Author Archives: battag10

Sherlock Holmes

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Thrill, suspense, and mystery came to Stockton University’s Performing Arts Center on Friday October 2nd, 2015.  “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” was performed at the PAC, and not a single member of the audience was disappointed.  The performance was put on by the Aquila Theatre Company and starred Loren O’Dair as Sherlock Holmes, Peter Groom as Dr. Watson, as well as Kirsten Foster, Michael Rivers, and Hemi Yeroham playing various roles.  The first act, “The Adventure of the Copper Beeches” had the audience on the edge of their seats, following along with Holmes and trying to figure out the crime as well.  This act also had a few comedic moments from Dr. Watson, and some very appealing visuals both on stage, and on a screen above the actors.

With the audience’s adrenaline raised, the production rolled on into Act II, “The Adventure of the Yellow Face”.  This acted combined aspects of love, mystery, and the supernatural, and was most of the audience’s favorite act.  By the time intermission came, the audience was chomping at the bit for Act III, and were would arrive eagerly at their seats in anticipation of a grand finale.  The final act was phenomenal, and introduced the character Irene Adler, to most Sherlock Holmes fans is known as “the girl who got away”.  Ending Act III, Sherlock Holmes receives a letter from Professor Moriarty, his arch nemesis.  This last bit left the audience in shock and awe and led to thunderous applause.  Overall the production was phenomenal and if you ask anyone, they would most likely recommend the show to you.  Anyone who is a fan of mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, or other related topics should definitely see the show.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

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On Sunday September 27th 2015, the audience at the Performing Arts Center took a trip back to the 1930s and 1940s with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  The orchestra, under the direction of Nick Hilscher, filled the air with toe-tapping songs that made everyone want to get up on their feet and dance.  As the musicians took the stage, they opened with “Moonlight Serenade”.  The band played with a magnificent vibrato that made the audience feel like they were standing on the beach staring out at the moon as the moonlight reflects off the ocean.  The orchestra then played a variety of other songs.  One of these songs was “I Get a Kick Out of You”, where they audience learned that Mr. Hilscher was not only a director, but also a wonderful sounding singer.  Following that, the orchestra played songs like “Sunrise Serenade”, “In the Mood”, “Tuxedo Junction”, and “Pennsylvania 6-5000”.

Then Mr. Hilscher introduced Natalie Angst, the lead female vocalist who would go on to sing “That’s Sabotage”.  Mr. Hilsher then described to the audience that Ms. Angst, two members of the band named Ian O’Beirne, Donald Staudt III, and Kevin Sheehan, as well as himself were members of the vocal group, “The Moonlight Serenaders”.  Each of the five members of the group came up to the front of the stage and sang “Chattanooga Choo-Choo”, which seemed to be a favorite audience-wide.  Following this song, there was a brief intermission where the orchestra members sold shirts, and CD’s of the music to audience members as well as have a meet and greet session.

Upon returning from intermission, Mr. Hilscher explained to the audience how the Glenn Miller Orchestra has been around since 1938 and has played all over the world in countries like the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, England, Italy, Germany, France, as well as South and Central America.  The first song played after intermission was dedicated to the veterans in the room, which was “American Patrol”.  The orchestra then played another hour’s worth a wonderful tunes, ending with “St. Louis Blues March”, and as the audience was leaving, played “Moonlight Serenade” again as a farewell song for the audience.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert at the Performing Arts Center was an amazing experience for all who attended, and even after the show, many of the audience members continued to hum the music to themselves contently.

Day of Service

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On September 12th, a great many students were in for a surprise.  They came thinking that the event was going be a bunch of hands on service projects, but instead it was something much more valuable.  As the students arrived, they were first greeted with bagels, muffins, and coffee, which is always a good way to make a first impression.  Then the students went into the event room where they listened to the opening remarks of the keynote speaker, Todd Bernstein.  He enlightened our minds as to what we can achieve through service learning and the kind of impact that we can make.  After the keynote speaker was finished, the students were divided into various color groups and went on to do many different service learning projects.

One of these projects was to help students become politically knowledgeable.  One project involved writing a letter to the Governor regarding issues the students care about, and another allowed students to register to vote.  Also in this section, students could debate whether or not they thought the death penalty was just.  At a second section of the event was where students could learn about the Books without Borders group.   Here students aided in packing textbooks to give out to other students who do not have enough money to afford the books themselves.  Another section showed students what the Atlantic City Rescue Mission does for the homeless population across New Jersey.  Students could help make food, tote bags, or birthday cards for the homeless and learned more about the statistics of homeless people in the state.  To some, this particular section was a real eye opener.  The last section of the day was about Stockton’s “green dot” program.  Students learned about what the difference is between a red dot and a green dot, and also learned how to help make the campus more safe and reduce violence.

At the end of the Day of Service, there was a large reflection session.  During this session all the students discussed what the impact was on them from what they learned that day.  They also discussed how they could help now, and in the future with the new knowledge that they had learned.  Many students enjoyed the Day of Service and took away from it many valuable lessons and ideas.  Hopefully because of this event, many more students will get involved in a lot more meaningful service projects and begin to make their own impact on others.

S.O.A.R. Much Fun

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If this post is a stick, and the post below this is a stick, are YOU a stick? In all seriousness, SOAR was a spectacular experience that allowed many incoming freshman to come out of their shells and meet new people.  When all of the freshman arrived for the early move-in day, they were all strangers to one another.  Sure there was a simple “hi” or “hello” every now and again, but no one really knew each other yet.  As our T.A.L.O.N.S. began to divide us into our tribes and taking attendance, everyone started coming out of their comfort zones and were starting to meet some new friends.  For some, these friendships would last permanently.  All of the freshman began boarding the buses for our 45 minute trek to the campsite.  The bus ride to the camp was the first time when many strangers started to talk to each other and create a bond.  As the freshman arrived at Camp Ockanickon, it was like entering some sort of state of limbo.  It was some place between familiarity and the unknown.  After unloading all of the suitcases and duffle bags, the official SOAR experience had finally begun.  The freshman unloaded their stuff in their cabins and met there bunkmates.  These cabins came equipped with air conditioning, and HD television, microwave, refrigerator, Xbox, and a swimming pool! I’m just kidding, it came actually with spiders, mosquitos, and a small wooden bench.

The next order of business was to meet the camp staff.  Every single member of the staff was extremely friendly, caring, and extremely helpful to everyone.  I’m not sure if the freshman or the staff had the most fun!  Some of the activities that the freshman got to do at SOAR included; archery, canoeing, swimming, and obstacle course on the water. yoga, and kayaking.  These activities were done during the campers free time.  One of the first main activities at SOAR was a concert by the faculty band.  They had the freshman dancing like crazy people, especially with “Sweet Caroline”.  Their was also a campfire with some amazing stories too from the staff as well.  The two main events at SOAR were the low and high ropes courses.  The low ropes courses made the freshman work together as a team to get through various cognitive problems.  The high ropes course allowed us to push out of our comfort zone and try things that we have never done before.

One theme that stuck with many of the freshman was to “chase your lion”.  What this means is that you find something that you fear, and you conquer it with all your might.  This is the most important take away from SOAR for all the freshman and is something that they will remember for the rest of their college and professional lives.