Around the Horn: LitFest, puppies, dancing and donations

With the final edition of Around the Horn for the 2018 Spring semester, there are only a few things left to talk about.

So, as usual, I will get right into it!

Announcements/Events

LitFest

Starting off with a subject that is very close to my heart—writing—we have LitFest! This event will take place on Friday, April 28, in Bob’s Place from 7 to 9 p.m. and is available for Arts and Lecture credit. This event will also introduce “Bridge,” which is Bluffton University’s literary journal. This journal features work from different students on campus and will be read aloud for all to hear.

You can also sign up to read some of your own work at 6:45 p.m., right before the event.

Maypole Dancing

Maypole dancing has been a tradition at Bluffton since 1910 and is done specifically by freshmen. This event continues to be spectacular to watch. Although this is fun to watch, to some people, Maypole dancing can be confusing or hard to learn.

I spoke with Maypole dance supervisor Claire Clay on the difficulties of learning the Maypole dance.

“I wouldn’t say the dance itself is ‘hard,’ but it’s definitely a physical and mental challenge,” said Claire Clay. “We spend one day a week starting after Spring Break rehearsing with the dancers. The most difficult part, in my opinion, is learning how to weave the ribbons; it takes time to figure out how to do it rhythmically and stay together with the rest of the dancers.”

Side joke: An odd recommendation from a close friend to rename “Around the Horn” to “Around the Pole” in honor of Maypole dancing.

Donations

In each residence hall there should be a cardboard box with a sign reading “DONATE IT.” This donation is collected by Et Cetera, a Bluffton thrift store. These items are sold for money and is then sent to Mennonite Central Committee to support relief efforts both domestically and abroad. These items can range from clothing to larger items such as furniture.

If there are larger items that you would like to donate, you can call 419-358-9650 to have these larger items picked up.

Scheduling Changes

Just in case you haven’t heard it for the millionth time, Thursday classes are on Monday’s schedule!

Beaver Bucks

ALSO! Make sure that you use your Beaver Bucks before they run out. No one likes losing out on money. This money is also non-refundable and will be gone if you do not use it. The deadline is May 2, as Bob’s officially closes the Wednesday of Finals Week.

Dogs!

Lastly, dogs! Yes, dogs! Finals week is coming up. I’m stressed out, you’re stressed out, faculty and staff are stressed out, everyone is ready to get out of here for the summer. Don’t let anxiety from Finals Week overwhelm you. Instead, go to Ropp Courtyard on Tuesday, May 1, to hangout with everyone’s best friend. Pet-a-Pooch is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and will help you tackle Finals Week!

Incoming puns: Remember that if you’re having a “ruff” week, be sure to em“bark” on a journey to Ropp Courtyard to give your mind a break from anxiety. Stopping to “paws” every now and then is always a great habit to practice, because if you’re in the “lab” too long, then “howl” you ever get anything done!

Now, it is time for a more serious piece.

Highlights of the Archives

I will be alternating between different historical facts around Bluffton each week. These will range from: Similar Bluffton dates, monuments/statues and artifacts.

April 24, 1981. On this date, The Witmarsum announced the “FIRST ANNUAL CREATIVE ARTS ISSUE!”

“With your help we can make the First Annual Creative Arts issue a classic of its time.”

The actual Creative Arts issue of The Wit was published on May 15, 1981. However, we will have already left Bluffton for the end of the semester, so I would like to talk a little bit about it before we go.

Filled with poems, riddles, songs, drawings and photos, this edition of The Witmarsum is truly beautiful to read.

Almost with a nostalgic view (although I was not alive during the time this edition came out), I flipped through every delicate page, each word pulling me closer to read more.

I found a narrow poem, drifting between a picture of a bursting fire hydrant and the crease of the newspaper.

The poem read:

Like the hands at noon

We were,

We began together,

Even and matched.

But as time passed,

You passed me

And,

Like horses on a

Merry-go-round,

I could never

Catch you.

You were going

East,

I was heading

West.

You tried to

Pull me East,

I tried to

lure you West,

Straining

Until we pulled apart.

You ride your horse,

I’ll take mine,

With no regrets.

Maybe, in time,

East will meet West

And

It will be noon again.

-Anonymous

As the semester comes to a close and soon to be graduates start preparing for commencement, I wanted to share this poem and a small piece of advice that ties to it.