Central Michigan University - Chippewa Yearbook (Mount Pleasant, MI)

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...Three-day pclrly calms exam jilters Bonnie Trafelef While some fans cheered near the stage, others were intent on finding fun elsewhere. When l'm there, l'm not as much into listening to the band as I am just being with my friends. The music just makes for a good atmosphere, said Sue Campbell. Farmington junior. No matter where one looked. there was something new to see. Frisbees were everywhere: what mattered more than the ability to pitch the saucers was the ability to duck. Lots of drink meant long lines at the bathroom, which meant long lines by the woods. People adjusted to minor inconveniences. Some people napped on blankets. under trees and in the middle of the field, while others danced beside the stage or off on their own. And while people may have come with certain groups, they rarely stayed together. lt was a time to socialize--to say good-bye. or just so long, to friends. People shifted, mingled and partied with anyone that could muster a smile and tip a beer. While some people were saying good, byes. others were just getting around to hellos. The idea for Mayfest was conjured up by local resident Greg Beeman in 1975. The first end of the year party drew about Streamers flying, a colorful CMU student takes advantage of a spot near the stage to dance to the music of the Weeds. lt was a day for spontenaiety. A couple shares the experience of a sunny Mayfest day. The norm for the day was 'Ano norms --everyone did their own thing. 2.000 people. The Mayfest Committee. a group notorious for coming up in the red, planned the event in 1981. Bands played through dusk, and the few dieahards who didn't burn-out from too much sun. drinking, frisbee and partying, stayed late into the night. Another end of the year event, this time hosted by the University, was the Fresh Air Festival. held on Sunday in Warriner Mall. An art show drew shoppers and browsers who inspected crafts ranging from pottery to paintings. Children ran around with painted faces and there was plenty of food. Entertainment was provided by local bands and the CMU Country Dancers. Students, with finals drawing ever nearer, however. were more likely to be seen listening to the bands while attempting to study. lt was hard to resist the sunshine and good spirits. Jill Srnolinski E55-S sw ta Usa Remus Bonnie Trafelel Maglesi weekend I3

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44 MW' Q ' i '92 w. If 'M Q D E 1 'N Cindy Cain, ofthe band Moonrise, plays a trumpet solo. Moonrise. a jazz ensemble, was one of five bands performing at Mayfest. With help from some students, the Valesquez Brothers Frisbee Troupe attempt to break the record for the longest overethe-shoulder frisbee roll. The Gentle Friday event fell short of the record. I 2 Mayfesl weekend

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Low pressure system hits town n the second weekend in May, there was a mas exodus from Mount Pleasant. Not by foot, mule and wagon, but by van, trailer, bus, mom and dad. Within days, a bustling town lost more than oneethird of its population. Those 3,874 students who remained saw the other face of their town. The softer side. The summertime Mount Pleasant. lt's like I live in two different towns, said Helen Gross, Midland senior. lt's a lot more laid-back during the summer. Students stayed in Mount Pleasant to pick up some needed credits, to work, because it was home, or because they couldnt afford anywhere else. With apartments such as Forum going for 517.50 a week, and house rental at S100 for the summer, Mount Pleasant was definitely bargain-living. But whether students were studying, working or just hanging around, they virtually all agreed that the atmosphere was more relaxed. Mount Pleasant's not a bad town in the summer. said Leanne Gilbert, Barryton junior. lt's a lot slower paced--not as rowdy. Summer classes consisted of three 3-week mini-sessions. Although the studies were more concentrated, many students said the workload was far from unbearable. Just the important things were emphasized in classes, said Gordon Dyker. Waterford Township senior. You don't feel as much pressure. You go to classes in shorts and a t-shirt for a couple of hours and lay out in the sun for the rest of the day. said Lorelei Roth. Lewiston senior. Other activities luring students away from the books were parties at Island Park, frisbee-golf in Warriner Mall, road- trips to Pine Knob concerts, or slime- sliding on the Lake lsabella spillway. lt was a drag going to school in the summer, said Greg Hollobaugh, Allen Park senior, having to study on nice warm summer nights. Not that l did, but the thought of it scared me. Most CMU students were from urban lower Michigang it would seem logical that most of them would have died of lonliness and boredom in semi-deserted Mount Pleasant. Not so. lt got boring sometimes, said Hollobaugh. But it was a nice change for meg l'm used to living in a big city like Detroit. Although Central already had a reputation as a friendly school, many students commented that it was even more social during the summer. lt was easier to meet peopleg you could talk to them in classes and maybe invite them over for a beer or something, said Dyker. Friends got closer as the population got smaller, and entertainment switched from huge parties to playing cards and drinking beer with neighbors. Bars were rarely crowded, except for Oldies Night at the Wayside, which always drew capacity crowds. And there was less meaning to the word weekend e-a party could happen anywhere at anytime. lf you weren't going out on a Friday night-fine, you were probably going out on Tuesday and Wednesday anyway, said Roth. Yet as the summer came to a close, students found themselves with mixed emotions. l was happy to see my friends again, said Sandy McHugh, Escanaba junior. But it seemed so crowded all of a sudden...you couldnt even fit three bikes on the road anymore. Linda Affhalter, Sturgis sophomore, summed up many summer students' fears: I thought we were being invaded-it was a relief to see it was just students coming back. Jill Smolinski .Z-H . -5. ' L' -.