Lemonade from Lemons

by Laura Jane Hudson

After receiving an email from Todd Clark, in response to my blog, I decided to do another post. Todd was very concerned with how we were affected by the trees being cut down. He said he had not realized our connections with the trees - mainly because he has not been here long enough to see a lot of our traditions. Todd suggested contacting Chad Gentry from the physical plant in order to "preserve the wood from the trees and find some way to do some quality wood work with it for use by the K-Phi's and Sigs." The wood is going to be given away to anyone who contacts Gentry for firewood. If we want to save some of the trees that have been the base of some of our traditions we need to take action by saving the pieces that are left. If any Greeks have any questions or concerns or even want to take action feel free to contact Todd Clark at tclark@ehc.edu

This is our opportunity to make Lemonade out of Lemons... or a nice paddle out of a tree that has been standing beside us since our organizations were founded. Lets take some action. 

UPDATE: Todd has contacted Chad in order to preserve some of the "finest" pieces left of the sentimental trees. Todd Has also requested forewarning for any other trees that may be cut down in the Wiley Jackson lawn area because he know that there are other trees that hold significance in the area. He understands that "there is a sense of loss that goes beyond a standing tree" for these two organizations and doesn't want any more fraternities or sororities to be blind-sided by such an event again.

Special Thanks to Todd Clark for your willingness to help and involvement.

The Tree Follow Up

by Laura Jane Hudson

An ireport image from Lacey May

I thought that this would give some more people a little perspective on the size of these trees. When one of the workers who cut the tree down was standing beside the newly cut log he was barely as tall as the log lying on the ground in this image. 

Tree Massacre

by Laura Jane Hudson

  So, I was sitting in class - I could hear the chain saws buzzing all day. I knew they were trimming dangerous or over crowded limbs from the trees on campus. However, I never expected to come out of class and see one of the oldest, largest trees on campus in pieces lying on the ground. The pieces of this massive tree were wider than the men who cut it down were tall. This tree - that once stood on the Wiley-side lawn of the chapel - was here before anything else that we see today in that area. The railroad was not here, no buildings, no roads - just that tree and the mountains, the grass, the earth. How can we cut down something so old and historic? The trees on this campus are half (yes, half) the reason Emory & Henry College got my money every year! 

  Then, they continue to cut down more trees. Nor do any of these trees appear dead or dying? I would rather let this historic tree - over 800 years old - fall on one of these hideous, in-need-of-restoration buildings before I would cut it down before it was actually dead. 

  Another thing about these trees being cut down all over campus is that they have significance to people -especially Greek organizations. The fraternity Sigma Iota has met their new pledges under the tree in front of the Kelly Library since 1926. Now that tree is gone. This tree was not dead either! 

  The tree in front of the Chapel was also a greek significant tree. The sorority Kappa Phi Alpha met under this tree at Running of the Bulls. Another old tradition that has now been all but ruined due to the killing of this tree. 

  Administration - or whoever sanctioned the cutting - needs to give some reasoning for their actions beyond the trees were dead because they were in full bloom this past spring and summer. They are slowly killing the aesthetic of this campus - you can't just put back history that deep. Those trees are gone, no one else will ever have the chance of marveling at the massive trees that once stood - and imagine the history of that tree, imagine what that tree stood through and saw happen. I makes me sick to think that something that old is gone and we can never get it back.

What are they thinking??

All Campus Event

by Laura Jane Hudson

So, topic of the week: Getting Involved.

Greek life is sponsoring an "All Campus Event" where there is going to be a big bonfire at the Tobias Smith Cabin (thats the little cabin behind Wiley Hall). It's from 8 - 10 p.m. so everyone is invited. Since no one has told me what this event is about I think it is to promote campus involvement in greek life. We, as greek members, want the non-greek members on campus to know that they are more than welcome to rush - also to know that they will not be judged if they don't rush. We believe in being yourself and if that doesn't involve greek life we are more than willing to accept that. 

Sorry guys, there will be no alcoholic beverages at the Tobias Smith Cabin bonfire... since we are a dry campus (even though it rains a lot). 

Well.... since so far no one has responded to my blog I am going to try to reach out to people through email and other methods of spreading word around! So, tell your friends that there is an amazing blog on EHCWired that they should check out. 

Thanks - LJ