LYNN PULSE

MEET THE STAFF

Editor in Chief
Jennifer O'Toole

Assistant Editor
Carolina Gonzalez

Art Director
Catherine Kuchta

Copy Editors
Scott Plumb

Brooke Bidgood

Advertising Manager
Brittany Hutchinson

Staff Writers
Alison Abruzzese

Kelsey Breining

Ryan Brooks

Alexa Cordeiro

Hillary Dever

Michelle Du Preez

Rachael Evans

Ashley Feldman

Michael Griffith

Danielle Guttenberg

William Hartigan

Renee Ingrassia

Isabel Lacy

Amy Lyus

Megan Mangone

Alexandria Mintz

Gene Prousnitzer

Megan Whelan

Production Team
Robert Bellatto

Amy Hartman

Jenna Marsden

Yannis Papadakis

Matthew Stern

Crissy Thibodeau

Faculty Advisor
Stefanie Powers

Multimedia Support
Samantha Bartley

Top Stories

Walking in Lynn's Winter Wonderland
KAT Cools Things Down During Annual Snow Day

Santa Claus is Coming to Lynn
Lynn’s Annual Breakfast With Santa Welcomes Staff, Faculty and Families

Wreathes Across America
A Tradition of Remembering and Honoring America’s Fallen Heroes

Walking in Lynn's Winter Wonderland
KAT Cools Things Down During Annual Snow Day

Students pose for the camera during Lynn’s Snow Day. Photo/LU Photo.

By Jennifer O'Toole
Editor
&
Ryann Brooks
Staff Writer

The Knight’s Activities Team (KAT) held their annual Snow Day on Dec. 15 in an effort to bring the North to the South. The snowstorm rolled in with 15 tons of snow, an ice skating rink and numerous wintery treats.
Several clubs and organizations donated their time to make sure Snow Day was a success. Knights in the Community sponsored Gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate, Alpha Phi Delta provided music for the event, Sigma Sigma Sigma helped students make paper snowflakes, the Residence Hall Association distributed snow cones, Student Government provided smores, Hillel made latkes, Relay For Life sold t-shirts and the National Broadcasting Society hosted the event.
“Snow Day is my favorite. It reminds me of home in Oregon. It’s also the perfect time in the semester to take a break from school work,” said Hunter Barendrick, senior.
Students were able to unwind and reminisce on childhood activities. “We had a snowball fight! It got pretty intense. I haven’t had one of those in years,” said first time attendee Jimmy Carlson, senior.
Senior Megan Neumann said, “Snow Day was so much fun. It was really cool to see mountains of snow and people having a snow ball fight.”
As the sun set and the snow melted, Snow Day was a huge success and a great way for students to relieve stress from finals, relax and enjoy the unusual South Florida weather.

Happy Holiday Traveling
Wonderful Vacation Venues That are Sure to Dazzle and Delight

By Megan Mangone
Staff Writer

Tis’ the season to travel. The holiday season is often a time to travel and visit loved ones. Being an international school, many of Lynn’s students have not seen other parts of the United States. There are so many different places to see in this country, however, many have never been given the opportunity to venture to these areas. This holiday season is the perfect time to start exploring.
Sonya Dinnendahl, senior, is originally from Paraguay. She recently traveled to New York City for the first time last month.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Dinnendahl expressed. “The city is beautiful, and it was nice to see a different part of the U.S., especially one so popular.”
Dinnendahl is usually used to warmer climates, so the frigid temperatures were something she needed to get used to.
“I’ve never been in cold weather like that before. I was in China last semester, but it never got that cold,” said Dinnendahl. “It was still an amazing trip though. Rockefeller Center was beautiful with the ice-skating rink and the Christmas tree, and Times Square is breathtaking. I can’t wait to go back!”
New York City is a great tourist attraction; however, those interested in skiing should visit Colorado.
Ashleigh Fowles, senior, is originally from South Africa. She has traveled to many different parts of the U.S., however, one of her favorite places has been Colorado.
“I went there last year around Christmas time to visit a friend,” Fowles said. “It is so beautiful up there. The mountains are amazing, and the ski resorts are so much fun.”
This holiday season is the perfect time to explore and experience something different by visiting a new American location.

Santa Claus is Coming to Lynn
Lynn’s Annual Breakfast With Santa Welcomes Staff, Faculty and Families
 

Students pose with Lynn’s very own Santa. Photo/LU Photo.

By Laura Vann
Special to the iPulse

Santa will be returning to the Lynn campus for his annual breakfast with staff, faculty and their families at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Santa will appear in the Louis and Anne Green Center on campus. Children are invited to tell Santa their Christmas wishes and enjoy breakfast, photos and treats with him.
For more information, contact Laura Vann at lvann@lynn.edu or call 561-289-0159 (c) for day-of access.

The Jewish Festival of Lights
The Lynn Community Celebrates Hanukkah by the Lighting of Candles

By Nicholas Hindhaugh
Staff Writer

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. Also known as the festival of lights, this holiday is celebrated throughout the world by lighting candles on each of the eight nights.
Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the container of oil. According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.
“I can remember times when I was young unwrapping presents from Aunts I had only met once,” said Jordan Ackerman, freshman. “Hanukkah is a time for family and rejoicing.”
Hanukkah is celebrated by a series of rituals that are performed every day throughout the eight-day holiday. Some are family-based and others are communal. There are special additions to the daily prayer service and a section is added to the blessing after meals. People go to work as usual, but may leave early in order to be home for the ritual at nightfall. There is no religious reason for schools to be closed, although, in Israel, schools close for the whole week of Hanukkah. Many families exchange gifts each night and fried foods are eaten.

Surprising Snow Trivia
From the Nation’s Snowiest City to Skier Snow Terminology
 

•Based on National Weather Service records for 1961 through 1990, Rochester, New York averages 94 inches of snow annually and is the snowiest large city in the United States. Rochester has a population of more than 200,000 and annual municipal snow-removal budget of $3.7 million (1995 figures).
•Buffalo, New York, is a close runner-up in terms of U.S. large cities with the most snow. A 39-inch snowfall in 24 hours in early December 1995 cost the city nearly $5 million for snow removal.
•About 187 inches of snow fell in seven days on Thompson Pass, Alaska in Feb., 1953, according to the National Snowfall and Snow Depth Extremes Table provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
•Each year an average of 105 snow-producing storms affect the continental United States. A typical storm will have a snow-producing lifetime of two to five days and will bring snow to portions of several states.
•In the early 1900s, skiers created their own terminology to describe types of snow, including the terms “fluffy snow,” “powder snow” and “sticky snow.” Later, the terminology expanded to include descriptive terms such as “champagne powder,” “corduroy” and “mashed potatoes.”
•Practically every location in the United States has seen snowfall. Even most portions of southern Florida have seen a few snow flurries.
•Snow kills hundreds of people in the United States each year. The primary snow-related deaths are from traffic accidents, overexertion and exposure, but deaths from avalanches have been steadily increasing.
•A remarkable amount for a dessert region, the greatest snowfall officially reported at the Phoenix, Arizona according to the National Weather Service Office was one inch. That occurred twice. The first time was Jan. 20, 1933. It happened again four years later on the same date.
•In the western United States, mountain snow pack contributes up to 75 percent of all year-round surface water supplies.
•The commonly used ten-to-one ratio of snowfall to water content is a myth for much of the United States. This ratio varies from as low as 100-to-one to as high as about three-to-one depending on the meteorological conditions associated with the snowfall.
•Nationwide, the average snowfall amount per day when snow falls is about two inches, but in some mountain areas of the West, an average of seven inches per snow day is observed.
Source: Facts taken from The National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Christmas Movie Montage
Rachael Evans Reviews Movies that Capture the Holiday Spirit
 

By Racheal Evans
Staff Writer

The holidays are a time to share great meals and experiences with friends and family. Christmas is also a great time for family-friendly movies both in the theater and on DVD. A season of joy and laughter, holiday movies bring smiles to the masses each year. This season enjoy the hit classics and the latest blockbusters for enjoyable entertainment.
The number one classic movie for the holidays is “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.” The Griswold family is back together again as Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) try to have the best Christmas ever. Clark invites his whole family together when everything goes wrong. This movie has all the cliché’s.
Another classic movie this season is the heartfelt “Love Actually.” This movie’s message is that love is all around. All of the cast members seem to be related in some way, with roles such as a prime minister, rock star, housemaid, a divorcee and more. This movie stars Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley and Colin Firth.
The last recommendation this season is “Four Christmases,” which is still in theaters. Brad (Vince Vaughn) and his girlfriend Kate (Reese Witherspoon) dodge Christmas with their families every year. While waiting at the airport for their flight to Fiji, they have been told that all flights are canceled, and when a newscaster asks them questions on television all of their families see them on national TV. Now, the couple, must go to each divorced parent’s house. The day becomes very intense as they try to survive each other’s parents and families. Each house has a completely disturbing dynamic, which makes the movie entertaining. These movies have become household holiday classics and are sure to get viewers in the spirit.

Design, Decorate and Devour
A Recipe for One Very Merry, Sweet and Stunning Gingerbread House

By Ali Abruzzese
Staff Writer

There is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than designing a gingerbread house. Gingerbread houses make great centerpieces and decorations for the Christmas season.
Gingerbread houses can be decorated in many ways, such as in the form of houses, castles or towers.
“Making gingerbread houses is one of my favorite traditions,” said Brianna DeRose, junior. “My entire family participates, and we have a contest at the end of the night.”
Pre-made gingerbread houses can be bought at the store for decorating. There are also “do-it-yourself” kits that are sold at stores such as Publix and Bed, Bath & Beyond.
“I love decorating gingerbread houses,” said Stephanie Becker, junior. “It always gets me in the spirit of Christmas and makes for a guaranteed fun time.”
If the gingerbread house is being made from scratch, remember to make extra for gingerbreadman cookies that can also be decorated and enjoyed.

How to be Holly Jolly in the Heat
A Floridian’s Tips for a Cheery Holiday Season Under the Sun
 

By Brittney Hutchinson
Advertising Manager

Snowflakes, sledding and snowmen are all things that are often reminders of the holiday season. Unfortunately they are not likely to be found in sunny South Florida. Yet despite these cold weather traditions, there are still many activities that will get anyone in the holiday mood, even in the south.
There are several local venues that have a holiday feel. Off of Spanish River on NW 5th Ave., there is a neighborhood street that locals typically drive down several different times during the month of December. It’s the perfect mini escape from school or work, and amazingly, year after year, there seems to be even more decorations.
In Miami, the Clot family Christmas display attracts large crowds year after year and has become a tradition passed down in the family. This display has been featured on the Travel Channel.More information can be found. It is at http://www.clotxmas.com.
Miami also offers Santa’s Enchanted Forest, the largest Christmas theme park in America, now celebrating its 26th year. Floridians have had to rely mostly on their own artistic abilities rather than the weather to create a snowy atmosphere. For those without the joy of seeing snowflakes fall outside their windows during the holidays, paper snowflakes are a fun alternative. A simple Internet search can lead to “snowflake making 101,” and now any Floridian’s room can be transformed into a blizzard of paper creations.
Looking to incorporate the local scenery into the fun? Send a Christmas photo message to friends and family back home in the freezing cold by going to the beach and building a snowman out of sand or writing a cheery holiday message in the sand out of seashells. Take a picture of the creation with a mobile phone and send the message to loved ones up north. An eco-friendly and modern-day alternative to the classic Christmas card.
For the less artistic, there is always the traditional trip to see Santa, who enjoys visits from anyone of any age. Bring friends along for a fun group photo with St. Nick.
Use these tips to enjoy a fun holiday season under the sun. Happy Holidays.

Wreaths Across America
A Tradition of Remembering and Honoring America’s Fallen Heroes
 

By Michelle Du Preez
Staff Writer

Wreaths Across America is a tradition that began more than 17 years ago. It started when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine, began a tradition of placing Christmas wreaths on the headstones of America’s fallen heroes over the holidays.
Over the past few years, Wreaths Across America has donated more than 90,000 wreaths. Numerous volunteers place the wreaths in a wreath-laying ceremony every December. The wreaths are part of a mission to “remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans.”
The concept has captured people’s hearts and spread all over the nation. As a result, hundreds of people have come to the aid this cause. In 2008, more than 350 locations will be holding wreath-laying ceremonies. More than 100,000 wreaths will be placed in the veterans’ honor.
“Our goal is to expand the recognition of those who serve our country, both past, present and future, as well as their families who deserve our support. Without the sacrifices of our veterans, there would be no opportunity to enjoy the freedoms, the life we have today,” said the President of Worcester Wreath Company.
A wreath-laying ceremony will be held noon, Dec. 13 at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Pompano Beach.

Festive Facts to Reflect
Ever Wonder How the Holiday Season Became What it is Today?
 

By Ashley Feldman
Staff Writer

•The original ball lowered in Times Square on New Year’s Eve back in 1907 was made of iron and wood and decorated with 100 light bulbs.
•The modern New Year’s ball is made of Waterford crystal, covered with 696 light bulbs, 96 strobe lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors.
•Poinsettias were first introduced into this country in 1828 by the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett.
•Poinsettias are now grown in all 50 states and represent more than 85 percent of potted plant sales during the holidays. Over $220 million worth of poinsettias are sold during holiday season!
•Hershey’s started wrapping their Kisses in red, green, and silver foil for the first time in 1962. The success of the holiday-wrapped Kisses led Hershey’s to dress up their little chocolates for the Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Fall Harvest seasons.
•Hershey’s now wraps up to 1,300 Hershey’s Kisses a minute. That gives them the capacity to make about 33 million Hershey Kisses a day, or more than 12 billion a year.
•In 1949, the tree at Rockefeller Center was strung with 7,500 bulbs.
•Now more than 25,000 bulbs are strung on the tree - that’s more than five miles of lights.
•The first American mention of a Christmas tree was in 1747, and, strictly speaking, it was not a tree at all, but a wooden pyramid covered with evergreen boughs and decorated with apples.
•Once the tree idea caught on, it grew by leaps and bounds. More than 34 to 36 million Christmas trees are now produced each year in the U.S. The industry employs more than 100,000 people, and over one million acres of land have been planted with Christmas trees.
•Artificial Christmas trees were on the market by 1900. They were available by mail from Sears, Roebuck and Company, and cost 50 cents for 33 limbs, or a dollar for 55 limbs.
•Most artificial trees are now manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong and contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals. They usually range in price from $200 to $2,000.
•The first Christmas card, created by a London businessman, was printed in England in 1843. Three years later, the first commercial Christmas cards were available to the public. One thousand cards in all were produced and they were an instant success.

Pay it Forward This Holiday
Tis’ the Season to Experience the Joy of Giving Back
 

By Renee Ingrassia
Staff Writer

The holiday season is not only about giving and receiving the hottest and newest items on ones holiday lists, it is also about giving back to those who may be less fortunate.
During this time of the year, the Office of Student Involvement, along with the Student Government Association and Employee Services are on a task to grant the wishes of 100 children. The 100 wishes are part of the Spirit of Giving Program, which is sponsored by Lynn University in partnership with the Junior League of Boca Raton.
From Nov. 12-28, students and faculty were able to pick up a snowman card from the decorated Christmas tree in the student lobby. The card contained a gift that one child is wishing for this holiday season. The individual then had the opportunity to grant that child’s wish. All of the gifts had to be received by Dec. 9 to allow the children to enjoy their gifts .
For anyone who missed the deadline of the 100 wishes, there are other opportunities to give back in the community. As always, there is Toys for Tots, a program that occurs every year thanks to the Marine Corps Reserves.
There is also a new campaign this year, Believe, which has been started by the popular department store, Macy’s. The Believe campaign offers shoppers the opportunity to write letters to Santa Claus and then bring them to their neighborhood Macy’s store. For every Santa letter that Macy’s receives, they will donate a dollar to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
“I have always felt like I have been a lucky person,” said Vincent Tona, senior. “It’s because of that, that I try to give back every year in one way or another.”
In addition, there is an organization called The Gift Revolution, which uses the basic principle of “pay it forward.” The Gift Revolution encourages random acts of kindness. If someone displays a random act of kindness to another person, they tell that person to pass it along by “paying it forward.” This movement is part of Gift Revolution’s effort to changing the world one person at a time, while also giving back.

Gingerbread Concert
Ever Wonder How the Holiday Season Became What it is Today?
 

By Laura Vann
Special to the iPulse

In its sixth consecutive year, Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music will host its Gingerbread Holiday Concert, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. Returning to the Great Hall of the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the event, presented by the Friends of the Conservatory and sponsored by Bank of America, will feature seasonal classics performed exclusively by the student musicians that comprise Lynn’s Philharmonia Orchestra, under the baton of Albert-George Schram.
Schram assumed position of music director and conductor of Lynn’s Philharmonia Orchestra in 2003. A native of the Netherlands, Schram has long been associated with some of the country’s leading orchestras. Before coming to Lynn he was the resident conductor of the Florida Philharmonic.
Celebrating the music of the season, this year’s family holiday concert includes a sing-a-long where children will be invited to the front of the stage to sit in a designated area adorned with garland and “snowflakes.”
All proceeds from the concert benefit student scholarships in Lynn’s Conservatory of Music.
Tickets to the event are $25. Reservations can be made by calling 561-237-9000 or visit www.lynn.edu/tickets.
For additional information on Lynn’s annual Gingerbread Holiday Concert, contact Laura Vann at lvann@lynn.edu, or call 561-237-7967 (o) / 561-289-0159 (c).