" Walk in Peace, Learn Through Love"

   On October 15, 2013 a group of about 80 students, professors, and community member gathered in front of Old Main to march for peace. The group carried signs and wore shirts that promoted unity and peace in the community. The designer of the shirts, Roland Lovett, said “it’s great to see my design on the shirts and around campus, I was glad to help promote peace.” FSU’s intercultural communications class helped in the planning of the march and many attended.

Designer Roland Lovett and Community member Laura McBride

The march started at Old main and lead up to a Community Dialogue Session at the Lyric Theater on Main Street. Marvin Johnson a native of Baltimore started off the evening introducing different groups that the individuals that participate in the dialogue use to reach out to the community members. One of the groups that were formed was the Bridge group. Bridge helps connect students to different families in Frostburg, it’s like an adopt a student program. Dr. Elesha Ruminski said that the bridge group “went the distance to sustain a name in the community.” One of the group’s members, Jerilyn Jackson is a regular at the dialogues and she has also “adopted” two students. The two students Russell Terry and Alysha Giddings said that they had a special bond with Jerilyn right away and felt comfortable around her. They said “Adopt a Student made us want to come back to Frostburg and I love having a second family in Frostburg to help me out.” Russell and Alysha are also dating and learn a lot from Jerilyn and her husband. 

The community is really trying to be more involved with the Frostburg State University community. At the dialogue there was many groups that tackled different issues in the community, but everyone was quite when it came to discussing these issues’s out loud. Marvin stated that “it seems like everyone has become shy.” As the night progressed it started to become less awkward as the whole group separated into smaller groups to discuss different issues.  As the night went on the numbers dwindled, mostly students left to make it to other class or practices. Roland Lovett stayed and said that “I’m glad I got to be a part of such a wonderful event.” The passion that was displayed throughout the evening was breathtaking. Students were excited and eager to help in the community. 

Students Go "Barefoot in the Park"

It’s snowing heavily on this Sunday night, as students leave their residence halls to trek to the F. Perry Smith Studio Theatre to see “Barefoot in the Park” which is a romantic comedy, on November 23, 2013 at 7:30pm The box office is selling tickets for 6 dollars while groups of people socialize in the entrance way. The ushers are cheery and excited as they hand out programs and lead people to open seats.  The seats in the theater are full to capacity with people buzzing with anticipation while waiting for the play to start. Barefoot in the Park is a play that was originally written by Neil Simon in 1963.  

Fred Ramsey and Haley Schott students attending Frostburg State play Corie and Paul Bratter, a newlywed couple who have just moved into their first apartment together in New York City. Corie is a home-maker that has a larger than life personality and tries to be very spontaneous while Paul is an attorney that likes order and normalcy. They go through a lot of ups and downs dealing with maintenance issues from holes is the roof, having to sleep in a single bed inside of a closet to crazy neighbors such as Mr. Velasco. They both are pushed to the brink of divorce but show that love conquers all when they profess their love to each other despite their problems.”I come to see the plays here [at FSU] because all my friends like hang out and get pleasure from the entertainment offered by the school” says Jake Blakely, a audience member who seemed to thoroughly enjoyed the play and all it had to offer.

The play which is put on by the FSU’s Drama department goes off without a hitch, as every prop light and sound is in place. The actors capture the audience’s attention with such rapture that it doesn’t even feel like you are watching a production but it feels as if you’re getting a quick glance of their private lives. This is not the only event that is shown in the PAC building; they have a little bit of everything for everybody from dance recitals, to Opera Theater. Faculty members and students of the drama department are in the audience scrutinizing parts as the play moves from scene to scene. When asked why she enjoyed the play so much“I helped build some parts of that set” said Tiffany Fazenbaker, a student is Conrad Maust’s Theater Class. “Barefoot in the Park” seems to be a remarkable production put on by FSU based on the feedback.

Karaoke at The Dawg House Bar and Grill

Every Friday night (sometimes on Thursday and Saturday) The Dawg House Bar and Grill on 157 East Main St., Frostburg, Maryland has Karaoke around 9 pm with Music Express DJ Chris Acton. When asked how long he has worked for the organization he stated, “Going on 15 years, although the first two years I didn’t play on my own.” He has performed for karaoke once before, but believes he is better behind the equipment rather than in front. Music Express has also done karaoke for the local college bar FBar located on 180 Bowery St.. Acton enjoys his job, and looks forward to working more often than not. The Dawg House, once named Duncan’s, is a grill with a menu mainly consisting of hot dogs (hence the name Dawg House).

 It seems the establishment is visited regularly by the locals, but every now and then a visitor will stroll in with a few friends. Some of the featured drinks are the Red Dawg (rum, jagermeister, watermelon pucker, strawberry kiwi, and cranberry juice), The Salty Sea Dawg (rum, Sprite, lime, and 151), and the Mad Dawg Shot (vodka, tobasco sauce, and raspberry syrup). The bar has a juke box, a billiard table, and a dart board for more customer entertainment. On some weekends live bands perform. The owner, Wayne P. Conklin, is ex-military, and also the owner of Music Express. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. Upon entering the bar, patrons are met with dim colorful lights, and smiling employees. “It’s a lot cleaner, more welcoming place,” stated Eric Burke. “And the hot dogs are great!”

Karaoke is done in a more classic way at The Dawg House Bar and Grill. Although much of the music used at bars and clubs nowadays are played on computers, CD’s are used for karaoke here. The music selection is large, but it mostly consists of country. Artists such as Reba McEntire and Tim McGuire are heavily featured. There are also many holiday songs (Christmas) and children’s songs. Karaoke isn’t just for adults! Slips of paper are located in the front of the karaoke book in a type of clear pouch. One must write her or his name at the top of the slip, then the name of the song wished to be sung, and finally the song and disc number.

“I had a blast,” said Sammie Stott with a grin. She attended karaoke for the first time at The Dawg House on Friday, November 29, 2013. The young woman does not usually go out for karaoke, but decided to join another student in the spur of the moment (after an hour or two of protesting). She sang “California Gurls” by Katy Perry, “Your Love is My Drug” by Kesha, and “I Kissed a Girl” also by Katy Perry (in that order). “I wanted to sing Here’s to Us by Halestorm,” she said. “I couldn’t find it in the book.” But anyone who saw the smile on her face would know the absence of that one song did not deter her night.