Volume 42 Issue 5 by University Times

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University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 42 Issue 5

Journalism for Northern Maine Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu

DECEMBER 6, 2013

Remembering A Bright Light Christopher Bowden STAFF WRITER

Have you ever known anyone who could make a day brighter just by being there? That was Abby Ladner. Abby died on Nov. 15 after being injured in an auto crash two weeks before. But on Thursday, Nov. 21, about 200 family and friends of Abby gathered at UMPI’s Campus Center to celebrate her life. There were remembrances, a slideshow, and people lit luminaries and released balloons in memory of Abby. Abby was committed to getting a college education. She always wanted to help people, which was one of the major rea-

A total of 19 green balloons were let go in Abigailʼs memory. Green was her favorite color. Each balloon let go represented a year of her life. Photo By: Heather Sappier

sons she had chosen a social work major. Anybody who knew her described her as a kind person with a wonderful heart and a beautiful smile. She could light up the room just by walking in. “I think she was a very giving person who always thought of others first. I thought she had come to a good choice with choosing to work with people. She had good people skills and sincerely wanted to help people, ” Kim-Anne Perkins, Abby’s advisor and teacher, said. Abby was everyone’s friend. Despite their grief, her friends are comforted by her amazing l i f e . “She was a really outgoing person. She was really nice and

really pretty. In general she just really put you at a loss for words because she was so amazing,” Kali Warner, a friend, said. Danika Lockhart, another friend, remembers Abby because of “Her smile, her positive attitude and outlook on everything. She was always a day brightener for sure. She really loved her family. She always talked about her two little brothers. She was also known for her beauty pageants, but was extremely humble about it.” Although Abby can no longer be there physically with people, she’ll always be a part of the lives of the many people who knew and loved her.

Abigail Ladner.

Luminaries placed outside the Campus Center in memory of Abigail. Photo By: Danika Lockhart

The University Times Staff Editor Nicole Duplessis Assistant Editor Stephanie Jellett Staff Writers Kayla Ames Christopher Bowden Nicole Duplessis Stephanie Jellett Contributors Sarah Ames Alex Csiernik Linda Schott Jim Stepp

University Times

ampus

Hi Everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving break and made the most of your time off. The break was short and sweet, but Christmas break is now right around the corner. With Christmas break being around the corner, that means finals are on their way. Surely it’s something none of us look forward to, but we have to get through it in order to enjoy a nice, long break. Don’t let finals overwhelm you too much though, because being tired and frustrated during that time will only cause stress that isn’t needed. Take a break and go enjoy the Christmas light parade on Dec. 7. It starts at 6 p.m. and will allow you plenty of time to study after! Go get some Christmas shopping done at the mall or the various boutiques and stores throughout Presque Isle. I know I’m a last minute shopper and using that as an “excuse” to take a break from the books is absolutely perfect! I think that’s enough about finals, though. I wish everyone the best of luck, and please don’t get too stressed! - Nicole

December 6, 2013

Hi There, I’m sure everyone’s enjoyed the rather short break we had. I hope that you all enjoyed spending time with family and friends during the American Thanksgiving. Seeing as I’ve had my Canadian Thanksgiving, I spent break catching up on homework and final projects. All I know is that I can’t wait till Christmas break. Finals week is more than creeping up on us. It seems like yesterday I was just moving into my apartment to start my final year of school--minus the snow. Over Christmas break--since I’m not working-I’ve decided that I want to read as many books as possible. I need to sit down and read something that’s not a textbook for a change. I don’t know about you, but that’s all I pretty much plan to do after the New Year and I can’t wait! I know in my last letter I said I’d try something new...well...I haven’t....yet. I promise I will though. And I hope you will too! I’m hoping to be going skating soon, which is something I’m not very good at, so that should be quite the time! I’ll see you around campus! -Stephanie

Dates fo r Sub mission s to the U Times 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

D ec . 2 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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Linda’s Letter Where Will Your Wings Take You?

Linda Schott.

Anyone who has been around the University of Maine at Presque Isle for more than a few days knows that our mascot is the owl. But did you know that it is not just any owl but the very beautiful and powerful snowy owl? Snowy owls are among the largest of North American owls. They are white with varying degrees of brown markings and generally live in Canada and the northernmost areas of the United States. They fiercely protect their nests, and unlike other owls, are active both day and night. They are patient hunters with keen hearing and eyesight. Because our mascot is such a strong and attractive creature, we have decided to integrate it more fully into our campus ac-

tivities. We are beginning a new campaign to inspire students to think about their futures and to acknowledge the accomplishments of our alumni. We will ask prospective students to contemplate, “Where will your wings take you?” We will ask alumni to tell us, “Where have your wings taken you?” We will also invite UMPI alumni to wear a lapel pin that features a snowy owl. We will sell the pin to UMPI alumni through the Campus Store and online. The Alumni Association will get $2 of every sale. Then, starting next May, the Alumni Association will present new UMPI graduates with a snowy owl pin at commencement. We will also encourage

with a minor in education. President of the National Honors Society, she has a very high GPA. She’s also a proud member for the Student Education Association of Maine (SEAM) along with being a peer adviser. But, most of all, she’s a family person, with a young child of her own. Thomaz Herzog, associate professor of social studies education, had nothing but praise for Hitchcock, who’s also a student of his.

“Mindy is a great student and a wonderful mom. She is a great leader in SEAM. She has done so many things right. She is a great example of a student.” When Hitchcock isn’t busy with school or work, he enjoys spending time with her family and friends. If you see her around campus, make sure to congratulate her on all her hard work and the benefits it has brought her.

UMPI alumni to send in photos of themselves wearing their owl pins, either in their professional roles or doing something fun. We will feature those photos on a website, along with stories of what our alumni are accomplishing in the world. Current employees of UMPI may also purchase and wear the owl pin. We'd love to see the pins "flying" around campus on the lapels of our employees, reminding students to think about how their educations are shaping their futures and encouraging alumni to tell their success stories. UMPI provides a powerful education, symbolized by a powerful bird. Go UMPI Owls!

October Student of the Month: Melinda Hitchcock

Christopher Bowden STAFF WRITER

Every month, one of the many great students here at UMPI is recognized for their outstanding commitment to academics, the community and helping the university. For the month of October, this student

was Melinda “Mindy” Hitchcock. She was rewarded with a presentation in the cafeteria along with a nice cake. Multiple faculty and staff members spoke of the great work she has accomplished during her time at U M P I . Hitchcock is a senior majoring in environmental studies

Melinda Hitchcock.

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J i m ’s J o u r n a l

Tell a Fr ie nd to Come to U MPI

Jim Stepp. Higher education has been around for a long time. Depending on what your definition of higher educations is, you could say that it started some

2,400 years ago in the time of Plato in ancient Greece. The Platonic Academy (sometimes called the University of Athens) was founded around 387 B.C.

Presque Isle: Caribou:

At that time, higher education was much different from what we are used to today. Some of these ancient teachers are still known to us. Many of us have heard of Plato and Aristotle. These men would stand in front of their classrooms and lecture. Some would ask questions to help students discover knowledge on their own. Many of the methods used then are still in use today. All of these early schools had one thing in common: they were only for the noble born or richer individuals. The cost of these colleges was very high and the average person living at that time could not afford to attend them. Today many people still feel that they cannot attend college due to its cost. Perhaps you have friends or family members

260 Main Street, 764-5500 556 Main Street, 493-3030

who have told you that they cannot attend college because of the cost. If you know people like this, tell them that they may be wrong. Then suggest that they have a conversation with someone who works in a college financial aid office (http://www.umpi.edu/officesservices/financial-aid). Many of your friends and family may be surprised to know that depending on their finances, they may be eligible for a fair amount of free financial aid. This may include grants, scholarships or work study. Those who apply early may actually receive more free aid than if they apply later. Loans are also available. We keep hearing about how much debt students have to pay back, but what most people do not

know is how cheap these loans may actually be. Depending on how much you are making after graduation, a loan payment may be as little as $40 per month. Talking to a financial aid officer will help you determine what your cost may be. This year, UMPI was named by U.S. News & World Report as the University with the lowest debt owed by its students upon graduation in the Northeast. So tell your friends and family about UMPI. Let them know how you feel about the school and let them know that going to UMPI will not break the bank for them. If they’re interested in UMPI, have them contact the Admission’s Office at 768-9532 or have them go to the admission’s website at www.umpi.edu/admissions.

The University Times staff would like to thank you for your support during our quilt raffle!

*FREE delivery to Campus! Sun-Thur: 10:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. Fri-Sat: 10:30 a.m.- Midnight

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The winner of the quilt was Heather Kennedy.

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Fishing for a Solution Sarah Ames CONTRIBUTOR

This semester, UMPI faculty came up with a new way to bring the community and students together. They used undergraduate research or, more specifically, lunchtime science seminars. The fourth seminar of the semester took place on Thursday, Nov. 7. Interested UMPI students, faculty and community members filled the GIS lab of Folsom-Pullen Hall, where Frank Frost, a regional fisheries biologist, spoke about management of fisheries in Long Lake. Long Lake is the deepest of the Fish River Chain of Lakes and covers more than 5,000 acres. Even though it's highly developed with seasonal and year round homes, it remains one of the most productive waterways in Maine. Rich soil sup-

ports farmland while its fertile water sustains fisheries. This makes Long Lake highly valuable in an economic, cultural and ecological sense. Landlocked salmon, wild brook trout and rainbow smelt are some of the most commonly stocked fish species. They're also greatly prized in seasonal fishing, making them important to tourism. Management of fisheries such as the one at Long Lake requires that people continually assess and maintain the health of the area. While the majority of more southerly fisheries are declining, this one is actually increasing in p r o d u c t i v i t y . Biologists such as Frost and other committed employees keep the area healthy by maintaining habitat quality along with natural reproduction of the species, deterring or combating

illegally introduced species and increasing fishing opportunities for larger salmon. They get their data through multiple sources. For instance, they do a winter creel survey that takes place from January to March. It measures how much the average fisherman or -woman catches. The spring smelt run in May provides information on the health of the salmon's main food source. Those who work to keep the fisheries healthy and sustainable also conduct trap netting each October. Salmon are stocked annually to balance the predator/prey levels according to each year's needs. Currently, it's heavy toward predators. The average size of three year old salmon – the most desirable capture – has been very good for the past 1012 years, but is currently in decline. This is due to an increased number of wild salmon along with decreased smelt population. Along with decline in growth, there's been an increase in angler days, derbies and the number of salmon over 16 inches that can be caught. There's also a 24-hour, three month-fishing season. All of these have started to strain a very delicate system. This demand has led to a decrease in the number of bigger salmon available for capture – in other words, to more dissatisfied tourists. Fishery employees and scientists need to introduce more salmon, but the future looks a bit grim. Frost shared evidence that indicates that this dangerous reduction will continue over the next several years. To combat these issues, they're trying a variety of meth-

Frank Frost, regional fisheries biologist. ods. Frost and others hope to increase smelt abundance, whereas it's one of the few things biologists and managers can control versus government officials. Once they increase smelt numbers, there will be more food for salmon, leading to better health and abundance of those particular fish. Meanwhile, Frost and his colleagues say they will continue monitoring the fishery's age and growth, wild salmon population, species abundance and smelt runs. Similar things are happening all around the state, country and world. Many natural systems are

out of balance. These valuable resources may be able to recover, though, or at least improve, as long as enough people notice and take part. They can be maintained through the work of informed and dedicated wildlife scientists such as Frost and his team, as well as by students and community members who are interested and supportive of such research. If the fourth science seminar of the semester was any indication, there are – fortunately enough – plenty of the latter in and around U M P I .

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A Taste of Italy Christopher Bowden STAFF WRITER

Thursday, Nov. 7, UMPI’s athletic training students held a spaghetti supper to benefit their club. It was more than just pasta, though. They had many deserts and drinks along with a lot of fun. The night included presentations by the students along with some great karaoke singing by students and members of the c o m m u n i t y . “It’s a fundraiser to make money for the AT club. With the money, we go on trips to EAT’s

and NATA’s—both are athletic training conferences. This is the big fundraiser of the year, as it also help fund general stuff,” Luke Bartlett, an athletic training student, said. They had quite a turnout, filling up the chairs and tables located in the multi-purpose room of the Campus Center. As many people know, being an athletic training major is extremely tough and consumes a lot of time. These students give and do a lot and it all pays out in the end. “It went very well. Everyone

came out and had a great time and it was a very successful fundraiser,” Steven Wescott, another athletic training student, said. Once again, UMPI students continue to amaze people with their hard work and effort—not only on campus, but around the community. This successful event also proves that people are willing to come together and support a worthwhile endeavor. We can only hope that both continue to make UMPI a better place.

Delta Chapter Scholarship

What is Delta Kappa Gamma? Delta Kappa Gamma International promotes the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Worldwide there are over 90,000 members in 90 chapters throughout 18 countries. What is the scholarship? To promote the professional

growth of prospective educators, Delta Chapter located in Central Aroostook County is offering a $500 scholarship to a woman who is serious about pursuing her career as a teacher. The money is to be used during student teaching or for other related college expenses her senior year. What are the eligibility requirements? Must be a woman who has

achieved junior status Must have graduated from high school in Central Aroostook (Presque Isle, Caribou, Mars Hill, Limestone, Easton, Ft. Fairfield, Ashland, Washburn) Will be student teaching during the fall or spring semester of her senior year Completes the attached application and returns it by Friday, November 15, 2013 How will the application be scored? The Delta Scholarship Committee will read and score each application using a scoring guide developed by the Delta Scholarship Committee. When will the recipient be notified and receive the scholarship money?

The recipient of the scholarship will be notified by Friday, December 6, 2013. The money will be mailed before January 1, 2014. An invitation to the Tuesday, March 6, 2014 meeting of the Delta Chapter at the Grant Memorial Methodist Church in Presque Isle, Maine will follow. What if there are questions or concerns? Contact Elaine Hendrickson by email: Elaine.hendrickson@gmail.com or by telephone: 207, 764-0252. The Scholarship is posted by the Financial Aid Office and the Education Departments and is listed on the following website: http://www.umpi.edu/current-students/financialaid/scholarships

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Not Your Ordinary Carnival

Carol Bell, Healthy Aroostook Project Director, and Linda Mastro at the informational booth. Bell and Mastro were present throughout the event to share information with students, such as the tobacco cessation program.

All students were welcome to attend the Tobacco Carnival. They were encouraged to have fun and walk away learning something new. Carnival games were set up in the multipurpose room. Upon winning a game, students were given ticekts to sign for a chance to win a multitude of prizes. The more tickets the better!

UMPI sophomore, Eric Edgecomb, and freshman, Lindsay Glidden, were among many students who took part in the “I Donʼt Smoke Because...” segment of the carnival. Students were given the opporunity to write down why theyʼve chosen not to smoke. Edgecomb chooses not to smoke due to the smell. Glidden chooses not to smoke because her dad had cancer. Photo by: Healthy Aroostook

The carnival was put on by the student's activity office, PULL, RAC, CRU and others! Healthy Aroostook was there to provide information about tobacco as well as raise awareness on Maine's smoking laws. Photo by: Healthy Aroostook

UMPI sophomore and resident assistant, Abigail Poole, taking charge of one of the carnival games. Photo by: Healthy Aroostook

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Agents of Change Nicole Duplessis STAFF WRITER

Spencer West is many things. He’s an accomplished speaker, university graduate, former cheerleader and a young man without legs. The latter, has never held him back. He never let it. UMPI hosted West as a Distinguished Lecturer on Nov. 14. UMPI students and members of the community gathered in the multipurpose room of the Campus Center to take in what he had to share. The amazing story of Spencer West began at age five when he lost both of his legs due to a genetic disorder. This posed many obstacles for West, but he never allowed anything to stop him. It also helped that his family never treated him differently. His presentation, called “The Power of We: Overcoming Obstacles to Make a Difference” highlighted

his determination and drive. West began his lecture talking about questions that he often gets from people, including “Where are your legs?” and “How do you use the b a t h r o o m ? ” “They weren’t seeing me as a person. They were seeing me as someone without legs,” West said. This sparked a changing point in his life. He then discussed one of the three major topics that he planned to share that evening. The first was, “Find the Lesson.” He discussed how his biggest challenge throughout his life was for people to see him as a regular person. He used handicapped parking as his prime example. He always had the ability to park in handicapped spots due to his disability, but he never realized how this made him stand out from others. In order to

UMPI sophomore, Janel Sewell Spencer West after his lecture.

meeting

prove that he was a regular person, he stopped parking there. “I truly believe we are given these challenges to learn something. Take a step back and think, what was I supposed to learn from this?” West said. After teaching the audience how to find the lesson in life’s challenges, West continued to his next topic: “Ask for Help.” He talked about his personal life. He talked about how he didn’t get a job in his major upon graduating from college with a degree in communication. West wasn’t happy, and he knew he had to make some changes in order to so. Ultimately, West asked for help. The results of his asking for help were astounding. He joined Free the Children and helped build a school in Kenya. Free the Children is an international charity and educational partner that believes in a world where all children are free as well as able to achieve their goals and dreams to their fullest potential. It works to remove educational barriers and empower communities to break through poverty. “I feel like I walked away and they helped me more than I helped them. None of this would have happened had I never asked for help,” West said. West was able to give back to people. After being told at such a young age that he would never walk or be a functioning member of society, he was able to get out, get involved and make a difference. He encourages us all to do the same. This lead to West’s final topic: “Create Social Value.” He talked about how he was a part of his high school cheering

Spencer West. team. Being a part of the team meant a lot to him and he, as well as the rest of the members, wanted to prove to others what they were capable of. “If you believe in it and work hard enough together, you can create value,” West said. He encouraged audience members to strive for their dreams, no matter what they are and who is or isn’t supporting them. He used his personal experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a prime example. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It’s also the highest free-standing mountain in the world, standing at 19,341 feet above sea level. West didn’t do it alone--he was accompanied by a group of friends. Along the way, he learned a lot of lessons, asked for as well as offered help and brought about attention to a great cause. “You can start by simple,

small things every day,” West said. He assured the audience that doing something this profound comes with time, dedication and taking small steps toward your goals. There are plenty of ways we can help, though-first ourselves, then others. As the presentation came to a close, West opened the floor to any questions. After he answered all of them, many audience members took the opportunity to meet West and take photos. They obviously wanted to remember the inspiring man and his words of w i s d o m . For more information about Spencer West and the organizations he’s a part of, go to www.metowe.com and www.freethechildren.com. That could your first step in a lifelong journey to satisfaction, awareness and beautiful change.

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The Whole Package Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER

Have you ever heard a human drum set? How about six men imitating horns and guitars? Have you ever traveled through time by way of music or seen adult males do Rockette-inspired kicks? If you attended the performance by Six Appeal, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 19, you would have been a witness to all that and more. Six Appeal is an a cappella group, which means they don't use instruments. “That means that all the sounds you'll hear on stage tonight are produced by the human voice,” one of the members, Michael Brookens, said. And they use those voices very well. They started performing in Wieden Hall at 7 p.m. UMPI students weren't the only attendees, either. Faculty and people from the community came, some of them with their children or grandchildren, proving that this group attracts people across generations. The “six” in Six Appeal refers to the number of singers in the group. Along with Brookens, there's Jordan Roll, Trey Jones, Nathan Hickey, Reuben Hushagen and Andrew “Berko” Berkowitz. The a cappella singers began the evening with a rendition of “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” They convincingly imitated savannah animals and even Chewbacca, one of their many personal touches. After blowing the audience away, they introduced themselves. Roll served as high tenor, Brookens as tenor, Jones and Hickey as baritones and

Hushagen as bass. Berkowitz is a vocal percussionist. The six men live together in Minnesota, which explains their brotherly banter and the show's very organic humor. As they sang their second song – The Doobie Brothers' “Listen to the Music” – the

Hickey, Hushagen and Berkowitz performed an assortment of other songs, including Gavin Degraw's “Not Over You,” The Script's “Breakeven” and Andy Grammer's “Keep Your Head Up.” It's an unwritten rule of a cappella to sing a song by Queen, so they did a

Vanessa Pearson, UMPI's coordinator of student activities, to the stage and serenaded her. They also educated audience members about what Berkowitz does as a vocal percussionist. Beatboxing has become popular, but it's different from vocal percussion. Beatboxers produce

From left to right: Jordan Roll, Reuben Hushagen, Trey Jones, Andrew Berkowitz, Nathan Hickey and Michael Brookens. Photo by: Lanette Virtanen

singers produced so many harmonious layers of sound that it was all too easy to forget that they didn't have instruments and that they weren't on the radio. They're a great team, able to sing different parts of the same song without disturbing the rhythm and flow. It's just as easy for them to switch between genres and artists, too. “From Van Morrison to Michael Jackson. That was awesome,” Lanette Virtanen, an audience member, said at one p o i n t . Brookens, Roll, Jones,

version of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” The group is proud of the fact that their music spans time periods and cultures. As proof, they sang “Wagon Wheel,” originally by Bob Dylan and now associated with Darius Rucker, a more modern country artist. This flare for variety makes it hard to choose a favorite song to perform, but they have managed to do so. It's Gloria Gaynor's iconic “I Will Survive,” which they then sang and “rocked out” to. If that wasn't entertaining enough, Six Appeal called

sounds associated with a DJ. Berkowitz provides a bass pulse, imitates snare drums and cymbals, even adds “high hats” and other drum-related fill. “He is basically our walking and talking drum set.... He has all these drum sounds living in his face,” Brookens said. The group ended the evening with “I Would Walk 10,000 Miles,” a testament to what they would do for their fans. It included a lot of physical comedy, followed by loud and goofy opera, both further proof that these men never take themselves

too

seriously. “I thought they were great. I love a cappella music and I think their renditions were excellent,” Andrew Nesbitt, an UMPI student, said. He thinks this is unusual for the County and therefore a great thing to have on campus. Another audience member, Lisa Udasco, said that Six Appeal is the best a cappella group she's seen in 10 years. “Not only did they have great voices, they were funny and had tears running down my face from me laughing so hard. The SAO [Student Activities Office] had this event free to everyone and I would have paid to see them,” Udasco, UMPI's administrative specialist, said. The group really does have the whole package. Along with everything else, they are socially aware. This is evidenced by their combination of a song about the struggle with sexual orientation – entitled “Same Love Medley” – with the Black Eyed Peas' “Where Is the Love?” The video of them singing it is on Youtube, as are numerous others that demonstrate their skills, uniqueness and endless charm. Six Appeal can perform at a number of venues, including other college campuses, corporate events, clubs, restaurants, fairs and public schools. They also teach an educational program that empowers young singers. If you're interested in following or learning more about them, you can find them on Twitter using @sixappeal or use their website: http://www.getsixappeal.com/H ome.html.

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Celebrate, Remember and Defy Hall was the site of yet another event – an educational presentaEvery three minutes, a tion that started at 6 p.m. and woman in the United States ended with a candlelight vigil learns that she has breast cancer. walk. Linda Schott, Lisa Leduc Every 12 minutes, a woman dies and Linda Mastro, all of whom from it. This disease is the sec- are cancer survivors, talked ond leading cause of death about the struggles they faced among women and perhaps and what they learned. For ineven more upsetting is the fact stance, Schott realized that it that, in most cases, it's could, indeed, happen to anyp r e v e n t a b l e . one. She was healthy. Her famThis is one of the many im- ily history didn't include breast portant messages Amanda cancer until, one day, she was Baker, Keli Marston, Relay for d i a g n o s e d . “That was tough, so it taught Life and several speakers shared during the week of Oct. 7, oth- me a lesson: don't be smug and erwise known as UMPI's second think it can't happen to you,” said. annual breast cancer awareness Schott She was better prepared than week. In accordance with National Breast Cancer Awareness most. The community and her Month, Baker, Marston and vol- family were very supportive. unteers from Relay for Life or- There are some people, though, ganized three days of events. who don't have those advanPeople from the university and tages. Schott pointed out that we the community took part in ex- have the power to change that. ercise sessions and water aero- And what's more, the experience bics, climbed the rock wall and taught her that she's even got manicures as well as facials stronger than she thought. and massages. Each served as a There's only so much control in reminder to take care of our- situations such as those, but she selves, which is essential to learned to control what she breast cancer prevention. could. That includes diet and exOn Tuesday, Oct. 8, Gentile ercise. That way, if her doctor ever tells her she has cancer again, at least she knows she did everything she could to prevent it. Lisa Leduc, who teaches criminal justice on campus and is a nine year breast cancer survivor, also Gentile Hall was adorned in pink for had the benefit Breast Cancer Awareness Week. of a support sysKayla Ames

STAFF WRITER

tem. She stressed the importance of early detection. Her doctor wasn't the one who diagnosed her. Rather, Leduc found a lump under her arm that no one could feel when she was lying on her back, as a patient does during a medical e x a m i n a t i o n . “I think you are the best person to know your body.... Check yourself and talk to people about that,” Leduc said. She hopes that everyone who learns this will pass it on to a woman who doesn't have the typical risk factors. Many of pre-mammogram age are overconfident or unaware of the d a n g e r . Linda Mastro, director of UMPI's Health Center, had her own story and lots of information to share. She had endometrial or uterine cancer, which required surgeries, hormone therapy and a hysterectomy. It changed her life. She also lost her sister-in-law to breast cancer. Mastro backed up one of Leduc's messages: you know your body the best. Though caused by a mistake in the genetic material, 90 percent of cancer cases are also due to wear and tear on the body. How many of us truly take care of ourselves? Stress, an unhealthy environment, excessive drinking, eating food high in fat and other very controllable bad habits worsen our chances of getting cancer. “You need to make educated choices to be the best for your health and do things in moderation,” Mastro said. The earlier you start doing monthly self-exams and getting mammograms, and the longer

Lisa Leduc does a reading during the luminary ceremony. you stick with them, the more likely it is that any lump will be small. Women who are 40 years of age or older should get a mammogram every one or two years. It could make all the difference. The best time to do selfexams is in the shower. Women – and men, since this disease affects them, too – should use three fingers and look for any changes that don't go away. Part of Mastro's job and that of other medical professionals is to teach people how to do this. You need not feel embarrassed. There's no shame in keeping yourself safe. After the motivational and education part of the night, attendees gathered outside. Many wrote the names of survivors, lost loved ones or others they wanted to honor on paper bags called luminaries, then added a candle. They walked around Wieden Hall three times, first in celebration of survivors, again in remembrance of those who lost the battle and then as part of

a pledge. It was their way of defying the disease, of promising to do their part to make cancer no more than a bad memory. “We do that just as a way to tie it all together. It's more of the walking with intention,” said. Baker She’s grateful for all the work Relay for Life volunteers did and for Mastro's presence at UMPI. Baker hopes that events such as these will increase awareness of other types of cancer and how many survivors there are in the community. She and Marston try to make the activities free and as accessible as possible for the benefit of others. “We want people to just come and enjoy it. Celebrate and remember,” Baker said. If the presentation and miniluminary ceremony on Oct. 8 are any indication, then they definitely accomplished their mission.

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Aroostook County’s Biggest Secret: The Whole Potato Christopher Bowden STAFF WRITER

Want to know the best kept secret in Aroostook County? It’s a great place to enjoy healthy and tasty organic food while helping to support farmers from all around Aroostook County. You may not have heard of The Whole Potato yet, but you best keep reading. Located at 428 Maine St. in downtown Presque Isle, The Whole Potato Café and Commons has great food such as potato wedges, chili, paninis, wraps and much more. As good as the food is, it offers even better personality. It’s more than just a restaurant: it’s a place for people of the community to enjoy music, art, poetry, film and theater. Owned by UMPI graduate Carol Ayoob, The Whole Potato is her idea of a place where food, art and education all come together.

“This was my graduate thesis project, intercepted with a community project, to be able to work with food, music, art and teaching.... I like to think of it as a ‘Collaboratory,’ a place where kids can come play, hangout and learn…. When you come in, it smells good. It’s about the best time, great stories and even better memories,” Ayoob said. The Whole Potato also offers programs, performances, exhibitions, lessons and workshops. For example, it has an upcoming workshop on how to can food where you can learn how to make mincemeat, jams and jellies. It also hosts music performances by local artists: and it can even include you! It doesn’t matter who you are in the community, The Whole Potato is a perfect place for you to get some great food and just relax. Eating here isn’t only good for your health, it’s also a

great way to help support Aroostook County business. One of the workers there is Crystal K., a current UMPI social work major, who shared her insights on The Whole Potato. “It’s a great place to work. The people and community are amazing! I love coming to work.” Ultimately, there is only so much you can write about The Whole Potato. The rest is up for you to experience in person. Kitchen Hours: Tuesday: 11 a.m.—3 p.m. Wednesday--Saturday: 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Website:

www.thewholepotato.com

Fabook:www.facebook.com/the wholepotato Telephone: (207) 554-4258

Inside the Whole Potato Cafe & Commons.

UMPI Foundation Scholarship 2014-2015: Now available for returning students. Stop by the Financial Aid Office to pick up an application (232 Preble Hall) or you can go online at: http://www.umpi.edu/files/current-students/financial-aid/finaid-scholarship-app.pdf. Print it, fill out the form and return it to the Financial Aid Office. Due date is Feb. 14, 2014 **Late applications will NOT be accepted**

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The Best of All Worlds Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER

What’s your favorite kind of art? Perhaps you like the classic examples – for instance, painting and sculpture. Maybe your tastes run more toward sketching, though, or ceramics, or less obvious forms, such as dance. Some of these types of art are interactive. Rather than simply view, you experience them. They engage your senses. This is where crafts come in. Though some don’t consider them art, carvings and pottery and the like can be beautiful as well as practical. When made by hand, there’s probably no other art form that requires as much interaction. Whatever your preference – whether you like viewing more than experiencing, paintings more than dance – Presque Isle’s First Friday Art Walk has something for you. The most recent one, which took place on Nov. 1, was no exception. Roldena Sanipass, an UMPI student, knows all about interactive art. She’s a basket maker, as are many of her family members. Part of the Mi’kmaq tribe, she learned the process from her mother. Together with Heather Sincavage, Rowena Forbes, David Putnam, Terry Perley and other members of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes, she organ-

ized an exhibition called “Crooked Knife: A Northern Tradition.” Located in the Reed Art Gallery, it was part of the art walk as well as a chance to see and learn more about tools, artifacts and traditional works by native artists from Maine and Canada. Sanipass first learned about basket making as a child. She spent her younger years in the woods with her parents and siblings, looking for trees that would supply good material, drinking coffee heated over a fire, absorbing lessons that had been passed down through the generations. Her mother made baskets for extra income, in order to put food on the table. At that time, people bought handmade baskets for as little as five or 10 dollars. The entire family had to work hard every day just to get by. Sanipass doesn’t resent it, though. In fact, she looks back on those times and appreciates them. The baskets she continues to make thanks to her mother’s patient teachings represent the pride of her people and skills that might otherwise have been lost. “Right now, this is very important to me, because this is my history,” Sanipass said. That history and this art form are even more important today,

Part of Heather Nunezʼs ʻFood is Loveʼ exhibit at the Whole Potato.

given the struggles native tribes are facing. Basket makers need certain types of trees for splints, but they are becoming harder to find. Locating and gathering suitable material takes longer, which means they can’t make as many baskets or as good an income. Though more young people are becoming interested in the art form, many of them value a quick sale over anything else. “It’s a dying tradition, what you see now.... It’s like watching something slowly decay, like watching something slowly disappear,” Sanipass said. Through the “Crooked Knife” exhibit, Sanipass and others hope to increase awareness, honor native culture and give everyone a behind-thescenes look at a long, mysterious and beautiful process. The Reed Art Gallery was one stop along the way. Local businesses and artists enlightened and amazed with an assortment of other art forms. For instance, the Oasis Salon hosted cosplayers while other places, such as Copper’s Lounge and Hand Me Down Antiques, featured the musical styling of Travis Cyr and “George & Friends Fiddlers.” While Tom Cote and his daughter displayed their masterful wood carvings in Morning Star Art & Framing, Heather Nunez spoke about her exhibit, entitled “Food Is Love,” in The Whole Potato and Lynn Cote revealed her abstract work in Star City Coffee. Catholic Charities, Wintergreen Arts Center, the Bike, Board and Ski shop and The Connection also took part. The latter two are new additions, as was Ben Pinette, an UMPI student. The art walk on Nov. 1 was Pinette’s first. His friends had been trying to get him to go for years, but he didn’t consider himself an “art person,” so he resisted. The variety and atmosphere, though, soon made a be-

Part of the ʻCrooked Knifeʼ exhibit at the Reed Art Gallery. liever out of him. “I was very surprised at how well done and community-oriented it was. The baskets by Terry Perley and the Mi’kmaq tribe were authentic. It was nice meeting up with some friends I hadn’t seen for a while as well. It was a nice change of pace for a Friday night,” Pinette said. He plans on going to the next art walk, which will take place

on Dec. 6. Chances are, he and anyone else who attends will see and learn even more, whatever their artistic preference may be. For more information about the “Crooked Knife” exhibit, Reed Art Gallery or the art walk in general, please contact gallery director Heather Sincavage at 768-9442 or heather.sincavage@umpi.edu.

Tom Cote, a master wood carver, at Morning Star Art & Framing. Photo by Lanette Virtanen.

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Two Losses, One Tie for Owls

Substitute goalie Alex Csiernik, during the game against the Islanders on Nov. 20. The final score was tied 2-2.

Nathan Norris (left) during the game against the Swamp Donkeys on Nov.13. UMPI lost 10-2.

UMPI player D.J. Conley takes a shot during the game against Northern Athletics on Nov. 18. UMPI lost 7-3.

Cam Morrell (left) gets the puck from the opposing team.

Stephen Thorne at a face-off.

Dillon Kingsbury gets ready to stop a shot on the net. Photos by Stephanie Jellett

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The Reel Deal Alex Csiernik CONTRIBUTOR

The Internship Rated PG-13 5/5 Stars The main characters of “Wedding Crashers” – Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn – are back at it again with their newest release, “The Internship.” In it, they play two down-on-theirluck salesmen named Billy McMahon and Nick Campbell, who were recently fired from their jobs and are looking for a new path in life. The technologically clueless duo somehow manage to obtain an internship with Google. The

difference between this internship and any other is that the interns are split into teams. The winning team gets a job with Google upon graduation. As outcasts, McMahon (Vaughn) and Campbell (Wilson) team up with a group of much younger and smarter students who have their own shortcomings, along with a team leader who is just as quirky as they are. In a classic storyline, they’re pitted against a rival snob who thinks that his superior knowledge and lack of social skills will serve as assets in his bid to win the competition. At first, the team of misfits struggles since no one wants to take responsibility. That is where McMahan

and Campbell come in. They’re able to rally their team with their experience and fun personalities and, together, they made a bid for the prize. The hilarious two-hour comedy will have you bent over, almost crying with laughter. From the witty banter between Wilson and Vaughn to the antics of their team to tahe classic chase of a woman who’s out of their league, there’s never a dull moment in this movie. This film is not only kneeslapping funny. It also teaches viewers to follow their dreams, no matter their circumstances or age. There will always be people in the world who will tell you you’re not good enough. They may want you to give up and do something more conventional, less satisfying, but we can all follow McMahan and Campbell’s example. We can do what we want, learn something new and even help others along the way. Nothing could be more crushing than to lose out on a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. This movie will inspire others to chase and take full advantage of them. “The Internship” reminds us that work is not work if you love what you’re doing. We should all be so lucky as to find something we’re passionate about then have the guts to go out there and do it, even if the majority of people around us doubt our abilities. Search engines such as Google have opened up the world and made it a better, more connected place – but, then again, so have dreams.

i festyl e Interested in anything in the pre-med or biology field? Join the pre-med/bio club!! Itʼs never too late to join and being a pre-med/bio major is not a requirement. Meetings: Tuesdays @ 12:30 p.m., Library first floor conference room. For further information contact Errol Ireland at errol.ireland@maine.edu We look forward to seeing you!

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Comet ISON Jim Stepp

CONTRIBUTOR

On Nov. 28, Comet ISON will make its closest approach to the sun. At that time, it will pass less than 700,000 miles or 1.1 million km from the sun. This may sound like a huge distance, but it isn’t. Remember that the sun is 864,000 miles across. Shortly after Nov. 28, we may get to see one of the brightest comets of our lifetimes or we may see nothing. The jury is still out. Here are the three possible scenarios we may experience: 1. Comet ISON may break up before it reaches the sun. As the comet approaches the sun, it will continue to heat up and vaporize. During this process, previously unexposed areas of water ice will heat up and turn to steam. When this occurs, huge geysers will form on the comet. If these geysers are numerous enough and powerful enough, they may cause the comet to break apart: the comet will spontaneously disintegrate. This was the fate of Comet LINEAR (C/1999 S4) in 2000 and Comet Elenin (C/2010 X1) in 2011. 2. Comet ISON will be destroyed on U.S. Thanksgiving

Day as it passes the sun. At its closest approach to the sun, ISON’s temperature will approach 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit: hot enough to cause much of the dust and rock on ISON’s surface to vaporize. At this point, it will be ISON’s size that will determine if it will survive. The larger ISON is, the more of it that will survive the intense heat and resulting vaporization. The comet needs to be about 230 years mile or 200 meters wide to survive. Current estimates put ISON’s size as between are in the range 556 years and 1.3 miles across (500 m to 2 km). Besides the heat, the sun’s gravity will also be a factor. Because of the proximity to the sun, the various amounts of gravity affecting one side of the comet as compared to the other side may also pull the comet apart. 3. Comet ISON will survive its close encounter with the sun. If this occurs, we will be able to see a very bright tail and a comet that should light up the predawn sky. Here are a couple of sites to watch for developing Comet ISON news: http://isoncampaign.org and http://waitingfori-

son.wordpress.com/about/.

THE NIGHT SKY The International Space Station is visible as follows: Mornings–through Dec. 1. Evenings–after Dec. 8.

11/22 04:43 Moon at apogee– farthest from the Earth–405,400 km or 251,900 miles. 11/25 14:28 Last quarter moon. 11/25 20:54 Mercury 0.3 degrees from Saturn.

207-488-5451 for reservations or information. Cost $3.50 for adults and $1.50 for children. 12/15 02:00 Geminid Meteor Shower–7 meteors per hour. 12/17 110th anniversary of the

11/27 05:12 Mars 5.9 degrees from Moon. 11/28 13:24 Comet ISON passes 1.1 million miles from the sun– may not survive. 12/01 05:36 Saturn 2.4 degrees from moon. 12/01 06:42 Mercury 5.3 degrees from moon. 12/02 19:23 New moon. 12/04 05:02 Moon at perigee– closest to the Earth–360,100 km or 223,700 miles. 12/05 15:42 Venus 6.7 degrees from moon. 12/09 10:12 First quarter moon. 12/09 21:30 Venus at its brightest--4.67 mag. 12/10 15:44 Earliest sunset of the year. 12/13 02:00 Geminid Meteor Shower–11 meteors per hour. 12:13 22:00 Geminid Meteor Shower Maximum. 12/14 02:00 Geminid Meteor Shower–47 meteors per hour. 12/14 19:00 The Christmas Star–Planetarium Show at the Malcolm Science Center–Call

Wright Brothers First Airplane Flight (1903). 12/17 55th anniversary of the creation of Project Mercury (1958). 12/17 04:29 Full moon–this is the smallest full moon of the y e a r . 12/19 00:52 Jupiter 4.9 degrees from moon. 12/19 18:36 Moon at apogee– farthest from the Earth–406,300 km or 252,500 miles. 12/21 45 anniversary of the launch of Apollo 8–first manned spacecraft to circle the moon, to see the earthrise over the moon, and read the story of Genesis from space on Christmas Eve. 12/21 12:11 December solstice. 12/21 18:54 Mercury at aphelion–farthest from the sun— 69.9 million km or 43.4 million m i l e s . 12/25 08:48 Last quarter moon. 12/26 00:30 Mars 6.1 degrees from moon. 12/29 04:00 Saturn 5.6 degrees from moon.

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 longitude and 46d40m45.6s north latitude. To get a free sky chart go to www.skymaps.com. Sun and Planet Visibility 11/30/2013 Sunrise 06:55. Sunset 16:40. Mercury 05:36-06:42. Venus 15:48-18:30. Mars 00:30-06:18. Jupiter 18:42-06:42. Saturn 05:00-06:18. 12/10/2013 Sunrise 07:05. Sunset 15:44. Mercury 06:18-06:48. Venus 15:42-18:24. Mars 00:18-06:30. Jupiter 17:54-06:48. Saturn 04:30-06:30.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of year again...