Purple, Gold, and Green

As you know, Saint Mike's colors are purple and gold. But did you also know how green our campus is? I'm not just talking trees - and technically those are red and gold right now - but also in terms of energy consumption and environmental consciousness. 

A few things you might be interested to know about:

1. Geothermal Energy
As a Phonathon student caller, I mention this a lot when people ask what we're doing to stay up-to-date with energy consumption (which comes up more than you might think). Our two newest buildings on campus, the Dion Student Center and Residence Hall IV (still waiting on a name), both use geothermal energy, which is much more efficient in terms of our heating and cooling systems.

2. Waste Not, Want Not
Saint Mike's is very conscious of our consumption patterns. We have recycling bins in all the buildings, which is fairly standard, and we have composted in Alliot for quite awhile. But because of the new Vermont law, we can now be proud to say that all of our campus is composting! Additionally, 100% of our copy paper (don't forget SMC students have free printing!) comes from recycled paper.

3. No Bottled Water 
Thanks to a student-led campaign in 2012, our campus is bottled-water free - we do not sell it, and bottle-filling stations all over campus make carrying your own bottle (Nalgenes and Camelbaks are currently on trend) ridiculously simple.

Rather than a picture of a waterbottle, this is my favorite tree on campus.

Founders Society may be a way for students to get involved with alumni and prospective students, but the meetings also go a long way in educating us about various parts of campus, from the Career Symposium to Athletics, to our Permaculture Farm - which I visited for the first time last week.

Before last week, I knew of the permaculture site but had never been there; I didn't even know where exactly it was on campus. I was very surprised to learn we have a fully functioning small farm on campus, complete with a young orchard. Although there is a program coordinator for the farm (who spoke with us at our meeting), the majority of the work put into our gardening - we also have an organic garden - comes from students. These are usually volunteers, but a good amount of hours are also put in by different classes and groups as well. 

As someone not involved in the farm, my favorite perk is our farmstand, held weekly outside Alliot. Although it just ended for the season, during the growing season expect to see a wide variety of flowers, tomatoes, leafy greens, and other produce that are much fresher than in a grocery store. If you're interested in learning more about the permaculture site, contact Kristyn Achilich, the program coordinator. 

There's nothing there right now - but this is where the farmstand is when it's open!

There are many more aspects of campus that promote sustainability and student involvement in the environment - these are just a few. Ask around, and I'm sure anyone could easily give you a few more ideas!
Laura

This isn't SMC - but a plane window view of Vermont is always worth sharing.

It's Apple Season!

Ignoring the fact that it snowed briefly today, we are in the "official" apple-picking season! Obviously, now that the snow is starting, things are winding down, but there is still time to grab a bag and a cider donut. For next year, the best times to go are early September to late October. 

Shelburne Orchards

The two orchards I'll be talking about require access to a car to reach them, but apple-picking is a common club-bonding activity, so you'll probably go at least once, even if you don't have a car on campus. If you can't get to an orchard yourself, plenty of orchards (and cider mills!) have stands at the Burlington Farmers' Market, although this weekend is the last outdoor "summer" market. The winter market will start up again on November 12 at the Davis Center at UVM (590 Main Street, Burlington).

Without further ado...

1. Chapin Orchard 
If this name sounds familiar, it probably is! First-Year Apple-Picking, one of MOVE's earliest service events, goes to Chapin Orchard. All of the apples from First-Year Apple-Picking (and there are a lot) are donated to a local food bank. MOVE stands for Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts, and is Saint Mike's community service group on campus. The bulletin board outside the MOVE office in Alliot is always filled with a variety of service activities for students. 

In addition to apples, Chapin's barn contains a wealth of other delicious fall foods, and even has nice dorm-friendly small (not pictured below) jugs of delicious cider. If you did not go to First-Year Apple-Picking, definitely check Chapin out!

2. Shelburne Orchards 

I went to Shelburne Orchards with the Saint Mike's chapter of Love Your Melon, for a team-bonding activity. Shelburne was very suited to that, as they have different sized apple bags, so you don't get stuck with twenty apples for yourself. They have a wide variety of apples with different ripening times, so there is always something for everyone - call if there is a specific type you're hoping for. 

As might be expected, Shelburne Orchards has the standard cider and donuts, but we also saw signs for pick-your-own grapes, which isn't something I've ever seen before. Since we were also there during pumpkin season, there were plenty of pumpkins and unusually-colored gourds to choose from. Although we were there too late for this, they also sell fresh-baked pies that I am extremely tempted to go back for. 

I stood on a pile of grass to get this photo, but here's the view from the orchard!

Even if apples aren't necessarily your favorite fruit, there's always (always) donuts! Apple-picking is a good social activity, and it doesn't cost very much at all. Both of these orchards are between 20-30 minutes away, which is fairly close by Vermont standards. Plus, if you stay out late enough, you might get a crazy sunset-mountain view like this:

Enjoy the rest of your week!
Laura

Note: All of the pictures from Shelburne Orchards are my own; the two pictures for Chapin Orchard can be found at:
http://chapinorchard.com/
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/life/food/2016/09/30/chapin-orchard-and-old-fashioned-cider/91166706/

Five Instagrams a Purple Knight Should Follow

Is your Instagram feed lacking in pictures of Saint Mike's foliage? Do you want photo evidence of what's going on on campus? If you're not a Facebook person (or if you are but also love Instagram), Instagram is a great way to know what our Purple Knights are up to and get some ideas of things to do for yourself. 

If you're a current Purple Knight, Saint Mike's alum(na), or debating joining our family (which you totally should - we're awesome), these are the Instagram accounts you should definitely look up.

1. Saint Michael's College - @saintmichaelscollege 

It's going to be another beautiful fall day, knights! 🍁 #smcvt (📷: Jillian Kahn '17)

A photo posted by Saint Michael's College (@saintmichaelscollege) on Oct 12, 2016 at 7:24am PDT

The official Saint Mike's account, this is your go-to account if you want gorgeous pictures of our wonderful campus. During our peak foliage season, this is a must. And if you use the #smcvt, your posts might make it on the account, like Jill's did!


2. SMC Adventure Sports Center - @smcadventure

THIS WEEKEND: Programs are already starting to fill up, come visit us on the ground floor of Alumni North to reserve your spot! Can you think of a better way to spend your first weekend and de-stress from classes? We can't! Saturday 11/3- Fundamentals of Mountain Biking, Fundamentals of Whitewater Kayaking Sunday 11/4- Devils Gulch Hike, Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking, Fundamentals of Rock Climbing Other- Petra Passes are on sale! Come pay your $45 activation fee and be climbing by the weekend! Cheers! Adventure Sport Instructors and Staff

A photo posted by SMC Adventure Sports Center (@smcadventure) on Aug 29, 2016 at 4:24pm PDT

If you're trying to become more outdoorsy, or just want to know more about the Adventure Sports Center (formerly the Wilderness Program), follow @smcadventure! There are photos from recent trips and excursions, as well as posts like this one, which gives a nice update about upcoming programs. Trying something new through the Adventure Sports Center is a must for a Purple Knight; see what interests you through Instagram, then visit them in Alumni Hall.

3. Knight Life - @knightlifevt 

Quick stop for some roasted chestnuts and a new friend on the way to the WHO! If you've never had these, you need to try them. Surprisingly yummy! #suisse #chestnutfriend

A photo posted by The St. Mike's Community (@knightlifevt) on Oct 11, 2016 at 5:58am PDT

Run by SMC students (which could be you), every week gives a different perspective on the Purple Knight life - see what I did there? This account is probably my favorite; not only does it give me ideas of what to do around campus and in Burlington, but Study Abroad students are also featured. This week, enjoy a trip to Switzerland in spirit with senior Jennifer Toner! 

4. Saint Mike's Her Campus - @hercampussmcvt 

Have a "happy and healthy" weekend, collegiettes ✨ Check out Madison's newest article! Link in bio 🤗

A photo posted by Her Campus SMCVT (@hercampussmcvt) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:28am PDT

Just started last fall, Saint Mike's Her Campus chapter is a recent addition to the many groups on campus. An online magazine, check out Her Campus SMCVT for student interviews, articles about current events, and posts on college life in general. Their Instagram is will keep you updated on article publications and events they're hosting on campus, and is a great moodbooster if you need some positivity in your day. 

5. Saint Michael's Athletics - @smcpurpleknights

#Repost @hopehappensheresmcvt with @repostapp #smcpks ・・・ Take a break from your homework and head on over to Ross to support Volleyball tonight at 7pm as they host our last Mental Health Awareness Game for the fall season! Free high-fives will be provided for those in attendance. #BeAboutIt #JJC

A photo posted by Saint Michael's Athletics (@smcpurpleknights) on Oct 11, 2016 at 2:06pm PDT

If you are not making it to as many SMC sports events as you'd like, this is a great account to follow. Besides posting featuring specific athletes, @smcpurpleknights also does an awesome job with videos, so you still catch that crucial goal in the latest soccer game even if you could not attend. This repost also features @hopehappensheresmcvt, which focuses on mental health advocacy for student-athletes. Also started last year, Hope Happens Here is already having a huge impact on campus. 

6, 7, 8...
Obviously, there are many more accounts on Instagram that are SMC-related. These are some of my personal favorites, but I left out a key source - your friends! On top of following the college itself and groups on campus, your friends and fellow students' accounts can provide the same things I have mentioned here, but on a more personal level. So do follow these accounts (if you want), but don't forget to find some personal accounts that speak to you!
Laura

As a small self-promo: you can follow my personal Instagram as well - @lauralinsanity.

Climbing Past my Fears

This past Sunday, I finally accomplished something I'd been trying to do since before freshman year: I went rock-climbing! As soon as I found out about the Wilderness Program (now the Adventure Sports Center in Alumni Hall), I decided that I wanted to try rock-climbing. New Jersey has plenty of good hiking spots, but to an unexperienced climber, nowhere to go to learn. Luckily for me, Vermont is very cliff-friendly. My plans did not work out last year, but this time around, I succeeded. By the end of the day, I was completely and utterly exhausted, but felt like my self-esteem had gone through that metaphorical roof.

The corner with the trees was my second climb route - just left of the edge of this picture was my first. 

My last climb - up a wet and mossy corner crack. Such an arm workout!

My last climb ended on a ledge; I then rappelled down 50 feet to the ground.

If you already are an outdoors person or want to be more of one, the Adventure Sports Center is the perfect place to do that. Plenty of day trips are offered throughout the seasons - rock-climb in the fall, then ice-climb in the winter - for everything from a beginner's hike to a kayaking trip on Lake Champlain. Trips are small; my rock-climbing trip only had six people, not counting the instructors, so don't worry about getting lost in a crowd. Any gear you don't already own is provided for free; most day trips cost $10-$15. Not bad for such an amazing experience!

When I saw the first two climbing routes our instructors (Trish, Lindsey, and Andrea - who also co-owns the Petra Cliffs climbing gym) set up, I had a minor, (hopefully) internal freakout. I knew we would be climbing on actual rocks - not those handily screwed-in, brightly colored "rocks" that I now know are called jugs - but subconsciously I think I was hoping for handholds to magically appear. Obviously, they didn't. Rocks don't do that. After putting off starting twice, I finally did it. I may not have gotten very high (cold rock = numb hands), but by my last climb, while I was far from an expert I was much more confident in what my body could really do. 

On my way up on my last climb - thanks for the picture, Andrea!

I am fine with the concept of heights and looking off high places, but the prospect of falling terrifies me. Not the best mindset for something where you are literally hanging on a cliff. But by my last climb, I was still scared to fall (even though I was roped in, so I couldn't, really), but was also able to more easily find handholds and trust my rope (and myself). I definitely owe that to my instructors. With the perfect balance of encouragement and the occasional boost with the rope, they helped me push my boundaries without making me feel like I was free-falling past them. I think that's a defining characteristic of our Adventure Sports instructors; I had the same experience on a snow hike last February. 

Rappelling off the ledge - behind that smile I was freaking out. Thank you, Andrea for the peptalk and the picture!

The last climbing-related activity I did was rappelling. To be honest, I found that harder mentally than the climbing itself. When you rappel, you are belaying yourself - that means you control the amount of slack in the rope and therefore how fast you descend the rock. When I was climbing, someone else belayed me; for rappelling, although Andrea had a belay rope attached as a safety measure, I was in full control of what was happening. 

As I said, I hate the idea of falling, so convincing myself that walking backwards off a ledge while secured only by a rope and harness was a good idea was more than a bit of a struggle. But I did it, and in the process, I learned to trust myself. Sensing a theme here?

We hiked to the top of the cliff for lunch - what a view!

Although three days later my muscles are still making themselves known, I have no regrets about having tried something new. I don't know if I'll ever be a hardcore climber, but this trip taught me that something "scary" can still be fun, even if you've never done it before - I'll definitely be climbing again in the future. I really encourage you to try something that pushes you out of your comfort zone - the benefits of overcoming that small fear are totally worth it.

Laura