If you go with a group of people, like I did, you can get a discount. There are many different companies that you can go through, but my group went through “JC’s Outdoors.” For a group rate of $13.00 per person, they take you and your bike (along with the group) up the mountain.

You’re in the van for about 15-20 minutes. Once you get out of the van, you are on your own. On the hike, make sure that you have a first aid kit. If you were to fall, this would be very handy.

After the first three miles, you arrive at the Green Cove train station. Damascus is an old train track that has been pulled up and paved as a bike trail. Green Cove train station is now a museum for the train station. At the Green Cove, there is also a playground that you can play on.

There are a lot of bridges on this trail, which are numbered. We crossed about 25 bridges. Looking back, it doesn’t seem like that is how many there was, but it was.

A little over halfway through, there is a cafe, that is like a hamburger and hot dog joint that is delicious. It is fairly inexpensive also!

If you are wanting a fun, easy way to exercise go to Damascus, VA. You might not think that you are exercising, but you will feel it the next day.

Also, make sure that you take sunscreen because you will get a lot of sun. Enjoy!

The center ran “Salamander Hunts” throughout the day allowing anybody that wanted to go out and look for salamanders in their natural habitat. One of the photos below shows a Spotted Salamander that was found in the enclosed search area.

Participants had plenty to keep them busy, with tours running late into the day and a showroom set up in the basement of the Center for the Environment. Spotted Salamanders, frogs, toads, snakes, and turtles were all caught or brought for this event.

In all the event turned out to be a smashing success, and I hope that a similar event happens sometime in the future.

You guessed right. Caramel Apples! But these are not just any caramel apples, because ours will be none other than fully loaded with caramel and candy!

You can even make these while you are studying with friends. This is a perfect snack idea for almost any occasion. The recipe I used serves at least twelve people.

In this case you will need 12 medium apples, 12 wooden sticks, and 700g of caramel. This would be equal to about 100 pieces of caramel. You will also need 4 tablespoons of evaporated milk, and 1 cup of assorted decorative candies.

Be creative here. The sky is the limit! You can add as much and whatever candies your heart desires. Lastly, you will also need ½ cup of chocolate chips.

Firstly, wash, dry, and skewer the apples onto the stick. Next, melt the caramel and evaporated milk together in a glass container and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Repeat at 30-second intervals until mixture is smooth.

Plunge the apples into the caramel mixture and twist to coat evenly. Place them on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Press the candies into the warm caramel. Cool slightly in fridge to set candies.

Then, melt chocolate chips. After this transfer the chocolate chips into a Ziploc bag. Lastly, cut off the end of the Ziploc bag and drizzle chocolate over the apples.

Not only is this a great way to satisfy your sugar cravings, but you will also be getting your vitamin C. Bon Appetite!

Can you guess?

Surprise. Caramel Apples! But these are not just any caramel apples, because ours will be none other than fully loaded with caramel and candy!

You can even make these while you are studying with friends. This is a perfect snack idea for almost any occasion. The recipe I used serves at least twelve people.

In this case you will need 12 medium apples, 12 wooden sticks, and 700g of caramel. This would be equal to about 100 pieces of caramel. You will also need 4 tablespoons of evaporated milk and 1 cup of assorted decorative candies.

Be creative here. The sky is the limit! You can add as much and whatever candies your heart desires.

Lastly, you will also need ½ cup of chocolate chips.

Firstly, wash, dry, and skewer the apples onto the stick. Next, melt the caramel and evaporated milk together in a glass container and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Repeat at 30-second intervals until mixture is smooth.

Plunge the apples into the caramel mixture and twist to coat evenly. Place them on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Press the candies into the warm caramel. Cool slightly in the fridge to set candies.

Then, melt chocolate chips. After this transfer the chocolate chips into a Ziploc bag. Lastly, cut off the end of the Ziploc bag and drizzle chocolate over the apples.

Not only is this a great way to satisfy your sugar cravings, but you will also be getting your vitamin C.

Bon Appetite!

Located in the old Port City Java building, it still carries the feel of a coffee shop with darker colors and innovative lighting. The menu, however, is as familiar as ever, so there are no surprises there. Subway also didn’t do a lot of remodeling when they moved in, so the old vault room is still an option for a dining area, as is the outdoor patio.

So, for the Mondo’s fans who will have to say goodbye to their sub-sandwiches at the end of the semester, it’s still a lunch option—you might just have to travel a little farther to get it.

In order to be eligible for induction into Lambda Pi Eta Catawba students must reach the following requirements:

1. Complete 60 semester credit-hours
2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken
3. Complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit-hours in communication studies
4. Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all communication studies courses
5. Currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution’s policies
6. Rank within the highest thirty-five percent of one’s class in general scholarship

The current officers of Lambda Pi Eta and Professor Wittum conducted the induction ceremony which ended with a candle lighting to officially induct Raven Canty into the honors society (Lili Kiefer is studying abroad). All of the current members are seniors and will be wearing red and white cords at graduation to represent their membership in Lambda Pi Eta.

The current members include the following students: Brandi Cockerham, Leslie McMillan, Rebecca Heffernan, Lili Keifer, and Raven Canty. Their membership in Lambda Pi Eta lasts for life. Congratulations to Raven and Lili for being inducted and best of luck to all of the seniors in their post-graduate life.

Since that tour I knew that Catawba College was where I belonged. Even before I had even moved on campus I felt like this place was my home. Now, as a senior, twenty something days away from graduating, it’s really just began to hit me how different my life will be after I receive my diploma.

One of my favorite aspects about Catawba is the fact that I always have something to do. Some students may not feel the same, but I have purposely made it so that there is not a day that goes by where I don’t have something on my to-do list. As a busy body and self-proclaimed perfectionist, I began getting involved on campus right away as a freshman and haven’t slowed down since. Most of my favorite Catawba memories will be from clubs and organizations that I have been a part of for all four years.

During my time at Catawba, I have received so many opportunities that I never before would have thought possible. From taking a scuba diving class to joining the women’s lacrosse team, my time here has been full of excitement and adventure. I can honestly say that if I had the chance to turn back time and start over, I wouldn’t do one thing differently.

As of right now, I’m unsure of what my future holds. I think it’s safe to say that all upcoming graduates will agree (even those who have jobs or graduate school plans).  I think that is just another part of the adventure. Trying to determine my exact emotion about graduating is tough, but I think that it is close to the emotion I felt upon my arrival as a freshman. Nervousness, excitement, a lack of patience, and sadness fill my mind all at once.

There is a lot of uncertainty in my life currently, but some things that I am certain of are that I will greatly miss Catawba College and that my experience here has changed my life for the better.