Auburn Discovered

fall 2011

Auburn DiscovereD|fAll

Contents3&4 Dancing in the Moonlight

5&6 Cool Things in Cool Weather7&8 The College Experience

9&10 Serving Up Fun 11&12 Outdoor Adventure Club

13&14 Walk for a Cause

Sonnet 43by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sightFor the ends of being and ideal grace.I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Hello readers!Elizabeth Barrett Browning summed up my feelings perfectly in her poem, “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43).” The only difference is Browning was speaking of her lover, and I’m speaking of my love for fall, especially an Auburn fall. Nothing beats a crisp morning walk with a view of changing leaves at Samford Hall. In fact, it is for that very reason that this edition of Auburn Discovered is all about fall. You will find that each of the articles deals with various things to do to make the most of this inspiring season. I hope you enjoy this edition, and it inspires you

to make the most of fall. God bless!

Letter from Paige

The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation is currently hosting the Fall Concert Series, which displays bands each Thursday at 6 p.m. in Keisel Park.The series is free to the public and began in September and ends Oct. 27.

This Thursday Auburn Knights Orchestra will perform. It is a 19-piece jazz band and is thought to be one of the oldest big band organizations in the world. A local band, Muse, will play Oct. 20, and Tony Brook Band will end the series

Dancing in the MoonlightA Fun Thursday Night ActivityBy PAIGE ROBINSON

Auburn residents enjoy dinner and entertainment at Keisel Park as a part of the Fall Concert Series.

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on Oct. 27. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, lawn chairs and a blanket and enjoy a free night in the park. Kids can also purchase an icy treat from the Kona Ice Truck. According to Meg Rainey, public relations specialist for The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, this series fits perfectly into the mission of Parks and Recreation, which is “to establish and organize quality programs that address the diverse leisure interests of Auburn’s citizens. Rainey said this series offers something for everyone. Families, students, church and professional groups all attend. This series is an annual event, and Rainey said it is also a way for local bands

to get exposure. According to Rainey, Auburn Parks and Recreation tries to diversify the artists and usually hire 15 to 20 per year (including the artists for the May Concert Series and other events). She said student groups have been acts in the past and can send in information to music@auburnalabama.org. “The concert series is just a great way for people to experience parks in a

different way,” Rainey said. “When you hear about a park you think walking your dog, going for a run, enjoying a

picnic or something like that, but this is a great cultural event for people to enjoy.” For more information, visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks and click on the “Special Events” tab or contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 334-501-2930.

“It’s a free date night!” Rainey said.

The Good Doctors, a featured band in the Fall Concert Series, jam at Keisel Park.

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Cool Things in Cool WeatherOutdoor Activites Made for Fall By PAIGE ROBINSON Now that being outside for longer than five minutes doesn’t cause sweat stains on shirts, Auburn students can spend more time outside. Luckily, with cooler temperatures come cooler things to do outside in Auburn. Hamp Price, senior and nature enthusiast, said he is excited about all the activities fall has to offer. “Well, I love being outside, but I get really, really hot,” Price said. “And so fall is my favorite time of year.” Price gave several different options of things Auburn students can do now that fall is officially here.

1.Study outside.Price recommends Towncreek Park, which is on Gay Street, as a peaceful place to hit the

Hamp Price enjoys listening to music and studying on his comforter on Samford Lawn.

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books. He adds that is far enough away from campus that it is quiet, making it a great, peaceful place for studying.

2. Hammock or hangout in a park of Samford lawn.If studying is not the focus, then Price says just being outside to read or hangout is something fun to do. Specifically, Price highlighted Chewacla State Park. “You can pay $2 or $3 and probably have a whole, fun day out there,” Price said. Price specifically highlighted places near the waterfall as nice places to hammock. However, if you don’t have a hammock, choosing to picnic in the grass field and sitting in the secluded, picnic tables overlooking the valley are also options. Price added that he is “kind of obsessed” with his hammock, and recommends everyone get one. If going to Chewacla is out of the way, Samford lawn serves as a substitute. The perk about Samford is that it is close to downtown, so food and drinks are easily accessible.

3. Choose to dine outsideMaybe parks and hammocks aren’t your thing. Simply choosing to dine at outside tables allows you to soak in the cool breeze of fall. 4. Walk local nature trails “It’s not like I go on any extended,

three-day hikes around town, but I think we have a really great resource with Chewacla State Park right across the interstate,” Price said. Other parks and Auburn

University’s arboretum offer walking paths with great views of nature.

5. Have a bonfire “I especially love campfires, or bonfires, so I’m really pumped that it’s getting a little cooler so you don’t have to sit around and bake beside the fires when it’s hot out,” Price said. Another great way to ensure a bonfire is to go camping. Chewacla State Park offers lots for tent camping, and each lot has its own fire pit.

Cool Things in Cool Weather

“After a sweltering summer it’s just really nice to be able to enjoy Auburn outside without feeling like your going to get a sunburn or die of heat exhaustion,” Price said.

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The College ExperienceRoadtrips are NecessitiesBy PAIGE ROBINSON

Many say that college was the best years of their lives, but what makes these four years worth such a title? Although schoolwork is strenuous, college students do have some of the most freedom to go places and explore things. “I think it’s such a great thing to do….to just go different places and really develop relationships with different friends,” Elizabeth Williams, senior at Auburn University said. Williams, who is going to every away football game this year with War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen, gave advice on how to make the most of road trips. “To do a good road trip you have to obviously have some good food,” Williams said. She advised buying plenty of snacks

and junk food for the ride to and from the destination. “Enjoy the ride just as much as the destination,” Williams said. Some people claim planning everything beforehand is the way to go, while others claim being as spontaneous as possible is more fun. Williams thinks the

most important thing in road tripping is to just have a good attitude. “Things aren’t going to go the way you think they’re going to go,” Williams said. “You may end up somewhere; you may get lost. But [you need to]

just have a good attitude throughout the time and really focus on just having fun and building those relationships.” She says that even if someone has been to a particular place many times, there is still something new to do that they

“...really focus on just having fun and building those relationships,” Williams said.

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can enjoy. They need only to have the right attitude. Williams also adds that road tripping does not have to mean going a long distance or even out of the state. She says some of her favorite road trips have been to Atlanta and Montgomery. “Sometimes it’s just nice to have a change of scenery,” Williams said. “And there are so many things to do in Atlanta. It’s only two hours away. Montgomery is also great for a Friday or Saturday night dinner. Sometimes you just need to get

away for a night.” Her most recent, fun road trip was to Clemson, S.C. for the Clemson vs. Auburn football game. One of the things that made this trip special was that instead of dividing the group into hotel rooms, they all were all able to stay in a house together. “I got to know people that I normally wouldn’t talk to and just see the beautiful mountains and also get to experience the college town of Clemson,” Williams said.

Far left: One of Williams’ favorite parts of her spring break trip to Chicago was riding in the top deck of a tour bus. Above: This is a photo of the Chicago skyline. Below: Williams with other members of War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen where they stayed in North Carolina.

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Michael Bowen pushes the ball over the net at the first Two21 Armstrong volleyball tournament.

Serving Up Volleyball Fun221 Armstrong’s Friday ActivityBy PAIGE ROBINSON

Two21 Armstrong apartment complex is hosting a volleyball tournament this Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Although residents and their friends play on the court a lot, this is the first organized tournament hosted by Two21 Armstrong. “We decided to have a volleyball tournament for our residents because we have one of the greatest volleyball courts here in Auburn,” Kevin Hetter, leasing agent at Two21 Armstrong and Auburn University student, said. “We have a lot of people out there, especially with this beautiful weather, just playing…why not bring in a whole tournament?” The regulations of the tournament are as follows:

1. Each team must have at least six people, two of which being female. 2. Entry into the tournament is $10 per team.3. Sign up and pay by today, September 19

4. Have a team name ready at sign up.

The event is not only for Two21 Armstrong residents, but anyone interested.

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Prizes for first and second place teams will be determined later this week, but the Two21 Armstrong staff wants to make sure each member of the winning teams gets a prize. Hetter said right now the prizes could be gift cards for the teams and maybe a family dinner at Mellow Mushroom. “We’re expecting a good turnout,” Hetter said. “We have a couple teams signed up already.” Although the main purpose is to play volleyball, Two21 Armstrong also wants to foster a sense of community and fun. People who are not playing are still welcome to come watch. According to Hatter, Two21 Armstrong is planning on having a resident lunch in conjunction with the tournament. “We’re going to grill out hamburgers [and] hotdogs,” Hetter said. “We’re going to have music out there, so it should be a good time for everybody to come out.” Hetter is also doubling as the referee for the tournament. “On Saturdays…sometimes we don’t get the best referees, but [I will] be the refereeing this tournament,” Hetter said. I’m going to call it nice and tight, but we’re going to have a lot of clean fun.” Two21 Armstrong resident Elizabeth Williams is not planning on playing in the tournament, but says she would enjoy watching and hanging out by the court.

“It’s going to be really fun,” Williams said. “I see people playing all the time, so it’ll be fun to say we have Two21 [Armstrong] champion.” For more information you can visit Two21 Armstrong’s Facebook page: Two21 Armstrong Volleyball Tournament.

The first ever winners of Two21’s volleyball tournament received gift cards to Mellow Mushroom.

Serving Up Volleyball Fun

“You should definitely come out and enjoy some good, clean volleyball,” Hetter said.

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Outdoor Adventure ClubProviding Outdoor ExcursionsBy PAIGE ROBINSON

If you enjoy outdoor activities like camping, rock climbing and hiking, then the Outdoor Adventure Club is the thing to get involved in. The Outdoor Adventure Club is a relaxed organization that provides outdoor activity opportunities to Auburn University students. The group plans trips, locally and in other states, to fit the needs and interests of its members. According to Lauren Boldt, senior and member of Outdoor Adventure Club, she heard about it her freshman year through a flier on campus. Being a nature enthusiast, Boldt jumped at the chance to join the club. She now says Outdoor Adventure Club is one her favorite clubs she is involved in. The Outdoor Adventure Club tries

to plan a trip each month that incorporates physical activity outdoors. Boldt said since she has been a member there have been rock climbing, kayaking, camping and hiking trips. The club goes to local places like

Chewacla State Park and will take longer trips like to North Carolina, for example. November 4, Boldt is traveling with the club to the Appalachian Trail for a 20-mile hike. Boldt said this trip is interesting to her because she wants to

eventually hike the entire trail. Boldt is thankful for this club because through it she has found friends to go trail running with her. “It [trail running] is something I’ve always been interested in, but didn’t have anyone to go with me, and I didn’t know where to go,” Boldt said. Dues for the Outdoor Adventure Club are $30 which allows members to

“[Outdoor Adventure Club] is a really cool way to meet people and just connect with people who have your common interests,” Boldt said.

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Kayaking is one of the many activities offered through the Outdoor Adventure Club.

Outdoor Adventure Club

go on any of the trips. Boldt said the dues are worth it, however, because when she goes on trips she does not have to pay for anything. “You get to use a lot of the gear that the club has and that’s awesome because it

saves you money,” Boldt said. To find out more information on the Outdoor Adventure Club, visit thir website www.auburn.edu/oac

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Auburn University’s Chi Omega chapter is one of the largest donors to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the Southeastern region.

Walk for a CauseA Philanthropic Sunday AfternoonBy PAIGE ROBINSONSunday afternoons tend to be one of the only times that Auburn students have free. Some people fill that time with studying, while others fill it with movies, naps or playing Frisbee. This Sunday, however, students have a chance to have fun outside for a worthy cause. Chi Omega’s annual philanthropy event, Walk for a Wish, which benefits the Make-

A-Wish Foundation is this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Towncreek Park. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children up to age 18 with life-threatening illnesses. The organization has been previewed on many different television shows included ESPN’s SportsCenter, the Today Show and Good Morning America. According to Kirby Crutchfield, Chi Omega’s Philanthropy Director, this year’s walk is looking to be one of the best yet. “We have food, and it’s just… a fun event. Everyone comes, and they walk and just sit and hangout. We have wish kids there, and it’s just fun!” Crutchfield said. In addition to food, Crutchfield said the event will have a band, a performance from AU Rhythm, and sometimes Aubie makes a surprise visit. “Chi [Omega] is one of the largest donors [to the Make-A-Wish Foundation], like nationally for Chi Omega [chapters],”

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Chi Omegas: (from l to r) Carolline Sunday, Maggie Valz and Katy Mac Tweedy pose with wish recipients at Walk for a Wish.

Crutchfield said. After last year’s walk, enough

money was raised to grant nine wishes, and Crutchfield hopes this year will be able to do the same. Crutchfield highlighted that Chi Omega’ philanthropy is very important to the chapter not

only because of the things the Make a Wish Foundation does, but because the chapter has been personally affected by its purpose. Chi Omega currently has two members who have received wishes from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. One of those is Mackenzie Derr who has received two wishes from Make a Wish, so this event is especially important to her. “I spent so much of my time in the hospital, and I am grateful to the Make a Wish Foundation for providing me with good childhood memories,” Derr said. Derr received her first wish when she was in fourth grade, and she chose to meet S Club 7, a popular British music group. “My trip was more than just meeting the band, it was a chance for my family and I to leave Birmingham and be normal,” Derr said. Later, Derr received a second wish upon the reoccurrence of her cancer. This time she chose to take her family to New York City. According to Derr, this trip was special because it let her know that she was not just a face to the Make a Wish foundation, but they remembered her and still wanted to help her. Crutchfield urges all students and Auburn residents to come Sunday afternoon to the event. Registration is $10, which includes a T-shirt, food and entertainment, but most importantly it is supporting a great cause. “It’s totally worth it!” Crutchfield said.

“My trip was more than just meeting the band, it was a chance for my family and I to leave Birmingham and be normal,” Derr said.

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“...ever to conquer, never to yield.”