Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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as the sun glistened across the water, people enjoyed the hot, summer air and the cool, clear stream at Pillsbury Crossing. The water slowly ran over the fall onto the rocks below, making a splashing noise in the background, creating an atmosphere of relaxation. According to information found at the Riley County Historical Society, Pillsbury Crossing is located on 160 acres of land, eight miles southeast of Manhattan. It is a rock bottom creek bed which is usually covered with six to 18 inches of water. The crossing was reportedly used by wagon trains moving up the south side of the Kansas River. In the 1930s, water was pumped from the crossing to the city of Manhattan. It was one of the few spring-fed creeks that did not dry up in the summer. Pillsbury Crossing derived its name from the man who first settled the land, Josiah H. Pil lsbury. Pillsbury let the community use the crossing in the 1860s and 1870s for picnics and outings. It became a popular spot because of its natural beauty. The land was given to the Manhattan community in 1967 under the sponsorship of Kansas Forestry and Kansas Fish and Game Commission (now known as Kansas Wildlife and Parks). Dacia Fankhauser, junior in bakery science, first went to Pillsbury Crossing with a group of friends in her sorority. It was our last chance to do something relaxing so we packed up a picnic lunch and went to layout on our air mattresses in the water. Relaxation was a big attraction of the crossing. It is just a peaceful getaway. I can just relax and really think things through, said Debby Johnson, junior in pre-nursing and life sciences. Pillsbury Crossing offered what Johnson called earthy It was free and supplied natural entertainment in its picnic areas, swimming and fishing. The waterfall located at the offers tranquility. Rocks which fell from the rim rock years ago made it a bubbling stream. The waterfall has a real calming effect. It is peaceful and serene, Fankhauser said. If you just want a good time and fun in the sun, then go to Tuttle, Johnson said. If you want someplace that ' s peaceful, quiet, someplace with solitude and a nice natural then go to Pillsbury Crossing. Pillsbury Crossing offers a remote spot for sun- bathing and relaxation for four members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. (Photo by Jeff Weatherly) 27 Crossing

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The conflict of man vs. nature was not a new one. In recent years, man has been overtaking nature and limiting it to a smaller and smaller area on earth. Highways and sidewalks were built where pastures used to be. High-rise buildings took the place of forests and fields. Even here at K-State the conflict was prevalent. The animals on campus were shoved around a lot. Although the squirrels were here long before the campus was, buildings and sidewalks were constructed, and the squirrels were forced to live with it. No one asked them if it was OK. Through it all, the squirrels were good sports about The squirrels on campus were very friendly, and many people enjoyed watching them. I like them, said Diane The K-State campus sustains many critters including ground squirrels, birds and rabbits which find life at the University exciting and invigorating. Several University employees help in the creatures survival by placing food out for the animals. (Photo by Andy Nelson) Zumwalt, junior in journalism and mass communications. I wouldn ' t pet them — I know they bite, but they are cute and fun to watch. Winter posed a real threat to the cute critters. According to Chris Smith, professor of biology, tree squirrels did not hibernate. They fed all winter long on and acorns they buried to give them an added food If the acorn and walnut crop was scarce, they could die. It was common knowledge that squirrels buried nuts throughout the fall, but Kieffer, associate of psychology, said the do not know where they bury the nuts. So there was no real way for the animals to retrieve them except to dig at random. That was why many employees took a little time each day to feed them. Karen Hetrick and Dorothy Smith, secretaries for the vice president for institutional advancement, were two who fed the squirrels. Heavens, (they started feeding the squirrels) years ago — before my time, Hetrick said. I think the box has been here for six to eight years. We took over feeding them when we moved here a year and a quarter ago, Smith said. (We feed them) corn and sunflower seeds — bags by the 50 pounds, she said. Smith added, ' They are fun to watch, a delight, we love them. by Laura Renfro The animals on campus are appreciated for being cute, friendly and fun to watch. 29