fall

Chatham engages the community with Harvest FunFest

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The sounds of Disney music and children’s laughter filled Chatham University’s quad on Saturday, October 31, as community members of all ages put on their best costumes and came together to celebrate all things spooky at Harvest FunFest.

The annual event, hosted by Chatham University, brings together students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community in a celebration of the Halloween season.  With a focus on young children, the event gives kids the opportunity to dress up, do a wide variety of Halloween themed crafts and activities — most of which are sponsored by student organizations on campus — and of course, eat all the candy they can get.

In addition to the 13 activities sponsored by student organizations, — like making slime out of clear glue and liquid starch with “This Is Me” — and two events — including cookie decorating and coloring, sponsored by Dean Zauyah Waite, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students — the free event also boasted two bouncy houses, balloon animals, face painting, and a selection of food and drinks.

According to Heather Black, Director of Student Affairs & Residence Life, the planning for the event began in early September.  

“We do a call to all student organizations,” she explained. “We give them a small budget and take care of all of the supplies.”

“I think it’s something special for a college to do something that involves the whole community,” said first-year Abigail Teibel, a member of the organization “Girl-Up,” which provided superhero masks for the kids to decorate because, “anyone can be a superhero.”

Her sentiments were widely echoed among many attendees including Black, who explained that the Chatham tradition, which is largely planned and organized by students, has grown extensively in the past three years.

“Over the years it’s become something that the community looks forward to,” she said. “And I think it’s so important for Chatham to be out there in the community.”

Community members feel the same.

“My granddaughter and grandson are having a great time,” Tom Ritson, husband of Chatham adjunct professor Margaret Ritson, said. “They just love the creative activities, and the hands-on stuff is really cool.”

Their grandson, five-year-old Beau (dressed as Wolverine) agreed, adding, “I like whenever we jumped on the bouncy house.”

His two-year-old sister Adalynn (dressed as a princess), though not very talkative, was not shy about dancing to the music.

In addition to providing family fun, the event was also a fundraiser.  Each table had a purple bucket in which community members could place donations, all of which went to a specific cause or charity, often one with which Chatham has previous connections.  In the past the funds have gone to the student emergency fund, and this year, like last year, the money is going to Relay for Life.

Community members responded to this, donating generously at the event which was, objectively, a success for everyone involved.

“We’ve become a staple in the community,” Black said about the response from neighbors of the campus. “We want to continue providing a safe space for people to gather. I think it’s so important for Chatham to be out there in the community.”

It’s that time of year again

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The weather is changing here at Chatham. The leaves are starting to become brown and it is becoming cool enough for sweats. This change of weather also signifies the ending of another season.

Our summer vacations have come to a close, and we have been in school for four weeks. We have to put away our sun screen and pull out the books. Baseball season is coming to a close, and football has started back up. People pack Anderson Dining Hall on Sunday afternoons ready to watch their beloved teams.

It’s a hard concept for us students to grasp, no more beach vacations or late night adventures with friends. Late nights will be spent in the library with our heads in our books surrounded by cups of coffee. Soon enough the grounds of campus will be covered with brownish yellow leaves and barren trees.

For most students, especially for first-years, it will be a rough time. Having to adjust to living in a different city and getting acclimated to the harsh winters of Pittsburgh is just one of the many weather hardships. By December time, Chatham’s campus will be covered in snow and ice. Snow balls will fly across campus, and lunch trays will be used for sledding. The winter will bring temperatures below zero which is, for some of us, a huge change. Before you know it, Winter Break will be here. That means lights and wreaths will decorate the homes of Squirrel Hill.

After we shovel our way out of winter, we head into spring. Trees will grow their leaves back, and the snow will be all melted. School will be winding down, and the temperature will get a little warmer. Shorts and shirts will be worn, and occasionally flip flops will be seen, signifying summer is close.

With the change from winter to spring, comes the idea of finals. The last few weeks of school will be spent inside, heads in books just like the beginning of school. The late nights of studying and coffee drinking will be well worth it, for summer will be right around the corner.

Once that last exam is finished, we will rejoice that school will be done for the summer. We’ll go back home and reminisce about the good times and bad from the past year. Then we are able to unwind with our family and friends and enjoy the sun shine for a few months.

Then, about this time next year, we come back to do it all over again.

The Lazy Fashionista: Fall 2015 trend predictions

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Fall is quickly approaching. The pumpkin spice latte has returned, school is back in session and Giant Eagle already has an entire section dedicated to Halloween (not that we are complaining — Reese’s pumpkins for the win!). You wouldn’t want to be caught in your flip-flops all season, so here is your guide to a few of my predictions for fall’s hottest trends.

Crop tops: yes, your favorite trend for the summer will stick around for a while longer. While it is still warm out, pair them with your favorite high-waisted shorts and some knee- or thigh-high socks. As the weather gets a little chillier, layer them over another top or don a chunky sweater and high-waisted jeans.

Boots: preferably of the combat variety. Whether it’s a hearty pair of Docs, some soft leather ones from Steve Madden, or actual boots worn in combat, don’t expect this trend to be disappearing any time soon. Tuck a pair of skinny jeans into them, wear them with shorts and tights, or use them to add a little grunge to your favorite floral dress. Whatever, whenever, wherever. You need a little combat in your life.

Capes: the wearable way to feel like a superhero. Call it a cape, call it a poncho, either way it is one of the most stylish outerwear choices of the season. These voluminous coat-alternatives are being resurrected from the early-2000s and updated with wool and suede, and you are going to love it.

Hosiery: the kind you don’t want to hide. This is a fantastic way to get a little more wear out of that cute skirt you lived in over the summer — layer it over a pair of printed, lace, or brightly colored tights and not only are you warm enough to brave the chillier weather, you add another dimension to an otherwise simple outfit.

Hats: who knew keeping your head warm could look so chic? Swap the floppy straw hat you wore to the beach this summer for one made of wool or felt, and you will not only have the perfect way to cap (pun intended) off your outfit, but another way to keep your ears and head warm. Bonus: this is perfect for days when your hair isn’t quite cooperating.

Whatever you wear this season, make sure you stay warm, stay comfortable, and stay perfectly YOU.