'Nevermore' Forevermore?

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

Don't you love the opening stanza of Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven'? In fact, once I read the beginning I'm compelled to read the rest - if you're the same, click here to see the whole poem and discover a great site devoted to All Things Poe. Why talk about Poe today, January 19? It's his birthday and something rather shocking has happened - or rather, not happened!

Since 1949, a mysterious stranger has visited Poe's grave in Baltimore between midnight and dawn on January 19 - leaving three roses and a half-full (or perhaps half-empty is the way Poe would see it) bottle of cognac. This year . . . no roses, no cognac, no note. As the identity of the 'Poe Toaster' is not known, we can only guess at the reason. Perhaps last year was the intentional finale - it was the 200th anniversary of Poe's birth and a nice, round number on which to end. Perhaps the Poe Toaster is in poor health this year? We may never know - or perhaps the tradition will continue next year . . . let's wait and see.

In the meantime, enjoy a Poe poem or take the Baltimore Sun's Poe Quiz or rent the creepy '60s adaptation of the Fall of the House of Usher, starring the King of B-thrillers, Vincent Price.

As for me, I'm off to check around my chamber doors, purple curtains, and window lattices to ensure no craven, ghastly grim and ancient ravens are lurking . . .

Cornhuskin': It's an Angel Thing

Today is the final day of Cornhuskin'! Unless you're a Meredith College student or alum you may not be that excited about this news . . . but, for those current students it's the biggest day in the fall semester - a tradition started in the 1940s that has evolved into a week-long celebration.

Originally Cornhuskin' was a kind of harvest festival with hog calling, corn shucking, apple bobbing, and, of course, costumes! There is competition between the classes - with each class choosing a theme and integrating it into their skit, dance, shirts, tall tale, parade floats, etc. The themes are top secret and the class that earns the most points in all categories is declared the winner.

The photo above is from my Senior Cornhuskin' - we had sweatshirts, hats, balloons and songbooks - fairly simple compared to the Spirit Packs of today. The songs were a big element then, carefully written and rehearsed. I was a bit sad to find that there are no songs now - perhaps a sign of the dwindling music department. But, the songs were replaced with a dance that is expertly choreographed and performed enthusiastically.

Another thing that has changed is the Beehive - as seen above, it was a building that was painted and repainted each year. I have to say I've never enjoyed subsequent painting projects as much . . . sadly the Beehive itself is now demolished. But, when one tradition dies another takes its place.

The Can Art competition is a new event - each class designs a large art project made entirely of cans - following their theme, of course! And the tunnel painting is also new (by new I mean since the 1980s!).

You can sum this up with the old saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Since my time, Cornhuskin' has become a five day event culminating on Friday rather than Thursday - and it's now open to friends and family. It's much bigger and more professional, but at the core it's the same: a celebration of 'Meredithness' - friendship, competition, and most of all fun! I hope this makes you think of the traditions in your world - be they family, school, or community ones. Long may they continue!

And to all the Meredith Angels competing tonight - I hope this is the best Cornhuskin' ever! And special good wishes to the Class of 2010!!

(And finally a word of caution to the men in our lives - if you're only going to remember one thing about Meredith choose Cornhuskin' - nothing ends a relationship quicker than calling it 'Cornshucking' . . . )

Have a Corn-tastic Day!!