Are you tired of the lung freezing weather? A trip to the Agricultural Heritage Museum might be something for you. The exhibit “Skunk Tales and Gopher Holes” is sure to warm your spirit and it does not cost anything.

“Skunk Tales and Gopher Holes” displays memories of the one room school house era during the beginning of the century. Composed of memories from students as well as teachers, the exhibits sheds light on a way of life we probably can’t quite imagine.

Many of the stories are humorous. One person recalls how a skunk on the porch dismissed school for a day, when its inevitable stench drove pupils and teachers home.

A lady explains how two boys got in trouble by putting huge snowballs on the lids in the girls’ outhouse. A teacher tells about entering the classroom, finding it empty, devoid of desks and chairs. Upon looking into the ceiling beams, she finds not only all desks and chairs but the villains who put them there as well.

The exhibit also illustrates the conditions of going to school and being a teacher during that era. It describes the blackboard, which was made out of boards and painted black.

Lunch was prepared by placing students’ soup bowls in hot water on the stove, which the teacher had to bring along with a bucket of coal. Sometimes for dessert, someone would bring homemade ice cream, before serving it, the ice cream had to be dug out of the snowbank outside where it was kept cool.

The exhibit will be on display until the end of the year.

For more information, contact the Agricultural Heritage Museum at 688-6226.

The South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council sponsored a soyfoods recipe contest at SDSU Feb, 19-21st., in which students spoiled the judges with their scrumptious recepies. The first place winners in each of the five categories go on to Sioux Falls to compete against Mt. Marty and USD dietetics interns.

The primarily purpose of this contest is to promote and spread public awareness of soyfoods and their benefits.

The students participating could choose to prepare breads, salads, appetizers, main dishes or desserts. Contestants were judged on their originality, which includes the creative use of soy and combination ingredients. They were also judged on appeal,flavor and texture. The recepies had to be low in calories and saturated fat and high in soy protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

In the breads category, Sarah Bucholz captured first place with “Cheesy Soy Bread”.

Becky Russow, Delaine Rasmassen and Amber Ranek took the salad category with “Chicken Waldorf Salad”.

Julie Raeder and Virginia Englert won first in appetizers with “Veggie Bites”.

Yachai Amornkul and Amy Richards won the main dish area with “Oriental Spicy Wonton Soup”.

Sheila Volek and Nicole Hillsheim won the dessert category with “Ultimate Turtle Soy Cheesecake”. Category winners received a cash prize ranging from $100 to $25.

According to the 2000 Soyfoods Guide, soybeans contain numerous phytochemicals, which are plant components shown to possibly prevent and treat various chronic diseases. Soyfoods are also thought to lower the risk of cancers.

Soybeans also help lower sudden rises in blood sugar and can be beneficial to diabetic diets.

Soybeans also help lower “bad” cholesterol and are strong sources of essential fatty acids, vitamin E and protein.

Are you looking for ways to prepare yourself for the future? Do you wish to find out what employers near and far are seeking in potential employees? If you are in an economics related major, you will find such in the Economics club at SDSU.

This club is geared toward helping students explore the world of business. Representatives from Daktronics, Citibank, Wells Fargo, as well as professors from the Economics Department serve as guest speakers. The representatives from the businesses focus on giving students valuable information concerning job skills and opportunities for internships.

The professors acquaint students with graduate school options here at SDSU.

Perhaps a highlight of the clubs learning experience is the yearly trip to cities such as Chicago, Denver, St. Louis and Winnipeg. The members decide on the destination of the trip and the businesses they wish to visit.

In the past, the club has toured the facilities of Purina Mills, Anheiser-Busch, advertising, investment and banking firms. They try to get in touch with the home offices of those reputable businesses, so that they have a chance to speak to people in high ranks.

The main focus is to gain knowledge of today’s job market, skills needed, potential internship opportunities, finding out what employers are looking for in employees and providing the members with a chance to see another part of the country.

The club generally meets once a month to the plan the trip, take care of administrative business, or prepare for the scholarship banquet that the Economics Department hosts each year.

“The club allows students to get to know people in their classes, have fun an prepare for the future,” said Dr. Douglas Franklin, advisor for the club.

The Brookings Regional Humane Society organized a fundraiser for the SDSU Residence Halls to help build their new facility called “Heart Haven Facility.”

This special event, ‘Penny Wars’, awarded a DVD player for the hall raising the most pennies and a plaque to every hall raising over $100. Hansen Hall came out on top, the only hall raising over $100 and also won the DVD player

Pet Therapy

The Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital in Brookings does not only improve the lives of animals but people as well.

Each week, staff from the animal hospital pay a visit to Prairie Crossings Assisted Living Center and Green Leaf Assisted Living Center. Accompanying the personnel from the animal hospital are dogs, eager to see their friends.

Two of the dogs are registered therapy dogs, trained to keep people company as well as temperament tested to ensure good behavior.

All the dogs are personal pets with a very special occupation. Other dogs are currently in training to become sought therapy dogs.

The dogs are popular at Prairie Crossings. “Some of the residents plan their schedules around our visitation time,” said Jenny Martins who takes the dogs to visit. The residents like to snuggle, pet and hold the patient dogs, and their presence helps brighten the day for the residents.

One of the dogs, Jessie, is a particular favorite. She knows several tricks to entertain the residents. She has been adopted from the Brookings Regional Humane Society in January 2000 after being with four previous families.

“She is very well suited for therapy because of her outstanding temperament,” said Martin, who adopted the Australian Shepherd.

The crew from the hospital has been invited to birthday parties from some of the residents.

Celebrations, especially during this time of the year, are generally religious and have been practiced for ages. Kwanzaa, a seven day celebration of African culture, is neither of the above. Kwanzaa runs Dec. 26 until Jan. 1 and its foundation is built upon principles of modern day living.

Seven aspects encompass the festivities, including unity, self-determination, collective responsibility and and work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

This new and unique cultural celebration was started by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African scholar, activist, and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University in Long Beach.

Kwanzaa was inspired by the civil rights struggles of the past, such as the Watts riot. Today, Kwanzaa embraces African pride, community, family, education, business and leadership.

Each of the seven days dedicated to one of the principles. Gifts, educational toys and crafts are exchanged. Each day a candle of a different color is lighted symbolizing freedom and unity. Dancing, singing, drumming, toasting, praying, reading works and poems written by African American authors and feasts are also part of the increasingly popular non-religious holiday.

The word Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili words meaning first fruits. Its ancient roots lie in the African First Fruit celebration.

In the past decade, Kwanzaa has become a major event for 20 million people in the United States, Canada, England, the Caribbean and Africa.

Karenga said, “The good life. The good of existence. The good of family, community and culture.The good of the awesome and the ordinary. The good of the divine, the natural and the social.”

“Respect all, fear none” is the motto for the SDSU Forensics Team, better known as SDSU Speech and Debate. Forensics offers great opportunities for students from any major, said Kris Kracht, assistant director and coach.

“Forensics gives students the chance to improve everyday communications skills as well as other valuable experiences crucial to life after college,” Kracht said.

“Students interact act with people from other cultures, learn how to balance their schedules and experience what its like to travel,” Kracht added.

The Forensics Teams has traveled to California, Washington, D.C. and the United Kingdom for competition. The club offers a wide variety of of disciplines for members to choose from. Most speeches run about 10 minutes in length.

Informative Speaking consists of factual informational aimed at providing the listener with insight on realistic topics cited by sources presented by the speaker. Notes and visual aids are allowed.

Another option is Dramatic Duo, which involves two people who represents characters from a play or radio or television show. This type of speaking may be humorous or serious in nature.

After Dinner speaking encompasses humor, originality and good taste presented through sound speech communication of the speaker.

Poetry Interpretation deals with literary merit poetry from various sources presented with a manuscript.

SDSU Forensics meets every Monday night for informational meetings, fund-raisers, public service projects and recruitment of new members and for practice, sometimes over pizza.

Individual and group practice sessions help members prepare for competition. The coaches from the team hold individual practice sessions through the week.

“During meetings and traveling to discussions, members get to know each other,” said Jessica Nordquist, president and competitor.

“Everyone gets along, and we have a blast,” she added.

The Forensics team has been successful in the past and continues to place high in competition. Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting on Mondays in Pugsley 117 For more information, contact Kris Kracht at 688-4383.

For, most of us, the upcoming holidays are a time of feasting, but for Muslims however, it is a time of fasting.

During the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadan, a major Islamic holiday is celebrated.

The Muslim calender is lunar, 11 days longer than the Gregorian year.

Ramadan is at a different date each year migrating thought the seasons. The first sighting of th ethin crescent moon signals the beginning of this holy month.

For the next 26 to 30 days, Muslims practice daytime fasting. The healthy abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex during daytime hours. The elderly, ill, pregnant and your children do not fast.

“Fasting teaches self discipline, serves to renew the spirit and [sensitizes] the people to the needs of the poor,” Ann Marie Bahr, religion professor at SDSU said.

She said the during Ramadan everyday life changes in some Muslim countries. Restaurants close during the day, and factories slow down to accommodate the fasting people. Visits to the doctors or dentists are not common during the months because one could accidentally swallow the water the dentists use and injections involve placing a substance into your body as well. After sunset the fast is slowly broken. First small meals are eaten followed by larger ones. Breakfast is eaten before the sun rises the next day.

Fasting is not the only activity emphasized during Ramadan. One tries to avoid negative thoughts and focuses on praying and giving thanks for the Koran from God.

“Ramadan is a celebration rather than a big party; families do get together and children may receive gifts, but Ramadan reminds us about symbolism, the poor and calling out spirits,” said Aliireza Salehnia, computer science professor.

He said that the Islam society and Islamic International Relations Club, “Some people gather for prayers held at the alumni center during the afternoon and evening, other celebrate and pray in the night.”

When the new moon is sited, the fast is broken and the next days are celebrated with family, gatherings and feasting. This celebration, called Eid-ui-fitr, signals the end of Ramadan.