Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer - The Auburn Plainsman

Shadow of two figures facing each other, inside a Christmas ornament with wings wrapped around.

Lana Ha | Graphics Artist

Lifestyle

Classical Christmas: A review of Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | December 2

Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ covers the life of George Bailey (James Stewart) and the struggles that he faces between his family, his finances and missed opportunities. After facing financial ruin due to a bad relationship with the town’s richest man, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), and a bad night with his wife, Mary Hatch (Donna Reed), George plans to end his own life. Just before he carries out his plan, a guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers) visits George and helps him realize all of the good that he has put into the world around him.

Two cartoon turkeys, one black and one purple, joyfully dance beside large, bold red letters spelling "FREE BIRDS" against a light purple background.

Mia Stamey | Graphics Editor

Lifestyle

'We're taking turkey off the menu' — A review of 'Free Birds'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 27

The 2013 film “Free Birds,” details the adventures of two talking turkeys, Reggie (Owen Wilson) and Jake (Woody Harrelson) who travel back in time to the year 1621, with the goal of stopping turkey from being served at the first Thanksgiving feast. Reggie and Jake meet a slew of turkey friends when they travel back in time. Reggie also develops a crush on Jenny (Amy Poehler), a charming turkey from 1621. Reggie, Jake and the turkeys they meet in 1621 work to fight a group of colonists hunting them for the first Thanksgiving feast.

Santa Claus sits on a chair surrounded by poinsettias, with a campus backdrop and people walking by.

Denisen Justice | Former Staff Photographer

Lifestyle

Christmas countdown with Auburn's Letters to Santa program

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 17

With the holidays rapidly approaching, excitement is ramping up for Auburn’s unique Christmas traditions that celebrate community and spread joy through various events. Among the most popular is Letters to Santa, a program that allows children from Auburn and surrounding areas to send letters to Santa Claus and receive a letter in return. For several years, the city of Auburn has sponsored this program for children every holiday season.

Graphic with question mark over a calendar in front of a Christmas tree with music notes, a record and headphones around it.

Kelsey Cox | Graphics Artist

Lifestyle

Noel in November: When Auburn students start listening to Christmas music

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 12

The unique aspect about holidays is that every individual is able to celebrate them differently. While some people are persistent in beginning Christmas festivities only after Thanksgiving, others eagerly await the morning of Nov. 1 to bring on the holiday spirit. There is one major point of contention, though, for all of those who celebrate Christmas. When is the proper time to start playing Christmas music?

Mia Stamey | Graphics Editor

Lifestyle

Irving’s reinvention: A review of Tim Burton’s 'Sleepy Hollow'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | October 17

Tim Burton’s 1999 film “Sleepy Hollow” is a loose spin-off of Washington Irving’s 1820 short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Burton’s film is a chilling piece that follows Constable Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) on his 1799 journey to Sleepy Hollow from New York City.

Movie title, year, and hotel building on a blue background.

Mia Stamey | Graphics Editor

Lifestyle

Friendly fright: A review of Alfred Hitchcock’s 'Psycho'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | October 14

The 1960 horror film “Psycho,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, illustrates a slew of chilling events that take place over a weekend in Arizona and California. On a Friday afternoon, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) commits a monetary crime that motivates her to go on the run. She stops at the Bates Motel and charms the man who runs the motel, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). At the Motel, Crane meets her mysterious end, and her sister, Lila Crane (Vera Miles) employs a private detective, Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam), to search for her. When Arbogast stops responding with updates, Lila and Sam Loomis (John Gavin), Marion’s boyfriend, go to the Bates Motel themselves and discover a mortifying secret about the events that occurred there.

Casey Gongon | Graphics Artist

Lifestyle

Hors d’oeuvres of history: A cultural cookbook from the Auburn History Club

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | October 5

Many customs, especially culinary ones, are valued within cultures because food often unites people together. Most people don’t think about the history behind their food, but the History Club at Auburn University, along with the Lee County Historical Society, is working to change that. The organizations are creating a cookbook with southern recipes, with information about their true origins, to bring awareness to the underrepresented groups that formed southern culinary culture.

What Auburn Students Are Excited For Graphic

Casey Gongon | Graphics Artist

Lifestyle

Academics, athletics, activities: What Auburn students are excited for this year

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | September 9

Auburn University began its 169th year of classes on Aug. 18. Established in 1856, Auburn has served as a place of higher education for many generations of students. Time has created differences between the generations, but they all had one thing in common: hopefulness for the upcoming school year. This year, Auburn students are looking forward to many activities, from spending time with loved ones to establishing routines to participating in various student organizations.