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(04/02/04 5:30am)
This weekend, the work of six IU seniors in the Individualized Major Program will come to fruition. At 8 p.m. tonight in the John Waldron Arts Center, these seniors -- who have chosen to major in Dance Performance through the IMP -- will perform and present their final projects in a series called "Revival: The Rebirth of Dance". \nErin Pritchard and Brittany Snyder are two of the seniors who chose to major in dance performance and will be presenting their final project in the show. Pritchard and Snyder have been working on their final project for the past two months. The hard work and time put into the presentation have made the two realize choosing to do the IMP major has not been an easy walk in the park, they said.\n"For the dance performance major, I have planned, produced, choreographed and will dance in a senior concert, and this has entailed many, many hours of rehearsal time," Pritchard said. "I have had rehearsals 7 days a week for the past two months, as well as working on programs, posters, lighting and costume ideas."\nFaculty member Liz Shea, who has mentored the women and other dancers within the major, said students who cannot find what they need in a traditional major can devise their own plan in the IMP. \n"Students, with the help of their committee and sponsor, design their own curriculum according to their program of study," Shea said. "Each IMP student must do a senior project."\nPritchard said those who chose to study through the IMP program had to go in front of a board and propose their major while the board checked their grade point averages and the curriculum they devised. \nPritchard was involved with the African-American Dance Company her freshman year and chose to do the IMP major to focus more closely on her passion for dance. \n"The idea for our major, dance performance, came from Liz (Shea)," Pritchard said. "I decided to pursue it because, although IU does offer a dance minor, I really wanted to study dance more intensely and seriously." \nFor the dance performance major, the women had to take many dance classes from various disciplines, such as ballet, modern, jazz, dance composition courses and dance history. They have studied all aspects of dance, such as performing, producing and choreography. \n"I have chosen (the IMP) major because I feel that there is no department at this University that offers a dance major that focuses on various forms of dance other than classical ballet," Snyder said. \nSnyder also feels the program has potential to evolve in the future. \n"Through a large number of students involved in the IMP dance performance major program this year and in the future, we can help jump-start the ideas for a dance major offered through the HPER (School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation)," she said.\nThe final projects of the IMP dance performance majors will be a series of three concerts. Tonight's show will begin at 8 p.m. in the John Waldron Arts Center, located at 122 S. Walnut St. The second and third performances will begin at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday in the Willkie Quad Auditorium. Each concert will showcase various types of dance, ranging from modern to jazz, lyrical and hip-hop.\nPritchard and Snyder said all of the dances in each show are original works. The six Dance majors choreographed most of the pieces in the concert, while other dance students choreographed others.\n"Most pieces were picked because of the preference of the choreographer," Snyder said. "I tend to pick music that I feel could work for a certain style or theme of dance because music has a huge influence on my creative process." \nShea, who has taught classes in the IMP curriculum, mentored and choreographed the performers and said she is looking forward to the various performances.\n"The concerts are going to be absolutely fantastic," she said. "This series will certainly contribute to the contemporary dance community here at IU."\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(03/09/04 5:37am)
Wednesday, the 19th Annual Bloomington Women's History Month Luncheon will be held at the Bloomington Convention Center to commemorate national Women's History Month. The theme for this year's luncheon is "Women-Inspiring Hope and Possibilities," and will feature speeches by Mayor Mark Kruzan and Indiana State Budget Director Marilyn Schultx, The luncheon will start at 12 p.m.\n"Each year, Bloomington holds a luncheon to commemorate and honor women who have made significant contributions to women's rights in the community," said Craig Brenner, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department staff member. Brenner also noted the entire month of March is set aside to honor women's history. \n"In 1980, President Carter encouraged the nation to celebrate women's historic accomplishments by National Women's History Week. It was held during the week of March 8th -- International Women's Day. In 1987 the National Women's History Month Project petitioned the Congress to expand the celebrations to the entire month of March," said Lee Bowlen, special projects program assistant for the City's Community and Family Resources Department.\nThree awards will be recognized at the event. \n"In 1988, the Commission began recognizing local women for their contributions to the advancement of women with the Bloomington Woman of the Year Award, presented at the annual luncheon," Bowlen said. \nThis year, the 2004 Bloomington Woman of the Year, Indiana senator Vi Simpson, D-Martinsville, will be recognized and honored for her work as the executive director of the non-profit organization, Heritage Education Foundation, Inc. The foundation develops and distributes education materials to teachers and schools. Simpson has also been recognized as an excellent role model because of her legislative work.\nThe second award to be given out is the Lifetime Contribution Award which will be given to Helen Gibbons for her previous occupation as a professor at both IU and IU-Fort Wayne and for her support and volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, Girls Inc. and Wonderlab. The final award will be given to Girl Scouts of Monroe County. The organization will be receiving the Emerging Leader Award for its public service to the community, and for its developing talents and leadership skills. \nJillian Kinzie, the chairperson of the Bloomington Commission on the status of women, is impressed with the expansion of the celebration of Women's History Month \n"The celebration of Women's History Month started out as a small gathering and has now grown into what it is today," Kinzie said. "Now, the luncheon is for women who want to work toward advancing their status even more."\nBrenner said the luncheon began 20 years ago to celebrate the holiday and ensure women's equal opportunities in Bloomington.\nKinzie said, the awards are given out based on a solicited call for nominations. They were selected by members of the City of Bloomington's Commission on the Status of Women. Representatives from these 13 groups sponsoring the luncheon represented the selection committee. These groups include Network of Career Women, League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County, IU Office of Women's Affairs, Mujeres en Conexion, Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Indiana NOW, Bloomington Human Rights Commission, Monroe County History Center, Baha'i Faith of Bloomington, Girls Incorporated of Monroe County, Bloomington Hospital & Health Care System and the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. \nAfter the luncheon, organizations and businesses that pertain to serving the needs of women will set up exhibit tables. \n"This is a relatively new addition to the event, and allows both for-profit and non-profit groups which serve women to network and share information with community members," said Bowlen.\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(02/26/04 5:09am)
Established and aspiring poets will take the stage to express their feelings through their works at Union Board's Poetry Slam from 9 to 11 p.m. tonight.\n"Poetry Slam gives students the time to read their thoughts through words and music that they might not get the chance to do," said Mary Hansell, co-director of Celebrate the Arts, a Union Board committee in charge of the event. "It is a time for them to share their work and others to enjoy it."\nThe Poetry Slam will take place in the IMUG Cafe, which is in the south lounge of the Indiana Memorial Union. The event is free and coffee and cookies will be served for all to enjoy while waiting to perform or just relaxing and listening to the works of others. The room has a coffee house atmosphere and is often used as a place where students come to study between classes. \nThe artists will sign up for what they will be performing and then will perform by order of the sheet.\nAlthough it is not a contest with prizes at the moment -- depending on the popularity and how the poetry slam goes -- organizers said it could turn into a permanent competition one day. Right now though, people come and perform their works, while others come to enjoy listening to other peoples' works. The artists are not restricted to expressing their own works as they are free to read and perform poems and popular songs they have heard of or enjoy.\n"I think Poetry Slam is a great outlet that is offered to students who might not be in the English or music field, yet still like to write and perform," said Eleni Peters, co-director of Celebrate the Arts.\nPeters, who performed in the Poetry Slam last semester, is hoping for a good turnout this semester and is working with Hansell on promoting it.\n"We are expecting between 40 and 100 people this time and hope to have a few more slams this semester, as well," Hansell said.\n"The Union Board is broken up into a couple of different committees and the Poetry Slam falls under the Celebrate the Arts committee," said Kathleen Hampton, assistant director of Celebrate the Arts. "Not only do we do the Poetry Slam, but in the fall we did a play and 'Hoosier Idol.'"\nCelebrate the Arts also is in charge of the UB magazine, 'Canvas,' as well the Film Fest that occurred a few weeks ago.
(12/08/03 5:39am)
The Monroe County Library recently appointed Cass Owens as new interim director after the previous director, David Ivy, resigned.\nJohn Anderson, associate director of Main Library Services, said Owens, the associate director of Outreach and Support Services, would act as director until a new director is appointed by the board.\n"The Library Board will conduct a nationwide search for a new director and is studying proposals by search firms on how to find a new director," Anderson said.\nThe responsibilities of the director include budgeting responsibilities and organizing the day-to-day operations of the library.\nOwens said she will take over the operations of the main library until a permanent director is appointed. \n"The board wants to take their time in appointing a new director," she said.\nShe said library operations will proceed as before, and in some situations, they will pause and look at aspects of the library that have been in the works to change, such as combining each department desk to make it easier to ask for information.\n"We want to make things as good as they can be in the library, and we have a good group of department managers and senior staff that will work well together," Owens said.\nBoard of trustees President Pat Steele said, "Owens' first task will be concentrating on the budget process and also concentrating on the number of work groups that have plans and ideas within the library."\nSteele said in the more than 10 years Owens has been at the library, she has dedicated time and leadership and has shown her stability and dedication to the library. Steele also said Owens has the right attitude and spirit to be the interim director.\n"What needs to be understood is that the changes that are happening throughout the library need to run more smoothly and we need to help out those people who think those changes are controversial," Steele said. \nSome of these changes include working out the way books are ordered, having a centralized desk, increasing magazine subscriptions and improving outreach services to collection centers such as retirement homes, daycare and workplace centers. The library is also thinking about extending its hours.\n"Cass has lots of experience and is well-liked by the staff," Anderson said. "She will do an excellent job as the interim director and knows people because of her experience."\nOwens said she is excited to begin the job and said she has numerous ideas of how to increase the library's quality. \n"I am excited and apprehensive to be the interim director, but I keep telling myself that I am just going to do the best that I can," Owens said.\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(11/14/03 3:34pm)
An in-depth look at Monroe County, past and present, will be featured this Saturday at a program offered by the Monroe County Historical Society. The program will feature slides and photos of Bloomington and the Monroe County area taken from the 1940s to present time and is open to Bloomington and Monroe County residents. \nThe look back at old Bloomington is the third of a planned series of events in which residents come together to share memories of businesses and activities throughout the county. \n"We hold these programs because there is sometimes a lack of information about Bloomington in the past, and it is nice to hear people's personal stories and their connection with the town," said Kari Price, executive director of the Monroe County Historical Society.\nThe Historical Society will tape-record the program to keep an oral record of the stories. Although there is no commentator, the audience is asked to participate by sharing stories of what it remembers about Bloomington and Monroe County in the past. \n"In the previous sessions, the photographs that were shown were older than many of the people who were viewing the slides," said volunteer board member, Allison Lendman. "This session has pictures from the 1940s that resident Ted Plew had brought to the last program."\nPlew did not take the pictures himself, but rather had access to 1940s photo albums. He decided to bring copies to the meetings and attendees were highly interested in this piece of history. \n"I showed some of the pictures at the last historical program and people seemed interested in the pictures I had during the 1940s," Plew said. \nThe photos will be shown at the event, much like a slide show or movie. Plew said he will speak about many of the photos and share his own stories, as well as hear stories from the audience. \n"The program will last about an hour to an hour and a half and is very informal," Lendman said. "We hold these programs for people to come and reminisce about what they know and remember about Bloomington."\nThe photos include scenes of the old Bloomington's downtown square and others taken from the roof of the Grand Hotel. Many of the photos will also feature old businesses and buildings that have changed over the last 60 years and old churches and buildings that used to stand in Bloomington.\n"The pictures are to bring back the memories that people around the ages 60-80 have of what Bloomington was like back then," Plew said.\nPrice said although many in attendance Saturday will be elderly Bloomington residents, learning about the history of Bloomington and Monroe County is beneficial for Bloomington residents of all ages.\n"Even if you do not have any stories to share about your memories of Bloomington, it's fun for everyone to come and listen," Price said. \n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(11/12/03 5:52am)
"When the law was passed, we were promised that the money was going to be used to improve the roads, but the tax dollars were used to hire extra deputies and the money was lowered for officer grants and switched to paying their salaries for seat belt enforcements," said Jeff Ellington of the Monroe County Council.\nUnder the law, officers will receive overtime pay for pulling drivers over. Local police officers say they feel it is important to strictly enforce seat belt laws, because it saves lives.\n"The seat belt enforcement law is really like a traffic law, and laws are there to protect people," said Bloomington Police Department Capt. Mike Diekoff.\nBut Libertarians disagree.\n"We, as Libertarians, always commend government officials who turn down taxpayers' money," said Erin Hollinden, the coordinator of IU Libertarians. "We don't think seat belt enforcement is an official use of taxpayers' money."\nThe Libertarians said they want to reduce the number of laws with which citizens comply, reduce the cost of the government and depend on individual responsibility.\n"We are all about personal responsibility and limited government," said Rebecca Sink-Burris, the 2002 Secretary of State candidate for the Libertarian party, who is now the vice chair of the Libertarian Party. "Our tax money should go to real crime, not crimes that are hurting only the individual."\n"If we are paying officers to work overtime, then they should be working overtime on crimes like domestic terrorism," said Jim-Billings Lee, who ran for State Representative of Indiana last year. "We stand and support the brave men and women that fight real crime and would like to see our money go to law enforcements that fight that crime."\nSink-Burris said the Libertarian party is in favor of the U.S. Constitution and the seat belt law would be considered "unreasonable search."\n"The grant is providing more money for seat belt enforcement than for drunk driving and drunk drivers endanger the public, while deciding whether or not to wear a seat belt is an individual issue, not an issue the government should be forcing," said Sink-Burris.\nHollinden considers seat belt violation as a victimless crime because the only victims are the drivers, and they are not hurting anyone but themselves. \n"I believe that adults can make adult choices and support the Libertarians in commending the refusal of taking tax money to enforce seat belt laws," Margaret Fette, the vice chair of the Libertarian Party and the 9th district representative of the central committee for the state party.\nFette also agrees with the Libertarians that individuals take better care of themselves than the government in a local community setting.\n"Yes, we need them for the army and for interstate roads, but we don't need the government intruding in an everyday part of our life," Fette said.\nLibertarians feel they want to be responsible and not rely on the government for personal safety. They view the seatbelt enforcement law as proof of just how controlling the government has become.\n"Originally, the law was passed and was sold as a second infraction, not a primary offense when someone was pulled over for not wearing a seat belt," Billings-Lee said. "Yet, the government proved their insincerity when that wasn't true and started to pull people over."\nAccording to Captain Diekhoff though, the checkpoints are there to raise the awareness of seatbelt enforcement and it is true that the number of fatalities in Indiana have decreased because of these enforcements. \nThe Libertarians feel the enforcement checkpoints have been excessive and intrusive and appreciate the council members who voted against them. \n"If everything in this country that was stupid were illegal, then a third of us would be in jail, a third of us would be police officers and a third of us would be paying taxes for it," Hollinden said. \nAccording to Ellington, the sheriff is bringing forth a new plan next month at the county meeting that will have equal enforcement of all the laws.
(11/12/03 5:49am)
"When the law was passed, we were promised that the money was going to be used to improve the roads, but the tax dollars were used to hire extra deputies and the money was lowered for officer grants and switched to paying their salaries for seat belt enforcements," said Jeff Ellington of the Monroe County Council.\nUnder the law, officers will receive overtime pay for pulling drivers over. Local police officers say they feel it is important to strictly enforce seat belt laws, because it saves lives.\n"The seat belt enforcement law is really like a traffic law, and laws are there to protect people," said Bloomington Police Department Capt. Mike Diekoff.\nBut Libertarians disagree.\n"We, as Libertarians, always commend government officials who turn down taxpayers' money," said Erin Hollinden, the coordinator of IU Libertarians. "We don't think seat belt enforcement is an official use of taxpayers' money."\nThe Libertarians said they want to reduce the number of laws with which citizens comply, reduce the cost of the government and depend on individual responsibility.\n"We are all about personal responsibility and limited government," said Rebecca Sink-Burris, the 2002 Secretary of State candidate for the Libertarian party, who is now the vice chair of the Libertarian Party. "Our tax money should go to real crime, not crimes that are hurting only the individual."\n"If we are paying officers to work overtime, then they should be working overtime on crimes like domestic terrorism," said Jim-Billings Lee, who ran for State Representative of Indiana last year. "We stand and support the brave men and women that fight real crime and would like to see our money go to law enforcements that fight that crime."\nSink-Burris said the Libertarian party is in favor of the U.S. Constitution and the seat belt law would be considered "unreasonable search."\n"The grant is providing more money for seat belt enforcement than for drunk driving and drunk drivers endanger the public, while deciding whether or not to wear a seat belt is an individual issue, not an issue the government should be forcing," said Sink-Burris.\nHollinden considers seat belt violation as a victimless crime because the only victims are the drivers, and they are not hurting anyone but themselves. \n"I believe that adults can make adult choices and support the Libertarians in commending the refusal of taking tax money to enforce seat belt laws," Margaret Fette, the vice chair of the Libertarian Party and the 9th district representative of the central committee for the state party.\nFette also agrees with the Libertarians that individuals take better care of themselves than the government in a local community setting.\n"Yes, we need them for the army and for interstate roads, but we don't need the government intruding in an everyday part of our life," Fette said.\nLibertarians feel they want to be responsible and not rely on the government for personal safety. They view the seatbelt enforcement law as proof of just how controlling the government has become.\n"Originally, the law was passed and was sold as a second infraction, not a primary offense when someone was pulled over for not wearing a seat belt," Billings-Lee said. "Yet, the government proved their insincerity when that wasn't true and started to pull people over."\nAccording to Captain Diekhoff though, the checkpoints are there to raise the awareness of seatbelt enforcement and it is true that the number of fatalities in Indiana have decreased because of these enforcements. \nThe Libertarians feel the enforcement checkpoints have been excessive and intrusive and appreciate the council members who voted against them. \n"If everything in this country that was stupid were illegal, then a third of us would be in jail, a third of us would be police officers and a third of us would be paying taxes for it," Hollinden said. \nAccording to Ellington, the sheriff is bringing forth a new plan next month at the county meeting that will have equal enforcement of all the laws.
(11/03/03 6:02am)
To celebrate the dedication and commitment of one of the most respected professors in the School of Journalism, a reception dinner was held Saturday for professor G. Cleveland Wilhoit, who primarily taught J110: Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication and J410: The Media and Social Institutions. Wilhoit announced his retirement in June.\n"He was a major influence -- perhaps the major influence -- on students preparing for careers as scholars and teachers," said Trevor Brown, dean of the School of Journalism. "He taught them the traditions, methods and values of rigorous social-science research, the responsibilities and commitment they must have as teachers and the importance of collegiality in academic life." \nSince professor Wilhoit taught both freshman introductory sources and senior courses, many students entered and left the school through Wilhoit's classes.\n"I had him second semester of my freshman year," said junior Leslie Silver, a journalism major who attended the reception dinner. "He taught my first journalism class and was really inspiring and very personal. He made the introductory material interesting in the best way he could."\nWilhoit said he strived to make his introductory class as enthusiastic as he could.\n"I thought he was a great professor and he really knew what he was teaching," junior Justin Kohl said.\nBrown said Wilhoit's commitment to his students is what makes him a great professor.\n"He was a marvelous motivator, encouraging students to believe in themselves and their potential and advising and supporting them throughout their years at IU and beyond," Brown said. "He communicated to his students a love for learning and a commitment to the role of the media in this society."\nWilhoit said he thought his best times at IU were spent with the students. \nIn both personal and school matters, Wilhoit said he tried to get to know as many of his students as possible.\nNow that Wilhoit has retired, he said he plans on enjoying his time with his wife and family.\n"We live in Bloomington and I still hope to write and keep in touch with my students," Wilhoit said. \nWilhoit began his career at IU in 1967. He taught for 36 years and taught many courses besides J110 and J410, including C200: Introduction to Mass Communication, a large lecture course that the school offered for non-majors. \n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(10/28/03 6:41am)
Two Bloomington residents recently earned the Certification of Instructor of Trainers award from the Girl Scouts of the USA. This August the certification was awarded to Terri Tock and Donna Rinckel. \nTock, director of Program Services for Tulip Trace Council, has been a Girl Scout for 20 years. She was a leader for 13 years and because of her interest in education, she wanted to be certified. Currently, she supervises adult development and program events that the troops of Tulip Trace Council participate in.\n"It is a three-year process to be certified," Tock said. "First, we take the initial course at a national education facility and take classes about the adult learning theory, philosophy of adult education, needs assessment and evaluation. The second part of the process consists of us training others to become trainers and finally we document everything we did and are evaluated on our training." \nRinckel is also a volunteer, who serves as a council trainer and Web master for Tulip Trace Council and has been an Girl Scout for 15 years. She was a leader for eight years and her daughter, who is an IU student, earned her Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, several years ago. Although none of her children are in the Girl Scout program now, she is still very active in it herself.\n"I've been a trainer for about 10 years and I really enjoy helping leaders learn to work with the girls. I love to do hands-on trainings, to give them all kinds of things they can take home with them to make their job easier," Rinckel said. "Becoming an instructor of trainers was just a natural extension of what I already do as a trainer. Tulip Trace had only one instructor of trainers so I decided that I could help in that area."\nIn order to train others, Girl Scouts of the USA requires instructors be certified before training volunteers to be leaders and trainers. Candidates who have the ability to plan, design, deliver and evaluate are chosen to earn this certification. To achieve this, one must be a registered adult Girl Scout, receive recommendations from supervisors and have some minimum training experience. \n"The Instructor-of-Trainers certification is a requirement for trainers who will design and provide training modules for Girl Scout volunteer trainers on a local level," said Beverly Calender-Anderson, the Communications/Public Relations manager of Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Inc. "Girl Scouts of the USA requires that each instructor be certified before training volunteers train others. Certified instructors of trainers train select volunteers who in turn train Girl Scout leaders throughout the area." \nOnce the applicants are approved, they must complete a three-stage certification process. This process includes a five-day course of study at the Edith Macy National Girl Scout training center in Chappaqua, N.Y. \nSince Tock and Rinckel were applying to earn their certification together, they were able to co-write their document and send their work together. Their application was reviewed and the Girls Scouts of the USA decided whether or not the women had filled all the requirements to be certified as instructor of trainer. \n"We were notified in August," Tock said. "But for now, we now have the ability to train more trainers who can train more leaders." \n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(10/17/03 4:34am)
For IU basketball fans, tonight marks the kick-off of the 2003-2004 men's and women's basketball season. The event, known as Midnight Madness, is the first official practice of the season and open to the public starting at 10:45 p.m.\nFans are familiar with the kick-off celebration, but what many might not know is all proceeds coming from tonight's event go to local charities. Midnight Madness has no admission price; just one can of food gets you through the door. \n"(Midnight Madness) is the official tip-off to the basketball season and all proceeds go to Hoosier Hills Food Bank.," said Pete Rhoda, Assistant Media Relations director for men's basketball. \nHoosier Hills is a food-collecting agency that gathers food from distributors such as grocery stores, restaurants and community donations, which are then dispersed to different shelters and soup kitchens. Agencies that benefit from the collections are the Community Kitchen, Middle Way House and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.\n"Everything donated gets used and the food collected from Midnight Madness will help keep Hoosier Hills stocked for the next two months," said Dan Taylor, assistant director for Hoosier Hills. \nHoosier Hills is part of the umbrella organization, United Way, which is a funding agency. Its main goal is raising money for agencies such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Middle Way and Hoosier Hills.\n"Our goal is to benefit agencies by doing some fundraising so the agencies can focus on their own mission," said Patty Boone, the communications director for United Way.\nAll food and money collected will come from admission, raffle ticket sales and from contests that go on during the evening.\n"At 12:01 the teams are introduced and throughout the evening there will be a slam dunk contest, a spot shot contest, a three-point contest and we'll conclude with a scrimmage game," Rhoda said. \nTaylor said Midnight Madness is a great way to welcome the next basketball season, but on a larger level, a way students and the community can make a difference in the Bloomington community with such a small gesture.\n"Midnight Madness is a way for individuals to get involved in the food drive," Taylor said. "This is our first major food drive since spring and if everyone just brings one can, they can help donate a lot of food that goes a long way."\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu
(10/01/03 5:45am)
A small orange T-shirt lies on the table in a back room of the Monroe County Library. "I MATTER" is scrawled in paint across it. A blue piece of construction paper with the words "Take Back the Night, Don't Repeat It" written in glitter is placed on a chair a few feet away. \nTuesday night marked the beginning of "Take Back the Night," an annual event that condemns violence against women. The Monroe County Library held an art exhibit displaying pieces of art work by women who wanted to tell their stories. People came in to view the art of survivors and friends of women who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.\nThis week, women of all race, age and religion will "Take Back the Night" by breaking the silence that surrounds hate crimes against women. The international event is 25 years old.\nStacey McDaris, coordinator of "Take Back the Night," said its main emphasis is on sexual assault. \n"It also functions as a space for survivors to tell their stories and for all women to find support and empowerment."\nMcDaris became involved in the annual event because she has volunteered at Middle Way House for three years, and it is in her area of interest. As the coordinator, her role is to bring everyone together who wants to work on the event. She was also the one who expanded "Take Back the Night" into a week-long event. This is the first year that "Take Back the Night" has been a week-long event and the first year that an art show was added. All the proceeds, such as the T-shirts that were being sold, go toward the Middle Way House. \n"The art show is a way for women to express themselves and find empowerment." McDaris said. "For people who use art as their medium, this was a good way for them to tell their story if they weren't comfortable talking about it in public. Some art is a part of the Clothesline Project, some was done by residents of Middle Way House."\nThe art show was open to anyone who wanted to submit, but was focused on art work from survivors. \nThe Clothesline Project, which has been in progress for several years, provides T-shirts for survivors to decorate as they choose. T-shirts such as the orange "I MATTER" shirt, were all laid out on long tables for spectators to view. Through fliers and by word of mouth, anyone was welcome to take a look at the 15 to 20 works of art on display.\nOther pieces included posters with statistics, drawings and ceramics.\n"The theme of this year's 'Take Back the Night' is 'No Longer Silent,'" said Ethan Bull, one of the artists who submitted two ceramic pieces. "One of the pieces I did is about the randomness of language and the release of getting something out."\nBull's two ceramics included letters and words inscribed throughout his work.\n"The survivors make the T-shirts and art projects as a way of expressing themselves." said Liz Siantz, who is helping out with the event. "We used to have an art show as part of Rape Awareness Week, but decided to have it during 'Take Back the Night' week instead."\nSiantz, like McDaris, is a gender studies major at IU and volunteers for Middle Way House, which provides service to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other women who feel they are in a danger.\n"My sister was a volunteer for Middle Way House and now she is part of the staff there," Siantz said. "She inspired me to volunteer for Middle Way, as well." \nEvents for "Take Back the Night" will take place all week. At 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, in the Collins Living-Learning Center's main lounge, there will be a film showing and discussion followed by an open mic, which is provided for survivors to express themselves and for the community to listen and show its support. There will be a candlelight vigil, the rally march and speak-out Thursday. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Dunn Meadow.\n"Domestic violence is the most repeated crime in the nation. It is the single most serious cause of injury to women," the Middle Way flier says. "Take Back the Night…don't repeat it."\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(09/23/03 5:21am)
The search for the "most beautiful baby" in the region began Sunday at College Mall. The contest, held by New Star Directory Inc., is a regional competition where winners and state runner-ups will continue on to Indianapolis for the state finals. After finals, contestants travel to Chicago for national competition.\nWinners in Indianapolis receive a $5,000 savings bond and the winner of nationals gets a $25,000 savings bond. Each participant in the regional competition received a trophy.\nThe regional competition in Bloomington brought about 15 children contestants, aging between less than a month and 6 years old. The competition is all natural -- make-up is not allowed to be worn. \nThe entry fee was $40 for the main competition, but contestants could also enter in extra categories such as prettiest eyes, angel face and most photogenic for an extra fee.\nThe contest also featured two guests of honor judges, Whitley Brock and William Steele, both reigning Indiana State Most Beautiful Baby winners. Brock won in the 5 to 7-year-old age bracket and Steele won in the 15 to 23-month-old boys. \n"I just went up on stage and waved to the judges smiling," Brock said.\nBrock first won Nationals in 1998 for the 24 to 38-month-old girls age group. She now holds the title as Indiana State Most Beautiful Baby and first runner up in Nationals. \n"As part of her reign, she gets to hand out the trophies to the winners and crown the next winners," her mother, Jennifer Brock said.\nBrock was also a judge for the contest along with Steele's mother, Mary Young.\n"We judge on how the children present themselves," Young said. "The parents can do whatever it takes to make their child smile, but we can tell if they are enjoying themselves on stage or not."\nChesney Hedge, a 12-month-old from Bedford, Ind., won Most Beautiful Baby for the 8 to 14-month-old age bracket Sunday.\n"She has won the Bedford 4-H fair contest before, and we came today and entered her in nine categories, four of them being photographs," her mother, Mandy Hedge said.\nChesney also had the most overall points for the contest winning a trophy and a $50 savings bond. She will go on to Indianapolis for the state competition.\nOther winners included Gracie Blouin in the 0 to 7-month-old girl category, Diego Pani in the 8 to 14-month-old boy division, Isac Abrams in the 15 to 23-month-old boy category, a tie between Virginia Howell and Allejandra Spear for the 15 to 23-month-old girl, Blake Fisher for 3 to 4-year-old boy and Ellie Jo Emmons in the 5 to 6-year-old girl division.\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(09/23/03 5:21am)
With the new school year underway, stores like Wal-Mart, Staples, and Office Depot have their shelves stocked with school supplies. But for some parents, affording school supplies is a struggle. \nJudy Witt, a member of the rotary club, said in the past teachers in K-12 have dipped into their own pockets to aid parents in buying school supplies for students. But beginning in August 2004, students and teachers will have the necessary supplies without paying a cent.\nThe Bloomington Rotary Club and other area businesses have come together to create Teachers Warehouse, a free-of-charge retail store open to K-12 teachers in need of supplies for underprivileged students. \nThe program is designed for two school districts serving the Monroe Country area. Currently, nine schools are eligible to participate in Teachers Warehouse, but Witt said no districts or schools will be left out.\n"Other schools and teachers are doing volunteer work to earn shopping trips to the warehouse," Witt said. "We want to be able to reach into the seven surrounding counties so that no one is excluded from this program."\nWitt, who is also the director of production development for WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television stations, first learned about Teachers Warehouse when she heard about a similar program, "Crayons to Computers" which started in Cincinnati. WTIU station manager Phil Meyer worked under the initial starter of Crayons to Computers and came to Witt with the idea of Teachers Warehouse. Witt said she felt the program would be a good project for the Rotary club and got started.\n"Teachers Warehouse is a program for teachers where they come to shop for school supplies for children who can't afford the basic tools," Witt said. "The program is designed for teachers because the warehouse offers supplies they would otherwise have to pay for since the parents cannot."\nMany local organizations and businesses are participating in the organization of Teachers Warehouse by offering donations, collection bins and support.\n"IU Credit Union is the lead cash provider in donations to the Teachers Warehouse by contributing $10,000 in cash and WTIU has donated both cash and media support for the warehouse," Witt said.\nWFIU has also helped promote the warehouse by providing media opportunities such as publishing articles in its monthly publications. Other businesses, such as Staples and the Salvation Army, have also contributed to the Teachers Warehouse.\n"We have items on a monthly basis that we are able to donate to charities such as the Teachers Warehouse," Staples store manager Greg Hoke said.\nDonations range from small supplies such as pens and pencils to larger items such as furniture needed for classrooms. \nHoke said every month Teachers Warehouse will have a first look at what Staples has to offer for donations.\nThe Salvation Army has also helped in supplying donations to Teachers Warehouse as part of its Back-to-School distribution program for needy families.\n"We are setting up collection bins at different location sites," Major Steve Kohler of the Salvation Army said. "One of them being a stationed school bus at the College Mall, and collecting everything from notebook paper to backpacks."\nKohler said the Salvation Army will designate summer as an annual collection time for Teachers Warehouse. Donations will be distributed to the warehouse a week before school starts.\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(09/16/03 5:39am)
For the city of Bloomington, IU is not the only higher education establishment with a growing student enrollment. At the start of the 2003 school year, Ivy Tech's Bloomington campus has recorded a 15.7% increase in its enrollment compared to last year's increase of only 5.7%. \nIvy Tech is a one to two-year community college offering students technical programs or non-degree-track courses for those simply wanting to enhance personal and professional skills. Ivy Tech also offers associate's degrees, Technical Certificates and Career Development Certificates. \nThe increase in enrollment has been attributed to the college's August 14, 2002 move and expansion in the west side of Bloomington.\nThe expansion moved Ivy Tech from its 20-year home in the Westbury Village complex on Arlington Road to a new 148,000-square-foot facility on West Ind. 48. The new facility cost the college $23 million and includes state-of-the-art labs for computer technology, drafting, nursing, science and writing classes. The expansion was built to house the growing population at the college.\n"We like to keep the size of the classes relatively below thirty students," Dean of Academic Affairs Jim Smith said. "The majority of our students receive a two-year degree and then are able to pursue jobs in the local area or attend a four-year college later on."\nDean of Students Diana Jacobs said Ivy Tech has identified four primary reasons for the increasing enrollment numbers.\n"The enrollment consists of those students who lost their jobs due to plant closings and down-sizing, younger students who were referred to Ivy Tech State College to start their academic career and then to transfer to a 4-year institution to complete their baccalaureate degree, former students who have decided to come back and finish their studies and finally high school students who are taking courses at Ivy Tech State College as part of dual enrollment agreements with local high schools," Jacobs said. \nIvy Tech freshman, Ryan Walke, said attending Ivy Tech while living in a university town such as Bloomington is a good choice for him. Walke said he can attend the smaller college, but still live in the IU atmosphere.\n"I chose to attend Ivy Tech over IUPUI and IU because I wanted to go to a two year college," Walke said. "It takes me about 20 minutes to get to Ivy Tech from my house in Bloomington."\nBecause of the recent move to the west side the new Ivy Tech campus is accessible for students to attend the college without making a drive to one of the other regional branch locations. \n"Out of the fourteen regions, the Bloomington Campus has the third highest enrollment increase in the state compared to Ivy Tech Muncie which had a 24% increase and Ivy Tech Kokomo increasing by 16.5%," Jacobs said.\nAccording to Smith, classes with the highest enrollments are General Studies, Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. General Studies offers courses such as English, History, and Sciences such as Anatomy and Physiology. \n"General Studies is one of the highest enrollment subjects to study because most students can get their requirements of a two year degree at Ivy Tech and then transfer to a four year college, IU being one of them," Smith said.\nWhile Ivy Tech's student base grows each year, Smith said the college has no plans to increase course offerings or facilities at this time.\n"We might have to expand, but right now we are very flexible for future possibilities," he said.\n-- Contact staff reporter Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(09/15/03 5:50am)
The parents of Jenny Suhr, an IU student who died from brain cancer four years ago, presented a plaque in her memory Friday to Bloomington Hospital's Olcott Center for Cancer Education. A picture of Jenny's face is inscribed into the plaque as well as a poem about her life.\nMembers of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Jenny's former sorority, were also present at the hospital. Their connection to the Olcott center began five years ago when the sorority first started fund raising for the cause under the supervision of philanthropy advisor Nancy Wroblewski. \n"I was on the Hopewell Circle Committee through the Bloomington Hospital Foundation when the center was started." Wroblewski said. "We started raising money through 'Jazz and Java' which was a coffee and music festival."\nLast year, one of the sorority's charities called Jenny Jams raised $2,500 which was used to build a library in the Olcott Center. After Jenny's passing, Kappa Kappa Gamma continued to raise money for the Olcott Center as well as donate books and resources to its library. \n"We received the books from the money donated to the center and we have all types -- from treatment to inspirational," said Janice Ross, the nurse educator at the Olcott center.\nBloomington residents Joan and Lloyd Olcott started the Olcott Center when Joan was first diagnosed with breast cancer. The center originally serviced only breast cancer patients but is now a resource hub for all types of cancer patients and also gives out free consultations and screenings.\n"When I was diagnosed with cancer, it inspired me to start a cancer research center so my husband and I contributed to the start of it," Mrs. Olcott said.\nThe aim of the center is to comfort and educate those individuals and families affected by cancer by providing information and organizing support groups within the community.\n"I just want to let the patients know that they are not alone in this," Ross said. \n--Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kekilleb.
(09/12/03 5:33am)
The parents of Jenny Suhr, an IU student who died from brain cancer four years ago, are presenting a monetary gift today to the Bloomington Hospital Olcott Cancer Education Center.\nSuhr, the valedictorian of her high school, was involved at IU as president of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and as a volunteer basketball coach at Tri-North Bloomington Middle School. She was also an avid IU football fan and in her memory, Suhr's family established a football scholarship which is granted to one player each year. \n"Jenny loved football," her brother, freshman Errek Suhr, said. "She was probably the biggest IU football fan on campus. Our dad was the assistant coach under Bill Mowry and later the administrative assistant under Cam Cameron and so we never missed a game."\nKappa Kappa Gamma decided to remember her by establishing a charity in her honor called Jenny Jams. Last year, Jenny Jams consisted of a basketball shoot-out as the proceeds went to brain cancer research at the Olcott Center. \n"This year, we are co-sponsoring a concert with the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association after the homecoming parade at the end of Greek Week," Kappa Philanthropy Chair junior Laura Beranek said. "The money raised will go to the Olcott Center."\n"Greek Week" is a week long series of events promoting unity within the Greek community and wraps up on the weekend with the homecoming parade and a benefit concert. Kappa Kappa Gamma is also sponsoring a track team in Jenny's name which will compete at the Hoosier's Outrun Cancer race on Sept. 27. \n"Jenny's mom is very involved with Kappa and her family and friends come out to support her at the Hoosier's Outrun Cancer race," Beranek said.\nAlthough none of the current house residents knew her, members of the sorority are still able to keep Suhr's memory alive.\n"I was only a senior in high school when Jenny passed away, but still everyone in the house remembers her," Kappa President senior Erin Perkins said. "We all give her family full support and will attend the event on Friday."\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(09/10/03 6:03am)
IU and the Bloomington community will commemorate the second anniversary of Sept. 11 Thursday through vigils, prayers and community service.\nThe IU Student Foundation will award scholarships to three people in memory of three IU students' fathers who lost their lives two years ago. The ceremony will be held at the Indiana Memorial Union in the University Club at 3 p.m. Any IU undergraduate is eligible for the three $1,500 scholarships.\nIUSF President Jonathan Purvis said the scholarship reception focuses on the recipients' achievements and their families. Purvis said remarks will be made by either IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm or Dean of Students Richard McKaig, along with IU Foundation President Curt Simic.\nThere will also be an interfaith candlelight service featuring prayers, silence and music sponsored by the Center for University Ministry at 8 p.m. in Dunn Meadow. The Unitarian Universalist Church and St. Paul's Catholic Church will hold their own services earlier in the evening at 7 p.m., and plan to proceed to Dunn Meadow for the campus-wide service. There will also be processions from the Sample Gates and some residence halls. \n"I believe that it is a very meaningful service Campus Minister Rebecca Jimenez said. "It is where people come from different places to pray for peace in one voice." Those represented in the service will be members from The Unitarian Universalist Church, the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, the Muslim Student Union, St. Paul's Catholic Church, the Islamic Center and the Center for University Ministry. The ceremony should last about a half hour to 45 minutes.\nAt 7:30 p.m., the Delta Delta Delta sorority will hold its own candlelight vigil for the second year in a row at their house, 818 E. 3rd St.\n"We are going to make our service an annual event on 9/11 because it is very important to remember what happened," Tri Delt President Katie Heinrich said.\nLadies First will perform at the vigil and the president and philanthropy chair of the chapter will speak. They will hang a banner at the vigil for people to sign before they send it to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund in New York City.\nHeinrich said the ceremony should last no longer than 45 minutes. \nJunior Phil Guerre, who attended the Tri Delt's vigil last year said, "It was good somber experience, and once again it made everybody think about what happened."\n"Last year I went to Delta Delta Delta's candlelight service, and I feel it was a great representation of campus interaction and involvement," junior Leslie Silver said. "It was nice to see how everyone cared and didn't forget what had happened."\nAt 9 p.m. the campus group "Grand Old Cause" will be sponsoring another candlelight vigil in Dunn Meadow where a moment of silence will be observed for 11 minutes. The vigil will commence with the chimes from the Student Building clock tower and end at 9:11 p.m. with the crowd singing, "America the Beautiful." \nKarl Born, senior and founder of the Grand Old Cause said, "The purpose of the event is to remember the victims, but we also think it is important to remember what happened that day so we don't forget what an important responsibility it is to keep this from happening again."\nAll these events are being held in honor and in remembrance of the terrible shock and tragedy that our country faced two years ago. \nOn the terrorist attacks' first anniversary one year ago religious services, candlelight memorials and a remembrance ceremony were all held on campus. \nSince Sept. 11, the Bloomington and IU communities have banded together to recover from this national tragedy.\nPlaces of worship around town offered services and collected donations in remembrance of those whose lives were lost during the attacks as well as those who rushed in to buildings to help people.\nJoAnn Jackowiak of St. Paul's Catholic Church said, "After the initial attack, students and members of the community collected donations for the firefighters and then gathered to make pin flags and distributed them out to people in remembrance."\nMembers of the sorority Delta Delta Delta also collected donations and signed a banner that was sent to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund.\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.
(02/26/03 6:58am)
Doctoral student Katie Moor said she wanted to study computer science because she liked to play with computers when she was growing up. She also wanted to join her family's discussions about computer topics. \nMoor is only one of about 25 percent of female graduate students studying computer science at IU. \nThe proportions is tinier among undergraduates -- about 12 percent of computer science majors are female. The department has the largest percentage of men in the College of Arts and Sciences, said David Zaret, executive associate dean of the college. In informatics, about 16 percent of undergraduates are women. \nFour female IU professors are investigating the gap between the number of women and men in computer science and informatics. Christine Ogan, associate dean for graduate studies for the School of Informatics and a journalism professor, Jean Robinson, dean of women's affairs and a political science professor, Susan Herring, an information science professor, and Manju Ahuja, an information systems professor, are requesting funds from the National Science Foundation to conduct research on the small number of women in these fields. \nBecause women don't regularly see other women in the fields, their confidence is not as high as it could be, Ogan said. Men, on the other hand, are brought up playing video games, helping them know more about programming. Male professors and the many male students in computer classes can intimidate female students, sometimes causing them to want to leave the classes.\nMoor admits she felt insecure in her classes. But that lack of confidence motivated her to work harder, form study groups and find good work partners.\n"When I was an undergrad, I was somewhat intimidated by the men in my department who constantly talked about new technology," Moor said. "However, later on I realized that some of them knew as much as me."\nBroadening entrance criteria, establishing female role models and creating peer groups can also help raise the number of women in computer science and informatics, sources said.\n"By forming and providing a place to gather where females can discuss computer science information, women can realize there is more than there appears to be by studying these particular fields," computer science professor Beth Plale said. "Where there is strength in numbers, women are able to see that the stereotype is broader than they think, and they can see other women who do not match the stereotype."\nThe stereotype of a computer enthusiast tends to be someone who spends most of his or her time writing computer programs or tinkering with software, has poor social skills, is introverted and reads books, Plale said. Women likely don't want to be viewed as the stereotype.\nA 1995 study at Carnegie Mellon University, one of the nation's top computer science schools, suggested broadening entrance criteria could bring more women into the field, Plale said. Before the "Unlocking the Clubhouse" study, about 8 percent of computer science students were women. Five years later, the figure increased to about 40 percent.\nOther solutions include making classes difficult early on to weed out those unsure they want to study the subject and designating role models. But few members -- 6 percent -- of the computer science faculty at IU are women, Ogan said. Only one of them -- Plale -- works full time.\nYet a support group at IU provides several opportunities for women in the field. Women in Computing at IU offers forums, career opportunities and mentoring for female students.\nMoor said the group has allowed her to meet undergraduate women in computer science and makes the women feel more comfortable about entering the department. \nAnd more women need to enter the field, Ogan said.\n"We need their creativity in helping designing computers and features for computers," Ogan said. "Things would be different if women designed a computer. There would be more interest by females in using them since they would be created for them"
(02/13/03 5:28am)
If you're from the South, it's "coke." Plain and simple. After all, Coca-Cola is headquartered in Atlanta. \nTravel to the Midwest, you might hear someone request a "pop."\nJourney cross-country either way, and you'll encounter Westerners or Easterners sipping on what they tend to call "soda." \nBut does "coke" rule over "soda?" Does "frosting" or "icing" take the cake? Do more people say "coffin" or "casket?" \nA online survey being conducted by Harvard University linguists shines some light on those questions of speech. Deemed the "Dialect Survey," the more than 120 questions have gathered information about the diverse pronunciations and dialects of more than 16,000 respondents from across the nation.\nThe survey's Web site also displays maps of the United States to show how people from different regions speak. A colored dot represents each vote for a pronunciation or a dialect. Dots sprinkled across the maps indicate where pronunciations and dialects are used.\nIn this age of mass communication, dialects still continue to change. IU linguistics professor Robert Botne said three notions explain why people use different words for the same objects. \n"First, people who settled in those regions may have come from different places that had different words," Botne said. "Second, language is not static because it changes as people use it. New terms may come into a certain region, but do not in another. Finally, people in one region may borrow a word from another language, while people in a different region maintain the original word." \nAs for the pop/soda/coke question, Harvard's Dialect Survey rules that "soda" is the most popular generic word for a carbonated beverage, with about 50 percent of more than 8,000 votes. Natives of New England and parts of Florida and California apparently use the term the most. "Pop" comes in second with about 25 percent, ruling in the northern Midwest and northwest coast. "Coke" takes third place with about 12 percent, as Southerners mainly say it.\nWhether it's "dinner" or "supper," "bubbler" or "water fountain," "see-rup" or "sih-rup," dialects derive from our ancestors. Pronunciation differences in American English dialect go back to differences in British Isle dialects, said IU linguistics professor Stuart Davis. Immigrants from the British Isles who spoke with varying accents settled in the United States.\nWhether or not the letter "r" is pronounced at the end of a word determines differences in accents, Davis said. Immigrants from southern England who don't pronounce the "r" at the end of some words settled in New England, which explains why East Coast natives tend to say "cah" instead of "car." Scotch-Irish immigrants who pronounced the "r" settled more in the South.\n"There is a clear geographical dialect on the eastern half of the country," Davis said. "You can hear a basic distinction between the north and south, but in California there is a mixture of people."\nBecause of that mixture, dialects seem to differ between northern and southern California. \n"Everyone in northern California says 'hella,'" said sophomore Lindsey Buchanan, of Alamo, Calif. "It's a form of 'really,' like, 'That's hella cool.'" \nBut in southern California, the dialect doesn't include "hella," Buchanan said. \n"In the southern part, you hear more of 'dude' and 'bro,'" she said. \nAccording to Harvard's Dialect Survey, more respondents from California say "firefly" instead of "lightning bug," but the words are interchangeable in other parts of the nation.\nBut there are exceptions to the Dialect Survey. Andrea Cohen, a sophomore from Atlanta, goes against what the survey indicates Southerners typically call their carbonated beverages. She sips "soda" instead of "coke."\nBesides sweetened drinks, other words and phrases with multiple meanings and pronunciations included in the survey are "aunt," miniature lobsters and drinks made of milk and ice cream. East Coast natives, for example, mainly call rubber-soled shoes worn for athletic activities "sneakers," while most people elsewhere refer to them as "tennis shoes," according to the survey. \nWords such as "pecan" and "syrup" demand several pronunciations. The most common pronunciations for "pecan" include "pee-CAN" and "pee-KAHN," which is mostly used in the Midwest. But on the eastern half of the country, from Georgia to Maine, most people say "PEE-can." Cohen displays her southern pride by enunciating the first syllable of pecan in saying "PEE-can."\n"I think that any dialect is fine because there are all kinds of different cultures," said junior Kimberly Harris, of Middletown, Ind. "By coming to IU, I was able to encounter many different accents and dialects, and I respect all of them"
(02/04/03 4:46am)
Most girls have had their wedding planned out since they were five. They have everything picked out … well, everything but the groom. And every father of that little five-year-old in pigtails regrets that day when she finds the groom, comes home and says, "Daddy, I'm getting married." Then the sweat beads begin to form every time he thinks about the new man that has entered into his daughter's life and he watches as his bank account drops lower and lower. He has rightfully earned the title of "Father of the Bride" by the time the big day comes.\nThis popular movie, first made in 1950, stared Spencer Tracy as Mr. Banks, the father, and Elizabeth Taylor as Kay, the daughter and the bride. It was then remade in 1961 and again in 1991 with Steve Martin, Martin Short and Kimberly Williams. Short played the ever-hilarious wedding planner while Martin tried to keep his sanity as he gave away his on-screen daughter, played by Williams.\nThe Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis has been showing the play "Father of the Bride," which is more like the 1950 movie version than the popular 1991 version. \nI was surprised when I looked through the program and noticed the names were different as was the setting. \nThe production took place inside the Banks' home, and the set never changed. People would come and go, but everything took place in the living room. Kay opened the act by announcing her engagement to Mr. and Mrs. Banks as soon as she entered the room. Kay's fiancé, Buckley, was portrayed differently than he was in the movie. Here, Buckley wanted a small wedding and wanted to elope with Kay so that "50 people would not be staring at him." Buckley was a bundle of nerves throughout the whole thing and, after some sense was knocked into him, he realized that having a larger wedding would not be so bad.\nMr. Banks, on the other hand, carried the humor and wit that all are used to after watching Martin perform. He gave an excellent performance that kept my spirits high and the laughter rolling. The dialogue that he shared with Buckley after a fight with Kay perfectly explains what a woman goes through on her wedding day. "Her groom wears a sign," he explained, "ten feet wide that says 'this man is mine, look but don't touch and if he is lost, return him to me,' while she is wearing a sign, ten feet wide as well, that says 'I am beautiful, everyone is looking at me, and I am worth it!'" This line clearly rang in my head throughout the rest of the play as I had tears of laughter streaming down my face. \nTo bring more comedy into the play was the wedding planner, Mr. Massoula, played by Short in the 1991 film. Yet, the actor over did his comedy routine and tried too hard to be funny. He played a very comedic role, but it was just too much and at times unnecessary. The play was perfectly hilarious with Mr. Banks making comments about how "women belong to a tribe that men will never understand." \nThe final scene of the show consisted of Kay spending some last precious moments in the house with her father. As her father pushed her to take that final step towards her new life, she freaked out at the last second. I found myself completely breaking down into a fit of tears (for a second time but a different reason) thinking of the day that I will be turning my own father into a "Father of the Bride." \nI had never been to a dinner theater before. I thought the food was superb and the show was excellent. Although the performance was different than the movie, I thought that the script was well-put together and was acted well.\n"Father of the Bride" plays at the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, located at 9301 N. Michigan Road in Indianapolis, through Feb. 9. For ticket information, call 317-872-9664 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.