that with TV

either,” Kraft said.

Whit Waide, an assistant professor of political science at MSU and the prelaw advisor, said by going to view these appellate courts, students can see a glimpse of the real world.

“It’s important to always try to compliment what you’re learning in school with what’s out there in the real world. It enhances learning in a very impactful way,” Waide said.

Kraft said students need to be exposed to this type of court in case they are not aware of their interest in

that particular area of law.

“It may present someone with another possibility that they hadn’t thought of.

There are so many different types of law practice,” Kraft said.

Barnes said citizens and students, in general, have more access to trial courts, so they know those types of courts much better than appellate courts.

“It’s what they see on television, it’s what they see in communities if they ever go to the courthouse and peek in on a trial. They’re seeing a trial court judge in

action,” Barnes said. “We are away from the public eye, and very few citizens or students are aware of what the appellate process involves.”

Waide said while it is a great program, he hopes more courts will participate in similar programs in the future.

“I think it’s important to see, when you’re in college, to have exposure to how things really happen out there,” Waide said.

Barnes said appellate court judges have isolated work options compared to

KNITTING

trial court judges. Because oral arguments are such a small percentage of their jobs, a majority of their jobs include reading, researching and writing.

Because of this, Barnes said one benefit of going to campuses for oral arguments is having the ability to show citizens and students what an appellate court is compared to a trial court.

“We welcome the opportunity to show students and citizens what it is we actually do,” Barnes said.

CONTINUED FROM 1

“It’s really difficult, so I “It’s helpful to have workshop as an affirming might not keep it up. I have other people as resources,” experience. a lot of crochet projects I Sisson said. “If someone “I was struggling, but would like to do,” Sisson knows how to do a stitch I I could see other people said. don’t, I can just ask.” struggling too,” Terry said.

Sisson has also taught Sisson also said students “It helped me remind myself a crocheting workshop for can set up individual that it’s okay to not totally the Digital Media Center. appointments if they would get it.”

Terry said attending the These workshops are part like to continue developing of a larger effort by Sisson skills from a workshop or if workshop has inspired her to promote the Maker’s they missed a workshop but to continue with knitting as well as start new Space. projects.

“We’ve had a “I’m making crochet workshop, a a scarf for my knitting workshop, a decal workshop Knitting is considered girlfriend which I hope to have done and we’re having a December,” Christmas t-shirt an old lady hobby, but there’s by Terry said.

“I’m workshop in a lot more to it than most thinking about December,” Sisson people expect,” Robinson setting up a one-onsaid. “We want to one appointment to give students access said. find some direction to things they might on starting other not otherwise have Teri Robinson projects.” access to.”

Terry said she Sisson hopes Assistant Professor to expand the Office of Thesis and hoped to go to future workshops. workshops further Dissertation Formatting “I think it was a by collaborating great experience,” with student Terry said. “I’ve groups and offering even had coworkers ask tutorials on more advanced still want to learn. techniques.

Laura Terry, workshop about it to see if they’d like “I spoke with the fiber attendee and staff member to do it, too.”

Mitchell Memorial arts club about possibly within the forestry working together,” Sisson department, has been Library offers workshops for said. “We hope having knitting for seven years but academic and extracurricular more teachers will allow us found the workshop to be a topics. Details on upcoming to offer more workshops helpful confirmation of her workshops can be found on the MSU events calendar as at more levels beyond knowledge. beginner.”

“I’m mostly self-taught well as the Mitchell Memorial Sisson also said she and don’t practice much, Library website. Students hopes to create more so I wanted to make sure I interested in setting up oneinformal knitting events hadn’t made something up on-one lessons in knitting where students can about how to knit,” Terry or crocheting can email the Digital Media Center at dmc. collaborate and share said. knowledge.

Terry described the library.msstate.edu.

“

”

Kaylee Ricchetti | The Reflector

In addition to the knitting workshop, the Mitchell Memorial Library also plans to host a crocheting and t-shirt workshop in the makerspace.

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“I think he’s doing a great job. All he is doing is what he is supposed to do and that is apply the constitution and limit the federal government,” Chris Sears said. “I think our founding fathers would be proud of Donald Trump.

He’s reducing regulations, he’s limiting the federal government and he’s trying to give power back to the people.”

While many stood in support of Trump, many also came out to show their disapproval of the president’s handling of both foreign and domestic affairs.

Carlton Wall, a member of the Tupelo chapter of the activist group Indivisible, expressed surprise at Trump’s decision to visit Tupelo and called for increased action and support of the Kurds.

“I am stunned that he is coming for the second time in less than a year to such a small place. I recognize it’s his base of support, and I hope we can impress on him that the people he wants to come see and the people who like him support the Kurds,” Wall said.

Wall said Trump’s refusal to support the Kurds is a betrayal of American values and will have a disastrous effect on his supporters and chance of reelection.

“The Kurds have supported us since the time of H.W. Bush. They’ve answered every call we have ever given. We told them about four to five months

CONTINUED FROM 1

ago that they need to disarm—to placate Turkey.

They did, because they always answer our call and then in one phone call that was so fast we had to bomb ourselves when we pulled out of the Syrian border, we abandoned our allies,” Wall said. “He’s not going to get, I don’t believe, any North Mississippian that served in the National Guard, any North Mississippians that served in the army with the Kurds. I don’t believe he is going to compare to any of the other candidates with his unique betrayal of American allies. He needs to reconnect.”

Another protester, Liz Hicks of Tupelo, stood with her son among Trump supporters, carrying a sign that questioned the president’s ability to lead.

“I don’t feel like Trump could ever make America great again. Have you seen him actually get out there with some of these people who are actually struggling and actually ask personal questions about their life or what would really make our community better as a whole?” Hicks said. “We have real, true problems here that involve racism, segregation—that stuff still exists here in Mississippi.

It’s everywhere, and Trump is doing nothing. It’s like he is giving people the ammunition to be ugly and to be more vocal about not liking someone based on the color of their skin or their sexuality or their choice of preference of

anything in life. So, I just don’t see how one person who doesn’t know anything about being on the bottom can actually be for the ones on the bottom already.”

Hicks also expressed her fear towards the openness for hate and racism that she said became heightened when Trump took office in 2017.

“I have four biracial children and that’s one thing that terrifies me is to know that someone might see them one day and be like ‘Oh, he fits the description of some kid that just robbed a store,’ and in all actuality, he was coming home from football practice and gets killed,” Hicks said. “Now, I have to spend the rest of my life missing my child because of your insecurities. Too many people have lost their lives because of the way that they look and something’s got to change. I may not be able to change the world, but I can change this day and stand out here for what I believe in.”

This rally marked Trump’s second visit to Tupelo within a year. On this particular occasion, Trump came to both garner support for himself and for Tate Reeves, the Republican candidate for governor, prior to the Mississippi general election held today.

While this may be the last rally held in Mississippi for the foreseeable future, Trump’s next rally is set to take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 in Monroe, Louisiana.

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OPINION

Blizzard shows its true, red colors with China Rosalind Hutton

REFLECTIONS Augustine of Hippo “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”

Trivia Time!

1. What is the only country that displays the Bible on its national flag?

2. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Amy Winehouse all died at what age?

3. How many states are needed to ratify an amendment for it to become part of the Constitution?

4. Who won more Academy Awards in his lifetime than any other person?

5. Which scientist is considered the father of modern genetics? of 50 4. Walt Disney 5. Gregor Mendel Answer: 1. The Dominican Republic 2. 27 3. 38 out

Source: trivia.fyi

CHRIS LOWE

is a senior majoring in business information systems. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

Over the past month, Blizzard Entertainment, a company known for releases like World of Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo, made itself a centerpiece of the Hong Kong controversy that has made its way to America.

This started last month when they began what amounts to a censorship campaign on competitors for another of their games, Hearthstone.

“On October 8th, Video game developer Blizzard banned virtual card game Hearthstone player Ng ‘Blitzchung’ Wai Chung for voicing support for Hong Kong protesters during a competition live stream.

Since then, Blizzard has banned three college students and temporarily suspended multiple people in a Twitch chat for also expressing support for the protests,” according to the staff for The Verge.

The obvious and probably correct explanation for why Blizzard would do such a thing is simple: money. China, the country attempting to bend Hong Kong to its antifreedom will, has relaxed its stance on video games over the past decade and has allowed American companies to penetrate the market there.

With over a billion potential customers, this has had companies salivating at the opportunity to capitalize and make millions.

But it is not quite so simple to make Chinese money. To do so, meeting their censorship demands is a requirement. Thus far, this

has simply been things like changing texture models ingame to replace “offensive” content, and Blizzard has already been doing this for years with World of Warcraft.

However, on the back of China having more and more influence on American corporations, they have begun to flex their metaphorical muscles a bit, and when looking at a similar situation with the NBA where China has no way to suggest they are not directly pressuring NBA executives, Blizzard’s situation becomes pretty apparent.

Of course, these actions have sparked a firestorm of blowback from politicians to the very gamers Blizzard is trying to silence.

As reported by Niraj Chokshi for The New York Times, “Gamers posted angrily on social media; an anti-Blizzard boycott trended on Twitter; company employees staged a walkout and at least one creator of the immensely popular World of Warcraft said he had canceled his personal subscription to the game. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, weighed in, as did Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat who said on Twitter that Blizzard had shown it was ‘willing to

‘Die Hard’ is fundamentally a Christmas movie

JOHN HAYNES

is a junior majoring in history and classics.

Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate. edu.

Now that it is officially Christmas season, the old question returns: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie?

According to Bruce Willis, who famously played the protagonist, the film is not, as reported by Ryan Gerhardt with ScreenRant. On the other hand, Stephen de Souza, the co-writer of the script, told the Washington Post that “[i]f ‘Die Hard’ is not a Christmas movie, then ‘White Christmas’ is not a Christmas movie.”

What do the American people think? A 2018 Morning Consult/Hollywood Reporter survey of 2,200 U.S. adults found a mere 25% consider “Die Hard” a Christmas movie. Does this mean the other 75% are all haters and losers? No, some, I assume, are good people.

They are merely misinformed and, therefore, befuddled.

Part of this confusion is rooted in the definition of what a “Christmas movie” is in the first place. When watching “A Christmas

Story,” it is easy to spot an abundance of presents, Christmas trees and mall Santas. This preponderance of evidence may lead some to classify “A Christmas Story” as a Christmas movie.

Those people are wrong.

“A Christmas Story” is not a Christmas movie, but a movie about Christmas.

Although the picture is inundated with images and plots associated with the yuletide season, the plot itself follows a young boy, Ralphie, who longs for a B.B. gun for Christmas. That narrative structure more closely resembles more a coming-of-age story than the true Christmas narrative.

For a closer look at what a Christmas movie’s story should be, let us journey back to Bethlehem 2019 years ago.

The true Christmas story, not the crass commercialist crap shoveled out by Hallmark annually, follows the story of a young man who perseveres through hardships, disproves doubters and ultimately overcomes his enemy after a dramatic descent. The original, of course, deals with Jesus Christ, and the account of his deeds has been a massive bestseller, with some even deeming it the greatest story ever told.

John McClane, the hero in Die Hard, is a Christ figure par-excellence. As detailed in Thomas Foster’s

“How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” Christ figures have several traits that signal the audience as to the individual’s semidivine status. Among others, figures go through an ordeal of suffering with wounds in their feet and have a confrontation with a devilish figure.

Like many Christ figures found in action movies, John McClane’s name itself is a clue. Rather than be so obvious as to have the hero’s initials literally be “J. C.,” the screenwriters subtly alter one aspect of the name.

Sometimes it is “J. B.” – see James Bond and Jason Bourne. Another trick is to put the “C” at the end of a name, as in John Wick. For “Die Hard,” John McClane toes the line of the “J. C.” status with an Irish addition to his surname.

McClane undergoes a series of trials throughout the film. Even before the terrorists invade Nakatomi Plaza, Joe Takagi (James Shigeta) jokes to McClane’s wife (Bonnie Bedelia) that he has been “sticking [McClane] with spears” – just as the nameless Roman speared Jesus in the side on the cross.

Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), the lead villain, orders his henchman (Alexander Godunov) to shoot out the glass in the windows so McClane must walk over the shards to escape. Our

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A

not about the content of Blitzchung’s message. It’s about the fact that it was not around the games.”

Essentially, he was arguing staying on topic was such an important thing for Blizzard that banning streamers for long periods of time and confiscating thousands of dollars, initially, was the appropriate response and had absolutely nothing to do with their relationship to China. Even if this was true, what about the people just commenting on Twitch chats?

It quite simply does not add up. To me, Blizzard stinks of corporate greed and exposing themselves to the world as being in bed with one of the most corrupt governments in the world should honestly scare all of us. I could write an entirely new article on the implications of China censoring Americans through a proxy like corporations.

If this continues and more corporations fall victim to greed, which they will, it is only a matter of time before China can exert considerable influence on our way of life.

I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but in the world we live in, we cannot trust China and, apparently, not Blizzard either.

MORNING

barefoot hero ends up with bloody feet – again, just as Christ on the cross.

Jesus underwent a descent into hell following his crucifixion, and he was encouraged by Satan to leap off the roof of a tall building.

In “Die Hard,” McClane falls several stories off the roof of a skyscraper after rescuing several innocents.

Although McClane obviously played a major role in the events of “Die Hard,” doubters questioned his authority throughout. The Deputy Chief of Police (Paul Gleason) viewed McClane as a possible terrorist, while the FBI agents (Robert Davi and Grand Bush) do not even consider him “part of the equation.” Jesus also faced criticism from the established authorities in his day, with the Pharisees debating him and some wondering if his powers came as a result of demon possession, see John 10:20.

Clearly, John McClane is a Christ figure, which establishes “Die Hard” as a Christmas movie. Although there are many other films with Christ figures not considered Christmas movies, the abundance of yuletide imagery in “Die Hard” hints to the audience the true nature of the film. Whether “Die Hard” is a movie about Christmas is up for debate, but it is a Christmas movie.

MAZE

Source: mazegenerator.net

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Life Editor/Mary Madeline LaMastus

Opinion Editor/Dylan Bufkin Sports Editor/Hunter Cloud

humiliate itself to please the Chinese Communist Party.’”

Now, that is a harsh accusation and as such should be considered with care. Even though we do not know all the facts and cannot prove with certainty that Blizzard acted out of greed and subservience to the Chinese, we can analyze exactly how Blizzard has handled the aftermath of this controversy. A few days ago, Blizzard’s annual event, BlizzCon, took place.

Here, Blizzard’s President, J. Allen Brack, opened the event with a speech addressing their handling of Mr. Chung and the other streamers involved in the incident. He did an admittedly masterful job of acting the part of an apologetic suit and almost convinced me this situation might not be black and white after all. Of course, in the wake of these flowery words, nothing was done to alleviate the bans of any of the streamers involved.

In an interview with Steven Messner for PC Gamer, Brack stated, “We want the official broadcasts, which are a small percentage of the overall content that gets created, to be about the games. And we want those to be focused on the games. Again, it’s

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5LIFE -Life& ENTERTAINMENT 5 THE REFLECTOR TUEDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 @REFLECTORONLINE

Cats are welcomed by the Bulldog community RILEY STEPHENS STAFF WRITER

Mississippi State University’s mascot may be a Bulldog, but MSU’s campus is thriving with cats. Found all over campus, these felines linger around the shrubs of buildings as students and faculty stroll to class. Most everyone has seen, and possibly even pet, the cats that lounge around campus, most notably near the perimeters of the Colvard Student Union, McCool Hall, Montgomery Hall, McCarthy Gymnasium and the Writing Center.

The cats of MSU even have an Instagram account (@msstatecampuscats) dedicated to candid pictures of the cats basking in the college atmosphere. The social media account has a running of about 973 followers and allows for photo or video submissions of campus cat sightings.

Despite the hype, many passersby on campus are unaware of how or why the cats found their permanent residence with the Bulldogs.

In hopes to appease the curiosities about these cats, I asked a variety of people— students, professors, and other faculty potentially affiliated with the cats’ whereabouts—about their knowledge of the cats on campus to gather as much information to familiarize students with the finer details of the felines.

While the cats are fairly popular, their whereabouts are relatively unknown.

Robert Montgomery has long-term affiliations with MSU. He was a former MSU student and now lectures sociology and philosophy of

Rosalind Hutton

religion courses here at his alma mater. Montgomery has taught for over a decade and, like many around campus, admits to knowing very limited information on the cats.

“I’ve seen cats around for the last 10 years I’ve been here. At different buildings, I’ve seen little food bowls put out or little aluminum dishes put out for them. I don’t know if different departments take care of them or not. I’ve seen students give them stuff,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery does not find their presence a nuisance in any way.

“I like having them around. They’re relaxing; it’s like having birds and anything else around. I enjoy seeing them in the bushes.

Some will come out and talk to you and get close,” Montgomery said.

Sophie Bignault, a sophomore majoring in geoscience, says she also enjoys seeing the cats around campus and even feeds them from time to time.

“When I see them it makes me happy, and it makes them happy to give them treats,” Bignault said.

Bignault also notes the benefits of having cats on campus.

“Even if you don’t own pets, just interacting with

animals like that can help relieve stress. Of course, those cats could also get rid of rodents.”

Business manager Kathy Kelly of the Department of Kinesiology has worked in McCarthy Gymnasium since 2002 but has been on the MSU campus since 1994.

Kelly shared her ongoing

abandoning or losing their pet feline “What we all feel is that students have brought cats on campus and they leave, or the cats run off and they can’t find them. There’s neighbors and faculty housing, so cats are just drawn to where other cats are,” Kelly said.

Kayleigh Few, an English

“They’re an enjoyable part of

my job. I don’t get paid to feed them. Some days, they’re the only things keeping me going,” Kaleigh Few Director of the Writing Center experiences with the campus cats, specifically around McCarthy Gymnasium.

“The cats used to come out in the gym, and when you were playing tennis or walking in the gym, you could see the cats up in the rafters. When I went up in the front of the building, I started putting out food for the cats,” Kelly said.

Many are unsure of the cats’ exact origins, but many seem to believe they simply come from owners

instructor since 2012 and director of the Writing Center since 2016, has frequent encounters with the cats and even has passersby share comments about the Writing Center cats.

“I get a lot of people walking by, not just students, but faculty and other staff who will comment when they walk by. I had a lady once say she walks this way to her car just so she can see them,” Few said.

Kayleigh Few believes the

cats add a unique feature to the Writing Center building.

“We always talk about how we want students to feel comfortable here, and we’re in an actual house so I feel like they just kinda add to the ambiance here. If anything, having the cats helps bring students to the Writing Center,” Few said The staff t-shirts for the Writing Center include a sketched outline of the building with little cats surrounding its front porch entrance. Few held up the t-shirt with the cat silhouettes around the porch of the Writing Center sketch and said, “It’s definitely part of the experience.”

Both Kelly and Few explain some people on campus did not appreciate them feeding the cats, but both women work with the Humane Society to accommodate.

“There’s a couple of women affiliated with the Humane Society that work on campus. We will get together, especially when we see new cats, and we’ll set traps out to catch them. Once they’re in the cage, we take them to the Humane Society,” Kelly said.

At the Humane Society, the cats are fixed and given shots. Kelly noted a notch on a cat’s ear indicates the cat has been “fixed.”

Kelly said the Humane Society puts together makeshift shelters for the cats. The shelters may be seen around buildings like McCool or the McCarthy Gymnasium.

They are composed of sturdy plastic tubs stuffed with pine straw for warmth.

Though the cats are fixed and present no danger to students, Kelly says they are still feral animals and should be met with caution.

“We do what we can.

The students will be fine as long as they don’t try to grab them. Be smart, and respect their area. You can talk to them and look at them and take pictures. I take pictures of them all the time, and they’re fine with stuff like that,” said Kelly.

Kelly believes the campus cats are a comfort to many students.

“I think they’re a comfort on campus. I know when I need a little break from here, I can walk out to where they are and go talk to them.

Animals are known to have that soothing therapy.”

Likewise, Few holds similar sentiments about the cats.

“They’re an enjoyable part of my job. I don’t get paid to feed them. Some days, they’re the only things keeping me going,” Few said.

Annual Fermentation Fair expands Starkville’s tastebuds DEVIN BYRD

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Many people have a sour taste in their mouth for the word “fermentation.” After bearing witness to the kombucha craze this year, I decided to visit the second annual Fermentation Fair put on by Starkville’s Homestead Education Center. The fair took place this past Friday at the education center’s location off of Old Highway 12.

The fair and other events put on by the center are free for members and only $5 for non-members.

With my cash in tow, I arrived at the event location and easily found parking.

When checking in, there was a table that accepted cash, but participants could also purchase a ticket online. I did not expect this, but I thought it was very convenient. Upon my arrival, I noticed the festival was a very small and rural version of a traditional festival, having only five vendors in total.

Jason Allison, a local fermentation enthusiast, spoke for about 30 minutes about kefir, a fermented milk drink that uses bacterial grains to establish good gut health.

I have never heard of kefir before, but after watching Allison refer to the grains as his “little buddies,” I have to admit I wanted some “little buddies” too.

Allison demonstrated how to properly ferment the grains in milk and the daily maintenance required. He brought take-home jars of the grains, so the event attendees could also start their own kefir batch.

The next demo was about sourdough bread, and I was anticipating this presentation. A lot of people do not actually realize that sourdough has a fermented starter involved which gives it the notorious “sour” taste.

Jordan Smith|The Reflector

At Starkville’s annual Fermentation Fair, Marion Samsing, a local vendor, hands her homemade kombucha to Madeline Nielsen, a customer.

Michael Dodson, a biology instructor and owner of Daddy’s Cupcakes, spoke about how a sourdough starter works.

“The starter contains yeast and bacteria of different species that are actually digesting the starch that is in the starter, but also the starch in the bread too. That causes the alcohol, acids and carbon dioxide to produce which will cause the rising of the bread,” Dodson said.

Apparently, it is the production of acid that gives sourdough its signature tartness.

Dodson’s presentation was very informative, but definitely geared towards someone who has already tried their hand at making sourdough. I learned a lot, but definitely not enough to try my own hand at it any time soon. He had a variety of breads for sale including sourdough bread, Amish friendship bread and miso bread, which is another fermented starter bread. I did not stick around to sample, because immediately following that demo, there was the final presentation about mead.

For those who do not know, mead is any alcohol

made with honey. There are different variations, but the mead at the festival was in the style of wine. Queen’s Reward is a local meadery in Tupelo, and the owner Jeri Carter was there to prove making mead is just as fun as drinking it.

“Oh, it’s fun. You need to come to the meadery, come do a tasting, and let us show you around and show you where we make it. It’s fascinating. This is

where alcohol started. It happened before anything else. It’s just so cool that it’s having a come-back, and you get to be creative in the process,” Carter said with a smile.

Due to lacking a liquor license, I was unable to try any of the Queen’s Reward products at the event. However, Carter sold me on it, and I picked up a bottle as soon as I left. Scotty’s Wine and

Spirits in Starkville is the only liquor store with the full selection of Queen’s Reward mead. At Scotty’s, I bought a bottle of the “Pucker Up” flavor infused with lemon. I paid $26.99 for a normal size bottle of mead, which is double what my normal wine choice is, but it is truly something special. The notes of honey and lemon are in this wine, but it also has that dry aftertaste of normal wine.

I will definitely repurchase and consider taking a trip to the meadery next time I find myself in Tupelo.

There were two more tables that had homemade kombucha and kimchi, which are arguably the two most notorious fermented foods. I tried some mixed veggie kimchi, a ginger kombucha and original sauerkraut from the Kitchen Trails booth owned by Marion Sansing. I asked her what sparked her interest in fermentation.

“The health aspects of it, and it being good for your gut health. I’m into healthy foods, and fermentation is a big part of health foods,” Sansing replied.

The ginger kombucha was fairly potent, but I could see why some enjoy the drink in general. The Kitchen Trails’ kimchi and sauerkraut were deliciously tart and had a really present, yet pleasant, fermented flavor. I enjoyed the Kitchen Trails’ products very much.

All in all, for $5 I am coming home with a wealth of knowledge about homemade fermented products and a new favorite alcoholic beverage.

The event was much smaller than I anticipated, but it actually made the interactions more insightful and intimate. I had a great time, and I will definitely be coming back next year and bringing a few friends along too.

6

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 @SPORTSREFLECTOR

SPORTS

Bulldog offense runs hog wild in win against Arkansas HUNTER CLOUD SPORTS EDITOR

On a Saturday afternoon in the hills of Fayetteville, Mississippi State University’s quarterback Tommy Stevens stepped back onto the field and took control from the first drive of the game as MSU beat the University of Arkansas 54-24.

“The month of October was pretty tough on us,” Stevens said. “Glad we could get back on track here in November.”

Head coach Joe Moorhead said there were concerns about Shrader’s general health and that factored into the decision to start Stevens, a graduate transfer quarterback from Indianapolis, Indiana, on the road in Fayetteville.

It was a decision that was made Thursday, and Stevens stepped up and delivered with 172 yards passing for two touchdowns, completing 12/18 passes.

“I’ve always prided myself in being a team-first guy,” Stevens said. “Today was my

turn again and I tried to make the best of my opportunities.”

MSU had a shaky start to the first possession as the offense was called for a false start penalty. However, the Bulldogs settled down as MSU took control on the ground as Kylin Hill got to the outside and took off racing for 61 yards before being tackled out of bounds at the 4.

Two plays later, Stevens and Hill gave MSU a touchdown on its opening drive. Stevens said the run game was established early by the offensive line. Moorhead said to start that well early in the game was important.

“It is a lot easier when you aren’t digging yourself out of a hole,” Moorhead said. “It was good to jump out fast on both sides of the ball.”

That opening drive was followed by a defensive stop, forcing a punt. Then, Stevens led a second scoring drive as Osirus Mitchell leaped into the air and caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Stevens over the head of the defender.

After giving up a 52-yard

touchdown run to Arkansas, the Bulldogs responded with a drive of their own down the field scoring a touchdown.

The drive marked a momentous point in the game as the Dawgs answered to go up 24-7.

MSU regained momentum as Hill, a senior

from Columbus, ran the ball for two more touchdowns for the Bulldogs. By the end of the game, Hill carried the ball 21 times, rushing for 234 yards scoring three touchdowns.

Leading the team through both the air and ground was Stevens, who had dealt with injury concerns up until the

Arkansas game. Moorhead said the last two weeks Stevens was at his healthiest, so when Stevens got the chance to start he seized it and ran with it.

“I view Tommy like a son,” Moorhead said. “To his credit, he didn’t come in and pout, didn’t complain, didn’t ask why. He kept his head down and kept working.

When he got his opportunity, it is always nice to see one of the good guys get rewarded and Tommy Stevens is one of the good guys in college football.”

A defensive touchdown also showed how much stronger MSU is when the team does not have players sitting out due to suspension.

One of those players is Marcus Murphy, a senior safety from West Point, who was suspended for violation of team rules along with six other players at the beginning of the season.

Murphy watched the quarterback’s eyes and jumped the comeback route by the slot receiver for Arkansas, running 32 yards for the score

beginning, even when we had some stretches when we let Auburn get ahead by a couple of points. We held it together and just decided to gut it out.”

With another confidence booster in their bag, the Bulldogs headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face the Tigers of LSU. The Tigers relied on their honorable mention All-American Taylor Banister, who had 25 kills and 16 digs, and their 13.5 team blocks to squeak past the Bulldogs in five exciting sets winning 3-2.

Alleah Stemantis, a senior setter from Lexington, Kentucky, spread the offense

around for the Bulldogs, setting four of her teammates up for double-digit kills.

Along the way, she notched her 10th double-double of the season as she accounted for 13 digs as well. Darty said she liked the grit her team showed taking LSU to five sets, especially after losing the third set 25-9.

“I’m proud of our fight today,” Darty said. “It was a roller coaster of a match and I think that’s the part we are trying to figure out and smooth out.”

Darty’s focus on the serve and pass game seemed to be the reason why they were able

to stay in the match. While hitting below .200 in hitting percentage, those sets where the Bulldogs were more successful defending the serve and coming away with points earned the Bulldogs set wins.

Smoothing the flow of play so there is not a roller coaster of emotions in a game is something Darty said the team can work to improve as controlling the tempo and emotions of a game is important.

“When we take care of our side and control what we can control, the result is pretty good,” Darty said. “We

Gracie Byrne|The Reflector

Tommy Stevens throws a pass in a 54-24 win over Arkansas. Stevens threw two touchdowns.

to put the Dawgs up 38-10 right before halftime.

The win over Arkansas snapped a four-game losing streak. Moorhead said it is a relief to get into the win column again.

“We try to put the losses behind you and move ahead to the next game,” Moorhead said. “Happy that our kids have been able to maintain that singleness of focus, not carry some of those loses into the next week.”

With the season coming to an end and MSU needing to win two of the last three games to become bowl eligible, Cameron Dantzler, a junior from Hammond, Louisiana, said Moorhead told the team how important it was to finish on a strong note.

“Coach always says ‘Make them remember November,’ You’ve got to finish strong,” Dantzler said. “It isn’t how you start but how you finish.

If we keep that in mind and keep on rolling then we stand a chance.”

have to find a way to slow it down and settle in, and really make the choice to focus on the serve and pass game if we are going to win sets and matches.”

In the next two weekends, MSU will host the University of South Carolina, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia with chances to earn more conference wins at home.

“I’m hoping that a weekend of good volleyball on the road will carry over this week and we can bring it back to StarkVegas for a big homestand next weekend,” Darty said.

Dawgs spike Auburn, fall to LSU in close sets PHIL EVANS STAFF WRITER

As the Bulldog volleyball team entered week five of conference play, they faced two very different types of opponents. On Friday, the Bulldogs played the University of Auburn, a team trying to stay alive and avoid a regime change at the end of the season. On Sunday, the Bulldogs faced the Louisiana State University Tigers, pushing to keep the pace in a league with so much parody.

For MSU’s second-year head coach Julie Darty, it was very important to show

progression by beating those teams that are not in the upper echelon of the conference.

After beating Auburn at home last weekend, this matchup was a chance to double her SEC win total from last year with six more matches to play.

The Bulldogs did not disappoint.

Darty was extremely proud of the way her squad played as they fought for every single point in the 3-0 set win Friday night.

“What a huge win for the Bulldogs,” Darty said. “We came in with a laser-like focus and it just seemed like we were calm and composed from the

UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER TH 7 | 7 P

SA Fall Speaker: Sgt. Matt Eversmann in Union Ballrooms (SU)

M 11 | 8-1

DM Rivalry Week: Coffee and Donuts on the Drill Field 2P True Maroon (TM) Week: Veteran’s Day Celebration on the Drill Field 5-7 P Campus MovieFest Info Session in McCool 130 7P God Is Not Dead Speaker in Bettersworth Auditorium 7-11 DM Rivalry Week: Local Culture Benefit Night

TU 12 | 8-5

DM Rivalry Week: It’s Poppin’ on the Drill Field 10-2 TM Week: Holy Cow Tuesday on the Drill Field 5P DM Rivalry Week: Miracle Memories in the Chapel

W 13 | 8-5

DM Rivalry Week: Football Challenge on the Drill Field 9-11A TM Week: World Kindness Day on the Drill Field 7:30 DM Rivalry Week: Yonder Windbreaker at 929 Coffee

TH 14 | 8-5

DM Rivalry Week: Car Smash on the Union Palaza 11-1 TM Week: Smashing S’mores on the Union Palaza All Day DM Rivalry Week: Slim Chicken Benefit Night

FR 15 | 8-11P Dawgs After Dark: Headphone Disco in the Union Ballrooms Coming November 17-23 HOMECOMING WEEK