The Comment

Five New England Summer Destinations

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Old Orchard Beach, Maine - Just an hour away from Boston, this carnival- type beach is one of the best places around. Low prices, incorporated with fun rides, the warm water and the friendly people make this a popular vacation spot.

There are plenty of campgrounds around for the nature lover who likes the wilderness, or you can stay on the one of the many hotels conveniently located right on the water.

BSC Theater puts on last show of season

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"How I Learned to Drive," written by Paula Vogel, first premiered in New York and was performed this past weekend by Bridgewater State College.

It was one of the theater's best performances of the year. Directed by Suzanne Ramczyk, the play was moving in its depiction of how a child, who is being sexually abused, gets into the abusive relationship, how she gets out of the relationship, and how she is transformed by it.

Back to my roots: Fashion Faux Pas

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This past year had seen an evolution in the Style Files column. When I first started writing it, I did not know what to do with it. I was not sure if I should focus more on campus fashion or concentrate on what was going on in the fashion industry.

I chose to concentrate more on high fashion this year.

Craft Style Files: Your Weekly Fashion News

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I originally intended on making this last Style Files of the year something light and breezy. The focus was supposed to be on swimwear and what the current trends are for this summer. Although that would be the best thing to write, easy to talk about and doesn't require much thought, there was a recent development within the fashion industry which I found to be slightly more important.

The beauty of the film festival

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Film is not just about going to the movies to see the latest thriller or watching the Academy Awards. In the film industry, there is one event critics line up for and people buy tickets in numbers: film festivals.

While Sundance Film Festival ended in January, there are still others worth noting.

College tops region in recycling contest

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Bridgewater State College was placed at 14 out of 95 colleges and universities in the nation, and first in Massachusetts, in the first year of competition in the RecycleMania. RecycleMania is a friendly competition among colleges and universities across the U.

Managing debt is developed by using the resources available to you

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Nate Stilgoe is working at a blood lab processing samples for researchers to buy. Stilgoe graduated from Bridgewater State College in December 2007 with a BA in English. "Working in a blood lab is not exactly what I expected to be doing by any stretch of the imagination," Stilgoe said.

Book buyback blues

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The end of the spring semester is upon us. This means that book buyback period at the Bridgewater State College bookstore is also beginning, and many students are wondering why they are not receiving what they believe to be a fair price for their traded in text books.

Comedian performs for full-capacity audience

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On April 24, the fourth day of Bridgewater State College's week-long Springfest, a massive line wrapped around Swenson Field to the doors of the Tinsley Center to see comedian Stephen Lynch perform his very funny act.

Students and their guests stood outside the doors of the Tinsley Center for over an hour before the doors opened.

Learning beyond the classroom

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Engaged student learning is about skills and temperament and empowerment as much as it is about content, engagement means students are playing an active role," said Dr. Andrew Harris, executive assistant to the president.

Some will say, "do a research project" while others will say obtain an internship, but one fact remains: the students need to be actively involved in learning something new, and take responsibility for their own individual goals.

Paper or.... cloth

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As of next fall, Bridgewater State College Bookstore, will be joining in sustainability efforts and selling cloth bags to encourage students not to use plastic shopping bags.

These totes will be similar to ones that many stores, such as Stop and Shop and Target are now offering, and will be sold for approximately 99 cents.

Recession raises concerns over availability of student loans

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Students' ability to take out loans may be jeopardy due to the current US economic credit crunch.

A credit crunch is usually considered to be an extension of recession. It is an economic condition where it is difficult for companies to borrow, as banks and investors become wary of lending, their fear of bankruptcies or defaults driving them.

Relay for Life

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

More than 280 students and faculty members formed 26 teams and participated in Bridgewater State's first ever college-run Relay for Life on March 28 and 29. Throughout the night, participants took turns walking around the track which was lit by Luminaria Bags, representing the path towards hope for the future.

My greatest accomplishment: I was almost a College dropout. Almost.

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The long haul is over (with a big long sigh and a tear in one eye). After the most stressful semester in the history of semesters (that being fall 2007) and the less painful spring semester, I will be graduating.

This is probably the time to get nostalgic.

The role of The Comment, journalism

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In November 2004 my unit was deployed to a small operating base in eastern Afghanistan. My training prepared me for what I was about to encounter: long sleepless nights, rationed food and water, traversing rough mountainous terrain, and staying alive during arduous firefights.

Danger in dining halls

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Food allergies are becoming more and more prevalent these days, allergies like nut allergies, gluten allergies, lactose-intolerance, and many more. About 1% or 2.7 million American adults suffer from a food allergy according to wrong diagnosis or WD.com, one of the world's leading providers of on-line medical information.

For all the good times

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's funny to be writing a "farewell" column. I'm not leaving. Well, at least I'm not leaving in the traditional sense. I won't be joining my classmates on May 17, I won't get a diploma and I won't have to start paying back my loans in November. I think that this is fitting though.

Its time for me to do what?

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The semester is coming to a close, finals are upon us. The weather seems to be behaving, with the amount of nice days outnumbering the not so nice ones. I see the end in sight, a summer of only working, not balancing both a full time student and a full time work schedule.

Make the call

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Springfest 2008 has come and gone, raising the issue of alcohol use and abuse. With every student who drank responsibly, there are two who drank irresponsibly, and I think it's time that we consider how this college can better ensure the safety of its students.

My major is better than your major

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

That's right, I said it. Because I am a biology major I'm so much smarter than any other person outside of the major. I'm better than education majors, English majors, and even math majors; oh and don't get me started on the art majors, they don't even register on the map compared to biology.

My year in review

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For my final opinion this year I would like to try writing something other than my usual rants and raves about the sporting world. Instead I would like to reflect upon my first year here both at The Comment and Bridgewater State College. Overall I had a great freshman year here, I made new friends, learned how to live on my own and gained a sense of maturity that I didn't have during high school.

Politics of politics

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's hard to miss anything that is going on with the race for the presidency. Not only is it all over the news, but everywhere you go you hear people talking about it. Especially on campus.

Believe me, I support a healthy dose of politics. With this election in particular, everyone seems to be more involved.

Taking time off

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Anytime someone writes about fashion and style they are expected to fit the mold. They must be up on all of the latest trends and always put their best foot forward. One tiny misstep and people begin to question how fashionable you really are. It gets to a point though, when you want to cut yourself off from the fashion world for some time.

The case for A-Rod

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Though I know almost ninety percent of the people who read this will disagree with me I still have to let it be known. The Boston Red Sox made one of the biggest mistakes by not signing free agent Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Rodriguez, who is hated throughout Red Sox nation, is no doubt the best player in the game today.

Special to The Comment

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In the summertime, Bridgewater State Baseball head coach Rick Smith received an interesting DVD in the mail. He put the disc into the DVD player and discovered that Seob Yoon, a young Japanese infielder who went to school in Hawaii, wanted to try out for his baseball team.

Airing it out

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Bridgewater State College has many different sports that people hear all about and attend regularly. One sport that does not get recognized too much is Ultimate. Everyone remembers playing the game in their gym classes back in high school.

The rules are simple, seven people on the field for each team at a time.

Euro 2008 showcases youthful talent

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Some Americans may think of soccer as a slower paced hockey-like game. In Europe, where the sport is called football, this is not the case. There the game is fast paced and highly competitive. Comparatively, American soccer seems just a half step lower than leagues internationally.

Girls LAX fueled by Young Guns

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Every team has its go to players that you can depend on to score a key goal, spark a run, or add the insurance markers needed to win the game. On the Bridgewater State College women's' lacrosse team, freshman Jenny Jones, and sophomores Kate DeMaio and Shannon Manning are this year's big three.

Hollywood it's not

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

There was a moment of clarity a few weeks back that told me Terry Francona was substantially more prepared to defend a World Series title in '08 as opposed to '05.

During the April 20 game, the one where the Sox upended the Rangers bullpen when Dustin Pedroia clobbered a triple into the triangle, Tito made a stand he refused to make during the last title defense.

Lemon Party takes Wiffle Ball crown

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The intramural waffle ball league concluded Wednesday, April 23 with the final games of the season being played, like always, in the Tinsley center.

Team Lemon Party took first place honors with a solid record of 10 wins and one loss while also registering two ties.