Diversions

At the annual conference for Keeping Sweets Sacred (KISS) today, Necco’s candy conversation hearts yelled out in protest against the “I Love Local” DIY movement that promotes DIY Valentines, particularly homemade candy hearts.

The spring of 2013 saw the revitalization of Furman’s WPLS radio station, an effort that required the purchase of new equipment, a switch from FM to an online stream, and a repopulation of the station’s air space.

In recent years, shopping at thrift stores has undergone a resurgence amongst the young and hip, who combine cost-consciousness with a D.I.Y. approach to fashion that seeks style amongst the discarded clothes of yesteryear.

At Furman, quidditch is no longer a game confined to J.K. Rowling’s uber-popular book series and Warner Bros.’ blockbuster film adaptations now that a group of students have brought the fictional broom-based game to life as a competitive club sport.

A new club on campus is aiming to help Furman’s aspiring auteurs bring their cinematic visions to life. Founded last semester, the Film Club works to encourage student film production and has already helped FU-2, the campus television channel, produce its first content in years.

Starting Feb. 6, Furman’s art department will showcase the work of one of its own — Associate Professor of Art Terri Bright. The exhibition, titled “Beautiful Ruins,” is a collection of 25 colored images Bright took on travel excursions and while on sabbatical in Florida and will be on display in the Thompson Art Gallery in the Roe Art Building until March 6.

We’ve all seen it. The hoards of students flocking to the salad bar for that one condiment that seems to have exploded into the American diet — hummus.

Charleston, South Carolina, has much more to offer than sunny beaches, good restaurants, and plenty of shopping. The city is the ideal weekend getaway at any time of the year thanks to a few key attractions that are perfect for exploring no matter the weather.

The nominees are out, so in advance of the 86th Academy Awards on March 2, our film critic is arguing for his picks for who deserves to win in several major categories.

Cantinflas Mexican and Vegetarian Restaurant, located downtown on Main Street, offers a non-traditional take on Mexican cuisine with a more upscale environment than other Mexican establishments in Greenville.

Swad, an all-vegetarian Indian restaurant and grocery, is located in a small, unassuming venue on Laurens Road, about a 15 minute drive from Furman.

Award season is in full swing, from movies to music and everything in between. The Grammys, music’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, are promoted as “music’s biggest night.” Of the 82 awards that will be given out this year, only a handful of the categories include contenders that actually deserve their nominations (for instance, Producer of the Year).

The year 2013 in movies was like a championship thoroughbred. Out of the gate, it started slow. For critics, it was nothing new or surprising. My concern soon vanished. Like two-year-old Secretariat, 2013 came roaring down the stretch with a stampede of superb films. And, as always, there were new discoveries to make.

In 2012, Tom Hooper’s film production of the French novel Les Misérables drew audiences across the country. Now, the musical is coming to Furman as the Pauper Players seek to link the stirring story of the past with the contemporary struggles of those on this side of the ocean.

And so begins the New Year! Time to leave 2013 behind and make a fresh start. New Year, new you, right? Right? Contrary to popular belief, and regardless of your probably dismal track record in keeping resolutions, you really do have what it takes to better yourself in the coming year.

With the past month of cold weather behind and weeks of winter to come, a hot cup of hearty soup may be just what you need.

“Wander,” an installation by artist David Wilson, will be on display from Jan. 6-31 in the Thompson Gallery of the Roe Art Building.

Starting next Thursday, Furman will hold its annual Church Music Conference, an event that brings in established composers, called clinicians, to lead sessions on music composition and vocal performance. Serving as clinician this year is Mack Wilberg, Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a 360-member Grammy and Emmy award-winning choir that is among the most famous singing groups in the country.

South Carolina may be relatively small, but there are plenty of activities to keep one occupied. The Low Country, Sandhills, Piedmont, and Upcountry each provide a variety of pastimes. Columbia, located an hour and a half from Furman, is a great place to begin your adventure. The capital city is home to many attractions, including Riverbanks Zoo and the Columbia Museum of Art.

Thanksgiving is like communism — it’s a pretty good idea in theory, but when put into practice, things never go as planned. In reality, Thanksgiving can be about preparatory meltdowns, stuffing your face with food, feeling sick and guilty about stuffing your face with food, and then fighting over discounted electronics. But it is possible to enjoy yourself this Thanksgiving and do it in a healthy way.

With exams a few weeks out, there isn’t much time left in the semester to appreciate the coming holiday season. Even after the semester ends, you may find yourself still around the Greenville area. Consider taking a few quick trips around town to get in the holiday spirit.

Last week, Furman University had the honor of performing the world premiere of the play “Pomp and Circumstance,” written by Furman alum and playwright Randall David Cook. The play has been advertised not only around campus and among the Greenville community but also on a broader level to notable playwrights and theatre professionals nationwide.

It seems remarkable that a novel as popular and influential as Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game has taken almost 30 years to make it to the big screen. But it’s also no surprise that director Gavin Hood decided that now would be an opportune time to adapt Card’s novel, given the recent spike in interest for the sort of young adult, sci-fi action that is at the core of Ender’s Game, as well as recent hits like Divergent and The Hunger Games.

I jumped into my second year as News Editor bright-eyed and excited. Although I was News Editor last year, this year the entire staff came in with a vision for the role our newspaper should play in providing the facts and insight behind the big stories on campus. With a year’s worth of experience, I felt as though I had a better sense of how I wanted to go about achieving this goal in the News section.

Early in the summer, Bundy presented Professor Jay Bocook, Director of Athletic Bands, with the idea of actually starting a color guard at Furman. Bocook agreed to the proposal and even hired an instructor for the guard. Unfortunately, the hired instructor decided not to show up for band camp, and the new guard was left without any routines to learn.