Olivet Nazarene University - Aurora Yearbook (Bourbonnais, IL)

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Olivet Tradition Wally ' s was popular in the ' 50s yet it still remains a favorite of that generation ' s offspring. Phofo by A. Denney Serious Scrabble Brian Garvin and Debbie Straw take time out of the academic world for a quick game of Scrabble in the Red Room. Photo by J. BeU 24 HANGOUTS

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Chowing Down Brad Hartness devours a piece of stuffed pizza from Giordano ' s. Photo by A. Denney Fun And Freedom Can Be Found In ■ ff f t ' .T|I ' ' - ' 1 W ' Mm N ij , - U 7 -J| rVsrri v ' ' -l IV Ii ' ' . ' M -,| r-zil .-,?, .:!!r, ' j LJ bJt After a long week stuck in the dorm rooms and library cubicles, hoards of students pack them- selves into cars and escape to the big city of Chicago, leaving their anxieties and headaches back on campus. Giddy with excite- ment, the Olivetians plan their entire evening full of food and entertainment. To the student from a relatively small town, Chicago offers brand-new experiences, and even to the student born in a large city it constantly makes new impressions. Senior Doug Stutzman claims, It still fasci- nates me after four years, be- cause every time I go I see some- thing different. Although the majority of trips to Chicago are taken on impulse, planned events such as play per- formances or jazz festivals offer high quality entertainmant. Museums and learning centers provide students with a variety of exhibits from art to laser shows. But, of course, what is Chicago without food? The choices range from cheese french fries at Ed Debevec ' s to stir-fried vegetables at The Pea Pod. Junior Tammy Salyer confessed, I enjoy going to Ed Debevec ' s, The Hamburger Hamlet, and I always stop at Mrs. Field ' s for a delicious milk- chocolate chip cookie without nuts. The specialty snack shops on Michigan Avenue and Rush Street are the stopping places for most students. Said Anne Reams of one of her favorite snack shops, I never forget to stop at Garrett ' s. I can smell that pop- corn a block away. Restuarants like Ed Debevec ' s or Gino ' s offer a unique atmo- sphere in addition to their novelty foods. At Ed Debevec ' s students are snapped at by obnoxious waitresses, while at Gino ' s they carve their names in walls and tables. After several visits, these novelties become tradition. Chicago certainly is not just food and museums, for the peo- ple inside the car and the ones walking by on the street. Tammy Salyer said, We always walk up and down Rush Street and stare at all of the strange people. We once sang with a beggar and got him more money. Most of the time one ' s compan- ions act just as strangely as the people on the street. Ethan Reedy said he went to Chicago . . . because no one knows you, so you can act as crazy as pos- sible. A certain feeling of inde- pendence and freedom accom- panies students to the city, sometimes prompting slightly er- ratic behavior. The memories of each trip last at least until the next weekend. For the lure of Chicago ' s food and fast-paced entertainment more than likely turn the student ' s weekend escape into a year long ritual. By Shelly Comstock TEXTURE 23

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A Place To Escape When You ' re Going Every college town has hangouts, the places students go when campus is too boring and a big city is too far. Hangouts range from food speciality shops to Ma and Pa ' s Diner. There is nothing fancy or outstanding about a hangout; if it ' s cheap, close by, and open late, there are Olivet students there. Hangouts exist for several rea- sons; the number one reason is boredom. Students want to get off campus for a little freedom with friends or a date. When dates are hard to find sometimes students try to study at hangouts. Actually that is an illusion. Very little studying is done at hangouts, but bringing books seems to alleviate the guilt of escaping homework. Hangouts have been around as long as dodging homework. When the campus moved from Olivet, Illinois, to Bourbonnais, Il- linois in 1940 the hangouts were a little different than they are to- day. The Steak-and-Shake was a big hangout in the early days of Olivet. A cook named Wally at Steak and Shake quit the fran- chise and opened his own res- taurant, Wally ' s Drive-in, which is still in the same location it was in the ' 50s. The state park and the Indian caves have been hang- outs since the college moved to Bourbonnais. Across from Larsen Fine Arts Center once stood a popular hangout of the ' 40s and ' 50s, Libby ' s Restaurant, a typical family owned restaurant before fast food franchises came to be popular. In 1988 the hangouts were quite different. Donutland on Main Street is definitely the main hangout. With doughnuts for a cheap, late snack and open all night, it became a major meeting place. On many winter evenings students could be seen in dough- nut runs. For pseudo-studying, Denny ' s on Route 50 became a late night library. Books spread out on tables and uncontrolled laughter became familiar scenes to the waitresses at Denny ' s. Up- In-Subs, another 24-hour eatery, served an array of sandwiches. It was not used for study but mainly talking and take out. The hangout was a timeless part of college life, as much as all-nighters, cafeteria food and term papers. Hangouts could never be replaced nor could the functions they serve in the life of the average college student. Re- lief of tension, hunger and bore- dom were the central foundations of the hangout and will continue to be so as long as colleges and college students exist. By Brian Parker Coiiee and Cramming Andrea DeMink and Steve HoUis cram for a Geology exam at Denny ' s. Photo by A. Denney TEXTURE 25