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(04/10/14 3:56am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Imagine walking door to door around Paris, asking if an elderly Vietnamese woman lives in some building, using only an old mailing address as a guide. That’s exactly what Monique Demery did to find South Vietnam’s former first lady Madame Nhu. Author Monique Brinson Demery spoke Wednesday at the Indiana Memorial Union about her book, “Finding the Dragon Lady: The Mystery of Vietnam’s Madame Nhu.” “I sort of just fell into the story of Madame Nhu,” Demery said. “I thought that she hadn’t been given a fair shot in history.”The book details the seven years Demery had contact with Madame Nhu and provides a personal history of the Dragon Lady, one of the most controversial figures of the Vietnam War. A derogatory term used to describe Asian women who don’t adhere to societal norms, Demery said the title of Dragon Lady certainly applied to Madame Nhu, a woman who refused to be the “perfect housewife.” After receiving a degree in Asian Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Demery was already interested in the history of Vietnam by the time she had started her search for Madame Nhu. Demery said she found an old letter Madame Nhu had written in an archive, and decided to look for her in Paris on a whim.“I went to all the buildings around the Eiffel Tower and asked people if an old Vietnamese lady lived there,” Demery said. “Eventually one security guard said, ‘No, she lives next door.’” From that point on, Demery kept in contact with Madame Nhu, who eventually gave Demery her memoirs to read. Madame Nhu was a prominent figure in the Vietnam War. As the first lady of South Vietnam, she took it upon herself to host parties and gained a strong political reputation. She’s particularly well known for the morality laws she enacted in South Vietnam. These laws prohibited handholding, dancing and other similar activities, in an effort to stop women from being viewed as sex symbols. She also established a women’s militia to provide protection when the men were out fighting in the Vietnam War. But the ambitious Madame Nhu eventually became a hermit.“By the time I found Madame Nhu, she wasn’t leaving her house for fear of people recognizing her,” Demery said. “I basically stalked her to find where she lived.” Similar to Demery’s search for Madame Nhu was IU Professor Ashley Hasty’s journey of getting Demery to IU.“I tweeted Monique one day, just saying that I was reading her book,” Hasty said. “And I was so surprised when she responded.” Demery agreed to Skype with Hasty’s book club, which included IU Professor Debby Herbenick. Herbenick said she continued emailing with Demery and eventually invited her to IU.“I’m very interested in people’s lives and personal relationships,” Herbenick said. “And that’s why I loved this book so much.” Madame Nhu’s personal history gave Demery much to write about, Demery said. She said she thought Madame Nhu was feisty and determined, but was overbearing with her ideas.In her talk, Demery asked the audience to consider their own view on Madam Nhu.“Was Nhu a dragon lady or a woman ahead of her time?” Demery said.
(02/14/14 5:17am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A group of IU students gathered around the center counter in the kitchen of St. Paul’s Catholic Center Thursday night, icing heart-shaped cookies and singing Disney songs. These students weren’t there to practice their vocal technique, though — they were there to bake and ice over 140 cookies for the Interfaith Winter Shelter.“It’s really nice to help do something like this for others,” freshman Alicia Mehling said. “This is our act of kindness for the shelter.” The Interfaith Winter Shelter is a low-barrier shelter that various churches in the Bloomington area host one or two nights a week. The shelter aims to provide food and shelter to the homeless and relies on a large number of volunteers like the students from St. Paul’s to help out each night.The cookie baking project was spearheaded by IU junior Kailyn Haverstock. After getting a group together to make soup for the shelter last semester, she said it felt natural to do something for the guests for Valentine’s Day. “A lot of us here are involved with the shelter,” she said. “The people at the shelter have become like family to us.”When she came up with the idea to bake cookies for Interfaith, Haverstock said she got in touch with Michael Fabrizio, the assistant campus minister at St. Paul’s. He said he thought the idea was great and that he just had to make sure the kitchen wasn’t being used by one of the families that attend the church.“We really focus on students peer-ministering, and we really had a nice turnout tonight,” he said. “It’s great to have people here wanting to help others.” Junior Jasmine Galvez said she often volunteers at the shelter with Kailyn, but has never baked for it before. She said she loves going to the shelter because it allows her to give back.“Being able to give the guests something to show that they’re loved is an awesome feeling,” she said. Haverstock agreed and said interacting with the guests at the shelter was the most important aspect of volunteering. “Knowing that someone cares and is listening to them really brightens their moods,” she said. The shelter was hosted at the First Christian Church on Kirkwood Avenue. “We all form relationships with the guests at the shelter,” Haverstock said. “And it’s amazing how many people jumped onto this cookie-baking project.”
(02/03/14 3:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Warm temperatures during the weekend brought more people than usual to the Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market at the Harmony School. However, some vendors said the cold weather from the previous weekends has not especially affected customer turnout.Market vendor Julie Thomas of Flower Power said that some days have had less people, but overall there’s still a steady flow of people coming to the market each week. “It isn’t always as busy as today,” Thomas said. “But it’s never been a ghost town, so to speak.” Open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Harmony School, the market offers a variety of local vendors selling goods ranging from homemade pies to fresh arugula. Christina Hunter, owner of Hunter’s Honey Farm, said her sales have been fairly regular this winter. Since first selling at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market in 1984, she’s become accustomed to how the winter market operates. “The summer market is definitely a lot larger, but I still have a lot of people come through,” she said. “The people of Bloomington are very faithful customers.” The atmosphere of the winter market is much different than that of the summer market. Enclosed in the gym of the Harmony School, the scents and sounds of the winter market are amplified in the small space. For Saturday’s entertainment, the Eastern European Ensemble performed and featured a singer and various instrumentalists. Loyal customer and Bloomington local Samantha Ezzo said she comes to the farmer’s market every week. She said she loves the market because she’s been able to get to know some of the vendors very well.“You really get to know people here,” she said. “It’s all part of the experience. It’s just so nice to know who’s growing your food and selling it to you.”Bloomington residents Bill and Cindy Walters also said that the vendors are part of why the winter market is so special. “The people here are cooks as well as produce vendors,” Bill said. “They always give great advice on what foods we should make.”The couple decided to stay indoors last weekend because of the cold weather and said that some of the vendors told them that only a quarter of the number of people who usually come to the market showed up last Saturday. “Today is about as busy as I’ve seen it,” Cindy said. Julie Thomas said that people are willing to risk the cold in order to come buy the high-quality produce. She said the winter market is especially great for prepared food vendors like herself because they are more easily accessible in the smaller space. “People come because they want to try new products,” she said. “Our customers are foodies, after all.”
(01/23/14 5:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>They left the harbor Jan. 8. After three days of good sailing, a storm swept around the boat of Bloomington residents Gunther and Doris Rodatz. Waves up to 14 feet rocked their 42-foot-long, 24-foot-wide catamaran sailboat, but the couple refused to panic. The calm weather following this storm didn’t last long. Soon another storm, worse than the first, threatened to overturn the craft. The waves were 20 feet high and continued to grow.It was during the second storm that a rogue wave hit. Exceptionally tall, and considered a threat even to ocean liners and large ships, this rogue wave submerged the Rodatzs’ boat in water. It was the first time during their trip Doris felt truly afraid. “In that moment, I thought the boat would crash,” she said.Gunther and Doris Rodatz were trapped at sea for four days because of these storms. Sailing since the 1950s, Gunther said he was more than prepared to face the storms.The couple had planned to sail from New Jersey to St. John in the United States Virgin Islands, and had left the harbor expecting good sailing weather. But by the third day at sea, Gunther realized bad weather was on its way. By this point, the boat’s generator, rudders and one engine had broken down, leaving the couple without electricity. After realizing the full extent of the damage done to their boat, Gunther spent two days trying to fix the rudders and make the vessel safe to sail again. During these two days, he did not contact the Coast Guard via the boat’s satellite telephone.“We wanted to fix the problem ourselves,” he said. “But it turned out to be impossible.”Once they knew it was useless to continue working on the boat, the couple called the Coast Guard seeking help. The Coast Guard told them another winter storm was on its way and the couple had to be rescued immediately. “We weren’t given any choice to stay at sea,” Gunther said. “The Coast Guard insisted that we be taken back to land.” Because the Rodatzes had no way to call anyone on land, their family in Germany had no idea what was happening to them and found out about the ordeal only after they were safely back on land.“I have been emailing with my family, and they have read all the reports on our experience,” Doris said. “They would love to see us soon and were very worried about us.” Having checked the weather forecast and gotten the all clear before leaving the harbor, Gunther said he was somewhat surprised at how soon the weather turned for the worse. “We had a weather report that was very favorable, but this time of the year it can be so unpredictable,” he said. The couple was relieved when the Coast Guard found them the morning of Jan. 13.Doris said she felt relaxed when she was taken off the boat, because she knew she was safe and was being rescued. “The U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy are heroes,” Gunther said. “They were the ones who rescued us.” Gunther said this was not his first encounter with bad weather. He said he felt safe in the boat because he knew how sturdy it was. “You’re sitting in your own little nutshell, and the waves and the wind are doing whatever they want with you,” he said. Gunther said he is unsure where he will sail to next with his wife, but he definitely plans on sailing again. First, though, the couple will have to invest in a new boat. When they were rescued, they had to leave the boat adrift in the ocean. The Coast Guard sent out a search plane to look for their vessel, but were unable to locate it.Gunther said whenever he’s faced with bad weather when sailing, all his energy goes into concentrating on the problem at hand. For new sailors facing rough weather for the first time, he cautions them to be careful. “You are encountering Mother Nature in the best kind of beauty,” he said. “It’s rough, but it has beauty, too. Just seeing what the environment can do is unbelievable.”
(01/22/14 9:38pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>They left the harbor Jan. 8. After three days of good sailing, a storm swept around the boat of Gunther and Doris Rodatz. Waves up to 14 feet rocked their 42-foot-long, 24-foot-wide catamaran sailboat, but the couple refused to panic. The calm weather following this storm didn’t last long. Soon another storm, worse than the first, threatened to overturn the craft. The waves were 20 feet high and continued to grow.It was during the second storm that a rogue wave hit. Exceptionally tall, and considered a threat even to ocean liners and large ships, this rogue wave submerged the Rodatz’s boat in water. It was the first time during their trip Doris felt truly afraid. “In that moment, I thought the boat would crash,” she said.Bloomington residents Gunther and Doris Rodatz were trapped at sea for four days because of these storms. Sailing since the 1950s, Gunther said he was more than prepared to face the storms.The couple had planned to sail from New Jersey to St. John in the United States Virgin Islands, and had left the harbor expecting good sailing weather. But by the third day at sea, Gunther realized bad weather was on its way. By this point, the boat’s generator, rudders and one engine had broken down, leaving the couple without electricity. After realizing the full extent of the damage done to their boat, Gunther spent two days trying to fix the rudders and make the vessel safe to sail again. During these two days, he did not contact the Coast Guard via the boat’s satellite telephone.“We wanted to fix the problem ourselves,” he said. “But it turned out to be impossible.”Once they knew it was useless to continue working on the boat, the couple called the Coast Guard seeking help. The Coast Guard told them another winter storm was on its way and that the couple had to be rescued immediately. “We weren’t given any choice to stay at sea,” Gunther said. “The Coast Guard insisted that we be taken back to land.” Because the Rodatzes had no way to call anyone on land, their family in Germany had no idea what was happening to them and found out about the ordeal only after they were safely back on land.“I have been emailing with my family, and they have read all the reports on our experience,” Doris said. “They would love to see us soon and were very worried about us.” Having checked the weather forecast and gotten the all clear before leaving the harbor, Gunther said he was somewhat surprised at how soon the weather turned for the worse. “We had a weather report that was very favorable, but this time of the year it can be so unpredictable,” he said. The couple was relieved when the Coast Guard found them the morning of Jan. 13.Doris said she felt relaxed when she was taken off the boat, because she knew she was safe and was being rescued. “The U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy are heroes,” Gunther said. “They were the ones who rescued us.” Gunther said this was not his first encounter with bad weather. He said he felt safe in the boat because he knew how sturdy it was. “You’re sitting in your own little nutshell, and the waves and the wind are doing whatever they want with you,” he said. Gunther said he is unsure where he will sail to next with his wife, but he definitely plans on sailing again. First, though, the couple will have to invest in a new boat. When they were rescued, they had to leave the boat adrift in the ocean. The Coast Guard sent out a search plane to look for their vessel, but were unable to locate it.Gunther said whenever he’s faced with bad weather when sailing, all his energy goes into concentrating on the problem at hand. For new sailors facing rough weather for the first time, he cautions them to be careful. “You are encountering Mother Nature in the best kind of beauty,” he said. “It’s rough, but it has beauty, too. Just seeing what the environment can do is unbelievable.”
(12/16/13 12:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Quarryland Men’s Chorus performed its winter concert Sunday afternoon at the First United Church of Bloomington. Founded in 2002 and currently under the direction of Barry Magee, the 22-man ensemble’s goal is to create a supportive environment for the LGBT community. The group began their concert with a rendition of “Hodie Christus Natus Est,” an antiphonal piece in which the choir created an echoing effect with their voices. “It was probably my favorite piece to sing,” IU master’s student and chorus member Chris Prestia said. The chorus also sang the traditional holiday song “Let There be Peace on Earth.” Magee told the audience to consider their participation as a “pre-audition” for anyone wanting to audition for the chorus in February.After this, the ensemble sang a lesser-known song called “Boogie Woogie Hanukkah.”“The ‘Boogie Woogie Hanukkah’ song was so fun to watch,” IU alumnus Benny Holt said. “But the song ‘Thankful’ is one of my all-time favorites.” During the intermission, a brass quintet played a few short pieces for the audience. The quintet was also featured in the traditional Jewish song “Oseh Shalom.”To finish the performance, the choir sang an arrangement of “Joy to the World” as previously performed by Mariah Carey. Assistant Director Mitch Serslev had a solo during this song and brought the audience to its feet at the end of the number.“I loved the whole performance,” said Amy Dyken, who was in the audience. “This group always has a good message to share.” The Quarryland Men’s Chorus performs two full concerts annually and will be singing at the Bloomington PRIDE Film Festival in January. Because of their involvement in the LGBT community, the chorus received the 2009-10 community member award from the Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding. A lot of work went into preparing for this concert, Prestia said. “This is a very supportive group,” Prestia said. “Although I’m new, I’ve already made a lot of friends.” A reception of cookies and chocolate by BluBoy Café and Cakery followed the concert, and attendees were encouraged to talk to performers. “The entire concert was just wonderful,” Holt said. “The choir did some very good work.”
(12/10/13 3:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students from the Ghanaian Music, Drumming and Dance course had their semester concert last night at the Folklore and Ethnomusicology Recital Hall. Professor Bernard Woma has taught the course for the past five years and he said he is open to any IU student wanting to learn more about the African culture.Woma has performed for such dignitaries as Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II. The concert opened with an upbeat number that had the performers chanting and dancing. Many students played drums behind a group of dancers, and Woma enthusiastically directed the entire ensemble. A lot of work went into the performance, said two of the dancers.“We met once a week for two and a half hours,” IU senior Taylor Twiggs said. “And we danced the entire time.”After the first number, Woma talked to the audience about an instrument he would be playing for the rest of the evening. He said it was called the Gyil — an African xylophone. For the songs that involved the Gyil, two graduate students from IU also played alongside Woma.Because this class is open to any IU student, the majority of the performers had never had any experience with African music or dance.“It was definitely a lot of hard work,” IU senior Katherine Finn said. “But it was really cool for me because I’m in the Kelley School of Business. This let me get out of my comfort zone.” Students who are thinking about taking this course should not be afraid to sign up for it, Woma said. “The concept of this class is to break cultural barriers and to change students’ perception of other cultures,” Woma said. For the final number of the concert, the audience was given instructions on how to dance along with the performers. In the midst of all the dancers was Evelyn Yaa Bekyore, guest instructor to Woma. In the final number, she encouraged audience members to get up and dance with the student performers. When teaching the students how to perform in the African style, Woma said he tries to make it fun for the students. “The students really put a lot of time, effort and energy into this performance,” he said. “When I teach them, I don’t want them to feel pressured when they learn.”
(11/19/13 3:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Provost Lauren Robel and several guest speakers discussed the role of
a liberal arts education in civic life at a round table discussion Monday at the Indiana Memorial Union.
Professor Sara Guyer of the University of Wisconsin and Associate Professor Jason Kelly of IUPUI joined Robel.Robel
opened the discussion by reviewing a recent report on the current
standing of the arts and humanities delivered to Congress by the
American Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as an
evaluation conducted by Harvard College.
Robel said both of these reports positioned the arts and humanities as
being at risk of losing students and in need of greater funding. “Both of these reports have prompted tonight’s discussion,” Robel said.Robel
said the study of arts and humanities provides a framework for students
to think critically, an essential attribute for global competitiveness.
“The danger of a liberal education is the possibility of creating powerful and independent thinkers,” Robel said. Guyer stressed the value of humanities studies to universities at large. She
said rather than thinking of the humanities as the exception to the
university, people need to know that the humanities are the university.
“The humanities aren’t the underdog of the university, but rather a
synecdoche,” Guyer said. “They’re the part that represents the whole
university.” She said that a common question asked by professionals
when discussing the future of arts and humanities studies was the overall
usefulness of a liberal arts education in regards to career preparation.
“If universities gave only career preparation, there’s no reason for students to go to college,” Guyer said. Guyer
said the main issue with discussing the humanities in terms of their
vocational worth is that it is impossible to predict which jobs will be
relevant in the future.
She said humanities studies are training for life itself. Kelly
rounded off the discussion. He first talked about the history of the
role of the arts and humanities and spoke briefly on distrust of
scientism in the 1960s.
He quoted the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of
1965, which promoted the progress of the arts and humanities. “An advanced civilization must not limit its efforts to science and technology alone,” Kelly said.
He said the defense of the humanities is usually framed in ethics and
people have recently tried to quantify humanities studies in terms of
how they benefit the overall community.“These defenses have narrowed the discussion of the arts and humanities,” Kelly said.
The floor was opened to audience members when the three speakers were done. One
audience member described the impact theater outings had on the high
school students he taught and said some saw their first stage play in
that class.
Kelly said becoming involved with the community in events like the
audience member had mentioned was important for students receiving a
liberal arts education. “Working with community organizations
transforms our students,” Kelly said. “It puts our students out into the
workforce and lets them bring what they learn back into the classroom.”