Volume 43 issue 4

Inside This Issue:

An Owl Gets His Wings Details on pages 7

University of Maine at Presque Isle

MAY 1, 2015

Volume 43 Issue 4

Summer Blockbusters!

Details on page 16

Journalism for Northern Maine

T h i s i s s u e i s d e d i c a t e d t o E T H E LY N B OY D f o r 4 4 ye a r s o f o u t s t a n d i n g s e r v i c e t o t h e U n i ve r s i t y o f M a i n e a t P r e s q u e I s l e.

Monica Hewitt STAFF WRITER

A Dedicated Career

It’s not always easy finding a job that is really enjoyable. How about staying at the same place for 44 years and loving it? That is exactly what Ethelyn Boyd, assistant to President Linda Schott of UMPI, has done.

Boyd has been a part of the UMPI campus since shortly after graduating from Husson University in 1971. She worked for about four months in the mailroom. She has worked in the president’s office for the past 21 years. Before that, she mentioned that she helped the president’s assistant and worked in the vice president’s office. She also worked for faculty for 10 years in the humanities and the science departments. “They have been so good to me,” Boyd said of UMPI. From 2003-07, Boyd worked for four different presidents, something that is rather rare. She has worked for six different presidents throughout her career.

Boyd is originally from Mars Hill. She grew up on a farm with two older brothers. She is married, and she and her husband have two children, a son and a daughter.

They now have five grandchildren.

This coming May, Boyd will be officially retiring from her job at UMPI. She said that she enjoys her job very much, but she is looking forward to her coming retirement.

She does, however, say that she will miss her job. “I will especially miss Linda and Erin Benson.”

President Linda Schott has known Boyd for three years. Schott

said that when she became UMPI’s president, Boyd was very helpful in the transition. “She knows the institution so well, having been

her and maintaining her schedule.

Schott also said that Boyd is a good person to talk to and that she is good at discretion. “She’s just

Boyd (above) set to retire after 44 years at UMPI here so long,” Schott said. She also said that Boyd does her job well. She helps Schott with many things, including writing drafts of letters for

really sweet,” Schott added.

Erin Benson, director of admissions at UMPI, has known Boyd for 22 years. She mentioned how

sad she is to see Boyd retiring. “I think she is the perfect person to work in the president’s office,” Benson said. She also said that Boyd has had a great deal of experience in her profession. “She flows easily from situation to situation,” Benson said. She said that Boyd is always professional and personal. “She can talk to anybody and make them feel comfortable,” Benson said. She also mentioned that Boyd is very humble. “She’s just a lovely, lovely person,” she said. “She’s a lady.”

Jim Stepp, the dean of students, mentioned how rare it is for someone to work at one place for so long. He has known Boyd for 20 years. “Ethelyn’s just an amazing person,” he said. He mentioned that she always enjoys her job and that it is fun to be around her.

After her retirement, Boyd looks forward to having time to travel, to get away and to spend some time at camp on Cross Lake.

She said that she looks forward to getting into gardening and doing some house renovating. She also enjoys going on cruises and sitting by the pool.

Ethelyn’s last day at UMPI will be May 29, 2015. She said that she is looking forward to it, but also that her time at UMPI has been wonderful. “I love my job and I love the people that I work with,” she said. She will surely be missed for all the wonderful and dedicated work that she has done.

C

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The University Times Staff Editor

Christopher Bowden Staff Writers Joshua Archer Christopher Bowden Dawn Gough Monica Hewitt Tong Liu Ning Sun Contributors Emma Campbell Tim Chase Julian Cross Joshua Cross Farah Duale Erin Keehn Marc Knapp Brad LeFay Meghan Legassie Melissa Lizotte Linda Schott Jim Stepp

ampus University Times

May 1, 2015

Greetings Readers!

I hope you’re all enjoying your spring, it’s finally nice to have that warm weather back. With the warm weather moving in it means we’re that much closer to summer! Onto the final stretch of school now. This is the time where we must really buckle down and grind out the rest of the work.

It’s a lot like the NBA playoffs: there is no time for mistakes and you must be playing your best game when it’s time for finals. Whether you have the more classic approach of knowledge and wisdom like the San Antonio Spurs or a fresh style of high flying moves and flash like Lob City Los Angeles Clippers. May this finals season be your best, and who knows maybe you could be the MVP.

- Christopher Bowden

WE WANT YOU! I f yo u ’re i n tre st ed i n b ec o m i n g a member of the Univer sity T i m es sta f f, p l ea se email us at :

Adviser Dr. J

The U Times welcomes submissions from the campus. Send digital versions of articles, photos, etc., to

U T i m e s@m aine.edu

Un i ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5

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The Schott Heard Round the Campus!

Take a Break!

Linda Schott CONTRIBUTOR

With only a few weeks of cl a s s e s left in this academic y e a r a nd the weather gradually b e c o m ing warmer, many of us h a v e a n aching desire to get o u t s i d e our classroom, dorm r o o m or office. How can we stay i n s i d e and focused on what we ar e s u pposed to be learning or t e a c h i ng when the sun is shining an d f l owers are starting to

bloom? A n d y e t , w e t e l l o u rselves, w e m u s t r e d o u b l e o u r e f forts to c o n c e n tr a t e , w e m u s t work ha r d e r, i n o r d e r t o e n s u r e a succe s s f u l e n d t o t h e y e a r.

I en c o u r a g e y o u t o r e t h i n k this ass u m p t i o n ! Yo u m a y a c t u ally be m o r e s u c c e s s f u l i f y o u give in t o y o u r d e s i r e t o g e t o u t side and e x e r ci s e . J o h n M e d i n a , a cogni t i v e n e u r o s c i e n t i s t , a r-

gues that we would all be better o ff i f w e p a i d a t t en t i o n t o t h e i n s i g h t s o ff e r e d b y o n g o i n g r e search on the brain. One of those insights is that, as he puts it, "Exercise boosts brain power!"

A c c o r d i n g t o M e d i n a , e x e rcise is good for the brain for two primary reasons. First, exercise boosts oxygen intake, w h i c h i n t u r n i n c r e as e s m e n t a l alertness. And second, exercise a c tu a l l y h e l p s t h e n e u r o n s i n t h e brain resist damage and stress.

There's a lot more science behind this, so if you want to know more, check out Medina's w e b s i t e a t w w w. b r a i n r u l e s . n e t .

Or you can just try a little experiment yourself. If you’re having trouble concentrating or s t a r t i n g t o f e e l m e n ta l l y d u l l , instead of reaching for a cup of c o ff e e o r a n e n e rg y d r i n k , t a k e a b r i s k w a l k a r o u n d c a m p us o r h e a d t o t h e g y m . Ev e n 2 0 m i n -

utes of exercise will boost your e n e rg y l e v e l a n d a l l o w y o u t o return to your task feeling s h a r p e r a n d e n e rg i z e d .

When I was in college, I had a ritual that went with final exams. I went to the grocery s t o r e a n d s t o c k e d u p o n c a ff e i n e and sugar (in the form of chocol a t e - c o a t ed c o o k i e s ) ! A n d t h e n I holed up in my apartment and studied for hours without a break. I did OK, but I know now that my ritual, however c o m f o r t i n g , w a s a c tu a l l y N O T helpful. I encourage you to res i s t t h e u rg e t o s u r r o u n d y o u rselves with comfort food and instead, take frequent breaks.

Ta k e a w a l k , s h o o t s o m e h o o p s , take a quick swim--whatever f o r m o f e x e r c i s e y o u e n j o y.

And don't feel guilty because by getting some exercise, you are actually boosting your brainpower!

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U n i ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Jim Stepp

CONTRIBUTOR

Many of you have seen the preacher who has been coming to campus this semester. His topic and intention seem to be to devalue students who do not fit the mold of what he considers proper. The length of a woman’s hair, the sexual orientation of an individual and the various concepts of what Christianity means have all been topics of his speech.

I have had several students ask me why we let this person come on campus. Why do we let him say the things that he says? The short answer is, we have to.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Because UMPI is a state institution, we are bound to the Constitution. If we were a private college, we would be able to tell individuals that they have no right to speak on campus. If they came back, a private college would be able to remove them and have them cited for criminal trespass.

Two parts of the First Amendment make it possible for this person to come on campus. The first part is what is known as the “Free Exercise Clause” of the First Amendment. This is based on the section that states “or prohibit the free exercise thereof” portion of the First Amendment. This line basically says that the government cannot stop the expression of religion.

If we permit speakers on campus for other topics, we cannot exclude religious speakers, at least based on

J i m ’s J o u r n a l Free Speech on Campus the content of their message. There are ways to exclude them based on other criteria–I will talk about that below.

The second part of interest is the “Free Speech Clause” of the First Amendment. Laws based on the First Amendment do permit the placing of reasonable time, place and manner restrictions.

Time: We can limit the date to a degree--requiring prior approval and setting up reasonable times for the speaker to be present. The reasonable times would include the times people are present on campus.

We could not restrict the speaker to being able to be on campus to say just Sunday mornings at 6 to 8 a.m.

No one would be here: that would fall under “unreasonable” for the law.

Place: We can restrict the person to reasonable locations. The area that we use for our “Free Speech Zone” was selected because it gives speakers a site where people pass through and provides for alternative routes should people want to bypass the speaker. I have been asked why we do not send the speaker to the wind turbine area. The answer is simple, it would be unlawful, it does not provide access to people, and it would be an unreasonable place designation.

Manner: We can restrict the use of amplification.

What can you do?

There are three options on what you as a member of the UMPI community can do when there is a speaker you disagree with.

Option 1: You can verbally protest against the speakers. This would include a loud demonstration to counteract their speech. This is probably the least desirable option.

It usually inflames the situation and strengthens the speakers’ desire to continue.

Option 2: You can peacefully demonstrate against the speakers.

This would involve signs and providing information to passers-by countering the speakers’ material.

This is a good option. It provides a counter viewpoint and usually will not support the speakers’ view that they need to be there to speak. This is what the 100 percent club did during past appearances of the preacher.

Option 3: This is perhaps the most effective option. Walk by the speakers and pay them no attention.

Speakers want to be heard. They want to get a response. If they do not get a response, they will usually walk away. They leave.

Recently a member of the student senate came to my office and mentioned getting a petition together. I support the use of petitions and encourage everyone to use them when appropriate. But a peti-

tion asking us to disallow a speaker would not be effective. I would be asking the university to do something that would be illegal according to the U.S. Constitution. We would not be able to comply with it.

I have suggested an alternative: a letter of support for diversity on campus. This letter could acknowledge the speakers’ right to talk, but show support for those individuals who are being spoken against. Such a letter could be signed by students, faculty and staff to show that UMPI does not believe in, nor do we support, speech that condemns people for their diversity.

I hope someone develops this letter. I would be one of the people in line to sign it. We must honor and support diversity on campus in all of its forms, be it race, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation and any other category.

The information for this article has come from the Cornell Law site: https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment

Uni ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Melissa Lizotte

Changing the World

5

CONTRIBUTOR

All people can change the world. It doesn’t matter who they are or what careers or goals they have. The right attitude and passion can go a long way in making a difference. That’s what all three of this spring’s distinguished lecturers have accomplished. The spring speakers were Brigitte Pratt, Tim Brookes and Byron Hurt.

The Distinguished Lecturer Series began in 1999. It started as a way to bring different speakers to campus.

Each speaker presents a community lecture. The DLS has grown into one of UMPI’s best-known events. This year, the DLS committee chose the theme of “Transformers: People Who Are Changing the World.” Ray Rice, provost and vice president of academic and student affairs, is the chair of the DLS committee. He believes that the theme gives the DLS a greater pur-

DLS speaker Tim Brookes

pose.

“We really wanted to highlight individuals who had led or pushed for positive change in the world. Each of the speakers has addressed this theme within their own areas of expertise,” Ray Rice said.

Rachel Rice, director of community and media relations, is a member of the DLS committee. She thinks that this year’s DLS theme was a good choice.

She said that there was a very special reason behind the theme.

“I think the committee wanted to choose a theme that was really impactful, something that was broad enough so that they could bring in a wide range of speakers,” Rachel Rice said.

“We haven’t done a theme in a few years, so I think it helps resonate more with people.”

This year, the DLS started a new tradition. It included student speakers. Those students don’t have careers yet like the other speakers. But they have already begun to change the world in their own way. Brigitte Pratt became the second student speaker on Feb. 24.

Pratt is an UMPI senior. Last June, she went to Moshi, Tanzania, for a clinical internship.

She was the first athletic training student to be a part of that program.

Pratt shared her experiences of interning at a local hospital. She also worked with a program for children with special needs.

“I’m very flattered that I was one of the ones picked for DLS. It was unbelievable and being able to share it with fellow community

members was great,” Pratt said.

Rachel Rice said that there will likely be more student DLS speakers in the future. She thinks it’s a great way to show people what UMPI students are doing.

“It’s very exciting to just sit down and listen to a student talk about their experience. We’re very proud of our students and we want to showcase their accomplishments,” Rachel Rice said.

But the DLS is more than just lectures. Some speakers also meet with UMPI classes during the day.

On March 19, Tim Brookes spoke DLS speaker Byron Hurt with Professor Richard Zuras’ poetry workshop class. Brookes is the sues of masculinity, sexism, violence founder of the Endangered Alphabets and homophobia in hip-hop music.

Project. His mission is to save world Hurt gave a great talk about the film alphabets that are in danger of going and what inspired him. He hopes that extinct. He preserves letters by carvit starts a conversation about those ising them into wood. Many of his carv- sues. ings were on display in the classroom.

“I want people to walk away from Brookes is also a writer. That the film listening to hip-hop and all knowledge came in handy when he media with a different ear. They don’t talked to the poetry students. Brookes have to accept what’s force-fed to explained how writing of any language them,” Hurt said. “They can do someconnects with poetry. He did this by thing about it if they feel compelled showing his carving of Tibetan calligto.” raphy. The letters moved in different For the DLS committee, Pratt, directions. The poem says “Sense of Brooke and Hurt were great choices Mind.” Brookes said that poets have for this year’s theme. They hope that the same vision no matter what alphapeople come to future DLS events to bet they use. see what it has to offer.

“We try to establish an order that “It’s an opportunity not just to learn we can organize,” Brookes said. something new and be a part of someThe poetry class received Brooke’s thing bigger than ourselves, but see the talk very well. Derek Boudreau, a sen- opportunities we ourselves have to efior English major, said, “He did a great fect positive change in the world,” Ray job of conveying how important the Rice said.

Endangered Alphabets Project is. It’s The DLS speakers could not have interesting to see how he uses lanbeen more different from one another. guage, not just as a linguist, but as an But they all had a few things in comartist.” mon. They each have their own talThe spring DLS ended with Byron ents, skills and passions. All of them Hurt on April 14. Hurt is changing the have changed peoples’ lives for the world as a documentary filmmaker and better. So if you’ve never been to a anti-sexist activist. His talk focused on DLS talk, think again. You may leave his 2006 film “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats feeling more inspired to help change and Rhymes.” The film takes on isthe world in your own unique way.

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U n i ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Julian Cross

The Future of Our School

CONTRIBUTOR

It’s April and the end of the semester is peeking over the horizon. For many, this means graduation. For others, it means returning home or summer jobs. But for some, April, and more specifically April 11, meant taking a look at their future. April 11 was Accepted Students Day here at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. More than 100 students from various parts of the country and Aroostook County came to visit UMPI and see what it has to offer them as future students.

The day started off with registration. Prospective students got a warm

welcome from President Linda Schott in an introduction to UMPI. Schott then gave a short presentation on the future of the college. She explained what academics are going to look like for students next semester. She also explained UMPI’s transition to proficiency based learning and what that means for incoming students.

Erin Benson, the director of admissions, then delivered a short session in which she gave tips for financing college. She explained the ins and outs of student financial aid and then followed with a lighthearted

and parents can address their concerns. After the opening sessions, the future students made their way to the campus center, where they attended an academic fair.

“It’s a good opportunity for them to get to know campus activities and where they can go to get help,” Blake Winslow, a current UMPI student running a booth at the fair, said. The accepted students attending the fair were encouraged to look at different presentations. Different academic and extracurricular groups set up shop in the campus center to give students a chance to look at different activities

Q&A session so that future students

UMPI offers.

“It’s got me really excited and I was already pretty excited!” Brandy Smith, an accepted student, said. “I’m definitely coming here in the fall.”

Many other students came this year as well.

“We have record-breaking numbers this year,” Schott said. “Two times as many students showed up this year compared to last year.”

Schott also said she was really thankful for all of the work that students, faculty and staff put into Accepted Students Day. The day wrapped up with smaller focus groups put together to answer questions the accepted students had about majors they are interested in.

The faculty led these departmental presentations. Then there were student led Q&A’s designed to answer questions about academics and residence life from a student’s perspective. A final Q&A wrapped up the day.

Some students stayed for a campus tour. Eventually all of the students left. In a few months they will graduate from high school and then many will make the journey back from out of state or the next town over. As a community it is our job to welcome the new First Year students

UTimes Contributor Julian Cross interviews two prospective students.

with open arms in the fall.

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Uni ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Where Will Your Wings Take You? Tim Chase

CONTRIBUTOR

UMPI is a school many peo-

people who were in the class

ple choose to attend from all

made things work well. Overall,

over the word. Taylor Thiboutot

Thiboutot loved his time in

was born in Brunswick, Maine,

school and says he will miss it.

lived in Lisbon Falls and went

In fact, he already does miss it.

to Lisbon High School. He chose

Taylor finished school in May of

UMPI because he heard UMPI

2014.

had a good physical education

Thiboutot has always wanted

program and it was cheaper than

to be a physical education

other options for physical edu-

teacher. He does not have a clue

cation.

where he would be if he did not

Thiboutot is currently the

go to school. Thiboutot said,

physical education teacher at

“My job now is better than I ex-

Lewiston Middle School, and he

pected it to be. It doesn't feel

said, “I absolutely love it. I love

like work. I enjoy going every

my job because I work with kids

day.” Thiboutot has a lot of sup-

all day and teach them different

port at the school as well as

ways to stay active.” His fa-

from various people he has came

vorite aspect of school at UMPI

in contact with over the years,

was the size of it and how it was

other professionals included.

easy to get with a bunch of peo-

Thiboutot said, “I don't think I

ple with the same interests.

would change a thing about my

Thiboutot acquired many friends

education, honestly. Everything

classes that were physical edu-

plished his goals. I couldn’t be

while at UMPI. He spent five

has gotten me to the situation I

cation courses he really enjoyed.

happier for him.”

years in college, one year at

am in now, and I love it.”

His favorite professors were

CMCC and four at UMPI.

Thiboutot said, “I would en-

Thiboutot (above) the recipant of the 2015 outstadning P.E major award.

Thiboutot is very grateful for

Suzanne Beaudet and Christine

his education and encourages

courage others to go to UMPI

Standefer. Thiboutot said he was

everyone who is interested in

times but some of this was due

due to small campus, you meet a

going to miss them a lot.

college to go and get the educa-

to his own procrastination. But

lot of people, you know just

it was also challenging enough

about everyone on campus and it

Angel Strout is very proud of

new world of opportunities. Thi-

to keep him interested. “Some of

becomes a family away from

Thiboutot’s accomplishments.

boutot cannot wait to be fulltime

the words and things about the

home, especially when you are

Strout said, “Taylor has worked

at the job that he has. He looks

body I had to learn were the

from four hours away origi-

so hard for the past five years

forward to all the opportunities

most challenging for me,” Thi-

nally.” Thiboutot is not sure

dreaming of what he is doing

that he has created for himself

boutot said. He found that with

what he would pick for a fa-

now and has finally accom-

with the help of UMPI.

some help and studying with

vorite class because all of the

College was challenging at

Thiboutot’s close friend

tion because it opens a whole

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U n i ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Reduce, Reuse = Compost?

Joshua Cross CONTRIBUTOR

As you drive down over the hill into the hub of the county, you can’t help but notice the windmill towering over the University of Maine at Presque Isle. UMPI has taken strides in the past for a more efficient, environmentally friendly campus. Between the windmill and the solar panels atop Pullen Hall, UMPI has clearly shown its mentality toward making a difference.

These are the actions the community and potential incoming students on tours could remember. These two huge projects act as a solid foundation to work: a stepping-stone into building UMPI into a more recognizable place.

So why stop now?

The University of Maine at Presque Isle has an atmosphere that strives to adapt with the world around it and the students before them. It takes chances: that’s one characteristic that makes UMPI stand out. Creating a campus that is even more environmentally friendly would bring this community further together.

How to do it? David Putnam, UMPI environmental science teacher, said, “We need composting to maintain,” referring to a newly added concentration. This past year sustainable agriculture was introduced to the environmental science curriculum. Startup for composting may seem time-consuming, costly and not a priority. But here’s some food for thought. This composting idea acts as a seed. Once planted this seed can only grow and flourish with time and here’s why.

This program could thrive here in Aroostook County. Farming in this county has been passed down for gen-

erations. Offering sustainable agriculture as a concentration gives local farmers an opportunity to attain an affordable degree while having the comfort of being close to home.

The first thought that may come to mind is how composting results in

better. Composting could be a way to put the school’s money elsewhere.

Dave Putnam stands strongly behind his idea of how the cafe would be helpful, saying, “It would be our biggest contributor of making this all possible.” Having the cafe’s participa-

A view of UMPI from atop the windmill. mulch. The end results of mulch add onto its beauty. Composting is a “cradle to grave” cycle, as Gregg Bouchard, UMPI physical plant director, put it. Composting is a constant cycle from food on our table to compost to mulch to food: a cycle that keeps repeating itself over time.

In the spring, landscapers use mulch on flowerbeds, trees and gardens to make our campus look clean and presentable to the public. Money spent on mulch from the local hardware store annually would be a thing of the past. It would cut local businesses’ profits but could benefit our own. It may be a small fraction, but it’s just the start of something that’ll only grow. Taking a look around campus in the spring, a sense of unified pride here at UMPI couldn't feel much

tion would create composting stability.

A steady stream of compostable items creates job openings and learning opportunities. The cafe is already separating its waste and composting materials. The biggest kicker, however, is it’s all for an off-campus source.

If this is already occurring, why not use it to UMPI’s own benefit? If someone off-campus wants UMPI’s steady stream of composting materials, this indicates that the concept is right here at UMPI’s fingertips. Yes one could argue that we’re saving money on the weigh-in fees by reducing the amount of garbage brought to the landfill. But UMPI isn’t using the materials it separates to its own advantage.

Sorting out compostable material

from the waste is the biggest eyecatcher, in terms of saving money and having a long-term environmental impact of keeping recyclable material from being put into landfills. Presque Isle’s landfill will eventually close one day. Composting could potentially raise awareness around the community to show how to help save money.

Separating the waste from compostable materials reduces the costs spent on numerous orange trash bags or weigh-in dumping fees. Making this usable material resourceful and keeping it out of the landfill expands its lifespan, which saves the individuals surrounding Presque Isle from future jumps in costs intended to fund a new location.

Landfills are scientifically proven to break over time. When this happens, the leachate liner that protects the soil beneath the landfill gives, allowing the trash built up and liquid gunk over time to seep into the soil.

This contaminates water and affects the surrounding ecosystem for years to come. We can’t get rid of the landfill here in Presque Isle, of course. But composting allows it to stay open longer.

A building comparable to the size of a large shed could act as a good start for composting. This would provide room to separate compost effectively. Concrete floors would be ideal as they would regulate the northern Maine temperatures more efficiently year round. Four separated compost bins represent a timeline of the stages, starting first with compost and ending last with nutrient-filled mulch. in the right direction.

Continued on page 9. ->

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Uni ve r si t y T i m e s C A M P U S May 1 , 2 0 1 5 Reduce, Reuse.. Continued.

Composting has its downsides as well. For instance, where would the facility be located here on campus, both to run effectively and efficiently?

The start-to-finish process of composting to mulch would need to be controlled, due to the possibilities of infestation of unwanted pest and rodents from the odor emissions.

“You’re only as good as your recycling facility,” physical plant director Gregg Bouchard said. Bouchard was a former key part in putting together the University of Maine Orono’s composting system, a highly respected composting set up for the largest campus here in the State of Maine. Hav-

Farah Duale

ing his past experience available to UMPI now could really jumpstart this Students would need to become more involved, however, to produce the best results. Faculty’s support, knowledge and experience are there.

To make all this possible, it’s necessary to have an individual who would take full responsibility of this composting project year round. A staff member would be preferable as that person won’t leave in a few years as the students attending UMPI will. It would need to be someone fully committed and able to embrace the obstacles that’ll come with this project. It would need to be someone who could see through the hassles to the big pic-

ture worth working toward. With green alternatives, the small things add up continually over time.

Involving this composting concept into the work study program is just an idea. It could be a hassle to organize and out of budget. But it would get the students involved. It would expand students’ resumes, experience and general understanding of the end results of composting. Students could build, sort, rotate and regulate the compost center from start to finish.

This would not only be work for the students: they would also have the resources at hand to learn environmental safe practices along their journey.

UMPI without a doubt is acknowl-

edged as a small campus to the world outside of Aroostook County. But it could be a small campus known for its dedication to take what it has here and make a difference on the small world we live in. Once this small seed is planted and watered properly, this composting idea could take off right before our eyes. It could protect the longevity of environmental study courses, put fresh food on the table and help the campus’s landscape shine in its true natural northern Maine beauty. But could all this be possible?

Only mother time herself will tell what we do with composting here at the University of Maine Presque Isle.

The Love for UMPI

CONTRIBUTOR

Located in the heart of northern Maine, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has provided a home for many students since 1903. Students from all areas of Maine and the U.S. as well as several foreign countries including Canada and China come to this college of 150 acres surrounded by the rolling hills and potato fields of northern Maine. They come to study professional fields, teacher education, health and human services, arts and sciences, natural environment and many other academic programs. The students could get all these programs in any school but the University of Maine at Presque Isle also offered them the great outdoors and the comfort and safety of small city life.

There are a million reasons why students love UMPI, but on top of the list are the lower fees. “It is nice to be in a public college that you pay about the same amount of fees in

community college,” Brendan Fulller, first year student, said. While high tuition rates have put many colleges and universities out of reach, UMPI provides high quality education at an affordable cost. More than 70 percent of the students receive merit-andneed-based financial aid. Unlike with other colleges, many students at UMPI have no worry of post graduations debt.

UMPI has a caring community of students, faculty and staff. The staff and the community as a whole are very sympathetic toward the needs of the students. “I love how UMPI is so small. You get to know more people on campus and have enjoyable college experience through interaction with staff members and fellow students,” Fuller said. At UMPI, faculty and staff know you by your name and are committed to your success. A low student–to-teacher ratio and class size of 20 students or fewer give UMPI

one-on-one interactions for students.

“Professors will put in extra time to get you to where you want,” Jordan Cook, Merriman Hall resident assistant, said.

The fact that the school is located in a small, rural city doesn’t mean that there is nothing to love about UMPI. Being smaller allows the campus to offer big opportunities and exciting possibilities. With downtown Presque Isle just a few minutes away, UMPI students have great access to shops, restaurants and a movie theater. “I also like the safe, dynamic living and learning environment,” Cook said.

UMPI provides a recreational opportunities in a clean and safe rural environment to many students who are interested in hiking, biking, skiing or paddling. It offers a wide choice of co-curricular activities, from athletics to academic clubs to student organizations.

For the healthy life of students, there is Gentile Hall that features a large multipurpose court, fitness center, pool, elevated track and climbing wall. “The gym facilities are excellent and a great resource,” Wei Wung, an international student from China, said. There is a writing center that offers one-on-one tutoring for writers at all levels. “One thing I love here is the food,” Gable Stevens, a freshman, said. One would not miss Mom’s cooking while there is a wide variety of great tasting food in Kelley Commons.

Students love many things at UMPI. They love the lectures, programs, concerts, dance performances, exhibits and plays. Also, they love how the school shares a border with Canada, providing the opportunity for exciting day and weekend trips to destinations such as Fredericton, New Brunswick and Quebec City.

10

May 1, 2015

C

ommunity

The People of Presque Isle Farah Duale

CONTRIBUTOR

Community is just people living in the same place and having a particular characteristic in common. But the society that lives in this small town of Presque Isle is more than a community. The residents of this town are people who share common attitudes, interests and goals. It’s a society whose members genuinely care about one another, neighbor helping neighbor, people who take pride in what they do. They are very friendly and welcoming people. In fact, they will hold the Walmart door open for you even though the door automatically opens by itself.

But there is more to these people than just friendly caring. This community is strong and has some of the most hardworking people in the state of Maine. They hunt, fish, slip on the ice and shovel snow. The weather can be harsh and people have long earned their livings from struggling with difficult labor. “Every year I have some friends who move to the southern part of Maine, running from the extreme cold and seeking employment elsewhere,” said Mrs. Johnny Cancelarich, who has lived in Presque Isle for more

than 40 years.

Although many people in southern Maine believe that anything above Bangor makes life impossible, those in Presque Isle love, enjoy and have fun in the cold environment. With a big smile on her face, Mrs. Cancelarich

challenging road conditions. Nevertheless, residents, businesses and tourist find Presque Isle an appealing place to live, work and visit. They have adapted well and reach the new winter every year happily, without complaining about the previous one. Pointing

In warmer months, residents can visit the northern Maine woods for camping and hiking opportunities.

“Even though it is just three months, we enjoy it like any other warm place.

You will find people buying motorcycles and having fun as if the summer is going to be forever,” Cancelarich said. Although some might think it's impossible to enjoy winter, many who live in Presque Isle just wear Beans

An aerial view on downtown P.I said, “If I have to chose anywhere to live in this world, I would make Presque Isle my first, second and third choice. It is a really great place raise family."

The winter is long and can bring

boots and down jackets. They don’t his finger at a black Chevrolet Silverado, John Cancelarich said, “You see that? Living in Presque Isle or any other place in northern Maine means owning a four-wheel-drive vehicle merely to survive.”

see any reason not to like heaps of snow in their driveway.

Univer si t y T i m e s C O M M U N I T Y May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Musical Theater is Much More

11

Meghan Legassie CONTRIBUTOR

Musical theater can be fun to

high school are shy. Some have al-

watch. The viewers get transformed

ways wanted to join the drama club;

into the characters and find ways they

some just made the decision. What-

are alike. The stories can be memoriz-

ever reason, musical theater helps

ing. That’s how viewers get sucked in.

most students learn more about them-

There are also so many different kinds

selves and who they want to be.

of plays. Whether someone likes a ro-

Students come alive when they are

mance, comedy, or even a thriller,

on stage. People always say it’s the

there is a play for everything. It’s the

costumes that do it. Once you get the

same thing for the actors in the play.

costume on, you are automatically

They transform into other people.

thinking about your character. A lot of

Whenever they are in their costumes

people say that’s why they love it so

on their stage, they are different peo-

much. You’re not yourself when

ple.

you’re on stage and in costume. You

For high school students, it’s the

don’t have to worry about what others

same kind of thing, with a little bit

are thinking about you, because when

more to it. Sometimes musical theater

you’re on stage, you turn into your

changes a student for the better. Many

character. You no longer care what

students who do musical theater in

your peers think about you.

Kayli Malenfant did set crew for the Presque Isle drama club for three years. Malenfant said, “Being on the set for the musicals taught me how to work with others effectively. It also gave me organization skills.” Malenfant said that she made a lot of friends, and that that’s how she met her close group of friends she has now. “I felt like I was a part of a family, if you will, with the directors, actors and other crew members. It gave me something to look forward to every day,” Malenfant said. Malenfant said that though it was stressful at times, she wouldn’t have changed anything about it. “I was also never good at sports, but I’ve always loved musicals. There is so much focus on sports teams at schools and not so much on the arts, and I think that needs to change.

Without musicals, I wouldn’t have the friends, confidence or relationships that I do now,” Malenfant ended.

Chloe Rossignol, who was an actor all four years of her high school career, is now continuing musical theater in college. Rossignol, when asked what musical theater teaches students, said, “Well, since

being on stage a mistake looks bad for everyone, I think musical theater teaches teamwork.” Rossignol also said, “It also teaches trust. You have to trust your cast mates to have your back if and when you make a mistake.

I also think it teaches students how to be themselves. You can’t possibly pretend to be someone else if you don’t understand yourself.” Rossignol continued, “The process of getting into character forces someone to look at their life experiences and relate them to the character.” She ended with, “Confidence and time management are also some skills I think students can get out of theater. It takes great confidence to act silly on stage and the long practices along with school work takes a lot of time management.”

Yes musical theater is fun and entertaining to the audience watching.

But for the actors and the set crew, it’s more than just putting on a show. Students learn valuable skills that they can use in the future. Kids with all different kinds of personalities are able to be themselves when they step into an auditorium. All are there for the same purpose: it’s not like a clique--theater kids accept everyone.

That’s what they learn from musicals: that everyone is the same in one way or another.

12

Uni ve r si t y T i m e s C O M M U N I T Y May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Sprinkles, Dip Top or Waffle Cone?

Erin Keehn

CONTRIBUTOR

As of April 3, Houlton Farms Dairy Bar is open for the

most as sweet as the treats!

Houlton Farms Dairy has

munity values.

Most of the workers are

derella dress too. They all rea l l y, r e a l l y l i k e d i t . ” S h e i s a

season. Those near and far

been serving Houlton and the

high-school students, with a

habitual customer of the dairy

come to this old-fashioned ice

surrounding areas since 1938.

few adult workers for school

b a r : a f t e r s h e ’s d o n e w i t h d a y -

cream shop for locally produced

A l a n C l a r k w a s t h e f i r s t o w n e r.

hours. Each and every one

care, of course.

ice cream. One reviewer on

It was the first pasteurizing

comes to the window with a

Ye l p , P a t P. , s a i d , “ D o n ' t m i s s i t

plant north of Bangor at that

s m i l e . L a s t s u m m e r, t h e w o r k -

cookies-and-cream milkshake or

if you're anywhere near the

time. Fast forward to 1983 and

ers put on theme nights. They

the crowd-pleasing peanut but-

area. Seriously!! Delicious ice

three dairy bars, located in

dressed up and encouraged kids

ter twist, head to the Houlton

cream, endless flavors and vari-

Houlton, Caribou and Presque

to do so as well, to receive a

F a r m s D a i r y B a r t h i s s u m m e r.

ety drinks. A step back in time

Isle, opened. The production

free baby cone. From Duck Dy-

T h e y ’ r e o p e n 11 - 8 e v e r y d a y o f

to old-fashioned hospitality and

plant is still located in Houlton.

nasty characters to Disney

t h e w e e k . Yo u c a n a l s o s t a y

a down-home summer drive-in

Driving past you can almost

Princesses, everyone loved all

connected by following Houlton

e x p e r i e n c e . ” I t ’s n o t a m y s t e r y

smell your favorite ice cream

the events. One young girl,

F a r m s D a i r y o n Tw i t t e r, @ h o u l -

why everyone loves this cute

f l a v o r i f y o u s n i ff h a r d e n o u g h .

Samantha S., said, “The girls

tonfarms, or by liking them on

ice cream shack. The ice cream

A t r e a t f o r t h e w h o l e f a m i l y, t h e

looked so pretty in their

Facebook!

is delicious, with workers al-

dairy promotes family and com-

dresses. I wore my own Cin-

S o w h e t h e r i t ’s f o r a t h i c k ,

13

Univer si t y T i m e s C O M M U N I T Y May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Going Out and Enjoying Our Green Tong Liu

STAFF WRITER

After such a long winter

outing club when she was a stu- joys being in the club to meet

seasons and most of the events

season, does your body feel

dent at UMPI. Then she re- new friends and go on pretty

are decided by the students.

just like grasses that cannot

turned back to Gentile Hall

cool

They just did snowshoeing and

wait

the

several years later after she

Arnold joined this club because

skiing

ground? Or did you feel upset

graduated. So she is still doing

his friends invited him to get

going to have rock climbing

because the snow is all going to

some work in the outing club

i n t o i t . H e h a d a d e e p i m p r e s - a n d c a m p i n g i n M a y. I n A p r i l ,

melt? Don’t be upset because

with students. She is still ex- sion about an event they had

they had a table at University

spring is coming. Remember

cited to join with the students,

Day so they did not plan any-

to

come

up

from

trips.

Christopher

Eric

before, which was a midnight

in

March.

They

are

what British poet Shelley said

thing much this month. Be-

in his poem: “If winter comes,

sides their outdoor events,

can spring be far behind?”

they also have some indoor

Ye s , w h e n y o u s e e t h e i c e o n

exercises if students are

the river melting, when you

willing to stay inside.

see

the

grasses

coming

up

L a s t y e a r, t h e y c l i m b e d

from the ground, when you see

Katahdin,

the trees turning green, you

highest mountain in Maine.

will know spring is coming.

They also had whitewater

What will you do during

rafting

which

after

is

this

the

event.

the spring? Stay in the dorm

These two events will be

and watch TV? Go to the gym

h e l d e v e r y o t h e r y e a r. A n d

every day? It is spring and

they

don’t waste the sunshine. So

fundraising for their trip.

hang out with your friends and

In Gentile Hall, the outing

d o s o m e t h i n g o u t s i d e . To d a y I

club has a rock climbing

would like to invite all of you

room. They can sell tickets

to go with me to meet a new

when

Memebers of the UMPI outing club.

friend. This is the outing club.

will

also

Gentile

do

Hall

some

holds

some big events.

The outing club is an outdoor

just like when she was a stu- snowshoeing event with a full

club at UMPI. It plans different

d e n t . B a k e r s a i d t h a t t h i s w a y,

moon. Alyssa Dougherty joined

kinds of events two times a

she gets more chances to go out

the club because she is inter- ercise. Joining a team is a good

month so it is a good time to go

and do some good exercise.

ested in recreation and out- start to forcing you to do some

out with these friends and see

Also, the club has helped her

doors. She likes to do outdoor

how they enjoy the world.

get

exercises like kayaking, moun- meet new people there and pu-

new

friends.

They

are

Amanda Baker is the advi- happy to meet new people and sor for the outing club, which has existed since the 1980s.

She spent a long time with the

get more people involved.

Nathaniel Norris is a mem-

Spring is a good season for people to do some outdoor ex-

e x e r c i s e s r e g u l a r l y. Yo u w i l l

tain biking and hiking during

rify your body through exer-

spring.

cise. Enjoy the season. Enjoy

The outing club has held

ber of the outing club. He en- different

events

in

different

the exercise!

14

Uni ve r si t y T i m e s C O M M U N I T Y May 1 , 2 0 1 5

County Comic Creator Talks

Joshua Archer

Jillpoke Bohemia

STAFF WRITER

By day Shawn Cote is a mild-mannered TAMC employee, but by night he's the passionate creator of Jillpoke Bohemia.

Cote has been drawing ever since he can remember. He also has a passion for writing. With those powers combined he created his own online comic strip.

"It's an alternative comic strip. It’s kind of edgy and people who’re comfortable with daily funnies might get a little more than they expect," Cote said.

After some time just writing, Cote admitted he was getting nowhere. With some encouragement from his wife, Cote picked up his pencil and focused on sketching.

"I had been working on a novel, and I finished the first draft. I was trying to revise it and I got stuck," Cote said.

His wife encouraged him to do a drawing a day. Around the same time Cote attended the Arootsakoostik Music Festival in New Sweden. After the festi-

val, Cote received a bite from the creativity bug. That inspired him to do a comic strip about musicians.

It’s a character based comic strip about Darby and Kieran, who met in college and started their own band.

"It’s a little bit controversial. I deal with politics and there’s a lot of sexuality in it. You know it’s sort of something you can’t do with a traditional comic strip," Cote said.

UMPI student, Josh Cross, recently discovered Cote’s online strip and at first glance he liked it even though it wasn’t something he would typically read.

“Darby seems like an adaptable character because she can be placed in a lot of situations with her promiscuous lifestyle,” Cross said.

Cote started out sketching the strip and would scan it onto his computer.

"Then I discovered I could actually

draw with a mouse in Microsoft Paint, so that’s the way I do everything now," Cote said.

Cote's got a unique style, and each strip shares the resemblance of a Sunday comic strip: full color, big panels, but with a continuing storyline.

"I go to work at 7:30 in the morning and I get up early and write and work on it for a couple of hours each day.

Maybe more on the weekends," Cote said.

Cote began the strip shortly after becoming unemployed.

"I had a lot more time to work on it.

It really wasn’t difficult for me: not as difficult as it was for me to write, because with writing I had to force myself to sit down and write. With this I just can’t wait to get back to it. I sort of resent anything that takes me away from it," Cote said.

Cote did send his strip to Fanta-

graphic, a comic book and graphic novel publisher. But due to printing demands the company was unable to accept any new submissions.

Cote said his strip has taken a personal turn for his characters, and he plans to inject more topical stories into the strip. For now, Cote plugs away at his comic as often as he can. He would someday like to see his strip in print and confessed that he finds the form of a few panels a strip confining.

"I find myself wanting to do something bigger--like a graphic novel or maybe a prose novel with comic illustrations," Cote said. He does have a budding following of online readers and receives praise from fellow comic strip creators. You can check out Jillpoke Bohemia on Gocomics.com and on Facebook.

Univer si t y T i m e s C O M M U N I T Y May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Save the Francis Malcolm Jim Stepp

15

Science Center

CONTRIBUTOR

One of the beloved science related sites in the county may soon be closing.

The Francis Malcolm Science Center, located in Easton, Maine, has run into financial problems. The endowment that has helped run the facility for more than 30 years has run out and if funds are not found, the science center may close this summer.

I have very fond memories of the science center. My family has visited many times and watched planetarium shows. I have also spent many nights sleeping on the floor up there with my sons as they did various scout programs at the science center.

Perhaps one of my best memories of the science center is helping my son, Jimmy, complete his Eagle Scout project there. Jimmy and a host of scouts and friends built a 65-foot-long foot bridge across a swampy area along one of the walking trails. This project took about 165 people hours to complete and used only wood found at the site.

The science center has offered many programs over the years. These programs included snowshoeing hikes, receptions, science and nature programs, youth group activities (Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4-H groups), ocean touch tanks and, of course, planetarium shows. I am sure many of you who are reading this article have attended at least one program at the science center.

young children in the area.

Please consider helping the science center if you can. Donations are being accepted through PayPal. You can link into the donation site by going to http://www.francismalcolmsciencecenter.com/news.html. While at this page, check out the links at the bottom. They will connect you up to the programs that the science center provides.

My visits to the science center have also given me the chance to meet some of the people who have dedicated their time and talents to educating our youth. Of special note are Larry Berz and Vaughn Martin.

Vaughn was instrumental in Jimmy completing his Eagle Scout. Vaughn provided leadership and helped make suggestions regarding what needed to be done.

Leary Berz and I have become acquaintances through the science center. A long time ago, I used to write and perform planetarium shows. But I was never as entertaining as Larry is now.

His mix of humor and guitar playing helped introduce science and astronomy to many of the

THE NIGHT SKY The International Space Station is visible as follows: Mornings–Through April 1.

Evenings–After April 3.

For the times of other events, go to www.calsky.com. 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 04/30/2015 05:19 Sunrise.

19:39 Sunset.

19:54–21:30 Mercury.

19:42–23:24 Venus.

20:12–20:36 Mars.

19:54–02:24 Jupiter.

21:30–04:48 Saturn.

05/10/2015 05:04 Sunrise.

19:52 Sunset.

20:30–21:48 Mercury.

19:54–23:36 Venus.

20:30–20:36 Mars.

20:06–01:48 Jupiter.

20:48–04:30 Saturn.

04/28 23:49 Moon at Apogee–farthest from the Earth.

05/02 15:42 Mercury at dichotomy– half full.

05/03 23:42 Full Moon.

05/07 00:48 Mercury at greatest eastern elongation–21.2degrees–visible in the evening.

05/08 23:53 Moon eclipses Rho1 Sgr.–blocks out star.

05/09 00:56 Moon eclipse of Rho1 Sgr. Ends.

05/11 06:36 Last Quarter Moon.

05/14 20:10 Moon at Perigee–Closest to the Earth.

05/17 385th anniversary of Niccolo Zucchi’s discovery of Jupiter’s cloud belts (1630).

05/18 105th anniversary of the Earth passing through Halley’s Comet’s Tail (1910).

05/18 21:00 Moon 7.6 degrees from Mercury.

05/21 21:24 Moon eclipses Lambda Gemini–Moon passes over star.

05/22 22:00 Saturn in opposition–directly opposite the sun as seen from the Earth–Saturn closest to the Earth.

05/23 14:24 Comet C.2015 G2– Comet Master at perihelion–closest to the sun.

05/24 00:42 Moon 5.5 degrees from Jupiter.

05/25 2,255th anniversary of Chinese astronomers documenting the passage of Halley’s Comet. This is the first documented perihelion passage of Halley’s Comet.

05/25 13:18 First Quarter Moon.

05/26 18:10 Moon at Apogee–farthest from the Earth.

05/26 22:55 Mercury 1.6 degrees from Mars.

16

May 1, 2015

Marc Knapp

L

ifestyle

Summer Blockbuster Season Begins

CONTRIBUTOR

With the snow beginning to melt in much of the country, spring is finally underway. But with the release of “Furious 7” on April 3, Hollywood officially kicked-off its summer blockbuster season. This seems to be happening earlier and earlier. In honor of spring and everyone starting to get out of the house, the U Times decided to take to the streets to talk to members of the public and ask what the ticketbuying public thought.

When it came to what movies people were excited about, there were plenty. Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” was the movie mentioned by the most people. Luckily for the crowds, May 1 isn’t that far away. “Jurassic World” will be roaring into theaters on June 12 and was on the list of more than a few others.

But the diversity of the summer offerings was visible as well. Angela Kemsley, a 46-year-old registered nurse from Houlton, is waiting for “Pan” in July. The live-action telling of the tale of Peter Pan also made list of movies to catch for Amanda Williams, a 27-year-old re-

tail clerk from Houlton. She is also waiting for “Entourage,” the movie based on the popular HBO show that’ll be hitting theaters on June 5.

Self-proclaimed geek, 28-year-old Derek Boudreau is a full-time student and senior at UMPI. On top of the new Avengers movie, he’s excited about “Ant-Man” on July 17.

The lesser known superhero is another addition to the Marvel cinematic universe, which has been steadily kicking bad-guy butt at the box office since the release of the first “Iron Man” movie.

So with all these movies competing for your movie dollars in such a limited amount of time, is the summer blockbuster season even relevant anymore? Hollywood is dealing with dropping overall attendance numbers, piracy and streaming video services keeping people at home. Since the season is starting more than two months before summer anyway, is it time to stop scheduling all the biggest movies of the year for the summertime? No one asked thought that it would affect attendance negatively if studios spread the blockbusters out across

the calendar year. “I just go whenever. It wouldn’t make a difference to me,” Elissa McNeil, a 23-yearold who is also a full-time student here at UMPI, said.

There are only so many movies that a person has the ability to go to see. If all of the big movies weren’t bunched up together in the span of a couple of months, more people might be able to make it to more of the movies they want to see. Instead, most people end up missing a few of those movies. When asked about this, Angela Kemsley said, “They should spread it out more. I think they would make more money that way.” As it is now, the only other time on the calendar that is set aside for the release of big movies is around Christmas time. It’s as if Hollywood thinks that people don’t go to movies if they aren’t on a vacation from school and/or work.

Hollywood is also adding nature to its already long list of competition. By waiting till the summer to release its biggest films of the year, it is asking people who have been stuck in the house all winter to spend more time indoors. “I’d

rather go to movies in the winter when there’s nothing to do. I go to more movies in the fall and the winter, really,” Amanda Williams said.

Wouldn’t it pay dividends to have quality movies available at the theaters year round? But then again, at the rate they’re going now, “summer” blockbuster season will be beginning in January soon.

So just in case you’re looking for something to do this summer, here are a few other big movies and their release dates. Circle a few dates on your calendar for when you want to take a break in the air conditioning and catch a flick. “Mad Max: Fury Road”–May 15; Disney’s “Tomorrowland” and a remake of “Poltergeist”–May 22; special-effects extravaganza “San Andreas 3D” with Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson–May 29; Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted 2”–June 26; “Terminator: Genisys”–July 1; “Mission: Impossible 5”--July 31; and the reboot of comic book franchise “Fantastic Four”–August 7. Here’s hoping you have a great summer and you get to see all the movies that want.

Unive r si t y T i m e s L I F E S T Y L E May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Weird Weather Or Something Else?

17

Dawn Gough STAFF WRITER

Why should Maine care about the controversial debate on global warming versus ice age? Let’s look at the consequences of both to see what each will bring. We’ll start with what global warming would do to Maine. If we’re experiencing global warming, Maine would suffer in several ways.

Some of the problems would be wildfires and more frequent heatwaves that would last longer.

Towns such as Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou could see 15 or more days at 90 degrees or higher.

Along the coast could see flooding. There could be a spread of invasive plants and insects. One insect that could cause the biggest problem for Maine is the tick.

Moose and deer could become heavily infested and die. Fishermen and Maine’s fishing industries that depend on the pattern of the fish that migrate such as cod and lobster would be affected because commercial fish would go further north to the cooler waters.

Now if we are entering an ice age this could affect Maine in the following ways. The sun goes through two cycles: maximum and minimum. This activity that alternates every 11 years is referred to as one solar cycle. At present, we are in the minimum phase, reducing global temperatures. “Ice ages occur in a dependable, predictable, natural cycle that returns like clock-work every 11,500 years,” Robert W. Felix said. Felix has spent eight years studying and writing several books about ice age and the growing concerns for our environment if and or when it

happens. During his studies over those eight years, Felix discovered that we are currently at the beginning of the next 11,500-year period. Larry Feinstein, a science professor at University of Maine Presque Isle stated, "It is very important for scientists to keep an open mind and examine all of the

much healthy meat as we could.

Gardens would also change. We will no longer be able to grow tomatoes. Instead, we could grow root vegetables such as turnips, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, rutabagas and cabbage. These vegetables do quite well in the colder tempera-

evidence of every side of questions that are under debate within the greater scientific community."

If an ice age is upon us this could affect Maine and our wildlife in a drastic way. Longer, colder winters with snow like the one we just experienced could kill off a lot of Maine’s moose and deer. The more snow, the less vegetation for wildlife. These animals would die from starvation. In order to prepare for these changes we would need to stock our freezers while we can with meats and vegetables. Since moose and deer will die off from starvation, we would need to hunt and get as

tures.

We have heard for years now about global warming. Scientists and politicians in favor of funding studies of global warming, but no agenda or funding is in place for further research into an approaching ice age.

“Two thousand scientists, in a hundred countries, engaged in the most elaborate, well organized scientific collaboration in the history of humankind, have produced long-since a consensus that we will face a string of terrible catastrophes unless we act to prepare ourselves and deal with the underlying causes of global warming,”

Al Gore, speech at National Sierra Club Convention, September 9, 2005. Al Gore was the 45 vice president of the United States. He began his campaign, as environmental activist after his bid for presidency was lost to former president George W. Bush. Gore received the Nobel Prize for his work on global warming. Gore, along with some scientists, believes that global warming could possibly be linked to humans’ reliability and over-consumption of fossil fuels, which has increased the carbon dioxide levels at an overwhelming rate.

If global warming is a reality, if we start to pay attention and try to become less dependent on fossil fuels, we can help change it.

Funding research on different types of heating and cooling systems for our homes, schools and businesses can also be a way to turn global warming around.

There are different types of “green” energy that we already use, such as wind energy from windmills and solar energy from solar panels. If more carmakers, schools and businesses went to these types of energy, we could cut out the use of natural gas and heating oil. Maybe with technologies advancing the way they are today, people will be able to see why it is so important to seek alternatives and end dependency on fossil fuels.

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Un i ve r si t y T i m e s L I F E S T Y L E May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Never Too Old to Learn

Emma Campbell STAFF WRITER

The college student stereotype is often shown as young adults eager to start life on their own. In 2015, times are changing. The classic college student image is slowly morphing into one of an older adult. These students are beginning to appear on college campuses throughout the country.

One of the arguably common goals in life is to attend college.

Some people, however, don’t go right after high school. Different hurdles and unexpected roadblocks can cause a person to take a different route. Others discovered the college degree path a little later in life. There has been a sharp increase of people older than 25 enrolling in college. A news article

by CNBC said that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2009 students age 25 and older accounted for 40 percent of the enrollment total nationwide.

There are many reasons people are returning to school at a later age. Some are retiring from their jobs earlier than expected or choosing a new career path entirely. Others go back to school to enhance or refresh their job skills.

Still others never began college at all, until now.

These people are all searching for a new and better future for themselves. Sandra Campbell was just that kind of person. She began college back in 2000. She was 40 years old and the mother of three small children. Sandra’s goals were to not just exist anymore.

She wanted to make a name for herself, to strive for something more. She also hoped to be a role model for her children, “I had three young children and I wanted them to go to college. I felt that if I went to college, they would as well. So I decided to start college. Studying

was hard when they were little. I wanted them to see that if I could go to college, get good grades and make a difference in someone else’s life, then they could too!”

Campbell said. That goal for Campbell paid off. All three of her children are currently in college.

The life of an older college student is not an easy one. Most often older students attend college part-time or in the evenings. They do this so that they can work or take care of their children during the day. This schedule is more common for older students.

Susan Ryder, another college student who earned her degree later in life, discovered this, “Once I went to the University of Maine Orono, I had classes during the day with much younger students. My own insecurities were a barrier. Once I started night classes, however, there were many nontraditional students my age and older. I made friends with other mothers with kids and we studied together.”

Another struggle for older students is that they feel as if they have to prove themselves. They feel as if expectations from their teachers are higher.

“I felt that because I was an older student getting my bachelor ’s degree, more was expected of me because of life experience. I should know more and be able to juggle more in the run of a day,” Campbell said.

While it’s never easy having a full-time job, being a mother and a student, Campbell never thought of giving up.

“I sure wanted a break now and then. But I think college was a positive outlet for me.”

Ryder, agrees. “There were times when I thought, ‘What the heck am I doing?!’ But I never re-

ally

wanted to give up.”

Change in older student enrollment is not only seen through statistics. People are taking notice as well, “In the past couple of years I have come across students that are 10-15 years my senior. I think it is common for students to be returning to school. I even see it in adult education. They need to start somewhere!” Campbell said.

Campbell works full time at an adult and community education office.

What does the future look like for these two older college students? What advice do they have for people who are starting to, or thinking of, returning to college?

At 56, Campbell recently received her bachelor ’s degree in psychology and community studies. Cur-

rently, Campbell is enrolled in a masters program while working at an adult education office. She hopes to receive her master ’s degree in the same field. Someday Campbell wants to work with atrisk and troubled youth, veterans and have her own practice.

Campbell made going to school later in life work. Her advice for others: “The more you learn, the more you know! It’s a lifelong lesson and education is so important in many areas of our lives.”

As for Ryder, she graduated in 2002 with a nearly 4.0 grade average. She received her masters in counselor education. “It takes time, but you are never too old to return to college. I went to college with a daughter, mother and 70year-old grandmother! You’re never too old to learn.”

Unive r si t y T i m e s L I F E S T Y L E May 1 , 2 0 1 5

Food Travel

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Ning Sun

STAFF WRITER

People who live in different places have different eating habits. Tourists are able to try new food when they travel to these places. Although eating too much can lead to weight gain, many people still regard having delicious food as one of the most significant things during their trip.

The International Students Club of UMPI went to Florida during this spring break. They ate different kinds of food that come from other countries such as Japan, China, Korea and Thailand. Traveling in Florida is an unforgettable experience due to the food.

Barbara J. Devaney, the leader of the club, said there are three food experiences that are most valuable. Japan Buffet was the first meal when they arrived in Florida. They ate sushi that day. Devaney said she just tried a couple of them. What she really liked about that meal was that the food gathered all club members and her sister together. Devaney said, “It’s not necessarily the food that we eat, but the people that we are seated around the table with who make us enjoy the meal. I like having everybody there and listening to everybody laughing. Food brings people together.”

Devaney and club members stayed at her sister Nancy’s house in Florida. So they had the chance to cook by themselves at home. They tasted some Chinese traditional food such as tea eggs

and fried rice that they cooked with sausage, eggs and vegetables. People in China eat this food in daily life but Americans don’t know it. “ That experience was so different for me because Yilin, a Chinese student, made this food at home. Some other students also tried to eat some tea eggs,” Devaney said.

The last meal they had in Florida was very special because the restaurant is near a beach.

Devaney said they sat on beach chairs to have dinner. The sight was so beautiful. They could see the ocean, beach, bridge and a small island at the same time. “ I never ate a dinner on the beach before. So it was so cool!” Devaney said excitedly. Not only the romantic and beautiful sights made the dinner pretty good: the food they ate there was also attractive. A kind of sea fish called mahi fish is very delicious. Another food comes from India called mango chutney, which combines mango and fish together. It tasted sweet and a little spicy. Devaney thinks it was her favorite food during this trip.

Devaney thinks trying different food made the travel more interesting because it gathered people together even if some were people they didn’t know before this trip.

Yuhan Dai, a Chinese girl, traveled to Guang dong province, which is located in southeastern China, last summer. She is addicted to places that enable her to try more food. She tried oys-

ters near the ocean. “ It’s the local traditional food in Guang dong. The way to cook the seafood keeps flavor in it. I found it occasionally when I was hungry. So I felt it was the most delicious food in Guang dong.

Guang dong is located in a tropical belt. People choose to eat fruit with ice and sweet jam to drop the temperature. Dai posted a photo on her social media that shows at least six kinds of fruit.

One of her best friends wanted to have it when she saw the picture. “ The food is actually cool. I want to try it again. I’m willing to travel to Guang dong with my

friends again because of the food,” Dai said.

Dai and her friends have made many plans about traveling. All places they are eager to go are usually famous for delicious food. Local food stands for a city’s history and customs. Trying different food helps us realize these places better instead of only for eating our usual foods.

We eat to live. But food travel brings more to us. We build relationships while having a meal.

The food also leads us to realize the world more deeply. Enjoy the food around us!