The Vista Dec. 6, 2011

Page 1

Entertainment.

Hockey

Actor Ryan Merriman will visit UCO on Thursday to talk about his faith and how it affects him in Hollywood. Page 5

In a weekend series against OU, UCO Hockey sealed a 4-0 shutout and their first series sweep against the Sooners. Page 7

DEC. 6, 2011 uco360.com twitter.com/uco360

THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S student voice since 1903.

UCO HOCKEY SWEEPS SOONERS

UCO’s Kevin Bergquist (61) celebrates with fans after beating OU at Arctic Edge Arena, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. The Bronchos swept the Sooners this past weekend in their twogame series. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista

More Hockey on page 7

WinterGlow

A HOLLY JOLLY GOOD TIME By M. A. Smith / Contributing Writer Horse-drawn carriages, hot cocoa and apple cider, candy, readings from “The Polar Express” and pictures with Santa Claus made the annual campus lighting ceremony a true sight to behold. Even chilly rain did not stop UCO’s 14th annual WinterGlow celebration on Friday, Dec. 2. Holiday enthusiasts from Edmond and Oklahoma City came to UCO for the traditional lighting of the Old North building, along with special treats for the kids. This year’s theme was based on the popular children’s book and movie “The Polar Express.” The celebration kicked off at 6 p.m. with the lighting ceremony in front of Old North. UCO President Don Betz opened the ceremony with jokes about the weather. “Not a good time for a long speech,” he said as the crowd laughed. “I guess you have to use your strongest imagination to think of the glow in the WinterGlow.” But his words soon became serious. “The glow is not about the weather. The glow is what goes on within the heart of real people,” Betz said. “This is the season for imagining and hoping for the very best for all of us.” Immediately following the president’s welcome, the children from Young Choirs of Central Oklahoma

Volunteer Rachael Meadows helps Ava Pettiford, 5, decorate her silver bell during Winterglow, Friday Dec 2, 2011. Photo by Liz Boyer, The Vista

sang Christmas carols under the direction of Leslie House. Edmond mayor and UCO alumni Charles Lamb officially began the countdown to the lighting of Old North. Edmond resident Carolyn North attends the event every year.

“This is sort of a tradition for my family,” she said. “Even the rain couldn’t keep me away.” After the lighting ceremony had concluded, spectators moved to Nigh University Center for various activities held their and elsewhere on campus. Horse-drawn carriages

were available in front of Broncho Lake to take those courageous enough to brave the weather on a tour around campus. “Mommy, mommy, look at the horses,” seven-year-old Katie McGregor, of Edmond, said. “I like horses. Daddy said we can’t get

one.” On the first floor of Nigh Center, next to Starbucks, the college hosted a Letters to the Troops area. People wrote letters to the troops serving in other countries, and the college will mail the letters to the troops for their Christmas presents. Alen House, Oklahoma City resident and National Guard Army reservist, said he appreciated what the college was doing for the troops. “Many people talk about the soldiers and how they support them. But, people rarely spend the time to show their support,” he said. “The guys will love this.” Lines were another unofficial theme of this year’s celebration. People stood in line everywhere, from the hot cocoa and apple cider tables to the candy station. The longest line was for Saint Nick himself. Parents and children lined up from Constitution Hall to the front of the food court in order to see the special visitor from the North Pole. Santa made his appearance shortly after 7 p.m., but the line was well under way before 6 p.m. Six-year-old Tony Jenson was one of the children waiting in line. “Santa’s going to bring me Bumble Bee,” he said. “[Because] I’ve been good this year.” Taylor Made Photography provided complimentary pictures with Santa to the children who donated one unwrapped toy.

USDA

LEGISLATION ALLOWS FOR BEATING A DEAD HORSE AND EATING IT TOO Recent federal legislation is making equine slaughterhouses legal across the United States. On Nov. 18, President Barack Obama signed the bill to enable the processing of horsemeat. This will be the first time equine slaughterhouses have been legal since 2007. The reopening of the processing plants was attached to a spending bill granting a large amount of funds to the USDA. If the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides funding for the plant inspections, equine slaughterhouses may be operating within 30 days. Various organizations are already looking to build. States such as Oregon, Idaho, Wyo-

ming, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, and Georgia have already begun putting plans in motion. In an interview with The Oklahoman, Wyoming state representative Sue Wallis gave an estimate of how many horses would be processed per year for consumption. Wallis believes that between 120,000 and 200,000 horses would be killed in a 12-month period. “I guarantee it will happen. The horse world is very motivated,” Wallis said. Wallis believes a majority of persons who handle horses are in favor of the plan. “Everyone in the horse world is so excited we may have an opportunity to turn the

whole equine market around,” Wallis said. For many, however, horses embody the spirit of the American West. “It doesn’t seem right. I know I couldn’t eat a horse. For me it would be like eating a bald

WEATHER

By Josh Hutton / Staff Writer

TODAY H 34° L 18°

eagle,” UCO sophomore Chris Sedlacek said. In high school, Sedlacek spent summers helping on his uncle’s ranch outside of Fairview, Oklahoma.

TOMORROW H 44° L 25°

Continued on page 3

DID YOU KNOW? The same person who sang “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was also the voice of Tony the Tiger.


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