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From friends to lovers: 'The People We Meet on Vacation' review

By Margaret Griffin | Lifestyle Writer | February 10

"The People We Meet on Vacation" is a natural and heartfelt romantic comedy that was recently released on Jan. 9, 2026. This uplifting film captures the beauty of connection, timing and personal growth as experienced through two characters navigating their life and love across years of shared adventures. Directed by Brett Haley, the film combines realistic endeavors with themes of passion, confidence and staying true to oneself. From beginning to end, this film takes the audience on a compelling journey that lasts long after the movie ends. 

Shakespeare play turned 90s rom-com: '10 Things I Hate About You’ review

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | February 9

As the Valentine’s season draws near, romantic comedy movies tend to be a popular category, with ‘10 Things I Hate About You (1999)’ being a forerunner for the more modern take on the genre. The film follows the two Stratford sisters: abrasive and antisocial Kat (Julia Stiles) and popular and yearner-for-romance Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). When their strict father says Bianca can’t date until Kat does, two of their peers, Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Michael (David Krumholtz), do whatever they can to find Kat her ideal mate.

The Jule Art Museum hosts Auburn Forum for Southern Art and Culture

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | February 8

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts hosted the 2026 Auburn Forum for Southern Art and Culture as an all-day event on Feb. 7. The event ran from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring a series of exhibitions, speakers and other explorations of art originating from or inspired by the South, alongside its usual art displays. Entry to the event was free and various artists and speakers came to further explain their work.

Ferrophobia: A review of 'Iron Lung'

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | February 8

“Iron Lung” is a must-see for any fans of unique horror, especially eldritch horror, and its smaller scale doesn’t hold it back from being an ambitious movie and a perfect example of what a dedicated team can accomplish on a shoestring budget and a solid concept.

Spoonlight Ice Cream celebrates National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Staks

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | February 7

On Feb. 7, Staks Pancake Kitchen collaborated with Spoonlight Ice Cream to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Customers were able to try specialty menu items, sample unique flavors and purchase a pint of ice cream for any flavors they enjoyed.

Auburn Public Library launches Request It! service

By Kimber Quinn | Lifestyle Writer | February 2

On Dec. 23, Auburn Public Library reannounced its Request It! service that allows patrons to request a variety of library materials to meet the community's needs.

Monthly picks: A 'timeless' movie, book and album for February

By Katelyn Smith | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | February 1

As the ice of January melts away, February marks a time of celebrating the special connections we have in our lives. Whether it be family, friends or significant others, this month is focused on all sorts of love. To celebrate the new month, I’ve curated a list of entertainment, including a movie, book and album, guaranteed to set the mood for the season.

The Jule celebrates America's 250th birthday with three new exhibits

By Emily Edgy | Lifestyle Writer | January 31

In light of the nation’s 250th birthday, the Jule Museum is presenting three new exhibits for the 2025-26 school year, each showcasing art collections that encapsulate the American spirit and all the ways those ideas manifest into art. These unique exhibitions focus on important and sometimes troubled sides of American history.

Love is in the stars: A review of WALL-E

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | January 30

In 2008, animation studio Pixar released an animated feature called "WALL-E," following a string of eight consecutive Oscar nominees, making up the studio’s golden age. Unlike those films, this was not about talking animals, sentient toys or lovable monsters. Instead, "WALL-E" was a space opera, an environmental piece and most importantly, a romance. Through a mix of clever homages to classic love stories such as “Hello, Dolly!,” as well as the movie's masterful use of cinema as a language, Pixar manages to create a beautiful dynamic between the two leads. For these reasons and more, I cannot help but recommend it to anyone looking for a romantic movie to watch this Valentine's Day.

Progress on the Plains: Do Auburn students make New Year's resolutions?

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | January 30

Many see the new year as the perfect time to start over, as it represents the ability to leave what’s old in the past and start fresh. People from ages 18 to 29 are the most likely to create New Year’s resolutions. Most of Auburn’s student population falls within that age range. That leaves the question: How did Auburn students approach New Year's resolutions this year?

'And the winner is…' – 2026 Grammys predictions

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | January 29

When it comes to the realm of music, it’s safe to say that the Grammys are highly anticipated by industry workers and general audiences alike, and the case is no different for 2026. The award show will be streaming on Feb. 1 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. CST on Paramount+ and CBS, so be sure to make your guesses, tune in and celebrate a great year of music.

Auburn-Opelika Tourism's art gallery: Where community meets creativity

By Betsy Nearn | Lifestyle Writer | January 2

As cold, dreary weather sets into the South, visitors and locals alike escape into the bold, bright colors of Auburn-Opelika Tourism’s art gallery on North Gay Street. Over 20 artists contributed roughly 150 paintings to share stories and encapsulate the beauty found within the local community. 

A backstage look at AubFest

By Katelyn Smith | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | December 28

Auburn’s own DIY music festival AubFest had its seventh successful edition from Oct. 3 to 5, uniting the community with music performed by over 30 regional bands. Starting as a simple idea by an Auburn University student, Ashley Spencer, the festival is now a non-profit event and has quickly blossomed into a beloved, biannual tradition. However many attendees do not realize the amount of hard work that Auburn University students dedicate to the festival.

The storied history of performance arts on the Plains

By Auston Kucholtz | News Writer | December 21

For over a century, Auburn has hosted some of the most impactful and culturally significant singers and performers in the nation. As the local artistic scene blooms now more than ever, The Plainsman takes a look back at the most notable cultural events from Auburn’s long history with performing arts.

10,000 Hz builds community through listening parties

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | December 20

From a display stand in the corner of a coffee shop to a brick and mortar store, record store 10,000 Hz has built community in the Auburn-Opelika area through music. These events serve to build community through music. In the Auburn-Opelika area, where record stores are scarce, 10,000 Hz has filled this hole by uniting listeners of all backgrounds.

AU Players: An organization focused on theatre and friendship

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | December 20

Auburn University Players (AU Players) is a student-run club that immerses its members into the world of theatre, whether they’re majoring in it or not. Students are able to join at any point of the year with just an annual fee of $15.

How to 'deck the halls' for a Christmas dinner party

By Betsy Nearn | Lifestyle Writer | December 19

For students hoping to bring friends together at home, a Christmas dinner party provides the perfect opportunity to reunite. From the invitation to the table setting, follow the guide below to properly “deck the halls” of your home.

The game that broke the internet: A review of 'Hollow Knight: Silksong'

By Sydney Gallardo | Newsletter Editor | December 15

After years of waiting by excited fans, "Hollow Knight: Silksong," the sequel to the acclaimed "Hollow Knight," was released by indie developer Team Cherry on Sept. 4. The game was so highly anticipated that it crashed Steam, a widely-used platform hosting thousands of video games. After years of "Silksong tomorrow" jokes and theorizing, fans across the globe descended upon Steam all at once. As a Hollow Knight fan, I, too, coveted my chance to play "Hollow Knight: Silksong" with bated breath until I finally got the opportunity. Through all this excitement, however, we must ask ourselves: Is it worth the hype?