Volume 88, Issue 7

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

Volume 88, Issue VII

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Thursday, October 29, 2015

SHOOTOUT Shots Fired During Police Standoff In Village Outskirts; Investigation Pending

STORY ON PAGE 4

MAKING TIES American-Cuban Education Program Includes SUNY New Paltz Dean

STORY ON PAGE 5 PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

PHOTO COURTESY OF LALOGROUP.COM

PHOTO COURTESTY OF GLYNLOW.COM

HYSTERIA

Extensive Hotel And Condo Project Proposed For Village - STORY ON PAGE 3 -

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF THE NEW PALTZ ORACLE

•Gunman Injured In Shootout With Police ..................Pg 4 • NPCAC Hosts Local March For Climate Change ..................Pg 6 • U.S.-Cuba Relations Bring Educational Opportunities ..Pg 5 • Senate Hosts Town Supervisor Candidates ...............Pg 7

Kristen Warfield EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nate Sheidlower

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

MANAGING EDITOR _________________

Melanie Zerah NEWS EDITOR

Karl Evers-Hillstrom FEATURES EDITOR

Russell Hartman

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Melissa Kramer SPORTS EDITOR

_________________

Holly Lipka David Khorassani PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS

Stefanie Diers CARTOONIST

_________________

Sam Manzella Amanda Copkov Michael Rosen Jack O’Brien Jess Napp Monique Tranchina Anthony Orza Rachael Purtell Kintura Williams COPY EDITORS

_________________

Jackie Quaranto WEB CHIEF

_________________

Emma Savic

BUSINESS MANAGER _________________

Marisa Losciale

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER _________________

STAFF

FEATURES

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About The New Paltz Oracle

A&E

The New Paltz Oracle is the official student newspaper of SUNY New Paltz. Our circulation is 2,500. The New Paltz Oracle is sponsored by the Student Association and partially funded by the student activity fee.

The New Paltz Oracle is located in the Student Union (SU) Room 417. Deadline for all submissions is 5 p.m. on Sundays in The New Paltz Oracle office and by email at oracle@hawkmail. newpaltz.edu.

All advertisements must be turned in by 5 p.m. on Fridays, unless otherwise specified by the business manager. Community announcements are published gratuitously, but are subject to restriction due to space limitations.There is no guarantee of publication. Contents of this paper cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

The New Paltz Oracle is published weekly throughout the fall and spring semesters on Thursdays. It is available in all residence halls and academic buildings, in the New Paltz community and online at oracle.newpaltz.edu. For more information, call 845-257-3030. The fax line is 845-257-3031.

Volume 88 Issue VII Index NEWS THE DEEP END OP-ED COLUMN

Melissa Kramer

COLUMN Jess Napp

SPORTS

8B None 9 10 11-15

FOLLOW THE ORACLE

Sage Higgins, Matthew D’Onofrio

There were no incidents reported to the SUNY New Paltz University Police log during the week of Oct. 22 - 28. This has been a rare but fortunate occurance within the normal flow of arrests and citations; a flow which will likely pick back up over Halloweekend.

Stay safe, New Paltz!

SUNY New Paltz University Police Department Emergencies: 845-257-2222

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Five-Day Forecast Thursday, October 29 Showers High: 67 Low: 41

Friday, October 30 Partly Cloudy High: 55 Low: 31

Saturday, October 31 Mostly Cloudy High: 54 Low: 41

Sunday, November 1 Showers High: 59 Low: 44

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Disclaimer: This is only a partial listing. For all incidents, please visit the University Police Department.

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$80 Million Hotel And Condominium Complex Proposed

PHOTO COURTESY OF LALOGROUP.COM Digital rendering of the proposed $80 million boutique hotel and condominium complex.

By Sam Manzella

Copy Editor | Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

A local real estate development team sparked controversy after proposing an $80 million construction project in the heart of the village of New Paltz.

The project would include a boutique hotel and condominium complex in an unoccupied area of woodlands nicknamed “the pit,” located behind Hasbrouck Park.

Lalo Group Inc., whose offices are located on North Front Street in New Paltz, is in charge of the project’s development. According to Luis Martinez, head of Lalo Group, the hotel and condominium complex would include 81 condominiums, 96 hotel rooms, a banquet hall, a spa and a rooftop restaurant.

The complex would also provide 400 enclosed parking spaces for tenants and visitors. In terms of condominium residents and hotel guests, Martinez and his team hope to target older people as well

as young professionals in the area.

Despite previous court charges for falsifying business records brought against Lalo Group this April, Martinez does not believe the company’s past will impact this project. He said that these issues were resolved and have yet to present a problem for this project.

Construction on the proposed hotel and condominium complex would take anywhere from a year to 17 months, and the process could employ approximately 325 to 350 temporary construction workers, Martinez said. The complex itself would employ over 100 workers, potentially including locals and SUNY students. Martinez cited these ideas, as well as increased revenue for local business owners from hotel traffic, as major factors in this project’s favor.

“I’ve spoken to many people in favor of the project,” he said.

Yet Lalo Group’s proposal isn’t without controversy.

Passionate New Paltz locals have taken to social media to express their discontent with the company’s proposal. According to resident Valerie Erwin, Lalo Group’s project would be an “architectural blight” on the rich, historical character of the village of New Paltz.

“We already have a local hotel which fits our historical character and is priced for the elite,” Erwin said, referencing Mohonk Mountain House, a luxury resort overlooking Lake Mohonk.

More residents agreed, voicing their opposition to the project on the community Facebook page. Many were concerned about the scale of the project, including its large and visible parking lot, as well as potential congestion as a result of an influx of traffic.

Martinez claimed that his plan to enclose the parking lot will keep the lot contained and out of sight. He did not comment on traffic concerns.

Meanwhile, other residents are in

Thursday, October 29, 2015

support of the company’s proposal. Mohammed Serdah, a SUNY New Paltz alum and owner of a local accounting firm, called Lalo Group’s proposed project a great potential asset to the community. Serdah has lived and worked in the village for his entire life and said he cannot think of a better use for the unoccupied plot of land.

Village Mayor Tim Rogers said he could support the concept of a hotel in the village, but Lalo Group’s proposed project in its current state needs revision to suit New Paltz’s unique community.

Rogers echoed the concerns of many residents, including traffic complications and aesthetic issues.

For this proposal to move forward, village officials will have to change zoning laws in place for this plot of land, according to an article from the Times Herald-Record. Lalo Group does not plan to request a tax break for this project.

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NEWS BRIEFS WORLD

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Route 32 Standoff Under Investigation

IRAN TO TAKE A SEAT AMONG WORLD POWERS FOR SYRIATALKS Iran will take part in international talks on Syria for the first time this week, giving it a voice in the effort to find a resolution to the more than 4-year-old civil war that has so far defied even the slightest progress toward peace. A crucial backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Tehran has been shunned from all previous talks on Syria. Its inclusion now marks recognition by the United States that no discussion on Syria’s future can succeed without Iran at the table.

JEWISH ACTIVISTS STEP UP ACTIVITIES AT SENSITIVE HOLY SITE A new Israeli proclamation to uphold a ban on Jewish prayer at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site should have dealt a sobering blow to the die-hard activists who have spent years fighting for the right to worship at the spot, which is sacred to Muslims as well as Jews. Instead, it has only emboldened them.

COAST GUARD RESCUES 242 AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES NEAR LESBOS At least 11 migrants died in the eastern Aegean Sea Wednesday in five separate incidents, including a large shipwreck from which 242 others were rescued by the Greek coast guard. The coast guard said it remained unclear how many people were on the wooden boat when it capsized and coast guard boats, a helicopter and vessels from the European border agency Frontex searched through the night stormy seas for more survivors.

AUSTRIA TO BUILD FENCE ALONG PARTS OF BORDER WITH SLOVENIA Austrian Interior Minister Johanna MiklLeitner insisted the move was aimed solely at bringing order to the unrelenting influx of people entering the country, telling parliament there were no plans “to build a fence around Austria.” Still the project is a major shift for the country, which has preached the sanctity of unimpeded internal EU borders since the migrant crisis intensified earlier this year.

Compiled from the AP Newswire

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA.COM

By Kristen Warfield

Editor-In-Chief | Warfielk1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

An hours-long standoff between a lone gunman and New Paltz police early Saturday morning at a Route 32 home sent the suspect to an area hospital with a gunshot wound.

New Paltz police were dispatched to the home for earlier reports of a domestic dispute around 3 a.m. on October 24. When they arrived, the 60-year-old man inside fired shots at the officers with a high-powered rifle.

Attempts to negotiate with the man were refuted with several more shots fired at the officers, police said.

An unnamed officer who shot one round toward the home has since been placed on an administrative leave as part of department protocol, New Paltz Police Lt. Robert Lucchesi said.

“The leave is to make sure that the officer is mentally and physically ok, and to give them some time to decompress before returning to work,” Lucchesi said. “That officer will be

returning to work next week.”

State police are conducting an investigation on the weapon’s discharge, Lucchesi said.

No officers were injured in the altercation, but the suspect inside the house was later discovered unconscious with a gunshot wound, according to police. He was given immediate medical care and was transported by helicopter to an undisclosed area hospital.

As of Wednesday, no charges have been filed. Whether the gunman’s wound was self-inflicted or result of the New Paltz officer’s fire is still under investigation, police said.

Lucchesi said the investigation is being conducted by the Ulster County District Attorney’s office.

Police have not released names of the suspect and the officer under leave following the incident, as the investigation is still pending.

As of Tuesday, the suspect remained at an area hospital in stable

Thursday, October 29, 2015

but critical condition.

The incident caused lengthy detours in the area surrounding Brookside Road, Route 32 and Jansen Road for several hours, which extended into Saturday evening.

“The roads remained closed even after the shooter was located and transported to the hospital because that whole area was a crime scene,” Lucchesi said.

Also at the scene with New Paltz police were Ulster County Sheriff’s deputies, state police, police from Plattekill, Lloyd and SUNY New Paltz, the New Paltz Fire Department and the town of Newburgh police tactical unit.

“There was a tremendous amount of cooperation by all of the agencies that were involved,” Lucchesi said.

“Numerous agencies from throughout the area were able to convene and work smoothly to bring a resolution to this. We were just glad that no officers or innocent bystanders were hurt.”

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New Paltz Dean Joins Education Delegation To Cuba

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NEWS BRIEFS NATIONAL

SHERIFF FIRES DEPUTY FOR TOSSING TEEN ACROSS CLASSROOM A deputy who flipped a disruptive student out of her desk and tossed her across her math class floor was fired on Wednesday.

The sheriff called his actions “unacceptable,” and said videos recorded by her classmates show the girl posed no danger to anyone.

“What he should not have done is throw the student,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. “Police officers make mistakes too. They’re human and they need to be held accountable, and that’s what we’ve done with Deputy Ben Fields.”

Civil rights groups praised the swift action against Fields, a veteran school resource officer and football coach at Spring Valley High School. Outrage spread quickly after videos of the white officer arresting the black teenager on Monday appeared on the Internet.

DENNIS HASTERT PLEADS GUILTY, ACKNOWLEDGES HUSH-MONEY SCHEME

PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMONS.WIKIPEDIA.ORG Building in Matanzas, Cuba.

By Jack O’Brien

Copy Editor | Obrienj2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

As the U.S. and Cuba bridge the 90mile and 55-year gap between the two nations, SUNY New Paltz stands at the forefront of an international academic milestone.

Bruce Sillner, Dean of International Programs, is in Cuba this week along with a delegation from 11 other higher educational institutions. The Institute of International Education, (IIE), is hosting the excursion which aims to use academics to further normalize American-Cuban relations.

“In our face-to-face meetings with Cuban educators, we have found that the desire to develop partnerships with U.S. colleges and universities is strong,” said Allan Goodman, IIE’s president and CEO. “The reestablishment of relations between the United States and Cuba paves the way for student and faculty exchange in both directions and allows for joint research that will benefit both of our societies and the world we share.”

Daniel Obst, IIE’s deputy vice presi-

dent, has been tasked with handling their International Partnerships in Higher Education. Obst also oversees the International Academic Partnership Program, (IAPP).

“IIE has always been at the forefront of meeting with countries that the U.S. may not have great relations with,” Obst said. “Luckily for us, there was a great desire from both the U.S. and Cuba to engage in some sort of partnership. Education can play a key role in opening dialogue between countries. ” For IIE, the desire to coordinate with Cuba began in 2014, around the same time that President Obama announced that he was moving to normalize relations with the Caribbean island nation. What began as an exploratory trip with an envoy of two officials from IIE, soon escalated into meetings with the Ministry of Education, talks with stakeholders and the development of an agenda for the future.

Ultimately, after much traveling and internal discussion, IIE began negotiations with the Cuban government.

When the plan was finalized for this

Thursday, October 29, 2015

delegation trip to Cuba, IIE opened up the application process to colleges in both the U.S. and Cuba. The institutions that applied then went through a six month strategic planning process. Obst said it was gratifying to see U.S. involvement coupled with the commitment and interest from Cuba. The academic goals for the two nations ranges from joint scientific research to polytechnic schools, medical schools and art schools.

Obst said it is the hope of IIE that more faculty and students will study abroad in Cuba. According to Obst, during the 2012-13 academic year approximately 1,700 students studied abroad in Cuba. Over the past academic year there was an uptick in participation rates. Obst said he was most impressed by the variety of fields that students are embracing and studying while abroad. These include language and culture but also printmaking, photography and public health.

In response to critics of normalizing relations with Cuba and lifting the embargo, Obst said that global challenges require a global response.

Dennis Hastert pleaded guilty Wednesday to evading banking laws in a hush-money scheme, averting a potentially lurid trial that could have dredged up sexual allegations by agreeing to a deal with prosecutors that recommended he serve no more than six months in prison.

ARMY BLIMP BREAKS LOOSE, DRIFTS OVER PENNSYLVANIA

An unmanned Army surveillance blimp broke loose from its mooring in Maryland and floated over Pennsylvania for hours Wednesday with two fighter jets on its tail, triggering blackouts across the countryside as it dragged its tether across power lines.

TEXAS WOMAN USED IN ‘BLOOD RITUAL’ WHILE BEING HELD CAPTIVE Four people kidnapped a woman and held her captive for three days in a San Antonio-area home, forcing her to ingest drugs and at one point conducting a “blood ritual,” a sheriff’s spokesman said Wednesday. Authorities believe Mercedes Salazar, 32, was the ringleader who orchestrated the woman’s captivity, according to James Keith, spokesman for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Compiled from the AP Newswire

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Climate Awarness March In Poughkeepsie

By Nick Tantillo

Contributing Writer | Tantilln1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The New Paltz Climate Action Coalition (NPCAC) hosted the Walkway to Paris informational event at the Walkway Over the Hudson last Friday.

The event was designed to facilitate a dialogue on issues related to global warming and climate change between presenters and community members.

The event’s design is the creation of Dan Guenther, founder of Phillies Bridge Farm and member of NPCAC. Guenther said that he envisioned an event that allowed community members to “walk along the Walkway to talk to students, professors, climate scientists, and politicians,” creating an educational venue.

Presenters in attendance included Catskill Mountain Keeper, Citizens for Local Power, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, NPCAC, and New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG).

The event precedes the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 11 in Paris.

High-level ministers from over 190 nations will meet to discuss a new global agreement on climate change. This agreement is likely to address the 2 degree Celsius increase above pre-industrial levels. This increase marks what scientists consider to be an acceptable temperature. Current projections estimate an increase of 5 degrees Celsius unless measures are taken.

The roots of global climate policy reach back to 1992, when representatives of developed nations met in Rio de Janeiro and established the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Kyoto Protocol was drafted in 1997 after years of discussions facilitated by the UNFCCC. The protocol required

countries to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 5 percent of levels recorded in 1990.

A stipulation designed into the protocol barred its implementation, however. The protocol could not come into effect until countries responsible for 55 percent of the total global emissions ratified it.

The United States, the world’s largest emission producer, did not sign the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore countries that did not meet the agreed upon emission levels were not penalized.

In 2009 another conference was held in Copenhagen. This time, all developed countries in attendance agreed to limit their emissions, an unprecedented deal.

The agreement was barred from ratification by the UN, however. However from what the press have described as chaos in the last moments of the conference. Although a form of the agreement was ratified in 2010 during the Cancun agreements.

The majority of the Walkway to Paris presenters shared a common message: action at the local and individual level.

“If everyone did a little bit on their own it would make a big difference,” said Samantha Verdecchia, a third-year at SUNY New Paltz and attendee at the NPCAC. A presenter from Bard College brought a board to the Walkway with an illustration of relatively simple modifications made to home windows and lighting fixtures that conserve heating and electrical energy.

“When people hear of these big movements they tend to ask ‘What can I do?’ Often people think, ‘nothing.’ They tend to leave it to a larger entity and be passive about it,” said SUNY New Paltz fourth-year Anna Norm.

On Nov. 12 the NPCAC is hosting a meeting on energy in Kingston, New York.

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Your Student Senate Brief

By Sarah Eames

Contributing Writer | Eamess1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The 60th Student Senate met on Wednesday to discuss the state of mental health affairs on campus.

Vice Senate Chair Cait O’Connor presented her research on various initiatives to improve both the quality and the accessibility of mental health care on campus. Among her list of proposed reforms to the procedures for handling issues of mental health, O’Connor is advocating for the implementation of the Interactive Screening Program (ISP). The ISP would allow students to anonymously complete a survey of their mental health state while offering a variety of options should the student choose to pursue treatment. The 35-question, 10-minute survey would effectively streamline the intake process at the Psychological Counseling Center, according to O’Connor.

At the advisement of Racquel Kissi, the Vice President of Finance, the Senate voted to deactivate the financial account for organizations not recognized by the Student Association (SA). The

non-SA account, which was written into the bylaws of the SA constitution last year, was established in order to provide SA-allocated funds to organizations not officially recognized by the SA, including Greek organizations, honors societies, residence hall governments and religious groups.

The funds were transferred to the General Programming account, where they can be accessed by SA-recognized clubs and organizations upon approval by the Budget and Finance Committee.

Esoshani Barton, the Chair for the Council of Organizations, stated in her report that the charters for 17 new clubs were approved at the Council Board meeting on Monday. Among the newly chartered clubs were Her Campus, a student-run online newspaper, and Project HEAL, a community-oriented group seeking to raise awareness and provide support for those suffering from eating disorders.

Senator William Amoyaw reported that the

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seeks to bring unity to the “factions and fractions of New Paltz.”

The candidates also discussed matters of environmental impact within the town. Ryan inquired of any plans by the town council to implement a ban on plastic bags similar to the one established both on campus and in the village last spring. Gabrielli expressed that the prospect was well-intentioned but unlikely, citing the impracticality of the substitute paper bags used by the village and the campus. In lieu of a total ban on plastic bags, Bettez proposed the establishment of economic incentives, including the distribution of free reusable bags by local businesses and an added tax on the use of plastic bags. According to Bettez, the revenue generated by this proposed tax would then be returned to the town in the form of utilities and services.

“I’m an environmentalist, but you have to expend political capital where it matters,” said Bettez.

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Transportation Implementation committee is seeking to resolve some of the issues regarding vehicular traffic in the village. Most recently, the committee eliminated some of metered parking spaces on the northbound side of Main Street in order to ease the flow of traffic. The committee is also looking to adjust the timing of the traffic signal located at the corner of South Manheim Boulevard and Main Street, next to La Bella Pizza and the New Paltz middle school.

Executive Vice President Kelsey Ryan moderated a debate between the two candidates for New Paltz Town Supervisor. Neil Bettez and Robert Gabrielli, the respective Democratic and Republican nominees, discussed the relationship between the town of New Paltz and the village.

“New Paltz is like a fried egg,” Gabrielli explained, “The village is the yolk in the center, with the campus, and the town surrounds the village like the egg white.” Bettez added that there is some overlap in the jurisdiction, and that he

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FEATURES

Halloween In The Halls TRICK-OR-TREATERS WELCOMED FOR ANNUAL TRADITION

Spooky trick-or-treaters gather in Lefevre Hall.

The spookiest, scariest witch in the west.

Two knights initiate a duel in the hall.

Nobody is gonna mess with this crew on All Hallows’ Eve. Photos by David Khorassani

On Sunday, Oct. 25 residence halls across the SUNY New Paltz campus ran “Halloween in the Halls,” an event held for the kids that live in New Paltz to trick or treat on campus from hall to hall. Kids went from door to door as volunteer students handed out treats for all. The annual spook-filled event is sponsored by the New Paltz Resident Hall Student Association.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

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Under New Management ROTARY CLUB ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT

By Matthew D’Onofrio Contributing Writer | Donofrim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu At 23 years old, Gavin Craddock is the newest and youngest president of the Rotary Club of New Paltz, a group of local volunteers dedicated to lending a helping hand to the community and the greater world.

Craddock joined the club years ago with his uncle looking to help out and offered his assistance with simple tasks like cleaning up around the town or setting up for fundraisers. Since July of this year, he has and will be serving the club as its president for one full year.

“My goal is to keep doing good both locally and worldwide,” said Craddock. “Anything I or the club can do to help, we will rise to the challenge.”

Last year, the Rotary Club raised around $15,000 for Family of New Paltz to rent a building space in the local area in order to aid those members of the community in need of help while getting back on their feet and finding a job.

This past Friday, Oct. 23, the Rotary Club held their biggest fundraiser of the year, “Win A Bundle,” with a turnout of over 120 people and raised around $16,000.

“He is doing a great job,” said Matt Eyler, 44, current member and former President of the club from 2013 to 2014. “Gavin has lots of youthful energy and a laidback style. He is good at delegating responsibility and transferring his energy into the other members to get them to step up and take action.”

Eyler recalls Craddock as his “right hand man” during his presidency, someone who embodies selflessness and a willingness to help.

“The president keeps the club going,” Eyler said. “Gavin is not about change, he is about doing things better.”

In the future, the Rotary Club will be holding their annual holiday events for Thanksgiving and Christmas where they typically raise thousands of dollars, which goes towards feeding hungry families and children of social workers.

Other efforts the Rotary Club has organized and executed is filling backpacks up with food and necessities every Thursday night and dropping them off at local schools for the children who need it.

According to Craddock, even an annual fishing derby is held on Father’s Day weekend at the SUNY New Paltz campus’ pond for children to participate in freely and earn prizes if they catch the bigger fishes.

Although there is no official Rotary Club at SUNY New Paltz, a group known as Roteracts, students who are interested in getting involved with the Rotary Club can simply seek out any club member, check out the website at newpaltzrotary.org or attend their weekly lunch-ins on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. They were held at Shea O’Briens, but since its closing the new location has yet to be determined.

Environmentalism As Religion LECTURE EXPLAINS IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION

By Travis Bederka Contributing Writer | Bederkat1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Should environmentalism be considered a religion? When people think of major religions, they may think of Catholicism, Judaism or Islam.

Gordon Graham, a professor of philosophy and theology at Princeton University, came to SUNY New Paltz on Thursday, Oct. 22 to discuss the concept of considering environmentalism as a religion.

Graham began his lecture pointing out what a typical religion consists of and what significance it has in the world. According to Graham, the characteristics of all major religions are prayer, a religious symbol, a historical narrative and a holy, sacred place.

Graham made clear that envi-

ronmentalism has all of these qualities.

Industrialization and climate change act as its history and “Silent Spring,” an environmental science book by Rachel Carson and “Walden,” a tale of immersing one’s self in nature by Henry David Thoreau as its literature. We use the Earth as the symbol, the wilderness as the holy and sacred space and recycling as a ritualistic practice. Graham also discussed how religion has defined and influenced, so many aspects of human culture throughout history and around the world.

He spoke of Celtic spiritualities and Native American religious customs, claiming that humans have had a spiritual connection to the environment for generations.

Graham said that with all the

change we are experiencing in the world, culturally, politically and environmentally.

“We must not forget that the fundamentals of our survival come from the environment itself,” he said.

There is such a changing and broadening definition of what a religion is Graham said. This presents the opportunity to include more people in a common cause and save the planet.

“The fundamentals of religion are environments, even in secular places,” Graham said.

Whether a land is secular or not, the surrounding environment is an absolute necessity to the society.

Graham said that we must pride ourselves in protecting the environment as a sacred place, whether in a

Thursday, October 29, 2015

religious context or not.

Third-year English major Katie Gantley was interested by the lecture, however she does not believe that environmentalism should be considered a religion. Nonetheless, she thought that Graham brought up some important points when discussing religion and its role in today’s society.

Graham’s lecture stressed the current state of our environment. If we are to protect our environment from further damage, then we must make some major changes to ward off global warming and other issues.

According to Graham, our environment is the only home we have, and we must continue to preserve it in any and every way we can.

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Features

Ancient Culture Under Attack

LECTURE DISCUSSES ARCHEOLOGY IN CONFLICT ZONES

By Monique Tranchina Copy Editor | Tranchim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu On Oct. 22, Professor Emerita Jaimee P. Uhlenbrock presented a lecture focused on archaeology in conflict zones, especially in Cyrene, Libya, the wealthiest ancient Greek city-state in North Africa.

Uhlenbrock explained that her work in Cyrene involved studying Greek, small-scale, terra cotta sculptures from the Extramural Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone.

Since her last visit there in 1981, she has not been able to return due to deteriorating political tensions between the United States and Libya. As a result of the recent conflict in Libya, she is not even sure if the material that she has been studying is still safe.

Aside from uncontrolled looting, Uhlenbrock says, the archaeological site of Cyrene, near the modern town of Shahat, is being devastated by small groups of powerful business individuals seeking to profit from land rich in heritage.

“I hear of stories of bulldozers going over tombs because of tourism, the people of Shahat want more land,” she said. “There is no government to control it so demolition continues without legal consequence. Cyrene is now overrun by militia and the uneducated.

Unfortunately, they don’t have an appreciation for their history.”

The destruction of the cultural heritage in some areas of Libya and the potential for continuing that destruction is of grave concern. Uhlenbrock explained that what has been happening in Syria has been happening in Libya; what has been happening in Egypt has been happening in Libya, denoting the danger to cultural identity these countries face

in the spiraling loss of political control that has taken hold since the advent of the Arab Spring in 2011.

Recently, programmatic destruction of Sufi shrines ensued in Libya because they belonged to Sufi saints and not Shiite.

“People don’t really talk about mosques being destroyed ... [but] they are being destroyed so that their tiles and painted decoration can be sold on the black market to fund terrorism,” Uhlenbrock said.

Uhlenbrock said that we do not have to be silent in the face of such a profound loss of world heritage as is happening in Syria, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, among many other places; there are websites dedicated to raise awareness of illegal activities, such as savingantiquities.org.

Uhlenbrock said that people should be aware of the fact that context matters. With an international awareness of the importance of cultural heritage at its highest level in decades, efforts are being undertaken to curb the violence and destruction that is characterizing conflict zones and to protect the cultural heritage of those zones.

Sarah Laspada, a fourthyear metals and art history major who attended the lecture, said that she is probably among many who are not aware of the devastation occurring in high conflict areas.

“I have never been one that is updated on current events about the world, and I’m ashamed to say I don’t keep up on it,” she said. “It’s sad but good to know, good to keep up on.”

Alayna Klein, a secondyear theater arts major, said that everything presented in this lecture was new to her.

Dani Epstein, a second-

year art major, agreed these topics “are not talked about in the news as much.”

Uhlenbrock stressed that being updated on international issues specific to cultural heritage preservation and archeology is important.

“It raises a powerful voice.

And when that voice gets loud enough, it can’t be ignored,” she said. “It goes along with loss of lives and livelihood, which are more serious because we are talking about heritage, about human beings.”

With vandalizing tombs, demolishing ancient art, and terrorizing local peoples, culture and religion may be held as a freedom of the past.

“Cultural identity is being imposed on many people by those who say that my way is the right way. People should be able to choose whatever religious expression is part of their identity,” Uhlenbrock said.

“When you have an area of the world that has a specific identity, which has been erased, you have people who feel isolated, rootless, alone in the world; I’m not saying this absolutely happens to everybody.”

Today, social media and international news on the internet can expand our understanding of world events that rely heavily on our dedication to stay attentive to events which impact our absorption of cultural information.

Uhlenbrock also recommended visiting en.unesco.org to learn more about world heritage preservation efforts and international agreements that safeguard excavated materials, as well as keeping informed about how government intervention, or lack of, can impact our safeguarding of irreplaceable art.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

The New Paltz Oracle

ESK D Y COP KOFF: COO

Easy Pancake Roll-Ups

By Rachael Purtell Purtellr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

One of the members of The Oracle shares their culinary chops with you. Bon appetit!

Hi, my name is Rachael and I LOVE BREAKFAST. Unfortunately, since I am a self-loathing individual, I have an 8 a.m. class on Mondays and Thursdays, 7 a.m. soccer practice on Tuesdays and Fridays, but at least I have Wednesdays off! … Except for 8 a.m. lift with Gary Gall.

Needless to say, college has caused me to become a non-breakfast person. Sad face.

However, one good thing about my ex-boyfriend is the cookbook he mailed me just before I left to embark upon this frightening concept called my future. Seriously, it almost made up for the infidelity.

But anyway, I have discovered the beauty of Easy Pancake Roll-Ups, delicious both hot and cold, quite similar to an early Katy Perry song. #tbt.

This recipe I have graced you with should yield about three large or six small pancakes. Here is what you will need: 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 egg 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for greasing) 1 cup milk 6 tablespoons (or to taste) peanut butter Now you may begin.

Step 1: Heat a griddle or heavy skillet, making sure it is very hot. A drop of water should sizzle when dropped on it, much like when you lick your finger and touch it to your large booty.

Step 2: In a medium sized bowl, stir the baking powder and salt into the flour, blending thoroughly. Stir in the sugar. Lightly beat the egg and add the vegetable oil and milk.

Step 3: Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients. Do not overmix.

(Don’t worry about lumps.) The batter should be runny.

Step 4: Grease the griddle or skillet with oil as needed. Pour batter into the pan in ½-cup portions for each pancake (or ¼-cup portions for smaller pancakes). Cook until the pancakes are browned on the bottom and bubbling on the top. Flip over and cook the other side until browned. (If you have somehow made it to college without ever learning how to make a pancake on your own, I pity you.) Remove the pancakes from the skillet or griddle.

Step 5: Spread the peanut butter on the pancakes and roll up. (This step should be easy for anyone who has spent an extended amount of time here in New Paltz.) Serve as is, or topped with butter and syrup or dusted with powdered sugar.

Enjoy, Hungry Hawks … SQUAW!

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5B

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PHYLLIS CHEN’S SWAN SONG

The New Paltz Oracle

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PERFORMS FINAL CONCERT

By Nate Sheidlower Managing Editor |

Sheidlon1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

And it was immediately after exiting Parker Theatre that night that a strange sense of mystery and awe fell over my recollection of what went down inside.

For an hour and 15 minutes, music, applause, laughter, whistles, chirps and tearing paper intertwined to bring an audience on an adventure through sound.

It was a concert to celebrate the end of Phyllis Chen’s month as an Artist-in-Residence through the Kenneth Davenport Residency for New American Music at SUNY New Paltz. It was the world premier of her newest work “Columba.” And it was amazing.

Chen had participated in workshops with music students teaching them about new and alternative ways to make music, and worked with them and music faculty members to prepare for this concert.

“The workshops were so much fun and the students were incredibly curious and open and I enjoyed working with all of them,” Chen said prior to the performance. “There was a real momentum of free improvisation and experimental music and I really hope that it keeps up.”

That Tuesday night, Oct. 27, Chen was joined by multiple students and faculty to perform six pieces, including music professor Alex Peh who delivered “Columba.”

“It was so great to have Phyllis here working with the students and to see how courageous she’s been putting sounds into music,” Peh said in his introductory remarks.

The show began with a piece called “Sounds of Childhood.” Written by Pauline Oliveros in 1992, and the first of two Oliveros works played, this piece called for all members of

Phyllis Chen playing accordian.

the audience to participate by taking a deep breath and then making sounds they remember from their youth.

Slowly but surely almost everyone got involved and all manner of strange calls, clicks, whistles and moans filled the space.

After all had quieted, Chen moved on to the next piece, “Mobius for Two Music Boxes and Electronics.” This piece featured music students Evan Mason and Connor Milton holding music boxes and video artist and electronic musician Rob Dietz on the computer. Chen fed a loop of paper through the two music boxes, and as the students cranked the handles, she poked holes in the strip. She was composing the piece in real time and although there was no real beat or rhythm to grab, it flowed beautifully.

It was time for “Columba.” Peh came out to a small grand piano of which some strings were laced with magnets to create a piercing twang.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID KHORASSANI

With the help of a sound box and bird whistle, Peh debuted Chen’s latest work to the world.

Just before Peh picked up the bird whistle and leaned inside the piano, I latched onto a story; my own interpretation of the middle section or climax, if you will: A young boy was walking in a thin forrest. As Peh blew through the whistle, the boy called out to the birds and as chirping started to fill the theatre, they came to fly with him as he walked. But then the tempo quickened and it started to rain in the wood.

The boy and the birds began to move fast to get to shelter. He ran and ran, but before he could make it to a big tree, the rain stopped and life moved on.

Chen said “Columba” was inspired by three dimensional collage boxes made by American artist Joseph Cornell. He used many objects to create a surreal world that Chen said she could relate to, as she uses unconven-

Thursday, October 29, 2015

tional tools to make art as well.

After much applause, the “Opera with Objects” began. Composed by Alvin Lucier in 1997, this piece was performed with the consistent tapping of two pencils and slowly bringing in other objects by placing a pencil on it and continuing the beat.

The second composition by Oliveros that made its way to this stage was “Thirteen Changes.” A very interesting improv piece during which each of the six musicians plays a few seconds of their interpretation of each of 13 lines of poetry. All performers were playing to the same words but eache individual’s addition was special and unpredictable. The arrangement consisted of two classical guitars, a violin, saxophone, accordion and piano.

One line I found particularly moving read, “Elephants mating in a secret grove.” Everyone on stage seemed to play loud, fast and rough. The pianist reached in and banged on the strings and the sax blared sporadically; none were sweet and gentle. At the time it matched perfectly.

Chen ended the night with another one of her works called “Lighting the Dark,” a four-part piece that involves music boxes, toy pianos and her accordion. The piece was inspired by photos of women in over 55 countries taken by photojournalist Paola Gianturco. Chen said they made her think of all troubles women in the world face.

The four small music boxes had small figurines that twirled to the tunes but they were not traditional ballerinas; they portrayed the struggles felt by many women. And each box kicked off one section of music, although Chen continued to play after the box finished.

This last piece was really emblematic of the whole performance. It took me through a door I didn’t even know I was on the wrong side of.

6B

oracle.newpaltz.edu COME JAM WITH SAM!

By Sam Manzella Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Her name? Halsey.

Her game? Single-handedly dominating the internet’s music scene as of lately.

If you have a Tumblr account, Twitter handle or Spotify playlist, chances are you’ve heard of Halsey recently. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter, née Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, hit the scene in October 2014 with her debut EP “Room 93,” according to her Wikipedia page.

Singles like “Ghost” and “Empty Gold” circulated almost instantly on social media, gaining the fledgling indie pop artist international acclaim.

This August, Halsey released her first full-length studio album, “Badlands.” The album was hyped up in a way I haven’t experienced personally since the end of my pre-pubescent boy band phase. Both in real life and on the blogosphere, it seemed like everyone I knew had something to say about this new chick in the music scene. Halsey hasn’t shied away from any controversy

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Halsey Heaven or forwardness, either. The artist is an outspoken feminist and very vocal about her personal experiences with race and sexuality, according to her Twitter feed.

Whether you love Halsey or hate her, though, one thing is certain: the girl’s got skills and she’s really, really good at captivating her audience.

“Badlands” opens with “Castle,” a darker pop song. Halsey’s voice echoes, giving the song a regal, hymn-like feel.

The track has a catchy beat but leaves the listener wanting more. It is reminiscent of Rihanna’s “Disturbia” and is a bit too unoriginal for my liking. “Hold Me Down,” the next song, is more interesting. The artist’s vocal chops are on display, and the lyrics are compelling and catchy.

Sadly, unoriginality is a common theme I’ve noticed in Halsey’s work.

Many of her songs seem to channel different contemporary pop or indie artists.

“Roman Holiday” and “Control” aren’t readily identifiable as Halsey’s music.

This is my biggest gripe with Halsey: she doesn’t have a particularly distinct voice or recognizable style, which makes her blend into the indie pop scene. Frankly, the singer’s work needs more of the passionate, personal quality of her social media personality.

“New Americana,” Halsey’s first new single off of “Badlands,” is catchy and fun with memorable lyrics and a Marina and The Diamonds sort of vibe. It certainly paints a distinct picture of the millennial generation. The jury is still up on whether Halsey’s depiction of ‘90s kids, “high on legal marijuana” and “raised on Biggie and Nirvana,” according to the lyrics is accurate.

“Drive” and “Colors” are my two favorite tracks from the album. “Drive” has a certain melancholy quality that rings true to anyone missing home, or feeling out-of-place where they live. The song is slower and has a soft, catchy beat with the occasional car noise thrown in.

“Colors” has poetic lyrics. Her

voice almost mimics Taylor Swift’s in the song, but for once, this doesn’t lessen the track’s impact. Paired with the song’s nostalgic feel, it reads as a typical break-up track. But Halsey’s lyrics are undeniably beautiful: “You were red and you liked me because I was blue / You touched me and suddenly I was a lilac sky / And you decided purple just wasn’t for you…”

The album ends on a memorable note with “Ghost,” one of Halsey’s most popular songs. The lyrics are catchy. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sing along to the song in shower or jot down the lyrics on the outside of my notebook. The artist’s lyrics “I’m searching / For something / That I ... can’t reach” are relatable and poetic. It is easy to see why fans love “Ghost.”

Despite her lack of a focused, distinct sound, I think Halsey has huge potential to succeed in the music world. And, hey ... a few feminist tweets or highly-circulated Tumblr posts definitely can’t hurt.

Colleagues, Friends And Conversation MUSEUM STAFF SELECTS DISTINGUISHED WORKS FROM COLLECTION

By Jess Napp

Copy Editor | Nappj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The object encased in glass is a wooden circle with a slice cut out of it, reminiscent of Pac-Man. Scribbled across the disk in black ink it reads, “Betty P. Happy Birthd Saul ST Jan. 1980.”

The birthday card created by artist Saul Steinberg was gifted to the artist, art collector, and art dealer Betty Parsons for her 80th birthday. It now stands in The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art’s current exhibition Reading Objects 2015. SUNY New Paltz Professor Reva Wolf wrote about this work for the Reading Objects catalog and wall label.

According to Wayne Lempka, art collections manager, “The Reading Objects exhibition is the sixth iteration of this very popular project where faculty and professional staff at

the university are invited to view objects that have been pre-selected by museum staff.”

In correlation with the show the museum recently hosted the discussion, “A Modern Art Dealer and Her Artist Friends.” Wolf arranged the conversation with the multimedia and ecofeminist artist Helène Aylon about the widely influential Parsons.

Upon researching the artwork, Wolf recalled a 1977 interview between Parsons and Aylon that appeared in the short-lived publication Woman Art. Wolf became inspired by the idea of creating a public program at the Dorsky that would include playing audio clips from the interview, to hear Parsons’ resonant voice and Aylon speaking about Parsons.

“She was sort of my aesthetic foremother in a sense,” Aylon said.

The event consisted of Aylon reading

from her memoir, Whatever Is Contained Must be Released: My Jewish Orthodox Girlhood, My Life as a Feminist Artist. This was followed by five different snippets from her interview with Parsons. Both Aylon and Wolf provided commentary throughout the discussion, which concluded in a question and answer segment.

Parsons’ very distinguishable voice booms through the speakers as she enthusiastically commands statements like, “You’ve got to tell the truth to yourself even if it’s very unpleasant.”

She created colorful wooden sculptures with stripes and geometric patterns on the surface of the objects. According to Wolf, Steinberg’s birthday card highlights a dialogue between the two artists and friends.

Steinberg’s use of wood, and of colorful stripes (drawn onto the edges of the disk

Thursday, October 29, 2015

where a wedge had been removed), evoke Parsons’ sculptural work. The professor selected Steinberg’s birthday card to write about because she felt magnetically drawn to it. She said that the stripes of color that outline the inside of the cut out wedge can be understood as representing the vibrant inner life of Parsons.

“One of the things that I love about the piece is that it seems so plain, on the surface, but it represents a rich complexity of loving human interaction,” Wolf said.

According to Dorsky Curator Daniel Belasco this event is part of a series of informal talks that consist of contributors discussing the various pieces in this hodgepodge exhibition and there are two more upcoming conversations.

The exhibition Reading Objects will remain in the Dorsky until Dec. 13, 2015.

The New Paltz Oracle

Arts & Entertainment

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7B

Life Is Strange DONTNOD ENTERTAINMENT TAKES GAMERS ON AN EMOTIONAL RIDE

By Russell Hartman and Karl Evers-Hillstrom

A&E Editor | rhartman@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Features Editor | N02541514@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Max Caulfield and Chloe Price. You don’t know them yet but by the end of “Life is Strange” you will be crying with them. “Life Is Strange,” developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and published by Square Enix, is the latest episodic video game series to hit the market and it is arguably the best one yet.

You play as Max Caufield, an 18-year-old photography student at the prestigious Blackwell Academy located in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon. During one of her classes taught by world renowned photographer, Mr. Mark Jefferson, Max has a daydream of a tornado descending on Arcadia Bay. After class she composes herself by running to the bathroom and witnesses her best friend Chloe Price get shot by another student at Blackwell Academy, Nathan Prescott. Max then rewinds time and quickly races to save Chloe from getting murdered.

That’s only the beginning of one of the most intense and emotionally charged gaming experiences either of us have ever played.

The game consists of five episodes which each build and improve on the previous one.

By the end of episode one you will begin to become invested in these characters lives and will be itching to find out where the story goes.

It leaves you wanting more at every turn and doesn’t pull any punches in it’s storytelling.

The player can use Max’s powers to rewind events within specific intervals of time, allowing her to fix problems or impact the way things turn out. As you play through the chapters her powers increase, allowing for greater manipulation of time and space. She goes from only knowing how to rewind minutes at a time to eventually learning how to move her consciousness through her memories years into the past.

It took us months to beat “Life is Strange,” as new episodes were released every few months starting in January. Thankfully, as of Oct. 20, all five episodes have been released and there’s never been a better time to play this game.

The game forces the player to make dif-

The story centers around Maxine “Max” Caulfield

ficult decisions at every turn. Yes, you can always rewind time if you feel you made the wrong choice, but often there will be consequences no matter what. There is no “right” answer to any problem, this isn’t a process of trial and error. The story features many branching scenarios and each one has it’s own consequences.

The beauty of this game is the weight in which every decision holds. Just like in our own lives, every decision carries it’s own weight and every choice has an impact. Some choices matter less than others, such as choosing whether or not to water the plant in Max’s dorm room.

Top Photo Courtesy of BagoGames Bottom Photo Courtesy of Playstation Europe

There are some instances in “Life is Strange” where you can’t rewind. Although these moments are sparse, they are some of the most important moments in the game.

When we hit these moments we debated, for sometimes up to a half hour, about what choice to make and why it would be the “right” one. These moments are what make “Life is Strange” such a compelling title.

“Life is Strange” has some cosmetic problems. The PS4 version sports graphics that appear a generation behind but its visuals are carried by a unique art style and beautiful lighting. Character models have low polygon counts, especially unimportant characters who

Thursday, October 29, 2015

look like they just escaped from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. It is very apparent in some locations where meaningless characters are because of how “low-res” they are.

We enjoyed the writing in “Life is Strange.” It felt somewhat cheesy and rushed at times, but for the most part the story was engaging and immersive.

The voice acting is absolutely spectacular. The roles for almost every character are perfectly cast and you can hear the emotion in their voices. Whether it’s the innocent and curious voice of Hannah Telle as Max, the punkish voice of Ashly Burch as Chloe, the snobby voices of Nik Shriner and Dani Knights as Nathan Prescott and Victoria Chase or the calm and collected voice of Dayeanne Hutton as Kate Marsh, every voice fits and makes the game and characters feel that much more real.

While the voice acting is brilliant, the lip synching is not. The lips of almost all the characters will just seemingly open and close with no real emphasis on words.

The biggest problem we had with the game is its ending. We’re not going to spoil anything but let’s just say the ending didn’t incorporate enough of the choices the player made. Like many episodic choice-based games, “Life Is Strange” gives an illusion of free will, meaning that no matter which choices you make, Max will continue down a predetermined path. For a game about the butterfly effect, the ending really comes down to making a brand new choice, one that overshadows the rest. Although the choice at the end is impactful and moving, it could’ve been improved.

“Life Is Strange” has good deal of problems, but this is to be expected out of a game that is pioneering a growing new genre. It is the best we’ve seen of the interactive drama genre, as it delivers deeper emotion and character development than titles such as “The Walking Dead” and “The Wolf Among Us.” Don’t miss this wild ride.

XB ONE/PS4/X360/PS3/PC 9 out of 10 AMAZING

8B

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The Deep End

The New Paltz Oracle

THIS WEEK IN

THE DEEP END

J E A N N E T T E

L A P O I N T E

Major: Art Education with concentration in photography Year: Third Inspriation: David Burnett, Zeke Berman, Abelardo Morell, Cindy Sherman, Lyndsey Addario, Manny Robertson “I do a lot of portraits and pictures of events ... I’m inspired by natural lighting and organic forms. I look at things from a design type of perspective. I’m better at making things look wellconstructed... I’m good with composition and patterns.”

Photos courtesy of Jeannette LaPointe | Captioning by David Khorassani

EDITORIAL

The New Paltz Oracle

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9

COLUMN

MELISSA KRAMER Sports Editor

Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Pictures can say a thousand words.

When I look at a once-blank wall in my room, I can only feel nostalgic about the best days of my life. The line of photos on my wall are those of pure happiness – and even on bad days, these moments are what puts a smile on my face. These photos are with people who I never would have thought would be smiling alongside me. My favorite band members, who are now friends.

These pictures were taken during my journey to multiple concerts within the last month. After feeling down and out for a couple of weeks, I was on a mission to go to my “happy place,” which are concerts of bands I love.

In the last month, I have been to three shows: The Arcs, Tame Impala and The Growlers, including a two-show in threeday span. Some may say I am crazy for doing such a thing, but for me, I had all the support in the world.

The first part of my adventure was

Picture Perfect Memories seeing Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys play with his collaborative band, The Arcs. Dan walked out of a New York City cab, and I greeted him with a hug.

We were able to take a picture, the other picture on my wall is of the hug. This was the third time I had the pleasure of meeting Dan and every time it is just as remarkable. As I get older, it is great to see a smile on his face whenever we meet again.

Ten days later, I went to see Tame Impala at Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Radio City is one magical place, full of cherished history. After approaching the bright marquee lights upon entering the magical building, it was obvious to see why. This show was my first one with actual seats. When the boys from Australia took the stage, there was not a person in the place sitting.

Even after watching live sets on YouTube, nothing can compare to the real thing.

I was not able to meet the guys from Australia, but I have a picture I took of the luminous marquee that reads “Tame Impala, Sold Out” that will forever remind me of that magical day.

Less than 48 hours later, I was on a bus down to New York City yet again.

This time, to Irving Plaza to see my California pals, The Growlers. They were playing back-to-back nights in the worldfamous Irving Plaza. Seven months before this show, I met the band at a place called Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn.

I got to reunite with them before the Oct. 8 show. As they stepped off the bus, I got a big hug from my friend, Growlers guitarist Matt Taylor. As a belated birthday gift, I gave him a snapback hat with his catchphrase on it. After a bunch of tries due to the wind outside, we finally took a memorable picture. It includes Matt in his new hat, smiling and making “bunny ears” behind me.

After the show was over, the lead

singer, Brooks, walked over to me and gave me a hug. Right after, the picture on my wall catches me mid-laugh.

After a perfect night, I was really sad to accept the fact that my adventure was over.

Music has been my escape and has saved me for as long as I can remember.

Sometimes an adventure can revitalize a person and change their perspective on the world.

But that’s the special thing about pictures. You may not be able to see those that make you the happiest every day. The day may be over, but the feeling in the moment stays with you forever.

Melissa is a third-year journalism major who is a professional concert-goer.

She also considers herself a Russo’s Deli enthusiast, who will always order a #3. If heaven is catered, she hopes the food is from Russo’s.

Want to write for The Oracle?

Send us an email at oracle@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu for more information!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

10 oracle.newpaltz.edu

JESS NAPP

Copy Editor Nappj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The date is Oct. 31, 2003 and the annual West Patent Elementary School Halloween parade is in full throttle. Tiny princesses, werewolves and vampires march around the spooky fortress with elated expressions on their innocent faces. Everyone except for a newly 8-year-old me.

My third grade self voluntarily sat in the computer lab with all of the other children forced to go there for religious reasons. Most of them were Jehovah’s Witnesses and raced to the entrance of the computer lab alcove to witness this marvelous spectacle. For the past three years of elementary school, I consistently remained glued to my plastic chair as the bewildered teacher, forced to watch over us, comforted me.

I couldn’t bear to make eye contact with

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Spooked Since Birth horribly distorted faces made of rubber and plastic white veils dripping in blood. Salty tear drops zigzagged down my face and the minute the goblins and ghouls entered the library I utilized my hand shield. “Why is today my birthday,” I exclaimed the minute my mom retrieved me from the bus stop.

This immediately answered her mental question of whether or not I had adorned the black witch costume sneakily placed in my beloved purple L.L. Bean backpack. She could not fathom the idea of a kid being so afraid of a holiday full of candy and playing make-believe. On Oct. 31, 1995 she gave birth to her little “pumpkin” and the joy of having a Halloween baby left her with a euphoric sensation.

For most of elementary school I refused

to trick or treat in fear of getting tricked rather than treated, and when most of my peers went to Party City in search of the perfect Day of the Dead garb, I avoided it like the plague.

The wall of masks past all of the delicious candy suddenly made me never want to eat a sweet treat again. In third grade the Scream costume was particularly popular among my fellow classmates, but the real fans donned the masks with fake blood pumps.

I remember washing my hands in the community classroom sink and turning around to a ghostly white face that transformed before my eyes into a scarlet crime scene. At the time it seemed as if the nightmares of a Halloween birthday would never end.

Eventually I recognized the perks of being born on All Hallows’ Eve. I have the

Saturday, October 31 at 5:45pm. Registraon begins at 4:30pm at the New Paltz Fire House on 25 Plaekill Ave. Entry fee is $10 per person.

For more informaon visit newpaltzchamber.org and click on Events.

For all your Halloween needs and more.

Located on 66 North Front Street in Uptown Kingston. columbiacostumes.com or call 845-339-4996

Thursday, October 29, 2015

palate for a day full of candy corn, gummy worms and candy bars. My love affair with candy is a truly defining feature of my personality and I now delight in the spookiest day of the year.

In fifth grade I even mustered up the courage to dress as the witch I secretly hoped I was and marched in the parade. However, if you’re ever looking for someone to watch a scary movie with, I’m not your witch.

Jess is a third-year journalism student. She enjoys eating her way through New Paltz and watching Quentin Tarantino movies.

SPORTS

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SPORTS The New Paltz Oracle

FAST LANE

Copy Editor | Mitthaua1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams started their season this week at the Union Relays.

The Men placed third out of five teams with 84 points. This is the first time under Head Coach Scott Whitbeck’s eight-year tenure that the Hawks beat Union in scoring in the swimming events only.

After back-to-back second-place finishes to start the meet, the Hawks foursome of second-year Caleb Treadwell, third-year Austin Kowalsky and fourth-year co-Captains Will Koenig and Ethan Cooke won the 200 yard butterfly relay with a time of 1:38.81. Just two events later, New Paltz won its second event of the day. Treadwell, Cooke, Kowalsky and Koenig combined for a time of 1:29.58 in the 200 freestyle relay, which was nearly two seconds faster than the next-fastest relay.

On the women’s side, the Hawks finished first out of five teams with

118 points. They won seven out of the nine events.

They started off the meet with a win in the 400 yard medley relay and never looked back. The foursome of first-year Kaleigh O’Halloran, second-years Megan Joseph and Molly McCulloch and fourth-year co-Captain and State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Female Swimmer of the Week Cassidy Griger clocked a time of 4:09.68 in the event.

Whitbeck said he is very proud of his team and that this is the best they have performed at the Union Relays compared to previous seasons.

“I think this is the best the team has performed in many years at the Union Relays,” Whitbeck said. “Our depth is the best it’s ever been. We’ve had a lot of top-end swimmers from around the country come and perform well, but this year the depth on both the men and women’s side is exceptional.”

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PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

The Women’s swimming team finished first, while the Men’s team finished third in their season openers.

By Anthony Mitthauser-Orza

oracle.newpaltz.edu

With the performance at the Union Relays, Hawks fourth-year Casey O’Connor said she is optimistic for the rest of the season as the team trained hard for the start of the season.

“I have really high hopes for this season, we brought in a lot of new talent and it has given our team much more depth than in years past,” O’Connor said. “Our offseason work impacted the team in a positive way this year. The girls kept each other motivated as soon as everyone got back to school. Our performance at Union gave us confidence as a whole.”

The next meet for both teams will be against Vassar College on Friday, Oct. 30. Both teams defeated the Brewers last season.

Whitbeck said the team is training hard, and he expects the team to perform better than they did at the Union Relays.

“Hopefully we have better performances than the great ones we had last week,” Whitbeck said. “Vassar is

Thursday, October 29, 2015

competitive, we beat them at home on both sides last year and they have good recruits especially on the women’s side. We did beat them at the Relay meet so hopefully we can beat them again.”

After their upcoming meet against Vassar, both teams go on to face Ramapo College on Saturday, Oct. 31 followed by a trip to New York University for the NYU Invitational from Friday, Nov. 6 to Saturday, Nov. 7.

Men’s fourth-year co-Captain Ryan Lindgren said he expects the team to perform well despite the physical impact traveling has on the swimmers.

“We’re not really planning on laying off the training too much this week,” he said. “I think we’re deep and talented enough of a squad that we can show up this weekend and win these meets even with soreness. This is one of the best teams this program has seen in a long time and I believe we will perform well.”

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Field Hockey Prepares For SUNYAC Tournament

By Melissa Kramer

Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

After earning a nonconference shutout win in their final regular season home game, the field hockey team will prepare for the semifinal round of the 2015 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament.

The Hawks earned a 2-0 shutout win against Kean University on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Hawks Head Coach Shanna Vitale said the win was about the team bouncing back, being able to move forward and play together as a team.

“Most importantly, it was also the last home game for the regular season for the five seniors,” she said. “I think it’s a good way to get into playoffs and send the seniors off for their last regular season home game. It was a good buildup to Wednesday.”

During the game, the Hawks finished with a 17-12 margin in shots and an 18-10 edge in penalty corners.

Hawks first-year forward Rachel McLaughlin put the team on the board early in the fifth minute, redirecting a feed from fourth-year co-Captain Jessica Caruana into the back of the cage.

After a 1-0 halftime lead, the Hawks added a second goal in the second half. Hawks third-year forward Erin Landy netted a goal off a penalty corner in the sixty-sixth minute. Both Landy and McLaughlin scored their sixth goals of the season.

Hawks fourth-year goalkeeper Alayna Wageman made a crucial stop off a redirected shot from Kean’s second-year back Katie-Lynne Lussier in the sixth-eighth minute to preserve the shutout bid.

Wageman turned aside a total of nine shots from the Hawks cage to record her fourth shutout of the season.

In the release of the first NCAA Regional Rankings for the 2015 season, the Hawks were ranked at No. 2 in the North Atlantic Region, as announced on Oct. 21 by the NCAA. The regional rankings are based on the same criteria used to select and seed teams in the NCAA Div. III Tournament. This was the first time in program history the Hawks have been included in the rankings.

In the SUNYAC conference, the Hawks clinched the No. 2 seed on Sept. 17. With an overall record of 13-4 and 5-1 tally in conference play, the Hawks will look to win their fourth-straight SUNYAC Championship title.

After closing their regular season schedule with a nonconference road game against Vassar College on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m, the Hawks

will host SUNY Geneseo in the semifinal game of the 2015 SUNYAC Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. on the North Turf Field. The semifinal game will be a rematch of last year’s SUNYAC Final.

Hawks fourth-year co-Captain Dani Ackerman said the team has worked hard to gain recognition in regards to the regional rankings — but they must continue to strive for more.

“Playoffs gives every team a clean slate,” she said. “If anything, this ranking only gives our opponents more of an incentive to beat us. We constantly have a target on our back, so we must work relentlessly to attack our opportunities and capitalize on our strengths at this point in our season.”

Ackerman broke the program record in points on Oct. 21, as she registered the 96th in her career.

That passed the program’s former all-time record of 95, which was set by Danielle Conklin from 2010-13.

She said being the program’s all-time leader in points and goals is rewarding.

“My former teammate [Danielle Conklin] really set the bar high for me,” she said. “It has been both challenging and rewarding to follow in her footsteps and continue to set new heights for my team. I am excited to pass the torch to the next attacker who is willing to break my record, and continue to set the bar higher for players to come.”

Caruana and Ackerman were selected to the compete in the 2015 Victory Sports Tours/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) NCAA Div. III Senior Game on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia as announced on Oct. 28 by the NFHCA. Ackerman and Caruana are the third and fourth New Paltz student-athletes to compete in the NFHCA Div. III Senior Game in the history of the program. Previously, Conklin and Alyssa Stock were chosen.

To prepare for the regular season finale and postseason play, Vitale said the team will do the same routine they have been doing.

“We will continue to work on things from previous games and training at a high level where we are competing and challenging each other throughout practice,” she said. “We are getting ready to come out against Vassar and making sure that we’re ready physically as well as mentally.

Vassar is a great team so it comes down to us just being able to play to our strengths and continue to get better each day. That’s what is important right now.”

The field hockey team will host SUNY Geneseo in the semifinal game.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

The New Paltz Oracle

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Women’s Volleyball Wins At Home

By Michael Rosen

Copy Editor | Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The Women’s volleyball team took two of three matches in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Pool Play over the weekend at the Hawk Center.

The Hawks finished the season with an 8-1 record in conference play and have locked up the No. 2 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament.

The first match took place on Friday, Oct. 23, where the Hawks defeated SUNY Cortland by a score of 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-22).

New Paltz held the advantage in hitting percentage (.231-.139), blocks (8-7) and service aces (10-6).

Third-year defensive specialist Anna Paulik led the Hawks with 11 kills and 12 digs, posting her second double-double of the season. Second-year setter Maddie Zwickl led the Hawks with 39 assists and notched three service aces. Hawks fourth-year outside hitter Becca Borquist and third-year right side hitter Katy Braddon contributed offensively as well, posting 10 kills each.

The Hawks swept their first match the

next day against SUNY Oneonta 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-16).

New Paltz led the match with a .193 (32-16-83) hitting percentage as opposed to Oneonta’s -.056 (19-24-89). The Hawks also held a 7-2 advantage in service aces and both teams were tied in the blocks category at 7-7.

Paulik led the Hawk offense again with eight kills and also posted nine digs. Borquist and Hawks third-year middle hitter Morgan Roessler were right behind Paulik with seven kills each. Roessler also held down the defense with four blocks (one solo, three assists), while third-year libero Rachel Pierson also held down the defense with 10 digs. Zwickl notched a match-high 26 assists.

“All conference wins are big,” Hawks Head Coach Matt Giufre said. “You always want to put yourself in the best position and seed possible to win the tournament.”

The Hawks finished SUNYAC Pool Play with a loss to The College at Brockport, 3-2 (25-22, 28-26, 23-25, 20-25, 12-15). The two teams entered the match with an undefeated record in conference play for the season. With

the win, Brockport clinched the No. 1 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament and will host the tournament from Saturday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Nov. 8.

Had the Hawks won, they would have hosted the SUNYAC Tournament for the thirdstraight season. This was the Hawks’ first loss in conference play since they lost to Buffalo State in the final round of the 2013 SUNYAC Tournament. It was their first regular-season loss in conference play since October 2012.

After taking the first two sets, the Hawks had an opportunity to sweep the Golden Eagles as they held a 22-21 advantage in the third set.

Brockport took four of the last five points to force a fourth set. Although the Hawks played well in the last two sets, they were unable to win either and allowed the Golden Eagles to win in five sets.

“The loss against Brockport was hard because we were so close to winning and of course it cost us the chance to host SUNYACs,” Hawks third-year libero Meg Kinee said. “I think the bigger picture of the loss is that we had a very strong first two sets, but it

is possible to come back and win a match even when you go down 0-2.”

Roessler was shined offensively for the Hawks in a losing effort, as she posted a .553 (21-0-38) hitting percentage with a career-high 21 kills. Braddon also posted double-digits with 11 kills. Pierson, Paulik, and Borquist notched double figures in digs with 21, 15, and 14, respectively. Zwickl tallied 52 assists in the loss, the second most she has tallied in a match this season.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28 the Hawks shutout Vassar College 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-23) in a straight-set sweep.

The Hawks pieced together a .213 hitting percentage for the match and led in service aces (6-0) and total team blocks (8-3) over the Brewers. Individually, Pierson defended a team-high 22 digs.

The Hawks, who have an overall record of 19-9 will next travel to Saratoga Springs, New York to compete in the Skidmore Tournament. The team will play three nonconference matches in a 48-hour span to finish off their regular season.

by notching two shots apiece.

Guzzo recorded nine saves in the losing effort against the Bengals.

“I feel like our team put it all out there this weekend it just didn’t go our way,” fourth-year co-Captain Joe Hughes said. “It was definitely very sad, but I wouldn’t trade this team for anything.”

Although the Hawks missed out on postseason play, fourth-year midfielder Jake Falk said he feels the program has shown significant growth.

“All-in-all I think that despite not making playoffs, this season was really good for the program as a whole,” he said. “We improved from our past two seasons of only winning four games and five games to winning 10. This program will continue to improve and be a top contender in the seasons to come.”

On Saturday, Oct. 24 the Hawks finished with another close contest against SUNY Fredonia resulting in a 5-4 loss in doubleovertime.

Second-year forward Aleco Podias found the back of the net first for the Hawks with a diving header off of a free kick from fourthyear forward Jason Gonzalez in the 11th min-

ute.

contributing seven shots, followed by Gonzalez with five shots, and Podias with four shots.

Guzzo notched six saves on the day.

Hughes said that the Hawks had made some major accomplishments this season despite the weekend’s results.

“The most memorable part of this season to me was our first SUNYAC game,” he said.

“We have never beaten SUNY Cortland since I got here and I don’t think for a couple of years even before that,” he said. “However, this year we were able to take them down 2-1 on their own field. It was definitely a statement game and showed how hard we worked and how bad we want it.”

The Hawks will be graduating five members of their team.

Hughes said he finished his final season as a Hawk proud of his teammates and is optimistic about the team’s future.

“I’m expecting the team to keep up the momentum that we started this year,” he said.

“This is one of the better seasons the team has had in some years now and it was all due to commitment in the offseason. I know these boys will continue this trend, once you start winning a little bit it becomes contagious.”

Men’s Soccer Falls Short Of Postseason

By Rachael Purtell

Assistant Copy Editor | Purtellr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The Men’s soccer team concluded their season this past weekend with a 10-8-1 overall record and finished with a record of 3-6 in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC).

The Hawks fell to Buffalo State with a final score of 2-0 on Friday, Oct. 23. The Bengals clinched a spot in the playoffs, and the Hawks were eliminated from postseason play.

Buffalo State’s first goal came in the 41st minute when first-year defender Rob Williamson headed a goal past second-year Hawks goalkeeper John Guzzo off of a corner kick from second-year midfielder Sammy Wasson. The Bengals held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks over the Hawks.

The Bengals sealed the game in the 59th minute when the Hawk defense attempted to clear the ball and it went off a defender for an own goal.

Leading the offense for New Paltz was first-year defender Tucker Lundgren with three shots. Hawks third-year midfielder Charlie Versen and second-year midfielder and forward Khalil Scott Ludewig followed

About six minutes later, fourth-year defender Mike Biggane answered for the Blue Devils. Another Fredonia goal followed in the 24th minute by third-year forward Joey Vucic assisted by third-year forward Parker Healy and third-year midfielder Sam Greco.

The Hawks retaliated during the 31st minute when third-year defender Brendan Egan assisted Podias’ second goal. Podias completeted his hat-trick about a minute later off an assist from Ludewig. Fredonia answered with another goal by third-year midfielder Mazin Mohamed less than a minute later.

The final Hawk goal of the game was scored in the 54th minute by Gonzalez. The Blue Devils would not retaliate until the 81st minute when Vucic assisted a Healy goal.

This would tie the score at 4-4 and bring the game into overtime.

With just over two minutes left in overtime, Healy found the back of the net for the Blue Devils off an assist from fourth-year forward Vinny Chimento.

The Hawks outshot the Blue Devils 24–18 with third-year midfielder Sam Spring

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Sports

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The New Paltz Oracle

Women’s Soccer Finishes Season Strong

By Anthony Mitthauer-Orza

Copy Editor | Mitthaua1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The Women’s soccer team finished their season at home with a scoreless tie and a win.

In their second-to-last game of the season, the Hawks recorded their third scoreless tie — this time, against State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opponent Buffalo State. This was Buffalo State’s first conference loss of the season.

Hawks third-year goalkeeper Mikaela Stiklickas recorded seven saves in goal for her fourth shutout of the season.

The next day, the Hawks defeated SUNY Fredonia 2-1.

After a scoreless first half, the Hawks struck in the 51st minute on a goal from third-year co-Captain Sloane Lipshie that came off a feed from fourth-year midfielder Chelsea Weir.

The Blue Devils answered back with a game-tying goal from third-year forward Alexis Moreland. However, eight minutes later Lipshie snuck past Fredonia’s defense

to score the game-winning goal — her second of the game.

Despite a strong two-goal performance in the season finale by Lipshie, the Hawks were not able to clinch a berth in the 2015 SUNYAC Championship Tournament. They needed one more point to make the playoffs.

Hawks Head Coach Colleen Bruley said she was proud of her team even though they did not achieve the goals they had desired.

“They worked extremely hard and all of their hard work finally gave us a great weekend,” Bruley said. “I love this team.

We had a lot of fun and I really wished for more success for them.”

With their win, the Hawks closed out the 2015 season with a 3-11-3 overall record and a 2-4-3 SUNYAC tally.

The Hawks will be graduating four members of their team.

Going into next season, Bruley said the team will look to bring in dedicated players who have the ability to score goals and give their younger, developing players

a chance to gain a starting position in the lineup.

Hawks third-year midfielder Kaite Mulry says the team will be more dedicated to staying in shape, as it will affect their gameplay.

“I plan on lifting with my teammates and staying in shape for spring season,” Mulry said. “Next season is a new year and I’m looking forward to it. I’m very confident that the developing players will also be able to work hard to earn a starting position.”

Bruley said the Hawks look to bounce back in the spring with a younger and stronger team. Even though the team is losing some key players that had a large impact on the team over the past four years, the Hawks are optimistic about their future, she said.

“We want players who have the same ideas and values that we hold as a team,” Bruley said. “Those are the type of players that will fit well with our current players, and we look forward to building a team that I know can be successful here at New Paltz.”

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Second-year midfielder Danielle Grossi

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

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Thursday, October 29, 2015 5021A0077 C25852C_Fall SUNY Print_MISTAKE_10.25x5.25_NewPaltz_BW_1.indd Black

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Orange And

Blues

Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

No folks, you’re not dreaming. Hell has frozen over, cats and dogs are living together, renovation on the Sojourner Truth Library has been completed and the New York Mets are in the World Series. Their opponent, the now two-time defending American League Champion Kansas City Royals.

On the road to the World Series the Mets had to take down the Washington Nationals, who everyone picked to win the World Series this year — the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. They are all very tough opponents, but the Royals are nothing like any of those teams.

The Royals may not have the electric starting pitching that the Nationals and Dodgers had, and they may not have the some powerhouse lineup that the Cubs featured, but they made it here for a reason. Yes, their lineup has pop, but their best asset is their ability to just keep the line moving. That lineup will find ways to get hits and keep the inning going, tormenting the opposing pitcher. They’ve got speed too, as the Royals ranked second in the American League with 104 stolen bases this season.

But the strongest part of their team is the bullpen. The Royals are able to make nineinning games into six-inning games, because if you’re behind the Royals late in the game you are not catching up. Kelvin Herrera, Ryan Madson and Franklin Morales all had ERAs below 3.20 this season. Then there’s Wade Davis, who took over the closer role after Greg Holland went down to injury. Davis sported a jaw-dropping 0.94 ERA this season and has yet to allow a run this postseason.

This Royals team has plenty of heart and experience too. Back on Monday, Oct. 12 the Royals were playing Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros. The Astros held a 2-1 advantage in the series and a 6-2 lead going into the eighth inning, putting the Royals six outs away from elimination. The Royals scored five runs in that eighth inning to take a 7-6 lead, and they scored all of their runs without a single ex-

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Mets Look To Rebound From 2-0 Deficit

Mets clinched fifth pennant in history.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR USER ARTURO PARDAVILA III

tra base hit. That’s what I meant when I said their offense knows how to keep the line moving, their slap-stick offense has proven to be very effective. They are a very difficult team to shut the door on.

The one weakness of this Royals team is their inconsistent starting pitching. The two pitchers that best exemplify this are Yordano Ventura and Johnny Cueto. Ventura looked to be the Royals’ future ace after a great season last year, but this season has been a different story. Along with being sent down to the minor leagues this season, Ventura was involved in some controversial incidents where he was seen cursing at opposing players. The Royals traded for Johnny Cueto after he posted a 2.62 ERA for the Reds in the first half of this season. He proceeded to post a

4.76 ERA for the Royals for the rest of the season. Of Cueto’s three starts this postseason before the World Series, he only looked good in one of them. His Game 5 start in the American League Division Series against the Astros was fantastic, but his other two starts ranged from subpar to dreadful. If the Royals are to win this series, Ventura and Cueto need to step up big time.

The Mets are obviously a much more traditional team. Their offense has plenty of power, they have a solid bullpen, and their starting pitching is absolutely electric. Expect the Mets offense to pounce on the Royals’ adequate starting pitching in the first half of the game. But that Royals lineup is more than capable of scoring a few runs off the Mets starting pitching. If it comes down to

Thursday, October 29, 2015

a battle of the bullpens, the Royals have the clear edge. Jeurys Familia has been amazing for the Mets and hadn’t allowed a run this postseason before the World Series, but setup man Tyler Clippard has struggled and the Mets lack a lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

If the Mets are to win this series, the key will be their starters working around the chaos the Royals offense will cause them and their ability to work deep into games.

In Game 1, the Mets lost a heartbreaking 14-inning game against the Royals by a score of 5-4. The game went into the ninthinning with the Mets up 4-3. Familia gave up his first run this postseason, a game-tying blast to Alex Gordon. This was Familia’s first blown save since July 30 against the San Diego Padres. The Mets would lose the game in the 14th inning on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Eric Hosmer.

In Game 2 the Mets suffered a 7-1 defeat against the Royals. Cueto was masterful as he pitched a complete game and surrendered just one run. The victory put the Royals up 2-0 in the series, putting them two wins away from winning their first World Series since 1985.

Game 3 will be on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Mets’ home, Citi Field. Noah Syndergaard will start for the Mets in what is essentially a must-win game. Syndergaard has been great thus far, posting a 2.77 ERA this postseason.

But the Royals have proven they can hit the best starting pitching that the Mets have to offer.

Overcoming a 2-0 series deficit is tough, but not impossible. But a 3-0 deficit is a different story, except for the 2004 Boston Red Sox. If the Mets lose Game 3, this series is practically over. If they win, they still have a long ways to go. The lone bright spot is that the Mets will have home field advantage for the next three games. But they need more than home field advantage, they need to win.

We’ll see if the Mets still have some fight in them, or if this seemingly magical season ends in pathetic fashion.

Sports The New Paltz Oracle

WHAT’S INSIDE

SPLASH START

Field Hockey Earns Regional Ranking

ALL PHOTOS BY HOLLY LIPKA

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Men’s Soccer Concludes Season PAGE 13

SWIMMING TEAMS OPEN SEASON AT UNION RELAYS : PAGE 11