Volume 40 Issue 4 by University Times

inside this issue:

What Is IT? Details on p. 7

University of Maine at Presque Isle

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Volume 40 Issue 4

Missing Maliseet Details on p. 13

Journalism for Northern Maine

Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu

What Goes Around Comes Around

Ben Pinette

STAFF WRITER

It was May of 2009 that UMPI became one of the first University of Maine system campuses to reduce its carbon footprint by installing a 600kilowatt wind turbine on campus. Since then, the wind turbine has saved the university more than $100,000. “A contractor has been called up from downstate to fix this problem. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved by the beginning of November,” Don Zillman, president of UMPI, said. According to Zillman, the wind turbine hasn’t been working properly since Aug. 22, coming after another set of problems that caused the wind turbine to malfunction in July, but were later resolved.

“At first, it was ‘what’s wrong with it, what’s wrong with it?’ Sometime mid-September, we figured out it was a broken shaft that drives the whole process. It

was then ‘how quickly can we get in there to correct it?’ As it turned out, our prior fix was out of alignment. At this point, we are waiting for the general contractor to come back up,” Zillman said. Zillman also said that the problem may have always been there. “The shaft in the wind turbine was broken, so that caused a temporary shutdown. After two years, this was what caused it, and if we would’ve diagnosed it and corrected it earlier, we would have been back up and running and successful in our first year.” With the wind turbine being down, it was also a chance for the greater UMPI faculty and community to learn a bit more about operating a 600-watt wind turbine. “The good thing is we have

learned so much on campus that I think we’re fairly close to sending some of our best physical plant people out to VESTUS, the manufacturer, getting both their expertise and now I can get a lot of the things we’ve usually had done by the general contractor. Seventy five percent of what’s worked well is the people here, and 25 percent has been the general contractor,” Zillman said. Zillman reflects about things in the past that could have helped the process. “If somebody would have come and asked us if the turbine is generating like we wanted it to do, we would have been better off. It’s still turned out its savings of $100,000 per year,” Zillman said. Around campus, the question has lingered if the wind turbine

not running will cost the university extra that wasn’t anticipated, but Zillman said all is well. “If we stay where we are now, then no, we won’t be doing something drastic like pull scholarships away or lay people off because of it. But it certainly would have been nice to have that continuing generation. In our contract, 95 percent of the time when the wind is blowing, we should generate electricity and if it’s less than that, it’s our fault and we need to compensate for that,” Zillman said. Charlie Bonin, UMPI’s vice president for administration and finance, has been instrumental in getting contractors up to Northern Maine. “We hope to have the wind turbine up next week, hopefully by Wednesday the ninth. That’s our goal,” Bonin said.

Potato-Picking Legacy Almost Extinct

Donna DeLong STAFF WRITER

If you could step back in time, to when harvest break meant a chance for a new wardrobe, would you? Stewart Farms on the Houlton Road in Presque Isle has been growing and expanding over many years. They started out as a small roadside stand and sold potatoes to passersby. Now Stewart Farms has grown into a thriving business which employs a dozen or more people during the spring, summer and fall months and up to 50 during the harvest season. Stewart’s grows a diverse

group of vegetables, from onions, carrots and potatoes to many varieties of squash and pumpkins. Danny Stewart, owner and operator of Stewart Farms, loves Halloween and spends all year preparing for the holiday. He has a large barn alongside the road that holds all his produce and pumpkins of every size are lined up for acres for people to choose from. Every year, Danny and Lisa Bloom, his manager, work throughout the winter to make potato barrels that come in a variety of sizes. They also sell outdoor fur-

niture, planting pots, children’s furniture and Halloween wooden decorations.

Stewart built onto the barn to add a small display

store for made-in-Maine products that he has gotten from all over the state. These include homemade syrup and jams, to baskets and cribbage boards, as well as many canned pickles and other canned goods. He’s proud of the state of Maine and promotes many small businesses. Bloom said, “Danny searches for products that are made in Maine.” When asked why, Bloom said, “he is a big sup-

porter of products made in Maine by Maine people.” Every year, you will see school buses lined up to tour the Stewart Farms. Stewart and Bloom teach people, ranging from preschoolers to the ladies from the Red Hot Society, the ways of farming like it was done years ago. Stewart doesn’t harvest his potatoes with a harvester, but uses crews of people who range from 10 and up to work the fields and pick the potatoes with a basket.

S e e Po t a t o, Pa g e 6

The University Times Staff Editor Lanette Virtanen Assistant Editor Kayla Ames Staff Writers Kayla Ames Stephanie Corriveau Donna Delong Rowena Forbes Sarah Graettinger Stephanie Jellett Mika Ouellette Ben Pinette Jessie Rose Lanette Virtanen Brianna Williams

Contributors Chris Corsello Jim Stepp Don Zillman

Adviser Dr. J

The U Times welcomes submissions from the campus. Send digital versions of articles, photos, etc., to utimes@maine.edu and jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu

ampus University Times

November 4, 2011

Dear Readers, We just had Halloween with all that candy and now we’ll end this month with Thanksgiving dinner. But that’s not all that the month of November is about. In between is Veterans Day on Nov. 11. It’s not just another day off from school. Take the time and remember to honor our veterans. This semester might be almost over, but try to remember to take it one day at a time, one week at a time. It’s not too late to join a club. We’re always looking for more writers for the U Times. If you’ve got an interest, we’ll find a niche for you. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this issue. Lanette Greetings, I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween. Soon, the snow will probably be falling and a lot of you will be signing up for new classes. You can take refuge in the fact that some things stay the same. For instance, we'll keep doing layout and publishing the U Times! This issue features several stories about the campus as well as a bit of information about the community. Many writers and poets have explored the connection between education and community throughout the years. In keeping with that, I hope that this issue educates and gives you a better appreciation, not only for the people you pass by every day, but also for the things you see on a regular basis. Thank you, Kayla

D at e s fo r S u bm i ssi ons t o t h e U T i mes Nov. 7 Nov. 28

Any submissions received after a deadline will be published in the following issue. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Lowman at 768-9745.

Univer si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

From Don’s Desk

I write four days before we rededicate Pullen Hall. As the UMPI community knows well, Pullen Hall is the second half of the Folsom-Pullen complex. In addition to being UMPI’s major classroom facility, Pullen houses faculty offices, communications facilities and an art gallery. T he Oct. 27 rededicat i o n w i l l c e l e b r at e, a n d bring to an end, to a four ye a r p ro c e s s t h at i s a great story of making p ro g r e s s i n t o u g h e c o nomic times. It is also a wonderful story of many c o l l a b o r at i o n s coming together to make a handsome final product. Here is what made it happen. The Folsom-Pullen structure was constructed in the mid-1960s. It met the needs of the time. It reflected architectural styles of the time that probably will not be glorified in books on the great monuments of architecture. It was also built at a time when a gallon of petroleum or fuel oil could be purchased for as little as 25 cents. By UMPI’s centennial cele-

Ready for Another 50 Years, Thanks to Lots of Ingenuity

bration in 2003, Folsom-Pullen was showing its age and showing its energy inefficiency. I remember sitting in the back row of a Folsom classroom in early 2007 and almost freezing to death from icy air leaking in the badly insulated windows. At the same time, $3 per gallon heating oil was leaking out to warm the parking lot. The heating system was also noisy and certain seats were not conducive to hearing comments from professors and students. Fortunately, the basic 1960s construction of the FolsomPullen complex was sound (“good bones,” in architectural talk). Renovation, not new construction from the ground up, was needed. How does the campus do that? The easy answer is, “with difficulty.“ Maine is the unusual state that sends many of its state construction (including public university) construction projects out to the voters for statewide approval or disapproval. This lengthy process involves: 1) a submission of our project, Folsom-Pullen, to the University System Trustees along with submissions from the other six campuses and

the community colleges; 2) approval of some or all of our proposal by the trustees for consideration by the Maine Legislature; 3) review by the Legislature like any other piece of legislation. The legislators are free to reject our proposal or to reduce the dollars provided for it. And, finally, submission to the voters of the State of Maine for a single Yes or No vote. We started on that process in 2006. What eventually reached the voters was a proposal that essentially gave us half the dollars we needed to complete a $4-5 million project. Half a load is better than none. Northern Maine Community College President Tim Crowley (who faced a similar situation) and I then became politicians (not that we aren’t normally), going around the County to urge a YES vote on the higher education construction bond. We spoke to civic groups, military gatherings, senior citizen homes and chambers of commerce. Happily, the voters of central and southern Aroostook gave us one of the largest margins of YES votes in the State. The Bond passed and we had half

Come to

B ig Ro c k

the money we needed to renovate Folsom and Pullen. Vice President Charlie Bonin and Facilities Director Dave St. Peter now took the lead. They proposed that the most sensible approach was “Folsom first, Pullen later.” All the dollars went into Folsom renovation, which included numerous energy efficiency steps, such as heat pump technology that cut our heating oil use nearly in half. Everyone collaborated and the project was completed during the summer of 2008. We celebrated at that dedication ceremony and then looked over at Pullen Hall and thought: “Next.” Not so easy. Along came the Great Recession, which continues today. Prospects for another major bond issue disappeared. A small construction bond went to the voters and was narrowly approved. That got us a bit less than $500,000—far less than needed to complete Pullen to be an attractive partner to Folsom. Then campus really got creative. The student-faculty Green Committee urged us to seek federal legislative support for

2011 Openin g D ay: December 10 B i g Rock’s early se ason p ass is on sale now fo r any col leg e or unive r si ty students. Saving s of $ 2 0 0 ! Vi si t o u r web si te at : w w w. b i g ro c k m a i n e. c o m It’s Big Rock in Mar s Hi ll.

3 solar energy technology. Dave Putnam and Allen Salo crafted a request for $800,000 and with Senator Collins’ leadership, we had some of the dollars we needed. We also had another attractive renewable energy project with energy saving, educational and data-gathering benefits. We then turned to the State of Maine to help us secure a different slice of federal dollars coming from a program to promote use of wood based fuels for heating purposes. We received a $750,000 grant to install a wood pellet boiler. That allowed us to replace two ancient oil burners. We were able to switch from petroleum coming from around the world to wood products from 30 miles away and that provide jobs and revenue to Maine businesses. We put all the pieces together and completed our work in summer 2011. Project FolsomPullen is complete. It is functional. It saves energy in half a dozen different ways. It provides our major classroom space for the next 50 years. Thanks to everyone who had a part in making it happen.

Unive r si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Chrisʼ Corner

What Really Matters

Here’s a little “quiz” for this issue. You don’t actually have to take the q u i z . Ju s t re a d s t r a i g h t through and you’ll get the point, which I personally think is an awesome one. Take this quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2 . N a m e t h e l a s t f i ve Heisman trophy winners. 3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America c o n t e s t . 4. Name ten people who h ave wo n t h e N o b e l o r P u l i t ze r P r i ze. 5. N a m e t h e l a s t h a l f

d oze n A c a d e my Aw a rd winners for best a c t o r / a c t r e s s . 6. Name the last d e c a d e ’s w o r t h o f Wo r l d Series winners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1 . L ist a few tea ch er s wh o

How did you do?

T h e p o i n t i s, v e r y f e w, i f a n y, o f u s r e m e m b e r t h e h e a d l i n e r s o f ye s t e r d a y. T h e s e a r e n o s e c o n d - r a t e a c h i e ve r s. T h e y are the best in their f i e l d s. B u t t h e a p p l a u s e d i e s. Aw a rd s t a r n i s h . Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried w i t h t h e i r o w n e r s.

Jessie Rose

Glue guns scattered across the table, mixed with paints of every color pink you can imagine. Glitter had been sprinkled on the table and students chattered with the people sitting nearest to them, everyone with a common goal in mind, to support breast cancer awareness. A bra decorating contest kicked off the events that took place from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14. “Come decorate a bra,” Kim said as people walked by the table, staring to see what was going on. The first thing to do was to pick out a bra of your choice. It could either be a sports bra or a frilly lace bra.

After picking one out, you found a seat and looked around the table to decide what you wanted to use first. Paint, glue or glitter? What should be first? You c o u l d p u t wh at eve r yo u

wanted on the bra. It could be something as simple as the school mascot, or something with more meaning to it, such

wh o h ave m a de you fe el a p p re c i at e d a n d sp e c i a l . 5 . T h i n k o f fi ve pe o ple yo u en j oy sp en d i n g t i m e w i t h . 6. Name half a dozen h ero es wh o se st o ri e s h ave i n spi re d yo u. Easier?

Be Pink, Be Proud! STAFF WRITER

w h o h av e h e l p e d yo u t h ro ug h a di f fi c ul t t i m e. 3 . N am e fi ve peo pl e wh o

aided yo u r jour ney through school. 2. Name three friends

as pink ribbon or a saying such as “Save the Tatas,” or “Handle with Care.” Later, a contest was held for students to vote on who they felt decorated the best bra. After decor a t i n g, bras were lined up w i t h a nu m ber b e l ow e a ch o n e t o identify them. Pink sticker s, fo o t b a l l s a n d F r i s b e e s wh e r e g i ve n out to help with the celeb r at i o n . P i n k is the official breast cancer color. It was a good time for all who participated in the event. Next year, plan to attend this event. It is a fun time with a worthy cause in mind.

h ave t a u g h t yo u s o m e thing w o r t h w h i l e. 4 . T h i n k of a few p eo ple

Bradley’s

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are likely not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They a re t h e o n e s wh o c a re. Let those people who have made a difference in your life know.

& C-Store

46 North Street Presque Isle, ME

* Presque Isle’s only 24 hour CITGO, C-Store & Snack Connection! * 3 quality grades of CITGO gas In-store deli with homemade sweets, sandwiches and entrees. In-Store Deli Hours: Monday-Friday 5 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday 6 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday 7 a.m.- 2 p.m.

* We have a 12-door-cooler with all the beverages you need *We’re confident that we have what you need and, if not, we can get it! FMI call 764-6130.

Univer si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Halloween a Little Bit Early first floor of Park. “This hall is very scary,” Jack Eastler of Presque Isle said, also referring to Park’s first floor. Melissa Burby, of Presque Isle, brought her son to UMPI

“Best Costume,” “Best Decorated Floor,” “Best Door Decoration,” and “Fastest The famous quote, “being a Cleaned Floor,” As soon as the kid in a candy store,” came RAs heard from resident life true for kids under 10 years of director Jim Stepp that it was a age on Thursday, Oct. 27. “go” to start, all three Between the hours floors frantically were of 7 and 8 p.m., running around, tearkids from the ing down toilet paper greater Presque Isle and the trash bag community came to walls all into one pile. UMPI for The competition was “Halloween in the definitely fierce and Halls.” To many could be felt through kids, this meant each floor. In the Halloween came a end, it was first floor few days earlier. of Park that took Even before the home the Fastest kids arrived, both Cleaned Floor. Other Park and Merriman winners include, for halls were transA few of the kids who came to Halloween in the Halls. Best Costume: Aaron formed into a Mitchell, Best haunted house type for the first time to trick or treat. Decorated Floor: Park third theme, complete with toilet “I found out about this floor and Best Door paper strung from the ceiling, because my son’s school handed Decoration went to 304 chilling and dark music blastout a flyer on this event. This Merriman, which is home to ing from numerous dorm was similar to something we Brittany Allen, Catrina rooms, black trash bag walls and an assortment of flashing used to do when we lived in Comeau and Julie Sharp. “We estimated approximatelights, thanks to the RAs. All Portland when we went to the mall a few days before ly 100 to 110 children came that was missing were the kids Halloween. It’s also nice and through the halls and approxianxious to receive candy from warm in here. It beats being mately 90 residents handed out college students. outside,” Burby said. candy,” Stepp said. “I want candy. Mmmmm,” Along with handing out It was certainly an evening of said one boy in a Dracula coscandy to the children, each surprises for the local children. tume even before he entered floor in Park and Merriman Who knows, maybe it’ll be them Park Hall to start. had different contest that they someday taking their kids to One boy was actually terriparticipated in, including a trick-or-treat at UMPI. fied of the halls, particularly the Ben Pinette

STAFF WRITER

What Do Halloween Candy and Christmas Cards Have in Common? Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER

You may have walked by the Whoo’s Hut or gone up the stairs on the way to the cafeteria for lunch or dinner and seen a table with Christmas cards and a box of Halloween candy on it. You might have wondered why people at these tables were signing Christmas cards a week before Halloween. They were doing so for charity as a part of Phi Eta Sigma’s “Candy and Christmas Card Drive for Treats for Troops.” It ran from Oct. 24 to 28, with tables set up in the Campus Center at dinner, from 5 to 6 p.m., and in Folsom/Pullen during the day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Treats for Troops is a nonprofit organization based in Florida that sends candy, Christmas cards and care packages to American troops deployed overseas. After every Halloween, they invite individuals and groups to send them their leftover Halloween candy to be sent to military bases overseas. This also coincides with the deadline for sending Christmas cards in order for them to get overseas in time for Christmas, which is Nov. 1. This is why Phi Eta Sigma is

collecting cards along with candy, which has its own use in shipping. “They actually use the candy in the care packages they send as packing peanuts so that, instead of having foam to throw away, the soldier receiving the package gets candy along with the non-edible contents of their care package,” Jim Stepp, Phi Eta Sigma adviser, said. The drive was a success, with several cards having been signed and a box full of bags of Halloween candy collected. These collections will be sent to Florida, where Treats for Troops will send them to military bases overseas. If you would like more information on Treats for Troops or would like to donate, you may visit their website at www.treatsfortroops.info.

Students in Dr. Jacqui Lowman’s editing class decided to dress up in honor of Halloween. From left: Candice Rivera, Brianna Williams, Ben Pinette, Stephanie Jellett, Donna DeLong, Taylor Ussery and Jordan Guy.

Unive r si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Potato

Continued from Page 1

After picking up the potatoes, crews dump them into a barrel. Then a truck comes and picks up the barrels and takes them back to the potato house to be bagged and put on his shelf as well as local grocery store shelves. When asked why they employ kids as young as 10, Bloom said, “It’s better to hire them young. When you hand a 10-or-12-year-old an envelope with $20 in it, they are happy. When you pass the same envelope to a 15-or-16-year-old, they think it’s nothing.” Picking in the fields used to be the main way that potatoes were harvested about 30 years ago. This gave children of any age a chance to work and buy

their winter clothes and also gave them the understanding of what it takes to earn a dollar. Now the harvesting is done almost completely by harvester and some don’t even have crews on them anymore, but are totally automated. The potatoes are bruised more, but they can get more potatoes out of the ground faster. It was a given that, when the schools let the children out for harvest, they all worked. Now only a handful work and they usually are from farm families. There are only about two or three picking crews left in the County. Unfortunately, this has left three generations without this important learning experience. A delicacy in Maine is new potatoes, about the size of golf balls, and new-grown peas boiled and served with milk and butter on them. It’s a delicious dish and one that County residents wait all year long for. Stewart Farms is open from early spring until Christmas. The rule is, after Halloween, if there’s a car in the dooryard, then they’re open. Stop by and check out what Stewart Farms has to offer and you might find that special made-in-Maine gift for someone on your holiday shopping list.

Bread of Life Bulk Food & Specialty Store

-Organic -Gluten Free -Vegan -Ethnic -Fresh Bread -Hot Soup -Fresh Cookies -Gift Certificates

769 Main Street Phone: (207)-768-7000 Presque Isle, ME 04769 Contact Cheryle Matowitz, Director

Pullen Hall Pulls for Green Donna DeLong STAFF WRITER

windows, a new electrical system and the biomass boiler, all make for substantial cost savings for the university and reduce the carbon footprint. On Oct. 27, Charlie Bonin, vice president for administration and finance, took attendees for tours to show off the new biomass boiler as well as many other improvements. Aramark provided food and drinks. The Department of Conservation Maine Forest Service wood-to-energy grant of $750,000 was a major contribution in getting the project done. Rob Clark, the project manager for biomass energy in Maine, spoke at the rededication and said that 22,000 gallons of fuel will be saved at a cost of $77,000. “The state forestry wrote a proposal to create jobs to install biomass boilers for pub-

Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. This bill funded the solar panel installation, electrical components, distribution system and data collection efforts. An automated weather station is being set up to collect information on solar radiation levels and provide baseline data for the future use of solar energy. This information will be utilized by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The campus also received $475,000 in state bond money from 2008, voted on by County voters. The balance of the project was covered through internal funds. The project has been a long and involved process, but it’s finished and is operating to ensure UMPI is living up to their promise of zero emiss i o n s . Community members,

Distinguished guests and many media people, as well as university and community members, attended the rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on the third floor of Pullen Hall on Oct. 27 at noon. The 2.3 million dollar project at Pullen Hall has added many new adaptations to the building to make the campus energy efficient and reach its goal of zero emissions. The university has added 99 solar panels to the roof of the building as well as new energy efficient windows, energy saving lights with motion sensor technology and a new wood-burning boiler to replace the two original oilfired burners that were more than 40 years old. The implemented renovations weren’t the first projects that the university has considered. David Putnam, a teacher and anthropologist at UMPI, spoke about many ideas that had been researched before the renovations were decided upon. Putnam first had the idea of using the roof to grow plants to produce energy, but the roof couldn’t handle University and community members at the ribbon-cutting ceremony the weight. The for Pullen Hall. next idea was to paint the roof white, but this had other issues and it couldn’t lic entities such as schools, business owners and nonlibraries and hospitals, to profit organizations have be done in a timely fashion. The idea of solar panels spend the money. I am pleased shown much interest in folwas the way to go and grants for the environment, as this lowing the example of were obtained to pay for some will help improve foresting UMPI. So, the next time of the installation. These solar practices as well as provide you’re in class in Pullen Hall panels produce energy that’s employment and save these and your room temperature used with the new biomass sys- entities like UMPI thousands is comfortable or you find tem that will heat and cool the of dollars in fuel expense by yourself thinking only of building, making the learning helping to provide these bio- your studying rather than freezing or sweating, try to environment much better for mass boilers,” Clark said. The university also received remember that you’re also students and faculty. Motion sensor lights as well as new $800,000 from the U.S. reducing the carbon footfloors, ADA accessibility, new Department of Energy as part print and helping to save of the Fiscal Year 2010 your world.

Univer si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Have You Seen IT?

Stone” magazine said that “the Tower Set that was performed at 2 a.m. was one of the most bizarre rock spectacles ever seen.” The publicity that those concerts received and the number of people who came to see

All of this is great if you’re where the art room is located. a PHISH fan. But you might be “The IT men are a pair, just what PHISH has to wondering you and a friend. Like a like Does anyone know what do with UMPI. Giles went to brotherhood or sisterhood, those green men are that are on those concerts, did a documenyou’re not alone here at colthe side of Pullen Hall? Does tary and also came up with the lege,” Giles said. anyone know what they stand idea of bringing them here to It’s almost as if they are passfor or why they are here on campus. Giles negotiated ing the torch to UMPI to do with PHISH and Loring great things and be creative. and then got presidential With torches in hand, just administration here at like guiding in planes after UMPI to agree to bring they’ve landed, the IT men them here. To get the IT were standing at the gates of men here on campus was Loring to guide in the concertno small feat, either. goers. Now those figures are There were engineers who standing here on campus on had to be brought in to figure out what it would take to attach the IT men to the side of Pullen Hall. The figures had to be preserved and restored. With the help of the people from the community, it all came together. Those concerts at Loring were much more The IT men at the gates of former Loring Air Force base. than just normal concerts. They put on more than Photo courtesy of Anderson Giles. just a show. PHISH had a campus? Does anyone even them, made Limestone the huge wall constructed for the care? Maybe people would if largest city in Maine for the fans to create art on, plus they they knew where the images period of time that the concerts had tons of rocks brought in so came from, what they stood for were taking place. Those con- that the fans could be creative and what IT means in connec- certs also brought more than with them. PHISH wanted the $25 million into Maine. fans who came there to not only tion to UMPI. “The IT figures not only refenjoy the show that they put on, The rock band, PHISH erence the amazing PHISH but to become a part of the came to the former Loring Air shows, but also our area’s conexperience as a whole. The fans Force Base in Limestone, nection to aviation, such as became painters as well as Maine, not once but three Loring Air Force Base and the sculptors and so much more. times. The last concert, which old Presque Isle Air Base,” It seems only fitting that the was in August of 2003, was Andy Giles, an UMPI art proIT men would be placed on the The IT men at Pullen Hall. called “It.” This concert stood fessor, said. end of Pullen Hall, which is out so much that “Rolling Lanette Virtanen STAFF WRITER

Donna DeLong STAFF WRITER

the end of Pullen Hall with the torches of higher learning held high. If you’d like more information or would like to see photos of what went on at the concerts or even about the IT men and how they came to campus, go to: www.umpi.edu/phish. Now when you’re on campus and see those big green IT men on the side of Pullen Hall, you might look at them differently. IT means more than you think IT does.

Are We In a Greenhouse? Have you ever wondered if Maine is going to become a tropical paradise? Dr. Jason Johnston, assistant professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, was asked what he felt the most pressing environmental issue facing us today was. Johnston said, “Global climate change is the most pressing issue facing us today.” Global climate change is

when the atmosphere heats up due to too much CO2 in the atmosphere, causing the “greenhouse effect.” The expected changes are: an increase in storms with more heat and more water in the system and a change in distribution of the sustainability of crops in different areas. Johnston also said that “the oceans are becoming more acidic due to the polar ice caps melting and the oceans are

warming because of the change in temperature. When this happens, CO2 is released into the atmosphere, causing more global climate change, and it is a vicious cycle.” Johnston was asked how he felt students could start making a change to improve our earth and help slow down the process of the green house effect. His answer was “… everyone could make a difference by

cutting back on our use of energy. Ride your bike or carpool and reduce the amount of food that you eat that is processed and packaged. Processed and packaged food takes more energy to make, which uses more energy, which in turn puts more CO2 into the atmosphere. Making your own food from scratch and growing a garden are ways that anyone can start to make a change for the better.”

Unive r si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Kayla Ames

STAFF WRITER

One of the many clubs UMPI students can be part of is the gay-straight alliance. This organization not only works to bring people together, but provides support and education. They’re also becoming more common on college campuses, with an estimated 4,000 in the United States and 56 in Maine alone. Still, not everyone has one, which is something retired psychologist Peter Rees and teacher Betsy Parsons want to change. They’re both supporters of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Rees and Parsons spoke on Wednesday, Oct. 5, starting at 7 p.m., in honor of the third annual Gay Awareness Days. Rees started by giving attendees an idea of how gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have been viewed in the past. Rather than refer to them as “gay,” some chose to use the word “homosexual.” It brought attention to the supposedly shameful and “nasty” activities they were practicing. Others, though, may have used it because they thought “gay” was disrespectful. Some used to define GLBT people according to these activities alone. Rees made a point of saying that behavior – in this case, whom to be intimate with – is only part of someone’s identity. You shouldn’t judge someone solely by how they act because, often, what we do doesn’t necessarily match who we are. Behavior matters, but it’s not everything. After him, Parsons gave a modern perspective. Another problem, both historically and currently, is our tendency to talk past each other even when we think we’re having a discussion.

A Plea for Equality

Rees and Parsons also presented some startling statistics about GLBT students and the troubles they face. One difficulty, in particular, is their schooling. Did you know that almost two-thirds of GLBT students say they feel unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation? These students are known to skip classes or miss school six times as often as their peers. As a result, many have lower grades and are less likely to go on to further education. Overall, antigay acts and attitudes personally affect 30,000 to 40,000 Maine students. Though there are a variety of minority groups, these students have a particularly hard

some don’t support their children’s decision to come out. Rees and Parsons shared a lot of stories about former patients and students. Parsons knew one boy who was so traumatized by the bullying he faced at school that he developed post-traumatic stress disorder and couldn’t remember anything he read. Rees had a patient who eventually, reluctantly admitted he was gay, then left therapy soon after and committed suicide. He said it was his first lesson in how homophobia could kill, not just on the outside, but on the inside.

out that there’s hope and a lot we can do to help. Taking part in GLSEN National Days of Action can help improve

school climate. These Days of Action include Ally Week, Transgender Day of Remembrance, No-NameCalling Week and Day of Silence. They also encourage

From left: Betsy Parsons and Peter Rees from GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. time for several reasons. “Most gay kids don’t have gay parents,” Rees pointed out. Their parents don’t have first-hand experience and

“It has an enormous impact on academic standing as well as physical and emotional wellbeing,” Parsons said. They were quick to point

people to start GSTAs, or GayStraight-Trans Alliances, in their schools. Some other ways to be an ally: don’t laugh at put-downs, speak up to those

who are disrespectful, tell a teacher or counselor and get parents/family members involved if possible. Be inclusive and reflect on your own prejudices as well as work to change them. “What we’ve learned is that youth have a tremendous power to influence others,” Parsons said. Rees and Parsons spent a lot of time answering questions or engaged in conversation with audience members. Discussion topics included ways to stop the common but offensive expression “that’s so gay,” attempts to make the oppressed and therefore invisible once again visible and the rights of and difficulties faced by schools as well as their officials. There was also discussion about when it’s appropriate to punish students or when it’s better to educate them and how to go about doing so while supporting anyone who’s being targeted. “We’re talking about the balance of fear and love in our lives. That’s what it basically boils down to,” Rees said. Rees and Parsons said that they dream of a time where “gay” will be just another part of someone’s identity. GLSEN’s goal is to make all schools safe and supportive for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Until then, there’s a lot we can do as allies, as advocates of change. To find out more about the Downeast or southern Maine chapter of GLSEN, visit their w e b s i t e s : www.glsen.org/downeastme or www.glsen.org/southernme.

Univer si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Kayla Ames

STAFF WRITER

The True Meaning of Flight, Freedom and Finding a Way Home

Though the weather on Wednesday, Oct. 12, was less than pleasant, people in the multi-purpose room of the Campus Center got to experience the warm, colorful climate of Brazil. That’s where “Rio,” a movie featuring the voices of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway and George Lopez, played, starting at 8 p.m. Musicians Will.i.Am and Jamie Foxx also spoke and sang for certain characters. Eisenberg played Blu, a type of tropical bird called a macaw. Though born in Rio de Janiero, Blu was stolen soon after he was born and shipped to the United States. He fell out of the back of a truck and ended up in Minnesota, where a little girl named Linda found and adopted him. Years later, Linda owns a bookstore and Blu is domesticated, never having learned to fly. A Brazilian man who specializes in the study of birds, named Tulio, visits the bookstore one day and informs Linda that Blu is the last male of his kind. In order to save their species, he must mate with a female macaw named Jewel,

voiced by Hathaway. Linda is hesitant to take her beloved companion out of his comfort zone, but eventually decides it’s what’s best. “I promised I would always look out for you, didn’t I?” Linda asks, to which Blu agrees. “And have I ever broken a promise? I’m scared too. But I wouldn’t make you do this if it wasn’t the right thing to do.” It isn’t long before Linda comes to regret her decision. Even though Blu finds Jewel beautiful, they don’t hit it off – their personalities just don’t match. Blu is a careful homebody while free-spirited Jewel is determined to escape her manmade enclosure in search of freedom. The same night they meet, they’re snatched by smugglers. This begins a journey that will see them across Blu’s exotic

Tuesday: Pasta Night from $6 per bowl. Thirsty Thursday: Drink specials and authentic Mexican food. Saturday: Late night dancing in the bar.

homeland, through dangers they never could’ve imagined and to some startling realizations, not only about each other,

but about themselves. Along the way, they make some friends, mainly a toucan named Rafael, a cardinal

named Pedro, a canary named Nico and a bulldog named Luiz. Of course, Blu and Jewel also have their fair share of obstacles and enemies: Nigel the cockatoo, who wants to make everyone else ugly, like him, as well as Marcel the smuggler and his henchmen. Rafael, voiced by Lopez, teaches Blu some important lessons along the way about what’s really important and why he can’t fly. Pointing to his head, then his heart, he says: “Flying is not what you think up here. It’s what you feel in here.” As the birds switch between having fun and trying to survive, a couple of human characters face similar issues. Linda and Tulio sense a kind of chemistry growing between them, though she’s distracted

by her desperate search for Blu. An orphan boy named Fernando longs for acceptance and struggles to make the right decisions. Through action, romance, beautiful scenery and lively music, audience members learn about the meanings of freedom, family and home, courtesy of two blue macaws. Vanessa Pearson, coordinator of student activities, organized the movie showing and said she was pretty happy with the turnout. Several community members brought their children. “I think movies are kind of a nice thing, especially in the MPR room with the big screen and popcorn. Better than sitting in your room and watching it...I like to pick different genres. That was kind of the fun, lighthearted genre.” Students and community members alike would probably agree with her description. Dylan Markie, an UMPI student, won “Rio” in a drawing that took place at the end of the night. Pearson also said that she’s always looking for future movie suggestions. Anyone interested can contact her at vanessa.pearson@umpi.edu.

Free Wi-Fi.

Always great food and great prices! Opposite Lowe’s in Presque Isle.

Catch up with what’s happening each week on our website: www.thecrowsnest.com or check out our Facebook page.

Unive r si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

A Heartfelt Message

tying and getting DUIs. McGrenahan’s comedy show was different than the rest. He was once a top athletic student in high school who fell to the bottom due to drinking in college. He lost it all, but didn’t give up and climbed his way

In high school, McGrenahan should have realized his drinking was a problem, but thought On the night of Oct. 18, the he could handle it on his own. auditorium echoed with the He thought that there was sound of students while they nothing wrong with going to a waited for comedian Bernie party. In college, things didn’t McGrenahan to begin. change. They only got worse. Outside the “If you are skipauditorium, a ping classes, at least table was set up one a week, because where Root Beer of drinking or being floats where hung over, you might being passed out. have a problem,” K i m b e r l y McGrenahan said. Francis, Chelsea “There are people Beaulieu and here that can help Ashley Johnson you. You don’t have were sitting at to do it on your own.” the table creating After getting Root Beer floats DUIs, McGrenahan and serving them avoided court, to students. From left: Kimberly Francis, Chelsea Beaulieu knowing it would McGrenahan lead to an arrest. came out with a and Ashley Johnson. When he decided to bang, telling back to the top. He now is a turn himself in, he packed jokes that people could relate professional comedian who enough toiletries for the weekto. Laughter rang throughout tours around the world to give end he thought he’d spend in the room when he talked comedy shows with a powerful jail. When he arrived at the about suing your own mom message on when a party stops court house, McGrenahan because you’re ugly. He talked about everything, from being a party and starts to told the officer he was late for his court date. He didn’t menbeing a college student to par- become a problem. Jessie Rose

STAFF WRITER

tioned that he was several McGrenahan urged attendees months late. When the judge to look at his website and leave agreed to see him, he was sen- comments. A lot of information tenced to six months in jail is available on the site if you and could only bring two of weren’t able to attend the show: the items he’d packed. www.happyhourcomedy.com. McGrenahan’s brother, You can also view pictures of Scott, who’s a twin to his other some of your classmate. brother, Sean, started to drink McGrenahan took pictures too. After a fight with his with students after the show. brother urging him to quit “We hope to see Bernie back drinking or at least slow down, next year,” a student said. Scott killed himself in the backyard. McGrenahan said he would never forget his brother. “If only he had done something sooner,” he said. McGrenahan packed a powerful message with lots of laughs in between. His show was inspirational and said a lot. It teaches you to recognize when you might need help and how much drinking can ruin your life. Instead of giving lectures about drinking, he gave a show that touched Comedian Bernie McGrenahan. many. After the show,

g erin t a *C

l ilab a v A

North Street, Presque Isle * C o l l e g e D a y Tu e sd a y 2 0 % o ff f o r c o l l e g e s t u d e n t s wi t h I D 1 0% wi th c o l l eg e I D a n y o th er d a y

Don’t forget:

Turn your clocks back on November 6!

Del i v er y Av ai l abl e M o n d a y - W e dn e s d a y 1 1 a .m . - 8 p . m . T hu r s d a y - Sa t u rd a y 1 1 a . m . -9 p . m. S un d a y 1 2 -7 p . m.

Call Ros ell a’s at 764-6 644.

Univer si t y T i m e s CAMPUS N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Veterans Day

Never Forget

Unive r si t y T i m e s Campus N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

The UMPI Swim Club Wants YOU!

Ever find yourself envious of people who could spend hours swimming laps in the Gentile Hall pool? Maybe you’re a veteran swimmer just itching for an opportunity to start back up?

If you have a passion for the water, there’s a club for you!

Last year, Carly Langley and Karrie Brawn splashed away the November blues by spending

some time in the pool. This year, they hope to do the same, and you’re invited! The best part: there’s no experience necessary. The UMPI swim club is geared toward bringing swimmers of all abilities together, with relaxed practices twice a week along with a fun night of water polo. Members have many years of coaching,

teaching, and personal competitive swimming experience that will aid any level of swimmer. Come join! Swim club provides a great way to improve your stroke technique, learn how to read a pace clock, make up your own sets and so much more! They hope to see some new faces along with the familiar ones that helped make last year such a success.

STUDENT EVENTS 2011

Thinking About Joining? Practice times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Water polo: Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. They’re also on Facebook! They encourage people with an interest or questions to contact them there: UMPI Swim Club.

Karrie Brawn

NOVEMBER

10th -- “Survivor” Winner: Bob Crowley, Campus Center MPR, 7 p.m. 11th -- Semester of Service Event: Winterizing Homes 18th -- OAPI Kayak Roll Session, Gentile Hall Pool, 2 p.m. 21st -- Game Night, Owls’ Nest, 7-9 p.m. 29th -- “Color Your Life” Tie Dye & More, Campus Center Owl’s Nest, 1 p.m. 30th -- Movie Night -- “Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon,” Campus Center MPR, 8 p.m.

DECEMBER

1st -- Go RED Dance, Campus Center MPR, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Check your email for a Student Activities survey coming soon! Chance to win a $50 gift card.

The Pizza Box

12 flavors of wings Delivery Available College ID $1.00 off any large HOURS:

Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m.-7 p.m.

Call 760-8344 527 Main Street Presque Isle

University Times

oic e

Vanishing Language Donna DeLong STAFF WRITER

have their own drum so that they can call upon the drum ceremonies for healing and celebration.” She’s also involved with the Literacy Coalition of

Have you ever wondered what happens to a language that isn’t written down? Imelda Perley, a linguist and cultural adviser, has dedicated her life to educating the Maliseet people about quickly expiring language. Perley teaches about the seven generations left to be born and how she’s currently working to record the language so that the new generations will have a written record of their language. Perley said, “It is important that the people have knowledge of their mother tongue.” Perley is working with Health Canada in a maternal health program called “From the Womb and Beyond.” She teaches babies the language while they are still in the womb Imelda Perley so that the mothers can welcome their new ones New Brunswick. Perley is speaking in their native lancurrently working on five guage. She’s very involved publications of storybooks with teaching ancestral about traditional life in parknowledge and quite freenting, written in the quently performs a ritual in Maliseet language. which the placenta is buried Perley is named after the after the birth of a child and 13 moons and she’s thankful then that child can receive that the parents of newborns their Maliseet spirit name. welcome her to teach them Perley is also involved how to name them in their with another program in birth moon. She’s involved which each family receives a in facilitating a program for family drum. prenatal to six-year-olds, in Perley said, “Usually teaching them the language there is a community drum, and cultural settings. She but I want each family to also runs after-school pro-

grams for all other ages and teaches three classes at the university level. When asked why she has spread her self into so many dif ferent areas, Perley said, “I want to make sure that there are not any avenues left vacant where I can incorporate language.” She went on to describe how she has tried to think of places where language needed to be incor porated and wasn’t. Perley said, “I have gone into the work place and taught the workers Maliseet words for their workplace, whether it is at a store, church or casino. I don’t want people to think of the language as a subject, but rather an extension of themselves. Without t h e l a n g u a g e, t h e y a r e n o t complete.” She also wanted to thank the elders of her community, who have allowed her to record them telling the stories of what life was like before the dam was built and how they survived off the land for their food and medicine. Perley feels that these stories are very important for all people to learn the ecological knowledge and beliefs of her people.

November 4, 2011

Trying to Turn Back the Clock for the Maliseet Language Donna DeLong STAFF WRITER

Is the clock going to stop for the Maliseet language? David Perley, a lecturer and teacher on both sides of the border, is working to help the young people acquire language skills, which will help them have a healthy self-identity and selfesteem. Perley said that one of his jobs was to identify the needs of the students and develop programs to address these needs. Perley said, “I’m always conc e r n e d David Perley about the high dropout rates of the Maliseet students. It isn’t because they can’t handle the work, it’s because the system is not meeting the needs of the students.” He went on to discuss that it’s the public school system that needs to be culturally responsive and include native language as part of the curriculum. By adding the language into the system, it will teach history, content and give all students a strong cultural background.

Perley said, “By making sure that the language, history and culture are taught as part of the curriculum, the New Brunswick community will also become aware and this will ensure that there is a world view understanding the values of the Maliseet and other native cultures. Making sure each student with the opportunity to be exposed and taught their culture is imperative.” Perley is also working with the teachers to have in-service days where they can l e a r n about culture, history and the language so that they can be knowledgeable in their teaching. When teachers practice the language and then speak the language to the native students, it gives them a sense of pride and they’ll want to learn. Perley admits that it has been and continues to be a struggle and that they will have obstacles, but they’ll find ways to work around them. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

November 4, 2011

Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER

PG-13 120 Minutes ****

The circus is full of tricks and illusions. It has a sense of mystery that draws people in. Set in the circus atmosphere, “Water for Elephants” also gives a sense of enchantment. The film begins in a similar fashion as “Titanic.” An old man, played by Hal Holbrook, shares his story of past circus times. The present day fades away and the old man is replaced by a younger guy

University Times

ifest yl e

The Reel Deal:

ʻWater for Elephantsʼ

named Jacob, played by Robert Pattinson. Born to a rich family, Jacob aspires to be a veterinarian, but a tragic accident forces him to quit school. With no money, Jacob is left to a wandering life until he finds the circus. The circus takes him in on one condition: he must care for the animals. Can he continue to hide the secret that’s he not a real vet? In his time with the circus, Jacob meets Marlena, played by Reese Witherspoon. She loves animals, too. Jacob finds Marlena to be a caring and sensitive person. The problem for Jacob is that Marlena is

married…to the circus owner. Can Jacob stay on his boss’ good side and care for the star circus animals? Overall, “Water for Elephants” is an enjoyable film. Although the ending is somewhat expected, most of the storyline is fresh and unique. It also has interesting historical connections. For instance, one of the scenes reflects the laws of the Prohibition era, showing people fleeing from the police when they’re caught at a party. “Water for Elephants” uncovers the wonders of circus life. Behind all of the illusions are

Wouldn’t you love to have your message seen and heard in print or on radio?

Consider placing an ad in our school newspaper, The University Times. Another possibility: our campus radio station, WUPI 92.1 “The Owl.” Contact Sales Manager Donna DeLong at 227-0070 to inquire. Donna DeLong Sales Manager

people who have difficult life stories. If you enjoy d r a m a , romance and a blend of history, “Water for Elephants” is a great movie pick. A circus life may not be as wonderful as it appears, but “Water for Elephants” is an enchanting delight.

WUPI 92.1FM “The Owl.”

Listen to us anywhere in the world, online at: http://utimes.umpi.edu/wupi-radio The link is also on our Facebook page Search “WUPI 92.1” and Like us now!

15 Northern Lights Visit Northern Maine Univer si t y T i m e s Lifestyle N ove m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 1

Jim Stepp

CONTRIBUTOR

A strange sight occurred over Presque Isle on Monday, Oct. 24, 2011: the largest display of Northern Lights visible in this area in over eight years occurred. On Oct. 22, 2011, a portion of the Sun’s upper atmosphere shot towards the Earth. This piece of charged particles from the Sun is called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and occurs when lines of magnetism on the Sun twist and snap apart. The force of this snapping was strong enough to sling shot several million tons of solar material towards the Earth. This material moved at a speed of over two million miles an hour and hit the Earth approximately 41 hours after leaving the Sun. The cloud of charged particles first hit the Earth at 2 p.m. on Oct. 22. The impact strongly compressed the Earth’s magnetic field and exposed geosynchronous satellites to the charged particles. The charged particles interacted with the Earth’s magnetic field and created the Northern Lights that were visible as far south as Oklahoma. Here in Presque Isle, weak Northern Lights became visible starting shortly after the skies darkened. The brightest display occurred between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., when red and green curtains were visible. Viewers in this area were able to watch the Northern Lights until the clouds rolled in around midnight. If you missed out on this display of Northern Lights, don’t worry, there will be other chances to see them. The Sun is moving towards a

peak in sunspot activity. Activity on the Sun runs in an 11 year cycle. This cycle’s peak is expected to occur late in 2012 or early in 2013. As more and more sunspots appear on the Sun, our chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase. To see images of the Oct. 22, 2012 Northern Lights, go to www.spaceweather.com and click on the link for the Aurora Gallery.

longitude and 46d40m45.6s north latitude. To get a free sky chart, go to www.skymaps.com Sun and Planet Visibility: November Sun Rise Sun Set Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter

10, 2011 06:26 16:04 16:18 – 16:06 – 23:24 – 16:18 –

16:48 17:06 05:54 05:12

h t t p : / / c a l s k y. c o m . Yo u must do the free registration in order to get accur at e t i m e s. T h e eve n t s below are listed in Easter n Time. For Atlantic Time, please subtract one hour. 11/01@17:49 Mercury degrees from Venus 11/02@11:38 Quarter Moon

First

degrees from Venus Mercury 11/14@03:42 greatest elongation – 22.7 degree high in the evening sky – best time to observe 11/16@00:00 Northern Taurid meteor shower – 5 meteors/hr 11/16@01:00 November Iota-Aurigid meteor shower – 5 meteors/hr 11/16@05:00 Leonid meteor shower – 5 meteors/hr 11/16@08:00 November Iota-Aurigid meteor shower maximum 11/17@01:00 November Iota-Aurigid meteor shower – 5 meteors/hr 11/17@05:00 Leonid meteor shower – 9 meteors/hr 11/17@23:00 Leonid meteor shower maximum 11/18@05:00 Leonid meteor shower – 10 meteors/hr 11/18@10:09 Quarter moon

THE NIGHT SKY The International Space Station (ISS) is visible in the evening sky until Nov.6, 2011. The ISS is visible in the morning sky beginning Nov.16. Go to www.heavensabove.com for exact times and locations. You will need to register at this site and load your location to be able to get exact times. The University of Maine at Presque Isle is located at 68d00m7.8s west

Saturn Uranus November Sun Rise Sun Set Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus

04:18 – 05:54 17:30 – 00.48 20, 2011 06:41 15:53 16:24 – 15:54 – 23:12 – 16:06 – 03:42 – 17:24 –

16:48 17:06 06:06 04:24 06:06 00:12

ASTRONOMY EVENTS All of the times and dates b e l ow a re c a l c u l at e d by

11/06@02:00 End of Daylight Saving Time – move your clock back 1 hour 11/08@08:06 Moon at Apogee – furthest from the Earth – 406,200 km or 252,400 mi 11/09@16:12 Moon degrees from Jupiter

5.3

11/10@15:16 Full Moon – this is the second northernmost full moon of the year 11/13@03:28

Mercury

Last

11/19@05:00 Leonid meteor shower – 6 meteors/hr 11/20@06:12 Moon degrees from Saturn

7.4

11/23@18:14 Moon at perigee – closest to the Earth 11/25@01:09 New Moon 11/26@16:30 Moon degrees from Venus

4.4

1 1 / 2 9 @ 1 1 : 1 8 Ve nu s at A phelion – farthest from the Sun

Best of luck, UMPI Owls, for the winter sports season!