The Waltonian

Growing up in mostly Christian circles and with a literary-minded family, the question that was often thrown about: Are you a “Chronicles of Narnia” or “Lord of the Rings” kid? Such a question has little bearing on the daily life of a person, but it is a fun question to ask and even more fun to defend your chosen camp.

I have been a Narnia girl for as long as I can remember. I read the whole series at a ridiculously young age, not understanding a bit of it until later, though fully enjoying the act of reading. The BBC adaptations and Disney films also took up a great amount of space in my childhood, though I’ve always preferred the books.

While there is no question that J.R.R. Tolkien was a brilliant writer and academic, there is room for wondering if his books are really, truly meant for children. I did not read the LOTR series until I was well into high school and even then gave up halfway through from sheer exhaustion. This is not to say that there are not some children whose minds are developed enough for an appreciation of such literary prowess, yet it must be acknowledged that not all children are capable of sitting through several pages dedicated to describing rocks and trees without some boredom seeping in.

Narnia captures the attention of young minds and delights the childhood fancy with talking animals, Father Christmas, magical tales, daring adventures and simple yet pleasant prose. C.S. Lewis is more outright in his religious allegory, which lets children learn from it easier. There are less high-fantasy elements in Narnia; not as much world-building is necessary to be detailed out in the pages because the magical systems seem to come naturally. It is not lazy writing, it is a reliance on the imagination, something which children have in abundance.

This is not to say that children are the only ones who can enjoy “The Chronicles of Narnia.” As previously stated, I’ve enjoyed the books since I was old enough to prop a book up in my lap and scan through its contents with even a mite of understanding. I re-read the series sporadically, any time I need encouragement or the comfort of a familiar, good story. I’m writing my senior literature thesis on Susan Pevensie, because there is a richness to her character and story that warrants exploration. Lewis created characters that live alongside the people who read about them, for years following that first introduction.

Perhaps Tolkien possessed the same power of interesting characters and fantasy intrigue, but his writing is almost too steeped in academic tradition and learned ways. He is a daunting fellow and his books are almost even more so. This is not to say that the labels of stuffy or impossible are entirely fair to Tolkien; certainly anyone can read whatever they like if they put their mind to it. And one does not need to understand ancient Anglo-Saxon lore to enjoy LOTR. But Narnia is simply more approachable while still being beautifully crafted and carefully thought out. It is not dumb in its simplicity, it is elegant and true. Therefore it is easier to love and it is easier to let one’s soul cling to the stories for a lifetime.

Lord of the Rings–

Now, to answer the question that everyone wonders (or ought to) at least once in their short lives: why is “The Lord of the Rings” the superior book series to “The Chronicles of Narnia?” Now, I might be slightly biased, as some of my most beloved childhood memories are my father reading
“The Hobbit” and “The Fellowship of the Ring” aloud to my sisters and I on cold winter evenings. However, allow me to present two major reasons, hopefully not as rooted in personal bias, for the supremacy of “The Lord of the Rings”:

First, consider the general prowess of Tolkein’s authorship, as presented by his utterly outstanding world building skills. The sheer breadth of detail involved in creating Middle Earth has forever left its mark on the world of novels and story-world building. Tolkein created languages, drew detailed maps, built backstories to explain the conflict of the novel, and managed to do this all without major contradictions or flaws in his storylines.

Second, Tolkein did all this both in lengthier works of literature, and in a way that reawakens the language of Medieval fantasy in a different way than Lewis. Tolkein invites his readers into an epic adventure, into growing in friendship with the characters and the story. His language throughout all of this hearkens back to Arthurian legends, to Beowulf, to so many of the classic stories. In this way, he re-enchants the Medieval world for the modern reader, as he builds us a bridge through his stories into the classic works of literature.

So, while Lewis and Tolkein are both phenomenal authors, consider this: Tolkein manages to build an even more complex story-world, explore similar themes in greater detail, and bridge the gap between our contemporary world and Medieval literature. This means that Tolkein’s readers are opened up to a whole new world of reading material, as well as a new view of their own world through the lens of Tolkein’s rather average, ordinary characters.

As a pastor’s kid and Templeton student, it is hard for me to be vulnerable about my lack of Biblical literacy. Because of a fear that I might say something wrong or unhelpful, I tend to simply shut down and not speak at all. It’s intimidating to be in a room full of smart people with various levels of expertise (and perhaps a dose more confidence than necessary). So I have been a student at a Christian college for the past few years, often timid and wary.

The Fall 2023 semester began with me in a comfortable yet static place with my faith. I was not actively exploring profound questions or grappling with certain beliefs. Some of this stemmed from the nature of the environment I was in. There is sometimes pressure, in particular circles, more social than academic, to hold vast amounts of knowledge, to be completely firm in one’s opinions or beliefs, and to take defensive stances when the need arises.

All of that aside, my view of the Bible also contributed to this static state. I felt like the next step was to begin reading Scripture more seriously. But the Bible felt like an intimidating, complicated text I could not dig into. I put considerable pressure on Scripture to contain easy answers to my questions and problems, which, of course, it did not.

Enter: Wisdom and Poetry, taught by Dr. Pete Enns.

The class was small, only about six students. Because of our size, we were able to treat the class as more of a discussion forum, rather than a lecture hall. Over the course of the semester, we read four books of the Bible: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. We did not cover the entirety of Psalms and Proverbs, instead focusing on particular often-quoted passages, looking at them with fresh eyes.

In addition to the Bible, we read through “Psalms for Normal People”, a helpful and simple guide to learning how to read the Psalms. With some historical and cultural context in mind, the text helped us students to approach the Scriptures with more familiarity and ease, allowing us to come up with deeper questions of our own.

We moved slowly through each book, along the way discussing verses that stood out to us, what our reactions to the text were, and asking questions of the text, each other and Dr. Enns. We were vulnerable with each other, admitting what we did not know, had doubts or confusion about and what we were afraid of as a result of those doubts. Throughout our discussion and Dr. Enns’ careful but pressing guidance, we had animated and productive conversations.

Though sometimes I left with more questions than before, I took this as a sign that I was no longer meek in the face of the Word. I felt more confident in my faith even as I questioned its foundation. Allowing myself to ask these difficult questions and parse them out was a huge step in my relationship with God. By the time the semester was well underway, I started feeling more comfortable speaking up in class, asking questions, and taking the time outside of class to ponder whatever our discussion brought up.

Thanks to this class–the safe environment we were able to cultivate, the guidance and knowledge of Dr. Enns and the commitment to respecting each other and learning about the Word in deeper ways–I now have more confidence when discussing the Bible. I do not feel the need to find precise answers in Scripture or believe that the Bible will open up to the perfect verse whenever I need it. I approach it now instead of a scary book full of things I do not understand, as an engaging, multifaceted, beneficial, beautiful mode of learning and engagement with God.

Salutations, dear readers! Welcome to the art of whimsical living.

It is a harsh and cruel world. Some of us know this more intimately than others. Yet we are all at least acquainted with misery. We’ve shaken its withering hand upon first introduction and passed it in the street enough times over to understand it somewhat. Whether misery is a new associate or a longtime companion, there is another character who stands to counteract the shady dealings of this well-known figure. That other character, my friends, is whimsy.

Whimsy is a dear old friend. A smiling, laughing, pleasant companion. It comes to us in odd and lovely places, if we can attune ourselves to its sensibilities. It is, to this author, a quiet thing, skipping alongside you always. It comes and goes at its own pace, but will always show up when you need it most.

To others, whimsy may present itself in more abrupt and direct ways.

“Whimsy is a certain absurdness that grabs you by the scruff of your neck, I suppose. It kind of turns you about and makes you look at the strange things that surround you. You don’t need to seek it out, it’s always there when you’re walking around, if you pay close enough attention,” says freshman Russell Howard, a local purveyor of whimsy.

When asked how whimsy manifests itself in daily life, Russell had more wise words to share. Exactly what does one do to embrace whimsy? “I think the biggest thing would be to not reject feeling weird. In all honesty, whimsy lies in humor and in a kind of wonder at the fact that I’m doing what I’m doing right now, when I’m doing something strange,” Here Russell pauses to laugh at himself. “I’m willing to do something that makes people take a step back sometimes. It makes their day a little bit stranger than it was going.” Giving space to strangeness into the world is one of whimsy’s specialties, it seems.

“Whimsy is a state of mind,” Jonah Trubey, a fellow freshman and whimsy expert, claims. “It also makes it all more bearable, all the awkward moments. All the strange things. Were it not for the whimsy, then things would just be awkward.”

“And dead.” Russell chimes in.

But how does one begin their whimsy journey? How exactly does one become more whimsical? Our experts weigh in with some practical starting points. Russell says, “When shaking someone’s hand, hold on just a little bit longer. Try to be louder, in general.”

Jonah adds, “Call them by their name, but slightly alter it phonetically.” Russell gave some examples, “If their name were, say, Shane, call them Shawn. Or if it were Levi, say, Levey.” Changing the pronunciation of one’s name, without any disrespectful intention (obviously), can add a bit of playful fun to an interaction.

“Intonation is also very important, especially in greetings. You wouldn’t say ‘hello’ to someone, you would say ‘hEl-lO!’ to someone,” says Jonah.

Other easy whimsy-invoking activities include stepping on fallen leaves to hear the good crunch, opening your window to listen to the sounds outside, watching a sunset start to finish, reading a comforting book in a cozy spot, wearing clothes not for style or to keep up with trends but to truly express one’s feelings, singing or whistling as you walk and keeping plenty of jokes ready to tell.

You can find whimsy in the music you enjoy, the books you read, the films you watch, the food you eat. Whatever you consume, do so mindfully. Whatever you create, do so lovingly. The ultimate point of whimsy is to bring a little more needed joy into the world. To not take things quite so seriously, until or unless the occasion calls for a dose of sobriety. Embrace the weird, the strange, the spectacular. If you see a friend from far away, wave and shout their name, express the joy you feel upon seeing them. If you find yourself near flowers, smell them. We are all, whether we admit it or not, in need of sparks of whimsy.

The citizens of Philadelphia are no strangers to the occurrence of crime in the city. It does not come as a shock that a densely populated area would have higher percentages of crime on its public transportation system. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, transit system that gets Philadelphians–and people out here on the Mainline, too–where they’re going, is not immune to the occasional instance of violence.

The latest reported incident occurred on October 8, when 18-year-old Raphael Ezeamaka shot three women on the route G bus in West Philadelphia. Ezeamaka was arrested in Middleton, Delaware on October 23. He was charged with aggravated assault, weapons violations and related offenses, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia. The three women are hospitalized and in stable condition.

Despite this most recent tragic event, SEPTA recently reported a 34% decrease in serious crime throughout the system. SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards announced the company’s efforts to curtail violent crime. “Despite funding constraints, we are committed to recruiting and retaining talented police officers and providing them with the resources they need to protect our customers and employees,” Richards said.

Although overall crime rates are down, SEPTA reported three homicides in the first quarter this year. In a press release on April 12, 2024, SEPTA said, “The same gun violence that is plaguing the communities SEPTA serves is spilling over into the system. SEPTA remains committed to combating gun violence, and Transit Police are targeting illegal gun possession.” While these statistics are scary, it is encouraging that the authorities are well aware of what is going on and are actively pursuing efforts to put an end to violence in the city and suburban areas that SEPTA serves.

Authorities encourage citizens to take comfort in the new data and trust that SEPTA is constantly working towards creating a safer transit environment for its customers and employees. One way they are doing this is by moving towards more heavily enforced fares and potential fare increases. There is some dissent in the community regarding fare increases. “You’re losing a lot of money with the free riders. So people pay a quarter, 50 cents, $1, $2. So you raise it to $2.50 for the ones who are paying on a card. These people are still going to continue to pay the same thing they’re paying. So who’s getting punished? The ones who pay upfront,” A community member, said. However, the regulation of fares will, SEPTA says, potentially close a funding gap that is preventing further safety measures.

Furthermore, cracking down on fare evasion will hopefully prevent more violent infractions. SEPTA Transit Police Inspector James Zuggi, who has been with the department for 25 years, commented on the link between the two. “Most if not all the offenders do fare evade to get onto the system,” Zuggi said. “We identified that as one of the factors of addressing fare evasion to bring down crime in the system.” SEPTA loses approximately $40 million yearly due to fare evasion. Cracking down on this issue will, ideally, help to minimize the funding gap of $240 million that the company is currently facing. Further funding for transit police efforts and enforcement of policy will, SEPTA says, help to prevent or better handle crime on the transit system.

Sources: CBS News, SEPTA, US Marshals

Tea:

A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender for a cup of cream on the rocks with a caramel drizzle. The bartender pulls out a coffee pot and adds about two drops to the icey milk concoction and hands it to the man. The man says ‘Thank you’ and walks out.

The man drinks the coffee, feeling energized and ready to anxiously tackle his first task of the day: an existential crisis.

But just when one crisis is solved, another arises. This next order of business will have to be taken care of in the restroom. 5 times within the hour.

Does this sound like an ideal way to live – this endless cycle of exhaustion countered with crippling anxiety and bathroom blitzes?

Coffee is a drug that brings many unpleasant side effects and can be damaging to human health. Though large amounts of caffeine may help with productivity, too much caffeine can cause insomnia, irregular heart rates, muscle tremors, gastrointestinal irritation, anxiety and a slew of other negative side effects, according to the National Library of Medicine.

For many coffee consumers, the motivation to indulge in liquid anxiety stems from the need for increased energy. Overworked employees, busy parents and exhausted college students often rely on caffeine just to make it through the day. In this context, coffee is consumed for its energizing effects rather than enjoyment. The problem may not be the caffeine itself, but rather the excessive amounts that the average American consumes.

Ultimately, the issue lies within American culture, which promotes a lifestyle that seems only achievable with large quantities of caffeine. However, there is hope: tea.

Not only does tea contain half the amount of caffeine, but it includes many other health benefits as well. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that regular tea consumption can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.

Green tea provides antioxidants that can help with digestion, lower inflammation, enhance memory and alleviate stress and anxiety. Black tea can lower blood sugar levels, enhance focus and reduce the risk of stroke.

Sipping on a spot of tea provides a distinctive experience that the average American is sorely lacking. While some teas contain caffeine and can boost productivity, this isn’t the primary reason for drinking tea. Many choose tea for the comfort and relaxation it provides, savoring quiet moments amidst a hectic day.

It’s not just about gaining an advantage; it’s about the simple pleasure of pausing to enjoy a moment of tranquility on a chaotic day.

Coffee fuels the addiction of caffeine and an unsustainable lifestyle. Tea promotes peace.

Coffee:

A cup of well-made pour-over coffee takes five minutes. A good shot of espresso can take fifteen minutes to dial in. Decent latte art takes weeks to perfect. Good coffee takes time.

Bad coffee, however, takes no time at all. A shot of espresso–or at least what might pass as espresso–is pulled at the press of a button. A pot of drip coffee is brewed in three minutes. You can order ahead on an app, add five different flavors and have it ready for pickup or dropoff immediately. Now. Give me satisfaction now. And sip it all away in the span of a commute.

The lack of care and slowing down in our fast-paced American culture has tainted what coffee should be. Instead of being a connector, it has become a severance. But this corruption of coffee is not its true form. Its purest form is something beautiful and special; a thread to connect and an opportunity for care.

If we weren’t in such a hurry to drink our coffee, maybe roasters wouldn’t burn it without a care. Maybe if we cared to unearth the layers and secrets that a good mug of well-made coffee can share, we would find a new place for peace.

I understand the need for speed. I understand the desire for the quick consumption of a sweet and caffeinated something to get through a night of studying. I’ve been there. This is not a guilt trip. It’s a wake-up call. Hopefully a call that alerts you more than a caramel macchiato can.

This past summer, Austin Ricketts, a beloved member of the Templeton Honors College faculty, passed away. As we mourn the loss of a good man, we also rejoice in the blessing that it was to know him. With hearts still heavy with grief, we cling to our blessed hope, looking forward to the day when we will meet again in glory.

“My relationship with Austin started my sophomore year, when I was helping Keilah, who was the current Undergraduate Recruitment Intern–which is my position now–helping her clean up from the senior presentations. Austin and I sat next to each other in the back of Keilah’s RAV4, and we didn’t know each other, but there were four of us shoved in the back of the three seat row. So, our relationship started very close. But I know him, actually, through being an intern for the Honors College” Andrew Destefano said.

Annika Pickard, another Templeton student, also worked closely with Austin during his time at Eastern. “Austin’s gentle and good-natured demeanor made him very easy to talk to. Andrew Destefano and I would spend hours working hard (or maybe hardly working) with Austin – picking his brain about theological topics, celebrating our achievements, sharing stories, brainstorming future goals, declaring our doubts, and instilling hope in one another. Our constant laughter chased away any stress and anxiety that might be lurking in Fowler Hall – or in us” she said. Her thoughts echo sentiments shared by so many who knew Austin. He was a calming, peaceful presence in all the spaces he entered.

Dr. Williams, Dean of the Templeton Honors College, also shared his own reflection on Austin’s life. “‘Still waters run deep.’ That was more true of Austin than perhaps anyone I have ever known. And after hearing the testimony of his friends and family at the funeral, I realized his waters ran even deeper than I knew. Austin had sunk his soul deep into the unfathomable mystery of God’s love and deep into the Church’s long conversation about God, and sometimes those waters welled up and overflowed to nourish the people around him,” Dr. Williams said.

Annika shared one of the many lessons Austin taught her. “In all our reflections on Austin’s life, there is this common appreciation for the peace and calm that he exhibited. There are many more things that we can all do to honor Austin. For one, we can learn to live peacefully, resting in the hope of Christ. “If the Good is sure to win, what do we have to fear?” Pickard said.

“To honor him and his place within the community life of the Templeton Honors College, we plan to dedicate a space in Templeton Hall as the Austin Ricketts Reading Room in which current and future students might follow Austin’s example and sink the wells of their own souls deep into the mysteries of God and His good creation,” Dr. Williams said. Another way to honor Austin is to continue to pray for his beautiful family: his wife Catherine, and their two sons, Torrecmce, Oliver and their daughter Evangeline, born just two weeks prior to Austin’s passing.

At Austin’s funeral, Catherine shared a poem that was dear to Austin’s heart. This seems like an appropriate way to end our brief eulogy to this faithful friend, brother, son, beloved husband and father. Walt Whitman writes in his poem, ‘The Song of the Universal,’ “Give me, O God, to sing that thought! / Give me—give him or her I love this quenchless faith, In Thy ensemble—whatever else withheld, withhold not from us, / Belief in plan of Thee enclosed in time and space, / Health, peace, salvation universal. / Is it a dream? / Nay, but the lack of it the dream. / And, failing it, life’s lore and wealth a dream, / And all the world a dream.”

We are thankful for every cherished memory we have of Austin and we continue to keep his family in our prayers, hoping to be reunited once again when Christ returns.

Happy October, Eagles! I am sure many of you have seen Instagram infographics, Pinterest boards, magazine articles and lists from friends, all telling you what to do or watch this fall season. There are many guides out there, but perhaps none so reliable as your trusty Waltonian Autumnal Reporter. Over the past couple of years, I’ve personally written a fall activities guide, a brief movie list and a step-by-step instruction manual for a favorite chilly weather activity: roasting marshmallows. Now, in my final fall semester, I am here to give you the ultimate list of fall-themed entertainment: movies, shows, and more. Strap in, we’ve got a lot of (leaf-covered) ground to cover.

First, I’d like to go through a couple of things set in the fall season. Of course, there is “Over the Garden Wall,” a show beloved by many a tumblr user. With dancing pumpkins and spooky tunes, OTGW is an autumn staple to enjoy with friends. There are also many episodes of “Gilmore Girls” that are set in the fall. Season one, episode six, ‘Rory’s Birthday Parties’ and season three, episode nine, ‘A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving’ are my personal favorites. As for movies, you can never go wrong with “Knives Out”–a funky murder mystery–and “Autumn in New York”–a romantic drama with plenty of fall energy to spare.

We ought to give some space for scary entertainment. There are the obvious classics, such as “Psycho,” “Scream” and “Halloween.” Beyond that, you will have to consult other lists or fall experts. I collected these three titles from my much cooler friends who actually enjoy watching scary movies and being purposefully afraid. Personally, I am easily scared and find shows like “Stranger Things” and even “Doctor Who,” with its campy and creepy creatures, have plenty of fear factors for me. There are also the go-to Halloween flicks, such as “Beetlejuice,” “Corpse Bride” and “Nightmare Before Christmas.”

The cozy section is definitely more my speed. Some fall favorites of mine include “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “You’ve Got Mail,” “Amelie” and “When Harry Met Sally.” All wholesome, all lovely, all give that warm fuzzy feeling that you want out of a fall movie. There is also the timeless classic, “Little Women.” Whether you are a 1994 Winona Ryder die-hard or a 2019 Gerwig fan, the story is charming and sweet, perfect for a fall movie night. Considering the fact that fall is also back-to-school time, we are well into our semester and perhaps need some encouragement. It might be nice to watch something with a focus on academics. “Dead Poets Society,” with its sweeping shots of foliage; “Mona Lisa Smile,” containing many beautiful pieces of art and fall fashion inspiration; and “Good Will Hunting,” giving us the atmosphere of Boston in the fall, are all fantastic choices for romanticizing school life.

We have talked plenty about movies and shows. What about books? Let’s keep with some of the same categories we have set up so far: spooky, cozy, and academic. There is, of course, a vast quantity of literature to choose from, so this is only a tiny selection. Hopefully it will give you all some good ideas!

As stated earlier, I am not really one for enjoying the truly scary or grotesque. But I can get down with some Edgar Allen Poe. Any of his excellent short stories or poems will give you the right creepy vibes for the Halloween season. If you want something a little more intense, Stephen King’s “The Shining” moves beyond the standard horror genre by exploring difficult family dynamics. It’s scary enough to give you the chills but realistic enough to make you reflect.

For our cozy recommendations, I will dive into a few fantasy worlds. “Legends & Lattes,” a charming novel about a battle-worn orc who retires to open a cafe, “A Psalm for the Wild-Built,” a sweet sci-fi about a tea monk and a kind robot and “A Far Wilder Magic,” a young adult magical romance, are all cozy fantasy/sci-fi books with much to offer. “The Dead Romantics” is a quirky ghost story disguised as a romance novel.

No list of fall academia reads would be adequate without Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History.” This could maneuver its way into the creepy category, too. Fair warning, it is a twisted novel, not just in terms of plot. Murder and drama abide. For a less disturbing read, “Babel” by R.F. Kuang is an incredible dark academia, magical realism masterpiece of a novel.

For shorter-form content, there are plenty of YouTube and Instagram creators that have plenty of fall fun to offer. For YouTube channels, Ruby Granger makes academic, bookish videos in the English countryside. Emma, username * emmie * has lovely reading vlogs and book recommendations. If ASMR is your thing, Goodnight Moon creates calming, warm videos with intricate sets and sound design. User @deadpoetswilde on Instagram posts movie clips, poetry excerpts and words of wisdom to help you carry out the dark academia aesthetic. There is also plenty of music that puts one in an autumnal state of mind. With every change from summer to fall, I am once again drawn back into the sound of The Cranberries, The Oh Hellos, Lord Huron, Fleet Foxes, Sam Phillips (who often features on the “Gilmore Girls” soundtrack), Fleetwood Mac and of course, Hozier.

If there is anything in particular you can take away from this extensive series of lists and recommendations, let it be this. Autumn is a season of beauty and change, and the fresh chill in the air combined with beautiful foliage is conducive to the enjoyment of beautiful things that other seasons do not offer in the same way. Take some time this fall to enjoy and appreciate art in all its many forms. You could make your own list of iconic fall things and share with your friends! Use this opportunity to connect with people in your community over a shared love of autumnal entertainment.

As a born and bred Philadelphian, moving to the suburbs for college was a strange experiment. I was worried about finding places to go and things to do that could match the variety of my home city. While Wayne is not quite the bustling metropolis that Philly is, it certainly did not disappoint my hopes for activities. In the following piece, I have compiled my favorite places to eat, study, explore or have fun with friends!

One of my first goals was finding a good study spot. Luckily, Wayne boasts several coffee shops and cafes that are perfect for an afternoon of reading, writing and sipping. The top contenders are the Gryphon Cafe–where some of our esteemed Waltonian staff happen to work–and Mad Anthony’s. Both within easy walking distance from campus, about fifteen to twenty minutes, both spots have yummy food and good drinks. The Gryphon has more seating, but tends to be busier, so headphones might be needed to really lock in on homework. My go-to order is a large cafe au lait with oat milk, and a scone of the barista’s choice. Mad Anthony’s, located at the Wayne train station, is less crowded, but the wifi tends to be a bit spotty, so it’s a good place for analog work, reading for pleasure or catching up with friends. The paninis are a perfect lunch choice and the seasonal drinks are unique and delicious!

There are several other food options that Wayne has to offer, catering to a variety of tastes. Minella’s Diner and The Great American Pub are havens for classic American cuisine. My personal favorite at The Great American is the Reuben sandwich with fries and lemonade. If you’re craving Mexican food, look no further than El Limon and Buena Vista. The steak enchiladas at El Limon are to die for, and the rojas sauce will absolutely change your life. Prepare to be dazzled by Buena Vista’s authentic menu and bright interior, with nachos that made my move-in day exceptionally memorable.

But a college student does, in fact, need more than just good food to make these four years interesting. Beyond the taste buds, Wayne has several fun activities and places to visit. There is a Color Me Mine on Lancaster Ave, The Alley Door thrift shop and the Radnor Library. One of my favorite activities in the fall is walking around the residential areas, looking at Halloween decorations and admiring the foliage. The park right next to campus, accessible by walking past Kea-Guffin onto a little path along a pond, is a great spot for a picnic or nature walk.

Wayne’s crowning achievement, in this English Major’s eyes, is Main Point Books. They have an incredible selection of books, from fiction to cookbooks, poetry to children’s stories and classics to history. The people inside are always friendly and inviting, willing to help you find whatever book you’re looking for. It is a well-organized, aesthetically pleasing space that any book lover is sure to enjoy.

If you want to branch out a bit from Wayne, there are a few choice places on the Main Line worth exploring. Cup of Dreams cafe in Paoli is a comfy space with tons of pastries, coffee and bubble tea, as well as a stack of board games available for customers. Char and Stave is a great workspace in Ardmore for those who lean more towards the specialty coffee world. The King of Prussia mall is a short fifteen minute drive from campus, with plenty of shops to explore. I highly recommend Lolli and Pops, a candy store in KOP that feels like something out of Willy Wonka’s imagination. Valley Forge National Historical park is a twenty minute drive from campus. It is a lovely historical site with plenty of wide open fields to walk around and picnic areas to relax in.

Of course, I think the best activity to do in Wayne is walk down to the St. Davids train station, hop a train heading for Center City, and explore Philadelphia. There are plenty of museums, parks, restaurants and more to explore. But if the city is too daunting for you, I hope this article has helped encourage you to explore the town of Wayne and the surrounding area that Eastern University calls home.

Florals? For springtime? Groundbreaking. Everyone knows the standard spring pastimes: make a flower crown, splash in a puddle, go for a bike ride, spring-cleaning and so on. But The Waltonian aims higher. We strive to provide you with new, fresh takes on the laundry list of spring activities. So look no further than the following guide for a splendid springtime.

Step 1: Giddy

Attitude changes everything. Now, I am not a psychologist, a therapist, a mentor, a life coach or any other such influential person in your personal life. I am just a writer. So when I tell you to let springtime be the time that you open yourself up to new possibilities and approach everything with an attitude of acceptance and excitement, I am not giving you mental health advice. And I know it’s hard to greet every day with joy. At times it’s completely impossible. I would simply encourage you to keep an open mind during these few months as the leaves unfurl and the weather warms up. Take the changing season as a sign to try new things and let excitement for life take hold.

Step 2: Gobble

It’s the season of the picnic. With the weather warming up and fresh fruits and vegetables coming into season, now is a perfect time to pack up a picnic meal and enjoy the simple beauty of eating outdoors. Picnics are a great go-to for a casual date, friend group get-togethers or a solo treat. Plus, there are plenty of lovely places on campus that are ideal picnic locations, like the field behind Doane, the hill by Fowler or the stream in front of Sparrowk.

Step 3: Green

I do not mean it in any metaphorical sense when I say that now is the time to surround yourself with green. The color green is, in my humble opinion, the best color. One should strive to be enveloped by green things during every season but in spring particularly. This could mean wearing green clothes, drinking matcha, lying in the grass or finding other ways to bring something good and green into your daily life.

Step 4: Golf (and more)

Spring sports are as plentiful as the daffodils. Now could be the time to find a new interest! Whether it’s golf, tennis, track, baseball or lacrosse, there are numerous sports that are in full swing in the spring. Consider showing up to support Eastern’s teams, keeping up with your home team or playing the sport yourself!

Step 5: Growth

Take this season as an opportunity to bloom (I cringed reading that, too, but just go with it)! The school year is coming to a close, and with it, for some folks, comes the end of this time we call the college years. Springtime, with its promise of the coming warmth and freedom of summer, is a great time for reflection and anticipation. As I said in the first step, I am no expert in the realm of psychology. But I do think this is as good a time as any to start taking stock of where we are, how we’re doing, and what we could be doing to better ourselves and our communities. This could be the time to start getting to know your neighbors, volunteering for a local cause, journaling, spending more quality time with loved ones and so on. Whatever the idea of growth looks like for you, spring is certainly an amenable time for it.

“Rumours” is the 1977 release by the quintessential soft rock group Fleetwood Mac. Perhaps you are wondering why I would write a review of an album that came out almost fifty years ago. The simple answer is that this album is undeniably awesome and still warrants discussion today. The album, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1977, was fuelled by excessive drug and alcohol use and a series of unfortunate inter-band relationship events. In the following article, we will spend some time with the record, diving into a few songs to parse out the relationship drama behind the scenes that contributed to the lyrics and sound.

“You Make Loving Fun” is the eighth track on the record and is another song that is chock-full of relationship drama. The song was written and sung by Christine McVie, the band’s keyboardist. McVie wrote the song reflecting on her relationship with Curry Grant after her split with her husband, John McVie. The twist here is that John was the bassist of Fleetwood Mac. The song has a strong bass line, which is funky in sound and a definite slight to John from Christine. On top of this, the lyrics are perhaps the most optimistic on the album, in stark contrast to the rest of the record’s tone of sadness, anger and remorse. Imagine having your instrument be the loudest one in a song all about how your ex-wife loves her new boyfriend so much. It’s pretty brutal.

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham wrote “Go Your Own Way” about his long-term girlfriend and the powerhouse vocalist of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks. The lyrics begin with “Loving you isn’t the right thing to do,” which sets the tone of the entire song. Buckingham’s lyrics are cold, and the music reflects an angry man’s view of the end of a relationship. Nicks and Buckingham sing the chorus together, almost shouting the words, “You can go your own way.” There is a line in the second verse, “Packing up, shacking up’s all you wanna do.” Stevie Nicks told Rolling Stone in a 1997 article, “I very, very much resented him telling the world that ‘packing up, shacking up’ with different men was all I wanted to do. He knew it wasn’t true. It was just an angry thing that he said. Every time those words would come out onstage, I wanted to go over and kill him. He knew it, so he really pushed my buttons through that. It was like, ‘I’ll make you suffer for leaving me.’ And I did.” She made good on that promise.

The Nicks-Buckingham drama does not end there. On the deluxe edition of “Rumours,” the record ends with “Silver Springs,” a track with a complicated history. It was meant to be on the original record, but when Stevie Nicks, the creator of the song, presented it to the band and producers, it was deemed too long. Because of how vinyl records are made, there is a finite amount of time given for an album. Nicks’ original song was about ten minutes long. She would thrive alongside Taylor Swift, releasing a ten-minute version of a breakup song. But alas, what could have been simply could not be. So, after much intense argument and debate, the song was cut from the album.

What a wonderful gift that the song was eventually given to the world on the deluxe edition of “Rumours.” It is an achingly beautiful, sad song, where Nicks pours out her heart in violent vocals and stinging words, reprimanding Buckingham and mourning their relationship. Perhaps the most powerful lyrics in the song come near the end: “Time cast a spell on you, but you won’t forget me / I know I could’ve loved you, but you would not let me / I’ll follow you down ’til the sound of my voice will haunt you / You’ll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you.” Absolutely exquisite, absolutely heartbreaking.

Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” is an album that deserves to be discussed in far more than one article. It deserves an attentive listener and the privilege of familiarity. Whether you can relate to the feelings expressed in the songs or not, it is such a musically stunning album that you are sure to derive some pleasure, pain, or simple awe from it.

Sources: You’re Wrong About (podcast), Sound on Sound