Photo Credit: Roxanna Salceda (Flickr)[/caption]As fall leaves sprinkle the ground, pumpkin-spice flavored everything fills the grocery store shelves. The market has flooded with the seasonal flavor ever since the famous pumpkin spice latte made its debut at Starbucks in 2003. The food companies of America have hit an all-time high in creating food with the pumpkin flavor, as the shelves overflow with fall-flavored food.
Pumpkin-spice Oreos, pumpkin-spice candy corn, pumpkin-spice coffee creamers; look no more as your eyes will immediately find these classic products in the local Walmart. However, this fall 2014 has offered a variety of new foods including Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles, Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts, Rossi’s Pumpkin Spice Lasagna, and Bigelow’s Pumpkin Spice Tea. While the pumpkin-crazed fans may be all over this trend, some Americans find pumpkin-spice to be suffocating. Senior Lexi Moyer said, “I’m personally not a fan of pumpkin spice, so the pumpkin-filled grocery stores are getting annoying.”
While pumpkin spice may be an overused fad, most people have responded positively and jumped on the pumpkin-spice bandwagon. Students can have an entire day’s meal revolving around pumpkin; pumpkin-spice waffles, pumpkin-spice yogurt, pumpkin-spice bread, pumpkin-spiced lasagna, the list continues on. In addition, Meleah Travis raves over “the pumpkin-spiced pop tarts! They are a perfect fall treat for the morning and get me in the Halloween mood.”
For those who aren’t big on the pumpkin flavor, other seasonal items include Glade’s pumpkin-scented air fresheners, Trader Joe’s pumpkin flavored dog treats for your pooch, and Bath & Body Works’ sweet cinnamon pumpkin body lotion.
Overall, pumpkin-spice is dominating the market and becoming a go-to flavor for food and product companies. As people continue to buy up the seasonal trend, it is suggested that there is everything nice about pumpkin-spice.
Photo credit: Hannah Link[/caption]The Orange High School art department has created tasty treats just in time for the holiday season. Although they appear delicious, they are not edible. These delightful desserts are strategically crafted out of clay and canvas. They are displayed in the Learning Commons and will remain there throughout the holiday season.
The Art 1 students used their creative senses to make desserts crafted out of clay. The desserts range from cakes and pies to pastries and ice cream. The pies and cakes, some many layers high, are intricately designed and encompass a wide variety of flavors, colors, and textures. That’s not all though--some of the art pieces are paintings of wedding cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, and pies. Although they are not 3D, they are still visually attractive and even mimic the textures of the icing and cream on the cake.
These treats look good, but how do they taste? As part of the art show, the students provided a family recipe with the desserts that they made. Now those secret family recipes are being revealed to the public. Don’t miss your opportunity to taste test all of these gourmet desserts. There are recipes for Carolina Compton’s Irresistible Key Lime Pie, Noah Kelly’s Mouth Watering Waffles with Strawberries and Cream, and Jose Lazano’s Incredible Banana Nut Cake.
Come to the Learning Commons to check out these delicious desserts and get your dessert ideas for the holiday season.
Photo Credit: daniellehelm (Flickr)[/caption]The media has a huge effect on girls and their body images. It proclaims that being thin and perfect is the only way to be anyone of significance and forces young women to look like computer-generated images. A primary result of this is bullying--people are bullying girls because their body image “doesn’t measure up.” Society deceives girls into believing there is a perfect image of what a young woman must look like. This pressure to look like a Barbie doll can have an extremely negative impact on a girl's body image in today’s generation.
During teen years, girls begin to compare their appearance to other girls and to what the media advertises. Doing this only make their self esteem deteriorate. Being surrounded by fake perfection stimulates the desire for girls to reflect the images they see all around them: on T.V commercials, in magazines, on the Internet and even in public. Even before teen years, girls who are between the ages of 9 and 10 try to lose weight because they don’t look the way that they want to look. One study reports that about 53 percent of 13-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies and have at least one thing that they would change if they could. This number increases to over 78 percent by the time they reach the age of 17.
Eating disorders often are paired with body image issues. Girls want to look perfect so they want to be skinnier. Researchers have found that about eight million Americans have an eating disorder, seven million of those being women and one million being men. This is a sad fact, because many people are either hospitalized or end up dying because of these diseases. 95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 35.
Fashion magazines have a particularly powerful effect on how girls view themselves and their bodies. These magazines contain a powerful message: “If you could just lose those last 10 pounds, then everything would be perfect. You would have the perfect body, the perfect relationship, and the perfect life.”
In closing, every form of media focuses on being perfect and having the perfect body. Teen girls are deceived into thinking that this is the normal, when in reality it is quite the opposite.
Photo Credit: Maddie Norwood[/caption]A haunting whistle pierces through the noise and conversations in town. People stop talking and turn to identify the source of the sound. When they see it comes from a passing train, children run to watch the train rumble by.
Americans are fascinated by trains, which are an integral part of the country’s history. Everyone from an amateur train lover to an obsessive model train collector enjoys them, and taking the train can make an everyday commute new and different.
Hillsborough residents who want a bite to eat while listening to trains pass by the West End now have a new source of locally grown, sustainably farmed food and drinks, The Whistle. The train-themed coffee shop sells sandwiches, baked goods, coffee, beer, and wine bought from local bakeries and brewers.
Owners Doug Baker and Jamie Coomber, 53 and 56, respectively, had a soft opening last month and plan to have a grand opening in a few weeks. The shop is located at 250 S. Nash St., close enough to feel and hear the Amtrak trains that roll by six times a day. Freight trains pass by as well, usually in the evenings.
This proximity is what inspired the name of the shop, although Baker describes himself as a “train lover” and has always admired trains. He loves riding trains because “you don’t have to worry about anything. … You can relax and enjoy that rhythm, what you’re seeing out the windows, (and) watch America go by.”
Coomber, who moved to the U.S. from London in 2011, calls the train whistle a “mournful sound” that is the “whole heart and soul of the States” and “evokes some feelings.”
Train-themed memorabilia is placed throughout the shop. Photos of trains cover one wall, toy trains donated by a local woman sit behind the counter, and authentic train lanterns hang from the ceiling. Baker hopes to collect more items over time. “If it fits in and we’ve got a spot for it, why not?” he said. He said the shop currently has a “clean and rustic” feel. Tables and a bar seat 30 people.
Baker and Coomber plan to have live music three to four nights a week. Sarah Aili, a Nashville folk singer, performed on Aug. 26. Baker hopes to have local and out-of-state performers come by. “We really have a lot of talent in this area,” Baker said.
The hours are currently 7 a.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays.
The drinks served at the shop include locally roasted coffee, natural and regular sodas, craft and domestic beer, and sustainably farmed wines. The foods offered are “freshly baked goods from local bakeries” and “freshly made sandwiches, salads, and wraps.”
For the last four years, Baker has actively thought about owning his own restaurant. He chose to open the restaurant in Hillsborough because there’s “something about Hillsborough that’s different” and because residents believe in eating locally.
Lisa Wells, owner of The Whistle’s neighboring pet store Paws at the Corner, said she is “very excited that it’s going to bring more people in.” Bartender Sarah Jarvis described the store “as a café (and) bar with a warm atmosphere and a friendly ownership.”
Baker and Coomber met on a golf course by chance.
“I was playing golf by myself. Jamie was playing with another friend of ours,” Baker said. “I’m playing behind them and faster, and I come up to them on the fifth tee. … I was like, ‘I don’t know, I tell you what. You guys look cool, I’ll play along with you guys.’ So after a few holes, we were laughing and having a good time, so we became instant friends.”
“None of this would have happened at all (if I didn’t play with Jamie),” he said. “It would have been just two other guys that I passed through on a golf course. Instead of that, by saying, ‘Yeah, I’d like to play along with you guys,’ I now have two lifelong friends, a business partner, (and) a dream fulfilled. It’s a heck of a message.”
Photo Credit: MIchael Norwood[/caption]Yum, a new gelato, sorbet, and crepe shop, officially opened May 8. The unusual shop is owned by Mick and Kate Carroll. The Carrolls are also owners of the neighboring restaurant, Radius Pizzeria & Pub. The store is located at 118 N. Churton St in downtown Hillsborough.
Kate Carroll spoke for the two when she said that the duo wanted to originally open a pizzeria and sweet shop at the same time, but there wasn’t enough space. While the mix of gelato and crepes may seem strange to some, Carroll said that the pair just came as a “natural connection.” She also mentioned that ”gelato and crepes are just healthier forms of ice cream and pancakes.” The couple wanted to bring something new to Hillsborough that they hadn’t seen much of, a dessert location.
The restaurant currently offers around four sorbets and 8-10 gelatos depending on the daily availability. Crepes are made to order. Some of the flavors for gelato include anything from plain strawberry or espresso to acquired flavors of sweet tea or lime-cilantro. Sorbets include Granny Smith apple, mango cardamom (ginger), and more. Flavors will most likely vary with the season as well. All the gelatos are handcrafted and sorbets are sugar-free. Root beer floats and classic sundaes also are expected to be offered.
The restaurant itself is fairly small, but friendly. The serving counter looks like one found in a typical ice cream shop and the staff will kindly greet you as you walk in. The ordering process is also like that of a standard ice cream serving counter, with the exception of ordering a crepe. The atmosphere is very clean and bright with natural lighting and an array of color decorating the menu and shop. The location also offers an outside seating area.
The sweet shop has been a hit for many Hillsborough folk. People can be seen enjoying their treats during various hours of the day. Jessica Smith, a resident who enjoyed the strawberry gelato, says, “It’s really nice, having somewhere you can stop at downtown to get something cold and sweet.”
The restaurant is currently closed due to an issue with the freezer, but it should be reopened soon.
Photo Credit: jasonandjessiejam.webs.com. A shot of the Big Barn Convention Center prior to the Jason and Jessie Jam VII.[/caption]Two lucky Orange High students will receive academic scholarships courtesy of the Jason and Jessie Jam VIII, an action-packed, music-based fundraising event erected in the memory of two former OHS students who died in a tragic car accident; Jason and Jessie Evans.
July 26, you can come out to the Big Barn Convention Center in downtown Hillsborough to enjoy great food, live music, and a silent auction. Free drawings and door prizes will be given out throughout the night as well, giving great, quality entertainment for the whole family in one of the long, summer nights. With this exciting event being for a good cause too, it really adds to the effect.
Emma Beneville and Desean Motley were the OHS scholarship recipients from last year, while Ryan Robinson and Aubrey Carr were the recipients of the scholarships for the Florida State University Sports Medicine Program, which the Jam also provides. Jason Evans was studying sports medicine at FSU at the time of the accident.
As for some details of the event, “Thrills from the Grill” will be providing the food, while local band “Good Rockin’ Sam” will be “jamming” for the event. The silent auction will include sporting event tickets, local artwork, and some vacation getaways. The Jason and Jessie Jam VII, last year’s event, raised $16,000 from generous donors in addition to the endowments of the two Panther students.
Early tickets for the extravagant event can be purchased for $20 at Dual Supply in Hillsborough, McAdams Farm and McAdams Muffler in Efland, and Devine’s Restaurant in Durham. Tickets will be sold for $25 at the door.
More information about the event, a link to donate online, and pictures of previous Jams can be found by clicking here, the official website of the Jam. Come out and support a great cause in loving memory of two former OHS students, July 26 at the Big Barn Convention Center from 5-9 pm!
Photo Credit: F.Delvanthal. No edits made. Picture available here: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en.Many cans were collected for the Thanksgiving baskets which will go and help multiple families make a Thanksgiving feast possible.[/caption]
Monday, November 18, food items were taken up and boxed to help feed hungry families on Thanksgiving Day. The food items were collected weeks before and given by groups or clubs at OHS.
The Thanksgiving dinner items were taken to the front office on the morning of November 18, and the food was boxed later. The dinner was a way that the clubs and groups of OHS could give to people who need food on Thanksgiving. The dinner was set up by Sue Cunningham and groups and clubs signed up to bring certain foods.
The food items that was given were 50 cans of corn, 50 cans of green beans, 50 cans of turnip greens, 50 boxes of stuffing, 50 boxes or 25 boxes of mac and cheese, 50 boxes of cornbread mix, 50 cans of fruit, 50 boxes of cake or brownie mix, 25 bags of flour, and 25 bags of sugar.
The groups also gave 50 packages of foil wrap, 50 turkey roasting pans, a $50 or $25 donation for turkey, and 25 bottles of vegetable oil.
There were many clubs at OHS that donated. The clubs included Beta Club, National Achievers Honor Society, FBLA, Interact Club, Todos Unidos, and National Spanish Honor Society. There were also churches, families, and sport teams that donated to the dinner.
After the NHL lockout ended January 6, 2013, the Carolina Hurricanes took to the ice and began their season. During the course of the season, I had the pleasure of attending two games at PNC Arena. The first game I attended was on January 24, when the team took on the Buffalo Sabres. It was the team’s second home game and the crowd was very excited to see their hometown team back to work. Along with the Hurricanes fans, there were many Sabres fans as well, which is common in Raleigh. In the end, the Hurricanes sent the Caniacs home happy with a 6-3 victory. Overall, you can expect a family-friendly atmosphere with very proud fans, and a Hurricanes staff who loves to get the fans involved with trivia games and fan cameras.
Duke Basketball
November 16, 2013, I attended the Duke game at Cameron Indoor Stadium against the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University. As this Eagles team was rarely heard of before this David vs. Goliath match-up with Duke, they made quite a story becoming the only #15 seed in NCAA Tournament history to win their first 2 games and advance to the Sweet 16, where they eventually fell to their now in-state rival Florida University.
According to USA Today, Cameron Indoor Stadium is the #1 ranked college basketball arena in the country, and it was ranked 4th by Sports Illustrated for the best sport venues of the 20. Located near the famous “Krzyzewskiville” sign at the epicenter of Duke Sports, Cameron Indoor Stadium was opened on January 6, 1940, and it’s cost was $400,000 (6.3 million in 2013 dollars). Krzyzewskiville is actually named after a phenomenon in which a pretty lengthy line of undergraduate students wait to get admission to Duke home games (more famously and commonly against UNC), and is often confused as a ticket line (Duke students get admitted to the “Cameron Crazie” student section for free).
Durham Bulls
Did you know that you lived less than an hour away from the minor league baseball team that has had 2 of the last 3 International League MVPs? Well, you do, and according to StadiumJourney.com, the Durham Athletic Park is the #2 ranked AAA minor league baseball stadium in America. The DBAP really is one of the nicest minor league ballparks in America, and if it had a larger seating capacity and city position, it could be home to one of the U.S.’s 30 Major League teams. The experience really is a part of the stadium, and the weather is usually fantastic around the Durham area. Despite the team being more well-known for the 1980’s baseball movie Bull Durham, the Durham Bulls just recently took their third ever International League Championship in 2009, along with their first ever AAA National Championship, championing them as the top overall minor league baseball team in America.
The food at the DBAP really is great too, and in 2012, the DBAP introduced the “Bull Dog,” a mouth-watering hot dog wrapped in bacon and fried in a delicious dough. The Bull Dog was taken off the menu for the 2013 season, however. Never fear because it was replaced by the “Nuke Dog.” The Nuke Dog consists of a famous relish recipe by Cottage Lane Kitchen, and is named after Ebby “Nuke” LaLoosh from the 80’s film. Also on the concourse are national and southern favorites Domino’s Pizza and Moe’s. Also adding to the experience are the between-inning games/rituals. Various mascot skits, races, and sumo wrestling entertain the fans while the action is temporarily shut off. Even the crew that lines the infield in the 5th inning dances to some music for the fans’ enjoyment. Overall, you will have a great experience at the DAP, and it is hands-down one of the best minor league stadiums in the country.
UNC Basketball
The University of North Carolina has one of the top three traditions in college basketball, with 6 National Championships and 18 Final Four appearances. Along with the fact that 29 UNC alumni have went on to win an NBA Championship, which is the most of any school, the Tar Heels also have a beautiful stadium to call home. That would be the Dean E. Smith Center, aka the Dean Dome. Opened in 1986, the Dean Dome has been home to 3 national championship winning teams along with 7 ACC Tournament champions, and 11 regular season ACC champions. During the 2012- 2013, I attended one game at the Dean Dome, when the Tar Heels took on the Florida State Seminoles. When the game had a break the Tar Heels showed numerous videos of all their past moments and a personal favorite of mine called “I am a Tar Heel," during which many of the former Tar Heel greats repeat the phrase, inspiring many striving basketball players. Overall, the Tar Heels have one of the top stadiums in the country, and for a reasonable price you can come to Chapel Hill to witness some of the best basketball around.
UNC Football
While the UNC might be known more for their basketball or women’s soccer, they also have a very solid football program. This year, I was able to attend three Tar Heel football games, two at home, and one on the road, so I am able to compare the experience to opposing teams. The home games I attended were against ACC foe Virginia Tech and in-state rival North Carolina State. The NC State game is now known as one of the best games in Tar Heel history, because with 31 seconds left in a tied ball game, North Carolina running back Gio Bernard returned a 74 yard punt for a touchdown to earn UNC a victory. While watching home games at Kenan Stadium, from the home side you can get a glimpse of the famous bell tower in Chapel Hill. Throughout the game the fans are pumped up by several playings of the AC/DC song “Hells Bells” which reenacts the playing of the tower.
I also attended a game at Wallace Wade Stadium, home of the Duke Blue Devils when they took on the Tar Heels. Wallace Wade Stadium is much smaller than Kenan and more than half of the stadium was filled by UNC fans. The food was poor quality compared to that of UNC games and the PA announcer failed to get the fans pumped up very much. Overall, I would say that there aren't many better ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than watching a Carolina football game at Kenan Stadium.