Volume 41 Issue 9 by University Times

inside this issue:

He’s a Lady Details on page 5

University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 41 Issue 9

Lisa Van Pelt

Jump, Jump! Details on page 13

Journalism for Northern Maine

MARCH 15, 2013

Riding With a Purpose

CONTRIBUTOR

In the warmer weather, you can hear them rumbling down the street: hundreds of motorcycles all shiny and clean. Some bikes proudly wave an American flag. A few of the riders—rough and tough looking— wear vests covered in patches. All of these riders share a common bond: the love of motorcycling. They ride in the spring, summer and fall. There are several different groups in the County. All help one another throughout the riding season. There is

great honor and respect among them. In the spring, teddy bears and toys are strapped to their

motorcycles. This ride, The Teddy Bear Ride, is for the children in local hospitals. “Giving back to our community, especially the children: that’s what it’s all about. Originally designated for abused children, this ride has grown to include children in all area emergency rooms. Bringing a smile to the face of a hurting child: nothing is better than seeing that smile. Not only that, but we get a chance to have camaraderie with other clubs, family and friends. We all love to ride. That is one of our benefits,” Mark

Chamberlain said. Chamberlain is assistant director American Legion Riders Post 80 Millinocket. He’s also safety instructor for Mountain’s Driving School of Houlton and Chamberlain’s Motorcycle School, Houlton and Millinocket. The groups meet in Houlton in the early morning for coffee. At the start off hour, local police will make a roadblock, allowing the riders to take off as one group. The riders head north on Route 1. The first stop is The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle. They

ride in single file. Parking side by side, they fill the parking lot. They dismount and enter the emergency room, each rider carrying a teddy bear or toy. Some hand their toys to children in the waiting room. Pickup trucks have followed behind the riders: trucks filled with toys. Drivers and riders unload them into the garage part of the hospital. The group collected all the teddy bears and toys for this ride during the four weeks prior to the ride.

Be a Planet and Support a Good Cause

Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER

If you’re a citizen of the universe, you most likely also have a loved one who’s a victim of cancer. At the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Northern Maine Museum of Science’s seventh annual Planet Head Day on Feb. 16, people had the opportunity to affirm both identities. They could “be a planet,” support local cancer awareness group Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery, or CANCER and have a great time, to boot. At this event, participants could either shave their heads or don a latex bathing cap. From there, volun-

teer artists painted the participant’s cap or head to look like a planet of their choosing. To participate in Planet Head Day, you could either give a donation at the door or obtain sponsors to fund your new “hairdo.” Three local hairdressers from Beautiful Beginnings Hair Boutique — Amanda Durost, Donna Raymond and Denise Theriault — donated their services and shaved participants’ heads. The haircuts gave some participants another opportunity. If their hair was long enough—around 10 inches from root to end—they could donate it to Locks of Love, a charity that makes wigs out of

donated hair to benefit cancer patients. Many members of the campus community showed their support for this charitable event, including UMPI’s interim dean Jim Stepp. As for his planet choice, a Facebook poll of UMPI staff and students helped him decide to become Saturn. Stepp has participated in Planet Head Day every year for several years but, this year, he opted to shave his head rather than wear a bathing cap. When his hair does grow back, though, there’s one condition. “The grey hair is not allowed to grow back, only the dark hair,” Stepp said. Although his way of partici-

Jim Stepp as Saturn.

pating has changed, his reason has not. Stepp’s involvement, like that of many others, was in honor of a loved one who has been a victim of cancer.

Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu

See Riding, Pa g e 3

Someone very close to him inspired him to participate.

See Planet, Pa g e 1 0

University Times

ampus Hi everybody!

Dear readers,

The University Times Staff Editor Lanette Virtanen Assistant Editor Kayla Ames Stephanie Jellett

Can you believe how fast this semester is going? It seems like just yesterday that the semester started. This is my last semester and I have mixed feelings about graduation. The break is almost upon us and Iʼm getting excited. My Women in Art History class is all going to Philly this weekend. Then during the break, Iʼm off to Washington, D.C., with my newspaper editing crew for five days. Iʼll take lots of photos and itʼll add to the list of new experiences that Iʼve had since coming here to UMPI. This is a good example of why itʼs important to join clubs and become a part of UMPI outside of the classroom. Itʼs never too late to get involved! Iʼll see you around campus, Lanette

Staff Writers Kayla Ames Chris Bowden Nicole Duplessis Stephanie Jellett Elissa McNeil Mika Ouellette Lanette Virtanen Kelsey Wood Kathleen York

Contributors Sarah Ames Ethan Campbell Chris Cosenze Dena Dudley Nicole Moore Jordan Morrison Meagan Royer Jessica Stepp Jim Stepp Christopher Sutherland Lisa Van Pelt

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

March 15, 2013

With spring break creeping up on us, itʼll get here sooner rather than later. But Iʼm OK with that! I donʼt know about all of you, but Iʼm in need of a break. And what better way than to spend it with my layout creeps and Dr.J in Washington, D.C.! Iʼm really excited. Iʼve never been outside of Maine, and only have travelled within Canada. So getting to see more of the U.S. will be a great experience. What I do need to express, though, is that a lot of this wouldnʼt have been possible without all the help from students, faculty and staff. Whether they participated in the penny wars competition or bought raffle tickets, I want to say thank you. A big thank you goes to Scott Belair for donating pennies heʼs collected over 20 years. In total, heʼs donated $367. Until next time, Stephanie

Greetings: Yes, Iʼm still here! Some of you may have noticed that I didnʼt have a letter in the last issue. Iʼm taking a break from layout, but Iʼm still doing edits, so I will be writing to you from now on. Iʼm excited about this paper. Students from Dr. Lowmanʼs PCJ 180 class have handed in an assortment of stories on multiple topics. I donʼt know about anyone else, but I love obtaining diverse knowledge, developing even a basic understanding of new things, especially when itʼs all gathered in one place. One of my English professors, Dr. Hodgkins, shared a quote with me once about how education could benefit from more exposure to subjects that are outside our comfort zones or majors. It went something like “All students should find a poem under the microscope and a dogfish at their desks.” (Donʼt quote me on that.) I hope you have fun learning something new from this issue. Keeping reading! Thank you, Kayla

D at es for S ubmissio ns t o the U Ti me s

April 15

March 18

April 29

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.

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Jim’s Journal What Are Your Plans?

Jim Stepp. As Spring Break approaches, all of us are beginning to make plans for a week off.

Some of us will be traveling, some will be working, some will be playing catch up and I hope all of us will have some form of downtime. I never had the funds to travel during my breaks, so I am a bit envious of those students who will be traveling to various sites in early April. Some of our students will be going on club or organization-based trips to Guatemala, Boston, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and New York. All of these trips will offer a service or learning opportunity to the participants. What a great way to spend a break. Others will escape on funfilled trips to Florida, Texas or

M e x i c o . To t h e s e s t u den t s, I would li ke to say h ave fun , en joy t he exp er ien c e a nd be sa fe. Many of you will bring your books and other college supplies home with you to get caught up on work. I wish all of you good luck with that. When I was a student, I always brought my books home with me. Typically, I looked at my backpack every night and vowed to get some work done tomorrow. Usually on the Friday before the end of the break, I would actually open my backpack and get some work done. Saturday would come and I wanted to have one last visit with my friends, so I would move my backpack out

of the way and promise myself that I would get more work done when I got home. At midnight, when I got home, I was too tired to do anything, so I went to bed. Sunday came and I was full of regret about all of the work I could have gotten done, but didn’t. For those students with plans to bring work home, try to actually do some, but also remember that this period of time is called “break” for a reason. When I was in college, spring break was usually the time when I made enough money to make it to summer break. It wasn’t uncommon for me to work 40 to 50 hours a week. The money I made really did help with expenses, but I sel-

dom had any fun during break. If you need to work, please do so, but also try to reconnect with all of those people you haven’t had time to be with since January. As for resting, please make sure you do this. When someone comes to wake you up, roll over and tell them you’re on break. If they come to tell you it’s time for lunch, begin to consider getting up. Recharge your batteries. You’ll need the extra energy as you move through the last third of the semester. No matter what you plan to do over the upcoming break, I hope it’s memorable for you. Get rest, work, get caught up, do what you need to do. If you’re traveling, be safe.

Riding Continued from Page 1

Check them out!

In the parking lot, they gather and talk. Some will re-strap toys to their motorcycles. Shortly, they will ride again. At the set time, a police escort arrives and halts traffic. The riders, as a group, now head south on Route 1. Houlton Regional Hospital is the next stop. The riders unload more toys. Their final destination is the clubhouse of the United Vets Motorcycle Club, the American Legion Post in Houlton. They will all share a meal, stories, laughter and talk about the next ride. The summer rides include Memorial Day services and Fourth of July parades. Also, most clubs will have rides that support a local family. Sometimes they will also be part of the military funeral service honoring a fallen soldier. Young and old, male and female, veteran and non-veterans, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts,

uncles, teachers to mechanics: they all roll down the streets as one group. Next time you hear the rumbling, take a moment. Watch them and wave. Show them your support for all the good they do in your community. Side Note: Some clubs have open registration for their rides. This means all vehicles are welcome to participate in the ride. Check these websites to find a club near you: American Legion Riders www.legion.org/riders United Vets Motorcycle Club http://unitedvetsmotorcyclecl ub.webs.com Pine State Motorcycle Club www.pinestatemotorcycleclub. com Christian Riders Motorcycle Club – www.christianridersmc.com

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Not-So-Undercover SAF Numbers Decreasing Anymore Elissa McNeil STAFF WRITER

The CIA is a secretive organization, but Robert Wallace is a retired agent who majored in history and he shined some light on their approved technology. Making jokes about the weather from the start, he states that the weather up here is far different than in Washington. He came from the U.S. capital. “If the government shut down, it would be just another day of vacation,” Wallace said. Wallace is very humorous, and just the right amount of serious. Being serious, he went right into his presentation. In 1775, the Founding Fathers met for the continental congress secret committee meeting. They were meeting to try to get support for the contact they were trying to make to the people of war. Ben Franklin, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton were all a part of this committee. They were known as the Founding Fathers of Espionage. They wanted to separate from England and be successful, all while George Washington was being tied in with them. “With the exception of technology, there are no dif-

ferences,” professor Keith Dickson said. Unlike other parts, technology within the CIA has changed tremendously since then. Technology adapted to meet their needs. For instance, they had to come up with a way for their agents to take pictures of secret documents without getting caught. Wallace said that “Even air

Bob Wallace balloons to cigarettes became ways that were tested for sufficient cameras.” There were multiple tries at making suitable gadgets to accompany the country’s agents. One of the most surprising was a combustible pen. When you opened it, any evidence would self-destruct.

Everyone in the room was astonished by this, but it makes sense. When being barricaded across the country on a secret mission by the Soviets, one had to be prepared. With a turn of technology, the government can now send out agents with confidence. The things they used back then are now in most of our cell phones. An example

Jessica Stepp CONTRIBUTOR

One of Student Senate’s main responsibilities is to allocate the revenue generated by the Student Activity Fee (SAF) to the 35 or so student groups on campus. Unfortunately, due to the number of students who are enrolling in only online classes and going parttime, SAF revenue has dropped. This means less money is available for Student Senate to allocate to the student groups. For the last few years, Student Senate has received roughly $145,000. Based on projections, the online/part-time trend is only expected to rise. Therefore, the SAF is expected to continue to decrease, resulting in a maximum of $120,000 available for the 2013-2014 allocation. Last year, Student Groups requested more than $246,600 in funding. At the current time, fulltime students are paying $80 per semester, or $160 a year. A that Wallace gave was that full-time student is defined as they could put a chip into a new sold-out video game and save all of your data. If it’s online, they can read what you’re saying. Kelsey Cyr, among others, was been astonished and pleasantly surprised. “Initially I went to the lecture to receive extra credit for my history class. After listening to him talk about spy technology and how far it’s come since the beginning of the CIA, I found myself quite interested in the topic and enjoyed hearing Wallace speak,” Cyr said. Judging by the looks on their faces, a lot of people seemed to enjoy the lecture just as much as Cyr.

anyone who’s taking seven or more credit hours. Part-time students are paying $40 per semester, or $80 per year. A part-time student is defined as anyone who’s taking six or less credit hours. In an effort to address the declining trend, Student Senate is exploring ideas that include raising the SAF, finding additional funding sources and collaborative fundraising. In the next month or so, Student Senate will be seeking input and feedback, so please let us know your thoughts! Student Groups, please mark your calendars for April 12 at 1 p.m... This is the date and time of the meeting when all budgets for the 2013-2014 school year will be approved. Also, don’t forget that the LipDub that was filmed on March 14 will be aired during University Day on April 10! Contact us: Campus Center 104 Email: umpi-senate@maine.edu Phone: 7689561

CONGRATULATIONS to Park 2nd floor for winning the Penny Wars competition! The U Times would like to thank the students, faculty and staff who participated in the fundraiser. In total, we raised $177.63.

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Not an Average Beauty Pageant Christopher Bowden STAFF WRITER

brought very good talent to the show, from Tyler Harding’s drum performance to Stephen Thorne’s beautiful performance of

On Thursday, March 7, many people made the trek th ro ugh th e sn ow to We id e n ha l l fo r the seventh annual Ms. UMPI page a nt . Fo r tho se who h ave n’t h ea rd of th is event, it’s a little d if f e re nt than your n or m al b eau t y pa ge an t. Although it cont ai n s sim i lar ideas, there’s one major difference: t h e wom e n are really men. Yes, you read that correctly— a beauty p a g e an t wh ere men dress up as women. Although it seems a little strange, all profits from the con- Stephen Thorne was crowned t e st be ne fi t t he Ms. UMPI 2013. senior class. One of the students par- “Love Me Sexy,” as made ticipating, JD Haddad, said, famous by Jackie Moon. “It will be fun along with There were lots of other parts worthy of description, being a good fundraiser.” He was right. The contest but some of them might be a contained your typical beau- little too inappropriate. At one point, the contestty pageant events. There was a swim suit segment, a talent ants were all vying for the “bachelor” showcase and the always- affection of favorite question and answer Jason Fortin, a student here segment. All the contestants at UMPI. When asked how

he felt before the contest, Fortin said his emotions were mixed. “I’m excited along with being nervous and I honestly don’t know what to expect,” Fortin said. Actually, nobody reall y kn e w wh at t o ex p e c t and it showed throughout the night. In the end, Stephen Thorne won the prestigious honor of being crowned Ms. UMPI. After the show, he

talked about what it was like to be the winner. “It was unbelievable and I’m kind of embarrassed. I never thought I could look like a girl,” Thorne said while trying not to laugh. He also stated that it was lots of fun. Special thanks to Thorne and other contestants for being great participants. Because of him, Josh Stahl, Luke Bartlett, Josh MacKinnon, Josh

Conroy, JD Haddad and Will Ray, a lot of people had a great night. So ends another crazy year of the Ms. UMPI pageant and, like every year, it was unpredictable along with being a great fundraiser. But the next one will be here before we know it so, to all you gentlemen who think you have what it takes to be Ms. UMPI, you better start getting your routines ready.

Contestants dancing to “All the Single Ladies.”

Presque Isle: 260 Main Street, 764-5500 Caribou: 556 Main Street, 493-3030 HOURS: Sun - Thurs: 10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri - Sat: 10:30 a.m. - Midnight FREE DELIVERY TO UMPI CAMPUS! One of the contestants displaying “her” sports wear attire.

Pizza, Subs, Salads

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Keep on Swimming!

p.m. in the Gentile Hall pool. They also have water polo on Everyone is busy. But Wednesdays from 8-9 p.m. “Water polo is really fun. once in a while we all need Swimming is a great way to a break from reality. Getting out and doing something active is always an option. A great way to do this is by swimming. UMPI not only offers a swimming pool, but also has a swim club. Although there are many different athletic things to do on campus, swimming is something that will, perhaps surprisingly, keep a person in shape and not take up too much time. The swim club has been a part of UMPI for three years. Co-presidents Karri Brawn and Carly Langley are its leaders as UMPI swim club. well as its founders. “The whole reason behind starting swim club stay active, especially during was that Karri Brawn and I the winter months. It’s a difenjoyed swimming for exer- ferent way to exercise and cise. But it is way more fun provides great cross trainto do that in a group. We ing” Langley replied when wanted to offer the opportu- asked the benefits of being a nity for UMPI students to part of the swim club. For fun, members of the learn a new way to stay in swim club participate in shape,” Langley said. relays, water polo and come Practices take place twice up with different activities. It a week on Tuesdays and all depends on the choices of Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 Nicole Duplessis CONTRIBUTOR

all the people at practice that day. They currently do not participate in any outside competitions, but hope to in the future. Practice partici-

ship is all an UMPI student needs to become a part of the swim club—and to enjoy their awesome swim caps, of course.

pation isn’t strict. Langley stresses the fact that new members are welcome at any time. The number of practice attendees varies from day to day. “Anywhere from five to nine people come to practice. Between six and 22 come to water polo. It depends on the week,” Langley said. A Gentile Hall member-

But the swim club does face some problems. “Competing with other intramurals that might be at the same time or lots of activities going on throughout campus,” Langley said are some of the roadblocks to having more participants. Connor Murphy, a member of the swim club, finds the scheduling of

THANK YOU! The U Times staff would like to thank Scott Belair for his generous donation to the Washington, D.C., fundraiser. Three club members, Lanette Virtanen, Kayla Ames and Stephanie Jellett, along with adviser Dr. Jacquelyn Lowman, will be spending the majority of spring break in the Capital visiting the Newseum, various Smithsonians and seeing many memorials. Over the past 20 years, Scott has been saving his pennies in a five gallon water jug and has accumulated $367.64.

practices to his liking. “Carly’s nice and extremely motivated and it’s also very well scheduled to push ourselves—not any wasted time, really.” Challenges are always likely to arise. But Langley admits that finding time to advertise the club is the only real struggle she has as copresident. “It’s not too much work. Everyone gets together and decides what to do,” Langley said. Clearly, the swim club is a team effort, and each individual’s opinion is equally valuable. Murphy also has a positive tone about the club and admits, “Practice is fun and goofy at times.” The swim club requires very little time of the members. In return, it provides a great experience and the opportunity to stay in shape while having fun. “We meet three times a week for people to improve their swimming skills and learn a new sport. You don’t have to be good at it. It’s open for all ability levels.” So why not try getting in the swim yourself ?

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It’s a Zoo in Here! Sarah Ames CONTRIBUTOR

excellent climber. She crawled all over Laquidara when it was her turn on stage. In their native habitat, they live in female-led bands and kick males out once they mature. This prevents inbreeding and allows them to have extremely strong bloodlines. They have jointed noises and a great sense of smell. Coatis such as her collect “perfumey” smells, rubbing them in their tails. They also have great memories and can hold severe grudges. There were several reptiles in the show. One was Dewey, a Madagascar boa constrictor. Laquidara used him to prove that snakes aren’t slimy by rubbing Dewey across the forehead of audience member Kanyon Parent. His species can get up to eight feet long, weigh 40 to 60 pounds and deliver a bite with 9,000 to 11,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. Another scaly guest was

An alligator in the auditorium? A kinkajou on the college campus? These were just a couple of the exotic animals available for interaction on Feb. 11 as part of UMPI’s Exotic Animal Adventures. After a 45 minute delay due to poor weather conditions, the host, Ed Laquidara, and his assistant, Brian, arrived with their menagerie of unique critters. They were representing Laquidara’s exotic animal rescue and educational facility in Bolden, Mass. By this point, the Wieden Auditorium was nearly full of onlookers, excited children and adults alike. Bob, the chinchilla, Obidia, the Eurasian eagle owl and Buffy, the mountain coati, returned for their second year. Chinchillas are well known for their incredibly soft fur, having earned the title of world’s softest creature. Rodents from South America, they’re also able to squish completely flat as a way to escape predators. While most believe they are endangered and it’s against the law to trap them in the wild, they’re farmed for fur because of their ability to reproduce often. Obidia had a four foot wingspan, making his species one of the largest among owls. His kind can turn their heads an impressive 270 degrees and they can stare directly into the sun without any effect. These birds are lethal predators thanks to special feathers that give them silent flight, sharp beaks as well as talons and enough strength to carry Buffy, the coati, looking 10 to 15 pounds while flying. Laquidara told the more raisins. audience that, while a lot of Smaug, the black-throated people think owls are the most monitor lizard. His species intelligent of all raptors, if not have extremely strong tails that all birds, they aren’t nearly as are capable of breaking safety bright as we assume. and tempered glass. They have Buffy comes from the a bite that won’t release for clouded forest and is an more than two hours – unless

you dunk them in water – and scales so thick that cobra fangs can’t penetrate them. They’re also immune to the venom of animals in their own region. Kids from the audience got a little more hands-on with Rocky, the African rock/Burmese python. At one year old, he was already as long as six children. He’ll become three times as thick and weigh about 100 pounds by the time he’s an adult. His species is often killed and harvested in large numbers for Chinese medicinal “cures.” Bubbles, the American alligator, was one of the audience favorites. He weighed 200 pounds, but will reach 12 to 13 feet and 700 to 900 pounds. Alligators have the ability to smell water far below the earth. They dig “alligator holes,” which have been known to help animals and people in drought-stricken areas. After the show, attendees could practice “jumping” Bubbles. They entered the safety zone between his head and tail, covered his eyes and hopped on his back! But reptiles weren’t the only ones to make an impression. There was Dobby, the kinkajou, also known as a honey bear or night monkey. Extremely secretive and nocturnal, they’ve never been filmed on the ground. They have very strong prehensile tails, ankles that turn inward and fur that grows backward so water from their tropical habitat runs off. They also have six-inchlong tongues for eating fruit. He and his kind are for hunted in their native homeland for fur and meat. Fiona, the fennec fox, hails from the Sahara Desert of North Africa. Well adapted to their harsh environment, these foxes have large ears for cooling and hearing so strong they can detect an insect three feet

underground. They also have fur on the bottom of their feet to grip sand and prevent burns. When they’ve run for a long time or are hot, they can pant 721 times a minute. Perhaps one of the most startling lessons Exotic Animal Adventures had to teach was that it’s sometimes the most unexpected creatures that you have to be most careful around. The only animal unavailable for interaction after the show was Luweegee, the one pound marmoset. They’re known for their powerful bites, so Laquidara had to wear protective eye gear. Fiona the Luweegee lost his siblings to a virus soon after he was born and only just managed to survive. His tail is unique in that it’s three times the length of his body. Gary Parent, an UMPI student and one of the many parents with kids at the show, was very impressed with the event. His son, Kanyon, said

his favorite animal was the alligator. “It’s great to see what it can do for the kids. Last year, they got into learning about this stuff. We now have a boa constrictor,” Parent said. He makes an excellent point.

fennee fox. Thanks to Laquidara, Brian and those responsible for bringing Exotic Animal Adventures to UMPI, children and adults from a small town got to see creatures from different parts of the world. They gained more accurate information and a greater appreciation for animals, all while having fun.

Bubbles the American alligator was an audience favorite.

! ! 8 Lightbown at the End of the Tunnel Unive r si ty Tim es

Ethan Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

There are moments in school that seem as though the end of the world is the only logical next event in your life. Everyone has these problems at some point. But the question is, whom can you ask for help? Well, on the UMPI campus, you need not look further than South Hall and the office of Meg Lightbown. Lightbown holds three titles: student support services assistant director, tutor coordinator and National Student Exchange coordinator. You may be wondering what these titles even mean. Well, these are some important features not all students take advantage of. So it’s time to break down each title for your benefit. As “student support services assistant director,” Meg Lightbown oversees a continually changing flow of students. She takes on all manner of problems, from test accommodation to aiding students with any other problem that may occur through their academic career. When asked about this

Elissa McNeil STAFF WRITER

Descending the stairs into the basement of Preble Hall, you find silence but the clacking of the keys. As you turn the corner and come in view of the business department, you’re likely to get a cheerful hello and grin from Lynnelle Lavway. Lavway has been working here at UMPI in the business office for seven years. With two kids and a granddaughter, things can get very busy for her. A Mapleton resident all her life, she lives with her two dogs as well as her family. Lavway is the treasurer of her church and the Mapleton cemetery association. She likes spending

title’s responsibility, Lightbown said, “If someone needs help, I’m more than willing.” With the title of “tutor coordinator,” Lightbown is the

Meg Lightbown.

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that UMPI students have where they can take up to a year at a different school participating in the program and pay only UMPI tuition or the new

one to go see when you need a little extra help with a class. When asked about what she does specifically for this, she said, “I’m responsible for hiring the tutors, training them and making sure they get what they need.” Overseeing the tutoring center is quite the task. But as results will show, Lightbown is able and willing. The National Student Exchange program is an option

school’s tuition if it’s cheaper. As “National Student Exchange coordinator,” Lightbown said, “I think it’s a great program and people should take advantage of it. There are things that we can’t offer here that other places can, so it’s a great opportunity for students.” Just the experience from such an opportunity could greatly shape the future for those who participate.

time with her granddaughter, all while doing her homework. Baseball is what she loves. She’s passionate about the Red Sox and working in her garden. Lavway has a goal of achieving her Bachelor of Liberal Studies with a concentration in business. The future for her is to finish the few semesters left toward graduating with the class of 2014. Lavway has no intention of changing jobs when she graduates, because to her working here on campus is where she needs and wants to be. How does Lavway feel about the students? “We know them on a first name basis.”

Lavway takes online classes because she is far too busy

Meg Lightbown isn’t just a bunch of titles and job descriptions. She is a great help and instrumental part of many students’ success at UMPI. Along with her devotion to the students she works with, she will go the extra mile. And if she can’t find the answer for you herself, then she will find someone who can get you the answer. Lightbown has been working at UMPI since the fall of 2010. Before that, though, she was a work study at UMPI. She jokingly shared this comment about her work study experience. “I told them I just wasn’t going to leave.” Most students who know her will agree, UMPI is glad she didn’t. Mary Kate Barbosa, the director of student support services, has worked with Lightbown for quite a while. Drawing on that experience, she said, “She works well with other people. She was a writing center tutor and was a tutor (for other subjects). She has plenty of experience.” Ellie Bell, previously a peer accommodator who worked alongside Lightbown for two

years, is now the head of the peer mentor program. As a peer accommodator, Bell helped Lightbown with student testing and other similar accommodations. When asked about Lightbow, she said, “She’s great: cheerful, friendly. The biggest thing is, she really cares.” This echoes another comment that Lightbown made during the interview that showed what kind of person truly is behind the titles. “The thing is, I worry about students. I really do care. I think about what I can do.” If this isn’t the most reassuring statement about one of the key members of the UMPI support system, than what is? Overall, if there is ever a problem that students have on campus and they don’t know whom to turn to, just think Meg. As Ellie Bell said, “When a student is stressed or even in a complete meltdown, they know they can stop in and she’ll help. She has encouraging quotes and isn’t afraid to share her own experiences to make them feel they’re not alone and to show them there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

online classes are easier to her to take than on-campus classes. Lavway also helps with events outside the office, such as tax prep and other financial events on campus. Lavway’s supervisor is Eldon Levesque, the director of business systems, who has worked at UMPI for 40 years. He has known Lavway for the seven years since he hired her. “Absolutely a good worker and gets along well with other people and the students,” Levesque said. “Job-wise, she does everything that is asked of her, as well as being very prompt for work.” When there is extra shifts of work to be done, she happily takes them. According to

Levesque, the business office is of great importance because the cost of education is going up and he finds that it can be hard on students. “We teach students how to manage financial requirements and payment plans,” Levesque said. Lavway is always right there to help students manage these challenges. How does she manage such dedication? To Lavway, it’s no big deal. She shrugs it off by saying, “We do it for the kids.” So the next time that you’re in Preble, don’t be afraid to venture down into the basement. You’ll find someone eager to give you a smile and a helping hand.

Hidden in Business

Lynnelle Lavway. to take them during the day. With a family of her own,

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Following a Dream Chris Cosenze CONTRIBUTOR

Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Five: this may just be a number to some people. Not for Ghazaleh Sailors. This number represents the miles she travels from her home in Santa Barbara, Calif., to the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The 19 - year - old athletic training major is the only female on the UMPI baseball roster. When asked why she would travel so far from home, Sailors responded, “(It was an) opportunity to follow a lifelong dream to play college ball.” This sport has been a part of her life since a young age. Sailors said, “Dad put me on my brother’s baseball team when I was in diapers.” As she grew up and was looking into colleges, it wasn’t as smooth for Sailors as for guys looking to play baseball. She looked at many colleges and talked to many coaches. When she said she wanted to play ball, most thought she wanted to play

softball, not baseball. She had scholarships to play softball, but turned them down in search of a school willing to let her play baseball.

question anything. She told coach she would be there in a heartbeat. Sailors has a lot of baseball experience. At 17 years old, she

Ghazaleh Sailors pitching against Averett over winter break. Her hard work and persistence paid off when a coach from northern Maine showed interest in her. Sailors did not

made the USA National Women’s Baseball Team. She traveled around the world playing in many different tourna-

ments and events. She noted that, in one tournament, she won a bronze medal. The Pitcher/infielder saw action in 21 of the 40 or so games last year for the owls. Thirteen of those were on the mound hurling strikes. In 26.2 innings pitched and 125 batters faced, Sailors walked only five batters. This is a very good number in baseball: walks are costly and allowing so few batters to walk is a good thing and something any pitcher would strive for. Sailors is also known for her work ethic. She is a three sport athlete at UMPI. When baseball is not in season, you can find her either running for the UMPI cross country team or skiing for the UMPI ski team. How did someone from California wind up on the ski team? “Last year, I worked out inside every single day and was not happy with it because winter was dragging me down. I wanted to be outside and be active,” Sailors said.

Many coaches praise her dedication. She always strives to do her best and to be the best she can be. She is also very happy go lucky. Sailors has made many sacrifices to play baseball so far from home. When asked one thing she missed about California, she said, “Warm weather and beach every day after baseball.” This was a big adjustment for her: leaving her warm 70 degree weather to come to a climate where most people think 40 degrees is time to break out their shorts. Not for Sailors. You can see her around campus bundled up in her UMPI baseball jacket and a winter hat. Twenty-one might be another number to some people. But to Sailors, it’s the number of hours she travels from Santa Barbara to Presque Isle, Maine. Still, to Sailors, that doesn’t matter. What matters the most was her chance to follow her dream. That dream was made possible by a little school in northern Maine called UMPI.

Upcoming Events for Spring 2013 Career Activities

Career Thursdays, 12:15 p.m., Center for Student Success March 21: Job Search, Interviewing Workshop. April 18: Resume and Cover Letter Workshop. Mon. April 22-12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m., Center for Student Success, Resume and Cover Letter Review/Assistance. Tues. April 23-12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m., Center for Student Success, Job Search and Interviewing Skills. Wed. April 24-4 p.m., Graduate School Workshop with Scott Delcourt, UMaine. Thurs. April 25-11 a.m. to 1 p.m., MPR, UMPI Career and Job Fair. Fri. April 26-12:15 p.m., Center for Student Success, Be a Professional on the Job.

UMPI Pride Committee Activities

Student of the Month deadlines- April 3, May 1. Student of the Month celebrations- Aprill 11, May 9. April 26-Photo Contenst deadline with campus voting April 29 to May 2. May 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Owl’s Nest Patio, Student Appreciation BBQ.

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Girl scouts came by an d supported the cause by putting on caps!

Planets Continued from page 1 Although his way of participating has changed, his reason has not. Stepp’s involvement, like that of many others, was in honor of a loved one who has been a victim of cancer. Someone very close to him inspired him to participate. “Everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. For me, it was my mother. She contracted breast cancer in 1964. Thanks to the treatment she received, she was declared cancer-free and lived another 17 years,” Stepp said. Since so many people have been affected by cancer in some way, Planet Head Day was a very successful event, with the Wieden Gym already full by noon—one hour after the event began. Along with UMPI students and staff, many local businesses and organizations raised money and came out to help the event. These included: Amato’s, Girl Scouts, Loring Job Corps students, Marden’s, The Naughty Knitters, Pizza Hut, The Red Hat Society and WAGM-TV. According to the event’s coordinator, UMPI science professor Dr. Kevin McCartney, there was around 100 participants. Nearly half of them shaved their heads, raising more than $22,000 for CANCER. Despite the negative effects that cancer has, this event provides a positive way to support those who are battling this disease. Meanwhile, they can have fun learning about the solar system. Anyone who would like more information about CANCER or would like to donate can visit their website at www.c-a-n-c-e-r.com.

Red Hat Society Ladies showed up in force for planet head day.

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sy of e t r u o ds, c a e h ir g the n i v a h rns s Salon. u t k Hair le too Peop eginnings tB Grea Mindy an off Sat d Shephard urn an d the s Hitchcock sh olar sy owing stem.

Kevin McCartney paints the top of WAGM news director, Chris Weimer.

Job Corps. From le ft to right: Brendan Griffith, Andrew Kni Otis May, Sycud ght, Vereide, Gustavo Calderon and Bra Downer. ndy

12 Kayla Ames

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Holding On to Our Heroes

STAFF WRITER

People diving through clear blue water, wading ashore hot sand beaches and walking through lush vegetation. It sounds like a vacation, doesn’t it? Well, that wasn’t the case for Professor Anderson Giles, who teaches art at UMPI, a group of students from Missouri and half a dozen veterans. They dove, waded and walked while visiting beautiful islands in the Pacific, but it wasn’t for recreational purposes. Rather, they were there to learn, document and remember. Giles has been preserving history for more than 20 years. His methods include film, photographs and paintings. He’s led dozens of trips focused on WWII and throughout the Pacific, to places such as Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Peleliu, Guam and Saipan. Along the way, he serves as guide, lecturer and navigator as well as documents sites and interviews veterans.

Anderson Giles on Skull Island. Photo provided by Giles. During the spring of last year, he performed these services for a group of people as part of a chartered cruise through the Solomon Islands. It was made up of different

generations, those with various personal histories and from many walks of life. Some of them were veterans, such as Bill Kruschel, an 88 year old U.S. Marine who returned to the island of Pavuva after 67 years. Some were there to honor loved ones, such as Ron Hosmer. He threw a wreath into the same waters where, years before, his father had seen action and served aboard the USS Lardner. Quite a few of these group members, though, were students from the College of the Ozarks. They earned their spots through a program called “patriotic education,” which required them to write an essay on their connection to the sites they’d be visiting. It’s a very competitive process, with only a handful chosen despite hundreds of applicants. “It was an honor to travel with them and be a part of their lives for a few short days. From their humorous outlook on life to hearing about their families and what they did after the war, the veterans showed me the world,” Anna Sangrey, one of the students, said. Fred Mullinax, executive vice president of College of the Ozarks, said that, to date, participants have made trips to 13 places, including Guadalcanal, the Philippines, Japan and Pearl Harbor. They seek to honor those who fought, commemorate the fallen and educate students by pairing them with veterans and allowing them to visit places they’ve served. “Our expectations were exceeded in every way,” Mullinax said. “One of the more interesting aspects of the program has been the unanticipated outcomes. We did not foresee the strong bonding that would occur between the veterans and the students. The generational differences just melted away, literally, within minutes of their coming into contact with each other.” Many veterans say they’ve

gained new grandchildren, and the students consider these soldiers additional grandparents. They still keep in touch. “It’s a pretty unique thing to

swam. Another was a battle site at Alligator Creek, where a local youth found and gave them a dog tag belonging to Everett W. Hancock of North

Remnants of war. Photo provided by Giles. do. It’s like, instead of using a history book, you’re walking around with a history book,” Giles said. Mullinax knows this for a fact. Students have repeatedly said that they learned more in 10 days with veterans than in a semester-long class. He also describes Giles as one of the best tour guides they’ve had. On a typical day, he would hike out with them to a spot and explain what had happened there. Participants saw everything from foxholes to Bloody Ridge. One of the highlights of the trip was Plum Pudding Island, where John F. Kennedy and his stranded crewmates

Carolina. After it had spent more than 60 years in the mud, Hancock’s son and grandson finally reclaimed the piece of their relative, who died in 1970. One of Sangrey’s favorite parts was talking with a marine named Christiansen on Red Beach. The trip was, understandably, emotional and serious, but it was also educational and fun. Giles led participants to cultural sites as well as historical ones. They saw traditional dances in villages along the way, visited Skull Island, a sacred place where natives bury the skulls of their chiefs and took photos of men and

women with domesticated birds such as parakeets and fish hawks on their heads. Sometimes, when members came ashore, children would hang necklaces of plumeria around their necks – a reminder that, as hard as it is to remember sometimes, life does go on, even after war. “It’s powerful stuff, and the work that I do is part of that,” Giles said. Giles will soon be returning to the Pacific. He’ll be going to the Mariana Islands and leading people around Iwo Jima. He’s also in the process of putting together a book of related photos. He strongly believes that everyone should do their part to keep history alive and to honor veterans. “My hope is to one day, when I am in my 80s or 90s like these men are, to have lived life as fully, as proudly and as loyally as the veterans did. They are my heroes,” Sangrey said. They paid a huge price and, every day, we lose more of them, along with their memories and many valuable lessons. The ships they stood on and the planes they flew have slipped beneath the ocean waves, become buried in the sand. If we follow the example of the students in Giles’ tour group, though, we can make sure these heroes don’t fade away along with them.

Bridging the generational gap. Photo provided by Giles.

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The Big Rock That Really Rocks

Christopher Bowden STAFF WRITER

Northern Maine is as great place as any for outdoor activity, whether it be hunting, fishing or hiking. But during winter, along with the change of season, so do the sports. With all the snow that Aroostook County receives there is no surprise that Big Rock Ski Area, located in Mars Hill, Maine, draws a crowd. For those of you not familiar with Big Rock, it’s not just an actual Rock. It’s actually a ski mountain that is pretty popular among UMPI students. The University Times recently sat down with UMPI student D.J. Conley while he

was visiting the mountain on its weekly Wednesday night free ski. D.J. is a sophomore at UMPI studying criminal justice. He participates in any kind of outdoor activity you can name, from hunting to fishing, during any one of the four seasons. D.J. is also a snowboarder who visits Big Rock regularly. The U Times wanted to know why he enjoys the mountain so much. U.T.: “So, D.J... about how l on g have yo u’ve b e en snowboarding?” D.J.: “Since I was a sophomore in high school, so about 16 years.” U.T.: “Was snowboarding something you decided to

just pick, or is there a reason behind it?” D.J.: “All my friends in high school did. And I’ve always been into skateboarding, so I

figured the two would go together pretty well.” U.T.: “What are some of the reasons you enjoy Big Rock?” D.J.: “It’s close proximity to UMPI, very cheap and

has a variety of different trails, from novice to expert. It’s also a good place for me to get outside during the winter months.” U.T.: “Now I’m not trying to be an advertisement for Big Rock or anything, but do the Big Rock staff and employees make the mountain more exciting?” D.J.: “Yeah. Unlike other big ski resorts, I’ve noticed that the Big Rock staff makes the mountain more enjoyable. The friendly services I receive from the staff make my ride much more enjoyable” U.T.: “Final question before we let you hit the slopes. You’re obviously here on a Wednesday, which is free ski

night. How does the free ski help you while being on a student budget?” D.J.: “Big Rock’s free ski night really gives me something to do recreationally with my time on Wednesday evenings. With little spending money available, it is nice to have some place to go ski for free, while saving my money to use on books and school supplies.” So if you’re looking for something to do on Wednesdays, Big Rock is a great option, especially when you’re on a tight budget. It’s always nice to have an option for taking a break from the stress of the college studies.

! ! 14 Put Bounce Into Your Friday Night Uni ve r si ty Ti m e s

Meagan Royer CONTRIBUTOR

Do you know people who are 12 and under and have a large amount of bounce in their steps? If your answer to that question was a “yes,” then bring them on down to the Maine Jump at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle, Maine. At the Maine Jump, they can bounce the day or night away on, not one, but five bounce houses. Out of the five bounce houses available, there is a “Toddler Only: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” bounce house for children 4 and under. What’s in it for the adult (besides an exhausted kid)? How does FREE coffee and Wi-Fi sound? It’s far too great an offer to pass up. Another great part is that on certain days, the Maine Jump will run specials. Wednesday has 99 cent pizza slices all day and the occasional “two for the price of one” special. Sunday is double punch day on their punch cards. But let’s get to the best special. Got anything to do on a Friday night? Tired of the same old family dinners or sitting around watching television? The Maine Jump has found a cure for that same lackluster Friday night. Come check out “Friday Family Fun

COMMUNITY

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Night”! Technically, it’s not only on Friday night, but also during the day on Friday. What will your Friday consist of ? It’s one awesome, low price, depending on how many children you will be

Go ahead and say “WOW”! You can enjoy this amazing deal during the hours of 10 a.m. though 9 p.m. What does the staff at the Maine Jump love about Friday Family Fun Night? “The Friday Night

a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The weekday price is $9 and the Saturday/Sunday price is $10. If a child is 2 or under, the price will always be $6. As a bonus, these prices are for unlimited

bringing. For example, for one child it would be $23; for two children, it would be $30; three children, $39; all the way up to six children (the price increases). Sounds great so far, doesn’t it? But just wait: there’s more included within this one price. You get admission for bouncing, a 16 inch pizza, 12 ounce drinks for everyone (adults included), a bag of cotton candy per child, unlimited bags of popcorn and $2 in quarters for arcade games.

Special makes it an easy meal for parents. But it still allows them to sit at the table together and do something as a family. All while allowing the kiddos to burn off steam and to get some physical activity. It really brings families back to the table.” But what if you can’t make it in on Fridays? You can still bring a child in on Wednesday through Sunday. The hours on Wednesday and Thursday are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10

bouncing! Certainly, you won’t be missing out on the pizza if you can’t make it in on Friday. The regular menu consists of pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, fries, soup/grilled cheese, chips, popcorn, breadsticks, nachos, cotton candy, slushies and Pepsi products. Safety is not a problem when you come bouncing around at the Maine Jump. All the equipment is inspected by the State of Maine Fire Marshalls. Also, adults have to

sign a waiver before the children can bounce. The staff will be there to help watch the children, but the attending adults are still expected to keep an eye on their own children. The staff is inviting, friendly and can’t wait to see the smiles across the children’s faces. “Our goal was to give families a place to create memories and to be together while having fun. We hope that the community is having fun and enjoying our facility and look forward to seeing all of the smiling faces coming in and out of our facility. We love to hear families talking and sharing their stories of The Maine Jump out in public and hope that we can continue to provide this wonderful opportunity for years to come!” Jenna Spoto said. The Maine Jump also hosts birthday parties and will eventually have rental bounce houses available. What about a teen child in your life? The Maine Jump occasionally provides a “Teen Night” that is accompanied with a DJ, food and, of course, bouncing. You can contact the Maine Jump on Facebook or by calling (207) 540-1254. Bounce on down and create your own story. Look for the Maine Jump sign!

UMPI Owls Relay for Life Vacation Package Raffle 1 ticket of $1 or 7 tickets for $5. On sale in the Financial Aid Office (Preble Hall) You could win all of these (an est. $900): 4 Nascar tickets to the race in July in Loudon, NH; 4 Portland Seadogs tickets; 1 roundtrip ticket on Pen Air from PI to Boston; a weekend at Portage Lakeside Cabins; 2 gas cards; Olive Garden gift certificates; Burger King gift certificates; and Lisa Sophia gift certificates. Drawing May 31. All funds raised go to the American Cancer Society

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ifestyl e

The Reel Deal “Skyfall”

Stephanie Jellett STAFF WRITER

PG-13 5/5 Stars Action/Adventure 143 Minutes “Skyfall,” which marked the 50th year of Bond movies, brings a whole new level of darkness and emotion to the series. Daniel Craig, who plays James Bond for the third time, delivers a stellar performance, which is said to be his best. Oscarwinning director Sam Mendes wanted to bring back the old-school style of Bond movies, yet give it a modern twist—and he delivered! The movie starts off with a mission Bond and field agent

Eve (Naomie Harris) are on that goes terribly wrong, causing MI6 agents to be exposed around the world. While on a moving train, Bond is fighting to get a computer drive that has information on all British agents. Eve is watching everything through a rifle scope, while talking to M (Judi Dench), who insists she take the shot on the assailant. Eve repeatedly tells M she doesn’t have a clear shot, and doesn’t want to accidentally hit Bond instead. M convinces her to shoot, which does end up hitting Bond, causing him to fall into the river below, and he’s believed to be dead. Later on, MI6 headquarters gets attacked and M is questioned on her authority and position by Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), who is the new chairman of the Intelligence

and Security Committee. While everything thinks Bond is dead, he’s actually just laying low. He learns about the attack and returns to make things right. M doesn’t trust anyone but 007 to find out about the mysterious Silva (Havier Bardem), who’s believed to have stolen the computer drive from before. Bond learns that there’s a deeper connection to Silva, as he figures out he’s from M’s past. There’s not a single dull moment while watching “Skyfall.” You’ll find yourself always interested, even though it’s not all action. There were so many different pieces to this movie, but they all fit together perfectly into a brilliantly crafted puzzle. “Skyfall” is a movie that delivers a few laughs and enough memorable scenes that to make this a great 50th anniversary for 007.

Do you like music? Do you want to learn guitar but don’t have one? The U Times has a solution! We’ll be raffling off a guitar and its case before the end of March. This is a brand-new Johnson guitar. If you want to look at it yourself, come by the media lab (Normal 102)! Tickets are 1 for $2, or 3 for $5. All proceeds will benefit an educational trip to Washington, D.C., in March. We’d love to have your support. For more information, contact Dr. Lowman (jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu), Kayla Ames (kayla.ames@maine.edu), Lanette Virtanen (lanette.virtanen@maine.edu) or Stephanie Jellett (stephanie.jellett@maine.edu).

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Stranger or Sister? Nicole Moore CONTRIBUTOR

It’s not every day you get to invite a stranger to be a part of your home. Never mind one from another part of the world. But that’s just what the Moore family did when they became a host family. Peggy Moore and her husband Doug, of Newport, Maine, are parents of five. Hosting was a new experience for them. They got the idea when they heard about the Maine 4-H International Exchange Program. This program matched Japanese students with host families in Maine. The students ranged in age from 12 to 18. The Moores’ oldest daughter was almost 12. That meant she was just old enough to be a “host sister.” Hosting appealed to the Moores as a way to experience the world. “My daughter had an interest in Japan… We thought that (hosting) would be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the country,” Peggy said. To start the process, the family sent in an application. Next they were interviewed. They were accepted. Then they were matched with a 12-year-old Japanese girl. That summer, they hosted her in their home. She spent nearly a month during school vacation. Their hosting experience didn’t end there, though. Two years later, they hosted another Japanese girl for a month. The Moores quickly found out how challenging hosting can be. One of the toughest things was trying to communicate. The young Japanese girls didn’t know much English. “It was a stretching experience for everybody as far as the language went,” Peggy said. She remembers the day they brought their first student home. “We couldn’t (even) say, ‘Take a shower whenever you want,’” she said. Not everyone in the family thought trying to get ideas across was hard, though. Hannah, the Moores’ third-old-

est child, liked that part. “It was fun figuring out ways to communicate with them,” she said. Some of the family members

great way to learn about another culture. The hosted students cooked Japanese food such as sushi for their new family. They

T.R.A.I.L to Health Dena Dudley (Joseph) CONTRIBUTOR

even learned Japanese phrases. They used words such as Arigatou to say “thank you.” That way, they could talk to the girls in their own language. The Moores made an effort to create a fun, American experience. They brought the girls to the coast. They took them to Millinocket to look for moose. They all built a campfire and roasted marshmallows. “We tried really hard to

make their time here special… We tried to do a variety of things,” Peggy said. Being a host family was a

taught the Moores Japanese games. They even brought souvenirs from Japan. Hannah was really impressed with the many gifts that the second student brought. “I remember being so excited because there were so many little gifts, such as chopsticks and fans and origami paper and candy,” she said. The Moore family discovered the magic of hosting. A complete stranger became part of their family. “One of my favorite things about hosting is seeing my children interact with the exchange student,” Doug said. Peggy had similar feelings. “I think…seeing (all the kids) outside laughing, just having fun, as kids do…that is precious,” she said. Being a host family opened up a whole new world for the Moores. They were able to “visit” another culture without ever leaving home. “I would do it again,” Peggy said.

Diabetes is a disease on the fast track: 87,000 people in Maine suffer from this troubling disease. And it can happen to anyone. It affects the way the body gets energy. Just like a car needs gas, our bodies need glucose. Insulin helps bring the glucose to our bloodstream. Diabetes is when the body stops or resists insulin. Without insulin, our bodies don’t get the fuel they need. That’s why a local tribal community started the T.R.A.I.L program to teach kids how to prevent diabetes. T.R.A.I.L means “Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life.” It teaches Native youth how important healthy foods and exercise are. “You need to learn proper eating habits in order to prevent and deal with diabetes, if you do develop it. Early childhood education is important,” Blue LaBeet-LaBillois said. LaBeet-LaBillois works for the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and runs T.R.A.I.L. Learning how to eat healthily and exercise is important for everyone, especially kids. Thirteen-year-old T.R.A.I.L member Gesig Joseph knows this all too well. Joseph was diagnosed at the age of 6 with type II diabetes. “T.R.A.I.L has helped me get to be more active. My friend Liz, who is also in T.RA.I.L, also helped me get more active,” Joseph said. Learning and working together with your peers is a big part of T.R.A.I.L’s success. Exercise is a very important part of T.R.A.I.L and of diabetes prevention. The program shows kids fun ways to be active. The kids get to do skiing, skating, snowshoeing, hiking and canoeing.

And let’s not forget the kid’s favorite: Zumba Tomics. “They have really gotten into it and have a lot of fun,” LaBeet-LaBillois said. “They learn different dances, games and exercise.” Staff members also show kids how to prepare and cook healthy meals and snacks. LaBeet-LaBillois hopes this will encourage the kids to bring these recipes home, to help teach their own families to make healthier choices. Even though the program is still in full swing, LaBeetLaBillois already notices a change. The excitement on the children’s faces as they learn about healthy food and exercise is contagious. “Their curiosity about different foods has grown. They really are getting more active. Instead of wanting to sit in front of the computers, they are trying to be more active and find games to play,” LaBeet-LaBillois said. Diabetes is a huge problem for Native Americans, but it doesn’t discriminate. It is the seventh leading cause of death in Maine. This disease is a big problem for Maine and the rest of the nation. It benefits kids from all backgrounds to learn how important healthy foods and exercise are. A healthy diet and being active are just what the doctor ordered to help fight diabetes. While diabetes is on the rise, it is also preventable. Gesig Joseph has this advice. “You should stay active. Don’t drink or do drugs. Eat healthy. Have fun with it. Don’t let others put you down because you have diabetes. And don’t put others down with diabetes. Someday you could have it, too.”

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UMaine Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni: Read and React Christopher Sutherland CONTRIBUTOR

Climate change is increasing the temperature of the planet, raising the level of the seas and engendering a phenomenon known as environmental refugees. These changes are happening now and all over the planet. Climate change is increasing instances of the following health concerns: respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, water security, food security and nutrition, cancer, infectious diseases and mental health. World leaders agree on one detail about climate change: two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) is the limit. At the end of 2012, the average temperature of the planet had risen 0.8 degrees Celsius. Scientists estimate that the atmosphere can handle approximately 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide before losing hope of staying below two degrees. Currently, the fossil fuel industry (coal, oil and natural gas) is planning on digging-up, selling, trading and burning 2,795 gigatons of carbon–-these are proven reserves. Given these serious conditions, the fact that the UMaine System (UMS) has a portion of its endowment invested in fossil fuels (at least $7.5 million) is immoral and contradicts its mission. Therefore, we are calling on the UMS Board of Trustees to divest its holdings

100 percent from this industry. How it works: The UMS endowment (some $121 million) is like a savings account that receives deposits in the form of gifts from alumni, foundations, corporations, governments and philanthropists. The money is then invested in financial markets and earns returns. In theory, the endowment is managed for the benefit of the institution—in other words students, faculty and staff. A recently filed Freedom Of Access Request revealed that, as of June 30, 2012, the UMS portfolio holds investments in more than 40 companies that appear on the list of the top 200 firms holding the world’s proven coal, oil and gas reserves. This makes the UMaine System an invested party in companies the likes of BP, Exxon Mobil, Peabody Energy, Chevron, Conoco Phillips and Hess. Furthermore, the UMS investment strategy also includes various mutual and commingled funds, which by nature conceal investment details. Why it matters: The UMS 2012 annual report states that $5 million of the endowment was distributed via scholarships and operating activities. When asked for an account of those disbursements, the chancellor’s office said, “This is not information that we produce.” This savings account, which is oper-

ated for the benefit of students, faculty and staff is currently invested, both directly and mutually, in the fossil fuel industry; an industry whose business model depends on the severe disruption of life as we know it. Yet, not only is the endowment invested without consulting the

president to pressure the UMaine Board of Trustees Finance Committee to divest its holdings from all funds containing fossil fuels. As of today, the finance committee has not researched its options for socially responsible investment and is relying on an outdated

Commitment Network. All of these name climate change as a major concern and reaffirm the UMaine System’s commitment to sustainability and renewability. Students, faculty, staff and alumni: educate yourselves on the workings of your particular institution and the greater UMS at large. Demand transparency and equal participation for investments that directly jeopardize your present and future. This is especially important for students, as you are the ones the UMS claims to be educating to become engaged, socially responsible citizens. Armed with this information, we should all be demanding responsible leadership from the board of trustees: divestment from the fossil fuel industry. Empower yourself. Visit the following:

student body, faculty, and staff, as members of the UMaine community. We are also kept in the dark about the destination of the profits produced by this environmentally and socially disastrous investment strategy. What can you do? Speak up and petition your university’s

strategy that directly supports an unethical industry. As members of the UMaine community, we need to hold the UMS to its Blue Sky Strategic Plan, its Sustainability Solutions Initiative and the American College and University Presidents Climate

UMaine System Divestment p e t i t i o n : http://act.gofossilfree.org/act/ maine UMaine System Divest FB: http://www.facebook.com/div est.umaine Socially Responsible Investing: http://ussif.org/resources/srig uide/srifacts.cfm To get involved on your campus: christopher.sutherland@maine.edu www.350.org

Univer si t y T i me s ! LIFESTYLE ! M a rch 1 5 , 2 013

Quest for the Antidote Jordan Morrison CONTRIBUTOR

Imagine a world where time is running out. You have been poisoned. The world around you is full of monsters. The path to the only cure is fraught with danger, yet you choose to push forward. “Quest for the Antidote” puts you in that world. The gaming community is on the threshold of having a new game created by Tom Deschenes. It merges the fun of games such as “Munchkin” and “Fable.” “Munchkin” is a tabletop card game with different creatures. “Fable” is a game for the Xbox 360 that exists in a rich, highly stylized environment. “Quest for the Antidote” is a surprising mix of card battling and a stunning tabletop experience. At SnowCon, central and northern Maine’s gaming convention, Topsham

Games this year unloaded the beast of a game for players to get an early taste. The University Times sat down

with the artist behind the beautiful and ever creative characters, Scott Sherman. Sherman, 25, is a Maine resident who went to Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. Armed with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration, he returned to Maine. One day, by chance, he came across a job posting that called to his particular skills. The job posting required a sample piece of work. The work should encapsulate the entire world in a single image. The challenge was creating an image for a card called “Bog Hag.” Sherman, using his many years of gaming experience and artistic talent, sent in what he thought the characters should look like. He was drawing imagery he saw from years of video games, “Magic the Gathering,”

“Dungeons and and Dragons.” Using the flavor text, a sentence used to describe the card, to shape his imagination, he created a very vile looking old woman, who looks as if she could be smelled through the card. Sherman had this to say about the events at SnowCon. “SnowCon was a wonderful opportunity to get some quality feedback on Quest for the Antidote. It was our first chance to show the game to the public, and it was a perfect environment to see how our game would hold up in a real world setting. We were able to get feedback from some veteran game enthusiasts, along with valuable input from several young gamers. Over the course of the day, it was really encouraging to see new players get immersed in the world that Tom and I have worked so hard to bring to life.” Sherman was well equipped to create a game. He drew on his experiences with

“Dungeons and Dragons,” “Shadow Run” and many video games, including the well known “Fable.” He says that “Fable” has a great ability to poke fun at itself and be fun without detracting from the overall seriousness of the game. In “Quest for the Antidote,” as in “Fable,” there are many themes that may be morbid. Yet the game is successfully able to mask the adult themes and make a family game. “We really wanted to create an experience where anyone could pick up our game, step into a fantasy world and have an adventure with their friends and family,“ Sherman said. Sherman is very hopeful that the game goes over well. Topsham Games is relying on Kickstarter, which bills itself as the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects, to finance the game. Information about the upcoming game can be found at its Facebook page.

Congratulations to the CRU team travelling to Guatemala during the upcoming April Break! They will be working with the ministry of Centro Cristiano Cultural de Guatemala. Team members will be feeding children, teaching English and computer skills and providing a soccer clinic. They are within $2,551 of their $15,600 needed for the trip. Donations are appreciated!

Team members are: Courtney McHugh, Samara Grant, Sara Gendreau, Zach Benner, Melanie Ward, Courtney Cray, Jackie Eye and Josh Shaw. Team Chaperone: Jack Stweart Community Members: Paula Ballard, Patrick Ballard and Steve Lunn.

Contact any team member or Mary Lawrence at 768-9502 for more information.

Uni ver si ty T im e s ! LIFESTYLE ! Fe br ua r y 1 5, 2 0 13

Russian Asteroid Jim Stepp

CONTRIBUTOR

At 9:20 a.m. local time (12:20 a.m. EST) on Friday, Feb. 15 an asteroid passed over the Ural region of Russia at 40,265 mph. After about 30 seconds, the asteroid broke up and exploded between 12 to 15 miles above the ground. This asteroid was previously unknown and completely unexpected. As it passed through the atmosphere, the asteroid heated up due to its friction and began to glow. It produced a light brighter than the moon before exploding. What do we know about this asteroid? Could something bigger hit the Earth in the future? Could we stop something bigger from hitting us? First, a little more about the asteroid on Feb. 15. The asteroid was about 55 feet across and weighed about 10,000 tons. When it exploded, the pressure wave that was created collapsed or damaged 4,700 buildings and injured more than 1,200 people. The total cost of the damage was about $33.2 million. The energy released during the explosion was the equivalent of 500 kilotons of TNT,

e-news/science-atnasa/2008/30jun_tunguska/ for more information. While large objects hitting the Earth is rare, approximately 80 tons of material fall to the Earth every day from space. What are the chances of a larger object hitting the Earth in the future? The Earth has been hit by very large objects before. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that the dinosaurs were killed off some 65 million years ago when a six-mile-wide object hit the Earth near what is now the Gulf of Mexico. The real question is when, not if, the Earth will be hit. What are we doing to protect the Earth? NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program has been working hard to find all of the potentially dangerous objects in space. NASA believes it has found more than 95 percent of large near-Earth objects (more than 0.67 mile [1km] in diameter). NASA hopes that it would be able to find dangerous objects several years prior to them hitting the Earth. If an object is found to be on a collision course with the Earth, there are several options available to divert it. Current

The asteroid before it exploaded. or about 30 times the explosive capability of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. This asteroid appears to be the largest such object to enter the Earth’s atmosphere since 1908, when another large object entered the Earth’s atmosphere and exploded over Siberia in the Tunguska region. S e e http://science.nasa.gov/scienc

possibilities include putting a large space craft near the object and using the rockets gravitational attraction to divert the object. Another possibility is to detonate a large bomb near the object to divert it. It’s important to note that it would not be a good idea to blow the object up like they always seem to do in the movies. Doing this would just cause millions of small

objects to hit the Earth, which could potentially cause as much or more damage than one big object. To see videos of this meteor, please go to http://www.astronomy.com/en / N e w s Observing/News/2013/02/~/ link.aspx?_id=36899906D4044 D57B5365D80966A7FDE&_z =z

03/17@07:00 Equilux – equal length of day and night. 03/17@21:32 Moon 1.5 degrees from Jupiter 03/18@23:13 Moon at Apogee

– closest to the Earth – 228,300 miles or 367,400 kms 03/31@17:48 Mercury at greatest western elongation – 27.8 degrees – visible in the

THE NIGHT SKY The International Space Station is visible in the morning sky until April 5. The ISS will become visible in the evening skies beginning on April 6. Go to www.heavens-above.com for exact times and locations. You’ll 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 longitude and 46d40m45.6s North latitude. To get a free sky chart, go to www.skymaps.com Sun and Planet Visibility 03/20/2013 Sun Rise 06:34 Sun Set 18:45 Mercury 05:48 – 06:06 Venus Not visible Mars Not visible Jupiter 19:00 – 00:54 Saturn 22:12 – 06:12 03/31/2013 Sun Rise 06:13 Sun Set 19:00 Mercury 05:30 – 05:42 Venus Not visible Mars Not visible Jupiter 19:12 – 00:18 Saturn 21:24 – 05:42

The aftermath of the asteroid. – furthest from the Earth – 251,300 miles or 404,400 kms. 03/19@12:26 First Quarter Moon 03/20@07:01 March Equinox – Northern spring begins 03/22@14:17 Mars 1/90 of a degree from Uranus 03/27@07:02 Full Moon 03/28@13:06 Venus passes behind the Sun – Superior Conjunction 03/28@20:37 Uranus passes behind the Sun 03/29@22:06 Moon 6.5 degrees from Saturn 03/30@23:59 Moon at perigee

morning sky 04/01@22:06 Mercury at Aphelion – Farthest from the Sun – 43,400,000 miles or 69,900,000 kms 04/03@00:36 Last Quarter Moon 04/07@01:52 Venus 0.7 degrees from Mars 04/08@05:24 Moon 6.3 degrees from Mercury 04/10@05:35 New Moon 04/10@12:24 Moon 2.6 degrees from Venus 04/14@19:54 Moon 3.3 degrees from Jupiter

Comet PANSTARRS will be visible in the western sky beginning March 08. Go to http://earthsky.org/space/com et-panstarrs-possibly-visible-toeye-in-march-2013 for more information 03/17 Vanguard 1, the first US satellite was launched n 1958

Windows were hit by fragments of the asteroid.

Soduku and Word Find Puzzles Solution for Soduku will be in an upcoming issue. Puzzles created by: Craig Pullen

UMPIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academic Programs

Comedian: Mark LaMotte Thurs. March 21, 7 p.m. Wieden Community Easter Egg Hunt Sat. March 23, 2 p.m. Campus Center University Day Wed. April 10 DisOrientation Week: Beach Bash April 16-20

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