Intrigue

Holiday Traditions Differ Among Religions

By Callie Garrett / Assistant Intrigue Editor | December 3

Christmas"For many American people, Christmas is a time of gift exchange and happy fellowship," said John Hung, adviser for Campus Crusades for Christ. "Retailers and goods manufacturers look forward to boosts in their economic fortunes. But for Christians, these things are of secondary emphasis.

Holiday Cheer Spreads to Troops Overseas

By Charley Gaines/ Staff Writer | December 3

As people in the U.S. move toward the end of the year and celebrate a time of giving and togetherness, organizations across the nation help ease the strain on the troops overseas.Organizations and students on campus and in the area are pulling together to show support for the men and women fighting for freedom Americans take for granted."We take things for granted," said Mary Catherine Stewart, senior in public relations.

Students Trim Their Trees for Christmas

By Brian Dessaro / STAFF WRITER | December 3

While their trees may not look like Rockefeller Center's 65-foot-tall tree, students still find creative and festive ways to celebrate the season by decorating Christmas trees with friends and family.One tradition many students participate in is making a special trip home to decorate a tree with their family."My family and I always go the day after Thanksgiving to pick out a tree together," said Jeremy Cooley, sophomore in marketing.

Victorian Front Porch Tour Entertains, Delights Locals

By Olivia Martin / Associate Intrigue Editor | December 3

This Christmas, Opelika is celebrating like it's 1899.The 17th annual Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour is Dec.

Is Santa Claus Legend a Supposed Ho! Ho! Hoax?

By Mary-Glenn Smith/ Staff Writer | December 3

Most Auburn students found out years ago that the big, bearded, jolly man dressed in red known as Santa Claus is not real.For some it was traumatic, but others didn't seem to mind that the man who left presents beneath the tree on Christmas Eve, while the flying reindeer waited on the rooftop, was actually their parents.Growing up, nearly everyone sat on Santa's lap at the mall, wrote him letters to tell him exactly what to bring them for Christmas and even baked cookies and put them out with milk for him to snack on as he left their presents under the Christmas tree.Then came the day when they found out it was all just a lie.

How To: Regift a Gift Without Getting Caught

By Michael Hansberry/ Staff Writer | December 3

To regift or not to regift is the question. Some may say it's a faux pas, and some may be more attuned to follow the "what they don't know won't hurt them" motto, but whatever the case may be, regifting is a serious issue.MP Dunleavey wrote "12 rules for regifting" for MSN.com's Money Section.

Failure Can be Beneficial in the Long Run

By Theadoris Morris/ Staff Writer | December 3

The word failure has a negative connotation, but failure is not as derogatory as it may seem, and experts say it can be viewed as a healthy life experience."If you've never failed then you've never tried," said Douglas Hankes, licensed psychologist and director at Student Counseling Services.

Girl's Night Out in Auburn

By Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR | December 2

Wm Harrison Fabrics held their first annual Girls Night Out Nov. 19. Kathy Powell, owner of Wm Harrison Fabrics, opened the store as a one-stop Christmas shopping venue for Auburn consumers.The public was invited to sip, shop and sample great gift ideas from local merchants including WmHarrison Fabrics, Flip Flop Foto, Silpada Jewelry, Usborne Books, Thirty One purses & accessories, Casseroles by Sandi, Buttons & Bows gifts, Frou Frou and more.

Local Restaurant Menus Include Thanksgiving Food choices

By Lindsey Grubbs/ Staff Writer | November 19

Some think of the Thanksgiving holiday as a weekend filled with family sitting around a table set for 12 and an oven-roasted turkey displayed as the center piece on the table.No matter if students are staying in town for the holidays or for the long-awaited Iron Bowl, area restaurants are lending their own ovens to serve Thanksgiving dinner from the traditional to the extreme to those here in Auburn.

On the Sidelines: Announcer Experiences Dream Job

By David Crayton/ Staff Writer | November 19

Ric Smith's voice booms over a stadium full of fans as he announces the tribulations of Auburn football.His voice can be recognized by any Auburn football fan.Smith has been announcing for three seasons, starting in 2006.For Smith, announcing football games is a personal satisfaction."It's a great honor to be a part of Auburn football," Smith said.

American Red Cross Offers Chance to Volunteer

By Andrew Sims / ONLINE EDITOR | November 19

Auburn University and the American Red Cross have been working hand-in-hand to serve Alabama and the Lee County community for more than 40 years.Recently that hand grip has become tighter through the formation of the Auburn Red Cross Campus Club.Lauren Scruggs, junior in biomedical sciences and club president, said despite the club being new to Auburn, it has already accomplished a lot alongside the Lee County Red Cross.Scruggs said she is thrilled with being able to provide students with a way to get involved alongside a great organization."Personally what I have enjoyed is being able to lead these very eager students and provide them with opportunities they would not have known about if they were not involved in this club," Scruggs said.The club has given students the chance to serve as active Red Cross volunteers and become involved in blood and food drives as well as disaster relief.The campus club, established in 2007, became a chartered group through the American National Red Cross and Auburn University SGA.The group has three advisers, two working for the American Red Cross in Lee County and the other is journalism and communications department head Margaret Fitch-Hauser, who also serves on the board for the Lee County chapter.The group's mission statement, found on its Web site, reads, "Our club is dedicated to engaging Auburn students in the mission of the American Red Cross: To help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies."The campus club currently has 50 active members.

Students Look Forward to Returning 'Home for the Holidays'

By Callie Garrett / Assistant Intrigue Editor | November 19

Thanksgiving brings family traditions to the table, and students are looking forward to returning home for the holidays."Every Thanksgiving since I can remember, my family has gone to my grandparents house to celebrate," said Christina McQuinn, sophomore in human development and family studies.

Thanksgiving Dining Leads to Primary Doze of Season

By Max Newfield / Staff Writer | November 19

Ever since the pilgrims sat down to their first Thanksgiving dinner in Plymouth, Mass., people have used this holiday as a time to give thanks for the blessings they have received throughout the year.But for some Auburn students, Thanksgiving signifies something else.Auburn students use Thanksgiving dinner to induce their first nap of the holiday season."My family always tries to watch a Christmas movie after Thanksgiving dinner, usually 'Christmas Vacation,'" said Brian Orgain, senior in Spanish.

Pigs are Intelligent, Social, Easy to Train

By Olivia Martin / Associate Intrigue Editor | November 19

It may have only been the third little pig to outsmart the wolf in the fairy tale, but in real life, pigs would have no trouble outsmarting the big bad wolf.In the current issue of "Animal Behavior," scientists discuss the latest evidence showing that domestic pigs can learn how mirrors work and use them to locate food.The ability to use mirrors and pass the "mirror self-recognition test," in which few species, including apes and dolphins, can recognize themselves in the mirror, are signs of intelligence.So just how smart are pigs?"Pigs are actually pretty smart," said Anna Mosley, senior in animal sciences.

How To: Pack a Suitcase

By Andrew Sims / ONLINE EDITOR | November 19

Toothbrush? Check. Shampoo? Check. Clean underwear? Working on it.These are the questions asked when packing a suitcase for a trip.

Black Friday Attracts Early Risers

By Emily Clever/ Staff Writer | November 19

One night of the year students set their alarm clocks for 3 a.m., not in preparation for a test, but in hopes of bringing home loads of new clothes, electronics and Christmas gifts.Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year.It is the day after Thanksgiving, Nov.

Where does everything on the Internet go?

By Brian Desarro/ Staff Writer | November 16

In this Information Age, things like shopping for new clothes, researching a history paper and watching the latest Miley Cyrus video can all be done simultaneously at the click of a mouse.The Internet, it seems, has taken over the world.But many users never stop to think about the complex network of technology that makes doing a Google search or updating a Facebook status easy and convenient.

Vitamins, Are They Essential or Useless?

By Aubrie Davis/ Staff Writer | November 12

Vitamins are an essential part of a daily diet. It is important that students get an adequate amount of each vitamin in order to live healthy lives.

On the Sidelines: Students Show Spirit for Seats

By Olivia Martin / Associate Intrigue Editor | November 12

It is that special section between the 35-yard line and the band. It is the crowd of formally dressed students in suits and sundresses.

Community Collects Toys for Children's Christmas Gifts

By Emily Beckett/ Staff Writer | November 12

Spirit is more than a mind set, an eagle or the colors orange and blue for Auburn students and residents.It is what fuels the men and women of Auburn to contribute to charitable causes such as Toys for Tots during the Christmas season."The goal for this year," said Sgt.