Congratulations, we’ve finally hit the most stressful time in the semester. Whether you have your stress handled or you’re freaking out, we have some fun advice to help keep you somewhat sane.
The Library
The Transy library is a great resource, especially during finals week. They provide a quiet space to study, with the entire library transitioning into a quiet zone during finals week, beginning this Friday, in addition to extending their hours. The library also provides snacks throughout the week that are sponsored by the Library, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Student Government Association, for students to grab as they study. Also, be on the lookout Tuesday for North Lime donuts and coffee provided by Student Wellbeing!
Graphic courtesy of Taylen Henry, SAB.
Stress Fest
Another great way students can de-stress on campus is with the Student Activities Board! They try to help Transy students manage their stress by hosting Stress Fest, which began Wednesday with the DIY slime activity and will conclude Tuesday with a hot cocoa and tea bar!
We spoke to some students around campus about how they de-stress during finals week. Junior Olivia Forester said that she is now on the bandwagon of using Tiktok and is now creating her own content to post. She has also encouraged some of her friends to join TikTok. When she started off, she mentioned that she brought followers on a site like http://tokupgrade.com/ to boost her profile, but now she enjoys posting for fun regardless of how many likes her videos get. Creating content for Olivia is a fun way to relieve the stress of her finals. Other students replied that they like to take walks, go to the gym, take naps, and look at Baby Yoda memes. Sophomore Will Hickey, one of our staff contributors, suggested: “Lo-fi hip hop music in the background” which is definitely relaxing. Check out this lo-fi playlist we put together for studying and relaxing.
We also spoke to our resident nurse, Carol Palmer about how to stay healthy during finals week. She suggested getting rest at night and studying during the day (outside when possible), avoiding caffeine after 4 p.m. and taking time for “a quick workout even if it is 10 minutes.”
We here ate The Rambler wish everyone luck with their finals. Remember to stay hydrated, try to sleep when possible, and take a break every now and then. We are almost there!
If you’re shopping for a live Christmas tree this year, you may have to search harder than in the past. Over the last five years Christmas tree shortages have been reported in many parts of the U.S.
One factor is that growers sold off land and planted fewer trees during and after the 2008 recession. In the lifespan of Christmas trees, the decade from 2008 to the present is roughly a single generation of plantings. However, in my research on the human dimensions of farming and food systems, I also see other factors at play.
Christmas trees take 6 to 12 years to mature, and consumer preferences often change more quickly than farmers can adjust. Climate change is altering temperature and rainfall patterns, which severely affects growers’ ability to produce high-quality trees and the varieties that customers seek. And like the overall U.S. population, Christmas tree growers and shoppers are aging.
Collectively, these trends don’t bode well for Christmas tree lovers, the growers or the industry. However, there are opportunities for younger farmers to enter this market, either full- or part-time. If new and beginning growers live in an area with appropriate environmental conditions, Christmas trees are a high-quality complementary crop that farmers can use to diversify their operations and provide off-season income.
Workers deliver the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to the U.S. Capitol Building, Nov. 26, 2018, from Willamette National Forest in Oregon.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Evolving consumer preferences
As of 2017, there were about 15,000 Christmas tree farms across the U.S. Most are around 23 acres in size, and nearly half of them gross less than US$25,000 annually. A great number of Christmas tree ventures are part of larger farm operations, and many growers hold off-the-farm jobs.
Our team recently sent a survey to 1,500 randomly selected Indiana residents to see how consumer behavior could affect the state’s tree farmers. Christmas tree shoppers told us that they predominantly seek short-needle trees, such as firs and spruces (38%), followed by medium-needle varieties like Scotch pines (24%).
Over 42% of respondents purchased their tree from a Christmas tree farm, while nearly 32% bought them from a tree lot or other small business, and approximately 20% got their tree from large chain or retail stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. A national consumer survey conducted by the National Christmas Tree Association found that shoppers equally purchased trees from Christmas tree farms (28%) and large chain retailers (28%), followed closely by retail lots (23%).
According to the association’s data, from 2004-2017 the number of real Christmas trees sold stayed relatively steady, while the number of artificial trees sold more than doubled. Real tree growers have lost market share to increasingly popular artificial trees, and may have trouble seriously competing for the foreseeable future, due to climate change and an aging population.
Noble Mountain Tree Farm in Oregon harvests trees by helicopter.
Weather woes
Climate change is directly and indirectly affecting Christmas tree growers across the U.S. Droughts in 2012 and 2014 and spring floods in 2019 have taken a toll on plantings, particularly young saplings. A farmer in southern Indiana recently told me that 2019 was the wettest spring and the driest summer and fall he could recall over the past 29 years.
These extreme conditions decrease sapling success rate, which contribute to tree shortages when the planted stock would have matured for harvesting. In addition, higher average summer and winter temperatures are increasing tree mortality by worsening disease and pest pressures, making trees less resilient.
In a 2018 survey that our program distributed to 95 Indiana Christmas tree growers, 60% of respondents said that environmental conditions were challenging their operations. Among the growers, over 70% highlighted droughts as a major challenge. More than 50% of respondents reported having problems with disease, insect pressure, and heat waves. About 30% indicated that consumers were searching for trees that were difficult or impossible for them to grow, such as Fraser firs, which are native to higher-elevation areas of the southern Appalachian mountains.
Christmas tree production is concentrated in cooler regions of the U.S.USDA/NASS
Aging farmers and shoppers
U.S. farmers are getting older, and Christmas tree growers are no exception. Across the farming industry, the average farmer’s age rose from 56.3 in 2012 to 57.5 in 2017.
In our survey of Indiana Christmas tree growers, we found that their average age was 64 and that 62% of farm operations did not have a transition plan in place. Additionally, 28% of growers intended to stop planting trees in the next five years. These results suggest that many new Christmas tree farmers will need to enter the business just to maintain current production levels.
Buyers are also aging. In our consumer survey, shoppers buying either real or artificial trees were in their mid-50s on average, while those who did not purchase trees were 64 on average. Written comments suggested that people were less likely to put up a tree when fewer people, particularly children, were in the house and the work fell to one or two individuals.
Planting for the future
For Christmas tree farms to survive, shoppers will need to be more flexible. They may have to settle for a Scotch pine instead of a Fraser fir, or for buying a harvested tree rather than cutting their own. This is particularly true for buyers who wait until late in the season or want a tree variety that cannot be grown in their local environment.
Who will grow the next generation of trees? The good news is that for potential growers, competition is sparse and demand is stable. Aspiring Christmas tree farmers should consider working with aging local growers who are seeking to slow down or transition out of the industry. Farmers in other sectors, such as fruit and vegetable producers selling locally, might consider Christmas trees as a way to bolster off-season income.
The allure of a fresh-cut tree is unlikely to fade, so Christmas tree farming could be a gratifying venture for growers who are patient enough to plant now for customers in 2027.
The topic for this week’s “Staff Picks” is our staff’s favorite activities to do in winter/in the snow. If you have any topic suggestions that you would like to hear from us about, please email us at rambler@transy.edu.
Taylor Mahlinger, Editor-in-Chief: Sledding
“Whenever it snows, my friends and I search for the biggest hill in the city and go sledding for hours until we can’t feel our toes. Then, we come home and make a steaming cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.”
Abby Stone, Managing Editor: Ice skating
“It has been a tradition in my family to go ice skating for hours at least once every year in the downtown square of Cincinnati. There is always music playing and the giant Christmas tree that overlinks the skating rink paints a beautiful array of colors on the ice. Afterward, it is always a hilarious feeling to have your ‘land-legs’ come back.”
Makayla Dublin, Copy Editor: Make a snowman
“My favorite thing to do in the snow is to make a snowman. It is always fun trying to find different ways to adorn your snowy friend.”
Aaron Bell, Sports Editor: Skiing
“For me, the best part of Winter is when the ski slopes open. Nothing takes your mind off things like sailing down a hill with your friends knowing you will not be able to stand up straight the next morning after taxing your muscles for hours. Oh, and replenishing the calories with hot chocolate in the lodge is also an enjoyable experience.”
Shawna Morton, Back-end Editor: Skiing
“I really enjoy skiing. The feeling of hitting the slopes is so freeing that you don’t mind the cold anymore. However, there aren’t many places to ski in Kentucky.”
Diaka Savane, Staff Contributor: Hike at Red River Gorge
“I like to go hiking at Red River Gorge because the cold keeps you from sweating excessively but of course, the views are amazing and it’s a way to stay active!”
Gabrielle Crooks, Staff Photographer: Run!
“My favorite thing to do in the snow is to run in it. It sounds simple but there is so much more resistance and a challenge that it makes an amazing workout and an oh so satisfying crunch!”
Will Hickey, Staff Contributor: Game of possible hypothermia
“My favorite thing to do in the wintertime is to grab a group of friends while wearing shorts and short sleeves, then go outside and see who lasts the longest. The best time to do this is when it snowed heavy/is snowing heavy and in the morning because the game could last a while.”
“During the winter holidays, one of my favorite things to do in Lexington is visiting the Kentucky Horse Park to see their Southern Lights drive-through exhibit. Admission is $15 per car and it runs nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m until the end of December. It’s always a fun and magical time for anyone of any age, and you can support local vendors by visiting the indoor craft fair (closed December 24th-31st). It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit and pick up some last-minute gifts!”
The topic for this week’s “Staff Picks” is our staff’s favorite Thanksgiving dish(es). If you have any topic suggestions that you would like to hear from us about, please email us at rambler@transy.edu.
Taylor Mahlinger, Editor-in-Chief: The Gravy
“The gravy is my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner because you can pour it over everything on the plate. Stuffing? Yes. Green bean casserole? Yes. My mom makes it from scratch every year and it’s the perfect balance of savory and everything good.
Abby Stone, Managing Editor: Homemade Italian Bread and Mashed Potatoes
“I always look forward to my mom’s made-from-scratch Italian bread around the holidays. It is a tradition that started with my grandmother, and it is the perfect pairing to your Thanksgiving meal.”
“In my opinion, it is not a Thanksgiving meal without the classic side dish of mashed potatoes. Pair it with some gravy, and you are in heaven. I probably eat more of that each holiday than should be recommended.”
Makayla Dublin, Copy Editor: Green Bean Haystacks
“Green bean haystacks: This is my favorite dish at Thanksgiving. It is a bunch of bundles of green beans tied together with a little bacon and baked in the oven in a delicious sauce.”
“My favorite Thanksgiving dish is sweet potato casserole with the pecans on top.” (Also, check out Shawna’s recipe for a dairy-free corn pudding for your Thanksgiving!)
Gabrielle Crooks, Staff Photographer: Pumpkin Pie
“My favorite dish for the holidays would have to be pumpkin pie! I love all things pumpkin flavored (call me basic it’s fine), and my mom makes the best pumpkin pie! It is the exact taste of fall for me and reminds me of times with my family.”
Taylore Latham, Staff Contributor: Corn Pudding
“Corn pudding! It’s a very specific corn pudding recipe that’s been in my family for a very long time and it’s always the first dish that’s gone at Thanksgiving.”
Will Hickey, Staff Contributor: Chicken and Dumplings
“There is no better meal during Thanksgiving because of how perfect a dish this is. The dish is warm little dough balls with chicken for your protein all mixed in some gravy that hits harder than the Southern love my mom cooks them with.”
Nyah Mattison, Staff Contributor: Baked Mac n’ Cheese
“I’m a big fan of baked macaroni and cheese and Thanksgiving is the perfect time for it. My family Thanksgiving typically features at least two different versions of this classic dish, and it’s always something I look forward to seeing on the table every year.”
Ruben Joseph, Staff Contributor: Stuffing
“My all-time favorite Thanksgiving meal is Stuffing. I absolutely love stuffing because it is probably one of the only foods that taste like the Holiday in which it represents. The warm spices and flavors remind me of the Fall and there’s just nothing like it.”
Volleyball
The Transylvania volleyball team’s season came to an end last Saturday against Emory in the NCAA tournament second round. The team finishes with a (28-5) overall record and (8-0) HCAC conference record. Senior Hannah Talkers and Junior Ellie Stigger have been named AVCA All-Americans, the first Transylvania volleyballers to achieve this honor. With the amount of success the volleyball team has accomplished this year the season has been deemed by the Transylvania Sports website as the “most successful campaign for the Pioneers in their 18-year program history.”
Women’s Basketball
The Transy’s women team took on Berea in the first away game of the season. The team emerged victorious with a final score of (65-57). They shot an uncharacteristically low percentage from the three-point line but recovered by outscoring Berea in the paint by ten points. The trio of guards Ashton Woodard, Shelby Boyle, and Zenoviah Walker led the way in scoring. The women took on Wittenberg this past Saturday, and won (59-56).They are set to begin their Thanksgiving tournament, the Pat Deacon Classic, this coming Friday.
Men’s Basketball
The men took their first game against Emory & Henry handily with a score of (97-71). However, they lost a heartbreaker to rival Centre (57-58) in which the go-ahead basket for Centre was scored leaving just 0.5 seconds on the clock. Transylvania was up by five with 1:25 left to play. They will next take on Earlham December 4 at home in the first division game of the season. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Triathlon
This is just the second year Transylvania has fielded a Women’s Triathlon team.The team competed in the Women’s National Collegiate Triathlon Championship to bring their season to a close. Freshman Grayson Bray impressed by finishing ninth in the division III race. She posted a time of 1:17:05 in the contest. Head coach Sean McNulty expressed his satisfaction with the season.
Well everyone, we went through the season watching the Transy women’s volleyball team give their blood, sweat, and tears for their team and this school. The team, led by Head Coach Amy Barmore, had a fantastic run and kept us on the edge of our seats up until the end. After beating Birmingham-Southern in four sets, the Bats got their first tournament win following an offensive one-two punch from senior setter Hanna Talkers with 52 assists and then a blistering air raid of 22 kills from Jordan Horne.
We then watched the team take on the No.1 seeded Emory, where our Bats fought for four sets, and after almost coming back to win the last, lost in a close one. This wrapped up a historic season for not just the team, ending with a record of 28-5, but also for the seniors on the team, like Talkers, who broke Transy’s assist record and finished top-10 in the nation for assists. I caught up with Talkers to get her thoughts on the season. “I would define the season as making history and achieving goals. This season we hit a lot of milestones for Transy volleyball and made history many times. We achieved every goal we set. We beat multiple ranked teams, became ranked, went undefeated in conference, won the conference tournament, went to NCAA, and got to the second round of NCAA all for the first time in program history. A lot of the players reached milestones individually which was amazing to see! We have two All-Americans (Ellie Stigger, Talkers) and individual region and conference titles as well.”
In regards to her assist record, Talkers said, “It feels great to have the record for assists at Transy, but none of that is possible without the help of my teammates. Without passes to be able to set the hitters for a kill, my achievement would not have been possible! I owe my teammates for helping me set the record.” The last question I asked her was what her plans after volleyball were and she expressed a desire to stay active in the sport. She explained, “Now that the season and my career is over… I still plan on volleyball being a huge part of my life. I will be playing in leagues, especially sand, and attending games, as many as I can. I also have thought about coaching and giving back to the sport that gave me so much.” She added, “In my life outside of volleyball, I am pursuing degrees Accounting and Spanish, and plan to take the CPA and work for a firm after graduating in May.”
This season has been a turning point for the program and has really set up a bright future for our Bats next year.
The topic for this week’s “Staff Picks” is our staff’s current favorite movie(s). If you have any topic suggestions that you would like to hear from us about, please email us at rambler@transy.edu.
Taylor Mahlinger, Editor-in-Chief: The Holiday (PG-13)
“My current favorite movie is a tough one! But since it’s the holiday season, I always circle back to one of my favorite Nancy Meyers films: The Holiday. It’s a witty rom-com that’s full of A-list actors, like Jude Law in his younger years.”
Abby Stone, (Managing Editor): The Duchess (PG-13) (available on Netflix)
“If you are a fan of Keira Knightley, historical period movies, or both, then this is a must-watch! Based on the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire in the 18th century, this movie follows a beautifully untold story throughout history. A romance and drama-filled film with political twists and turns, it will not disappoint.”
Allison Spivey, News Editor: The Wedding Singer (PG-13), Jurassic Park (PG-13), and Muppets Treasure Island (G)
“While maybe not the most well known or critically acclaimed movie, The Wedding Singer is my all-time favorite. It is hilarious and heartwarming, I could watch it over and over again, and I have.”
“An obvious classic and thriller. Who doesn’t love Jurassic Park?”
“The Muppets never disappoint. This has been one of my favorite movies since I was little. The dry humor and breaking of the fourth wall lead to clever and relatable jokes from start to finish. This movie seamlessly blends the Muppet and human characters into one crew all set on finding and keeping the treasure for themselves.”
Diaka Savane, Staff Contributor: Dolemite Is My Name (R) (available on Netflix)
“Dolemite Is My Name is a movie I watched this past week because I needed a little comedic relief, and it delivered. I am not one to watch movies by myself as I prefer documentaries, but I highly recommend this movie for anyone looking for a good laugh and quality acting. The cast is packed with a host of talented actors, the main one being Eddie Murphy.”
Taylore Latham, Staff Contributor: Superbad (R) (available on Netflix)
“Superbad because it’s a really stressful time in the semester, and it’s a good movie to laugh at and forget about homework.”
Gabrielle Crooks, Staff Photographer: Seven (R)
“This psychological crime thriller has everything going for it. An amazing cast, script, and directing. If you love a gritty movie about a methodical killer, this is the one for you!”
Nyah Mattison, Staff Contributor: The Polar Express (G)
“My favorite movie for the holiday season is The Polar Express. It’s just a great film to really get you in the spirit of the holidays and think about what the season is all about.”
If you’re looking for quality theater and a good laugh, you don’t have to go far! The Theatre Guild’s production of Picnic, a 1953 play by William Inge, directed by Marianne Phelps, is full of satirical commentary. The playwright wonderfully crafts a story highlighting strong female roles without being shy about the struggle of womanhood and societal pressures.
Photo by Gabby Crooks
Many of us will relate to the themes present throughout the play, including the fear of ending up alone, first crushes, and parental expectations. In this 90-minute production, the audience is taken back to a small, rural southern town setting in a time period prior to 1953. Taking place over Labor Day weekend, the characters prepare for a neighborhood picnic. This time around, however, things don’t go as planned. Hal, one of the main characters and the center of trouble, is a complicated personage whose development throughout the play pulls you in all directions. He’s a complex, charming, charismatic, clown who intrigues the sisters next door, attracts the woman he works for as well as an old school teacher, challenges his old friend, and disturbs the mother of the two women.
Photo by Gabby Crooks
The introduction of each new character continues to increase the entertainment and I, personally, was left wanting more. Without giving anything away, and if you trust my advice, then this play is a must see. Make sure to reserve a ticket for the last weekend of showings!
Whether you have dietary restrictions or are just looking to eat healthier, the holidays can be a difficult time for anyone. This past weekend, I created a dairy-free version of my family’s corn pudding for a sorority Friendsgiving. The recipe normally calls for items such as cheese and butter but I was able to replace these with dairy-free versions. To make this dish, you will need the following ingredients:
1 can creamed corn
1 can corn
1 cup sour cream (Tofutti, dairy-free)
1⁄4 cup melted butter (Mikoko’s, dairy-free)
1 package Jiffy vegetarian corn muffin mix
2 eggs
2 cups cheddar cheese (Daiya, dairy-free)
I mixed 1⁄4 cups of the Mikoko’s dairy-free butter (melted) with 1 cup of canned corn and 1 cup of creamed corn (also called cream style corn, but creamed corn does not actually contain any dairy). Then, I added 1 cup of the dairy-free sour cream, which is about 1 tub of Tofutti sour cream, so I just dumped in the few remaining scoops. Next, I stirred in the vegetarian corn muffin mix by Jiffi and 2 eggs (beaten). You could easily make this dish vegan by replacing the eggs with an egg alternative like applesauce or mashed bananas. There are also plenty of vegan egg replacement products in the grocery store. I poured all of this into a casserole dish and baked it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes, I took it out of the oven and stirred in the 2 cups of Daiya dairy-free cheddar cheese. Last, I popped in back into the oven for another 20 minutes (20 minutes are what the directions call for, but I needed about 10 minutes more). The corn pudding is done when the edges are a golden brown. The pudding will set more as it cools. As you can see, this dish was very popular at the event! People didn’t even notice it was dairy free!
Visit the links below for some vegan and gluten-free holiday recipes!
This is a new weekly series that will be written by Rambler sports contributors each week and focuses on Transy sports to keep readers informed of what’s happening, all in one place.
Volleyball
The Transylvania volleyball team is currently ranked no. 20 in the nation no. 5 in the region according to the Transy Athletics site. They made program history this past Sunday when they won their first HCAC championship and beat Earlham. The No. 5 seed regional team has made their way to the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Atlanta, GA where they will face the No. 4 seed, Birmingham-Southern College today. You can find the full schedule of the tournament games in Atlanta here.
Women’s Basketball
The Transy women’s team started out their 2019-20 season with a big win against Spalding this past Tuesday evening. The team started out ranked as no. 13 according to a poll by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and no. 16 in the Top 25 poll by D3Hoops after a record-breaking 2018-19 season. Prior to beginning the game, the team unveiled a banner that recognizes their Sweet Sixteen victory last season. After a well-fought game, the women’s team pulled out a win with a final score of 79-57. Their next match-up is an away game set for Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 p.m. when they will take on Berea College.
Men’s Basketball
The Transy men’s team has won both of their first two games against the Wilmington (Ohio) College Quakers (87-78) and the Ohio Northern University Polar Bears (65-62). They are set to play their first home game against Emory and Henry College Wasps today at 5:00 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team had a good run this season but came up short against Rose-Hulman during the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals on Nov. 6th. They finished the season 10-8 and 7-2 in HCAC regular season.
Women’s Soccer
The women’s team also suffered a tough loss to Rose-Hulman Nov. 2nd that put an end to their season. They ended the season with a record of 3-4-2 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and an overall of 5-10-3.
Triathlon Team
The Transylvania women’s triathlon team will head to Arizona this Saturday as they compete in the USA Triathlon Women’s Collegiate National Championship in Tempe where teams of all three NCAA Divisions will be competing. While the triathlon program at Transy has only been around for two years, this will be their second time competing in the national championship.
Swimming and Diving The Transylvania swimming and diving team took home victories for both the men’s and women’s teams. Both the women’s swim team (197-71) and the men’s (147-81) beat Anderson University, winning 22 of the 32 races. They will work to continue their success on the road today against the Union College Bulldogs.
