Sarah Logie, Author at

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Sarah Logie — Leave a comment

Best Study Spots at Grove City College

Because Grove City College is an academically rigorous institution, studying is a must. In order to effectively hit the books, it is necessary to find the right study spot. As a senior, I have been able to find a few places that have worked well over the past four years.

The Library

Henry Buhl Library (Picture from Pinterest)

One obvious place to work on homework is the library. Henry Buhl Library, located by the Technical Learning Center (TLC) and the guys’ dorms, is a great place to get in the zone and crank out some work. The stacks, the individual desks lined along the walls next to shelves of books, are especially great for shutting out distractions, allowing you to study for that test or write that paper. The large tables in the main room and the reference room outside of the stacks are also study friendly, but expect a few more distractions there than in the stacks.

2. The Hall of Arts and Letters

The Hall of Arts and Letters (HAL), the main academic building, is also a great place to study. This is one of my favorite spots to sit and delve into some work. There are large tables on the first floor that work well, and there are also smaller individual tables and lounge chairs on the second floor. In the evening, you can also sign out a classroom with others for a more secluded study space. This can be great for working on group projects, or just enjoying the company of friends.

3. The Student Union

The Student Union, the hub of campus life, is another place that can work well for studying. This is less of an academic space and more of a relaxed, social environment. Lots of chatter goes on, so if you have assignments that do not require a lot of focus, the Student Union is the perfect place to go. If you get hungry, head right on over to the Gedunk, the food area within the Student Union, and take a study break.

4. Beans on Broad

If you’re looking to go off campus, the local coffee shop, Beans on Broad, is within walking distance and can be a nice environment to get homework done. Located right on Broad Street, this coffee joint offers a social yet relaxing environment with delicious brews, which always helps in the pursuit of homework. I enjoy finding a table, putting in some headphones and sipping my coffee.

There are many other places on campus and around campus that are conducive to studying. It really all depends on your study environment preference, but no matter the type of space you require, Grove City has plenty of spots to offer to help you feel comfortable while getting those assignments completed.

Check out this virtual tour of Grove City College and get a closer look at these great study spots!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Sarah Logie — Leave a comment

Exploring Art Electives: A Look at Ceramics Class

This semester I’ve had the opportunity to take a ceramics class here at Grove City College. I had some room for electives and thought I would try out Beginning Wheel Throwing, a three-credit art elective offered every year. My older brother had taken it when he was a student here and recommended that I take the class. I’ve always had a love for art and enjoyed taking art classes in high school, so I figured I would give it a go.

Initially, I was surprised at how difficult wheel throwing can be! The first few classes were a little rough, and I am definitely still working on my technique. But, I’ve found that if you work hard and get a little help from more experienced individuals, it gets easier and can be a whole lot of fun. The art of wheel throwing is fascinating and unlike any other art I’ve ever attempted.

The process definitely takes some time, so patience and care are very important. From wedging, coning and centering the clay on the wheel, to opening it up, bringing the walls up and determining the shape of the piece, there are many details that need to be completed thoughtfully. Once the piece is finished on the wheel, there are several more steps that still need to be considered. The piece needs to dry so it can be trimmed and details added. It then needs to be fired, glazed and re-fired to produce a successful piece of pottery.

I didn’t realize all the time and effort that goes into one piece of pottery, but there’s beauty in the process. It’s so neat making mugs I can actually drink out of and vases that I can put on display with some flowers. The class costs $90, but that means you can use as much clay as you want throughout the semester and produce as many pieces as you’d like.

Although wheel throwing is tricky, it’s extremely fascinating at the same time. There’s so much creativity to be had, and the atmosphere is peaceful, giving you the freedom to make whatever you want. I would definitely encourage anyone interested in art and making things with your hands to give wheel throwing a chance – the end products make the process worth it! It’s a great way to be creative and have fun, especially amidst traditional classes filled with readings and papers.

Posted on March 9, 2016March 15, 2016 by Sarah Logie — Leave a comment

Explore Local Running Trails Near Grove City College

Run 1 — Photo from http://grovecityareachamber.com/

Running is a favorite activity for many. Whether it’s to stay in shape or simply for the enjoyment of it, there’s no physical activity quite like it. While the treadmills in the campus gym or the indoor track above the IM room can be great, there’s something about running in the outdoors that’s more enjoyable. It’s great to be able to breath in the fresh air and take in the scenery around you while getting a good workout.

Several running routes and trails exist around campus that students enjoy jogging on regularly. One popular route is the Pinchalong “lollipop” route, which is right off of South Madison Street and stretches on for about 5.5 miles, starting and ending at campus. This pavement road path takes you past open fields and farms and offers a scenic view.

To run this route, follow Pinchalong to Diamond Road to Enterprise Road, to Tieline Road, which will lead you back to Pinchalong. Check out this route on a map.

Run 2 — View along Pinchalong route | Photo from http://www.trulia.com

Another popular route is a 3.5-mile loop located right off of East Main Street along Greenwood Drive. At a fork in the road, you can choose from two different loops. The path to the right surrounds an open field and contains more hills than the path to the left, which circles around the Hunter Farm Park soccer fields. Runners jog both loops to complete the full 3.5 miles.

Like the Pinchalong route, this road is very scenic, as it meanders along tree lined, paved paths, and streams of water flowing from Wolf Creek. The foliage is especially beautiful in fall months. Check out a map of this route.

Lastly, Memorial Park offers a running trail that is also enjoyable to trek on. This route is located off of West Main Street along Memorial Park Drive and is situated right next to Grove City Area High School. The 3-mile paved path surrounded by tall trees follows Memorial Park Drive to a wooded trail that passes baseball fields and leads out to George Junior Road. Once you’ve reached George Junior Road, it’s best to turn around and follow the same route back.

Not only are these trails great for running, but for walking and biking as well. All of these mentioned routes are safe and scenic and allow you to enjoy the outdoors while simultaneously getting some exercise. Many other routes exist, so many students enjoy going out and exploring the surrounding area to discover new running paths.

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Sarah Logie — Leave a comment

Moraine State Park: The Perfect Off-Campus Retreat

Every Grover needs some time off campus to break away from homework and re-energize. Moraine State Park, located on Pleasant Valley Road in Portersville, PA, offers the perfect day trip getaway to soak up the sun while enjoying time with friends.

Whether you’re looking to swim, hike, boat or just lay out and tan, Moraine is an ideal spot. This 16,000-acre park is only 21 miles from Grove City and is open year round Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends during the summer.

If you are wanting to take a dip in Lake Arthur, there are two beaches along its shore where swimming is permitted. Pleasant Valley Beach is located on the South Shore and consists of a 1,200-foot turf and sand beach with a paved path into the water. Lakeview Beach is located on the North Shore and has a 550-foot sand beach. A sand volleyball court and playground are also available on the west side of the beach. All beaches are open daily from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day and the hours are sunrise to sunset. Admission to the beaches is free.

Boat rentals are also a popular activity at Moraine. Crescent Bay Boat Rental, located just past Pleasant Valley Beach on the South Shore, offers pontoon boats, motorboats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats and sailboats for rental. Prices for rentals can be found here. Fishing is also available throughout the park with exception to certain areas listed here.

There is also 28 miles of hiking trails that are great for an afternoon of enjoying the beautiful wildlife throughout the park. Trails such as Sunken Garden, Hilltop, Pleasant Valley, Five Points and others offer a variety of difficulty levels and distances, as well as terrain and scenery, so that everyone is sure to find a trail to fit their preference.

Picture from: https://www.visitbutlercounty.com/photo-albums/outdoor-recreation/canoeing

There is also a seven-mile biking trail located near the shoreline between Davis Hollow and the Bike Rental Building in the northwest corner of the park and a six-mile mountain biking trail located on the North Shore off of Mt. Union Road and Alexander Ridge Road. Bike rentals are available along the North Shore between 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

If you need a snack during the day, concession stands are located on the North Shore at Lakeview Beach and on the South Shore at Pleasant Valley Beach. They are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are also located throughout the park for visitors’ convenience.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed day of sunbathing on the beach or an active day of canoeing around the lake, Moraine is the place to go. Pack a picnic and sit by the water, or bring your sneakers and hike on one of the many trails. Either way, your day is sure to be fun and memorable.

Posted on February 22, 2016February 22, 2016 by Sarah Logie — Leave a comment

Intramural Sports: Easy, Fun, Free

Intramural (IM) sports hold a special place on Grove City College’s campus. The overall athletic student body is very passionate about sports and staying active, and a lot of students participate in one or more of the 35 IM sports offered.

If you’re not familiar with this extracurricular activity, IM sports are recreational teams comprised of groups of students that compete against other groups of students within the same school in various sports.

At Grove City, we take this athletic endeavor seriously. Being the active community that we are, and having been the number two ranked IM program in the nation in 2013, Grove City offers a plethora of sports for students to play. From basketball, soccer and volleyball to tennis, badminton and softball, the options are seemingly endless. Within most of these sports, there are men’s, women’s and co-ed leagues, as well as divisions based on skill level, so students are sure to find a league that fits their interests and abilities.

Participation in IM sports is free and joining a team is very simple. Flyers around campus advertise different leagues, so all an interested student has to do is find some friends to join their team, email the manager designated on the flyer to sign up, look out for emails from that manager specifying the dates and times of games and show up to play.

Typically, two or three games are played each week during the evenings in the IM rooms. Each sport usually lasts a few weeks and ends with a championship. Winning teams receive custom made t-shirts which creates an incentive for winning.

Perhaps the best aspect of IM sports is the friendly, low commitment competition it provides. They offer a recreational break from studying and a chance to compete for fun. They are also a great way to get involved on campus and meet new people.

Junior Justin Scott who has been involved in an assortment of IM sports including football, volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee and soccer sees them as “an easy way to burn off some calories and hang out with friends.” Justin first joined his freshman hall’s football team and has faithfully participated on many teams since.

For senior Alyssa Brossman, IM sports allow her to continue pursuing her favorite sport, tennis, without the commitment of playing at a varsity level. Since freshman year she has enjoyed the perks of IM sports through various tennis, basketball, soccer and badminton teams. “IM sports keep you active, enable you to be on a team with your friends and give you much needed study breaks,” she reflects.

IM sports are a way to not only be active and get some exercise, but also a chance to create fellowship among friends. Grove City is not short on sports to choose from, so if you’re looking for friendly competition and a way to relieve some stress, IM sports here are the way to go.

The Library

2. The Hall of Arts and Letters

3. The Student Union

4. Beans on Broad